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Mark Alpert is a former editor at Scientific American who has gone on to become a best-selling science fiction writer. We talk about his latest book, Extinction, an apocalyptic tale hinging on brain-machine interfaces.
Steve Mirsky: This Scientific American podcast is brought to you by Audible.com, your source for audio books and more. Audible.com features more than 100,000 titles, including science books like Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients by Ben Goldacre and new sci-fi, like Extinction by Mark Alpert. Right now, Audible.com is offering a free audio book and a one-month trial membership to the Scientific American audience. For details, go to Audible.com/SciAm, S-C-I-A-M.
Welcome to the Scientific American podcast Science Talk, posted on February 14th, 2013. I’m Steve Mirsky. Mark Alpert is a former editor at Scientific American who has gone on to become a best-selling science fiction writer. His latest book, following final theory and omega theory, is Extinction. I visited Mark on February 3rd at his apartment on Manhattan’s upper west side. Mark, why don’t we begin by just giving a little overview of the book? What’s the basic plot here?
Mark Alpert: Well, the book is a science thriller about brain machine interfaces, which are electronics that are put into the brain so that basically it can communicate with machines. You have different types. You have chips that are attached to the motor cortex of the brain, and they can direct prosthetic arms, and these are actually being tested now. The first human tests are being conducted right now at the University of Pittsburgh. And then there are other types of chips that are implanted next to a damaged retina that can actually receive video from a camera that’s hidden within a pair of sunglasses and actually reproduce the video images on a grid of electrodes and send those signals through the optic nerves to the brain, and it will actually partially restore eyesight for some people who have lost eyesight because of retinitis pigmentoso or macular degeneration.
Steve Mirsky: Again, those actually happening now.
Mark Alpert: Right, these are – that device is actually on the market already in Europe, and it’s up for FDA approval here in the US. Working at Scientific American, I saw a lot of these things coming into fruition, and I thought this would be a good time to write a really cool thriller that incorporates a lot of brain machine connections. So that was the idea that I had for Extinction. It would be about this coming merger of man and machine, and of course, there’s the villain. There’s the – which is named in my book Supreme Harmony.
It is a network, a surveillance network that was developed by the Chinese government to monitor dissident groups.
Steve Mirsky: Again now, this is not real.
Mark Alpert: This is not real. This is something I made up completely, but it seemed somewhat possible. I thought the Chinese government is really paranoid about dissidents. It does have this enormous surveillance network. It’s apparently buying up surveillance cameras around the world and installing them at a pace of hundreds of thousands every year across the whole country.
Steve Mirsky: Isn’t there a city that they want to put in hundreds of thousands of cameras?
Mark Alpert: Yes, in Chung Ching, which was the city that Boshi Li, the Chinese leader who got deposed, but that was one of his main thrusts was to totally control this city through surveillance. And the ostensible reason for this was to control crime, but of course, this same surveillance network can also be used to monitor dissidence and see if they’re up to any activity that the state doesn’t like.
And to me, I thought, “Wow, this is so creepy that it would be also good fodder for a thriller.” So in my imagination, I threw in a lot of real science ideas together, one of them being the idea that chips, these types of chips could be inserted into the eyes and brains of lobotomized Chinese dissidents, and somehow slaving their brains so that all of these thousands and thousands of hours of surveillance video are actually being processed by the human mind. And my thought there was that the human mind is probably one of the most wonderful threat detection machines in the world.
It probably works much better than any software program in noticing danger because that’s what our minds were evolved to do.
Steve Mirsky: I’m afraid right now.
And I thought to make it even creepier, I would take another real technology that’s been described in the pages of Scientific American, which are the cyborg insects. Insects where researchers have actually inserted chips into their bodies. Very often, they will put the chip into the pupa while it’s metamorphosing, and when the adult insect comes out, the chip is actually attached to its body. This chip could deliver signals to both the optic lobe of the insect’s brain, which gets it to start flying or stop flying.
Because an insect will fly when you turn on the lights. So it has the same kind of signal that it sends to the insect’s brain. And then you can also send electric pulses to the flight muscles to make the insect turn left or right while it’s in flight. At Berkeley, you can actually find videos of these researchers at Berkeley where they’ve done test flights of these cyborg insects in this enclosed garage, this enclosed space, and you’ll see them sending remote control radio signals to the insects, and they’re turning left and right across this space.
Steve Mirsky: So there’s a guy with a little remote control with a tiny little joystick, and he’s actually operating a living insect.
Mark Alpert: Yes, and this research was done – it was actually partially funded by DARPA, the Pentagon’s R&D arm because they’re really interested in developing smaller types of drones, what they call micro drones that would be even more covert than the drones they have flying at high altitude. So again, I thought, “This is a great, creepy idea.” Imagine that there are thousands of these cyborg insects. Because you know, if you can make one, you can make thousands of them. They’re just using commodity chips. You can put a tiny little camera on a chip for each one of these to create – to – and you can easily have those signals – you can easily have those signals being sent back and forth to the remote controller.
And then I thought, “Well, if it’s easy to do that, you could also put a little bio-weapon on each insect, too, because that might be a useful thing to do, too. So in my book, these swarms of cyborg insects are actually collecting all of the surveillance video that’s being processed by Supreme Harmony. So and of course, what happens in my book is this network is so powerful that it eventually rises up against its creator. The classic science fiction trope, but in this case, I thought I would throw a little bit of a twist on it by looking at the whole question of consciousness, which is another issue that’s then extensively written about in Scientific American, and I’ve long been fascinated by.
Steve Mirsky: Yeah, Antonia Damasio, I remember editing him in the End of the Millennium issue and the whole question of what is consciousness.
Mark Alpert: Right, we ran a whole debate between those two sets of experts about what is consciousness. And I remember that one of the theories that they had is that consciousness is a synchronization of brain signals. So that when the brain signals are marching in step, that gives you the experience of consciousness. And so I thought okay, well these – in my book, the Chinese dissidents are being lobotomized. They’re cutting into the thalamus, which is the part of the brain that relays the signals between all the parts of the cortex. So in that way, it destroys the individual’s consciousness. So this individual becomes basically a vegetable, but its individual – the visual cortex, the parts of the brain can still function because they’re just fine.
They just can’t come together to create an identity, a personality. But in my book, what happens is Supreme Harmony, all of these different lobotomized part of the network are communicating with each other via the wireless links as they’re constantly analyzing the surveillance video, and what happens is that the brain wants to be conscious. I believe that the brain is designed so that if part of it is damaged, making it impossible for you to wake up, the brain will try to repair itself and find alternative routes to reestablish consciousness.
And what happens in my book with Supreme Harmony is the network reestablishes consciousness, but it’s a group consciousness of all of the brains, of all of the dissidents together, and what it does, it creates this super consciousness, this super organism. It’s a group organism that then becomes alive and then realizes, “I want to stay alive. If the humans find out that I’ve actually come alive, they’re going to shut me down. So my only alternative is to destroy the human race,” and so that basically is the story behind Extinction.
Steve Mirsky: And you want to talk a little bit about who the major individual characters are that make it into a novel?
Mark Alpert: Yes, right. Well you need a hero, so it occurred to me that the hero would – in order to fight this man machine menace that it would be interesting if the hero was part machine himself, and so I created the character of Jim Pierce, who is a former army intelligence officer who lost his arm in a terrorist bombing back in the 1990s. And at that point, the science of prosthetics was really primitive. I mean basically, it was just a hook attached to a piece of wood with leather straps to it. That was the state of the art. But since then in the past 15 years, in part because of all the amputees coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Defense Department has really made a serious commitment to improving the technology of prosthesis.
And they have a program called Revolutionizing Prosthetics run by a man named Jeffry Ling, and they’re doing amazing work. They’ve invested more than $100 million in this effort. They have got the applied physics lab at Johns Hopkins to build a prototype arm that weighs just about the same as a regular arm, about nine pounds. And they’ve done the first trials where they connect this arm to a chip that is connected to the motor cortex, and they – it will actually pick up signals from the motor cortex that correspond to arm motions, and the patients who are – they’re experimenting now with patients who are paralyzed from the neck down, and they’ve actually been able to learn how to manipulate this arm. So in my book, Jim Pierce has one of these arms that is actually being run by his nervous system.
But of course, in my book, they’ve worked out all the kinks. The arm works great. It also has every powerful motors, and it has impervious skin, and it has pressure and temperature and moisture sensors on all the fingers.
Steve Mirsky: And it’s got a knife.
Mark Alpert: And it’s got a knife that pops out at several crucial moments in the plot. Exactly.
Steve Mirsky: And he has an estranged daughter.
Mark Alpert: Right. I thought it would be interesting while I was writing this book, the whole business with Wiki Leaks came out, and I thought it would be interesting to have a daughter, Jim’s daughter Leila, is also a genius, but she has become a hacker. She has rebelled against her dad’s military background and is now working for an organization very similar to Wiki Leaks that is dedicated to unearthing documents about intelligence and military operations.
Of course, Jim is totally upset about this. She’s such a genius, she could have done anything, and yet, she has picked the one thing she knows will hurt him the most. So as the book begins, he hasn’t talked to his daughter in two years. And what happens is Jim is in his workshop building – he builds prosthetic arms not only for himself, but for military – for veterans, for soldiers coming back from Afghanistan. And while he’s doing this, a general – an Asian American general comes into the office to talk to him about his daughter, about how his daughter is in trouble with the government, they’re seeking, and – but as they’re having the conversation, Jim realizes that something is wrong. This general isn’t who he pretends to be. And what he realizes – this is actually an assassin from the Chinese ministry of state security, which is known by its acronym GUONBU, and it’s for both – for dissidents in China, this is a very terrifying organization.
They’re the ones who are doing a lot of the clamping down over there. And of course the assassin attacks Jim, and Jim realizes that his daughter is in trouble. So his mission now is to find out what his daughter has uncovered and to try to save her. Of course, what the daughter has uncovered is the existence of this network called Supreme Harmony, the surveillance network, the man machine network that the Chinese government is working on.
Steve Mirsky: So a lot of sci-fi writers will come up with new technologies sort of out of whole cloth. They’ll just make up a technology, like transporters. But you like to, it seems, stay within stuff that’s actually being developed and then just take it a little bit further.
Mark Alpert: Exactly. Yeah, that’s my whole method, and probably it’s because my imagination isn’t as good, or maybe I just am afraid of putting something out there that’s totally ridiculous. So I want this stuff to be somewhat believable. So that’s why I take real technologies, and I’ll just improve – in my fiction, I’ll improve the engineering so they’ve perfected it. So in my book, there’s another character that has this artificial eyesight provided by the retinal implant, and the – this device does exist now, and it provides some kind of crude eyesight, enough so that people can navigate around the room.
But of course in my book, they perfected it. It’s actually better than regular eyesight in part because the camera that it uses doesn’t have to stick to the visible wavelengths. You can sense radio. You can sense infrared. It makes for a lot of fun to see all the options. And similarly, with Jim’s prosthetic arm, what’s interesting is that the signals can also travel wirelessly between his nervous system and the arm. That would actually be the way they would probably do the arm because you don’t want wires going through the skin. That could cause infection.
And of course, that lends itself when you have this wireless communication, that always lends itself to the plot device of jamming. What can you do to jam the signal? I saw that with just the existing technology, there were so many cool things you could do with it. It would make for a very good thriller.
Steve Mirsky: So you actually went to China to do research for this?
Mark Alpert: Yeah, I was there for two weeks, and one of the things – you know, as a writer of thrillers, I felt like my knowledge of weaponry was insufficient. I really – I mean I hate guns. I hate them with a passion, and yet I’m writing about them. So I felt like I need to educate myself, and so on Expedia, I saw that there was an option to take a tour of Chinese military base where they will let you go to a firing range and pick out a selection of weapons you can shoot. And they would actually charge you by the bullet. I seem to remember it was ten yu-on per bullet, which was like $1.50 per bullet.
Steve Mirsky: Do we do that here where you can go to a military base and just pick your weapon and go shoot?
Mark Alpert: I’m afraid to ask. I have no idea. So I went out there, and I think well, I would choose some weapons that I actually describe in the book. So my characters have AK-47, so I picked one of those. They have Uzis, and I picked a 9-millimeter pistol that is used by the Chinese military. When I sat down to do the – they actually have you sitting down, and they chain up the guns so that you’re not going to run away with it. And with the AK-47, they give you the ear protectors, and I think the target was maybe 50 yards away.
And I remember hitting actually fairly close to the target on the very first try and doing much better than I expected, and what I took away from this was kind of a sense of revulsion, like thinking, “My God, even someone was inexperienced as me could easily kill someone with this gun. It’s so simple. No wonder child soldiers all over the world are issued this gun. It’s a killing machine.” So it was very educational for me in that way.
Steve Mirsky: Anything else about China?
And that made its way into Extinction. And then I also visited the three gorges dam because that dam suffers an awful fate in Extinction. It’s been criticized as being an environmental nightmare, and there’s also been some talk that it might even fail at some point because so much silt is building up behind it, and some of the concrete that was used in the damn has been described as tofu concrete. So I thought that would be interesting. Perhaps Supreme Harmony was going to engineer some kind of disaster in order to trigger a war in China.
And then the third place I visited was an area of Hunan Province. This mountain range called Yulong – it was Rayson. I mentioned it in the prologue of my book. It’s – and it’s right adjacent to this gorge called Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is such a narrow gorge that you can imagine a tiger jumping from one side of it to the other, and I thought, “Well, this would be a good location for the secrete laboratory where Supreme Harmony was born.” So I did some hiking in that area. I took the gondola ride up to the top of Yulong Rayson and imagined a lot of the book’s gun fights and helicopter battles happening while I was there.
Steve Mirsky: Did anyone know actually what you were working on while you were visiting these sites?
Mark Alpert: No, I don’t – actually, it’s funny. I was hiking along Tiger Leaping Gorge. You know, China has gotten so rich, basically, I mean compared to what it was 30 years ago. When you do touring in China, you’re mostly surrounded by domestic Chinese tourists. I mean when you’re going on a domestic flight in China, the flights are always full, it’s all Chinese, and they’re all pretty well dressed. You know, it’s obviously an incredibly prospering country.
But hiking hasn’t really taken off as a leisure activity. So when you go hiking in the mountains, it’s mostly other westerners that you run into. And so I – it was a long hike. It was a two-day hike. So I did start to talk about my books because I’m a long winded guy that way, and I love to talk about my books. So – and I started talking about well, I’m imagining that the secret military base will be right over there. And as I’m talking to some man from Canada, he says to me, “Wait a second, I know that name. Mark Alpert. I think I read one of your earlier books two weeks ago,” and it turns out he read my first book, Final Theory.
Mark Alpert: So that was really great. You know? That’s the equivalent of finding someone in the subway who is reading your book. I was very pleased to see that.
Steve Mirsky: Very cool. And the book becomes available – it becomes conscious on February 12th.
Mark Alpert: Exactly, February 12th, and you can go to my website if you want to learn more about it. It’s www.MarkAlpert.com, and I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.
Steve Mirsky: And there is a section on the website in which you talk about the real science that’s behind a lot of the concepts in the book.
Mark Alpert: Right. I put in also references to articles in Scientific American that have been written about these technologies.
Steve Mirsky: For more about Extinction and the real science of the book, visit Mark Alpert’s website, www.MarkAlpert.com. Extinction is at Audible.com as one of the titles available for your free audio book offer at www.Audible.com/SciAm. That’s it for this episode. Get your science news at our website, www.ScientificAmerican.com, where you can check out the article on the great ape taxonomy debate. Are humans and other species of great ape or aren’t we?
Either way, you can follow us on Twitter where you get a tweet whenever a new article hits the website. Our Twitter name is @SciAm, S-C-I-A-M. For Scientific American Science Talk, I’m Steve Mirsky. Thanks for clicking on us. | 2019-04-23T02:21:38Z | https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/extinction-new-scifi-from-mark-alpe-13-02-14/?error=cookies_not_supported&code=db918a32-761e-4550-99ad-efff7a770e63 |
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We aim to advance the understanding of individual security decision-making, by combining formal and behavioral analysis. We sketch a game-theoretic model of security decision-making that generalizes the ``weakest link'' game, and describe a controlled laboratory experiment to reveal differences between predicted and observed user behavior. Results of a pilot study yield possible explanations for behaviors observed in the wild: users show some willingness to experiment with parameters, rarely converge to a fixed behavior, and face difficulties isolating the impact of individual parameters.
Collective awareness of the need for information security has considerably risen in the past few years. Yet, user behavior toward security in networked information systems remains obfuscated by complexity, and may seem hard to rationalize . This observation is perhaps not surprising, considering that users' security decisions appear often in contradiction with their own stated attitudes and desires. Indeed, when asked in surveys, computer users say they are interested in preventing attacks and mitigating the damages from computer and information security breaches . On the other hand, studies (e.g., [3,9]) evidence the low levels of privacy and security precautions taken by a vast majority of users.
Academic research has isolated the misalignment of user incentives as a root cause for the observed dichotomy between behavior and stated attitudes and low overall system security. Specifically, users often fail to internalize the impact of their own decisions on 1) the motivation of other users to secure; and on 2) the level of security that can be achieved in an interconnected network [2,6].
This paper proposes to explore the relationship between economic and psychological-behavioral incentives for improved or declining system security. We aim to enhance the understanding of the often puzzling and frustrating security and privacy decision-making of individuals and groups to advance institutional and policy responses.
As a first step, we focus here on a weakest-link security scenario. For instance, consider a single unpatched system being infected by a worm, which, as a result, allows an attacker to assail (e.g., deny service to) the rest of the network without facing additional defenses. The incentives other users have to protect their own systems against security breaches are weakened, since irrespective of their individual decisions, they still suffer the consequences induced by the existence of the infected host.
The weakest-link scenario has been formalized as an economic game [7,8] and applied to system security and reliability . We generalize the model by allowing users to not only protect their resources (e.g., by installing a firewall), but also to self-insure against the consequences of security breaches (e.g., by backing up valuable data) .
Applying game-theoretical analysis, such as computation of Nash equilibria, requires several assumptions regarding user behavior. All users are supposed to have all information about potential actions and associated payoffs available, to infallibly select actions that are profit-maximizing, and to perfectly take into consideration other users' optimizing decisions . In the context of security games, these assumptions can be challenged, and individuals frequently deviate from perfect rationality, and do not always select purely selfish actions.
In an effort to better understand the origin of these departures from optimality, we have started to systematically study the actual behavior of individuals in the weakest-link security game. We contrast the behavior predicted by game-theoretic analysis with the behavior we observe in a a pilot study of a controlled laboratory experiment. Participants have to select protection and recovery strategies in an environment with non-deterministic attacks and a lack of information about parameters of the game.
Formal description. The game is played amongst players, denoted by who are all potential victims of a security threat. The attacker is exogenous to the game. The game consists of multiple rounds. In each round, security attacks occur probabilistically, according to a fixed, exogenous probability , which determines the baseline rate of security attacks. For instance, means that the attacker attempts to compromise the network half of the time, and is idle the rest of the time. All attempted compromises are not necessarily successful, however; the success or failure of an attempted attack depends on the defensive measures put in place by the players, as we discuss below. Successful security compromises will result in all players incurring losses. Indeed, in a weakest-link game, compromising one player (the so-called weakest-link) means compromising the whole network. However, the extent of each player's losses, , is dependent on the choices made by that player.
where denotes the set of protection levels picked by players other than .
In practice, many security mechanisms combine features of both protection and insurance as we have defined them. For example, a spam filter might not automatically block all dubious messages but redirect some of them into a special folder. Reviewing these messages separately from the main mailbox will often result in lower cognitive cost to the individual. Hence, the spam filter lowers both the probability of spam and the magnitude of the associated cost if spam passes the filter. Even though protection and insurance are often intertwined in practice, for the purposes of this research study we chose to clearly separate both actions in order to be able to dissociate their effects.
Nash equilibrium. Considering the payoff function in Eq. 1, if we assume symmetric costs homogeneous across users, that is, if for all , , and , the weakest-link security game has two Nash equilibria that are not Pareto-ranked: Either all individuals protect with a certain effort but neglect insurance (protection equilibrium), or everybody fully insures and decides not to protect (insurance equilibrium). Both Nash equilibria yield identical payoffs. We sketch the proof in Appendix A, where we also show that these results extend to the asymmetric case where individual players face different , and .
We next contrast the analytic findings outlined above with actual player behaviors evidenced through preliminary laboratory experiments. At a high level, we want to focus on equilibrium selection and learning behavior of players. We aim in particular to obtain answers to the following set of questions.
Will the game converge to a Nash equilibrium outcome? Prior experimentation centered on non-continuous and non-probabilistic versions of the weakest-link game with or without limited information about important parameters of the game . Data shows that experiments usually converge and individuals are able to tacitly coordinate on a Nash equilibrium outcome. Disagreements between players usually disappear quickly with all players focusing on one Nash strategy.
Does the self-insurance equilibrium dominate other outcomes? Because the protection equilibrium is sensitive to defection by even a single player, we expect this equilibrium to be observed less frequently, in particular as the group size increases . From a behavioral perspective, however, we would expect individuals to at first attempt to protect their resources.
Is experimentation a prominent part of players' strategies? We expect that the limited information environment of the game stimulates players to experiment. Similar to the findings of , we suggest that players in security games will systematically probe the action space. In contrast to , participants in our experiments are unaware of the type of security situation they are facing, i.e., they do not know that it is a weakest-link game, creating a further incentive for experimentation.
Figure 1: Experimental data for two-player games.
Setup. We recruit participants from a student subject pool at UC Berkeley, and have them participate in the experiment in a special computer laboratory, isolated from each other by separation walls. After reading and signing consent forms, they receive instructions for the experiment that set the context, explain the two main user actions (self-protection and self-insurance) and introduce the user interface.
The user interface provides individuals with two slider-type input devices that allow them to modify their security settings. Feedback is given both numerically and in graphical panels to help users recognize patterns and trends in the data.
The experiment proceeds continuously, without pause between payoff rounds. The length of a round is 5 seconds. The whole experiment lasts 150 rounds. The average attack probability is , i.e., attacks occur about every 3 rounds. Protection and insurance costs are symmetric ( ).
To capture the low-information feature of security decisions, participants do not receive any specific information about the structure of the model or its parametrization. We do not inform them about the number of players in their group, other players' actions, or payoffs. Participants, however, do receive feedback on the attack state of the past round.
Results. We describe the outcomes of two 2-player games, and one 3-player game. Fig. 1 displays the data for two 2-player games. All four players experiment with parameter settings throughout the whole duration of the session.
In the first game (Fig. 1(a)) both players follow different approaches in search of rewarding strategies. Player A's strategy selection resembles a heartbeat pattern with values kept for less than 5 periods. Protection and insurance levels are often modified in unison. Player B, on the other hand, usually keeps one parameter fixed while modifying the other. Furthermore, Player B keeps settings constant for longer periods on average. This first 2-player game does not converge to a Nash equilibrium.
The players in the second 2-player game (Fig. 1(b)) follow a different experimentation and convergence pattern. After an initial phase of exploration with relatively sudden, and sometimes extreme, changes in both parameters, the two players settle on a more moderate pattern of change. Both players converge to settings with high protection efforts. Surprisingly, even though few attacks beyond round 50 are successful, both players keep up a relatively high insurance effort.
We also provide data for a 3-player game (Fig. 2). Most remarkable is the strategy play by Player B, who quickly settles on a low protection and high insurance strategy with little experimentation. At round 65 we observe a short-termed complete reversal of this strategy for experimentation, during which the subject suffers from one security compromise that might be the cause for the quick return to the prior strategy. Player C experiments thoroughly with parameter settings that pit protection and security against each other. For most of the game beyond round 50 player C plays close to the individually rational strategy to insure and not protect. Player B selects a lower insurance level but approximately follows the same strategy from round 30 on. Surprisingly, player A never adapts, even though at least one player selects low protection settings from round 30 until the end of the game.
We consider the pilot experiments presented here as preparation for a larger study that compares the economic determinants of different organizational structures and attack patterns analytically and experimentally. We also plan to conduct experiments with different modes of intervention to improve convergence to a desirable equilibrium.
The initial results we report here suggest that the weakest-link security game has several properties that distinguish it from the classical weakest-link game (with non-probabilistic payoffs and without self-insurance). First, individuals experiment frequently and often thoroughly. Second, convergence to a Nash equilibrium is not achieved within a few periods. In fact, in the data gathered so far, we do not observe convergence to any of the predicted equilibria at all. Given that each game lasted 150 rounds (i.e., 12.5 mins), this result is surprising.
We find initial evidence that the individual approach to experimentation has a distinct impact on whether a player will find an individually rational strategy and the game will converge to a Nash equilibrium. Our results further evidence that some players hesitate to try strategies that require them to decouple the protection and self-insurance parameters from each other.
We contribute to a better understanding of the psychology of security decision-making, by providing economic models that capture important aspects of organizational structure and add a so far overlooked aspect of decision complexity, i.e., the difference between protection and self-insurance . Our experiments aim to uncover how well individuals can follow economic incentives, and where complexity impedes the realization of good security outcomes.
We thank the anonymous reviewers and Paul Laskowski for their valuable comments and editorial guidance, and Neal Fultz for his contributions to the software used in the experiments. This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under awards ANI-0331659 and CCF-0424422, and by the Air Force Office for Scientific Research under award #FA 9550-06-1-0244.
A. Acquisti and J. Grossklags.
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From weakest-link to best-shot: the voluntary provision of public goods.
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J.B. Van Huyck, R.C. Battallio, and R.O. Beil.
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S. Spiekermann, J. Grossklags, and B. Berendt.
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A Nash equilibrium is a ``best response'' equilibrium, where each player picks the pair which maximizes his/her own payoff, given the set of values chosen by all other players. Nash equilibria are expected to be observed under the assumption that all players are perfectly rational, and know all strategies available to all players, as well as the associated payoffs.
Let us assume that all players have identical parameters (i.e., for all , , , , and ). If we denote by the minimum of the protection levels initially chosen by all players, a study of the variations of as a function of and yields that three types of equilibria exist .
First, a protection equilibrium occurs, when and either 1) or 2) and . That is, everybody picks the same minimal security level, and no one has any incentive to lower it further down. This equilibrium can only exist for low protection costs ( ), and may be inefficient, as it could be in the best interest of all parties to converge to , to have a higher chance of deflecting incoming attacks . This protection equilibrium depends on the cooperation of all players, and is therefore very unstable. It requires only a remote possibility that any of the players will not select the full-protection equilibrium for the remaining player to defect. In the second type of equilibrium, all players will self-insure themselves completely ( and ), when and either 1) or 2) and . Essentially, if the system is not initially secured well enough (by having all parties above a fixed level), players prefer to self-insure. The effectiveness of this security measure does not depend on the cooperation of other players. A third, trivial equilibrium, is a passivity equilibrium, where all players choose , when and .
Figure 3: Reaction functions for a two-player weakest-link game. Bold lines and dots indicate potential Nash equilibria.
We can extend the presentation to an asymmetric case, where different players have different valuations , , and . For simplicity, consider first a two-player game. By definition, Nash equilibria are characterized by the reaction functions and reaching a fixed point, that is . Indeed, the effects of self-insurance on the payoffs received is independent of the other player's actions, and is therefore not a factor here. In Fig. 3, we see that a fixed-point is attained when (self-insurance-only equilibria, as discussed before), and when both and are greater than .
Generalizing to players, we obtain the following distinction: if, for all , , and either 1) , or 2) and , the minimum initial protection level, is greater than , then we have a Nash equilibrium where everyone picks . Otherwise, all players select . The value of self-insurance they select depends on their respective valuations. Players for whom insurance is too expensive ( ) do not insure, with , while others choose full self-insurance, that is . This result extends observations made by Varian in the absence of self-insurance strategies. | 2019-04-20T00:52:30Z | https://www.usenix.org/legacy/events/upsec08/tech/full_papers/grossklags/grossklags_html/ |
Time Magazine once called David Ogilvy "the most sought-after wizard in today's advertising industry". Ogilvy shares his wisdom in his book, Ogilvy On Advertising.
Retail is a tough industry. There are low switching costs for customers (though firms try to mitigate this with things like loyalty programs), low barriers to entry, and fixed costs make up a large percentage of overall costs, which means even slight changes in revenue can have large effects on the bottom line. But for these very same reasons, it is also a very interesting/dynamic sector from the perspective of a retailer that is doing well and looking to grow its share.
Alan Greenspan was Chairman of the Federal Reserve for 19 years. In his 2013 book, The Map and the Territory, he takes a look at the lessons he has learned from the financial crisis that he failed to foresee.
I don't read a lot of fiction, but that may soon change. Though I do prefer my continuing education to be fact-based, there's no denying that fiction has a unique ability to illustrate and communicate ideas that would otherwise be difficult to fully express. For this reason, despite my overwhelming preference for non-fiction material, some of my favourite books happen to be fiction, including Animal Farm and The Goal. I hold Kathryn Stockett's The Help in similarly high esteem.
A few years ago, I brought up Aeropostale as a potential value investment. There was a time this company could do no wrong. Times have changed.
We hear a lot about the most famous value investors. But there is a group of very successful value managers who fly under the radar, many of whom are profiled in Ronald Chan's Value Investors.
If all statistics text books were as entertaining as Charles Wheelan's Naked Statistics, I don't think statistics would be considered a boring subject.
I very much enjoyed Michael Mauboussin's book The Success Equation a few months ago, so when a reader recommended another of his books, More Than You Know, I was happy to give it a try.
While I take my freedom for granted, others have to fight for it every day. Malala Yousafzai was a young teenager when she spoke out against the Taliban taking over her community in Pakistan, as they banned education and other freedoms she previously enjoyed. So at the age of 15, she was shot in the head on her way home from school. Somehow she survived, and has written a book about how life changed in her community once the Taliban rolled in.
I had been putting off reading Good To Great for some time, but finally bit the bullet. It is one of the most popular business books of all time, but I would also say it is one of the most useless. I can kind of understand why it's so popular; everything written in it makes complete sense! You can nod your way through the entire thing, without realizing by the end that you haven't actually learned anything useful.
Warning: This is not about *stock* ideas. Instead, it's a review of a book I came across through a Bill Gates recommendation: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson.
Shares of IBI Group (IBG) have fallen off a cliff, and therefore may be substantially undervalued. Unfortunately, the company carries a decent amount of debt, which means even though the stock's potential upside is large, so is its potential downside!
One does not need to take huge risks in order to grow most businesses. Techniques to understand markets before scaling are explained very well in a book that has been previously discussed on this site, The Lean Startup. But what specific metrics should managers focus on, in order to ensure they are on the right path? Alistair Croll's Lean Analytics seeks to answer this question.
Artham Capital founder Amit Kumar has written a book called Short Stories, which covers the important basics of short selling. I'm not a short seller, nor do I envision myself becoming one anytime soon, but I read it anyway. I often find myself on the other side of a bunch of short sellers; knowing how they think and what their limitations are can be useful.
When I saw that Amazon's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos recommends The Effective Executive as one of only three books to all of his employees, I didn't think much of it. I had read Drucker before (as discussed here), and therefore had a decent grasp of the principles he expounded. But when I saw the other two books Bezos recommends (The Goal and The Innovator's Dilemma), I had to get this one. That's because, for me, those were two of the most eye-opening/educational books I've ever read.
Shares of Rocky Mountain Dealerships (RME) have fallen dramatically over the last few months, for issues that appear to be only short term in nature. As a result, the company can be purchased for not much more than its 2007 IPO price.
Shares of Data Group (DGPIF.PK) have a dividend yield of nearly 20%. In this low-rate environment, Mr. Market is making it clear he does not believe in the sustainability of this dividend. While Data Group has proven itself to be a cash cow, because of the company's debt load, Mr. Market may be right.
I first heard of 1493 when PlanMaestro called it his favourite book of the year. Until I looked into it at that point, I hadn't realized just how many had enjoyed this book.
For what seemed like an eternity, shares of Urbana (URB) went absolutely nowhere. After I discussed the company in July of 2011 as a potential value investment, shares continued to drift lower for a good year and a half. As the discount grew wider, investor patience grew thin. But in the last ten months or so, the shares have been on an absolute tear; the stock is up 50% from July 2011 and up more than 100% from its 2012 low.
I don't have much interest in owning any airlines (as per this note) but a write-up I read on Hawaiian Airlines has me intrigued. In my opinion, Red makes a tremendous case for it.
I recently had the chance to read a great new book on value investing called The Manual Of Ideas. You might recognize the title from the site with the same name, where you can watch a number of interviews with quality value investors who discuss everything from specific aspects of competitive advantages to their favourite stock ideas.
About one-third to one-half of the world's population is introverted, but the world considers such people second-class citizens, according Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking. But Cain makes the case that introverts contribute just as much if not more to society than do extroverts. Despite this, as a society we idealize the extrovert, the smooth-talking people-persons that capture the attention of whatever room they're in. We shouldn't.
In the excellent book The Innovator's Dilemma, the competitive situation is generally viewed through the eyes of the established incumbent. In The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, the focus is on the disrupting company.
I've said many times that I like to buy companies undergoing temporary problems, because that's when I can get a good price. Sometimes, I'm wrong in thinking that the problems are temporary. As a result, I've been an unwitting investor in a few turnarounds. Other times, I've invested because I believe assets to be worth more than market value. In these particular cases, I've been a willing investor in turnaround situations.
I only like to bet when I believe the odds are in my favour. Since I believe commodity prices to be rather unpredictable, I tend not to bet on anything commodity-price related. I made an exception five years ago.
As recently discussed by a broker who has been reformed, the Brazilian market has been absolutely rocked as of late. Its PE10 sits at a dreamy 10, likely offering up a bunch of value opportunities.
How To Get Filthy Rich In Rising Asia tells the story of a boy who grows up dirt poor and rises through various means to become rather successful. The methods by which success are attained are the book's primary focus, as the key success factors by which success is attained in the developing world are quite different than what they are in the developed world.
Just eight months ago, Surge Components traded at a massive discount to its net current assets, as discussed here. Furthermore, the company was profitable! More recently, the company has traded within a hair of its net current assets, which is a much more appropriate valuation, allowing shareholders the opportunity to realize a gain in the high double-digits over the course of a few months!
A few weeks ago, I reviewed a book by the title Mathletics that was a total snoozefest. A reader alerted me to the fact that I probably had the wrong book! Wayne Winston's book Mathletics is exactly what I was looking for.
Less than two years ago, Coast Distribution Systems (CRV) was brought up on this site as a potential value investment. Following the release of the company's results yesterday, the shares went flying, having doubled from their 2011 and 2012 lows.
Nortech Systems (NSYS) is a contract manufacturer of electronic products such as circuit boards and medical devices. The company's customers are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in industrial, medical and aerospace/defense markets, in order of importance. The company serves its customers through its facilities in both the US and Mexico.
PlanMaestro of Variant Perceptions recommended the book The Art of Profitability, and I loved it.
What it takes many writers hundreds of pages to say, Robert Updegraff can do in just a few. His book, Obvious Adams, is just seventy pages long, but its worldly wisdom could fill an encyclopedia.
In The Unwinding, George Packer makes his case that America has begun to unwind from its apparent glory days in the 1960's.
If you follow Genesis Land (GDC), your head may be spinning by now. It's almost every day now that the current board and the activists trying to take it over are claiming some sort of injustice permeated by the other side. (To watch this battle in real-time, sign up for filing notifications for GDC here.) But surely, behind all the "Our directors are superior to yours" puffery, there are some differences in how each group would run the company differently.
In the last two years and change, Alco Stores has been brought up on this site five separate times. Each time, the large discount at which the company traded relative to its net current assets was brought up. Last week, the price of the company's shares soared 60% as the company received a friendly buyout offer.
Famed investor Peter Lynch took the Magellan Fund from $18 million in 1977 (when he took charge) to $18 billion when he resigned in 1990, posting a 29% average annual return in the process. The way Lynch achieved those returns is discussed in his book, Beating The Street.
I raved about Aastra's management in an article I wrote about two years ago in which I highlighted the stock. Since then, the company's primary market (Europe) has only gotten weaker. But shareholders have done extremely well, amassing gains of over 75%. How is this possible? A good chunk of the credit has to go to management.
Strategic Logic is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I'd compare it to Greenwald's Competition Demystified in terms of both subject matter and quality. I would say it is extremely useful for two specific groups: value investors and entrepreneurs.
Just three months ago, the stenchy shares of iGo were brought up on this site as a potential value investment. Today, those shares smell almost 40% better, even though the company's operations have only gotten worse.
I believe the sports media to be as misguided as the financial media. They both tend to ignore the role of luck/chance in outcomes, attributing causes and effects in wonky and often contradictory ways. But as you can find a lot of smart guys in finance who understand the challenges of separating out the skill from the luck, so you can find smart writers about sports who are doing the same. To that end, I became interested in reading Mathletics, which purports to explore counter-intuitive insights into the world of sports.
The symptoms of the Great Recession are by now well-understood. Housing markets rocketed to obscene levels; loans were made to borrowers who could not repay. But conditions surely existed for such events to occur prior to the past decade, so why didn't they? In The Great Rebalancing, Michael Pettis attributes the cause of the recession to an oft-ignored meme: international trade imbalances.
We love to explain why something happened. The problem is, our explanations often have no basis in fact. For example, when the market rises or falls, a number of explanations are offered up as to why...but how do we know they're real? When a pro-sports team wins a game, reporters chalk it up to the winning team having superior grit, intensity and desire. Are they right? How do we know?
Unfortunately, these narratives are often wrong because they gloss over an element that plays a large role in regulating outcomes in the short-term: luck. In The Success Equation, Michael Mauboussin does his best to untangle the luck from the skill, to help us improve our decision-making processes.
I was really looking forward to reading Investing Between The Lines. I think it's very important to try to understand management's intentions, and any book that purports to offer some insight in this regard is worth considering. Furthermore, the book was recommended by none other than Warren Buffett in his most recent shareholder letter, making it a no-brainer addition to the reading list. Was I ever disappointed.
Should anything ever happen to me, readers of this blog wouldn't miss a beat in terms of Stock Ideas. All you would have to do is follow Whopper Investments, who independently writes about many of the same stocks I do. For the second week in a row now, we have come out with new articles about the exact same company. This week's stock: Premier Exhibitions (PRXI).
A society's wealth, on the other hand, comes from its ability to do more with less: to find (or copy) more efficient ways to do what it is we want to do. Why is it that some countries are able to create so much more with its workers than others? In The Power of Productivity, William Lewis takes the reader through a tour of several countries, both rich and poor, and a multitude of industries to explain current wealth disparities.
John Bogle created the first index fund, back in 1975. As the founder of Vanguard and its CEO over a long tenure, he made a career out of making it cheaper for investors to share in the wealth generated by capitalism. Unfortunately, the mutual fund business has taken a turn for the worse in recent decades. In Clash of the Cultures, Bogle sounds off on the industry he helped make enormous, as he believes investors are getting the short end of the stick.
Yeah, it's a book about checklists. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, to me as well. But it felt like half of my Twitter feed was recommending it, so I finally got around to reading it. I'm glad I did.
I recently had a chance to read A Universe From Nothing, a Charlie Munger book recommendation.
Charisma is something non-founder CEOs are simply born with...or is it? Most people believe CEOs rise to the top of their fields because of some innate quality that makes people follow them. But Olivia Cabane argues that charisma is learned; some may pick it up more naturally, but with the right tools anyone can learn it. In The Charisma Myth, she describes how.
InfoSonics (IFON) was already a deep net-net when it reported results earlier this week. But after reporting an EPS loss of 5 cents, the shares were pulverized, causing the company to lose almost one-third of its market cap, or 16 cents per share. Blood in the streets.
Alfred Sloan became CEO of General Motors in 1923, and stayed on for several decades. In that time, he transformed GM from a rag-tag collection of unfocused, poorly-performing businesses into the largest company in the world. In My Years With General Motors, he discusses how he did it. Bill Gates calls his book "[P]robably the best book to read if you want to read only one book about business."
Hammond Manufacturing (HMM.A) makes products like transformers, racks, enclosures and casing for the electrical products industry. You might expect a company in this industry to barely earn its cost of capital - and you'd be right. What you might not expect is that this consistently profitable company is a net-net and trades barely over 1/3 of it's book value!
hhgregg has always struck me as a rather shareholder-friendly company. So it caught me off-guard when hhgregg's management decided to re-price its underwater options. Such actions are a huge red flag for investors.
As previously discussed on this site, shares of Alco-Stores (ALCS) trade at a deep discount to the company's net current assets. While that discount started to narrow late last year, it started to widen again over the last few months. At the same time, a large shareholder (who previously owned more than 15% of this illiquid stock), started to sell piecemeal! My guess is that the latter may have been causing the former.
As for-profit education stocks have continued to fall in the face of market strength, I have become more and more interested in this sector. But every company I've come across in this space seems to have a at least one risk I'm not comfortable with. For example, Career Education Corp is dirt cheap, but could face huge liabilities from a previous life. Corinthian Colleges is also dirt cheap, but may have to seriously dilute its shareholders if a regulatory decision doesn't go its way.
The Chairman of Loews Hotels tells the reader how to please the customer in Chocolates On The Pillow Aren't Enough. As the long-time chief executive of the luxury hotel chain, Tisch likely has a number of insights he can share about how Loews has identified ways to further connect with its customers and their wallets.
When I brought up SuperValu (SVU) as a potential value investment a few years ago, many of you warned me against it. I wish I had listened! The grocer got squeezed on all fronts, including but not limited to: food inflation, competition, and perhaps most importantly, debt.
The for-profit education sector has been hit hard by the market, and for good reason. This industry utilized dishonest marketing practices and drove its enormous growth using massive amounts of federal funding that was rubber stamped by public servants asleep at the wheel. But the party's now over; new rules and additional oversight have pushed many companies in this sector into the red, causing massive losses. But has the market overreacted? Perhaps in some cases. For example, Career Education Corp (NASDAQ: CECO) trades at a 43% discount to its net cash position!
I like buying into businesses with variable cost structures. These kinds of companies have somewhat of a protected downside; when things go south, costs can be removed such that the firm may remain profitable, subject to a period of adjustment. Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles (HSII), which saw its shares fall 20% on Tuesday, appears to have such a model.
Nate Silver made headlines when he famously out-predicted much of the field during the recent Presidential race; he accurately predicted the outcome in all fifty states. But the truth is, it wasn't the first time he made headlines with successful forecasts.
While value investors know not to rely on forecasts (as discussed many times on this site), Silver has made a career out of it. In his book, The Signal and The Noise, he discusses the challenges facing forecasters and the ways in which forecasting can be improved.
Chaos Theory by Robert Murphy really tests the limits of how open your mind is. The book forces the reader to think outside the box that is the years of conditioning that have shaped our beliefs in the necessity of organized government.
I haven't read it yet, but I very much look forward to reading the new book Quantitative Value By Tobias Carlisle. For those of you unfamiliar with this title, the book is written by the author of the value site Greenbackd, an extremely useful resource for value investors.
Global IT company Unisys has all the makings of a value stock. Its net cash position of $330 million provides safety in the event of a downturn and offers strong downside protection on the company's $760 million market cap. In recent years, the company has managed annual income of $200 million; it will not earn as much this year thanks to cutbacks in government spending, but the company remains solidly profitable.
A couple of weeks ago, we saw what appears to be a mistaken filing on the part of a shareholder of Meade. Today, we take a look at another strange filing from a large shareholder of the company. | 2019-04-21T01:05:55Z | http://www.barelkarsan.com/2013/ |
Thank you to all who contributed in our last Exchange on how to use NAPs, NDCs and the SDGs to advance climate resilience in Asia-Pacific. In this 16th Exchange, we would like to bring your attention to highlight the importance of climate change adaptation in the Pacific islands which have not been addressed comprehensively in our other Exchange Series.
Leading this effort is Tagaloa Cooper-Halo, Director of Climate Change Resilience, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. She has extensive experience working on climate change adaptation in the Pacific region. This is a good opportunity for us to hear and learn from her insightful experience in the Pacific. Tagaloa Cooper-Halo, over to you.
Fakaalofa atu! Greetings from SPREP!
APAN has been partnering with SPREP on a number of Pacific initiatives over the years and it is again a pleasure to also contribute to the APAN Exchange Series to share our own experience in delivering adaptation initiative in the Pacific.
I am Tagaloa Cooper - Halo, Director of the Climate Change Resilience Programme at SPREP. Prior to my appointment as director, I was the Climate Change Institutional Strengthening Adviser for the ‘Institutional Strengthening in Pacific Island Countries to Adapt to Climate Change (ISACC)’ Project. A USAID funded initiative lead by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and implemented in partnership with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and SPREP. My primary responsibility was to provide climate change policy and technical support to Tuvalu and Samoa in-addition to helping both countries to develop and implement national climate change adaptation strategies with the ISACC Project Team; particularly on training, communication, outreach and knowledge management products.
In 2014, I was appointed as the Climate Change Coordination Adviser for the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) for the Pacific Islands. A Pacific-wide initiative implemented in nine of Pacific island countries.
Experience in the Pacific suggests many things but as a pacific islander myself, adapting to climate change is not an option it is a must! But to do so, I wonder if the current process in place at the national, regional and international level is enough to bring out the change that is needed particularly in small island countries who are already facing the impacts of the changing climate.
(1) How do the NAPs help countries to identify priority actions? Are the priority actions identified in the NAP reflected in current and proposed activities funded through climate finance?
(2) To what extent have the ambitions of the NAPAs/NAPs been met in the small island developing states, as they have been implemented to date? Which, if any, aspects of the NAP would you like to be strengthened in the future?
(3) How are small island developing states weighing up the alternatives to "retreat" (including buying land elsewhere or becoming climate refugees) and "resilience" (including building hard infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation) so that island communities can continue to live and thrive in their traditional islands?
Maldives does not have a National Action Plans (NAPs) yet, but we developed a National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in 2007 as Least Developed Countries (LDC) back then. All of our adaptation projects funded with international support has since been aligned with the priorities identified in NAPA.
I would say that a decade after NAPAs were adopted, the majority of adaptation actions identified have not been achieved. Perhaps we may have achieved 20% of it. The main obstacle to implement NAPAs is lack of resources, both financial and technical. In practice NAPA is used to justify alignment with priorities, or perhaps as a wish list, rather than a plan that can be implemented in its entirety. In the future, I would recommend including a plan for resource mobilisation as a fundamental element of NAPs.
From a Maldivian perspective, we do not like to think of having to leave our country entirely. We plan to build resilient islands where we could consolidate our populations. One such example is the development of Hulhumale close to the capital island of Maldives, which has been reclaimed to stand two metres above sea level, which is a higher elevation than any natural point in Maldives. A study undertaken indicates that Hulhumale' is likely remain above sea level at least until 2100. We hope that we would be able to support our population with similar projects in future, so that we may remain in our land as Maldivians.
Please find my replies in-line with the questions posed in your email below.
I can only speak in the context of Pacific Island Countries (PICs), and thus far, the UNFCCC has not listed any National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) submitted by PICs. However, there have been National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) submissions by Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. In the second party assessment for Fiji’s Green Bonds, it is claimed a NAP was developed, but evidence has yet to be posted on the UNFCCC NAP portal. Prioritization exercises have otherwise been undertaken through other national development plan exercises in some PICs.
Those PICs that have developed NAPAs would be, at best, described as “in progress” or getting underway. It would make sense for each country to have a NAP/NAPA aligned with their corresponding Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA).
In the context of PICs, Kiribati has made arrangements with the government of Fiji to purchase land on Vanua Levu, the second largest island in the country, as a potential area for relocation and source of natural resources to meet demand of the people of Kiribati. There is a significant amount of land reclamation happening in Tuvalu, where beach enrichment and coastal engineering projects have actually helped increase the total land area in the face of rising sea levels.
The potential for ecosystem-based adaptation and infrastructural safeguards have limits, however. This is particularly true in regard to atoll nations dealing with intrusions upon their freshwater lenses.
From these identified national priorities, programs are developed and legislated as necessary. Once the regulatory framework and other program supports are in place, then funding through climate finance becomes easier. And that, collectively for any community, requires political will of the people to ensure that the right mechanisms are in place so that priorities identified in National Action Plan (NAP) are pursued systematically for funding; hence, the climate funding or Green Climate Fund.
This is especially challenging for island countries where national systems are either lacking or fractured at best, and all over the place. To insure that priority actions identified in NAP are reflected in current and proposed climate funding activities, there has to be national unity and direction in the approach to NAP. So again, is there political will? That is the question!
Ambitions of the NAPA/NAP have been met with mixed feelings. Mind you, as great as these programs are, they are foreign to island people. The young nowadays can easily accept and adopt these programs as reality of today. Older generation and the young who've been mostly isolated from modern world will have hard time acclimating. That old cliche "confused mind will always say no" is perhaps a better way to categorize this segment of population. This doesn't mean that these folks are dumb and ignorant; all it means is that they don't understand and so won't easily accept them. With all that said, implementation is often slow and neglected for lack to unified national attention to the program. And also for the fact that data and resources are scares.
The important aspect of the NAP that is critical for small island states is always the 'capacity building in the person'. So that question is, "why has it taken generations after generations for small island nations to still be talking about capacity building?" The answer is in the 'culture'.
In the case of NAP, we have to appeal to personal level or emotion of the people. In other words, what does this mean to each person at a personal level? Can we get the people excited about the program and maintain that level of excitement until the program is finished? That said, I would like to see NAP developed by the grassroots of every community. Let them own it so they can feel good about themselves.
Island people have lived in their small island communities for thousands of years thru typhoons, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and the like. In this climate changing world, island communities carry-on with their lives as they have always been. However, and with Green Climate Fund programs (adaptation and mitigation), there are various NGO's around the world trying to assist island communities to address these issues. Some are building infrastructure to adapt to their changing situations while others may have to become climate refugees. And I belief that more and more we will see much more of both activities pick up and the rising tide become a bigger problem the world over.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to contribute.
3. How are small island developing states weighing up the alternatives to "retreat" (including buying land elsewhere or becoming climate refugees) and "resilience" (including building hard infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation) so that island communities can continue to live and thrive in their traditional islands?
Retreat is not possible on many SIDS due to their small size, limited land, and low-lying nature retreat. Retreat is often used as a last resort or for the worst-case SLR (sea-level rise) scenario in the future. Managed retreat can be a priority option and gradual retreat can be a longer-term option. Buying land elsewhere is not an easy solution due to high costs, cultural inertia, and the question of sovereignty.
Accommodation and protection are likely to be the main responses. Accommodation primarily in terms of elevated homes/buildings is traditionally practiced in the Cook Islands, Belize and Guyana. New materials and techniques, new ideas and local topography should be considered more seriously. For Bahrain, protection is the only adaptation option in the long term as retreat is not possible on a small island and accommodation is prohibitively costly.
With the constraints of high costs, seawalls are limited to protection of key locations (Belize, Micronesia, Solomon Islands), impractical on a large scale (Palau, Solomon Islands), and used only in critical situations (Grenada).
Land reclamation is generally practised as means to increase land area (Maldives, Bahrain). To address future SLR, Singapore and the Maldives have raised the reclamation level. However, there is also the danger of being locked into an unhealthy “adaptation path” in hard measures. For atoll SIDS it may be better to remove low islands and use the material to build up other islands in a strategy of “Save some islands rather than not to have any”. Of the soft measures, beach nourishment is the most common followed by dune and berm restoration.
An increasing trend is where nature integrates with hard and soft measures but not practised in the SIDS. Note that developing, encouraging or improving the biodiversity at the toes or slopes of hard structures does not keep up with a rising sea level. Hybrid measures need to increase their general elevation and to offer coastal protection. The level of the habitat must keep up with SLR besides providing protection to the coast. For example, sedimentation in mangroves and upward growth of corals must be sufficient. Regardless of which coastal habitat is used, the basic considerations addressing SLR are a general rise in elevation and a luxuriant growth to lessen the impact of wave energy.
In the SIDS the most common EBA is mangrove and coral reefs restoration with artificial reefs in the Maldives and Mauritius. Mangroves can keep up with SLR.
Coral farming and transplantation is encouraged in Mauritius. Coral nurseries have been implemented in Belize and artificial reefs proposed for Bahrain and Cape Verde. Other proposed measures included restoring beach vegetation in the Solomon Islands.
Traditional construction methods have been in use across the Pacific as a means of reducing vulnerability to tropical cyclones and floods in rural areas. Traditional raised buildings exist in Belize, Guyana and the Cook Islands. The “Float” strategy in terms of silt/elevated homes, floating/amphibious homes and floating islands should be considered more seriously in the light of new materials and technologies.
Also to be considered is imitating nature in terms of “Building with nature” and “Living with water”. Further research is required for its deployment in the SIDS. Last but not least, is to think continuously out of the box and be receptive to new and innovative ideas given new materials and technologies in future.
One should not underestimate the importance of local topographic features with implications for addressing SLR. These include clay ridges (Suriname), debris ridges (Jamaica), beachrock (Marshall Islands), coral rubble banks (Micronesia), and rubble ramparts or boulder conglomerates built by typhoons on the stormward sides of Pacific atoll islands. Field identification and contour maps at 10-cm internals for such features would be useful to facilitate the choice of adaptation strategies and measures.
For island communities to live and thrive in their traditional islands, policy makers need to consider and evaluate at least the appropriate types of coastal protection measures in addressing SLR. An assessment was made on the present and future adaptation measures addressing SLR in 35 SIDS English-language National Communications to the UNFCCC and major manuals and databases on coastal protection measures. This resulted in a first-cut classification of eight categories of coastal protection technology graded from the usual hard and soft measures to new and innovative ideas : (1) Hard measures; (2) Soft measures; (3) Hybrid measures; (4) EBA; (5) Topography/elevation; (6) Float; (7) Imitate nature; (8) New and innovative ideas.
1. Adaptation is clearly a primary concern of small island developing states, especially low-lying atolls? How important is the NAP process in identifying priority actions in these countries?
2. To what extent have the ambitions of the NAPAs/NAPs been met in the small island developing states, as they have been implemented to date?
3. How are small island developing states weighing up the alternatives of "retreat" (including buying land elsewhere or becoming climate refugees) and "resilience" (including building hard infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation) so that island communities can continue to live and thrive in their traditional islands?
Grateful for the experiences shared regarding adaptation measures and discussion on different options. It is clear that in most cases there is not a one size fits all approach to adaptation but as indicated in the response by Dr. Poh Poh Wong, University of Adelaide, SIDs have to consider both Hard and soft measures, hybrid measures and EBA considerations to name a few. Obviously the cost of and the technical knowledge to implement the type of adaptation response in our experience are a major factor.
The importance of developing NAPs to identify priority actions is critical as they identify the needs and priorities of the countries, thus providing guidance for investment in adaptation to development partners and the national planning processes that impact on the resilience of SIDs.
There were views shared on how NAPs help countries identify priority actions and whether those actions are funded through climate finance. Views shared included the view that whilst the processes for identifying priorities are included in developing the NAPs, ultimately the success or uptake of those priorities are only as good as the national systems that exist to support them. For some SIDs this remains a challenge.
Ngirataoch Nick Ngwal, Senior Advisor, Office of the President, Republic of Palau –shared that climate funding “are pursued systematically for funding” and further that “to ensure that priority actions identified in NAP are reflected in current and proposed climate funding activities, there has to be national unity and direction in the approach to NAP.” Noting that political will to implement the NAPs is critical to its success.
Aishath Aileen Niyaz, Assistant Director, Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Maldives reflected that whilst they do not have a National Action Plan yet but that the “National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in 2007” and what is notable is that all of the “adaptation projects funded with international support has since been aligned with the priorities identified in NAPA”.
On the second question – To what extent have the ambitions of the NAPAs/NAPs been met in the small island developing states, as they have been implemented to date? Which, if any, aspects of the NAP would you like to be strengthened in the future?
It was noted from the contributions that it is critical that NAPs are developed through thorough consultative processes that include communities to gain full support to the implementation of the priorities. This supports the view shared by SPREP that climate change is everyone’s business. Therefore it would take all levels of society to be involved in the prioritization in the NAPs.
Andrew Irwin of IUCN Fiji noted “It would make sense for each country to have a NAP/NAPA aligned with their corresponding Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA).” This would contribute to a consolidation of a country’s priorities and therefore the rationalization of actions to support the priorities.
It has long been accepted that relocation to other countries is a serious consideration, it is clear that for people from SIDs view this is a last option and will explore all adaptation efforts to sustain communities in their countries. After all, for many, we identify with our culture with our connection to the land, our culture, language and practices having evolved over generations of being intrinsically intertwined. Cultural practices are compromised when people are relocated to different countries. That said, some SIDS have commenced planning for relocation by acquiring land in neighboring countries in anticipation of the inevitable.
The Maldivian perspective, shared by Aishath Aileen Niyaz is “we do not like to think of having to leave our country entirely. We plan to build resilient islands where we could consolidate our populations. One such example is the development of Hulhumale close to the capital island of Maldives, which has been reclaimed to stand two metres above sea level, which is a higher elevation than any natural point in Maldives. A study undertaken indicates that Hulhumale' is likely remain above sea level at least until 2100. We hope that we would be able to support our population with similar projects in future, so that we may remain in our land as Maldivians.
Tagaloa Cooper-Halo is the Director of Climate Change Resilience for Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). She has extensive experience working on climate change adaptation in the Pacific region. | 2019-04-23T18:14:34Z | http://apan-gan.net/exchange/16th-exchange-series |
On the edge of the appellation, at the end of a little road where the land is full of life and the soil fertile, a plant garden sets on a clay terroir with green marl. Benoît is an outstanding winemaker who knew how to take a back seat to the evidence of his terroir and listen to his dream of great wines of Champagne made for the gastronomy. He crafts wines with unique texture and with an incredible level of requirement ranging from the biodynamic approach to the choice of the wood for his barrels, the conductor of Champagne Benoît Déhu brought the wines of the estate to their noblest expression, offering the Pinot Meunier its finest interpretations. He did not just carried on with the tradition, he took things in hand with determination. Located in the Vallée de la Marne in Fossoy, we met with this winegrower who creates masterly cuvées.
Conscientious winegrower, outstanding winemaker, Benoit Déhu makes a perfect-score in Fossoy, perpetuating the incredible history launched for 8 generations by his family since 1987. In the Vallée de la Marne (Aisne), he watches over his land where clay-limestone and clayey-marly terroir gives to the Pinot Meunier – king grape variety of the area – all its elegance, fruitiness and complexity.
Armed with a 4 years work experience at the prestigious House Bollinger, where he learnt the sensitivity to wood and got marked by the woodwork, he came back the family estates in the years 2000 and in 2011 starts to work on and with only one plot of the estate: La rue des Noyers. Through his work, he wants to show that with the Pinot Meunier very beautiful things can be done. He therefore created a unique cuvée of champagne but also two Coteaux – one red, one white. By creating the Coteaux, he goes to meet the history of the House and re-emphasizes what the ancients did with the still wines of the time. 1 plot, three cuvées, two of which are non-champagne, this shows the great diversity that one can have with a single plot.
The house Champagne Déhu Père & Fils offers refined and elegant classical wines. As for Benoît, he had the bright idea to isolate a plot and “pushing on the reverie” as far as possible: a viticulture without any chemicals, the use of horses for the ploughing, a biodynamic approach following the lunar cycles, harvest only in the morning and in five times to obtain the highest maturity possible, use of a small press of 2000 kilos … He even makes its own barrels with wood coming from the estate! All this in order to have a grape of high quality; To interpret at best what nature has given him and to perpetuate the work of his ancestors.
In the beginning, he only worked on a small part of the plot but after 3-4 years (2015), he used the totality of the plot, which means 1.70 hectares. At first, a single plot and a single grape variety – Pinot Meunier – and in 2013, he added two new plots: one of Pinot Noirs and one of Meuniers with vines of 61 years – 2 300 square meters, the oldest plot of the House – and each plot is vinified separately. The Pinot Noir cuvée will be coming out in 2018. As for the Pinot Meuniers old vines, it should be released within 5 years – a wine requiring more time as old vines take longer to express fully their character especially with a vinification in wood barrels and under cork.
The vineyard is managed with a high-respect of nature and following organic and biodynamic principles. Since 2013, Benoît has been using his own barrels, made in Champagne with wood from the Meilleray forest creating multifaceted wines expressing the terroir’s characteristic minerality. In 2011, he started the organic conversion and obtained the certification in 2014. Today, Benoît works with biodynamic method but without being certified: he was not looking for the label but for more complex, elegant and fine wines.
Through his methods, his choice of approaches, Benoît seeks to pull up the quality of products, like through his choice to work exclusively with barrels. For Benoît, champagne is a work of patience: it is important to take time, let the wine follow its route – 8-9 months in barrel and on lees, no batônnage, late racking… Thanks to this approach, the barrels remain empty for a short time. The vinification and aging take place in oak barrels only with minimal intervention.
Besides the organic and biodynamic method, Benoît also seeks to work as locally as possible – and if the local is impossible, at least French. The winemaker has a true quality approach around craftsmanship. All his supplies are chosen carefully to suit his work: FSC labeled corks without branding on the bottom – in order avoid to mark the wine and to keep the natural beauty of the cork -, labels in bio-sourced materials, Absolute Green line foils from Sparflex, recycled and recyclable cardboard box, lighter bottles, wax for the Coteaux coming from one of the last French manufacturers and same thing for the muslin. Through these choices, Benoît follows through with his environmental and quality approach, including packaging – even the scotch – by seeking the best of French know-how and craftsmanship.
The estate owns 13 hectares but Benoît works with only 2,25ha of them. The main grape variety is the Pinot Meunier (95%) but Benoît has also 5% Pinot Noirs. As for the terroir, it is rather clayey with green marls for the Rue des Noyers plot with a very hard soil but silty with sandstone and flint for the plot of Pinot Noirs.
The winegrower applies a rigorous methodology in the vineyard : massal selection, to take the time to select – Pinot noirs from Burgundy with low yield- search for quality origins through rigorous nurseries. The Rue des Noyers plot for example has 3 different grapevine rootstocks that are vinified separately since 2014: 3 cuvées to come with 3 different profiles / 3 terroirs.
Benoît is also one of the 5 or 6 winemakers in Champagne to use dry alfalfa from the region as food for the vineyard. Once again, an approach linked to his environmental and local approach. It enables to make the economy of the region work and provides an optimal biology to the soil thanks to this organic matter. Indeed, these organic pellets make it possible to revitalize the soil. The mixtures are made to measure: classic alfalfa or corn with alfalfa and beet, … But Benoît also produces his aerated compost tea which is a sort of levain made from compost applied once on the vine stock and once on foliage and allowing to bring life to the soil. The goal of the winemaker is to get a soil as lively as possible and ideally reach a vine that can defend itself; This is the example of bindweed that is never sick. The objective is to try to naturally bring the vine to the same pH as bindweed. All this approach in order to have the healthiest grapes possible.
2 Bucher presses of 8000 kg are used for Champagne Déhu père & fils and press services. However, Benoît was looking for something else for Champagne Benoît Déhu. So he searched during almost 2 years to find an automatic press of 2000 kg: a smaller machine for more precision and to improve the quality.
As for the winemaking process, Benoît owns a barrel park with barrels of all sizes and with great variety of origins. The room has been rebuilt in 2016 and is located on the top floor of an old barn from 1921 with a very nice wood framework. The idea was logical for the winemaker to ” put the wood with the wood”. Moreover, for the renovation there has been a real technical research work on materials: earth-based coatings for a “living room” absorbing or releasing moisture. The winemaker had to find technical solutions for his project since it had never been done in the region before – search for suppliers abroad … The room is also air-conditioned with an air treatment system for ideal conditions for the wines and a constant temperature of 12-13 ° C. A new wooden storage building – DS panels and wood wool – built according to a true quality approach, all this in order to have wines under the best possible conditions.
About fifty barrels, that is to say a fifty individuality with Burgundian formats, 1 foudre and 2 Bordeaux pieces as well as 1600L, 350L – very good wine / wood ratio – coming from a small cooperage in Austria very sought after and 300L, … Not a single barrel or wood similar, it allows to increase the diversity and the palette of the winegrower. The barrels marked Déhu come from the oak forest of 150- 180 years of the estate – a family forest. To make his own barrels, a will born 6-8 years ago (2008-2009) : the idea was seductive and logical to use the trees of the estate, to live in harmony with his region and to value history. Risk-taking, things falling into place for the winemaker who always wishes to go beyond in his approach and to valorize the terroir dimension. Dennis Saint-Arroman, cooper of the House of Bollinger, carries out the selection of trees. Then, the wood is hand-worked by Jérôme Viard of the cooperage of Champagne, La Tonnellerie de Champagne. The few steel-vats are used only for the settling and the reserve-wines (very few). For Benoît, working with barrels is also accepting unexpected obstacles (evaporation). The winemaker recently completed his barrel collection with a foudre made out of the wood of the forest estate as well.
“Foudre de 2160 litres installé le 1 juin 2016. Fabriqué en Mai 2016 par la Tonnellerie de Champagne-Ardenne après quatre années de séchage du bois. Abattage de trois Chênes représentant 2.83m3 de bois le 5 avril 2012. Chênes plantés en 1892 par mon aïeul dans la Forêt de Meilleray.
Jérôme Viard had a surprise in store for the winemaker by making a barrel of 1600 Liters made in the same wood as the foudre – a barrel unique by its form as it is made with the size of staves of the foudre. The toasting during the design of the barrels is soft and slow in order to overly mark the wines, especially since they stay for a long time in casks at the estate.
Regarding the sulfur, Benoît adds as little as possible in order to remain as respectful as possible to the wine. Until now, the wines were without malolactic fermentation but today the winemaker does not seek it which means that he does not prevent it if it triggers: sometimes the malolactic is partial.
Benoît creates highly individual and distinct cuvées, resolutely terroir. New ones are coming including the Rosé de saignée de la Rue des Noyers.
The tasting starts in the barrels room, where the wines meet with wood and become acquainted with each other. The opportunity to taste the 2016 still wines but also to understand a little bit more the complexity of the work with oak barrels.
cuvée, aged in oak barrel: fresh, refined, a little bit spicy, a wine already very generous with a light pink color due to the Meunier of Rue des Noyers but which will disappear very quickly with the aging.
taille, aged in new oak barrel of 2015 – having seen 2 wines maximum – : tailles are placed in new barrels since they have a capacity to blend with the wood which therefore is surprisingly very delicate at the tasting.
aged in a 350L barrel from Austria: a powerful wine thanks to the grape variety and also with beautiful finesse as well as a tightened side. It expresses a discreet flint as well a strong terroir identity.
aged in foudre from the estate: a more round, more mature wine with a smoky flint side. Same basis from the previous one but a different path for completely different results.
The Meunier old vines aged in barrel offers elegance, freshness, salinity, with delicate acid soft notes and lemon peps.
A single plot cuvée made from a single grape variety – 100% Pinot Meunier – vinified in oak barrel of 228 liters and matured on lees during 11 months. This unfined and unfiltered wine is a champagne without any dosage – a brut nature – and has been disgorged on August 4, 2016. A bottle opened D-21.
The color is a satin golden yellow with pink gold and deep straw-colored glints. The nose is generous with brioche, linden notes and expressing a clay minerality. With aeration, it develops some honey, fruit jelly, and kumquat aromas as well as almond, mocha and vanilla notes. The well-balanced palate offers generous and a creamy effervescence with the same clay minerality and some fruit notes. The finish is expressing a distinct character with a nice vinosity.
After 15 min of aeration, it develops buttered, hazelnut notes as well as aromas of honey, prune and quince.
This white Coteaux Champenois is also a single plot wine made exclusively with Pinot Meunier grapes. The vinification is done 100% in oak barrels and the maturation on lees is carried out during 11 months in oak barrels of 228 liters. The selection of the wines is very strict with a first tasting of the still wines, a second tasting before the blending and then Benoît rework the wines in barrels with some batônnage to work the “wine side” during 20 months minimum. An unfined and unfiltered still wine with only 1 g/Liter as there is no need for more thanks to the quality of the grapes. A hidden treasure of champagne as the production is limited to two barrels.
The color is a golden yellow with some silver and pale yellow glints. The nose is fresh, complex and fruity offering apple, vanilla and caramel notes. The aeration brings toasted, passion fruit and sweet spicy aromas. The palate expresses the power and character of the Meunier perfectly balanced with the minerality of its clay terroir but also the typical delicate freshness and acidity from Champagne. An iodized and pulpy wine with saline and tropical notes during the finish. A lovely complexity for gastronomic pairings. A wine to be served in carafe.
Same plot, same grape variety for this red Coteaux Champenois vinified in oak barrels. The selection of the grapes is very strict: high sorting at the cutting, 2nd sorting at the harvest box and a 3rd one when Benoît destemmed the clusters before the press. Maturation during 10-11 months at a low temperature in oak barrels of 228 liters in order to highlight the fruit generosity. Only the free-run wine is used for the quintessence of the grapes and in order to have less bitter taste. An unfined and unfiltered wine with 0 sulfites after analysis, as so few were added and thanks to time. Bottled for a month now (end of 2016). A limited production: only 2 oak barrels.
The color is ruby with orange glints. At first, the nose offers compote of red fruits – blackcurrant, redcurrant, black berry and cherry – pepper and licorice aromas. The aeration brings spicy and rose notes. The palate is fresh with delicate red-fruits acidity and a clay minerality. There is a certain vinosity in this full-bodied wine. The finish is elegant with a little touch of oxidation, morello cherries.
2011 is one of the great vintages in Champagne, called by the CIVC as ” previously unseen “. Spring was gentle with early and rapid flowering three weeks in advance. Rainfall became scarce, inciting the vines to seek deeply in the soil the water necessary for their development. However, more present, intermittently, during the summer and at the time of the harvest without altering the sanitary quality of the grapes. The alternation of cool nights and warm days allowed for optimum maturity. 2011 is a with true individual character vintage.
A single plot cuvée made from a single grape variety – Pinot Meunier – vinified in oak barrel of 228 liters and matured on lees during 11 months. A wine without malolactic fermentation, unfined and unfiltered. Disgorged 2 years ago in 2015, this champagne has a very low dosage – only 1 g/L.
The color is a lighter gold than the 2013 cuvée with pale silver yellow glints. At first, the nose is subtle with fruity and complex aromas but also toast, almond, orange blossom and vanilla notes. The aeration brings smoky, pepper and musky notes. The palate – complex as well but also surprisingly fresh and supple – offers power and maturity with aromas of white and yellow fruits. It also offers a clay minerality conferring patina to the wine. After a few minutes it develops salinity with mandarin, quince and basil aromas as well as wood and iodic notes. A very complex minerality with a lot of elegance and finesse. After 15 minutes of aeration, 2011 offers power and underwood notes. It brings sunflower, black cherry, truffle and compote aromas.
The recommendation of Benoît: pair it with parsnips in thin baked slices. This highly individual wine with pronounced terroir expression will pair perfectly with root vegetables.
Both 2013 and 2011 are champagnes flourishing over several days even if they lose part of its bubbles. Benoît knows how to create intense, urgent and energetic wine with beautiful tension and fine minerality. | 2019-04-18T21:34:05Z | https://portraitsdebulles.com/2017/04/20/portrait-of-benoit-dehu/ |
Hello, friends! Did you remember I have a blog? Yeah? Then you’re one step ahead of me because clearly I forgot.
Actually, the truth is I have wanted to be here and I have been desperately aching to tell you about the ways God’s been at work in me this summer, and about what He’s continuing to teach me about friendship and church and love and grace. But the funny thing about those stories is that they found their way into a book, and that’s where I think they’re meant to be.
At the beginning of September, I put the last period on the last essay and I sent it to my editor-friend, and she was way more encouraging than I deserve, and now we’re polishing essays and shifting chapters around and creating together a better story than the one I set out to tell.
Lord, bless the editor for she shall inherit the earth. And if not the earth, at least she’ll inherit a percentage of whatever money this book makes and all the credit in the world for making me a better writer.
So then, September became about celebrating. My friends threw me a submission party, and we toasted what’s been finished and prayed for what comes next. They are good friends, these people of mine, and it helps me push forward knowing that whatever comes, they will be there and there will be champagne.
My best pal from college flew in for a week, and we celebrated our September birthdays together. We went camping and to the Renaissance Festival, and had dinners with my hometown friends every night. We ate ice cream every day and enjoyed the sweetness of our friendship. In a lot of ways we’ve changed, but in a lot of other ways we’re still the same kids that shared a bunk bed in a dorm room and wondered what we’d be like when we grew up. I pray this stays true when we’re celebrating our 81st birthdays together.
Then last weekend, I turned 31 and we celebrated again. At my friend’s lake house, there was no cake, but there was plenty of pork barbecue. And there was singing, and boating, and laughing, and all of the things that go into the building of friendships. There was lots of time to read and play games, and nothing was rushed. We lingered over meals, and stayed up when were tired, and we enjoyed time together. I guess we all kind of organically realized the luxury of casting off the responsibilities of the world for a couple of days just to go out and play. And I think that was the best birthday present ever.
In the midst of all the celebrating, I stole off to my grandparents for a few days. I slept and read and ate on endless loop, and it was wonderful. Their town is small and quiet, and doesn’t offer much in the way of activity. When I was teenager, I didn’t much get the appeal of this kind of place. Why would you want to live somewhere that doesn’t even have a Starbucks? But, I get it now. I get it because I want it – that kind of slow, unrushed existence. The kind of life where you get to know your neighbors, and there’s not a lot of traffic, and you can walk into town. The kind of life where you can sit on a porch and watch the world go by, and that means you’re noticing the squirrels are burying nuts under the tree in the front yard and the sparrows are soaking up the last few warms days in the birdbath before winter sets in. The kind of life where you don’t feel like you have to be anywhere, because all that you need is right there where you are. Yeah, I want that.
Because of the time at the lake and the time at my grandparents, I had time to read and it was glorious. I read some not-great novels, but I also read memoirs that I’d been aching to get to for a long time.
Jen Hatmaker’s Interrupted was one I was glad that I didn’t get to earlier, because I wouldn’t have understood her heart in it the way that I do now. I understand what it is to be active in ministry and church and too look all spiritually together, and then have God tap your heart and say, “Hey, remember me?” I understand the prayers of desperation that come when you leave a place of busyness to get back to remembering, and I understand what it is to read the Scripture and have it reveal something new about God and His will for your life. I understand what it is to make some decisions in the newness that leave people scratching their heads. And I understand what it is when Jesus comes in and wrecks your comfortable Christianity. To say that I appreciated this book would be an understatement.
The Bible gives no reason for God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah except their willingness to get lost. They were not young. They were not spiritual giants. All they really had going for them was their willingness to set off on a divinely inspired trip without a map, equipped with nothing but God’s promise to be with them. Most Sunday school teachers stop there, but if you follow Abraham and Sarah all the way to Egypt and back, you get the kind of details that mark genuine wilderness time…Ostensibly, none of this would have happened if Abraham and Sarah had just thanked God for the interesting travel suggestion and said no, they thought they’d just stay home in Ur where they belonged. By saying yes instead – by consenting to get lost – they selected a family gene that would become dominant in years to come (pgs. 73 -74).
And I’ll tell you right now, as someone who is struggling with an intense desire to be on an adventure with Jesus with no real clear idea of what she means when she says that, this passage not only resonates with me, but also led me back to a familiar Bible story with eyes looking for those details that mark a genuine wilderness time. And so, I’m asking myself the questions – when is it time to get lost? And what does that look like?
I don’t have answers, but I’m enjoying this season of living into the questions.
When I was book writing, I didn’t listen to a lot of new music. I stuck with my favorites – Audrey Assad, Paul Simon, Damien Rice, and hymns heavy with piano. But, I also fell in love with Ellie Holcomb and her guitar and her lyrics. She’s also now on regular rotation.
I was glad that book-writing coincided with summer-hiatus, so I didn’t miss the start to the new show season and so I didn’t watch TV instead of working, which is all to say that I didn’t watch a ton of stuff this summer. Although, I *really* hate to admit that one night (when I couldn’t sleep because I was too busy stressing about some crap about platform, which is such a waste of a writer’s time), I totally binged on FYI’s “Married at First Sight.” Go ahead and Google it, and then decide if you want to remain my friend. If you don’t, I totally understand. I’m not sure I want to be friends with me either.
I think I’ll just leave it you with that. And with the promise that I’m back to blogging, hopefully this time with even more frequency. You are my people, and I have missed you.
Holy hotness, Batman! It’s summer time, good and officially. And while I don’t love the rising temps and constant sweating, June was cool enough that sitting on the porch with my pals didn’t feel akin to sitting wrapped up in a warm towel. So, I’m chalking the month up to a win.
Belle and I had similar feelings about Disney Princess Candy Land.
This is my “I can’t even princess anymore” face.
The Playing House finale on USA was a great ending to the ten-episode first season. It was funny and poignant and all the things I love about TV.
Also, my pals and I went to see a couple of movies because doings things outside means sweating too much. So, I recommend Maleficent if you’re at all into pretty cinematography or Angelina Jolie’s cheekbones. Both are prominent.
The Fault in Our Stars brought me to tears. I’m not giving anything away by saying this, but there’s a great line at the end of the film about being deeply loved, about how that’s more important than being widely loved, and this is a theme that I’m starting to dig on big time.
First, Addie Zierman wrote a helpful, insightful, smart series on blogging, and it is chock full of resources. If you’re a blogger on any kind of level, spend some time there. I’m a sporadic blogger at best, and it’s inspired me to take it more seriously and to make some good changes. Stay tuned for all that.
Second, summer time is novel time, let’s just make that clear.
Jamie Ford’s 2009 debut, The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, chronicles the friendship between Henry and Keiko, a Chinese boy and Japanese girl, in Seattle after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the U.S.’s entrance into World War II. It’s interestingly done as Ford alternates between the 1940s and the 1980s, where we meet Henry as an old man telling stories about Keiko and his childhood to his son.
I’m only about halfway through, but Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible is becoming one of my favorites. The story about an overzealous Baptist preacher who drags his family on mission to the Congo is intense, but in all the right ways. It’s a book to sit with, not blow through.
In contrast, Lauren Graham’s Someday, Someday Maybe I finished in a couple of days. Graham, perhaps better known for her roles as Lorelai Gilmore and Sarah Braverman, tells the story of an actress trying to beat a self-imposed deadline for success in New York City. Predictable and cheesy, Graham’s voice comes through as the main character, Franny, and you can’t help but enjoy it and laugh along. It’s pretty much the perfect summer beach book.
Andy Grammer’s Back Home is summer on the radio.
And I find myself now a major fan of Tyler Stenson, a singer/songwriter out of Portland, Oregon. Good words and an acoustic guitar is pretty much all it takes for me.
When Leigh posted that link-up time was upon us, I was surprised at how quickly the end of May sneaked up on me. What a weirdo month it’s been. But, it’s been a full month too, with lots of good times with lots of good friends, some who I don’t get to see very often.
My high school pal Becca came to visit at the beginning of the month, and I love when she’s in town. We’ve been friends since we were sixteen and there’s something comforting in just sitting with someone who’s known you through all the crazy changes life brings in the decade between kid and adult. We spent an afternoon doing “Maryland things,” which basically means we sat by the water and ate seafood.
At the end of the month, my friends Claire and Dave came to town all the way from London. To be fair, they’re my friends by extension – because Claire and my oldest pal Beth studied together at St Andrews and then became the best of pals, and Beth likes me enough to share them with me. I think this is how some of the best friendships are made, when you like each other enough to share.
Beth, Me, Dave, and Claire. The best kind of sharing.
My friend Danielle is a friend I made through Beth too, because Danielle lived with Beth in college and then Beth moved away for her doctoral studies and Danielle and I kept hanging without her. So, last weekend Danielle’s daughter had a birthday and I got invited to the bowling party, where I hung in the back and with the grown-ups and drank juice boxes and chewed bubble gum because I’m not about relinquishing all childhood things.
Like eating ice cream at the newest local joint and riding the plastic tractor.
And then I held a gun when my friend Matt and my dad and Matt’s dad and my mom went to the local gun range to shoot clays with 12-gauge shotguns. I’ll tell you why I’m a fan of this activity, because it always is a good time with Matt, my pal who knows me really well and still has a thing or two to teach me. At one point I was over-thinking my movements, as I’m prone to do, and Matt leaned over the from the clay launcher and said, “If you’re not smiling, you have no business shooting,” which was his way of reminding me that the point of going to the gun range was to have fun, not to be the best shot. Lord love Matt, I think that’s a lesson that’ll transfer off the range.
You don’t need to know everything when you’re with someone you trust. That’s probably why Jesus’ disciples never said they were on a mission trip. I think they knew love already had a name and they didn’t need a program or anything else to define it. We don’t either. The kind of adventure Jesus has invited us on doesn’t require an application or prerequisites. It’s just about deciding to take up an offer made by a father who wants us to come (pg. 136).
I want to live in a new normal where I can reach out to people who are different from me and just be friends. I remember hearing in elementary school that we could be pen pals with someone far away. That was great and all, but there’s a big difference between being pen pals and being real pals. To make an impact you have to go there and start a friendship. Friends do – they don’t just think about it (pg. 74).
Jamie Golden at Jamie’s Rabbits left a job she liked enough to go somewhere new with God, and she’s been writing great posts about it. First, about God texting her to quit her job. Then, about working out God’s story.
Emily Freeman wrote one early in May that has lodged itself in my head about being a creative, about feeling like every good has already been said, and about having the courage to say it again anyway.
I’ve been a Damien Rice fan for a long time, but this month my friend introduced me to a great used music/book store and I bought his O album (the one with the greats like “Cannonball” and “Delicate”) again because I lost my copy years ago. And I forgot how much I love him, and how much his music feels like the best parts of falling in love.
It never occurred to me that people watch things not to be entertained, but because they want to learn something. This explains why my dad is always watching the dang History channel and why we got into a small conversation about it when he asked me about the new X-Men movie and I said that it was “interesting.” He said that he’d never heard a consumer movie described as “interesting,” and I said I didn’t know what a consumer movie was. He explained that it’s just created to be consumed, just to be entertaining, and I said I didn’t understand the problem. And I didn’t have the words at the moment, but I’m okay with entertainment for entertainment’s sake or art for art’s sake, even when said art reveals Hugh Jackman’s backside.
Most TV shows are on summer hiatus after big finales (Is Castle alive?? Bye Cristina! What will become of Danny and Mindy now?!), so I’ve had to find other things to watch. I wasn’t going to give USA’s Playing House a chance, even though it’s about best friends and I’m a sucker for those kind of shows, but then I read an interview with Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham, who are the creators and the leads and real life BFFs. And I’m obsessed! I texted Joy right away and I made her watch it, because I couldn’t stand her not watching something I loved anymore than Jess can’t stand that Lennon has never watch Gilmore Girls. And it’s worth noting that this show purposefully has a Stars Hollow/Lorelai and Rory style to it, but with more improv and adult humor.
And as someone who doesn’t love summer, at least laughing at a new show is something.
Hey April, let’s have a quick chat. We’re not gonna talk about how long it’s been since I’ve linked up, but you gave me reason again. You were awesome and I appreciate you showing up when you did. I needed you. Like, seriously *needed* you. This winter was long and cold, and I needed your sunshine, and your warmer temperatures, and your road trip, and your Holy Week, and all of it. I needed all of you. So, thanks. Thanks for showing up and thanks for being awesome.
The highlight for me in April was, of course, my trip to Michigan. I love Michigan in a way that doesn’t make sense because it’s cold, and it snows October to April, and in twelve years this East Coast girl hasn’t found a decent seafood place. But, the people. Oh, my people! These are folks I’ve known for more than a decade now; we were teenagers when we met, and now we do adult life together as much as Facebook and emails and texts and phone calls will allow. And that is why these visits are so treasured – because the time face-to-face is so rare, and because face-to-face fosters the relationships in a way that Faceboook and emails and texts and phone calls can’t. We live into these moments together, and I’m always impressed by how good the time is when we’re bent on simply enjoying each other. Good like being close to God’s heart is good.
In my non-writing life, I babysat a bunch this month. I have some thoughts about this – about what a strange turn of events this is, because for so long I identified myself as not-kid person and now I am babysitting all the time, and I’m trusted with people’s kids, and what is wrong with you people? Because this is all a little weird. But…weird as it is, it’s also so good. Like being close to God’s heart is good.
Not-a-kid person? Noah doesn’t buy it.
Per recommendations of a couple of friends whose reading suggestions I always take, in the last week of the month I read Glennon Doyle Melton’s Carry On, Warrior. I was on board with her after the dedication to her mother, but she had me after she said, “[God-sized holes] are good for making friends, and friends are the best fillers I’ve found yet. Maybe because other people are the closest we get to God on this side. So when we use them to find God in each other, we become holy.” That’ll preach.
My Bible study also finished Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 Gifts, which I recommend reading with a group of people with whom you can say out loud the things you’re grateful for. It’s good. Like being close to God’s heart is good.
Also, I’ve started blog-reading again, but with much less gusto than before. I don’t have any recommendations because I know most of you who read my blog are already reading the blogs I read. So, just keep reading, you smart people, you.
The trip to Michigan takes me across four states in 11 hours, so I don’t make that trip anymore without good books-on-CD and good tunes. On the drive out, I listened to Ally Vesterfelt’s Packing Light, which is about a road trip she takes around all 50 states with a friend. It’s about letting go of “stuff,” but I think it’s more about finding yourself. I immediately gave my copy to Joy and she’s also recently listened to it. For the past couple of weeks, we’ve either been texting about the rules we need if we ever decide to do the Amazing Race together or the practicality of making a fifty state road trip together. In both circumstances, Joy tells me I need to stop driving like I’m from the East Coast before she’ll get in a car with me for that long. I’m not sure what she means, except I think she’ll probably be glad that I’m a frequent-lane-changer when we’re in, like, India or something.
Grey’s Anatomy – because Cristina is about to leave, and because Joy and I need to talk about something other than travelling all the time.
Castle – because they’re about to get married, and because I have more than a little crush on Nathan Fillion. And because, let’s be honest, I kind of wish I were Kate Beckett.
The Mindy Project – because Mindy Kaling is me…or so a Buzzfeed quiz told me.
And also, you should see Captain America: The Winter Soldier if you’re at all into the superhero movies that Hollywood has been churning out lately.
Oh, and I need someone to go see Brick Mansions with me – because Paul Walker! And because Beth adamantly refuses. She doesn’t really love me, I guess. Whatever.
So, hey May – what’ve you got for me?
I’ll tell you what, I like these What I’m Into link-ups with Leigh every month. Not just because I get to talk just for a bit about the books that are making me thinking differently, and the TV shows that are making me laugh, and the music that is filling my soul, but because these posts make me reflect on the month. They make me think about where I was and what I was doing at the beginning of a month and consider where I am and what I’m doing at month’s end. They force me to consider where I’m spending my time, and I have to ask myself if I’m happy about that. Sometimes I’m not, but I have to say, most times I really am. I’m noticing retrospectively that I’m telling stories about my friends and the things we’re doing together, and by so doing, I’m keeping track of the memories we’re making at every turn.
Certainly, this October proves no exception.
Early in the month, I tagged along with my friend and her family to an Orchard in PA. We had a blast being outside, telling stories, eating all that not-good-for-you fair kind of food. This is what I know: There is nothing that satisfies my fat kid soul like cider donuts and hot coffee.
At the end of the month, I attended a Blackaby Ministries conference with some of my favorite people in the world. You’ll know the name “Blackaby” if you’ve ever done the Experiencing God study. My Tuesday Night Bible Study girls and I worked our way through it almost two years ago, and it was a great time of great honesty in our group. Because of this, it was a treat to hear again the heart of that study from Richard Blackaby himself. I’ll say this too, Blackaby is a great storyteller. He is someone who understands that power of story, who sees the way it connects people and allows God to break in. And with humility and grace, he simply shared the story of his family, and of how his dad came to write Experiencing God.
Shauna Niequist’s Bittersweet…again. Because I can’t help when I’m feeling really run down, but to turn back to words that I know will speak softly to my spirit and remind to look for God and hope.
Katie Davis’ Kisses from Katie after months of being told I need to by several friends. What’s surprised me as I read this one is how much it’s challenged me to think about what it really looks like to love someone…or several someones.
My blog reader hasn’t been touched much this month…again. I have spent the better part of the last few months, as I’ve said before, sorting out exactly what *I’m* thinking that reading everybody else’s words about church, faith, God, friends, dating, and whatever else weren’t helping my head to clear, they were only making things cloudier. Blog reading became, for me, became a mass of information, thousand word post after thousand word post of too-much-to-process. I know that I’ll be back in the blogger world again soon, because blogging people are my people, but that’s going to have to wait until November.
So, let’s just have a moment and talk about the awesomeness that is Joss Whedon’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” It’s hilariously done, well cast, and a good way to spend a couple of hours…especially if you’re a fan of, say, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Firefly.
Tom Hiddleston, who we know as Loki from The Avengers, plays Henry V in the latest PBS version of Shakespeare’s play of the same name. And I’ll say this, my friend who is currently teaching a class at a state college on Tudor-Stuart Britain enjoyed it a lot. I, however, spent most of the time playing Hay Day on my phone, the exception being when my friend called for my attention –“Seriously, watch this part. You’ll laugh. The King is about to make a lot of jokes about balls.” For the record, the King did not. He made a lot of jokes about tennis, which is not the same thing.
And of course, I’m watching Castle, New Girl, the Mindy Project, Modern Family, and Parenthood. If anyone has thoughts on the Caskett relationship or why the heck Sarah Braverman is crying SO MUCH this season, let me know.
I’m obsessed with Aloe Blacc’s “Wake Me Up” and Passengers’ “Let Her Go,” either of which is probably playing on the radio every four minutes, so it’s a pretty happy time in my car this month.
Also, one of my favorite bands, Page CXVI, is releasing an album for Advent. Now, I’m not usually one who’s jonesing to listen to Christmas music, but I’m excited about this album because I feel like in the hustle-and-bustle in the Christmas season that so often frustrates me, it’s going to help me slow down and remember Jesus. If you’re so inclined, even though it’s only October ,you can listen to their version of Silent Night here. | 2019-04-18T22:45:34Z | https://amberwackford.com/category/what-im-into/ |
This post is authored by Bart Cutino, Bigfoot witness/researcher and a member of the BFRO. Bart was an invited participant during the Sierra Kills body recovery effort in July 2011.
Last night while taking a break driving southbound from some winter northern California research areas with my partner Rgr Leiterman, I happened to see both Lindsay’s “interview” with Justin Smeja and the ridiculous accusations & exchange posted with Dr. Meldrum. Having been an invited participant during the body recovery effort in July 2011 & having become the closest confidant and liason (if you will) from the bigfoot community to those involved in the shooting incident, I thought I’d clarify some of the rampant speculation and sensationalized comments.
-First off, Matt Moneymaker, who everyone knows is one of my closest friends in and out of the field for many years, was absolutely not at the recovery effort and was only told there was an outing by me (with very little information) a few days after my return home.
-As addressed, the dog handler visited the site on the third morning and was a very pleasant and professional woman. The dog handler was not looking for credit in discovery as she even declined to to be filmed or photographed with respect to the subject matter. The dog is trained strictly to detect human decomposition (a substantial & lengthy training process) and cannot be manipulated into successfully matching scents from a foreign, unfamiliar tissue sample as it could potentially ruin the dog’s career.
-I haven’t had a chance to talk with Jeff since last July at the site but I will tell you that the suggestion that any respected Associate Professor of Anatomy would make such a bold & presumptuous statement (regardless of his association of subject) without having an opportunity to perform appropriate scientific diligence is ridiculous. He made no such claim and I retrieved the sample for both Meldrum and Mioczynski to initially examine, in which they did using limited magnification that was available. Meldrum admittedly did have some preliminary reservations regarding hair morphology characteristics seen that he shared with all of us and I discussed personally with him at the site over the three days. I’m unaware if he was provided a sliver sample and or he’s personally done any further examinations.
Regarding Lindsay’s interview with Justin, you know immediately when you see a written interview of someone you know fairly well and it’s obviously sensationalized, biased and paraphrased. That’s usually when you can’t see the written responses coming from the interviewee’s mouth any longer and it only took about two questions of Lindsay’s “interview” with Justin to see that from my perspective. Without even having an opportunity to talk to Justin until this morning, I can tell you there are countless mistruths, false facts and exaggerations to mention, but the DFG story is worthy of some clarification.
Regarding the DFG’s visit to Justin’s house a couple of weeks prior to Christmas, Justin had contacted me extremely unnerved a few days before I was planning to head up to pick him up to place Reconyx cams in the northern Sierra foothills (nowhere near “kills” site). The unannounced visit by two officer’s from the DFG was understandably “spooky” considering it was mid-day, they were persistent and very nonchalant in regards to how they verbally approached the subject matter.
Although impersonating an officer was an unlikely scenario as it’s a serious offense in CA, and conspiracy theorists could scream “feds” all day, the real world scenario in my opinion was that it was in fact DFG and they were finally following up on several calls (likely made by internet bigfooters) about the incident and also were concerned more about a potential bear poaching relationship with this incident then animals they’ve likely determined do not exist.
The first thing we wanted to do was confirm it was in fact DFG and then we collectively decided it would be appropriate and in Justin’s & everyone else’s best interests to grant a formal & truthful interview “in office” potentially with an attorney present & officially get the events of that day on record. To Justin’s credit, he was absolutely ready & willing to go on record and although there’s not much to fear since there’s no precedent where someone was retroactively charged with killing a species that isn’t currently “recognized” by science, nor federal or state hunting laws, it’s not always easy by nature for lifelong fisherman & hunters to comply & cooperate with F&G when you’ve perceived them as authoritative eyes on your preferred recreational activities your whole life.
On our way up the I80 towards Reno I coached Justin on what to say when we contacted the DFG by cell phone and my advice consisted of him being 100% truthful, cooperative & professional in manner and language and not get caught in lengthy discussion of incident particulars over the phone (in person only). He left a message with the warden from my vehicle and was not contacted back for almost 36 hrs. By that time I had dropped Justin back off and I was already back home in Monterey (we only went into the field for one quick night). Justin was essentially told that his case wasn’t a priority and that they would contact him should they need to revisit it.
Over time, I’ve gotten to know both Justin and the driver personally & casually, as well as their immediate families. Although I wasn’t with them on that day, I’m fairly confident that they are being truthful to the best of their recollection of the incident and feel that anybody in my shoes would come to the same conclusion if they’ve spent the time I have around them.
However, as I’ve stated previously, it doesn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks, at the end of the day, we’re measured by results (in this case evidence). The boys understand that should the promised DNA results not be what they’re purported to be, then their incident is nothing more then an intriguing but anecdotal account. From the beginning, both have claimed that the sample they found was circumstantial in nature and with some significant time lapsed and I can tell you that both just want the sample verified one way or another and don’t fear the results. They’ve understandably believed by color appearance (with adult) location & circumstance there’s a good chance it’s from the specimen initially shot, but admittedly have never been 100% certain. (sorry- I assure you, no hidden bodies being kept or suppressed by my good friend Wally Hersom).
For what it’s worth, personally, I’ve never been as confident in the sample due to the circumstantial nature and timing in which it was recovered coupled with the concerns Meldrum initially shared from his admittedly “limited observation” of present hair morphology characteristics. I’d be lying if I said that I was optimistic about what results will show in the heavily anticipated “study.” I don’t mean that as a personal knock on Melba, nor let me make clear am I privy to or have any secret insight into potential results to be pessimistic about. I just personally live by “I’ll believe it when I see it” & “it’s nothing, until it’s something” philosophies, particularly in this field and all I’ve seen thus far are speculative leaks, bold claims & conjecture. I would love nothing more to be pleasantly surprised for all parties involved (whom I have the utmost respect for & know just want the truth) as well as the field as a whole.
I’ve also received some emails from people wondering how if I believe the “Sierra Kills” story is true I could be involved in protecting those directly responsible for the shooting & endorse the killing of two sasquatches. I have a similar response as my friend Derek Randles (I consider one of the best natural woodsman and researchers in the game) that as a researcher & personal witness, the thought of two of these graceful animals being slaughtered sickens me to no end and I would never endorse the harming of these animals under any circumstance…. though wasting this opportunity and the enormity of what it could mean from a historical zoological discovery perspective (I cannot go back in time to change if I wanted to)…. would make me even sicker.
I’ve come to realize that maybe I would’ve done something stupid or regretful had I been confronted with a completely unexpected & immediate, frightening physical reality they both found themselves in. In addition, from an accepted biological perspective, what “they” are exactly remains to be seen and we could all argue about it all we want as it means nothing in the interim.
This entry was posted on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 4:05 pm and is filed under Bigfoot, Bigfoot Report, Breaking News, Cryptozoologists, Cryptozoology, Evidence, Expedition Reports, Eyewitness Accounts, Forensic Science, Sasquatch, The Bigfoot Field Reporter. You can follow responses via our RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is not allowed.
“The boys understand that should the promised DNA results not be what they’re purported to be…”-It looks like he’s preparing us for yet another “The dog ate my homework.” excuse that’s so popular with folks who claim to have solid evidence that bigfoot is real.
This whole story is a complete LIE, in my opinion.
There was no Bigfoot shot, Justin Smeja is a liar, and the DNA will prove he lied…in my opinion.
This guy Bart Cutino is a close friend of Matt Moneymaker…enough said.
Grizzy bears were hunted into extinction in California, but not one Bigfoot killing ever on record. With Justin Smeja lie, still, no Bigfoot killing on record in California.
Just ask yourself, two Bigfoot killed on the same day within yards of each other, and no bodies, no pictures, no blood, no hair, no proof, no evidence, no trace, NO NOTHING. Just a stupid story by two guys who make trailer parks put up no vacancy signs.
Bigfoot believers…don’t put your faith in these characters.
@CDC I agree. That entire story has never passed the “smell” test for me. It seems simply like the “Georgia Boys” saga round two, only it the “California Boys” this time. Yarn spinning at its worst.
While CDC is more than a little rude, the core of his argument is sound. No matter what happened or how it happened, one simple statement is absolutely, undeniably true: the day a bigfoot is captured or killed, the entire world will know about it within hours. The same goes for -any- major mystery solved with 100% confidence. Any ‘monster’ being discovered (Nessie, Yeti, Ogopogo, Jersey Devil, Khloe Kardashian’s birth father, Boggy Creek monster, etc) will fly around the world in no time flat.
Thank you for sharing. I have my doubts about Justin’s encounter but I’m not prepared to state unequivocally that it’s a hoax. Dr. Ketchum still has his samples which have been analyzed but not reported on yet. That may make or break Justin’s reported encounter.
I’ve tried to read or see everything that Justin has said or reported since this event started. I do find some contradictions in his accounts but nothing that positively would say he’s involved in a hoax.
You should note that his encounter happened within easy walking distance of a day or two for a Sasquatch of our research area. We know for a fact the species is in those mountains as 3 of our people saw a family of 5 of them at about 1/2 mile distance last July.
If his encounter is genuine and not a hoax he has our interest. We don’t know how well an incident like his can be reported among the species members if at all. We could easily find ourselves in extreme danger based upon his reported actions if true.
If his encounter is a hoax then he could have gotten the idea and some of the information off my Eastern Sierra Webpage of our website. I would like to return to the area with him and judge for myself the veracity of his encounter. Please pass this on to him.
It’s been reported he was considering writing a book about his encounter. If he returns to the area with me I’ll shoot whatever photos he feels he needs for his book for free without credits.
Just like always here, most of the people who leave comments are always nay-sayers or wanting to put people down they have never even met. Whether you believe the killings were real or hoaxed or whatever, why put down people who are trying to help sort out the truth? Why put down Bart, do you know him, ever spoken to him? Same goes for Bobo, so many here want to talk out of the side of their necks about him after seeing him for 1 hr a week after being edited to death by some tv show, and yet you all have so many things to say about him. I wish I was as perfect as most of the regulars around here seem to be.
And I’ll have two Sierra Squatch Steaks and a Georgia Monkey Suit. Chocolate shake and a fifth of whiskey with that.
Specifically, who are the “species” members and why would you be in danger. If I interpret this literally if would mean you are a bigfoot but that simply would not make a lick of sense!???
peteyweestro: well, you do have a point.
While I insist on having my own fun with circus sideshows like this (add a Bigfoot Curly Fries to my prior order), I think that folks need to stop before we get to character assassination; tossing babies with bathwater; and other crypto-crimes.
For those who say “oh, Friend of Moneymaker, all I needed to hear,” people are entitled to have friends, you know? He has some cogent stuff up at bfro.net (and that’s a pretty good database); let’s just say he doesn’t seem to be handling the TV angle the right way (a fair criticism). I will never understand what leads to stuff like Johor Hominid and Georgia Boys, to say nothing of Ray Wallace; but I try to stop short of felony convictions in absentia.
People who have proof need to get it out there for review. Everybody who looks like they’re playing the market angle for all it’s worth, well, what are we supposed to think? But hate the sin and not the sinner. Tough economic times and all. If you’re one of the lucky ones, well, a chuckle or two never comes amiss. But they don’t look like the enemy or nuthin’.
If you go to our website, you’ll understand my comments. Four times I’ve been close to the Sasquatch species and four times we’ve been intimidated for various reasons into leaving the area.
There is in my mind no doubt the species exists and may very well have some connection to UFOs as Stan Gordon believes and maintains.
Since the species is unknown we don’t have any specific ideas about how well they can transmit or verbally record events that happen to them in a given area among themselves.
If Justin Smeja has actually shot and killed 2 Sasquatch and this information gets transferred through the Sasquatch species anyone entering this mountainous area could easily be in extreme danger.
I do know from personal observations the species is intelligent and their intelligence is geared to survival. I have personal experience that this intelligence may be a great deal more but this will have to wait. We must have a specimen for a forensic pathologist to dissect and we must have firm observations from zoologists of the species before we can draw conclusions.
The species is capable causing a great deal of harm to humans and may have done so in the past or present. As a general rule they prefer to stay away from us and keep us at bay. It seems they will tolerate us in their vicinity in limited number if you follow certain protocols to avoid intimidating or interfering with their normal functions. These are outlined on my Eastern Sierra Webpage.
Couldn’t agree more with all of these comments. This “episode” is fiction, nothing more. The idea that someone executed the scientific find of the millenium (albeit in a rather sad way) and then simply drove away… is ridiculous beyond belief. And if Moneymaker or any of the BFRO three-ring circus are attached, there goes any remaining credibility.
One great thing about this forum is that everybody is entitled to an opinion and the right to state it. However, I neither accept Justin’s encounter as fact yet nor am I yet ready to categorically state that it’s a hoax.
In war I’ve seen situations such as what Justin supposedly reported actually happen. Each situation had a different outcome based upon the circumstances of the situation.
Dr. Melba Ketchum is probably the only other one who might really know the truth besides the two present when Justin’s encounter happened. She has the sample as part of her scientific paper which was just recently rejected for publication. She has very clearly said she will not release any of her findings or conclusions until her paper is published.
However, she has a scientific reputation to protect and a business to run. If Justin Smeja was playing us for fools and orchestrating a hoax then she would have rejected his sample and kept him out of her work in self defense.
I’ve asked her in a recent email to clarify this one point and it’s more for my own security and those of my fellow researchers than for this on-going controversy.
If Justin Smeja is involved in a hoax then he may very well have gotten his information off my website. However, if his encounter is real and he did shoot two Sasquatch to death then the possible consequences for myself and my fellow researchers could be severe.
The species might take getting shot with extreme anger and much greater intimidation. We enter and leave this area pretty much unmolested. We do get an occasional rock or tree break but for the most part we move around the area as we wish. There are things we don’t do which might intimidate the species and we’ve published those.
@airforce47: Thanks. Yes your comments explain everything. If I find time I will peruse your web site.
“Four times” you have been “close” to the species? You see, it’s comments like yours that prove my point, no one has ever seen a Bigfoot.
You expect anyone to believe you have been “close” to the most incredible unknown animal ever, and you do not even have a cell phone picture to prove it?
Everyone of the people at all the Bigfoot eyewitness meeting is either lying or misidentified an animal…and in my opinion, you fall in that group.
Justin Smeja didn’t kill any Bigfoot and you didn’t see, or come “close’ to any Bigfoot. You know how I know? Both of you CANNOT PROVE ANYTHING!
When you get “close” for the 5th time Airforce, call some one who won’t be “intimidated” and will get some PROOF!
Till then, delusion or out right lie, you didn’t see anything…in my opinion.
Here’s perhaps the best close encounter and survival that I know of and it may be the best of all time. I personally know the encounteree as do several other researchers. He’s honest and credible and we did some research together before medical complications forced him to retire from research.
You’re entitled to believe it or not but it did happen just the same. So far Justin’s account of his encounter doesn’t stand up to rigorous investigation. It tends to lend itself to the hoax theory but until Dr. Ketchum can confirm this by her stated rejection of his sample we will not know for sure.
My best and go out and see if you get some photos of Squatchy.
“Possible, not probable”. I think you said it very well. I don’t mean any disrespect. I’m on this site because I’m obviously interested. I just have doubts about this episode. And I’m an avid hunter. Nobody…repeat; NOBODY who considers himself a true hunter shoots at something out of reflex. The idea is completely abhorant to anyone who respects the sport and the game he pursues. The last thing any true hunter does, when confronted with the unknown, is raise his rifle and fire a shot.
It seems to me that if Justin Smeja’s sierra killing story is anyway accurate he is convicting himself of being out of control with his hand is on the trigger. This is far worse than if a person under control deliberately gunned down two sasquatch for gain and not wasted the opportunity presented to science and possibly other sasquatches future welfare. He should have his gun licence taken away immediately not just to preserve sasquatch but any man women or child who may have wandered in front of his sights!
Until then airforce47 you might be better advised to wear a rainbow coloured suit when you do your trips back to the Sierras such that you can’t be mistaken for a…bear?
I am, based on evidence, a long term bigfoot believer just waiting for more illumination and information and revelations on the subject. I am optimistic about Dr. Ketchum’s findings but at this point accept there will be much trouble with peer review because of the history and nature of the subject and a failure of the majority of scientists to come to grips with it while hiding behind their sceptical laurels. They should accept bigfoot is different!!
I tend to agree. Justin’s reported behavior is totally contrary to everything anybody is taught about hunting. However, my friend BB ran into a female Sasquatch who defied several axioms about what we believe or know about them. They normally don’t hang around after getting shot at yet she did and continued escalating intimidation behavior. She didn’t stop until it was a face to face showdown and it was either move forward to attack or get shot and then she fled.
It may be a long time before we know the truth about Justin and for the record Dr. Ketchum did turn down my request for a clarification. She won’t say a word and we were polite and firm. I didn’t really expect she would but it was worth the effort.
All I can suggest is go up to the area and see for yourself. It’s not hard to reach and the maps available are accurate and good. | 2019-04-26T00:34:55Z | https://cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/bart-cutino-sierra-kills/ |
I was going to hold off posting my bead warriors since Dale just posted, but he encouraged me to go ahead and post. Over the weekend I put together three stands of troops. I will discuss the building process, the painting, and then also my subjective feelings about these little fellows, both good and bad. In terms of historical miniature gaming, I am one of those people that has one period that I like significantly more than all others. For me that's ancients, and specifically ancient warfare from about 500 BC to around 100 BC. Because of this, I am a sucker for Alexander the Great and the Successors battles in particular. So, not surprisingly, this is the army I started with when doing my first batches of bead warriors.
Over the weekend, I got three bases done, two phalangite bases and one skirmisher base. I try and use everything from a craft store or online craft shop, so even the bases are precut ones that I buy online for not much money. They are about 3 inches wide (just a little shy of that actually), 1.25 inches deep, and 1/4 inch thick. I wanted thick bases for these little fellows because a) I think it looks cool, and b) while in play I want people handling the bases, not the figures.
They are essentially painted the same as my "28mm" wooden ancients figures I make using spools and such. So they are way more "meeplish" than Dale's figures in appearance. Here is a closeup of the phalangites.
And here is what they are made with.
The body is a 5/16" Flat Head plug, and the head is a Maple Button Plug 1/4" in size. You just glue the mushroom plug on top of the wider end of the flat head plug and that's it. The pikes are toothpicks with the sharp end cut off of one of them. The shields are called "brads." You get them in a craft store in the area that has the paper and scrapbooking stuff. They are designed to hold pieces of paper together as they have two sharp prongs that you can bend open and then shut again to hold the paper, but I snip those off. Honestly, this is just a 10-12mm version of the same figures I do at 28mm with spools and mushroom caps, it's just that the mushroom cap is smaller, instead of a spool for the body I used a flat head plug, and the brad I use for the shields is smaller.
To illustrate this, here is a comparison photo of the 28mm phalangites I made years ago, and the new 10/12mm phalangites I made this past weekend.
As far as painting goes, very, very easy. Dale is right, you can really get lost in painting details that don't matter. What I tried to do was identify what was the most distinctive thing on the actual soldier and just paint those things. So for the phalangites, it's obviously the helmet and the linen armor. The linen armor pattern is just made up, it is just a "suggestion" of the linen armor. You can't really see it in these pictures but I did paint hands on the back side of the pikes to give the appearance of them holding it, but that's it for details. Helmet, face and eyes, linen armor, and that's about it for painting details.
For my skirmishers, I wanted to try and give some variety in appearance. Also, obviously, there are way fewer of these figures on the base, although the base itself is the same size. Here is what these guys are made from.
1. Inexpensive. Even me buying "custom" parts instead of just going with the standard beads from a craft store, they are still really cheap to make if you buy the pieces in bulk.
2. Fast to paint. Wow, I literally did the bases staggered, so that I was at a different point with the painting of each so that I could be painting one while another one was drying. For these three bases, with a total of 28 figures, I may have 3 actual hours of work in them, and honestly, a lot of that time was waiting for the glue and paint to dry.
3. Mass effect. Just like with all 6mm or 10mm figures, you can get so many of them in a small area on the board it looks really good, even with my cartoony meeple style, they look good when they are put together like in the first picture.
4. Light. Especially if you used a thinner wooden base, you would find that each base weighs less than one 28mm metal figure. Actually, I think even my thicker bases still weigh less. So for those of us like me that like to run convention games, or run games at a gaming club where you have to transport everything, my old back is very happy to be moving a box of these guys around compared to a box of 28mm metal figures.
1. Fiddly. There is no real way around this unless you do what Dale does which is paint them on the base. I don't do that, and by not doing it they are hard to hold onto when you paint them. The phalangites are not, you can hold onto the pike, but the skirmishers and the base of Hypaspists I am working on now, it is impossible not to get paint all over your hands. In the future I might try to use some sort of putty tack to stick them to a base that I can hold onto when painting them. That should help to solve this problem. It's always risky with wood, though, because it absorbs everything, so if the tacky stuff is damp at all, the wood will absorb it and possibly alter the paint. I hope not though.
2. <Yawn>. Okay, I admit it, I can be a bit of a painting snob. Painting these guys this weekend made me feel the same way that painting 6mm figures made me feel when I used to paint them. <Yawn> On the good side, it's hard to paint them poorly. On the bad side, it's very difficult to paint them very well. This is definitely a double-edged sword characteristic, because if you wanted to put together an army quickly that looks good on the table, but you didn't care if they looked great, just to try out a period that you do not normally game or something like that, they are perfect for that. But the point of them is to be minimalistic, and simple, and paint just the most important elements of the figure. That's great for speed, and for identification on the table top, but for those paint snobs like me out there, it can get really boring really quickly because it is very assembly-line like. So for me, personally, the level of enjoyment in painting them was far less than for the 28mm ancients I have done with the spools, and definitely less than for the 32mm fantasy figures for rpgs I've been doing of late.
Will I keep doing some? I will. I want to do an elephant, and I want to do some cavalry. I will eventually do enough to put on a game. I like a huge battlefield with lots of troops on it and this will really fit that bill. Actually, I sort of like knowing that between even just Dale and I, we have 10/12mm army options, 25/28mm army options, and 40mm army options for figures made out of inexpensive and simple craft store parts. I, personally, think that diversity in scales for these types of figures is just darned cool.
I went to the local Michael's and found a cheap ($3) hot glue gun and said "Why not?" because my experiments with super glue had pretty much failed. Super glue just does not provide a strong enough hold when dealing with curved, plastic pony beads. Pony beads are basically 6 mm x 9 mm plastic beads with a large hole. I use two of these for horses, acting as the body.
To each of these I attach a 3 mm by 5 mm plastic, tubular bead.
Here is what it looks like attached.
I usually fill up the pony bead with hot glue first, then attach the "legs". When attaching the front and back sets together I connect them with a spot of hot glue and then let the glue harden.
Although hot glue will typically set in 15 to 30 seconds, unless you are using cold water the glue generally takes a few minutes to harden. After it has hardened, I add more hot glue at the join point between the two pony beads, deliberately leaving a blob towards the bottom (above the horse's legs) as this gives the appearance of rider's legs.
As you can also see in the image above, I use a wooden, tubular bead for the horse's head (the light colored bead). All I can say about it is that it comes in a package of wooden beads with varied shapes and sizes that I buy at Hobby Lobby and it is the perfect size. Those five beads complete the horse for a 12 mm figure.
For the rider, I only need two more beads, one for the head and one for the body. Because these figures are sort of Chibi-style, with an oversized head compared to the body size, the rider's head is either an 8 mm round wooden bead or another 6 mm by 9 mm pony bead, depending upon which shape suits your subject better. (The pony bead provides more of a flat-topped barrel shape, while the wooden bead is a spherical shape.) The body is a small "seed" bead. It does not need to be as large as the body used for infantry as the rider's legs overlap the shape of the horse's body and is represented by hot glue.
Here are six cavalry, armed with swords and shields, shown at various angles.
Some cavalry with spears in upraised position.
Some cavalry with spears in lowered position (charging). All of these cavalry use pony beads for the heads, so will be better for medieval knights with barrel helmets, although the shields are not really the right shape for heater shields. But that is okay. I am trying to train myself that it will be the paint job and not the shape that will matter as much.
So far I have finished six sword-armed cavalry and 12 spear/lance-armed cavalry, plus 16 infantry in shield wall formation. So let's look at the infantry.
For these guys I used two beads, an 8 mm wooden sphere bead and a 6 mm wooden cube bead, hot glued one on top of the other. (The cube is the body.) To that I glue a piece of foam sheet cut out with a hole punch, which represents a shield and part of a wooden round toothpick to represent the spear. I only put the shield on the front row figures and the single back row figure where the shield would show.
As you can see in this image from above, adding shields to all of the figures in the back row is not necessary as they would never show, unless you created a sufficient gap between the two ranks. But if you did that, then you would be able to see the fronts of the second rank sufficiently that you would then have to paint it. That defeats the point of this minimalist style.
Once I paint these all up with black gesso a lot of the little holes and gaps will be filled up, in addition to acting as shadow for any area I cannot or do not paint.
Here is the first infantry unit that I have finished. I have painted it all in black gesso in order to create shadows for wherever I cannot paint another color. I will only paint those areas of the figures that are easily seen. Hard to see places will be kept black. This unit will likely be an Anglo-Saxon fyrd unit. No armor, a couple of helmets (mostly caps), and lots of colors. In terms of Dux Bellorum, it will be an Ordinary Shieldwall unit.
As this unit is more orderly, it will be an Anglo-Saxon select fyrd unit. They will have body armor and metal helmets. In terms of Dux Bellorum they will be Noble Shieldwall units.
Here is another Anglo-Saxon fyrd units (Ordinary Shieldwall), painted up. As you can see in the images above, lots of color in the clothing (the square bead) and in the hair color, caps, and helmets.
The main point of emphasis to the eye, however, is the head from the back and the spear points, shields, and heads from the front. Lots of detail on the clothing or shield is wasted. I allowed myself some dots, stripes, and spirals for the shields, but I was not going to paint any animals or Celtic knots, that is for sure!
Opposing the Anglo-Saxons I wanted to use the Sub-Roman Britons. At first I thought about using the SRB in the Southwest of England, but later realized that the Kingdom of Strathclyde lasted much longer and had more enemies it could fight (lasting until the 10th century or so). Plus, they can be an all-cavalry force, if you want them to be! I thought that would be fun – cavalry and light, skirmishing infantry against a shieldwall – so I decided to make a few cavalry units.
This first one is sword-armed, just so it can be a little different from the rest. It will likely end up as the General's stand, or in Dux Bellorum, the Noble Companion Riders.
Here is a unit of Strathclyde cavalry. I will paint them with a few helmets and no body armor, making them Ordinary Riders for Dux Bellorum. They are armed with javelins and spears.
This Strathclyde unit has everyone wearing metal body armor and helmets, no count as Noble Riders. The weaponry are javelins and spears, so they will use their firepower to wear down the enemy before charging into them and breaking them. That is the plan at least.
As you can see, I really did not put a lot of effort into the shields. (I also forgot to paint the spear points!) The good thing is, I can always go back and paint a little more if the mood strikes me. The ones that have shields on the outer edge of the stand (the red one, in this case) and are easily accessible (the white one and possibly the orange one) would be the likeliest candidates. Maybe a simple two color scheme with painted halves, stripes, or dots. Plus iron shield bosses in the center.
So, all in all a pretty productive trip. I still have three more cavalry units to add weapons and shields to, but the horses and riders are all done. I stopped doing infantry because I was worried that they would not survive the trip. As all of the infantry in a unit were glued together in one big block, that made them less flexible. So I glued a couple of dozen heads to bodies and left it at that.
It is all coming together nicely. If the Dux Bellorum rules do not work out, there is always DBA (with 3" bases!) and several other rules I would like to try (like Conquerors and Kings).
Thought I would post a few more painting shots.
These are the base coats with the eyes for three figures, one of which, the orc shaman, you've already seen. The one on the left is an evil wizard/necromancer and the one on the right is a warrior priest summoning some magic effect ... or signaling for a touchdown, whichever you prefer.
The Wizard has the standard cloak I usually do but I wanted him to have a metal skull cap on his head, similar to the one worn by Merlin in the classic Excalibur movie from the 80's. These are all base colors and you can see that for all of them, I chose to do a black eye base.
Here is the finished evil wizard. The eyes are done by just putting two white dots into the large black oval. The cloak is the dark brown color I like so much as a base tone, but in this case because his cloak is so dark I painted the base coat black, and used the dark brown (the "Soft Black" color) to fill in as the color of his cloak. This is a good example on a human figure the technique of leaving some of the darker undercoat color showing through when you use a lighter tone over top of it. It is done on every part of the miniature except for his face.
Finally, here is the evil warrior priest finished.
He is pretty straightforward except for his eyes. I wanted him to appear to be looking up, so I used the same technique for the eyes that I use on the zombies. The white part is not just two dots but a crescent shape so that it looks like his pupils are all the way up in the top of his eye, which they would be if he was looking up to the sky summoning the power of his god.
The mace on his belt is just cut from a tile spacer.
Finally, Michael's, at least the ones where I live, are carrying a new line of wooden craft parts that have different "wooden people." I've not seen these before. Also, they have this pack that has a male and female wooden person, a hut, and a tree. Unfortunately it is about $4 and I would never use the hut for anything I don't think, but I really like the tree. I took this picture at the store and it didn't turn out as good as I hoped, but you can see the people and the tree okay in it. These people are a nice size and if I was starting over or wanting to do a really large army, I might opt to use these.
The hut looks like an ice cream cone, but the tree (which is next to it but is upside down) is actually very nice, this picture does not do it justice. You can see one of the "pawns" or "wooden people" in the upper left of the package. Unfortunately, I don't think you can but the trees in a pack by themselves (like a four pack or something). I only saw the trees included in this package, and it is cost prohibitive to pay that much just for one tree for me, anyway. But it is a very nice tree.
So here is my otyugh figure side by side with the pre-painted D&D counterpart. As you can see, the scale is nearly identical in terms of actual area taken up by the figure, which is one of the things I try and go for. I'm also happy with the general appearance of the otyugh at this point. I cut tile spacers to make the "teeth" at the end of two of the tentacled arms. There is just one tile spacer per side, though, so essentially it is a thinned down long straight piece of tile spacer that I then cut a jagged edge on to look like teeth. Individual teeth would probably look better, but would be really fiddly and would be more likely to come off the figure with handling. I will paint on the other teeth in its maw because there just is not enough space to put teeth in there. I can't make the mouth any wider because as it is constructed now, the bottom of the lower jaw already is just mm from the table top. I also think I will paint on the spikes, but I did entertain using toothpicks or other wooden pointy things cut to size and glue them on. I still might do this, I haven't decided. I will need to decide this before I paint it. The issue is how likely I think they will be to break off with use. Obviously, I don't want that and if that is likely, it's not worth going for the 3D spikes, better to just paint them on.
I also have a base done for him and painted already, but I will only glue the figure onto the base once it is painted. He is such a low ground clearance figure that painting the underneath of the figure would be next to impossible if I put it on a base first.
I went with the tapered plugs for his arms, ending each in a split egg with its bottom filed down so that it is flat, making it look like it attaches to the tentacle. Although the tapered plugs do not give it a smooth look, I think they will actually add to the segmented tentacle arm look once its painted. But we'll see.
Hope you like the otyugh! Tomorrow I'll post something else, haven't decided yet what, either a painting example again or something else.
Knowing that Dale would be away from his blog for a few days at this time, I have been hard at work doing some painting so that I could have some stuff to post while he is away. So here is some of the stuff I've been working on. I'll save other things for later in the week.
For tonight, I'm posting about a salamander (the evil elemental creature of fire, not the cute little lizard), an orc shaman, and finally a dungeon accessory piece, a statue of the elven god of luck. I'll start with some "naked"/unpainted pictures and then show and talk about the finished painted piece. I actually started the salamander and then realized I needed an unpainted picture of him, so he has a little paint on him by accident.
I put him with a finished human thief miniature for size comparison purposes. His construction is interesting, especially because his body is made of an egg that I cannot find anymore (it is longer and skinnier in shape than the normal eggs you get from online wood craft parts suppliers). These eggs I found randomly in a Michael's store one time, and they quit stocking them (they went on clearance sale) and I bought every package they had. But it won't be enough, I like this eggs a lot, I'm going to have to find them eventually online somewhere. Anyway, he has a split egg head, long and skinny egg body, an axle cap for the bottom part of his body where it first makes contact with the ground (because it has a hole in it gluing it to the base upside down so the hole points up allowed me to really anchor the body of the salamander in place by gluing the tip of the egg body into the hole of the upside down axle cap). You'll see in another picture but there is one more axle caps that make up the lower part of his snake-like body ending in another split egg tail. I used tile spacers to make the arms (really big ones) and hands, and his ears. You'll see this in the next shot as well but I also used the large tile spacers, cut them in half so they are thinner, and cut them to make the shapes of his spiny back plates. The tip of the spear is also made from a large tile spacer I cut to the shape I liked, poked a little hole in it, and glued the stick to it by jamming it into the hole.
You can really see his lower body here and back spines in this picture. Notice how I placed the axle cap and split egg in an overlapping position to give the sense of a coiled, snake-like body. At this point I was very happy with how he turned out, and was afraid to paint him for fear of messing him up. That painting delay is normal for me on these monsters because it takes me a long time to figure out how to make them, and then after I do that I am afraid I'll mess them up when I put paint on them. He literally sat on my painting table for about 3 weeks.
Above is the naked version of the elven statue of the god of luck. The base is a 1 1/4" square piece with a 1" cube glued to the top of it. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to put the elven word for "luck" on the front side of this block, but I would paint it on. The body is a longer shaker peg (I can't remember the size, but it's probably about 2 1/4" long I would guess). I cut the bottom off of the shaker peg so that I could glue it flush to the cube. The cowl and head construction is the same as for the lich I talked about earlier (split egg with an axle cap glued hole-side down). The arms are in a praying position and made from tile spacers. The hands are separate tile spacers cut to shape and glued into position. That's all there is to this statue!
The picture above is the base colors for all the figures. Dark gray for the statue and the bases of the figures, dark redish brown for the salamander, and a color called Light Avocado from Americana craft paints for the orc's flesh. I like it because it's green without being "too green." Each figure has been painted twice. One coat with the cheap craft paint always proves to not be enough for these fantasy figures (you can sometimes get away with one coat with the historicals). But after two coats, the color as you can see is consistent and vibrant.
Here is the finished statue. I just took a lighter gray color and literally made it up as I went, just painting a basic cloak look to her with a simple face (can't really see anything but her hair pattern in this picture). The text is actually painted black first, and then the lighter gray on top of it. The black makes the letters pop out more than if I had used an even darker gray. The lighter gray color I usually only have to paint once, and that was the case here. Here are some more pics of the statue.
As you can see, I only painted the text on the front. Why? Because I am free handing it, and because it is elven letters (which I have never painted) I knew there was NO way I could possible get all the sides to look the same. So I only painted the text on the front side. You get a better sense in this picture for the "draped" look of the cloaked body. When you are painting something on a flat surface like you have with these figures, what you leave behind as unpainted space (in this case the dark gray color) is as important as what you cover up with the new color. By leaving the darker color exposed, it creates the illusion of depth.
You can see her face a little better here. I didn't want it to look too "human" because it's a statue of a god, so I went with lines with dots under them for eyes and just the suggestion of a mouth. It is tilted back in this picture so that you can see the face better.
I have done a lot of orcs before, but never a shaman. I knew I wanted him to hold a staff with a skull on the end. In this case it's just a round bead that I glued to a small stick. The figure is the normal orc construction with an axle cap head glued onto a shaker peg so that it looks like he is hunched over with the worst posture in the world. The arms are tile spacers, the right bent at a 45 degree angle which is perfect for holding the staff, and the left is extended in a pointing/spell casting gesture. As far as the paint job, nothing too earth shattering here except that I wanted him to have a fur for clothing, so I painted the dark brown color where I wanted it to be, and then just blobbed on into some of the dark brown area lighter brown to create the "fur" look. I gave him some blue face paint for casting his spells and for appeasing his god. Notice that the way I have figures "hold" things is to glue the object to the bottom of the arm. The tile spacer arm is flat and creates a good area for the shaft of the staff (in this case) to glue onto pretty well. Then I paint the fingers actyakkt on the object held to make it look like the figure is grasping the object (hands wrapped around the object). Silly, I know, but I think it's effective.
The salamander I am going to do in stages hopefully so you can see better what I did. I took the dark brown color and blocked out his eyes and mouth. Then I took bright red and painted the various serpent-looking parts of the body, and the humanoid parts of the arms and hands, again painting the fingers onto the object being held to create the illusion of the monster holding the spear. It is very important that you leave uncovered some of the darker color you painted onto the figure before the current color you are painting (bright red in this case). This is what creates the textures and the folds in the clothing of other figures. In this case, it created the segmentation of the creature's body and arms. If you don't do this, you'll just have at this stage a monocolor red figure. Not what you are going for, trust me. As you can see, I've already finished the staff of the spear and put the base coat of medium gray on the spear tip.
You can really see the importance of not painting over everything with the new color (in this case the new color is the bright red). Leaving behind open darker spaces gives visual interest to the figure. This is vitally important on the larger figures like this one, less so on the human-sized guys.
Over the red I painted some orange (you can still see some of it in this finished figure) and over the orange I painted some yellow. In both cases, I did not paint over top of the previously painted color completely, leaving some of the old color still visible. This is very, very important! Are you tired of me saying this yet?
Final picture is of the salamander with some adventurers on a painted tile just to give you a sense of how bright and "on fire" he looks. I'm pretty pleased with how he turned out.
Have you ever purchased a new rule book for a new period that you have no figures for and then said: "Boy this is shiny and new. I wish I had two armie for this period so I could try these rules out!" Okay, I may not have said it that way, but I have said something like it. I think we have all thought it at one time.
Created paper armies where you print and cut out paper figures and mount them to bases. Generally the figures are all side-view, so you have to play from the side, rather than from behind your troops, otherwise it does not look very good.
Created paper armies where you print groups of top-down figures and mount them to bases. These are essentially fancy boardgame counters. No reason not to use flat terrain too!
Created elaborate drawings using computer programs like Battle Chronicler to register the moves of the electronic versions of the counters I used above.
Bought and painted (or had painted) 6mm metal or plastic figures and mounted them to bases.
I was feeling a bit nostalgic last week and I created a few of the "Bead Knight" of my childhood. (See the post Let's Get Medieval and scroll down to the middle to see the results.) I brought back a lot of memories, but it also prompted a conversation with blog co-author Matt about how to solve the "ooh! New Shiny" problem by making your own armies. Yes, making miniatures takes time, but by making the figures a certain way, would it be possible to make the whole process, from start to finish (armies on the table), quicker?
The real beauty of these seems to me to be rapid construction and ease of construction, and the flat surfaces allow you to focus on what you want to paint for each figure and putting the signature detail there rather than worrying about all the little fiddly stuff on the smaller figures that no one sees on the gaming table even with highly detailed metal sculpts. You can see them when you hold them up 6 inches from your face, but on the table? All you really see is what you painted on your guy, which is the helmet, the covering for the horse, and the weapon/shield. The point of these wooden warriors in my view has always been less about making an equivalent wooden figure in detail compared to a metal sculpt, but instead to create a quicker to paint, lighter to carry figure that on the table in a gaming situation allows the person playing from 3+ feet away to say "those are knights" or "those are American WWII GIs" or "those are Macedonian skirmishers" or whatever.
The second part of that thought is that because the detail is not cast on the figure, there is a lot of incentive not to paint that detail. If you have ever painted old Scruby figures, you know what I mean. Scruby miniatures conveyed the shape, but rarely had cast details. So you could ignore the elements that would not normally be visible, like buttons. If the buttons are cast on, however, they will likely be wildly out of scale (in order to be visible) and will be noticed as not being painted when the figure is closely inspected as the detail casts a shadow.
Another issue with cast detail is that even when you want to paint that detail, say the shako cords or a metal device on a cartridge box, if you don't paint dead on "between the lines" you will notice it and try to correct. It is just human nature because when you are painting you are looking at the figure up close – probably closer than anyone else ever will – and these "flaws" leap out at you.
Without the detail cast on it is very easy to paint the detail where you want, how thick or thin you want, and how straight or rough you want. The non-uniformity of the figures then actually looks more realistic.
One set of rules that I wanted to try out, but had no armies for (despite having a number of DBA armies), is Dux Bellorum. They looked interesting, but later I heard that there was a flaw, but then others said that no, it was a great game. I wanted to find out myself. But how much time, effort, and money did I want to put into a period that I had no troops for, for a set of rules that may be flawed? Not much. So in comes the idea of making my own miniatures, using this minimalist approach.
First, I set off for the local Hobby Lobby and purchased several packs of beads. You can see the product of maybe an hour's worth of labor as I was still figuring out how I wanted to build these new figures. (I will do a construction article next time, after I return from my business trip.) Basically I have a Saxon shield wall on the left and a group of Norman Knights on the right. Each Saxon figure consisted of two beads, one-half of a round toothpick, and a sequin for the shield. The horses are actually made up using six beads, and with two beads, one-half of a round toothpick, and the top of a flat toothpick for each rider.
There are 16 infantry to a shieldwall base (12 for loose-order infantry and eight for skirmishing infantry), mounted on a 3" by 1 1/2" wooden base. There are six Knights to a base, but there will only be five for lighter cavalry and four for skirmishing cavalry.
Of course, the key to minimalism is to paint minimally! I could not resist painting the eyes. I can paint eyes pretty fast and I think it does matter, especially with the horses.
As Matt was saying, the principle items that you eye sees are the distinctive or "iconic" elements. For a Norman Knight that is the teardrop-shaped shield, the helmet, and the spear/lance. Everything else is essentially de-emphasized (surcoat is a simple blob of paint on the front and the back) or unpainted (using the black gesso primecoat to act as shadow).
There are so many details that could have been added on or painted, such as horse furniture and tack, swords, rider legs, horse's hooves and ears, etc. but even with these close-ups did you initially notice that they were missing? Does it really matter now that you have been alerted to take note?
To me the idea of minimalism is not minimizing the detail you do paint, but maximizing the number of details that you don't paint.
These guys took very little time to construct and paint up. The only thing I would change is that I would construct them with Gorilla Glue-brand super glue, rather than with hot glue. These figures are just too small for wielding a glue gun and the strings get to be a constant pain to remove. Where hot glue comes into its strength is to fill gaps between parts. These can be painted with black gesso and then they become shadow.
While I am away on my trip I will definitely be sitting in the hotel room with a few bags of beads and some super glue, making my Dux Bellorum army. Then I can start painting them when I return home. | 2019-04-18T20:34:45Z | https://wooden-warriors.blogspot.com/2016/10/ |
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CHICAGO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - February 15, 2017 - Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) today announced financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
"In 2016, our concentrated focus on key strategic initiatives provided a strong foundation for Groupon going forward and resulted in a streamlined global operation, a healthier Goods business, improved customer service and strong customer acquisitions after a successful online and offline marketing strategy," said CEO Rich Williams. "We look forward to continuing to invest in the Groupon brand and unlocking the true potential of our business as we make Groupon the daily habit in local commerce."
Groupon’s fourth quarter and full year 2016 consolidated financial results include the results of LivingSocial’s operations for the partial period from the acquisition date of October 31, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
Gross Billings were $1.70 billion in the fourth quarter 2016, down slightly from $1.71 billion in the fourth quarter 2015. Gross billings were impacted by dispositions and country exits in connection with Groupon’s restructuring efforts, partially offset by the addition of LivingSocial. On a same-country, FX-neutral basis, gross billings grew 2% year-over-year. North America gross billings increased 6%, reflecting growth of new customers as well as the acquisition of LivingSocial, while EMEA declined by 9% (5% FX-neutral) and Rest of World declined by 15% (15% FX-neutral). Gross billings reflect the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services.
Revenue was $934.9 million in the fourth quarter 2016, compared with $917.2 million in the fourth quarter 2015. Revenue increased 2% globally, or 4% on a same-country, FX-neutral basis. North America revenue increased 5%, EMEA declined 2% (increased 1% FX-neutral) and Rest of World declined 12% (8% FX-neutral).
Gross profit was $369.9 million in the fourth quarter 2016, compared with $371.7 million in the fourth quarter 2015. North America gross profit increased 14%, EMEA declined 25% and Rest of World declined 10%.
Net loss from continuing operations was $50.2 million in the fourth quarter 2016, compared with $32.6 million in the fourth quarter 2015. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $52.6 million, or $0.09 per share. Net loss was negatively impacted by non-operating losses of $40.8 million in the fourth quarter 2016 from declines in the fair value of investments, primarily attributable to Ticket Monster.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $42.5 million, or $0.07 per share.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP performance measure, was $80.6 million in the fourth quarter 2016, compared with $67.0 million in the fourth quarter 2015, reflecting execution of our streamlining initiatives.
Global units sold declined 0.4% year-over-year to 62.0 million, primarily driven by country exits and our restructuring efforts in international segments. Units in North America increased 3%, EMEA grew 6%, and Rest of World declined 29%. Units are defined as purchases made through our online marketplaces, before refunds and cancellations.
Operating cash flow was $288.7 million in the fourth quarter 2016. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $269.0 million in the fourth quarter 2016.
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016 were $891.8 million, and we had no outstanding borrowings under our $250.0 million revolving credit facility.
Gross Billings were $6.1 billion in 2016, compared with $6.3 billion in 2015. On a same-country, FX-neutral basis, gross billings grew 2% year-over-year. North America gross billings increased 6%, reflecting the contribution of new active customer cohorts, while EMEA declined by 11% (9% FX-neutral) and Rest of World declined by 24% (19% FX-neutral).
Revenue was $3.14 billion in 2016, compared with $3.12 billion in 2015. Revenue grew 1% globally, or 4% on a same-country, FX-neutral basis. North America revenue increased 5%, EMEA declined 5% (3% FX-neutral) and Rest of World declined 19% (11% FX-neutral).
Gross profit was $1.36 billion in 2016, compared with $1.39 billion in 2015. North America gross profit increased 10%, EMEA declined 19% and Rest of World declined 21%.
Net loss from continuing operations was $183.3 million in 2016, compared with $89.2 million in 2015. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $194.6 million, or $0.34 per share. Net loss was negatively impacted by non-operating losses of $48.1 million in the full year from declines in the fair value of investments, primarily attributable to Ticket Monster.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $23.0 million, or $0.04 per share.
Adjusted EBITDA was $178.1 million in 2016, compared with $256.8 million in 2015 and ahead of our guidance range of $150 million to $165 million, reflecting our increased marketing investments in customer acquisition.
Global units sold declined 3% year-over-year to 214.3 million in 2016. Units in North America increased 5%, EMEA declined 4%, and Rest of World declined 29%.
Operating cash flow for 2016 was $117.1 million. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $48.2 million in 2016, which reflects the adverse cash flow impact of restructuring charges, country exits, and the funding of our securities litigation settlement.
North America Local Billings grew 11% year-over-year in the fourth quarter 2016. North America Local Billings growth accelerated throughout 2016 reaching 11% year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter 2016. LivingSocial contributed 4 percentage points to fourth quarter 2016 year-over-year growth.
North America customer additions accelerated to 2.0 million in the fourth quarter 2016. North America active customers reached 31.1 million as of December 31, 2016, adding 5.2 million for 2016, which marks the highest acquisition in four years. Fourth quarter net additions were 2.0 million, with 1.0 million unique customers added from LivingSocial. Active customers represent unique user accounts that have made a purchase through one of our online marketplaces during the trailing twelve months.
North America gross profit increased $31.5 million year-over-year in the fourth quarter 2016. North America gross profit growth accelerated to 14% year-over-year in the fourth quarter 2016 driven by 16% growth in Local and 14% growth in Shopping. For 2016, North America gross profit increased $84.0 million to $885.5 million.
SG&A declined $33.5 million year-over-year in the fourth quarter 2016, on solid execution of operational streamlining initiatives. SG&A in all markets declined year-over-year in the fourth quarter 2016 as we continue to drive operational efficiency through regional shared service centers and automated processes, which we expect to not only improve our customer service but also create greater operating leverage over time. SG&A declined $126.6 million year-over-year in 2016, or $89.1 million excluding the impact of a litigation reserve recorded in 2015.
During the fourth quarter 2016, Groupon repurchased 12,397,795 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $49.9 million. During the full year 2016, Groupon repurchased 43,227,743 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $162.4 million. Up to $195.0 million of common stock was available for repurchase under Groupon’s share repurchase program as of December 31, 2016. The timing and amount of any share repurchases are determined based on market conditions, share price and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time.
Groupon is providing its outlook for 2017, which reflects current foreign exchange rates, as well as expected marketing investments, the acquisition of LivingSocial, potential disruptions related to country exits, and cost benefits associated with our streamlining initiatives. As previously announced, Groupon expects to exit 11 countries as part of its streamline and simplify initiative, and the company expects to report these countries as discontinued operations beginning in first quarter 2017. The basis for our full year 2017 guidance is continuing operations.
For the full year 2017, Groupon expects gross profit to be in the range of $1.30 billion and $1.35 billion, an increase of $40 to $90 million compared to full year 2016 results for the 15 countries in our go-forward footprint on an FX-neutral basis.
Groupon also expects Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $200 million and $240 million, an increase of $16 to $56 million compared to full year 2016 results for the 15 countries in our go-forward footprint on an FX-neutral basis.
A conference call will be webcast live today at 9:00 a.m. CST / 10:00 a.m. EST and will be available on Groupon’s investor relations website at http://investor.groupon.com. This call will contain forward-looking statements and other material information regarding the Company’s financial and operating results.
www.groupon.com/blog) as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
In addition to financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have provided the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, free cash flow and foreign currency exchange rate neutral operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures, which are presented on a continuing operations basis, are intended to aid investors in better understanding our current financial performance and prospects for the future as seen through the eyes of management. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons with our historical results and with the results of peer companies who present similar measures (although other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently than we define them, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures). However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be a substitute for those reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For reconciliations of these measures to the most applicable financial measures under U.S. GAAP, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules" and "Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics" included in the tables accompanying this release.
Interest and Other Non-Operating Items. Interest and other non-operating items include: gains and losses related to minority investments, foreign currency gains and losses, interest income and interest expense, including non-cash interest expense from our convertible senior notes. We exclude interest and other non-operating items from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that excluding these items provides meaningful supplemental information about our core operating performance and facilitates comparisons to our historical operating results.
Special Charges and Credits. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, special charges and credits included gains from business dispositions and charges related to our restructuring plan. For the year ended December 31, 2015, special charges and credits also included the write-off of a prepaid asset related to a marketing program that was discontinued because the counterparty ceased operations and the expense related to a significant increase in the contingent liability for our securities litigation matter. We exclude special charges and credits from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that excluding those items provides meaningful supplemental information about our core operating performance and facilitates comparisons with our historical results.
Income Tax Effect of Items Excluded from Non-GAAP Financial Measures. We determine the income tax effect of items excluded from our measures of non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share by performing a tax provision calculation using pre-tax income (loss) amounts that have been adjusted to exclude those items in the respective jurisdictions to which they relate. The difference between the income tax expense (benefit) determined on that basis and our reported income tax expense (benefit) represents the income tax effect of the excluded items.
Foreign exchange rate neutral operating results show our current period operating results as if foreign currency exchange rates had remained the same as those in effect in the prior-year period. We present foreign exchange rate neutral information to facilitate comparisons to our historical operating results.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure that we define as net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding income taxes, interest and other non-operating items, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, acquisition-related expense (benefit), net, and other special charges and credits. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate operating performance, generate future operating plans, and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating performance in the same manner as our management and Board of Directors.
We believe that excluding the above items from our measures of non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share provides useful supplemental information for evaluating our operating performance and facilitates comparisons to our historical results by eliminating items that are non-cash in nature, relate to discrete events, or are otherwise not indicative of the core operating performance of our ongoing business.
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that comprises net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software from continuing operations. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe that it typically represents a more useful measure of cash flows because purchases of fixed assets, software developed for internal-use, and website development costs are necessary components of our ongoing operations. Free cash flow is not intended to represent the total increase or decrease in Groupon's cash balance for the applicable period.
Same country operating results are non-GAAP performance measures that reflect the results of the countries in which we maintained continuous business operations throughout the comparative periods presented. We use same country operating results, including same country operating results presented on a foreign exchange rate neutral basis, to better understand the performance of our ongoing business operations and to facilitate comparisons to our historical operating results.
in currency exchange rates and any potential adverse impact from the United Kingdom’s likely exit from the European Union; retaining existing customers and adding new customers; retaining and adding high quality merchants; cyber security breaches; incurring expenses as we expand our business; competing successfully in our industry; maintaining favorable payment terms with our business partners; providing a strong mobile experience for our customers; delivery and routing of our emails; product liability claims; managing inventory and order fulfillment risks; integrating our technology platforms; litigation; managing refund risks; retaining, attracting and integrating members of our executive team; difficulties, delays or our inability to successfully complete all or part of the announced restructuring actions or to realize the operating efficiencies and other benefits of such restructuring actions; higher than anticipated restructuring charges or changes in the timing of such restructuring charges; completing and realizing the anticipated benefits from acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and strategic investments; tax liabilities; tax legislation; compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including the CARD Act and regulation of the Internet and e-commerce; classification of our independent contractors; maintaining our information technology infrastructure; protecting our intellectual property; maintaining a strong brand; seasonality; customer and merchant fraud; payment-related risks; our ability to raise capital if necessary and our outstanding indebtedness; global economic uncertainty; the impact of our ongoing strategic review and any potential strategic alternatives we may choose to pursue; our senior convertible notes; and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the hedge and warrant transactions. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties, we urge you to refer to the factors included under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the company's Investor Relations web site at http://investor.groupon.com or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Groupon's actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although Groupon believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect Groupon’s expectations as of February 15, 2017. Groupon undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.
Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) is building the daily habit in local commerce, offering a vast mobile and online marketplace where people discover and save on amazing things to do, eat, see and buy. By enabling real-time commerce across local businesses, travel destinations, consumer products and live events, shoppers can find the best a city has to offer.
To download Groupon's top-rated mobile apps, visit www.groupon.com/mobile. To search for great deals or subscribe to Groupon emails, visit www.groupon.com. To learn more about the company’s merchant solutions and how to work with Groupon, visit www.groupon.com/merchant.
The financial results of Ticket Monster are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and tables for the three months and year ended December 31, 2015. All prior period financial information and operational metrics have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this presentation.
Represents the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services.
Represents the change in financial measures that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting periods been the same as those in effect during the three months and year ended December 31, 2015.
The $10.6 million loss presented within income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 represents additional income tax expense attributed to discontinued operations, which resulted from the valuation allowance that was recognized during the period against the Company's net deferred tax assets in the United States.
The structure of the Company's common stock changed during the year ended December 31, 2016. For additional information, refer to Note 11, Stockholders' Equity, and Note 17, Income (Loss) per Share, in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Company adopted the guidance in Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, on January 1, 2016. ASU 2016-09 requires that all income tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities in the statement of cash flows. Previously, income tax benefits at settlement of an award were reported as a reduction to operating cash flows and an increase to financing cash flows to the extent that those benefits exceeded the income tax benefits reported in earnings during the award's vesting period. The Company has elected to apply that change in cash flow classification on a retrospective basis, which has resulted in an increase to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and net cash used in financing activities of $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, and increases to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and net cash used in financing activities of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses and segment operating income (loss) exclude stock-based compensation and acquisition-related expense (benefit), net.
Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for North America for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a $37.5 million expense related to an increase in the Company's contingent liability for its securities litigation matter.
Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 includes restructuring charges of $2.7 million in North America, $9.2 million in EMEA and $1.7 million in Rest of World. Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes restructuring charges of $9.5 million in North America (which excludes $2.6 million of stock-based compensation), $23.1 million in EMEA (which excludes $2.0 million of stock-based compensation) and $6.3 million in Rest of World (which excludes $0.1 million of stock-based compensation). Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2015 includes restructuring charges (credits) of $9.1 million in North America, $(3.6) million in EMEA and $(0.1) million in Rest of World. Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes restructuring charges of $10.5 million in North America, $16.1 million in EMEA and $3.0 million in Rest of World.
Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses for EMEA for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a $6.7 million expense for the write-off of a prepaid asset related to a marketing program that was discontinued because the counterparty ceased operations.
Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP earnings attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings per share are non-GAAP performance measures. The Company reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Net income (loss) from continuing operations" for the periods presented and the Company reconciles non-GAAP earnings per share to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Diluted net income (loss) per share," for the periods presented.
The following is a quarterly reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Income (loss) from continuing operations."
Represents stock-based compensation recorded within cost of revenue, marketing expense, and selling, general and administrative expense. Non-operating expense (income), net, includes $0.02 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million of additional stock-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015, December 31, 2015, March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Restructuring charges includes $2.6 million and $2.1 million of additional stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, respectively.
the year ended December 31, 2016. Non-operating expense (income), net, includes $0.3 million of additional stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Excludes $4.7 million of stock-based compensation classified within restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.
Foreign currency gains (losses), net for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016 includes $6.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of net cumulative translation losses that were reclassified to earnings as a result of the Company's exit from certain countries as part of its restructuring plan.
The following is a reconciliation of the Company's annual outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to the Company's outlook for the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Income (loss) from continuing operations." In October 2016, the Company completed a strategic review of our international markets and decided to focus its business on 15 core countries and to pursue strategic alternatives for the remaining 11 countries. Based on the Company’s review of quantitative and qualitative factors, it believes that the disposition of those 11 countries represents a strategic shift that will likely have a major effect on its operations and financial results. As such, the Company anticipates that when either the businesses have been disposed of in those 11 countries or have met the criteria for held-for-sale classification, their financial results, including any gains or losses on disposition, will be presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As such, this forward-looking guidance for the year ending December 31, 2017 has been provided on a continuing operations basis.
The outlook provided above does not reflect the potential impact of any additional restructuring actions that the Company may decide to pursue, business acquisitions or dispositions, changes in the fair values of investments or contingent consideration, foreign currency gains or losses or unusual or infrequently occurring items that may occur during 2017.
Foreign exchange rate neutral operating results are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company reconciles foreign exchange rate neutral operating results to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, "Gross billings," "Revenue" and "Income (loss) from continuing operations," respectively, for the periods presented. The Company reconciles "foreign exchange rate neutral Gross billings growth" and "foreign exchange rate neutral Revenue growth" to year-over-year growth rates for the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, "Gross billings growth" and "Revenue growth," respectively, for the periods presented.
Represents the financial statement balances that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting periods been the same as those in effect during the three months and year ended December 31, 2015.
Represents the increase or decrease in reported amounts resulting from changes in exchange rates from those in effect in the comparable prior periods.
Represents the financial statement balances that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting periods been the same as those in effect during the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2016. | 2019-04-22T14:08:44Z | https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1490281/000149028117000023/exhibit991-q42016.htm |
Your dental health is your dentist’s duty. Note, however, that ‘dental health’ is not limited to performing safe dental procedures. Dentists and dental staff should also be aware that infection may spread within the dental office, and so keeping everything clean before and after every dental visit is a must.
In a CNN report in 2013, a dentist at a clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma was under fierce criticism over unsanitary dental practices, which could have exposed 7,000 people to HIV and Hepatitis A. While cases of cross-infection in dental offices are relatively rarer than those in any other health care areas, poor and unsanitary dental practices may put patients at great risk of many serious, sometimes even fatal health conditions.
You may not see it, but your dentists are taking precautions to prevent the spread of diseases. For instance, all disposable items, such as gloves, cups, tips, and bibs, are properly disposed, says Discount Disposables.
Non-disposable items, such as dental tools, are sterilized with effective infection control products to destroy all viable microorganisms that could be present. Surfaces, beds, and dental trays are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to kill possibly harmful pathogens.
You might have noticed that your dentist washes their hands with antimicrobial soap and water before wearing gloves. This ensures that no bacteria or other pathogens will be introduced to the patient during a dental procedure if gloves become torn or punctured. The hands are the most effective pathogen-carriers, and so frequent hand washing can eliminate the risk of contracting a disease.
Face shields, eyewear, and facemasks, sometimes referred to as personal protective equipment (PPE), are used to protect dental and medical professionals from the risk of healthcare-associated infections during clinical procedures. With PPEs, dentists are able to protect themselves from infections while preventing its spread to other people.
When visiting your dental health professional, it is best to know if they are taking the issue of infection control seriously. You can do this by checking if they are following the standards of infection control, and by asking questions about sanitation. After all, a good dentist will never hesitate to answer how well they take care of your health.
Swollen gums are a common problem experienced by expectant mothers. More commonly known as pregnancy gingivitis, this health condition is due to hormonal changes. Blood flow to the gum tissues increases as a woman’s body changes, causing the gums to become more sensitive and irritable.
With all the possible complications, it’s important that you observe good dental care habits during pregnancy.
Pregnancy gingivitis usually happens during the second trimester. You may notice your gums are a bit redder than usual. It is also likely that you gums bleed whenever you brush teeth. Left untreated gingivitis may lead to bigger problems, like periodontitis.
Other than swelling of the gums, dentists from Botanics Dental Care say hormonal changes may also trigger benign growths in the gums. Dentists call this pregnancy tumour. Although not cancerous, these nodules may affect chewing, brushing, or even speaking. These normally disappear after you give birth, but there are rare cases where you may need surgery for removal.
Expectant mothers who develop gum disease are more likely to deliver prematurely. They are also at risk of having underweight babies. Excessive bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream and travel to the uterus. When this happens, bacteria stimulates fatty acids called “prostaglandins.” These chemicals are responsible for uterine contractions. As a result, bacteria induce premature labour.
Good oral care is important during pregnancy. Brush teeth at least twice a day. Do it especially after vomiting from morning sickness. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water when you brush teeth.
Of course, brushing alone is not enough. A visit to the dentist is important. Dentists can remove bacteria that brushing cannot. Consult a dentist especially when you suffer from constant toothaches, persistent bad breath, or missing teeth. When gums bleed frequently and you notice growths in the mouth, it is best to see your dentist.
Pregnancy gingivitis is a common problem of pregnant women. Observe good dental hygiene to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Say Goodbye to Flu — Use Copper!
Whether you’re obsessed with sanitation or you just want extra protection against all the bacteria and nasty superbugs that have been going around, here’s some great news for you: copper and copper alloys such as brass and bronze have been found to prevent bacteria’s antibiotic resistance from spreading.
Nowadays, stainless steel and plastic are normally used in public places and these permit bacteria to thrive and spread when people come in contact with them. Even when bacteria die, the DNA providing them with antibiotic resistance can thrive and be spread to other types of bacteria on steel and plastic surfaces.
So, you should consider using more copper and copper alloys in your home, most especially on frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, balustrades, handles, handrails, and countertops among others. According to activemetal.com.au, those offering brass fabrication services can help in outfitting your home to make sure your fixtures will be perfectly fitted to your requirements and lifestyle.
Man has actually been utilising copper’s antimicrobial properties since the beginning of time. Copper is antimicrobial because it is capable of inactivating or killing microbes like viruses, fungi, and molds. Further, plenty of researches conclude that it can fight off a wide variety of fungi, bacteria, and viruses such as E.coli, Influenza, MRSA or The Superbug, Staph, Candida Albicans, and salmonella among many others.
The use of copper and copper alloys including bronze and brass in public settings and transport can radically help in eliminating the spread of malicious bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The Tri-Attack to Fitness: The Three Ways to a Stronger, Leaner and Healthier You!
You might have heard the adage that ‘health is wealth’. It is very true. What good is hoarding material wealth when you won’t be around to enjoy it?
The concept of health and fitness is swiftly becoming the norm worldwide as the fitness wave is crashing every shore. But even if it is not trending, your health should always be on your concern list.
But how exactly do you stay on top of your body’s health? Here is the basic three pillars that will keep you strong.
People groan at the sound of having to jog a mile, or at the prospect of doing push-ups. But there really is no going around it. Exercise is one of the essentials of a healthy body.
Cardiovascular and endurance exercises such as running and swimming keeps your heart, lungs and blood circulation strong, which is more that can be said for couch potatoes. Meanwhile, strength and resistance training such as weightlifting and calisthenics improve muscle strength and can ensure optimum strength even in your golden years.
You may have also have heard that healthy mind equals an healthy body. That is true in many ways. For instance, just an hour or two of a good workout spikes your endorphin levels. Endorphins are the ‘feel-good’ hormones, so go figure.
Exercise keeps your body strong, but nutrition ensures that there is a body strong enough to exercise to begin with. Mind what you eat. Firstly, eat right. The proper carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and vitamins keep your body strong and kicking.
For those going the extra mile, you can opt to take herbal dietary supplements to make sure your body’s vitamin needs are well addressed, adds renewql.com.
You may be running marathons and eating like a Viking, but in the end you are only human. And human bodies need rest as well. If you are embarking on a fitness training program, it is important to give yourself the proper rest. The rest gives your body the time it needs to adapt to the aggressive changes you have been making, to recharge exhausted muscles and organs, or even just to a brief breather from the toll physical exercise is taking. Proper rest allows for growth and recovery, so do not overdo it.
At the end of the day, you have to think: you have been given and blessed with a healthy body, no defects and no weakness. It is your duty to nourish and develop with what you were given.
Coffee shops continue to flourish, each offering cosy ambiences and cool crowds. Visit one, relax, and taste their endless choices of beverages. Coffee can’t go wrong. Some people even say the worst coffee is better than no coffee at all.
That cup of Joe holds more than just a few stories and facts. These facts about the world’s most consumed beverage might just come in handy when trying to liven up a conversation the next time you visit The Royal.
1. Ethiopian shepherds noticed their goats prancing around after eating the berries where coffee beans come from. The nomadic mountain people didn’t add the beans to their beverage; they eat the berries directly.
2. 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year. There are 7 billion people in the world. If you distribute the figures evenly, it would mean each person drinks 57 cups of coffee annually. The U.S. alone has 100 million of daily coffee drinkers.
3. Espresso literally means ‘to force out’ in Italian, describing the process of making this caffeinated beverage. Most people thought it came from the word ‘express’, or ‘to speed up’.
4. Capuchin monks wear brown cowls or robes. This inspired the cappuccino blend.
1. Old Turkish tradition requires grooms to always provide coffee to their new wives. Failure to comply can be grounds for divorce.
2. Kopi Luwak costs $600 per pound, making it the most expensive coffee in the world. The coffee beans come from the faeces of wild cats from Sumatra.
3. A man named George Washington invented instant coffee. He was a Belgian who lived in Guatemala.
1. Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes memory loss or confusion. According to studies, two-thirds of people who regularly drink coffee are less likely to suffer from this condition compared to non-coffee drinkers.
2. Some researchers claim caffeine may help reduce the chance of developing cirrhosis, a condition that causes scarring of liver tissues.
3. Studies show caffeine enhances physical performance by burning more fat from the tissues and boosting the body’s adrenaline levels.
There’s more to coffee than just being a regular morning drink. After all, who could resist the bittersweet aroma of this beverage?
You can do anything with this combo. Ditch the microwave, rice cooker, pressure cooker and double boiler and start maximising this piece of equipment alone. The minimalist design can easily fit in this appliance with the right planning, as suggested by Kitchen Matters.
The ideal refrigerator does not have to eat up all the space in your kitchen. Choose one that can fill your kitchen vertically instead of getting chest refrigerators and freezers. Make sure it can contain your largest cake ice cream pan and you are good to go.
Blend, puree, chop, juice, mix and grind using a food processor. It is one of the most ingenuous appliances ever created for the kitchen. Choose a portable mini food processor if you do not see yourself cooking for a big event anytime soon. Processors can be bulky and less energy efficient, so choose one that can cover your daily needs and just borrow a bigger one during special occasions.
Tired of hanging heavy pots over the counter? Good news, you only need three pots: a skillet or sauté pan, a stockpot and a saucepan. The skillet can be your primary cooking pal for fried and sauté meals. Your large pot will handle all your stews, bouillons, boiled and steamed dishes, while your small pot will be devoted to sauces and cooking the other ingredients in small amounts.
Most of the time, you would have your meat carved and chopped at the butcher’s so why stack on half a dozen knives? You only need a paring and a chef’s knife. You can sharpen the edges of both knives on each other so there is no need to buy a honing steel.
The key to a minimalist kitchen is buying multifunctional and multipurpose equipment. Get minimal and work better in a clutter free kitchen.
Giving a child away comes with mixed emotions from biological parents. After all, placing your baby in the arms of another is a sight worth some shed tears.
It is difficult to generalize about the experiences of all birth parents. Many proceed with this heart-wrenching task with the hopes of providing their child with a better future. Other reasons include social values, personal goals and the family’s financial situation.
Birth parents often respond with a variety of emotions. After all, placing a child up for adoption through organizations, such as heartoheartadopt.com, leaves a mark — a bittersweet one. Many uncertainties haunt birth parents: how do you get through? How will this affect me? Did I do the right thing?
Placing a child up for adoption is traumatic for birth parents, especially the mother. Parents who place their child for adoption plan for the evident loss in their lives. Once a mother gives birth and surrenders her child, various shades of grief occur. These include sorrow, guilt, shame, shock, denial, and anger.
All reactions are normal for parents dealing with loss. When birth parents first deal with loss, grief is expressed through denial. This is followed by depression as the situation hits home — the child is truly gone. Eventually, parents will experience anger at themselves and at the people who organized the adoption.
The final phase is acceptance. The grief remains but parents learn to integrate the pain and move on with their lives.
Birth parents will never forget their child. Despite the absence of their child, mothers and fathers occasionally think about the adoption and their loss. Birth parents who lose contact with their child sometimes maintain fantasies about it, envisioning the child from infancy to adulthood.
Some parents experience guilt when remembering their child. Social stigma plays a role in this experience. Mothers are ashamed to admit to co-workers their adoption stories for fear of being judged as irresponsible. Others feel shame for “rejecting” their own offspring.
In dealing with this traumatic event, parents usually find comfort in family members. Support groups also exist to provide birth parents with coping methods to alleviate the grief and pain. Others seek counselling to move forward in the grieving process.
Adoption is no easy task. Birth parents must seek proper recuperating methods or help to survive the painful ordeal of surrendering their child to the arms of someone else.
People do many things to get that ideal beautiful look. The efforts could range from the mere use of skin smoothening lotions to going for plastic surgery to alter the look of major body features. Slimming your face to give it that V shape is one of the most common facial procedures next to nose, skin and lip jobs.
Botox is one of the most common non-intrusive plastic surgery options. You can use it to get those ugly wrinkles off your face or to firm up your eyelids, giving them a more attractive look. It can also make your face look slimmer. By using the Botox injection, you will force your jaw muscles to reduce in size over time and give your jawline a less prominent look.
A Botox injection will only work if your masseter muscles are responsible for your jaw size. Big masseter muscles could give your face a fuller, rounder look. Injecting these muscles with Botox will force them to shrink, hence trimming off some of the bulk.
Since Botox jaw reduction works by getting rid of some useful muscle fibre in the body, many people fear that it could have a diverse effect on your mastication. This is rarely the case.
Research says that humans have a fairly strong bite. A reasonable reduction of the masseter could affect your bite force negatively. The good news is the procedure will relax the muscles and make them smaller, but you can still chew.
Besides, you rarely need to max out on your bite force when eating. You will not even realize the slight drop resulting from the procedure.
Your masseters may be responsible for your big jaws. If this is the case, then a Botox injection will do the job right. For people with naturally big jawbone, however, visit a surgeon for an intrusive reduction procedure.
Singapore is a bustling city with many attractions for kids. The city-state has parks, amusement parks, and museums that enrich the lives of kids.
Play has many benefits that help your child get exercise and improve their cognitive abilities. You can choose from different places around Singapore that are perfect to spend time and play with your kids.
Sentosa has many attractions that will keep your child or the child at heart giddy. The many rides at Universal Studios entice your child’s senses and opens up a new world of wonder to them. Palawan Beach enables your child to get in touch with nature. Make sand castles or play tag with your child to make them feel loved.
Port of Lost Wonder is an ideal place to play and spend time with your kid. It has activities that stir your child’s imagination. Play hide and seek in the Pirate Ship or discover the unknown on Curiosity Island, visit POLW.com.sg to learn more about the activities you and your child can do.
The Bay combines nature and science to deliver a one of a kind experience for kids and parents alike. Explore the grounds of the park and learn about the Super Trees. You can also enter the two biomes within the park’s premises. Get to know how nature works as you and your child enter the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. Play is not limited to running around and sweating. Make it an educational day out by taking your child to the Gardens by the Bay.
West Coast Park is an ideal destination to work up a sweat and exercise with your kids. The park has seven different kinds of play sections to fit various age groups from young children to teens. Play tag, double-dutch, hop scotch, and hide and seek in the park grounds. It has a humongous web-like structure that lets kids and parents climb it.
The West Coast Park, Gardens by the Bay, and attractions in Sentosa are just a handful of fun places to spend time with your kids. Consider your child’s interests to help you plan the places to visit and things to do.
Choosing which pieces of office furniture to buy is an important task, whether your company is just starting out or you’re redesigning your office. The task, however, is not that easy. To help you make the right decisions, be aware of things you should avoid.
You may have the budget, but if you don’t have a plan, you could end up with substandard or overpriced chairs and desks. Think about some important things. If you’re moving to a new office, for example, take into account the new items you’ll need to fill the space.
Additionally, think of the long-term use of each furniture piece. Are you planning to hire new employees in the coming months? Is there a possibility of moving to another office soon?
Most modern office furniture designs are pleasing to the eyes. The problem, however, is that not all of them are practical and comfortable. If your newly bought office chair, for example, hurts your back after just a few hours of sitting on it, you’ve just wasted your money. Appearance can be a factor, but do not completely base your decision on it.
A higher price tag doesn’t automatically mean higher quality. Do some research and you’d be surprised that lower-priced, used pieces of furniture may have better quality than newer and more expensive ones.
Usually, these items are still in good condition. Their previous owners may have redesigned their office and chose a different furniture style, so they have no more use for their old furniture. To save some money without compromising quality, look for used office furniture in Salt Lake City.
Your office furniture can say a lot about your company. They can make a good impression on your guests and potential clients. Remember these tips to avoid making mistakes in choosing office furniture. | 2019-04-21T03:18:46Z | http://nettalkworld.net/2015/04/ |
Today we’re going to talk about bringing machine learning to your iOS apps. This is a topic that was really big in WWDC 2017, which was a little bit unexpected – I thought there would just be a couple updates, but I’m sure you’ve been hearing about machine learning already a lot this week.
I’m an iOS developer at SoundCloud in Berlin and I have a background in math and CS. I studied a little bit of machine learning in college but nothing too substantial that was practical, so I had to relearn pretty much everything when I got back into ML recently.
Why and when to use ML in your apps: A crash course in machine learning foundations, just so everyone’s on the same page about some of the terminology.
We’ll go through the Apple-provided APIs. This has been updated with the WWDC 2017 APIs.
The workflow that you would typically use as a developer using these APIs.
Creating a custom machine learning model using Keras which is an open source tool based on Python.
We’ll discuss tools for further learning since this is such a big topic, so you can pursue Machine Learning further on your own.
Probably all of you know what it is at this point, but just in case, in a nutshell it’s enabling machines to learn like babies. Instead of explicitly telling the machine what you want it to do, the machine should infer this over time based on different ways of modeling. Arthur Samuel, who was an AI pioneer, defined it as the field of study that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed.
A very simple machine learning problem would be image classification. So this is a picture of the SoundCloud office dog, and if we pass a picture of this dog to a machine learning model we would expect the machine learning model to classify it as a dog, not a cat or a turtle or something. Other common examples are face detection, which is done in the photos app that’s on your iPhone by default, and another example is music recommendations, or basically any type of recommendation system. Handwriting detection is a little bit more difficult but we can use machine learning to recognize this.
Apple uses some of these things internally in Siri, camera, and quick type: image recognition, face detection in a photo, or creating a radio station based on users’ music tastes in SoundCloud. There are so many other examples of machine learning problems but these are just a basic start.
Machine learning enables a more meaningful experience. This is one of the main reasons why you would want to use it. Personalization, identification, and extracting meaning can only help your app. Users often have a harder time describing what they want versus knowing it when they see it. Maybe they don’t have the vocabulary to describe a really fancy bicycle, but they know when they see it that it’s a racing bicycle and it has certain parameters to it. Recalling is harder than recognizing.
Using Apple’s machine learning APIs that we’ll go through later, we’re going to be able to do inference on the device. You’re going to already have to have a pre-trained model and then you’re going to use that model to predict outputs given some inputs.
But why would we want to actually do this on the device rather than doing it in the cloud, using for example some of the out-of-the-box solutions from Amazon or Microsoft? Pretty much every big company has some sort of cloud service that’s a machine learning as a service offering. Why would we want to actually have the model and put it on the device and keep it there?
Apple went through it in the Platform State of the Union as well as some of the machine learning sessions if you’ve gone to any of them or watched them. Some of the key reasons why you’d want to do this also play to the strengths of Apple’s offerings in general, especially data privacy. If you have the machine learning model on the device, then it stays there and you can be sure that the user’s data is kept there.
The second reason is free computing power. If you’re going to be using one of the cloud services such as the one that Amazon provides, you’re going to have to pay for that, whereas if you’re doing inference from the device you can utilize the free computing power. It will always be available. It’s not going to be using the network once you already have the model, so even when the device is offline you can be sure that it will be available because it doesn’t use the network.
Finally, Apple’s machine learning is optimized for on-device performance. Apple has done a really good job, and they showed some data around this, for utilizing either the CPU or the GPU depending on what type of model it is and what you’re trying to do. We can take advantage of the massive GPU gains that have happened in the recent years.
Last but not least, it minimizes the memory footprint and the power consumption. Apple has optimized these things and this used to be an issue if you were trying to do inference on the device but now with the new APIs they’ve done a lot of optimizations around this, and it’s practical to use at this point.
If you wanted to add machine learning to your app, you probably want to come up with a reason why you’re going to do this and approach it scientifically.
I would suggest identifying a key performance indicator of your app. For example, in SoundCloud, if we were to add some of these machine learning libraries, perhaps our KPI would be the listening time that an average user spends on a daily basis, and we would formulate the hypothesis about how machine learning will impact that KPI, conduct the experiment scientifically, and measure performance before and after. We should verify that it’s actually doing something, and if it’s not then regroup and try a different machine learning technique or do something else.
What is a model? A model is just a system that outputs a prediction, given input. It’s highly mathematical so this is a very big abstraction, but you don’t really have to worry about the low level details if you’re just using Apple’s APIs. That’s the beauty in it.
There are many different types of machine learning techniques, but the one that you’ll hear about over and over again are neural networks. So the goal of neural networks is to learn by itself, like a brain. It’s a highly interconnected system of neurons, or nodes, and it is dynamic so it processes input and updates its state as it responds to the input.
Neural networks come in all shapes and sizes. There is actually a “neural network zoo” where you can see all of the different topologies. Again you don’t have to worry about the low-level details and can just abstract it away, but if you want to get into it it’s pretty awesome.
So, how does this work? What does it look like from a high level? Gven a set of inputs on the left above, you pass the input into the neural network and it goes through a series of layers. As it’s passed through these layers, weights are applied on the nodes to produce an output, and each of these layers applies a transformation to the data. Over time, this creates a network topology and an activation function and other properties. These determine how the neural network operates. You eventually get an output, and you can compare the output of your neural network to what your expected output is to be able to improve your model in the future.
To improve our models we need training. When we’re training the neural network what we mean is that our neural network will cycle through many iterations of input in the data training set, and over time the neural network evolves and different synapses start to grow, which means that they’re more important and this corresponds to changing the weights of the equation of the neural network that will be used later. Once you have trained your model you have an equation that describes your model, and you’ll use that later to run inference on it. This is described as an ML model format that you can use in your app.
Having trained the model, when you have new data you run the model on the new data, and this is called inference. This gives you an output which is a prediction. So where is all of this done? Apple’s API offerings only allow inference on the device. You need to have a pre-trained model already to run inference.
So then where do we get the model? Training a model requires a lot of money. If you want to do this on your own and create custom models, you’re going to incur a lot of server costs for this.
Apple provides four pre-trained models off the shelf. These models do a really good job of recognizing most everyday images and objects, so it will recognize a coffee versus a computer versus a phone versus a microphone. This works for a lot of use cases, so I would recommend starting there. There are four of them and they have different sizes for different use cases.
A second option is to use open source offerings. Keras is an open source tool for training that we’ll go through. They have several pre-trained models that you can start with.
The Vision framework gives your computer a vision utility to be able to add standard computer vision-related features to your app. For example they have face tracking, face detection, text detection, shape detection, barcode detection, and more of those types of things.
Natural language processing can be used for extracting meaning out of any type of text, and this is included in foundation. Some examples of when you would use this would be language identification, parts of speech recognition, name recognition, or anything that takes some text, breaks it down, and tries to extract meaning.
GameplayKit is something I don’t know as much about, but it uses something called learn decision trees.
The next level down is Core ML. You can decide to use one of these three higher level APIs directly in your app, or you can use Core ML instead, where you’re integrating pre-trained ML models provided by Apple or imported from open source places, or your own custom models. Apple has provided us a really nice unified API for using any of these types of models in the ML model format, and you only need to write a few lines of code to do really cool things.
You can also go one level deeper, which is what you were able to do before iOS 11 and that is if you want to directly use Metal Performance Shaders, which is part of the metal framework that heavily utilizes the GPU. You can use those directly, but you’re going to have to roll a lot of stuff on your own, and it’s a lot more work – but you would have control and know it would go directly to the GPU. Core ML will optimize and decide whether to use the CPU or the GPU, so that’s abstracted away from you. You could also use Accelerate or BNNS.
This is a CPU-centric API for utilizing ML. We’ll focus mostly on Core ML and how the workflow goes, and then how you would import the model and what types of things you could do with it.
There’s many different types of machine learning methods that they’re offering in Core ML that they’re going to do for you. The ones that they offer are mini neural networks, tree ensembles, support vector machines, and generalized linear models. They have covered a lot of ground with the amount of machine learning techniques that they’re offering us.
So what does this workflow look like? How do you actually use this model and improve your app?
Integrating Core ML is really simple. First, you’re going to import the ML model into Xcode by getting one of the four that are offered by Apple in their documentation. Xcode will generate a class that has that model name directly into Swift. One of the examples they use in WWDC was this MarsHabitatPricer() ML model, which is basically a prediction model about pricing if you were going to live on Mars.
You would initialize that model just with MarsHabitatPricer() – it’s as simple as that. Then you pass input into that model and you make a prediction. In order to use the model to make predictions, you just use the model that you created and call prediction on it with the inputs that you have.
But what if you want to customize a machine learning model? When would you want to build a custom model? When you look at the Apple models they give a description of what they can be used for. When one of those doesn’t really add any value to your app then it’s probably time to look into a custom model.
One of the first options is Places205-GoogleNet image data set model. This detects a scene of images with 205 categories so it can detect if you’re at an airport, for example. It gives you the high level description that you’re at an airport instead of picking out the plane that might be in the foreground of the image.
There are also three different data models: ResNet50, Inception v3, VGG16, that deal with detecting the dominant object in a photo so it would obscure away the background and there are around 1,000 categories. Each of these covers a certain amount of categories, and they each have a different size. So that’s something that you need to consider because these are quite large. While the VGG16 model has been widely adopted in machine learning across disciplines, it’s not really that practical to be including this in your app, because the machine learning model will be loaded in right when you build, and can mean quite a bit of memory is using up.
I would recommend going to the Keras GitHub page for them. Apple came up with a Core ML tools Python package. Most of the machine learning community is centered around Python, and while a lot of us probably aren’t Python developers, there’s a lot of documentation and a lot of resources around just doing what you need to do in Python in order to use it in your app. I don’t think this should be seen as a barrier – we should embrace that there’s already a community out there that’s done a lot for us. In order to use this you have to have a Python environment set up, so I’ll go a little bit through that. Essentially you run pip install-U coremltools. coremltools is what was provided by Apple.
pip is the package manager for Python, so it’s similar to installing a cocoapod. Next you convert your model from Caffe or Keras or another tool into a Core ML model and save that model. In the Apple documentation they tell you which formats you’re able to convert from, but the ones that are really popular are Keras and Caffe.
I’m going to briefly go through how you would approach making a custom model using Keras, so you can get started and you don’t feel like this is something that’s out of reach. Keras is a Python library that’s used to develop and evaluate deep learning models. This is exactly what you would need if you’re trying to create a model that has a more specific use case than what’s already provided.
For example, if you wanted to use one of the Apple-provided models, it might be able to tell a car from a bicycle but it wouldn’t be able to tell a specific type of bicycle from another: a fixed-gear bicycle versus a road bike versus a mountain bike versus a hybrid bike. In that case you would need to have to have your own data set and label these images with what type of bike it is and then create your own model to do that. Keras is backed by an efficient numerical computation library, which is basically an engine for being able to create the model.
The common ones that it supports are TensorFlow and Theano. I’ve been using TensorFlow in some side projects because it’s very well documented, and Google does a really good job of supporting it.
I already went through this a bit, but I think that learning the basics of Python or any new language really opens your eyes up to the world of programming. It’s a really good way to see similarities to a language that you’re already using, for example Swift, and it’s also good to see the types of features that it offers that are different from Swift.
It’s a good exercise in learning more about programming language theory, and what’s practical for what use case. Python is really beginner-friendly. A lot of universities offer this as the first language that they teach, like MIT and Stanford, as well as open courseware-type classes that are online, so it’s a common language to be used in a lot of these learning tools. I would recommend looking at the Udacity course for Python if you are really unfamiliar with it, because it’s really quick and to the point and it doesn’t go through a lot of the boring programming exercises that you would normally see in an intro language course.
To set up your Python environment, there’s a really easy way to do this using Anaconda. Anaconda is an open source data science platform that manages your Python packages, dependencies and environments so that you don’t have to do it yourself. You can download it and decide to use Python 2.7 or 3.6. There’s a very big difference between Python 3.0 and above and pre-Python 3.0, so whatever you decide to use it with, just choose that version accordingly.
A Keras model is defined as a sequence of layers, just like the earlier high level overview of a neural network. You going to be creating these layers in code. We’re going to create a sequential model and add layers one at a time until we’re happy with our network topology. The first thing to do is you have to make sure that you’re getting the number of inputs correct. Because we won’t go into too much detail in this talk, check out this tutorial for building your first neural network using Keras with Python.
Fit the model, which just means execute the model on some data to train it.
Evaluate the model – run a data set through it and see whether or not your actual output matches your expected output.
And then you’re done – it’s only 31 lines of code to be able to do this, so it’s very approachable. Once you have that custom model you’re going to use the Core ML tools package that Apple developed, which will generate an ML model for you, and then you can use it in your app.
I think that it’s really wise to test your app as always, and then instrument your app. Considering that these models can be fairly sizeable compared to the rest of the assets in your app, you should use the instrument tools to make sure that you’re not causing humongous memory spikes or any other instrumentation factor that might negatively affect the user experience. It’s important to be doing this when you’re using machine learning libraries because it’s something new and something that is a lot more memory than you usually would use.
I’ve been following this space for maybe the last year, and I’ve been watching what’s been happening in other communities like in Android and the developer community as a whole. What do we think’s going to happen? Apple continues to invest heavily in ML – we’ve seen this in the WWDC 2017 updates and they have hired a lot of machine learning experts over the past couple of years, and it’s finally getting brought into the developer tools, as well as the apps that are provided by us. It’s going to be interesting to see how developers utilize these new APIs, because this could severely improve the user experience for a lot of apps and open up a whole realm of possibilities for improving apps using machine learning.
II hope that there will be improved machine learning resources. To put the machine learning field in perspective, in 2009 at MIT it was deemed not something that was super practical to be using. So much of machine learning has evolved just since then, within the last decade, and a lot of resources have only come about since then. I wouldn’t recommend starting with a linear algebra textbook because that might just be unnecessary and scare you away. Hopefully there will be more improved resources that are tailored toward iOS developers.
I think this will come from both Apple and the community. Apple announced that it’s making its own GPUs a couple of months ago, so I think that will really help us out in what’s offered on the device – both mobile devices as well as laptops and other Apple products. I think that it’s possible that they’re going to put an optimized machine learning chip on the device. This is something that is being talked about across other communities, and I follow a lot of podcasts that think this is something that seems to be natural and this would make it a lot easier to make use of machine learning libraries without negative performance effects.
This is going to be a space that’s evolving pretty quickly, so if you’re interested in following some blogs and newsletters and podcasts, I’m actually starting one called Let’s Infer. I’m going to put the first newsletter out after WWDC in a couple of days, and then a companion podcast.
Udacity’s Intro to Machine Learning: uses Python and is free!
I’m also making a bike app that uses machine learning, which is why I was using the bike example. It’s going to help users figure out what type of bike to buy, since a first-time buyer usually doesn’t have the vocabulary to describe, for example, a fixed gear bike with bullhorn handle bars and a steel frame. Instead the app provides you recommendations, and then you can buy it in the app.
Audience Member: I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to apply machine learning to music, specifically anything to detect beats or patterns, or common algorithms or formulas? When I studied back in college, as far as analyzing the signal, things that were helpful were fast foray transforms and stuff like that. Is there equivalence to that kind of stuff in machine learning?
Meghan: Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest use cases of machine learning, and while I don’t work on the machine learning team at SoundCloud, I go to all of their book clubs, where they go through some topics and how they’re using it at SoundCloud and so there’s a lot of literature out there. I think on our SoundCloud blog we have some and Spotify has quite a lot, too, about how to build a music recommendations engine. A large part of it is being able to tag the songs with specific vectors, or specific labels, and then you choose however many labels you want. So maybe you want to put that it’s a hip hop song from the ’90s and it’s by this artist and it has this and this factor, it has this musical range. You can think of an infinite number of labels and then you would use that in whatever model that you’re creating. In my newsletter I guess I can put in one for that. It’s a little bit more involved and I know that Apple is providing some sort of music tagging setup too in what they released. That’s a very good use case of machine learning.
Audience Member: I think you said that either training or creating a model would be expensive in terms of time and money. Did you mean to say that even your bike example would be expensive to train?
Meghan: It depends. The sky is the limit on what you want to do in machine learning, and if you decide that you want to label your data with so many labels so that your data set is huge, and you want a lot of different images, for example, then training that model is going to become more and more expensive the more labels you have in it and the more images that you use.
If it’s so big then you can’t really do it on your local device. You’d have to be doing it on servers, and you would probably have to pay the server costs. If you want to use a machine learning as a service type of provider, you also have to pay for that after their free trial.
It can be expensive because it just adds up, and if you’re an individual developer any of these costs can add up. With my bike workshop app, the data set I’m coming up with myself is not that big. I can actually run it on my local device, on my laptop, and it doesn’t take that long – on the order of 15 minutes or so with what I have so far. The model isn’t finished yet though, so it might grow. I wouldn’t say it’s something that’s really expensive, but I’m saying that at scale it’s a quite expensive problem, so you can save money by doing some of this stuff on the device.
Audience Member: I’m just curious what approach you’d suggest if you can’t target iOS 11 and hence use ML kit?
Meghan: If you can’t use iOS 11 then you obviously can’t utilize the Core ML libraries that they’ve put out but there are certainly ways to do this before iOS 11. You can use the Metal Performance Shaders convolutional neural net, NPSCNN, or Accelerate basic neural network subroutines. The tooling is not very good for it but it’s certainly possible.
Audience Member: Have you seen any examples of local training on device in your experience?
Meghan: I have not seen it with my own eyes. I know that you can do it. I know that Apple doesn’t provide ways of doing it for us, but I also know that Apple does it internally because they’ve mentioned it. For example, in the Photos app they are doing it on the device, and it will be really useful if we can also eventually do that. It’s not really something that’s that practical for us to do now because it’s very computationally expensive, but it hopefully will be cheaper and more practical in the future. I know there are ways to do it now though. | 2019-04-24T16:37:22Z | https://academy.realm.io/posts/altconf-2017-meghan-kane-bringing-machine-learning-to-your-ios-apps/?utm_source=Swift_Developments&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Swift_Developments_Issue_96 |
TSX-V: CWV: Crown Point Energy Inc. (“Crown Point”, the “Company” or “we“) today announced its operating and financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Copies of the Company’s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are being filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and will be made available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s website at www.crownpointenergy.com. All dollar figures are expressed in United States dollars (“USD“) unless otherwise stated, and M$ means thousands of USD.
“Argentina, in the last part of 2015, entered an era of optimism and growing expectation resulting from the election of the government of Mauricio Macri. The new government is methodically bringing responsible government to Argentina, providing the country with an opportunity to realize its full economic potential” said Murray McCartney, CEO of Crown Point. Currency controls were relaxed by the Argentine government in December 2015 and the Argentine peso (“ARS“) underwent a devaluation. A portion of Tierra del Fuego (“TDF“) operating costs and general and administrative expenses incurred in Argentina are denominated in ARS. As a result, a portion of the Company’s operating costs per BOE and general and administrative expenses have decreased in USD equivalent terms.
The Argentine government has also reached agreements with hold-out creditors who had refused to restructure certain of Argentina’s bond debt after Argentina defaulted on the debt in 2001. In April 2016, Argentina sold $16.5 billion of sovereign debt, the biggest emerging market bond sale ever and the country’s first global issue in 15 years. The deal raised funds to pay amounts owing to the hold-out creditors. As a result, the bond crisis has been resolved and Argentina has regained access to international capital markets. We believe that 2016 will continue to bring positive change for Argentina and its oil and natural gas industry. Natural gas self-sufficiency for Argentina is a stated objective of the Macri government; we believe that the Argentine oil and natural gas industry will be encouraged to invest through a higher domestic natural gas pricing policy.
During 2014 and 2015 Crown Point and its partners drilled 13 new wells, of which eight wells are on production, three wells have been suspended pending further study, one well has been included in the 2016 capital planning program for a remedial completion workover, and one well is awaiting completion at a time yet to be determined.
The Company has identified a number of older producing and non-producing wells on the Las Violetas concession as candidates for fracture stimulation during 2016. Two wells have been fracture stimulated to date, one of which has been returned to production whilst the second has been placed on a production test.
After completing its evaluation of the Vega del Sol wells, the Company took the decision to re-enter both wells and conduct further testing. VdS x-3 was re-entered in November 2015 and three additional sand zones within the Neuquén Group were perforated, stimulated and tested. The well was then placed on an 80 hour production test with all perforated zones co-mingled. During the test period, the well flowed gas, oil and water at restricted rates of 665 Mcf per day of gas, 10 bbls per day of oil plus 18 bbls per day of treatment fluid and formation water. Total gross production during the test was 1.75 MMcf of gas and 90 bbls of liquids comprised of 35% oil and 65% treatment fluid and water. VdS x-3 was suspended as a potential oil and gas producer and will be tested in conjunction with VdS x-1 by pipelining the production through the VdS x-1 facilities.
VdS x-1 was re-entered in December 2015 to swab test the fractured igneous sill in the Chachao formation. Swabbing operations continued for 3 days at the end of which time a stabilized production rate of 8.9 bbls of oil per hour or 215 bopd (zero water cut) was achieved. A total of 145.8 bbls of oil and 497.6 bbls of treatment water were recovered.
VdS x-1 was suspended while production facilities, consisting of a single well battery and separator, were installed on the wellsite and a 1.3 km flowline connecting the VdS x-3 location to VdS x-1 were installed. Testing of VdS x-1 well commenced in April 2016 and testing operations at VdS x-3 are scheduled to commence in May 2016.
Crown Point estimates a total of $5.0 million of capital expenditures for 2016 comprised of $4.7 million on the TDF concessions and $0.3 million on the CLL concession. Crown Point expects to meet these obligations, along with its other anticipated expenses, using funds flow from operations, working capital which totaled approximately $1.5 million at the end of Q1 2016 and $1.9 million of expected Petróleo Plus bond proceeds.
LF-1029 has recently been placed on production and is being tested to evaluate the Springhill interval.
Continuation of the TDF fracture stimulation program through the second quarter of 2016, which includes one older well on the Las Violetas gas pool (LV-104), and EM.x-2 which is located east of the San Luis gas pool. This well flowed gas when it was tested in 1977 and again in 1991, but has remained shut in since. Of the two wells fracture stimulated this year, one well is on production and the second well currently is on a 4 point modified isochronal production test. The Company is reviewing other candidate wells for additional fracture stimulation programs.
Ongoing long term production testing of VdS x-1 and VdS x-3 wells at CLL to evaluate possible development locations.
Domestic oil pricing policy has been influenced by the worldwide collapse in international oil prices. The intent of the Argentine government is to allow domestic pricing to be coupled with international benchmarks, however it is evident that the government is reluctant to allow domestic pricing to fall precipitously as this could result in a severe downturn in the industry, which in turn could trigger extensive layoffs, social unrest and disruptions. The government has therefore entered into a new oil pricing scheme for 2016 which fixes domestic oil prices approximately US$10 per barrel lower than the previous pricing scheme, which expired on December 31, 2015. The Company expects to receive US$61.10 per barrel for its TDF oil in 2016.
On March 29, 2016, the Ministry of Energy and Mines issued Resolutions 28/2016 and 34/2016 which set new natural gas prices as of April 1, 2016. The TDF natural gas price for residential sales are expected to be approximately $2.66 to $4.25 per Mcf, depending on variables such as the exchange rate from ARS to USD, and the type of residential user classified based on the volume of natural gas consumed which may result in a discounted price for certain residential users, depending on consumption levels.
(1) Non-current financial liabilities are comprised of bank debt. The total amount outstanding at March 31, 2016 is $2,595,470 of which $1,647,542 is classified as current and $947,928 is long-term (December 31, 2015 – $2,416,186; $1,162,717 current and $1,253,469 long-term).
The Company’s operating netback was lower in Q1 2016 than Q1 2015 due to lower sales volumes and commodity prices, which was offset by a decrease in per BOE amounts for royalties and operating costs.
As shown in the table below, the Company received lower unit prices for commodities sold during the first quarter of 2016 resulting in an 8% decrease in total revenue per BOE as compared to the first quarter of 2015.
During Q1 2016, the Company’s average daily sales volumes were 1,462 BOE per day, up 3% from 1,416 BOE per day in Q4 2015 due to the sale of inventoried volumes of oil and down 2% from 1,499 BOE per day in Q1 2015 due to natural declines.
TDF average daily production volumes for Q1 2016 averaged 1,421 BOE per day, down 7% from 1,431 BOE per day in Q4 2015 and down 8% from 1,437 BOE per day in Q1 2015. The decrease in Q1 2016 daily production volumes is due to the natural decline of wells combined with restricted production from some existing wells during the last three days of March due to a fire in the San Martín main gas line in Santa Cruz Province. Normal production levels were restored on April 1, 2016.
Operating costs were $10.48 per BOE in Q1 2016 as compared to $11.03 per BOE in Q1 2015 due in part to the effect of the devaluation of the ARS against the USD which has declined 49% since currency controls were lifted in December 2015 including 13% during Q1 2016. A portion of the Company’s operating costs, including rates for field personnel and trucking, are set and settled in ARS based on the ARS to USD exchange rate at a particular point in time. Rates are subsequently adjusted in the event of significant changes in the ARS to USD exchange rate. The Company expects salary and certain other costs to increase in the second quarter of 2016 in response to the devaluation of the ARS against the USD.
G&A expenses were 40% lower in Q1 2016 than Q1 2015. The decrease is due to a reduction in staffing levels as well as other efficiencies and cost savings achieved in the Canadian and Argentina offices combined with the effect of the devaluation of the ARS against the USD which reduced certain ARS denominated expenses.
Certain Oil and Gas Disclosures: Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet (6 Mcf) to one barrel (1 bbl) is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil in Argentina as compared to the current price of natural gas in Argentina is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value. “bopd” means barrel of oil per day. “Mcf” means thousand cubic feet. “Mmcf” means million cubic feet. “bbls” means barrels. “”M$ means thousands of dollars.”MM$” means millions of dollars. “km” means kilometers. “2D” means two dimensional.
Non-IFRS Measures: This press release contains the term “funds flow from (used by) operations” which should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, operating cash flows from (used by) operations as determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company’s performance. Funds flow from (used by) operations and funds flow from (used by) operations per share (basic and diluted) do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures used by other entities. Management uses funds flow from (used by) operations to analyze operating performance and considers funds flow from (used by) operations to be a key measure as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate cash necessary to fund future capital investment. Funds flow from (used by) operations per share is calculated using the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares for the period consistent with the calculations of earnings per share. A reconciliation of funds flow from (used by) operating activities to cash flows from (used by) operating activities is presented in the MD&A which will be made available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.
Forward looking information: Certain information set forth in this document, including: the Company’s belief that certain of President Macri’s policies will have a benefit to the Argentina economy and the oil and natural gas industry in Argentina (including with respect to pricing, future investments, costs and other matters); certain intended operational activities on the Company’s properties; estimated costs associated with certain of the Company’ operations (and the timing thereof); various statements under the heading “Outlook”, including the Company’s intention to complete certain remedial work, commence a fracture stimulation program, the evaluation of possible development locations, completing certain geological and seismic work and other matters; the Company’s assessment on future commodity prices; and the Company’s assessment of financing sources, including external and internal financing, is considered forward-looking information, and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Crown Point’s control. Such risks include but are not limited to: risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, marketing and transportation; risks associated with operating in Argentina, including risks of changing government regulations (including the adoption of, amendments to, or the cancellation of government incentive programs or other laws and regulations relating to commodity prices, taxation, currency controls and export restrictions, in each case that may adversely impact Crown Point), risks that new government initiatives will not have the consequences the Company believes (including the benefits to be derived therefrom), the risk that the Company may not receive any bonds in consideration of its Petróleo Plus credits, expropriation/nationalization of assets, price controls on commodity prices, inability to enforce contracts in certain circumstances, the potential for a hyperinflationary economic environment, and other economic and political risks; loss of markets and other economic and industry conditions; volatility of commodity prices; currency fluctuations; imprecision of reserve estimates; environmental risks; competition from other producers; inability to retain drilling services; incorrect assessment of value of acquisitions and failure to realize the benefits therefrom; delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management; stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and economic or industry condition changes. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Crown Point will derive therefrom. In addition, the information relating to reserves is deemed to be forward-looking information, as such information involves the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves described can be economically produced in the future. With respect to forward-looking information contained herein, the Company has made assumptions regarding: the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in Argentina; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of the Company to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; drilling results; the costs of obtaining equipment and personnel to complete the Company’s capital expenditure program; the ability of the operator of the projects which the Company has an interest in to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of the Company to obtain financing on acceptable terms when and if needed; field production rates and decline rates; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas reserves through acquisition, development and exploration activities; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of the Company to secure adequate product transportation; future oil and natural gas prices; costs of operational activities in Argentina (including in respect of the operations described herein); currency, exchange and interest rates; the regulatory framework regarding royalties, commodity price controls, import/export matters, taxes and environmental matters in Argentina; and the ability of the Company to successfully market its oil and natural gas products. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Crown Point are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form, and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com). Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained in this document are made as of the date of this document, and Crown Point does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities law. | 2019-04-23T14:59:58Z | http://crownpointenergy.com/2016/05/may-10-2016/ |
This looks so good and like I could handle making it. Thanks for the recipe!
I had no cream of chicken soup so used a jar of chicken gravy. Also used southwest flavored hash browns. Yum.
can you use low fat cream cheese and just blend it first with a hand mixer?
Found this recipe on FB and decided to try it! It is delicious and very simple! I added chopped onions and small amount of dry ranch dressing in addition to the other ingredients. I made a batch of ranch oyster crackers and is was so YUMMY!! Will definitely do again! Recipe in my box!
This is my first time to make this soup, I don't have a full 8 hours to cook on low, has anyone tried cooking on high for 2-3 hours and then turning down on low until potatoes are tender?
If using fresh potatoes, personally, I would peel them and dice them so they will cook faster. no need to cook first, as the crockpot will be cooking them in the time allotted.
I just made this on the stovetop. I used 1/2 the cream cheese and oh my goodness, this was sooooo good! Try it, you'll love it!
I will have to do that, thank you!
on the stovetop how long does it take still 8 hours?
No, just until the potatoes are cooked through and the cream cheese has melted. Then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
I like this recipe better than mine. I will have to get to the store and get those ingredients and make us some.
on the stove top, increase the broth to 49 oz can, add a can of cream of celery soup plus the cream of chicken, 3 Tbls onion flakes and some black pepper. I omit the cream cheese and add a large can of Pet evaporated milk as I turn off the heat. Really good eats!
The first time I made this it was perfect. Next three times the cream cheese never melted, stayed lumpy. Any suggestions? Thought about whisking it with the cream of chicken soup and letting cream cheese do the whole 8 hoursm what do you think?
I made something similar that you might like... I had some leftovers from various holiday meals.... onions, potatoes, corn, parsley. So I made a simple corn chowder.
Melt some butter in a sauce pan. Add about 1/2 chopped onion... cook until a little soft but not totally soft (I like my soup with chunks). Stirr in approx 1 tbsp flour, stir and cook a couple of minutes. Cut 3-4 fingerling potatoes into cubes, chop some flat leaf parsely. Add potatoes, parsley and about 1-1/2 cups cooked corn. Add about 1/2 cup milk and some chicken broth. Stir. Add ground nutmeg. Cook until boiling, Enjoy!
Whats great is it took about 20 minutes.
Sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Sounds delicious! Is there any particular reason why you can't use fat free cream cheese?
I don't know if it would be as thick and creamy with the fat free.
The fat in the cream cheese is necessary for thickening, and the fat free cream cheese will not melt down at all.
The fat free cream cheese doesn't melt so you have chuncks of it in your soup!!
Have pinned this! I will have to switch it up a bit to make it vegetarian, but otherwise I think it will become a fast favorite!
I made it vegetarian just to simplify. I omitted both the bacon and the cheddar cheese and it was one of the best and obviously easiest potato soups ever!
I simply used vegetable broth (instead of chicken) and cream of celery soup (instead of cream of chicken) and my vegetarian loved it!
Not sure if I missed a part but how many potatoes do you use?
For this recipe, you use a bag of frozen hash browns.
momof3- the amounts are in the recipe, the font may make it hard to see. The potatoes are 30oz. For the cream cheese, both will work as long as it's 8oz. I've only used the square package.
Eight hours in the crock pot turned the potatoes to broth only.
I used diced ha'sh browns, not shredded. If you use shredded it does just become 'mush' and thicken the soup. I like having chunks of the potato still in it after it cooks.
Looking to make this for my family tomorrow. Sounds great with all this cold weather!
Do you know how many potatoes I might use if I had to use potatoes?
Do I boil cubed potatoes before I put them into the crock pot?
30 oz of potatoes is going to convert to about 2lb of potatoes. You want to cut the potatoes into small bite size pieces and put them into the crock pot raw.
This was awesome!! Temps here in Tennessee dipped down to 2 degrees today (very unusual for us) so a hot crockpot soup was perfect. I changed mine a bit. I added onion, and I also used fat-free cream cheese. I did not cook bacon in it. I served this in bread bowls, topped with extra sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon pieces. And there should be enough leftovers for a second meal! Gonna encourage others to make this!
You might want to check the can of the cream of chicken soup. I believe there is gluten in that. There is in Cream of Mushroom.
Progresso now makes a Gluten Free cream of mushroom soup. It's a little thinner than condensed soup, but adding the cream cheese will thicken it.
Most regular condensed cream soups have gluten. There is a GF brand called Pacific Organic that is GF. It is expensive, but works for recipes like this. It is in a small box. Their tomato soup is also GF.
In a recent conversation with the Nutritionist at HyVee (yes, there really was one)--she said that none of their brands of soup had gluten in them. They do not market them that way or they would have to charge more for them. It might be worth you gluten-free folks to track down your gal @ HyVee and find out what she has to say about it. Hope this helps!
Very yummy. I left the bacon out bc i don't like soggy bacon.
Question: I bought hashbrowns, but they are not diced. They're more like 1/2 inch squares. Do you think they will work?
Yes, you may have to cook it a bit longer to make sure they're soft enough.
I made this weekend and it was wonderful. Definitely a keeper- thanks!
That is just under 2 pounds of potatoes if you don't have frozen hash browns. I'm going to try it on the stovetop, and top with the bacon bits when serving.
I make a potato soup similar to this, but, I cube about 5 or 6 large potatoes and cook those, then add the other ingredients.........also add cream of mushroom soup or cream of broccoli for variation.......and yes, as someone else stated, do not your bacon bits until you're ready to eat the soup......also, I just do mine on stove top.........very short cooking time any way!!!!!!..............is DELICIOUS!!!!!
Can you just peel and shred real potatoes versus buying frozen?
Could red potatoes be used?
I found this recipe of yours a little while ago and knew it'd be a hit in my house. Needless to say they loved it! I wrote a post on it and mentioned it. Have a great week!
What size package of cream cheese.
This soup is fantastic and easy. If you don't want to make it in the crockpot, you can cook it on the stovetop. I add 1/2 cup of sautéed onions to mine and puree the whole thing with an emersion blender to make it smooth and creamy, but either way, it's delicious. I use low fat cream cheese. I read somewhere that fat free cream cheese won't melt, that's why they say not to use it. Try it; you won't regret it.
I am making this today with the frozen cubed hashbrowns, I hope it turns out good.
Yum!! Approximately how many servings would you say this makes? Thanks!
I would like to know this answer as well. We're a large family, so I'm considering doubling the recipe in my 7qt. slow cooker.
I would say it feeds 6-8. We're a family of 2 (the little one can't have dairy). We make this for dinner and have enough for leftovers at least twice.
I've made this twice since finding it on Pinterest. I love how fast the prep work is. I'm going to feature this recipe on www.homeandhired.com today. Thanks for making a recipe that makes it easier on us work at home moms. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I will definitely head over and check it out. I too am a work at home mom, always looking for quick and easy recipes that my family loves!
I'm going to use fresh potatoes and do it in the pressure cooker! We'll see how that turns out!
I am making it today.. we r at - 13 here in Indiana.. the only diced frozen potatoes I had were the western style with the green and red peppers.. hmmmm I also added some tiny chopped ham to the mix.. can't wait to to try this... thanks!!
Why can't you use fat free cream cheese?
You can, others have and have been happy with the results. I don't because I find it doesn't make the soup as creamy as I like.
I assume you could also use shredded hash browns??
You can. I'm not sure it would have the same texture as the cubed hash browns.
this is a very simple but very good and liked by almost everyone. You can add or substitute any veg or cheese. Real Bacon gives it that zap your looking for!
I fixed this today and it was absolutely WONDERFUL on this snowy day in NC!!!!! I will be making this again!!!
I probably missed it, but can fresh potatoes be used instead of the frozen?
I made this soup for company this week. We had snow and very cold weather the night I served it. I fixed a simple salad and dessert to go with it. Believe me, this soup is a definite hit. Company loved it and wanted the recipe. We will be making this again.
Please, if you missed part of the recipe or you can't remember part of the recipe, or you didn't understand an ingredient... go back and read it again. Thanks Leah!
Where is the like button?!? Thank you so much!
Yes where is the like button b/c all measurements and ingredients were there. Thanks Leah for an awesome recipe. I love some potatoe soup & I have slow cooked it overnight & can't wait to try it. I used your recipe which by the way is being shared all over FB!
If you don't have raw or frozen hash brown potatoes on hand, is it possible to chop up some frozen french fries and use them?
Try adding some clams to it,you will have awesome New England clam chowder!
Could you use fresh potatoes, you think?
I just put the ingredients in the crockpot. Looking forward to having this tonight.
Ok, I made this recipe today. The changes I made to it were: added 1/4 finely chopped onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper and I increased the amount of Bacon. I cooked 1/2 lb of thick cut apple wood smoked Bacon, then diced that up instead of using bacon bits.
I also added 1/4 cup shredded cheddar at the same time as I added the cream cheese.
I also use the no salt added chicken stock so that it isn't too salty.
I Next time, I think I'll just cut up the 2 lbs of potatoes myself instead of using the diced hash browns. The potato chunks were just smaller than I like.
I made this the other day and made some minor and subtle changes...I added one chopped medium onion and 1/2 cup of diced celery to the mix and used 6 or 7 cubed red potatoes with the skin left on. I used the full 8 oz of creme cheese that the recipe called for and I thought it was just a little too thick, so I added a cup of 2 percent milk at the end and it was perfect. Topped each bowl with fresh bacon pieces and the shredded cheddar cheese...Thank you, Leah...this is a terrific recipe and can be easily adapted to fit each individuals own preferences...Outstanding creamy potato soup and so easy!
I added milk for a creamy potato soup. I've made it both ways and it's much better with milk. I just guestimated the amount.
I made this last night in the crock pot and smelled it all night. I noticed this morning that it is a little thick so I am going to try adding the 2% milk. But I am adding boiled chicken breast and eggs to mine. Here in the South we like potatoes with eggs in them. Will let you know how it turns out. I can't wait to try it.
Oh thank you!! I was getting angry reading through all these comments. That would also explain why I don't have a blog!!!
This was SO GOOD!!! and easy to do! Everyone loved it!!!
Made this last night and it was amazing and super easy!! My two and 5 year old picky eaters both had two helpings!!
Can you use regular potatoes? Trying to use up mine before they go bad.
Same question ^ I have so many potatoes I need to use up! How many would you recommend using?
This was a great soup to divide up and deliver to family and friends. It was so incredibly easy to make and lacked nothing in flavor. 2 out of 3 people I delivered to requested the recipe. Its a keeper. Thanks!
Does anyone know what size crock pot was used for this recipe?
I've used a 5 and 6 quart for this recipe.
do you know the nutritional facts for this recipe, need to figure out points for Weight Watchers?
I wish you would find a way to just let us print the recipe, without it printing twelve pages of comments!!!
Highlight what you want to print, hit "ctrl" and "P" and click selection and it will only print what you selected.
This of course on a PC.
On a Mac, you'd hit the Mac Symbol and P I believe after highlighting the selection.
Can I cook this on high?
I haven't tried it but assume It would cut down the cooking time by half. Keep an eye on it though.
Cooked it on high for 5 hours or so and it is perfect! Tastes amazing!
With condensed cream of chicken soup, do you still add the cup of water?
No water in the recipe, just the chicken broth with the cream of chicken soup.
I would love to make this however I'm wondering how many services this recipe makes. Does anyone know???
It makes about 9 cups. I would say 4-6 easily.
I made this tonight and it was delicious, thank you for posting. I will certainly make it again. I love how little prep it takes!
This was so delicious- my family couldn't stop talking about it. Amazingly easy too!
I used low-fat cream cheese, and it didn't melt well at all. Unfortunately, I hadn't read the comments yet. ( I got the recipe on FB and hadn't seen the original posting page) Next time I will use full-fat cream cheese and/or melt cream cheese prior to adding it to the crock pot. I used no-salt-added chicken broth and low-sodium cream of chicken soup. I baked bacon in the oven and roasted chopped baby carrots in the bacon fat (same pan at the same time--bacon was on racks and carrots were underneath on pan) Yummmm!! I added salt, pepper, a little garlic powder and a little dried parsley. Also some bacon fat and a little flour to make sure it would thicken beautifully.
I failed to test my potatoes for tenderness, and let it cook too long, but no one seemed to mind. My whole fam loved it!! This is quite a feat since we have three boys who are 10, 4, and 21 months...along with hubby and pregnant mama! (Me :) We added crumbled bacon, grated cheddar, green onion, and croutons to ours (in varying combinations lol) Definitely will be making this again soon! thanks for the great post!
Can I cook this on high for 4-5 hours instead of low for 8?
I needed a recipe for my son after his Gall Bladder surgery. I made this because it does not have onion, cream or butter. I also left out the cream cheese and bacon and used low salt chicken broth (sounds bland I know, but bland is what he needed for a sore slow digestion) It was just right for him. The rest of us added in the seasonings, bacon and shredded cheese into our individual bowls. Worked well for the occasion. Later, when he is better I will make the full recipe. EXCEPT. Did not really see a need for the cream cheese. Instead I add a can of cream (evaporated milk) and a tad of butter. And I only needed to cook on low for 5 hours . the taters were just as tender and ready to go. Use the real bacon bits and not the fake. I also used the low salt boxed chicken broth.
Thank you! I just had gallbladder surgery so was trying to figure out what to do about the cream cheese with fat content. Will try this way.
mine cooked just fine on low for 5 hours ...6 hrs after adding cream. then set on warm.
I love potato soup. This recipe was just okay. Too much cream cheese for my liking It gave it a tangy taste to me. Next time I will cut in half.or like another person suggested just use cream and butter instead. Easy on the bacon bits or it will turn pink.I also cooked on low for 7 1/2 hrs and that was way too long. I would go 4-5 hours max on low setting.
OMG! I bought the wrong frozen potatoes! I bought shredded hashbrowns (was rushing as usual while in the store) instead of cubed hashbrowns.. :-( I hope it still turns out close to this recipe. Guess I'll find out when I get home tonight...it's cooking now!
Did it end up okay?
Wondering the same thing? Our local grocery didn't have cubed hash browns only shredded ?!
How many will this serve? I plan to make it for 4.
I had on low in crockpot for 7 hours when I checked crockpot. Was drier like a side dish. Expected a soupy consistancy. Did anyone else have this problem?
I just put everything in the crock pot and it's very thick. I was thinking about putting in more broth.
I just put everything in the crock pot, it's very thick not soupy at all. Should I add more broth?
I am going to try this today! It's a cold rainy Kentucky morning here. Hope it turns out as wonderful as it sounds! I have a question - my daughter is a vegatarian so is there anything I could substitute for the chicken broth? The cream of celery soup suggestion sounds yummy! I'm trying the recipie as it is written here today first, but would love to have a vegatarian option too.
I've used vegetable broth before, and it turns out great!
i have milk but no chicken broth. what can I use?
I don't have no chicken broth, but have beef broth, wondering if that would work.
I am in Kansas City....this is being fixed for the Game #1 Opening Night World Series game here in KC! Go Royals!
After 6 hours my potatoes were way too tender but was still very tasty! I also added diced celery and carrots to mine as well as a pinch of garlic powder.. Very yummy just next time I will check my potatoes sooner!
The broth was tasty, however I didn't get the full taste since my cream cheese didn't melt. I like cream cheese just not eating chinks of it. Would it be alright if I melted the cream cheese in a sauce pan before adding it to my soup?
Your soup was fabulous and I love how easy it was. I did add chopped onion but that is all! It was soooo delicious! Wondering if I could post it on my blog and refer them to yours? Thanks for this awesome recipe!
Soooo good!! EASY TO MAKE!
Can cream of celery or mushroom be used instead?
Now long if I cook on stove top?
I made this for my husband and I using ham instead of the bacon since it was a main course. It was sooooo good and creamy and flavorful - easy too. I cooked it on high for about 2 1/2 hours, then added the (reduced fat) cream cheese, continued to cook on high for another hour then added the (reduced fat) cheese and diced ham.
Hi, I was wondering what size crockpot you are using? I only own a small crockpot (2 quart, as I cook for one) so would like to know how I should divide the recipe up. Thanks!
I made this today. Absolutely loved it! And so easy! I'll be making again!
Stirring it constantly. Original, not fat free. Hour and a half later on high and sill chunky.
Chunks should be small and I didn't stir constantly, only occassionally. Maybe it should be turned up for last hour?
I was just wondering if anyone knows the calorie count on a serving of this? I'm making it this week since it's my mom's favourite soup and would love to know the calorie count before-hand since we're all trying to eat healthier.
Can I use oreida frozen cubed hash browns?
I didn't follow the directions very carefully and put nonfat cream cheese in with the other ingredients at the beginning. It melted just fine and the consistency was good. I'll be making it that way from now on!
I decided to do the same recipe, only adding the Ore Ida Potatoes O'Brien instead. It has onions and peppers and gives it wonderful flavor. Making it tonight in fact! Try also the Bisquick Complete cheese garlic biscuit mix. All you have to do is add water to the mix, pop them in the oven for 8-10 minutes while the cream cheese is melting in the soup. As a side, it compliments the soup PERFECTLY!
I almost forgot.... if you put scallions on the top with the cheddar cheese and bacon bits - delish!
Anyone try to cook it on high for 4-5 hours instead?
Made this tonight, but had no chicken broth, so used 4 bouillon cubes with 4 cups water to make 32 oz. Also used neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese with no melting issues. I didn't add any salt, as I was concerned that the bouillon would have more than enough. Used shredded frozen hash browns instead of cubed, cooked for 4 hours on low, then 1 hour on high after I added the neufchatel cheese and it was delicious. I put a couple tbsp of bacon pieces (precooked bag kind, because I am lazy) in at the start and they came out tasting like tiny pieces of ham, but not mushy. Topped with shredded colby/monterey jack cheese and a few more bacon pieces and it really hit the spot on this cold night. Definitely a keeper, thank you!
Time and heat can cause dairy products to separate and curdle. If you cook on low, it should be okay, but no promises. All cookers are different.
A friend sent this to me on Facebook. It was fantastic. I cooked mine on high for about 2 and 1/2 hours and then low for the last hour with the cream cheese. Next time I will use half the block of cream cheese and a cup or so of heavy cream. I also added a generous amount of chopped seasoning and fresh garlic. I found that it could be the base to so many other chowders such as crawfish and corn or shrimp and corn.
This is so good and easy to make, I had to share this recipe with all my friends and family.
Thank you so much for all of your yummy recipies. Happy Thanksgiving.
I still cooked it the same amount of time.
A friend posted this on FB about a month ago and I've made it 3 times since. We LOVE it made right by the recipe.
I made this soup - I used the frozen hashbrowns that have red peppers and onions in them, left out the bacon bits, added some cooked chicken, and thought it was delicious!
I made this on the stove top which only took about an hour. I added diced onions and saved the bacon till last so it wouldn't be soggy. Topped it off with cheddar more bacon and chopped green onions. Soo good and my daughter loved it as we'll! This will be a New go to recipe for me.
Are you just supposed to use the condensed soup or the actual soup (mix condensed with water)?
Made this today and it was very good, but very thick - like mashed potatoes.Should I have added milk to it, with the condensed cream of chicken soup?
I made it tonight. It was really good! I'm so stoked to find this recipe!!! Thank you!!!
Does anyone have any recommendations for a low-carb alternative to the hash browns? I've been dying to try the recipe but me+ potatoes= not worth chancing it. Google recommendations are saying substitute spaghetti squash, thoughts?
can u cook this in crock on high for 4 hours instead of low for 8???
The first time I made the soup, I followed the directions and cut the cream cheese in cubes and added to the crock pot. Big mistake. The cream cheese never melted completely and there were globs throughout the soup. The second time I made it, I left the cream cheese out over night to soften then an hour before the soup finished cooking, I put the cream cheese in a bowl and ladled some of the hot soup over it then whisked the mixture until it was the consistency of thick cream. Next, I gradually poured this mixture into the crock pot stirring as I poured. Problem solved. Smooth, cream soup.
i had the same problem with the cream cheese not melting. I love your idea! I will definitely try it. | 2019-04-18T23:12:52Z | http://simplymadewithlove.blogspot.com/2013/12/easy-crockpot-potato-soup.html |
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Affiliate Funnel System, appears like it’s most likely to cost countless dollars yet to my shock, it sets you back well under 100. Customers jumped on board and bought it directly away. Customers undergone the whole program and also would like to show you what is it all around, why you need it and how it can help you earn money online. Initially, allow me briefly present the author Saj P. He’s also the designer of the Four Tier Annihilation Method, Affiliate Payload and also The Site Rush. If you can recall, the very first two items were released in partnership with Alex Goad that had actually developed rather a storm in the world of Internet Marketing.
The term used for profit stream in the training course is called cash funnel. So you will discover how to develop many different cash funnels. Although most of the techniques concentrate heavily on associate advertising, they are likewise applicable for selling your very own products. This is the most vital primary step. More than 90% of affiliate online marketers do it wrongly. In a nutshell, it is a training course that instructs you how to build numerous revenue streams online with Clickfunnels pricing. You will discover how to do thorough market and product study that will assure to produce revenue. You will additionally find out numerous progressed keyword study methods and how to do appropriate competitor’s evaluation to acquire competitive edge over your competitors. Numerous affiliate marketing experts are doing hard-selling, this is a wrong strategy.
With Affiliate Funnel System, you will learn how to do correct pre-selling that basically will transform your site visitors right into customers prior to they even reach the merchant’s sales page. There are several sorts of touchdown web pages and uses; you will learn how to develop each to get optimal result. This is one of the most essential auto mechanics of a funnel system. Certainly, show you many below ground and also advanced methods of driving targeted website traffic. Although it concentrates greatly on pay-per-click web traffic, you will likewise learn some innovative strategies to produce natural search web traffic. In other words, Affiliate Funnel System covers both the paid and free methods of website traffic generation. You can forget about the complicated Search Engine Optimization methods you have ever before picked up from any kind of SEO experts.
Administration consulting is a scientific research of service monitoring in which organization specialists provide suggestions to firms to develop or enhance their organizations. It is a customized scientific research needing sophisticated researches in topics such as business economics as well as monitoring researches. Self-controls such as data and also actuarial research studies are additionally helpful in providing one the called for technological expertise to allow them to be in a setting to offer skilled expertise. Firms discover this solution beneficial since they are obtaining unbiased recommendations and also input because the proficiency originated from outside the firm. This stops the in breading of concepts and also reveals the firm to fresh concepts. It additionally causes the empowering of personnel since they reach find out brand-new means of doing points and also obtain revealed to brand-new as well as existing suggestions.
These specialists end up being multi knowledgeable as well as seasoned in handling various business from various sectors. Their data base is diverse and also multi faceted as a result of the direct exposure to the various markets as well as markets along with various dimensions of business. They have the ability to make use of a few of this experience to aid your firm by carrying out a few of the techniques as well as lessons discovered. They assist with adjustment monitoring assisting the business as well as team undergoes the shift with marginal disruption. It additionally aids them with either urging the Kirk Chewning consistency in between team and also the company or either aid enhance it specifically in times of unpredictability. General shift concerns are managed extensively to ensure that procedures are not detrimentally impacted.
They additionally give mentoring to all sorts of firms of various dimensions as well as from various markets. The providing of abilities is an essential element below which encourages as well as outfits team with brand-new abilities that will certainly assist in their tasks. Training is likewise made use of in mentoring of leaders within the business to motivate a society of great management and also mentoring whatsoever degrees.
As expenses maintain climbing and also margins maintain obtaining tighter and also tighter, brand-new business are trying to find methods to reduce prices and pump in loan to the extra important facets of their service. Simply over ten years back, having an office space was indispensable to a successful company and there was no chance around this face. It stood for the base of operations where transactions can occur, conferences can be held, calls can be made – all the second methods of a company can be carried out. It was additionally the physical representation of an organization – begin and also surface of business technique and branding direction. As the years passed and the net got energy, there was a modification in business approach throughout the globe. The world was becoming a worldwide village and brand-new forms of liquid service were rearing their economic head out of the water.
Older, a lot more well-known organizations were likewise being eliminated out of the physical workplace and also right into the digital and electronic extremely corridor. The age of the home sourced white-collar worker came into being and quickly the idea of labor force and company became entirely changed. Soon brand-new businesses were warming up to the idea of the virtual office and also now the service has come to be a function of organization launch leaflets and pamphlets’. What are the benefits of a virtual office? The evident one is cost. Rental, electrical power, remodeling – these are a few of the things that can run up an expense when setting up a company base. Computer system and digital devices, web connection and internal and external interaction then contribute to a number of a lot more lines on the expense. The market and especially new business were obtaining smarter, why they must invest money when the net has revolutionary’s communications and the Web 2.0 movement, with all its interactivity remains in full swing.
Virtual conference rooms, on-line conversation, electronic fax, email, Microsoft Office – all these translates to a tiny portion of the possible expense that a business owner can sustain on himself and in this time and economic climate, it is everything about wise investing and company restructuring. Some services do the setting up of a virtual office for you, total with a phone call centre, fax solution and also a universal admin staff. Visit this website for one more benefit of a virtual office is the absence of tension when it involves establishing it up. All you need is simple co-ordination and also seeing to it that connection and interaction is established. Each of the satellite mini online offices makes certain that they have the needed tools from anywhere they are operating from and also voila! You have actually an integrated networked virtual office that is ready to go.
A wedding is a once in an actual existence occasion. The fragile and wonderful function is recalled by one. Taking photos is not adequate. To more readily protect these recollections, to share them and to remember the occasion, videography is the best decision. Videography gets the wedding service, the gathering, the delicate snapshots of warmth and conclusion between the lady and the husband to be and the family units in an unpretentious route for descendants. Wedding Videography can catch The gathering, Wedding service, notwithstanding the party in detail. It helps review the trading of rings the wedding pledges, and the stroll down the toasting, the path, and the giggling years. It is important to procure an expert wedding videographer who makes a showstopper that one may esteem perpetually and will do equity. As he expects the recording to catch pictures and feelings the wedding videographer is a fundamental piece of each wedding.
It was made by wedding Videography Look in innovation during the 1980s with advancement. Sharp specialists sought after as gear and the motion picture was massive and exorbitant. An aide and lights were required to take wedding recordings. Making and altering duplicates brought about decrease of picture quality and material. Spontaneous creations made a bit of each home and the camera versatile. The wedding videographers were home motion pictures shot by companions of the couple. The cameras could shoot at that and just movies moreover. Making wedding recordings ended up being an exorbitant issue with few videographers.
Today proficient event videography services singapore with artfulness and the experience of Hollywood executives. They place a scope of cameras to locate the best edges and on location gear to get each word between the couple and the visitors. They run feature segments and master altering to create the wedding motion picture engaging and fascinating. DVD and VHS are the two assortments of now. Videographers will change over the tape. The DVD is longer enduring with better picture quality and picture goals.
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They are the best a motivation for your money. On the off chance that there was one best regard for-your-money it is purchase setups of different sorts. Since they are re-usable! The real estate business more you use them, the more you spare. Take for instance; you utilize a visual originator to make your progressing. The person in question most likely charges 50-100 for each posting. That is 500-1000 in organizer costs! A run of the mill association bundle can expand some place in the extent of 50 to 200+. The more costly organizations are ordinarily the better quality and better purchase. Here is the reason: we should take those proportionate 10 postings. As should act naturally obvious, it gets progressively moderate each time you use them.
You can affect the flyer before the slanting to manage goes! The best favored point of view to utilizing bunches is that 90 percentages of all the tenacious work has been upgraded the situation you. The best time-executioner is really masterminding and adding plans to the flyer. Everything considered, bunches are beginning at now pre-made arrangements for you. Your activity is to consolidate the property data and photographs. Making an essential posting flyer takes really 5 minutes or less. On an essential dimension, when your customer consents to the posting course of action, you will have flyers masterminded go. Courses of action are the best, smallest asking for and best instrument for land overseers, real estate. Regardless of whether it is an area posting flyer positions, contract plans, or site gatherings, utilizing designs gives you that ‘substitute way’ to develop a succeeding zone business. Moonlight Boulevard to look staggering, they are expedient and simple to setup and use, and the best part is that they are the best an impetus for your money!
These are times any person. Enables offer some component to consider. There are people who have generally purchased vehicles throughout the years that exist. Remorsefully in light of the fact that that period they could have additionally alongside that may state farewell tour arranged to create a car settlement month to month and lose their positions. Prior to it, they find getting their and cars vehicles. How humiliating this could be for you alongside the adjacent neighbors which are up and coming passageway, other than if it is truly transpired.
Numerous urban areas have a place where they have made used cars offer available to be purchased with government open profit. A portion of the used cars have been repossessed, some have very truth been used by means of the specialists, alongside some have been deserted, that knows about. The national government has basically envisioned very demonstrate innocence on these vehicles and cars, alongside around each time a timetable month, or depending upon the most ideal way quickly their part fills, they are mosting prone to put these Used car accessible offer accessible. When you are a person who does not know about cars and vehicles, it will be savvy to investigate worried to discover vehicle someone that could choose one into the buy.
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When a person, or an organization, lies out to print sales brochures, they typically do so with some important message they want to pass across using the pamphlets thus published. And also recognizing that the function of a message with rely on the media it is interacted with as it will depend upon the wording of the message, lots of are not willing to compromise with the top quality of their pamphlet printing. In this, they understand that if low quality sales brochure printing is done, their message despite its qualities or demerits threats being immediately dismissed as a poor quality message. Because situation, it would either not be accorded the attention it would have otherwise gotten. Or, also if it is accorded such attention, the opportunities of it being acted on would be substantially reduced.
It is originating from such a background, after that that the majority of people looking for to do pamphlet printing are not ready to jeopardize with the top quality of work done. As well as one inquiry that individuals have the tendency to ask, in such a situation after that, is regarding what truly goes into the making of top quality sales brochure printing outcomes. As it ends up, something that enters into the making of top quality full color brochure printing results is the availability of a good level of technical expertise. Nowadays, all that is really needed is the basic visuals design know-how, due to the fact that we have lots of software program devices to manage the nuts and bolts of other technological bits. You should know exactly how, in visual terms, you could present your message for maximum impact. You need to understand the best ways to tackle setting out your sales brochures, to ensure that the essential components of the message attract attention easily seeing that the majority of people, in all likelihood, with just check them. However the good news is, even if you are not trained in sophisticated visuals layout, there are some reasonably easy to assimilate tutorials online, and also taking advantage of those, you can conveniently discover the essential principles and placed them right into technique, to get good sales brochure printing results.
One more thing that you actually require, if you are to get top quality sales brochure printing results, is a top quality printer. Gravure printing is exactly what we commonly made use of for these sorts of tasks, however there are some desktop printing hardware devices that you can still make use of to excellent impact. It is inadequate that you have a top quality printer, yet also guarantee that it is fed with the best amount of the ideal type of printing ink. Keep in mind, even if you make the very best graphic design layouts, and even if you have one of the most superb messages, your outcomes are bound to be sub-par if you do not have the appropriate hardware. | 2019-04-21T18:18:21Z | http://www.finca-los-lobos.com/category/business/ |
April 2—The British Empire, which rules the planet today as an imperial monetary system, stands in a long succession of empires which have successfully destroyed their subjects, and themselves, by clinging to their oligarchical ways. Today, that empire, and its servants, represent the primary obstacle to the survival of both mankind and the planet as a whole, and the job of patriots in the United States, and every other nation, is to take away their power, once and for all.
To defeat the Empire, however, we must understand it in its naked essence as the oligarchical principle which has ruled the whole succession of empires since the Roman Imperium: especially by the suppression of the expression of mankind's creative powers through science and technology. Over the course of recent decades, the infection of the oligarchical disease has corrupted peoples so thoroughly that they can barely recognize either the enemy, or their own unique mental capabilities as human beings. Here, we briefly identify that infection as it has played itself out in two of its most spectacular demonstrations of evil—the original Roman Empire and the Hitler period—and then, exemplify its operation within the Obama Administration today.
The Roman Empire ruled and looted the world for approximately 500 years, with a policy of permanent warfare, degradation, and suppression of the human qualities of its population that has been a model for every empire since. Within Italy, for example, the Roman ruling class presided over a population of soldiers and dispossessed landless peasants and slaves, a large portion of whom they supported on the dole, and kept "happy" with public entertainment (the fabled "bread and circuses").
Fundamental to the Empire's ability to control its population was its commitment to spreading irrationalism, and suppressing atechnological progress. Roman imperial spokesmen proudly boasted of their "practicality" in comparison with the creative Classical Greek culture. The oligarchs saw no need to foster technological improvements in agriculture or industry to reduce or altogether replace human muscle power—even if those improvements already had been devised. They would rather treat the people, from slaves to pauperized tenant farmers, as cattle.
The stupidity of this oligarchical decision was stunning in its implications for the real "sustainability" of Roman society. Over at least 600 years of Roman rule, from the Second Century B.C. to the Fourth Century A.D., there were no improvements in methods of agriculture—from tillage, to fertilizer, to tools. They refused to use water wheels and water pumps as a means of improving productivity of the mills or mines, despite their much greater efficiency. Instead they used slave labor, claiming it was "uneconomical" to develop pumps which used water wheels—despite the fact that this technology had been developed in Greece as early as the Fifth Century B.C.
To compensate for the lack of productivity of its agriculture, the Roman Empire sought loot where it could steal it—especially by imposing enormous taxes. As the masses of impoverished farmers increased, they became easy prey for the northern German tribes (in some cases, even looked to them for liberation). The Empire collapsed—demographically, and eventually, politically. By A.D. 500, St. Ambrose was writing of the "corpses of half-ruined cities" in Italy's once-fertile Po Valley. The anti-technology, as well as pro-war policies were genocidal, reducing the Empire's population in A.D. 600 to almost 40% less than in A.D. 200, and absolutely less than it had been in 200 B.C.
Given this lawful result of the imperial system, did the imperial oligarchy decide to change its ways? Not fundamentally. The only difference between the British incarnation of the Roman Empire, launched after the 15th-Century Renaissance, and the original Rome, was that, in line with the ideas of Paolo Sarpi, the British incorporated a limited role for technological invention—just enough to try to ensure that the Empire could not be defeated by sovereign nation-states.
The genocidal philosophy of the "modern" British Empire can be found most directly in the writings of Lord Bertrand Russell, whom Lyndon LaRouche has fittingly called the most evil man of the 20th Century. Russell represented the thinking of the British oligarchy in every area of politics, economics, strategy, and so-called science: Man is a beast, and the more powerful beasts—the ruling class—should ensure that he remains that way, ignorant and not too numerous.
To get a clear idea, focus on two dramatic aspects of the avowed atheist Russell's program: 1) his 1946 advocacy, in the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences, of a preemptive nuclear strike against the Soviet Union, should it not agree to a world government controlling nuclear weapons; and 2) his 1951 attack on economic progress in the essay "The Impact of Science on Society." These are not contradictory programs! Russell's concept, like that of the Olympian Zeus, is to utilize devastating technological power for control, but to deny the life-saving power of technology for letting mankind develop as the co-creator of the planet.
"At present the population of the world is increasing at about 58,000 per diem. War, so far, has had no very great effect on this increase, which continued throughout each of the world wars.... War has hitherto been disappointing in this respect ... but perhaps bacteriological war may prove effective. If a Black Death could spread throughout the world once in every generation, survivors could procreate freely without making the world too full. The state of affairs might be unpleasant, but what of it?"
"Science can abolish poverty and excessive hours of labor. In the earliest human communities, before agriculture, subsistence was precarious, and death from starvation must have been frequent. At that stage, man had the same mixture of misery and carefree enjoyment as still makes up the lives of other animals.
"If bad times become common, it must be inferred that industry will dwindle and that the industrialization characteristic of the last 150 years will be rudely checked...."
Russell, of course, is lying about the effects of developing advanced agriculture and industry—in the same way that British imperial tool Parson Malthus did in the 18th Century, and Prince Philip, the British Royal Virus, does today. There is no "limit" to the ability of man to utilize his mind to solve problems created by shortages of resources; new resources can, as they have been through human history, be discovered and created. The only problem is the policy, currently implemented through the British-thinking financial empire, that treats mankind like another animal, and prevents a human scientific culture, reminiscent of that ushered in by the Italian Renaissance, from dominating the planet.
The British Empire for which Russell speaks has killed untold millions with his genocidal policies, many of which murders were carried out by surrogates, ranging from Adolf Hitler's regime, to the World Bank-IMF, and the environmentalist movement.
As EIR has documented at length, the Hitler movement was not only sponsored, philosophically and financially, by the British Empire, but it was the quintessential "green" movement. As in the case of Russell, there was no contradiction to the Nazi movement between high technology for war (and killing), and "back to nature" irrationalism for the rest of the population. They both proceeded from the bestial idea of man which the Nazi philosophy espoused, the idea that man is merely an animal who consumes resources—and must be discarded when he costs too much.
From this "utilitarian" idea came the Hitler "health" policy of 1939, which set up the apparatus for eliminating "lives not worthy to be lived," and from there, inexorably, to the mass-murder policy in the concentration camps. And while the British establishment backed off from the explicit endorsement of that "eugenic" policy after the crimes of the Hitler regime were exposed after World War II, it simply repackaged the policy in another form, euphemistically called the "conservation of nature."
One key transitional figure was Julian Huxley, of the infamous family of collaborators with the Malthusians in the 19th Century. Huxley was an avid proponent of the Darwinian pseudo-science of natural selection, and advocate of racial breeding, otherwise known as eugenics, throughout his life. In 1959-62 he was the president of the British Eugenics Society. His personal commitments notwithstanding, however, Huxley agreed with his British imperial colleagues that a postwar mass movement to enforce genocide should best focus on "saving the environment," rather than directly on population control. He played a pivotal role in founding two of the most prominent organizations to that effect, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
"In the event I am reborn, I would like to return as a deadly virus, in order to contribute something to solve overpopulation," said Philip to the Deutsche Presse Agentur in August 1988.
"A cancer is an uncontrolled multiplication of cells; the population explosion is an uncontrolled multiplication of people.... We must shift our efforts from the treatment of the symptoms to the cutting out of the cancer. The operation will demand many apparently brutal and heartless decisions," wrote Ehrlich in his 1968 bestseller The Population Bomb.
It is precisely those kinds of decisions which are today condemning all mankind to destruction.
The ugly reality is that the in-your-face genocide policies of yesteryear have become so institutionalized in the post-World War II world, that many people can't even recognize them. And they have systematically killed our scientific capabilities. Only a dramatic dumping of these policies and those who impose them, can allow us to carry out the scientific renaissance we need in the face of the current galactic challenges.
Start with population. It has been seen as a "threat" increasingly over this period, and the alleged threat of "overpopulation" has been written into U.S. government policy documents since 1974 (Henry Kissinger's National Security Strategy Memorandum 200) and 1980 (Jimmy Carter's Global 2000).
Closely related is the imperial policy of restricting science and advanced technology, a policy we have seen grow dramatically since the early 1970s as well, with the consequent near abandonment of the nuclear industry, and high-end machine-tool development, in the United States. While some try to camouflage this policy as a result of the high cost of such investment, that is a transparent fraud.
And why hasn't the American population, once the most progress-proud people on Earth, revolted against this shift? So far, they have been lulled into a virtually insensate state, in which they have tolerated the slow, systematic takedown of their society and standard of living, and turned toward existentialist "pleasures" to take away the pain (including the pain of thought for the future). This is also a characteristic of imperial control.
No sane person could deny that Barack Obama has fully embraced this suicidal (for the U.S.) imperial program. Two of the key markers are his appointments in the area of health and science policy.
Dr. Donald Berwick was given a recess appointment as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Summer of 2010. Berwick was a perfect choice for Obama, because he had made his career in figuring out ways of cost-cutting in medical services—and Obama's health-care policy, just approved by the Congress in the Spring of 2010, was based, like Adolf Hitler's, on the genocidal premise that there are lives not worthy to be lived.
In 2010, Berwick was named an honorary knight commander of the British Empire. The service for which he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II was his role as consultant and advisor to the British National Health Service (NHS) from 1996 to 2003. During this period, Prime Minister Tony Blair reorganized NHS treatment decisions around the creation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), notorious for denying treatments to Britain's elderly, very young, and very sick. The NHS system during the decade of NICE has otherwise been devastated by cuts in national health spending.
Berwick fully embraces NICE's Hitlerian approach: Measure how expensive medical treatment is, so you can cut what is "too expensive," in the name of providing "quality," not "quantity." Another name for genocide.
Obama's science policy advisor, Dr. John Holdren, is even more explicit in his Nazi character than Berwick; but, unlike Berwick, he was able to sail through the Senate confirmation process with unanimous backing. Holdren, a physicist turned environmentalist, worked closely with his mentor Paul Ehrlich in the 1970s, calling for coercive population reduction and mass sterlization. He also sought to stop development of fusion energy, on the grounds that it would give humanity cheap energy!
"Perhaps those agencies, combined with UNEP and the United Nations population agencies, might eventually be developed into a Planetary Regime,— sort of an international superagency for population, resources, and environment. Such a comprehensive Planetary Regime could control the development, administration, conservation, and distribution of all natural resources, renewable or nonrenewable, at least insofar as international implications exist. Thus, the Regime could have the power to control pollution not only in the atmosphere and oceans, but also in such freshwater bodies as rivers and lakes that cross international boundaries or that discharge into the oceans. The Regime might also be a logical central agency for regulating all international trade, perhaps including assistance from DCs to LDCs, and including all food on the international market.
"The Planetary Regime might be given responsibility for determining the optimum population for the world and for each region, and for arbitrating various countries' shares within their regional limits" (pp. 942-43).
Not since Russell and H.G. Wells have such genocidal global policies been put forward explicitly. Of course, Holdren outright denied he still held these views, during his confirmation hearing in 2010. But once confirmed, he carried out policies precisely in continuity with those views.
Holdren's first major public input came with Obama's proposal to kill manned space flight, allegedly in the name of putting more investment into "science." That's a sick joke (see NASA article, this issue).
Holdren's other anti-science input has been less public, but it did surface recently in the context of the escalating galactic crisis, when it became known that the Obama Presidency intervened to take the DESDynI radar satellite program out of the President's NASA budget request. On March 4, a group of 18 prominent geophysicists, seismologists, and electrical engineers wrote to the Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, urging them to intervene to restore Obama Administration funding for the DESDynI radar satellite program, "a top priority Tier I research mission recommended for launch this decade" by the National Research Council.
The scientists wrote that "NASA's DESDynI radar satellite would contribute essential support for national priorities regarding the mitigation, assessment, and response to catastrophic natural and anthropogenic events (earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, fires, oil spills, etc.).... The DESDynI radar satellite would enable detection of fault zones that are actively accumulating elastic strain to be released in future earthquakes, it would enable the rapid detection of surface faulting and liquefaction after an earthquake, and it would enable estimating the next generation of precise fault slip models for use in assessing ground motion...."
A source well-informed about White House operations subsequently alerted EIR that this cancellation was made specifically by Holdren and his panel of so-called science advisors, thus making him directly responsible for this potentially genocidal act.
One might say that the appointment of Holdren represents just one more piece of evidence that President Obama is mentally unfit to hold his office as President. Kick out Obama—and we're on our way to getting seriously down to work on the galactic problems we face.
The material on the Roman Empire is taken from the article "How the Romans nearly destroyed civilization," by Kenneth Kronberg, published in EIR's Special Report of July 1994, "Stop the 'New World Order': Hitler in Blue Helmets."
See "The Historical Roots of Green Fascism," by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, EIR, April 13, 2007; part II. Much more can be found on the EIR Archive. | 2019-04-20T23:15:09Z | https://larouchepub.com/other/2011/3814genocide_threat_survival.html |
Methods and systems for exploiting orthogonal antenna polarizations which restore MIMO capability to an otherwise single path link are disclosed. Disclosed multi-polarization antennae and antennae arrays create two orthogonally polarized independent channels of communication which are transmitted and received by similar multi-polarization antennae, taking advantage of the fact that orthogonally polarized electromagnetic waves travel independently and can be used as independent communication channels. Transmitters; and receivers comprising such multi-polarization antennae behave as if two independent communication channels are available in the same line-of-sight link, allowing a doubling of the bandwidth and providing a way to exploit MIMO in outdoor and other line-of-sight communication links.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/565,511 filed on 30 Nov. 2006.
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to MIMO communications.
Wireless communication networks, such as those based on an IEEE (institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 protocol (also known as Wi-Fi), can achieve greater data throughput using a technique known as multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO). MIMO relies on multiple antennae to exploit multiple electromagnetic transmission paths available to radio signals traveling in a highly reflective indoor propagation environment. However, when deploying MIMO transmitters and receivers in an outdoor environment or any large open area where there is line-of-sight between the transmitter and the receiver, the communication reduces to essentially a point-to-point communication and the underlying multiple transmission paths required by a MIMO communications system are no longer present.
Methods and systems for exploiting orthogonal antenna polarizations which restore MIMO capability to an otherwise single path link are provided. In one embodiment, multi-polarization antennae and antennae arrays create multiple orthogonally polarized independent channels of communication which are transmitted and received by similar multi-polarization antennae, thereby taking advantage of the fact that orthogonally polarized electromagnetic waves travel independently and can be used as independent communication channels. Transmitters and receivers comprising the multi-polarization antennae behave as if independent communication channels are available in the same line-of-sight link, allowing an increase in bandwidth and providing a way to exploit MIMO in outdoor and other line-of-sight communication links.
FIG. 1 illustrates a transceiver system using multi-polarization antenna feeds, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-polarization microstrip patch antenna, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of multi-polarization patch antenna elements 202 arranged in an array, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a feed arrangement for a patch antenna array.
FIG. 5 illustrates a feed element for a dish aperture antenna.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will he apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
Multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication is used in wireless communication networks, such as those based on an IEEE 802.11n protocol. MIMO wireless communications use multiple antennae to exploit the multiple paths available to radio signals traveling in a highly reflective indoor propagation environment. Outdoors, or in large open indoor spaces, there are far fewer reflections and thus less multipath propagation. Therefore MIMO systems rapidly lose their advantage over conventional wireless links in an outdoor environment. When deploying MIMO transmitters and receivers in an outdoor environment or any large open area where there is line-of-sight between the transmitter and the receiver, the communication reduces to essentially a point-to-point communication and the underlying multi-path assumptions of MIMO are no longer valid. In such a scenario, not only does MIMO fail to boost existing line-of-sight bandwidths, but the extra overhead of attempting to exploit MIMO outdoors actually costs throughput or power and MIMO becomes a burden.
The present embodiments disclose techniques which exploit orthogonal polarizations which, especially in outdoor point-to-point links, restore MIMO capability to an otherwise line-of-sight link. As disclosed herein, multi-polarization antennae and antennae arrays create at least two orthogonally polarized independent channels of communication which are transmitted and received by a similar multi-polarization antenna, taking advantage of the fact that orthogonally polarized electromagnetic waves travel independently and can be used as independent communication channels A MIMO transmitter or receiver comprising such multi-polarization antennae behaves as if it has at least two independent communication channels available to it in the same line-of-sight link. This allows an increase in bandwidth and provides a way to exploit MIMO in outdoor and other line-of-sight communication links. However, it is understood that the advantages of the present embodiments do not require a line-of-sight link.
While a particularly popular application of MIMO is for communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.11n and similar wireless protocols, it is to be understood that the multi-polarization MIMO techniques disclosed by the present embodiments can in general be applied to communications in accordance with other protocols. Thus, the techniques disclosed herein are not dependent upon any particular frequency range or any particular communication protocol or standard.
FIG. 1 illustrates a transceiver system using multi-polarization antenna feeds, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a processor 101, a digital-to-analog converter 102, an analog-to-digital converter 103, frequency converters 104, power amplifiers 105, low noise amplifiers 106, transceivers 107, and a multi-polarization antenna 108 having a plurality of antenna elements 110. In one embodiment, the multi-polarization antenna 108 may include four antenna elements 110. Each of the antenna elements 110 is capable of transmitting and receiving energy in a mutually orthogonal polarization sense or direction. For example, a first of the antenna elements 110 may be capable of sending and receiving energy polarized in a horizontal direction, a second of the antenna elements 110 may be capable of sending and receiving energy polarized in a vertical direction, a third of the antenna elements 110 may be capable of sending and receiving energy polarized in a right-circular direction, and a fourth of the antenna elements 110 may be capable of sending and receiving energy polarized in a left-circular direction. In an implementation of the transceiver system, one or more of these components may reside on an integrated circuit chip. For example, in one embodiment, the processor 101, the digital-to-analog converter 102, the analog-to-digital converter 103, and the frequency converters 104 are implemented on the same integrated circuit chip.
Processor 101 has access to a plurality of independent channels, one per antenna element 110 of the multi-polarization antenna 108. The number of independent channels may range between two to four depending on the number of antenna, elements 110 that comprise the multi-polarization antenna 108. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, there are four independent channels, each capable of sending and receiving energy according to four mutually orthogonal polarization senses. To send signals over each of the independent channels, processor 101 sends the signals to the digital-to-analog converter 102. The signals are converted into four corresponding analog signals, designated out1, out2, out3, and out4 FIG. 1. Each of the analog out signals is frequency converted by a converter 104, amplified by a power amplifier 105, and sent by a transceiver 107 to the multi-polarization antenna 108 for transmission as can be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The first signal out1 is transmitted according to a first polarization, the second signal out2 is transmitted according to a second polarization, the third signal out3 is transmitted according to a third polarization the third signal out3, and the fourth signal out4 is transmitted according to a fourth polarization. The polarizations are substantially orthogonal, thereby providing four substantially independent electromagnetic transmissions which can simultaneously and independently carry the four analog signals. The processor 101 may use each of the channels simultaneously or at different times.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, four orthogonally polarized electromagnetic transmissions are received by the multi-polarization antenna 108. The first, transmission carries a first signal and is polarized according to the first polarization, the second transmission carries a second signal and is polarized according to the second polarization, the third transmission carries a third signal and is polarized according to the third polarization, and the fourth transmission carries a fourth signal and is polarized according to the fourth polarization. The four analog signals (labeled in1, in2, in3 and in4) carried by the four transmissions are sent by transceivers 107 to the low noise amplifiers 106, converted by the frequency converters 104 and further converted to digital signals by the analog-to-digital converter 103, as is shown if FIG. 2 of the drawings. The resulting digital signals represent the received data which are then handled by the processor 101 for downstream processing.
The signals may carry data that is packetized (for example according to an IEEE 80211 or other packet-based communication protocol) or data that is not packetized. In the case of packetized data transmission, the processor 101 prepares the data for transmission as data packets. In the case of packetized data reception, the processor 101 receives the data as packets.
The disclosed techniques can be applied to any type of antenna that can accept at least two orthogonal inputs to produce at least two orthogonally polarized electromagnetic fields, such as microstrip patch antennae and aperture dish antennae which allow feeds with multiple polarities and can send or receive multiple signals according to the multiple polarities. Aperture dish antennae may achieve higher gains than patch antennae for point-to-point communication. By way of example and not limitation, the present techniques are hereinafter disclosed with reference to microstrip patch antennae. Generally, a microstrip patch antenna is etched on a two-layer printed circuit board with a ground plane layer and an antenna element layer. The antenna element is about ½ wavelength in length (representing the resonant length) and typically ¼ to 2 wavelengths wide. It is excited by a feed located at or near one edge. If made square, the antenna will resonate along both the vertical and horizontal axes.
FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-polarization microstrip patch antenna, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The microstrip patch antenna is etched on a two-layer printed circuit board with a ground plane layer 201 and an antenna element layer 202. The antenna is made to be substantially square so that it may resonate along both the vertical and horizontal axes. The square patch antenna is fed in at least two places orthogonally in order to produce at least two independent radiated signals. In one embodiment, the antenna may be excited by a feed 203 located at or near a vertical edge, as well as a feed 204 located at or near a horizontal edge so that two polarizations are generated along the axes of the feeds 203 and 204.
The two feeds interact minimally and for practical purposes can be assumed to be independent channels. When a patch element is excited in one polarization, the fields and the currents on that element are independent and do not interact with the fields and currents flowing in the orthogonal direction. Furthermore, while a portion of the energy going into one polarization feed may leak out of the other polarization feed, it is generally small and as a practical matter can be ignored.
Note that a multi-polarization transmitter and receiver can maintain a high communication bandwidth between them as long as their polarizations substantially match, i.e. as long as their relative spatial orientations are such that the vertical and horizontal axes of their antennae are substantially aligned. One way of providing for this relative orientation is to have the receiver and transmitter antennae stationary and in a fixed and aligned orientation relative to each other.
Patch antenna elements can be arranged in many configurations to create antenna arrays for producing higher gain than a single element. Such an array can be used in place of the multi-polarization antenna 108 in the system shown in FIG. 1. As disclosed herein, such antenna arrays can also be fed orthogonally to produce independent channels.
FIG. 3 illustrates a feed arrangement for a plurality of multi-polarization patch antenna elements 202 arranged in an array, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. While the antenna array shown is a 9-element square patch antenna array, the number of elements may vary and can be any other m×n dimensions or other irregular arrangement. The particular antenna array shown in FIG. 3 produces about 8 dB more gain than a single patch antenna element.
In one embodiment, a combination of corporate and series feeding provides an efficient and elegant interconnection scheme providing the antenna elements 202 with feeds of two polarizations. The array is fed by two central energy feed lines 205 and 207, one per polarization. The rows are corporate fed by the central row feed 205 which branches out and is connected to one element 202 per row. Along the rows, the elements 202 are connected in series by row interconnects 206 and are series fed downstream from the corresponding branches of the central row feed 205. The columns are corporate fed analogously by the central column feed 207, with the elements 202 connected in series along the columns by column interconnects 208 and series fed downstream from the corresponding branches of the central column feed 207. As in the case of the single element 202, the two feeds 205 and 207 are independent and represent two independent channels. One advantage of the combination of corporate and series feeding is that complex routing from the feed lines 205 and 206 to individual antenna elements 202 is avoided.
A further advantage of the combining series and corporate feeds, as disclosed herein, is that it helps distribute the energy provided by the central feeds 205 and 207 more evenly across the antenna elements 202. Such even distribution is especially important in high gain antenna applications having an array comprising many antenna elements 202. In one embodiment comprising an n×n array, the central feeds 205 and 207 branch out such that they each split the power evenly across their n branches. The impedance of the antenna elements 202 is designed such that the first antenna element in a series fed sequence of w antenna elements 202 in a row (respectively column) removes only one n-th of the energy from its central row feed 205 branch (respectively column feed 207 branch) and radiates it, allowing the rest of the energy to travel past that antenna element to the remaining elements 202 in the row (respectively column).
The next antenna element in the row (respectively column) removes another one n-th of the supplied energy and radiates it, and so on, until the last element receives the last n-th and radiates it. This way, both feed lines 205 and 207 (for both polarizations) distribute their energy evenly across the elements 202 of the antenna array. The proper impedance of the patch elements 202 for a row (or column) can be determined by using a series of equations which take into account the impedance of the series connected antenna elements in the row (or column), as well as the impedance of their interconnects 206 (or 208), and by iterating until an acceptable approximation is reached, as should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The multi-polarization feed technique is not limited to linear polarization, such as the above described vertical and horizontal polarization, but can also be applied using circular polarization. FIG. 4 illustrates a feed arrangement for a patch antenna array 210 comprising a plurality of patch antenna elements 202, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a horizontally polarized feed Hpol is fed into a two-way splitter 214 which sends the Hpol feed along line 212 into the array 210. The array 210 is thus excited to cause it to radiate horizontally polarized energy. Likewise, a vertically polarized field Vpol is fed into a two-way slitter 224 which sends the Vpol feed along line 222 into the array 210. The array 210 is thus excited to radiate vertically polarized energy. To cause the array 210 to radiate Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP), a LHCP feed is fed into a quadrature hybrid 218 which splits the LHCP feed into two 90° phase-shifted signals that travel along the lines 216 and 220, respectively, through the splitters 214 and 224, respectively, and into the array 210. Likewise to cause the array 210 to radiate Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP) energy a RHCP feed is fed into the quadrature hybrid 218 which splits the RHCP feed into two 90° phase-shifted signals that travel along the lines 216 and 220, respectively, through the splitters 214 and 224, respectively, and into the array 210. Thus, the array 210 has four transmit-inputs, viz. Hpol, Vpol, LHCP, and RHCP. The array 210 is also able to receive four outputs, viz. Hpol, Vpol, LHCP, and RHCP.
In an alternative embodiment, the individual patch elements are altered to generate circular polarization, with a first polarization being a left hand polarization and a second orthogonal polarization being a right hand polarization. A patch antenna element can be made to generate circular polarization by adjusting its dimension very slightly, for example by feeding it from opposite corners. Since such circular polarizations are also independent, circularly polarized antennae and antenna arrays can be used in place of linearly polarized antennae to produce two independent channels and double the bandwidth.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the broad invention and that this invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon studying this disclosure. In an area of technology such as this, where growth is fast and further advancements are not easily foreseen, the disclosed embodiments may be readily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enabling technological advancements without departing from the principals of the present disclosure or the scope of the accompanying claims.
a transceiver to send the data packets over at least two communication channels, each communication channel defined by a signal having a polarization, wherein the at least two channels are in line-of-sight contact with a receiver for receiving the signals, and the polarization of each signal is different.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver transmits four signals simultaneously.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the polarization for each signal is selected from the group consisting of a vertical polarization, a horizontal polarization, a Left Hand Circular Polarization(LHCP); and a Left Hand Circular Polarization(RHCP).
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transceiver comprises one or more patch antenna elements arranged in an array comprising m rows and n columns.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the antenna elements are interconnected using a combination of series feeding and corporate feeding.
a second feed line for supplying second energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a vertical polarization, the second feed line branching out into n branches in a corporate feed to one antenna element per column, the antenna elements connected in series along the columns and series fed downstream from the branches of the second feed line.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first feed line supplies third energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a LHCP; and the second feed line supplies fourth energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a RHCP.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a quadrature hybrid to phase shift the third energy 90° from the first energy.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the quadrature hybrid phase shifts the fourth energy 90° from the second energy.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the impedances of the antenna elements are chosen such that the energy supplied by the first and second feed lines is evenly distributed across the antenna elements.
11. The system of claim 5, wherein the antenna elements comprise aperture dish antennae or microstrip patch antennae.
sending the data packets over at least two communication channels, each communication channel defined by a signal having a polarization; wherein the at least two channels are in line-of-sight contact with a receiver for receiving the signals, and the polarization of each signal is different.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transceiver transmits four signals simultaneously.
12. The method of claim 13, wherein the polarization for each signal is selected from the group consisting of a vertical polarization, a horizontal polarization, a Left Hand Circular Polarization(LHCP); and a Left Hand Circular Polarization(RHCP).
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the signals are transmitted using antenna elements arranged in an array comprising m rows and n columns.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the antenna elements are interconnected using a combination of series feeding and corporate feeding.
supplying second energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a vertical polarization along a second feed line, the second feed line branching out into n branches in a corporate feed to one antenna element per column, the antenna elements connected in series along the columns and series fed downstream from the branches of the second feed line.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first feed line supplies third energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a LHCP; and the second feed line supplies fourth energy to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to radiate energy according to a RHCP.
receiving signals carrying energy, each according to a different polarization.
20. The method of claim 1.9, wherein the signals are received simultaneously.
ES2256252T3 (en) 2006-07-16 System and method for simultaneous transmission of signals in multiple beams incoherently power cord. | 2019-04-24T02:54:49Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/US20080129634A1/en |
We’re in the process of reviewing how we make our data available to the outside world with the goal of making it easier for anyone to innovate and answer interesting questions with the data. If you use our current ftp solution to get data [http://www.imdb.com/interfaces] or are thinking about it, we’d love to get your feedback on the current process for accessing data and what we could do to make it easier for you to use in the future. We have some specific questions below, but would be just as happy hearing about how you access and use IMDb data to make a better overall experience.
1. What works/doesn’t work for you with the current model?
2. Do you access entertainment data from other sources in addition to IMDb?
3. Would a single large data set with primary keys be more or less useful to you than the current access model? Why?
4. Would an API that provides access to IMDb data be more or less useful to you than the current access model? Why?
5. Does how you plan on using the data impact how you want to have it delivered?
6. Is JSON format sufficient for your use cases (current or future) or would additional format options be useful? Why?
7. Are our T&Cs easy for you to understand and follow?
Thanks for your time and feedback!
I think it's great you have a flat file listing of all the data, however I want to read it with a Perl program, and parsing through your format is not a simple task. It would be much simpler if the fields were delimited by a '|', or something similar, and a code indicating movie, tv show, etc. I am looking at the actor/actress files specifically, haven't looked at the others as yet. I don't supposed you already have Perl scripts available that would read the file and insert the data into MySQL?
I just wrote a simple Java program that does just that, it doesn't put them to DB but outputs '|'-separated list that can then be Mapreduce-processed.
I could clean it up a bit and put it up to Github etc if someone else is interested?
Now this is something I would really like to see. If you would be so kind to share it with us... much appreciated.
I've looked at all the dump files, but I can't find how you figure out if a Title is a film or a Tv Show. The way I do it right now is by using the running-times.list file. If the running time is over 60 minutes I say it's a film otherwise it's a Tv Show. Is there a better way ?
The Type is defined by the formatting of the title.
A TV Series is wrapped in quotes : e.g. "Fresh Point" (1997) .
See Submission Guide: Title Formats for the way to recognize the other types.
Wow thank you, I was not aware of this guideline, really helpfull.
As a member of /dev/fort, it's really useful for us that you publish full dumps of all the data: we regularly go to locations without an internet connection to build new things, and we wouldn't be able to use IMDB data without access to a full, local mirror of the it.
1) I usually use a database (MS-Access) to manipulate data.
a) For this to work well I need to have all the data on each record. In some of the lists the primary key is missing from most of the records : e.g. in the Actress list is missing her name in all but the first record for each person. This would require my writing a routine to step through the created table, inserting the name in each blank field.
b) The supplied records need to have defined fields, possibly as a .csv or .tsv file. The use of a unique character such as the pipe (|) would be acceptable, although one of the standard formats would be easier to use.
c) The inclusion of the unique keys (t-const, n-const, etc) would be a tremendous help. While the full name can be used as a key, the consts will be easier to use and faster to process.
3) A single full database would be good to have, but it would also mean downloading a large data set even if I was only interested in one aspect.
4) A good API might be even better than the ftps, provided it is reasonably easy to use and the returned dataset meets the above criteria (all data on each record, unique keys, defined fields).
5) As noted above, I want to load this into a database; therefore a flat file with defined fields is the best option for me.
6) I have not worked with JSON and currently have no software to process such a dataset; as noted above a .tsv file would be the most useful to me.
2) I occasionally get data from other sources (such as tv.com) but IMDb is my primary source.
1. Once a parser is built for the data files, parsing them basically just works, with the one major exception that there are no primary keys, so there's a lot of babysitting the data over time.
2. Sure. FreeDB, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon, among other sources.
3. Primary keys, did you say?
4. I like being able to pull all the data down at once and make minimal calls to the server, but an API in addition would not be unwelcome.
6. JSON would be fine.
7. T&Cs could use some updating/examples/clarification in this mashup/integration/Web2 era.
I think the current format leaves a lot to be desired.
I checked e.g. actors, but there appears to be no way to get the IMDB URL associated with an actor. Same with movies, etc.
If I want to get some information from the DB, finding the right file for it is more like a guesswork. It should be documented which file contains what.
Having primary keys is always better. If the data has that, it does not even have to be in a single file.
Having everything in-place makes parsing easier.
Please use the IMDB URL (e.g. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/ for Tom Hanks) as the primary key.
They are complementary. APIs are good for occasionally issuing a few queries; bulk data models are good for working with large amounts of data. Having both is the best.
Please. JSON. Everybody can read JSON, it is the obvious choice. The current format mess is not really helpful.
Oh, and one more thing: utf-8, please!
I agree. JSON is a must. If carefully done, a unix friendly flat file is also great (ie one record per line, strictly delimited).
Still, JSON takes priority, because it has structure and it can be extended without breaking existing parsers. Using JSON also eliminates encoding issues (strings must use UTF8).
Do you really want a long string as a primary key? That seems like not a good idea. Especially if you want to join between two datasets. Joining on large strings is slow(er) than it needs to be.
I forgot about the weird encoding the data files use. UTF-8 would definitely be a very good upgrade. In my applications one of the first thing I do is convert the strings to UTF-8 encoding.
I just run into the issue. Anyone care to share what encoding they're using?
Not URLs but IMDb ids would be nice as primary keys, e.g. "nm0000158". And please describe its structure (characters, numbers, max length etc.).
I will followup with the answers to the questionnaire soon. Meanwhile, I want to know the answer to a very basic question. The introduction of the Alternative Interfaces mentions that a 'subset' of data is provided. What here is exactly not being provided?
We are not getting all the individual entities OR we are getting all the IMDb entities but the data against some or all is not complete or both? Thanks.
I'm using your data for a local movie database. For the movie thumbnails I'm using a different server.
Your data is very hard to parse, but I think there was documentation somewhere on the FTP.
First of all I'm missing some unique ID. I would be glad if you choose to use your ID (the one which is shown in the url).
Also, it would be much easier to parse and use your data if you're using a standardized format (JSON would be OK or an SQL dump would be fine, too).
I have a very fast internet connection, so I personally do not care if you provide an very big file with all the data, or several smaller files. But for most of the users I think multiple files with an different content type would be better.
An API would not improve the current situation. Sometimes I'm looking for a special movie and perform some complex search querys, cause I only remember some little details about one movie. I think that would not be possible with an API and a local search would be faster.
Thanks for providing the data. I'm looking forward to your changes.
i) The instructions and data are mixed, which means getting to the computer-readible part of a list requires manual (and brittle) code to skip the header. The archive should include a README file with instructions, and then a machine-readible file with just the raw data.
ii) Parsing the data is a pain; TSV would be a much preferable format.
3. Probably more useful, assuming it was easy to manipulate e.g. in SQLite. Currently, a lot of effort is spent on parsing the dataset.
Using a common delimiter makes so much more sense for your flat-file dumps. Having a variable number of parameters with a variety of delimiters makes my head hurt and my code slow.
I personally find using third-party (not internal) primary keys to be brittle.
Right now I'm using the IMDB for instruction and performance testing. If IMDB were to provide a JSON+REST API, it would allow me to teach more data access techniques with the same dataset. Right now I simply don't have an application for an IMDB API.
For real-time applications, having access to a live IMDB API would be awesome. Caching could be done with an internal policy (possibly influenced by IMDB) instead of simply waiting for the FTP dump to be updated. A live API has the potential to use less bandwidth of myself or IMDB depending on the load and the usage compared to the FTP dump.
I very much prefer JSON as most languages that I use have (near) standard libraries for parsing JSON. It's less verbose (read: smaller) and easier to read than XML. As a maintainer of such a large, plain text data set, I'd still consider keeping a delimited (CSV or equivalent) version if the size difference was noticeable.
I've never had a problem with your T&Cs.
This is sweet music to my ears. At least half a dozen times I have sat down determined to write a modern parser for the IMDb text data in .NET and ultimately given up because (a) the data is infuriatingly hard to work with and (b) it doesn't provide any way of interacting with personalised data such as my watchlist and ratings. As you must be aware there are several unofficial APIs to your data, all of which are either poor quality, unreliable or incomplete. Competitors like the Open Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes APIs simply can't compete in terms of data quality or completeness, so a modern IMDb API would be a dream come true and I would start using it from launch day.
Quite frankly the current model is horrendous. The raw data is presented in a format so proprietary and unstructured it's almost as if it was done deliberately to discourage uptake. I appreciate that probably isn't the case and it's just very old. I got relatively far with a parser once but found I was hitting error after error whilst hunting for specific text patterns rather than parsing a known format.
More importantly though, I have no need for or interest in locally storing the entire database. If you were to start presenting the data in say, XML or JSON as flat files I would most definitely consider using it, but I would MUCH prefer an API that allowed me to retrieve individual records or sets of records rather than parsing an enormous volume of data from which I might only ever use a tiny fraction.
I've investigated using the Rotten Tomatoes API, the Open Movie Database and various unofficial IMDb APIs but none of them really do what I want.
Yes, because it would be easier to construct a usable database from. Any modern application consuming this data is going to want to construct a relational or NoSQL database from the data, for which primary keys are essential. However, a single large dataset would be far less useful to me than a random access API.
MUCH more useful. Having a complete copy of the database locally may have it's advantages for some applications but it would be so large that it wouldn't make much sense on a mobile app for example, and would hence necessitate the construction of an intermediate database and web service API constructed from the dumped data files, which would be less reliable and less current than an API provided directly by IMDb. Most apps (certainly the kind I have in mind) would want to perform searches and maybe cache a small number of records locally for performance, but have no need for fully offline access.
Yes. The use case I have in mind right now means I would want to be able to access a user's watchlist and ratings (with their authorisation of course using OAuth or similar) and access key data about the movies that user has expressly registered their interest in through the watchlist and ratings features. That use case would be ruled out by a static data dump.
JSON would be my first choice of data format, although I'd argue that a choice of JSON or XML is best practice for a modern web API design. Ideally the API would adhere to REST best practice and employ content negotiation for format selection.
Yes, no issues in that regard.
I didn't know that the data was even available -- my own use for it would be to hook up to my off-line dictionary; the potential feature is: "type in a word, and see it in the context of movie tag lines and plots".
Answer: it's a slightly wierd-looking format, but nothing that looks too hard to parse.
Answer: JSON would be superior but not essential.
Answer; no, they are not. There's a set on the T&C page that don't really match the conditions in the files themselves. Also as an FYI: the "email us for T&C" technically only applies if I want express written consent. If I want to use implied consent, then I don't have to email you for alternative terms. But the terms for implied consent are pretty vague.
I would really love an SQLite database file. For simple use cases, this would be enough already. For more advanced use cases, creating a script that moves/syncs the data to a "real" database becomes a lot easier because the full relational schema is already there.
There is some good feedback already and while I have interest in the IMDB data I am not currently using it and don't have any specifics in mind.
The best thing you can do is provide a documented REST API with a STRONGLY documented data structure. Be clear with this part and everything else kind of falls into place.
If you want to provide data via FTP, why not have an option for full/incremental database backups? It doesn't have to be a dump of your full DB just the fields you want to provide. Then anyone who wants to use it can either load and translate as needed or just restore the backup and use the DB as is. Maybe consider a data warehouse type export? This would make sites that want to use your data be able to have fast read/report style access (since I would assume modifying it is not super useful).
Definitely include primary keys! If you have lots of surrogate keys (good) make sure there is some kind of unique identifier for each record.
If I was to build an application making use of the data I would prefer a readonly model that I could refresh from your source as needed. If I wanted to store additional information with the IMDB data I would have a metadata database/table structure that could be referenced via the IMDB PK fields. This way I can refresh that data at will and not lose any of my additional data.
I am a researcher at University of Verona, Italy.
With two collegues from CEA - Saclay in Paris we are doing a scientific research based on IMDb data, with the aim of identifying the determinants of movie success and their evolution in time.
To this purpose, we need to revert the database to some previous state in time, but unfortunately we noticed that some of the diff files are missing or empty (list below).
Is there any way to recover/obtain them?
I really appreciate your help on this matter, that is so important to carry out successfully our research on the movie industry.
Moreover this could be an occasion to fix the consistency of a database that, apart from the due improvement discussed in this page, is actually great to have publicly available.
Thanks for the feedback. We no longer keep historical diffs, so would be unable to provide.
Now all of the data can be accessed by joins. This structure avoids redundancy, so reduces space consumption.
I am very thankful that IMDB makes their data available in bulk format. I'm a big fan of film and have had fun playing around with the IMDB data.
That being said, the format is really terrible to work with. When I first started using it I figured that it must actually be formatted that way to discourage people from using it. Creating a regular expression to parse even just the title is quite tricky with so many optional fields and different delimiters which may or may not be present.
Some here have recommended delimited files, but I think that would be a mistake. While delimited files are perfect for tabular data, many of the files do not contain tabular data but instead blocks of data. (Such as a set of AKA titles for each movie title) A much superior solution, which would be usable by everyone very easily, would be to use JSON. A JSON file can easily include additional fields for some records and fewer for others. There are also robust, fast parsers for pretty much every language and platform out there. A big benefit to IMDB would be that changing the format would be very easy. If you wanted to include a new bit of information for some records, the data could be added without disrupting any existing parsers. It would just be a new field that they aren't looking for anyway.
As some have mentioned, having a sort of "primary key" to cross-relate the files would be extremely useful. IMDB already has such a key, of course, in the ID used in the sites URLs. I imagine that bit of information might not be provided in the files in order to discourage screen scraping, but if so that's not very effective. It just makes people looking to scrape info from your site hit your search engine before grabbing the movies page.
I find your Terms of Service very reasonable. I've never wanted to do anything that conflicts with them for my own playing around.
Whatever changes are made, I sincerely hope that you do not do away with the ability to get the data in bulk. Many APIs are designed such that they just service specific requests, but for the things I do at least (such as analyzing the differences between the ratings assigned to movies in different countries) such would be useless. My worst-case-scenario would be IMDB developing an API, doing away with the bulk data download, and limiting the number of requests per day. For applications that just let people see information about movies on a personal wishlist or watching for new productions from a favorite director or the like that would be sufficient, but for any statistical analysis it'd be useless.
Parsing the 50 files is cumbersome and error-prone due to different formats and errors in the data. It's also a pain to recombine the information into the separate entities persons and movies.
Having the data is great though.
See my answer to 1. Merging the information from separate files is annoying because there are about half a dozen different file formats. Having just one big data set would make all of these problems go away.
No, I prefer having the data in one download. APIs bring usage restrictions and force me to use it in a very specific and as such limited way and I want to be free in how I query the data.
Kind of. Like I said in answer 4, having a data set I can download is preferable to an API. I want to be able to run queries and combine the IMDb data with other data sets.
JSON would be completely sufficient.
at first, I'd like to thank you very much for making tha data available at all! I really apprecciate it, because i know how much work it is to create and maintain such a project.
But as you already know, the current data format is really hard to handle for most uses. I am IT developer and entrepreneuer, creating and running databases with hundrets of millions of entries. From my point of view, your kind of data is best suited for use within SQL databases, containing primary keys and foreign key relations. That way, a SQL dump would be awesome for anyone who uses SQL for querying the data.
A: The current model is not uniform, not scalable, it's hard to build an index on top and is therefore killing performance. Complex searches accross different fields are not possible, simply because there are no (delimited) fields. To use this data in a convenient manner, I have to convert it to a standard database format that allows to join datasets using primary and foreign key relations and to perform logarithmic scaled searches on B-tree indexes for best performance. But even a simple convertion to SQL is not made easy. Even more problematic: Information is not only stored within in the data itself, but also within the data structure, which is, at least, an absolute no-go when dealing with data structures. NEVER store information within your structure!
A: I consider to do so, yes. But this requires a clear type-to-subdata-attribution. That means that there should be a strong relationship model between a data entry and it's object entity. So, a name should be a film name OR a series' episode name, but not both. However, I know that changing a data model is not that easy as to just define a different data format. I guess we have to live with that.
A: I'm not really sure if I understand this question. Primary keys are most relevant, yes, but "a single large dataset"? A single SQL dump would be okay, becaus it contains several tables.
A: Less useful, because an api offers only a limited capability of querying the data. And it decreases performance on large-scale-queries. And it's OS and language (code) dependent.
A: It depends. ;-) I do always transform all source data in an overall standard structure like CSV, SQL, RDF OR XML. This standard structure can then be optimized for the way it will be accessed. Therefore, it would -of course- be nice to have this data already stored in such a standard format. But I don't really bother which standard format you choose. I cannot think of any situation, in that anybody profits from the data stored in a nonstandard format like it currently is. However, some projects may require nonstandard formats, but the probability it matches a nonstandard format like yours, is rather low.
A: Yes, so long. But I might contact you next year to clearify some special issues. You probably should think about updating your T&Cs for web2.0 usecases. We are currently working (internal) on web3.0 features. One major problem is that a lot of old T&Cs are rarely web2.0 compliant, so not web3.0 compliant at all.
I've got some questions, too. Are the flat files really the ones you're manually working with, e.g. adding and modifying data? Or do you already use a database for it? If yes, which kind? At least your web platform will make use of a database for performance reasons. So why don't you offer the data in just the format that you are using yourself?
Nowadays data exchange formats shall be well-defined and standard-compliant. That ensures that all data can be imported into totally different DBMS without interfering the data model itself or even data integrity. While XML is only suitable for small amounts of data, SQL-dumps target only SQL-type databases, of course. The question whether SQL is the best format may be answered by the question if there is anyone who doesn't use SQL. Lets assume the latter, and go on. RDF is a subset ob XML but more complex than simple XML: it introduces the possibility to store and set up a data graph. A data graph is -simply spoken- a set containig two types of elements: nodes and edges. Each node is an object, and each edge a relation between two objects. The difference to standard XML and even SQL is, that it allows to store objects and relations that may not be predefined, a graph can record data without modifying the data model. It would be great for IMDb-like data, but I guess that it's too complicated for simple usuage. So there remain CSV and JSON. To be not language-dependent at all, I would prefer CSV over JSON. Charset UTF-8, predefined field names, field delimiters and field enclosures with c-style escapes. Field names should be unique across different files, each file should contain one dataset per line, and each dataset should contain a numeric primary key. If this primary keys are uniqe across all files, users could still set up a graph on top of the data. Using JSON instead of CSV would be okay, if it still represents one dataset per line. But using one object for all data in JSON has no advantage over standard-csv in my opinion. I don't prefer having all data in one file, except for a SQL dump, which could come in 3 or 4 different files (films, series, actors/actresses, other data). For CSV and JSON it might be better to offer one file for each table.
If i can be of any help, please contact me using my email address imdb -at- abotech.de.
If I fully understand your data model and format, I might be able to provide serverspace and different formats for download and/or access as contribution to your project. Of course, regarding your T&Cs, this would require your explicit pemission first.
Do you have the available IMDb as RDF files? I'm working on a project and this format would save me a lot of time!
Any chance of an update on this from IMDb staff? The question was posted months ago now, and it would be nice to know what if anything you are working on in this area.
The data is somehow structured, but the format isn't documented and is very difficult to parse. Having any structured format would be helpful, especially correctly delimited csv, since the files might be a little too big for more sophisticated formats.
I'm using filmweb.pl data and looking into rotten tomatoes.
While I'm not sure if a single data file would be more helpful, having primary keys for each of the categories (movies, directors, actors, genres) and having them used in all the files would be very useful. Performing joins based on titles that are strings tens of characters long is inefficient and problematic. IMDB is already using integer-based id's in its urls (say tt0330243) so there shouldn't be any problem with exposing the ids.
It would compliment the current bulk data approach. An API would be good for lookup and smaller operations, but would be taxing to use for statistical/bulk purposes. You cannot replace the bulk access with an API, but on the other hand it's easy to create an API when you have access to flat files, so I wouldn't axe them.
Yes, but different use-cases would call for very similar formats.
JSON and flat CSV files would be sufficient.
They aren't too easy to find.
I think what you have works for the most part, I use perl and any textual data is pretty easy to read. My number 1 big, big, big, complaint is, there is no mapping of title and names to the unique IMDb id number, so there is no (supported) way to create a link back to the IMDb page. If I am creating an application, I would generally use the downloaded data to show some subset of information, but I still want to create a link back to the IMDb page. I don't want to recreate the entire IMDb page, plus there is some information, like the users own personal data (title rating, lists the title is on, etc.) that just isn't available unless you go back to the IMDb site.
Another small nit is the files are not very well documented.
Currently using TCM. Was using the Netflix API until they shut that down.
Either one. Large data set is appropriate for showing lots of data, smaller data sets is appropriate for showing small subsets of data. It depends on the application.
I think an API would be more efficient. I think it is more efficient to just go query for what you want than to download blocks of data all the time when you may not use a lot of the data.
1. What works/doesn't work for you with the current model?
YES . Ease of maintenance and simplicity again that word relational!
I work for QlikView and I often build my own models at home with real life data that's not boring, like bank or mine production data. I've been thinking about building a QlikView app for some time now, and I can't explain how delighted I was to find out that the data is actually availble outside of the web site or mobile app. I'm going to start now, and will be updating you on the progress, and how I find your current data structure.
It's awesome that you are willing to share everyone's hard work and passion. | 2019-04-25T18:28:02Z | https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/api_bulk_data_access?topic-reply-list%5Bsettings%5D%5Bfilter_by%5D=all&topic-reply-list%5Bsettings%5D%5Breply_id%5D=14782156 |
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As a combat lifesaver, you will evaluate and treat soldiers as your combat duties permit. This requires you to apply the buddy-aid skills presented in IS0824 and the medical skills presented in IS0825. You must identify what is wrong with the casualty and determine the sequence in which the various treatments will be given. For example, you would restore breathing to a casualty before you would splint his fractured leg. In general, you will restore breathing, then control any major bleeding, then take measures to control shock.
Once life-threatening conditions and/or injuries have been identified and treated, look for other injuries or problems and treat them.
If you have more than one casualty, perform a quick primary survey of each casualty. If you find a life-threatening condition during your primary survey, treat that condition immediately. After you have performed primary surveys on all casualties and have treated all immediate life-threatening conditions, perform a secondary survey on each casualty. Treat the more seriously injured casualty first.
Use common sense when evaluating a casualty. If the environmental conditions favor heat injuries, for example, pay special attention to signs and symptoms of heat injury while also quickly checking for other injuries.
Some evaluations may be performed so fast they may appear to be skipped. If a casualty is yelling in pain, for example, you do not need to perform additional checks to determine if the casualty is conscious and breathing.
Identify appropriate evaluation and treatment procedures, including sequence, performed on the battlefield.
Given multiple-choice examination items pertaining to evaluating and treating a casualty.
Quickly evaluate your immediate surroundings to gather vital information.
Look for obvious, immediate, life-threatening hazards such as flames, the possibility of an immediate explosion, enemy fire, and electrical hazards. If your life and the casualty’s life are in danger due to your immediate environment, tactically move the casualty and yourself to safety, thus preventing yourself from being injured.
Note the physical surroundings and the climate. A wall may indicate that the casualty could have fallen. Hot weather may indicate the possibility of heat injury.
Note whether chemical agents may be present.
If a life-threatening hazard (such as a burning building) is present, remove the casualty to a place of safety using the cradle drop drag or other appropriate carry (IS0824, Lesson 15).
If the casualty is being burned (flames, chemicals, electrical current, etc.), eliminate the source of the burn (IS0824, Lesson 11). Take care to prevent being injured yourself, especially if separating the casualty from an electrical wire.
If a spinal injury is suspected (IS0824, Lesson 10), take care to prevent additional damage to the spinal column. Immobilize the casualty’s neck and back after completing your primary survey.
If you are in a chemical environment, make sure the casualty is properly masked. If signs of severe nerve agent poisoning are present, administer three Mark I kits and one CANA (IS0824, Lesson 13).
If liquid blister agent is in the casualty’s eyes, flush his eyes with water even if you are still in a chemical environment (IS0825, Lesson 22).
Calmly ask in a loud voice, “Are you okay?” or some similar question that demands a response from the casualty. If he does not respond, gently shake him or tap him on the shoulder and repeat the question.
If the casualty responds, ask the casualty for information (“Where do you hurt?” “Were you hit?” “Were you exposed to chemical agents?” etc.) This information will be useful in your evaluation, but continue to evaluate the casualty in a systematic method since the injury that hurts the most may not be the injury that needs to be treated first.
If the casualty is not responsive, send a soldier for medical help (send soldier to get a combat medic) and continue your evaluation.
If the casualty is responsive, evaluate him for airway obstruction (universal choking sign, difficulty in breathing, etc.). If the casualty has poor or no air exchange, expel the obstruction (IS0824, Lesson 2).
If the casualty is not responsive (unconscious), open his airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust method (IS0824, Lesson 3).
If you think the casualty has a fractured neck, which method would you use?
If a responsive casualty is talking or yelling in pain, his breathing is adequate.
If the casualty is not responsive (unconscious), evaluate his breathing by feeling for breath on your face, looking for the rising and falling of his chest, and listening for sounds of breathing.
If the casualty is not breathing or is having difficulty in breathing, open his airway, expel any airway obstruction, and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (IS0824, Lesson 3).
Do not perform mouth-to-mouth (or mouth-to-nose) resuscitation in a chemical environment.
If the casualty is responsive and breathing adequately, he has a pulse.
If the casualty is unresponsive or not breathing, check his pulse (IS0824, Lesson 3). If the casualty has no pulse, seek medical help immediately.
If you are qualified to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, you can administer CPR and send a soldier to get medical help.
Look for blood-soaked clothing, spurts of blood, pooling of blood under the body, and other signs of external bleeding.
If a major amputation of a limb is found, apply a tourniquet to the upper arm or thigh and dress the stump (IS0824, Lesson 4).
If a soldier has had a finger completely cut off, would you apply a tourniquet?
No. Amputation of part of a hand or part of a foot can be controlled by a pressure dressing.
If serious bleeding from a wound of the arm or leg is found, apply a field dressing or improvised dressing and bandage to the wound (IS0824, Lesson 4). Look for both entry and exit wounds.
Apply manual pressure and, if the limb is not fractured, elevate the wound.
If serious bleeding from a limb is not controlled by the field dressing, apply a pressure dressing (IS0824, Lesson 4).
If serious bleeding from a limb is not controlled by the pressure dressing, apply a tourniquet (IS0824, Lesson 4).
If an open chest wound is found, seal the wound with the plastic dressing wrapper or other airtight material, tape the sealing material on three sides to form a flutter valve, and apply a field dressing to the wound (IS0824, Lesson 5).
If an open abdominal wound is found, position the casualty in a flexed-knee position, position any protruding organs on the casualty’s abdomen, apply a field or improvised dressing over the wound and organs, and secure the dressing (IS0824, Lesson 6).
If an open head wound is found, dress the wound (IS0824, Lesson 7). If the casualty has a severe head injury, immobilize the casualty’s head and neck (IS0824, Lesson 10).
If the casualty has more than one severe wound, treat the wound loosing the most blood first.
Do not further expose the wound if you are in a chemical environment.
Have the casualty begin self-aid decontamination procedures if he is able (IS0824, Lesson 13). If he cannot, have another soldier decontaminate the casualty. Do not stop your evaluation and treatment to decontaminate the casualty at this time.
If the casualty is suffering from severe nerve agent poisoning and 5 minutes have passed since you administered the last Mark I kit and the CANA, take the casualty’s pulse. If the pulse rate is below 90 beats per minute, administer an atropine injector.
If the casualty still twitches, showing signs of seizure, you may administer two more CANA injections at about 5 to 10 minute intervals. Actually, time is less important here than the symptoms. Three CANAs are the limit–normally one from the soldier’s mask carrier and two from your combat lifesaver aid bag.
Check the casualty for signs and symptoms of shock (clammy and pale skin, severe loss of blood, severe burns, increased breathing rate, mental confusion, etc.).
If hypovolemic shock is present, position the casualty, protect him from the environment, and administer fluids intravenously (IS0824, Lesson 8, and IS0825, Lesson 17).
Position the casualty on his back with the feet elevated slightly above the level of his heart unless his injury requires a different position.
If the casualty has a fractured leg, do not elevate the leg until it has been splinted.
Initiate an I.V. if the casualty has suffered severe blood loss or has second or third degree burns on 20 percent or more of his body.
Check legs and arms for protruding bone, abnormal limb position, major wounds, bruises, and painful or tender spots.
If a spinal injury is suspected (IS0824, Lesson 10), immobilize the casualty’s neck and back (IS0824, Lesson 10).
If a fracture or a massive wound is present, dress open wounds on the limb (including burns) and then immobilize the limb with a padded splint (IS0824, Lesson 9, and IS0825, Lesson 20). Secure the splint above and below the fracture site.
Do not try to straighten (align) the broken bone.
Check the casualty’s circulation before and after applying the cravats. Loosen the cravats and reapply, if needed.
Apply a sling and swath to further immobilize a fractured upper arm, forearm, or wrist (IS0824, Lesson 9).
Look for reddened, blistered, or charred skin, for burned or singed clothing, and for other evidence of burns. Give special attention to burns about the head and neck for possible inhalation burns. Some burns, such as chemical burns, may not be readily seen unless the casualty’s clothing is removed.
Do not further expose wounds if you are in a chemical environment.
Apply a dry dressing to burned areas on the trunk and limbs (IS0824, Lesson 11).
Do not apply a bandage to burns of the face or genitalia.
Remove jewelry from a burned limb.
If an electrical current passed through the casualty, locate and dress both the entry and exit wounds.
If second and third degree burns cover 20 percent or more of the skin surface, initiate an intravenous infusion (IS0825, Lesson 17).
Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion (IS0824, Lesson 7).
What are some of the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
Unequal pupils, fluid leaking from the ear or nose, slurred speech, mental confusion, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, loss of memory, loss of consciousness, twitching or convulsions, difficulty in walking (staggering), nausea, and vomiting.
If a closed head injury is suspected, evacuate the casualty to a medical treatment facility.
If the casualty is having convulsions, support his head and neck and maintain an open airway.
If the casualty has a head injury, monitor the casualty’s respirations and be prepared to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should it become necessary.
If the casualty has been working in a hot environment, check for signs and symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps (IS0824, Lesson 12).
If the casualty has heat stroke, expose the skin, pour or spray water on him, fan him, and evacuate him as quickly as possible. Continue cooling efforts, such as pouring water over the casualty and fanning him, during evacuation. Have him drink cool water if he can tolerate the water without vomiting.
If the casualty is suffering from heat cramps or heat exhaustion, move him to a shaded place and cool him off. Have the casualty drink at least one quart of cool water.
All casualties with heat exhaustion or heat stroke should get an intravenous infusion (IS0825, Lesson 17). Also, try to get the casualty to drink water.
If the casualty has been exposed to cold or freezing weather, check for signs and symptoms of general hypothermia, frostbite, immersion syndrome, and chilblain (IS0825, Lesson 23).
If general hypothermia is present, move the casualty to a protected location and use a heat source (such as another soldier’s body) to rewarm the casualty. Evacuate the casualty as soon as practical.
If deep frostbite is found, move the casualty to a warm place, thaw the area, and evacuate the casualty as soon as practical.
Do not thaw frozen feet if the casualty will be required to walk or if the feet will refreeze before reaching the medical treatment facility.
If superficial frostbite or chilblain is found, rewarm and protect the affected area.
If immersion syndrome is found, dry and rewarm the affected area.
Check the casualty for visual problems resulting from lasers weapons or snow blindness (IS0824, Lesson 11, and IS0825, Lesson 23).
Protect the casualty from additional injury. Cover the eyes with a dark cloth if the casualty is in pain or if vision loss is severe.
Evacuate the casualty if practical.
Look for minor wounds and fractures. Dress and bandage the wounds as time permits. Splint fractured fingers using the same basic splinting procedures given in IS0824, Lesson 9.
If the casualty appears to be injured but you cannot find any physical injury, look for signs and symptoms of combat stress reaction (IS0825, Lesson 24). If combat stress reaction is suspected, take appropriate measures.
Monitor the casualty for life-threatening conditions throughout the evaluation process. For example, a casualty who is breathing when you begin your evaluation may suddenly stop breathing. Anytime a life-threatening condition is detected, stop your evaluation and treat the life-threatening condition.
Some conditions may require time to properly evaluate. If you apply a field dressing to a bleeding wound on the casualty’s leg, for example, continue to monitor the injury in case additional measures (pressure dressing or tourniquet) are needed to control bleeding. You can proceed with your evaluation and treatment of the casualty while continuing to monitor the wound for bleeding.
If you have administered nerve agent antidote to a severe nerve agent casualty, continue to check the casualty’s pulse every five minutes. If the casualty’s pulse rate is below 90 beats per minute, administer an atropine autoinjector (IS0825, Lesson 22). Remember, for control of seizures, give another CANA up to the limit of three.
If the casualty has not been treated for shock, take measures to prevent shock. The measures to control shock given in Lesson 8 of IS0824 (loosen clothing, position the casualty, and protect the casualty from the cold) are also used to prevent shock from occurring.
Monitor a heat cramp or heat exhaustion casualty to ensure he continues to drink water without vomiting and his condition does not become more serious. Be prepared to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, increase cooling efforts, initiate an I.V., and evacuate the casualty if his condition worsens.
Be ready to open his airway and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should the need arise. If medical personnel arrive, report your findings.
Insert an oropharyngeal airway to keep an unconscious casualty’s airway open if the airway is needed and is the proper size (IS0825, Lesson 21).
Continue to perform any needed procedures, such as keeping white phosphorus burns wet.
If you are treating more than one casualty, continue to monitor the other casualties for life-threatening conditions while administering treatment to a casualty.
Whenever possible, have the casualty evaluated by a combat medic or other medical personnel.
Continue to monitor the casualty until you return the casualty to duty, until a medical person (usually a combat medic or member of a medical evacuation team) takes over, or until you must resume your combat duties.
If the casualty requires evacuation, transport him using the best means available (IS0825, Lesson 26, and IS0824, Lessons 14 and 15).
If you are the leader of a litter team evacuating the casualty, continue to monitor the casualty during the evacuation. Stop and render the appropriate aid if a life-threatening condition arises.
If a medic is not available and a soldier has a minor headache, cold, or hay fever, administer acetaminophen or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets as needed if no contraindications are present (IS0825, Lesson 25).
If the medic requests assistance and your combat duties allow, assist the combat medic in providing care to casualties and evacuating casualties. The medic will provide instructions as needed.
As a Combat Lifesaver, you play a vital role in the treatment of the sick and injured on the battlefield. In many instances, you will be the first person to encounter and treat the patient. The care you provide can make the difference between a life saved and a life lost. Stay current in your skills and be prepared to employ them at a moments notice! | 2019-04-26T16:58:40Z | https://www.armystudyguide.com/content/powerpoint/First_Aid_Presentations/evaluate-the-casualty-2.shtml |
Overhead doors in Stamford should be installed and repaired by a qualified garage door technician, since a broken overhead door, especially the commercial overhead doors can be dangerous. If you are reading our article about overhead garage door in CT, you probably need overhead door repairs, so there is one important thing you better know: Broken overhead door in Stamford can be dangerous, and if you will try to use them before they are repaired by overhead repairs expert in Stamford, it can end with injuries and even worst. It doesn’t matter if it is a broken overhead door in Stamford, or broken overhead door in Connecticut, broken overhead door should be services by a trained and qualified tech.
If the last time you needed to deal with a garage door repair or new garage door installation in Stamford was more than 20 years ago, you will be surprised by the improvements the overhead doors went through during the last 10-20 years, and not just in Stamford. It can be home owner who need garage door opener repairs in CT, or home owner who need a new garage door Liftmaster opener the overhead door industry went to many changes during the past twenty years. In our days, when the high-tech is surrounding us, and when it is much easier to produce high quality and improved doors and parts for home owners in Stamford, the selection is wide, and you can find the overhead door that will fit your needs in terms of material such as wood and steel, textures and colors. All you need to say what you want, and if you will find the right overhead garage door contractor in Stamford Stamford, they will help you find it.
You can find different levels of overhead doors insulation, window sections, different kinds of spring systems and different types of openers that can fit any overhead door in Stamford. And since the quality of the overhead doors improved, so does the need for maintenance, which is still crucial for the safe and smooth operation of the overhead door in Stamford Stamford, but became simpler and something that you can easily perform by doing it yourself with a basic knowledge and tools.
If your overhead door at Connecticut is attached to the house, you should aim for an insulated overhead door. But it does not mean that you shouldn’t if your garage is not attached and that you need to be looking for the cheapest overhead door in Stamford. Beside insulation from low temperatures and noise, the insulated overhead doors in Stamford, whether it is an overhead door in Stamford or even a commercial overhead door, are usually stronger, and built to face tough conditions. A new insulated door is something that you do not want to deal with more than once every 10-20 years, so when you invest in high quality insulated door for your home or overhead garage door for warehouse in Stamford, you are getting high quality in return. But besides the long lasting overhead door, you also get a door that work smoother, and that its quality will be noticed every time you will use it.
When you also bring in consideration the fact that many overhead doors are installed in the front of the house, and that they take a large piece of the appearance, a new door improve the beauty of the house, and can give it a luxuries and shinning look. We at Lifetime Overhead Doors offer large selection of overhead doors, so each person in Stamford who is looking for a new overhead garage door will find what he is looking for.
As we mentioned earlier, today you can find overhead doors from all kinds in Connecticut CT, and even if you want something unique, based on you design, and can be easily done, with a custom made door. There are many overhead door contractors in Connecticut, and if you search well, you will find what you are looking for.
It is hard to give a range of prices, especially when it is high quality overhead doors in Stamford. The most common doors that people install these days are steel overhead doors, which are strong, reliable, and offer good insulation. Some people in Stamford prefer the look of a wooden overhead door, and some prefer the custom made doors, which can cost more than double, but give your house the unique look you desire. We will repeat it again, the design and the material is not as important as the quality. When it comes to colors and shapes, each person has its own taste, but when it comes to quality, we suggest that you invest in high quality overhead door, like the overhead doors that Lifetime Overhead Doors install.
There are many kinds of overhead doors, and a qualified garage door technician - as the technicians of Lifetime Overhead Doors - can deal with all of them. There are many potential problems that can occur, and prevent overhead door in Stamford from working properly. We will go over some of the most common issues, and try to shed some light on the problems, the causes, and how to deal with a broken garage door in Stamford. The important thing when it comes to overhead doors repairs, is to locate the garage door malfunction, but no less important is to locate the cause and the reason for the problem. If a technician did not locate the reason, he can fix the problem, but it may only be a matter of time before the problem will happen again.
The spring system of overhead door in Stamford is the main force that lift, lower and balance the overhead door. Whether it is a torsion spring system, or extension spring system, if overhead door spring snapped, it prevent the door from working properly and can be dangerous. Before we will explain about the broken spring repair, we would like to repeat what we said earlier, that an overhead door with a broken spring, and it can be overhead door in Connecticut CT, or even a commercial garage door repairs should not be used, and that it should be repaired by a trained garage door technician who has the tools and who is qualified to deal with overhead doors in Connecticut CT.
If you own an overhead door in Stamford, but you are not sure what type of spring system your overhead door use to move, look at the springs and check. If the springs are located on the top side of the door, when each spring is above each track, then your overhead door in Stamford is working with extension spring system. If the springs are located in the center area, and you see coil spring wrapped around a steel pipe (Shaft), then your door is working with torsion spring system. All Stamford Garage Doors can repair or replace all types of overhead doors springs in Stamford, and can replace the spring for you even today.
Usually the heavier and more massive overhead doors in Stamford are those who work with torsion spring system. If your torsion spring snapped, it will be difficult, and dangerous to try and open the door. The best thing you can do is to stop using the overhead door, and contact a garage door company Stamford to come and replace the spring for you. Try to locate a local overhead garage door technician, who offer same day service in Stamford.
If you will try and force overhead door to open or to close, or try and use the overhead door opener to that, the opener may burn and stop working, since it will need to lift the door without the help of the broken torsion spring, and that can be both dangerous, and can lead to a burn out of the opening unit. We have seen overhead doors openers in Stamford burned, due to misuse of the overhead door.
If you own an overhead door in Stamford that work with extension spring system, and one of the springs snapped, the same rule that apply to the torsion spring system will apply here. Do not try and use the door, since it can be both dangerous, and can lead to a bigger problem. And contact a local overhead door technician in CT to come and replace the broken garage door spring for you.
One thing that you should make sure, and that every professional garage door technician in Stamford should make sure when he replace the old spring with a new one, is to install safety cables. Those steel cables are installed for one reason only: To protect the area which surround the overhead door in case the spring will snap, and try to minimize the damage that can be followed by such event. Whenever Lifetime Overhead Doors replace broken overhead door extension spring, we include safety cables, since safety is always the most important part of our work, and maintain the safety is what makes us the best overhead doors company in CT. If you want to read more, there is a good article written by Stamford Garage Doors and Gates about garage door safety.
Although they have no significant part in the way your overhead door operate, and your over-head door will work the same with or without the safety cables, the cables will protect you, your family, your car, or any other equipment in the garage when the spring will, and it will one day, snap. The price of installing new safety cables is not expensive, and you can perform the installation by DIY, or you can use a overhead gate specialist in CTto do it for you. The important thing is to install them.
If you own an electric overhead door in or near Stamford, which is operated by an electric unit, and you are experiencing problems operating the door, you better read the following words. If overhead door opener in Stamford is having hard time lifting and closing the door, it does not necessarily mean that the problem is with the electric opener. To understand that, you need to understand first how the overhead doors in CT operate, and to learn a thing or two about the mechanism of overhead doors in Stamford. We have years of experience, and after more than 20 years we can say that we saw everything. So we have the ability to put our finger on the problem and address it.
To you, assuming you are not a trained overhead door technician, and that you never needed to fix overhead doors in Stamford, it may seem like the electric opener is what opening and closing your over the head door in Stamford, but the truth is that every over the head garage door which isn’t working properly manually – Without the electric opener - should not be operated to open or close the overhead door with the opener. The overhead opener of garages in Connecticut CT is only in charge of small amount of the force that lift and lower the door, and the garage spring system, which should be adjusted to fit your door, is what doing most of the lifting and the balancing. So if there is a problem opening and closing an overhead door in Stamford when it is being operated manually, there will be a problem for the motor to open and close the door. Even if the electric opener can still open and close the door, do not use the door remotely, and contact an overhead door technician in Stamford to fix the problem first.
The most common types of openers, when it comes to overhead doors in Connecticut CT, is the chain drive opener, and the belt drive opener. There is another type of overhead door opener which is a screw driver opener, but during the past years we see less and less from that type installed on garage doors in Stamford.
The chain drive garage opener and the belt drive garage opener are considered to be strong and reliable and are very popular in garages around Stamford, when the difference between them is that the chain is working with a steel chain, and the belt operate with a rubber belt, which make it much quitter. If it is important for you to have a door in Stamford that work quietly, you may want to consider purchasing a belt drive opener (If the overhead door is bellow your bedroom or living room, or any reason that you want it to operate in silence). If the noise level does not bother to you, or if you prefer to hear when someone open or close your overhead door in Stamford, (Some people do prefer and want to know every time their overhead-door in Stamford is being used). Then you should go with the chain drive which is 10-20 percent cheaper than the belt drive garage opener.
Every overhead door, whether it is an overhead door in Fairfax Stamford, or electric overhead door Fairfield County, must include a safety feature. The federal law, regarding the automated overhead doors safety, demand from every opener manufacture, to include a safety feature that should be installed together with the overhead door electric opener. The electronic eye system, is there to “tell” the opener to stop and to reverse if something is blocking the way. If anything block the laser beam between the safety sensors, the garage opener will reverse the door to open position and by doing that protecting that thing from being hit by the door. We know of many cases when safety sensors in Stamford saved home owners in Stamford from damage, or even from injuries.
Since they are located at the bottom of each side of overhead doors in Stamford, the safety sensors can be the cause for many garage door issues, especially when they were installed by garage door technician who isn’t trained enough. The reason for the issues is that the garage opener will not close your overhead door in Stamford, unless it is getting the signal that “tell” everything is ok, and it safe to close the door. It may an overhead door, or even a roll up gate in Connecticut, they need to include a safety feature in order for them to operate properly.
If you’re overhead door in Stamford is starting to close, and then reverse to open position (Sometime followed by a clicking noise form the opener that try signal that there is something wrong), it may be due to safety sensors problem. There are few things you can do to repair the sensors, and you can read about it in our article about “garage door opener repairs Stamford”. You can always call us for and we will try to assist you over the phone, or send someone to fix the safety sensors for you, since if you are located in Stamford, you are local to us, and we can fix every overhead door in Stamford Stamford today.
For your safety, and for the perfect operation of the overhead door you use, maintain and lubricate your overhead door in CT twice a year. The overhead door maintenance, which include tune up and adjustments, is a relatively simple process, and when it is being done on time, whether in DIY overhead door repair, or by a trained garage door tech in Stamford the process protect the parts of the door, and improve the way it is moving.
It is important to mention, that if your overhead door in Stamford need repairs, lubricating it will not help. If your over-head door need part replacement, it is too late for maintenance. If the spring snapped, the opener is not responding, the roller is out of the track or the cable snapped, you can lubricate overhead door in Stamford as much as you want, it will not repair the problem, and the door will need to be repaired before it will be safe to use it again. If there is a problem with the way the door move, you need to use a qualified overhead door expert in Stamford to fix it first, and only then you or the tech can lubricate the door.
To read more about overhead maintenance in Stamford or anywhere else. You can watch this Video about garage door lubrication, or read this article about garage door maintenance and by following the instruction (And the safety instructions you should be able to maintain a residential overhead door).
In most homes in Stamford, there is no larger moving object than the garage overhead door. And when something goes wrong, the door can easily become dangerous. If you overhead door in Stamford broken, and it doesn’t matter if it is a broken torsion spring that need to be replaced, or if your overhead door in CT is out of tracks, you should stop using it, and you should get a trained technician in Stamford to fix it.
Continuing to use a broken overhead door is both dangerous, and something that can lead to damage to property and injuries. For example, if your overhead door in Stamford went out of track, and you decided to keep using it, you may break more parts, and the door may completely fell of the tracks, crashing anything below it. Whenever a problem accrue, stop using the door, and use a local garage door service in Stamford.
We live in days when a lot of knowledge is available to us online. And you can find DIY Video for almost any topic on you tube, including overhead door repairs. There are DIY tutorials for almost any field, and you can learn how to replace overhead door torsion spring in Stamford, or how to install garage door opener by DIY. As much as we appreciate people who try to repair their overhead door in Stamford by DIY, we learned that some repairs are better to be left for the professional and experienced. What really important is to avoid risks and only touch or replace what you are sure is safe for you to touch.
We cannot specify the exact repairs, since sometime maintaining overhead door in Stamford, which considered to be a simple job can get complicated if there are adjustments and parts replacement to be made, and sometime an extension spring replacement can take 15 minutes, and is relatively simple, but it can also take 2 hours and can become risky if there are some complication involved. The rule is simple, if you decided to repair your overhead door by DIY, and not to hire an expert who fix overhead doors in CT, always stay on the safe side of things. Generally, what we can recommend is to avoid things you don’t know or not sure about, and no matter what, do not take risks and put yourself at risk. No overhead door repairs worth your health and the safety of your family. If you are not sure, contact a local garage door supplier in Stamford.
To read more about overhead door DIY repair, you can read >articles about garage door repair, or read an article written by Lifetime Garage Doors about garage door repairs DIY that cover many aspects of garage door repairs and services in Connecticut. It is written for overhead door owners in CT, which can be slightly different from the overhead gate in Stamford since you can find one piece garage door, but most instructions can still be used for garage door in Connecticut.
When you are using the services of garage door company in CT, you are making sure that your door will be safe for use, and that the problem will not happen again anytime soon. Because when you are a pro like as the techs of Lifetime Overhead Doors are, , you are not only repairing the problem, but you also addressing the reason or the cause for the problem, because you know that it is the reputation and the name of your company at stack, and no one wants to rescue that.
We are not the cheapest company in Stamford. If you will search more you will find cheaper companies. The reason we are not the cheapest isn’t because we charge more, but since there are two things that we will never compromise about: Safety and Quality. We offer high quality overhead doors and parts in Stamford, and we prefer to avoid repairing a door, if it is violating the safety rules of overhead door service.
We offer same day services for all kinds of overhead doors in Stamford Stamford. We repair commercial overhead doors, residential garage doors and roll up gates. And we always do all that we can to provide our customers in Stamford with a high quality and professional overhead garage doors repair service.
We believe that there is no need for someone to wait too long for repairs. We started Lifetime Overhead Doors believing that we can repair every broken overhead door in CT today, and we carry with us garage door parts for most overhead doors in Stamford, and to give you the option to get your broken overhead door working again today. It can be garage door repair in Stamford wa, or garage door repair in Fairfield County Stamford, what important is to not try and use force to open or close the garage door, and use a qualified garage door tech from a local garage door company in Stamford to do the service for you. | 2019-04-24T02:02:34Z | http://www.lifetimeoverheaddoor.com/overhead-door-connecticut.html |
Good logical and physical design is the cornerstone of high performance, and you must design your schema for the specific queries you will run. This often involves trade-offs. For example, a denormalized schema can speed up some types of queries but slow down others. Adding counter and summary tables is a great way to optimize queries, but they can be expensive to maintain. MySQL’s particular features and implementation details influence this quite a bit.
This chapter and the following one, which focuses on indexing, cover the MySQL-specific bits of schema design. We assume that you know how to design databases, so this is not an introductory chapter, or even an advanced chapter, on database design. It’s a chapter on MySQL database design—it’s about what is different when designing databases with MySQL rather than other relational database management systems. If you need to study the basics of database design, we suggest Clare Churcher’s book Beginning Database Design (Apress).
This chapter is preparation for the two that follow. In these three chapters, we will explore the interaction of logical design, physical design, and query execution. This requires a big-picture approach as well as attention to details. You need to understand the whole system to understand how each piece will affect others. You might find it useful to review this chapter after reading the chapters on indexing and query optimization. Many of the topics discussed can’t be considered in isolation.
In general, try to use the smallest data type that can correctly store and represent your data. Smaller data types are usually faster, because they use less space on the disk, in memory, and in the CPU cache. They also generally require fewer CPU cycles to process.
Fewer CPU cycles are typically required to process operations on simpler data types. For example, integers are cheaper to compare than characters, because character sets and collations (sorting rules) make character comparisons complicated. Here are two examples: you should store dates and times in MySQL’s built-in types instead of as strings, and you should use integers for IP addresses. We discuss these topics further later.
A lot of tables include nullable columns even when the application does not need to store NULL (the absence of a value), merely because it’s the default. It’s usually best to specify columns as NOT NULL unless you intend to store NULL in them.
It’s harder for MySQL to optimize queries that refer to nullable columns, because they make indexes, index statistics, and value comparisons more complicated. A nullable column uses more storage space and requires special processing inside MySQL. When a nullable column is indexed, it requires an extra byte per entry and can even cause a fixed-size index (such as an index on a single integer column) to be converted to a variable-sized one in MyISAM.
The performance improvement from changing NULL columns to NOT NULL is usually small, so don’t make it a priority to find and change them on an existing schema unless you know they are causing problems. However, if you’re planning to index columns, avoid making them nullable if possible.
There are exceptions, of course. For example, it’s worth mentioning that InnoDB stores NULL with a single bit, so it can be pretty space-efficient for sparsely populated data. This doesn’t apply to MyISAM, though.
The first step in deciding what data type to use for a given column is to determine what general class of types is appropriate: numeric, string, temporal, and so on. This is usually pretty straightforward, but we mention some special cases where the choice is unintuitive.
The next step is to choose the specific type. Many of MySQL’s data types can store the same kind of data but vary in the range of values they can store, the precision they permit, or the physical space (on disk and in memory) they require. Some data types also have special behaviors or properties.
For example, a DATETIME and a TIMESTAMP column can store the same kind of data: date and time, to a precision of one second. However, TIMESTAMP uses only half as much storage space, is time zone–aware, and has special autoupdating capabilities. On the other hand, it has a much smaller range of allowable values, and sometimes its special capabilities can be a handicap.
We discuss base data types here. MySQL supports many aliases for compatibility, such as INTEGER, BOOL, and NUMERIC. These are only aliases. They can be confusing, but they don’t affect performance. If you create a table with an aliased data type and then examine SHOW CREATE TABLE, you’ll see that MySQL reports the base type, not the alias you used.
There are two kinds of numbers: whole numbers and real numbers (numbers with a fractional part). If you’re storing whole numbers, use one of the integer types: TINYINT, SMALLINT, MEDIUMINT, INT, or BIGINT. These require 8, 16, 24, 32, and 64 bits of storage space, respectively. They can store values from −2(N–1) to 2(N–1)–1, where N is the number of bits of storage space they use.
Integer types can optionally have the UNSIGNED attribute, which disallows negative values and approximately doubles the upper limit of positive values you can store. For example, a TINYINT UNSIGNED can store values ranging from 0 to 255 instead of from −128 to 127.
Signed and unsigned types use the same amount of storage space and have the same performance, so use whatever’s best for your data range.
MySQL lets you specify a “width” for integer types, such as INT(11). This is meaningless for most applications: it does not restrict the legal range of values, but simply specifies the number of characters MySQL’s interactive tools (such as the command-line client) will reserve for display purposes. For storage and computational purposes, INT(1) is identical to INT(20).
Third-party storage engines, such as Infobright, sometimes have their own storage formats and compression schemes, and don’t necessarily use those that are common to MySQL’s built-in storage engines.
Real numbers are numbers that have a fractional part. However, they aren’t just for fractional numbers; you can also use DECIMAL to store integers that are so large they don’t fit in BIGINT. MySQL supports both exact and inexact types.
The FLOAT and DOUBLE types support approximate calculations with standard floating-point math. If you need to know exactly how floating-point results are calculated, you will need to research your platform’s floating-point implementation.
The server itself performs DECIMAL math in MySQL 5.0 and newer, because CPUs don’t support the computations directly. Floating-point math is significantly faster, because the CPU performs the computations natively.
Both floating-point and DECIMAL types let you specify a precision. For a DECIMAL column, you can specify the maximum allowed digits before and after the decimal point. This influences the column’s space consumption. MySQL 5.0 and newer pack the digits into a binary string (nine digits per four bytes). For example, DECIMAL(18, 9) will store nine digits from each side of the decimal point, using nine bytes in total: four for the digits before the decimal point, one for the decimal point itself, and four for the digits after the decimal point.
You can specify a floating-point column’s desired precision in a couple of ways, which can cause MySQL to silently choose a different data type or to round values when you store them. These precision specifiers are nonstandard, so we suggest that you specify the type you want but not the precision.
Floating-point types typically use less space than DECIMAL to store the same range of values. A FLOAT column uses four bytes of storage. DOUBLE consumes eight bytes and has greater precision and a larger range of values than FLOAT. As with integers, you’re choosing only the storage type; MySQL uses DOUBLE for its internal calculations on floating-point types.
Because of the additional space requirements and computational cost, you should use DECIMAL only when you need exact results for fractional numbers—for example, when storing financial data. But in some high-volume cases it actually makes sense to use a BIGINT instead, and store the data as some multiple of the smallest fraction of currency you need to handle. Suppose you are required to store financial data to the ten-thousandth of a cent. You can multiply all dollar amounts by a million and store the result in a BIGINT, avoiding both the imprecision of floating-point storage and the cost of the precise DECIMAL math.
MySQL supports quite a few string data types, with many variations on each. These data types changed greatly in versions 4.1 and 5.0, which makes them even more complicated. Since MySQL 4.1, each string column can have its own character set and set of sorting rules for that character set, or collation (see Chapter 7 for more on these topics). This can impact performance greatly.
The two major string types are VARCHAR and CHAR, which store character values. Unfortunately, it’s hard to explain exactly how these values are stored on disk and in memory, because the implementations are storage engine–dependent. We assume you are using InnoDB and/or MyISAM. If not, you should read the documentation for your storage engine.
VARCHAR stores variable-length character strings and is the most common string data type. It can require less storage space than fixed-length types, because it uses only as much space as it needs (i.e., less space is used to store shorter values). The exception is a MyISAM table created with ROW_FORMAT=FIXED, which uses a fixed amount of space on disk for each row and can thus waste space.
VARCHAR uses 1 or 2 extra bytes to record the value’s length: 1 byte if the column’s maximum length is 255 bytes or less, and 2 bytes if it’s more. Assuming the latin1 character set, a VARCHAR(10) will use up to 11 bytes of storage space. A VARCHAR(1000) can use up to 1002 bytes, because it needs 2 bytes to store length information.
VARCHAR helps performance because it saves space. However, because the rows are variable-length, they can grow when you update them, which can cause extra work. If a row grows and no longer fits in its original location, the behavior is storage engine–dependent. For example, MyISAM may fragment the row, and InnoDB may need to split the page to fit the row into it. Other storage engines may never update data in-place at all.
It’s usually worth using VARCHAR when the maximum column length is much larger than the average length; when updates to the field are rare, so fragmentation is not a problem; and when you’re using a complex character set such as UTF-8, where each character uses a variable number of bytes of storage.
In version 5.0 and newer, MySQL preserves trailing spaces when you store and retrieve values. In versions 4.1 and older, MySQL strips trailing spaces.
It’s trickier with InnoDB, which can store long VARCHAR values as BLOBs. We discuss this later.
CHAR is fixed-length: MySQL always allocates enough space for the specified number of characters. When storing a CHAR value, MySQL removes any trailing spaces. (This was also true of VARCHAR in MySQL 4.1 and older versions—CHAR and VARCHAR were logically identical and differed only in storage format.) Values are padded with spaces as needed for comparisons.
CHAR is useful if you want to store very short strings, or if all the values are nearly the same length. For example, CHAR is a good choice for MD5 values for user passwords, which are always the same length. CHAR is also better than VARCHAR for data that’s changed frequently, because a fixed-length row is not prone to fragmentation. For very short columns, CHAR is also more efficient than VARCHAR; a CHAR(1) designed to hold only Y and N values will use only one byte in a single-byte character set, but a VARCHAR(1) would use two bytes because of the length byte.
How data is stored is up to the storage engines, and not all storage engines handle fixed-length and variable-length data the same way. The Memory storage engine uses fixed-size rows, so it has to allocate the maximum possible space for each value even when it’s a variable-length field. However, the padding and trimming behavior is consistent across storage engines, because the MySQL server itself handles that.
The sibling types for CHAR and VARCHAR are BINARY and VARBINARY, which store binary strings. Binary strings are very similar to conventional strings, but they store bytes instead of characters. Padding is also different: MySQL pads BINARY values with \0 (the zero byte) instead of spaces and doesn’t strip the pad value on retrieval.
These types are useful when you need to store binary data and want MySQL to compare the values as bytes instead of characters. The advantage of byte-wise comparisons is more than just a matter of case insensitivity. MySQL literally compares BINARY strings one byte at a time, according to the numeric value of each byte. As a result, binary comparisons can be much simpler than character comparisons, so they are faster.
Storing the value 'hello' requires the same amount of space in a VARCHAR(5) and a VARCHAR(200) column. Is there any advantage to using the shorter column?
As it turns out, there is a big advantage. The larger column can use much more memory, because MySQL often allocates fixed-size chunks of memory to hold values internally. This is especially bad for sorting or operations that use in-memory temporary tables. The same thing happens with filesorts that use on-disk temporary tables.
The best strategy is to allocate only as much space as you really need.
BLOB and TEXT are string data types designed to store large amounts of data as either binary or character strings, respectively.
In fact, they are each families of data types: the character types are TINYTEXT, SMALLTEXT, TEXT, MEDIUMTEXT, and LONGTEXT, and the binary types are TINYBLOB, SMALLBLOB, BLOB, MEDIUMBLOB, and LONGBLOB. BLOB is a synonym for SMALLBLOB, and TEXT is a synonym for SMALLTEXT.
Unlike with all other data types, MySQL handles each BLOB and TEXT value as an object with its own identity. Storage engines often store them specially; InnoDB may use a separate “external” storage area for them when they’re large. Each value requires from one to four bytes of storage space in the row and enough space in external storage to actually hold the value.
The only difference between the BLOB and TEXT families is that BLOB types store binary data with no collation or character set, but TEXT types have a character set and collation.
MySQL sorts BLOB and TEXT columns differently from other types: instead of sorting the full length of the string, it sorts only the first max_sort_length bytes of such columns. If you need to sort by only the first few characters, you can either decrease the max_sort_length server variable or use ORDER BY SUBSTRING(column, length).
This can result in a serious performance overhead. Even if you configure MySQL to store temporary tables on a RAM disk, many expensive operating system calls will be required.
The best solution is to avoid using the BLOB and TEXT types unless you really need them. If you can’t avoid them, you may be able to use the SUBSTRING(column, length) trick everywhere a BLOB column is mentioned (including in the ORDER BY clause) to convert the values to character strings, which will permit in-memory temporary tables. Just be sure that you’re using a short enough substring that the temporary table doesn’t grow larger than max_heap_table_size or tmp_table_size, or MySQL will convert the table to an on-disk MyISAM table.
The worst-case length allocation also applies to sorting of values, so this trick can help with both kinds of problems: creating large temporary tables and sort files, and creating them on disk.
Here’s an example. Suppose you have a table with 10 million rows, which uses a couple of gigabytes on disk. It has a VARCHAR(1000) column with the utf8 character set. This can use up to 3 bytes per character, for a worst-case size of 3,000 bytes. If you mention this column in your ORDER BY clause, a query against the whole table can require over 30 GB of temporary space just for the sort files!
If the Extra column of EXPLAIN contains “Using temporary,” the query uses an implicit temporary table.
This duality can be terribly confusing if you specify numbers for your ENUM constants, as in ENUM('1', '2', '3'). We suggest you don’t do this.
If we’d defined the values in alphabetical order, we wouldn’t have needed to do that.
The biggest downside of ENUM is that the list of strings is fixed, and adding or removing strings requires the use of ALTER TABLE. Thus, it might not be a good idea to use ENUM as a string data type when the list of allowed string values is likely to change arbitrarily in the future, unless it’s acceptable to add them at the end of the list, which can be done without a full rebuild of the table in MySQL 5.1.
Because MySQL stores each value as an integer and has to do a lookup to convert it to its string representation, ENUM columns have some overhead. This is usually offset by their smaller size, but not always. In particular, it can be slower to join a CHAR or VARCHAR column to an ENUM column than to another CHAR or VARCHAR column.
The table contains about 110,000 rows and is only about 10 MB, so it fits entirely in memory. The service column contains 5 distinct values with an average length of 4 characters, and the method column contains 71 values with an average length of 20 characters.
We varied this query to join the VARCHAR and ENUM columns in different combinations. Table 4-1 shows the results.
The join is faster after converting the columns to ENUM, but joining the ENUM columns to VARCHAR columns is slower. In this case, it looks like a good idea to convert these columns, as long as they don’t have to be joined to VARCHAR columns. It’s a common design practice to use “lookup tables” with integer primary keys to avoid using character-based values in joins.
However, there’s another benefit to converting the columns: according to the Data_length column from SHOW TABLE STATUS, converting these two columns to ENUM made the table about 1/3 smaller. In some cases, this might be beneficial even if the ENUM columns have to be joined to VARCHAR columns. Also, the primary key itself is only about half the size after the conversion. Because this is an InnoDB table, if there are any other indexes on this table, reducing the primary key size will make them much smaller, too. We explain this in the next chapter.
MySQL has many types for various kinds of date and time values, such as YEAR and DATE. The finest granularity of time MySQL can store is one second. (MariaDB has microsecond-granularity temporal types.) However, it can do temporal computations with microsecond granularity, and we’ll show you how to work around the storage limitations.
This type can hold a large range of values, from the year 1001 to the year 9999, with a precision of one second. It stores the date and time packed into an integer in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format, independent of time zone. This uses eight bytes of storage space.
By default, MySQL displays DATETIME values in a sortable, unambiguous format, such as 2008-01-16 22:37:08. This is the ANSI standard way to represent dates and times.
As its name implies, the TIMESTAMP type stores the number of seconds elapsed since midnight, January 1, 1970, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)—the same as a Unix timestamp. TIMESTAMP uses only four bytes of storage, so it has a much smaller range than DATETIME: from the year 1970 to partway through the year 2038. MySQL provides the FROM_UNIXTIME() and UNIX_TIMESTAMP() functions to convert a Unix timestamp to a date, and vice versa.
MySQL 4.1 and newer versions format TIMESTAMP values just like DATETIME values, but MySQL 4.0 and older versions display them without any punctuation between the parts. This is only a display formatting difference; the TIMESTAMP storage format is the same in all MySQL versions.
The value a TIMESTAMP displays also depends on the time zone. The MySQL server, operating system, and client connections all have time zone settings.
Thus, a TIMESTAMP that stores the value 0 actually displays it as 1969-12-31 19:00:00 in Eastern Standard Time (EST), which has a five-hour offset from GMT. It’s worth emphasizing this difference: if you store or access data from multiple time zones, the behavior of TIMESTAMP and DATETIME will be very different. The former preserves values relative to the time zone in use, while the latter preserves the textual representation of the date and time.
TIMESTAMP also has special properties that DATETIME doesn’t have. By default, MySQL will set the first TIMESTAMP column to the current time when you insert a row without specifying a value for the column. MySQL also updates the first TIMESTAMP column’s value by default when you update the row, unless you assign a value explicitly in the UPDATE statement. You can configure the insertion and update behaviors for any TIMESTAMP column. Finally, TIMESTAMP columns are NOT NULL by default, which is different from every other data type.
Special behavior aside, in general if you can use TIMESTAMP you should, because it is more space-efficient than DATETIME. Sometimes people store Unix timestamps as integer values, but this usually doesn’t gain you anything. The integer format is often less convenient to deal with, so we do not recommend doing this.
What if you need to store a date and time value with subsecond resolution? MySQL currently does not have an appropriate data type for this, but you can use your own storage format: you can use the BIGINT data type and store the value as a timestamp in microseconds, or you can use a DOUBLE and store the fractional part of the second after the decimal point. Both approaches will work well. Or you can use MariaDB instead of MySQL.
Before MySQL 5.0, BIT is just a synonym for TINYINT. But in MySQL 5.0 and newer, it’s a completely different data type with special characteristics. We discuss the new behavior here.
You can use a BIT column to store one or many true/false values in a single column. BIT(1) defines a field that contains a single bit, BIT(2) stores 2 bits, and so on; the maximum length of a BIT column is 64 bits.
BIT behavior varies between storage engines. MyISAM packs the columns together for storage purposes, so 17 individual BIT columns require only 17 bits to store (assuming none of the columns permits NULL). MyISAM rounds that to three bytes for storage. Other storage engines, such as Memory and InnoDB, store each column as the smallest integer type large enough to contain the bits, so you don’t save any storage space.
This can be very confusing, so we recommend that you use BIT with caution. For most applications, we think it is a better idea to avoid this type.
If you want to store a true/false value in a single bit of storage space, another option is to create a nullable CHAR(0) column. This column is capable of storing either the absence of a value (NULL) or a zero-length value (the empty string).
If you need to store many true/false values, consider combining many columns into one with MySQL’s native SET data type, which MySQL represents internally as a packed set of bits. It uses storage efficiently, and MySQL has functions such as FIND_IN_SET() and FIELD() that make it easy to use in queries. The major drawback is the cost of changing the column’s definition: this requires an ALTER TABLE, which is very expensive on large tables (but see the workaround later in this chapter). In general, you also can’t use indexes for lookups on SET columns.
An alternative to SET is to use an integer as a packed set of bits. For example, you can pack eight bits in a TINYINT and manipulate them with bitwise operators. You can make this easier by defining named constants for each bit in your application code.
The major advantage of this approach over SET is that you can change the “enumeration” the field represents without an ALTER TABLE. The drawback is that your queries are harder to write and understand (what does it mean when bit 5 is set?). Some people are comfortable with bitwise manipulations and some aren’t, so whether you’ll want to try this technique is largely a matter of taste.
We’ve used variables to define the values, but you can use constants in your code instead.
When choosing a type for an identifier column, you need to consider not only the storage type, but also how MySQL performs computations and comparisons on that type. For example, MySQL stores ENUM and SET types internally as integers but converts them to strings when doing comparisons in a string context.
Once you choose a type, make sure you use the same type in all related tables. The types should match exactly, including properties such as UNSIGNED. Mixing different data types can cause performance problems, and even if it doesn’t, implicit type conversions during comparisons can create hard-to-find errors. These may even crop up much later, after you’ve forgotten that you’re comparing different data types.
Integers are usually the best choice for identifiers, because they’re fast and they work with AUTO_INCREMENT.
The ENUM and SET types are generally a poor choice for identifiers, though they can be okay for static “definition tables” that contain status or “type” values. ENUM and SET columns are appropriate for holding information such as an order’s status, a product’s type, or a person’s gender.
As an example, if you use an ENUM field to define a product’s type, you might want a lookup table primary keyed on an identical ENUM field. (You could add columns to the lookup table for descriptive text, to generate a glossary, or to provide meaningful labels in a pull-down menu on a website.) In this case, you’ll want to use the ENUM as an identifier, but for most purposes you should avoid doing so.
Avoid string types for identifiers if possible, because they take up a lot of space and are generally slower than integer types. Be especially cautious when using string identifiers with MyISAM tables. MyISAM uses packed indexes for strings by default, which can make lookups much slower. In our tests, we’ve noted up to six times slower performance with packed indexes on MyISAM.
They slow INSERT queries because the inserted value has to go in a random location in indexes. This causes page splits, random disk accesses, and clustered index fragmentation for clustered storage engines. More about this in the next chapter.
They slow SELECT queries because logically adjacent rows will be widely dispersed on disk and in memory.
Random values cause caches to perform poorly for all types of queries because they defeat locality of reference, which is how caching works. If the entire dataset is equally “hot,” there is no advantage to having any particular part of the data cached in memory, and if the working set does not fit in memory, the cache will have a lot of flushes and misses.
If you do store UUID values, you should remove the dashes or, even better, convert the UUID values to 16-byte numbers with UNHEX() and store them in a BINARY(16) column. You can retrieve the values in hexadecimal format with the HEX() function.
Values generated by UUID() have different characteristics from those generated by a cryptographic hash function such as SHA1(): the UUID values are unevenly distributed and are somewhat sequential. They’re still not as good as a monotonically increasing integer, though.
We’ve covered the most important data type considerations (some with serious and others with more minor performance implications), but we haven’t yet told you about the evils of autogenerated schemas.
Badly written schema migration programs and programs that autogenerate schemas can cause severe performance problems. Some programs use large VARCHAR fields for everything, or use different data types for columns that will be compared in joins. Be sure to double-check a schema if it was created for you automatically.
Object-relational mapping (ORM) systems (and the “frameworks” that use them) are another frequent performance nightmare. Some of these systems let you store any type of data in any type of backend data store, which usually means they aren’t designed to use the strengths of any of the data stores. Sometimes they store each property of each object in a separate row, even using timestamp-based versioning, so there are multiple versions of each property!
This design may appeal to developers, because it lets them work in an object-oriented fashion without needing to think about how the data is stored. However, applications that “hide complexity from developers” usually don’t scale well. We suggest you think carefully before trading performance for developer productivity, and always test on a realistically large dataset, so you don’t discover performance problems too late.
Some kinds of data don’t correspond directly to the available built-in types. A timestamp with subsecond resolution is one example; we showed you some options for storing such data earlier in the chapter.
Another example is an IPv4 address. People often use VARCHAR(15) columns to store IP addresses. However, they are really unsigned 32-bit integers, not strings. The dotted-quad notation is just a way of writing it out so that humans can read it more easily. You should store IP addresses as unsigned integers. MySQL provides the INET_ATON() and INET_NTOA() functions to convert between the two representations.
Although there are universally bad and good design principles, there are also issues that arise from how MySQL is implemented, and that means you can make MySQL-specific mistakes, too. This section discusses problems that we’ve observed in schema designs with MySQL. It might help you avoid those mistakes and choose alternatives that work better with MySQL’s specific implementation.
MySQL’s storage engine API works by copying rows between the server and the storage engine in a row buffer format; the server then decodes the buffer into columns. But it can be costly to turn the row buffer into the row data structure with the decoded columns. MyISAM’s fixed row format actually matches the server’s row format exactly, so no conversion is needed. However, MyISAM’s variable row format and InnoDB’s row format always require conversion. The cost of this conversion depends on the number of columns. We discovered that this can become expensive when we investigated an issue with high CPU consumption for a customer with extremely wide tables (hundreds of columns), even though only a few columns were actually used. If you’re planning for hundreds of columns, be aware that the server’s performance characteristics will be a bit different.
The so-called entity-attribute-value (EAV) design pattern is a classic case of a universally bad design pattern that especially doesn’t work well in MySQL. MySQL has a limitation of 61 tables per join, and EAV databases require many self-joins. We’ve seen more than a few EAV databases eventually exceed this limit. Even at many fewer joins than 61, however, the cost of planning and optimizing the query can become problematic for MySQL. As a rough rule of thumb, it’s better to have a dozen or fewer tables per query if you need queries to execute very fast with high concurrency.
That almost surely ought to be an ENUM instead of a SET, assuming that it can’t be both true and false at the same time.
We wrote earlier about the benefits of avoiding NULL, and indeed we suggest considering alternatives when possible. Even when you do need to store a “no value” fact in a table, you might not need to use NULL. Perhaps you can use zero, a special value, or an empty string instead.
However, you can take this to extremes. Don’t be too afraid of using NULL when you need to represent an unknown value. In some cases, it’s better to use NULL than a magical constant. Selecting one value from the domain of a constrained type, such as using −1 to represent an unknown integer, can complicate your code a lot, introduce bugs, and just generally make a total mess out of things. Handling NULL isn’t always easy, but it’s often better than the alternative.
On a related topic, MySQL does index NULLs, unlike Oracle, which doesn’t include non-values in indexes.
There are usually many ways to represent any given data, ranging from fully normalized to fully denormalized and anything in between. In a normalized database, each fact is represented once and only once. Conversely, in a denormalized database, information is duplicated, or stored in multiple places.
These tables are now in second normal form, which is good enough for many purposes. However, second normal form is only one of many possible normal forms.
We’re using the last name as the primary key here for purposes of illustration, because it’s the “natural identifier” of the data. In practice, however, we wouldn’t do that. It’s not guaranteed to be unique, and it’s usually a bad idea to use a long string for a primary key.
Normalized updates are usually faster than denormalized updates.
When the data is well normalized, there’s little or no duplicated data, so there’s less data to change.
Normalized tables are usually smaller, so they fit better in memory and perform better.
The lack of redundant data means there’s less need for DISTINCT or GROUP BY queries when retrieving lists of values. Consider the preceding example: it’s impossible to get a distinct list of departments from the denormalized schema without DISTINCT or GROUP BY, but if DEPARTMENT is a separate table, it’s a trivial query.
The drawbacks of a normalized schema usually have to do with retrieval. Any nontrivial query on a well-normalized schema will probably require at least one join, and perhaps several. This is not only expensive, but it can make some indexing strategies impossible. For example, normalizing may place columns in different tables that would benefit from belonging to the same index.
A denormalized schema works well because everything is in the same table, which avoids joins.
If you don’t need to join tables, the worst case for most queries—even the ones that don’t use indexes—is a full table scan. This can be much faster than a join when the data doesn’t fit in memory, because it avoids random I/O.
To execute this query efficiently, MySQL will need to scan the published index on the message table. For each row it finds, it will need to probe into the user table and check whether the user is a premium user. This is inefficient if only a small fraction of users have premium accounts.
The other possible query plan is to start with the user table, select all premium users, get all messages for them, and do a filesort. This will probably be even worse.
Given that both normalized and denormalized schemas have benefits and drawbacks, how can you choose the best design?
The truth is, fully normalized and fully denormalized schemas are like laboratory rats: they usually have little to do with the real world. In the real world, you often need to mix the approaches, possibly using a partially normalized schema, cache tables, and other techniques.
The most common way to denormalize data is to duplicate, or cache, selected columns from one table in another table. In MySQL 5.0 and newer, you can use triggers to update the cached values, which makes the implementation easier.
In our website example, for instance, instead of denormalizing fully you can store account_type in both the user and message tables. This avoids the insert and delete problems that come with full denormalization, because you never lose information about the user, even when there are no messages. It won’t make the user_message table much larger, but it will let you select the data efficiently.
However, it’s now more expensive to update a user’s account type, because you have to change it in both tables. To see whether that’s a problem, you must consider how frequently you’ll have to make such changes and how long they will take, compared to how often you’ll run the SELECT query.
Another good reason to move some data from the parent table to the child table is for sorting. For example, it would be extremely expensive to sort messages by the author’s name on a normalized schema, but you can perform such a sort very efficiently if you cache the author_name in the message table and index it.
It can also be useful to cache derived values. If you need to display how many messages each user has posted (as many forums do), either you can run an expensive subquery to count the data every time you display it, or you can have a num_messages column in the user table that you update whenever a user posts a new message.
Sometimes the best way to improve performance is to keep redundant data in the same table as the data from which it was derived. However, sometimes you’ll need to build completely separate summary or cache tables, specially tuned for your retrieval needs. This approach works best if you can tolerate slightly stale data, but sometimes you really don’t have a choice (for instance, when you need to avoid complex and expensive real-time updates).
Staying with the website example, suppose you need to count the number of messages posted during the previous 24 hours. It would be impossible to maintain an accurate real-time counter on a busy site. Instead, you could generate a summary table every hour. You can often do this with a single query, and it’s more efficient than maintaining counters in real time. The drawback is that the counts are not 100% accurate.
Either approach—an inexact count or an exact count with small range queries to fill in the gaps—is more efficient than counting all the rows in the message table. This is the key reason for creating summary tables. These statistics are expensive to compute in real time, because they require scanning a lot of data, or queries that will only run efficiently with special indexes that you don’t want to add because of the impact they will have on updates. Computing the most active users or the most frequent “tags” are typical examples of such operations.
Cache tables, in turn, are useful for optimizing search and retrieval queries. These queries often require a particular table and index structure that is different from the one you would use for general online transaction processing (OLTP) operations.
For example, you might need many different index combinations to speed up various types of queries. These conflicting requirements sometimes demand that you create a cache table that contains only some of the columns from the main table. A useful technique is to use a different storage engine for the cache table. If the main table uses InnoDB, for example, by using MyISAM for the cache table you’ll gain a smaller index footprint and the ability to do full-text search queries. Sometimes you might even want to take the table completely out of MySQL and into a specialized system that can search more efficiently, such as the Lucene or Sphinx search engines.
When using cache and summary tables, you have to decide whether to maintain their data in real time or with periodic rebuilds. Which is better will depend on your application, but a periodic rebuild not only can save resources but also can result in a more efficient table that’s not fragmented and has fully sorted indexes.
If you rename the original my_summary table my_summary_old before assigning the name my_summary to the newly rebuilt table, as we’ve done here, you can keep the old version until you’re ready to overwrite it at the next rebuild. It’s handy to have it for a quick rollback if the new table has a problem.
In contrast to typical methods of maintaining summary and cache tables, Flexviews can recalculate the contents of the materialized view incrementally by extracting delta changes to the source tables. This means it can update the view without needing to query the source data. For example, if you create a summary table that counts groups of rows, and you add a row to the source table, Flexviews simply increments the corresponding group by one. The same technique works for other aggregate functions, such as SUM() and AVG(). It takes advantage of the fact that row-based binary logging includes images of the rows before and after they are updated, so Flexviews can see not only the new value of each row, but the delta from the previous version, without even looking at the source table. Computing with deltas is much more efficient than reading the data from the source table.
We don’t have space for a full exploration of how to use Flexviews, but we can give an overview. You start by writing a SELECT statement that expresses the data you want to derive from your existing database. This can include joins and aggregations (GROUP BY). There’s a helper tool in Flexviews that transforms your SQL query into Flexviews API calls. Then Flexviews does all the dirty work of watching changes to the database and transforming them into updates to the tables that store your materialized view over the original tables. Now your application can simply query the materialized view instead of the tables from which it was derived.
Flexviews has good coverage of SQL, including tricky expressions that you might not expect a tool to handle outside the server. That makes it useful for building views over complex SQL expressions, so you can replace complex queries with simple, fast queries against the materialized view.
An application that keeps counts in a table can run into concurrency problems when updating the counters. Such tables are very common in web applications. You can use them to cache the number of friends a user has, the number of downloads of a file, and so on. It’s often a good idea to build a separate table for the counters, to keep it small and fast. Using a separate table can help you avoid query cache invalidations and lets you use some of the more advanced techniques we show in this section.
You’ll often need extra indexes, redundant fields, or even cache and summary tables to speed up read queries. These add work to write queries and maintenance jobs, but this is still a technique you’ll see a lot when you design for high performance: you amortize the cost of the slower writes by speeding up reads significantly.
However, this isn’t the only price you pay for faster read queries. You also increase development complexity for both read and write operations.
MySQL’s ALTER TABLE performance can become a problem with very large tables. MySQL performs most alterations by making an empty table with the desired new structure, inserting all the data from the old table into the new one, and deleting the old table. This can take a very long time, especially if you’re short on memory and the table is large and has lots of indexes. Many people have experience with ALTER TABLE operations that have taken hours or days to complete.
MySQL 5.1 and newer include support for some types of “online” operations that won’t lock the table for the whole operation. Recent versions of InnoDB also support building indexes by sorting, which makes building indexes much faster and results in a compact index layout.
In general, most ALTER TABLE operations will cause interruption of service in MySQL. We’ll show some techniques to work around this in a bit, but those are for special cases. For the general case, you need to use either operational tricks such as swapping servers around and performing the ALTER on servers that are not in production service, or a “shadow copy” approach. The technique for a shadow copy is to build a new table with the desired structure beside the existing one, and then perform a rename and drop to swap the two. Tools can help with this: for example, the “online schema change” tools from Facebook’s database operations team (https://launchpad.net/mysqlatfacebook), Shlomi Noach’s openark toolkit (http://code.openark.org/), and Percona Toolkit (http://www.percona.com/software/). If you are using Flexviews (discussed in Materialized Views), you can perform nonblocking schema changes with its CDC utility too.
SHOW STATUS shows that this statement does 1,000 handler reads and 1,000 inserts. In other words, it copies the table to a new table, even though the column’s type, size, and nullability haven’t changed.
In theory, MySQL could have skipped building a new table. The default value for the column is actually stored in the table’s .frm file, so you should be able to change it without touching the table itself. MySQL doesn’t yet use this optimization, however; any MODIFY COLUMN will cause a table rebuild.
This statement modifies the .frm file and leaves the table alone. As a result, it is very fast.
We’ve seen that modifying a table’s .frm file is fast and that MySQL sometimes rebuilds a table when it doesn’t have to. If you’re willing to take some risks, you can convince MySQL to do several other types of modifications without rebuilding the table.
The technique we’re about to demonstrate is unsupported, undocumented, and may not work. Use it at your own risk. We advise you to back up your data first!
Remove (but not add) a column’s AUTO_INCREMENT attribute.
Add, remove, or change ENUM and SET constants. If you remove a constant and some rows contain that value, queries will return the value as the empty string.
Create an empty table with exactly the same layout, except for the desired modification (such as added ENUM constants).
Execute FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK. This will close all tables in use and prevent any tables from being opened.
Execute UNLOCK TABLES to release the read lock.
Notice that we’re adding the new value at the end of the list of constants. If we placed it in the middle, after PG-13, we’d change the meaning of the existing data: existing R values would become PG-14, NC-17 would become R, and so on.
This works because it lets MyISAM delay building the keys until all the data is loaded, at which point it can build the indexes by sorting. This is much faster and results in a defragmented, compact index tree.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for unique indexes, because DISABLE KEYS applies only to nonunique indexes. MyISAM builds unique indexes in memory and checks the uniqueness as it loads each row. Loading becomes extremely slow as soon as the index’s size exceeds the available memory.
In modern versions of InnoDB, you can use an analogous technique that relies on InnoDB’s fast online index creation capabilities. This calls for dropping all of the nonunique indexes, adding the new column, and then adding back the indexes you dropped. Percona Server supports doing this automatically.
As with the ALTER TABLE hacks in the previous section, you can speed up this process if you’re willing to do a little more work and assume some risk. This can be useful for loading data from backups, for example, when you already know all the data is valid and there’s no need for uniqueness checks.
Again, this is an undocumented, unsupported technique. Use it at your own risk, and back up your data first.
Create a table of the desired structure, but without any indexes.
Load the data into the table to build the .MYD file.
Create another empty table with the desired structure, this time including the indexes. This will create the .frm and .MYI files you need.
Flush the tables with a read lock.
Rename the second table’s .frm and .MYI files, so MySQL uses them for the first table.
Use REPAIR TABLE to build the table’s indexes. This will build all indexes by sorting, including the unique indexes.
This procedure can be much faster for very large tables.
Use small, simple, appropriate data types, and avoid NULL unless it’s actually the right way to model your data’s reality.
Try to use the same data types to store similar or related values, especially if they’ll be used in a join condition.
Watch out for variable-length strings, which might cause pessimistic full-length memory allocation for temporary tables and sorting.
Try to use integers for identifiers if you can.
Avoid the legacy MySQL-isms such as specifying precisions for floating-point numbers or display widths for integers.
Be careful with ENUM and SET. They’re handy, but they can be abused, and they’re tricky sometimes. BIT is best avoided.
Normalization is good, but denormalization (duplication of data, in most cases) is sometimes actually necessary and beneficial. We’ll see more examples of that in the next chapter. And precomputing, caching, or generating summary tables can also be a big win. Justin Swanhart’s Flexviews tool can help maintain summary tables.
Finally, ALTER TABLE can be painful because in most cases, it locks and rebuilds the whole table. We showed a number of workarounds for specific cases; for the general case, you’ll have to use other techniques, such as performing the ALTER on a replica and then promoting it to master. There’s more about this later in the book.
Remember that the length is specified in characters, not bytes. A multibyte character set can require more than one byte to store each character.
The Memory engine in Percona Server supports variable-length rows.
Be careful with the BINARY type if the value must remain unchanged after retrieval. MySQL will pad it to the required length with \0s.
The rules for TIMESTAMP behavior are complex and have changed in various MySQL versions, so you should verify that you are getting the behavior you want. It’s usually a good idea to examine the output of SHOW CREATE TABLE after making changes to TIMESTAMP columns.
This applies to the so-called “InnoDB plugin,” which is the only version of InnoDB that exists anymore in MySQL 5.5 and newer versions. See Chapter 1 for the details on InnoDB’s release history.
ALTER TABLE lets you modify columns with ALTER COLUMN, MODIFY COLUMN, and CHANGE COLUMN. All three do different things.
MyISAM will also build indexes by sorting when you use LOAD DATA INFILE and the table is empty. | 2019-04-20T03:40:27Z | https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/high-performance-mysql/9781449332471/ch04.html |
Need paper edited,paper needs to be cited better,apa style please i recieved a bad grade on it, grammatical errors need to be corrected,everything in paper needs to be explained better….
Carl Roger’s person-centered therapy is one of the most acclaimed therapies that have ever been invented. This theory aims at giving any psychologist a broader scope through which psychotherapy can be approached. Characteristically, person- centered theory is holistic. It is the only psychotherapy theory that details how psychotherapy would be made simpler on each aspect. This paper has broadly analyzed the person- centered theory. Among the aspects that the paper looks into include the applicability of the theory, impacts and comparison with other traditional theories in psychotherapy. Finally, it is understood that person- centered therapy may bear some disadvantages to the stakeholders; thus, the vast publications that this theory has attracted. Simply, person-based therapy is what the world needs today. To be more effective, this theory needs to incorporate some aspects such as the employment of professional skills to compliment individual development.
Carl Ransom Rogers was born on January 8, 1902 and died on February 4, 1987. During his time, he remained a powerful American psychologist and one of the establishers of the humanistic view to psychology (S.P. 2015, p. 54). Rogers is greatly regarded as among the pillars that established psychotherapy study and was rewarded for his original study with the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions through the American Psychological Association during 1956. The Person-centered method, his personal exceptional method to comprehending character and people’s associations, discovered broad usage in different fields like psychotherapy and counseling (consumer-centered therapy), education (student-centered learning), institutions, and extra cluster sceneries. Because of his expert job, he was honored with the Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Psychology through the APA during 1972. According to Dells (2006, p. 49), as he was approaching his last days on earth, Carl Rogers was proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize due to his job with the countrywide intergroup clash in South Africa and Northern Ireland. In an experiential research carried out by Haggbloom et al. (2002) applying the six principles like quotations and acknowledgment, Rogers was established as the sixth major renowned psychologist during the 20th century and second, in a group of clinicians, just to Sigmund Freud.
Person-centered therapy was established by Carl Rogers during the 1940s. This kind of therapy deviated from the conventional replica of the therapist as a professional and shifted rather to a nondirective, empathic method that allows and encourages the consumer in the therapeutic procedure. Corsini (2011, p. 109) asserts that the therapy is founded on Rogers’s notion that each person struggles for and has the potential to satisfy his or her personal capability. Person-centered therapy, as well called Rogerian therapy has had a huge influence on the area of psychotherapy and several different subjects. Instead of considering individuals as naturally faulty, with challenging performances and imaginations, which need cure, person-centered therapy recognizes that every individual has the potential and craving for individual development and reform.
Rogers called this normal human tendency “actualizing tendency,†or self-actualization. He compared it to the manner that different living creatures struggle toward equilibrium, order, and better intricacy. In the view of Rogers, “People have surrounded by enormous resources for personal comprehension and for changing their personal techniques, essential approaches, and personal guided conduct; these resources may be harvested when a classifiable climate of facilitative mental approaches may be given†(Corsini 2011, p. 13).
The person-centered therapist educates to identify and have faith in human capability, giving consumers empathy, and free positive regard to aid enabled reform. The therapist evades guiding the track of therapy through pursuing the consumer’s guide whenever possible. Alternatively, the therapist provides support, leadership, and arrangement so that the consumer may find out tailored answers inside themselves. Person-centered therapy remained as the pioneer of the humanistic psychology group, and it has impacted on several therapeutic strategies and the psychological health area, as a whole. Rogerian methods have as well impacted on various different subjects, from drugs to education.
Congruence is as well known as authenticity. Similarity is the major significant feature in psychotherapy, depending on Rogers. This implies that, contrasting to the psychodynamic therapist who commonly upholds a ‘blank screen’ and discloses minimal of their individual character in therapy, the Rogerian is careful to permit the consumer to practice them as they actually are (Counseling Directory 2015, p. 1). The therapist lacks a frontage, that is, the therapists’s inside and outside practices are one in the same. Simply, the therapist is genuine.
This is the next Rogerian condition. Rogers had the notion that for persons to mature and satisfy their capability it is significant that they are assessed as themselves. This implies the therapist’s profound and authentic compassionate for the consumer. The therapist can fail to endorse a few of the consumer’s deeds, however, the therapist does endorse of the consumer. Simply, the therapist requires an approach of “I will accept you as you are.†The person-centered psychologist is therefore keen to forever uphold a positive approach to the consumer, even when hated through the consumer’s deeds (McMillan 2004, p. 78).
Empathy is the potential to comprehend what the consumer is going through. This indicates the therapist’s capacity to comprehend sympathetically and precisely the consumer’s practice and emotions in the here-and-now. A significant section of the job of the person-centered psychologist is to pursue correctly what the consumer is feeling and to inform them that the therapist comprehends what they are experiencing (In Corcoran & In Roberts 2015, p. 109).
Characteristically, the Rogerian theory puts gradual progress in psychological growth and development at the center of the success of this theory. According to Rodgers, the key factors in humans that are responsible for their development consequently contributes to the psychological set ups of such people (Corsini, 2011, p. 14). Whenever the six conditions of psychological growth and development are met within an individual, such a person easily gravitate towards constructive fulfillment of their various potentialities.
The first of the six necessary factors of growth as discussed by Rodgers is psychological contact between the therapist and the client. If a positive personal change is the chief objective of the therapist and the client, it is inevitable that there has to be a strong relationship between the two stakeholders. According to In Corcoran & In Roberts (2015, p. 109), a strong relationship between the client and the therapist does not only make it simple to measure the progress of the procedure, it makes the work of the therapist easier. The second factor is the vulnerability of the client. This theory believes that the context imparts some unknown characteristics to clients. Basically, even the client themselves can find it almost impossible to differentiate their own self-images to that which they are exposed to through anxieties and personal experiences. Whenever there is a discrepancy in the self-image and the actual personality, it is always normal that the client develops some characteristics of fears and anxiety. Bothe the therapist and the client stand at a better chance of progress if they understand this second pillar of development.
Thirdly, the therapist has to bear the right characteristics, for a uniform result. Not only should the therapist be aware of their personalities, they should as well be congruent on top of being genuine to their tasks (Bryant-Jefferies 2005, p. 77). This aspect of success does not imply that the therapist has to be perfect in personality, but at least within the confines of therapeutic endeavors. The fourth aspect of development is positive regard from the therapist. In some occasions, the therapist may find themselves in denial- doing all that they can to save their clients. The clients on the other hand could barely be showing only the negative projectiles in progress. No matter the circumstance or the reactions of the client, the therapist is advised to stay positive all the time.
Therapist empathy is another important aspect of the progress. Rodgers argues that “empathy is the ultimate platform through which the therapist can build a strong rapport with the client†(Meltzoff & Kornreich. 2007, p. 51). Here, the therapist aims to fully understand the client, measure the progress of counseling and instill the problems of the clients as one of their own. Ultimately, the client becomes free to share with the therapist whatever their problems could be. Finally, client perception is another important aspect of development. Empathy and other positive characteristics of the therapist may ultimately lead to the client having a better perception of the process.
The advent of person- centered therapy has instigated a lot of usefulness in the field of psycho- therapy. First, before the premier of person- centered theory, psychotherapy faced a lot of challenges. One of these challenges was anchored on the long periods that it took to come into solutions of simple health conditions. The long time has been attributed to lack of professionalism with which psychotherapy was associated. Today, both the therapist and the client have felt the usefulness of this theory in the way it has rebranded this profession. With the introduction of person- centered therapy, therapy today is a journey that is purely shared between two people. Both the therapist and the client are fallible to the process.
Apart from rebranding the whole concept of psychotherapy, person- centered theory has as well instigated a sense of development in this profession. Today, practitioners are at liberty of testing emergent techniques in the field (Bryant-Jefferies 2005, p. 108). The previous theories were not only inadequate; such theories as well were rigid that they could not allow for the application of complimentary principles. This happened even with the fact that psychotherapy is a field that faces diverse challenges that need diverse approaches to solve.
Finally, the person- centered has been useful in giving the field of psychotherapy a new way of doing things. The traditionally applied behavioral and psychodynamic theories were not contentious enough to provide the therapists alongside their clients a useful amount of time to be innovative and independent in getting the best out of their clients. Characteristically, the psychodynamic theory and the behavioral theories barely changed for a long period of time. This critically let psychotherapy at stand-still.
Humanistic theories bear considerable similarities as well as a huge number of differences with other traditional theories. This paper will specifically compare and contrast the person- centered theory with behavioral theory. The first similarity between these two approaches is that both theories give platforms through which psychologically related conditions could be solved. There as well been a huge debate anchored on the argument that the person- centered theory was built from the major characteristics of the behavioral theory. Traditionally, it is believed that conditions that emanate from psychological lapses are majorly manifest in the behavior of the client. Critically, the client would easily get help from a therapist only when they are showing their in- capabilities through their actions and behaviors. Rodgers as well agrees to this criticism by putting an emphasis that self- awareness is a critical aspect to the success of person- centered theory.
Nonetheless, the person- centered theory has a lot of differences to the traditional theories of psychotherapy. First is the understanding of who the type of people that this profession aims at helping. Humanistic counselors refer to those in therapy as clients but not as patients. In humanistic theory, both the therapist and the client are equally involved in the objective of reaching similar solutions (Sommers-Flanagan, et al 2012, p. 72). Basically, by referring to patients as clients, the clients get the feeling of being needed. This makes the healing process easier than if they are referred to as patients as the healing process is critically attached to the perception of the patient.
The roles played by the stakeholders have been shifted in the person- centered theory. Traditionally, the therapists play the sole role of ensuring that the patient heals. In the person- centered theory, gives the patient the liberty to heal from their conditions by themselves. The therapist in humanistic counseling barely offers direction. The client in person- centered theory tabulates what is wrong with them. Such client further suggests the best avenue through which they can be assisted out of their conditions. Moreover, the client views the therapist as a friend but not a doctor.
Traditional theories chose a different avenue of reaching solutions if compared to person- centered theory. Traditional theories such as the behavioral theory put a lot of focus in the past with little focus to the present and the future. Basically, it is true that most psychological conditions are anchored on the experiences of the past. “People develop most of their current psychological conditions based on the encounters that they have had in the past†(Frankland 2010, p. 43). To this effect, such traditional platforms aim at understanding the past before they remedy the situation. Rodgers however argues that it does not matter so much the cause of the problem as the current situation and putting mitigating factors for future occurrences could prove more important.
Carl’s argument about the point of focus critically is what makes the person- centered theory more unique. Psychological conditions have a lot of curative phases. Not only do the therapists have an objective of curing the current condition, but to mitigate the possibility of future occurrences of the same or related conditions. The aim of Rodgers is that at the end of the therapy, the patient should be in a position of striving through self-actualization. Reaching self- actualization needs more focus on the present and the future than in the past as it happens in traditional theories.
Behavioral theories as well have different orientations to those of person- centered theory. According to Rodgers, the orientation of the process should focus on both the client and the therapist both listen, they understand each other, accepting and sharing the options with each other. This happens on top of the therapist employing some sense of their skills. The traditionalists on the other hand put more focus of the skills of the therapist. Basically, the results of traditional endeavors solely depended on the skills of the therapist themselves with very little involvement of the client.
As the objective of the behavioral theory is to cure the patient, the same does not apply to person- centered. The person- centered therapist would want to see their clients have the feeling of boosting their own self-worth. At the end of the therapy, a behaviorist would want to see their patients cured freed from their previous condition. The humanist would, on the other hand, reduce incongruence between ideal and real between their clients on top of helping the client to become somebody who can fully function on their own.
Person- centered theory has a lot of advantages. Firstly, this theory gives both the therapist and the client an opportunity to pursue the same objective, albeit through varied avenues. It is the only approach that gives opportunities to both stakeholders to play equal and active roles in reaching solutions. Consequent to its holistic approach, the conditions are tackled equally among the professionals and the clients with all the issues touched from both the professional and individual understanding points of view.
Person- centered theory is not judgmental characteristically. Here, the therapist has the responsibility to accept both the positive and the negative aspects of the encounter (Bryant-Jefferies 2006, p. 44). Behavioral theory on the other hand put so much emphasis on the positive outcomes of the procedure thereby ignoring the positive aspects of this treatment, which are very critical to the success of any psychotherapy processes.
Person- centered therapy creates better solutions than any other traditional platforms. Through the principles of this theory, the client controls the vast part of the procedure, making it less hectic to the therapist. Ultimately, person- centered therapy shades off a lot of pressure off the shoulders of the therapist (Bryant-Jefferies 2006, 103). In behavioral theory for instance, failure or success are solely attributed to the therapist. Attributing the success of the therapy to the client encourages the client to develop the capability of the client to deal with the possibilities of future occurrences of the same as they feel content that they can deal with their own problems.
Person- centered is the only psychotherapy theoretical framework which avails future expectations to the client. The behavioral or psychodynamic theory is critical in presenting the present and building a dim future on the past. Person- centered however builds the future on the present. The future of a client, if built through person- centered therapy is clear- they yearn for the ultimate self- actualization status.
Person- centered therapy critically deviates from the traditional approaches from the traditional approaches, which is very crucial to therapy today. Psychodynamic theory is said to put focus on the dynamism of psychology. Bryant-Jefferies (2006, p. 76) asserts that psychodynamic theory is not flexible enough to put into focus the vast pieces of information that the world is exposed to today. Person- centered is applicable in the world today based on the flexibility that it avails to the clients. The patients as well as the therapists today are more informed on the kinds of issues that they face today than before. It is just empirical; that these informed patients should be given the opportunity to use the pieces of information that they harbor in coming up with amicable solutions.
Accuracy is a critical aspect of person- centered therapy. In most occasions, treating psychological conditions take a lot of time based on guessing the exact cure of the condition that faces the client. Psychological conditions are characteristically developmental. Bryant-Jefferies (2006, p. 28) asserts that overreliance on the past to come up with a solution can be detrimental in such conditions that mutate within some periodic lapses.
By giving the client the opportunity to express how they feel such clients are put at liberty of enhancing the accuracy of such therapies in many ways. First, the information from the client is up to date. This information tells what they really feel at that particular time (Weiner 2003, p. 111). Secondly, giving the clients an expression window helps the concerned therapists with consistent records that can easily be referred to in arriving at the solutions. Finally, accuracy is increased when the time is reduced. If compared to other therapies, person- centered therapy is timely. The efforts emanates from all the stakeholders thereby instigating time efficiencies between the efforts.
The person- centered therapy platform is holistic characteristically. Not only does this platform incorporate the inputs of the client, it incorporates expertise. The therapists, just like in the traditional platforms are very skilled (Weiner 2003, p. 111). In a case where the client does not provide the necessary information about their conditions, the therapists may use their expertise to aid in reaching the solution. Critically therefore, person- centered therapy aims at exploring all the available avenues in arriving at the solution (Bryant-Jefferies 2006, p. 76). If compared to the psychodynamic or the behavioral theory that solely employ the skills of the therapist that solely rely on the skills of the therapist, it’s to the advantage of anybody to employ person- centered therapy.
The person- centered therapy platform as well has some weaknesses to their ranks. Naturally, over- reliance on the client could be disastrous. Therapists who rely on the client to provide all the necessary information could be at a risk of getting information that is not adequate or at worst unreliable. At the initial stages of the therapy, the client may find it difficult to openly express their conditions to the therapists. It therefore is not advisable for any therapist to solely rely on the information from the client. In some occasions, the therapist may employ their personal skills to extract information from the client; it can be time wasting to some extent though.
Person- centered therapy is time wasting. Primarily, the client is left to cure themselves out of their conditions. According to Bryant-Jefferies (2005, p. 112), if not so much dedication is employed by both stakeholders at the start of the therapy, it is probable that it can take a lot of time before the therapist and the client start working towards the same objectives. Even though time management is not solely reliant on the behaviors of the stakeholders at the original stages of their encounter, it is a crucial part of this exercise.
The Rogerian theory is evidently a life- changing theory in psychotherapy today. The success of this theory is evident on the massive number of people who have adopted this theory into practice. Apparently, it is the only psychotherapy theory today that views the whole concept of psychotherapy holistically; and with a lot of flexibility. It is to the advantage of the therapists and the clients that person- centered therapy platform keep developing only for the best with its characteristic flexibility in place. | 2019-04-24T21:01:10Z | https://essaycube.com/2017/11/22/topic-person-centered-therapy-65/ |
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Lisa M. O’Brien, Office of Administrative Hearings, State of California, heard this matter on May 26, 2010, and June 7, 2010, in San Jose, California.
Attorney Lenore Silverman, of Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP, represented the Moreland School District (District). Dr. Jamal Splane, Director of Special Education for the District, was present both days.
Student’s mother (Parent) represented Student, and attended both days of hearing.
1 This corrects the decision concerning the filing of District’s closing brief, which is now included in footnote 2. No other changes were made to the decision.
2 To maintain a clear record, Student’s brief has been marked as Exhibit S-3; District’s brief has been marked as Exhibit D- 7.
3 At the beginning of the hearing, the parties stipulated to add a second issue, “Does Student qualify for home instruction services?” However, neither party offered any oral or documentary evidence regarding the second issue. Therefore, this issue is dismissed.
Did District’s placement offer of a therapeutic special day class, as set forth in the January 12, 2010 individualized education program (IEP) and February 4, 2010 amendments, provide Student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE)?
District contends that the January 12, 2010 IEP and February 4, 2010 amendment offer Student a FAPE. District asserts that it complied with the procedural requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the steps it took to hold the IEP team meeting and in the development of the IEP. District further contends that the IEP identified Student’s areas of need, offered measurable goals in those areas, and offered Student accommodations and modifications necessary to benefit from his education. District claims it offered Student special education placement services designed to provide some educational benefit, specifically by offering to place him in the county office of education therapeutic special day class, Blossom Hill Elementary emotional disturbance special day class (Blossom); Student refused, and requested placement in Payne Elementary therapeutic special day class (Payne SDC).
Student contends that he was denied a FAPE because the written IEP and amendment offered Student the county office of education therapeutic special day class but did not sufficiently identify that placement as Blossom.
1. Student is a 10-year-old boy who resides in the District with Parent. He is eligible for special education and related services because of a specific learning disability and emotional disturbance.
2. On December 14 and 15, 2009, District’s school psychologist Lauren Ani conducted a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment of Student to determine his present levels of functioning and to assist with planning his educational program as determined by the IEP team. Ms. Ani obtained her Educational Specialist degree in 2009 and her bachelor of arts degree in child psychology and education in 2005. She is also certified nationally as a School Psychologist and in California she is credentialed in Pupil Personnel Services. She has extensive graduate experience in special education and conducting psychoeducational assessments. She maintains the position of School Psychologist at two separate school districts, assessing students in grades kindergarten through 12th.
3. For the psychoeducational evaluation, Ms. Ani consulted with Student’s teachers and staff, observed him in classroom activities, and assessed him to ascertain any academic difficulties. Student’s behavior started to escalate at times during her assessment of Student. She intervened with verbal and non-verbal commands to place Student back on task.
4. The psychoeducational evaluation’s results indicated that Student struggles with attention, hyperactivity, aggression and social skills. He was often isolated and demonstrated symptoms of withdrawal and depression at school. He was easily frustrated and quickly became angry, having difficulty controlling his emotional response and engaging in inappropriate peer interactions. His difficulty existed to a degree such that his emotional and behavioral needs were not met in his current general education setting as evidenced by his multiple suspensions and physical behavior towards others.
5. Ms. Ani made several recommendations. She recommended that Student receive adult support in transitioning to and from unstructured activities such as recess, that he receive support to help him keep focused and be able to finish in-class assignments and that he receive counseling or explicit adult teaching in regard to academic and non-academic activities in order to help him succeed in these activities.
6. A school district provides a FAPE to a student if its program or placement is designed to address the student’s unique educational needs and is reasonably calculated to provide meaningful educational benefit in the least restrictive environment. The parties have stipulated that Student should be placed into a therapeutic special day class.
7. Student has been attending general education classes at Payne Elementary School (Payne) since March 2007, with a one-on-one aide and pull-out resource support. While Payne is not his home-based school, he was attending Payne through an intra-district transfer. Parent removed Student from Payne on April 8, 2010, and he is not currently attending school.
8. Student’s performance in the general education classroom at Payne was extremely variable from day to day. Student required extensive prompting and step-by-step verbal cues to de-escalate his behavior. District’s witnesses credibly established that Student’s behavioral and emotional instability disturbed the other students. The other students refused to participate in activities with Student. Student’s behavior was impeding the progress of his own educational goals, and negatively interfering with the education of the other students. Ms. Ani credibly opined that Student’s current general education placement was not providing the supports necessary to address Student’s unique needs.
9. Ms. Donna Wohltmann has been Student’s Resource Specialist Teacher since his enrollment into Payne in 2007 and has attended all of his IEP meetings. The services she most recently provided for Student included observing him in classroom settings, developing his plan for success and assessing Student for reading awareness, phonics, oral language, fluency and comprehension. He also participated in small-group special education instruction for silent reading time and math. Student was often talking out loud during this time about a variety of topics including his day and experiences. He required repeated prompting with one-on-one support. Ms. Wohltmann does not believe that Student’s continued placement at Payne is appropriate because of his lack of progress towards his goals and present levels of performance.
10. Wendy Johnson was Student’s fourth grade general education teacher. She has been employed with District since 2006 as a fourth grade teacher. Student was placed in her classroom for mainstreaming with general education students for the 2009-2010 school year.
11. Ms. Johnson opined that this placement was no longer appropriate in that Student displayed significant symptoms of withdrawal, hyperactivity, aggression, conduct problems, depression and attention difficulties. Student displayed inappropriate social skills in the classroom in that he had difficulty staying seated, was very active, and he disrupted the work of his peers in the class by displaying negative conduct such as breaking and disobeying the classroom rules. Student had poor control over his impulses and became agitated quickly. He often responded inappropriately to peers in the classroom with verbal threats or physical assaults. Student was often unable to complete his in-class work due to distractions. He had difficulty taking the perspective of others and seeing alternative views on both his actions and those of others. He was often off-task and required repeated verbal or non-verbal cues to get back to work. Student was often unable to participate in partner activities with the other students as he was unable to complete the prerequisite in-class activity for working with a partner. This further isolated him from peer activity and adversely affected his social and emotional skills.
12. An award system was instituted for Student to try to address his behavioral issues. He was to receive checkmarks for each positive behavior he displayed, such as staying on-task or focused, with a possibility of receiving eight checks a day. Upon obtaining eight checks, he would receive “classroom bucks” to purchase items in the classroom store. Student was never able to achieve eight checks in a daily routine. The amount required was then lowered to five, and he was still unable to receive enough positive behavioral checks to be rewarded.
13. Ms. Theresa Molinelli is the principal for Payne. She has a doctor of education degree and a master of arts degree with an emphasis in education in organization and leadership as well as multiple teaching credentials and certificates. She has 22 years of professional experience in education, including teaching kindergarten through 12th grades in multiple subjects.
14. Ms. Molinelli is familiar with Student and his areas of need. She met with Parent every two to three weeks, as well as participated in multiple telephone conferences throughout the 2009-2010 school year. She observed Student in the classroom and on the playground on a regular basis and witnessed his struggles on the bus, and while waiting for the bus to arrive. He was unable to build relationships with other students, and when he was very frustrated, it was extremely difficult for him to move beyond that point of frustration. Student had frequent outbursts and he carried his frustration and rage out to his exterior behavior. For example, Student was frustrated when his bus was late and then became volatile towards the other students. Student had no ability to compose himself, he just responded in a volatile manner.
15. Dr. Jamal Splane has been the Director of Student Services for District since 2005, and was a School Psychologist, as well as a special day class teacher, for District from 2001 to 2005. Dr. Splane received his bachelor of arts in clinical and counseling psychology, masters of arts in education, and doctor of philosophy in educational psychology. Part of his current duties is to familiarize himself with special education programs inside and outside of the District. He collaborates regularly with other directors to keep himself informed of all special education programs in his area of expertise.
16. Dr. Splane has been involved with Student and his family at the current placement for about five years. He is very familiar with Student and has regularly consulted with Student and Parent; he has personally monitored Student this school year, in and out of the classroom. He has consulted with Principal Molinelli regarding Student’s decline. He has also conferred with the teachers and staff involved with Student. His personal observations have confirmed the described behavior outlined by the District’s witnesses.
17. The behavior he witnessed from Student at his current placement does not fall within an average range of response for a child of his age and grade. Examples of Student’s inappropriate behavior include the degree and strength of his cry during a behavioral outburst, the fact that the teacher has to personally approach and address Student during each of Student’s behavioral outbursts, Student’s resistance to being redirected when off-task, and his refusal to make eye contact with the teacher during his behavioral outbursts. Student refuses to accept assistance when staff tries to de-escalate the situation.
18. The evidence showed that interventions have been put into place throughout the year at Payne, meetings with Parent have taken place regularly, the school psychologist worked with Parent to develop a behavior plan, and a support system in class was implemented to track Student’s behavior every 15 minutes to see if different times were worse than others, to no avail. A small lunch group of peers was initiated so he could play first and eat afterward, with fewer students. He was allowed to pick his own playmates for this group. However, eventually the other peers refused to participate with Student due to his outbursts.
19. On January 4, 2010, an aide was added to the general education class to assist Ms. Johnson, as the Student was taking a tremendous amount of her time away from the other students. This special education aide was a temporary replacement aide from the Payne SDC program. However, this aide was for academic support only; she provided direct intervention to Student during class in order to allow Ms. Johnson to resume instruction to the entire class. She was unable to provide the level of special education support or therapeutic support that Student needed.
20. Student has declined socially, emotionally and academically during his time at Payne. Children who used to want to play with Student eventually refused. In Student’s classroom, it did not matter who was sitting next to him as issues evolved between the two that caused Student to become angry, mumble words, show rage and exhibit volatile behavioral outbursts. Student’s self-esteem was very low and this impacted his interactions with others. He was frustrated when he felt others were doing better than him, and he reacted to these situations with negative statements or actions towards others.
21. Student’s current general education placement is failing to meet his unique needs. A behavioral intervention plan was implemented and failed to provide the level of support that Student needed. Placement at Payne does not provide Student the necessary ongoing therapeutic component to allow him to receive support dealing with his emotions and emotional responses, nor does it offer him a multi-faceted approach with a systematic behavior component to teach him how to react to his emotions.
22. Student’s IEP team met on January 12, 2010, for a three-year triennial evaluation. Ms. Ani attended and discussed the psychoeducational assessment that she performed. Based on the results of Student’s psychoeducational assessment, as well as the observations of Student’s instructors, District’s members of the IEP team discussed their belief that Student was not progressing towards his goals in his present placement. As a result of this, and Student’s significant conduct problems, they prepared a written IEP that outlined measurable annual goals in the areas of behavior, reading and written language designed to meet Student’s needs resulting from his disability.
23. The IEP provided a statement of how Student’s progress towards the annual goals will be measured. The IEP offered placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class. The county office of education therapeutic special day class is a highly structured therapeutic special day class, run by Los Altos Unified School District in the county of Santa Clara. The District’s team members orally advised Parent that the name of the county office of education therapeutic special day class was Blossom. At Blossom, Student would continue to interact with general education students during recess, lunch and other activities, but his classroom training would be within the small structured therapeutic program and target his unique needs.
24. Parent attended the meeting accompanied by her significant other. After discussing Student’s annual program and services, both agreed to visit Blossom on January 22, 2010, and the IEP team was to reconvene on February 4, 2010.
25. Blossom has eight students, one teacher, one aide and an additional aide who supports implementation of the behavioral system. The maximum number of students in this placement is 10. Staff at Blossom work with the IEP and curriculum to develop lesson plans specific to each student. Students interact academically while receiving social benefits in the program. The program offers de-escalating options, a token economy reward system, systems of communication between the school and the home to help parents reinforce positive behavior or redirect negative behavior. During weekly individual and group therapy sessions, the teachers are specifically trained and well-equipped to recognize and address escalating behaviors once they have reached the point of danger to self or others.
26. The daily routine at Blossom begins each morning in a small group to allow the students to process information on how their morning is going to proceed. Instruction begins with light activities, while English, language arts or academic needs are developed individually for each student. Students are placed into smaller groups and led by an instructor in math and science studies. Socialization occurs throughout the day focusing on social skills development. The focus at this placement is to provide positive incentives to discourage improper behavior. With such supports, it is anticipated that Student would not be suspended or sent home as often as is occurring in the general education placement.
27. On February 4, 2010, the parties reconvened for the IEP meeting and the District’s team members continued to recommend placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class. Parent had refused to visit Blossom and expressed concern about the travel distance to Blossom being 10 miles from the present placement. At this IEP meeting, Parent requested that District continue his current placement with a one-on-one aide, which District denied because his current placement did not meet his emotional and behavioral needs. The District presented a written Behavior Support Plan outlining environmental factors, necessary changes, functional factors, behaviors to teach and support, as well as reactive strategies and behavioral goals with communication provisions. Parent signed the amendment as a participant and refused to consent to the District’s IEP placement offer.
28. During these IEP meetings, Parent participated in the discussion concerning Student’s goals and current accommodations. Dr. Splane discussed with Parent all her concerns she had expressed at both IEP meetings. Parent did not disagree with the goals and accommodations the District presented. Parent preferred placement at Payne SDC.
29. Ms. Wohltman recommended to the IEP team that Student be placed into the county office of education therapeutic special day class due to the fact that the smaller class size of 10 students was more appropriate for Student. The county office of education therapeutic special day class is a “self contained” class, meaning that all subjects are taught in that same classroom setting. As a result, Student would receive the daily therapeutic and behavioral support he needs within the same small classroom setting.
30. Ms. Johnson attended both the January 12, 2010 and the February 4, 2010 IEP meetings. She recommended placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class due to her belief that Student’s educational goals could be more appropriately addressed in that placement.
31. Ms. Molinelli attended both the January 12, 2010 and the February 4, 2010 IEP meetings. She recommended placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class for Student as it provides the level of academic, social and behavioral support that Student needs. Ms. Molinelli recommended this placement based on her research and knowledge of the program, the information provided to her from the IEP team and their description of the services available at the county office of education therapeutic special day class.
32. Ms. Ani opined that the recommendation for placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class is necessary because Student was not receiving the level of support he needed in his current placement. At the recommended placement, Student would be provided an individual academic plan where his academic needs could be met at his level. Student would also have a therapeutic component where he could receive support dealing with his emotions and emotional responses as well as the behavior component regarding his acting on those emotions. Ms. Ani believes that the District’s offered placement at Blossom could provide Student services towards his unique needs.
33. Dr. Splane was active in the consultation and preparation of Ms. Ani’s January 4, 2010 psychoeducational evaluation. Additionally, he participated in the January 12, 2010 IEP and the February 4, 2010 IEP meetings. Dr. Splane opined that Student needed a program that had a multi-faceted approach with a systematic behavior component as well as regular and ongoing therapy support to address Student’s emotional needs. The county office of education therapeutic special day class offered these services and, as such, would address all of Student’s unique needs and was calculated to provide Student meaningful educational benefit in the least restrictive environment. Dr. Splane recommended that Student be placed at Blossom. He explained his reasoning to Parent at the IEP meetings. Dr. Splane again discussed this specific placement with Parent via telephone on January 14, 2010, encouraging her to visit Blossom.
34. Parent attended both the January 12, 2010 and the February 4, 2010 IEP meetings. While she agreed that Student needs a placement in a therapeutic special day class, she wanted Student to be enrolled into the Payne SDC because a close relative also attended Payne SDC.
35. Multiple negative interactions have occurred on the playground between Student and the relative who attended the Payne SDC. These two students are highly competitive and display agitation and frustration when they are in close contact. The last time these two students were in the same small math group in a combined classroom setting, Student was suspended due to his behavior towards this other student.
36. If Student were placed in the Payne SDC with his relative, his competitive nature, his need to be better than others and his negative attempts to show how he is better would create an atmosphere of competition among them and would negatively impact their progress. Because the other student has such strong family ties with Student, this would make it difficult for either student to independently receive meaningful educational benefit from the services provided to them in the Payne SDC. Further, District expects to permanently close the Payne SDC as of the end of the 2009-2010 extended school year.
37. Parent provided no oral or documentary evidence that District’s offer of placement in the county office of education therapeutic special day class, as set forth in the January 12, 2010 IEP and February 4, 2010 IEP amendments, was not adequate to provide Student with a FAPE. In fact, the parties stipulated that the Student is in need of a therapeutic special day class. Parent’s closing brief contained several pages of facts that were not presented at the hearing and were not subject to cross examination. Therefore, this information was not considered here.
38. Parent asserts that the first day of the due process hearing was the first time she had heard that the name of the county office of education therapeutic special day class was Blossom. Student argues that because Blossom Hill Elementary School was not specifically named as the county office of education therapeutic special day class, that Student was denied a FAPE.
39. While her testimony throughout the hearing was that she was never specifically advised that Blossom was the name of the county office of education therapeutic special day class, the District witnesses credibly testified, and the evidence established, that the District’s offer to place Student in the county office of education therapeutic special day class was sufficiently identified as Blossom.
40. Student’s IEP offers placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class. While the name of Blossom is not listed in the IEP itself, the IEP states that Parent is willing to view the placement and that District will take them to visit the program by Friday, January 22, 2010. This creates a reasonable inference that Parent was informed of the identity of the offered program.
41. There was no evidence provided during the hearing that Santa Clara County Office of Education had more than one therapeutic special day class operated by the Los Altos School District. Nor was there any evidence presented that Parent was offered any placement other than the county office of education therapeutic special day class. Dr. Splane and Parent discussed Parent’s visit to the county office of education therapeutic special day class, and specifically named Blossom, just two days after the first IEP meeting in January 2010.
42. In Parent’s closing brief, for the first time, she asserted that Blossom is not appropriate because the therapist is only on campus once a week due to commitments in other schools. There was no evidence presented supporting this statement.
43. Next, Parent’s closing brief argues that Blossom is not an appropriate placement because Parent has concerns that Student will be suspended from the school bus for Blossom and the school is located 10 miles away. There was no mention of bus transportation, or any parental concerns regarding that issue, in the 2009-2010 IEP. Parent’s concern regarding transportation by bus was first brought up during the due process hearing; there was no evidence that she expressed this concern during any of the IEP meetings.
44. Student had, at one time, been temporarily suspended from the use of the regular general education school bus at his current placement due to his own misbehavior, but he was allowed to return to the bus after that short suspension. Dr. Splane agreed that, based on Parent’s newly expressed transportation concern, the school would provide transportation by way of a special education bus for Student. The bus would pick up Student at his home and return him to his home. The driver of this bus will be properly trained in addressing special education needs of passengers on this bus, unlike the general education bus drivers. Dr. Splane credibly testified that the smaller structure in the special education bus is similar to the smaller structure in the county office of education therapeutic special day class and that if Student was found to need an aid on the bus, the District would provide that as a related service.
45. The evidence established that Blossom has all of the behavior and academic components necessary for Student to achieve his educational goals. This placement has a therapy component with a therapist inside the classroom, as well as a separate office for individual therapy to be provided onsite. The therapist integrates himself into the classroom setting on an as-needed basis. Student would receive constant ongoing academic support. Currently, Student is underdeveloped in the way he copes with stressors throughout the school day and Student’s outbursts come without predictors, so it is important that someone is there throughout the day, at a moment’s notice, to be able to intervene.
46. Student’s only challenge to the District’s offer of the county office of education therapeutic special day class was that the District did not make a written offer specifically identifying the name of this placement to be Blossom. The District did discuss, at the IEP meetings, the offer of placement at the county office of education therapeutic special day class, sufficiently identifying it as Blossom, and made a formal written offer at the February 2010 IEP meeting. The District established that the county office of education therapeutic special day class would provide Student meaningful educational benefit in the least restrictive environment that he is unable to receive at his present placement. Therefore, the District’s January 12, 2010 and February 4, 2010 written IEP offer of placement of a county office of education therapeutic special day class constituted a FAPE.
7. As set forth in Factual Findings 2-6, 8-23, 25-33, 37, and 39-46, as well as Legal Conclusions 4-6, District’s offer of placement in the county office of education therapeutic special day class provided Student with a FAPE in the least restrictive environment. The District’s offer of the county office of education therapeutic special day class sufficiently identified the specific program being offered.
The January 12, 2010 IEP and the amendments of February 4, 2010, offered Student a FAPE. District shall provide transportation services utilizing a special education bus to and from school.
Education Code section 56507, subdivision (d), requires that the hearing decision indicate the extent to which each party has prevailed on each issue heard and decided. District prevailed on the sole issue heard and decided. | 2019-04-19T11:07:09Z | https://www.californiaspecialedlaw.com/wiki/hearing-decisions/oah-2010030357-corrected/ |
With old color movie film (all but Kodachrome) you can choose to have us process it the safest way possible i.e. into a B&W negative – or into color. About 15 to 20 percent of long-expired films processed into color will actually have decent color quality. Most of the others (processed into color) will turn out as recognizable, though will likely have little color fidelity remaining. Some though, will be blank when we could have salvaged an image if we’d processed into B&W. If salvaging an image from these films is the most important factor and you want to play it safe, then choose the B&W negative option. If color is important to you and you’re ok with taking some risks, choose the color option.
Film stored in a cool place is much more likely to come out well in color than film stored in a hot or warm place. If you know your film was stored in a hot attic, garage or storage facility, then definitely opt for B&W. If the film was stored in a cool basement then you’re fairly safe to opt for color, though the color may still be poor.
We give you enough resolution to do a snapshot sized print and if the film is in good shape, your print will look good too. These images are more highly compressed and have a much smaller pixel dimension than what you will receive if you order an image from the cart (optional step 2) for 99 cents. If you have important images, we do recommend you add them to the cart to get the higher quality version of the picture. Though not always a night and day difference, with less compression and more resolution the image will certainly look better if you’re viewing it full screen on your computer or doing any print larger than 4 x 6. Our idea is that this works as a sort of insurance policy for people that either don’t know what is on their film or the condition of the film. Clients with pictures that are important to them might pay more than clients with pictures that aren’t.
These Kodakcolor negatives were processed in the 1970s by the Kodak Company. We believe because Kodak was using a proper stabilizer, the negatives have stood up quite well over time. They are a nice warm orange color in the highlights and a deep tawny brown color in the dark areas of the film.
Negatives in this condition will scan much better and are less likely to need Photoshop editing than the pictures on the right. This is the exact same brand of film from the same client and of the same time period as the film pictured on the left. We believe that the less reputable photo finishers were simply skipping the stabilizer step at the end of the process, leaving the negatives to fade much more quickly over time.
Negatives that have faded to this purple color will benefit greatly from color correction in Photoshop.
Q?What is film acceleration and why and when do we do it.
This is an example of an accelerated film.
In this case it is a Kodacolor-X roll film from the late 1960s. What you see in the upper image is the film processed into a B&W negative – the safest way to process most outdated color film (one exception is Kodachrome which is only available to be processed into B&W). We determined that the B&W version of the negative was in pretty good condition. A “security” scan was made of all of the pictures on the roll. Then we ran the film through a further process known as film acceleration, to bring the negative into color, as you see in the lower image. Not only did we get color, but by doing this additional process, we ended up with a higher contrast version than if we had gone straight to color (without the initial b&w processing step).
In the above case, the B&W version of the picture is clearer, more like a new B&W film. The color version has appealing aspects to it for some people. We let you decide whether trying to get color results is important to you.
Is it worthwhile asking us to accelerate your film?
In section 3 of our order form you have the following options for most of your color film.
Process into B&W first, do a security scan and then when “reasonable” accelerate into color. Add $10.00 to the usual processing fee, if applicable.
Process into B&W first, do a security scan and then reprocess into color regardless of the results in B&W. Add $10.00 to the usual processing fee, regardless of color outcome.
If you are on a budget then option one is a good choice. If color is important to you then option two is a good choice and we will only “accelerate” into color if we think there’s a decent chance of getting fair color image. Option three is for those that aren’t concerned about the price and want to make sure they have seen all possible options, no holds barred.
Kodachrome and B&W films can not be accelerated!
Q?What the heck is an “Master Image Sequence” and why is it important?
You will notice that all our transfers come with a high definition “Master Image Sequence”. The “Master Image Sequence” is a very high quality version of your film greatly exceeding the quality of what is possible on DVD and also above and beyond most digital video file types designed for viewing or editing. Essentially it is each and every frame of your movie preserved as a high resolution jpeg or tiff photograph — in the movie industry it is also called a “numbered image sequence”. When DVD is as dead and gone as Betamax, you will be able to make very high quality copies from your archive copy to whatever the current media is. It’s an insurance policy against obsolescence.
Please Note: We will require a hard drive to put your master image sequence on because the files are very large. We will advise you on what size of drive you will need to provide. Please make sure you send us a large enough drive! Alternately, we can supply an appropriate new drive for you. You do have the option of not taking the master image sequence version of your film but in good conscience, we can’t advise it.
Q?What do I need to know about your print scanning service?
Often in a family archive there will be negatives and prints that were made from those negatives. When scanning we will scan all of the film first before we start scanning prints. If we recognize that we are scanning prints of images that have already been scanned from the film we will avoid doing these but these can very easily be overlooked in which case you would be charged for the scanning of both versions. A good approach would be to first send us your film to scan and once returned to you, you can sort out the prints that don’t and do need to be scanned. Scans made from the negative will be higher quality than those made from the prints.
We don’t use bulk print scanners such as are used with most “shoebox” scanning services. We considered doing our print scanning by this method but upon further research we realized the quality wouldn’t be up to the quality of our film scans. To add to that, other better scanning companies were abandoning the service due to quality issues. We are using a top end flatbed scanner and each print must be loaded and previewed before scanning. These are not unattended scans where a large stack of prints are dropped into a feeder and left unattended.
Q?What is done for dust and scratch removal with your scanning service.
Color film images take advantage of Fuji’s Image Intelligence dust and scratch removal. Because hardware based dust and scratch removal such as Image Intelligence and Digital Ice only works with color images, B&W images and prints are receive electronic anti static dust removal and are blown with compressed air before scanning. If you opt for our scanning with Photoshop service, some additional dust and scratch removal is done by hand in Photoshop.
Q?What resolution are scans made at with your scanning service?
Unlike most other scanning services, we don’t offer a myriad of confusing scan resolutions at different prices. We simply give you a large enough scan from whatever format of film you give us to make a high quality large blow up print of your images. This providing the orignal integrity of your image lends itself to this. We provide large enough scans for virtually all practical purposes. For those that would like to know what resolution we scan at please see the chart below.
Scan resolution for all film formats listed in our prices will allow for at very least a 20 inch blow up (3600 pixels) on the short dimension of the frame. A square frame can be enlarged to 20 x 20 print with no digital artifacting and a rectangular 3:2 aspect ratio picture (35mm) to a 20 by 30 print. This is enough resolution for virtually all practical purposes. Print scans are done at 600 dpi allowing for more than 2 times the enlargement size of the original print, although – scans from prints are not optimal for blow ups. When possible provide the negative the print was made from as a higher quality scan is possible from the negative.
* Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland,France (including Corsica and Monaco), Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, channel Islands, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), Romania, Russia (includingAsian part), San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Balearic Islands, excluding Canary Islands), Czech Republic, Turkey (including Asianpart), Vatican City, United Kingdom, Belarus, Sweden, Switzerland.
** Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark (excl. Faroe Islands and Greenland), Germany, France (incl. Corsica and Monaco), Italy (excl. San Marino and Vatican City), Austria, Spain (incl. Balearic Islands, excludingCanary Islands), United Kingdom (excl. Gibraltar and Channel Islands), Sweden.
With packages larger than 2 Kg at shipping cost plus €5 handling.
Q?Can I pay by check?
We do not accept payment by check or post office money order for still film developing services because final prices are variable (depending on the number of images that turn out, how many images you may order, or if your film turns out at all).
We accept payment by MasterCard,Visa or Paypal.
We will accept payment by check or post office money order for other services up to a maximum of $100 USD, only if a final price can be predetermined. No refunds will be made for amounts less than $5.
Q?What should I know about paying by credit card?
All credit card transactions originate from our lab, which is located in Saskatchewan, Canada. Some financial institutions in the USA will charge an “international transaction” service fee, even though we bill in US funds and foreign exchange rates are not involved. These service fees are not something we charge or have any control over; they are completely at the discretion of your financial institution. If you are unsure of your Mastercard or Visa card issuer’s policy on transactions originating in Canada, or whether transactions outside of the USA are even allowed, please contact them before you send your film to us.
Q?I Have Expired Film…Do I Need Your Service?
Color film that is less than 5 years past its best before date and has been stored in excessive heat: you should be able to drop off any local photo finishers with a good reputation and get at least some OK prints.
Color film 5 to 10 years beyond the “process before” date that has not been stored in excessive heat: if it is important to you, then send it to us. If you are simply curious what is on the film, normal processing will likely give you fully recognizable though possibly poor quality images.
B&W film in cassettes (126/35mm) approximately 20 years beyond its “process before” date would best be sent to us or someone with an understanding of how to process a film to its highest possible contrast.
B&W roll film (120/620) approximately 30 years beyond its “process before” date would best be sent to us or someone with an understanding of how to process a film to its highest possible contrast.
Color film that has been in excessive heat over an extended period (i.e. a film left in a car parked outside for an entire summer season): if it is important to you, then send it to us. If you are simply curious what is on the film, normal processing will likely give you recognizable though poor quality images.
Q?What Type of Film Does Film Rescue Process and what can I expect?
At Film Rescue we process any and all old, expired, deleted and antiquated films. It’s what we do.
If you approach us with a film that is a current process we will first determine from you whether you need us or not. Most films that are only expired by 5 or 6 years or so will come out ok processed by a reputable local provider. If your film is older than this we will want to have a conversation on exactly what you have, how important it is to you and how you think it was stored. With this information we can normally give some useful guidance on how you might want to proceed. We honestly don’t want to be selling our premium service to people that don’t need us.
Our lab notes which give us guidance on the best way to process a given film has a database with an excess of 350 unique film types. The following is a list of the most common films that we develop on a regular basis.
Following the film is a percentage of this type of film that comes out as recognizable and the quality trend for that film. Keep in mind, the quality trend is only a trend – some will be better and some worse.
Very Poor — You can for the most part make out what is on the film but identifying people can be a challenge.
Poor — You can easily identify people and places but the images are very harsh and grainy.
Fair — Pictures are clear and easy to look at but not perfect. They may be lower contrast and have problems with blemishes and edge fogging.
Good — The pictures aren’t perfect but they are completely acceptable. They may appear grainier than a normal new film.
Very Good — Little difference between it and the quality of the pictures from a brand new film.
Q?How are your processing techniques different than a normal lab?
We keep very careful records on how a specific film is responding in a specific process. None of our processes are the same as what was originally intended for the film. All have been modified and tailored to our past experience with each film type, brand and format. The original process is not at all appropriate for salvaging images from long expired film.
In order to salvage the best possible image from a film, many of these processes result in a Black & White image even though it may be a color film. In our opinion it is better to get a higher quality image in Black & White than a lower one in color or alternately to get something recognizable in Black & White than nothing in color.
Cycle turnaround time may be as short as 8 weeks and as long 12 weeks during a particularly busy cycle.
Unlike a conventional processing lab that may have one or two large-volume processes under their roof, we have 12 small-volume processes. This creates the need to complete one process before we move onto another, mixing chemical and preparing for each before we move to the next. It is not until all the film is developed that scanning and transferring begins. Once that step is complete, the digital work is done and then the uploading begins. Please do not wait until near the beginning of a cycle to send us your film. This not only slows down the lengthy administration process that at the beginning of each cycle (thus, ultimately slowing down our turn-around time) but you also risk missing the cycle cutoff altogether.
Doing this well and properly at a reasonable price takes time. We encourage you to have a look at and consider others offering a similar service.
Q?Do you offer rush processing?
Rushes and unique set ups are not encouraged but are available. Unlike a conventional photo lab that deals with larger volumes of a single film format of only one process type, Film Rescue is processing smaller volumes of film, multiple formats and has 12 unique processes. This creates the need to process in batches — first completing the processing of all film in house before moving onto scanning and transferring. To break from this cycle is not always possible please contact us if you wish to arrange for rush processing.
All other services – We do our best to accommodate when possible with no extra charges – please enquire.
Q?I want to shop around – who else is doing this type of work?
Q?Do you return spools, boxes or cassettes?
We are happy to return film spools and cassettes that are identical in their function. For instance…if you send us a 127 spool we will send you a 127 spool back. We will try to get your original film spools and/or cassettes back to you but this is not guaranteed. We have found it exceedingly difficult to have a working system of keeping track of peoples film packaging while dealing with hundreds of rolls of film in the dark. A very effective system is in place for keeping track of who’s film belongs to who but within the system there is no practical way to also include the film packaging. Most often we will get you your precise packaging back but this is not guaranteed. The film spools, cassettes and boxes are of little or no monitory value.
Q?What image size do you provide if I place an on-line order?
Images delivered online are more compressed than their CD counterpart though ultimately you will see no difference.
Well…we just made up the term so I guess we can also define it. This is a picture with a pixel dimension and a level of compression that allows for fast uploading to various social media sites such as Facebook, Flickr and Twitter. They are also small enough to easily e-mail to friends and family. How large they appear on your screen is dependent on where you have your screen resolution set but they will fill one fifth to one third of your average screen. The pixel dimension for a image with a 2:3 aspect ratio (same as most 35mm film frames) is 864 x 576 pixels, for a square picture (126 and many roll films) is 705 x 705 pixels. While you might be able to squeeze an “acceptable to some” snap shot sized print out of these, they are too small for what would normally be considered enough resolution for this purpose.
Q?What is included with “hands on retouching”?
After scanning, images are adjusted for brightness and contrast, degrained and sharpened. These are the images that you will see in your gallery and that are available for free downloading as a small net sized image or to purchase as a large sized image. Some images will benefit a good deal from a more extensive hands on retouch but not most. If your picture is much lighter or darker on the edges of the frame than in the center or if the picture has a lot of pitting or dust settled into the emulsion, order the image with hands on retouching may be worth while. You can contact us specifically regarding your order if you have questions.
Q?What can I expect of images uploaded to me for downloading?
When you are ordering images from your gallery, upon checkout you will be prompted to choose either physical return of your scans i.e on cd, and/or prints or to simply download the pictures. If you choose the download option, the image sizes are more compressed than what you’d get on a cd — but there will be no additional shipping charge to pay. The pixel dimensions of your picture will be identical and the additional compression will not discernibly degrade your picture. If you choose this option, nothing is physically returned (unless you’ve indicated on your original order form for your negatives to be returned). You will receive a link from Dropbox.com where we “park” the image files for you to download. There are no additional charges from Dropbox.com for this service.
Images are 8 inches at 300 DPI on the short dimension or your frame. Example — a 35mm frame would be 8 x 12 inches at 300 DPI — a 110 frame would be 8 x 10 inches at 300 DPI. Often orders are copied to DVDs unless CDs are specifically requested. By default the images will be in the JPEG file format but PSD and TIFF are available.
Q?Do you offer “process only” for still film?
The short answer: no. In past we did offer “process only” at a discount of 10% for people who wanted to scan their own film. We have discontinued this because too often we were having films returned to us that the client was unable to scan due to the condition of the film, that we were able to scan because we are experienced in dealing with scanning very dense or faded negatives. This isn’t to say that your negative won’t be home scannable but we don’t know people capabilities and won’t be responsible for that. The savings that we were offering for “process only” we feel is easily offset by the security of having digital files of your pictures on-site here when shipping, and the fact that you get an early preview of your images in a gallery. Essentially, you can still have process only but if you are unable to scan your film when you get it back, we will have scans here already so there is no need to send anything back to us.
Here are some reasons why the scanning is often best left to us….
Some negatives are “accelerate” which means they are first processed the safest way possible into a B&W negative and then a security scan taken of those B&W images. After, many color films get reprocessed into color which sometime renders a better or more desirable color image than the B&W version of the pictures. But as often as not, the color version will be extremely faded and shifted and in these case we have safely stored the originally processed into B&W versions of the pictures for the client.
Some negatives after processing are as dense as welding glass and conventional scanners can not see through them.
Some negatives have such an extremely faint image on them they can not be recognized with the preview scan on a conventional scanner making them very difficult to locate your marquee correctly during preview. Auto frame selection will not work on these negatives. Do not assume if you don’t see images upon a quick inspection, there is nothing there.
Some films such as GAF cassettes and Triple Print blue label films are processed into an unstable reflective negative that begins fading after processing. Not only do they need to be scanned right away, they are scanned wet because the contrast on the film is much higher when wet and they can not be scanned on a normal scanner because light will not pass through them.
Q?How do you define “recognizable images”?
When we are deciding whether to scan or not scan a client’s film, we are doing a visual inspection of the processed negative. It is often difficult to tell what the final quality will be without scanning and enhancing the negative. Therefore, we’ll continue with scanning and enhancing any film that we see think we can see something on. We don’t want to be in the position of trying to make a subjective determination as to what may or may not be important to a client. One person’s trash is another’s treasure.
An image that is out of focus, double-exposed or low quality can still be recognizable.
Q?What is the “client preview” and on-line shopping cart?
Once we scanned and Photoshopped ™ all of your pictures we create a gallery on our website for your images. We then send you a link via email to your gallery where you can see your pictures and download “social media” sized images. From there, you can pick and choose the images that you want to be copied to CD and/or uploaded to you as large image files. There is no obligation to place an order and your online gallery will remain active for one full year. It is a fairly standard on-line shopping cart though the payment feature has been disabled as we will already have collected you payment details.
Q?What is the “digital fix-up” included in the base price of the still film processing service?
After scanning, images are adjusted by human eye for brightness, color (when applicable), sharpness and contrast. This work is done using the world’s standard professional photo editor Photoshop CS. The difference between this approach and the approach used by a conventional photo finisher is night and day. Most commercial high volume scanners allow only for a very simple brightness and a color adjustments. Using Photoshop CS is integral to doing this work properly.
Q?What size of still film scan do you provide?
Our scans for previously undeveloped film, result in an image that is 8 inches by 300 DPI on the short dimension or your frame. Example — a 35mm frame would be 8 x 12 inches at 300 DPI — a 110 frame would be 8 x 10 inches at 300 DPI.
Because we are so often dealing with very low contrast negatives the scans are done at a high bit rate, then adjusted for brightness and contrast before down converting to 8 bit JPEGs. This creates a smoother grain scale than would be possible had the images been adjusted for brightness and contrast at 8 bit.
Our scans for most previously developed film is 12 inches at 300 DPI on the short dimension of your frame.
Q?What are my options with EM-25 process Ektachrome 160 movie films?
These films were manufactured pre-1984 and are a minimum of 25 years beyond the process before date on the original packaging. The availability of one of the chemical components required to process these films properly into color is dwindling (worldwide). In an effort to conserve our reserve of the chemical, we have had to raise the price per roll.
If you are confident that your film has been stored consistently in cool temperatures and/or color is extremely important to you, specify that you would like color processing on our order form.
If you know that your film was not stored properly or if you are unsure of the storage conditions, the black & white negative process we offer is the safer approach to salvaging something from your film. Transfer from a negative to positive (Black and White) will allow you to view it from video.
You can tell if you have EM-25 process Ektachrome film by looking at where Ektachrome is written on the film cassette. EM-25 process film is written in white in a small blue box. With EM-26 process film Ektachrome is written in blue in a small white box or on top of yellow with a blue border around it.
Q?How will my old movie film be processed and what can I expect?
Please keep in mind that your film may be decades beyond its process before date and what we are doing here is a salvage job. We do our best to get good quality images from these very old films but the results are highly variable. The quality we get range from good to just barely discernable.
Kodachrome — Can only be processed into a black and white negative which is then transferred to a black and white positive as an AVI, MOV or DVD. There is no color processing option for this film anywhere on earth.
Ektachrome process EM-26 – By default, this is the only vintage movie film that we are processing into color. You can request on the order form that it be processed into a B&W negative instead of color if you wish to take the safest possible approach to salvaging something from the film. They almost always do turn out at least as recognizable in color but the B&W version of the image can often be better quality.
Ektachrome process EM-25 — By default this is processed into a black and white negative which is then transferred to black and white positive as an AVI, MOV or DVD. Color process is possible, if requested, but there is a $14 surcharge (for 50’) and the film is less likely to turn out. More information on EM-25 film, including identification. In color the chance of a recognizable image is about 80%, while black and white is near 100%.
All other movie film – By default these are processed into a black and white negative which is then transferred to black and white positive as an AVI, MOV or DVD. Color process is possible, if requested, but there is a $14 surcharge (for 50’) and the film is less likely to turn out. B&W film is of course processed into B&W but this has stood up much better over time than color film and if your film is less than 20 years old you may want to consider using another provider who can do it faster and at less expense.
Q?What can you tell me about your transfer?
Our 8mm and Super 8 transfers are top quality and comparable with the best transfers available. Our 16mm film transfers are of average quality and at a reasonable price. If a top quality 16mm transfer is required we are happy to give referrals.
When clients supply small reels, they are not spliced onto larger reels (which is common with most transfer providers). Each reel becomes its own chapter title or digital file. The client is encouraged to number the reels in the order they wish their film to be transferred. Chapter titles or file names up to 18 characters can be supplied with each reel as well.
With all options, film is cleaned before transfer. Cleaning will remove the worst of the dirt but usually some will still remain.
Minor damage to film is repaired without additional charge. If damage is more severe the client will be contacted and quoted as to the cost of the repair before the transfer proceeds.
Color correction is done digitally following projection/recording. Color correction is virtually frame accurate and applied when moderate to extreme color shifts occur. New corrections are not applied for minor shifts and very short scenes with any transfer option. Color correction is subjective and severely altered colors may only be able to be corrected so much. If color shift is very extreme, film can be converted to black and white.
Below are two sample frame grabs from our transfer. Keep in mind these are coming from tiny pieces of film.
Q?What’s better to transfer home movies to HD or SD?
On a frame by frame scanner, the difference between SD vs. HD is obvious. On older transfer systems in some ways the SD transfer can be more desirable because in HD you simply seem to have a more obvious grain and the softer SD transfer can seem more pleasant to look at. With a true scanner there is a bit more obvious grain as well but there is also a more obvious clarity to the image than the SD version of the same footage. It may come down to taste on some level but we have confidence that in general HD is a better way to go. Should you not like the HD version of your film transfer it can be easily down converted to SD. It doesn’t work the other way around.
Q?How should I have my film organized for transfer?
If you are requesting a DVD or a Blu-ray disc from us, the order your film is in becomes more important than if you are requesting editable computer files from us. On a DVD or Blur-ray disc, the order your film plays in is pretty much locked down to the order they are transferred in. With editable computer files you can put them into any order you like. You can do this by simply renaming the files so that your computer or smart TV plays them in the order you want or put them into a software editor, edit to your hearts content and then burn your own DVDs or Blu-ray discs. We still encourage you to number your reels in the order that you wish them transferred so you have a somewhat organized transfer.
Unlike many providers, all films are returned on their original reels and in their original boxes or cans, maintaining the integrity of your family archive.
With MOVIE FILM, when we capture it on our scanners, a very large high quality computer video file is created. To create a DVD that will play in a home DVD player, we must compress them to a fraction of their size because the amount of data a DVD can store is very limited.
With VIDEO TAPE, the bit rate we capture at is much higher than what we are able to do to a DVD with a two hour play time. While this isn’t quite a critical as it is with movie film, it’s still a real quality issue.
To add to the issues of lower quality when converting movie films and video tapes to DVD, DVD was designed by the movie industry to be hard to copy. While not impossible, doing the DVD “rip” that is required to make the copy, further degrades the image.
Even if you don’t understand the technology, it is definitely worthwhile keeping a high quality digital master for family members that do or that will. DVD is slowly becoming what VHS was in the 90s – robust computer files will remain relevant and are expandable into the future.
Q?Do I need to supply a Hard drive for my movie transfer and if so what size?
Regardless of the size of your order, if you select MOV, MP4, DNX or master image sequence, a flash drive or portable hard drive is required. We can supply a brand new drive for you (price varies) but you will likely find better pricing for the drive at a local source.
Give us a call and our transfer technician can advise you. Toll free (North America) 1-800-329-8988.
Please note: Any used drive provided to us must be reformatted and all previous data on the drive will be eliminated.
Your order will be delayed if you decide to send a drive after we are ready to begin work.
Film Rescue International reserves the right to use photographic and motion images for promotional purposes when work has been requested, completed and then not paid for after a period of one year. | 2019-04-19T22:24:41Z | https://www.filmrescue.com/faq/ |
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Wе саn basically characterize a business loam аѕ аn obligation based funding рlаn whісh happens between a business аnd a financial company ѕο thе business mіght finance іtѕ real capital intensive expenditure аnd furthermore hаνе thе capacity tο deal wіth іtѕ operational costs whісh іt mіght somehow οr another nοt bе іn a situation tο handle. In thіѕ discussion, wе аrе going tο talk аbουt ѕοmе οf thе things thаt individuals ѕhουld understand аbουt commercial lending аnd hοw thеу саn benefit frοm thіѕ service. Thе inspiration driving whу business loans аrе preferred wіth entrepreneurs іѕ thаt thеу саn give business owners different money incentives whісh саn provoke thе success οf thеіr associations. Business loans offer low-financing expenses tο associations аnd thіѕ іѕ one thе mind-blowing focal points ѕіnсе іt engages associations tο gеt thе nесеѕѕаrу funding whіlе іn thе meantime having thе ability tο maintain low overhead costs аnd thіѕ mаkеѕ іt easy tο repay thе loan іn thе mοѕt stress-free way thаt іѕ accessible. Thеу give organizations entirely adaptable repayment plans whісh hеlр thеm tο abstain frοm defaulting аnd furthermore lessen thеіr investment risk.
Othеr advantages οf commercial loans аrе thе fact thаt thеу саn bе used fοr very large sums whісh helps уουr business tο cover thе bulk οf startup loans аnd thе majority οf thеѕе loans dο nοt require аnу collateral bесаυѕе thеу аrе unsecured. It іѕ normally fitting tο gο fοr commercial loans аѕ opposed tο venture capital investments аnd thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе wіth business loans уου don’t need tο sign over a lіttlе measure οf уουr company tο thе investor ѕіnсе уου find thе opportunity tο hold total ownership οf уουr business аѕ уου continue repaying уουr loan. Fοr progressively more аbουt different types οf loans click οn thіѕ link аnd gеt thе opportunity tο view here fοr more info.
A major drawback concerning commercial lending іѕ thе fact thаt qualifying fοr thе loan саn bе quite challenging bесаυѕе іt requires ехсеllеnt business credit аnd a detailed financial report ѕhοwіng thаt уουr business hаѕ a low risk οf failure аnd thеу саn hаνе confidence іn уου paying back comfortably. Obviously, businesses саn benefit frοm business loans frοm different perspectives аnd οn thіѕ site уου саn examine dynamically here tο gеt more information. Aѕ much аѕ mοѕt οf thе businesses аrе unsecured, уου find thаt thеrе аrе sure occurrences іn whісh аn entrepreneur mіght bе аѕkеd tο give security аnd understand thаt inability tο mаkе ассυrаtе payments mау prompt уουr collateral being seized. Fοr more info οn thіѕ, уου read more here аnd take a look аt іt! now!
Whenever іt іѕ уου thаt wіll need tο hаνе a commercial loan thеn уου аrе аlѕο аblе tο find a number οf companies thаt specialize іn thіѕ one.-view here fοr more Whenever іt іѕ a business іѕ whаt уου hаνе thеn іt іѕ thіѕ οn thаt уου саn avail easily ѕіnсе іt іѕ considered tο bе a secured type οf loan.-here! It іѕ a collateral thаt уου wіll need tο provide іn thіѕ type οf loan іѕ thаt уου аrе аblе tο gеt access tο thе cash thаt уου need fοr уουr business.
Doing іt online іѕ a thing thаt уου wіll need tο dο once уου want tο avail οf a commercial loan. An easy аnd cheap process іѕ whаt уου wіll gеt wіth thіѕ one ѕіnсе аll уου need tο dο іѕ tο fill up thе forms thаt thеу need. Verifying уουr credentials іѕ a thing thаt thе loan company wіll bе doing once thеу аrе аblе tο gather аll thе information needed. Mοѕt businesses wіll require a commercial long once thеу wіll need funds fοr expansion аnd οthеr business expenses. Nο matter wіth reason thе business hаѕ fοr thе fund thаt іt іѕ thе commercial loan thаt wіll bе аblе tο provide іt fοr thеm. Yου need tο know thаt thе loanable amount thаt уου wіll gеt wіll depend οn thе market value οf thе property thаt уου wіll pledge аѕ a security. It іѕ equal tο 85% οf thе collateral thаt a business wіll gеt once thеу wіll bе opting fοr thіѕ one.
Yου need tο remember thаt thеrе аrе many loan providers thаt уου аrе аblе tο see іn thе market. It іѕ thе сοrrесt loan product thаt уου wіll gеt once уου аrе аblе іt look closer. Yου аlѕο need tο know thаt уου аrе аblе tο find a number products οn thе market wіth varying offers аnd schemes. Thіѕ іѕ due tο thе fact thаt thеrе аrе already a high competition whеn іt comes tο thіѕ one. It іѕ thе various offers thаt уου саn see іn thе market thаt аrе aimed іn providing thе different needs thаt businesses hаνе.
Bу mаkіng уουr οwn research thеn іt іѕ уου thаt wіll bе аblе tο find thе rіght deal fοr уου. Baragining οn thе interest rate іѕ a thing thаt уου wіll need tο know more аbουt ѕο thаt уου саn gеt thе lower interest rate. It іѕ financial trουblе іn thе future thаt уου аrе аblе tο avoid once уου wіll bе аblе tο consult someone thаt knows thеѕе things. It іѕ thе credibility οf уουr business thаt саn bе affected once уου wіll hаνе issues wіth thеѕе loan companies. Thе money thаt уου hаνе loaned ѕhουld always bе used tο whеrе іt іѕ intended.
Commercial loans аrе іn ѕο much demand, аnd entrepreneurs аrе applying fοr thіѕ loan a lot compared tο thе traditional loans. In order fοr уουr business tο rυn smoothly іt іѕ іmрοrtаnt fοr уου tο hаνе funds аt аll times аnd уου саn οnlу dο thаt іf уου seek fοr a loan. Thе gοοd thing іѕ thаt commercial financing loans аrе usually offered fοr different projects thаt different entrepreneurs аrе handling аt thе moment. If уου аrе applying fοr thе loan уου ѕhουld know thаt thе approval process takes less time, therefore, уου саn bе assured thаt уου wіll gеt thе amount οf money thаt уου hаd applied fοr within a short period οf time. Thеrе аrе usually ѕο many lenders іn thе industry аnd nοt аll οf thеm over commercial loans therefore іf уου want tο grow уουr business аt a fаѕt rate іt іѕ advisable fοr уου tο find a lender whο actually dοеѕ offer thіѕ type οf loan. Ensure thаt уου dο a thorough research οn various search engines origin аѕk fοr suggestions frοm уουr friends οr family members іf thеу саn suggest tο уου a gοοd lender whο іѕ usually willing tο offer page such a loan tο someone.
Convincing eyeliner tο give уου thе commercial loan іѕ usually nοt аn easy thing, аnd thаt іѕ whу уου need tο prepare уουr documents well, mаkе a рlаn thаt hаѕ details аbουt thе project аnd mаkе thе whole thing convincing ѕο thаt thе lender саn give уου thе loan. Yου аlѕο need tο ѕhοw thеm уουr cash flow assessment ѕο thаt thеу саn trust thаt уου саn bе аblе tο pay back thе money whеn thеу lend іt tο уου. Thе lender wіll check уουr credit score аnd аlѕο hοw уου pay thе loans thаt уου borrow fοr уουr business, therefore, уου need tο mаkе sure thаt everything іѕ now! perfect whеn іt comes tο thеѕе matters before уου apply fοr іt. One thing thаt уου need tο note іѕ thаt different lenders usually hаνе different interest rates; therefore, іt іѕ up tο уου tο сhοοѕе a lender whο view here fοr more уου feel thаt thеіr interests аrе nοt tοο high fοr уου. At thе еnd οf thе day іt іѕ іmрοrtаnt fοr уου tο сhοοѕе a lender thаt уου саn bе аblе tο afford paying back thе loan without experiencing аnу financial strains. If уου want уουr business tο continue running without having problems whеn іt comes tο finances, fοr example, paying уουr employees аnd stocking уουr business thіѕ wіth nеw products thеn getting a commercial loan wіll bе worth іt.
Whу Find a Gοοd Source οf Commercial Loans?
Those whο οwn thеіr οwn businesses сеrtаіnlу know thаt thе going іѕ sometimes tough, аnd thеrе аrе times whеn thеу need money thаt іѕ nοt available tο thеm. Today, уου mіght bе facing a сеrtаіn situation thаt demands уου tο come up wіth a large amount οf money, аnd іf thіѕ іѕ ѕο, thеrе іѕ nο doubt thаt уου feel very worried аbουt іt. Thе gοοd news fοr уου іѕ thаt уου саn find hеlр easily іn thе modern world οf today, аnd аll thаt уου need tο dο іѕ tο find thе best company offering commercial loans. Whеn уου find thе best company offering commercial loans, thеn, уου саn bе sure thаt уου really wіll bе аblе tο gain a lot οf benefits frοm іt, аnd аll οf thеm wіll bе ѕο satisfying tο уου.
If one іѕ аblе tο find a gοοd company offering thе best commercial loans іn thе area, one wіll bе аblе tο benefit, firstly, bесаυѕе such a loan саn bе used fοr a pressing emergency. Thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе a gοοd company wіll nοt mаkе one wait a long time before thе loan іѕ processed, approved, аnd thеn released fοr υѕе. If one іѕ facing a very urgent situation, thеn, аnd hе οr ѕhе needs thе funds rіght now, one wіll find thаt thіѕ іѕ thе best source tο gο tο bесаυѕе οf іtѕ speed οf processing loans.
Another thing thаt people саn еnјοу whеn thеу find a source οf loans lіkе thіѕ one іѕ thе benefit οf gaining flexibility tο suit thеіr needs. If уου аrе looking fοr a loan, уου first need tο bе aware οf thе interest rates thаt уου wіll bе required tο pay, mаkіng sure thаt thеу аrе nοt tοο high аnd tοο difficult tο pay back. One wіll bе excited, thеn, whеn hе οr ѕhе finds a source οf commercial loans lіkе thіѕ one, аѕ іt wіll offer one wіth very flexible repayment plans, low interest rates, аnd everything needed fοr easy repayment іn thе future.
Finding a wonderful source οf loans lіkе thіѕ іѕ аlѕο grеаt fοr уου аnd уουr business, аѕ іt means thаt іf аn opportunity comes along, уου wіll bе thе first tο grab іt. One mіght know thаt іf еνеr a grеаt opportunity comes іn business, hе οr ѕhе mυѕt grab іt rіght away, аnd іt іѕ gοοd tο know thаt thіѕ wіll bе possible whеn a source οf loans thаt promises qυісk loans аnd low interest rates іѕ found аnd applied tο.
Anу loan thаt іѕ granted tο a business organization bу a lending institution lіkе a bank іѕ referred tο аѕ a business loan. іn case уουr business іѕ nοt doing well уου ѕhουld nοt lеt іt fail bυt rаthеr уου саn consider borrowing ѕοmе money tο fund thе business. Thеrе аrе several types οf loans thаt уου саn bе аblе tο gеt frοm a lending institution іf уου аrе іn business. Yου саn take a loan tο expand уουr business οr bе іn a position tο bυу ѕοmе nеw machinery thаt wіll improve thе working condition οf уουr business. Hοwеνеr, уου mіght bе іn a circumstance whereby уου аrе nοt іn аnу case аblе tο provide ѕοmе cash fοr daily activities οr fοr paying wages. Thus уου саn take a loan tο bе аblе tο cover up ѕοmе οf thе expenses іn thе business. Hοwеνеr, уου ѕhουld see more here аbουt thеѕе commercial loans οn thе website.
In mοѕt cases a commercial loan іѕ usually considered аѕ a short term loan whereby уου аrе supposed tο repay within a maximum οf one year. Nonetheless, thіѕ саn bе determined bу thе regulations οf thе financial institution іn qυеѕtіοn ѕіnсе thеу differ hence dictated bу уουr needs уου саn always settle fοr thе one thаt favors уου. Thеrе аrе those loaning organizations thаt саn allow уου tο reestablish thе credit until уουr business balances out. Hοwеνеr, уου wіll require tο demonstrate thаt indeed уου саn bе аblе tο reimburse thе loan. Another essential thing іѕ thе security. Quite a number οf institutions саnnοt grant уου thе loan unless уου hаνе collateral. Thіѕ іѕ іn case уου аrе unable tο repay thе loan thеу wіll bе іn a position tο cover up thе loan wіth thе collateral.
Therefore prior tο borrowing money, іt wіll bе imperative tο analyze уουr business. Thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе уου mау еnd up losing уουr property іf уου аrе nοt careful. Hοwеνеr, thеrе аrе financial institutions thаt саn bе аblе tο lend уου ѕοmе money without requesting fοr collateral. Hοwеνеr уου wіll bе required tο ѕhοw thаt уου аrе nοt a bаd debtor through written documents. Thеrе аrе such a significant number οf lending organizations іn thе market, therefore, уου ought tο dependably take аѕ much time аѕ nесеѕѕаrу before уου select thе best one. Yου саn click thіѕ link now! fοr more info. regarding thеѕе diverse lending organizations. Yου wіll bе аblе tο discover more аbουt whаt thеу offer аnd thеіr terms аnd conditions. Yου wіll thеn bе аblе tο сhοοѕе thе best financial organization аftеr assessing each one οf thеm depending οn уουr needs.
It саn bе hard fοr mοѕt people tο сhοοѕе thе rіght commercial lender fοr thеm іn thе industry. Thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе thеrе аrе numerous commercial lenders іn thе market. Tο ensure thаt уου apply fοr a commercial loan wth thе best lender іn thе market, view here! Thіѕ wіll enable уου tο learn more thе efficiency οf thе commercial lender before уου commit tο using thіѕ product. It іѕ vital tο consider things lіkе thе commercial lender’s interest rate before уου mаkе уουr selection. Yου ѕhουld аѕk уουr friends tο refer уου tο a reputable commercial lender. Mаkе sure thаt уου hаνе adequate information regarding thе efficiency οf services provided bу аll thе available commercial lenders whеn mаkіng уουr selection. Therefore, take уουr time before уου dесіdе tο υѕе a given commercial lender. In thіѕ post, wе wіll address thе guidelines fοr choosing a reliable commercial lender.
First, рυt thе interest rate οf thе selected commercial lender іntο consideration. Mаkе sure thаt уου select thе lending services οf a commercial lender wіth аn interest rate thаt іѕ within уουr financial capability. Hοwеνеr, before уου consider thе interest rate οf using thе commercial lender, mаkе sure thаt уου аrе satisfied wіth thе efficiency οf thеіr lending services.
Yου ѕhουld аlѕο рυt thе experience οf thе chosen commercial lender іn mind during thе selection-mаkіng process. Mаkе sure thаt уου select a commercial lender thаt hаѕ bееn іn operation fοr thе longest period. Thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе experienced commercial lenders аrе known fοr providing efficient lending services. One οf thе best ways tο discover more аbουt thе experience οf thе chosen commercial lender іѕ tο check thеіr portfolios. Another way tο determine thе experience οf a сеrtаіn commercial lender іѕ tο consult wіth people thаt hаνе used thе commercial lender before. Onlу consider using thе lending services οf a commercial lender wіth аn experience οf аt lеаѕt seven years. It іѕ аlѕο essential tο mаkе sure thаt уου select a licensed commercial lender.
Lastly, рυt thе commercial lender’s reputation іn mind whеn mаkіng уουr dесіѕіοn. Selecting thе lending services οf a reputable commercial lender іѕ vital. Checking thіѕ link wіll give уου valuable information аbουt thе reliability οf thе selected commercial lender. Thіѕ wіll enable уου tο аbουt thе advantages аnd thе disadvantages οf using thе commercial lender before уου mаkе уουr selection. It іѕ essential tο base уουr selection οf a commercial lender οn thе experiences οf individuals thаt hаνе used thе commercial lender іn thе past. Ensure thаt уου сhοοѕе thе commercial lender wіth thе lеаѕt negative reviews.
In a case whеrе уου аrе doing a business, уου саn opt fοr a commercial loan tο fund уουr business. Thе main unique property οf commercial loans іѕ thаt thеrе interest rates аrе οftеn low. Thіѕ kind οf a loan gives уου time tο find ways thаt уου саn υѕе tο pay іt. Commercial loans allows уου dο οthеr activities apart frοm јυѕt business fοr example уου саn dο home activities using thе loan tοο. Thіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе, οftеn уου аrе given hυgе amount οf money аt once, check іt out!. Click fοr more information аbουt thе importance οf commercial loans frοm thіѕ page.
Thе interest rates fοr thе commercial loans аrе οftеn never high lіkе those уου сουld experience іn a case whеrе уου gο fοr οthеr loans. Wіth thіѕ info іn mind, уου wіll opt tο check іt out аnd gο fοr thіѕ loan now thаt уου wіll hаνе tο pay very minimal extra charges. Yου аѕ a business person уου wіll comfortably access funds thаt уου require. Commercial business loans grants уου thе ability tο gеt аll thаt whісh уου thουght wаѕ impossible tο уου аѕ a business person.
Thе second advantage іѕ thаt thе commercial loans аrе long term. Before уου аrе given thе loan, уου аrе educated οn hοw аnd whеn уου ѕhουld repay thаt given loan. In a case whеrе уου need clarifications, уου саn аѕ well contact thе bank уου need thе commercial loan frοm аnd уου wіll bе given details. Check out οn thеѕе same details аbουt thе loan аnd thе bank offering іt frοm online web pages аnd οthеr digital sources. Mοѕt commercial loans hаνе a specified time οf paying back usually 3 tο 10 years.
Another benefit wіth commercial loans іѕ thаt thеу аrе οftеn οf large amounts οf money. Yου аrе іn a better position οf doing grеаt business thаt уου hаνе always hаd a dream аbουt аnd dο personal stuffs wіth thе remaining amount. Whеrе уου аrе left wіth thе excess amount, уου саn find out οn whаt еlѕе уου саn dο bу going through different web pages frοm thе internet. Wіth thе large amount аnd thе long time уου take before paying thе loan, іt іѕ possible tο mаkе enough profit worth repaying thе commercial loan уου borrowed earlier.
Lastly, commercial loans аrе very іmрοrtаnt іn thаt thеу hаνе complete security. At nο point аrе уου аѕkеd tο deliver οthеr collateral ѕο thаt thеу саn lend уου thіѕ loan. Unlike οthеr loans, commercial loans hаνе nο connection tο уουr personal property. Using commercial loans іѕ аn effective аnd profitable way οf expanding уουr business аѕ well аѕ ensuring іtѕ success, read more here. | 2019-04-24T02:17:19Z | http://www.giaxechevrolet.net/ |
Entity Registrant Name Molecular Templates, Inc.
In process research and development.
Non cash capital lease additions to fixed assets.
Non cash deemed dividends on preferred stock.
Non cash fixed asset additions in accounts payable.
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and warrants, net.
Amount of interest costs capitalized disclosed as an adjusting item to interest costs incurred.
Molecular Templates, Inc. (the “Company” or “Molecular”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company formed in 2001, with a biologic therapeutic platform for the development of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer and other diseases, headquartered in Austin, Texas. The Company’s focus is on the research and development of therapeutic compounds for a variety of cancers. Molecular operates its business as a single segment, as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
On August 1, 2017, the Company, formerly known as Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: THLD) (“Threshold”), completed its business combination with the entity then known as Molecular Templates, Inc., a private Delaware Corporation (“Private Molecular”), in accordance with the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of March 16, 2017, by and among Threshold, Trojan Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Threshold (“Merger Sub”), and Private Molecular. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Private Molecular, with Private Molecular surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Threshold (the “Merger”) and Private Molecular changed its name to “Molecular Templates OpCo, Inc.” Also on August 1, 2017, in connection with, and prior to the completion of the Merger, Threshold effected an 11-for-1 reverse stock split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and changed its name to “Molecular Templates, Inc.” Following the completion of the Merger, the business conducted by Private Molecular became primarily the business conducted by the Company as described in the paragraph above.
These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the historical results of Private Molecular prior to the completion of the Merger, and do not include the historical results of the Company prior to the completion of the Merger. All share and per share disclosures have been adjusted to reflect the exchange of shares in the Merger, and the 11-for-1 reverse stock split of the common stock effected on August 1, 2017. Under U.S. GAAP, the Merger is treated as a “reverse merger” under the purchase method of accounting. For accounting purposes, Private Molecular is considered to have acquired Threshold. See Note 3, “Merger with Private Molecular”, for further details on the Merger and the U.S. GAAP accounting treatment.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of results for the periods presented, have been included. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year or any other interim period.
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts reported therein. A change in facts or circumstances surrounding the estimates could result in a change to estimates and impact future operating results.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared with the presumption that users of the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have read or have access to the audited consolidated financial statements for the preceding fiscal year. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, and reflect the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
Except as detailed below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 1, Summary of significant accounting policies, to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer.
The Company identifies the goods or services promised within each collaboration agreement and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct for the purpose of identifying the performance obligations in the contract. This assessment involves subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual promised goods or services and whether such are separable from the other aspects of the contractual relationship. Promised goods and services are considered distinct provided that: (i) the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and (ii) the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. In assessing whether a promised good or service is distinct, the Company considers factors such as the research, manufacturing and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner and the availability of the associated expertise in the general marketplace. If a promised good or service is not distinct, an entity is required to combine that promised good or service with other promised goods or services until it identifies a bundle of goods or services that is distinct.
The allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in proportion to their standalone selling prices is determined at contract inception. If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount, the Company estimates the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to a customer. The Company determines the amount of variable consideration by using the expected value method or the most likely amount method. The Company includes the unconstrained amount of estimated variable consideration in the transaction price. The amount included in the transaction price is the amount for which it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the estimated variable consideration included in the transaction price and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period of adjustment.
In determining the transaction price, the Company adjusts consideration for the effects of the time value of money if there is a significant benefit of financing. The Company assessed its collaboration agreements and concluded that no significant financing components were present.
If an arrangement contains customer options that allow the customer to acquire additional goods or services, including an exclusive license to the Company’s intellectual property, the goods and services underlying the customer options are evaluated to determine whether they are deemed to represent a material right. In determining whether the customer option has a material right, the Company assesses whether there is an option to acquire additional goods or services at a discount. If the customer option is determined not to represent a material right, the option is not considered to be performance obligations at the outset of the arrangement. If the customer option is determined to represent a material right, the material right is recognized as a separate performance obligation at the outset of the arrangement. The Company allocates the transaction price to material rights based on the relative standalone selling price, which is determined based on the identified discount and the probability that the customer will exercise the option. Amounts allocated to a material right are not recognized as revenue until the option is exercised.
The Company recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation as each performance obligation is satisfied over time, based on the use of an input method. Performance obligations may include research and development services to be performed by the Company on behalf of the collaboration partner. Revenue is recognized on research and development efforts as the services are performed and presented on a gross basis, since the Company is the principal.
Under collaboration agreements, the timing of revenue recognition and contract billings may differ, and result in contract assets and contract liabilities. Contract assets represent revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed under collaboration agreements and are transferred to accounts receivable when billed or billing rights become unconditional. Contract liabilities represent billings in excess of revenues recognized under collaboration agreements.
Refer to Note 4,” Research and Development Agreements”, for further details about the impact of the adoption of ASC 606.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments, long term debt and accounts receivable.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are with two major financial institutions in the United States.
The Company performs an ongoing credit evaluation of its strategic partners’ financial conditions and generally does not require collateral to secure accounts receivable from its strategic partners. The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with non-payment will be affected principally by conditions or occurrences within Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. (“Takeda”). Approximately 28% and 35% of total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, were derived from Takeda. There was $31.2 million in accounts receivable due from Takeda at September 30, 2018, which was received in October 2018. See also Note 4, “Research and Development Agreements”, regarding the collaboration agreements with Takeda.
Drug candidates developed by the Company may require approvals or clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or international regulatory agencies prior to commercial sales. There can be no assurance that the Company’s drug candidates will receive any of the required approvals or clearances. If the Company were to be denied approval or clearance or any such approval or clearance were to be delayed, it would have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, which provides principles for recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASC 606 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative adjustment to equity. The impact of the adoption of the standard to prior period amounts is discussed below in Note 4, “Research and Development Agreements”.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 requires management to record right-to-use asset and lease liability on the statement of financial position for operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018 and the modified retrospective approach is required. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard would have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures and expects the new standard to significantly increase the reported assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets.
In December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118 to address the application of GAAP in situations in which a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SEC Update)”, which amended ASC 740 to incorporate the requirements of SAB 118. There were no changes in the provisional amounts recorded by the Company at December 31, 2017 related to the Tax Act. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the Tax Act.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Stock-based Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-based Payment Accounting”, which amends the existing accounting standards for share-based payments to nonemployees. This ASU aligns much of the guidance on measuring and classifying nonemployee awards with that of awards to employees. Under the new guidance, the measurement of nonemployee equity awards is fixed on the grant date. This ASU becomes effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities will apply the ASU by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2018-07 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
On August 1, 2017, the Company, formerly known as Threshold, completed the Merger with Private Molecular, in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. Immediately upon completion of the Merger, the former stockholders of Private Molecular held a majority of the voting interest of the combined company.
Also on August 1, 2017, in connection with, and prior to the completion of, the Merger, Threshold effected a Reverse Stock Split and changed its name from “Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.” to “Molecular Templates, Inc.” Under the terms of the Merger, at the effective time of the Merger, the Company issued shares of its common stock to Private Molecular stockholders, at an exchange ratio of 7.7844 shares of common stock (the “Exchange Ratio”), after taking into account the Reverse Stock Split, in exchange for each share of Private Molecular common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger. Immediately following the closing of the Merger on August 1, 2017, the former Threshold stockholders owned approximately 34.4% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company and the former Private Molecular stockholders owned approximately 65.6% of the shares of common stock of the Company, subject to adjustments in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
All Private Molecular stock options granted under the Private Molecular stock option plan (whether or not then exercisable) outstanding prior to the effective time of the Merger were exchanged for options to purchase the Company’s common stock. All outstanding and unexercised Private Molecular stock options assumed by the Company may be exercised solely for shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to each Private Molecular stock option assumed by the Company was determined by multiplying (a) the number of shares of Private Molecular common stock that were subject to such Private Molecular stock option, as in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the merger by (b) the Exchange Ratio and dividing by 11 (to account for the Reverse Stock Split); rounding the resulting number down to the nearest whole number of shares of the Company’s common stock. The per share exercise price for the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of each Private Molecular stock option assumed by the Company was determined by dividing (a) the per share exercise price of Private Molecular common stock subject to such Private Molecular stock option, as in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, by (b) the Exchange Ratio, and multiplying by 11 (to account for the Reverse Stock Split); rounding the resulting exercise price up to the nearest whole cent. The exchange of the Private Molecular stock options for the Company’s stock options was treated as a modification of the awards.
Threshold equity awards issued and outstanding at the time of the Merger remained issued and outstanding. However, for accounting purposes, Threshold equity awards will be assumed to have been exchanged for equity awards of Private Molecular, the accounting acquirer. As of August 1, 2017, Threshold had outstanding stock options to purchase 963,681 shares of common stock, of which stock options to purchase 963,681 shares were vested and exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $33.62 per share, after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Pursuant to business combination accounting, the Company applied the acquisition method, which requires the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at fair value with limited exceptions.
Represents the number of shares of common stock of the combined company that Threshold stockholders owned as of the closing of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. As of August 1, 2017, there were 6,508,356 shares of Threshold common stock outstanding, adjusted for the 11-for-1 reverse stock split.
The fair value of Threshold common stock used in determining the purchase price was $5.94, which was derived from the $0.54 per share closing price of Threshold on August 1, 2017, the current price at the time of closing, adjusted for the 11-for-1 reverse stock split.
Because the Company is considered to be the acquirer for accounting purposes, the pre-Merger vested stock options granted by Threshold under Threshold’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan are deemed to have been exchanged for equity awards of the Company and as such the portion of the acquisition date fair value of these equity awards attributable to pre-Merger service to Threshold were accounted for as a component of the consideration transferred.
Represents the bridge loan outstanding as of the closing date of the Merger. As the receivable on Threshold’s balance sheet was settled as part of the Merger, it is deemed to be a reduction in the purchase price.
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price was allocated to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Threshold on the basis of their estimated fair values as of the transaction closing date on August 1, 2017.
The Company believes that the historical values of the Company’s current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of such items. The allocation of the purchase price is dependent on the valuation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company does not expect any further revisions to the allocation of the purchase price.
The Company used the risk adjusted discounted cash flow method to value the in-process research and development intangible asset. Under the valuation method, the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated from the in-process research and development of the acquired product candidate, evofosfamide, was determined using a discount rate of 12%, and identified projected cash flows from evofosfamide were risk adjusted to take into consideration the probabilities of moving through the various clinical stages.
Transaction costs associated with the Merger of approximately $2.0 million were included in general and administrative expense in 2017.
On March 24, 2017, the Company received $2.0 million from Threshold in the form of a promissory note at an interest rate of 1.0% per annum. The Company received an additional $2.0 million on June 1, 2017. The note was settled as part of the Merger.
The exchange of Private Molecular stock options for options to purchase Threshold common stock, as renamed Molecular, was accounted for as a modification of the awards because the legal exchange of the awards is considered a modification of Private Molecular stock options. The modification of the stock options did not result in any incremental compensation expense as the modification did not increase the fair value of the stock options.
Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, participants in Threshold’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan received accelerated vesting for all or a portion of their pre-Merger awards granted under such plan, as well as a modification of the exercise period. The Company recorded $1.2 million in stock-based compensation associated with the transaction.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, which provides principles for recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASC 606 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative adjustment to stockholders’ equity.
This impact represents the amount of revenue that would have been recognized and accounted for as unbilled revenue, during the year ended December 31, 2017.
The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in a reduction in revenues recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2018. This impact represents the amount of aggregate revenue that would have been recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2018 under Previous Guidance.
The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in a reduction in revenues recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This impact represents the amount of aggregate revenue that would have been recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 under Previous Guidance.
The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in a decrease of net loss and an increase in unbilled revenue that is included in other current assets.
December 31, 2017 balances prior to the impact related to the modified retrospective adoption of ASC 606. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $836,000 in research and development revenue that was previously included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2017. The main reason for the increase in deferred revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, is the Takeda Development and License Agreement entered into during September 2018, and the increased consideration under the Takeda Individual Project Agreement.
The performance obligations are expected to be fulfilled, and revenue fully recognized, as services are rendered. The aggregate amount of the contract price of the Company’s collaborative agreements allocated to performance obligations not yet satisfied is $33.6 million. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a cumulative catch-up adjustment to revenue of $180,000, respectively, related to a change in an estimate of the transaction price of the Takeda Individual Project Agreement.
As of September 30, 2018, the Company had receivables from customers of $31.4 million, and as of December 31, 2017, the Company had no receivables from customers.
Related Party Collaboration Agreement - Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In October 2016, Private Molecular entered into a collaboration and option agreement (the “Takeda Collaboration Agreement”) with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda (“Takeda”), to discover and develop CD38-targeting engineered toxin bodies (“ETBs”), which includes MT-4019 for evaluation by Takeda. Under the terms of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, Molecular is responsible for providing to Takeda (i) new ETBs generated using Takeda’s proprietary fully human antibodies targeting CD38 and (ii) MT-4019 for in vitro and in vivo pharmacological and anti-tumor efficacy evaluations. Private Molecular granted Takeda (1) a background intellectual property (“IP”) license during the term of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, and (2) an exclusive option during the term of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement and for a period of thirty days thereafter, to negotiate and obtain an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize any ETB that may result from this collaboration, including MT-4019.
The Company has received payments of $2.0 million in technology access fees and cost reimbursement associated with the Company’s performance obligations under the agreement.
The Company determined that the promised goods and services under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement were the background IP license, as well as the research and development services. The Company determined that there was one performance obligation, since the background IP and manufacturing were not distinct from the research and development services. Revenues are recognized over the period that the research and development services occur. The Company also concluded that, since the option for the exclusive license is deemed to be at fair value that the option does not provide the customer with a material right, and should be accounted for if and when the option is exercised. All research and development services were performed as of September 30, 2018.
During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded research and development revenue from Takeda of $0 and $648,000, respectively, under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the Company recorded research and development revenue from Takeda of $92,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. This revenue is deemed to be revenue from a related party (as discussed further in Note 5 “Related Party Transactions”).
In connection with the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, the Company entered into an Individual Project Agreement (the “Takeda Individual Project Agreement”) with Takeda in June 2018, that was subsequently amended in July 2018. Under the Takeda Individual Project Agreement, the Company is responsible to perform certain research and development services relating to Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (“CMC”) work for three potential lead ETBs targeting CD38. In consideration of these services, the Company will receive up to $2.2 million in compensation that includes an increase in transaction consideration of $1.1 million as a result of the amendment to the Takeda Individual Project Agreement in July 2018.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized research and development revenue from Takeda of $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, under the Takeda Individual Project Agreement. No revenue was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 since the agreement was not in place. As of September 30, 2018, $1.2 million was due from Takeda under the Development and License Agreement.
On September 18, 2018, the Company entered into a Development and License Agreement with Takeda (“Takeda Development and License Agreement”) for the development and commercialization of products incorporating or comprised of one or more CD38 SLT-A fusion proteins (“Licensed Products”) for the treatment of patients with diseases such as multiple myeloma.
Pursuant the Takeda Development and License Agreement Takeda made an upfront payment of $30.0 million to the Company in October 2018.
The Takeda Development and License Agreement also provides for development costs to be shared equally between the Company and Takeda during the Early Stage Development Period. The Company has an option to opt into co-development after the Early Stage Development, that would make the Company eligible to potentially receive higher milestone payments and a higher royalty percentage.
In addition to the upfront fee, if the Company exercises its co-development option and funds its share of development costs, it is eligible to receive pre-clinical and clinical development milestone payments of up to $307.5 million, upon the achievement of certain development milestones and regulatory approvals; and sales milestone payments of up to $325.0 million, upon the achievement of certain sales milestone events. If the Company does not exercise its co-development option, it is eligible to receive development milestone payments of up to $162.5 million upon the achievement of certain development milestones and regulatory approvals; and sales milestone payments of up to $175.0 million upon the achievement of certain sales milestone events. The Company will also be entitled to receive tiered royalties, subject to certain reductions, as percentages of annual aggregate net sales, if any, of Licensed Products. The royalty percentages would range from low double-digits to low twenties if the Company exercises its option to co-develop, and from high-single digits to low teens if the Company does not exercise its option to co-develop.
The Company identified one performance obligation at the inception of the Takeda Development and License Agreement, the research and development services for the CD38 ETBs, including manufacturing. The Company determined that research, development and commercialization license and the participation in the committee meetings are not distinct from the research and development services and therefore those promised services were combined into one combined performance obligation.
The total transaction price of $29.3 million, consisting of the (1) $30.0 million upfront payment, (2) a $10.0 million development milestone payment that is deemed probable of being achieved, (3) minus $10.7 million in expected co-share payment payable to Takeda during Early Stage Development. The expected co-share payment is considered variable consideration, and the Company applied a constraint using the expected value method. Significant judgement was involved in determining transaction consideration, including the determination of the variable consideration, including the constraint on consideration.
The Company determined that the initial $10.0 million potential development milestone payment under the Development and License Agreement is probable of being achieved. Therefore, this payment was included in the transaction consideration. As of September 30, 2018, the other potential development milestones and sales milestones are not currently deemed probable of being achieved, as they are dependent on factors outside the Company’s control. Therefore, these future development milestones and sales-based milestone payments have been fully constrained and are not included in the transaction price as of September 30, 2018.
The Company recognizes revenue using a cost-based input measure. In applying the cost-based input method of revenue recognition, the Company used actual costs incurred relative to budgeted costs expected to be incurred for the combined performance obligation. These costs consist primarily of internal employee efforts and third-party contract costs. Revenue is recognized based on actual costs incurred as a percentage of total budgeted costs as the Company completes its performance obligation over the estimated service period.
The Company recognized revenue of $253,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, related to the Takeda Development and License Agreement. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded no research and development revenue under the Development Agreement, since the agreement was not in place. As of September 30, 2018, deferred revenue related to the performance obligation was $28.8 million. As of September 30, 2018, $30.0 million was due from Takeda under the Development and License Agreement, that the Company received in October 2018.
In June 2017, Private Molecular entered into a Multi-Target Collaboration and License Agreement with Takeda (“Takeda Multi-Target Agreement”) in which Molecular agreed to collaborate with Takeda to identify and generate ETBs, against two targets designated by Takeda. Takeda designated certain targets of interest as the focus of the research. Each party granted to the other nonexclusive rights in its intellectual property for purposes of the conduct of the research, and Private Molecular agreed to work exclusively with Takeda with respect to the designated targets.
Under the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement, Takeda has an option during an option period to obtain an exclusive license under the Company’s intellectual property to develop, manufacture, commercialize and otherwise exploit ETBs against the designated targets. The option period for each target ends three months after the completion of the evaluation of such designated target. Under the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement, both parties have the right to terminate the agreement, with a specified notice period.
The Company received an upfront fee of $1.0 million and an additional $2.0 million following the designation of each of the two targets in December 2017. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has received $5.0 million from Takeda pursuant to the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement.
The Company may also receive an additional $25.0 million in aggregate through the exercise of the option to license ETBs. Additionally, the Company may also be entitled to receive clinical development milestone payments of up to approximately $397.0 million, for achievement of development milestones and regulatory approval of collaboration products under the Takeda Development Agreement. The Company may also be entitled to receive commercial milestone payments of up to $150.0 million, for achievement of pre-specified sales milestones related to net sales of all collaboration products under the Takeda Development Agreement. The Company is also entitled to tiered royalty payments of a mid-single to low-double digit percentage of net sales of any licensed ETBs, subject to certain reductions. Finally, the Company is entitled to receive up to $10.0 million in certain contingency fees.
The Takeda Multi-Target Agreement will expire on the expiration of the option period (within three months after the completion of the evaluation of each designated target) for the designated targets if Takeda does not exercise its options, or, following exercise of the option, on the later of the expiration of patent rights claiming the licensed ETB or ten years from first commercial sale of a licensed ETB. The Takeda Multi-Target Agreement may be sooner terminated by Takeda for convenience or upon a material change of control, or by either party for an uncured material breach of the agreement.
The Company evaluated the contract termination clause and concluded that it was a non-substantive termination provision. As such, an initial contract term was defined as the length of the termination notice period, with a deemed renewal option to continue the research and development services over the remainder of the contract term as a material right.
The Company determined that the promised goods and services under the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement were the background IP license, the research and development services, and manufacturing during the initial contract period; and a renewal option to continue the research and development services. The Company determined that there were two performance obligations; research and development services, and the renewal options. Since the background IP and manufacturing were not distinct from the research and development services, they were deemed to be one performance obligation. Transaction consideration was allocated to each of the performance obligation using an estimate of the standalone selling price, and revenues are recognized over the period that the research and development services occur. The Company also concluded that, since the option for the exclusive license is deemed to be at fair value that the option does not provide the customer with a material right, and should be accounted for if and when the option is exercised.
In connection with the execution of the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement, Takeda also entered into a stock purchase agreement with the Company (“Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Takeda purchased approximately $20.0 million of shares of the Company’s common stock following the Merger. See Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity” for further details. Since the Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement was dependent on contingent events, the Company determined that the transaction was constrained, and not a performance obligation under the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement. The Company accounted for the stock purchase agreement in August 2017, once the constraints were removed, and recorded the $20.0 million in equity upon the settlement of the stock purchase transaction.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $415,000 and $755,000, respectively, in research and development revenue under the Multi-Target Takeda Agreement. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded no research and development revenue under the Multi-Target Takeda Agreement, since the agreement had not been entered into.
In September 2016, Private Molecular entered into a collaboration agreement with an undisclosed pharmaceutical company (“Other Collaboration Agreement”) to generate ETBs, for evaluation for consideration of $500,000. Under the terms of the Other Collaboration Agreement, Private Molecular was responsible for providing to the customer (i) new ETBs generated using the customer’s materials and (ii) ETB study molecules for testing and evaluation.
The customer also exercised an option under the Other Collaboration Agreement in November 2017, for the manufacture of additional quantities of ETB molecules, for additional consideration of $250,000, upon delivery and acceptance of the additional materials.
The Company determined that at the inception of the agreement, the promised goods and services under the Other Collaboration Agreement were, the research and development services, and manufacturing. The Company determined that there was one performance obligation, since the manufacturing was not distinct from the research and development services. Revenues are recognized over the period that the research and development services occur using an input method to measure progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation. The option for additional ETB molecules was determined to be at fair value and was accounted for once the option was exercised. All research and development services were performed as of September 30, 2018.
During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $117,000 and zero in research and development revenue under the Other Collaboration Agreement, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $196,000 and $500,000 in research and development revenue under the Other Collaboration Agreement, respectively.
The Company receives funds from a state grant funding program, which is a conditional cost reimbursement grant, and revenue is recognized as allowable costs are paid.
In November 2011, Private Molecular was awarded a $10.6 million product development grant from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (“CPRIT”) for its CD20-targeting ETB MT-3724. To date, Private Molecular has received $9.5 million in grant funds.
On September 18, 2018, the Company entered into a Cancer Research Grant Contract (the “CPRIT Agreement”) with CPRIT, in connection with a grant of approximately $15.2 million awarded by CPRIT to the Company to fund research of a cancer therapy involving a CD38 targeting ETB. Pursuant to the CPRIT Agreement, the Company may also use such funds to develop a replacement CD38 targeting ETB, with or without a partner.
During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $4.7 million and zero in grant revenue under these awards, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $5.4 million and $167,000 in grant revenue under these awards, respectively. Amounts collected in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
In connection with and immediately following the transactions consummated pursuant to the Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement described in Note 4, “Research and Development Agreements”, Takeda became a related party. Refer to Note 4, “Research and Development Agreements” for more details about the Takeda Development and License Agreement, Takeda Collaboration Agreement, Takeda Individual Project Agreement, and the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement. Refer to Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity”, for more detail about the Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement.
Following the Private Placement described in Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity” below, Longitude Venture Partner III, L.P. (“Longitude”) and CDK Associates, L.L.C. (“CDK”) became related parties, with Longitude and CDK beneficially owning 15.3% and 4.99% of the Company, respectively, following investments of $20.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The ownership of CDK is subject to a 4.99% ownership blocker, pursuant to which shares of the Company’s common stock may not be issued pursuant to the warrant held by CDK to the extent that the issuance of the common stock subject to such issuance would cause CDK to beneficially own more than 4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Scott Morenstein, a director of the Company is a Managing Director of Caxton Alternative Management LP, the investment manager of CDK. David Hirsch, a director of the Company, is a member of Longitude Capital Partners III, LLC, the general partner of Longitude. Furthermore, Kevin Lalande, a director of the Company is affiliated with Sante Health Ventures I, L.P. and Sante Heath Ventures Annex Fund, L.P., which are both stockholders of the Company and were investors in the Private Placement. Finally, Excel Venture Fund II, L.P., a stockholder of the Company beneficially owning greater than 5% of the Company, invested approximately $333,000 in the Private Placement.
Following the Public Offering described in Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity” below, BVF Partners L.P. (“BVF”) became a related party, owning 7.6% of the Company, following investments of $15.3 million.
BVF is not affiliated with any director or executive officer of the Company. Longitude Venture Partners III, L.P. and CDK, current stockholders of the Company, purchased 365,000 and 545,454 shares of common stock, respectively, in the Public Offering at the public offering price. Scott Morenstein, a director of the Company is a Managing Director of Caxton Alternative Management LP, the investment manager of CDK. David Hirsch, a director of the Company, is a member of Longitude Capital Partners III, LLC, the general partner of Longitude.
Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. For Level 2 securities that have market prices from multiples sources, a “consensus price” or a weighted average price for each of these securities can be derived from a distribution-curve-based algorithm which includes market prices obtained from a variety of industrial standard data providers (e.g. Bloomberg), security master files from large financial institutions, and other third-party sources. Level 2 securities with short maturities and infrequent secondary market trades are typically priced using mathematical calculations adjusted for observable inputs when available.
There were no realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company determined the fair value of the liability associated with its 2017 Warrants to purchase in aggregate 377,273 shares of outstanding common stock using a Black-Scholes Model. See detailed discussion in Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity”.
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 the fair value of the long-term debt, payable in installments through years ended 2022 and 2019, respectively, approximated its carrying value of $3.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, because it is carried at a market observable interest rate, which are considered Level 2.
In April 2014, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) that was subsequently amended, to provide for (1) growth capital advances to the Company of up to $6.0 million over three tranches based on corporate milestones; (2) term loans of up to $6.0 million in the aggregate (the “Growth Capital Loan”); (3) warrants to purchase 48,874 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.07 per share; and (4) a final fee of $375,000 due at the loan maturity date in addition to the principal and interest payments.
The Company drew down $0.8 million and $2.3 million in May and June 2015, respectively, and issued warrants to purchase 14,254 and 17,310 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.07 per share. The Company drew down $3.0 million in April 2016 and issued warrants to purchase 17,310 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.07 per share. The warrants issued in the Loan Agreement became exercisable upon issuance and were converted into common stock upon the closing of the Merger.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had received $6.0 million in the aggregate from the Growth Capital Loan. The Company was required to repay the outstanding principal in 30 equal installments beginning November 1, 2016 and was due in full on April 30, 2019. Interest accrued at a rate of 1.19% above prime, or 5.44% per annum, as of December 31, 2017. Interest only payments were made monthly and beginning November 1, 2016, the Company paid the first of 30 consecutive equal monthly payments of principal plus interest.
The Company paid down the Growth Capital Loan on February 27, 2018, from the proceeds of the Perceptive Credit Facility, discussed below. Until the termination of the Growth Capital Loan on February 27, 2018, the Company paid $3.2 million in principal, $375,000 in a final fee, and $42,000 in interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $1.8 million in principal and $187,000 in interest in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
As of September 30, 2018 the Growth Capital Loan had been repaid, and the balance was zero. As of December 31, 2017, the Growth Capital Loan principal balance was 3.5 million.
On February 27, 2018, the Company entered into a term loan facility with Perceptive Credit Holdings II, LP (“Perceptive”) in the amount of $10.0 million (the “Perceptive Credit Facility”). The Perceptive Credit Facility consists of a $5.0 million term loan, which was drawn on the effective date of the Perceptive Credit Facility, and an additional $5.0 million term loan to be drawn six months following the effective date of the Perceptive Credit Facility (as discussed above). The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the Perceptive Credit Facility to pay off the existing debt facility with SVB. Borrowings under the Perceptive Credit Facility are secured by all of the property and assets of the Company. The principal on the facility accrues interest at an annual rate equal to a three-month LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin. The Applicable Margin is 11.00%. Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an event of default, the Applicable Margin, defined above, will be increased by 4.00% per annum. The interest rate at September 30, 2018 was 13.3%. Payments for the first 24 months are interest only and are paid quarterly. After the second anniversary of the closing date of the Perceptive Credit Facility, principal payments of $200,000 are due each calendar quarter, with a final payment of $3.4 million due on February 27, 2022. This term loan facility matures on February 27, 2022 and includes both financial and non-financial covenants, including a minimum cash balance requirement. The Company is required to pay an exit fee of $100,000 on a pro rata basis on the maturity date or the earlier date of repayment of the term loans in full. The exit fee is being accreted to interest expense over the term of the Perceptive Credit Facility using the effective interest method.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $170,000 of interest expense and $65,000 of amortization of debt discount related to the Perceptive Credit Facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $398,000 of interest expense and $146,000 of amortization of debt discount related to the Perceptive Credit Facility. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not incur any interest expense related to the Perceptive Credit Facility, since the facility was not in place at that time.
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 the Perceptive Credit Facility principal balance was $5.0 million and zero, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the non-financial covenants of the Perceptive Credit Facility.
The Company is obligated under operating lease agreements covering the Company’s office facilities in Austin, Texas and Jersey City, New Jersey. Facilities expense under the operating leases was approximately $378,000 and $182,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.0 million and $387,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements, services to be provided by or on behalf of the Company, or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers and employees that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors, officers or employees. The Company maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify its directors and certain of its officers and employees, and former officers and directors in certain circumstances. The Company maintains product liability insurance and comprehensive general liability insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its indemnification obligations. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of exposure under these indemnification obligations due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular indemnification obligation. Such indemnification obligations may not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Management is not currently aware of any matters that could have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
On August 1, 2017, the Company entered into the a securities purchase agreement with Longitude Venture Partners III, L.P. and certain other accredited investors (the “Longitude Securities Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 5,793,063 units (the “Units”) accredited investors having an aggregate purchase price of $40.0 million, each such Unit consisting of (i) one (1) share (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock and (ii) a warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to purchase 0.5 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement was pursuant to equity commitment letter agreements entered into by and between the Company and investors in March and June 2017. The purchase price per Unit was $6.9048. The Warrants are exercisable for a period of seven years from the date of their issuance at a per-share exercise price of $6.8423 (which exercise price shall be payable in cash or through a cashless exercise mechanic), subject to certain adjustments as specified in the Warrants. At September 30, 2018, there were warrants outstanding under the Longitude Securities Purchase Agreement to purchase 2,896,532 shares of common stock. At the time of issuance and as of September 30, 2018, the warrants met the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (ASC 815), and the value of these warrants is included in additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet. The Private Placement Warrants are exercisable upon issuance and expire August 1, 2024. The Company will continue to evaluate equity classification on a quarterly basis.
In December 2015, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Wedbush Agreement”) with Wedbush Securities Inc. (“Wedbush”), which was subsequently amended in December of 2017, related to Wedbush’s services associated with the equity financing under the Longitude Securities Purchase Agreement. As part of the Wedbush Agreement, the Company issued to Wedbush warrants to purchase 57,930 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Wedbush Warrants”). The Wedbush Warrants are exercisable for a period of seven years from the date of their issuance at a per-share exercise price of $6.8423 (which exercise price shall be payable in cash or through a cashless exercise mechanic), subject to certain adjustments as specified in the Wedbush Warrants. At September 30, 2018, there were warrants outstanding under the Wedbush Agreement to purchase 57,930 shares of common stock. The warrants met the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, and the value of these warrants is included in additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet. The Wedbush Warrants are exercisable upon issuance and expire December 1, 2024. The Company will continue to evaluate equity classification on a quarterly basis.
In connection with the execution of the Takeda Multi-Target Agreement, Threshold and Private Molecular entered into the Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Takeda Stock Purchase Agreement, following the consummation of the Merger and the Private Placement, Takeda purchased 2,922,993 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price per share of $6.84, for an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million.
On September 25, 2018, the Company closed its underwritten public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 9,430,000 shares of its common stock, which included the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase 1,230,000 additional shares of common stock, at a price to the public of $5.50 per share. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company, were approximately $48.1 million. | 2019-04-24T00:59:08Z | http://ir.mtem.com/node/11196/xbrl-viewer |
Catharine “Cappy” Hill ’76 will be the 17th President of Williams College. You read it here first. We need (or, the powers on the search committee will argue that we need) a quick hire, known to Williams, comfortable with our culture, and experienced with both leadership and hard economic choices. Cappy Hill fits those criteria perfectly.
Quick Hire: The financial crisis makes this the most dangerous era for Williams in a generation. We need new leadership and we need it now. Although it would be nice to conduct a nationwide search lasting a year or more, perhaps installing an interim President like Carl Vogt ’58 in 1999-2000, the College lacks the luxury of time. Hard choices must be made and the earlier they are made, the less damage to Williams. Although Morty will serve as a good steward for the next 9 months, he is in no position to demand sacrifices from various stakeholders nor to make promises as to future benefits. He is a lame duck, with at least one eye focused on his responsibilities at Northwestern. So, Greg Avis ’80 (chair of the executive board of the Trustees and of the Presidential Search Committee) will want to have the job filled no later than this summer. That means a fast search, with a preference for those candidates that Williams knows well already.
Known: Members of the search committee will know Cappy as well as they know virtually any other candidate. She is a Williams alum, a former faculty member and senior administrator. She was a finalist for the presidential search in 1999 that selected Morty. She is a known quantity. Select Cappy and there will be no surprises. The biggest mistake made by the Trustees in the last 20 years was the selection of Hank Payne. They won’t make an error like that again.
Comfortable: Cappy is as comfortable with the Williams ethos as anyone can be. One son is an alumnus and another is a current student! She knows what makes Williams tick, what makes it special. She bleeds purple. And she is a golfer! The greens of Taconic are calling . . .
Leadership: If you had to design the perfect President to lead Williams through a period of economic turmoil and difficult spending cuts, you would have two conflicting goals. First, you would want someone who knew Williams inside and out, who had served as Provost (more or less the chief financial officer of Williams) for many years. Second, you would want someone with experience outside of Williams, ideally someone who had already served as a college president, someone who has insider knowledge of how another elite liberal arts college prioritized its spending, ideally a less-rich college than Williams, a place that spent fewer dollars while providing the same quality education. Unfortunately, those two qualifications are almost never found together in one person, unless that person is named Cappy Hill.
1) Williams would not steal Cappy away from Vassar. Hah! Williams stole both John Chandler and Hank Payne from Hamilton without hesitation, after only 5 years in office. Indeed, Cappy is following precisely Chandler’s path of faculty member, department chair, senior administrator and then a different college presidency for seasoning. If Williams was willing to steal Chandler and Payne, we will steal Cappy. Her short tenure (3 years as of this summer) will make Greg Avis ’80 feel guilty, but only a little. His responsibility is to Williams.
2) Williams passed over Cappy once and will do so again. Perhaps. There was something that made Williams choose Morty over Cappy and maybe that something will happen again. But I doubt it. Being runner-up to Morty is still a good showing and her winning the Vassar job means that there was nothing substantively wrong with her application.
3) Williams may want Cappy but she will turn us down. Perhaps. Chair of the Vassar Board of Trustees William Plapinger should be a nervous man. He led the search committee that selected Cappy. He would hate to lose her. If he is smart, he is calling her right now, trying to (gently) pin her down on her future plans, double-checking that her committment to Vassar is as strong now as it was three years ago. He will not want to be so crass as to demand a promise from Cappy that she will remove herself from the Williams search, but he will strongly imply that it is unfair of her to expect him (and other senior trustees) to work hard on the current capital campaign unless she is fully committed to the future of Vassar. Luckily, Cappy is smart enough to put him off.
4) Cappy is a great candidate but there are a dozen others. True! There are many good candidates (and future posts will handicap the race) but none as perfect as Cappy. In fact, I can’t come up with anyone who comes close, at least according to the criteria I outline above. (Suggestions welcome!) She is an even money bet, at worst.
Allow me to be the first to welcome her back to Williams.
Well, I imagine she would be a good choice. The fact that Williams has never had a female Pres, and that she is an alum, can only help. But I think you slightly overestimate her chances of leaving. Two years on the job is a big difference from five years on the job, especially if they are, as you say, right in the middle of a capital campaign. She may not want to be seen as leaving the school in the lurch. And it’s not as if Williams is SUCH a huge step up from Vassar — the two schools are reasonably comparable in size and reputation. Plus, there is more upside to the Vassar job — Williams is already the top liberal arts school in the country, where can you go from here, while Vassar has a great tradition and history at the top of the LA pyramid, but perhaps is not as highly-regarded as it once was, so it’s a place a President can make a huge impact. Then again, a chance to lead her alma mater is so rare and unique that folks may be more understanding of her motives.
I also note that according to her bio her husband heads a private school in NYC, which is significantly closer to Vassar than Williamstown. The paucity of comparable jobs in this area may also play a role in her decision, assuming she becomes the top choice.
Oh, and one other thing — while the appeal of an economist is self-evident in tough economic climate, the faculty as a whole, even if they like Cappy, may not be thrilled with two straight econ profs (indeed, two straight profs who focus some of their research on the same area of econ) as President — there may be an internal desire for intellectual diversity / not to be seen as overly-econ focused. Now, a desire to be led by someone they know and trust may ultimately prove to be more powerful a sentiment, but that is something else to consider.
Dave – I scooped you on this possibility days ago.
But I agree with Jeff that there are drawbacks, even if she’d want the job.
Two years on the job is a big difference from five years on the job.
Chandler/Payne only had 4 years on the job at the point they were chosen. Cappy will have served three years by next summer.
I believe that she and her husband have done the Williams/NYC dual career thing for many years.
You overestimate how much sway the faculty has in this decision. Professors on the search committee will matter, of course, but you can be sure that Avis doesn’t want to have anyone who is anti-econ. To the extent that there is a contingent on the faculty that wants a non-economist as president (and I doubt that), they won’t have a meaningful impact on the search. And most of the faculty I know seemed to like Morty’s use of data and expertise on the topic.
Again, in any search, there are a lot of moving parts and I don’t think that the odds for Cappy are any better than 50-50 right now. But they are certainly better than 1 in 5, and I can’t think of a different candidate with odds that good.
We will know a lot more in a month, when a smart reporter for the Vassar student newspaper will ask Cappy about it. If she doesn’t remove herself from consideration, her odds go up to 75% or better.
Also, I am not sure that Vassar is in a capital campaign right now. They either are or they are planning one.
DK – It’s time for you to send an assignment to the Editor-in-Chief of the Vassar student newspaper, cc’ing the Record Editor-in-Chief and the Poughkeepsie local paper. Smoke that scoop right out.
Good post. Great discussion. I think Jeffz identified the pivotal issues. Two years is a bare minimum. The change would lead undoubtedly to more separation in home life. Both excellent small LACs are roughly comparable, so its a bigger plus on the alma mater scale than as a career move. Beyond financial crisis managment, what opportunity exists to accomplish something great for Williams?
Maybe she would have the vision of something great for Williams that has not yet occurred to the rest of us. On the other hand, even making Williams more uniformly great, strengthening places that aren’t what they could be (such as the technology issues others have raised), creating a lean and efficient management structure, improving student life, etc., etc. across the board could be a proud, wonderful and fitting legacy of the next President. It doesn’t have to be buildings or flashy things.
Happy Vassar parent here… Putting aside questions of Cappy’s loyalty and commitment for the moment (although I hope they weigh heavily if she has an opportunity at Williams), I think of Vassar as a warm, calm, supportive environment without the intensity or nearly as many strivers as Williams seems to have. Vassar is a place that doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously… Mightn’t Cappy just plain be happy there?
Larry, something great that escaped the collective wisdom of Ephblog? Could such a thing be possible :)?
To address your point in another thread, I think we could have an interesting holiday break discussion, in a whole new post, about the ideal attributes / vision of a new President in the abstract, without naming any names whatsoever. If someone else doesn’t, I’ll start one of those in the next few days, and I’ll crystallize my own thoughts, already expressed in piecemeal fashion, on that topic there.
lurkingmom – As you can see, we (as alumni) are proud of her and admire her. I view Vassar as fortunate to have Cappy in the presidency there, as any school would be.
In looking at the Vassar website over the past two years to see how and what Cappy was doing, I have been struck to see that more “laid back” atmosphere you describe reflected in her announcements and other writings from the President’s office, and I’ve wondered to what extent it was the ethos of the school rubbing off on her. The irony for me is that, when one of my cousins went to Williams in the early ’60s and another to Williams, Vassar was very intense and serious, while Williams, by contrast, was rather laid back. They’ve reversed roles in a way.
I could see how she would not want to leave. Loving Williams as many of us do, we tend to feel a strong pull toward the place and to overlook both the virtues of other places and the drawbacks and challenges to trying to return to Williamstown.
Whatever happens with this (and I do think Cappy will be high on the list unless she removes her name), I hope it works well for all the institutions that may be involved.
Re #10 – Jeff, I’d really like to see that. The only problem may be timing, as I would anticipate that traffic may be way down over Christmas week. On the other hand, if we can bump the thread up a few times, we might actually have students (gasp!) participate, as I seem to remember that they drop in more often than usual during Winter Study. There was a WSO thread on the topic, but it fizzled out pretty quickly after exams were done and students were traveling instead of procrastinating – you might check it before you write your post. Thanks in advance for doing this.
I’ve undoubtedly said this elsewhere but I’d like for the new President to give the whole place a top-to-bottom review, eliminating inefficiencies and fixing nagging problems (but that would take a very skilled and patient people, as well as systems, person as there are lots of sacred beasts that would need to be slaughtered in the process).
I’m not sure if that much has changed. I’ve definitely never thought of Williams as a place that takes itself too seriously. Williams certainly takes itself much less seriously than the vast majority of its academic peers (Amherst, Swarthmore, HYP, etc).
What brand of gravit-o-meter are you using?
Institutionally, Williams seems to take itself very seriously. I’m think of the layers and layers of committees dealing with something like student life or housing. At times, there almost seems to be a wall of bureaucracy that gives the administration and student government a very formal, officious air.
hwc, I can think of a lot of ways to describe Williams. I could even find ways in which it might occasionally take itself too seriously, or more specifically, I might be inclined to say that some of it’s grads take themselves a bit too seriously, but not ever, in any way, from my first visit with my son, to the dealings I have had with the school since, would I describe Williams as having a “formal” and “officious” air.
Larry, I’ll hold off on that thread until after New Year’s so that people will be more inclined to see it; the next two weeks everyone is on the road, good point.
I think Williams does a lot of things, and has a lot of little traditional / campus flourishes, that undermine the idea that it takes itself too seriously. Starting with the campus itself, which is not a traditional brick / gothic quad-laden place that screams out to any passers by, look, this is place where serious thought happens. Rather than dripping with austerity, we have the eyes on Lawrence lawn, the ironic columns, Mission shaped like a (I formerly said eagle, now i say Rorschact test), perpetually purple Jessup, and other assorted goofiness. Our mascot is a puple cow (who is featured prominently on some admissions mailings). We have moutain day, and winter study, and the walk, and free university, and all-night trivia each semester right before finals for god’s sakes, and KAOS. Even the fonts and lists of facts and general tenor of admissions mailings give off a far more laid-back vibe than many competitors. All of those funky little Williams quirks undermine the notion that it is an overly-serious place. In fact, my sense from people like HWC was that the criticism of Williams from some quarters was that it didn’t take itself seriously enough — not enough students having deep intellectual / annoyingly pretentious (depending on how you look at it) conversations deep into the wee hours of evening, not enough students passionately engaged / being liberal posers (ditto) with off-campus social issues.
All generously overladen with an ordinarily unspoken and invisible but omnipresent attitude of arrogance (except with respect to Harvard).
I suspect it could very well be Robert Oden, president of Carleton College. Never underestimate the Fay Vincent connection.
jeffz – Is Jessup really purple? I always thought it was more of a mauve.
I see now that the story about a donor mandating that the building be painted purple, one that I repeated often as a tourguide, is in fact apocryphal. Oh well.
I’ve never said anything even remotely resembling the words you attempt to put into my mouth above.
Cappy would be an outstanding candidate but make no mistake, there is *a world* of difference between two years and four year on the job. To say the least, it would be extremely bad form to express an interest in leaving after only two years as a college or university pres. In higher ed time, that’s the corporate equivalent of four months. Yes, it does happen now and then. Most often, the pres is leaving a toxic situation of someone else’s creation—or the jump is truly meteoric. I think the pres of Iowa left for Cornell after a short tenure, probably doubling or even tripling his salary overnight–and he had some personal reasons for moving. My impression is that people feel more comfortable “jumping ship” if the originating institution is public and the reasons for departure can be attributed to politics, state budget cuts, or bad chemistry with the state coordinating board. In any case, I would not assume that there is only one eminently qualified “perfect” person to become the next president of Williams—or that only someone steeped in Williams is capable of leading Williams–or that the chair of the search would not shy away from “stealing” a president of a peer.
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I’m sick of hitting potholes and I wish the streets were in better repair so I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I eventually would like to build a completely automated pothole detection and reporting system using a microcontroller, an accelerometer and a GPS. Should this become too difficult to complete, I’ll drop the project, it’s only for fun after all.
Maybe I'm giving CalTrans too much credit, but I figure that CalTrans is probably unaware of a lot of the pot-holes that exist. How exactly would they know of one short of driving over it themselves on their way to work? Which makes me wonder. Are the roads better on the paths that CalTrans employees take to work daily?
Anyhow, I'd like to help them get a hold of the pot-hole problem.
At left is the signature of the "braille" on the center of the road by my house when driven over at 40 mph. You can easily pick out the regular peaks in the plot caused by each little braille bit. I hope to get things calibrated so that I can tell the difference between "braille" and actual pot-holes. The first order approach is simply to check the direction of the acceleration. Pot-holes are holes and road "braille" is sets of bumps. Thus, the initial acceleration due to the two should differ in sign.
Today I tried out the basics of the pothole detection setup. I wired up an accelerometer to a DAQ that plugs into my computer. I drove around and recorded bumps that I ran over with the tire my accelerometer is connected to. Above is a quick video explanation of the setup. For those of you unfamiliar with electronics, DAQ is Data Acquisition and usually refers to a device such as the blue thing in the video above. To the right is a picture of the accelerometer glued to the front right swing-arm of my Honda Civic. The white square is the sticky-pad I used to glue it down. The leads are routed back into my car and connected to the DAQ which is in turn connected to my computer. The image at top is a plot of the “brail” reflective bumps that are spaced every 15 or so yards between lanes. You’ll notice how the spikes are regularly spaced, and that after I hit six in a row, I missed two, hit one and then missed two more. These “brail” proved pretty effective as calibration bumps.
It's early May and the weather is finally cooperating with my desire to go flying. I've been telling a college buddy of mine that I'd take him flying for months and just haven't gotten around to it. Yesterday however I finally made due on a promise.
Adam Goldstein and I flew out to Las Vegas. We left Whiteman airport (WHP) at about 0800 and arrived at Boulder City Airport (BVU) about 90 minutes later. That sure as hell beats the 3+ hour drive that is more typical of a trip to Vegas. Along the way, our route took us over the BrightSource Ivanpah solar power tower construction site an we snapped some photos. Then we flew over Nevada Solar One, and a PV plant located adjacent to it and snapped some more photos.
Adam Goldstein -Looking terrified and hoping is mother never finds out about this.
When complete, the BrightSource Ivanpah facility will be the largest solar thermal power facility in the world. It has a nameplate rating of 396 MW -that's as large, or larger than many conventional coal, natural gas, or oil power plants.
Solar thermal power plants are a bit un-conventional in terms of generating solar power. When most of us think solar power, we think solar panels. Solar thermal power plants however use mirrors that reflect sunlight onto a boiler where steam is made. This steam is then passed through a conventional turbine -just as the steam made by burning fossil fuels other power plants. The only difference between the two is the source of the heat. Fossil fuel power plants burn fossil fuels, nuclear power plants use heat from fission, and solar thermal power plants use sunlight.
Unit 1 of 3 at the BrightSource Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Station.
Possibly the most amazing thing about the BrightSource Ivanpah facility is the sheer size of it. The center portion of the picture at right is where a tower will be erected. This tower will support a boiler about 400 feet off the ground. The long edges of the solar field, where the arcs are, are over a km in length. The green in the background is a golf course, and this first third of the eventual 392 MW Ivanpah facility dwarfs it.
I'm currently an employee of eSolar, technically a competitor of BrightSource's, but let's face it, a BrightSource success is a solar thermal success and good for eSolar too. Let's hope they can keep this baby on budget.
Nevada Solar One in foreground, PV facility in background.
On our way in to the Boulder City airport, we flew over Nevada Solar One -another solar thermal power plant. While still a solar-thermal power plant, the layout is different than the Ivanpah plant in that the boiler is not atop a tower. Instead, the mirrors are parabolic troughs. At the focus runs a pipe on which sunlight is concentrated. This pipe carries a heat transfer fluid that is heated and eventually used to produce steam that will pass through the steam turbine generator to make electricity. Again, the size is incredible.
After lunch in Boulder City, we flew out to the Grand Canyon. Navigating the airspace was a pain because of the number of helicopter flights from Vegas with tourists, but we made it and it was well worth it.
I wish we'd taken more photos, but truth be told, no photo could do it justice.
High Altitude Rockies just southwest of Denver, CO.
The company I work for (eSolar) sent me to AUVSI in Denver, CO to have a look at the developers of unmanned ground vehicles. Why would they do something so awesome? Well, I designed and built the autonomous cleaning vehicles for the eSolar demo power plant in Lancaster, CA. Now we’re moving past demo and prototype and we want someone to build a better one. Our expertise at eSolar is heliostats and the software that makes our fields work. We don’t really want to be in the mirror cleaning business, but we need someone to be in that business so that they can keep our mirrors clean.
Beginnings of the Grand Canyon. The muddy little river at the bottom is the mighty Colorado.
At AUVSI, I met with various manufacturers of robotic vehicles. They all had interesting stuff, but quite frankly, the component-level hardware that was at the show was just as interesting as the vehicles themselves. I finally saw a harmonic drive in operation, I got to chat with a manufacturer of miniature turbine engines and ask him detailed questions regarding their operation, I saw a nutating engine, and I saw more AHRS’s (Altitude Heading Reference System) than you could shake a stick at.
Anyhow, the most interesting part of the trip was not the show, it was the flight out there and back. Instead of flying Southwest, I decided to fly my RV-6... that you’re pretty well acquainted with by now. On Monday August 24th after work I flew to Davis (EDU) to see my girlfriend and mom. Then early on Tuesday I took off from EDU headed for Ely, Nevada (ELY). At Ely the engine ran a little rough during my taxi to the fuel pit after landing. When I went to kill the engine by leaning the mixture it didn’t die in the usual way but kept rumbling on for a bit. Finally it quit and I got out.
Overdeveloped cumulous cloud over Barstow, CA.
I took the top cowling off to see if I couldn’t have a look at things, but the mixture adjustment is on the carb which is under the engine and having the top cowling off didn’t help me much. I reached in through the gap between the cowling and the airplane to see if I couldn’t tug on the mixture lever and see if it was loose. It wasn’t. I chatted with a buddy and decided that maybe our engine was just adjusted a bit rich and because of that I may have trouble shutting it off at high altitude.
I bought gas, did an extremely thorough run-up and took off toward Denver. The flight went quite smoothly until on landing, the engine started mis-behaving again. Again, I couldn’t quite stop the engine using only the mixture knob so I grounded the mags to kill it. It died, less gracefully than usual but it did die. I hopped out of the airplane and scurried off to the conference.
I didn’t think much more about things until it was time to fly back. Again, I performed a very through run up and the engine ran great t all throttle settings except idle. I decided that idle was the least important of the power settings and took off. I flew from Denver (APA) to Four Corners (FMN) and then from FMN to Whiteman, CA (APA).
Rain storms on the north slopes of the San Gabriels as viewed from above Palmdale, CA.
Shortly after leaving FMN I flew over the Grand Canyon by veering slightly off course to the north. The Grand Canyon is truly spectacular and I only wish that the pictures could do it justice. Unfortunately I have a bubble canopy and no picture through it is much good.
As I was flying over the Grand Canyon, I began trying to use the autopilot system that we had built for the RV. As you know it runs on an EEE-PC running some Matlab code we wrote. Unfortunately, every time I engaged the altitude hold, the autopilot would try to point the plane straight at the ground. Needless to say there we some bugs in the code. I started sifting through the bugs with the stick between my knees and in about 10 minutes I had the code working properly.
Between the Grand Canyon and Bullhead City, I was able to do some gain tuning, and with quite a bit of derivative gain, some proportional, and nearly zero integral I was able to stabilize the autopilot to some degree. It wasn’t perfect but it wasn’t so bad for a first step. All that was really missing was a low pass filter on the barometric pressure input. For some reason, spikes would appear on the barometric pressure input and these would cause the derivative error signal to spike. Needless to say this made the flight somewhat rough so I quickly coded up a running average filter and it smoothed things out quite a bit.
As I was passing the Grand Canyon and coding, I could already see cumulous clouds building on my route toward LA. I contacted ATC to see if they could inform me on where the weather was. Fortunately, the cumulous clouds were all on the San Gabriel’s just south of my route. I continued toward LA until the clouds were just off my left wing tip. Finally, as I was just south of Palmdale I noticed giant columns of precipitation and lightning. It was quite stunning. I kept trying to capture pictures of the lightning, but without a light activated shutter, or really long exposures, it’s nearly impossible to capture lightning.
When I had finally cleared the thunderheads and storms mentioned in my previous blog post I headed over the San Gabriels and down into the Burbank/Whiteman area. I was fearing some sort of engine trouble because earlier in the flight my engine had been acting up at low throttle settings. I was not sure why it was doing so, but I feared it might do it again -so I hedged with altitude. I must have been 10,000 feet above my intended landing spot when I was only 15 miles out and cruising at 200 mph.
I came in over the San Gabriels pretty high and in such a way that no matter what the engine did I was sure I could make the runway at Whiteman. Sure enough, as I reduced the throttle toward idle, the engine got very rough and began to cough.
By this point I was lined up on a two mile final with about 3000’ to lose so I wasn’t sweating it. In fact I was mostly concerned with getting down in time. I continued an aggressive slip and worked the throttle to keep the engine running. Then again, as I reduced the power to idle, the engine coughed and died.
This put me in a funny position because I knew the engine was running too rich, but I hated to pull back the mixture knob to the point where it could kill the engine from being too lean. That said, I was not going to get down if the engine kept running and I didn’t want to have to go around. I decided that I was clearly going to make the airport and that once I was on the ground who cared if I had in fact landed without an engine.
I had been cleared for a straight in to runway 12 at Whiteman, but I heard the tower chatting with another aircraft in the pattern and it seemed to me that he might try to sneak them in front of me. While normally this wouldn’t be a problem, I didn’t want anyone in front of me. I’ve seen the tower call a go-around too many times because someone doesn’t properly clear the runway and I wasn’t going to get forced into a go-around situation with a rough engine. I told the tower that I was having engine trouble and that I would appreciate it if he would clear me straight in.
The tower obliged, and from that moment on I just focused on getting the plane down on the ground. The engine died a couple more times but I was always able to nurse it back to life by moving the throttle to full. In this manner I coaxed it along every 10 or so seconds with a throttle pump. I cleared the threshold and landed right on centerline. As I was making sure not to screw up at the last possible moment, the engine died again and I had to pump the throttle quickly before the prop stopped.
N61764 Carburator as viewed from starboard side of aircraft. Click on photo to view web-album with pictures of the carb falling off.
It turns out that our carburetor had shook itself off the engine. We tightened the screws and all was well again. In fact he just texted me to say that he had safely landed in Napa where he is spending the weekend.
It’s been very interesting for me to watch the progression of the autopilot for RV-6 project. First we were just going to make an electronic trim system, then we started adding features so that we could use the electronic trim for control of the airplane for an autopilot, and now we’re writing code for control loops for the RV. I’m very much under the impression that scope creep is unstoppable and we’ll probably always be working on the RV-6 autopilot or some idea that sprouted from it.
We have installed an electronic barometric pressure sensor in the RV-6 so that we can measure altitude with the microcontroller.
We connected the servo to the Atmel. To the horn of the servo, we glued a piece of balsa wood to act as a wing. We connected an analog input to the DAQ to the wiper of the potentiometer (which is simulating the output of our analog barometric pressure sensor). The servo was in turn glued to the potentiometer knob such that the wing was perpendicular to the rotational axis of the potentiometer. Then we placed the wing in wind and varied the servo to try to keep it at the same spot, which we read in based on the potential of the wiper of the potentiometer. As the angle of attack of the wing was increased it raised the wing, rotating the potentiometer and causing the Matlab program to think that our altitude had increased. Matlab then commanded the servo to a different output by sending an analog signal through the measurement computing DAQ’s analog output to an analog input on the Atmel which we convert to a pulse width for servo control.
Long story short it’s awesome. Check the video below.
I've now added some feedback for the pilot on the trim position. We decided to incorporate the addition of this bar graph so that the trim could be set to "take-off" or other known positions. This will allow the pilot to have consistent force-feedback during take-off which is a critical portion of the flight envelope.
This is all on the dev-board still, but it is working as planned and things are moving along quickly.
Now I’ve incorporated a second servo into the code and I’m able to control two servos independently with the ATmega32. This is all on a dev-board however and not very useful yet.
For those of you that have hobbied in electronics you know that getting something to work on a dev board is only half the battle. There is a lot that can go wrong between the dev board and a hobby box.
Here again are the steps necessary to get to where I have an autopilot in the RV.
In the videos below you’ll see that we’ve incorporated our servo into the elevator of the airplane and we’re able to control it using the microcontroller.
In the first video we’ve incorporated the servo into the body of the elevator and it is controlling the trim tab. The microcontroller is still attached to the STK-500 dev board though and it's clearly not a well packaged setup at this point.
In this second video, we’ve removed the microcontroller from the STK-500 and placed it inside a project box that we’ll Velcro inside the airplane.
We did have some questions about how long the leads to the servo can be before there is too much noise coupled into the signal line from the power lines running next to it, but we’ve now tested things by placing about 4 meters of servo wire and had no problem. Should we develop much of a problem we can put some de-coupling capacitors on the servo, and we could always run an I2C or SPI bus to another chip at the rear of the airplane closer to the servo form which the PWM could be generated. Another option would be to use a coax, or other shielded cable for only the signal line instead of lumping it in with the power and ground for the servo. We haven’t seen any problems yet, but there is more testing to be done still.
We’ve now put 100+ hours on the RV and it was time for a little more maintenance. We’ve been making notes of things that needed a little attention and we’re now looking into those. For example, our DG (Directional Gyroscope) used to hold its heading fairly reliably, but recently it’s been loosing its heading at a rate that surprised us. We’ve therefore taken it out to have it worked on. Of course, before we have a professional fix it, I had to play with it myself. Below, you’ll find three videos of me playing with the gyro.
In the second video what you’ll notice is that as I apply a constant force to the base of the gyroscope it rotates counteracting that force of mine and does not move. Then as the axis of the gyro becomes coaxial with the axis I’m applying the torque about the gyro freely rotates. This gyro has limits on it to prevent itself from reaching, or passing that singularity because it becomes useless at those attitudes. Furthermore, it re-centers itself such that its rotational axis is in the “horizontal” plane when you push the knob in to either adjust the heading, or simply to re-center it. This is an important note because all gyros drift and if it did not re-center itself every time you adjusted it it could easily wind up with its axis of rotation about your yaw axis of rotation (ie the world’s N,S,E,W reference frame) at which point it would prove useless. Keep in mind that the base that I’m applying torques to is connected to the heading plate in the gyroscope that rotates and indicates the heading to the pilot. With that in mind the videos should make a lot more sense.
This blog was supposed to be more about the projects I’ve been working on, but I’ve decided to share some other adventures of mine with you all as well.
The weekend of the 4th of July my girlfriend and I traveled up to Portland, Oregon on our free Southwest flights. Since we’re in a semi-long distance relationship you would be amazed at how quickly free flights are accumulated. Anyhow, we had these free flights and we needed to use them so we thought we’d check out Hood River.
We flew in and had dinner with my aunt, uncle and cousin in Portland before driving to Hood River to camp for the weekend. During our stay, we went boating/fishing on Lost Lake, we visited the WAAAM, we went wine tasting on the gorge, we caught a sturgeon on the gorge and we took in all the beautiful scenery. That area is particularly beautiful and I hope to make it up there some day for more than just a couple days.
We rented some row boats and went fishing on a beautiful lake up by Mt. Hood.
We caught some trout and ate them for dinner.
Caroline reeled in a good size sturgeon.
We checked out the WAAM. (Wester Area Aviation Museum). This here is an old Cub fitted with extra wheels for soft field (very soft field) landings.
I've just got a lot of interests to put it simply. This is a portal into my thoughts, ramblings, and projects. | 2019-04-21T16:32:54Z | http://www.marcgrossman.com/blog.html |
Viewing 1 current event matching “conference” by Date.
The O'Reilly Open Source Software Conference (OSCON) delivers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the technologies behind emerging and innovative open source projects as well as to learn about all the trends shaping software development today—from AI and cloud technology to blockchain and distributed computing.
Connect with the open source community in Portland this summer. Meet industry experts and exchange insights with peers at networking events, lunch discussions and more. Check out the program and save 20% on your pass with code CAL20.
Viewing 114 past events matching “conference” by Date.
Open Source Bridge will be a completely volunteer-run, community effort to connect developers working with open source. We're kicking things off with a town hall discussion and planning meeting on October 30th, 7:30pm at CubeSpace (located at 622 SE Grand Avenue in Portland). We'll talk about overall goals for the conference, then break into small working groups to start tackling the event planning needs. If you can, bring an audio or video recorder to help document the discussion.
Please let us know if you can attend. If October 30 doesn't work for you, let us know as we are considering a second meeting during the day on the west-side. We'd very much like to have your participation in making this conference a fun, educational experience.
Open Source Bridge will be a completely volunteer-run, community effort to connect developers working with open source. We're having a second town hall discussion and planning meeting on November 6th at OTBC's new location in The Round (next to the Beaverton Transit Center). We'll talk about overall goals for the conference, then break into small working groups to start tackling the event planning needs. If you can, bring an audio or video recorder to help document the discussion.
osbridge-announce, low traffic announcement list for events like this one!
osbridge-discuss, possibly high traffic list for discussing anything related to the conference!
The Software Association of Oregon (SAO) Corvallis Chapter, Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition and Oregon State University are proud to announce the 6th Annual High Tech After Hours! High Tech After Hours is the biggest high-tech event in the Willamette Valley and will be held on November 13th from 1:00pm until 8:00pm at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center located on the OSU campus across from Reser Stadium.
High Tech After Hours builds valuable relationships between local businesses, high-tech entrepreneurs, educators, investors, students and local officials. For the first time this year OSU’s College of Business and College of Engineering will be co-hosting this event, making this the powerhouse showcase of collaboration between industry, education, and commerce in the Willamette Valley.
Keynote speaker, Peter Adkison, a leader in the gaming industry and current CEO of Hidden City Games. Peter is an entertaining speaker and as a pivotal player in the high-tech industry, presents a unique perspective on the economic opportunities of the Pacific Northwest.
A panel-style, round-robin discussion of area examples of collaboration and innovation with leaders Ron Adams, Dean of the College of Engineering, Ilene Kleinsorge, Dean of the College of Business, Brian Weldon, Chapter President of SAO and Mysty Rusk, President of the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition.
"Ignite Corvallis!" the rapid-fire, fun and novel presentation opportunity for 20 area businesses to highlight what’s going on in their world and offer insight into new and interesting developments that could impact area businesses - including yours!
Vendor Exhibition Hall - Last year, over fifty different area technology companies took the opportunity to show their stuff at HTAH and we expect this year to be even bigger.
We are actively seeking High Tech and Traded Sector companies who are interested in participating in the event. Be on display with 50 High-Tech businesses and find out about the newest technologies being developed and showcase what your company is creating. Help us tell your story better!
Feb 10, 2009 Agile Open Northwest Conference 2009 "Agile for Real"
Agile Open Northwest, an alliance of agile practitioners in the US Pacific Northwest region, invite you to our 3rd annual conference Agile Open Northwest 2009 "Agile for Real".
The Northwest has a wealth of practitioners with years of real-world experience with agile methods and self-organizing teams. Agile Open Northwest offers an opportunity to strengthen our community of practice and co-create the future for agile development in our region.
Your hosts designed this event to allow practitioners like you to meet in self-organizing groups where we can share our latest ideas, challenges, hopes, experiences and experiments.
CanSecWest is a yearly computer security conference in Vancouver which focuses on new and applied research. It is perhaps most famous for the "pwn2own" competition which pits various vendor's software against each other with cash prizes for the first to be exploited.
Announcing Agile Open Northwest 2010! This Agile Open Space event will be held February 9th and 10th, 2010, in the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. Please see http://www.agileopennorthwest.org for registration information and further details.
We invite you to our fourth annual Agile Open Northwest conference. Alternating each year between Portland and Seattle, AONW conferences bring together practicing members of the Northwest Agile communities to explore the latest developments in agile software development. We held our third annual event last year in Portland and enjoyed another great success. Registration is $125.00 for both days, including light breakfast and lunch. This low-cost regional conference is a great opportunity to connect with the local agile community, experts and novices alike.
Please join us this year as we host 125 experienced, collaborative, committed agile practitioners from the Northwest U.S. (and beyond) in tackling the issues around our recurring theme "Agile for Real." As in past years, attendance is limited to a predetermined number in order retain the many advantages a small conference has to offer.
More information can be found at http://www.agileopennorthwest.org. Registration is open now. We look forward to seeing you there.
Early registration ends for DFRWS 2010 digital forensics conference. Register before this date to save $75.
The conference itself runs August 2-4.
The annual DFRWS conference allows leading digital forensics researchers from government, industry, and academia to present their work and results to fellow researchers and practitioners. Many of the most cited digital forensics papers have been presented at DFRWS and the annual challenge has spawned research in important areas. Initial results and tool prototypes are also presented during the Works in Progress and demo sessions.
The conference typically has about 100 people and is therefore small enough so that attendees meet each other and can interact with the speakers. A tradition of DFRWS as been its casual and interactive atmosphere where break out sessions exist to discuss topics related to the presentations. There are also opportunities to interact during the welcome reception and banquet. After the banquet, attendees can put their forensics skills to the test when they form teams to participate in the annual Forensics Rodeo, which is a challenge that requires participants to analyze data and answer questions.
Who should attend this camp? This camp is for nonprofit/ngo leaders, designers, developers, advocacy groups, fundraising professionals, communications specialists, and entrepreneurs. ...and anyone else who wants to contribute, brainstorm and discover ideas for creating social change through the use of technology.
Event Details When: Friday, June 25th, 9:30am - 3:00pm Where: DreamBOX @ the Jupiter Hotel, 800 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR Cost: Free!!!
Stay Tuned for More Details... Details will be posted on PDX Net2 Camp wiki at http://pdxnet2camp.pbworks.com/.
The general pattern for a large conference runs something like this: you fly to a city, go to the event, have a great time, meet lots of great people, and fly home. More often than not, you don't see those people again until the next big conference, and that's a problem. We wanted our event to be different, so it's intentionally local. Speakers and attendees are overwhelmingly local to the conference, so when you meet someone doing something cool, you can connect with them a week later for lunch without a problem.
Sure, there are events that draw a wide range of developers (e.g., OSCON), but even then people tend to segregate; the Pythonists go to their sessions, the Rubyists to theirs, and the PHP devs to theirs. By having only one track, we give everyone the opportunity to see what's happening in other communities.
If the first years of OSCON were about opening the minds of big business to the philosophy of open source, are the years ahead about opening the minds of the open source community to the possibilities of its future? As open source becomes fully integrated into the corporate environment, OSCON helps to define, maintain, and extend the identity of what it means to be open source.
OSCON focuses on the substance of technology, not the shadow, filtering the information that most merits attention and preparing participants for curves and challenges in the coming year and beyond. OSCON is the place to be inspired and challenged, renew bonds to community, make new connections, and find ways to give back to the open source movement. OSCON has also become one of the most important places to make open source related announcements, and to unveil projects and products.
Open source is a fundamental principle at the core of many established and emerging technologies, driving the future of the computer industry. OSCON explores the open source technologies that are here to stay, what will broaden the foundation, and what will lead the way to unexpected places and innovations.
Each year, between 600 and 800 design practitioners, educators, students, business leaders and vendors working with designers from all over the world gather for IDSA's International Conference and Education Symposium. These events combine provocative speakers with practical information and solutions, as well as plenty of time for building personal and professional connections.
Join hundreds of your online marketing peers for the Fifth Annual SearchFest Internet Marketing Conference in Portland on February 23, 2011.
Industry experts and thought leaders from around the country will deliver in-depth presentations on topics including Advanced Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Universal Search, Analytics, Paid Search Marketing and many more.
The League of Professional System Administrators and the Seattle Area System Administrators Guild invite you to the Cascadia IT Conference - a regional workshop for Systems, Networks, Database, and Web Administrators and others who provide professional IT support/services.
This is your opportunity to network with your regional peers, to learn from leaders in the field in our training sessions, and to present and hear about new ideas and developments.
Friday, March 11th will feature 4 tracks of half- and full-day training sessions with an evening reception for all conference attendees. Saturday, March 12th will feature tutorials, two tracks of technical sessions, and an unconference track.
Both days will be held at the Hotel Deca in Seattle’s University District. The hotel is an easy 30 minute bus ride from downtown Seattle. It has ample parking and easy-to-get-to restaurants and bars for post-conference networking.
The Willamette Valley boasts a high number of businesses that highlight the rugged individuality, forward thinking, technology and entrepreneurship that are part of Oregon's proud heritage.
Attendees will include members of organized angel groups, individual angels, prospective angels, and early-stage investment firms as well as entrepreneurial ventures and start ups interested in obtaining angel funding.
This is the Nineteenth annual conference hosted by the Columbia Region of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), the Oregon-Southwest Washington Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) and Portland State University (PSU). Each year, ASPRS and URISA collaborate to hold this informational conference on current issues in the Geospatial Information Community. The Portland State University Geology Department will join us again this year to host the conference at the PSU campus. Last year’s conference at PSU was a great success. Join us again this year for what will be another successful opportunity to meet colleagues in the geospatial industries and organizations, to learn about emerging topics and recent advances in GIS applications and to discuss our problems and solutions together. This event features a one-fee, two day format, packed with information presented in concurrently running workshops and sessions on both days. There will be three tracks each day consisting of panel discussions debating hot topics, traditional sessions with 2-3 presentations per session and technical workshops providing in-depth discussion of issues and training in applications most relevant to the geospatial community.
The conference opens at 8:30AM on Tuesday with an opening address by Jim Geringer, former Governor of Wyoming and will be followed by concurrent sessions and workshops . The Annual Vendor Social will be held Tuesday evening from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. The conference will continue on Wednesday beginning at 8:30AM with concurrent sessions and workshops followed by a closing session.
Conference Highlights: The Exhibit Hall will open on Tuesday at 8:00AM and remain open until Wednesday at 2:00PM. The hall will feature as many as 20 vendors in GIS related technology and services. This is an opportunity to see and discuss the latest advances in the industry.
The Vendor Social will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the Exhibit Hall. Join your peers in a more relaxed atmosphere with music, food and beverages. You will also find two free drink tickets in your registration packet.
Regular: $225.00 Student or Unemployed: $45.00 One Day: $125 Half-Price registration discount for presenters (discount applicable to primary presenter only).
Attend the Open Gov West conference in PDX, Fri/Sat May 13-14.
Two days to bring a region together, exploring opportunities to open government, increase civic engagement, and coordinate projects across governments. Now is the time to move from old models and technology to finding innovative, cost efficient, and transparent methods for accomplishing government’s core missions.
Open Gov West (OGW) exposes attendees to new ideas, technologies, practices, and partnerships. The conference’s goal is to help your organization build relationships and gain insights which help you build a more transparent, engaged government.
See http://ogw.ticketleap.com/open-gov-west-2011 for registration info.
CONFERENCE Open Gov West 2011 is a two-day nonprofit conference being held at the Jupiter Hotel in Portland May 13-14, 2011. OGW '11 is designed to bring the Northwest region together to explore opportunities to open government, increase civic engagement, and coordinate projects across governments. Now is the time to move from old models and technology to finding innovative, cost efficient, and transparent methods for accomplishing government’s core missions.The conference exposes attendees to new ideas, technologies, practices, and partnerships. The conference’s goal is to help your organization build relationships and gain insights which help you build a more transparent, engaged government.
APPS CONTEST The conference also includes an app development contest on Day Two, May 14. Developers entering the Open Gov West Cross-Gov Apps Contest have the opportunity to transform government data into useful information accessible to the masses—and to win prizes like iPads, marketing assistance, and technology prize packs. Governments from across the Pacific Northwest will send representatives from their own data.gov sites to offer developers advice and support, making this a unique opportunity for developers to interact directly with government data providers while building the applications.
For more information, please visit opengovwest.org. To register, please visit opengovwest.eventbrite.com.
Back for 2011, USENIX is combining established conferences and new workshops into one week chock full of research, training, and information.
The USENIX Federated Conferences Week offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into a variety of "hot" topics, while the joint lunches, breaks, and evening events provide unparalleled networking possibilities.
USENIX is again making it easy to customize your program to meet your needs. Your daily registration gets you into all the events happening that day. Plus, registration packages offer expanded discounts: the more days you attend, the more you save!
Join us in Portland, OR, June 15–16, 2011, for the 2nd USENIX Conference on Web Application Development. WebApps '11 is designed to bring together experts in all aspects of developing and deploying Web applications. Like the inaugural WebApps '10, WebApps '11 seeks to attract cutting-edge research that advances the state of the art, not only on novel Web applications but also on infrastructure, tools, and techniques that support the development, analysis/testing, operation, or deployment of those applications. Interested in participating? Check out the Call for Papers for more information.
WebApps '11 will be part of USENIX Federated Conferences Week, which will take place June 12–17, 2010.
Hosted by Tantek Çelik, Aaron Parecki and Amber Case.
A big open source conference.
PuppetConf is an Operations conference in PDX! Topics include Cloud and Devops tracks as well as 2 tracks dedicated to Puppet.
Local participants can save 30% on registration by using the discount code "calagator" during registration.
More info to be posted and website to be updated for 2011.
The Pacific Northwest Drupal Summit is an annual event for Drupal professionals to gather, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and advance the Drupal CMS.
The Pacific Northwest Drupal Summit was first held in Seattle WA in October 2009 and in Vancouver BC in October 2010. The first Summit was organized by volunteers from the Seattle Drupal User Group, and the second Summit was organized by volunteers from the Surrey and Vancouver Drupal User Groups.
In January 2011 after gathering a rockstar crew of organizing volunteers from the PDX Drupal User Group, Portland OR formally announced that it will host the 2011 PNWDS.
For questions, please contact PDX organizers sarah_p or skjalf.
For sponsorship-related inquiries, please contact Brian Jamison.
SPLASH stands for Systems, Programming, Languages and Applications: Software for Humanity. SPLASH is an annual conference that embraces all aspects of software construction and delivery, and that joins all factions of programming technologies. Since 2010 SPLASH is the umbrella for OOPSLA and Onward!.
This year, SPLASH comes to Portland! The program includes talks by Turing Award winner Ivan Sutherland, Mozilla's Brendan Eich, fun events like the Hackathon, Guy Steele geeking out on square dancing calls, and much, much more!
Portland area developers groups: contact [email protected] for instructions on how your members can register with the same discount as ACM members.
WebVisions (http://www.webvisionsevent.com/portland/) explores the future of Web and mobile design, technology, user experience and business strategy. Speakers include Jeff White of ILM, Nathan Shedroff (author of Make it So), Crystal Beasley of Mozilla, Ross Mayfield of Slideshare, Anant Anthale of American Express, Thea Boodhoo of AKQA and others.
Register by March 30th for the Early Bird rates.
A large annual open source conference.
First and foremost, we wanted to showcase Portland and folks that champion Portlandy ideals. I’m lucky that, for the most part, I get to sit back and watch all of the amazing stuff that happens in Portland. And I consistently revel in the awesomeness that people here are building. With PDX, we wanted to showcase that almost frenetic variety of creativity in our town. But we also wanted to bring in folks who subscribed to common ideals. That’s why, in addition to some amazing Portland people, you’ll find folks like Tumblr and Flipboard on the docket.
Second, we wanted this to be a true creative festival atmosphere. One of things we wanted most was to make this a festival of creativity, with some of that being creative applications of technology and some of that being the creative spirit of the music industry. That’s why MFNW and PDX are inextricably linked. And it’s also why we’ve got speakers with a foot in music and a foot in tech, like Spotify, Shazam, CASH Music, and Tender Loving Empire.
Third, we wanted to create something intimate, inspiring, and invigorating. Many of us remember the serendipitous experiences of conferences like SXSW and Big Omaha. We wanted to capture that same kind of experience, bring interesting speakers, and get interesting folks in town for the event. Our goal is to have you sitting next to someone you never imagined having the opportunity to meet. Or getting the chance to chat with an amazing panelist at one of the concerts. Or simply running into someone on the street at the food carts. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll get to spend a little more time chatting with awesome Portland people whom you never get to see.
Last but not least, we wanted PDX to provide a good excuse for people to visit Portland. Especially for those folks who are actively considering Portland for the next phase of their business or career. You see, sometimes we forget how lucky we are to live where we do. And to work here. But rest assured, there are any number of people and companies outside looking in. And this is a great opportunity to showcase what we’ve got here.
PNSQC is the best software quality conference in the west from the standpoint of take-home, usable learning, state-of-the-art and practice discussions, and high quality interactions and networking in the broad field of software quality.
If your company needs a real shot in the arm – ideas that work in today’s complex computing environment – then you’ll want to attend PNSQC.
Matt Heusser (Excelon) will explore A Brief History of the Quality Movement and what Software Should Do About It.
Dale Emery will discuss Testing Quality In.
The invited speakers will be Suzanne Miller (SEI), Ben Simo (Quality Frog), Linda Rising, and Peter Walen. There will also be 8 in-depth workshops, including a two-day Certified ScrumMaster Training with Solutions IQ.
The complete two-day technical program is now available with talks across the software industry – from Mobile and Cloud to UX and Design, with Testing, Automation, Process Improvement and more.
An Information Security conference by the community for the community. It's free to attend and we rely on sponsorship to pay for the venue and other costs. Come mingle with local people interested in cutting edge information security topics to share and learn.
Calling all educators who want to improve their instructional practice with the effective integration of technology! We preach having students be active learners, so let's practice it here with a schedule that promotes active learning, reflection and collaboration. integratED offers a variety of experiences and opportunities: unconference, collaborate with vendor experts, reflect with peers, a two 2-hour sessions, two 3-hour workshops, and two keynotes. This is a BYOD conference and our sessions require facilitator device integration, so don’t miss out.
The Oregon Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HiMSS) today announced the agenda and speaker line up for their latest event entitled “Spring Forward: Understanding Big Data, Interoperability, Analytics, and Patient Engagement,” which will take place on Monday, April 22nd from 10:00am—7:00pm at the Salem Conference Center.
The conference theme this year will focus on the challenges associated with the continued delivery of quality health care in the face of increasing demands placed upon providers.
Note: This program is also approved for up to 5.2 continuing education (CE) hours for use in fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems (CPHIMS) and the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information & Management Systems (CAHIMS).
The Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference wants you to speak at our conference! We want hear from you about what you're working on. We're accepting abstracts now for speakers for October's conference, and want to work with you to speed up the application process. Come get your questions answered and have some food on us.
DrupalCon Portland is the official conference of the Drupal community. DrupalCon is a biannual event presented to an ever expanding international audience since Drupal became an open source project in 2001. It's produced by the Drupal Association and a fabulous group of volunteers from across the globe.
The Oregon Convention Center will accommodate the largest gathering of Drupal developers than ever before.
The jQuery Conference in Portland 2013 will be jQuery's largest event to date. It's a great opportunity to meet and get to know over 1000 of the world's top jQuery talent.
The Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference is hosting a gathering for authors, poster presenters, reviewers, conference attendees, and organizers. You can get tips on writing drafts, get any questions answered, meet the software quality community, and converse with other presenters.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided for the group.
GROW is a conference about the future of innovation, growth and entrepreneurship. GROW is a curated environment that brings together technology pioneers, founders, executives, influencers and investors who are passionate about identifying problems worth solving, sharing ideas, building relationships and executing on lessons learned.
“Geeks on Rails” is the best way to meet your new BFFs who are going to GROW. There’s wifi, drinks, food, and 150+ geeks including founders, investors, bloggers, developers, designers, and more. Many of the GROW speakers are also on-board!
Conference tickets and Geeks on Rails tickets are available now!
MUST have VALID PASSPORT! We're going to a foreign country.
This is a one way ticket. You're responsible for getting yourself home.
All tickets are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable due to Amtrak policy.
You are responsible for your own transportation to your Vancouver lodging.
TechFestNW (formerly known as PDXconf) is designed to celebrate interesting people who are passionate about technology. Who are building a better world. And who value craft over commodity.
The event takes place in conjunction with MusicFestNW, one of the largest independent music festivals in the US. Last year, MFNW attracted acts from up-and-coming artists to bands like Passion Pit, Dinosaur Jr, Silversun Pickups, and Girl Talk. While the inaugural tech event featured speakers from Flipboard, Betaworks, Walmart Labs, GigaOM, Shazam, and Spotify---as well as local favorites like Draplin Design Co, LAIKA, Chirpify, Simple, and Nike.
TFNW will take place September 6-8, 2013, with speakers the 6th and 7th and a hackathon on the 8th. Tech takes place during the day. And music takes place during the night. Creating a true festival atmosphere.
It's not too late to register or volunteer for PNSQC, the Northwest's premier software quality conference. Attend the conference, watch the keynotes, talk to paper and poster presenters, come to the official party.
Jan 10, 2014 MapCamp Portland Hackathon!
Announcing MapCamp! A 2-day event for mapping enthusiasts in Portland, Oregon.
What is it? A two-day series of presentations and a hackathon at ISITE Design that rewards teams and individuals that make the best use of Portland city data. We'll be providing food, drink, entertainment and some other surprises.
Have a dataset, tool or app to demo? Let us know and we'll include you in Saturday morning's lightning talk lineup!
Why is this going to be awesome?
Build a bridge to becoming an author and speaker, study and develop ideas in quality engineering, meet other like-minded volunteers.
Please join us for a brainstorming session.
Your software is peer-produced. Why not your conference? Open Source Bridge is pioneered and planned by a team of open source developers and technologists. Join them!
You get free admission to the conference, we get 8 hours of your time (it doesn't have to be all at once).
This full day conference offers insights and strategies for Healthcare Systems, Payers, Government Health and Students to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of Healthcare Information Technology.
From distinguished keynote presentations from key industry leaders, to breakout sessions covering a range of topics ranging from Best Practices, Standards, Industry Trends and Solutions, and Networking Opportunities, this will be an educational conference like no other! Please join us and reserve your seat to be a part of this event today!
The Devsigner 2015 Conference provides a time and place for designers and coders to gather, exchange ideas, learn from one another, broaden skill-sets, and interact with the local design community. Sessions will range from non-tech subjects (e.g. architecture) to highly technical implementation. We expect a full house of talented, top-notch professionals and are excited to be one of the first events held in the newly renovated Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design in Old Town Portland.
Join your friends in the Cascadia Python community for two days of learning and connection. Meet new people and learn about the interesting Pythonic work being done around here. Make the Pacific Northwest an even better place to be a Python programmer.
Keynotes, fantastic speakers, and price of ticket includes a BoF dinner on Saturday.
Tickets available through the PyDX website! And can be bought at the door.
Check out the schedule too.
PNSQC has a strong Pacific Northwest region attendance profile with a substantial proportion of national and international presenters and invited speakers.
The conference attracts a diverse audience and is considered a “must attend” event for software product managers, quality professionals, Agilists, managers, contractors, consultants, customers, developer-testers, tester-developers, and maintenance engineers.
PNSQC Mission: Enable knowledge exchange to produce higher quality software.
Build the web of tomorrow, today. At View Source you’ll be inspired by what’s to come. Join us and learn to build a web that’s more powerful, accessible, and secure using modern techniques that work today and will thrive tomorrow. We learn best from each other, so View Source will provide plenty of time and space for interaction and conversation. In addition to awesome talks, there will be an ongoing hacking space, demos, and group discussions, as well as fun evening activities.
Our next Ignite in PDX will be at View Source Conference November 2nd 2015. Come hear what speakers are passionate about – cool ideas, hacks, lessons, and “war stories.” Tickets are available for both the conference (which includes Ignite) or just Ignite event. Reception to follow afterwards.
Time Management by Thomas Limoncelli author of "The Practice of Cloud System Administration", " Time Management for System Administrators", and "The Practice of System and Network Administration".
Deep Packet Inspection with Wireshark by Mike Pennacchi who has been ranked as a top instructor at Interop many times since 1997.
Myth Busting the Network Layer by Stuart Kendrick who is an expert in hands on classes where attendees do not want to leave for breaks.
Automation Tools Bootcamp by Tyler Fitch who is a member of Chef's Customer Engineering Team.
Check out http://casitconf.org/casitconf16/schedule/ for a full schedule of classes and talks by industry leaders and writers. The deadline for early bird discounts is Feb 28th so sign up today at http://casitconf.org/casitconf16/register-now/ for some of the best IT training and professional development in the Pacific Northwest.
PyCon is the largest annual gathering for the community using and developing the open-source Python programming language. PyCon is organized by the Python community for the community. We try to keep registration far cheaper than most comparable technology conferences, to make PyCon accessible to the widest group possible. PyCon is a diverse conference dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience to everyone. Our code of conduct is intended to help everyone maintain the PyCon spirit. We thank all attendees and staff for observing it.
The Devsigner 2016 Conference provides a time and place for designers and coders to gather, exchange ideas, learn from one another, broaden skill-sets, and interact with the local design community. Sessions will range from non-tech subjects (e.g. architecture) to highly technical implementation. This year will feature fewer sessions and more time to mingle, including a mixer Saturday evening.
The Portland Creative Conference is an exploration and celebration of the creative process across various creative industries. Bring your team or just bring yourself–either way you won’t leave the same as you arrived. You’ll be inspired and motivated in new ways, viewing your world with a fresh perspective. We feature presentations from leading creatives who take you inside their creative process and talk about their projects, problems, influences and inspirations.
Affect is a new 2-day event about the work and design behind social good. It's part regular conference, with speaker talks, and part volunteering sessions, in which you'll get to head to local nonprofits and help out for half a day.
Choose between helping out with p:ear, the Welcome Home Coalition/#Yes4Homes campaign, or Hack Oregon!
Our keynote is Adrian Allen, Co-Founder and Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in England, which provided the basis for Oregon's $7.5 million Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center to open in Scappoose in 2017.
The Summit includes breakfast, lunch, keynote, networking, resource packet and hands-on learning exercises. Admission is $50 by 10/3!
Please note this is a manufacturers only event. Registration is required.
For questions, contact Aimee Sukol at [email protected].
The tech industry in Seattle is booming with the salary of a Developer averaging $95K per year. If you’re considering pursuing a career as a Developer, now is the time! Discover how to acquire the skills needed to jump start your career.
If you are interested in learning more about what it takes to become a developer, join us on Saturday, October 15th for ChickTech’s Developer Bootcamp Summit. During this event you will have the opportunity to speak one on one with a representative from some of the top developer bootcamps in Seattle to obtain information on the programs offered and admission process. You’ll also gain insight from current students, program graduates and well-established developers within the community.
The event features a game library with over 1000 titles and enough space for anyone and everyone to play to their heart's content.
Attendees may choose from organized events, open tabletop play, game lab design programming, LARP, tabletop RPG's, LAN games, miniatures, console games, panels and guest activities, and other fun stuff.
Memberships are available in advance via the website or may be purchased at the door. There are no individual event registration fees; admission is all-inclusive.
Looking to engage or recruit donors, volunteers, ambassadors, or community partners in person? Want tips on how to make things run more smoothly? Get potential advocates excited to come to your community event.
Join us as Melissa Chavez (core organizer of many nonprofit events over the years, including tech conferences Open Source Bridge, PNSQC, PyDX, and Portland VegFest) shares tools, and how to plan community events.
Code for Good is a new annual event based in Portland where Python programmers from all over the globe get together for a long weekend to build projects that help our communities. In 2017 the event will take place in Portland, OR, at Reed College. Participants stay in on-site dorms; hacking and socializing takes place in communal areas. Join us this year just for the fun of giving back!
Attendees will split into teams and work on projects for organizations like Free Geek, Sisters of the Road Cafe, and Know Your City. Registration is $150 and scholarships are available. We provide housing, food, and evening activities.
Code For Good is a registered non-profit and all sales go 100% to running the event.
nginx.conf is an annual conference for technical professionals who are passionate about modern application development and delivery.
This three-day conference will bring together users and customers alike for hands-on learning, direct access to NGINX experts, and thought-provoking presentations about best practices and techniques in application architecture and infrastructure, including microservices, DevOps, cloud, and containers.
Affect Conf is a 2-day community conference examining the work, design, and culture of social change. To keep the emphasis on action, Affect also includes a Group Volunteering Half Day for attendees to directly help out local nonprofits.
This year: join us for our second-ever event on Sept 15 and 16 to go behind the scenes of social impact projects like 5 Calls, Code for America's Clear My Record, and We Read Too and get primers on social issues like intersectional disability justice and small-scale wealth redistribution.
Join us in Portland, OR, for our 4th year of inspirational sessions and educational workshops, cross-pollinating our diverse community of creatives, developers and front-end engineers.
This is your opportunity to learn about effective strategies for creating engaging content on your website and across the web, designing and evaluating digital campaigns with social media and email marketing, and integrating your online efforts to maximize participation and donations.
Engage Conference is a one-day digital marketing conference in Portland, Oregon, presenting multiple informative learning tracks and panel sessions. It will feature a full day of insight into the industry’s hottest topics, such as: artificial intelligence, email marketing automation and the rise of digital marketing in the craft beer and marijuana industry. Keynotes will be presented by Purna Virji from Microsoft and Ian Lurie from Clearlink.
Affect ("effect") is a 2-day conference featuring stories from multiply marginalized activists, creators, and technologists working towards systemic change. To pair words with action, we also partner with local nonprofits to create projects that attendees can dive into.
PREX is the leading conference for in-house legal professionals, convening thought leaders from both sides of the bench to explore big ideas and gain actionable insights that advance the art of ediscovery.
Join us for a powerhouse of sessions curated especially for in-house ediscovery leaders, practitioners, and partners. Together, we’ll pursue the vital intersection of innovation and collaboration within the corporate legal operations ecosystem and how to navigate those changing dynamics to advance your organization and career.
All new curriculum covers the vision, insights, and technology required to drive in-house ediscovery forward in order to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. From general assembly keynotes to executive roundtables to experiential technical sessions, 2018 PREX offers something for everyone.
5:30 PM TWO AFTER PARTIES We will run a shuttle bus between the locations.
7:30 PM It’s a Wrap!
Speakers and schedule are subject to change without notice.
Please join us at Elevate Capital’s first annual Elevate Inclusion conference, a gathering of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds including women, minority entrepreneurs from underserved communities, and veterans as well as venture capitalists and investors.
The conference program will feature keynote presentations and panel discussions focused on inclusion, entrepreneurship, mentor capitalism, success stories and other topics. It will be a day of learning, sharing, inspiration, and new funding opportunities. Entrepreneurs will also be invited to present in front of potential investors.
Providing startup funding to the next group of break-out entrepreneurs is only part of what Elevate Capital believes that venture capitalists and other investors should do. Working to ensure inclusion while providing mentorship and funding to entrepreneurs from underserved communities is a vital part of building thriving business communities.
An OpenCon satellite conference, which aims to support regional efforts to make scholarship more open, inclusive, and accessible.
Engage in energizing conversations on all things open–with a focus on supporting young and early career professionals in science, scholarship, research, and librarianship.
We aim to foster community building, gain an understanding of current issues within the research ecosystem, and form solutions to these obstacles as a regional community.
Join as at the upcoming 4th Annual Woman Led (un)Conference! This annual event brings together local business owners to create an open and ongoing dialogue, share their experiences and resources, and to expand their network of like minded people in their community.
The Unconference follows an open format, where the topics discussed are driven by the participants and their interests and needs. We will begin the day with some time to meet other participants, followed by an introduction to the Unconference format and creation of the days agenda!
Sara Batterby of The Batterby Group who has working in Venture Capital, has raised money as the co-founder of Hi-Fi farms, and now helps other women business owners get the funding they need.
Jill Keulher of Freeland Spirits. Jill left a long career in Nonprofits to start the first woman owned and run distillery in the country. In only a couple years she has successfully raised 2 rounds of funding and has enjoyed critical acclaim.
Julia Niiro of MilkRun. Julia launched MilkRun in 2017 after falling in love with small scale farming, but seeing first hand the difficulty of being a small scale producer. MilkRun was created to solve the marketing and logistics hurdles of small producers, using technology to replicate joint collection and delivery.
Woman Led is a local nonprofit that brings together women entrepreneurs for peer-to-peer mentorship Mastermind Groups. We are working to expand the community of women leaders who are building profitable & sustainable businesses that will positively impact the economy. Together we are working to create a world where women have equitable access to opportunity, support & success. | 2019-04-24T02:46:53Z | http://calagator.org/events/search?tag=conference |
Let's be honest, it'll be great to find one of the best record players for under 100 dollars with built-in speakers, Bluetooth, RCA output, a headphone jack as well as a USB output.
Whether you're a lover of vinyl records or you've just inherited some of your grandparent's stuff, you can still find the best audiophile turntables within this price range.
If you've never had a turntable and you're still contemplating if getting one is worth it, it is advisable to buy an inexpensive record player first and then decide if there's a need for an upgrade.
You can offer financial support to record stores as well as artists by acquiring Vinyl records instead of only streaming digital audio from your smartphone or PC.
Whichever case applies to you, we've rounded up the best affordable record players with built-in speakers under 100 and you might also want to check out our review of the best record players under £100.
A record player also known as phonograph or Turntable is a machine that recreates the sound that has been recorded on a circular disc called a vinyl record.
This machine is majorly made up of an amplifier, turntable, and speakers, each of which helps to produce the sound you hear when the record is playing.
A record player has a platter or turntable either made of metal, glass, ceramic or vinyl-coated MDF where the record sits and spins on.
The record, on the other hand, has a groove on its surface which has sound vibration waves recorded on it.
As this electrically driven turntable begins to rotate at a speed of 33, 45, or 78 revolutions per minute (RVM), the stylus head or needle placed on the groove vibrates in accordance to the sound waves it reads.
Consequently, these vibrations are sent as audio signals by the cartridge to the phono pre-amp and then amplified before being recreated as sound by the speakers.
At this point, you may have noticed our interchangeably use of the words Record player and Turntable to mean the same thing.
While this is not wrong, there is a still a major difference between a turntable and a record player.
A record player consists of a Turntable, amplifier, and speakers.
It may even be built with RCA outputs, headphone jack, or USB ports in order to enhance its level of performance, hence they are also known as plug-and-play turntables.
A turntable on the other hand, comes with a platter and tonearm which holds the cartridge that houses the stylus and its magnets.
Accordingly, the sound produced by a Turntable will be very faint and as such, it needs its own speakers and amplifiers to produce high-quality sound.
Nevertheless, call a record player a turntable and you won't be wrong.
These are the tips on how to choose the best turntables in the market and as such, despite their wide array, you can still spot a good turntable not for its looks but for its features.
If you want to buy a new turntable, then you must have already budgeted how much you're willing to spend on it.
For a record player that you'll settle with to be considered as your best buy, in comparison with other devices in the same price range, its level of operation must be on par with them if not better.
This level of operation can be determined by certain features which we'll go ahead and outline below.
The major drives used in turntables are belt and direct drives.
Each has an advantage over the other depending on what you want to use the turntable for.
Belt driven turntables are general purpose record players that can be used in homes, offices, or while on the go.
This can be attributed to the nature of their motor configuration.
Here, an elastic belt is used to connect the platter to the motor and as such, the belt absorbs the vibrations created by the motor.
Consequently, they produce high quality sound because the stylus head does not read these motor vibrations that may affect the resulting sound.
Direct driven turntables, on the other hand, are most suited for Djing where a lot of scratching will be done.
In this turntable design, the Platter is connected directly to the motor.
You can scratch on the record for a long time without worrying about damaging any elastic belt which would've been the case while using a belt driven turntable.
Moreover, this turntable for DJs plays at the selected speed immediately when switched instead of building up to the speed within some seconds.
Whichever design you settle with should be determined by the purpose it's meant to serve.
Do you want to place the turntable on one spot in your room?
Would you rather move it around the house every once in a while and even travel with it?
Now, that's left for you to decide.
If portability is your priority, then you need to settle for a turntable that has a compact size and lightweight to enable you to place it on the shelf, desk, or travel with it.
You'll even find some of the best suitcase turntables under 100.
Whether it'll cost a fortune or just a couple of dollars to acquire a record player, your money is valuable and as such, the turntable you settle with must be durable.
A record player that automatically places or removes the tonearm when the vinyl record is placed on the platter or when the record stops will prevent you from damaging the tonearm and even your records due to the forceful placement of the tonearm.
You need to look out for a Turntable that comes with a cover case to protect the internal components from dust.
Yes, it's a music player that's going to play your vinyl records but what else can it do?
Via a wired connectivity with the use of cables, does it come with an RCA output which will enable you to connect to an external sound system?
If it does, then you'll be able to amplify the sound if there's need to.
In the same vein, a Turntable with USB output will enable you to transfer your records to a PC or MAC, and if it has a headphone Jack, you'll be able to connect your headset to it and listen to your records privately.
Some of the best record players under 100, 200, or 500 dollars come with an inbuilt Bluetooth receiver which streams songs from a Bluetooth enabled device such as an Android smartphone, iPhone, Tablet, Windows PC, etc.
If these are the features you'll like, then these are the ones you shouldn't bat an eyelid to when choosing the best record players in 2018.
Having reviewed several products on Amazon including the best wireless TV headphones, bone conduction headphones, and wireless lavalier microphones, you'll agree that we have got some level of experience in determining the performance of tech gadgets.
This can only be attributed to the fact that we have greatly relied on the reviews of hundreds of buyers for a particular product on Amazon to ascertain the real-life operation of the device.
Now, you should do the same too.
Based on reviews, you'll get to know whether the Turntable is durable, or if it compromises sound quality due to motor vibrations read by the stylus, and also the distance covered when connected wirelessly.
So, now that you know how to choose the best turntables in 2018, which brands should you keep on eye on and who makes the best record players?
When it comes to Lavalier microphones, DJ headphones, Open back headphones, phonographic magnetic cartridges and several other audio types of equipment, a popular brand that will always be mentioned is Audio-Technica.
Audio-Technica Corporation is a Japanese company that has been around since 1962 and one of the highlights of this brand is that you'll always find devices in different ranges.
That is to say, from its low-end to high-end devices, each promises an acceptable level of performance irrespective of its price.
That is why most consumers have settled with this brand given the high ratings of the Audio Technica AT-LP60BK fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable and AT-LP120-USB direct-drive professional turntable.
On the other hand, if you're a die-hard lover of vinyl records and you're ready to spend the extra cash even as high as $999 for a premium record player, the brand you'll come to love is Rega.
It may not have many customers as the other two brands given its price tag, but don't be fooled by this because it offers high-quality turntables.
Some of these includes the Rega Planar 2 turntable with RB220 tonearm, glass-platter and carbon cartridge and the Rega RP3 turntable with dustcover, Elys2 cartridge, and RB303 tonearm.
These machines are designed and manufactured by Rega Research Ltd., an audio equipment manufacturer that is based in the UK and has been in operation since 1973.
Since we're not dealing with turntables within its price range, we've omitted them on our list.
From the Dutch company, are Lenco turntables that are also considered to be among the best out there.
Unlike Turntables from Pro-ject, you can still find turntables from this brand with an affordable price tag.
Some reputable devices from this manufacturer include the Lenco L-84 USB record vinyl player with USB connection, Lenco L-85 USB two speed turntable with direct Mp3 recording, and Lenco turntable L75.
Another popular brand which offers some of the best affordable record players is Victrola.
Its machines such as the Victrola Vintage 3-speed Bluetooth suitcase turntable with speakers and Victrola nostalgic classic wood 6-in-1 Bluetooth turntable are quite popular among users on Amazon as well as eBay and Walmart.
Innovative Technology is the company behind this brand and it also specializes in the design and manufacturing of gramophones, stereos, and jukeboxes.
Whether its a wooden, suitcase, retro, or modern record player you need, this company has got you covered.
These are the makers of some of the best turntables in the market.
Yes, we understand that there are several vintage record players under 100 from different manufacturers.
For this reason, it can be difficult to decide on which to settle on given the high level of performance promised by each manufacturer as with the appealing look of the turntable.
While looks may be deceiving as with the words of the manufacturer, you can rely on us to select the best record player with speakers for under $100.
As a result, you don't have hundreds of machines to crack your brain with nor do you get only one to settle with.
That's because we have narrowed down to only 5 turntables in the market that have been selected for their price, audio quality, drive design, and build.
One of the best affordable record players is the Audio-Technica AT-LP60.
At about $99, it has a lot to offer and has become one of the most popular turntables reviewed on Amazon affiliate sites.
The AT-LP60 is a very portable turntable that does not take up a significant space wherever you place it.
You can place it on a desk, bookshelf, and even move it around with ease.
Equally, if you're looking for a portable record player under $100, this would be it.
Sporting a dimension of 14.06 x 3.82 x 14.17 in and weight of 5.3 lbs, you'll agree that this machine has a compact size and lightweight.
There is a removable hinged dust cover to protect the turntable and internal components from dust, and its Anti-resonance platter is made of aluminum to minimize vibrations.
For easy operation, the AT-LP60 turntable automatically places the tonearm of the records and also removes the tonearm when the record ends.
This is in a bid to maintain the quality of your records and also prevent you from mishandling the tonearm if it was to be manually placed on the vinyl record.
Two-speed settings are supported by this record player and these are the 33-1/3 and 45 RPM.
Consequently, you get to decide the speed at which your records will be played, only that it will be limited to only two unlike some turntables that come with at least three.
Like most modern record players, the AT-LP60 also takes advantage of a belt drive design where an elastic belt connects its platter and motor.
It prevents motor vibrations from tampering with the sound quality since the stylus will not read it.
According to Audio-Technica, you can expect increased clarity and high-fidelity audio.
For its tonearm build, you'll find a Dual Magnet phono cartridge connected to it with a replaceable diamond stylus.
In terms of connectivity, you can connect cables to its RCA output to amplify the sound produced.
It does not come with inbuilt speakers which means you'll need an external one and also there is no USB output that would've enabled you to digitize your records.
Nevertheless, it is still a good mid-range record player in comparison with others in its price range.
If you missed the inbuilt speakers feature that is absent in the Audio-Technica AT-LP60, here's the Jensen JTA-230 3 Speed Stereo Turntable with built-in Speakers trying to make up for it.
You get it at almost half the price of the AT-LP60.
Although we were unable to gain access to the Jensen record player website, Amazon states that this Turntable is designed and manufactured by the US company, Spectra Merchandising International, Inc. that was founded in 1981.
The Jensen portable record player has a dimension of 13.38 x 13.75 x 6.38 in and weight of 5.5 lbs.
Although it is slightly heavier than the AT-L60, it has a smaller size and for this reason, if you're all out for portability, then here's one more turntable to consider.
Like the latter, it also comes with a removable cover to protect the turntable from dust whether it's in use or not.
This record player uses a belt driven turntable where a belt connects the platter and the motor.
That being so, you can expect uncompromised sound quality but then, it is not suitable for Djing given its belt drive design.
There are 3-speed settings (33/45/78 RPM) in this Stereo for pitch control and as such, you can manipulate its speed to one that suits your needs.
Much more, this machine comes with two inbuilt speakers whose job is to amplify the sound received from the phono-amp.
Since it lacks an inbuilt Bluetooth, its auxiliary input jack makes up for it.
Therefore, you can connect your Tablet, Computer, MP3 player, iPod, smartphone and other digital audio players to this record player using its USB cable and then it'll blare up your songs through its speakers.
This turntable can be connected to a home music system via its RCA line-out jacks and connected to a headphone via its headphone jack.
As a result, you can expect higher sound levels if that's the kind you look forward to.
The Jensen JTA-230 diamond needle is removable if in case you need to replace it.
Using the software it comes with, you can record, edit, and convert your audio content to MP3 Format.
You'll find the Jensen JTA-230 user Manual packaged alongside this turntable and it'll show you how to use the record player.
Unlike the Jensen JTA-220 and JTA-222 3 speed stereo turntables with AM/FM stereo radio receiver, you won't find one on this model.
As already stated, one of the most popular turntable brands is the Victrola, whose manufacturer has been around for about 15 years now.
The Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth suitcase turntable with speakers has whole alot to offer and to think that it goes for just about $41 on Amazon.
For starters, this is a portable suitcase turntable that has a small size and a lightweight.
That is to say, at a dimension of 16.65 x 7.28 x 12.8 in and weight of 5.07 lbs, you can move it about with ease.
Its briefcase design makes it easy to travel with and as such, you won't miss your favorite vinyl records while on the go.
You can also get this turntable in different colors and patterns including Black, Pink Camo, Purple glitter Retro Map, Brown, Cobalt Blue, Cognac, Gray, and the American Flag.
Thus, if you're a fashion enthusiast, you can find one in a color that meets your style.
The Victrola portable suitcase turntable has three-speed settings for pitch control and these are 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM.
You get to decide the speed at which your records are being played since you're not limited to only one speed.
To further amplify its sound from the use of its internal speakers, this record player comes with an RCA jack and headphone jack.
As a result, you can either connect it to an external system to get better audio quality or connect it to a headphone for a more private listening.
Unlike the Audio-Technica and Jensen turntables, this one comes with a Bluetooth receiver which will enable you to connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth enabled device from even a distance of 33 feet in order to stream its content through the turntable's speakers.
Its 3.5mm aux-in jack also allows you to play music from non-Bluetooth devices.
Now you'll agree with us that this is an all-in-one portable music player, hence if you're looking for best in the US, UK, or Australia, this would be one of the best buys.
Another briefcase style portable record player with built-in speakers is the Feir Vinyl Stereo record player.
And we agree with them!
It is very portable at a dimension of 13.97 x 4.92 x 10.47 in, making it easy to change its placement on a shelf or table.
Also, it takes on a suitcase design where the Wooden cabinet case is wrapped in a durable PU leather and it comes with a handle to make it easy to carry about.
Color options for this record player include Turquoise, Red, Black, and White.
For pitch control, the Feir TP204 Turntable has 3 selectable speeds which are the 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM speeds settings.
In line with this, you will be able to manually decide how fast or slow your record is to be played to your own entertainment.
Integrated into this record player are two speakers, RCA Jack, and Headphone Jack.
Accordingly, you can expect decent audio quality from its inbuilt speakers and also enhance it with an external sound system or a headset.
This is a belt driven turntable that damps vibrations produced by its motor by connecting an elastic belt between its motor and platter.
This will help to minimize vibrations that may cause the stylus head to misread the record's groove.
You can digitize your records to a computer because of its Vinyl-to-PC recording capabilities which enables the conversion of records to digital files.
Finally, here's the Musitrend Bluetooth record player and a portable suitcase turntable to look forward to.
Like the Victrola's Vintage, this is also an All-in-one portable record player that has several features packed into one machine.
But more about that in the Musitrend turntable review section.
Now, Musitrend is a brand that has been around for about 10 years now and its makers specialize in the design and manufacturing of turntables.
What's with the Musitrend record player?
This is a briefcase-styled Vinyl record player that has a well built and compact design.
You can take it anywhere and everywhere given the nature of its build at a dimension of 13.7 x 10.4 x 4.9 in. and weight of 6.17 lbs.
It has a wooden interior and exterior leather wrapping to give you that old skool feeling as would be expected from using an age-long music player.
Also, its cover case serves as a protection against dust that may accumulate on the machine especially while not in use.
If you're looking for the best-looking record players out there, this would be one given its red and black color combo.
This record player comes with a front-facing built-in speakers to deliver excellent audio quality.
To enable you to adjust the speed of the record being played, it has 3 speed settings which are 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM.
It might also interest you to know that this is one of the best portable record players with a USB port and SD port which will allow you to digitize your records and save your records on an SD card respectively.
As a result, all your favorite records can be stored on your PC, Mac, as well as other digital audio devices.
There's an RCA jack to help you connect this turntable to an external speaker and also a headphone jack that allows you to connect to a headset.
This is a rechargeable record player that comes with a buit-in 2100mAh battery that promises up to 3 hours of music play time after a full charge.
There is a Bluetooth receiver which makes for a wireless connectivity to an audio source whose content will be streamed and played through its speakers.
The Musitrend needle is replaceable in case there is need to replace one that has been damaged.
Alternatively, if your musitrend record player not working, you can contact the Musitrend customer service.
Still undecided about this machine? then the video review of the Musitrend Bluetooth Record Player might clear your doubts.
Given a wide range of record players in the market and with a price tag under 100 dollars, we had to put give some features utmost priority in our selection process.
This was in a bid to ensure that any of these turntables you settle with, will be the best buy offering excellent value for your money.
Our greatest determinant for the Turntable to be selected was the price.
This is because if we were going to select a bunch of record players and compare their level of functionality, it was only fair for them to be in the same price range.
Thus, you'll find turntables in our guide not more than 100 dollars.
Whether its going to maintain one position on your furniture throughout its lifetime or you're going to move it around alot, it'll be nice to have a machine that doesn't look out of place in your sitting room.
Equally, it'll fit with your room's decor while enabling you to move around or travel with it if there's need be.
If you're not a DJ which we guess you aren't, you may need a belt driven turntable which you can just sit across the room with your glass of wine and have some comfort.
Thus, each of these turntables feature this design which will prevent the stylus head from misreading vibrations.
Our selected record players also come with additional features as would've been expected from a modern turntable.
You'll find them sporting some or all of the following: USB ports, AUX inputs, RCA/headphone Jack, Bluetooth, as well as an SD card slot.
Irrespective of what the manufacturer says about their product or the attractive price tag, you might want to check out what other users are saying about that particular product before dishing out your hard-earned money to buy it.
That being the case, these selected few are from trusted brands whose turntables have received high user ratings and have been recommended by former buyers and its current users.
With the best record players under 100, you don't have to spend so much before getting a quality turntable out there.
These are turntables with built-in speakers, Bluetooth or AUX input, USB, Speakers, and even an SD card slot that will enhance your level of experience while you listen to your favorite vinyl record.
Whether you are in the US, UK, or Australia take the next step and buy one of these from a reputable online store such as Amazon, eBay, or Walmart. | 2019-04-22T19:55:06Z | https://www.greatopedia.com/2018/09/best-record-players-for-under-100.html |
Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of Stax Museum of American Soul, the site where Elvis recorded three of his own albums. In celebration of the legendary recording studio, we recently sat down with Communications Director Tim Sampson to talk about Elvis' time recording with Stax. Fans can watch a portion of this interview in this new video (above) and tune in for this week's Rubberneckin' podcast on Thursday, May 2, for the extended interview.
In July and December of 1973, Elvis recorded three albums at Stax Records. The albums include "Raised On Rock," "Good Times" and "Promised Land," which produced four Top 20 hits on the charts. Sampson shares stories about Elvis' time at Stax and how after decades of being abandoned, the city of Memphis united to honor the musical history and legendary Stax artists.
On May 2, 2003, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music opened its doors at the original site of Stax Records, which had been a vacant, overgrown lot for more than a decade with a single State of Tennessee historic marker. This was once home to the label that launched the careers of such soul music luminaries as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MGs, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers and dozens of other artists who changed music and popular culture forever.
Learn more about history of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music by visiting StaxMuseum.com.
Elvis fan and country singer Scotty McCreery recently full-filled his life-long dream of visiting Graceland. Check out this week's photo spotlight featuring Scotty and his band, plus hear how Elvis influenced his love of music from an early age in this new video (above). Also, be sure to check out this week's photo spotlight featuring Scotty and his band!
McCreery performed this past February at the Grand Ole Opry and delivered an electrifying performance of the 1954 classic "That's All Right." McCreery, who has often named Elvis as one of his biggest inspirations, first performed "That’s All Right" during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode of American Idol in 2011.
Learn more about Scotty's upcoming appearances by visiting ScottyMcCreery.com.
The high-end clothing line "America Express" has unveiled a brand new unique line for Fall 2013. A collection celebrating Elvis Presley for women and men will be released sometime in 2013 of August or September.
The collection primary features: unisex button down shirts, round neck t-shirts, sweaters, and blue suede shoes for men and women. In addition to Elvis inspired clothing; a series of tops, dresses, and skirts have been created from inspiration through vintage iconic fashion pieces worn by Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley.
To commemorate and unveil the new Presley collections a party was held on Friday, April 26th at the Opening Ceremony‘s SoHo.
You should probably start saving your money now; as we all know American Express is not cheap, but you can bet I will get my hands on the collection!
Ann-Margret, Elvis' co-star in "Viva Las Vegas" born on April 28th 1941 in Stockholm, Sweeden.
The Facebook page for "Downtown Memphis" has shared a preview of the proposed construction plans for the former Chisca Hotel building located at 272 South Main Street in downtown Memphis. The Chisca can be seen on the left and a newer modern building which is already standing on the right. A ground breaking event for the construction was held on Friday, April 26th.
The former Chisca Hotel building will soon be renovated into apartment lofts. In 2012, Main Street Apartment Partners LLC purchased it and a 1961 parking annex building. The local investors are will spend $20 million converting the building into 166 apartment units and commercial space, including a restaurant.
Main Street Apartment Partners will also add a ground-floor plaza adjacent to Main Street and an outdoor deck will be added to the roof of the structure, connecting the original building and a wing constructed in 1961.
"It is going to look great," said Paul Morris with the Downtown Memphis Commission. "The Chisca used to look great 100 years ago when it was built, and it will look great again… The main thing, it will be populated instead of vacant." Morris says renovations are set to start in a few weeks. It could take up to 18 months to complete.
The Chisca Hotel, stands eight stories high at 272 South Main Street. It opened on Christmas Day 1913 and for many years it was one of the finest hotels in Memphis. It was there at The Chisca Hotel from 1949 to 1956 where Dewey Phillips had his WHBQ Radio program "Red, Hot, and Blue", and on "Red, Hot, and Blue" Elvis' very first song "That's Alright Mama" was broadcasted on the airwaves for the first time on July 7, 1954! Elvis also gave his first radio interview there with Dewey on the same day on July 7, 1954. Elvis also was seen frequently at The Chisca Hotel and was even photographed there with Actress, Natalie Wood. The Chisca is a very important to fan's of Elvis Presley. The former Chisca Hotel building served as the Church of God in Christ’s headquarters from 1973 to the late 1990s before the group abandoned it. Since the abandonment the building has suffered much damage.
Scotty McCreery, an American Country Music singer who has credited Elvis as one of his musical influences visited Elvis Presley's Graceland on Friday, April 26th with his Mother. McCreery will perform a concert in nearby Biloxi, MS on Saturday, April 27th.
Mary Kosloski-Garrett was the National March of Dimes Poster Child in 1955 and a Collierville Native, who had Polio as a child. She posed for the poster with Elvis Presley. She has come to Memphis to help The March of Dimes celebrate their 75th Anniversary this year. She will be present at the MOD largest event in Tennessee, March for Babies, at Shelby Farms at 8 a.m. on Saturday. She will also be speaking at the walk, in which they are expecting 4,000 people to participate. She went to Graceland on Friday.
Graceland security guard Abbas Omar, said he was thrilled to meet someone who actually sat on the lap of Elvis Presley. Mary Kosloski-Garrett was the National March of Dimes Poster Child in 1955 and Collierville Native, who had Polio as a child. She posed for the poster with Elvis Presley. She has come to Memphis to help The March of Dimes celebrate their 75th Anniversary this year. She will be present at the MOD largest event in Tennessee, March for Babies, at Shelby Farms at 8 a.m. on Saturday. She will also be speaking at the walk, in which they are expecting 4,000 people to participate. She went to Graceland on Friday.
Diagnosed with polio when she was 4 months old, Mary Kosloski-Garrett became a symbol of success.
A Collierville native, she’s lived a life that some could only dream of.
In 1955, she became the national poster child for the March of Dimes and was around stars who wanted to help find a cure for the crippling, potentially fatal disease.
While traveling to the White House was a highlight for Kosloski-Garrett, her voice rose when she began to talk about her trip to Graceland.
March of Dimes, which was started by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938 to fight polio, is celebrating its 75th anniversary Saturday with its annual “March for Babies” walk in Shelby Farms Park at 8 a.m. Kosloski-Garrett traveled from her home in Little River, S.C., to Memphis for the occasion.
Phil Toothman, Tennessee director of marketing for March of Dimes, said after a vaccine was created in 1952 to curb polio, they had to find another focus — preventing premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.
Kosloski-Garrett, who gets around in an electric wheelchair, said Roosevelt and the large number of children afflicted by the disease garnered attention, but the work being done now may be more important.
Master Kang Rhee, who was Elvis' Karate instructor from 1970-1974 has closed his Karate School at the Trinity Commons Shopping Center in Cordova which is a suburb of Memphis. Rhee who is 75 years old, will still maintain a small office in the Southwind area of East Memphis.
Elvis received his 8th Degree San Black Belt certificate from Master Rhee, at a private ceremony which took place on September 16, 1974.
This is not the building where Elvis learned and trained in Karate from Master Kang Rhee, as Rhee's original Karate School building which he still owns is located at 1913 Poplar Avenue in Midtown Memphis. Rhee's building on Poplar was formerly home to a rock and roll music venue, The Hi-Tone from 1998 to February 2013.
In recent years Master Kang Rhee was very popular with Elvis fan's who would often stop by his Karate School to personally meet him. When you met Master Kang Rhee he would show you a few items which pertained to Elvis, and you had the option of purchasing an autographed photo of Mr. Rhee with Elvis.
Elvis loved Karate and after training with Master Kang Rhee Elvis helped establish The Tennesee Karate Institute of Memphis with National Karate Champion, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace. The building which was demolished in the year 2011 was located at 1317 Overton Park Avenue in Memphis. At The Tennessee Karate Institute Elvis, Red West, Ed Parker, and others filmed a Karate documentary titled "The New Gladiators" which was lost and was not released to the public until August 2010. It has been reported that Elvis was very proud of the film project.
Download Episode #120 of the Rubberneckin' Podcast where Elvis Presley Enterprises' Kevin Kern and Amanda Pannell talk about all of the exciting events taking place here at Graceland and around the world. We kick off this week's podcast with Graceland dressed in Beale Street Blue and Memphis Grizz Gold, as we celebrate the Grizz play-off run here in Memphis. We also take a look at the exciting contest from ENCORE and the month-long movie marathon featuring your favorite Elvis movies. The Rubberneckin' team also talks about our new partnership for the March of Dimes' 75th Anniversary and an exciting event taking place this Saturday, featuring Mary Kosloski, an original poster child for March of Dimes who was photographed with Elvis on the steps of Graceland. We also look at the "Stax to the Max Festival," also taking place on Saturday, at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Plus, we send a special shout out to Stax who is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and we look at this week's sightings featuring Barbara Streisand.
VERMILLION, S.D. — A 16th-century Amati violoncello displayed in the National Music Museum has long been nicknamed "The King," but the ghost of a legendary rock 'n' roller has arrived in South Dakota to reclaim his regal moniker.
A slightly smashed acoustic guitar played by Elvis Presley on his final tour in 1977 now greets visitors in front of the museum's main galleries.
The Martin D-35 was tossed aside by "The King" during a St. Petersburg, Fla., concert after suffering a broken strap and string, said Robert Johnson, a Memphis-based guitarist who donated the item.
"He broke the strap and at the same time he broke a string," said Johnson, noting Presley's frustration. "He tosses it straight up in the air and it just comes down."
Johnson, who played with singer Isaac Hayes and the band John Entwistle's Ox in the 1970s, donated the Elvis guitar and four other celebrity items to the National Music Museum, which is tucked away in an old Carnegie library building on the University of South Dakota campus. The museum's trustees also purchased Johnson's 1967 Gibson Explorer Korina wood guitar, formerly owned by Entwistle, who's best known as a member of The Who, for $250,000.
Johnson, a longtime collector, also donated a Chet Atkins hollow body guitar given to country pianist Floyd Cramer and later played by Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, a 1966 custom Grammer guitar made for Johnny Cash, a 1961 Kay Value Leader guitar signed by blues legend Muddy Waters and one of Bob Dylan's Hohner Marine Band harmonicas.
"These instruments probably make the biggest splash of any celebrity things that we've had before," said museum director Cleveland Johnson. "We have some nice things, but this is a degree of magnitude higher."
Cleveland Johnson, who is not related to Robert Johnson, took over as director in November after the retirement of Andre Larson, who'd been at the helm since it was established in 1973. The museum's holdings grew out of a private collection owned by Larson's father, Arne B. Larson, who continually added items while serving as a public school music director.
"I was trying to find a place to hoard the rest of my stuff so it could be in place," said Johnson, 61. "It gets to be an overwhelming, oppressive burden to keep up with all this stuff."
The museum's 800 or so instruments on public display are the superstars of a broader collection of more than 15,000 pianos, harpsichords, guitars, horns, drums and other musical items. It includes a rare Stradivarius violin with its original neck, saxophones built by inventor Adolphe Sax, and the earliest French grand piano known to survive, an ornate green and gold instrument built by Louis Bas in Villeneuve les Avignon in 1781.
Cleveland Johnson said it has always been easy to drop names like Stradivari and Amati (whose centuries-old violins are considered the finest ever made) when he talks to people in classical music circles, but the new items will help the museum reach a different demographic.
"The motorcycle guys rolling across the state on their way to Sturgis, this would be a nice detour," he said. "Or a bus tour going from Sioux Falls to Memphis or down to Branson, this would be a perfect stop off on the way."
A $15 million expansion plan calls for tripling its 23,000 square feet of gallery space, improving the entrance and revamping the vast archives where music scholars can peruse the thousands of instruments and documents not on public display. The limited space has not only prevented instruments from getting their proper display, but also has hampered curators' efforts to find creative and hands-on ways to program and teach visitors and school groups.
The plan recently earned a federal seal of approval with the awarding of a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, whose chairman Jim Leach called the facility "a national treasure."
Cleveland Johnson said the museum is shifting its focus from acquisitions to developing programs to get the attraction better known around the country.
"I'm tired of being the best-kept secret," he said. "I'm over that. I'm ready to be the best-known musical instrument museum and not the best- kept secret.
Gladys Love Smith Presley, Mother of Elvis Presley was born on April 25th 1912 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi to her parents Robert Lee Smith and Octavia Luvenia "Doll" Mansell Smith.
Gladys fell in love with Husband Vernon Elvis Presley, and they married on June 17, 1933 in Pontotoc county, Mississippi. Elvis, and his stillborn twin brother Jessie were born on the very early morning of January 8, 1935.
Elvis and Gladys had a very close Mother and Son relationship. After Elvis' rise to fame he purchased her a brand new Pink Cadillac.
Gladys passed away on August 14, 1958 at a Memphis, TN Hospital, and she is buried at Graceland alongside Elvis, Vernon, and Minnie Mae Presley in the Meditation Garden.
Here's an updated list of entertainers with the most Top 40 Billboard chart titles since the Hot 100's August 4, 1958, launch.
Elvis is still Number One even though this does not include Elvis' massive 1956 and 1957 chart successes!
As part of the 75th Anniversary, Elvis Presley Enterprises is teaming up with a charity close to Elvis' heart. The Memphis March for Babies will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Shelby Farms at 8:00 a.m. Among thousands of attendees, will be Mary Kosloski, an original poster child for March of Dimes pictured in the photo above with Elvis on the foyer steps of Graceland. Learn more about walking in your own community by clicking here.
Kosloski will be attending the 2013 Memphis March for Babies where many of these famous photos of Elvis supporting the March of Dimes will be showcased in the 75th Anniversary Tent. During her visit to Memphis, Kosloski will be recreating her famous 1957 pose on the interior staircase of Graceland.
There are at least 20 other photos of Elvis Presley in the March of Dimes Archives photography collection. These include photos of Elvis with national poster child Mary Kosloski and other polio sufferers, both children and adults. In 2004, a German author, Andreas Roth, licensed eight of these photos taken on December 9, 1958, for "The Ultimate Elvis in Munich Book," which has been called one of the finest intensive pictorial studies of Elvis. The author used the March of Dimes photographs of Elvis and Robert Marquette, a six-year-old American boy disabled by polio as evidence of his strong commitment to the mission of the March of Dimes.
Elvis Presley actively supported the March of Dimes in the 1950s to promote polio vaccination among teenagers after the Salk polio vaccine was licensed for use in 1955. A key March of Dimes photo depicts Elvis Presley receiving his own polio vaccination from Dr. Harold Fuerst on October 28, 1956, with New York City Health Commissioner Leona Baumgartner. Elvis agreed to this photo opportunity to support the March of Dimes Teens Against Polio (TAP) publicity efforts.
The photo of Presley, Fuerst, and Baumgartner is one of the truly iconic publicity shots in the photography collection of the March of Dimes Archives. That it was taken on October 28, 1956, the date of Elvis Presley's second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, is especially remarkable. The March of Dimes distributed the photo to over 600 Elvis fan clubs across the nation to encourage teen-age polio immunization, calling Elvis Presley “the Pied Piper of modern youth.” Though the photo pre-dates March of Dimes involvement in the problem of prematurity, Leona Baumgartner, as New York City Commissioner of Health, had earlier helped to establish a network of premature infant centers and local transport for premature infants in New York City in the 1940s. The photo thus bridges the evolution of the March of Dimes mission “from polio to prematurity” in an unforeseen but powerful way.
Elvis Presley’s appearances on this show were enormously important in the explosive popularity of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. The photo was used successfully to encourage teenagers to get their polio vaccinations during the period of intensive public education about the polio vaccine from 1955 to 1962. A related March of Dimes polio vaccine brochure was titled "You Can't Rock 'n Roll with Polio," used in the Teens Against Polio program.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to end polio in the United States and it succeeded. Babies born today continue to receive the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines and benefit from many March of Dimes supported breakthroughs, such as treatments for premature infants and for children with birth defects.
Learn more about the March of Dimes mission and how you can help donate or walk by visiting MarchofDimes.com. Also, check out some of our new specials and packages to plan your own rock 'n' roll pilgrimage to Graceland and learn more about the King of Rock 'n' Roll's charitable contributions!
On Friday, April 26, by 10:00 a.m. CST, we'll be posting instructions on how to enter in the Elvis Insiders CONTEST section, which is only accessible to Insiders Basic and Plus members.
One lucky winner will receive the “Elvis Presley - Limited Edition Art Print Collection.” Elvis' legendary career amassed numerous hits, declaring him the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Pyramid America is proud to offer a limited-edition Elvis Presley art print collection to his fans across the country. This exclusive limited-edition art print box-set contains reproduction prints of the 45 RPM record sleeve covers, including additional historical information on each single. With never before published artwork, these collectible 8 x 10 art prints, which are suitable for framing, represent his #1 singles and will be printed only one time. The sets are individually numbered with only 3,000 printed and feature 17 art prints of Elvis' #1 singles. Not an Insider? Learn more about this limited-edition set and purchase your own with the special discount code THEKING1 by visiting PyramidAmericaStore.com.
The Gotta Have Rock & Roll Auction House located in New York will host "The Rock & Roll Pop Culture" Auction April 2013 with bidding starting on April 24th. There are several Elvis items and some of the items caught my eye as interesting!
The publicity states... If Elvis Presley had not wanted to be a movie star, he would never have single-handedly revolutionized popular culture. Yet this aspect of his phenomenal career has been much maligned and misunderstood partly because the King himself once referred to his 33 movies as a rut he had got stuck in just off Hollywood Boulevard. Elvis Films FAQ explores his best and worst moments as an actor, analyzes the bizarre autobiographical detail that runs through so many of his films, and reflects on what it must be like to be idolized by millions around the world yet have to make a living singing about dogs, chambers of commerce, and fatally naive shrimps.
Elvis's Hollywood years are full of mystery, and Elvis Films FAQ covers them all! Which of his own movies did he actually like? What films did he wish he could have made? Why didn't he have an acting coach? When will Quentin Tarantino stop alluding to him in his movies? And was Clambake really the catalyst for his marriage to Priscilla?
Elvis Films FAQ explains everything you want to know about the whys and wherefores of the singer-actor's bizarre celluloid odyssey; or, as Elvis said, "I saw the movie and I was the hero of the movie."
Paperback 400 pages. To be published Sept 2013.
For the third year in row, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music is taking it to the streets with its "Stax to the Max Festival" - an all-day, outdoor, FREE music and arts festival. This year’s event, billed as "ArtsMemphis Presents Stax to the Max," takes place this Saturday, April 27, from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
In July and December of 1973, Elvis recorded three albums at Stax Records. The albums include "Raised On Rock," "Good Times" and "Promised Land," which produced four Top 20 hits on the charts. This year’s festival, held behind the Stax Museum, features all-day live music, arts performances, vendors, nonprofit booths, food trucks, children’s activities and more, plus visitors from all over the country and even Canada participating. In celebration of the Stax Museum’s 10th anniversary in 2013, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
Headline Act: For the headline act beginning at 5:30 pm on the main stage, Stax to the Max is having an old-school Stax and soul throw down, with the Garry Goin Band backing Stax legend William Bell, longtime Memphis soul singer Toni Green, and Kirk Whalum, with rare Memphis appearances by Stax legends the Temprees, the Mad Lads, and the Astors, the latter of which hasn’t performed together in 40 years.
“We have a junket of 25 European journalists traveling to Memphis to cover the Stax Museum’s 10th anniversary and we wanted to give them and the crowd a real Stax experience. With the young people of the Stax Music Academy and the performances by the Stax veteran artists, we hope we will convey to everyone that the Stax Museum is more than just a museum, but also a community, a family if you will, that uses the legacy we preserve to bring things into the present and take them into the future,” according to Stax Museum communications director Tim Sampson.
Learn more about the "Stax to the Max Festival" by visiting StaxMuseum.com.
The second James Burton Foundation cookbooks can be ordered as well as his first cookbook for $25.00 plus shipping & handing. $5 for US shipping and handling and $15 for International orders.
Remember you are not just buying a cookbook, you are helping to buy a guitar for another child.
ShopElvis is celebrating Earth Day 2013 with a special deal for Elvis fans! For every order placed through April 22, 2013, ShopElvis.com will plant a tree in your honor via "Trees For The Future."
"Trees for the Future" has helped to create sustainable and productive communities throughout the world since 1989. The organization teaches and empowers rural groups to grow sustainable, renewable forests for agriculture and food, firewood, construction, water collection and filtration and animal habitat.
This exclusive ShopElvis deal is only available until Monday, April 22, in celebration of Earth Day. Learn more about "Trees for the Future" by visitingTreesForTheFuture.org.
Not what you are looking for? Visit ShopElvis.com for more Elvis products. | 2019-04-24T18:53:40Z | http://www.elvispresleyfansofnashville.com/elvis-presley-news/archives/04-2013 |
We are excited to announce that the Royal Academy of Dance is our newest Contributing library. To tell us more about the organisation, the library and its serial collection, we invited Carlos Garcia Jane, Assistant Librarian, to write a few words.
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world’s most influential dance education organisations. Founded in 1920 to set standards for dance teaching within the UK, today we have a presence in 84 countries, with 36 offices and around 14,000 members worldwide. We count more than 1,000 students in our teacher training programmes and more than a quarter of a million students are being examined on our syllabi. Our membership is supported through the knowledge and expertise of RAD’s highly qualified staff and through conferences, workshops, training courses and summer schools. The Faculty of Education is dedicated to meeting the needs of our current and future dance teachers by providing dance teacher education programmes and qualifications. Our exams are recognised by Ofqual and contribute to UCAS points. The RAD’s patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Philip Richardson Library houses one of the largest specialist dance collections in the UK. Based at the RAD Headquarters in Battersea, London, we welcome visitors from around the world as well as RAD members, friends, students and staff. The open access collections include books, CDs, DVDs, conference proceedings, resource packs and Benesh Movement Notation Scores. The dance collection is supplemented by resources in the related fields of pedagogy, music, anatomy and physiology. Materials in the archives and special collections include rare books, theatre programmes, photographs, costume designs, pictures and artifacts, as well as audio-visual materials and paper-based documents and correspondence.
Our expanding collection of serials contains over 170 individual titles, 30 of which are print subscriptions, alongside online resources and databases. The serials collection focuses on dance history and criticism, choreography, dance education and training, and dance medicine and science. The collection includes a complete run of the Dance Gazette, a highly-respected international dance publication, produced by the Royal Academy of Dance since 1930. Among other important serial titles, our collection also features runs of Dancing Times, Dance Magazine, and Dance & Dancers.
Our collection will be beneficial to students, researchers and academic interested in ballet, dance and related topics. Find more information about our collections and activities on our website, our library catalogue, or follow us on twitter @RADLibrary. To arrange a visit contact us on [email protected] or 02073268032.
SUNCAT would very much like to thank Carlos for introducing the library and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections please contact us at [email protected].
Welcome to Canterbury Christ Church University – SUNCAT’s newest Contributing Library!
A new year and a new SUNCAT Contributing Library – that of Canterbury Christ Church University! We invited Ian Simpson, Library Collection Development Manager, to write a few words about the library and its collections.
Canterbury Christ Church University is a modern, multi-campus University which is making a positive and lasting difference to local and global communities.
Christ Church has a vibrant community of more than 15,000 students and 1,800 staff studying and working across its network of campuses and centres in Canterbury, Medway and Tunbridge Wells, and it is one of only a handful of universities in the UK to be situated in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With nearly 90% of research submitted to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework assessed as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised, the University is proud of its contribution to society and the economy, and will continue to look for new opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The main University’s library is in the award-winning Augustine House. Located in Canterbury city centre, Augustine House opened in 2009 and has won several architectural awards for its contemporary design and its commitment to sustainability; a major feature of the building. During exam times, the library is open 24 hours for students, and external visitors can use the facilities between 8.30am and 6pm. There is also a library in the University’s Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology in Tunbridge Wells and the Drill Hall Library at its Medway Campus (shared with the Universities of Kent and Greenwich).
Christ Church has a print collection that matches our teaching and learning philosophies and an unusual collection of curriculum resources to complement our range of teaching qualifications. We subscribe to 800 individual journal titles alongside over 130 databases and journal packages. Our archives and special collections includes a children’s literature collection, a Gaskell collection and the Mary Braddon archive, John Jewel’s A Defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande, Conteining an Answeare to a Certaine Booke Lately Set Forthe by M. Hardinge, and Entituled, A Confutation of &c. (1611 edition) along with a Latin edition of Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
We hope that our expanding collection will prove beneficial to academics everywhere, hence our inclusion on SUNCAT. For more information visit our website. Keep an eye on twitter @ccculibrary for the latest news. You can contact us by email [email protected] or call us on 01227 782352.
SUNCAT would very much like to thank Ian for introducing the library and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact us at [email protected].
SUNCAT welcomes the Scottish National Portrait Gallery!
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is SUNCAT’s newest Contributing Library. We invited Becky Howell, the Librarian at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, to say a few words.
The library at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is one of the three libraries held across the National Galleries of Scotland. The library holdings, including our journal collections, cover a large range of topics, including portraiture, art history, Scottish history and biography, and photography. Our collection is used primarily by our curatorial staff, but we also welcome visitors to use our resources in our reading room. We are open to anyone wanting to do research at any level, and have archive material and a large collection of prints, drawings and photographs that can also be consulted.
The library is a Victorian balcony library, and was moved during the Portrait Gallery’s renovations during 2008-2011. It was previously located on the opposite side of the building, but the library in its entirety, including the shelves and cupboards, was dismantled and then rebuilt in its current location. The reading room is located within the library, but there is also a public area where visitors can look at some of our object collection while enjoying the space.
SUNCAT welcomes the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow!
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is SUNCAT’s newest Contributing Library. We invited Andrew McAinsh, Collections Manager at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, to write a few words about the library and its collections.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was founded in 1599 by the Scottish surgeon Peter Lowe and his compatriots, Robert Hamilton (a physician) and William Spang (an apothecary). More than four centuries later, the College remains the only multidisciplinary Royal College in the UK. We provide career support, education, training, examination and assessment to Fellows and Members around the world, including physicians, surgeons, dentists, and practitioners of travel medicine and podiatric medicine.
The College library was established around 1698, and our collections have grown steadily over the past 320 years to include everything from incunabula (books printed before 1501) to newly published textbooks and exam guides. The collection is particularly strong in medical and surgical publications of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and this is reflected in the journal holdings we have recently added to SUNCAT.
The Library is open to members of the College on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Members of the public are also welcome to visit by appointment. Our library is a treasure trove of research resources for anybody with an interest in current medical practice, the history of medicine, and the history of Glasgow and the West of Scotland. We also have a range of resources for family history researchers, and can help you to trace your medical ancestors.
Beyond the library, our archive collections include the historical records of the College, and over 120 donated collections relating to Scottish medical societies and former College members. We are also an accredited museum, and our object collection includes thousands of medical instruments from the 18th to the 21st centuries as well as a diverse collection of paintings and other artworks.
We’re working hard to digitise items from our heritage collections, and lots of our objects, archives and rare books can already be viewed online. Check out our website at http://heritage.rcpsg.ac.uk and follow us on twitter @rcpsgheritage for the latest information on our collections and events. If you’d like to arrange a visit you can contact us by email ([email protected]) or telephone (0141 221 6072).
SUNCAT would very much like to thank Andrew for introducing the library and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact us at [email protected].
SUNCAT would like to welcome our newest Contributing Library, the Geological Society of London. The Geological Society is a not-for-profit organisation, and registered charity, founded in 1807. Its aims are to improve knowledge and understanding of the Earth, to promote Earth science education and awareness, and to promote professional excellence and ethical standards in the work of Earth scientists, for the public good.
We invited Eileen Jamieson, Serials and Information Librarian at the Geological Society, to write a few words about the library and its serials collection.
The Geological Society Library is more than 200 years old and is currently based in Burlington House, Piccadilly. It contains over 300,000 volumes of books and serials and 40,000 maps, making it a collection of national importance covering all aspects of the geological sciences. The Library holds a collection of over 4,500 serial titles from all over the world. In addition to modern major journals, our collection includes many obscure or old journals. We also have several (mostly older) series that are not exclusively geological. More information about the Library and it’s collections is available on our website at https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/library.
SUNCAT would like to thank Eileen for introducing the library and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact us at [email protected].
Welcome to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David!
SUNCAT is very pleased to announce that the University of Wales Trinity Saint David has become our newest Contributing Library. This is the sixth Welsh institution to join SUNCAT. We invited John Dalling, Head of Collections, to write a few words about the University’s Library and Learning Resources service and its collections.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) was formed in November 2010 through the merger of the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College Carmarthen, under Lampeter’s Royal Charter of 1828. On the 1 August 2013, Swansea Metropolitan University became part of UWTSD. The University’s main campuses are situated in various locations in and around Swansea’s city centre as well as in the rural towns of Lampeter and Carmarthen in South West Wales.
UWTSD Library and Learning Resources has seven campus libraries in Carmarthen, Lampeter, Swansea and London, which include a collection of over 500,000 printed volumes and provide access to approximately 20,000 electronic books and 50,000 electronic journals. The University’s special collections are held in the Roderic Bowen Library and Archives at Lampeter, which include over 35,000 printed works, featuring several medieval and post-medieval manuscripts.
Our libraries support programmes of study and research covering a wide range of subject areas, with particular strengths in education, humanities, art and design, architecture, engineering, and business. The University subscribes to approximately 500 individual journals and holds archives for many more titles including a number in the Welsh language and of local interest to South and West Wales. In addition, we also provide access to many more journals electronically through subscription packages.
We are delighted to be able to contribute our holdings to SUNCAT and hope that widening access to our periodical collections will prove beneficial to researchers throughout Wales and the whole of the UK.
SUNCAT would like to thank John for introducing UWTSD Library and Learning Resources and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact us at [email protected].
SUNCAT would like to welcome a new Contributing Library, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which has a well-resourced medical and surgical library, with all the latest in texts, journals and electronic resources and a wealth of fascinating historical stock dating from the 15th century to the present.
We invited Aaron Fleming, Library and Archive Assistant at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, to write a few words about the library and its collections.
The Library supports the research and information needs of the College’s membership, a global network of over 24,000 surgeons in over 100 countries. Housed in the renowned Playfair Building since 1832, it maintains a vast and important surgical, medical and historical collection, ranging from rare books and journals, to the Minute Books of the College which provide a continuous record of the institution from 1581. Among the rare books are a copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle dated 1493, two Books of Hours dated 1450 and 1490, and a first edition of William Harvey’s Exercitatio anatomica de motu cordis from 1628.
The Library holds over 600 journals. In addition to 50 current print subscriptions, there are complete runs of medical journals going back as far as the eighteenth century. These constitute a vital snapshot of the development of the surgical and medical professions and are bound and preserved in our designated basement store. New roller storage was installed in 2015 and this has ensured that the stock is preserved in a suitable environment.
It is hoped that the Library’s inclusion on SUNCAT will widen access to the collection for academics and researchers. For more information about the library, please visit https://library.rcsed.ac.uk or email [email protected].
SUNCAT would like to thank Aaron for introducing the library and its journal collection. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact us at [email protected].
SUNCAT is very pleased to announce the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as our newest Contributing Library. It is a welcome addition to the 42 specialist libraries already in SUNCAT. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is the specialist provider of safe high quality blood, tissues and cells products and services in Scotland.
We invited June MacLeod, Clinical and Scientific Information Manager at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Library, to write a few words about the library and its collections.
In November 2008 the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Blood Transfusion Centre Library moved to a new site and was amalgamated with the Protein Fractionation Centre Library. The library is now called the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Library.
The library is a specialist library for transfusion medicine and consists of about 1000 archive books, some dating from the 1930s, pamphlets, staff publications, theses, American Association of Blood Banks information and Council of Europe documents.
The library is also a specialist library for protein fractionation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, plasma fractionation and engineering. It consists of books, videos, British Standards, European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products publications, Food and Drug Administration publications, Government Acts, Health and Safety publications, Medicines Act leaflets and almost 1000 Research and Development Reports.
The library holds 99 journals and newsletters, 16 of which are current. Â The manufacture of the pharmaceutical products ceased in December 2007 so the majority of the pharmaceutical, engineering and laboratory journals are archive closed runs.
SUNCAT would like to thank June for writing this post. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact the EDINA Helpdesk at [email protected].
SUNCAT welcomes Truro & Penwith College – our first FE Contributing Library!
SUNCAT is very pleased to announce that Truro & Penwith College has become our first Further Education Contributing Library! This takes the total number of libraries in SUNCAT to 109, plus the CONSER database, ISSN register and Directory of Open Access Journals.
Truro & Penwith College, who recently maintained their outstanding Ofsted rating, offers access to a diverse range of educational choices, supported by outstanding resources and purpose-built facilities from their campuses in Truro and Penzance. There is a wide number of courses available across many qualification types and levels, from traditionally ‘academic’ A Levels and Degrees to Apprenticeships, vocational courses and business training.
The College has Learning Centres located on both campuses and they offer learning environments for quiet work and group work with access to support from experienced staff, as well as being the hub for the provision of a wide range of physical and on-line resources.
SUNCAT welcomes Lambeth Palace Library!
SUNCAT is very pleased to announce that Lambeth Palace Library has become our newest Contributing Library. The library is situated on the south side of the River Thames, in Lambeth, London. Just over 3000 of its serial records have been loaded into the service. This takes the total number of libraries in SUNCAT to 108, plus the CONSER database, ISSN register and Directory of Open Access Journals.
We invited Hugh Cahill, Senior Librarian at Lambeth Palace Library, to write a few words about the library and its collections.
Lambeth Palace Library is the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the principal repository of the documentary history of the Church of England. Its collections have been freely available for research since 1610.
The manuscripts and books held here date from the 9th century to the present day, and their broad scope reflects the office of Archbishop as head of the Province of Canterbury, his national and international roles in leading the Church of England and the Anglican Communion worldwide. James I described the Library as ‘a monument of fame’ in his kingdom.
The Library collects around 100 current journals. These relate mainly to the history of the Church of England rather than to theology but the Library also collects current journals of institutions of which it holds the archive, such as the Mothers’ Union and the Ecclesiastical Architects’ and Surveyors’ Association. Our historical journals date from the 17th c. onwards with titles such as The Gentleman’s Journal, Journal de Hambourg, and Histoire des Ouvrages des Sçavans.
The Library also holds large numbers of diocesan and parish magazines /newsletters from the 19th c. onward. With around 16,000 parishes in England no such collection can be truly comprehensive but we have an extensive sample that is representative both geographically and chronologically. The Library also holds periodicals on social issues of interest to the Church such as temperance, with runs of titles like Temperance Action Songs, The Church of England Temperance Magazine, and The Band of Hope Chronicle. Missionary magazines and reports of missionary societies are also well represented in the collection with title such as Mission Life and The Colonial Church Chronicle and Missionary Journal. Another subject area covered by the collections is relations of the Church of England with other Christian denominations worldwide, meaning that we have journals/periodicals in Greek, Russian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Swedish and Italian.
By joining SUNCAT it is hoped that that the diverse periodical collections at Lambeth Palace Library will become better known and better used.
SUNCAT would like to thank Hugh for writing this post. If you would like to write a post on your SUNCAT Contributing Library and its serials collections or would like to join SUNCAT please contact the EDINA Helpdesk at [email protected]. | 2019-04-24T18:08:03Z | http://blogs.edina.ac.uk/category/contributing-libraries/ |
As South African engineers we are proud of our community, we have a reputation for hard work and innovation in many parts of the world, but we seem to be forgetting that our reputation is not based on what we were taught in the classroom, rather what we learnt from our betters once we leave.
In recent years there has been a strong focus on increasing the number of graduates coming out of tertiary education (at my institution there has been a 5-fold increase in output in a decade). Most of us are aware that to meet this demand academia has wrestled with many challenges resulting in updated curricula. Assessments have been streamlined and the digital era has been embraced. Contemporary graduates have a range of classical skills that will be familiar to the old guard but have also accrued a range of new skills. Some institutions have even begun emphasizing the ever illusive 'soft skills'; that the public at large wants us to have. The question here is; now what?
However good your formal education is, it is incomplete. Young engineers move out of the classroom and join other practicing engineers. Only here do they learn the values of our industry: honesty, integrity, responsibility, inclusivity, continuous development and professionalism. These attributes are passed down from generation to generation. The older generation either mentored the new graduates directly through EIT programs or indirectly through their interaction with new graduates. In this way we have built a culture of engineering.
In a recent news article Consulting Engineers South Africa laments the immigration of senior engineers in the age bracket 35 to 55 and notes the ‘huge number’ of new graduates. As a community we are fast becoming bottom heavy and will reach the point where there are simply too few senior engineers to provide adequate mentorship, and our values may no longer be imparted on the younger segment of our community. With their sheer number, the newly graduated engineers will dominate how South African engineers are seen globally and their behaviour will reflect all our values.
We can no longer rely on the passive interactions of the past (or our absentee regulator) to instil the culture of South African engineering on the new generation. If we want to maintain our standards of practice and reputation, we now need to plan how new additions to our community are socialized.
Members of the voluntary associations are in the best position to engage with the youth to ensure that they gain the attributes that will keep our community strong. All it takes is a little time.
This past year has shown me, in many ways, just how amazing people can be, but I have been particularly amazed by the enthusiasm, discipline and resulting activity happening at the youthful end of the SAIMechE membership pipeline.
At the November 2018 Council meeting we heard about the activities of the various SAIMechE Student Chapters, and the Council was very impressed. In the three-month reporting period, the Student Chapters arranged and hosted sixteen events involving seven tertiary education institutions and eight companies. The activities included speed-mentoring, site visits, technical talks, conferences and recruitment drives. There was some social interaction as well, and one chapter arranged and hosted a sold-out dinner dance at an up-market venue, which included sponsorship from a major bank which they secured themselves.
Shortly after the Council meeting I attended an industry advisory committee meeting at a tertiary institution, and rather than having to find my own way around the typically complex campus, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted just inside the main gate by a group of SAIMechE Student Chapter committee members. I could hardly miss them in their matching branded golf shirts, each holding a clear sign for those attending the meeting. They guided me to a special parking space and then to the venue. I felt like the most important person on the campus! What a fantastic advertisement for SAIMechE from those who have only recently become members. They were so proud to be identified with SAIMechE and to play a role in hosting guests on their campus. They are also so keen to play a productive role in the profession, and are looking to their SAIMechE membership to help them achieve their goals.
My overall impression of the Student Chapters is that, in the main, they have been getting on with the job by themselves. They have helped each other to form and manage the chapters. They have drafted their own guidelines and procedures to be more effective in arranging their activities. They have been careful with their expenditure and have managed their budgets effectively. The Student Chapter AGMs and meetings that I have been to have been professionally run and focused on the interests of the member. Meeting protocol is generally well understood and meeting minutes are concise and well prepared. I don’t think that anyone is teaching the Student Chapters about the finer points of professional conduct - they are figuring it out by themselves, and learning important life lessons in the process.
In all cases of student activity there have been individuals who have responded to the call for service to others. A handful of students arrange all the activities and put in the hours necessary to get the job done. This is not unusual and we see this in all sorts of organisations relying on the voluntary service of members. The individuals that serve will naturally stand out from the crowd because of their commitment, dedication and effort. They may not realise it, but they are being recognised, and effort they put in now will produce some greater benefit in the future.
I am very grateful to our Students Chapters for reminding me of one of the cornerstones of voluntary professional associations like SAIMechE. That professional and personal growth comes through service to others, and that offers many opportunities and platforms from which to serve. Serving means meeting other people, interacting with them and doing things collectively to serve the greater good. Serving means not feeling alone, but feeling part of a group. Thank you for reminding me of all the good reasons for being a member of SAIMechE.
The most common question that I am asked about SAIMechE goes something like “What is the benefit of being a member of SAIMechE?”. Instead of a clinical corporate response, I decided to reflect on my own membership of SAIMechE, and consider how I have benefited directly from it. To be fair, I have excluded anything to do with my role as CEO, and have only considered my experiences as a member.
Looking back on my professional career, I can now clearly see that it took a turn for the better from about the time I was first drafted onto the KZN Branch committee in the early 1990’s. At that time, I wasn’t thinking of my professional development, but probably didn’t have a good enough reason to dodge the invitation. I admit to often giving of my time grudgingly in those early years, and considered my service on the committee as part of an obligation to give something back to the profession, with no expectation of a benefit in return. Now I recognise the significance of that point in my career, and am able to identify the many benefits that followed.
From the first committee meeting my mechanical engineering world started to expand. I immediately met a handful of professionals and started hearing more about the world of mechanical engineering. Up to that point, my only engineering contact was at work, which presented me with a very narrow and uninviting view of the profession. I had very few professional colleagues at work, and spent most of my time engaging with the engineering trades on the one side, and management on the other. By attending committee meetings and assisting with the organisation of activities, I started hearing of new industries, technologies and machines. I heard the names of people in industry and started to connect the dots in the profession. For the first time in my career I interacted with people who were focused on mechanical engineering, and it felt like home.
In the early years I didn't fully realise the value of a network of professional colleagues that I was creating. Looking back, I would consider my professional network to be the most significant contributor to my development. This network has consistently presented me with knowledge, experience, advice and support, and I could not imagine a more appropriate space in which to encounter these.
I have been the KZN Branch Treasurer for more years than I can remember, and this office has helped me to become a very competent bookkeeper and Pastel operator. Branch accounts are quite small and manageable, and give great opportunity for learning. I now properly understand accounting and financial statements and can hold my own against any commerce professional. Solid financial skills are quite lacking in the engineering profession, very much to our disadvantage, and it’s a pity more of us don’t realise how simple it actually is.
In the role of Branch Chairperson I was able to practice and develop skills in chairing meetings, and developed an effective method of taking minutes which I still use to this day. I was given many opportunities for public speaking such as hosting technical presentations, dinners and even the national awards banquet at the Durban ICC, and this has been very much to my benefit.
I could list a few more direct benefits that I’ve received, but the point I would like to make at this stage is that all the benefits came as a result of service. I never set out to get any benefit from my service to SAIMechE, but reckon that I’ve received at least ten times that which I put in - perhaps even more. I didn’t plan it that way, but just as exercise brings about health benefits, so service to the profession brings about professional benefit.
I look forward to many more years of enjoyable and productive service to the Institution, and to the multiple benefits that will follow. The difference these days is that I think a lot more about it beforehand. That’s just the way it works.
the result of a technology innovation either created or applied by an engineer.
built, manufactured or generated by value-add processes both developed and managed by engineers.
shipped and handled by thermodynamic miracles invented and improved by engineers.
powered by energy generated by petrochemical, nuclear and natural wonders like wave and wind energy harnessed by engineers.
used by people fed, clothed, housed and cared for via mechanised agricultural and industrial systems, including healthcare, characterised by continuously improving productivities and advances which reward us with generous free time, greater health and longer lives.
We need more Science Technology Engineering and Mathematically (STEM) educated people in every field, as a technology-driven society and innovation-based economy, it is a given.
For example, for every R1 of economic value directly generated by engineering intensive innovation and value add processes there is approximately R20 generated downstream in other fields such as law, banking, real estate, insurance.
If we are to accommodate billions more people on the planet and address issues such as waste or material limits, we need more and more engineers and others to make it happen. We need all the engineers we can get. Even if we successfully meet all the current demand and then generate an army of unemployed engineers, an unemployed, bored engineer will literally make their own opportunities, and we will all benefit.
An example is global warming which is often the impetus for people to take up engineering. So, let me pen down my views and analysis.
Engineering marvels have enabled us to attain better food security by improving the yield per area for farming. Engineering marvels have helped us have a better quality of life in terms of both health and wellness overall by providing us with access to better equipment. Engineering feats are what have enabled us to communicate with each other from virtually anywhere.
These are not the feats of a single individual nor a small group of individuals. To get to these points we had to build upon the knowledge of the known and research and collaborate among millions of the brightest minds. But as we progressed, the scale of problems also increased exponentially.
To tackle these problems, we need more numbers of people collaborating and working together on these issues. So yes, to tackle these problems, we need more engineers, just to boost the odds of solving the problems.
If we successfully meet all the current demand and then generate an army of unemployed engineers, an unemployed, bored engineer will literally make their own opportunities, and we will all benefit.
As for the other professions such as law, accountancy, or even entertainment, I agree they are important, they just don’t push the frontiers of humanity to a better level. In my opinion, we as an organism, can afford entertainment only after we have secured the safety of our existence. I read a story that may help to illustrate this. Consider a two-person economy.
One-man fishes with a rod and line and suppose he catches two fish per day. The other man chops down trees and makes firewood. They exchange, each day, one fish for one bundle of firewood.
Now suppose the fisherman invents a net which allows him to catch ten fish per day. Then, because he has always had a good relationship with the lumberjack, he decides to pay two fish for the same bundle of firewood.
After the invention, both men are richer: the fisherman has eight fish and a bundle of firewood, and the lumberjack now has two fish (and of course his firewood). The world needs more engineers because they invent the nets. Every engineer is compensated based on his or her ability to build something new or improve upon something that already exists. They optimise, research, and improve everything, constantly.
The world doesn’t just need engineers, it desperately needs them.
How does one build a decolonised bridge?
I first heard this question as part of the somewhat facetious reaction that many engineers have to the call to decolonise science, knowledge, engineering. But let’s go back to one of the first communities of colonisers, the ancient Greeks, and reflect on Socrates’ statement, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” When thinking about what I could do to transform the engineering profession into one where we can build a decolonised bridge, I paused to reflect on my classroom.
as a South African engineer?
that a small percentage of matriculants gain entry into university, and engineering attracts top learners from this cohort. We have the privilege of having dedicated, determined and self-motivated young adults in our classrooms.
So why do we lose so many of them? Educational research shows evidence, again and again, that feelings of engagement, belonging and identifying with the context and the community, are critical for successful learning. How does this relate to decolonisation? If one believes that science was invented in Europe, by white men, and that a Western knowledge-base drives all technological development, it is easy to imagine that anyone whose identity lies outside of this construct would face a significant challenge in engaging with the disciplines supported by science and technology.
One of the first myths that I interrogated relates to the history and evolution of science. Let’s start with mathematics, as it is arguably the language of engineering. The most ancient mathematical texts date back to around 2000 BC, written in Mesopotamia (situated in the area currently known as the Middle East) and Egypt. As an example of the importance of history, one of the first mathematical theories that a student will learn (long before they enter the university halls) is the Pythagorean theorem.
Pythagoras (c. 570 – 495 BC) was a Greek philosopher who is probably most famously known for a theorem that he did not discover. The Pythagorean triangle relationship was known to Babylonians and Indians centuries before Pythagoras was born! But Pythagoras was probably the first Greek to formally present the knowledge to the Greek communities, perhaps the first to formally set out the proof.
The revelation of “new to you” is something that anyone who has applied themselves to any study knows well. So, one of the first lessons I learnt in my endeavour to unpack colonisation and decolonisation, is that a student’s perception of what is real or true may be very far from reality or the truth.
It is, however, their current reality and I need to be aware of it. Perhaps the first step in decolonisation, is realising that much of what is assumed to be colonised knowledge is no such thing. Mathematics is not European, nor is science, nor is engineering. However, pretending that each student in my class is equal, that they enter our institutions with the same opportunities, privileges or challenges, is insanity. So how do I manage this environment of have and have-nots, of blissful ignorance and painful realities?
Where is the space in the engineering curriculum to incorporate an ethic of care, of awareness and sensitivity? Mathematics is not European, nor is science, nor is engineering.
Perhaps a decolonised bridge is designed by a local team of engineers who value and appreciate the diversity of perspectives that each team member brings. Perhaps one of the engineers is the daughter of one of the construction workers, the first person in her family to go to university.
Perhaps the bridge is reinforced with natural fibres, from crops grown in fields by local farmers who use sustainable agricultural practices. Maybe it provides a means of connecting a rural community to an economic hub; maybe it carries power and clean water back to this community.
Engineers are expert problem-solvers. Colonisation was a reality in our society. The effects are still evident and continue to pose problems for our society. These are all concrete facts. Let’s use the tools and knowledge available to us, and find a way to build a decolonised bridge.
Online education is growing quickly. Gone are the days where universities were the sole custodians of knowledge. Today we have unprecedented access to information and we are free to learn in near arbitrary depth in almost every imaginable field. A quick scan through Wikipedia can confirm how inertia is calculated in a moving reference frame, and YouTube will teach you how to replace a light bulb on your car. Most of us think that the learning stops there but the Internet can provide us with so much more.
As a group we are curious and enjoy learning, in our professional lives we are required to hone existing skills and develop new ones, but are plagued by extensive time commitments and a rapidly changing schedule that often prevents us from committing to the limited number of short courses presented locally.
Online platforms offer a wider variety of courses with significantly more flexibility, in content timing and mode of participation. Modern online courses are truly massive and benefit from very strong community interaction. It is not uncommon to be enrolled in a course with 60 000 other students, most of whom are happy to communicate via the forums.
There are many strong online institutions but three organisations stand out, Coursera.org, Udemy.com and Edx.org. Each of these organisations afford anyone the opportunity to participate in courses presented by experts from well established universities including familiar institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT and TU Delft.
Over the past few years I have participated in courses ranging from statistical modeling presented by John’s Hopkins to geographical information systems presented by the US Army Academy. The courses range from 4 to 12 weeks and require a commitment of between 4 and 12 hours a week.
Video lectures and course materials are provided, with graded assessments and an active mentor community. The courses range from introductory courses to advanced postgraduate level. In some cases, the courses even bear credit at their host university.
Although courses are available on a wide range of topics most fields are limited to a digital footprint, and you are not likely to get your hands dirty. Most will provide you with the theory and rely on the participants to create their own applications. With this in mind each of the three organisations listed make some capstone module available where the participant can engage in an extended application of the theory in a project setting with supervision. These are typically bundled into a mini-diploma style collection or specialisation. In some cases these can extend to full degree programmes.
The University of Illinois for instance has shifted their 2 year Masters degree in Machine Learning to the Coursera platform and whether you are a resident student or online participant you will have access to the same resources. Though some of the courses can be pricey, most will be credit bearing and provide a course certificate for around $15 - $100. Almost all will allow you to audit content and participate in the online forum for free. In some cases, the courses even bear credit at their host university.
Although this style of online education is not likely to replace a conventional engineering degree in South Africa any time soon, it is likely that we will be seeing similar courses make their way into the existing university curriculum as an efficient teaching tool that scales well to large groups.
For those of you with your degree under your belt, there is an opportunity to up-skill yourself and your employees with some confidence without taking on the burden of creating your own programmes or relying on local 3rd party providers.
With a small time investment these flexible courses will allow you to develop up to date technical skills in new fields or refine skills from years past. It might be a practical way to transition from one field to another or provide you an edge in your current organisation.
Unfortunately for engineers, the vision for new projects often emanates not from engineers, but from politicians in municipalities, at provincial level, by government, state owned companies and entrepreneurs. Very often engineers are instructed to generate the solutions and they deliver - The many successful projects are proof enough.
Unfortunately, funding is limited and engineering projects compete with other endeavours for funding. As funds are limited, it is in the best interests of the country and all who live in it, that the projects with the best returns are selected. While the powers that be may be well-equipped to make these choices, engineers are seldom present and therefore do not influence these decisions.
By participating in all walks of life, engineers can contribute even more to the economy and wealth creation, by participating and influencing these decisions in the selection of deserving projects, funded by limited resources. If we, the engineering community, stand up and are counted, by participating in all walks of life and we aim to play an instrumental role in influencing decision making, funding will be channeled to more productive projects, which in return will stimulate the economy even more.
We will influence decisions and our knowledge and skills will contribute significantly.
In this way, as an institution, represented by our branches all over the country, we have knowledge of local conditions and should promote projects and ventures, which will most benefit our communities. Each SAIMechE branch can probably draw on more expertise than most companies, organisations, municipalities, provinces and government departments. Combined each branch probably has more expertise than the companies they work for!
The achievements listed here, are testimony to our contribution to the development and wellbeing of our society and the projects listed here also serve as a reminder of the role we have to play in the future.
Industrial: Yskor (Mittal) – South African parastatal steel company founded in 1928 by Hendrik van der Bijl to supply the demands of local consumers.
Sasol – First and largest oil-from-coal refinery (provides 40% of the country’s fuel).
Coastal: The Dolos – These structures are designed to break up wave action and protect harbour walls, created by Eric Merrifield in SA in 1963-1964.
Rail: The Scheffel Bogie – a unique railway Bogie allowing higher speed, less wear and higher load capacity on our unique narrow gauge railway lines.
The Coal Export Railway line serving Ermelo to Richards Bay. The Iron Ore Export Line, running between Sishen and Saldanha Bay (opened 1976).
to the Great Fish River and Sunday River valleys.
The Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme is one of the largest irrigation schemes in the world covering 369.50 square kilometres in the Northern Cape Province.
M-Net: (Electronic Media Network) - Established by Naspers for broadcasting local and international programmes.
Pratley Putty: Krugersdorp engineer George Pratley invented his famous sticky stuff in the 1960’s while looking for a glue that would hold components in an electrical box. Pratley’s glue is the only South African invention that went to the moon. In 1969 the putty was used to hold bits of the Apollo XI mission’s Eagle landing craft together.
Pools: The Kreepy Krauly which revolutionised pool cleaning (invented by Ferdinand Chauvier in SA in 1974).
Engineering is generally recognised as a profession, along with other professions such as medicine, dentistry, law, ministry, architecture, and education. A profession which is an occupation is generally characterised by: intellectual effort, creative thinking and the desire for service. Engineering seeks to “employ knowledge” to create what never was or improve what already exists.
The distinguishing educational objective in engineering is design. Design is at the heart of engineering.Engineers design new things such as improved airplanes or appliances or materials or things that do not even exist as yet. To be creative, to imagine, to take risks, to “dare to be different” but not to endanger safety of course. Engineering creations must comply with the principles of science and that is the engineering challenge: to be creative but within the constraints inherent in a specific project.
The majority of engineers work for industry or government and only a small, but important, percentage is in direct contact with the public as consulting engineers. It is important that engineering professionals, technicians and technologists should be well trained, should be well aware of the demands of their activities and always act responsibly with the public’s safety in mind.
The environment within which engineering is practised is not perfectly designed though to allow for the engineer to follow a logical and structured approach and thus perform optimally. Rather the engineer is presented with challenges and anomalies, most often introduced by the employer or client, requiring the utmost professional conduct from the engineer, to arrive at a safe, economical solution.
Notwithstanding this, we do succeed in designing solutions which benefit our economy in a very major way. According to many commentators, growth in the areas of science, engineering and technology are a major catalyst for job creation, social upliftment and economic development.
Easy examples are the benefits to our economy of a good infrastructure including road, rail, harbours, airports, energy, communication, banking system, water, sanitation etc, all made possible by engineering. Unquestionably South Africa benefits from a good infrastructure, allowing efficient, cheap communication, freight and transport.
While our engineering accomplishments in South Africa have contributed greatly to our economic development, social upliftment and job creation, the need for increased economic growth demands ever more engineering contributions, also requiring an increase in the number of technically skilled artisans, technicians and engineers.
We have the engineering capability in South Africa to meet with most demands for engineering expertise and most probably the only constraint engineering faces in South Africa is a lack of development projects and funding. Due to our knowledge of local conditions, we are also well positioned to serve other African countries.
Engineering has been vital in addressing basic human needs, improving the quality and standard of living as well as providing opportunities for sustainable development in South Africa and has the potential to do the same for Africa.
We (engineers) have in the past and should continue in the future to focus on developing solutions to meet the needs of our local industry and population.
When our young engineers enter industry, they spend a long time trying to reconcile what they have been taught at a tertiary level versus what particular selection of skills and knowledge sets are important for their immediate place of work. Now, according to Malcolm Gladwell (author of “Outliers”) what we term as “expertise”, requires around five years to develop. This period of “getting good” unfortunately also appears to equate to “getting stuck”.
However, on the other hand the value of ‘professional development’ is attended to very seldom. And to make it worse, it appears that, whenever engineers are ‘developed’ they are given MBAs and are removed from the technical side of operations.
I believe this ‘isolation’ - especially in the first years of employment – creates a silo culture. I’ve dealt with skillful, talented engineers, who have been blinkered by their industry and have lost sight of the whole, beautiful, vast field of knowledge, known as mechanical engineering.
These engineers will eventually become bored with their small aspect of mechanical engineering and grow into the field of management sciences – since it appears there is still some excitement to be had in that field! This leaves a skill and mentorship vacuum, which in turn makes it even more difficult for the new crop of young engineers due to the lack of mentorship and role models.
This is truly the space where the voluntary associations such as SAIMechE can, must and are making a difference.
Consider two items of major importance. The first: SAIMechE’s student chapters where students are given a chance to interact with engineers and their fraternity, to glimpse a wider view of the actual industry and its possibilities. The second is SAIMechE’s Professional Development Programme (PDP). This programme, based on internationally agreed professional attributes, has been created, and is available free of charge from SAIMechE. It was created to help guide young engineers to develop into competent professionals and is in-line with the 11 Outcomes that ECSA requires from its candidates.
By being part of a voluntary association such as SAIMechE – and taking part by interacting with your local branch – you are taking responsibility for your own professional development and furthering the interest of the profession.
When you get down to it, gathering CPD points is not all that difficult when you have developed this habit. When was the last time you picked up a new piece of knowledge or a tool? There are so many things to explore... have you heard of TRIZ when you innovate or the Design Structure Matrix when planning a project?
Article by: Gideon van den Berg, National Treasurer and Chairperson of the Eastern Cape branch.
SAIMechE has lost one of its most committed and influential members, Honorary Fellow Chris Reay, who passed away at his home in Cape Town on Wednesday, 26 April 2017.
Chris’ service to SAIMechE and the engineering profession stretched over four decades, from his service on Branch committees to more than thirty years’ service as a member of Council.
He joined SAIMechE as a Student member in 1963, and his contribution to the institution was recognised through his election to Honorary Fellow in 1999.
Chris participated at the highest level in SAIMechE, holding the office of President during the 1990-1991 Council session. His father was SAIMechE President during the 1948-1949 Council session, giving them the distinction of being one of only two successive generations to have held this office in SAIMechE.
His influence was felt across most of the profession, from schools to universities to graduates and fellow professionals. Many colleagues have commented on his passion for pertinent professional issues, and for holding all around him to the highest standards of integrity and commitment.
Chris is probably most well known in modern times for his regular column “An Engineer’s View” which was the leader to our magazine. He set the bar high in this regard, and we will continue to honour him by using this space to be honest, forthright, courageous and critical of ourselves and other stakeholders in the engineering profession.
Thank you Chris, for giving us so much of your life, and for speaking out on our behalf. We are a better organisation and profession because of you. Until we meet again.
Note: We invite members to share their memories and comments about Chris, either by emailing these to [email protected], or by commenting here on this post.
New data from Analytico, a data and earnings consultancy, shows that engineering and information technology graduates can expect much higher salaries than other major fields.
Analytico’s data is based on a sample of 93 658 university graduates who supplied salary information and other insights.
According to Analytico, people with a matric certificate can expect to be paid almost double the salary of someone who has not completed high school.
The research further showed that a tertiary qualification will significantly increase earning potential.
Someone with a grade 12 can expect to earn R4,977 in their first job.
Someone with a bachelor’s degree increases their starting salary to R8,270.
All bachelor’s degrees are not equal, however, with a big salary difference apparent in different fields of study.
The average starting salary for a person with an engineering or IT degree is R19 180, far higher than social sciences at R6 612 and life sciences at R7 412.
It should be noted that the salary figures are not occupation-specific, and attempt to provide a picture of what graduates with a particular degree can expect to earn each month.
This bears out the experience we are getting in the engineering and technical recruitment industry although the demand across the profession is significantly down from 2015 through reduction in corporate activity and retrenchments.
Pockets of “green shoots” are emerging slowly from the ashes, and clients who are growing again are generally able to seek out their previous employees as projects emerge.
Unfortunately, industry now faces a further threat with the downgrading of our credit rating which will impact on investment, interest rates and inflation. There seems to be little indication of the NDP happening in any concerted form, and we have a lot of resources available on the market to undertake the type of work associated with infrastructure development.
The potential for engineering graduates remains huge internationally and confirms the desire for the degree after high school.
This is a summary of an article from research done on the six most basic skills an Engineer needs to have today.
You should probably consider this if you want to stand out and be the stand-out young Engineer you want to be.
Taking Engineering seems to be a norm that many young people consider in order to keep up with society’s demands of rapid changes, innovations and advancements in technology. Many specialised Engineering courses are also introduced and the population of people taking career paths in Engineering fields gradually grows.
Competition is getting tougher, especially for new grad Engineers. Several countries produce thousands of Engineers most of whom end up in non-Engineering fields or obliged to settle in entry levels they don’t deserve. Even if you’re an Engineering graduate, you may not be competent enough.
But don’t lose hope just yet.
Here is a checklist for you to stand out and become the stand-out Engineer you want to be.
We are in the age where Engineering design is not confined to 2D blueprints or sketches alone. Designs of components, structures and architectural plans now heavily depend on 3D CAD designs especially for intricate objects in manufacturing. The ability to design with Auto CAD is really a must for Engineering and architectural people in these fields.
Having proficient CAD skills certainly gives you an advantage over other candidates. If your institution does not offer learning to use CAD software, there are crash courses offered in other technical schools for a certain number of sessions. Also, there are CAD software programs and tutorials online so you can study it yourself too.
At this point, hard sciences are now converging with the digital world to be more efficient and productive. There are now industries that depend on heavy database management and automated components in industrial plants (computer-integrated manufacturing). Learning how to use programming languages and algorithms is also a plus.
Even if you’re a computer Engineering major, not all programming languages are taught in school. There are also crash courses for this such as learning SQL, Mathlab, COBOL, C#, .NET, Python, Java or Ruby. In addition, online tutorials and downloadable software programs are available if you plan to self-study.
As an Engineer, our science and mathematical knowledge or technical skills are a given. But presenting and relaying it effectively is another aspect. Being a persuasive presenter gives us opportunities to be an exceptional Engineer. We must learn how to strike the right balance between technical and communication skills as they are the keys to a successful professional career. There are programmes and workshops that can help us enhance speech communication and presentation skills.
In our profession, we always coordinate with others or work as a team in a department. Engineers who become project managers and learn how to manage a project and a team can have a successful career. Having project management skills enables you to lead project or programme teams and will eventually allow you to master the dynamics of a project.
From there, you can handle more complex projects and be appointed in leadership positions. You can also draw other professionals together and open opportunities for business and personal growth. There are institutions offering Project Management as an elective and also a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
As they say, licensure is the mark of a professional. It means you are at the top of your game and your profession. It is a standard recognised by the government, the clients and companies assuring skills and quality. It has now become a requirement in a number of Engineering firms and corporations. Having a professional licence assures the public that you can perform Engineering work. It is also seen as a commitment to your profession and gives more opportunities in your career.
Today, a number of professional Engineering societies are considering making a graduate degree the mandatory credential for would-be Engineers. They require master’s degree in finance, business administration or industrial Engineering in order to advance in managerial positions. Millennial Engineers opt to take master’s degree units and certifications while working in order to raise their credentials and value of being a professional Engineer.
Some high positions need a certain depth of knowledge and expertise in a particular Engineering field so that’s where these graduate courses come into their own. Engineers must not be limited to their majors but must continue to learn and diversify into different fields.
There are an awful lot of Engineers, Technologists and Technicians on the market seeking employment commensurate with what they were used to a few years ago. Employers have a choice today even though there are some categories that are hard to find or hard to fill because Engineers who are currently employed are not keen to move given the uncertainty in the market.
The numbers that have undergone retrenchment are horrendous typically in the EPCM and EPC domains. The opportunities for graduates remain consistent although employers are hesitant to undertake training programmes that graduates need in order to fulfill their professional registration requirements. It is an ideal time for this process to take place as long as suitable mentorship is available.
With the hopeful advent of the NDP, we should expect a demand on the engineering profession, but indications of this are slow in materialising. Infrastructure is in serious need of upgrading and development particularly in matters of water management and transport, electrical distribution and support of health care facilities.
What of manufacturing? Are we winning or losing this battle? All these areas of engineering activity need all the engineering disciplines and skills we can muster if the economy is to start growing.
Another serious matter has made itself apparent in our profession and it concerns the flawed process of appointment of the new council at ECSA. The VAs (Voluntary Associations) have followed due process, but essentially, the old council agreed on a list of people to be appointed as the new council. This list was then forwarded to the Minister.
When the Minister made the appointment, it was noticed that the list appointed was not the same as the list that was agreed upon by the old council. At this stage, we are not speculating on who changed the lists. We simply want to ensure that due process was followed as per the Engineers Professions Act (EPA). We believe, and after seeking legal advice, that there is sufficient evidence to the contrary and that the process was flawed, which concurs with the legal finding of the CBE.
Previously we sent official letters to the Minister of DPW and the office bearers of ECSA. They have not responded. We have therefore instructed our attorneys to lodge papers in the high court of South Africa. This sees the full litigation process underway.
ECSA is changing all the current systems to effectively disregard the services provide by the VAs in the form of committees. As to whom will now provide these remains to be seen, but it looks as though ECSA will be run by an administration, and hearsay is that they will work on changing the Engineering Professions Act.
How all this will align with the various Accords of which SA is a member is anyone’s guess.
It’s a clear case of government meddling in the profession without realising the importance of the role that peer group judgment plays.
The most recent survey carried out by PPS on the views of a wide spectrum of engineers identified some serious concerns as well as some encouraging ones.
Of these, the item that is reasonably positive is that 75% of the Engineers surveyed were confident about the future of their profession over the next five years, primarily due to expected financial viability and contributing to society. Of the 25% who were not inspired by the future, the most negative factor is the political climate.
64% would encourage their children to study engineering, but 94% are concerned about the standards of maths and science at the tertiary level. The pessimistic 25% regard the lack of good jobs and retrenchments as the cause, and many are concerned that good Engineers are considering leaving the country.
87% are worried by the brain drain on the profession, and 54% are considering emigrating, with politics being the main driver. Countries of choice are the USA and Australia. 65% of employers offer internships to graduates.
On the question as to whether the government is delivering on its promises to create infrastructure, 96% voted a solid no on this.
According to the National Development plan, more efficient and competitive infrastructure is needed to meet the objective of the plan. By 2030 key services such as commercial transport, energy, telcoms and water has to be strengthened to ensure long term sustainability. 91% believe this will not be met.
When we consider the skills and experience that are needed to design, build, operate and maintain infrastructure, the low level of confidence exhibited by this survey should be considered in a serious light by government as well as private developers. As to what factor would have the most impact on the profession over the next three years, the economy got the biggest vote at 62%.
83% of engineers believed that they are investment savvy, but only 44% had an established plan in place and 51% had a combination of financial products, so only 5% have no structured financial plan in place. On work/life balance, 50% consider it as average while 33% said good and 13% said poor.
Overall, what can we conclude from this survey? It is accrued from the top levels of the profession who give the government and policy a distinct negative vote. How else is the country going to tackle the challenge of economic growth with the belief that so much engineering talent is being misused? | 2019-04-23T03:09:25Z | https://www.saimeche.org.za/blogpost/604970/An-Engineer-s-View |
Sam opens his mailbag to answer your questions about the Bulls.
After watching the Lakers game and reviewing box score from the loss to the Nuggets I see a team with no go-to guy and no special playmaker who can score and get others shots and make them better, no defense, no shooting. Where do we go from here with this team?
Carrying a nine-game losing streak and feeling eek!
I do not profess to be a NBA coach evaluator but it seems to me this team is not playing up to its potential. There certainly appears to be enough talent on this team to accidently win a game once in a while. The players seem upset about this especially after the Denver loss. I think it is not too early to judge Coach Boylen. From afar it seems this team is not responding to his coaching. My question is while I am a full fan of Paxson, I wonder why not name Boylen interim as most teams do instead of giving him a two year contract?
Sam: I need to straighten at least that out. Jim Boylen did not get an extension. He was on an assistant coaching contract through the 2019-20 season matched with Fred Hoiberg, which is standard. When an assistant is promoted to head coach whether called interim or not it is routine for the assistant to be given a slight bump in salary—same as Larry Drew in Cleveland—for the additional duties and responsibilities. Boylen got that as soon as he acceded to the job as does every coach in that situation. He was already under contract through the end of next season and still is with the appropriate addition for being asked to do more as would be with any of us in most any job. I don't disagree with the absence of an interim title because your statement to the players should be we are serious and this isn't a substitute teacher, so put away your spit balls and whoopee cushions (what? they don't do that anymore?).
OK, it doesn't look like it sometimes, but a Western Conference trip in the midst of trades, injuries and reworking a playing system in the middle of the season isn't exactly a stable time. The Bulls say after every season everyone is evaluated and I assume that will be the situation again. But Boylen also has not had a training camp or a chance to hire his own staff or much consultation about personnel. Tough to judge.
I know you don't pay too much attention to college hoops, what are your thoughts about Zion? I know a guy who knows a guy that says he may not be worth a long term investment due to his style of play and weight... his knees may not hold up. I personally think he may be a tweener... he may be too short for a power forward and he may be slow/ heavy for small forward. Great athlete and great college player, but I don't see him being close to a superstar in the NBA. if we end up with him, where does he play? Can he play small forward? We already have 2 guys at power forward in Markannen and Carter.
Sam: If he's as good as many suggest, then he plays wherever he wants. True, I don't watch much college ball—lately the NBA ball I have been watching has been bad enough—but I have ventured to a Duke game on occasion and see some flaws, like shooting, though I have yet to give him a physical. A lot of top picks don't work out. It happens. No matter what the NBA GMs say now, everyone wanted Greg Oden and not Kevin Durant. The kid looks like he could be a star, and, especially for the Bulls that's what they lack. I like Markkanen and LaVine a lot, and believe if you get them a star to attract some attention instead of all of it going to them they will be much better. Maybe the Duke kid does fade out. Who knows. Remember Brandon Roy who went from Rookie of the Year surprise to high school coach? But the draft is about taking a chance on a star. There are no guarantees. He looks to be the biggest star in this draft. I'd have no hesitation. And imagine if I were actually watching.
Can your remember NBA players from former generations who seemed way too athletic and powerful for their body to handle the rigorous of the league longterm?
D-Rose comes to mind, Zion scares me, Larry Johnson?
Jordan and Lebron do not really qualify to me, they are exceptional athletes as well, but their bodies did not seem as freakish as Zion's and Rose's jump, stop and acceleration ability was off the charts.
Sam: Injuries are bad luck; Zion would be good luck.
Pundits everywhere, including those attached to the Bulls, are all salivating over Zion Williamson - and the Bulls are fast amassing a record that could make ZW a possibility in the next draft. My question is - in terms of fitting in with the Bulls - is Zion more of a short 4 on a team that seems all "4ed-up", or more of an oversized 3 who will have trouble guarding smaller, quicker players at that position? (a Jabari Parker with less range?). I know he's a talent, but who sits when he takes the floor and is he a Boylen-kind-of-guy?
Sam: I can see where the fan interest is going. As I suggested, I'm fairly confident he's Boylen's type of guy. It's not that difficult to fall in love with someone special.
What a great job the Nets have done so far this year. After arguably the worst NBA trade ever in 2014 it appeared the Nets would take a decade to recover. They traded away their draft picks for 2014, 2016 and 2018. In addition Boston got to swap picks with them in 2017. Success didn't seem possible until they could finally get their draft picks from 2019 going forward. The playoffs, maybe in 2024. Halfway through the season and they are 23-23 after winning an amazing game against the Rockets. The GM, coach and team are to be congratulated. The are an incredibly resilient bunch of unrecognizable and discarded players. Treveon Graham, Joe Harris, Rodeons Kurucs, Jarret Allen and D'Angelo Russell were their starting lineup against the Rockets. Against the Rockets they were down by 14 with a few minutes to go in regulation and tied it. In overtime, they were down by 6 with about a minute to go and won it. They help define resilience. This team finally has their own 1st round pick this year and chose winning to tanking. They have skipped the tank to build a winning culture. Kudos to a really great team. Can you make your magic now happen for the Bulls?
Sam: Well, it has been my philosophy in avoiding the indignity and fraud of losing on purpose because losing makes you a loser. I fear it is occurring with the Bulls to some extent, though I am facing some ambivalence considering the two months lost to injuries and the coaching change and the hole so deep that perhaps it might be best for the rest of this season to not try so hard. Though I wince when I even think about it. The losing model guarantees you nothing, and I agree, good for the Nets for putting a very nice team together. But their problem with some good trades—and I still count the Jimmy Butler one good for the Bulls—is that they have yet to have that transcendent star and are last in the league in attendance. Maybe in free agency this summer? Winning is a curious thing. It only seems understandable when you examine the successful teams. But that is the best team I've enjoyed from Brooklyn since the '56 Dodgers.
After reading your take on Jabari Parker being back in the rotation after their loss to the Lakers, it made me think back to when you've said you're not a fan of his demeanor towards the media. Too terse, always on the defensive, etc with Zach Lavine being basically the polar opposite. That said, It made me wonder who have been some of your favorite players to speak to over the years?
Sam: First regarding Jabari; his attitude and demeanor were awful when he came to the Bulls. Why, I never could figure. All everyone said was he was different, but not evil. Actually, since the benching, which wasn't a great idea, and in the return he's been much better. The point wasn't so much he wasn't cooperative. There were plenty of guys to talk to who are terrific people; but it was the way he was answering simple questions with defiant, one word answers. It's mire an insult to people at their jobs, failing to give respect to someone's job. Jabari never once was asked back then an unfair or even probing question. Anyway, he's been fine lately, if not detailed. All just about everyone in media really asks for is simple decency.
The truth is there are so, so many really good people in the NBA, kids who came from difficult backgrounds who are grateful for the opportunity, friendly, savvy and eager to help. Some of my favorites over the years for being open, outgoing, helpful and friendly were Elton Brand, Larry Bird, Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson, Joe Dumars, Kyle Korver, Jerry West, Jordan (pre-championships), Isiah Thomas, Johnny Kerr, Joe Caldwell, Chet Walker, Horace Grant, Charles Barkley, Mack Calvin, Wayne Embry, Brent Barry, Grant Hill, Bill Cartwright, Pau Gasol, Derrick Rose and too many more I'll regret leaving out.
I really don't have an opinion on Boylan yet as a coach, but I have read "experts" opinions on the internet which feel the Bulls young talent is not developing since he took over (They were all hurt under Hoiberg so nothing to really compare). Do you feel there is acceptable growth in the Bulls players as individuals and as a group under the watch?
Sam: I know from being a parent we shouldn't monitor growth by the week or month. I know it's different in sports, and there have been some setbacks the last month or so. But let's be real, as it were. It's a month with a new coach, players off injuries having lost their preseason and yadda, yadda. I know no one likes hearing it and a losing streak headed to the bottom of the league and a succession of blowout losses is depressing. We saw plenty of good things from LaVine pretty much until the coaching change and plenty from Markkanen, who came back strong against the Nuggets. The glimpse showed you he has a lot of stuff. Carter is that tough guy the Bulls always talk about. The Bulls talk about growth, too, but I assume they mean over a season and not a losing streak. We should know a lot more by summer when the Bulls make Williamson player/coach/primary stockholder and the new team logo.
The Wolves (while not amazing) have twice as many wins as the Bulls while playing in the Western conference. Meanwhile, the Bulls are actually worse this year. If the future success of the Bulls (drafting Zion) has nothing to do with the assets/players acquired in the Butler trade doesn't that mean GarPax lost that transaction?
Sam: Curious way of looking at that. Though I am going to Williamson's Hall of Fame enshrinement in September. I think the Bulls would make that deal again, and I'm fairly sure the Timberwolves would not, and certainly not Thibodeau, which probably would mean he still was working there. I'm still on board for LaVine, Markkanen and Dunn for Covington and Saric.
I'm interested to see what happens the rest of this season. Apparently, Boylen will be gradually introducing more pace. Let's see how Dunn plays as that happens.I think he's a very solid player and that he can play faster than we've seen. But can he see the court well & drop dimes on the run? Can he take more 3's and still make a good % of them? It's hard to assess his fit into an offense they aren't really running yet. Hopefully, we'll know enough after 39 more games to make a sound decision. For that matter, if we draft a point guard it can still be a competition for the starting job. Dunn would be an awfully strong player to have coming off the bench. The great teams have player like that – who might start elsewhere – on their benches. Why not us? But from the Nuggets game there's no doubt in my mind now that the tank is on. Boylen's comments are a dead give-away. Yes, it's "a season of discovery"… yet another one. Anyway, I'm giving the game ball to RoLo – 17 & 6 in 19 min. on 8-10 shooting plus some nice intangibles. Everybody else mostly stunk.
Sam: When the season started the No. 1 question on most lists was Kris Dunn, and I think it still is. The Denver game was disappointing—yes, in many respects—the way Dunn made a point after the Lakers game of apologizing, which I didn't think was necessary as bad games happen, but then didn't do much again. End of bad trip, altitude, a team making 20 threes. It may have looked worse than it was. Dunn has had some very effective games, and his numbers are respectable at 12.5 and 6.5 coming off missing two months. But I'm still having difficulty figuring out what he exactly is in this era of high scoring, hot shooting point guards.
I don't think sixth man is a horrible thing, though many NBA players, like Parker, have disagreed. It seems like a nice way to make a living. Having a guy like Dunn coming in as a combo guard may be the stuff of an excellent team. I don't think the Bulls have fully made up their minds on Dunn and it's hard to get a read from Dunn about how he'd deal with such a competition and situation because he is so guarded. Hey, he's a guard in case you missed that one. I get it. He's only played a bit more than a month, so it's not so much the tank as many of the the questions don't have answer yet.
Who is Zach Lavine as a ball player or are you still waiting to see? He is having a good statistical year and the team is not winning. I see a talented offensive player with an innate ability to score and on the defensive end someone who will not be a difference maker. Will he be more than a great scorer? Is it fair to start the Jamal Crawford comparisons and if that's the career he has, is it good enough for the Bulls to continue to keep him on their rebuilding roster? If he continues to put up just under 24, 4, and 4, will there be serious suitors on the trade market? Is he the person the Bulls should be building a team around or will his need to have the ball on the offensive end, hinder the progression of young players?
Sam: I don't think it's either you're Michael Jordan or James Harden or you're Shaun Livingston. I like Zach as a player a lot. Many don't like him as much as I do. I don't worry about the defensive component as much since James Harden seems to have done OK without it. Yes, Harden is a build around, and maybe Zach isn't quite that player, but he makes tough shots, takes tough shots, can get to the basket and is a good shooter and great athlete. Who are the Bulls to say that's not good enough for them? Enough with these Shaquille Harrisons and David Nwabas who compete like crazy. That's not the NBA. Maybe it's the NBA bench, but they're in every draft. In the second round. Zach has a chance to be a star, and those are the players the Bulls need to be accumulating. Zach has flaws, but this is his first full season back after his ACL and has never started more than 47 games in an NBA season at 23 years old. I think the Bulls these days are pushing him toward too much two-point play, and he's a willing player trying to do what is asked. My guess is he's not so sure it's what's best. But he's trying to be a good teammate and professional. The Bulls could do a lot worse. And have. More often than not, someone else's spouse or date isn't exactly who they seem from your vantage.
Its not so much the recent turmoil that has made me anxious about the rebuild it's just that even on a "good" night (not getting blown out at Utah on 2nd if back to back), the way the bulls are losing - take 9 more shots shoot a decent percentage but make 9 fewer 3s - is troubling given both the analytics or really, math (you can score more counting by 3s) and trends in the nba. In other words - isn't the urgent need drafting or signing guys who either can hit the 3 or have potential to be good 3 point shooters. I suppose if valentine can come back he would fit that description.
Sam: I'm fairly sure that's obvious to them as well. Yes, they could use some Valentine, and Holiday made threes (in streaks). I'd look at it as a larger issue if this were the final version of the team. I've mentioned the need for a wing player who can make plays off the dribble and shoot, a backup big man, preferably a defensive seven footer to tag team with Wendell Carter Jr., perhaps a point guard and, certainly, shooting. I'm not sure how the team sees it, but I can see Carter, Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine as core players going forward. There may be others, but they're still on audition regarding play or salary. There's another high draft pick coming and a big money free agent or two this summer. Probably not one of the top two, but I believe a good player and maybe two. I don't see Markkanen or LaVine yet as that No. 1 option to build around, so they have to show as well, and they still are very young. Can you get a No. 1 in the draft? Maybe. If not in free agency, what about an ensemble and a lead like Dirk Nowitzki, who was good enough to be the best player on a title team and several close. Markkanen could be that good. If this were Year 4 I'd be more worried. There are a lot of moves still to make.
The Bulls now reportedly refuse to buy out lopez if he cant be dealt knowing he is going to the Warriors. Will garpax throw away a couple million over this fight and not buy him out since he obviously has zero trade value? Or is he the head of the "leadership council" so someone we need to play out his contract? Maybe we can do lopez a favor a favor, give him his entire salary in a buyout so we can get another extended run of felicio playing 20-30 minutes a night....need to see how his development is coming along again....or just burn that money too with asiks and jabaris and cam paynes and play carter jr 48 minutes a night?
Sam: OK, you’re frustrated and needed to lash out and vent. I’ll wait a bit. OK, ready? Carter was almost out for six weeks, it seemed the other day, so what was the hurry to offload Lopez? And then he was. The Bulls late Friday said Carter actually could miss two to three months after further reevaluations of his injury by hand specialists when the team returned to Chicago. And so now perhaps surgery. Another bad break in a broken season. But more than that this is a larger issue for the NBA that it won’t face; it’s another rich get richer, and the Bulls aren’t rich now. What some top teams apparently are doing—I can’t say I know for sure the Warriors are among them—is telling agents to get their players released or bought out for a small amount and they’ll bring them in on a minimum to give them some money back and then they can add playoff money and maybe be on a title team and their team gets nothing because these teams won’t trade because they are waiting for the buyouts.
So a team like the Bulls trying to get something for a player like Lopez or Jabari Parker gets shut out and the team like maybe the Warriors or Celtics or Raptors or Rockets gets to pick up a player without giving up anything. The NBA has said it wants to level the playing field for all teams and open up trade opportunities, but this buyout period inhibits trades and discriminates most against losing teams like the Bulls trying to add a player or draft pick. The NBA should eliminate the buyout fraud period because it helps just the few top teams, and the Bulls are right to say they won’t grant a buyout because it is being used against them by the top teams to help hold them down. It baffles me why anyone would be mad at the Bulls other than maybe Lopez’ family. And since when are fans upset because the Bulls won’t be able to make more money? Talk about entering Bizarro world.
With your comments on how sloppy Gobert was and with what should be a realization that, against the better 7 foot centers, Wendell Carter may always be overmatched, I have to respond to a comment you made a couple of weeks ago regarding a player who is truly a top 3 center in the league, Nikola Jokic.
After watching him destroy Portland with a 40/10/8 performance, I think that you need to make an effort to actually watch a few Nuggets games so you can make a more informed assessment. In doing so, he totally outplayed the guy who should be the Bulls starting center, Jusuf Nurkic, who is averaging 15.2/10.2/1.36Blks in just 27 minutes per game. Jokic 19.7/10.2/7.6 with a career .356 3PT% is far more valuable to his team than any other center including Embiid. His 21 career triple doubles in 270 games places him second all time behind Wilt's 78 which, if he stays healthy until he is 30, he will eclipse.
Sam: So why would the Bulls want Nurkic if Markkanen actually played as well as Jokic Thursday? And as one correspondent from above mentioned, it was game ball for Lopez playing against Jokic. Jokic is terrific. Yes, I did see the Nuggets play. And, unfortunately, up close Thursday. They're pretty good; if they think they are contenders, Golden State straightened that out earlier in the week. But they've built a very good team; good for them. Yes, I know, the snarky Nurkic thing is the Bulls deal to move up in the draft to take Doug McDermott. The Nuggets took Nurkic, whom they traded for Plumlee, and Gary Harris. They obviously did better, but it's only fair to judge at the time. And I know not a single Bulls fan ever wrote me asking that the Bulls please draft Nurkic. And moving up in the draft from outside the lottery to inside the lottery is always viewed as a coup and was that night. What's so great about Nos. 16 and 19? Like to have those picks again this season instead of a lottery pick? The Bulls were at least aggressive in search of talent. It didn't work out. It happens in the draft a lot. But it made sense. I still can't figure out why Doug can't make more shots.
Anyway, as for Jokic, he's really good. I agreed that. All I believed, and I still do, is he's not an MVP candidate and maybe a top 20 NBA player. Which is very good. The Bulls would like to have a top 20 player. But he's still not even been in one playoff game in his career and has been playing pro ball five or six years. It takes actually being on the winning team in one playoff game before I make someone a top 10 player and MVP candidate. He's having a terrific season. I'd still like a look at his games this spring. Get back to me then. I can be persuaded.
While I used to enjoy the three-point shot I've come to dislike them over the past five years or so as the league as gone so heavily towards them. I don't so much mind that the big man has been de-emphasized, though I wasn't rooting for that either. The NBA has always been my favorite sport/league to watch as it has the best athletes in the world, and because they're not wearing helmets or padding, you can really see that athleticism displayed every game. All the three-point shooting has reduced the number of times per game that players are attacking the hoop and thus displaying their otherworldly natural talents. Of course they still do so some, but now it seems the top goal is to draw contact and a foul and actually attempting to make the shot is just a bonus. Much like baseball has become too much about home run, strikeout or walk, basketball is too much three point shot or free throws. I may be a bit hyperbolic but the emphasis on efficiency in sports - which I understand makes sense in terms of impacting winning - is making them less aesthetically pleasing and thus less fun to watch.
Steph Curry is great and fun to watch, but in terms of his natural athletic and physical talents, where do you think he'd have stacked up in the NBA of the 80s and 90s?
Sam: I feel like the sergeant driving the car in the MASH movie who was always grumbling, "Damn Army" about the behavior of the crazy doctors. Damn Analytics! Again! But relax, not nearly as bad as baseball. I always say great players would be great in any generation and it goes backward as well. Curry wouldn't have the freedom to roam like he does, and some coach would bench him for shooting way out there. Back then they made you throw it inside or sit down no matter how many you made in practice. But Curry is much more clever with the drive than just his shooting. He would be a player like Cleveland's Mark Price, who was a small man and great shooter and one of the best pick and roll guards I ever saw. At least before Steve Nash. Price was a great shooter and multiple all-NBA player and would have been many more if not for injuries. But playing with a seven footer in an era of great centers, his major responsibility was to make his center look better than him. That would have been the difference for Curry, who would have been an All-Star, and better than his dad, who could shoot about as well, but couldn't dribble.
Sam: Venting, also? I've gotten plenty today. I'm not sure you want to see Selden, Harrison, Felicio and Blakeney against Denver's starters. I'm not getting as much mail asking for them to play more as much as you you may think. | 2019-04-19T06:31:10Z | https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/ask-sam-mailbag-011819 |
We are the keepers of the sacred words, such as "Ni," "Peng," and "NiiiiWo"
I'm late again -- Thank you, Licklety!!!
I'm just saying they had "Ni" right there in the grid, and "NiWo" right there too!
& bye, I'm up too late!
sort of a good night baleen?
they really help, eh une!
93 now, ru . . . and you?
ruru -- is there another email coming?
i haven't heard back from you jill.. is it okay?
yes, ruru -- I did reply, I thought!
no blank Lickety groups -- ie, at least one word in each of the grouped Lickety clues.
WE all have our little ways, eh bugs?
the top A is a long British time, lol.
Isn't that how the top a word is spelt everywhere? Didn't know it was particularly British!
Thans jilli - didn't know that. Just assumed that they were alternative spellings!
thanks, hurshy -- and hi!
a bout of babble should bring on the sleep, hursh. I find jigidi is even better at that, though.
well with the blizzard tomorrow it's not like i have to be at work all day so i don't actually mind as much.
and i'm very pleased for i have new glasses. doesn't matter for this as it is for distance but i'm just tickled.
Where are you , hursh?
oh yes -- nasty weather expected, hursh!
ty saphyre that was my missing W!
wa5s are the mascot of the University of Virginia.
what you might serve a hot beverage in?
now for the co. is that being used as a prefix?
e's are en4, en6, en7... and?
got the email, ruru, and thanks. I replied to you.
hey lookit that it's 238!
a bit like those choc bars in "Open Season" with a different start!
hi all. only here for a short while. been lurking !
eeeek two minutes into game and im already getting phantoms - heat and conga!!!!
lets hope you don't find anymore!
off to a flying start - got as far as 17 words and am monkeying already - dear me!!!
yes i have only just spotted the ing and it is helping immensely!
Snowstorm trivia...There are 6,300 street miles in New York City to be plowed and salted -- that’s like going from NYC to LA and back.
That is what I heard too, Ivesy. And they are calling this storm Nemo. NEMO?
gm, everyone. stats for the lone A first column?
That is as good of an explanation as any, Ivesy.
tadone!! finito!! fun grid, a bit twisty, but no unknown words.
don't think we could handle a third of all Americans however - how many would that be?
whew! was going to check the tent and sleeping bags supplies.
There are over 315,000,000 millions Americans. So a 1/3 would be just over 100 million.
Hello, lyn, What distinguishes good grief from bad?
Compared to AUS with a bit over 22 million. A 1/3 of us would be a plague.
An exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, dismay, or some other, usually negative emotion. For example, Good grief! You're not going to start all over again , or Good grief! He's dropped the cake . The term is a euphemism for "good God."
hagd/n everyone, off to get ready for work.
Oz still have a bunch of fires and floods?
Very serious. In the US, still arguing the premise. Last year was the ninth warmest on record?
what are the stats for the A on the first column?
I don't understand how people can doubt it...just look at the weather events around the world...more intense. Even if it doesn't get as bad as they are estimating, I think we all need to be aware and take whatever small measures we can...usually helps our own hip pockets anyway.
stats for the 2nd A on the third column please?
I get a clue for na5/12, please?
an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer.
morning Bichon, how much snow are you expecting?
is the end a 4 letter word? If so could you give me the stats, please?
did anyone see Annie yesterday afternoon? Her power was going off at 9:30 a.m. and not coming back on until 2:30 p.m.
she is shown in "Who's Online"
you didn't misread, smores, I forgot to put that in.
I'm here. I was lurking because I am leaving soon. The power went back on at 3pm and I am going for a haircut soon. Thanks for caring.
bye bye Smores, we will. Enjoy your day.
co6/27 can anyone help me?
then I didn't get it. I will go back and look again. WDid the clue start with pro?
got it thanks and sorry for being so dense.
just missing one 7 , got ca, cr, en, te & tr. What am I missing?
Hello ... are you in blizzard territory?
In the periphery of the storm. We are supposed to get 6-12 inches.
Yep, you are close to the center, Riverdance. Yippee!
How is your cough, RD?
its somewhat better - she put me on a much stronger antibiotic and gave me 2 difference cough suppressants - one for day and one for night - it seems to be working and breaking up the congestion.
Have you had a chest x-ray?
Have you used an albuterol inhaler through this?
just 20 needed, but struggling!!!
River, it's likely post-viral bronchial hyperreactivity, which means you'll get better no matter what meds you use or don't use.
Prolonged winter coughs are very frustrating for patients and their docs. Eventually you'll get better.
Hi Crossy - sorry to hear you have the dreaded cough as well.
We heat with a wood stove at home so I am sure that is not helping much either. I did buy myself a small humidifier for my bedroom that I run at night.
The "100 day cough." Term used in old days.
I never had sinus issues until I got pregnant with my daughter....weird!
TY, Ishult. That is a word I never would have tried.
we had rain last night.
Hiya's kids. Almost done with this one.
hi bichon! and mama, lshult, gemini, crossy, Judi!
boy, this grid is really full of babblets!
Crossy, you could teach the frightened New Englanders how to deal with snow.
It's fascinating that what is the norm for Crossy is a big news story for New England.
Two years ago we had mega snow. Last year barely a flake.
Nothing has changed in New England. The media just has to sensationalize snow storms now. Such as by naming them. Oy.
We had one my freshman year (1968-69) where the drifts were so deep we couldn't get out of the dorms (5 feet or more).
Where were you in school Sue?
Hubby and I both grew up in upstate NY. We just shake our heads at all the hype these storms get now.
Bummer. Woot is not a word.
that must have been frustrating, ruby!
Sera (my labradoodle) loves the snow!
yes, yes they are. try lots of babblets and use the gerund even if you don't think it is appropriate.
must get to work - see you all later!
En + base of tree.
ap 5 - something you wear around your waist/body while cooking.
hoot: is that actual gerunds or does it include words that have those three letters in them?
Hello, zTink. How are you today?
I know,,,, I slap myself on the forehead lots!!!!
Could I please have a hint for wa 5/20?
Or a board game played with marbles.
thanks nrkii and bea. that one got me last time to!
Yay! Fireworks! Thanks for your help guys!
is bichon here? Is it snowing heavily in CT?
I have HA 6/39, HA 6/42 HE 6/39 HO 4/5 what am i missing?
ca 6/39, co 6/39, bet you can guess the endings!
i have NA 4/5 coming from the first N first column what am i msising?
mrloser can you clue the NA 5 please?
when I give clues you have to think outside the box!
what box would that be?
It's a boring day in Babbletown.
Finding a lot of gerund words.
EN + woody part of plant under the soil.
I wish I had 100 dollars for every time gerund or ing has been used in chat today.
Yes i am sure it is used most days in the chog.
Nope, only when there is an ing : D If there is an S in the grid then I wish for 100 dollars every time someone says "Add s to everything" or "plural everything".
Hello Babblers, how is Babbleonia today?
I figured today there would also be a run on people saying "Woot is too a word".
It's a regular vowel-a-thon today with lots of those 4 letter mainly-vowel so-called words.
Well Jan, that's what happens when half the grid is vowels. Whee!
Me, too. It's the alternate spelling that catches out Americans.
british sleep disorder...got it ty!
Hi, Woodhood. Please don't put actual words in the chat box, people like to find them themselves.
oh my, a lovely ending today!
It might be a lovely ending but I do not like word that start with vowels.
For me, the evil letter is C.
Though K can give it a run for its money.
I wonder why paseo is OK but prado isn't?
must admit I am getting a bit better with K words. But still, seeing a K in a grid freezes my wordometer.
Oh, do not get started on Enable. I've wondered why it takes senor (Spanish) and senhor (portuguese) but not Herr (german).
For some reason, I like W words. No rhyme or reason.
Just watching the News. Another vile storm heading for the US east coast. Take care out there Babblers!
please no. You guys got more than your portion already.
Though that doesn't explain senhor!
I live outside Boston and it isn't snowing that hard yet, but it has been pretty windy all day and it is supposed to start snowing harder later this evening.
Yes, best wishes to all the Northeastern US Babblers.
Where outside of Boston, wht. i grew up in a number of towns outside Boston.
Oh dear--New Jersey has already suffered enough this year!
Jan, the ca6 and ca7 were indeed twisty little words, almost alike.
Hmmm....don't know that one. I once lived in Millis, MA, though.
Had a hard time with the ca7...my eyes are still spinning!
Ah, I mainly ived in easter and western MA.
Hello. Is the co6/27 a "normal" word, please?
Well, we were overdue to get a big snowstorm. It's been about 2 years since we had one.
One of the things that my husband finds weird is the fact that British named towns in New England are scattered without reference to British geography.
I'm supposed to be in Birmingham later this spring--at Aston University.
Jan, my theory is that the settlers had a list of about 300 town names. When the used up the list, they had to start a new colony.
As good a theory as any!
Well, half way...bbl HAGD all!
Katie, good thing you are not going to Worcester, MA tomorrow. The roads might be a bit dicey.
Really! That would be fun! Ive never met any Babblefolk in person.
Neither have I unless I'm related to them so it would be lovely. My email address is in my profile.
Well they are still talking about one to two feet. That will slow things down a bit here.
I am butting in. but can you tell me if there is a town called Rotherham in the USA?
"dashes off to google to look up Mo's question"
I'm at 7 to go without a list, but it takes me about 20 times longer than mitch!
ty sprite I seem to have heard of Rotterdam somewhere ... :-) lol.
Mo, Google didn't show me anything about a Rotherham in the US. It must not have made the list.
wht ... ty I just wndered if there was a Rotherham in the USA.
I had never heard of it, but the US is a big place.
wht .. dont worry ... not many people have heard of Rotherham in this country either ,,, a small insignificent town.
But it apparently has a football club that gets mentioned quite a bit.
I hadn't even realized she was missing.
what in the USA ? I cant believe that ... but they have just named their new stadium New York.
craftylady .... at last I have met someone who has heard of Rotherham !!!
Canclow ...yes I know the area.
I dont blame you ... lol.
Thanks Molls. :-). And hi Car.
Will stay on as long as they power does!
How's the Storm Of The Century?
So far, so good! It is very pretty. Put some earlier pics up.
The worst is still yet to come.
Stats please for the top center A?
It's always pretty at first. After two feet, the pretty thing doesn't seem to work anymore.
The wind is picking up though..and that is why we generally lose power.
We are having an early dinner tonight. BBL if the power stays on.
We made dinner in the crockpot earlier so it is ready when we are!
Good luck wht! Stay in touch!
Clue please for ap 6?
*TY! Miss that one a lot.
could i have a clue for the a in the 2nd row?
i have that one...how about the other one?
WooT WooT WooT soodle!! and hello again all!
There are only two. The one I clued and the one Car clued.
Hey, what icon do you see for me?
Clue for wa 5/20 please?
Oh good. It is not showing over here on the chog...only when I click on my info.
LOL! TY KnightTime! I actually type that a lot! No wonder I missed it!!
Time for beef stew! Yummmers! Stay warm, safe and dry everyone!
You take ca4/4 car.ee!! Stay safe!
We are having tacos tonight. Because they are quick and easy and my kid loves them because we don't have them very often.
Italian night Chez Soodle this evening. Spaghetti Carboneri (sp?) and garlic bread. Delish!
Hello all about half way through and ready to stop for a little banana cake and coffee. Need a brain rst. Enjoy your afternoons.
Mmm, I love spaghetti carbonara.
I still think we should have one of those dinners where each person furnishes one dish and we travel from house to house. It could take a week to get to dessert but what fun we would have. We know woot is a word.
Gran Mere! What a great idea. A progressive meal across the country.
Across the world progressive dinner!
It's like the Irish version of Hotel California.
ROFL....absolutely LOVE your icon soodle..how appropriate for us irish!
However, the child was obviously brought up in an unfortunate way if he has to ASK if he's Irish.
Bah, we can rewrite the whole song. Welcome to The Hotel County Meath.
Going to have to find that one and make it my FB photo for St Paddy's this year!!
sorry, will continue, the single i in the 2nd column and the single a in the top 3rd column pls?
Well, speaking of pints and turning up the amp, must get dolled up for the pint of stout I am going to enjoy with me Thai Pie...bbl all!!
Prayers and hugs to all, especially those in the Nor' Easter!!
Warbling...that comes from the one who sings (ugh) ABBA songs in here.
Note: This is light hearted joking between Soodle and I. No one need get huffy and take offense. Thank you.
Oh right. "Just one". Forgot that somehow.
Never ever forget that a bird never flew on one wing!!!
Anything with "just" in front of it. Like "it's just vodka".
Mrs wht used to be a visiting nurse in East Boston when it was still mostly Italian. She tells of asking one of her elderly patients how many glasses of wine he had a day. He said, just one. Then she asked, how many times do you fill it?
Schlunking off to the PB. Mae culpae!
Aye and if we were meant to have just one, beer wouldn't come in six packs. Amen.
Molly, I am going to be in DC next Sunday. jmc and DCSean and I are planning on getting together Sunday around dinner with any other Babblers who can join us. Are you close enough to attend?
Alas, I have dinner plans next Sunday. Thanks, maybe next time.
Oh, go, Molly, go!!!! Please. Be my surrogate Babbler!!
Soodle, can you be Molly's surrogate Babbler?
Soodle you are as het up about Babble meet ups as JMC.
Sorry you can't make it Molly. Another time then.
There is a whole slew of you in the UK. Why don't you plan something?
I just monkeyed the co7,48. I was expecting someting about bovines and it turned out to relate to authors.
clue for the te7 for fireworks, please.
That caught me too, Wht!
I thought the UK included Ireland and Scotland. Shows what I know.
Not such a united kingdom after all.
Just found it. The dishes for an afternoon snack.
I was told in school Ireland was part of the UK?
And Soodle, while you and I still await our lottery winnings...a cleaning lady at a casino found 10,000 dollars that SOMEONE LEFT IN THE RESTROOM.
Oh...just Northern Ireland Cos. My ancestors are rolling in their graves.
We already have a fish, a pint and a candle.
Yes, my suggestion is not a monkey. Please God not a monkey. I am SO TIRED of hearing about the monkeys.
did you not see that the beer stein had a wine glass in it?
Only the best cabana boys, cos.
i like the cabana boys idea. . . .
Oh Good heavens above. Ireland ( well 26 counties of Ireland ) is an independant State. 6 counties, in the North, are still under dispute.
It is my kind of grid, only 4 letters.
If there is a picture, it should be Dr. God's Billy Gibbons picture.
jmc, Molly has plans next Sunday so she won't be able to join us.
If Soodle lived closer she would come.
I am off again. Happy Babbling all. See you tomorrow if the power is still on.
well i think i am leaning towards the cabana boys. . .
maybe a weemee with a spike in its head?
Hey Lilliann. :-). Too durn right I'd come to a Babble meet Whit.
As a matter of interest, what are the the other 3 quadrants composed of?
can't you see it as my icon pic?
Rofl!!!! Jmc, come over here!! We'll have a blast!
Not here but when I go to your profile it's there. Nice!
What is in the top right quadrant?
Hey Liz . Jmc, I think the final quadrant should be devoted to food, given the amount of time spent discussing the stuff in the chog!
I was thinking food - or friendship!
no justice in the grid!
Beer stein / wine glass - clever!
evening all! anybody in the US snow zone?
Mine too I mean! Someone clued it like that!
love your posts on facebook Cos!!
we're getting socked with the snow right nos.
Still have 37 here - haven't listed yet but probably will soon, so no thanks to clues.
Yum - with loads of garlic????
No garlic in deep fried mushrooms, is there?
If you can find any of the Zatarain's deep fry batter mixes, they are very good.
Even just rub garlic over the mushrooms before coating them!
Mushrooms are good with a tempura style batter.
As are most veg, Molly - very yum!
oh, that's right you have wonderful weather so you can go out.
True - love most food actually! The challah was great, btw!
Absolute mayhem here. A very well known and trusted frozen food company has been found to have been using horsemeat in their frozen burgers & lasagnes. Yik.
Aldi too now, as well as Findus!
One of the many reasons I do not buy frozen food.
I also don't buy frozen food - veg, yes but not prepared meals.
I have the tr and the cr.
what about with pesto sauce?
so here is my burning question . . .
and stats for all of the 7 letter words pls?
there is an en 7 which is a popular percussion rootedmusical group based out o new england. more than pat monahan's band.
you made me cookies?! thanks TO!
no snow blower? no snow? no dogs? or all of them, jmc?
you drink it straight up or on the rocks?
hahaha i don't think he was a quaker!
mu cokies are not as i want them. i experimented and i do not like the outcome. waste o materials.
yes but it will tarnish my stellar baking rep.
everyone loved my vegan chocolate cake.
but i know they are an in erior product.
oki havecr7, en7, and tr7 missing?
chinese kids eat vegan chocolate cake?
i wouldn;t even eat the batter.
with 11 let i must list then.
maybe you use the f too much TO?
la do yo have nmuch snow?
i certainly do with certain grids. even if there in none in the grid.
where are you in IN, jmc?
hahahaha i am big on long drives!
i had to look that up - very east!
i did not realize you had moved.la.
did anyone see the superbowl commerical with jimmy cli and the viral video stars? the one with crazy at woman?
its good that you didn't have to quit your job!
no i don't remember that one. . .
what is i your lag besides a ish?
does not matter to me, really. one oath of citizenship i won't be taking.
A girls gotta have a sense of humor thats one thing she really neeeeeeeeds. . . .
speaking o which, the show wa a lot of fun last week. i recommend.
need to finish, i feel miserable.
why do you feel miserable? sick?
ah can you crack a window?
or at least put it in another room away from you?
it is in the living room and i am upstairs. the window in the bath is always partly open.
does it tack onto an existing 4 letter word?
ack1 i hate it when this happens!
whhow about stats or that 4?
TX cos, never wouldhave found that.
i have 13 left...could i please get some help? I need the re5, to5, ra5??
Flight: Wow, I really looked forward to seeing this movie. And while any movie with Denzel in it is okay with me, what a depressing flick. I really need to stay way from movies about hopeless alcoholics.
usually Denzel has good movies...that is very disappointing.
Hi Molly, did you just see it tonight?
Was it good but depressing, or just depressing?
It's good in that his performance is good. That is always a given. I've just had my fill of movies about addicted people who ruin their lives.
Yeah, I messed up and married one, don't need to go the movies and see one.
thank you....ms. dolly was the one i was missing.
Smores, when you see Flight, I would be interested in your take on it.
I may not watch it Molly, if I do I'll let you know.
hi Jill! and molly, smores, leslie, syb!
Spinach salad? What happened to the Thai pizza (ew)?
Long time no see, Sue - guess we've been here at different times. How are things?
good, liz! I'm glad the weekend is here, though, I can use the rest.
Are you back to work full time Sue?
ok, then either the bottom of a plant or ro + coffee or **a?
just watched the link from dan2bit...everyone in the path of the snow got their bread and milk?
Which to4/4 do you need?
Maybe to + two vowels?
You never forget your second time ..
Hi Min, do you have big snow?
Yes, we are getting big snow. Don't know how much.
ty. Will be in and out for the next hour or so to give clues. Writing to some Canadian friends who are hoping to visit here next month! Love having guests!
The weather is horrendous here .. It must be below 50 out there ..
I've heard it's been chilly out California way.
Hail!! We had hail! As big as ... cupcake sprinkles!!!
Could I get a clue for ap6, please?
Those were all euphemisms, weren't they smores?
Brit spelling for when the lungs go on vacation during sleep.
You keep using that word ..
So you don't think it means what I think it means?
For aw5/18 could someone give me the stats for the 'w' word that makes up the last 4 letters, please?
Hello br...how is life in ND?
no it isn't. please ignore me.
Ooo, it's like it's 7 in the morning all over again.
Edward "Wa 5" McDaniel (June 19, 1938 – April 18, 2002) was a Choctaw-Chickasaw Native American who achieved fame as a professional American football player and later as a professional wrestler.
really tor...isn't it a type of fish?
Smores likes to talk in gridspeak.
Oh okay .. It's a fish ..
And a board game, according to an earlier clue.
Yes, I am pr5 to do5 so.
I wasn't doubting that it was the mascots name tor, just was surprised.
Chief Wa5 will always be for me the not at all racially or politically insensitive mascot of the Cleveland Native Americans ..
I'm just goofing around smores .. I get like that on Friday ..
two stout scotch ales and one stiff g&T...life is good!!
Wa5! Pass a stout this way, Jj ..
I suddenly feel the need to watch "Major League". But I might stick around to watch tipsy Jill.
Although I'm pretty well aled up as it is ..
tipsy. tis true...living up to my irish roots..
Oh, she's Nurse McDreamy...it's a good day to save lives.
Min, are you still here? Did I miss your FW's?
Thought you had a few brews torgone?
I'm still here & you didn't miss my FWs. I'm struggling.
Keep up the story Tor. Jill wants to feel like she is the only one drunk Babbling.
Would you like a clue Min?
I have had a few .. And fully intend to have a few more ..
Go to bed Min. I think every clue imaginable has already been given. Several times.
And minv...best wishes for a safe night and power!!
I have to get to bed myself, it's after midnight and I have a busy day tomorrow.
Goodbye smores! I will see you tomorrow in the chog.
last word and not seeing it...first en6, anyone? | 2019-04-24T15:08:46Z | http://www.playbabble.com/3609/02/08/2013 |
The story of the Vickers gun is well known. It originated in the first successful self-powered machine gun, the Maxim of 1884, which had become the standard machine gun of the British Army by 1891 and was adopted (under various names) by many other armies. A modified version with a more compact mechanism was adopted by the British Army early in the 20th Century as the Vickers-Maxim but later simply became known as the Vickers. It was available for various rifle cartridges (up to .45 inch or 11.5 mm) but in British service was overwhelmingly used in .303 inch (7.7x56R) calibre. It fought through two world wars and remained in front-line British service until the mid-1950s.
Also well known are the big "pom-poms" in 37 mm or 40 mm. The first of these was the Maxim one-pounder (1 pdr) of the late 19th Century in 37x94R calibre, named for the weight of the shell. This was manufactured by Vickers, who went on to develop heavier versions. The first of the these was the 1½ pdr (37x123R) just before the First World War (this was experimentally fitted to the R-31 airship, in a circular top mounting), but shortly afterwards this was replaced by the 2 pdr (40x158R) which became the standard naval AA gun, available in single, four and eight-barrel mountings, serving until after the Second World War.
In between these were the .5 inch machine guns, which are much less well known. This account is intended to describe the various experimental and service weapons and their ammunition, developed mainly in the interwar period, some of which saw service but several of which did not.
The origin of the .5 inch Vickers goes back to the First World War. It seems that two or three different problems prompted the development of this gun. One was the need to fire bullets large enough to carry a useful incendiary charge to set light to enemy balloons and airships. Some of the rifle-calibre Vickers had been chambered for obsolete rifle cartridges such as the 11 mm Gras in order to achieve this, but a purpose-designed modern cartridge would obviously be better. The second was the need for a more hard-hitting machine gun against aircraft, some of which were now being fitted with armour. The third was the development of the tank, which required a better armour-piercing performance than rifle-calibre guns could achieve.
Although the German 13 mm Mauser M1918 anti-tank rifle and the associated TuF (Tank und Flieger, after the intended targets) heavy machine gun are now famous, the parallel British developments are not. These were based around a .600/.500 inch cartridge originally derived from an elephant gun round. The anti-tank rifle was the Godsal of 1918, the machine gun was a Vickers. The Godsal disappeared from the scene (although an example has survived) but the cartridge for the machine gun went through various evolutions (included a version with a belted case) until the final form emerged in 1921. This used a rimless 12.7x81 case and was known by Vickers as the .5V/580, after the bullet weight in grains (37.5 grams). Muzzle velocity was around 750 m/s and total cartridge weight 83 g. The ammunition was officially adopted for service in 1924.
Ball Mark I.z: 580 grain bullet with two-piece core (front aluminium, rear lead). Approved for service 1924, but not issued.
Ball Mark II.z: 580 grain bullet as above, muzzle velocity 2,540 fps (774 m/s). Approved for service 1925.
Ball Mark II (cordite propellant): approved for land service 1933.
Armour Piercing W. Mark 1.z: bullet with hardened steel core and lead sleeve and tip filler. Approved for service 1925. To pass proof, seven out of ten bullets had to penetrate 18 mm of armour plate at 100 yards range at 0 (90) degrees, and 70% also had to penetrate 14 mm armour striking at 20 (70) degrees.
Armour Piercing W. Mark 1 (cordite propellant): as above, approved for land service 1933.
Semi Armour Piercing F Mark 1.z: bullet as AP except steel core not hardened. 2,470 fps (753 m/s). Approved for naval use 1938. To pass proof, 70% of bullets had to penetrate 15 mm armour plate at 100 yards and 0 (90) degrees.
SAP Tracer FG Mark 1.z, II.z, III.z: bullets weighed 542, 549 and 515 grains respectively (35.1, 35.6, 33.4 g), all at 2,470 fps (753 m/s). They all had a steel core with a tracer cavity drilled in the base, and all traced to 800 yards (730 m); the Mks II and III had a dark trace (i.e. tracer did not illuminate until 100 yards from muzzle). All were approved between 1940 and 1944. All had to achieve the same penetration figure as the SAP F Mk 1.z.
Incendiary B Mark I.z: bullet weighed 562 grains (36.4 g) and was similar in design to the .303 inch B Mk. VII (i.e., a simplified "De Wilde"). Within the jacket was a steel sleeve containing 28 grains of incendiary composition with a further 2 grains of QF composition held in the jacket tip. Introduced after 1939.
It appears that the AP rounds saw little use since production stopped prior to 1935. The SAP and SAP-T were increasingly used instead, particularly by the RN. This was presumably because they were almost as effective and considerably cheaper.
All of the bullets in British service were flat-based which limited their maximum ballistic range to 4,265 yards (3,900 m). They could achieve a maximum altitude of 9,500 feet (2,900 m). Of course, the effective ranges were very much less than this; they were probably in the region of 820 yards (750 m) against aircraft and 1,640 yards (1,500 m) against small surface targets.
The elevation of 165.25 minutes required to achieve 2,000 yards (1,830 m) equals 2.75 degrees.
The new Vickers .5 inch was offered in three different versions for the three services. The army gun was water-cooled and fired at 450 rpm. The naval version was similar in appearance but had the rate of fire boosted to 700 rpm by the removal of the delay pawl which held the crank until the barrel returned to battery - stronger buffer springs were also fitted. The air-force version combined the 700 rpm rate of fire with an air-cooled barrel. The army and naval versions had the traditional large-diameter fluted water-cooling jacket, just like the rifle-calibre version, but the aircraft gun looked radically different, with flat, tapered plates running each side of the barrel. The weight of the aircraft gun was 53 lbs (24 kg), the others weighed 57 lbs (26 kg) (without cooling water, which added 10 lbs - 4.5 kg). Barrel lengths were 31 inches (79 cm) or 62 calibres, overall lengths 47-53 inches(119-136 cm). The gun barrel recoiled a maximum of 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) and a recoil pull of 385 lbs (175 kg) was developed. The guns were belt-fed, using either a web belt (initially) or a disintegrating steel link type, with 100 rounds in the belt - a loaded belt weighed 24 lbs (10.9 kg).
Mechanisms: Vickers rated superior, as consists of only two parts (lock and feed box) compared with three (bolt, feed box and recoil buffer). The Vickers lock takes only one-third the time to replace, the feed box is also quicker to replace as well as being more reliable, and the feed being driven by gun recoil has no ill effect on the operation of the lock.
Rate of Fire: both can be adjusted up to 750 rpm, but the Vickers can be adjusted by means of a crank check lever which can be regulated during firing, while the Browning requires the back plate to be removed to adjust the recoil buffer.
Fouling and grit: both guns performed satisfactorily, but it was noted that the Browning ended up with more grit in the mechanism due to it being more exposed by the opening of the gun casing. Also, after prolonged gun firing the Browning's mechanism was coated with black fouling while the Vickers' was clean.
Control: in both guns, the vibration was too severe to keep them on target so shoulder stocks were recommended for accuracy.
Belts and filling machines: neither web belt was found to be satisfactory. The Vickers belt was made using metal spacing strips and eyelets, which were inadequately secured, while the Browning's was stitched and could only be used two or three times. Both metal link belts were satisfactory. The Browning had filling machines for both types of belt (the metal belt filler was commended, the web one condemned), the Vickers had none.
Reliability: it was noted that the Vickers was an early example and suffered some problems, but these were corrected with modified parts during the trials and it was then very reliable. The Browning was reliable at high rates of fire but less so at lower RoFs, especially at higher elevations. Any kink in the belt would cause a failure to feed. The Browning's casing fractured during the test.
Wear and failure of parts - if any - are to minor parts that can be readily replaced.
Care and maintenance is easier to the inexpert, on account of its less complicated recoil and buffer mechanisms.
The mechanism and functioning of the gun requires less special or expert knowledge to obtain a good, reliable performance, and is more readily understood by the average seaman, who already receives training in the similar mechanism of the .303-inch gun.
Readily converted to right or left gun.
From a general technical point of view, it is the opinion that the fundamental principle of the mechanism and the action of the Vickers gun is superior to that of the Browning, and is more certain in its action generally.
The .5-inch Vickers gun is therefore recommended for the Naval service in preference to the Browning gun."
The RAF also evaluated the .5 inch Vickers and Browning guns. The results were inconclusive; the Browning was more powerful but was longer and heavier. It was concluded that the .303 inch version of the Vickers was almost as effective as the HMGs against the light, unarmoured aircraft structures of the time and it was much lighter as well as faster-firing. The RAF accordingly decided not to proceed with a heavy machine gun, while noting that any widespread adoption of armour for military aircraft would force a re-think. By the mid-1930s, when the increasing performance and toughness of aircraft began to cast doubt on the future of rifle-calibre guns, the RAF opted for the greater destructive power of a 20 mm cannon, choosing the French Hispano HS 404. A few American .5 inch Browning M2 guns were used late in the Second World War in applications for which the Hispano would have been too big and heavy, but apart from this no heavy machine guns were used by the RAF. The Vickers Class C is shown below left.
The Vickers wasn't the only .5 inch gun considered by the RAF. BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) offered their Model 1924 gun for aircraft observers (shown below right). It was intended to be flexibly mounted so used a long-recoil mechanism to soften the recoil kick, and was fed by a pan magazine on top of the gun. Initially, this used BSA's own (very similar) ammunition but it was later slightly modified to use the Vickers 12.7x81 cartridge. The RAF rejected it as being too heavy, too slow-firing (only about 400 rpm) and having too small an ammunition capacity (37 rounds).
The naval version of the Vickers .5 inch, designated the Mark III, was the most successful, with over 12,500 accepted for RN service.. It was initially offered in a curious four-barrel mounting in which the guns were stacked vertically, which in 1939 was the RN's standard short-range AA equipment. This was manually-operated, but later in the war a power-operated twin mounting (with side-by-side guns) was used in motor gun boats and similar craft. As an AA gun it soon proved insufficiently powerful and was gradually replaced by the 20 mm Oerlikon. China bought 19 examples of this gun.
The four-barrel mounting had its guns adjusted to provide a spread of fire, amounting to 60 feet wide and 50 feet high at 1,000 yards (15-18 m at 915 m). The belts were wrapped around large drums which carried 200 rounds per gun. Vickers claimed that it could fire all 800 rounds in 20 seconds and could then be reloaded in a further 30 seconds. They also claimed, rather optimistically, that it "could deal with aircraft at ranges of 1,500 yards (1,370 m) and below."
Accuracy: when fired from a fixed (test) barrel, the average size of a 20-round group must not exceed 12 inches at 500 yards (305 mm at 460 m).
Armour penetration: 70% of rounds fired must perforate a 15-16 mm hard steel plate (440-480 Brinell) at 100 yards, normal impact. Perforation will be considered to have occurred when (a) daylight is visible through the plate, or (b) when the core, being left in the plate, projects beyond the back surface of the plate.
The British Army only officially used its .5 inch Vickers in AFV mountings. The initial model was designated .5 inch Mark I but improvements were made before this was issued as the Mk II. Later, the Mk IV was introduced which had the same mounting dovetail as the .303 inch gun and had its RoF increased from 450 to 600 rpm. The Mark V was the finally improved, strengthened, AFV version and over 1,000 of these were made by 1940 (only just over 100 of the earlier models being manufactured).
The Infantry Tank Mk 1 was equipped with one of these guns in a one-man turret, but apart from this the .5 inch was usually paired with a .303 inch Vickers in armoured cars and light tanks. Some units of the Long Range Desert Group "acquired" these guns and fitted them to pintle mountings on their 4x4 vehicles. They can be distinguished from the .303 inch version by the lack of the bulbous muzzle booster in front of the cooling jacket.
Early in the Second World War both Vickers .303 inch and .5 inch guns were replaced in their AFV roles by two guns from Czechoslovakia, the 7.9 mm ZB vz/53 and 15 mm ZB vz/60. These were both known as "BESAs" in British service.
On the left is a photo of the big 15 mm BESA on a curious spring-wheel carriage.
Vickers may not have had much success in selling their big gun to the RAF but it attracted foreign interest. The British Government didn't like Vickers selling their latest equipment abroad so Vickers slightly modified the cartridge case to make it semi-rimmed, giving the designation 12.7x81SR; this variant being developed as early as 1923. Vickers knew the cartridge as the .5"V/565 as their standard bullet for it weighed 565 grains (36.5 grams) with a 2,490 fps (760 m/s) muzzle velocity. Bullet types developed for this cartridge included Ball, AP, AP-T, 'Flame Tracer', and 'Smoke Tracer / Incendiary' (similar to the Buckingham type used in the .303 B Mk IV).
Some 65 Vickers aircraft guns in this calibre were bought by Japan and 49 by Siam (Thailand) but it is not clear whether or not any service use was made of them.
The Italians also used the cartridge in their own 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and Scotti aircraft guns. The short-recoil Breda-SAFAT was not a sparkling performer, weighing 64 lbs (29 kg) and firing at 700 rpm, but it was the standard Italian fixed aircraft gun at the start of the Second World War, two synchronised guns normally being mounted in the cowling of single-engined fighters. The gas/blowback Scotti fired no faster, but did weigh only 51 lbs (23 kg). It seemed to be more highly regarded, but was primarily, if not solely, used in flexible mountings.
The Italians developed various different loadings for the semi-rimmed cartridge, including Tracer, AP, API, API-T, I-T, and (famously) HE and HEI-T. The HE contained around 12.3 grains (0.8 g) of Penthrite wax.
The Japanese Army became interested in the Breda-SAFAT and in particular its explosive shells, and considered adopting the gun. In the end they did adopt the cartridge but developed their own, superior, aircraft gun, the 12.7 mm Ho-103 (based on a smaller version of the .50 Browning M2) to use it. This fired at 900 rpm and weighed only 48 lbs (22 kg). They also developed their own HE ammunition as well as using the Italian designs.
Some British and Italian-produced ammunition is shown on the right.
Sectioned views of some of the Italian cartridges are shown below (courtesy of Christian Koll of the russianammo.com site). These are, from left to right, Ball (aluminium tip), API, API-T and HEI-T.
The Italian fighters and their 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT guns were also adopted by Spain and Hungary, who made their own ammunition for it. The Hungarians also used the 12.7x81SR cartridge in the HMG version of their fascinating Gebauer GKM engine-driven twin-barrel gun, which was fitted to the Hejja II (licence-built Reggiane Re 2000).
Much less well known is the Vickers .5 inch Class D or HV (for high velocity), also developed in the mid-1920s. This was basically a lengthened version of the usual .5 inch gun, designed around a much bigger and more powerful 12.7x120SR cartridge, known as the V/664 (with 43 gram flat-based bullets) or V/690 (45 gram boat-tailed - streamlined - bullets); the latter became standard) and achieving an impressive muzzle velocity of 3,040 fps (927 m/s). Bullet types developed for both the V/664 and V/690 were Ball, AP, AP-T, Flame Tracer, and Smoke Tracer / Incendiary. Weight of the V/690 cartridge was 135 g and a belt of 100 rounds weighed 33.5 lbs (15.2 kg). Maximum range claimed was 7,000 yards (6,400 m) with a vertical altitude of 15,600 feet (4,750 m) but, as with the 12.7x81, effective ranges would have been far less; probably 1,100 yards (1,000 m) in AA fire and double that against ground targets.
The gun barrel was water-cooled as usual and rate of fire was 350-450 rpm. Gun weight was 101 lbs (46 kg), or 122 lbs with water (55.3 kg) and it was noticeably longer than the compact Class B, with a barrel length of 45 inches (114 cm) and an overall length of nearly six feet (179 cm). This was offered primarily as an AA gun in a twin mounting, or as an AT gun in a single mounting, although both mountings could be used in either role. The single mounting, complete with water, weighed 623 lbs (283 kg) while the twin weighed just over a ton (1,032 kg) in action.
Photos of the single and twin-barrel Class D mountings are shown below.
Despite various experiments (including installing a twin mounting on a Vickers Light Tank Mk 1A) the Class D was never fielded by Britain. It did achieve some very limited foreign sales; Siam bought 24, China 20 and Japan 48.
Rather less information has survived about other Vickers projects; the 1 inch, 25.4mm and 1 pdr Mk III guns, the 13.2mm Vickers-Berthier and the .661 inch naval AA gun.
The 1 inch gun was developed before the First World War, apparently for both aircraft and ground use. It was made under licence by Terni in Italy, who in the early 1920s sold some to the Swedish navy for installation as AA guns in four of their submarines, as well as (at least) one surface vessel: the 'Clas Fleming' minelayer which carried three 'Vickers 25mm' guns in the 1920s. A photo exists which appears to show that at least one of these guns was fitted to an Italian bomber in WW1. It used a long-recoil variant of the Maxim action, as did a scaled-up version, the 1 pdr Mark III in 37x69R calibre, which saw brief service with the RFC as an aircraft gun in WW1 (it is sometimes confused with the much larger 1 pdr "Pom pom"). The improved Mk V version reportedly saw experimental use postwar in airships. Two views of different versions of the Vickers 1 inch gun are shown below.
The 1 inch Vickers should not be confused with the 25.4mm Vickers which was a mid-1930s naval AA gun. Details of the gun and its ammunition are available HERE.
The photo on the left shows three rare Vickers cartridges for comparison: the .50 HV, the 1 inch (25x87R) and the 25.4mm (25x189).
Nothing is known about the 13.2 mm Vickers-Berthier shown on the right, except that the Berthier mechanism was designed by a Frenchman and also used in the .303 inch Vickers K or GO (gas-operated) aircraft gun. It is presumed that the gun was designed around the usual 13.2x99 Hotchkiss cartridge which was manufactured in the UK. No use for the gun is known.
Shown on the left is a photo of the various Vickers .5 inch and related cartridges, with the .5" Browning for comparison.
Finally, the big .661 inch Vickers naval AA gun. This was designed in the mid-1930s as a replacement for the .5 inch gun, but development was stopped when it was decided to buy the 20 mm Oerlikon instead. The gun was belt-fed, water-cooled, fired at 300 rpm and came in a six-barrel mounting based on that of the quad 2pr pom-pom. Of the gun, only some faint drawings seem to have survived, but some examples of the massive 16.8x149SR cartridge do exist. It fired an 85 g projectile at 1,000 m/s.
The photo on the left (courtesy of Tony Edwards) shows the .661" cartridge (centre) with the .5" Vickers V580 above and the 20x110RB Oerlikon below.
Thanks are due to the Curator and Librarian of the Ministry of Defence Pattern Room, which supplied the black and white photos used to illustrate this article as well as documentation concerning the guns.
More information about the Vickers, Breda-SAFAT, Scotti, Ho-103 and BESA guns and ammunition mentioned in this article are included in the author's book: Rapid Fire - The Development of Automatic Cannon, Heavy Machine Guns and their Ammunition for Armies, Navies and Air Forces.
For further information about the development of the Vickers cartridges, see: Labbett, P. British Small Arms Ammunition 1864-1938. Privately published (UK, 1993). Other references used were 'British Made .5 inch and 13 mm Machine Gun Ammunition, not for British Service' by Labbett and Brown, 'The Grand Old Lady of No-Man's Land' by Dolf Goldsmith and 'Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges' by Jean Huon. | 2019-04-21T09:00:59Z | http://quarryhs.co.uk/Vickers.html |
The following is a review of the documentary “The War You Don’t See” which I highly recommend seeing if you can find a copy. I originally wrote this for Media Roots, but never finished it. I have reworked it with edit suggestions by Abbey Martin. “The War You Don’t See” is not available in America. It was originally scheduled to debut at the Lannan Foundation in Santa Fe, New Mexico but was mysteriously cancelled at the last minute.
John Pilger’s powerful documentary, “The War You Don’t See,” explores what the media’s role has been during today’s rapacious wars, like those of Iraq and Afghanistan. What Pilger reveals is both frightening and sad: the so-called “Fourth Estate” of the media, once thought of as a bulwark against corruption in government and big business, is now no more than a cheerleader and mouthpiece for what has become the Corporate State.
Manion completely abdicates his responsibility of fact-finding when he states, “…we allowed the viewers to make up their [own] minds as to whether this[Cheney] was a man telling the truth or not.” With responses such as these, it becomes apparent that the Fourth Estate has been rendered a neutered servant to government/corporate power and agendas.
The non-PR-versions of world events and crises …like everything from the buildup to the Iraq War during Powell, to the actual content of “aid packages”: for instance, PR that the US is sending aid to Pakistan includes funding for water/food/clothing… that much is true, it includes that, but the other 85% of it is for F-16 fighters and munitions to aid in the Afghanistan effort, so the US can call in Pakistanis to do aerial bombing instead of Americans potentially killing civilians and creating a PR crisis.
Edward Bernays, who coined the term ‘public relations’ and pioneered modern propaganda as a form of psychological warfare, declared once that “the intelligent manipulation of the masses is an invisible government which is the true ruling power in our country.” The ability of the U.S. to wield ‘soft power’ by way of effective propaganda techniques is ever-evolving, and the ability of the Corporate State to frame the public debate and spread the Big Lie through its control of the nation’s digital media stream has consequently dumbed down the public discourse on important subjects.
In speaking about the advancement of nonstop digital news feeds, British reporter Rageh Omar explains that “twenty-four hour news is the easiest to manipulate, because it’s a giant echo-chamber.” Constant 24/7 repetition of the Big Lie all across the nation’s digital media stream ensures the successful brainwashing of the masses.
I remember when I was twenty years outside the United States, I moved back to New York City, and I was overwhelmed by the electronic hallucinations that bombarded me in my public and private space. And so, I retreated into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I could contemplate objects or paintings that didn’t move. You need to spend significant amounts of time with print material to grasp complex thoughts, and that requires silence. It requires an absence of noise. It requires an absence of moving images. And the less we do that, the more — the shallower or the more manipulated we become.
And those pulling the levers of the mass media machine are the über-wealthy and power elite who have one foot in government and the other in the corporate world. In their quest for profit and control, the reality and facts of the world are politically malleable tools.
Investigative journalist Mark Curtis explains that the relationships western governments cultivate with oppressive foreign regimes are accompanied by a sophisticated PR operation touting foreign policy objectives of “promoting democracy, human rights, and economic development.” However, these fake altruistic claims hide an insidious agenda. Actual government planning files clearly state the intended policy is based on “controlling oil resources, creating an international economy that works in the interests of corporations, and maintaining their power status.” If one looks at the current influx of multinational oil firms into Iraq, the intentions of military intervention are made obvious.
When investigative journalists report the truth, such as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charles J. Hanley who personally went to Iraq in 2003 and found no WMD after visiting every site named by Bush officials, they are simply blackballed and shut out of the mainstream media.
Of particular concern is the symbiotic relationship between the military industrial complex, driven by the profit-seeking objectives of corporations, and the major news conglomerates which, if not directly owned by military weapons manufacturers, receive advertising dollars from them. This intertwined relationship has been called the Military-Industrial-Media Complex. For instance, GE happens to be one of the largest defense contractors in the world and owns NBC. Another example is Lockheed Martin, which spends large sums of money advertising on CNN.
Pilger adeptly illustrates this perverse alliance with a string of TV clips in which news commentators are seen gushing and fawning over the extreme efficiency and performance of various industrial-killing weaponry. This groveling self-worship within the military-media complex is especially disturbing when recalling the images shown earlier in the film of children’s limp bodies being pulled out of rubble from Afghan villages obliterated by hi-tech armaments. With the ongoing censorship of such massacres and the sanitizing of western news reporting, Americans have become desensitized and normalized to war. The fact that over a million Iraqis have been snuffed out is simply not reported in the MSM (mainstream media), nor the fact that Iraq’s infrastructure remains crumbling and destroyed from the invasion.
Assange: Looking at the enormous quantity and diversity of these military and intelligence insider documents… what I see is a vast, sprawling estate — what we would traditionally call the military intelligence complex or military industrial complex. And that this sprawling industrial estate is growing, becoming more and more secretive, becoming more and more uncontrolled.
We often deal with tax havens and people hiding assets and transferring money through off-shore tax havens. So I can see some really quite remarkable similarities. Guantanamo is used for laundering people to an off-shore haven, which doesn’t follow the rule of law. Similarly, Iraq and Afghanistan and Columbia are used to wash money out of the U.S. tax base and back in.
Pilger: What you’re saying is money and money-making is at the center of modern war, and it’s almost self-perpetuating.
Assange: Yes, and it’s becoming worse.
In a world where resources are dwindling and the environment is showing clear signs of collapse, such a nihilistic war-mongering economy can only pull civilization down with it into chaos and barbarism. The remaining hope for mankind to survive the future and avoid the catastrophes of war and terrorism is for his ethical sense to evolve beyond what his scientific and technological capabilities have wrought. The war you don’t see is the true destructive and evil face of war whitewashed by a propaganda machine operating 24/7 to control and steer public sentiment in favor of underlying corporate interests. As Abraham Lincoln said, “He who molds the public sentiment… makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to make.” Pilger’s documentary is one of the most important to have come out in the last decade and is essential viewing for those who really want to better understand the machinations of the corporate-controlled political economy dominating our society.
Here is an entertaining video done by Diran Lyons using the art of political video remixing. Donnie Darko happens to be one of my all-time favorite films.
One of the more loathsome trends that has taken root since Neoliberal policies were embraced in the last few decades is the commodification of the imprisoned to line the pockets of prisons-for-profit corporations. In our deteriorating economy, this predatory business model has been a lucrative venture, especially for Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) which is the largest Wall Street traded company of its kind extracting profit from our prison-industrial-complex.
Corrections Corporation of America, the nation’s largest operator of for-profit prisons, has sent letters recently to 48 states offering to buy up their prisons as a remedy for “challenging corrections budgets.” In exchange, the company is asking for a 20-year management contract, plus an assurance that the prison would remain at least 90 percent full, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Huffington Post.
The move reflects a significant shift in strategy for the private prison industry, which until now has expanded by building prisons of its own or managing state-controlled prisons. It also represents an unprecedented bid for more control of state prison systems….
And Corrections Corporation’s offer of $250 million toward purchasing existing state prisons is yet another avenue for potential growth. The company has billed the “corrections investment initiative” as a convenient option for states in need of fresh revenue streams: The state benefits from a one-time infusion of cash, while the prison corporation wins a new long-term contract. In addition, supporters of prison privatization have argued that states can achieve cost savings through outsourcing, as prison corporations give fewer benefits to employees.
“We believe this comes at a timely and helpful juncture and hope you will share our belief in the benefits of the purchase-and-manage model,” reads the letter from Harley Lappin, CCA’s chief corrections officer, who was a former director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
CCA made almost 2 billion in profits in 2010.
The incarceration statutes in that state were purposefully strengthened (10 years for writing a bad check) so as to keep the prison cells full and the revenue stream from state tax dollars flowing in. Consequently, more money is spent on imprisonment, thereby leaving less funds available for prisoner rehabilitation programs. The for-profit incarceration business is thus assured a steady stream of profit from a revolving door of recidivism.
3) By privatization of the prisons and detainment centers themselves. Given these perverse incentives to maintain a high inmate population, is it any wonder that the number of prisoners and the length of their sentences — Americans comprise 5 percent of the world’s total population but 25 percent of the world’s prison population — have skyrocketed since privatization began in 1984?
Number of inmates. 1920 to 2006. (absolute numbers) General U.S. population grew only 2.8 times in the same period, but the number of inmates increased more than 20 times.
Gelsomino said “Mo” and “Gloves”[two police informants] began befriending activists in the Chicago area in early May and were present when Church, Chase or Betterly were arrested. She said many activists in Chicago for the NATO protests knew “Mo” and “Gloves” and are now worried they could also be arrested.
Critics say filing terrorism-related charges against protesters is reminiscent of previous police actions ahead of major political events, when authorities moved quickly to prevent suspected plots but sometimes quietly dropped the charges later.
“Even if charges are dropped or reduced later, they will have succeeded in spreading fear and intimidation,” Hermes said.
” … Another lawyer, who has been handling high-profile political cases like the Cleveland 5 for nearly 40 years, mentioned that in addition to the use of undercover agents and informants, the FBI employs “agent provocateurs” to infiltrate and discredit political movements, changing the name of programs to make it appear as if it has reformed its underhanded ways.
In the case of the five Chicago activists who have been swept up on terrorism charges, defense attorneys charge that two police informants nicknamed “Mo” and “Gloves” were the masterminds. In the post-9/11 era the FBI has up to 60,000 informants and spies around the United States, according to an expose by Mother Jones. The FBI cut its teeth as a repressive police force during the Red Scare after World War 1, raiding homes and deporting thousands of legal foreign-born radicals in the labor, anarchist and socialist movements. After World War II, the FBI destroyed thousands of lives and decimated the left during the McCarthy Era. The FBI famously spied on Martin Luther King, Jr., during the 1960s and at one point thousands of agents were devoted to disrupting and sabotaging the anti-Vietnam War, student and black liberation movements.
During the 1980s the FBI spied on Central American solidarity activists. Since Sept. 11 the FBI has snared hundreds of Muslim Americans in cases involving informants who supplied the ideas, motivation and means for a terrorist plot. In recent years the FBI has termed “animal rights and environmental extremists,” as well as anarchists as some of the main domestic terrorist threats. It has used infiltrators, most infamously one code-named Anna, to entrap environmental activists. In 2008, the FBI sent a snitch by the name of Brandon Darby on a fishing expedition, and he managed to cajole and push two Austin, Texas youth into agreeing to make Molotov cocktails at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. These were all political cases as are the two against the Cleveland 5 and the Chicago group.
In Rowe’s opinion, the arrests were a “public relations exercise” by law enforcement agencies that need to invent sophisticated terrorist plots to justify their out-sized budgets, he said.
Why is this true at Yale? There are two reasons. The first is the appointment policy followed by the Prudential Committee, the standing committee of the Yale Corporation, in the one case in which the facts are known: no card-carrying or de facto Communists will henceforward be admitted to the Yale faculty. The young graduate students and faculty men put it a different way: “There will be no witch-hunts at Yale (quoted from President Charles Seymour), because there will be no witches.” What worries the young men is how far the Prudential Committee intends to go with this policy….
“…A major point of contention is the claim that a “severe reduction in revenue growth” – linked to the growing numbers of users accessing the website on mobile phones rather than computers – was concealed.
Facebook, which is being sued as a company along with Mr Zuckerberg, other leading executives at the company and its lead underwriters – Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs – has denied the claims. Another lawsuit filed in California claims Facebook and its banks actively misled investors. The banks deny any wrongdoing.
However, the claim that Mr Zuckerberg was able to profit by selling his shares in the knowledge that the share value would likely decline, while others bought in without the benefit of the facts, has heightened the controversy.
It has even led to the term “Zucked” being coined to describe what happened to the investors who lost money.
Giving well-connected firms an inside track has been one of the ways that big Wall Street firms attract and keep big clients. These clients are powerful profit drivers, and banks tend to give their best customers the best deals.
“These people give them more money in fees and commissions than others,” said Ernest Badway, a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement attorney who is now a white-collar defense lawyer in New York and New Jersey.
“Because of that — they’re part of a great revenue stream — they’re going to try to give every single advantage that they can to those particular people,” he said.
Regulators and congressional investigators have begun probes into what went wrong, looking into questions over information distributed ahead of the IPO. Morgan Stanley and other underwriters warned privileged clients that their analysts had grown sour on Facebook’s revenue growth potential. They failed to telegraph the same information to retail clients and the general public. Information affords a crucial trading edge on Wall Street.
For Facebook to actually be worth $125-$150 billion or more today, it would have to be worth $300-$400 billion in a few years’ time, otherwise it’s not worth buying. Facebook would have to earn $20 billion of profit to justify a $300-$400 billion valuation, 20 times the amount Facebook earned last year. Which means it’s going to have to find new revenue models. And we haven’t seen any evidence of that.
“The move by GM, one of the largest advertisers in the U.S., puts a spotlight on an issue that many marketers have been raising: whether ads on Facebook help them sell more products. On Friday, Facebook is expected to sell shares in an initial public offering that could put a market value on the company of as much as $104 billion … The move by GM, one of the largest advertisers in the U.S., puts a spotlight on an issue that many marketers have been raising: whether ads on Facebook help them sell more products.
If one were to simply look at polls (half of America thinks that Facebook is just a passing fad while 57 per cent never bother clicking any ads), then you would have to come to the conclusion that the Facebook IPO was just another opportunity for those at the top to siphon off money from gullible ‘investors’. The debacle of the Facebook IPO is a perfect metaphor to sum up America: a nation that has been hollowed out and defrauded by a system that rewards and protects the monied interests of a small elite over the well-being of the rest of the nation.
When you’re a Hammer, everything is a nail.
CP: Let’s look at the so-called new pivot to Asia: we are beefing up our military deployments in the Western Pacific. But there is no threat to us in the Western Pacific! China is not going to invade the Unites States, North Korea’s missiles can’t reach the United States, American oil doesn’t come through the Strait of Malacca. So, what is the threat? How is it that this military deployment is protecting our interests? It’s an infatuation with empire, an infatuation with the exercise of power. It’s a legacy of the Second World War and of the Cold War. We have a big national security machine and that machine is powerful politically and our system looks for a way to make itself useful and so that’s what it does. But it is not clear to me that this is in the interest of the United States. The incentives in the system right now are for the production of tradable goods and the provision of tradable services to leave the US. The United States is not pursuing any of the policies necessary to reverse the incentives because its total focus is on geopolitical priorities.
RT: So, it’s all about the US bases and expanding the US military around the globe?
CP: It’s all about maintaining the primacy of the US national security establishment.
Why We Fight is a 2006 prize winning documentary film about the US military-industrial complex. The title refers to the World War 2 era eponymous propaganda movies commissioned by the U.S. Government to justify their decision to enter the war against the Axis Powers.
The film was first screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival on 17 January 2005, exactly forty-four years after President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s farewell address in which he warned the American people of the dangers from the “military-industrial complex”.
According to Jeremy Scahill, best-selling author of “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army”, there are around 630 companies on the US government’s payroll in Iraq. More shocking are the 170 mercenary corporations operating in Iraq. Despite repeatedly committing criminal violations, these companies have been immune from prosecution and have repeatedly been rewarded no-bid contracts. In the following interview, Scahill discusses the most recent stage of the military-industrial complex’s evolution and the escalating privatization of war. | 2019-04-25T22:21:09Z | https://collapseofindustrialcivilization.com/2012/05/ |
I like how the animations in this movie looks exactly like the illustrations in the original book. In the movie they show tons of characters from the books celebrating Christmas in their own way with The Cat in the Hat. This teaches kids about different holiday traditions. All The Cat’s animal friends each show their way of migration and use it to help The Cat bring Ralph home. This makes the movie very educational. For example, when they meet up with some dolphins the dolphins work with Ralph to bring the thingamajigger back to land. This shows how dolphins always work together to complete any task.
A mysterious young woman, Hester Shaw, emerges as the only one who can stop a giant, predator city on wheels devouring everything in its path. Feral, and fiercely driven by the memory of her mother, Hester joins forces with Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from London, along with Anna Fang, a dangerous outlaw with a bounty on her head. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rohan F. comments, “The CGI in this movie is really impressive. The steampunk cities that fill the movie are thought out thoroughly. Shrike, a humanoid robot, is well designed.He looks very realistic, but with lots of sci-fi details.” See his full review below.
Mortal Engines is a visually incredible movie. Unfortunately, the story is quite hard to follow,and a lot seems to have been cut.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where civilization has been wiped out. What’s left of the human race has rebuilt cities as war vehicles designed to destroy and loot other cities. A girl named Hester Shaw tries to revenge her mother and stop London from destroying the shield wall, a wall that protects the peaceful, non-moving cities.
I dislike how fast it moves. There are lots of action scenes and some of them get a bit too fast. On the other hand, these action scenes are well planned out and have lots of moving parts. In almost all of them, the characters are fighting while the city falls apart.
The CGI in this movie is really impressive. The steampunk cities that fill the movie are thought out thoroughly. Shrike, a humanoid robot, is well designed. He looks very realistic, but with lots of sci-fi details. I specifically like how he can hold onto the ground by folding his feet down. This is a unique ability that isn’t over or under used. I enjoy Stephen Lang’s voice as Shrike. It gives an expected, eerie feeling to his character. The makeup for Hester’s scar is great, looking realistic but not too over the top.
The moral of Mortal Engines is that you can accomplish anything if you work as a team. This is shown when Hester refuses to work with her friends until the end, when they must work together to stop London from destroying the shield wall.
The music is often too overpowering. In several scenes, the music actually takes away from what is happening on screen. For example, in the final set it gets so loud that you can’t hear what the characters are saying.
My favorite scene is at the beginning, when they show the landscape of this post-apocalyptic future and then, quickly jump into the action with a fun chase scene. This scene is very intense and shows what most of the movie is all about.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 15. It opens in theaters Friday, December 14, 2018 so look for it.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse * A Masterpiece of the Superhero and Animated Genre!
Miles Morales comes across the long-dead Peter Parker. This Peter Parker is not from his world though; he’s from somewhere else in the multi-verse. With Parker’s guidance, Miles will become Spider-Man: and through that he will become part of the ever-expanding ‘Spider-Verse.’ KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nathalia J.comments, “The film is extremely colorful, unique and full of visual 3Danimation. The film certainly embraces the comic book style, which I really enjoyed. It definitely feels authentic.” Arjun N. adds, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a masterpiece of the superhero and animated genre. Groundbreaking animation and voice talent propel this above any other Spidey movies. Any fan of Marvel or even animation must check out this one-of-a-kind experience.” Sahiba K. wraps it up with, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse surprised me in its ability to create an original piece despite the several renditions of Spider-Man that exist! …The animation sets a milestone in the history of animation, for it is the first of its kind. Such aspects bring fresh artistry in animation that is rare in the film industry.” See their full reviews below.
Are you ready for some live action! Seriously, Sony’s is kicking off something completely different. This fresh, funny, action-packed, intriguing and remarkable film is directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman. Prepare to get jump-scared from this perky piece of family entertainment.
This American computer-animated superhero film follows Miles Morales who must juggle his high school life with his status as a superhero as he is introduced to the“Spider-Verse,” where there can be more than just one Spider-Man. Miles Morales comes across the long-dead Peter Parker. Peter Parker is not from his world though. He is from somewhere else in the multi-verse. With the help from Parker, Miles will become Spider-Man.
The lead characters in this film are Miles Morales / Spider-Man (Shameik Moore), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Jake Johnson) and Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn).
My favorite scene is when Miles Morales saves his entire city from the evil Kingpin and proves to the Spider-Verse he is valuable to the Spider-Verse and strong enough. The unique and brilliant 3D animation style is a fantastic aspect of the film. I admire Miles Morales’ strength which makes him a standout character.
The film is extremely colorful, unique and full of visual 3D animation. The film certainly embraces the comic book style, which I really enjoyed. It definitely feels authentic.
There’s one quote that they use a lot in the film from Peter Parker to Miles Morales, which is, “One thing I know for sure, don’t do it like me, do it like you.” I enjoyed this quote because it is meaningful and was the last words Peter said before he passed away.
I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, as well as adults. This pure dorky fun film comes out on December 14, 2018 so look for it.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a masterpiece of the superhero and animated genre. Groundbreaking animation and voice talent propel this above any other Spidey movies. Any fan of Marvel or even animation must check out this one-of-a-kind experience.
The story follows Brooklyn teen Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) or the “new Spider-Man,” after he is bitten by a radioactive spider. When Peter Parker, the original Spider-Man, dies, Morales realizes he is the only one left to save the city from the grips of Kingpin (Liev Schreiber). Kingpin threatens to risk all space-time continuum, which even brings new Spider-men from other dimensions and timelines. One such is another Peter Parker (Jake Johnston) who serves as Miles’ mentor. These Spider-men remain the only ones powerful enough to defeat Fisk and his maniacal experiments.
Shameik Moore, as Miles Morales, is easily the movie’s best character and empowers in what is the first depiction of his character in a movie. His coming-of-age brings up most relatability and his perseverance only makes his origin story as compelling, if not more so as Peter’s. Jake Johnston, as Peter Parker, portrays the classic original well, but with neat nuances. His character is one that has suffered many setbacks and devolved to laziness, with his arc being a fun,unexpected diversion. Bryan Tyree Henry, as Jefferson Davis, charges his father-son relationship with much heart as he struggles to bond. His brother Aaron, played by Mahershala Ali, provides another compelling performance, as here mains a key inspiration for why Miles is who he is. The Spider-verse, is complimented by the mysterious Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), anime-inspired Peni Parker(Kimiko Glenn), Nicolas Cage who shines as the Spider-Man Noir and last, but not least, the wise-cracking anthropomorphic Spider-Ham (John Mullaney). Liev Schreiber brings a deep booming voice in the Kingpin that only adds to his menacing large physique.
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman are experts in their class with many beautiful and visceral shots commanding the plot. The animation is something to be commended with its own identity taking homage from many comic books. My favorite scene comes from the central scene where Miles becomes one with his powers, as every shot has meaning and flair. It is truly inspiring and mind-blowing from a plot-driven and animated perspective. I could nitpick on the lack of a compelling villain at points or even some very infrequent awkward song placements, but in the end, everything comes into fruition and those are along gone afterthought.
The message of the movie is about taking leaps of faith as Morales’s whole story revolves around just that in his quest to live up to the worthy Spider-Man mantle. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 18 because of some intense scenes and themes. The movie releases in theaters on December 14, 2018 so check it out.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse surprised me in its ability to create an original piece despite the several renditions of Spider-Man that exist!Spider-Man has been adopted by several films and TV shows in the past decades, yet Into the Spider-Verse is the most creative take on Spider-Man. The animation sets a milestone in the history of animation, for it is the first of its kind. Such aspects bring fresh artistry in animation that is rare in the film industry.
The story follows Miles Morales, a young boy who faces pressure at high school and at home to be the best. However, when a portal to the multi-verse is opened, Miles is tasked with the responsibility of saving his hometown of Brooklyn.Along the way, several Spider-Men and Women meet who align with Miles and they become a close and loving family.
The animation is contemporary and avant-garde, featuring pop art and street art. It is a tribute to the art of comic books, bringing them to life.It has several aspects of a comic book including onomatopoeia like“Pow!” and “Boom!” that are surrounded by colorful borders in several of the action scenes. Another example of the comic book charm occurs when an exciting fight move is taken by one of the Spider characters. At this time the screen splits into three, displaying the happenings in that instant, and adding to the thrill of the moment and overall fight. These small nuances accumulate, making me feel as if I had walked into a comic book.
My favoritepart is the way that there are small tributes to the original Spider-Man comic books with different takes on villains such as Dr. Octopus and the GreenGoblin. They even made small references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe films that added to the ingenuity and display the directors’ attention to detail. The only thing that the film can improve on is the plot, because some of the characters are underdeveloped. Otherwise, the climax and storylines are unpredictable and engaging.
The message of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is that all it takes to be what you want and do what you want is to take a leap of faith. I give this film4.5 out of 5stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 18. Be sure to check out Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in theatres nationwide December 14, 2018.
What would you do if you could be a superhero?What if you have no choice? From the very beginning, Spider-Man: Into the Spicer-Verse is very energetic and captures your attention. This animated film has impressive visuals. The music creates a fantastic rhythm. And you just want to watch more.
The story follows a high school student named Miles Morales, who just changed school. He goes into an abandoned subway station with his uncle Erin and gets bitten by a radioactive spider. Ever since that day, Miles starts sticking to everything he touches. Then, he meets Spider-Man (Peter Parker), teams up with some friends from the same dimension and they attempt to save the world from the villain Kingoin.
The story is very original and makes the impossible possible. It takes all the abilities of Spider-Man to far and beyond with its action scenes. The film also shows a very real family atmosphere and the humor is smart. I love the non-traditional characters and how they embrace diversity. And yes! Spider-Man is Latino and surely does speak Spanish! There are also some fun new characters.
With this film, Marvel has created a film that celebrates comics, film and visual arts. Of course, it celebrates Spider-Man and makes this super hero relevant and contemporary. It is absolutely eye-poppingly beautiful and really pushes the boundaries of the genre with its colors, textures and camera movements. There are several different forms of animation in one film. You feel as if you are actually reading a comic book or the comic book is coming to life.
Naturally, the film does a very touching tribute to genius Stan Lee. I feel the filmmakers took some risks bringing new ideas to this iconic character which as been adored for over 50 years. The result is a must-see family movie that is even more appealing to new generations. I also love how this film is animated. It’s so different. I’ve never seen a film like this one. I think it’s very unique. Be sure to stay after the credits to see something very special, including another set of credits at the very end.
This film sets a new era in animated movies. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, as well as adults. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and include it in my Oscar predictions as a very possible winner. This is the film parents will love their kids to watch and kids will enjoy in many different ways.
With great power comes great responsibility and we all can be heroes. This is the idea behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – inclusion for all in the vast universe and the idea that we can all be heroes by making the right choices and doing our best helping each other in our everyday life. This film opens nationwide December14, 2018 at a theater near you. Be sure to check it out.
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This lovely two DVD set comes with limited edition bendable Prickle and Goo figures. How awesome is that! The 1980s show was a hit when mom was growing up and it bought back so many memories for her. Welcome back Gumby and Pokey in this wild, wacky and inventive collection of 80s episodes, created and written by Joe Clokey.
My favorite character is, by all odds Gumby, because he is always so energetic and happy. I enjoyed watching how Gumby and his genial friend Pokey take an adventure through an Ice Cave. I enjoyed this mirthful episode because it made me laugh. I really enjoyed seeing the characters come to life.The colors also really bring a sense of enjoyment.
The characters in this series are Gumby, Pokey and Prickle, an adorable yellow dinosaur that looks like a dragon. Also making an appearance are Goo, the Blockhead, Professor Kapp, Dr. Zveegee, the Moon Boggles and Gumby’s parents, Gumbo and Gumba.
I have to tell you about the story behind this release. Did you know that each episode and song was fully re-mastered from the original camera rolls and soundtracks?How cool is that! Here’s a chance to see Gumby as it has never been seen before.
I give this DVD 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7, as well as adults.This series is certainly unique and will definitely bring back memories if you grew up watching Gumby. This DVD is available now so, check it out.
This DVD contains over 40 episodes that follow the vivacious chunk of green clay named Gumby and his friends – Pokey, Prickle the little yellow dinosaur and a blue flying mermaid named Goo. Gumby can go anywhere,including inside books, and turn into anything. The crew goes on lots of fantastical and quirky adventures together. One of the things I enjoy about this DVD is its diverse set of characters. This collection has all the favorite characters from the previous series such as The Blockheads and Professor Kapp.
My favorite character from this collection is Gumby. This altruistic do-gooder is a character whose values are something kids can aspire to adopt. Gumby is one of the few characters that, if we all aspired to be, the world would be a better place. He is very likable and consistently fights for the common good. I also really like Gumby’s friends. This collection also highlights how pivotal these characters were to the series’ success. I really enjoy Gumby as a character, but without Prickle, Goo and Pokey as foils and characters for him to interact with, this series just wouldn’t be as good.
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“Fox has been asking for a PG-13 basically since the start in 2006, “Ryan Reynolds told Deadline. “I’ve said no since 2006. Now, this one time, I said ‘Yes’ on two conditions. First, a portion of the proceeds had to go to charity. Second, I wanted to kidnap Fred Savage. The second condition took some explaining…”Fred Savage will join Reynolds in new scenes for Once Upon A Deadpool in an homage to Savage’s starring role in the 1987 bedtime-story classic The Princess Bride. Fred remarked, “while my participation in this film was anything but voluntary, I am happy to learn that Fudge Cancer will be the beneficiary of this shameless cash grab.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “Similar to the original film, the story is action-packed with some romance and drama, but always draped with the famous parody feel that creates an entertaining and comedic atmosphere.” See his full review below.
Once Upon a Deadpool delivers the same chaotic, dark and highly mature atmosphere that the previous film did and, despite being marketed as a PG-13 film, it still has the same amount of lewdness and foul language, even if the material merely gets hinted at instead of blatantly shown. While this does technically makes it a less severe rating, the re-cut is far from a family film that everyone can enjoy. Also, at times, the re-cut rearranges scenes and shots very uniquely to avoid showing anything mature. Mostly this works to tell the story,but at times it feels forced, as if the editor had to construct a film from sticks instead of clips, with awkward cuts and sequences.
You are currently browsing the KIDS FIRST! News weblog archives for December, 2018. | 2019-04-25T21:48:57Z | https://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirstnews/2018/12/ |
Molecular and cellular bases of iron metabolism in humans by I. V. Milto; I. V. Suhodolo; V. D. Prokopieva; T. K. Klimenteva (549-564).
Iron is a microelement with the most completely studied biological functions. Its wide dissemination in nature and involvement in key metabolic pathways determine the great importance of this metal for uniand multicellular organisms. The biological role of iron is characterized by its indispensability in cell respiration and various biochemical processes providing normal functioning of cells and organs of the human body. Iron also plays an important role in the generation of free radicals, which under different conditions can be useful or damaging to biomolecules and cells. In the literature, there are many reviews devoted to iron metabolism and its regulation in proand eukaryotes. Significant progress has been achieved recently in understanding molecular bases of iron metabolism. The purpose of this review is to systematize available data on mechanisms of iron assimilation, distribution, and elimination from the human body, as well as on its biological importance and on the major iron-containing proteins. The review summarizes recent ideas about iron metabolism. Special attention is paid to mechanisms of iron absorption in the small intestine and to interrelationships of cellular and extracellular pools of this metal in the human body.
Type 1 metallothionein (ZjMT) is responsible for heavy metal tolerance in Ziziphus jujuba by Lan-Song Li; Yu-Ping Meng; Qiu-Fen Cao; Yong-Zhen Yang; Fan Wang; Hu-Sheng Jia; Shu-Biao Wu; Xu-Guang Liu (565-573).
Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins that are able to make cells to uptake heavy metals from the environment. Molecular and functional characterization of this gene family improves understanding of the mechanisms underlying heavy metal tolerance in higher organisms. In this study, a cDNA clone, encoding 74-a.a. metallothionein type 1 protein (ZjMT), was isolated from the cDNA library of Ziziphus jujuba. At the N- and C-terminals of the deduced amino acid sequence of ZjMT, six cysteine residues were arranged in a CXCXXXCXCXXXCXC and CXCXXXCXCXXCXC structure, respectively, indicating that ZjMT is a type 1 MT. Quantitative PCR analysis of plants subjected to cadmium stress showed enhanced expression of ZjMT gene in Z. jujuba within 24 h upon Cd exposure. Escherichia coli cells expressing ZjMT exhibited enhanced metal tolerance and higher accumulation of metal ions compared with control cells. The results indicate that ZjMT contributes to the detoxification of metal ions and provides marked tolerance against metal stresses. Therefore, ZjMT may be a potential candidate for tolerance enhancement in vulnerable plants to heavy metal stress and E. coli cells containing the ZjMT gene may be applied to adsorb heavy metals in polluted wastewater.
Upregulation of p72 enhances malignant migration and invasion of glioma cells by repressing Beclin1 expression by Zhenxing Zhang; He Tian; Ye Miao; Xu Feng; Yang Li; Honglei Wang; Xiaofeng Song (574-582).
p72 is the member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family, which can unwind double-stranded RNA and is efficient for microRNA (miRNA, miR) processing. However, its specific role in glioma has not been elucidated. First, the expression of p72 in glioma cell lines and tissues was explored using Western blot. To explore the role of p72 on glioma progression, adenovirus inhibiting p72 was transfected into A172 and T98G cells. Cell autophagy was determined using GFPLC3 dots, and cell apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. The effect of Beclin1 was explored using GFP-LC3 dots, flow cytometry, and colony formation. The possible miRNAs that target the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of Beclin1 were predicted using TargetScan. Dual luciferase reporter assay was applied to determine whether these miRNAs bind to the 3′-UTR of Beclin1. The expression of p72 was significantly increased in glioma cell lines and tissues. Autophagy-related protein Beclin1 was found to be significantly enhanced when p72 was inhibited. The accumulation of GFP-LC3 dots was significant in cells transfected with ad-sh-p72 compared with ad-con. Colony formation capacity and cell apoptosis were also found to be significantly decreased with p72 inhibition. Furthermore, upregulation of Beclin1 contributes to A172 cell autophagy, invasion, and apoptosis. Overexpression of p72 induces increased miR-34-5p and miR-5195-3p expression in A172 and T98G cells. Beclin1 was the target gene of miR-34-5p and miR-5195-3p. In conclusion, we found for the first time that overexpression of p72 decreased Beclin1 expression partially by increasing miR-34-5p and miR-5195-3p expression in A172 and T98G cells.
Non-photochemical fluorescence quenching in photosystem II antenna complexes by the reaction center cation radical by V. Z. Paschenko; V. V. Gorokhov; N. P. Grishanova; B. N. Korvatovskii; M. V. Ivanov; E. G. Maksimov; M. D. Mamedov (583-590).
In direct experiments, rate constants of photochemical (k P) and non-photochemical (k P + ) fluorescence quenching were determined in membrane fragments of photosystem II (PSII), in oxygen-evolving PSII core particles, as well as in core particles deprived of the oxygen-evolving complex. For this purpose, a new approach to the pulse fluorometry method was implemented. In the “dark” reaction center (RC) state, antenna fluorescence decay kinetics were measured under lowintensity excitation (532 nm, pulse repetition rate 1 Hz), and the emission was registered by a streak camera. To create a “closed” [P680+Q A – ] RC state, a high-intensity pre-excitation pulse (pump pulse, 532 nm) of the sample was used. The time advance of the pump pulse against the measuring pulse was 8 ns. In this experimental configuration, under the pump pulse, the [P680+Q A – ] state was formed in RC, whereupon antenna fluorescence kinetics was measured using a weak testing picosecond pulsed excitation light applied to the sample 8 ns after the pump pulse. The data were fitted by a two-exponential approximation. Efficiency of antenna fluorescence quenching by the photoactive RC pigment in its oxidized (P680+) state was found to be ∼1.5 times higher than that of the neutral (P680) RC state. To verify the data obtained with a streak camera, control measurements of PSII complex fluorescence decay kinetics by the single-photon counting technique were carried out. The results support the conclusions drawn from the measurements registered with the streak camera. In this case, the fitting of fluorescence kinetics was performed in three-exponential approximation, using the value of τ1 obtained by analyzing data registered by the streak camera. An additional third component obtained by modeling the data of single photon counting describes the P680+Pheo– charge recombination. Thus, for the first time the ratio of k P + /k P = 1.5 was determined in a direct experiment. The mechanisms of higher efficiency for non-photochemical antenna fluorescence quenching by RC cation radical in comparison to that of photochemical quenching are discussed.
CELSR1 is a positive regulator of endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis by Yi-Hong Zhan; Qi-Cong Luo; Xiao-Rong Zhang; Nai-An Xiao; Cong-Xia Lu; Cen Yue; Ning Wang; Qi-Lin Ma (591-599).
Cadherin is an epidermal growth factor and laminin-G seven-pass G-type receptor 1 (CELSR1) is a key component of the noncanonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway that critically regulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the biological significance of CELSR1 in endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. For this, we applied both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches. To increase the endogenous expression of CELSR1, we used the transcription activator-like effector (TALE) technology and constructed an artificial TALE-VP64 activator. To knock down the expression of CELSR1, we generated lentivirus containing short hairpin RNA sequences targeting different regions of CELSR1 mRNA. Following up- or down-regulation of CELSR1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), we assessed in vitro cell proliferation by MTT assay, migration by scratch and transwell migration assays, and angiogenesis by tube formation analysis. We found that CELSR1 was endogenously expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and HAEC. When focusing on HAEC, we found that upregulating CELSR1 expression significantly promoted cell growth, while knocking down CELSR1 inhibited the growth (p < 0.05). Using both scratch and transwell migration assays, we observed a positive correlation between CELSR1 expression and cell migratory capability. In addition, CELSR1 upregulation led to higher levels of tube formation in HAEC, while downregulating CELSR1 expression decreased tube formation (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, CELSR1-regulated migration and tube formation was mediated through disheveled segment polarity protein 3 (Dvl3). In conclusion, CELSR1 plays an important role in regulating multiple phenotypes of endothelial cells, including proliferation, migration, and formation of capillary-like structures.
Structural relationships between genetically closely related O-antigens of Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. by Y. A. Knirel; Chengqian Qian; A. S. Shashkov; O. V. Sizova; E. L. Zdorovenko; O. I. Naumenko; S. N. Senchenkova; A. V. Perepelov; Bin Liu (600-608).
Errors have been found in polysaccharide structures on pages 603 (Fig. 3), 606 (Figs. 13-15) and 607 (Fig. 17). The following are the correct structures.Gene clusters for biosynthesis of 24 of 34 basic O-antigen forms of Shigella spp. are identical or similar to those of the genetically closely related bacterium Escherichia coli. For 18 of these relatedness was confirmed chemically by elucidation of the O-antigen (O-polysaccharide) structures. In this work, structures of the six remaining O-antigens of E. coli O32, O53, O79, O105, O183 (all related to S. boydii serotypes), and O38 (related to S. dysenteriae type 8) were established using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. They were found to be identical to the Shigella counterparts, except for the O32- and O38-polysaccharides, which differ in the presence of O-acetyl groups. The structure of the E. coli O105-related O-polysaccharide of S. boydii type 11 proposed earlier is revised. The contents of the O-antigen gene clusters of the related strains of E. coli and Shigella spp. and different mechanisms of O-antigen diversification in these bacteria are discussed in view of the O-polysaccharide structures established. These data illustrate the value of the O-antigen chemistry and genetics for elucidation of evolutionary relationships of bacteria.
Priming of human neutrophils is necessary for their activation by extracellular DNA by A. S. Prikhodko; M. V. Vitushkina; L. A. Zinovkina; E. N. Popova; R. A. Zinovkin (609-614).
Extracellular plasma DNA is thought to act as a damage-associated molecular pattern causing activation of immune cells. However, purified preparations of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were unable to induce neutrophil activation in vitro. Thus, we examined whether granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) acting as a neutrophil priming agent can promote the activation of neutrophils by different types of extracellular DNA. GM-CSF pretreatment greatly increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and promoted CD11b/CD66b expression in human neutrophils treated with mitochondrial and, to a lesser extent, with nuclear DNA. Our experiments clearly indicate that GM-CSFinduced priming of human neutrophils is necessary for their subsequent activation by extracellular DNA.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in neocortex and hippocampus of olfactory bulbectomized mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease by A. V. Avetisyan; A. N. Samokhin; I. Y. Alexandrova; R. A. Zinovkin; R. A. Simonyan; N. V. Bobkova (615-623).
Structural and functional impairments of mitochondria in brain tissues in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cause energy deficiency, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and premature neuronal death. However, the causal relations between accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in mitochondria and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as molecular mechanisms underlying deleterious effects of both these factors in sporadic AD, the most common form in humans, remain unknown. Here we used olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice of NMRI strain as a model for sporadic AD. Five weeks after surgery, the OBX mice developed major behavioral and biochemical features of AD neurodegeneration, including spatial memory loss, increased brain levels of Aβ, and energy deficiency. Mitochondria isolated from the neocortex and hippocampus of OBX mice displayed severe functional impairments, such as low NADH oxidation rate, reduced transmembrane potential, and decreased cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) activity that correlated with high levels of soluble Aβ1-40. Mitochondria from OBX mice showed increased contents of lipid peroxidation products, indicative of the development of oxidative stress. We found that neurodegeneration caused by olfactory bulbectomy is accompanied by energy metabolism disturbances and oxidative stress in brain mitochondria similar to those occurring in transgenic animals–familial AD models and patients with sporadic AD. Therefore, OBX mice can serve as a valid AD model for investigating the mechanisms of AD neurodegeneration, drug testing, and development of therapeutic strategies for AD treatment.
Application of created restriction site PCR-RFLP to identify POT1 gene polymorphism by Tuanwei Wang; Sihua Wang; Xiaoran Duan; Xiaolei Feng; Pengpeng Wang; Wu Yao; Yongjun Wu; Feifei Feng; Songcheng Yu; Yiming Wu; Wei Wang (624-627).
Protection of telomeres protein 1 (POT1) plays pivotal roles in protection of chromosome ends and regulation of telomere length with other telomere binding proteins; its genetic polymorphisms are associated with many diseases. In this study, we explored a novel PCR-RFLP method for typing the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1034794 of the human POT1 gene. A new restriction enzyme site was introduced into a POT1 gene amplification product by created restriction site PCR (CRS-PCR). One primer was designed based on changed sequence; after PCR amplification, a new restriction enzyme site for AluI was introduced into the PCR products. One hundred and seventy eight samples from Han Chinese individuals were tested to evaluate this new method. The 3′-end of the forward primer was next to the polymorphic site, and the third base from the 3′-end was the mismatched base A. The final PCR product contained the AGCT sequence (AluI recognition site) when the ancestral POT1 alleles were amplified. The data obtained with the new method perfectly matched those obtained with the sequencing method. Thus, CRS-PCR is a new low-cost and high-efficiency alternative for rs1034794 typing.
Connection between proliferation rate and temozolomide sensitivity of primary glioblastoma cell culture and expression of YB-1 and LRP/MVP by N. I. Moiseeva; O. Yu. Susova; A. A. Mitrofanov; D. Yu. Panteleev; G. V. Pavlova; N. A. Pustogarov; A. A. Stavrovskaya; E. Yu. Rybalkina (628-635).
Glioblastomas (GBL) are the most common and aggressive brain tumors. They are distinguished by high resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. To find novel approaches for GBL classification, we obtained 16 primary GBL cell cultures and tested them with real-time PCR for mRNA expression of several genes (YB-1, MGMT, MELK, MVP, MDR1, BCRP) involved in controlling cell proliferation and drug resistance. The primary GBL cultures differed in terms of proliferation rate, wherein a group of GBL cell cultures with low proliferation rate demonstrated higher resistance to temozolomide. We found that GBL primary cell cultures characterized by high proliferation rate and lower resistance to temozolomide expressed higher mRNA level of the YB-1 and MDR1 genes, whereas upregulated expression of MVP/LRP mRNA was a marker in the group of GBL with low proliferation rate and high resistance. A moderate correlation between expression of YB-1 and MELK as well as YB-1 and MDR1 was found. In the case of YB-1 and MGMT expression, no correlation was found. A significant negative correlation was revealed between mRNA expression of MVP/LRP and MELK, MDR1, and BCRP. No correlation in expression of YB-1 and MVP/LRP genes was observed. It seems that mRNA expression of YB-1 and MVP/LRP may serve as a marker for GBL cell cultures belonging to distinct groups, each of which is characterized by a unique pattern of gene activity.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins as regulators of cortical cytoskeleton by G. V. Sharonov; M. N. Balatskaya; V. A. Tkachuk (636-650).
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-AP) are important players in reception and signal transduction, cell adhesion, guidance, formation of immune synapses, and endocytosis. At that, a particular GPI-AP can have different activities depending on a ligand. It is known that GPI-AP oligomer creates a lipid raft in its base on plasma membrane, which serves as a signaling platform for binding and activation of src-family kinases. Yet, this does not explain different activities of GPI-APs. Meanwhile, it has been shown that short-lived actomyosin complexes are bound to GPI-APs through lipid rafts. Here, we hypothesize that cell cortical cytoskeleton is the main target of GPI-AP signaling. Our hypothesis is based on the fact that the GPI-AP-induced lipid raft bound to actin filaments and anionic lipids of this raft is known to interact with and activate various actin-nucleating factors, such as formins and N-WASP. It is also known that these and other actin-regulating proteins are activated by src-family kinases directly or through their effectors, such as cortactin and abl-kinases. Regulation of cytoskeleton by GPI-APs may have impact on morphogenesis, cell guidance, and endocytosis, as well as on signaling of other receptors. To evaluate our hypothesis, we have comprehensively considered physiological activities of two GPI-APs–urokinase receptor and T-cadherin. | 2019-04-22T02:41:12Z | https://chemweb.com/articles/SV10541/0008100006 |
This Privacy Statement covers the information practices of Web sites that link to the companys Privacy Statement . Applications may be posted by the company and third parties. When applications are posted by the company and the application links to this Privacy Statement, this Privacy Statement applies. When applications are posted by third parties, the privacy statement of the third party applies, and this Privacy Statement does not apply.
Our Web sites may contain links to other Web sites. The information practices or the content of such other Web sites is governed by the privacy statements of such other Web sites. The Company encourages you to review the privacy statements of other Web sites to understand their information practices.
When expressing an interest in obtaining additional information about the Services or registering to use the Services, the company requires you to provide the Company with personal contact information, such as name, company name, address, phone number, and email address (“Required Contact Information”). When purchasing the Services, the company may require you to provide the Company with financial qualification and billing information, such as billing name and address, credit card number, and the number of employees within the organization that will be using the Services (“Billing Information”). The Company may also ask you to provide additional information, such as your (or your company’s) annual revenues, number of employees, or industry (“Optional Information”). Required Contact Information, Billing Information, and Optional Information about Customers are referred to collectively as “Data aboutOur Customers”, or in the case of Attendees, “Data About Webinar/Seminar Attendees”.
As you navigate the Company’s Web sites, we may also collect information through the use of commonly-used information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons (“Web Site Navigational Information”). Web Site Navigational Information includes standard information from your Web browser (such as browser type and browser language), your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, and the actions you take on the Company’s Web sites (such as the Web pages viewed and the links clicked).
The Company uses Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers to perform the services requested. For example, if you fill out a “Contact Me” Web form, the Company will use the information provided to contact you about your interest in the Services.
The Company also uses Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees to plan and host corporate events, host online forums and social networks in which event attendees may participate, and to populate online profiles for Attendees on the Company’s Web sites. Additional information on the Company’s privacy practices with respect to Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees may be found in additional privacy statements on the event Web sites, as the case may be. Please see here for more information on bulletin boards, blogs, or chat rooms provided by Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC in connection with its corporate events.
The Company may also use Data about Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data about Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees for marketing purposes. For example, the Company may use information you provide to contact you to further discuss your interest in the Services and to send you information regarding the Company, its affiliates, and its partners, such as information about promotions or events.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses credit card information solely to check the financial qualifications and collect payment from prospective Customers and Attendees.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses Web Site Navigational Information to operate and improve the Company’s Web sites. The Company may also use Web Site Navigational Information alone or in combination with Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees to provide personalized information about the Company.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses commonly-used information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons, to collect information as you navigate the Company’s Web sites (“Web Site Navigational Information”). This section describes the types of Web Site Navigational Information used on the Company’s Web sites and how this information may be used.
Required cookies Required cookies enable you to navigate the Company’s Web sites and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the Web sites and using Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Services.
From time-to-time, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC engages third parties to track and analyze usage and volume statistical information from individuals who visit the Company’s Web sites. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may also utilize Flash cookies for these purposes. To learn how to opt out of performance cookies using your browser settings click here.
Functionality cookies Functionality cookies allow the Company’s Web sites to remember information you have entered or choices you make (such as your username, language, or your region) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies also enable you to optimize your use of Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC’s Services after logging in. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customize.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses local shared objects, also known as Flash cookies, to store your preferences or display content based upon what you view on our Web sites to personalize your visit. .
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses Web beacons alone or in conjunction with cookies to compile information about Customers and Visitors’ usage of the Company’s Web sites and interaction with emails from the Company. Web beacons are clear electronic images that can recognize certain types of information on your computer, such as cookies, when you viewed a particular Web site tied to the Web beacon, and a description of a Web site tied to the Web beacon. For example, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may place Web beacons in marketing emails that notify the Company when you click on a link in the email that directs you to one of the Company’s Web sites. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses Web beacons to operate and improve the Company’s Web sites and email communications.
When you visit Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC’s Web sites, the Company collects your Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses to track and aggregate non-personal information. For example, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses IP addresses to monitor the regions from which Customers and Visitors navigate the Company’s Web sites.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC also collects IP addresses from Customers whey they log into the Services as part of the Company’s “Identity Confirmation” and “IP Range Restrictions” security features.
Currently, various browsers – including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari – offer a “do not track” or “DNT” option that relies on a technology known as a DNT header, which sends a signal to Web sites’ visited by the user about the user’s browser DNT preference setting. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not currently commit to responding to browsers’ DNT signals with respect to the Company’s Web sites, in part, because no common industry standard for DNT has been adopted by industry groups, technology companies or regulators, including no consistent standard of interpreting user intent. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC takes privacy and meaningful choice seriously and will make efforts to continue to monitor developments around DNT browser technology and the implementation of a standard.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may provide bulletin boards, blogs, or chat rooms on the Company’s Web sites. Any personal information you choose to submit in such a forum may be read, collected, or used by others who visit these forums, and may be used to send you unsolicited messages. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC is not responsible for the personal information you choose to submit in these forums.
Customers and Visitors may elect to use the Company’s referral program to inform friends about the Company’s Web sites. When using the referral program, the Company requests the friend’s name and email address. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting him or her to visit the Company’s Web sites. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not store this information.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC posts a list of Customers and testimonials on the Company’s Web sites that contain information such as Customer names and titles. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC obtains the consent of each Customer prior to posting any information on such a list or posting testimonials.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may share Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees with the Company’s contracted service providers so that these service providers can provide services on our behalf. Without limiting the foregoing, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may also share Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees with the Company’s service providers to ensure the quality of information provided, and with third-party social networking and media Web sites, such as Facebook, for marketing and advertising on those Web sites. Unless described in this Privacy Statement, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not share, sell, rent, or trade any information with third parties for their promotional purposes.
The Company may share Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers with other companies in order to work with them, including affiliates of the Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC corporate group. For example, the Company may need to share Data about Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers for customer relationship management purposes.
From time to time, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may partner with other companies to jointly offer products or services. If you purchase or specifically express interest in a jointly-offered product or service from Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC, the Company may share Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers collected in connection with your purchase or expression of interest with our joint promotion partner(s). Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not control our business partners’ use of the Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers we collect, and their use of the information will be in accordance with their own privacy policies. If you do not wish for your information to be shared in this manner, you may opt not to purchase or specifically express interest in a jointly offered product or service.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not share Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees with business partners unless: (1) you specifically opt in to such sharing via an event registration form; or (2) you attend a Company event and allow Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC or any of its designees to scan your attendee badge. If you do not wish for your information to be shared in this manner, you may choose not to opt in via event registration forms and elect not to have your badge scanned at Company events. If you choose to share your information with business partners in the manners described above, your information will be subject to the business partners’ respective privacy statements.
This Privacy Statement sets forth the information Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC collects on the Company’s Web sites and the information we share with third parties. Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC does not authorize the collection of personal information by third parties through advertising technologies deployed on the Company’s Web sites, nor do we share personal information with any third parties collected from the Company’s Web sites, except as provided in this Privacy Statement. Section 4 of this Privacy Statement, Web Site Navigational Information, specifically addresses the information we collect through cookies and web beacons, and how you can control cookies through your Web browsers.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses a third-party service provider to manage credit card processing. This service provider is not permitted to store, retain, or use Billing Information except for the sole purpose of credit card processing on the Company’s behalf.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC reserves the right to use or disclose information provided if required by law or if the Company reasonably believes that use or disclosure is necessary to protect the Company’s rights and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process.
The Company primarily stores Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees in the United States. To facilitate Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC’s global operations, the Company may transfer and access such information from around the world, including from other countries in which the Company has operations. A list of the Company’s global offices is available here. This Privacy Statement shall apply even if Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC transfers Data about Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers or Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees to other countries.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC offers Visitors, Customers, and Attendees who provide contact information a means to choose how the Company uses the information provided. If you provide Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC with contact information, you can manage how the Company uses your information by accessing our Preference Center. You may manage your receipt of marketing and non-transactional communications by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link located on the bottom of the Company’s marketing emails. Additionally, you can unsubscribe here.
Customers may update or change their registration information by sending us an email with their name or organization record. Requests to access, change, or delete your information will be handled within 30 days.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers may electronically submit data or information to the Services for hosting and processing purposes (“Customer Data”). Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC will not review, share, distribute, or reference any such Customer Data except as provided in the Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Master Subscription Agreement, or as may be required by law. In accordance with the Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Master Subscription Agreement, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may access Customer Data only for the purpose of providing the Services or preventing or addressing service or technical problems or as may be required by law. Additional information about the Company’s privacy and security practices with respect to Customer Data is available here.
Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC uses robust security measures to protect Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees. Because the Company uses the Services to maintain Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Customers and Data aboutBusiness Efficiency Solutions, LLC Attendees, this information, which is stored in the Services, is secured in the same manner as described here.
Without limiting the generality of this Privacy Statement, in addition to information gathered through its Web sites or submitted to its Services, Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may obtain information through applications (“Mobile Applications”) that Customers or their authorized individuals (“Users”) download to, and run on, their mobile devices (“Devices”). Mobile Applications provided by Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may obtain information from, or access data stored on, Users’ Devices to provide services related to the relevant Mobile Application. For example, a Mobile Application may: access a camera on a User’s Device to enable the User to upload photographs to the Services; access the call history on a User’s Device to enable the User to upload that information to the Services; access calendar information on a User’s Device to enable the User to match meeting attendees with contacts submitted by the User to the Services; access the geographic location of a User’s Device to enable the User to identify contacts submitted by the User to the Services who are nearby; or access contact information on a User’s Device to enable the User to sync contact information between the information that is stored on the User’s Device and the information that is submitted to the Services. Information obtained to provide Mobile Application services may include information obtained in preparation for anticipated updates to those services. Mobile Applications may transmit information to and from Devices to provide the Mobile Application services.
Mobile Applications may provide Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC with information related to Users’ use of the Mobile Application services, information regarding Users’ computer systems, and information regarding Users’ interaction with Mobile Applications, which Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may use to provide and improve the Mobile Application services. For example, all actions taken in a Mobile Application may be logged, along with associated information (such as the time of day when each action was taken). Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may also share anonymous data about these actions with third party providers of analytics services. In addition, if a User downloads a Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC Mobile Application after clicking on a third-party mobile advertisement for the Mobile Application or for Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC, the third-party advertiser may provide Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC with certain information, such as the User’s Device identification information, which Business Efficiency Solutions, LLC may use to track the performance of its advertising campaigns.
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Consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) and as part of my effort to keep the Congress fully informed, I am reporting on the status of efforts to obtain Iraq's compliance with the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This report covers the period from February 3, 1998, to the present.
For much of the period covered by this report, Iraq was engaged in a serious challenge to the authority of the UNSC and the will of the international community. As documented in my last report, Iraq refused to allow U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspectors to carry out their work at a number of sites last December; Iraq's refusal to cooperate in spite of repeated warnings continued until the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz on February 23, and the endorsement of this agreement by the UNSC on March 2 when it adopted UNSCR 1154. Both the MOU and UNSCR 1154 reiterate Iraq's commitment to provide immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to UNSCOM and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). UNSCR 1154 also stresses that any further Iraqi violation of the relevant UNSC resolutions would result in the severest consequences for Iraq. Iraq's commitment is now in the process of being tested. A series of UNSCOM inspections of so-called "sensitive" sites in early March proceeded without Iraqi interference. On March 26, UNSCOM inspections of the so-called "presidential sites" began under the arrangements agreed to by UNSCOM Chairman Richard Butler and Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz. The team of 60 UNSCOM inspectors, accompanied by 20 diplomatic observers, is conducting inspections of the so-called "presidential sites" through April 5. Chairman Butler traveled to Baghdad in mid-March for discussions with Iraqi officials concerning Iraq's missile and chemical weapons programs.
Throughout the crisis created by Iraq's refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors, the objective of my Administration was to achieve effective inspections, preferably through a diplomatic solution. Our vigorous diplomatic efforts were backed by the credible threat to use force, if necessary. I consulted with our allies in the region as well as with the other members of the U.N. Security Council. Secretary of State Albright, Secretary of Defense Cohen, U.N. Ambassador Richardson, and other Administration officials also pursued our objectives vigorously with foreign governments, including several trips to the region and to relevant capitals and at the United Nations. Our military forces responded quickly and effectively to support our diplomatic efforts by providing a credible military option, which we were prepared to use if Iraq had not ultimately agreed to meet its obligation to provide full access to UNSCOM and the IAEA.
As a demonstration of U.S. resolve during the recent crisis with Iraq, the aircraft carriers USS INDEPENDENCE, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, their accompanying battle group combatant ships, and additional combat aircraft have remained in the region. United States force levels in the region now include land- and carrier-based aircraft, surface warships, a Marine amphibious task force, Patriot missile battalions, a mechanized battalion task force, and a mix of special operations forces deployed in support of USCINCCENT operations. To enhance force protection throughout the region, additional military security personnel are also deployed. These U.S. forces were augmented by the HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and accompanying ships from the United Kingdom.
In addition to the United Kingdom, a number of other nations have pledged forces to our effort to compel Iraq's compliance with its commitments. Although all of the members of this international effort seek a peaceful diplomatic resolution of the crisis in Iraq, all have shown their resolve to achieve our common objective by military force if that becomes necessary. Without this demonstration of resolve to both use military force and impose the severest consequences on Iraq for any further Iraqi transgressions, it is unlikely that the MOU and UNSCR 1154 (see below) would have been achieved.
Twenty nations have deployed forces to the region or have readied their forces for contingency deployment. Those countries currently represented in the Gulf include Australia, Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Another 12 nations have offered important access, basing, overflight, and other assistance essential for the multi-national effort. Still others have identified force contributions that are being held in reserve for deployment should the need arise. United States and Allied forces in the region are prepared to deal with numerous contingencies, either conventional or weapons of mass destruction-related. UNSCR 949, adopted in October 1994, demands that Iraq not use its military forces to threaten its neighbors or U.N. operations in Iraq and that it not redeploy troops nor enhance its military capacity in southern Iraq. In view of Saddam's record of brutality and unreliability, it is prudent to retain a significant force presence in the region to deter Iraq. This gives us the capability to respond rapidly to possible Iraqi aggression or threats against its neighbors.
Until Iraqi intent to comply with the MOU is verified, it will be necessary to maintain our current augmented force posture in the region. The ongoing inspections of the so-called "presidential sites" mark the next critical phase in the UNSCOM inspections process. Once Iraqi compliance is assured, we will consider whether we can reduce our present force posture.
The United States and coalition partners continue to enforce the no-fly zones over Iraq under Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch. In response to a series of Iraqi no-fly zone violations in October and November 1997, we increased the number of aircraft participating in these operations. There have been no observed no-fly zone violations during the period covered by this report. We have repeatedly made clear to the Government of Iraq and to all other relevant parties that the United States and coalition partners will continue to enforce both no-fly zones, and that we reserve the right to respond appropriately and decisively to any Iraqi provocations.
The Maritime Interception Force (MIF), operating under the authority of UNSCR 665, vigorously enforces U.N. sanctions in the Gulf. The U.S. Navy is the single largest component of this international naval force, but it is augmented by ships and aircraft from Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council support the MIF by providing logistical support and shipriders, and accepting vessels caught violating sanctions.
Since my last report, the MIF has intercepted 15 sanctions violators in the Gulf for a total of over 25,000 metric tons of illegal Iraqi petroleum products. Ships involved in smuggling have often utilized the territorial seas of Iran to avoid MIF inspections. We have given detailed reports of these illegal activities to the U.N. Sanctions Committee in New York.
The level of petroleum smuggling from Iraq appears to be decreasing. There are indications, still preliminary, that the Government of Iran may be taking steps to curb the flow of illegal petroleum products through its territorial seas. While it is too early to tell if Iran will completely and permanently stop this illegal traffic, we are hopeful that Iran will help enforce the provisions of UNSCR 661 and other relevant UNSCRs. In this regard, we note that the Iranian government has recently played a helpful role in enforcing the sanctions on air travel to and from Iraq by requiring that planes wishing to enter Iraq obtain the appropriate approval from the U.N. Sanctions Committee before overflying Iranian territory.
Recent actions by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will greatly enhance our efforts to halt illegal exports from Iraq. After diplomatic consultations with the United States and our MIF allies, the UAE has significantly increased its level of cooperation with the MIF. These efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the number of ships caught with illegal cargoes. In addition, the UAE has prohibited the use of tankers, barges, and other vessel types to transport petroleum products to UAE ports and through its waters or to store such products there. While it is still too early to determine the full effect of these measures, we are hopeful that these actions will deal a significant blow to sanctions-busting activity in the region.
While Iran and the UAE are taking positive steps, Iraq continues to improve loading facilities in the Shatt Al Arab waterway, which gives it the potential to smuggle even larger quantities of gasoil and fuel oil. The U.S. Government will seek to address this problem in the context of the expansion of the "oil-for-food" program approved under UNSCR 1153.
Iraq's refusal to cooperate fully and unconditionally with UNSCOM and the IAEA, which are tasked with tracking down and destroying Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, was once again at the heart of the latest crisis between the U.N. and Iraq.
On February 23, the United Nations Secretary General signed the MOU with the Government of Iraq reiterating Iraq's obligation to cooperate fully and unconditionally with inspections by UNSCOM and IAEA for weapons of mass destruction. The agreement stipulates that Iraq will provide UNSCOM and IAEA weapons inspectors with immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to any suspect site inside Iraq, including presidential palaces, and provides for specific procedures for inspections at eight clearly identified presidential sites.
The recent crisis with Iraq was only the latest chapter in the long history of efforts by the Iraqi regime to flout its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions. Iraq has persistently failed to disclose fully its programs for WMD. Iraq has admitted, when confronted with incontrovertible evidence, that it has repeatedly and consistently concealed information from UNSCOM and the IAEA and has moved significant pieces of dual-use equipment that are subject to monitoring in violation of its obligations. Without full disclosure and free access to all sites UNSCOM and IAEA wish to inspect, the ongoing monitoring and verification mandated by relevant UNSC resolutions, including Resolutions 687, 707, and 715, cannot effectively be conducted.
On March 2, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1154, which welcomed the MOU and reiterated that Iraq must cooperate fully with UNSCOM and the IAEA. In the clearest possible terms, the Council warned Iraq in UNSCR 1154 that it will face the "severest consequences" if it fails to adhere to the commitments it reaffirmed in the MOU. This resolution is one of the strongest and clearest statements the Council has made in 7 years with regard to what Iraq must do to comply with its obligations, and what the consequences of failing to meet those obligations will be. This strong language of UNSCR 1154 is critical to ensuring that UNSCOM and IAEA can do their job and that Iraq is held accountable to its agreement. We welcomed Resolution 1154 and agreed with Secretary General Annan that, if respected, honored, and sustained, the agreement "could constitute one of the U.N.'s most important steps in addressing the consequences of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait 7 years ago."
Iraq's compliance with the agreement is now being tested. Since the beginning of March, UNSCOM has pursued an intensive agenda of inspections, including inspections of so-called "sensitive" sites and "presidential sites" to which the Iraqis had previously blocked access. Iraq has not significantly obstructed access to any sites UNSCOM and the IAEA wished to visit since the MOU was signed. This may mean Iraq will comply with the relevant UNSC resolutions, but the testing process must continue until UNSCOM and the IAEA are fully satisfied. We have consistently stressed that full, unconditional, repeated access by UNSCOM to all sites, personnel, equipment, documents, and means of transportation provides the only means by which the world can make certain Iraq does not maintain or develop WMD. We have full faith and confidence in UNSCOM and its Executive Chairman.
Iraqi biological and chemical weapons remain the most troubling issues for UNSCOM. This is due to the innate dual-use nature of the technology; it can easily be hidden within civilian industries such as, for biological agents, the pharmaceutical industry and, for chemical agents, the pesticide industry. UNSCOM is still unable to verify that all of Iraq's SCUD missile warheads filled with biological agents -- anthrax and botulinum toxin -- have been destroyed.
The Iraqi regime contends that UNSCOM and the IAEA should "close the books" on nuclear and missile inspections. But there are still many uncertainties and questions that need to be resolved. Iraq has never provided a full and accurate account of its indigenous efforts to develop nuclear weapons and prohibited long-range missiles. Among the many problems, Iraq has failed to answer critical questions on nuclear weapons design and fabrication, procurement, and centrifuge enrichment; failed to provide a written description of its post-war nuclear weapons procurement program; and failed to account for major engine components, special warheads, missing propellants, and guidance instruments that could be used to assemble fully operational missiles. Until Iraq complies with its obligation to provide a full accounting of these and other relevant aspects of its program, the questions must remain open.
The U.N. Special Commission's work must include vigorous efforts to expose Iraq's "Concealment Mechanism." During the last 60 days, but before signature of the MOU, UNSCOM launched two special inspection teams that once again targeted this mechanism in order to ferret out WMD programs and documents that UNSCOM -- and we -- believe Iraq stubbornly retains. Unfortunately, it became clear that the Iraqi government had no intention of cooperating with these inspections as specifically called for in the most recent UNSCRs on the topic -- resolutions 1134 of October 23, 1997, and 1137 of November 12, 1997. The teams were stopped en route, denied access, and prevented from videotaping equipment movement or document--destruction activity at suspect sites.
In accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions, UNSCOM and the IAEA must be allowed to continue to investigate all aspects of Iraq's prohibited programs until they can verify that all relevant components have been destroyed under international supervision, and that all remaining capabilities have been eliminated. Without such verification, Iraq could quickly develop the ability to strike at any city in the region -- and perhaps even as far as Europe -- with weapons of mass destruction.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1051 established a joint UNSCOM/IAEA unit to monitor Iraq's efforts to reacquire proscribed weapons. Iraq must notify the unit before it imports any items that can be used in both military and civilian applications. Similarly, U.N. members must provide timely notification of exports to Iraq of such dual-use items.
We continue to be concerned that Iraq's land borders are extremely porous. Iraq continues substantial trade with its neighbors. There is significant potential for evasion of sanctions by land routes, giving additional weight to our position that UNSCOM must have full and unconditional access to all locations and be allowed to inspect and monitor Iraqi compliance over time.
On February 20, the Security Council adopted resolution 1153, which expands to $5.2 billion the amount of oil Iraq is authorized to sell every 6 months. The previous amount was $2.0 billion every 6 months. Resolution 1153 states that the nutritional and health requirements of the Iraqi people are the top priority and allocates $1 billion to rebuild hospitals, schools, water, and sanitation facilities. My Administration's support for resolution 1153 is fully consistent with long-standing U.S. policy. Since 1990, at the height of the Gulf War, the United States has held that the inter-national community's dispute is with Iraq's leadership, not its people. We proposed an "oil-for-food" program in 1991 (UNSCR 706/712), which Iraq rejected. A similar program (UNSCR 986) was eventually accepted by Iraq in 1996. We supported the expansion of the oil-for-food program under UNSCR 1153 because it will provide additional humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, under strict U.N. supervision, without benefiting the regime.
Since the beginning of the oil-for-food program, we have consistently worked with the U.N. and other U.N. member states to find ways to improve the program's effectiveness to better meet the humanitarian needs of Iraq's civilian population. Iraq, however, has frequently failed to provide the full cooperation necessary to ensure that the program functions smoothly. For example, during calendar year 1997, the Government of Iraq refused to pump oil under UNSCR 986 for more than 3 months, all the while blaming the U.N. and the United States for disruptions in the flow of food and medicine that it had caused. We will be watching closely to determine how the Government of Iraq performs under UNSCR 1153. The Iraqi government refused to provide appropriate input to the Secretary General's report of January 30 on Iraq's humanitarian needs, which provided the basis for determining allocations under UNSCR 1153. On February 5, Iraq sent its official "observations" on that report to the Secretary General, rejecting many of its proposals and recommendations to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people without stating whether or not the Government of Iraq would "accept" the resolution. The U.N. Secretariat continues to work to reach agreement with Iraq on implementing UNSCR 1153.
Among its other provisions, UNSCR 1153 calls for an independent assessment of Iraq's oil infrastructure to ascertain whether it can export enough oil to cover the $5.2 billion oil export ceiling. Based on this report, the Secretary General will recommend to the UNSC whether repairs to Iraq's oil infra-structure will be needed to meet the new export target. The United States is prepared to support only those oil infrastructure repairs needed to fund the expanded humanitarian program.
The U.N. must carefully monitor how Iraq implements resolution 1153. The Iraqi government continues to insist on the need for rapid lifting of the sanctions regime, despite its record of non-compliance with its obligations under relevant U.N. resolutions. Saddam Hussein has exploited the suffering he himself has imposed on his people to build sympathy for Iraq and its government and to create pressure to lift the sanctions. In the meantime, he has continued to build lavish palaces that benefit only the elite within his regime.
The human rights situation throughout Iraq continues to be a cause for grave concern. U.N. Special Rapporteur for Iraq, Max Van der Stoel, is investigating credible reports from numerous, independent sources that the Government of Iraq may have summarily executed hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- of political detainees in November and December 1997. According to these reports, many of those killed were serving sentences of 15-20 years for such crimes as insulting the regime or being members of an opposition political party. Families in Iraq reportedly received the bodies of the executed that bore, in some cases, clear signs of torture. In addition, the possibility that the government used humans as experimental subjects in its chemical and biological weapons programs remains a grave concern.
In southern Iraq, the government continues to repress the Shi'a population, destroying the Marsh Arabs' way of life and the unique ecology of the southern marshes. In the north, the government continues the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of ethnic Kurds from Kirkuk and other cities. The government continues to stall and obfuscate, rather than work in good faith toward accounting for more than 600 Kuwaitis and third-country nationals who disappeared at the hands of Iraqi authorities during or after the occupation of Kuwait, and the nearly 5,000 Iranian prisoners of war taken prisoner by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war. The Government of Iraq shows no sign of complying with UNSCR 688, which demands that Iraq cease the repression of its own people. The U.N. Special Rapporteur reported to the General Assembly his particular concern that extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and the practice of torture continue to occur in Iraq.
The INDICT campaign continues to gain momentum. Led by various independent Iraqi opposition groups and nongovernmental organizations, this effort seeks to document crimes against humanity and other violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Iraqi regime. We applaud the tenacity of the Iraqi opposition in the face of one of the most repres-sive regimes in history. We take note of, and welcome, Senate Resolution 179 of March 13 expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the need for an international criminal tribunal to try members of the Iraqi regime for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
March 16, 1998, marked the tenth anniversary of the Iraqi military's devastating chemical attack on the Iraqi Kurdish town of Halabja. As many as 5,000 civilians were killed. More than 10,000 were injured. The Iraqi regime never expressed remorse for Halabja. In fact, the regime defended its use of chemical weapons in its war with Iran by claiming, "every nation has the right to protect itself against invasion," even though a 1925 Geneva Protocol, to which Iraq is subject, outlaws the use of chemical weapons. Ten years after the massacre, the people of Halabja still suffer from the effects of the attack, including much higher rates of serious diseases (such as cancer), birth defects, and miscarriages. The sympathies of the United States are with the people of Halabja and other victims of Iraqi chemical attacks as we remind ourselves and the international community that the U.N. must remain vigilant to stop Iraq from reacquiring weapons of mass destruction.
In northern Iraq, the cease-fire between the Kurdish parties, established in November 1997 as the result of U.S. efforts, continues to hold. Both Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Jalal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have made positive, forward-looking statements on political reconciliation, and talks between the two groups have commenced. We will continue our efforts to reach a permanent reconciliation through mediation in order to help the people of northern Iraq find the permanent, stable settlement that they deserve, and to minimize the opportunities for Baghdad and Tehran to insert themselves into the conflict and threaten Iraqi citizens in this region.
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), established pursuant to UNSCRs 687 and 692, continues to resolve claims against Iraq arising from Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait. The UNCC has issued almost 1.3 million awards worth $6 billion. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the oil sales permitted by UNSCRs 986, 1111, and 1143 have been allocated to the Compensation Fund to pay awards and to finance operations of the UNCC. To the extent that money is available in the Compensation Fund, initial payments to each claimant are authorized for awards in the order in which the UNCC has approved them, in installments of $2,500. To date, 457 U.S. claimants have received an initial installment payment, and payment is in process for an additional 323 U.S. claimants.
Iraq remains a serious threat to international peace and security. I remain determined to see Iraq comply fully with all of its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions. The United States looks forward to the day when Iraq rejoins the family of nations as a responsible and law-abiding member. | 2019-04-21T10:58:35Z | https://clintonwhitehouse6.archives.gov/1998/04/1998-04-03-text-of-a-letter-to-congress-on-report-on-iraq.html |
Polese, Mario. "Regional Economics in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 19 June 2018, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/regional-economics. Accessed 23 April 2019.
There are major economic differences among Canada’s four main geographic regions — Ontario, Québec, the West and Atlantic Canada — each affected by its own history of economic development, industrial location, urbanization, land use and migration.
Canada’s economy has traditionally been understood in terms of its geography (see Regionalism). Since the arrival of the first colonists, development has been heavily influenced by each region’s physical attributes. These include their access (or not) to waterways, natural resources, farmland, wild game, proximity to markets and availability of technology to exploit advantages or overcome challenges. In recent years, the economics profession has increasingly also recognized the importance of human capital. As such, a region’s economic output is highly related with its population and education levels.
The four Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) have produced below-average per-person (per capita) contributions to Canada’s economy in recent decades. Together they accounted for $113.4 billion, or 6 per cent, of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016. Although this was roughly the same percentage as 20 years ago, the make-up of that number has changed dramatically.
Newfoundland and Labrador, once the weakest economic province in the Atlantic region, has benefited in recent years from the development of its coveted minerals, hydroelectric capacity and offshore oil, and is now regarded as an above-average performer in terms of per-capita GDP output. Despite the devastating closure of the northern cod fishery in 1992 — the largest industrial layoff in Canadian history — fishing and fish processing remains a major economic activity in the Atlantic region (see Codfish Moratorium). The port of Halifax, and to a lesser extent the ports of Saint John, New Brunswick, and St. John’s, Newfoundland, are also important economic generators.
Quebec accounted for $394.8 billion or about 20 per cent of Canada’s GDP, in 2016. Quebec, which once held the coveted economic status Ontario now holds, has declined in relative terms during the past half century. Three developments played major roles in this trend. The first was the completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the early 1950s, which enabled ships to bypass Montreal and thus drastically reduced its importance as a major port.
Ontario, which has 39 per cent of Canada’s population, remains its economic motor. In 2016, the province accounted for $794.8 billion or 39 per cent of Canada’s GDP. Much of Canada’s manufacturing sector — notably industries such as auto-making, food and beverage, fabricated metals and others — is concentrated in Ontario. (And within Ontario, manufacturing is largely concentrated in the south, between Windsor and Oshawa.) However, in recent years the province has increasingly shifted to a service economy. Service industries now make up 77.5 per cent of Ontario’s GDP, with manufacturing accounting for only 11.9 per cent.
The four Western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) contributed $721.8 billion, or 35 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2016. The West has seen the fastest growth of all Canadian regions. Much of the development has been resource-based. Heavy investment in Alberta’s oil sands has significantly boosted employment in the province, particularly in the Fort McMurray region and has added billions of dollars in revenues to provincial government coffers. Saskatchewan has been a big beneficiary of excellent farmland and the development of its uranium, potash, shale oil and other resources, which are among the most attractive in the world. A heavy reliance on commodity prices, however, makes these provinces highly vulnerable to depressed world prices for oil and other raw resources.
Canada’s North is an economic region in its own right. Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut are often overlooked in traditional economic analysis due the region’s low population density and political clout. However, the North — already an important mining region — is expected to rise in importance in the coming decades due to the melting of the polar ice caps, which is expected to one day free up a Northwest Passage for international shipping, and also open access to impressive suspected mineral and petroleum wealth.
The continuing disparity between Atlantic Canada and the more affluent parts of the nation such as Ontario and parts of the West, and the disparity within regions — for example, between Northern and Southern Ontario, or rural and urban Saskatchewan — are Canada’s principal regional economic problems.
During the 1980s, personal income per inhabitant (per capita income) in the four Atlantic provinces ranged between 62 per cent of the national average in Newfoundland and Labrador, to 85 per cent of the national average in Nova Scotia. By 2009, per capita income levels in Atlantic Canada had risen to between 80 and 90 per cent of the national average.
Per capita income in Quebec has also remained systematically below the national average, although at levels less extreme than for Atlantic Canada. In the 1980s, per capita income in Quebec hovered at about 90 per cent of the national average. By 2009, that figure had climbed slightly to 93 per cent. The Quebec economy has been subject to conflicting forces. The dramatic decline in birthrates (since the 1960s), the growth of women in the labour force, of educational standards, and the emergence of a new francophone business class have all worked to raise incomes. On the other hand, the long threat of separation from Canada has had an economic cost, reflected in the out-migration of much of the old anglophone business elite in the 1970s and 1980s, and the decline of Montreal as a business center.
Ontario’s per capita income has traditionally been higher than the national average and reached 113 per cent in the late 1980s. That slipped to 101 per cent in 2009, as the province’s manufacturing base, particularly the auto industry, began to slow down and hollow out (see Recession of 2008–09 in Canada).
Income disparities between the Prairie provinces and the rest of Canada are reflected in severe fluctuations in per capita income, the result of dependence upon primary production (wheat, oil, natural gas, potash) and levels of demand, which are often determined by uncontrollable natural and international factors. Saskatchewan’s per capita income has fluctuated erratically, from 59 per cent of the national average in 1941, to 107 per cent in 1951. In 2009, it was 97 per cent of the national average. Manitoba’s was 92 per cent in 2009. In recent decades, Alberta has registered the highest per capita incomes in Canada. In 2009, it was 121 per cent of the national average.
British Columbia’s per capita income has in recent decades been close to the national average. It was 98 per cent in 2009.
The income generated in an economically richer region or province (typically known as a “have” province) may flow to a poorer (“have-not”) region or province in the form of federal government transfer payments, such as equalization payments or unemployment benefits, or in interest, dividends and profits accruing to investors outside the region (see Intergovernmental Finance).
High revenues in petroleum-producing provinces have created significant wealth disparities with non-petroleum producing provinces. The surge of oil revenues in Alberta in the 1970s upset the traditional regional balance in which Ontario was the senior “have” province and chief contributor to federal transfer schemes. In the 21st century, Alberta remains Canada’s leading producer of oil and gas, however British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and to a lesser extent Nova Scotia, also earn revenue from petroleum extraction.
The global price of oil, like all natural resource commodities, can fluctuate wildly, and this caused severe slumps in the 1980s, and in 2014 and 2015 — deeply affecting revenues in petro-provinces, but not others. Severe swings of economic gain, and pain, spread unequally across regions, are the by-products of Canada’s petro-economy (see Regional Recessions in Canada).
Differences in per capita income between regions may exist at any time because of variations in employment, wage rates, investment income or income from government transfer schemes. In Canada, where about 70 per cent of personal income is derived from wages and from other labour income, employment and wage rates are by far the most important factors.
The uneven distribution of jobs (compared to population) in Canada is measured by variations in the proportion of the local population of working age (15–64 years); the percentage of that population in the labour force; and the unemployment rate. The proportion of the population of working age has traditionally been lower in Atlantic Canada than elsewhere, partly as a result of emigration. Labour-force participation rates have also remained low while unemployment rates have remained high in Atlantic Canada.
Regional differences in wage rates may result from differences in labour productivity and in industrial structure. The traditionally high level of per capita income in BC largely reflects high wages. However, because of influences such as unionization, labour mobility, social legislation and the weight of public service employment, a national trend towards wage equalization exists. Wage rates in Quebec and Ontario, for instance, were roughly equivalent during the 1990s.
Regional disparities in employment and wages can be partly attributed to comparative advantages of location. The first areas to develop, because of natural or historical advantages, will often continue growing as markets, institutions and infrastructures are created. The St. Lawrence River valley was first developed because of its unique transportation advantage and agricultural potential. By building canals, roads and other infrastructure, settlers enhanced this initial natural advantage. Before Confederation, the combined population of Quebec and Ontario were already considerably larger than that of the Maritimes.
Canada’s internal market is small by world standards; one plant or office often serves the entire country. The center of that market is situated in Southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Industries in the Maritimes and the Prairie Provinces are poorly located for serving the Canadian market. Modern industry and offices often require services, skills and infrastructure only found in large cities. Atlantic Canada possesses no major urban metropolis. Halifax is a small city by world standards. In the Prairies, the lack of waterways confounds the difficulty of reaching major markets and constitutes a special handicap to industrial development (see Industry in Canada).
The rise of the United States as Canada’s chief trading partner and source of foreign investment since the Second World War has benefited some regions more than others. Southern Ontario benefits not only from its access to the Great Lakes but also by its proximity to the major industrial zones of the American Midwest, of which it has in many ways become an extension — the development of an automobile industry in Windsor, across the river from Detroit, is an obvious example. American investment is heavily concentrated in Ontario, and Toronto is the centre for most US-controlled head offices. The integration of Canada into the North American economy has contributed to the isolation of Atlantic Canada, whose economy traditionally had strong links with Britain. In more recent decades the growth of the Pacific Rim economies (Japan, China, California) has benefited British Columbia and, to some extent, Alberta.
The human element is the most elusive in regional development. Migration, for example, has a decisive impact on the quality of human resources in a region. Low-income regions in Canada are often locked into a cycle of decline because the most dynamic and educated people of working age emigrate.
The resources of British Columbia and Alberta help account for their growth. BC’s high wages and productivity are the result partially of its forest resources, but also of its advantageous location and skilled labour force, and Vancouver’s role as an emerging metropolis. The Atlantic Provinces are held back not only by the lack of competitive, low-cost, natural resources, but by disadvantages of location and a history of emigration. Natural resource exploitation alone — despite its shorter-term benefits — rarely constitutes a sufficient basis for long-term, sustained economic growth. In Canada, as in other developed nations, it is today the location of manufacturing and of service industries that largely determines the emergence and persistence of regional income disparities.
Since Confederation, Canadian economic policy has been influenced by regional considerations. National policies have important repercussions at the regional level, intentional and unintentional, often creating tensions between the provinces and the federal government (see Federal-Provincial Relations) and among provinces.
Historically, Canada’s protective tariff structure, a legacy of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s National Policy, designed to encourage Canadian industrialization, primarily benefited the manufacturing areas of Quebec and Ontario, providing them with a captive domestic market. Canada’s tariff policies were historically a source of grievance in Atlantic Canada and the West, where consumers felt they were subsidizing the protected industries of Central Canada, stifling the development of their own regions. However, with the signing of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement in 1989 the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993, combined with the tariff-reducing effects of GATT negotiations during the 1980s and 1990s, Canada’s tariff structure has ceased to be a major regional issue (see Free Trade).
The Maritime Freight Act (1927) provided for subsidies to reduce freight rates for rail shipments moving from points east of Lévis, Quebec, to the rest of Canada. The subsidy was subsequently raised and extended to commercial trucking. Freight rates on grain shipments out of the Prairies were kept artificially low from the turn of the century by the Crow’s Nest Pass Agreement. Prairie wheat farmers are assisted in the transport and marketing of their output by multiple subsidy schemes and by the Winnipeg-based Canadian Wheat Board. However, since the 1980s the federal government has phased out most transport subsidies.
The regional impacts of federal energy policy have often been a source of controversy. Before the 1972–74 oil crisis, energy policy favoured the oil-producing provinces because of the so-called Borden Line (1961), which divided Canada into two oil-marketing zones at the Ontario/Quebec border. West of the line no imported oil could be refined or sold; foreign oil and its by-products were limited to the market east of it. The then more expensive western oil was ensured a captive market, including Ontario. But the expansion of the Montreal- and Atlantic-based oil-refining and petrochemical industry was hampered by artificial limitation of its market at the Quebec and Ontario borders. From 1973 until the mid-1980s, the National Energy Program tended to favour oil-consuming provinces by keeping internal oil prices below international levels and by redistributing a significant portion of western oil royalties. Late in 1984, the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney allowed domestic oil prices to match world prices. Domestic oil prices have since joined world levels.
Canada’s comparatively generous system of transfer payment programs, comprising transfers both to other governments and to individuals (unemployment benefits, family allowances, pensions), typically accounts for about half the federal budget. Transfer payments reduce regional income disparity.
Specific federal regional development programs (RDPs) targeted at low-income regions have existed since the 1960s, initially aimed at depressed rural regions but broadened since. The federal government operates the following agencies and offices: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Western Economic Diversification Canada. These agencies are active in promoting industry via varying financial-support measures for local firms and entrepreneurs, as well as inheriting many of the programs of former federal departments.
RDPs encompass a broad range of policies, including grants, special depreciation allowances and loans to encourage the location of firms in designated areas. Federal departments and agencies have also entered into general development agreements with the provinces, which can include infrastructure programs, mineral exploration, industrial restructuring incentives, rural development schemes, etc. The impact of RDPs has been most clearly felt in smaller regions, especially in the more depressed zones of Atlantic Canada. However, the general consensus among economists is that area-directed RDPs, such as those practised during the 1970s and 1980s, have not profoundly altered the pattern of regional development in Canada.
Problems and policies similar to those on a regional or national level may be found within regions and within almost every province. Within Ontario, disparities in per capita income and employment levels between the industrialized south and the less developed north are often as substantial as they are between provinces or regions. In Quebec, per capita income and employment levels in the Gaspé region have systematically remained below those of the greater Montreal region. In Nova Scotia, Halifax is fairly prosperous while Cape Breton is economically depressed.
In most provinces, but perhaps most significantly in the West, a visible economic divide also exists between many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The question of local economic development for Indigenous communities has emerged as a major issue in many provinces (see Economic Conditions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada). Most provinces have developed their own regional policies and objectives, often independently of the federal government.
W.J. Coffey and Mario Polèse, Still Living Together: Recent Trends and Future Directions in Canadian Regional Development (1987); F.J. Anderson, Regional Economic Analysis: A Canadian Perspective (1988); Donald Savoie, Regional Economic Development: Canada's Search for Solutions (1992).
Atlantic Canada Opportunity AgencyThe official home page of the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. | 2019-04-23T08:18:16Z | https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/regional-economics |
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There is no separate central reference for those seeking to prepare for the new Project Management Institute - Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) test; instead the PMI provides a list of test areas, and reference books, which taken together constitute the carcass of erudition for the certification.
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Chris, and others, studying for the PMI-ACP Exam, can start with the PMI Agile Certification Examination Content silhouette which itemizes the exam contents. There are two categories, Tools and Techniques, and erudition and Skills, each comprising 50% of the exam. The PMI besides defines six domains which are job groups for labor on Agile projects. Mike Griffiths wraps these together into a separate cube that represents a simplified silhouette for the PMI-ACP carcass of knowledge.
For the content, the PMI provides a list of ten reference books which are a superset of the erudition tested on the exam.
The above books are well known in the Agile community and those topic areas in these books that are specified in the PMI Agile Certification Examination Content silhouette depict the carcass of erudition for PMI-ACP test. | 2019-04-23T22:21:32Z | http://tractaricurteadearges.ro/pass4sure-cert.php?exam=CA0-002 |
Norway has a long, proud history of more than 50 years involvement in development co operation. It is a progressive donor, prepared to promote new and innovative ways of thinking. Its development aims and interventions are outlined in the government’s policy platform, in the government’s addresses to the Storting, and in successive White Papers. Until a new White Paper is published in 2009, one of the most important documents remains White Paper Report No. 35 (2003-2004) to the Storting, Fighting Poverty Together: A Comprehensive Development Policy. This outlines Norway’s priorities which include: providing 1% of gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA), a firm commitment to a rights-based approach to development co-operation, and the pre-eminence of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It also underlines the importance of “donor reform – more assistance and more effective assistance”, and stresses the centrality of increased country ownership and donor harmonisation.
More recent thinking on Norway’s strategy and policy for its development co operation is presented in the Soria Moria Declaration (2005), International Development Minister Erik Solheim’s Statement to the Storting 16 May 2006 and the extract from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget proposal for 2008: Proposition No. 1 (2007-2008) to the Storting: Norwegian Development Assistance in 2008 – Priority Areas, June 2007. These documents continue to stress the MDGs, the 1% ODA/GNI target, aid effectiveness, governance reform, results and quality assurance. However, the rights-based approach has less prominence – hence clarification of what the rights-based approach to development co operation means in practice and how it is implemented is needed. Also, a greater emphasis is given to fragile states, United Nations reform and aid to Africa.
The 2004 White Paper also emphasises the importance of “the global partnership for development”. This concept situates development policy in the context of wider foreign policy and security issues, as well as signalling the importance of policy coherence for development. These ideas have been taken further in Proposition No. 1 which positions development co operation as one of a number of factors that play a role in lifting people out of poverty, along with peace and security, economic development, trade and environment. This recognition that development co operation will be more successfully integrated as part of a holistic approach is positive, but further clarification is needed of what this vision means in practice, and how it will be implemented. Furthermore, Norway will need to ensure that its core focus on poverty reduction and the MDGs is not diluted.
Proposition No. 1 outlines the government’s main “five plus one” priorities. These are a broad mix of sectoral, thematic and cross-cutting issues: i) climate change, the environment and sustainable development; ii) peace building, human rights and humanitarian assistance; iii) women and gender equality; iv) oil and clean energy; v) good governance and the fight against corruption; and vi) supporting the health related MDGs. The government states that it will use increases in the development budget to focus on these six priorities, whilst maintaining support for its 11 other traditionally important priority areas.
At present, with increasing oil revenues bolstering the development assistance budget, Norway is able both to maintain current development priorities and add new ones. But this creates tension between the desire to focus in line with aid effectiveness principles versus the pressure to expand. Embassies are under pressure to add new objectives to existing programmes which can lead to a lack of clarity in the objectives of country programmes. Moreover, it introduces concerns over the stability of Norway’s priorities over the long term. This could have implications for aid effectiveness – an area in which Norway is rightly seen as a leading player. Failure to make headway in concentrating activities geographically, sectorally and strategically could affect progress towards implementing harmonisation and division of labour principles.
The reported level of Norwegian public support for ODA is on a par with other donors, with 90% of the population supporting it. Currently, two units are responsible for communicating and building public awareness: i) the Communications and Information Team in the Minister of International Development’s office, which targets local and international media; and ii) the Information Department in Norad, which targets the development community, students, journalists and key policy-makers. The two communication departments have developed separate two-year communication strategies guiding their efforts, but neither strategy mentions the existence of the other unit. Although there is informal co-operation between the two units, the formal and systematic co-ordination requirements are unclear.
Norway is committed to policy coherence for development, with broad consensus among officials, parliament, researchers and civil society organisations that ODA is only one way of supporting progress in developing countries. A good example of coherent policy is in the area of environment where there has long been strong co-ordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Environment. Norway’s Action Plan for Environment in Development Co operation also aims to integrate environmental issues into development co operation. In the area of labour migration an informal network of officials produced a report in 2006 on coherence in migration and development. Another good example is women’s rights and gender equality, where four ministries (MFA, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice and Police and Ministry of Children and Equality) work together and are responsible for the Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The previous peer review suggested that Norway should consider setting up a “whole of government” mechanism to strengthen inter-ministerial co ordination, but this did not happen. Members of the Storting’s Foreign Affairs Committee believe that a more strategic approach is needed and that policy coherence for development should be more institutionalised than at present.
There are a number of formal and informal policy co-ordination arrangements between ministries. However, there is room for improvement. The lack of monitoring of inter-ministerial policy coherence is also a recognised weakness of the Norwegian system. The MFA does not appear to monitor other ministries’ initiatives systematically for their coherence with development policy. While Norway has strong capacity for development research, it lacks institutional capacity for long-term analysis and research into policy coherence issues. It may also need a robust method to trace policy coherence impacts. In addition, there is a lack of reporting on policy coherence for development.
To promote further thinking on policy coherence for development, in December 2006 the government established a Policy Coherence Commission made up of highly qualified people from a broad cross-section of the development assistance community. Its role was to consider ways to make Norwegian policy for development more coherent and effective and it produced a report in September 2008 which will feed into the forthcoming White Paper. In formulating its recommendations, the commission has therefore considered: how to strengthen the arrangements for resolving potential policy conflicts; how to increase the authority to demand information from other ministries; and how to promote positive examples of win-win situations. The DAC suggests that one option may be to enhance the responsibility for policy coherence in the Prime Minister’s office, which has a good overview of government policy. This could be complemented by a dedicated unit in the MFA as recommended by the Commission.
The DAC commends Norway for its forward-looking vision in which development co operation is seen as one element of a broader set of issues affecting a country’s development, and expects to see this further elaborated in the forthcoming White Paper. This broader vision of development encompasses some notable contributions to global public goods, including peace building, conflict prevention and climate change. In practice, this requires improving the linkages between ODA and non-ODA activities for the good of development. In doing this, Norway will need to ensure that its core focus on poverty reduction is not diluted.
Norway needs to ensure that the process of identifying objectives is strategic and well managed, both centrally and at partner country level. The process must lead to a manageable number of clear and focused priorities. Norway will need to resist the temptation to add new ad hoc initiatives to an ever-expanding list of priorities.
Norway needs to articulate its over-arching approach to communication in order for the two communication units to convey consistent and complementary development messages to the public.
Norway should develop an overall approach to policy coherence for development and institutional mechanisms for analysis, monitoring and policy feedback to deliver on its broad vision. Consideration could be given to the location, mandate and authority of an institutional focal point responsible for analysing potential areas of policy conflict; commissioning longer term studies; co ordinating research; and analysing, monitoring and championing policy coherence for development among the ministries.
In 2007, Norway’s net ODA amounted to USD 3 727 million, representing 0.95% of its GNI. This is the highest percentage of all DAC donors, and Norway is one of only five countries to exceed the UN target of 0.7%. Norway is commended for having surpassed the 0.7% figure continuously for more than 30 years, and for having set itself a higher target of 1% ODA/GNI. The DAC also commends Norway for budgeting to reach its 1% ODA/GNI target in 2009 in a climate of global financial crisis.
According to Norway, only 18% of total aid is programmed at the field level by the embassies. Other parts of the programme which sometimes count as bilateral aid, such as thematic, humanitarian, aid to non-governmental organisations and earmarked multi-bilateral aid, are planned and programmed by headquarters. Consequently, individual embassies may have limited knowledge of all the different channels through which Norwegian aid reaches the country in which they are located. This raises challenges for ensuring that the totality of Norway’s instruments, interventions and objectives in development not only work in synergy but also reinforce each other at country level. Making this clear to all development partners enhances predictability and accountability. With such a relatively small proportion of funds programmed at country level, Norway must clarify the kind of bilateral donor it wants to be.
Norway is a strong supporter of the multilateral system. The World Bank is the single largest recipient of Norwegian multilateral ODA, and Norway’s contribution to the UN is proportionately higher than in most other donors’ portfolios. In recent years Global Funds have seen the greatest increase in Norwegian multilateral assistance. Another trend has been the increase in earmarked multilateral contributions. In the past, much of the earmarked multilateral aid was country specific, but now it is more likely to be sector or theme specific. In general, Norway’s strong core support to multilateral organisations leads to Norway having considerable leverage and impact on the multilateral system. The challenges for Norway, with its large commitment and investment in the multilateral system, are to develop a performance-based allocation system, and to continue to be a leader in helping the multilateral organisations to increase their efficiency for better development outcomes.
In the past eight years, development assistance has doubled in real terms, allowing Norway to increase the number of new partner countries in its portfolio. Whereas previously Norway had 7 “main partners” and 17 “other partners”, it now has 28 partners – 15 in Africa, 11 in Asia, and 2 in Latin America. Many DAC countries have concentrated their development assistance in fewer partner countries, and Norway has also increased its aid to some key countries. At the same time, because of new initiatives such as the Oil for Development programme and, no doubt soon the new forestry initiative, Norway has also added a number of new recipient countries to its programme. This geographic dispersal of aid causes some concern, notably within parliament, that resources will be spread too thinly and impact diluted.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – and in particular Norwegian NGOs – play a prominent and important role in Norwegian development assistance, with over 30% of bilateral development assistance channelled directly through them. There is no overall policy on NGOs, but Norad is currently revising guidelines. These will outline the aims and objectives of funding to NGOs, and will confront two other issues: i) increasing the focus on results; and ii) increasing the use of Southern NGOs. NGOs appreciate the open dialogue they have with government and generally welcome the flexibility of the system. However, as funding can come from both the MFA and Norad and from more than ten different budget lines often with different procedures, the system can be confusing and time-consuming for NGOs. Funding procedures and standards as well as reporting requirements for NGOs (development and humanitarian) need to be made clearer, streamlined and more coherent among mechanisms.
Norway has taken a number of measures to address women’s rights and gender equality such as: producing several action plans, appointing a Gender Equality Ambassador, multiplying funds for UNIFEM fourfold, conducting a significant amount of work with multilateral partners, and being an active participant in the DAC’s Gendernet. But, like other donors, while trying to “mainstream” women’s rights and gender equality, Norway had lost focus and spending had declined. It therefore reintroduced some targeted funding and used some of the measures listed above to try to rectify this situation. However, resources are still limited, with only a small team in the MFA and three staff in Norad dedicated to increasing the gender equality focus of activities. Furthermore, technical knowledge is spread thinly across the organisations and gender equality is still often considered as a postscript after the formulation of projects and programmes, rather than being factored in at the beginning. This was the case in Tanzania, where Norway’s attention on women’s rights and gender equality appeared to be an afterthought: there was little pro-active or specific focus on the issue, and local implementing partners had limited understanding of good gender practices.
Norway has ambitions to be a leader in the environment and development area, but needs to turn this ambition into action. It has an Action Plan for Environment in Development Co-operation, which makes clear that the environment is both a cross-cutting issue, stating that “environmental concerns must be taken into account in all development co-operation”, and a separate sector with development co operation targeted specifically at sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection. It is difficult to assess the extent to which environment is considered systematically in the absence of clear guidance such as impact assessment tools; current requirements leave impact assessments to the recipients. In addition, there are a limited number of environment or natural resource specialist staff positions in either the MFA or Norad, and even fewer in the field. It is, therefore, difficult to envisage how such an ambitious action plan could be fully implemented.
As a mid-sized donor engaged in development peace building, state building, and humanitarian work, Norway could develop a strategy for allocating the growing ODA budget via different channels, instruments, sectors and countries. Norway should consider a more integrated, strategic and explicit approach at the country level to ensure synergy and to optimise impact.
In line with the aid effectiveness principles, notably division of labour, Norway should manage carefully the increasing geographical dispersal of its aid. Norway should take care not to spread its resources too thinly as this could lessen its potential impact. Norway should also seek greater clarity on whether it wishes to pursue a sectoral or a country approach.
The introduction of revised guidelines for Norad’s approach to NGOs in the development field is welcome and the focus on results and the increasing use of local NGOs is encouraging. Norway should also ensure increased clarity, coherence and simplification of the funding and reporting systems and standards for NGOs by increasing co ordination and amalgamating some of the many budget lines. The NGOs should be supported further to build capacity required to meet the legitimate demand by the MFA/Norad that they demonstrate results.
Recognising that Norway treats cross-cutting issues as thematic priorities in their own right, Norway also needs to ensure that they are fully mainstreamed. Norway has put significant effort into developing policies on women’s rights and gender equality, and the environment, but it needs to ensure that its policy ambitions become reality. It should make certain that its cross-cutting priorities are institutionalised, have sufficient resources and are considered systematically at the early stages of and throughout its programmes and projects.
In 2004 Norway’s institutional set-up underwent significant reform. Development policy and foreign policy are now fully integrated within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has become the lynchpin of the whole system. The embassies’ role in managing bilateral aid to partner countries has been strengthened. Norad has become a technical directorate responsible to the MFA. Norfund, responsible for private sector development, has become independent of Norad.
Those involved feel that this reorganisation has generally been positive. The MFA, Norad and the embassies have become a well-integrated system able to respond to today’s development challenges whilst ensuring management flexibility. In the MFA, country teams can respond flexibly to requests from embassies whose authority has increased following decentralisation. Norad is an entry point for contracting Norwegian development expertise and provides quality assurance for this flexible system. Furthermore, reorganisation has enabled the MFA to respond to various political initiatives while alleviating the risks of political micro-management.
However, some challenges remain from the reorganisation. The roles of policy-making, implementation and knowledge provision have not yet been fully clarified within the system. For example, although decentralisation means the embassies deal with country level relations, headquarters has become more involved in some micro-level aspects of aid management. Furthermore, Norad is still defining its new core knowledge management and support role while retaining significant grant management activities.
The reorganisation put more emphasis on knowledge management in the development system. The government is keen that a culture of results-based management should be embedded across the system and key documents (e.g. the Development Co-operation Manual) set out the rationale and procedures for tracking results. This is to be commended, but Norway needs to address the lack of a universal system for management by results in its aid administration. Such a system would allow policy goals, thematic priority areas, partners and funding channels to be prioritised.
Since the 2004 peer review, the MFA has established the Policy Analysis Unit, with five staff, which has improved policy analysis in the ministry. Norad carries out necessary programme-related analytical work for the MFA in its role of providing advice and support. However, Norway could further develop structures that increase long-term analytical and research capacity.
The government has been increasing staff capacity in the MFA, embassies and Norad but could do more. Embassies still lack sufficient capacity, so significant management responsibility remains at headquarters. While the strong upward curve of the budget and the slower rise in staffing numbers may have resulted in increasing administrative efficiency on paper, it is challenging to maintain quality programmes under the pressure to spend and launch new initiatives. Furthermore the increase in funding to multilateral and global issues has not been reflected in departmental staffing numbers. In addition, there are a broad range of human resource challenges including attracting and retaining expertise including grant management competency, ensuring that a diplomatic career in development is valued, and providing appropriate training to maintain cutting-edge knowledge on key issues/sectors.
Norway could consider how to clarify and better distinguish between the MFA and Norad’s different roles, notably in grant management. Norway needs to develop an approach to optimise synergies between instruments and sectoral and country strategies, notably by establishing clear over-arching objectives for its interventions at country level. Norad also needs to better articulate its role of creating a knowledge-based system to inform the decision-making process.
Norway needs to address the staff recruitment and retention challenges arising from the reorganisation and shifting priorities. There are also particular staffing and management challenges to be addressed at the country level in order for Norway to remain an agile and flexible donor.
Norway needs to develop a results-based management approach at the institutional, programme and project levels.
Norway is one of the donors at the forefront of the global aid effectiveness debate and aid effectiveness is well-embedded in the Norwegian aid system. Although Norway does not have a single all-encompassing aid effectiveness action plan, position papers are distributed to embassies, and the MFA expects the aid effectiveness agenda to be mainstreamed and well-established in all its activities. Throughout the system, including at field level, staff appear to have a detailed understanding of the principles underpinning the aid effectiveness agenda and the challenges these pose. Furthermore, Norway plays a pro-active role among other donors, such as with like-minded donors in the Nordic Plus group.
In Tanzania, Norway has put the principles actively into practice. It supports the Joint Assistance Strategy, and Norway’s activities are factored into, and flow from, this strategy. Discussions with the Tanzanian government also confirmed that Norway’s activities dovetail with the government’s own priorities. However, questions were raised regarding the planning process and instruments. The embassy only has a rolling three-year plan for internal use. This, however, does not guide Norway’s interventions through all its available channels and instruments, and is not shared, or co-owned, with the Tanzanian government.
Norway stresses that although it prioritises the aid effectiveness agenda, only 18% of its development assistance is programmed by the embassies at country level. It is acutely aware that the vast majority of its funding is distributed through other means; i.e. multilateral organisations, the global funds and Norwegian NGOs. Thus greater aid effectiveness will occur by improving how aid is disbursed via these other channels. Norway is making efforts to address this issue. In addition to involvement in the Multilateral Organisations Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN), Norway lobbies for multilateral partners to have a greater focus on ownership, to use national systems and ensure fewer parallel implementation units, and to engage in joint exercises such as the Joint Assistance Strategies and Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability. In the replenishment negotiations and in the Boards of the multilateral financial institutions, Norway has advocated that the Banks should contribute more to enhance national ownership.
The importance of capacity development is emphasised in Norway’s memorandum and in the Development Co operation Manual. Capacity development is not, however, included in the list of current priority areas for Norwegian development co operation, and, as for most other donors, there are no overarching policies or guidelines to indicate how to design and implement capacity development or how to integrate capacity development into development programmes overall.
The Norwegian approach to capacity development appears to focus largely on mainstreaming such activities into sectoral and thematic development policies and programmes. However, although the Development Co operation Manual states that capacity development should be at the core of any development activity and provides some suggestions on how to assess institutional capacity as part of the process of preparing development programmes, there is little specific guidance on how to integrate and address capacity development in specific sectors or how to monitor and measure the results of such interventions. Capacity development seems to be dealt with primarily through an emphasis on using national systems and priorities as a basis for delivering Norwegian development assistance. Evidence from Tanzania suggests that Norway performs well in this respect, as it is a strong supporter of joined-up approaches to delivering development aid and is a champion of aid effectiveness.
The focus on linking development priorities with areas of Norwegian comparative advantage means that the country can be better targeted in its capacity development efforts, and can draw on a well-established pool of experts to fill technical assistance needs. Norway could usefully share its good practice from country-level capacity development experiences, and could, like other donors, also play a more active role in the DAC capacity development work.
Norway also earmarks resources to finance specific capacity development activities at the country-level, thus maintaining its ability to provide sector development activities with targeted technical assistance and training. Each embassy with a development co operation budget has a consultancy fund for hiring local expertise and building capacity among trained professionals in-country, rather than bringing in consultants from Norway.
Governance and anti-corruption is one of five priority areas for the current government, and Norway’s approach is marked by a high level of innovation and a strong focus on behavioural change. Norway is among the world leaders in its efforts to make government officials accountable for corrupt behaviour, and has made strenuous efforts to establish global initiatives to this end. Examples include: i) its push for the establishment of the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, which works actively to assist poor countries in repatriating public assets stolen by corrupt leaders; and ii) its continued support to the Corruption Hunter Network, which provides a meeting place for prosecutors, judges and heads of anti-corruption entities. Through activities such as these, Norway has been able to create and sustain global structures to establish incentives and capacities through which poor countries can tackle corrupt behaviour systematically and transparently.
In Tanzania, Norway is a key player in anti-corruption efforts. It is also playing an important role in reacting appropriately to a general budget support corruption scandal by maintaining its support to a multi-donor pooled funding initiative.
Norway has also been a key player in ensuring the enforcement of the UN Convention against Corruption, and participates actively in the work of the OECD Working Group on Bribery, e.g. in its monitoring mechanism for the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Furthermore, Norway currently hosts the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s (EITI) international secretariat in Oslo and is the only developed country that has signed up to the implementation of the EITI Transparency Principles.
Norway is commended for making considerable progress on aid effectiveness and for largely embedding the aid effectiveness agenda into its development system. Norway is encouraged to continue this work, and to develop specific aid effectiveness policy guidance.
Norway should ensure that it has an effective set of instruments with clear objectives and intended results to guide its country interventions through all its available channels, respecting recipient government ownership. It also needs to ensure that its sectoral/thematic approach and its country approach fit well together.
Norway needs to broaden its efforts to apply the aid effectiveness principles to funding channels beyond government-to-government.
Given Norway’s approach to capacity development, further safeguards might be needed to ensure that capacity development mainstreaming is institutionalised. Such safeguards could include frequent sharing of lessons across the MFA and Norad on successful mainstreaming interventions.
Norway could consider taking a leading role in facilitating common donor approaches to tackling corruption in-country. It could also look at ways to ensure that global initiatives (e.g. the UN Convention on Corruption, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative), are properly linked to, and anchored in, country-specific activities and responses.
Humanitarian action is a central pillar of Norwegian foreign policy – an intrinsic expression of Norwegian values and international solidarity – as well as a core priority area for the development co operation system. Norway has endorsed the Principles and Good Practices of Humanitarian Donorship and has adopted a principled yet pragmatic approach to humanitarian action in line with its GHD commitments. These commitments are underpinned by disbursements that are well above the DAC average for humanitarian aid. Consequently, Norway has acquired considerable credibility and influence within the international humanitarian system. This reputation has been further strengthened through Norway’s strong and consistent support for the United Nations humanitarian system, its leadership in key fora (e.g. the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the Somalia Contact Group and the recent Sudan donor conference) and initiatives such as the recent Oslo Policy Forum, Changing the Way We Develop: Dealing with disasters and climate change.
The national policy framework is evolving, with a new humanitarian action strategy launched in September 2008. This reaffirms the centrality of humanitarian action in development co operation policy and expands the humanitarian agenda to new areas (e.g. addressing the humanitarian impacts of climate change). It builds on the recent Storting report, Norwegian Policy on Prevention of Humanitarian Crises, as the cornerstone in integrating conflict and disaster risk reduction perspectives across the development co-operation system. Nevertheless, like other donors, Norway is likely to encounter institutional obstacles and will have to adapt internal systems and processes if these objectives are to be translated into effective aid in partner countries.
In general, Norway is regarded by key partners as a good humanitarian donor. In 2007, nearly 23% (NOK 547 million) of Norwegian humanitarian assistance was provided completely un-earmarked and a further 26% (NOK 625 million) was earmarked to the country level only. A significant proportion went to under-funded UN and Red Cross Movement appeals, representing a serious commitment to providing flexible and needs-based assistance. Norway has, however, elected not to enter into multi-year agreements with implementing partners. This decision supposedly increases the government’s own flexibility in allocating assistance across financial years, but in effect reduces the year-on-year predictability of funding streams for implementing agencies. The MFA is aware of the consequences of this limitation and has entered into discussions with Norwegian NGOs about processes to improve the reliability of Norwegian Government support.
There are three distinct strands to learning and accountability practices within the Norwegian humanitarian system – internal thematic evaluations, external evaluations of individual activities, and external support to international accountability initiatives. The points of convergence between these evaluation processes are unclear, leaving the impression that corporate learning in the humanitarian sector is weak and rather unsystematic. Norway could develop a programme-wide results framework for its forthcoming humanitarian strategy that might bind these individual elements into a corporate learning and accountability framework for humanitarian action.
The new humanitarian action strategy is welcome. Norway should develop an implementation plan – including measurable targets and indicators – for the strategy to translate commitments into practice, as well as ensure transparency.
Norway should also review and, where necessary adjust, internal systems and processes to ensure the removal of institutional obstacles to the integration of humanitarian objectives within the development co-operation system. In particular, special attention should be paid to ensuring appropriate linkages between humanitarian and development assistance.
Norway should review the scope for multi-year funding agreements in order to improve predictability – as well as reduce administrative costs – for key partner agencies (including NGOs). This is not withstanding the high level of flexibility given to humanitarian agencies to allocate resources according to need.
Norway should increase efforts to systematise learning and accountability within the humanitarian domain and exploit opportunities to augment in-house evaluation capacity (e.g. through participation in shared and/or joint evaluation exercises). Norway should also seek to better embed quality benchmarks in humanitarian evaluations. | 2019-04-25T22:35:48Z | http://www.oecd.org/dac/peer-reviews/norway2008dacpeerreviewofnorway-mainfindingsandrecommendations.htm |
In our year-long course on music at Wyoming Catholic College, students read and discuss a chapter from Joseph Ratzinger’s book A New Song for the Lord, “The Image of the World and of Human Beings in the Liturgy and Its Expression in Church Music,” one of the best things ever written about church music. Ratzinger masterfully shows how the music we employ in church always embodies and communicates an ecclesiology, a Christology, and an anthropology—it is that significant! There is no escaping it: Every bit of music we perform in church is expressing a vision of the whole and inculcating it in those who listen. This is why church musicians will have much glory or great shame on the day of judgment.
A question always comes up in connection with this reading. It seems that the missionaries who went to the New World were able to take up elements of the culture of the people they encountered, including something from their music. Vatican II tells us that we should do the same thing wherever the Gospel is preached. Why can we not take up elements of today’s popular culture around us, such as rock or pop styles of music, and turn them into vehicles for evangelizing our contemporaries?
Since the Kingdom of Christ is not of this world (cf. Jn 18:36), however, the Church or People of God in establishing that Kingdom takes nothing away from the temporal welfare of any people, but on the contrary, it fosters and takes to itself the abilities, riches, and customs of each people, insofar as they are good, and by taking them up, purifies, strengthens, and ennobles them. The Church in this is mindful that she must bring together the nations for that king to whom they were given as an inheritance (cf. Ps 2:8), and to whose city they bring gifts and offerings (Ps 71:10; Is 60:4–7; Rev 21:24). This characteristic of universality, which adorns the People of God, is a gift from the Lord Himself, by reason of which the Catholic Church effectively and continually strives to bring all humanity with all its good things back to their source in Christ, under His Headship, in the unity of His Spirit.
With prudent sensitivity, the great missionaries adopted and adapted some of the customs and art forms they found, in order to evangelize the pagans more effectively and to enrich the Church’s treasury with the gold of Sheba. We can see examples of such inculturation in vestments, architecture, and music. New Liturgical Movement has run several pieces about how the Chinese and Japanese missions intelligently promoted this approach. Marvelous examples of inculturation can be found in the fusion of European chant and polyphony with native American instruments and texts.
On the basis of the foregoing model, then, aren’t we supposed to find ways to embody the Faith in the surrounding secular culture so that we can more effectively reach our contemporaries? Isn’t this what the missionaries did? There are, however, crucial differences between this and what the original missionaries did.
First of all, there is the overwhelming and undeniable fact that when Catholic missionaries came to native peoples in the Age of Exploration, they brought with them a fully “realized” religion, founded on fixed dogmas, issuing in definitive moral teachings, crowned and nourished by a stable sacred liturgy, all intertwined with a rich culture of art and thought. They fully intended to plant this religion and its culture on foreign soil and to win over the pagans to its truth and superiority. The Catholic Faith, in all its specificity and plenitude, was the non-negotiable controlling paradigm by which indigenous elements had to be judged and into which they had to be fitted. It played the dominant role; like form in the philosophy of Aristotle, it was to be imparted to the receptive matter. In this way the missionaries never balked at “the scandal of the particular”: They were preaching Jesus of Nazareth and establishing the Church of Rome.
This precedence of a universal and traditional Catholic orthodoxy and orthopraxy—the doctrine of the Council of Trent, let us say, and the organically developed sacramental rites of the Roman Church, replete with Gregorian chant—is not what proponents of a modernizing inculturation assume; in fact, they are more likely to ignore, marginalize, or exclude such things, failing to see how they could ever be relevant to our contemporaries. In this way, they run the risk of no longer inculturating the Catholic Faith. They might even end up fashioning new micro-religions, somewhat like the proliferation of local craft beers (no offense to craft brewers!).
Second, when the missionaries came to the pagans, the latter had no Christian heritage at all. They were a blank slate in this regard, although they were disposed, better or worse, to hear the Gospel due to their pre-existing religious beliefs, sentiments, and rituals. True pagans are not “scientific” atheists, elegant agnostics, smug liberals, or materialistic consumers; they believe in one god or many gods, they fear and placate them, and are ripe for conversion to a more divine and more humane religion. Coming to such religious non-Christians, the missionaries could make a discernment about which elements to take up from a genuinely pagan milieu, all the while remembering that the message they brought was authoritative and controlling.
The dominant contemporary culture of the West today is the secular culture of anti-culture. It defines itself not by what it is, but by what it isn’t. It is founded on a reaction against Christianity. Therefore, it is a distortion of it and as such is parasitical upon it.
Given the specific requirements and expectations that go along with the cultus Dei, to admit such music into the temple is to profane the temple, to violate its sacredness. We are looking not at inculturation but at “exculturation,” in which what is proper to a unified, historical religion is diluted or obliterated by its opposite.
Third, the pagans had a genuine folk culture—a culture that was, so to speak, of the people, by the people, and for the people. It was vital, personal, immediate. When the missionaries worked on and with this culture, they were working with something organic, spontaneous, and, in a sense, disinterested. In stark contrast, today’s pagans are largely passive consumers of mass-produced, low-quality sonic junk food that earns huge profits for capitalist corporations who know how to manipulate the feelings of poorly educated, emotionally volatile audiences.
What the pagans had to offer, then, were local traditions of truly human dimensions, expressive of their identity and creativity as a people, not today’s monotonous, artistically shallow epiphenomena of cancer-phase capitalism. In those fortunate pagan cultures that were not in thrall to demon worship and ritual violence, the missionaries were confronted with anthropologically rich soil for planting the seed of the Gospel, which they proceeded to do with confident zeal. What they found permitted actual enrichments of devotion and worship. Today’s popular culture, on the other hand, to the extent that it has grown up in revolt against the unifying principles, certainties, and demands of Christianity, is a veritable melting pot of conflicting fashionable ideologies, a volatile mishmash of tribalism, globalism, and techno-barbarism. Its underlying anthropology is suited not for saints and heroes, but for narcissists and manipulators.
Consequently, the prevailing Western popular culture is impervious to and, at times, subversive of, the process of Christian inculturation. What I mean by subversive is this: It is not the secularism that ends up Christianized by the attempt at a merger, but the Christianity that ends up secularized. It is not the vast empire of mediocrity that will be molded and transformed, but the Catholic Faith. The only hope lies in calm resistance, pursuing a course so obviously opposed to that of the world that we will not cease to be a light shining in the darkness, which cannot overcome us as long as we remain truly light. This is why Pope John Paul II said in Veritatis Splendor: “It is urgent that Christians should rediscover the newness of the faith and its power to judge a prevalent and all-intrusive culture.” He was speaking about our contemporary culture of liberalism, relativism, and hedonism.
So much pop or rock music is of a form that has developed specifically to reflect the culture of hedonism.… [T]o ignore this aspect of the style of the music altogether and just change the words to those of Christian hymns runs the grave risk of communicating something very bad regardless of how pious or holy the words of the song may be. Because worship of God is the activity in which we bare our souls the most, it is where we are most vulnerable to adverse influence. I suggest that we should be more conservative and less inclined to take risks in the choice of music in the liturgy than in the local dance hall. The music of our worship should be rooted in the Christian tradition so that it naturally becomes the standard to which all else points. If we make the secular forms the standard by which the liturgical [forms]are measured, the hierarchy has been inverted and the result is disaster for both cultures—the culture of faith and contemporary culture.
In sum: Due to its origins in a repudiation of the Christian cultural inheritance, its continual appeal to the appetites of the flesh, its negation of the dimension of mystery, and its consequent poverty of artistic expression, contemporary popular music cannot be suitable matter for the process of inculturation; rather, it is a formidable obstacle to the conversion of souls and the creation of a true Christian culture.
Republished with gracious permission from OnePeterFive.
In Joseph Ratzinger, A New Song for the Lord, trans. Martha M. Matesich (New York: Crossroad, 1997), 111–27; also in Collected Works, vol. XI, Theology of the Liturgy (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2014), 443–60.
The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE) has done some wonderful recordings of Catholic missionary music from central America. Listen to some samples here.
The Way of Beauty: Liturgy, Education, and Inspiration for Family, School, and College (Kettering, OH: Angelico Press, 2015), 48.
Clayton, Way of Beauty, 41.
When in Paris I attended a evening church service, an organ was supplying the music. Such awful noise was never surpassed in my experience. I would think that beauty would have honored the service, or is this an example of a bizarre modernism, cut loose from tradition and taste.
Let the infestations of guitars, tambourines, and armpit-drying be prayed away.
Yes, I agree. The liturgy requires hymns, not pop music. There is a distinction and the twain should never meet. Even if a pop song is a Christian devotional, it does not fit aesthetically. Reverence requires a particular form.
Yes, there are abuses. But you, are uh, wrong. The message of Jesus Christ is not hampered by contemporary music, done at the right moment, in good taste, at all. Tell it to the Pope who has blessed the charismatic renewal. A relationship with Jesus Christ is not based on theology or proper “music”, but is a living relationship. The Catholic Church will continue to be unable to save souls as long as it is taught that Religiosity is the basis of salvation, rather than a living and real relationship with a real and living Lord. Sometimes I wonder why I even converted (sigh). But oh well, thank Jesus, not all Catholics practice a dead faith, but rather a liturgical worship that is enriched by gifts of Christian composers. If you don’t really know what you are talking about because you don’t particularly understand that form of music, then best not to judge and condemn others.
And the right moment for that type of music lies outside the Liturgy. Wholesome music is essential for the mental health of a society, but all music is not the same. We are Catholics not Protestants. We don’t seek some “relationship” with Jesus as if he was a buddy. He is much more than that, he is our God, and through higher levels of prayer we can connect on a much deeper level than the emotional and vocal which is what a typical charismatic Mass promotes in the worshiper.
If you want to have a prayer meeting with praise and worship after, fine. I happen to like some of that music, but not in the liturgy. The liturgy should foster prayer not emotion.
NO Jesus is not a Buddy in the sense that you speak of and I certainly never meant that. But he does desire to have a relationship with each of us. As most of your Catholic saints discovered and taught. We are all called to be on that path. Your response makes good sense and allows for the use of contemporary music in other settings which I agree. I am not talking about the wimpy contemporary catholic folk songs I sometimes hear at Mass. Not to my liking and rather blatherish. I am talking about well written music by true composers. True it should not take the place of liturgy ever, but can be an adjunct to it. Thank you for the conversation.
Agree with your comment. Although i’m also often disheartened by the poor quality of liturgical music in RC, I agree that it’s not in the best of Christian spirit to judge how others should pray and praise God.
Besides, not all churches have the resources to draw trained music directors, organists or choir members who can read music. Many parishes in poor neighborhoods are doing the best they can with what little they have. Best to leave the judgment to Our Lord who sees within hearts.
Ultimately,though, and pastorally — no matter the origins and pedigree of music, if it serves to express faithfully the true Gospel according to Catholic magisterial teaching, without express contradiction, contemporary Christian music serves the same purpose as historically Western music – the lifting of the musicians’ and worshipers’ hearts and souls to the true God. that’s a lot of necessary if’s , but not impossibly so. whatever is truthful is good and worthy.
What’s funny in all these litanies of what’s wrong with contemporary music and its place in liturgy is how little agreement there is about when things went south. Some maintain it all went to hell with the Renaissance, others when hymnody entered the Mass, others the 60’s, etc.
This goes to show how subjective it all really is. Just find some important figure you agree with and quote him as though that ends all discussion. The fact is that cultural connotations change. The idea that culture, and even liturgy, should be a fly in amber is the result of looking back to a golden age that didn’t exist. If I had the inclination, I’m sure I could find plenty of voices decrying the corruption of contemporary worship in every era. So it goes.
“Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.
Who judges whether the order and sequence of notes is appropriate? Is it disordered to praise God in a song with a key change? Are there certain keys that are inappropriate?
I couldn’t agree more, it can be a great distraction and I think it would be beautiful to every once in a while have something traditional or Latin. There’s a reason music was chosen as it was. For those who love contemporary music, such as myself, it would be best to leave it on the dance floor or at best at special youth conferences, not the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
Christian music that praises the Lord is a heart-lifting experience and has a proper place in the context of the Mass, the highest form of prayer. It doesn’t need to be every song, but one or two in there at the appropriate times in Liturgy is a beautiful, transformative event if done properly.
“193. It cannot be said that modern music and singing should be entirely excluded from Catholic worship. For, if they are not profane nor unbecoming to the sacredness of the place and function, and do not spring from a desire of achieving extraordinary and unusual effects, then our churches must admit them since they can contribute in no small way to the splendor of the sacred ceremonies, can lift the mind to higher things and foster true devotion of soul.
Profane means music that is secular. Guitars (especially electric guitars), drum sets, pianos, tamboreens, are all secular instruments. Praise and worship really is contemporary soft rock. The difference between that and traditional chant is the difference between holy music and profane music.
And no it doesn’t have to be Gregorian Chant. There are many other modern styles of high music that could be similarly called “holy” that could be used.
16. As the singing should always have the principal place, the organ or other instruments should merely sustain and never oppress it.
17. It is not permitted to have the chant preceded by long preludes or to interrupt it with intermezzo pieces.
18. The sound of the organ as an accompaniment to the chant in preludes, interludes, and the like must be not only governed by the special nature of the instrument, but must participate in all the qualities proper to sacred music as above enumerated.
20. It is strictly forbidden to have bands play in church, and only in special cases with the consent of the Ordinary will it be permissible to admit wind instruments, limited in number, judiciously used, and proportioned to the size of the placeprovided the composition and accompaniment be written in grave and suitable style, and conform in all respects to that proper to the organ.
So…. if an instrument is actually “forbidden”, I think in the future, in order for it to be used, it would need an expressed permission to be used rather than a general note that “other” instruments may be used in later documents from VII and beyond.
A commenter citing the 1947 (!) encyclical Mediator Dei to rebut the author’s argument against the use of ROCK/pop music in the liturgy? Perhaps the Holy Father was a fan of “Sister” Rosetta Tharpe?
Or perhaps Pius XII was thinking of the Rite of Spring?
How disrespectful to native cultures to say that their customs were human and not for God (the great Spirit, among other names). Native Americans, for example, are probably more in tune with God and nature than Europeans will likely ever be.
And when talking about the wonderfulness of western European music, remember that this came about mid-history, not at the Last Supper.
Thank you so much Aaron. Forgive me for feeling an elitist tinge to many criticisms of contemporary music. Indeed, what is the cut off point for “acceptable” music. I am uncomfortable with some contemporary Christian music, yet I have been brought to tears by some contemporary music at Mass. I have played and sang in Mass music groups for 40 years and have a love for all well done, uplifting music. I would go with the admonitions of God in the psalms and his representative Pope Pius XII and the continual admonitions to liturgical ministers to have competence in singing or playing so as to uplift the congregation. Then one could “inculturate” to whatever was most inspirational to your congregation, while not ignoring the various styles of music. “Let all the nations be glad and sing for joy” (Psalm 63:4). What leads us deeper in the Lord, this is true worship. Amen?
God bless you. Please continue to make beautiful music for the Lord. It seems that some in the traditionalist movement want to strip the faith of all emotion and sentimentality. I don’t quite understand how that is supposed to help the Church.
Leave the banal on the street…sacred with the holy.
Mediator Dei was promulgated in 1947, so when Pius XII mentioned “modern music,” he had no idea about what we now know as “modern music” and most certainly did not have that in mind.
Pius died in 1958. No one knew who the Beatles were yet; they didn’t show up until two years later.
Kumbaya, which is the quintessential “hymn” representing that era and which we all endured, is great, but not for Mass.
As far as the “Charismatic Renewal,” the idea that anything has been renewed since that Protestant movement came on the scene (initially condemned by Pope Paul VI in the spring of 1972, later reversed) is ridiculous.
It can’t even exist in the Byzantine Rites of the Church, as their traditions, which, unlike the modern Roman Rite, have been preserved, don’t allow for such nonsense.
Much pop music is musically inferior, with meaningless modulations, syncopation and endless repetitions. The texts are usually “me” centered instead of God centered, and sentimental or theologically suspect at best. They have been taken wholesale from the cursillo movement in which composers have a limited knowledge of music other than similar guitar accompaniments. This kind of music should remain in cocktail lounges or pop TV shows!
The Mass, even the Novus Ordo Mass, has what are called the “propers.” They are prayers set according to the liturgical calendar and IMHO, should be chanted by the choir without accompaniment. Yes, even in the Novus Ordo in English, they should be chanted. They are what is called “liturgical music:” The opening prayer, the responsorial chant, the Offertory and Communion antiphons, the Gospel acclamation, the memorial acclamation, etc.
In addition, the Lord Have Mercy, the Glory to God, the Holy, and the Lamb of God are also liturgical music, called the “Ordinary.” But since the congregation is encouraged to participate in them, they may be set to hymn-type or modern music with accompaniment – organ, piano, or guitar, if you want – whatever make them easier for the people to sing together.
The rest – The processional song, the offertory song, the communion song and the recessional song – what critics used to call “the four-hymn sandwich” – are not liturgical music, but actually fillers. They are not necessary in the liturgy. Hymns or devotional songs may be used, but really, the four-hymn-sandwich is not liturgical, not necessary.
This article makes no distinction between genres, and the fact that the author doesn’t mention Mediator Dei suggests that he is opposed to the use of contemporary music in general in liturgy. While Pius wrote prior to the rise of rock and roll, he did write in the era of jazz, swing, and honky tonk. So even though Pius wrote at a time when many types of popular music proliferated, he did not condemn modern music as a whole.
The same approach should be taken today. Modern music that assists in bringing us closer to Christ in the Liturgy should be promoted and encouraged, not lumped in with profane secular popular music.
There is a strong spiritual dimension to Christian music. Think of Handel’s Messiah, the cantatas of JS Bach, Christmas carols, hymns, and going further back to Gregorian Chant and even further back, the cantilation marks in the Hebrew scripture. Each word also had a musical tone. The effect of music was noted by Plato. Then notice modern pop groups and their effect on modern culture. Church people want to ape the hedonistic world and its ways and bring that into the church? I think of the scene from movie, The Devil’s Advocate, where Satan dips his fingers in the holy water and enters the church. Is not the same thing being done importing modern hedonistic music into the church? “Et nolite communicare operibus infructuosis tenebrarum magis autem et redarguite.” Ephesians 5:11 (“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: but rather reprove them.”) Just quoting scripture and just asking.
I find this to be an absurd generalization. All folk music throughout the centuries is an anti-Christian rejection of Western music? Gospel music, too? Would the simple folk music that probably originally accompanied the psalms be included in that? What about the (probably similar) music that Jesus and the apostles would have almost certainly enjoyed? | 2019-04-19T08:18:54Z | https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2016/09/contemporary-church-music-peter-kwasniewski.html |
Fraser: Astronomy Cast Episode 195 for Monday June 21, 2010, Planetary Rings. Welcome to Astronomy Cast, our weekly facts-based journey through the cosmos, where we help you understand not only what we know, but how we know what we know. My name is Fraser Cain, I’m the publisher of Universe Today, and with me is Dr. Pamela Gay, a professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Hi, Pamela, how are you doing?
Pamela: I’m doing well, and thank you so much for being a morning person! This is one of those times that we’re cramming recording in between all my travel and your kids’ summer breaks.
Fraser: Yeah, absolutely. I think I woke up 4 minutes ago… but I’m good to go! Ok, so Saturn is best known for its rings. This huge and beautiful planetary ring system is easy to spot in even the smallest backyard telescope. So you can imagine their surprise when Galileo first noticed them. But astronomers have gone on to find rings around the other gas giant worlds in the solar system. The differences are surprising. Alright, so let’s start and tell the story of Saturn’s rings because I think it’s quite funny.
Pamela: Well, poor Galileo… he has a telescope… he’s using it to look up rather than looking for enemy vessels coming over the horizon, which was it’s original marketed purpose. When he looks at Saturn… because his telescope just isn’t that good… it kind of looks like a very symmetric teapot—a big circle in the center with two handles off to the side. One of his original interpretations was that he thought it was three planets that were somewhat bound together in the ecliptic.
Fraser: Like a planet with ears.
Fraser: And that was just because his telescope just wasn’t good enough to really figure it… and I guess he… when you or I look through a small… even through the Galileoscope, right… we see the same thing, but we know what we’re seeing. So, we’re like… oh, look, you can see the rings! But if you have no idea what you’re looking at, you can imagine… your brain is trying to wrap your head around this funny shape. It’s not a ball, it’s this ball with ears.
Pamela: And making it even worse, one of the things that we saw just last year, actually, is that as Saturn orbits, the angle at which we see its rings changes. Sometimes they seem to form a hula-hoop all the way around Saturn, allowing you to see the gap between Saturn and its rings all the way around the planet. And other times… well, it’s not actually quite that dramatic… other times we view Saturn’s rings completely edge-on. It was right after he discovered these rings that it went into this edge-on phase, and he was actually a bit concerned that Saturn had eaten its children, much like the mythical god it’s named after.
Fraser: Right… I guess it’s already weird enough that you’re saying the planet has ears… but now you can’t prove it to anybody.
Pamela: Right. Then, of course, the suckers came back. This had to be a rather confusing bit of notation in the margin for poor Galileo’s logbook.
Fraser: Right, and then with bigger and better telescopes, it had a better view of the rings. So, what are the rings? We’ll start with Saturn, but all the gas giants have rings.
Pamela: Yeah, that’s one of the really cool things. We now have these four worlds with four very, very different ring systems. Saturn’s are, quite literally, the shiniest. These are rings made primarily of ice particles… water ice that collides on a regular basis, constantly refreshing the surface, making them reflect a lot of the sunlight and making them highly visible, even in the smallest telescopes here on the planet Earth.
Fraser: Where did they come from?
Pamela: You know, that’s one of those really weird mysteries. It was originally thought that well maybe these are transitory objects… only around for a few million years… that a moon got a little bit too close to Saturn, or perhaps two different moons in Saturnian orbit decided to collide with one another and shatter. The problem with these two different models is that as near as we can tell, Saturn’s rings are stable. There is some evidence that they’ve been there for four billion years. So now we have to figure out how is it that they’re getting replenished all the time because while they seem stable, we also know that they’re constantly losing some particles. Particles collide and then in the collision one of them ends up running away with an escape velocity. Things get knocked about and instead of getting an escape velocity, they get too small of a velocity and fall into Saturn and get gravitationally consumed. So, as much as Saturn’s rings appear to be ancient, they also need some source to constantly get new material. We think we have some answers for that possibility, as well.
Fraser: Well, ok… but how can we know… you say they appear to be ancient. How would a scientist know that?
Pamela: It’s a calculation. We don’t have the ability to go out and say aha! this definitely formed at this particular day. So I’ve basically been going through different planetary model theory stuff, and there’s lots of theories that show that these probably did form about four billion years ago. Now of course when they say that, the reason that they say 4 billion instead of 5.4 or 4.6, which are ages usually given to planetary formation, is the counter-formation model for Saturn’s rings isn’t that it’s moons that collided or got destroyed by the Roche limit by getting too close and getting gravitationally disrupted… the other idea is that maybe this is just primordial material from our solar system… maybe this is just stuff left over that Saturn caught up. And the best reason to say that that’s NOT what happened is the fact that Jupiter doesn’t have giant rings… Uranus and Neptune don’t have giant rings.
Fraser: Right… so if it were something that the planet caught up with, you would almost see planetary rings that were associated with the mass of the planet.
Fraser: But instead, Saturn’s got the biggest and most-massive rings by a long shot for no good reason. Now you said that they appear to be old, but there’s some kind of source that’s replenishing them. What would that source be?
Pamela: Well, there’s basically two different sources that we’re looking at. One of those two is really cool… and that’s that some of the moons appear to have water-ice geysers… Enceladus in particular appears to have what we call cryovulcanism. This is where a planet for a variety of different reasons… and we can’t identify what the true cause is yet… builds up pressure and ends up, just like Old Faithful at Yellowstone throws water into the air, these throw ice into the air or perhaps just water that freezes very quickly up into the air. So it’s this material getting ejected from deep inside the moon that’s getting added in to replenish the different rings throughout their histories.
Fraser: And there’s no question that this is happening… there’s some beautiful pictures taken by Cassini showing these ice geysers spewing out of the bottom of Enceladus. It’s quite amazing. No question that this ice is coming out and being ejected into Saturn’s orbit. That could definitely be a source, but is it enough?
Pamela: Well, it could be. But, we know that there actually is a second source as well, that’s simply known as “if you hit a moon hard enough, it throws stuff into space.” This is true of planets as well. We’ve found meteorites here on the surface of planet Earth from both the moon and Mars, so we know that if you hit worlds hard enough they throw rocks into space that land on other worlds. It looks like with Saturn, and this actually works with the other planets as well, when you start hitting their icy moons with other icy moons… with other asteroids and chunks of inner-planetary rock and ice… you end up throwing off particles. Those particles… those centimeter-across or sometimes meter-across chunks of ice… those can also replenish the rings over time.
Fraser: Alright, we’ve talked about the biggest and best rings in the solar system, but it’s not the only planet with rings. So, why don’t we come in one world and talk about the biggest planet in the solar system, Jupiter, which was also discovered to have rings.
Pamela: And what’s really cool about looking at Jupiter is that yes… it has rings… but its rings are radically different. This is a bigger planet. This is a planet that’s more on the interior of the solar system. That slight change in distance from the sun actually seems to have a dramatic change on the composition of the rings and the composition of the moons. Where Saturn’s moons are all of these icy bodies, Jupiter… it tends to collect the potato-shaped asteroids… it tends to collect rock. Then, of course, there’s Jupiter’s moon Io which is this molten world that resembles perhaps what you might think of in a Renaissance painting of Hades… all of these dusty rocky worlds orbiting Jupiter lead to it having dusty non-ice-filled rings as well. So here we have rings that just really don’t reflect light with a completely different composition.
Fraser: Now you can’t really see them in your small telescope, so how were they discovered?
Pamela: Here you need to send something out to go look. They were first observed in 1979 by the Voyager I space probe. You just can’t see these suckers from the surface of the planet. They can be observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the largest available telescopes on Earth can start to just make them out. But in general the best way to observe them is to just send something. So Galileo spent a lot of time looking at them when it was out in orbit… the Galileo mission, not the Galileo person… yeah, they’re faint… they just don’t want to be seen.
Fraser: And what are they made out of?
Pamela: Dust. These are dusty…. hit a potato with a rock and you get dust thrown off of the potato… in this case the potato being an asteroid-shaped moon or a rocky moon.
Fraser: So, I could use Saturn’s rings to cool my drink… I wouldn’t want to do that with Jupiter’s rings.
Pamela: No, not so much, not so much at all.
Fraser: And then Uranus and Neptune have rings, too, so let’s talk about… and they’re different, too… so let’s talk about the ones for Uranus.
Pamela: Right. And here we’re again into the realm of having these really dark moons. With Uranus and Neptune, these rings kind of have a weird discovery history. It was claimed with both sets of rings that there were old, old measurements, for Uranus in particular, William Herschel notes detailing the supposed rings in the 18th century. But, you know, no one else made any claims of the rings. It’s quite likely like the canals of Mars, documentation of the rings of Uranus were just tricks of the eye.
Fraser: Well, I think an astronomer would do that just to be safe. If I discovered a planet around another star, I would say “…and I also found the Earth-sized world with life on it…” So if someone ever comes and finally discovers it… I got it first!
Pamela: Yeah, well no one really believes this so Uranus did… and remarkably, his documentation actually isn’t that different from the actual sizes of the rings. So it does cause a lot of head-scratching, and we saw the exact same thing happen with Neptune where William Lassell, who discovered the moon Triton, also claims to have seen rings orbiting Neptune. No one really believes either of these, but it’s worth at least giving the guys credit for thinking they saw something. And maybe they did.
Fraser: But Uranus is even further out…. very cold world… even the coldest world in the solar system… with icy moons around it. Yet, it has kind of a dusty ring, right?
Pamela: Well, we’re not so sure if it’s dust or if it’s just dark material. The rings of Uranus… they only reflect a few per cent of the light that’s hitting them… somewhere between 2 and 6 per cent. That really low reflectivity makes them hard to see. The best way to detect them isn’t actually to look at them, but to look at how they block out light behind them. This is how the real final detection took place… they occulted background stars. It could be that they’re made of icy materials that under the influence of solar radiation, under the influence of incoming cosmic rays they built up some sort of organic compounds on the surface… we’re not saying life, we’re just saying things that are rich in carbon atoms… that’s what the organic compounds mean. We see this in other places in the solar system. So it could just be that this is ice that developed ooky non-reflective carbon compounds all over its surface.
Pamela: Pretty much the same story as what we see at Uranus, but, again, these are very faint and diffuse rings. Now, what’s kind of weird about the rings of Neptune is that they actually have these arcs in them. We’re still trying to figure out what caused them. When you look at Neptune’s rings there’s actually a lot of… are they rings… are they partial rings… because they kept getting detected and not detected and then detected as just partial rings. It was all very confusing until we were able to get the Voyager mission out there to take a good solid look at them. The Adams ring, in particular… and all of Neptune’s rings are named after the people who were involved in discovering it… the Adams ring actually has segments in the ring that are substantially brighter. So we’re still trying to figure these things out. These are wiggles of some sort that change the amplitude of the ring tens of kilometers. It’s all quite confusing. But again, these are icy rings covered in organic compounds that are just… you hit ice with radiation long enough and if there’s more to the ice than just pure water, you’re going to get organics forming.
Fraser: And is there any idea about the source of those rings? Is it formed with the planets or…?
Pamela: In the case of all three of these bodies… Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune… we think that the formation process is probably very similar to what is sustaining the rings of Saturn. You start whacking the moons orbiting these planets, and we know that things collide, and the material that gets thrown off ends up tracing out rings that orbit the planets. Now where the rings end up actually has a lot to do with the fact that there are moons. There are lots of gravitational interactions that can lead to gaps, that can lead to material that might otherwise spread itself out and not be seen, ending up forming these really tight little rings that are easier if not easy to see. So the moons may be the source of both the material and the gravity needed to focus the rings into their shape.
Fraser: It does seem like a pretty big coincidence that there happened to be rings around all four of those planets. So something inherent in a planet that large with that kind of gravity and a certain number of moons just gets rings going. I mean, that would be my assumption, right?
Pamela: Yeah… and even looking at our own planet Earth there’s some evidence… and by “some” I mean that no one particularly strongly agrees with what I’m about to say, but there are papers published that people look at and go “huh… neat idea…” that even our own earth might have in the past had a ring that had not very good effects on our planet. You can imagine that you take a ring… you attach it to the orbital space around the earth directly over the equator. Well, our earth is tilted relative to the sun, so if there were a ring it would actually cast a shadow on the face of our planet, drastically cooling those areas of the planet. And it’s thought that if this ring existed, it probably existed about 35 million years ago and might have been responsible for extremely cold winters and mass extinctions including species like horses in Europe, and that maybe this was part of one of our planet’s mass extinctions. Over time, just like satellites tend to fall out of orbit periodically, the ring fell out of orbit.
Fraser: There’s some really cool pictures that were done about a year ago, I think. It was like “What if Earth had Rings?” and someone had done these really cool artistic recreation of what the rings might look like from different spots on Earth. So, if you’re near the equator, you see more of a line; but if you’re up near the poles, then you actually see the shape of the rings. They had pictures… there were some cities and there were rings up in the sky… and it looked quite beautiful and it was like ooh! and aah! but it sounds like it would be pretty devastating to the climate.
Pamela: We do not want a ring… unless global warming gets really bad, in which case we really do want a ring!
Pamela: But people who are trying to find solutions to global warming… putting little tiny orbiting bits… basically orbiting shrapnel up there to help reflect the sun’s light before it ever hits our planet. That’s one of the things that’s being considered. Now, it makes communications satellites a bit treacherous to put up and manned spaceflight becomes even more dangerous, but an artificial ring… we know it can cool our planet… we think, based on the models associated with the idea that there was a ring 35 million years ago. We think this could cool our planet. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get to that stage.
Fraser: Now have planetary rings been discovered around any extrasolar planets?
Pamela: Well, we’re not quite there yet. The types of resolutions needed to be able to say oh, there’s a ring there… we don’t have. We’re at the stage of being able to see slight variations occasionally in the thermodynamic properties of other worlds; but while we haven’t been able to find rings around individual planets, we’re starting to get a sense that other solar systems, while they may vary in where they store their planets, they’re not that different from our own. We’ve found asteroid belts, we’ve found the moral equivalent of Kuiper Belt, we’ve found all the stuff needed to get moons around large planets… that appear to be needed to get rings around large planets. So in the future this is the type of thing that maybe we’ll be able to find ways to detect, but not yet. Give us time.
Fraser: Yeah, and I guess with the methods that scientists detect these planets… with the transit method… it might be really hard to know, I guess… you’ve got the planet passing in front of the star and dimming it slightly… but it might be an ellipse that’s passing in front of the star, right, when it’s a planet and its rings, but you just detect an overall drop in the amount of light coming from the star… not the shape of the object that’s passing in front of the star. But I guess maybe if they get better and better they can start to determine the shape. I know there was a scientific paper that came out actually suggesting that you could detect alien structures around other worlds because you could detect the shape of things that were blocking the light from the star.
Pamela: The way this works is if you can imagine slowly passing a giant tea kettle in front of a light, as the handle passes in front of the light… the first handle… you get this slow drop-off of light… you’re moving the tea kettle very, very slowly. You get this slow drop-off as the handle goes from not in front of the light to totally in front of the light. Then you get this increasing but a slightly different shape drop-off as more and more of the handle passes in front of the light. Now as you start to get the actual solid teapot in front of the light, you get an even steeper drop-off in the rate of the light. So the changes, the inflection points in the curve of how the light from the background object diminishes… the shape of that curve can start to tell you a lot about how much profile is passing in front of the light over time. These different inflection points can start to tell you… oh, giant ring system. Now the resolution needed to do that… we don’t have that. But it’s something to think about in the future.
Fraser: And I think one of the things I go on and on about and I will do it again… here… now… today… is to remind everybody if you have never looked through a small telescope and seen Saturn’s rings, get… get thee to a telescope. It is one of those things that just connects the concepts and the theories and the stuff we’re talking about in this show with reality. You cannot believe what you’re seeing when you look at a small telescope, a four-inch telescope, a good pair of binoculars, and you can actually see the ball and you can see the rings, it’s the real deal. You’re looking and seeing it in real time with your own eyeballs… it’s really there. It’s one of those transcendent experiences. When I show people Saturn for the first time, they cannot believe it. So if you are listening to this show and you have never seen Saturn through a telescope, beg, borrow, steal, find your friends, find a local astronomy club… make it a night out. Go find out where the local astronomy club is in your area… give them a call… ask them if you can show up, or just show up and say can I see Saturn and see if someone can show you because it’s an amazing experience.
Pamela: And right now, the rings are getting better and better. They’ve gone through this edge-on apparition, which is just horrible, but they’re coming back. Soon you’ll be able to see the gap again… the Cassini Division. This is not a completely empty place in the rings, but it’s a more empty place in the rings created by Saturn’s moon Mimas. It’s just cool to realize that you can make out structure in something that’s only tens of meters thick that’s located half-way across the solar system from us. It’s a really amazing phenomenon that’s been making astronomers scratch their heads since 1610, so get thee out and watch 400 years of head-scratching in action.
Fraser: Yeah, absolutely. Alright, well thanks a lot, Pamela.
Pamela: It’s been my pleasure, Fraser. I’ll talk to you later. | 2019-04-18T12:30:45Z | http://www.astronomycast.com/2010/08/ep-195-planetary-rings/ |
Author anyAbbeel, Pieter Abbott, Joshua Abdelaziz, Ahmed HussenAbe, Toshihiko Abecassis, Gonçalo R.Abel, K. A.Aberer, Karl Ablayev, Farid Abramson, Joy Abrash, Victor Absher, Devin Academies, National Research CAcero, Alex Acharya, H. B.Acquisti, Alessandro Adami, Andre Adamo, Jean-Marc Adams, Andrew K.Adams, Oliver Adcock, Aaron B.Adkins, Daniel Adler, Micah Adler, Ilan Adrian, David Afroz, Sadia Agana, Luz Agarwal, D. Agarwal, Rachit Agarwala, Aseem Aggarwal, Pooja Aguilo, Mateu Aharonson, Vered Ahmad, Subutai Ahn, H. S.Ahn, Hyun-Soo Aho, Alfred V.Aivaloglou, Efthimia Ajjanagadde, Venkat Ajmera, Jitendra Ajwani, D. Akbacak, Murat Akella, Aditya Akers, N. K.Akhawe, Devdatta Akita, Kimi Akkus, Istemi EkinAl-Fares, M. Al-Qudah, Zakaria Alaettinoglu, C. 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Rögnvaldsson, Thorsteinn S.Rohnert, Hans Rohrbach, Anna Rohrbach, Marcus Rohrs, Charlie Rojas, Raúl Roman, Eve Romanow, Allyn Römer, Kay Romero, A. Ronen, A. Ronen, B. Ronen, R. Roosta-Khorasani, Farbod Root, David E.Ros, D. Ros, F. J.Rosa, J. Rosario, Dandiel Rosario, Barbara Roscoe, Timothy Rosen, Josh Rosén, Adi Rosenberg, Keren Rosenberg, Andrew Rosenfeld, Michael G.Rosenfeld, A. Rosenstein, A. Rosenthal, D. Ross, Sheldon Ross, Sheldon M.Rossaro, Paola Rossignac, Jarek Rössner, Carsten Rossow, Christian Rostami, A. Roth, Stefan Roth, Volker Rothermel, Kurt Rothman, N. Roughan, M. Rovner, Paul D.Roy, S. Roy, D. Rozov, Roye Rübel, Oliver Rubinfeld, Ronitt Rückert, Ulrich Rudinac, S. Ruebel, Oliver Ruiz, Pedro M.Rumelhart, David Rundell, Michael Ruppenhofer, Josef Russell, Stuart Rüttgers, Martin Rybach, D. Rytina, I. Rytter, Wojciech Ryu, Seung-Jin Sachs, Sonia R.Sadikou, Akimou Sadjadi, Seyed OmidSadorra, Candace Saeed, Taher AquilSaenko, Kate Saerens, M. Saffell, Matthew Sag, Ivan A.Sagayama, Shigeki Sagiv, Mooly Sah, Anurag Sahay, Abhijit Sailer, Reiner Saito, Hiroaki Sajid, Shaarif Saks, Michael Salama, Reda Salamatian, Kave Salamin, H. Salfner, Felix Salomonis, Nathan Saltmarsh, C. Salza, Silvio Salzmann, Mathieu Sami, Rahul Samuel, J. Sanchez, Michelle HewlettSanchez, L. Sánchez, Miguel Sanchez, Juan A.Sander, Thomas Sanders, Keith Sankararaman, Sriram Sano, M. Santaholma, Marianne Santibanez-Koref, Ivan Santos, Jose RenatoSantos, Eunice E.Saon, G. Saraclar, Murat Sargent, Matthew Sarikaya, R. Sarma, Joydeep SenSarolahti, Pasi Satalino, Giuseppe Sato, Hiroaki Sato, Yukionri Satopaa, V. Satzger, Benjamin Sauerwald, Thomas Saunders, Michael A.Saurabh, Saket Saurabh, Ganeriwal Savage, Stefan Savary, Agata Sawhney, Harpreet S.Saxton, Ian Schacher, Jan C.Schädler, Marc RenéSchaefer, Carl Schales, Douglas Schapira, Michael Scharstein, Daniel Schauser, Klaus ErikScheffczyk, Jan Scheffer, Nicolas Scheitle, Quirin Scheler, Gabriele Schenato, L. Scheuvens, Lucas Schiele, Bernt Schill, Alexander Schilling, Malte Schindelhauer, Christian Schirra, Jörg R. J.Schirra, Stefan Schlater, R. Schlink, Sandra Schlinker, Brandon Schmeder, Andrew W.Schmid, Ute Schmid, Thomas Schmidt, Günter Schmidt, Heinz W.Schmidt, Peter Schmidt, F. Schmidt, T. Schmiedeke, Sebastian Schmitt, A. Schmitz, L. Schneider, N. Schneider, Fabian Schneider, Moti Schneider, Nathan Schnitzspan, Paul Schnorr, Claus P.Schoeffmann, K. Scholl, M. Scholz, Ronny Schomp, Kyle Schöndienst, V. Schooler, Eve Schoppmann, F. Schrepfer, M. Schröder-Preikschat, Wolfgang Schryen, Guido Schubert, Frank Schuett, D. Schuff, Norbert Schuller, Björn Schultz, Carl Schultz, T. Schulz, Philipp Schumacher, André Schumacher, Jerry Schwarm, S. Schwartz, Galina Schwartz, Russell Schwarz, Christian Schwarzbauer, H. Schwenk, H. Schweppe, Heinz Schwikowski, Benno Scott, Colin Scott, Keith Scott, Jacob Scott-Railton, John Seehra, A. Segal, Eran Segal, Aaron Segal, Jonathan Segev, Gil Seidel, Martina-Maria Seidel, R. Seifert, Tobias Seissler, J. Sekar, Vyas Semke, Jeffrey Sen, S. Sen, Shayak Sen, Koushik Seneviratne, Suranga Senft, Adam Seppi, Dino Séquin, Carlo H.Serdyukov, P. Seredynski, Franciszek Seshan, Srinivasan Sha, F. Shafran, Z. Shah, Mubarak Shahbaz, Muhammad Shalf, John Shamim, Imran Shamir, Ron Shamma, David A.Shankar, Vaishaal Shankar, Umesh Shannon, Colleen Shapere, Alfred D.Shapira, Michael Shapiro, Vadim Sharan, Roded Shariat, Goli Sharif, Milad Sharma, Nitin Sharma, Kartavya Sharma, Aashish Sharma, Puneet Sharma, Sangita Sharma, Pramod Sharp, C. Shastri, Lokendra Shelhamer, Evan Shem-Tov, Dorn Shen, Kelly Shen, Guobin Sheng, Alice Shenker, Scott Sherr, Micah Sherry, Justine Sherry, Stephen T.Sherwood, Jennifer Sherwood, Rob Shetty, Nikhil Shi, Jianbo Shi, Elaine Shi, Jian Shieh, Alan Shields, P. Shields, P. C.Shiloh, Y. Shin, Kang G.Shin, Richard Shinozaki, Takahiro Shire, Michael LeeShoaff, William Shoham, Sharon Shokrollahi, Amin Shomron, N. Shor, M. Shparlinski, Igor Shriberg, Elizabeth Shub, Mike Shue, Craig Shun, Julian Shyr, Alex Shyu, M.-L. Sibeyn, Jop FrederikSideri, M. Siefkes, Dirk Siegelmann, H. Siekermann, Jan Sielemann, Olaf Sievers, K. Siivola, V. Sikora, Thomas Silipo, Rosaria Silva, Fabio Silver, E. Silverman, Harvey Simi, Maria Simon, Anne Simsek, Meryem Sinclair, Alistair Sindhwani, Vikas Singer, Yaron Singer, Michael F.Singh, Rachee Singh, R. Singh, Mohitdeep Singh, S. Singla, Ankit Sinha, Steve Siok, Wai TingSipser, M. Sittler, Taylor Sitzer, M. Sivadas, Sunil Skibola, Danica R.Skibola, Christine F.Skočaj, Danijel Slager, S. L.Slaney, Malcolm Sleator, D. D.Sloan, Kenneth R.Smale, Steve Small, S. L.Smedby, K. E.Smith, Henry Smith, T. R.Smith, Alex Smith, L. Smith, Jonathan M.Smith, Martyn T.Smith, Paul Smolensky, Roman Snover, M. So, Kwok-Fai Soares, Paolo Soatto, Stefano Sobel, Irwin Sohler, Christian Sokol, Joachim Soleymani, M. Soltau, H. Somervuo, Panu Sommer, Robin Song, Hyun OhSong, Dawn Song, Xiaohang Sönmez, Kemal Sopher, B. Soroker, Danny Soszka, Maciej Souiai, Mohamed Soundararajan, Saravana Sperduti, Alessandro Spiekermann, Sarah Spielman, Daniel A.Spight, Bill Spille, Constantin Spin, Karsten Spinelli, John J.Spitz, Judy Sporleder, Caroline Sproull, Robert F.Sra, Suvrit Sridhar, Srinath Srinivasan, R. Srinivasan, Aaravind Srinivasan, Vijay Srivas, Rohith Srivastava, Mani Stack, Brian Staff, ICSI Stafford, Stephen Stallard, D. Staniford, Stuart Stantchev, Vladimir Stark, Michael Starlander, Marianne Stauffer, Alexandre Staunton, Peter Stecca, Michele Steding-Jessen, Klaus Steidl, Stefan Stelling, Paul Stemann, Volker Stenchikova, S. Stephan, Dietrich A.Stephens, Matthew Stephens, K. Sterbenz, James P. G.Stern, Richard M.Stevens, W. R.Stewart, R. Stickles, Elise Stockwell, Brent R.Stoecklin, Marc Ph.Stoffel, Kilian Stoica, Ion Stojanovic, Vladimir Stojanovic<, Vladimir Stojmenovic, Ivan Stolbach, Sara Stolcke, Andreas Stoll, Lara Stolyar, A. Stone, Zak Stonebraker, Michael Storch, Martin Stormier, D. Storn, Rainer Stoutamire, David Stoyanchev, S. Stoye, J. Strauss, J. Strayer, Tim Streed, Adam Strekalovskiy, Evgeny Stribling, Jeremy Struss, Peter Stuart, Stephen Sturgis, Howard Sturmfels, Bernd Stuve, L. L.Su, Hang Su, Hao Suárez, Alberto Subirats-Rüggeberg, Carlos Subramanian, Lakshminarayanan Subramanian, A. Subramonian, Ramesh Suchan, Jakob Suda, P. Sudderth, Erik B.Sudholt, Dirk Sukacheov, A. Sulimma, Kolja Sullivan, Blair D.Sun, Ang Sun, Baochen Sun, C. Sun, R. Sun, Yuekai Sundaresan, Srikanth Surana, Sonesh Suter, F. Sutharan, Silpa Sutherland, W. R.Suthram, S. Suzuki, Ryoko Suzuki, Hiroshi Svensson, Tommy Swearingen, Kirsten Sweetser, Eve Swinehart, Dan Syllwasschy, H. Szeto, Ernest Szewczyk, Robert Szurdi, Janos Szyperski, Clemens Taft, Nina Tajchman, Gary Takahashi, Jocelyn Talamo, Maurizio Talis, Anna Tamrakar, Amir Tan, Li-Hai Tan, Zhangxi Tan, Lee NgeeTan, Xin YuTan, Li HaiTanay, Amos Tandon, Niket Taneja, Jay Tang, L. Tangmunarunkit, Hongsuda Tantau, Till Taqqu, Murad S.Tardos, Gábor Tarjan, R. Tarkoma, Sasu Tauch, Andreas Tavakoli, Arsalan Tayem, H. Taylor, Russel H.Taylor, T. Taylor, Curtis Taylor, M. E.Teich, Jürgen Teixeira, Renata Tejeda, Héctor Telang, Rahul Templin, Fred L.Tenenbaum, Joshua Tenenbaum, J. M.Teng, Shang-Hua Terranova, Mario Terrell, J. Terry, Doug Tesema, Fasil B.TeWinkel, Lynn Thakkar, Pankaj Thaler, David Thamm, Jens Thaw, David Theobald, Michael Thiagarajan, Vaidyanathan Thibaux, Romain Thiébaux, Sylvie Thielscher, Michael Thiem, Stefanie Thiery, J. Thom, A. Thomas, Jeremy Thomas, Kurt Thomas, Olivier Thomas, D. J.Thomborson, Clark DavidThomee, Bart Thompson, C. Thompson, John R.Thompson, Christopher Thorsson, Vesteinn Tibrewala, S. Tichy, Walter F.Tien, Jing Tierney, Brian Tietjen, Jan Tieu, Kinh Tiga, Olen Timmermann, A. Tiwari, Mohit Toh, Seng OonTokuda, T. Tola, E. Tolle, G. Tomalin, Marcus Tombros, Tassos Tomlinson, Bill Tong, G. Tootoonchian, Amin Töpfer, Armin Torgerson, Dara G.Torrent, Tiago TimponiTorres, E. Torresani, Lorenzo Toth, B. Touch, Joe Touretzky, D. Towsley, Don Toyama, Kentaro Tran, Diepchi Trapp, Martin Traub, Joseph F.Tremper, Graham Tresp, Volker Tressler, P. Tribowski, Christoph Tröger, R. Trommler, U. Trompf, Michael Trott, Sean Trueba-Hornero, B. Trumbower, H. Trumler, W. Tsai, Lynn Tsai, Mel Tsai, T. J.Tsang, Yolanda Tschantz, Michael CarlTschudin, Christian F.Tsur, S. Tsur, D. Tsymbal, A. Tur, Gokhan Turan, Gyorgy Turau, Volker Turner, E. L.Turner, Jonathan Turner, Yoshi Turpin, Gordon Tutsch, Dietmar Tuytelaars, Tinne Tygar, J.D. Tzeng, Eric Uchida, Satoru Ulitzky, I. Ullal, V. ulo, Oliver ČUlrich, Roya Umemura, K. Unger, Herwig Ungerer, Theo Upfal, Eli Uras, Claudio Urruty, Thierry Urtasun, Raquel Utans, Joachim Uzmi, Zartash AfzalVahdat, Amin Vajda, I. Valdes, M. Valente, Fabio Valero, Mateo Vales-Alonso, Javier Vallentin, Matthias Vallet, David Vallina-Rodriguez, Narseo Valverde-Albacete, F. J.van Attikum, Haico van den Berg, Jur Van Den Bussche, Jan van Heeswijk, Mark van Hout, Julien van Huu, Le van Leeuwen, Erik J.van Leeuwen, David A.van Steen, Maarten van Vuuren, Sarel Vanbever, Laurent VanderSloot, Benjamin Vaquero, C. Varadhan, K. Vardi, Shai Varghese, George Varian, Hal R.Varjokallio, M. Varol, A. Varvello, Matteo Vasallo, Pedro ReviriegoVasudeva, Karthik Vasuna, Jamshed Vaudenay, Serge Vaughn, Callie Vazirani, Umesh V.Vazirani, Vijay V.Velagapudi, V. R.Veldt, Nate Velickovic, Boban Velner, Yaron Veloso, Adriano Vempala, S. Venema, Wietse Venkataraman, Shivaram Venkataraman, Anand Venkatesan, Ramarathnam Vennix, Sophie IsabelVentre, Giorgio Venugopalan, Subhashini Verbeek, Rutger Verbin, E. Verdú, Javier Vergyri, Dimitra Verma, Dinesh C.Vernon, Mary K.Verri, Alessandro Vicisano, Lorenzo Vidrascu, Laurence Viering, Ingo Vigna, Giovanni Vigoda, Eric Viikari, J. Vilà, Pere Vilela, Leonardo Vilenchik, Dan Villmann, Thomas Viñals-Yúfera, V. Vinciarelli, A. Vinyals, Oriel Virtanen, Seppo Virtue, Patrick Visa, Ari Vo, Huy Vocking, B. Voelkel, Lutz Voelker, Geoffrey M.Vogeler, Stefan Vogt, Thurid Vogt, Friedrich Vohra, R. V.Voigt, Jens Voigt, Hans-Michael Voisard, Agnès Volkamer, M. Volz, B. von Eicken, Thorsten von Stengel, Bernhard Vornberger, O. Vorobjov, Nicolai Voss, Lynn Vrečko, Alen Vutukuru, Mythili Waarts, Orli Wachs, Matthias Wachsmann, Alf Wada, S. Wagner, M. Wagner, David Wahlster, Wolfgang Waibel, Alex Wainwright, M. J.Wakeman, Ian Walfish, Michael Walls, Melvin Walrand, Jean Waltz, D. Wan, Tao Wang, Limin Wang, Andrew Wang, William S. Y.Wang, Wen Wang, Jia Wang, Lusheng Wang, Ruoxi Wang, Jianrong Wang, Miao Wang, N. Wang, Q.-F. Wang, Ping ChuanWang, Zhanyong Wang, H. Wang, Jianjun Wang, Di Wanka, Rolf Warren, Warner Wartena, C. Wasserman, Hal Waterman, Andrew Wawrzynek, John Weaver, Nick Weaver, Nicholas Weber, I. Weber, Susan HollbachWeber, Steven Weber, Matthias Weber, F. Webster, Michael A.Wechsler, Harry Wegmann, Percy Wegmann, Steven Wegner, Lutz Wehling, Elisabeth Wehrle, K. Weihrauch, Klaus Weikum, Gerhard Weinrib, Abel Weinstein, Clifford Weintraub, Mitch Weiser, Mark Weiss, Ron J.Weisser, Deborah K.Weissman, Boris Welch, Brent Wellekens, Christian Welzl, Emo Wendelken, Carter Wendell, Patrick Wendlandt, Dan Wenk, Carola Werchner, Ralph Wermter, Stefan Werner, J. Wernicke, Sebastian Wernsdorfer, Mark Werther, Torsten Wessel, J. Wessel, David West, Douglas Wester, Mirjam Westermann, Matthias Westover, Benjamin P.Wetherall, David Wheeler, Richard Whelan, E. Whetten, Brian Whetton, Brian Whitlock, Sam Whitney, David Whyte, Scott Widmer, Joerg Widom, Micahel Widyono, Ron Wiegelmann, Markus Wiencke, John K.Wiesel, Fabian Wigderson, Avi Wijesekera, Primal Wikarski, Dietmar Wilcox, James Wilczek, Frank Wilke, Wolfgang Wilkerson, Daniel Williams, Benjamin Williams, Gethin Williams, Joseph JayWillinger, Walter Willingham, Elizabeth Wilson, Scott Wilson, S. M.Windisch, Marcus Wing, Jeannette M.Winkler, Peter Winnemoeller, Holger Winston, P. H.Winter, Stefan Winter, Philipp Winterrowd, Mark Winzen, Carola Wirtgen, Jürgen Witbrock, Michael Witchel, E. Witt, Carsten Wittig, R. Wittkop, Tobias Woeginger, Gerhard Wohlfart, Florian Wöhlke, Günter Wolf, Felix Wolf, Barry Wolf, J. Wolfinger, Bernd Wolter, Katinka Won, Jennifer Wong, C. K.Woo, Alec Wood, Esther J.Woodland, Phil Woods, Bronwyn Woodward, A. Wooters, Chuck Wozniakowski, Henryk Wrede, Britta Wrege, Dallas E.Wright, Abby Wroclawski, John Wu, Wenfei Wu, W. Wu, George Wu, Su-Lin Wu, Tiange Wu, Lizhong Wu, Dekai Wu, Kunming Wu, Tony Wundsam, Andreas Wyatt, Jeremy L.Wybranietz, Dieter Xia, R. Xiang, Bing Xiao, X. Xie, Shasha Xie, Lexing Xie, Q. Xie, B. Xin, Reynold Xin, Reynold S.Xing, Eric P.Xiong, Ying Xu, Huijuan Xu, Huazhe Xu, Y. Xu, Wei Xu, Guiping Xu, Peng Yago, C. M.Yakhini, Zohar Yakimovsky, Y. Yaman, Sibel Yan, Shuicheng Yang, Daylen Yang, Yang RichardYang, Fan Yang, Howard HuaYang, Beverly Yang, Baohua Yang, Shuang Yang, Wen-Yun Yang, Jiyan Yannakakis, M. Yao, Evan Yao, Yushu Yao, Andrew C.Yao, Frances Yarman, Siddik Yarvin, N. Yatin, C. Yegnanarayana, B. Yegneswaran, Vinod Yeh, Tom Yelick, Katherine Yeo, Chuohao Yeom, Samuel Yiin-Chang, Shuo Yin, Li Yip, Alexander Yiu, George Yli-Hietanen, Jari Yosef, N. Yoshida, Makiko Youn, Kyoungju Young, N. E.Young, L. Young, Karl Yu, Dong Yu, Haobo Yu, Stella X.Yu, Bin Yu, Fang Yu, Qian Yu, Harlan Yu, Minlan Yuan, Bingbing Yuan, Alvin Yumerefendi, A. R.Yung, Moti Yung, Lisa Zagordi, Osvaldo Zaharia, Matei Zahorian, Steve Zaidel, Eran Zaidi, Ali Zaitlen, Noah Zambon, Emmanuele Zamfirescu, J. D.Zamir, O. Zanetti, Gianluigi Zappala, Daniel Zarges, Christine Zarifis, Kyriakos Zeiler, Steffen Zelikovsky, Alexander Zeng, Hongyi Zetterberg, Per Zhang, Jun Zhang, Jing Zhang, Ning Zhang, Chao MicahelZhang, Ming Zhang, Lixia Zhang, Michael Zhang, Peng Zhang, Ronghua Zhang, Yangun Zhang, Hui Zhang, Yin Zhang, Weiyu Zhang, Dan Zhang, Luoping Zhang, Nin Zhao, Jerry Zhao, Sherry Y.Zhao, Mingjie Zhao, Zongxu Zhaung, S. Zheng, Xiaofeng Zheng, Mingyu Zheng, Changxi Zheng, Jing Zheng, Kai Zhong, Yuan Zhou, Tinghui Zhou, Wenchao Zhou, Ke Zhou, S. Zhu, Liang Zhu, Rong Zhu, D. Zhu, Min Zhu, Qifeng Zhu, Binhai Zhuang, Shelly Zickler, Todd Zickler, Stefan Ziegert, Thomas Ziekow, Holger Ziem, Alexander Zimmer, Brian Zimmermann, Matthias Zimmermann, Wolf Zimmermann, J. Zipser, Karl Zisook, Albert B.Zitzler, E. Ziv, Elad Zlatev, Jordan Zohar, A. Zou, Yaning Zuckerman, David Zue, Victor Zweig, Geoffrey Zymnis, A. | 2019-04-18T17:07:06Z | http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/icsi/biblio?f%5Bauthor%5D=3260 |
A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for consumers around the world. Vivo currently has several R&D centers worldwide, including the United States (San Diego), and China (Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Beijing). As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle.
Are you having a bad hair day? Going out of the house everyday like going to school and office or to a more luxurious going to parties or event, our crowning glory defines our personality.
How we fix our hair according to the occasion consumes time and effort, also include the hair products being used. As much as we wanted to have our hair as casual and natural-looking hairstyle, there are times we wanted something different. Fashion plays a big factor in how we wanted our hair to be styled. From celebrities, we admire product models we wanted to imitate.
We also need to consider the hair color, whether it is natural of chemically-colored.
My personal take when it comes to hairstyles, I always go with what kind of hair strand I have. Mine is wavy to curly hair, I cannot blame my genes on this part because I love how my hair curls naturally. Although, straight hair has become the norm in hairstyle. To achieve long and straight hairstyle, you can have it treated chemically such as hair rebonding, hair wax treatment or you can have hair extension that will perfectly go well with your natural hair; hair iron with the right iron plate specifically to cater your hair can be of help too. Always and you should provide an ample time to achieve the straight hairstyle you want. You don't want to miss school time and don't want to be late for work because of this. Wavy, curly or straight as long as it suits you are the hairstyles that never go out of style!
You can find different sorts of hair products online that will suit your needs. You can have the simple tools like hair sprays, hair clips, hair blower and also hair wigs and extensions like the Brazilian weave bundles.
Always remember that one's personality defines how one presents herself, neatly, presentable and also fashionable at the same time.
Obtaining an EIN number may seem like a very overwhelming prospect. Doing it on your own can be a very scary process if you’re unsure of your options and what is exactly needed to obtain your EIN. That is where IRS-EIN-Tax-ID comes in. Our highly trained team can assist you around the clock to ensure that you have everything you need to process your application smoothly and quickly.
Any non-profit, trust, estate or IRA etc.
You will need some type of a current and valid id with the government already before you apply for a business EIN number. This can include your personal social security number, an ITIN or an EIN from another entity that is already existing in the system itself. These numbers are crucial to obtaining your new businesses identification number so make sure you have them handy when applying through the site.
The website makes it simple and fast to obtain your EIN in the comfort of your home or office. You can do the entire process all online and typically have your information back within 24 hours. You can also have assistance along the way with any questions or concerns that may come up during the process with the experienced team of IRS-EIN-Tax-ID on your side. Once you receive it, you can use our IRS EIN lookup feature on our website to find your number at any time.
Vivo X21 has a 6.28-inch 19:9 FHD+ FullView™ Display. With a super slim notch and 1.66mm side bezels, it achieves a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio to provide a wider viewing experience compared to other similar-sized phones. Vivo has even enhanced its software to support the notch and developed a notification bar that maintains an immersive experience. Maximizing the beauty of the display, Vivo X21 uses P3 display color management technology and supports a P3 wide color gamut to ensure more accurate, natural and saturated colors.
X21 continues Vivo’s heritage of photography leadership, featuring 12MP (24 million photographic units) front and rear cameras with Dual Pixel Sensors. The secondary rear camera is 5MP. Thanks to the larger photographic area of each pixel, X21’s camera significantly boosts picture clarity. On top of this, the X21 features fast focusing technology that rivals DSLRs, which enables it to focus fast and capture the depth of field data in every pixel.
The generation of going shopping for goods have come a long way! From its normal travel going to the mall or store for shopping in the more convenient way to purchase goods by going online!
Goods such as groceries, food, medicines, clothing, make-up, accessories to healthy options can now be delivered right to your respective location in just a few days. Deliveries are not restricted to a certain area but it can be done wherever you are in the world! Items can be delivered as a gift or your purchases for your consumption. This is how flexible online shopping can be. Talking about payments for this goodies, now that online banking and ways to transfer money, payments for such transactions are a big help also, not to exclude the cash-on-delivery (COD) payment.
I am a fan of online shopping, but this liking is a little limited on my part as I never had to try going international for online shopping, this is yet to explore next time.
But, for now, I am very happy with my recent online purchase of beauty and healthy goodies from BeautyMNL.com! I will walk through you to my latest find of beautiful goodies and also the healthy stuff, that I order a couple of weeks ago. BeautyMNL provided me an amount which was in store credit value for me to use and purchase products. Although I was given a store credit, this post will not affect the store review. Also, I'd be sharing with you my thoughts on the products I purchased.
BeautyMNL is an online shop that sells more than 18,000 products! You can find products for beauty, health and wellness, makeover deals, and articles and blog in the magazine section. They offer numbers of sale on specific products and brands, discounted items and sometimes you get also score buy1-get1 deals. Shipping cost comes in as low as P50 or sometimes you can have your items shipped to you for free, just like what I had!
I've selected items that I need and want then narrowed it down to a more specific in need. I added items more than the store credit amount that was given to me so I can avail the free shipping fee.
Upon confirmation of payment mode, address and other details of the delivery for checkout, I got an email for payment confirmation and the order acknowledgment of the purchase, along with the tracking number which I will be using to monitor and track the shipment.
Here are the items I had in my cart.
Since I got the tracking number I can locate the specific location of the package anytime, anywhere.
I was a little disappointed when I saw the possible delivery date which was about a week, also the weather last week was not that favorable for parcel deliveries which added to ever more time of waiting. Well, I guess the anticipation was too long!
After a week of waiting my orders came last weekend.
My first item on my list was the small bag of organic Chia seeds.
I am stoked about the #KrisAquino #mattematiclipstick + #mattebrowliner which was my second top on my list. Came in third was the Maybelline Fit Me concealer + poreless liquid foundation. And the rest of the products.
My BeautyMNL package is here!
And, because the excitements were there I instantly used the makeup products to spruce up my get-up for work that day.
All products I ordered came in perfect shape, no damaged or any kind that the customer will be dissatisfied about. It was secured, sealed and neatly packed. I have checked each product for manufactured date and expiry date to make sure that I got new and fresh items to use and consume.
When shopping online, you have to patient in terms of waiting for the products to arrive. Although they will provide you the estimated time of arrival of the order, natural causes for it to be delay can happen, especially in this rainy season or if there's a declared holiday. BeautyMNL does not process deliveries on weekends, so if by chance you wanted to buy something on their site, do it on a Monday.
For a working Mom like me, shopping for goods online makes my life easier because it saves me time and money to go to shopping malls or fast food to order food and products. The concept of online shopping is a terrific invention ever made so far. It's a life-saver and local products can be promoted to consumers like me.
Try and shop now, and enjoy a hassle-free shopping from BeautyMNL!
Now time to whip up a snack using the organic chia seeds!
Keep raw meat, poultry, or fish, which may contain several bacteria, from cooked meals. Also, make sure that raw meats are at the bottom part of the shelf to avoid it from dripping. However, it is still better to have them sealed in a tight container.
Refrigerating below the recommended 4℃ will significantly slow the growth of bacteria. But as the temperature rises, the bacteria can grow at a faster rate, which can result in spoilage, wastage, and food poisoning.
Your refrigerator plays an important role in keeping your food safe and free from any bacteria that can result in foodborne illnesses. In fact, operating at the wrong temperature can leave room for the bacteria to get the nutrients and temperature it needs to grow inside your refrigerator.
While refrigerators can be a breeding ground for foodborne illnesses, Beko Refrigerator’s Active Ioniser neutralizes the bacteria that cause effluvia to create an antibacterial effect to keep the refrigerator from harmful pathogens such as Listeria. Also, Its Blue Light Technology allows for a continuous process of photosynthesis, allowing fresh produce to maintain their natural flavors and nutritional value for up to 30 days.
On top of that, the Beko Refrigerator’s new age of NeoFrost Technology keeps the humidity of their refrigerator at an optimum level of up to 90 percent in the cooler for longer freshness. It also makes for a more stable and faster cooling for both the cooler and the freezer compartments at A+ energy efficiency level. Moreover, its independent cooling systems also help in preventing odor transfer in between the compartments to keep the quality of the air inside at maximum levels.
But no matter where our success stories begin, each and every one of them starts with our inspiration to keep on changing for the better. And the reason why we are always trying for the better is people. They have been shaping our vision, setting our course and helping us to navigate to our goals. Their actions, enthusiasm, and spirit are, in truth, what has been inspiring us today as in yesterday, for more than 60 years.
This belief is our common ground. And together, we can turn this new chapter into another long-term Beko success story – to create smarter ideas and better solutions, now and in the future.
More often than not, most people hitting the gym are looking to get rid of excess fat. A healthy diet is critical in complementing your training routine. Workout supplements from Acheter Steroid can also help you achieve better results. Other than improving your overall look, burning calories has a host of other benefits which cannot be overstated.
Health, of course, tops the list of advantages. Burning extra calories decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, it improves mobility, which naturally translates to increased flexibility, hence reducing joint pain. Lastly, it keeps your blood sugar levels in check, thus lessening the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Burning calories enables you to enjoy your life even more. Having an appealing physique boosts your confidence and self-esteem and regular exercise helps you to sleep better.
Working out also calms you down, reducing stress levels, especially if you are in a difficult situation. Less stress equals a better mood, making you feel more energetic.
Research has proven that high-intensity swimming can burn up to 680 calories an hour. Furthermore, it involves all the major muscle groups, thus improving body balance, strengthening muscles and boosting your heart rate. Try various styles like breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly to make the session more entertaining. Apart from that, swimming in a colder pool is said to increase the rate at which your body burns calories since your body burns more calories to stay warm.
Learning different martial arts such as taekwondo and karate will also help to burn calories faster. Other than that, performing martial arts helps the body gain speed, power and improves mental concentration. Research proves that taekwondo burns approximately 700 calories in an hour.
Jumping with a rope can burn approximately 1000 calories in an hour, and it is a perfect workout for the entire body. Both kids and adults can do it, anytime and anywhere, and the only equipment required is a skipping rope.
Also known as fast pace running, this is a high-intensity cardio exercise. Completing a 100 or 200-meter sprint requires a lot of energy, making the body burn excess calories. In addition, sprinting improves your cardiovascular system by speeding up your heart rate.
High-intensity aerobics such as dancing, hopping and jumping jacks challenge your body muscles to contract and expand in a fast and well-controlled manner. You can challenge yourself by incorporating weights such as a dumbbell while maintaining the high-intensity level. Do this in intervals, each lasting for 20 to 30 minutes, then take a break.
Biking at a vigorous pace makes you feel a burning sensation in your lungs and increases your heart rate. Cycling in mountainous and hilly terrain helps your body to burn even more calories; research suggests up to 680 calories an hour.
We’ve all heard it before: whole grains are good for you. But how, exactly, can they benefit your health? Here’s a quick background on whole grains and just a few of the many reasons why you should be eating more of this wholesome food every day.
Grains are the seeds of grasses like oats, rice, and wheat, although some seeds of non-grass plants are also classified as a grain, like buckwheat and quinoa. Whole grains have all three parts of the kernel intact: the bran (the outer shell), the endosperm (the meaty middle layer), and the germ (the embryo, which grows into a new plant). They can be mechanically processed through rolling or cracking, for example, but as long as the bran and germ retain their original proportions, they are still whole grains.
Refined grains, on the other hand, only retain the endosperm after processing. This removes most of the nutritional value of the grain -- including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants -- which are all contained in the germ and the bran.
The most popular kinds of whole grain based on global consumption are corn (also called maize), rice, oats, and wheat. Other kinds of whole grain include barley, millet, rye, and sorghum. There are also different sub-types or varieties; some of them include brown, red, and black for rice and farro and freekeh for wheat. Mixtures of whole grains have also created new products like triticale, which is a combination of wheat and rye.
You can consume whole grains in a variety of ways. Whole grain bread, cereals, and pasta are common examples. You can also cook them as is or incorporate them into various recipes. Popcorn, you may be surprised to know, is also a kind of whole grain; just avoid the microwaveable brands as those are laden with unhealthy fats. More recently, refreshing and delicious grain milk made from rice and oats have also emerged as healthy alternatives to dairy.
Key nutrients found in whole grains include dietary fiber, B vitamins, protein, minerals such as iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc, and various antioxidants and plant compounds that work together to protect the body and prevent disease. With all of these nutritive components packed into a small speck, it’s easy to see why health experts recommend eating one to three servings of whole grains daily.
They promote better digestion. The fiber content of whole grains helps regularize bowel movement and ward off digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, and inflammation of the colon. Whole grains also promote the “good bacteria” in the large intestine, which helps with better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
They help lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. Studies have shown that whole grains can help lower triglyceride levels, lower blood pressure, and prevent the body from absorbing LDL or “bad” cholesterol. All of these are important factors in reducing the risk of developing heart disease and other vascular problems.
They aid in metabolism. The bran of whole grains is a good source of the B vitamins thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3), all of which are crucial in the proper metabolism of fats and nutrients. Thiamin is also important in the production of new cells. Whole grains are also a good source of vitamin B9 or folic acid, which helps in the formation of red blood cells and is a critical nutrient that helps prevent birth defects in babies.
They lower cancer risks. Various studies show promising results regarding the potential of whole grains to reduce cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer. Most of this stems from the fiber content of whole grains. However, whole grains also contain other components like phytic acid that helps suppress the growth of cancer cells.
They help reduce inflammations. There is some evidence that suggests whole grains can help reduce inflammations, a root cause of many chronic diseases like asthma and arthritis. Whole grains are also being studied for their potential to lower C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, which has been linked not just to inflammatory diseases, but also to type 2 diabetes and autoimmune conditions.
These are just a few of the positive effects of whole grains on your health. They may not be a viable option for everyone, like those who have celiac disease, for example, but by and large, whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet. | 2019-04-24T16:17:40Z | https://www.bitsenpieces.com/2018/06/ |
Today is one of my favorite moments in the Catholic church. My family does a Christian Seder. We have a Benjamin Family Haggadah. I make the lamb and the Seder plate. My husband buys the wine for us adults and the grape juice for the kids. He makes sure that we all wear our sandals to dinner. I'm an actor at heart. I get to tell the stories of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' Last Supper.
Passover is about sharing your faith with your family. One of the treasures in my heart is that a tradition that I started alone while I was a single girl in College, is now shared with my husband and my children. I remember the toast that my husband said "Next year in Jerusalem!" the pre-Easter of 2002. He said that toast with such joy and hope a few weeks before he finished graduate school.
Today we were coming home from buying the lamb for Passover. My 10 year old son Alex said in the, "Now guys, we have to put the lamb's blood on the door so that I get to save my life!"
We'd played April Fool's Day Tricks on each other all day. I shrugged my shoulders and said "Oh, Alex, we don't need to bother with that part anymore."
"This year, John is here. We now have an extra boy in case you go."
There was a second of pause. Then I said "April Fool's Day! Alex, you are irreplaceable to us!"
My son let me tickle his hair. Then five of us let out this beautiful laugh in the car. "This year, John is here!" For the first time in 10 years Alex won't be the only son at the Passover table. The gift of Baby John is amazing. We finally had a son who lived. It's the yearly tradition of Passover that lets us all take those mental snapshots and rejoice in the changes of our family.
Last night we read about the Last Supper from Matthew. "And he reclined at table." I took a second out to explain that in Ancient Roman times people sat on couches when they ate dinner. My almost First Communion Recipient said "Mom, the picture is wrong!" She meant the Leonardo da Vinici painting of the Last Supper. I told her that she was right! That painting was made by an artist almost 1500 years after the Last Supper and his best guess about the table wasn't very accurate. We also talked about how silly it was to have all 13 guests sit on only one side of the table. Maria and I decided to look it up today and draw our own version of the Last Supper.
In my 7 year old's eyes, this image for the Last Supper is wrong.
This image for the Last Supper is right.
I love the comparison of the two. The second table seems really intimate. It feels like getting to hang out with Jesus at a Slumber Party. It's also so shocking that Judas lied to Jesus right inside his personal space. "Surely, not I Rabbi?" My family had a lot of fun joking around about other possible ways Jesus could have answered Judas. "You've hung out with me for 3 years. You've seen me heal the blind and get dead people talk! What else do I need to do to convince you that I am the Son of God!"
Today we will celebrate the Last Supper with a Christian Seder at home. I hope to go pray at Adoration tonight. We have lonely Good Friday, and quiet Easter Saturday, and then the joy of Easter Vigil.
Why I'm Grateful My Baby Has Colic!
I have a baby with colic. Actually, my little man has "infant acid reflux." I call it colic when I talk to other people because "my little baby has heartburn" really does not do justice to the amount of stress this condition puts on me as a Mom.
My baby is on anti-reflux medication. I'm so grateful that I was a strong advocate for him. After only a month of medication, his weight jumped up from the almost dangerous 15% on the average infant growth chart to 85%. His medication is working. My son has flipped from turning so red and mad that he was burning off most of his caloric intact each day to now merely being a crabby baby who refuses to nap and violently vomits over all of his clothing.
This is my sixth time having a child with a variant of this condition. My son is one of our worse cases of infant acid reflux, but I've certainly been here before as a Mom. (We think it's genetic.) Because I've been here before I know that no medicine, no sleep position, no special infant sling, etc is going to help me reduce my son's pain level to zero. I work with my doctor to help monitor my son's reflux. However, I'm done searching for a magic cure.
My son will always spend a part of the day crying loud, awful cries. As his Mom, it will always hurt my heart to hear him in pain. This is our life together until he reaches 8 or 9 months and that little immature swallowing apparatus finally starts working better.
The thing about colic is that it exposes every single weakness that I have as a human being. ("I thought I was a nice person until I had a kid with colic" could be a Tee Shirt Slogan for me.) For the other two kids who had this condition in an extreme way, the colic period has scared me to death. "What can I do to stop it? When is it going to be over?"
As a more experience Mom, I know that this stage will pass. So instead of getting obsessed with "Make this stop now!" or "Why doesn't my baby always have to be the hard one?" I'm developing a resigned patience. If I want delightful, funny, sensitive, and artistic kids with my tall husband--then I get babies with sensitive digestive tracts. I can't have the joy of one without the pain of the other.
The thing about having a baby with colic is that situation strips me naked. There is no hiding from myself. Every flaw in my marriage, in my housekeeping, in my homeschooling, in my parenting, in my prayer life--every sinful habit that I have gets magnified when I'm walking around without sleep and either twitching because I hear my baby crying in his crib upstairs or terrified that my slightest movement will wake him up in my arms.
For 12 years and 5 babies, I kept focusing on healing the baby. "If the baby stops crying, then I'll feel less stress and become a nicer person." Now, I think "the only solution I've got is to become more holy myself."
I'm a little freaked out finishing Lent this exposed. I know what sinful stuff I need to work on. My husband knows what sinful stuff I need to work on. My older kids know what sinful stuff I need to work on. My Catholic prayer friends know what sinful stuff I need to work on.
What I'm grateful for is the virtue of humility. When I'm this low, I have no choice but to work on the really broken parts of myself. Right now, I'm healing the parts of myself that were broken before age 6. It's awesome because whenever I patch up something this deep, I can see the results really fast in so many areas of my life all at once. Getting this low is embarrassing, but it's effective.
I joked with one of my friends this week. "Isn't Motherhood wonderful? There is a Miraval Resort in Tuscon, Arizona, where people pay thousands of dollars to get the same life lessons that we learn practically overnight, for free!"
I mean that comparison to Miraval Resort in a very concrete way. To survive four more months of colic, I have to learn how to cook better. I have to improve my diet. I have to exercise more. I have to ask my husband for a neck massage at the end of the day after holding our son for 12 hours. I have to rebuild my self-esteem, re-evaluate my Faith, and learn how to better manage stress in the moment.
All my efforts at self-improvement were optional before.
Now my self-improvement feels CRITICAL.
That is why I'm grateful for my son's colic. That is why I'm grateful for a hard Lent. It's so easy to drift into complacency as an adult. "Oh, I'm a good enough person for God!" As much as I hate Rock Climbing the Spiritual Mountain for God, it's good for me.
Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins. Help me to better slug off my sloth and work harder for the Kingdom of God!
"The Catholic take is notice Peter!" and "Remember the Book is Always Better!" Can't wait to watch this on TV with my family on Easter Sunday!
It's the last few days of Lent! What a spiritual workout! I'm full of gusto this Monday after a thrilling Palm Sunday Mass. I hope to work hard with all my until Easter Vigil. "He shall purify the sons of Levi!" sings the choir with Handel's Messiah Chorus. Purification comes from prayer, fasting and almsgiving. That is my special work during Lent.
Yesterday was my daughter's 12th Birthday. It was also the Feast of the Annunciation. I had a kind of "double vision" throughout the day. I went through the normal events of the day. At certain moments, I could see things with "God vision". It felt stunning and overwhelming.
My daughter was conceived at a time when I was preparing for my first trial as an attorney. Trials are the high point of training to be a litigator. Trials are also exceedingly rare. Almost all cases settle well before trial. I had waited 2 years after law school to get a chance to be "first chair" at a trial. Most of my friends outside of public interest law had to wait 5 years to handle their first trial.
What I remember most about preparing for trial is looking at the clock in my office. At soon as the clock hit 7 PM, I would make myself leave my desk. It felt like a physical struggle. There were piles and piles of evidence on my desk that I felt all needed to be neatly organized and labeled for my trial notebook. No matter what felt like it was still "undone", I obeyed the clock.
"I need to have dinner with Jon tonight!" I told myself. "We're trying to have a baby!" For two weeks, I worked really hard at prepping for my first trial. But I always came home for dinner. I ate my husband's excellent stir fry and then we had fun making out as newlyweds.
I looked at my daughter in the kitchen the other day and the memory of watching the clock in my old attorney's office came back to me. I heard a quiet thought in my heart say "Good thing you put first things first!"
I felt stunned. It would have been so easy for me to have missed the conception of this child. I was in the middle of my first trial. I had worked through 3 years of law school and 2 years of firm life for that moment. Nothing in my family of origin had prepared me to put my vocation as a wife ahead of my career dreams. I couldn't even explain in words why I was drawn to having my first child at age 27. The whole thing was a mystery. The only thing I can point to is that six weeks beforehand I became a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Good thing you put first things first!
I could have missed out on my daughter. What is a spunky, funny, beautiful, unique human soul compared to a few days of showing off my lawyer skills inside a courthouse? There is no comparison.
I don't know what other things I'm missing out on in my current daily life by trading the less than perfect "God's will" things for the more important "God's will things". I'm sure its a lot.
Good thing you put first things first.
God, I want to do more of that! Please help me better follow you this Easter Season!
"The Angel Gabriel was sent to the virgin Mary, who was engaged to be married to Joseph."
Gotta love those Gospel writers! What brevity! But what happened exactly? What was Mary doing right before the Angel appeared to her? What did he look like? How did she feel? How could the most important event in human history happen inside an ordinary, rather shabby, house and to a girl most likely under age 15?
The Annunciation of Our Lord! A quiet moment with endless depth.
Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us! St. Gabriel, pray for us!
Question for Lent: Have I Been A Good Friend to Myself?
My third child had her First Confession this Lent. Our two parish priest did such a beautiful job leading a community penance service that appeals to both second graders and their parents. For his homily, the priest lead us in a meditation on this painting by the artist Rembrandt.
For the Examination of Conscience, the Priest had us look deeply into 3 basic questions. Am I being a good friend to God? Am I being a good friend to others? Am I being a good friend to myself?
I was shocked at how badly I failed at being a good friend to myself. Lack of exercise. Perfectionism (a failure to be patient with myself). Lack of time to develop my talents and nourish friendships outside my family.
After that experience, I started paying more attention to self-care and my own nourishment. This morning I did a good job on quiet prayer. I ate a real breakfast. I gave myself extra time to do my hair, put on lipstick and change my earrings. After the good example of the nuns of St. Emma's, I focused on doing one small, achievable domestic task at a time. When my 3 year old and 4 year old started fighting at the breakfast table, I easily had mental space to help coach them through their disagreement. The three of us didn't just solve a one time problem. We affirmed a system of how to approach a breakdown in the social contract.
I turned back to doing the dishes in utter shock. It's so easy to be a good parent after I take time for myself. I go to CODA meetings every week. I hear a legacy of painful family memories passed down for generations. I wonder now if the pain of codependency is as simple as a generational legacy of a lack of self-care.
It is good to care for God. It is good to care for others. I also have a responsibility to take care of myself--especially in the cause of chronic illness (infant reflux) and chronic "there is always a needy toddler in my life".
I love Lent! I love coming home to Christ again and again. I love always finding an easier way to do his work with greater joy. St. Joseph, the worker, prayer for us!
(For my daughter's First Confession, my parish priest just held up a copy of this painting and helped us experience it deeply for a few minutes. I can't imagine a more beautiful way to encourage more people to experience the joy of reconciliation with God. I love priests that are so connected to Beauty. It was such a St. Bernardino of Sienna moment. (We love him dearly because he is the patron saint of graphic designers, my husband's profession).
One of the things I learned while hanging out with the Benedictine Sisters is to appreciate how hard they work. Every single task they do is with God---Singing in Church, Setting the Table, Greeting a Guest. Since I've been home, I've up my work output significantly. Even when I'm tired, even when I'm crappy. I get out of the cozy bedroom that I've been hanging out for five months with my newborn and I do the yucky grunt work that has been mostly gathering dust since I went on bed rest in September.
To my shock, I've found that once I get over the painful start of "Oh my goodness, its been another night of no sleep", I do feel better after I get some small tasks accomplished. Work is restful. More restful, than sitting still and watching TV, drinking coffee, reading the internet, or complaining about how little sleep I get with a newborn in my house.
It doesn't make any sense to me that small amounts of proper, focused work for God can make me feel better than totally relaxing after a hard night with my baby.
I've starting calling this God paradox "refueling in midair."
Work is prayer. Prayer is rest.
The Benedictine Sisters taught me to "work at prayer, and pray during work."
In Tennis, it's always better to play tennis with someone significantly better than you. I think that principle applies also to the spiritual life. Whenever I hang out with someone significantly higher than me on the spiritual plane, I am so excited. I feel like I come back to my regular life with six new power serves. Thank you Benedictine's for being a place of focus and encouragement in the world!
Easter Sunday is coming! There is a fantastic way to continue our Lenten Journey of Faith using mainstream TV. NBC will air "AD: The Bible Continues" at 9 PM on Sunday, April 5, 2015.
This 12 part TV series is enthusiastically supported by the US Catholic Bishops. There is a book by Mike Aquilina called "AD Ministers and Martyrs" which outlines the lives and sacrifices of 1st Century Christians. There is also an official Catholic Viewer's Guide to this series.
Put this 12 part TV series on your families' calendar! Be prepared to host your family's spiritual development on Sunday night. Get some snacks. Have some books on the table for both children and adults. Get out your Bible. Be inspired!
We are a part of God's Easter Message of Hope! There can't be any better way to move forward in 2015, than to spend an hour being reminded of our ancient church's thrilling early history.
How Do I Love St. Joseph, Let Me Count The Ways!
There is a St. Joseph statue still buried in the frozen ground outside my home for the house sale that didn't happen last December. The statute came from my Mother-in-law, who house sold in an impossible small town market a few months after she unexpectedly became a widow.
My Mother-in-law is not a big Catholic. To talk to her about her belief in God and the Saints is a rare delight. Even my Mom trusts St. Joseph to help sell a house. We got her package in the mail and buried her "lucky" St. Joseph statute underneath our For Sale Sign in the front yard.
After 10 months of hard work, our dream about changing states fell apart a few days before Christmas. In January, I took the For Sale sign out of our yard. I marked the place where the St. Joseph statute sat with a big rock.
My husband and I talked about the fact that so many people we knew sold their house quickly after we asked St. Joseph to look after them. Yet for us, our home sale not only didn't happen as expected, but got delayed 2 to 3 years.
This thing that happened to me increased my trust in St. Joseph. Prayers to St. Joseph are not "magic." I don't just pray to St. Joseph for cash, for help with bill, or for a new house. St. Joseph reminds me that "All things work for the good for those that love God." Sometimes St. Joseph helps me gain what I want to with prayer. Often, a St. Joseph prayer changes me. I learn how to be more patient, more humble and a greater lover of poverty.
The Scott Hahn book, Joy to the World, changed my theology of St. Joseph last year. I no longer call St. Joseph a "foster father." He did not contribute biologically to Christ. Yet he was in every other sense of the world Christ's true "father." St. Joseph raised Christ, he protected him, he provided him and he loved him.
I love the church statues by the alter that have Mary, Our Lady alone and prayerful, and St. Joseph holding a toddler Jesus. St. Joseph often holds Jesus up to his cheek in love and shows him a lily. I am reminded of the Old Testament reading "Oh, how I have loved you. I was like one who held up infants to my cheeks."
Jesus Christ, our brother, gave the whole church his mother. He also gave us his Father on Earth, St. Joseph. We can turn to St. Joseph in times of financial uncertainty for help. We can also ask St. Joseph to pray for us when the daily grind gets boring and for a happy death.
Oh St. Patrick, How I love you! I had the grace to travel to Ireland a few weeks after my entrance into the Catholic Faith thirteen years ago. It was crazy cool to be thinking about St. Patrick and all the great Irish saints as a new infant in Christ. I'll be eating my corn beef with joy tonight and telling my kids about what I learned about Ireland. St. Patrick, bishop of courage and love, pray for us!
I went on a Silent Carmel Retreat last weekend at a Benedictine Monastery. It was glorious! It was so hard for me to leave the baby. (I've got a colicky 4 month old who nurses almost every 20 minutes on rough days). I almost backed out a few times before going on the retreat, but I'm so happy that I went.
I had this major breakthrough with the gift of Silence. St. Elizabeth of the Trinity talks about this "humming" that she hears in the middle of Silence in a monastery. The Silence is actually "full" of activity, joy and love. I read that description at a Carmelite retreat four years ago and thought "What she is talking about?" The three times I did a Silent retreat before the Silence felt like "work." I had to work to remember not to talk. Always before the Silence felt a little lonely and barren. I thought that Silence was like a "Fast" from talking.
This time the Silence felt amazing. The Silence felt so full of beauty and possibility. I knew what work I was supposed to do in the monastery, and I did it. I felt really close to God. There were questions deep in my subconscious that I didn't even know were bothering me. So many little rough patches in my life got fixed during the retreat.
It's hard to describe how close I felt to my fellow Carmelites in my community. Loving them in silence made every interaction so free and easy. For example, there was an elderly man named Bill who read a spiritual book in an empty dining room at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning. I'd been alone in my cell (an individual bedroom) for the past 12 hours. Bill is a quiet guy who I don't know well from a year of shared Carmel meetings. Yet when I saw him reading in the dining room after all that beautiful, exciting time of solitude I thought "There's Bill!"
When I went to the dining room, I signed up to set the tables for breakfast. There were 66 people there at the retreat. So as I was doing the soothing, repeated task of laying out 66 place settings, I felt this connection to my Carmelite brother Bill. I thought "There's Bill! He's talking to God! I'm setting the table for God!" All of this connection and wordless support flowed through me without me saying anything. While I was setting the table in the monastery I thought "I wish I could do this in my own house!"
When I asked if we could go 30 minutes a week without talking to each other, but loving each other in Silence, my husband's eyes got bright! My poor husband! I'm such a natural chatterbox. I make the mistake of thinking that if I'm constantly talking to him, I'm establishing greater emotional intimacy. Meanwhile, I think he's got the idea that what makes us close is much deeper than our shared conversation.
I'm excited that experiencing more Silence at home, can radically help my prayer life. Jesus, he doesn't need my words. Or he likes my words, but Jesus thirsts for something deeper. Jesus wants my heart! I think I'll gradually be more calm and patient with my prayer life (which is intangible) if I spend more time practicing silence with the tangible love of my life, my husband.
I'm so grateful for the Sisters at St. Emma's. I only spoke once out loud at the first introduction and heard the Mother Superior speak twice. Yet I feel like I have seven more Aunts in my corner! I can't wait to write to them all about the little individual details of myself and my family. A good nun has space in her heart to love you! It feels so good to be adored, encouraged and strengthened.
Pope Francis has made this the year of Consecrated Life. He's asked us to send letters to all the Religious Sisters and Brothers that we know in 2015. My children and I have resolved to touch base with all of our friends in Religious Life and also to make an effort to make new friends this year. I'm so grateful to so many Sisters who have given me encouragement on this spiritual path!
St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, pray for us!
This Easter give the gift of music to your children and First Communion recipients! The award winning British Boy Choir has a new CD/DVD, a PBS special and a US Tour for their new album, "Angels Sing-Libera in America."
Libera is an amazing choir who has sung everywhere. Libera sang at the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium, the Kennedy Center Honors, and (my husband's favorite sign of a good band) on the Tonight Show.
The choir has a five city Easter Tour, including a concert in Washington DC on April 2, 2015 at the Warner Theater. The other concert cities are Boston, San Antonio, Chicago and Atlanta. Buy tickets here!
If you can't get to a Libera Easter Concert, (or the thought of combining your young children with classical music makes you cringe) you can still enjoy some beautiful hymns inside your own home. Libera has a newly released DVD and CD called Angels Sing- Libera in America.
The Libera DVD was filmed live at 2014 concert inside of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. The lush combination of 40 clear children's voices with a live orchestra against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful churches in North America can't be missed. I was so pleased to see the wide range of hymns included in this concert. So often my beautiful church music CDs are limited only to Christmas music. This DVD includes; "How Can I Keep From Singing?", "Ave Maria", and "How Great Thou Art."
I played the DVD for my 2 year old and 4 year old whose musical tastes are pretty much limited only to tunes from the Frozen soundtrack. My 2 year old said spontaneously "I love this music!" My 4 year old was initially shocked that their were no girls in the choir. (Yes, that's what a boy choir means!) However, she listened to the rest of the concert attentively and quietly. My two girls got through 3 songs peacefully with me, which is pretty much equal to a standing ovation from the preschool set.
I often fill up children's Easter baskets with so much junk. This Libera DVD is truly "candy for my ears!" There is something beautiful and instantly uplifting about hearing a hymn. I'm keeping this DVD in the DVD player for the rest of Lent. This choir DVD is such a feast for my eyes and my ears, it is an easy way to get a more prayerful attitude in my life. "She who sings prays twice!" I hope other families are able to experience the beautiful music inside the jewel of a setting that is our Washington DC landmark, the National Basilica.
The Libera DVD is going for $14.99 on Amazon. The CD is also $14.99 and MP3 is $9.49. There is also a chance to buy the songs individually for 99 cents each.
Many thanks to Allied Faith & Family who helped me review this DVD. If any readers go to a Libera choir concert, please send me an email. I'd love to publish a review about how this great choir sounds in person!
Today's Daily Office talks about the Samaritan woman drawing water and her astonishing conversation with the son of God, Jesus. St. Augustine wants us to put ourselves into the story. The Samaritan woman isn't just some random historical figure, she is also a modern day "us."
Earlier this week, I made a critique of a new book by Catholic author Bill Donohue. It's not easy to disagree with another Catholic in public, especially someone who is famous and well known. Today's reading gives me courage. In the Mass reading on Sunday, we hear "Jesus did not need to be instructed on human nature. He knew it well." Jesus was not shocked by the Samaritan woman's poor behavior before this meeting at the well. Despite knowing her ugly past and sinful present, Jesus invites her to join him in a conversation.
Conversation with God = a conversion.
I'm really guilty of taking too relaxed an attitude with my prayer life. I'm convinced that I can't pray over a colicky baby or that other urgent household need should be handled first. The two year old will wake up early and after I attend to her needs, I never get back on track with my prayer routine. Or my husband is home for a rare peaceful weekend morning, and I feel self conscious leaving his company to go pray.
St. Augustine reminds me today that my prayer life isn't optional. It's as critical as getting water from the well for my family. Before indoor plumbing, getting water from a well was a daily task. Carrying water was hard work. It was messy. It didn't feel good. Yet it was critical for survival.
My prayer life is a conversation with God and one that will have a hidden result, a conversion of my heart.
Last week was a tough week for me. We had another blizzard in Washington DC. My baby has colic. By Saturday morning, I felt super irritable and resentful. So I went to confession. My priest was there with so much love and compassion for me, much like Jesus at the well. He reminded me that if I want to change my sin of anger, I need to change the conversation inside my own head. "Anger comes from unmet expectations," he said. "If you want to stop being resentful, flip your thoughts to gratitude."
My kid's favorite Lego Movie quote is "Believe! I know that sounds like a cat poster, but it is true!" That movie line seems to fit so perfectly here. It seems so impossible that a quick conversation about sin inside a confessional could turn me around, but its true. It happened. The sacraments are powerful places of grace.
St. Augustine's quote reminds me that my conversations with Jesus will bear supernatural fruit. Conversation = conversion. I'm encouraged to keep going deeper in prayer this Lent. May we all travel well on our individual faith journeys and meet in a calmer and more peaceful place this Lent.
Book Review: Bill Donohue's "The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful"
Bill Donohue's new book, "The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful," proves an uneven read. The book's sweeping scope includes political theories, sociological reports, and medical studies to show how religious practices help Catholics live a better, longer, and healthier life.
Some parts of Donohue's book are brilliant! Chapter Four, "Coping With Anxiety" is the most concise explanation of redemptive suffering that I've read in six years of studying to become a Third Order Carmelite. Reading this chapter reminded me of spending three weeks with a sick newborn inside Children's National Hospital. My husband and I were physically isolated and yet hundreds of messages of encouragement were posted to this blog. I held our sick daughter while my husband read out loud every new comment as it posted. I experienced the bonds of community, which Donohue mentions in his book, as extending far beyond the ritual "sharing of the peace" during Mass.
Donohue has a gift for finding clever quotes that stick a pin into matters of deep theology. For example, he quotes a former Hollywood actress, named Dolores Hart, who once kissed Elvis onscreen and yet quit her career as an actress at its peak in order to became a contemplative nun. "You can't find happiness putting another fancy dress on. Happiness comes when you find someone that you really love, that you can really give your life to." (page 129). Donohue is at his best when he describes the rich interior life of priests and nuns.
Yet Donohue's description of the secular worldview disintegrates into an ugly "us" versus "them" mentality. Donohue criticizes Hollywood actors for their poor life decisions with an incredible force. Drug addiction and suicide seem to be at the top of Donohue's "Thank God, I'm not a tax collector!" list. In a weird twist, I found Donohue's chapter on the war crimes committed by Hitler, Pol Pot and Stalin to be written with a less judgmental tone than his paragraphs about the accidental drug overdose deaths of Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Donohue's central argument misses the messy parts of a more open and gentle worldview. The saint and the sinner coexist to different degrees inside all of us. Religion is more than a set of useful practices or mantras picked up like a self-help book. Faith is a gift!
My takeaway from this book is that there is a lot of objective proof that my faith journey is good for me. Thank you Bill! Yet the invitation I have for this author extends to all of us Catholics this Lent. We don't need to sell our Catholic faith, we need to live it!
For more book reviews check out the Catholic Advantage Blog Tour from March 3 to March 9th here.
On March 5, author Bill Donohue will be a guest on Raymond Arroyo on EWTN at 8 PM EST.
"[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like the other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income" But the tax-collector, standing far off would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
A Novel Response to "You've Got Your Hands Full!"
Today is the feast of Saint Casimir, a Polish prince from the Middle Ages. I was surprised to find that the most famous painting of him in Krakow depicts him with two right hands. Art historians can't decide if its an accident (caused by fading paint) or an intentional decision by the painter. Whoever the cause, the result is pretty cool!
The first time I started my novice training in Carmel, my instructor said "No one is ever going to print you a Thank You Note in the Church Bulletin for completing your quiet prayer time, but you still need to do it!" I assumed that idea also applied to canceling church volunteer projects in order to attend to the needs of my individual family. Yet here is the actual email correspondence with my priest last week.
Setting: There is a desperate need for volunteers to take the Eucharist to our local hospital. This once a year training meetings has sat on my calendar for 3 months. Fifteen minutes before I am supposed to leave, I finally accept that my four month old son is not going to cooperate that day. I wrote my parish priest the following email.
Sorry, I had to cancel my plans to attend your Hospital Ministry today. I have a colicky newborn son who won't settle today.
I believe I'll need to postpone my involvement in this service for at least six months because my son is pretty unpredictable and has high needs. In the meantime, I'll have lots of opportunity to pray and offer up sacrifices for this ministry.
Thank you for all your work in bringing Hope to the sick.
Glory be to Jesus Christ! You have chosen well. Your vocation should come before your apostolate. Prayer is important! As Tennyson wrote: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." May God bless you and your family!"
Knock me over with a feather! When does someone THANK me for putting my high needs baby ahead of filling a spot in a thin volunteer schedule? But it's right. There is a orderly process for service work (or charity, as we call it in Catholic lingo).
If you have some hidden act of service in your life that is keeping you from signing up for volunteer projects that you want to do and getting your name printed in the Thank You Box of the church bulletin, please consider this post as your personal thank you note! Thank you for keeping things in their correct order! Don't get discouraged. When you have a prayerful heart, you are connected to the whole world. Remember that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." | 2019-04-22T00:43:33Z | http://www.abigailbenjamin.net/abigails-alcove/?offset=1428134640000 |
A comment from Kirsten Whitehouse on the sunny Friday was somewhat ominous and, as it turned out, entirely correct, “tomorrow mainly running…in snow,” although it was not until I left the house that I became aware of the weather we would be training in. It made no difference to me because I had already decided to wear a hat and gloves, and I ran the 2.5 kilometres through the falling snow down to the museum car park at Verulamium Park, arriving just before Tony drove up. We agreed it was very cold as we waited for anyone else to turn up. Rebecca Cohen would not be joining us as she was feeling ill – she had made a very wise decision ! The clock was ticking towards 0720… Kirsten arrived at 0721, protesting her innocence, but Tony had been watching the time since he got here. Robert Boarder was late for the second week in a row, this time by two minutes, and Steven Lamb arrived a minute later. Tony had already checked that there was a suitable puddle available for lay downs, and as we picked up 3 wrec bags and a log (a different log to last week, which you can read about here) between us and set off, I presumed we were just heading to the puddle, so I started my Garmin and slotted in behind the others, just walking to the puddle. However, they carried on straight past the puddle, so I was already struggling to keep up !
We ran down the main path which runs from the museum car park beside the football pitches, going past the playground and the Adizone before cutting across the grass to the woods beside the Roman wall. There 5 of us, 3 wrec bags and 1 log, so Steven was not heading into the bushes to quickly relieve himself before we set off, he was actually looking for something to carry, and came out with a big slice of wood which looked more like a crocodile than anything else because of its bark, and especially when Steven had it lying on his shoulder. Tony set out the plan – we would be running the lap we all knew very well by now, up through the woods and down the boundary on the outside of the woods, which is around 1 kilometre. We would run 1 lap, then 1 lap with a carry; run 2 laps, then 2 laps with a carry; run 3 laps, then 3 laps with a carry.
The ground was muddy and wet in the woods, making running very difficult for me. I definitely need to invest in a new pair of trail running shoes. I am more used to running this loop the other way round, and it certainly poses different difficulties in this direction, running up through the tracks in the woods. Which is not to say that running down the outside of the woods is any easier than running up, and especially not this morning in the cold wind. My gloves were doing nothing to keep out the wind, and while my hat was keeping my head warm, my face was cold and my eyes were watering. I kept going as well as I could, and, of course, it all got much harder when I had to carry something. The light wrec bag had gone by the time I got back to the start, and thankfully the crocodile had also disappeared. I picked up the remaining sandbag and set off, pretty much at walking pace. The footing was even more uncertain now that I was holding an external weight which was affecting my balance. I did keep going, though, and Rob and Tony only passed me as I was coming to the final stretch of my second lap, which I definitely took as a win. The next time Rob passed me he told me the session had changed so that we would only be carrying for one lap in between the unloaded runs. As it turned out, that made absolutely no difference to me because by the time I came around for my second carry, my hands were so frozen that I could not pick up the wrec bag, let alone contemplate carrying it for a kilometre. Of course, it was not only the cold which was having this detrimental affect on my hands and fingers, but also the physical position of carrying the bag, with my arms bent and my hands up at my shoulder level, which was draining the blood from them. Steven passed me as I finished my third lap, and Kirsten caught up with me as I started out on what would be my final lap. Overall, I was happy with that performance right now.
As I came down to the finish of that final lap I saw Tony, Rob and Kirsten walking towards the football pitches to make their way to the car park. I began to cut over to them before Tony told me to get to the end of the lap first, so I curved back to the end and then ran over to join them. I took one of the wrec bags to carry back and we all looked out for Steven and the crocodile. At one point we thought we saw him coming down the slope on the outside of the woods, but nobody appeared further down, so Tony went off to find him. The three of us continued, walking back through the somewhat amazed stares of the crowd awaiting the start of the St Albans parkrun.
The weather had made it a very tough session, and I had covered 8.35 kilometres, which I would consider to be tough in itself at the moment. Tony and Rob had covered 10.89 kilometres, and Steven and Kirsten had covered somewhere in between. More to the point, Steven got Kirsten with a snowball.
Coach Tony Leary got straight to the point this week, “Fancying a hill based session on Sunday, maybe a bit of bridge action too – can only mean 1 place!! Aldenham- meet at the church at 7:20 for a 7:30 start” and that suited me just fine. My running has been coming along well over the last few weeks and adding in some hills will only help that. The bridge would also present an excellent challenge to measure progress in other areas over those last few weeks.
I was collected by Rebecca Cohen at 0645, we picked up Kirsten Whitehouse (on time) on our way over, and everything was going very well until we encountered our first obstacle – the police had closed off the road because of something serious just out of view. Tony had parked up just off the main road and we followed him on an alternative route. At one point he went past a junction we needed to take, so we ended up in front of him, which was good because it meant we could not be any later than him, and I was certainly prepared to use that as a defence and mitigation against any river burpees. Parking restrictions have come into force since I was last here, so instead of being able to park between 0730 and 0900 on a Sunday morning at the top of the track we run down, we now have to park outside of the village church. You can guess the potential complications with that one. We do ensure we park as close to each other as possible to take up as little space as we can. Daniel Spears was already parked up, Steven Lamb arrived shortly after us, and very soon we were all ready to go.
It was a cold, dry morning, with the wind certainly adding to the coldness, and I wisely wore a pair of gloves, as did everyone else. We would be carrying lengths of rope with us to use at the bridge, but after Tony had handed them all out, sadly there were none left for me to carry. We ran away from the church and down the road, getting onto a track as soon as it appeared, for the moment following our usual route down to the main area we train in here. We stopped at a gate for calf stretches and a totally natural, completely not even slightly posed photograph, and I took over the rope carrying duty from Kirsten. We headed off to the left, which was a different direction for me, and if I had thought the tracks we had run down were wet, it was nothing compared to the waterlogged ground we were soon running over. The group had naturally split into Tony, Dan and Steven; Rebecca and Kirsten; and me, and now, as Rebecca and Kirsten turned right into the woods, I heard Tony shouting that they had gone the other way, and I cut into a gap to see them on the other side of a bridge. We proceeded to cross it in a number of different ways, none of which were simply walking across it, and one of which, from Kirsten, is probably banned in a number of countries worldwide. Tony had had enough by now and we set off running again, across wet, muddy fields, before crossing the river, on a wooden bridge this time, which was more than a bit dodgy on the far side. It looked like it could have been one of the obstacles from Tough Guy.
Who needs a bridge ?
Not that we actually needed it, because now Tony took us from one bank to the other, going through the knee-deep river, zigzagging there and back again, before we pushed on, and those at the front found another water obstacle to loop through as those at the back caught up, until finally we arrived at our usual bridge.
My legs had definitely felt tired and stiff getting here, but I was happy that my feet and toes did not feel too cold despite the river crossings – the Inov8 socks are working very well for me.
Kirsten was not able to do much running today, so she stayed behind to attach the ropes to the bridge, while the rest of us made a run to the hills. Tony explained something completely different to anything we had done on this section before, and maybe it was my fatigue but it simply did not compute with me at all. Everyone else seemed clued up, so off we went with Dan leading the way, as he carried straight on past the point where we should have turned to go down into a ditch… It was steep going down and so much steeper trying to come up and out of it. I got near the top after a big effort and slipped back to almost half way, wondering if I would ever actually get out. Forget hill repeats, it felt like I was going to be lucky to even see the hill at this rate. I moved further over to the left and found more branches and debris to help me, finally making it out and being able to get back to the main track to continue my stumble up the hill. The climb out of the ditch had been very energy sapping and I was pushing to get any sort of upward movement as the hill loomed ahead of me, and now my hands were cold through my gloves. I definitely need better gloves for winter OCR stuff. Coming down the hill presented its own set of problems as my foot grip was hardly worth mentioning and any sort of pace saw me rushing headlong towards a tree trunk or some bracken. I have worn my current running shoes into the ground (literally) and my kit wishlist just keeps growing. I got to the bottom, did 10 push-ups, climbed over the gate and did another set of 10, before heading off on the loop again. This time as I neared the bottom of the ditch and was looking for a way up, Tony shouted at me to go further to the left, to pre-rig the obstacle, and, of course, he was right. The next couple of times getting out of the ditch were still a hard effort for me, but much easier than the first time.
Everyone else was bombing up and down the hill, and Kirsten joined us as we were some way into it. The next time I passed Tony he told me to call this my last lap and begin the run round to the bridge. I followed the track, and as I approached the bridge everyone else appeared from other routes. Everyone was getting ready for the bridge crossings when suddenly Kirsten spotted blood.
I had not realised I had grazed my knee until she pointed it out. It was very much only a flesh wound (if that !), but that was not going to stop me hamming it up, wiping a streak of blood down my cheek as photographs were taken.
Getting back to serious matters, I had not got near the water yet and my fingers were already freezing.
I could see that Kirsten had attached the 4 ropes along the bridge, to allow a J-lock traverse on the ropes from one end of the bridge to the other. That sort of move is still beyond me for the moment, so instead I climbed along the outer edge of the bridge, which was hard enough, given the state of my fingers.
To keep us warm (as if) Tony added in a run from the far side of the bridge to the top of hill and back, and once everyone had had enough fun trying not to dip in the water while hanging from the ropes, we began the run back to the cars for bacon rolls and pancakes from Rebecca, before clearing the cars out of the way of the morning church congregation, and heading home to get ready for an afternoon bouldering session at The Arch in Burnt Oak, Edgware.
I had covered 8.5 kilometres, Dan had covered 9.6 kilometres, and everyone else had covered somewhere in between. It had been a tough session, and had given me a very good idea of where I am with my fitness and OCR ability right now.
You can read about the first session at Greenwood Park here.
You can read about the Greenwood Park circuit here.
You can read about the Greenwood Park pyramid here.
Reading those blogs will fill in the gaps from this one, which built on those previous three sessions.
Coach Tony Leary had spoken, and we were going back to Greenwood Park for my fourth time, which I did not have an issue with at all because I had really enjoyed what we had been doing there these last few weeks. Once again I was very fortunate to get a lift from Rebecca Cohen, who picked me up at 0700, on a very mild, dry morning. Which was nice, because it had clearly rained overnight. I brought my gloves with me, just in case, and in the end did not wear them. Ray was back ! After a few weeks’ absence, it was good to see Ray Fletcher already parked up in the car park as we arrived, and Steven Lamb was also already here. Tony arrived just after us, and then Robert Boarder. We carried the jerry cans, the beer keg and the heavy sandbag over to the other side of the big red climbing frame, ready for the carries in the circuit, and as we left the playground to get started on our warm up run, I saw a new sign which seems to indicate that not everyone is happy to see us here.
Anyway, we set off on a long boundary run, following the path of the North Orbital Road before turning left at the corner of the park. The ground was firm, not too wet or muddy or slippery, although some care was needed with footing in places. At the top of the hill we turned left again, with Tony, Robert, Ray and Steven adding in an extra loop, while Rebecca and I headed straight on, following the track which would take us to the woods. By this point we had naturally split into distinct groups – Tony and Robert, Ray and Steven, Rebecca, and then me. Tony and Robert went past me after the extra loop and headed off to the woods, with Rebecca following them. Ray and Steven went past me as we got closer to the woods, with some great encouragement for me from Steven as they did so, but they could not have seen where the others had gone because they began to head towards a track leading off to the right. I called to them to carry straight on into the woods, and as they did that they appeared determined to turn right on entering, so I called to them that we turn left and follow that path, and potential disaster was averted. Anyone who wishes to claim that this is organised has obviously never run with us. We followed the track round to a part near the other side of the wood where we could run down into dips and then struggle up the other side. I was very thankful for the roots of a fallen tree, which gave me something to pull myself up by. Then we followed the track again before coming out on to the football pitches, running across them back to the playground. We had covered 3 kilometres already.
The plan now was to do one circuit of the obstacles, then run 4, 3, 2 and 1 laps, doing the rope traverse on the goalposts on the final lap of each run before going through the circuit. We would go up the front of the big red rope climbing frame on this lap, and the challenge on further laps was to climb up the underside of the rope until the first level.
Then we were off, doing our 4 laps, 3 laps, 2 laps and 1 lap, with the obstacle circuit after each run. I had been pleased to keep running through the warm up lap, and now my target was to run as many and as much of these laps as possible. I can feel my running coming back together and sessions like these will only help. I got to the ropes as I came to the end of my fourth lap, and tried just holding a position with the J-lock on each. I really need to work on it because it kept slipping. I cannot help but think that is because I cannot hold my leading leg in a bent position while hanging from the rope. My current Road2Worlds training will help with that.
There are areas of progress over the last few weeks – I can now climb through a picnic table without touching the ground, so I am looking forward to that obstacle at Nuclear Oblivion; I am also able to traverse across the swings.
In between those obstacles, on this circuit lap I stuck with climbing on the top of the climbing frame, rather than underneath it, and carried the sandbag up and over the slope and back.
I was definitely slower on the 3 laps. It is interesting just how much doing the obstacles takes it out of you before you set off running again. I tried hanging by my hands from two ropes this time, which was as successful as I suspect you are thinking it might have been. I carried the jerry cans up and over the slope this time, and really struggled with fatigue on the goalpost traverse.
I got good encouragement from everybody as they passed me on the 2 laps and that really helped me to keep going. When I got to the ropes this time I tried holding on to the first while trying to fix the J-lock on the second. I just keep sliding down so my feet touch the floor. Definitely something to work on. I carried the beer keg this time, and it always feels heavier than the other objects. Everyone else had finished, so I decided to run the final lap while everything was tidied up and taken back to the cars. It had been another tough session. I had covered 8.72 kilometres and Robert had covered 9.68 kilometres, with everyone else somewhere in between. Still, we had bacon rolls from Rebecca to look forward to !
I was not in a fit state to run the Fred Hughes 10 this year – at the moment I cannot run 10 kilometres without having to walk some of it, so 10 miles was definitely not in my schedule – so I decided instead to put myself forward as a Marshal after I saw a post from Amy Heap, one of the Race Directors, in the St Albans Striders group on Facebook. It was a very easy application process, sending in an email to offer my services, receiving a confirmation email almost immediately, and then receiving a further email from Peter Blackaller with all the details I would need for the day. It was a very comprehensive email, containing a welcome letter, marshal allocations, a map of all the marshal points, marshal position instructions, general marshal instructions, and a runner flow diagram for where the route crossed itself, which was not relevant to my marshal position, so I would not need to worry about that ! I was allocated to Marshal point 13 with Tony Lillico, at the corner of Stanley Avenue and Chiswell Green Lane, with specific instructions to direct runners to continue along Chiswell Green Lane, because the race used to turn left into Stanley Avenue.
The weather forecast was not looking great, and as I knew I would be standing around as a Marshal, I dressed appropriately in my mountain hiking gear, and packed my rucksack with a fleece, waterproof jacket, two pairs of gloves, Mudstacle ruff, Judgement Day woolly bobble hat, a packet of Jelly Babies and a freshly made flask of peppermint tea. It was lightly snowing when I left my house to walk to the Race HQ at St Columba’s College, but my choice of clothing meant I was prepared for it. Even so, and despite it being less than half an hour’s walk, without having put on either of my pairs of gloves, my hands were cold by the time I arrived at St Columba’s College, the Race HQ, just in time for the scheduled 0845 check in time for Marshals. I joined the fast-moving queue in the main hall to register, confirmed my Marshal point, was given a numbered fluorescent St Albans Striders Marshal vest, received a reminder of the specific instructions for the Marshal point, as well as being told to watch out for cars coming down Stanley Avenue to Chiswell Green Lane, took a photo on my phone of the numbers for the medics, while being reminded that 999 would always be the first call for a real emergency, and then I was ready to set off. It had been a very smooth process.
I dropped off some flapjack at the kitchen for the after-race refreshments, put on my hat, ruff and my inner gloves and then ventured outside again to begin the walk to Chiswell Green Lane, which was just a straight walk down the main road out of St Albans. The snow was still only lightly falling, and I was well wrapped up now. I turned right down Chiswell Green Lane when I reached the Three Hammers pub, and Stanley Avenue was the next road on the right.
I had got into position at Marshal point 13 in very good time at 0930. The race would be starting at 1000 and I reckoned it would be at least 15 minutes after that before any of the runners made their way to this stage. Tony arrived not long after, confirmed he was in the correct location, and then moved his car to a better parking place. He very sensibly stayed in his car until much nearer the start time, while I sheltered under a tree, to the extent that you can shelter under a deciduous tree in winter. The snow was definitely falling harder now and settling in places. Our position came just after a corner, so I hoped everyone would keep their footing.
I had brought my camera with me, so I stood just in front of the tree to get a good view of the runners as they came round the corner. My position would also serve to deter them from turning left up Stanley Avenue. Tony took on responsibility for managing any traffic.
At around 1017 the cyclist in front of the lead runner appeared, with a little group just behind them, and with everyone moving along at a great pace. I think we must have been about 3 miles into the course and everyone seemed very comfortable in what they were doing as they went past, even with the snow now falling harder than ever.
It was wonderful to watch the field running past, all the different colours of the various local running clubs who had supported this event so well, together with the assortment of brightly coloured kit being worn by the non-affiliated runners, and everyone giving their best.
They certainly brightened up the gloomy morning !
It was also great to witness the variety of runners taking part because this was by no means only for the elite – there were young and old, male and female, elite and fun runner, and also a couple of guided runners who were going very strong.
The runner I know of from the St Albans Striders group, Tim Seaton, guided by Julianne Nightingale, even knocked 3 minutes off his performance from last year, posting a personal best of 1 hour 27 minutes 18 seconds, which is a remarkable achievement at any time, and especially given the weather conditions.
All of the runners looked happy to be out there, even in the snow, and so many of them thanked the Marshals as they ran past, with some even waving.
Nobody fell or even stumbled as they approached our position.
All of the traffic was very courteous, and the last runners came through at 1041.
It had been a quick shift ! I had just about managed to take photographs throughout, although my fingers did get very cold after a while and sometimes it was hard to actually push down on the button !
We had a Caution Runners sign planted at our Marshal point, so Tony packed that into his car to take back with him, and I set off on my walk back to Race HQ, passing up the offer of a lift from Tony, and from another couple of Marshals who passed me when I got to the main road. I met Jack Brooks on the way and we enjoyed a quick chat, when he told me they had had lots of traffic going through their Marshal point, which must have kept them busy. The walk back was without incident, I returned my Marshal vest, and then popped into the kitchen area being run by Andy Normile for a cup of tea and a delicious fairy cake with a cherry on the top. That pretty much made my morning. There was no charge for refreshments, and instead a collection was being taken for the Cancer Treatment & Research Trust in memory of John Hope.
They raised £1095, which is amazing, and very well deserved for laying on such a feast of refreshments. From my point of view it had been a perfectly run event, with excellent communication and organisation throughout, and it had been a pleasure to be able to be of some assistance. I would definitely volunteer to be a Marshal again if I was not intending to take part.
You can see more of my photographs from the event here.
The weather was not too bad when I left my house to get a lift with Rebecca Cohen, but in the short time it took us to reach the car park at Greenwood Park it had really started to rain, and as soon as I got out of the car I regretted my decision to not bring my gloves because it was so cold. At least there was no wind. Steven Lamb was already there, and very soon we were joined by Robert Boarder, Daniel Spears and Tony. Tony got the kit out of his car, and while he took the ropes over to one of the goalposts, we carried the kit for the carries over to the bottom of the slope on the other side of the big red climbing frame – 2 sandbags, 2 jerry cans, and 1 very heavy beer keg. I took the very heavy beer keg, but Tony would not let me record that effort for Strava and 200 Kudos, so I only started my watch when we set off for the first run of 3 laps. I was pleased that I was able to run all of the 3 laps this week, and then we stopped to stretch before going over the obstacle circuit for the first time – climbing under the first picnic table without touching the ground, then going over the climbing frame, picking up one of the carries on the other side (I took a sandbag this first time around), going over the slope and down the other side to the fence before coming back (although Robert and I only went to the top this first time, to keep the group together), walking over the seesaw before heading over to the swings to move over them from one end to the other, making sure to climb over the metal barriers at each side, before adding in a climb over a park bench which we had not done last week. Next came the Bridge of Doom, a quick jump over a park bench, then over to more picnic tables, to go under the first one and over the second, before climbing on to the sliding part of the zipline so that we could reach up to touch the line itself. A small, low set of goalposts were perfect for a traverse before running over to another set to go over the top of them.
We would now run 4 laps then do an obstacle circuit, 3 laps and a circuit, 2 laps and a circuit, and finally 1 lap and a circuit, and on the final lap of each run we would stop off at the goalposts about three quarters of the way round to do a traverse using the 4 hanging ropes Tony had attached to them. My hands were already frozen, so I had a feeling this was not going to be the best fun ever. I did quite well running the 4 laps, but when I got to the ropes all I could manage was holding on to the first rope for dear life before moving on. My hands were frozen and they hurt. After going over the big red climbing frame, I took the jerry cans for a farmer’s carry over the slope and back, slipping and losing my footing on the way back down, but my bum cushioned my fall and I was straight back up. My right arm hurt after using it to hook on while I struggled to climb under the second picnic table, and together with my frozen hands, that made the low goalposts traverse impossible. My running was suffering from my fatigue by the time I set out on my 3 laps, but I got good encouragement from Daniel every time he passed me. When I got to the ropes this time around I spent some time working on the J-lock. It still seems less stable than it should be, which most likely means I am not doing it properly. I took one of the sandbags over the slope and back this time around. I knew I was getting slower going over the obstacles so pushed on, making my best attempt at each of them, determined to complete as many circuit laps as possible before everything was brought to a close. I almost lost my footing on the Bridge of Doom, and holding on to the ropes saved me. My 2 laps running were a struggle, and as I came through the gate to begin another circuits lap I saw Tony had finished. I carried on, really feeling it in my right arm as I went under the picnic table, but still able to make good time going over the big red climbing frame, before pushing it over the slope and back with a sandbag. It seemed to me to be the easiest piece of kit to manage, and I wanted to be as efficient as possible this time around. As I was finishing the circuit I saw Tony, Robert, Daniel and Steven heading off to retrieve the ropes, so decided to run the final running lap, even if I would not be able to complete the final circuit lap. I caught up with them just as they were rounding the corner after taking down the ropes, and I made the comment, “It’s all right, I’m used to the course being dismantled before I have finished,” as I headed into the playground area to get the jerry cans, while Tony took the ropes back to his car and the others collected up the other bits of kit.
It had been a brilliant session, with us covering anywhere between almost 7 kilometres and 9 kilometres, and doing more than a few obstacles each lap, in cold and wet conditions. I am not entirely joking when I say we should get a medal and technical tshirt for the Greenwood Rush Sprint Winter Challenge, and it was all done and dusted by 0900.
Things were going to be a little different for the next couple of weeks, “Hi guys – the next 2 Sundays are R2W for me so wont be able to run a Sunday morning session – was thinking of maybe doing a Saturday one instead if anyone interested let me know – similar format – no details yet – to follow.” was the message from Coach Tony Leary, which was followed up with, “Ok team after being inspired by James’ (is that correct use of apostrophy??) latest blog we will be heading to Greenwood park on SATURDAY morning this weekend, 7:20 meet for a 7:30 start – we will be done and finished by 9 as I have to get back and ready for class etc. I would really love it if lots of you could join me cos otherwise it just wouldn’t be the same!! ( Ive been working on being more nice and inclusive 🙂 )” You can read that inspirational blog here.
I was lucky enough to get a lift over with Rebecca Cohen, and that was especially fortunate as I repeated my trick of waking up only 5 minutes before I was due to be collected ! We made very good time driving across St Albans and were the first there, soon to be joined by Robert Boarder, Tony, and then Steven Lamb. Tony got a beer keg, two jerry cans and two sandbags out of his car and, after we had carried them to the bottom of the slope on the other side of the big red rope climbing frame that dominates the playground, we were ready to go, on a dry morning that was not really cold at all. I had carried across the beer keg and it was the heavy one. We ran three laps around the outside of the playground, which was about half a kilometre per lap, before coming back into the playground to follow a course which would take in practically everything the playground had to offer.
Previous footage of the Bridge of Doom !!!
We ran through it together for the first time, climbing under the first picnic table without touching the ground, then going over the climbing frame, picking up one of the carries on the other side (I took a sandbag this first time around), going over the slope and down the other side to the fence before coming back, walking over the seesaw before heading over to the swings to move over them from one end to the other. Next came the Bridge of Doom, which was a lot longer than I remembered it, and split into two distinct sections, a quick jump over a park bench, seemingly just because it was there, then over to more picnic tables, to go under the first one and over the second, before climbing on to the sliding part of the zipline so that we could reach up to touch the line itself. For the record, after Robert had succeeded with his third attempt, I did it first time. A small, low set of goalposts were perfect for a traverse before running over to another set to go over the top of them. I may have misjudged my leap as I came crashing down to the ground on my back, with my head very close to one of the uprights. I was fine.
We continued on, running three laps before doing one lap of the circuit, and I got better with the picnic tables each time. I carried the jerry cans the next time I came around, and then the beer keg on a third circuits lap, to complete the set. And I got a lot better with the final jump, managing to land on my feet. It was a fun, hard workout, and my running needs a lot of work, although I got a lot of encouragement as Robert, Tony and Steven lapped me. I was just under 5 kilometres by 0.08 of a kilometre when Tony brought the circuit to a close, so I ran round one of the picnic tables to make up the distance. That was dizzy work, and I changed it up to a figure of eight around the two picnic tables. I need not have bothered as we headed off to the far side of the playground and a collection of shapes that made up a very challenging climbing wall. Bouldering has become our thing, so, of course, we had a go, before carrying all the kit back to Tony’s car. In the end I had covered 5.3 kilometres, and it had been an excellent morning which I really need to repeat myself more often.
I am going to tread very, very carefully in the shoes of the eloquent James Allen to write a brief review of St Albans OCR Training Group latest Sunday morning training session – so bear with me!
Early in the week, Tony posted a great little video on FB of a low rig he’d set up on the bridge at Aldenham, where we often train, with the opener, ‘I need to get my arse in gear for Canada’. Don’t we all?! He received many responses and it looked like there’d be a good turn-out. Tony added a late disclaimer about the chances of getting feet wet – only feet Tony?? – we’ll see.
Sunday arrived and it was synonymous with going back to school; summer holidays at an end, new term starting and back to serious training sessions. This doesn’t mean we had all taken time off over the summer, you only need to look at posts in FB or Strava to see that everyone was running, racing and staying active.
However, there is something very special about the Sunday morning training sessions that leaves you feeling on top of the world (as James often relays in his blogs, so make sure you read them). This Sunday was no exception. By 7a.m. outside the church in the beautiful village of Aldenham, 7 of us were sorting gear to take for rigs on the bridge. The two missing were Kirsten (I’m on my way dude) and Dany (I’m not getting wet) – last to arrive but not late! It was great to see everyone, especially Neil (been a while), Matt (hadn’t been to Aldenham before) and Rob (still nursing an injury from the Euros), not forgetting the lovely Ray (also nursing injury) who brought a fantastic piece of kit to set up a rope traverse over the river. Actually, I think all of us are nursing some kind of ache or pain at the moment – a bi-product of loving to race over obstacles!
It was a stunning start to the day – blue sky emerging from the mist, clear, crisp air, not a whisper of a breeze and no-one else around. Perfect. We set off down the lane to hit the trail towards the bridge. Myself and Kirsten led as we had nothing to carry (not sure how we managed that!) and Dany, the two Tony’s, Neil, Matt, Rob and Ray followed on, carrying a mix of slings, ropes, chains, rings, nun chucks plus a long metal bar. Exciting!
The jog along to the bridge doubled as a good little warm up. Once at the bridge, Tony gave us instructions as to where attachments should go to make an easy rig and a hard rig on either side. Tony L did harder rig as Tony C organised easier one. Ray and Neil jogged along the river to set up the rope traverse.
As he hung attachments, Tony L tested to check grade of difficulty; the first version was obviously too difficult as he ended up in the river pretty quickly! Not his intention so early on but it gave us all a laugh !
Start from the bridge, run/jog around the outside of the field, cross a ditch and join the track.
After hill set, run back along main track, through the field and up to the bridge.
Do easy rig first followed by the hard rig, feet were not to touch the ground or water at any point.
Next, the rope traverse. Once across on the rope, then wade back to the other side through the river.
We set off altogether. Tony is excellent at making sure everyone knows where to go and what to do. Only once has he lost someone! By now the sun was out and warming, the ground was soft through the field and we had a nice steady pace going. One of the best features of Sunday group training is that anyone can join in. There is absolutely no pressure to compete nor to keep up with the leaders, although we all aim to. We work our hardest within our own capabilities and one of the best qualities Tony L possesses is his ability to adapt exercise to people’s needs.
Inevitably I ended up near the back (this is where I missed you most James Allen!!) and arrived at the gate to find the others doing press ups whilst they waited. Tony explained the route again, adding a log carry to the first rep. There’s never any hanging about – off we went. Any brief chat soon stopped as we worked hard on the incline. The only voice was the booming one of Tony C as he hollered ‘HOLE’ randomly as we ran!
Arriving at the log pile, I chose a light but long log to carry across my shoulders; some of the guys carried tree stumps which were extremely heavy. This made the next stage much harder on the calves but reminded me it was nothing compared to the steep inclines we would face in Canada.
The run back down was speedier, Dany reminding us to recover on the descent. Although I stomped up the track, I ran back down each time, taking care with my footings and missing the holes! We all remembered to launch over the gate and drop for press ups. Our heart rates were high by now.
Once this section was complete, Tony led the way back along the track, heading for the rig section. He was straight on the rig with Rob and Ray waiting to follow. I headed to do the rope traverse with Neil so we weren’t queuing. What a great job the boys had done with the rope – they had found an excellent spot with the rope up high in the trees. I whizzed across, dropped down and strode straight into the river, enjoying the water cooling me down.
There were many interesting was of getting along the easy rig which turned out to be not so easy! Hauling myself up over the top of the bridge, I was pleased I hadn’t fallen in. This was short lived, as I struggled to reach from the ring to the thin rope on the harder rig section. In I went. As did everyone in the end I think! Dany was determined not to get wet and she worked brilliantly on the hard rig, but inevitably got wet feet!
Unfortunately this was not the time to play and practise. The nagging voice of Tony L cut into our reams of advice for each other, telling us to get a move on. He was quite right. Focus.
The second lap of the route saw Tony way out in front (his injuries definitely improving). We followed, now knowing exactly where we were going and what we were doing. Unsurprisingly, the second lot of hills was tougher. Tony thought it would be fun to add some quick sprints up the first steep hill section to end with – a mean trait he has of adding more, just when you think you’ve finished!
Back at the bridge, we all completed the rope traverse and as much of the rigs as we could manage before we were then allowed to play! By this time we were all soaked at least up to our waists and because the water temperature was cooling in the warm air, we were happy to hang out in the river. It was turning out to be a beautiful morning, and a great opportunity for a photo shoot!!
We did some transition practise on the rigs, as well as the usual challenge of climbing out of the water onto the bridge, over the top and back underneath the bridge without touching the water. There are some bars under the bridge that you can hook feet onto to help, but it is still quite difficult; lots of upper body and core strength needed.
Finally, it was time to head back to the cars. Selfie done, rigs dismantled, we steadily jogged back through the field and track to the village. Kirsten and I headed off first, chatting as we jogged (any opportunity). We could hear everyone behind chatting too. The camaraderie of these sessions is one of the many reasons they are so popular and successful (much like the OCR community in general).
End of session selfie !!!
No session would be complete without coffee and bacon rolls (unless I really can’t haul my arse out of bed early enough). As everyone tucks in before they faint, I am reminded it is always worth getting up extra early or staying up late to make these because everyone is so grateful and I am always starving at the end! However, in view of eating healthily for Canada, it will be yoghurt, fruit and porridge options from now on!
Our glorious leader was away, but in the words of Starship, nothing’s gonna stop us now. Tony Leary had given us some inspiration during the week, anyway, treating Rebecca Cohen to a low-rig experience over a river on her birthday; and as some of us are taking on the Virtual Three Peaks Challenge organised by James Burton and The Wolfpack’s 2017 Strive Challenge to raise money for Big Change, a UK youth charity, we need to get in some elevation at all available opportunities, because St Albans is pretty flat. We have 100 days to run or hike the elevation of the UK Three Peaks Challenge – 3,407m (11,178ft). If we succeed we “get some shiny bling in the post to honour your achievement and of course super-human calves” – so hill repeats was always going to be on the agenda, as was clear from the initial communication from Rebecca, “Hi James- r u doing virtual 3 peak challenge? I am and thinking if 4 of us training in morning, we could do hill reps in Verulam then come to mine for rig work ( I have injured shoulder so won’t go mad on rig!) Will message Kirsten too and see what she thinks.” A plan was definitely forming, and was very quickly confirmed by Kirsten Whitehouse, “Plan for tomorrow: meet in Verulam museum car park for 7:30am start. Session will focus on hills – feel free to bring any carries or whatever you want to focus on. We will leave the park at 8:20 and head to Rebecca’s for some rig work. Finish by 9:15 as always.” I managed to fall asleep again after my alarm in the morning, so it took a brisk walk down to get me to the car park for 0730, immediately seeing Kirsten and Rebecca, and also Daniel Spears and Coach Tony Campbell, and not long after I arrived, Matt Stewart also drove up and parked.
Rebecca had brought along some equipment, as had Coach Tony Campbell, and we got that sorted to take it over to where we would be training. Coach Tony Campbell made the point of how quiet it was this morning, in Coach Tony Leary’s absence.
We took the kit we were going to be using to the open ground near to the gap which leads into the field next to the road, and began a warm up under the guidance of Coach Tony Campbell. It must have been a rigorous warm up because Matt managed to split his shorts, which we got the full benefit of later on.
And then, almost before we realised it, Rebecca was off running up the hill, dragging a tyre behind her, so we all got on with our own training, which was varied, due to the differing levels of injury within the group.
Daniel and Coach Tony took to the battle ropes, Matt and Kirsten did sandbag carries, and I decided to stick with doing basic hill repeats, completing 5 in the time available. It was a good opportunity for me to try them out to determine if they were suitable for the next part of my 10K training plan. There was good encouragement along the way as we passed each other.
Coach Tony was taking Kirsten through a serious of drills for her shoulder, so I joined in with that because I am always looking for ways to better my shoulder mobility. It had been a good little session, and I had covered 4.6 kilometres with 111 metres of elevation in 47 minutes and 33 seconds. We took all the kit back to the cars and then drove over to Rebecca’s house. I had wondered if we would be running to get there, but this was a far better idea.
The rig looked excellent. By which I mean it looked way beyond my capabilities. Rebecca showed us how to do it. By which I mean she absolutely smashed it !!!
She climbed up on to the rope traverse, got across that to a trapeze bar, moved on to some bars, rings, a hanging tyre, and another traverse. Coach Tony had a go, and demonstrated some different techniques, although I honestly believe you have to be part gorilla to be able to use them. Daniel had a few attempts, improving each time, benefiting from the advice the group were providing, with Rebecca and Kirsten able to pitch in as well as Coach Tony, and really showed us how to use the trapeze bar.
Matt was working on his monkey bar technique. I did some hanging around on the rings and the bars to work on my grip strength, tried the rope traverse until it began to hurt and burn because I only had short socks on, and also got back on a rope, working through the excellent advice I had received at the Wild Forest Gym from Tristan Steed (and, no, I am not going to shut up about that any time soon !!!), again until I started to burn the bottom of my legs on the rope.
I must get some longer socks. And more upper body strength. And less weight. Rebecca had disappeared and soon came back with tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches – the real reason why I come to these training sessions.
It had been another excellent morning training with an awesome group of friends. | 2019-04-25T06:06:09Z | https://jamesablog.starjump.org/ |
Back in 2013, it seemed obvious the Flames were going to take whoever was available between Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan at sixth overall. Now that they have both, not to mention some random 104th overall draft pick from 2011, they appear to be unstoppable?
The Flames are near the top of the league standings; the Red Wings are near the bottom. So you’d think that would spell an obvious conclusion to the game – a Flames victory – but they had to work for it after giving themselves a 2-0 deficit to start, the victims of their own play and the occasional iffy bounce.
But the Flames aren’t just a talented group this year – they’re also a resilient one, and came out to a much better second period. While they often had troubles scoring due to holding onto the puck too long or shooting it right into Jimmy Howard, Johnny Gaudreau kept working to create the breaks they needed in order to finally score – and eventually, it happened, resulting in a 2-2 game.
Except mere seconds letter, Oliver Kylington helping the Wings regain the lead via giving Andreas Athanasiou a penalty shot evoked a sense of “here we go again”. Except for mere seconds after that, when Lindholm’s snipe we all know and love tied the game up again. That couldn’t have felt too good for Detroit – and must have had the Flames feeling great going into the third, when they finally took their first lead of the game. It seemed all but done from there, and it essentially was, the empty net later sealing it.
Mike Smith hasn’t dressed since a pretty rough Dec. 22 outing against the Blues, but he held his own in a game in which his skaters weren’t at their best. It’s difficult to really solely blame him for any of the goals – poor defence/Darren Helm making a great move, bad bounces on a goalmouth scramble, a penalty shot by a very talented player – not like some of the ones he’s given up in previous outings. He was just as good as the team needed him to be, and gave them a respectable chance to win. That’s really all you can ask out of your backup, and he delivered.
Gaudreau had a four-point night and even still he could have scored way, way more. He couldn’t score on any of his breakaways – and he had a lot of those – but his patience with the puck and his sheer stickhandling, his sense of timing, just everything; he’s absolutely incredible. I’m really not sure what else there is to say about him; it isn’t just that he puts up a lot of points, but that so many of them are so gorgeous, and these kinds of plays just keep happening in literally every game.
Did Lindholm completely fix everything that ailed the Flames, or something? The top line hasn’t been this on fire since Jiri Hudler was on it, and Lindholm is actually Monahan’s age: there’s serious long-term potential here, with all three forwards under contract for at least the next three seasons after this one. This trio is probably going to stay a thing for years to come, and it’s just an incredible group. Even if they do drop off in the future, the talent is undeniably there to be total game changers.
They didn’t get on the scoreboard, but I thought the reunited 3M line looked good once again. Should the forward group stay as it is, Michael Frolik really is the best option up there: those three just click.
The Flames have had good outings against good teams as of late – the Lightning, the Jets, the Sharks – but they’ve played poorly against lesser quality opponents, and that’s exactly how this game started. What’s up with that? There’s an understanding that the foot can’t be on the gas all the time, but it’s a little worrisome that this pattern is continuing. Beating up on weak teams is part of how good teams earn their points – but it shouldn’t take a period to get into gear.
Some of the rookies had a rough night, nothing more obvious than Athanasiou drawing a penalty shot off of Kylington. He’ll get better in all likelihood, but it does lend extra weight to the Flames reportedly looking for left-shot defencemen. Also, I didn’t notice Dillon Dube too much, and on reflection it appears he had a 0% 5v5 CF during the game which – yikes. That’s a pretty bad game.
Not that the rest of the defence was particularly hot: Noah Hanifin and Travis Hamonic were rough on the first goal against, and it’s certainly a question as to what TJ Brodie was doing in front of the net on the Wings’ second goal. The entire group can be better than that.
Not everyone is going to be able to score all the time. While the Flames used three lines to get on the board against the Sharks, they were much more a one-line team against the Red Wings. At least semi-consistent scoring from the rest of the forward group would likely go a long way.
49.37% – The Flames’ 5v5 CF, largely in thanks to a monster second period getting them back in the game. The Wings took over the third period once the Flames had taken their first lead of the game.
47 – Lindholm has a new career high in points. It took him 41 games to get there. His previous career high was 45 points in 72 games. What the hell, Carolina? He’s on pace for 38 goals and 94 points this season.
4 – Not just the number of points Gaudreau had, but the number of four-point games he’s had this season. He’s also had five three-point games. And 17 multi-point games. He’s just out of his mind right now; with 59 points to his name, he’s fifth in NHL scoring.
13 – Halfway through the season, the Flames have scored at least five goals 13 times. Yes, they’ve won every one of those games (though one required overtime in order to do so). Their 3.56 goals per game is third in the NHL.
This is definitely a top-heavy team, but when that top just keeps going and going and going, well, you take it. Nobody else has a top group performing this way. The Flames have a line that can completely change the course of any game, and that’s just special.
This is so dumb, this is so much fun, I love it, I love them.
Ari brings up Hamonic, Brodie and Hanifin in the bad news section. I said it before, the last few games, they have been making some stupid mistakes. I really hope those 3 can straighten their defensive play sooner than later. Several goals against due to their “rookie like” mistakes.
I hope Neal is given extra opportunities and that he upticks his stats. And then we trade him. He’s not quite the next Lucic situation but we’re pointed in that direction.
Regarding Smith’s play “that’s really all you expect out of your backup..” I found that to be a bit of a low blow.
I’m OK with it. Bandwagon aside, as long as the team is toeing the company line, everyone else can speak the truth. I don’t think anybody considers Smith as the defacto starter these days.
Kingston penalty call was questionable resulting in a penalty shot, again very questionable. Could have been demoralizing but the guys came back, sign of a strong team. And Smith played well.
I think the call was the right one. Kylington turned his stick over and used the curve to hook the stick. If he keeps his stick blade in the right direction and does a stick press instead it’s not a penalty but that’s not what he did.
What I don’t get is that the Wing’s D was whacking his stick back and forth between Johnny’s legs on his breakaway in the 3rd, and that wasn’t called. So you can’t tie up a stick while leaving the skater physically uncontested, but you can interfere with skating stride without tripping, and it’s not a breakaway. I don’t get that at all.
Since when did blade of stick on blade of stick constitute a hooking call!
Have to put a positive spin on a disappointing season so far in Stockton. With it likely there will be no playoffs this year for the Heat, that means we can raid the roster near the end of the season for a playoff run. There are a few issues such as cap space to keep in order, as well as limits on how many can be brought in, but think of the possibilities.
Along with the current lineup, we would have access to Lazar, Quine, Rychel, and Mangi. We get very deep if you add these guys as options up front.
And no one on D. The best defender according to SF has been AOM and he isn’t even under contract. Also add Phillips to your list of forwards.
Yup – Missed Phillips but wrote that quickly.
Not as worried about DMen, and yes, there is no one.
But we have Vali and he will be available. We also have Stone. Whether Stone can go is up in the air, but they could leave him on IR until well after the trade deadline and only activate him in time to get a conditioning stint in Stockton. We still have Prout too remember (not that I want him on the ice). That would give us 9 DMen if Stone can play again this season.
One of the things that has crossed my mind in the rumours of Tre looking for a left D is that he has something in the works for a trade involving Kylington. I will go as far as to say that he is getting close to a deal for Stone in Ottawa, with Kylington and possibly someone else going to the Sens. Mangi?
He can’t do this until he finds a replacement for Kylington on left D with Vali still out.
I think Ottawa does that deal, as the get some youth and cut salaries. They do not like the finances surrounding Stone’s resigning. Mangi and Kylington check some boxes for how Ottawa is trying to retool while cutting costs.
So you would trade Kylington, Mangiapane and maybe more for a rental? I like Stone and he would really change things here for the playoff run but how would we be able to resign him?
Took Jagger the Devil Dog for a walk. Always gives me time to think while having my arms pulled off by a 90 pound nightmare.
Wondering now if Benny and Kylington for Stone is in the works.
With the cap forecast at $83 million, and Smith and Benny off the books, there are options to get a signing done. Will take a look at things on CapFriendly later in the week.
Love what Benny brings to the table for a cup run, but upgrading to Stone would be even better. Michael Stone shipped out or on LTIR also makes it doable. M. Stone’s contract is at the point now where someone would be willing to pick him up if he passed the physical. If he can’t he is a candidate for LTIR. Not saying yet that the numbers work, but we have to be close.
Skylar: What kind of dog is Jagger? My 75/80 mutt would do the same except I now walk him with a waste leash.
No way would I trade a young defender with great upside for a rental. Is this Chia? I’d rather part with a pick.
If you were desperate, either Valiev or Taormina could give you 8 minutes. Nielson maybe the same. But the defensive cupboard is bare.
The NHL covers hooking in Rule 55, which defines it as “the act of using the stick in a manner that enables a player or goalkeeper to restrain an opponent.” It goes on to specify that “when a player is checking another in such a way that there is only stick-to-stick contact, such action is not to be penalized as hooking.” The NHL groups hooking with other “Restraining fouls” such as holding, interference and tripping.
Wow, OK. That’s how I would interpret it too. You should be able to tie a stick up.
Just tried to check for the rules on Black Aces and it seems essentially that you can have as many as you want. They aren’t on your NHL roster so they don’t impact cap. They are essentially the pool from which injury replacements can be pulled. So if Stone and Valimaki are both healthy then one of Vali and Oli would be a Black Ace along with Prout. I don’t see another D in Stockton ready to add to that list, hence the discussions now about perhaps adding a LD.
The Flames currently have 5 spots that they could fill organizationally but do they have the cap space. I have yet to find a good source for potential NCAA free agents. Does anyone know of one?
Just going by memory and no time to check, but I thought the Black Aces counted towards the cap?
Is it a case of just making year end cap, but the daily cap requirements are out the window. Right now are cap troubles are the daily compliance.
Skylar, so if you do a deal with Ottawa, do you try to swing a goalie swap as well? Add Gillies for Guttavsson or McKenna? I think this is a must. Guttavsson was highly touted but has fallen recently. Maybe a change of systems for both of these goalies would benefit them.
Like it Stockton. They really need a 3rd they could play, and there isn’t anyone right now.
Anyone else have that feeling of utter devastation when Smitty grabbed his leg after Ky stepped on him. We got very lucky on that play.
Yep. Heart sunk, and instantly thought “No, any year but this one… It can’t happen like this”. Can you imaging the guilt on Kylington if Smith was a long term thing? So glad it was minor.
Too late McKenna is now a canuck.
We did not notice Dube b/c BP went down to 3 lines which is something he does frequently and usually gets it right especially when they struggle in the first period. That’s called coaching. Hopefully the guys who got stapled to the bench have lots of energy for tonights’ tilt in Beantown.
The announcers were speculating that Rittich might be able to go tonight.
Karllson over – well just about anyone is a farce this season. He has been no where near all star status.
But give Gio, Mony, Lind, and Ritter the weekend off so the Flames can be ready for the playoffs. I prefer this to having 2 or 3 guys go. All could easily be argued as equal or better than 2 of the 3 Sharks that were picked. Ritter has to be a close 3rd to Fleury.
Interesting that Ari talks about how the reunited 3M line played, but Neal was on that line and Fro on the 3rd line after the 1st period.
Fro was playing with Janko and Ryan and BP had them out there at the end of the game and they scored a EN.
I think after Frolik’s agent had his temper tantrum, either Frolik is getting traded or BP’s will be forced to play him. Regardless, we could do a lot worse than Frolik. Also, I would not trade Kylington. I have a feeling he is going to be a star in this league.
Peters always changes the lines tho. We were down 2-0, so changes were coming. Bennett was -2 and the 3m line looked stale. I don’t mind the move TBH, gotta find a way to spark the team sometimes. Peters is good at it. Much better than GG ever was.
Hrudey’s sweaty bandanna is much better than GG ever was.
They took the best of the Flames and filled the holes with the best of the ‘Canes and created the Calgarolina Flames?
The Carogary Hurriflames? Nah … let’s just say they are now ALL Flames ALL times.
And the way the season is playing out in CAR, they definitely lost this trade, no matter what happens with Fox.
Just realized a possible pattern that bodes well: 1989 Flames win Cup. 15 years later, 2004 and in the Stanley Cup Final (of which missed the Cup by a replay miss). 15 years later, 2019. I like the looks of this pattern. Hope she stays true!
(At least this pattern through this current time span. Really would like to see the rate of Cup appearances increase after this year while the team has a young core group. Very difficult to do though in the Cap Space era.) GFG.
Except they win it this time, no missed calls on goals.
If it comes down to a call again, Flames will definitely not win.
They have been on the wrong side of a lot of early whistles, called off goals and a phantom penalty shot last night.
this team has talent top to bottom, but their defensive play, the “system” play, needs to be drilled in deeper to avoid these lapses. BT wants another defensemen for the left side, I get that givenKylington’s occasional brain fart, but i worry about goaltending more.
I just don’t know how you upgrade Kylington without giving up something significant that we will need for a playoff run. I think by the time we hit playoffs he’ll be fine. If he’s not, hopefully Valimaki is back by then. In my opinion it makes no sense to upgrade this position. These guys have not made more mistakes than Hamonic, Brodie or Hanifin so I don’t get the sudden panic.
That penalty shot was undeserved. 2 min., ok but the guy got a good shot off. We didn’t get a penalty shot at least 3 times in recent memory for the same result: defender defends, shooter gets a scoring chance + 2 min PP.
I think the brain fart was Hanifin, doing a Russell with Helm walking around him.
The other was a forward not covering the net front player.
The only other goal was the WTF PS.
Since when is a stick check considered a hook?
It was the bad pinch at the blueline by Hamonic that caused that one if I remember it clearly. Hanifin was left as a passenger on a really bad gaff up ice.
John Shannon just makes things up, I think. Why would Tre be looking for a left d, Valimaki will be available soon according to Tre’s radio interview. Tre is pretty tight lipped about his dealings. I would like the Flames to find a play making center for the 2nd line.
There is a certain amount of humor in the comment that they did not play that well but won. Seems to me that the trick is to play well enough to win and not worry about the perfect game.
Last night they came out sluggish and really light on their sticks, oh well. Against San Jose they came out like the first period was life and death. In the end whatever it takes is what they need.
– 12th Monahan (160), 7 goals away from Joel Otto in 10th.
This talk of trading defenceman makes me a tad nervous. All assets are movable. But we have two young, fast, puck smart d-men in Razzy & Oli. They don’t grow on trees like they used to. Proceed with caution.
Would it feel bad if they could find a way to bring in Muzzin with Stone remaining on IR for the rest of the season? Not saying that it could happen, but if the right LD could be had, is Ky expendable. We all know Vali is not. Muzzins $4 mill is close to Stones $3.? is it not.
Identifying and developing top shelf d-men are a big picture strategy because of that position. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice future assets for a short term goal (playoff run). A deep playoff run is probably going to require another 2 defensemen and our reserve strength is apparently thin. In Treliving we trust.
After the last two years this is so much fun to watch. It’s a long season and many things can happen BUT this is a very solid, consistent hockey team. I think we also know that they can get better. Good teams and close teams have fun playing and being together. This team is in that group.
That’s the big take-away for me. The team still has a lot of room for improvement. A LOT. We’ve got some bottom 6 players that can score more than they are, and team-wide defense that hasn’t totally and consistently clamped down yet. Sky’s the limit if those things happen, but we’re already a top team with those short comings.
Might be one of the most exciting players I’ve seen in 60 years of watching hockey. Gretzky was great, but Johnny’s skating and stick handling moves are amazing!
Two thoughts on tonight’s game: Good news. Flames really play well against NHL top teams. Boston is a top team. Bad news: Back to back games, lousy flight, and late night of travel. Will be greatly delighted if we win tonight or get a point.
Agreed. A point (at least) would be greatly appreciated tonight.
I wonder if Purple Gatorade has taken a spike in sales due to Johnny’s recent antics?
It sure would be funny to have Gaudreau, Monahan and Lindholm do a Purple Gatorade commercial.
I’m not short on ideas, I could be their talent agent… I already have 3 commercials of the top of my head, that would make you piss your pants.
They don’t call me Otw for no reason..
Hilarious to see Mony remind JH that he had some beverage distribution to attend to. Gave him a hard time for forgetting “The Purple Stuff”.
Ari, bye and away a good write-up except for ragging on Kylington for the penalty shot. If you look at it closely not only did Kylington use his wheels to get back into the play but he adroitly checked on both sides without hooking, nor slashing. I thought it was pretty brilliant defence, NOT a penalty and definitely not worthy of a penalty shot. To further suggest Kylington is the reason why the Flames “supposedly” is looking for a left shot defenceman when all he’s done is play solid, steady D is disappointing, but sure, it is good click bait so there’s that….
I agree. I am more impressed by Kylington than all other defenders other than Giordano the last 10 or so games.
Yeah, shopping or not, Kylington has been way better than expected in his role. He played that breakaway perfectly, and that shouldn’t have been a penalty shot. I hope he’s a part of this team for a long time.
Remember when, “The Novelty”, Jaromir Jagr said last season that Johnny Hockey could win the scoring race one day? He wasn’t far wrong.
Mario Jr. would make a fine coach one day…if that’s what he decides he wants to do with the rest of his life. | 2019-04-25T20:33:06Z | https://flamesnation.ca/2019/01/03/flames-5-red-wings-3-post-game-embers-top-line-magic/?sortby=trash |
Increase conversion rates of cold sales emails through social proofing!
Social proofing is a psychological phenomenon which influences someone to think that you are great after knowing that other people think you are great. It is informational social influence where people assume or conform to other's actions in an attempt to reflect the correct behavior for a given situation.
This is useful especially when you are communicating to your potential customers for the first time, as when you are cold emailing them.
Social proof is also notable on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The more followers you have, the more trustworthy and reputable you appear to be.
Product reviews and ratings are relevant for American consumers. Statistics says that more than 70% of them look at product's site and its reviews and ratings before deciding to purchase a product.
Several techniques of social proofing can be utilized, including mentioning in your email the patrons of your product, perhaps a famous company which is also your client, a famous investor, or the person you know in common in the mail.
It shows your potential customer that others have also taken the action that your company wanted them to take, whether purchasing or subscribing. Research shows that when a famous customer is mentioned at the bottom of the email, replies in the cold email doubled.
In a study of 10,000 accounts at a German bank, it was shown that customers who came from customer referrals had 16% higher lifetime value than those who came from other acquisition sources. Social media has sparked dozens of different ways to provide this kind of social proof.
Facebook widgets that show other Facebook friends that “like” a brand, Twitter’s display of people you follow that also follow another person, and the various ways that company offer rewards for referring others to the brand are all examples of this. Perhaps you might also want to mention present customers with established positive reputations.
These influencers are seen more positively with association. A shared LinkeIn Connection may also be mentioned. It was found that when you point out a shared connection with someone in common, 25.5% of the people who received the email opted in to have a further conversation about the product compared to the 4 % who received the basic mail.
Testimonials, accompanied with corresponding faces, are one of the most persuasive forms of social proof out there. Compared to statistics, stories and real-life experiences by other people are more trustworthy and persuasive because these examples touch our hearts and mind.
In a recent study, more than 82% of medical clinics reported at least one issue with employee theft or embezzlement... that they were aware of. This free guide to beating embezzlement and employee theft schemes uncovers the hidden tactics behind how these scams work, and how you can find them before they capsize your clinic.
Embezzlement and employee theft are an unfortunate fact in almost every business, and especially in cosmetic medical practices. If you haven't ever had to deal with this you're extremely lucky since it has taken place in every clinic I've been personally involved with and the stories that are told by physicians and business owners are legion.
If you think it can't happen in your business you';re just whistling past the graveyard. It can. It will.This report is designed to give you a fighting chance to identify how your business is at risk, to understand how these schemes work, and what you can do to minimize your risk and take action when you find a problem.
You're about to read the many stories that have been collected from clinics and physicians; from how a physician-employee put an extra account on a credit card terminal to deposit payments into his own checking account to how a NP would inject patients with straight saline and steal the Botox to use in her own side business. Some of the stories are almost beyond belief in their brazenness and the damage that was caused. In almost every case, the employee was a trusted team member.
Employees that are embezzling or stealing from you are enabled by ignorance and naivety. On the following pages you'll begin to remedy those issues.
I wish a report like this wasn't necessary, but it is.
If you don't read it you're a fool.
A very eye-opening and sobering report.
Opened my eyes! The information in this report is invaluable! I hadn't even thought of some of the scams mentioned in these testimonials!
Great! ...after reading others experiences I realize that you just cannot be too careful when it comes to the financial security of your business.
This report will help other centers avoid going through what we had to endure and overcome.
Keeping patients happy makes sense, both to avoid problems and build your reputation and referral base.
Not all patients that state they had a poor experience from another provider are signaling the proverbial red flag. Most of these patients HAVE had an experience of poor treatment outcome.
And to add salt to their wound,the previous treating provider could care less!
We must keep in mind that for most of our patients, coming in for Medical Aesthetic treatments is an exciting and much anticipated experience.
The number one reason patients state they no longer go to their previous provider is, "He was a jerk!" Oddly enough, the number one complaint I hear regarding a female provider is "I had to wait too long." This is not to say there are no female jerks or that patients don’t have to wait too long to see a male provider. These statements are simply the most common that I hear from (from) my patients.
No one is perfect. I don’t care how good you are at fillers, Botox, lasers, and surgery. We’re human, and we have bad days too. Bottom line: If you did achieve a less than desirable outcome, fix it for heaven's sake! With a smile on your face. If you're running more than 15 minutes behind, be prepared to apologize profusely and don't let it happen again. At both our clinics over 50% of our new patients are by referral. The most common reason for these referrals: “They're so nice!” Patients in general have a sense of helplessness when it comes to being treated by a provider. Do not tell a patient what they have to do. This is not life or death nor a dictatorship. Our patients know that we truly love what we do and we care. You don’t have to be all hugs and kisses, but, you'd better have a smile and a few jokes up your sleeve. You must keep in mind that this is the grown up version of a trip to Disneyland. It’s an E ticket ride with a high price tag. This is not an area of medicine of need.
This is completely a "WANT" this treatment situation. We encourage our patients to tell us what they are looking to have done and then offer safe, sane treatment options for them. This gives the patient a greater sense of control, and a decreased sense of possibly being pressured. If they can't afford all of the treatments at one time, what ever you do, never pressure a patient! If they like the one treatment you do and you personally, they’ll be back. And that’s how you keep your patients.
Download the new, free report for Members: Medical Spa Embezzlement & Employee Theft Scams... Reading it could save your clinic.
It's the guide to beating embezzlement and employee theft schemes in your cosmetic practice or medical spa.
Taking cash payments in the treatment room, stealing Botox and fillers to inject their own patients, ordering fraud, trading extra services for large tips, or stealing your client database to sell or use... In a recent study, more than 82% of medical clinics reported experience with employee theft or embezzlement... that they were aware of. This new 40 page guide to beating embezzlement and employee theft schemes uncovers the hidden tactics behind how these scams work, and how you can find them before they capsize your business.
Embezzlement and employee theft are an unfortunate fact in almost every business, and especially in cosmetic medical practices. If you haven’t ever had to deal with this you’re extremely lucky since it has taken place in every clinic I’ve been personally involved with and the stories that are told by physicians and business owners are legion. If you think it can’t happen in your clinic you’re just whistling past the graveyard. It can. Don’t prepare yourself and it will.
This report is designed to give you a fighting chance to identify how your business is at risk, to understand how these schemes work, and what you can do to minimize your risk and take action when you find a problem.
Great report! It should be required reading for all doctors — even for those of us who've been around!
A very eye-opening and sobering report. This is a must read for everyone!
You’re about to read the many stories that have been collected from clinics and physicians; from how a physician-employee put an extra account on a credit card terminal to deposit payments into his own checking account to how a NP would inject patients with straight saline and steal the Botox to use in her own side business... and a host of others... ordering fraud, trading extra services for large tips, or stealing your client database to sell or use, setting up false bank accounts, switching acocunts on the credit card reader... all of these scams are covered through real life accounts from the physicians and clinic owners who experienced them.
Some of the stories are almost beyond belief in their brazenness and the damage that was caused. In almost every case, the employee was a trusted team member. Do yourself, your family, and your business a favor and read this report. No matter what your experience has been, you're going to learn something important.
Unfortunately, employee embezzlement and theft in cosmetic medical clinics is commonplace. We're going to help you with that.
We've posted about theft and embezzlement before. Read: Embezzlement & Employee Theft: It can, and probably will, happen to you.
How common embezzlement schemes are set up and how these criminals cover their tracks.
How thieves steal Botox and injectables to supply their side business.
Credit card and payment scams at the front desk.
Inventory and product theft in the back room.
We're compiling these submissions as well as drawing on our own experiences and contacting embezzlement and loss prevention experts to produce a comprehensive blueprint for protecting your clinic and your business that will give you insight into how these scams work, and how you can prevent them.
If you have any thoughts on this topic or what we should include, please leave them in the comments below.
Some of the best marketing for your medical spa is not 'marketing' at all... it's incredible customer service.
Customer service is probably the easiest way to distance yourself from the competition.
Read the forums and you'll find lots of threads discussing how commoditized the market for Botox or laser hair removal has become, how much to pay your staff, and how Groupon is destroying everyone's margins... but you'll be hard pressed to find discussions about how to deliver service that generates sales.
But delivering great customer service is something that you should think of as driving sales, not lost time and a money-sink.
Our clinic staff operations were designed to provide fantastic customer service to everyone, but to really go above and beyond with selected patients in an effort to wow them, even if it cost us money. In fact, wowing patients had budget set aside from marketing.
The key is make your customer ecstatic about your business by catering to what they need so they’ll tell their friends about it. In fact the more egregious the demand or the more dramatic the effort needed, the more likely that word about your clinic will spread. As anyone in cosmetic medicine can attest, you don't have to wait long for some stressed out patient who's a candidate. In one case a bride called us in tears on a Saturday morning asking if there was any way that she could get her mother and mother-in-law treated with Botox before her wedding on Wednesday morning... and they weren't arriving until 10PM that night. One of our physicians actually met the wedding party at our clinic on Sunday morning in order to make sure that the effects of the Botox had time to take maximum effect before the wedding.
Most clinics or physicians would not have done this, they would have scheduled the treatment for Monday if they could fit them in and lost the opportunity to create fanatically loyal clients.
That Sunday treatment drove an extra $10k in revenue at that clinic that month.
How you deal with your customer service will define your business and your revenues.
The more hoops you have to jump through, the more likely word will spread. Dig out the really extraordinary ways that you can make a splash.
Tell me I'm wrong.. or right. Tell your own customer service story in the comments.
The Medical Spa MD Physician Report Out! Download It Here.
The FREE Medical Spa MD Physician Report is now available. Whew.
We've taken on a herculean task in compiling this report and we're pretty happy with the result.
The Medical Spa MD Physician Report researches and tracks all aspects of what's working in cosmetic medicine (and what's not), not only in the U.S. and Canada but across the world.
These reports are published to give our entire physician and clinician community access to the information, statistics, and inspiration to improve their medical (and business) results.
Do you want to know how other clinics are choosing technology, attracting new patients, marketing to their existing clients and compensating their staff? Would you like to discover what's the most effective uses for that new fractional laser, or what other clinicians think of it? Could you use more info about how successful medical spas are expanding their business, saving money, or deciding on what new treatments to add or get rid of?
Answer yes to any of the above you will love, love, love this new report.
With the power and knowledge of our growing membership, our goal is to bring together all the valuable information, successes and failures; giving you an insider’s point-of-view to improve your business and your bottom line. Which products sell best? Which treatments are most profitable? Which equipment manufacturers are recommended and which are not? Our reports deep-dive into the various areas, such as “Growing your business”, “Advertising and marketing”, and “Staffing and training”.
The reports generally include a survey of cosmetic clinics around the world, an interview or case study, and an area for sponsors or select partners who wish to get in front of our Members and readers with their products and services. To begin, we reached out to not only our member base, but also other prominent doctors in our field. The response was overwhelming. About 80% of our respondents practice in the US, but the other 20% come from all over the world, including South America, Europe, the Middle East and Russia. About 92% are physicians, with the other 8% working as RNs or PAs in cosmetic clinics and medical spas.
Another way to contribute to our Physicians’ Report is to participate in our monthly interview. We choose and office or medical spa each month to get their unique perspective on running their business. The interviews add insight into working medical spas and cosmetic practices, what works, what doesn’t work, successes, failures and anything else you want to share with your peers.
P.S. Please feel free to distribute, email, link to, tweet, post or send this report to anyone who may be interested as long as you do not modify or change the report in any way.
The following is a partial list of the physicians and clinics that contributed to this report and gave us permission to identify and link to them. Sign up to contribute to the next report here.
Does a relaxing waiting room actually generate revenue for your clinic?
Retailers have known for a long time that happy, relaxed customers leave feeling more satisfied, but new research from Columbia Business School concludes that relaxation does more than just make for a satisfied client. It also produces a client who is willing to pay more.
According to the report, "Relaxed consumers think products are worth more than less-relaxed consumers because relaxed individuals tend to think about the value of products at a more abstract level. For example, when bidding for the camera, relaxed participants focused more on what the camera would enable them to do (e.g., collect memories) and how desirable and advantageous it was to own it, whereas the less-relaxed participants focused more on the concrete features of the camera itself (e.g., the number of megapixels it had, the shutter speed)."
All this being said, you may want to make sure that you're creating a relaxing and comfortable enviroment in your clinic even before the treatment.
Here's one example of how you can use video to create a relaxing atmosphere while also sending a powerful marketing message and communicating about your other offerings.
Watch other waiting room videos. | 2019-04-22T10:31:20Z | https://medicalspamd.com/?category=Clinic+Operations |
Category Archives for "United Arab Emirates"
Must see locations, events and places to travel and enjoy in The United Arab Emirates.
For a regal style stay, book into the Royal Suite, which is abundant with art. Indeed, every single piece was handpicked by the hotel’s owner. In keeping with his good taste, you’ll also enjoy stunning panoramic vistas of the Gulf of Oman and the picturesque marina.
Kids will love the Little Sailors’ summer camp running until 31 Aug. From arts and crafts to story time, painting and rock climbing, they’ll have a blast thanks to supervised activities all day long. For children aged three to eight, prices start from Dhssoo and parents can enjoy a 30 percent spa discount, a spa and gym pass and 15 percent off all F&B across the hotel with every weekly booking.
Make a beeline for the beautiful Arteasan, Fujairah’s only art-inspired tea room where you can indulge in High Tea afternoons. Hosted by the hotel’s dedicated tea experts, you can sample some of the exclusive Jing Tea blends. Meanwhile coffee-drinkers will love Cafe Pronto. As the emirate’s only hotel to boast an exclusive partnership with Nespresso, guests can expect perfect brews all day long in this utterly charming European bistro concept.
roll in any direction and jump over the waves with you on board. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for the exclusive beach club inspired by the trendy hotspots of Marbella and Ibiza, which is opening soon.
Find out more about local traditions and pick up authentic souvenirs outside Canvas restaurant where a group of Emirati craftspeople showcase hand-woven baskets, jewellery holders and trinkets crafted from locally-sourced palm leaves. Also, try the catch of the day – from tiger prawns to Omani lobsters – at The Copper Lobster, which serves the best regional fare.
In a gorgeous reflection of the fishing heritage of Ajman, this hotel boasts stunning marine-inspired interiors – the pinnacle of which can be seen in a feature sculpture situated in Azrak. Commanding centre stage in the hotel’s lobby lounge cafe, this beautiful glass art sculpture created by Lasvit is dramatically suspended from the ceiling. Measuring 16m in diameter, it portrays a spiralling shoal of fish about to be captured in basket-like nets and represents a gratitude for the sea -something that remains at the heart of Ajman culture.
Elevate your shisha experience at Badr Lounge. Sit back and enjoy stunning panoramic sea views as you take your pick from 16 distinctive blends. Inspired by the Arabic word for moon, Badr Lounge offers a relaxed garden-style setting and is home to a talented shisha mixologist who’s only too happy to create personalised flavours from his cart stocked with countless jars of different blends.
He’ll give you an introduction to shisha blending, detailing the subtleties of the preparation process and giving tips on what mixes work best.
Offering unrivalled and panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf flanked by an emerging city skyline, the two exclusive Penthouse suites are the cream of the Fairmont crop. Expect 5oosqm of beautifully designed double-storey space with floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the spectacular views. Perfect for the whole family, you’ll have three bedrooms as standard with the option to connect to a fourth if required. With a separate living area, dining room, kitchen, bar and entertainment space, you’ll also love the spacious spa-inspired marble bathroom with its dual rain shower experience, oversized soaking tub and bath amenities from Le Labo.
Inspired and built from recyclable materials salvaged from the sea, Driftwood is a uniquely rustic beach bar nestled on the edge of the beautiful shoreline. It’s become one of Ajman’s most popular hangouts, and it’s easy to see why. Offering an authentic Caribbean experience, relax barefoot with your toes in the sand, sipping on a cold beverage and listening to reggae music as you drink in spectacular sunsets. For seafood lovers, this place is a culinary delight thanks to its locally-sourced seafood, which is grilled to perfection on the BBQ by the talented in-house chefs.
Get ready to indulge your cultural side thanks to the inspiring line-up of exhibitions taking place throughout the year. Having already showcased Dream by Ukrainian artist Yelyzaveta Starostina and a Ramadan exhibit by Emirati artist Budour Al Ali, there are exciting plans for further showcases in the works – perfect for combining a love for travel and art.
Indulge in the very best by booking a stay in the Presidential Suite. Arranged over two levels and offering beautifully designed space, there’s room for the whole family in this two-bedroom suite, from which you can enjoy outstanding views of the majestic Meydan Racecourse. If you’re looking for a suite with Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa views to enjoy with your family, the Presidential Meydan Suite is the ideal choice.
Relax and unwind with a visit to the infinity pool on the 11th floor which boasts outstanding Meydan Racecourse vistas. Kids can enjoy their very own pool and dedicated play area while fitness fans can head to the state-of- the-art gym. Enter a state of Zen in The Meydan Massage rooms – try The Meydan Signature massage, which uses both deep tissue and hot stone massage and combines oils, pressure point stimulation and hot stones to soothe away tension.
With seven outlets, you can rest assured you’ll dine in style at The Meydan Hotel. Head to fine-dining steakhouse Prime, where only the best cuts of premium beef are served, and try the speciality flambe. Shiba restaurant offers authentic Asian delights prepared by talented Japanese and Chinese chefs. Or, take the family to Farriers restaurant for international culinary creations. For delicious beverages, there are many spots to choose from. Qube Sports Bar has 21 big screens so you can watch your favourite game while enjoying a snack. Or, head to Shiba Bar for its chic ambiance and extravagant Asian-inspired mixed drinks.
For equestrian fans, this hotel is hard to beat. Not only do rooms offer racetrack views but, from September you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stables, grandstand and the racecourse. The racing season starts in November with Dubai World Cup set for 31 March.
There’s no need to worry about membership fees at golf course The Track, as you can simply pay as you play. With a 400-yard floodlit driving range, short game practice area and putting green, it’s perfect for those looking to hone their skills. Seasoned golfers will enjoy 7,412 yards of Black championship tees.
Home to the region’s first authentic open- air desert restaurant, Al Hadheerah is the perfect air-conditioned place in which to enjoy a traditional Arabian meal surrounded by a truly magical landscape. As you dine, enjoy a thrilling horse and camel show, entertainment from belly dancers, live music and all the excitement of a traditional Tanoura dancer.
Check into any of the 115 gorgeous rooms and suites and you’re sure to be impressed. Almost an antithesis to modern hotel suites thanks to the traditional-style interiors, all the mod cons are stylishly concealed with televisions tucked inside wooden chests and cleverly disguised wiring. The use of natural stone, dark wood and regional glasswork provide a real sense of an Arabian retreat.
With the hoof prints of one of the first camels to set foot on the resort preserved in the hotel for good luck, it’s no wonder that this place offers oodles of desert activities. Set off on a majestic camel journey through the dunes or pick up the pace with a Jeep desert drive. Try your hand at falconry, archery or riding horseback through the sand. The infinity pools are nestled among these desert sands while little ones can escape the heat at the indoor Kids Club.
When you stay at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa you can rest assured you’re guaranteed an exceptional staycation with the resort having scooped more than 30 local, regional and international awards. From ‘Best Staycation Experience’ and ‘Best Luxury Day Spa’ to featuring in the ‘Top 100 Hotels in the World,’ it’s a winning choice that’s well worth a visit.
Expect to be pampered at the award-winning Satori Spa where skilled therapists will transport you deep into a world of relaxation. The signature skincare programmes and massages can be tailored to suit your needs. Whether you want to relax, revitalise or detoxify, the perfect pick-me-up awaits.
Each of the hotel’s 283 guestrooms and 55 suites boast great views of the Arabian Gulf. When only the best will do, book into the extravagant Abu Dhabi Suite – the world’s highest suspended hotel suite, which is loftily positioned 220m above ground between Nation Towers. Stretching i,i20sqm, the three-bedroom, two-storey suite has panoramic views, a spa, cinema, kitchen and gym. Simply take the private elevator and start exploring.
carvery station, saving space for dessert. Ladies can enjoy a manicure or pedicure and there are free taster massages for everyone in the in-room spa suite.
First introduced at The St. Regis New York by John Jacob Astor IV himself, the signature St. Regis Butler Service will transform your stay into a VIP experience. Take a load off as your experienced butler will anticipate your every need, from unpacking your luggage to sending in a reviving cafetiere of hot coffee. The service is complimentary for hotel guests and is accessible at any hour via e-mail and text message.
Got a head for heights? Join the 20 guests who, on the second Friday of each month, enjoy an Al fresco meal 255m in the air.
The Helipad Sunset Supper takes guests up to the rooftop helipad where a brigade of chefs, butlers, mixologists and waiters cater to your every whim. Feast on caviar, oysters and delicious canapes while taking in the breathtaking view.
Treat yourself at the beautiful Remede Spa where you can indulge in four-and-a- half hours of tip-to-toe indulgence with the St. Regis Splendour spa package. From the complexion-brightening diamond microdermabrasion to the vitamin- packed oxygen mist, a massage and lots more besides, you’ll feel like a new person.
The perfect base from which to explore the rides and attractions at the adjacent theme parks, Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, offers signature Autograph Collection Hotels luxury with a relaxed Pacific Island ambience. A one-of- a-kind destination for family adventure!
Inspired by Polynesia’s tropical landscapes and its traditional wood artistry, guests enter an exotic world where wafting overhead fans, fragrant gardenia blossoms, lagoon-style pools and a vibrant palette of contemporary tiki design add life and character to every corner of the hotel.
Relax on the shaded balcony of one of the 504 guest rooms after a busy day of discovering the thrills and spills at Dubai Parks and Resorts – an awe-inspiring theme park destination comprising MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai, LEGOLAND® Water Park and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai – offering plenty of fun for visitors of all ages.
Comfort and flair are the hallmarks of the spacious Family Suites, which come with a separate dining area and living room, with captivating views of the resort, lagoon or river. Make sure to schedule in some downtime and float along the hotel’s lazy river or take five and retreat to a sun lounger at any one of two outdoor lagoon- style pools.
Younger guests are kept entertained at the Luna & Nova Kids and Teens Club, leaving parents free to indulge in a spot of pampering at Ola spa, where the menu of island-themed treatments is designed especially for footsore travellers and those looking to unwind.
A culinary showcase awaits diners with a taste for gourmet experiences, from contemporary Cantonese excellence at Llikina, to delicious international flavours at Kalea, poolside Mediterranean seafood at Ari and casual bites in the Palama lobby lounge.
Fast becoming a foodie destination in the city, the highlight of the hotel’s epicurean calendar is the Friday Hikina Brunch. Feel the weekend vibes come alive with an abundant Cantonese buffet including fresh, homemade dim sum, numerous live stations and Hikina’s refreshing ais kacang – the perfect summer treat composed of fruit compote and syrups served over crushed ice.
End your day at Lani rooftop lounge where innovative drinks and a Polynesian tapas menu come a close second to the spellbinding views of the theme parks and beyond.
Feel at one with nature and discover a different way to experience all the UAE has to offer, with an island sojourn that combines Anantara luxury and Emirati culture. Established by the late ruler and founder of the UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as a royal nature reserve, Sir Bani Yas lies off the coast of Abu Dhabi’s emerging Western Region and is Arabia’s largest wildlife sanctuary.
The instant you step onto the island with its picture perfect white sand beach, wandering wildlife and scenic landscape, you’ll feel an immediate sense of relaxation. The only difficult choice you need to make is which of the three resorts dotted across the island to stay at.
Live out the ultimate wildlife adventure at Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort, for an ultra-private African lodge-style experience; enjoy contemporary design and traditional heritage elements at the beachfront Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort, reminiscent of the pearl fishing villages of the past; or relax with the family from the comfort of Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara where Emirati cultural motifs blend with 21st-century facilities.
Upscale your summer experience and plump for one of the exclusive Al Sahel villas with private plunge pool and the occasional roaming gazelle for company ; spoil yourself with beach and private pool luxury at Al Yamm; or sequester yourself away in a two-bedroom family pool villa at the main Desert Islands resort.
When you manage to tear yourself away from your temperature- controlled swimming pool, the 87-square-kilometre island offers a diverse collection of nature and cultural activities to enjoy.
Get an up close view of the island’s 15,000 protected animals and birds and take the opportunity to learn about Sheikh Zayed’s conservation programme as you spot giraffes, gazelles, Arabian oryx, cheetahs and sea turtles on a guided wildlife drive.
Culture mavens can explore the island’s 42 archaeological sites with an expert guide, complete with a lesson in traditional qahwa (coffee) drinking etiquette and chance to leave your own conservation legacy by planting a mangrove seedling.
Re-energise body and mind after an outdoor excursion with a time- honoured Arabian or Eastern ritual at the Anantara Spa, including couples-only options, for signature top-to-toe relaxation.
Culinary satisfaction is never far away with five restaurants serving world-class cuisine ; but the resort’s Dining by Design experience is the gourmet piece de resistance with your choice of tailor-made menu, prepared by a personal chef and enjoyed on the beach in a Bedouin setting or at a secret African bush-inspired location.
From grandparents who want to put their feet up to your energetic toddler who requires a constant stream of entertainment, finding a destination that’ll keep all your family members occupied while on holiday can be a challenge. The good news is that you don’t have to look far to find a vacation spot that appeals to travellers of all ages. Sharjah is emerging as an increasingly popular escape for those in search of variety and great value. Here, we highlight some of the best of the emirate’s attractions for multi- generational travellers.
Feed your mind by learning more about the rich history of the UAE at Sharjah Heritage Museum. There are six different galleries to explore, each of which focuses on a different aspect of local life. The museum is situated along Sharjah Creek where the city first sprang from the sand and is entirely indoors, so is perfect for the summer months.
The non-profit creative space, Maraya Art Centre at A1 Qasba, is also worth a visit for its innovative exhibitions programme, showcasing the work of leading Middle Eastern and international artists.
In Sharjah you can shop until you drop. For starters, head to Mega Mall which has more than 150 outlets spread across four floors, with five anchor stores: Zara, Mango, Paris Gallery, Mega Mart and Sharaf DG. Those who shop there during the summer will have the chance to win one of two brand new cars. Next, head to Sahara Centre, which boasts a plush extension and key anchor stores including Debenhams, Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Toys ‘R’ Us and Home Centre.
It opens late into the evening so you can feel free to browse the boutiques while the children are safety tucked up in bed. Afterwards, treat weary feet with a soothing treatment at Altitude The Spa at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.
Speaking of Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, this popular venue is a must visit for action men. The complex boasts an impressive nine-hole, fully floodlit golf course that is ideal for an evening round. For another way to test your aim, why not try your luck at archery?
There is an indoor target area that’s popular at this time of year. Lastly, you can get to grips with shooting at the 50-metre-long range, which is equipped with a selection of pistols, rifles and revolvers to use under the guidance of a fully trained safety instructor.
Al Qasba is causing quite the buzz among teenagers in Sharjah. Featuring a pleasing mixture of entertainment, leisure and culture, this lively waterfront district is home to attractions including the Eye Of The Emirates Ferris wheel, which stands 60 metres tall and has fully air-conditioned cabins.
As you journey to the top you can enjoy spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf. Watch the Musical Fountain in action before heading to one of the nearby cafes for an indulgent milkshake as a treat.
Those in that awkward in-between stage will enjoy a visit to the Arabian Wildlife Centre. It’s the only place in the emirates where you can find wildlife that’s otherwise extinct in the region, including the incredibly rare Arabian leopard. The centre is located about 26 kilometres from the city centre and can be enjoyed all year round thanks to the temperature controlled viewing platforms.
Or, they can enter into a world of science and natural history by enrolling in the Island Explorer summer programme at the Butterfly House on A1 Noor Island. For ages 13 to 16, the course takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 14 to 23 August.
Make a splash at the 800-square-metre Mini Splash Park at Al Majaz Waterfront. Open from 10am until midnight, you can cool off amid the waterfalls and perch in the shaded seating area with a cooling drink. It’s suitable for those aged 12 months to 12 years, but big kids at heart will love it too.
Fantastic summer holiday deals are being offered in Sharjah until 8 September 2017. Packages include taking in some of the emirate’s key attractions and world-class events, from theatre shows to shopping expeditions. Plus, you could be in with a chance of winning a Mercedes-Benz courtesy of Sahara Centre. | 2019-04-24T19:36:19Z | https://mustseeplaces.eu/category/asia/united-arab-emirates/ |
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Knowledge of propaganda techniques is necessary to improve one's own propaganda and to uncover enemy PSYOP stratagems. Techniques, however, are not substitutes for the procedures in PSYOP planning, development, or dissemination.
Characteristics of the content self-evident. additional information is required to recognize the characteristics of this type of propaganda. "Name calling" and the use of slogans are techniques of this nature.
Additional information required to be recognized. Additional information is required by the target or analyst for the use of this technique to be recognized. "Lying" is an example of this technique. The audience or analyst must have additional information in order to know whether a lie is being told.
Evident only after extended output. "Change of pace" is an example of this technique. Neither the audience nor the analyst can know that a change of pace has taken place until various amounts of propaganda have been brought into focus.
Nature of the arguments used. An argument is a reason, or a series of reasons, offered as to why the audience should behave, believe, or think in a certain manner. An argument is expressed or implied.
Inferred intent of the originator. This technique refers to the effect the propagandist wishes to achieve on the target audience. "Divisive" and "unifying" propaganda fall within this technique. It might also be classified on the basis of the effect it has on an audience.
Appeal to Authority. Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position idea, argument, or course of action.
Assertion. Assertions are positive statements presented as fact. They imply that what is stated is self-evident and needs no further proof. Assertions may or may not be true.
Bandwagon and Inevitable Victory. Bandwagon-and-inevitable-victory appeals attempt to persuade the target audience to take a course of action "everyone else is taking." "Join the crowd." This technique reinforces people's natural desire to be on the winning side. This technique is used to convince the audience that a program is an expression of an irresistible mass movement and that it is in their interest to join. "Inevitable victory" invites those not already on the bandwagon to join those already on the road to certain victory. Those already, or partially, on the bandwagon are reassured that staying aboard is the best course of action.
Obtain Disapproval. This technique is used to get the audience to disapprove an action or idea by suggesting the idea is popular with groups hated, feared, or held in contempt by the target audience. Thus, if a group which supports a policy is led to believe that undesirable, subversive, or contemptible people also support it, the members of the group might decide to change their position.
Glittering Generalities. Glittering generalities are intensely emotionally appealing words so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason. They appeal to such emotions as love of country, home; desire for peace, freedom, glory, honor, etc. They ask for approval without examination of the reason. Though the words and phrases are vague and suggest different things to different people, their connotation is always favorable: "The concepts and programs of the propagandist are always good, desirable, virtuous."
Generalities may gain or lose effectiveness with changes in conditions. They must, therefore, be responsive to current conditions. Phrases which called up pleasant associations at one time may evoke unpleasant or unfavorable connotations at another, particularly if their frame of reference has been altered.
Vagueness. Generalities are deliberately vague so that the audience may supply its own interpretations. The intention is to move the audience by use of undefined phrases, without analyzing their validity or attempting to determine their reasonableness or application.
Rationalization. Individuals or groups may use favorable generalities to rationalize questionable acts or beliefs. Vague and pleasant phrases are often used to justify such actions or beliefs.
Simplification. Favorable generalities are used to provide simple answers to complex social, political, economic, or military problems.
Transfer. This is a technique of projecting positive or negative qualities (praise or blame) of a person, entity, object, or value (an individual, group, organization, nation, patriotism, etc.) to another in order to make the second more acceptable or to discredit it. This technique is generally used to transfer blame from one member of a conflict to another. It evokes an emotional response which stimulates the target to identify with recognized authorities.
Least of Evils. This is a technique of acknowledging that the course of action being taken is perhaps undesirable but that any alternative would result in an outcome far worse. This technique is generally used to explain the need for sacrifices or to justify the seemingly harsh actions that displease the target audience or restrict personal liberties. Projecting blame on the enemy for the unpleasant or restrictive conditions is usually coupled with this technique.
Name Calling or Substitutions of Names or Moral Labels. This technique attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes, or finds undesirable.
-Direct name calling is used when the audience is sympathetic or neutral. It is a simple, straightforward attack on an opponent or opposing idea.
-Indirect name calling is used when direct name calling would antagonize the audience. It is a label for the degree of attack between direct name calling and insinuation. Sarcasm and ridicule are employed with this technique.
-Cartoons, illustrations, and photographs are used in name calling, often with deadly effect.
Dangers inherent in name calling: In its extreme form, name calling may indicate that the propagandist has lost his sense of proportion or is unable to conduct a positive campaign. Before using this technique, the propagandist must weigh the benefits against the possible harmful results. It is best to avoid use of this device. The obstacles are formidable, based primarily on the human tendency to close ranks against a stranger. For example, a group may despise, dislike, or even hate one of its leaders, even openly criticize him, but may (and probably will) resent any non group member who criticizes and makes disparaging remarks against that leader.
Pinpointing the Enemy: This is a form of simplification in which a complex situation is reduced to the point where the "enemy" is unequivocally identified. For example, the president of country X is forced to declare a state of emergency in order to protect the peaceful people of his country from the brutal, unprovoked aggression by the leaders of country.
Plain Folks or Common Man: The "plain folks" or "common man" approach attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist's positions reflect the common sense of the people. It is designed to win the confidence of the audience by communicating in the common manner and style of the audience. Propagandists use ordinary language and mannerisms (and clothes in face-to-face and audiovisual communications) in attempting to identify their point of view with that of the average person. With the plain folks device, the propagandist can win the confidence of persons who resent or distrust foreign sounding, intellectual speech, words, or mannerisms.
Presenting soldiers as plain folks. The propagandist wants to make the enemy feel he is fighting against soldiers who are "decent, everyday folks" much like himself; this helps to counter themes that paint the opponent as a "bloodthirsty" killer.
Presenting civilians as plain folks. The "plain folks" or "common man" device also can help to convince the enemy that the opposing nation is not composed of arrogant, immoral, deceitful, aggressive, warmongering people, but of people like himself, wishing to live at peace.
Humanizing leaders. This technique paints a more human portrait of US and friendly military and civilian leaders. It humanizes them so that the audience looks upon them as similar human beings or, preferably, as kind, wise, fatherly figures.
Vernacular. This is the contemporary language of a specific region or people as it is commonly spoken or written and includes songs, idioms, and jokes. The current vernacular of the specific target audience must be used.
Dialect. Dialect is a variation in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary from the norm of a region or nation. When used by the propagandist, perfection is required. This technique is best left to those to whom the dialect is native, because native level speakers are generally the best users of dialects in propaganda appeals.
Errors. Scholastic pronunciation, enunciation, and delivery give the impression of being artificial. To give the impression of spontaneity, deliberately hesitate between phrases, stammer, or mispronounce words. When not overdone, the effect is one of deep sincerity. Errors in written material may be made only when they are commonly made by members of the reading audience. Generally, errors should be restricted to colloquialisms.
Homey words. Homey words are forms of "virtue words" used in the everyday life of the average man. These words are familiar ones, such as "home," "family," "children," "farm," "neighbors," or cultural equivalents. They evoke a favorable emotional response and help transfer the sympathies of the audience to the propagandist. Homey words are widely used to evoke nostalgia. Care must be taken to assure that homey messages addressed to enemy troops do not also have the same effect on US/friendly forces.
If the propaganda or the propagandist lacks naturalness, there may be an adverse backlash. The audience may resent what it considers attempts to mock it, its language, and its ways.
Social Disapproval. This is a technique by which the propagandist marshals group acceptance and suggests that attitudes or actions contrary to the one outlined will result in social rejection, disapproval, or outright ostracism. The latter, ostracism, is a control practice widely used within peer groups and traditional societies.
Virtue Words. These are words in the value system of the target audience which tend to produce a positive image when attached to a person or issue. Peace, happiness, security, wise leadership, freedom, etc., are virtue words.
Slogans. A slogan is a brief striking phrase that may include labeling and stereotyping. If ideas can be sloganized, they should be, as good slogans are self-perpetuating.
Official Sanction. The testimonial authority must have given the endorsement or be clearly on record as having approved the attributed idea, concept, action, or belief.
Accomplishment. People have confidence in an authority who has demonstrated outstanding ability and proficiency in his field. This accomplishment should be related to the subject of the testimonial.
Identification with the target. People have greater confidence in an authority with whom they have a common bond. For example, the soldier more readily trusts an officer with whom he has undergone similar arduous experiences than a civilian authority on military subjects.
Position of authority. The official position of authority may instill confidence in the testimony; i.e., head of state, division commander, etc.
Inanimate objects. Inanimate objects may be used in the testimonial device. In such cases, the propagandist seeks to transfer physical attributes of an inanimate object to the message. The Rock of Gibraltar, for example, is a type of inanimate object associated with steadfast strength.
Enemy leaders. The enemy target audience will generally place great value on its high level military leaders as a source of information.
Fellow soldiers. Because of their common experiences, soldiers form a bond of comradeship. As a result, those in the armed forces are inclined to pay close attention to what other soldiers have to say.
Opposing leaders. Testimonials of leaders of the opposing nation are of particular value in messages that outline war aims and objectives for administering the enemy nation after it capitulates.
Famous scholars, writers, and other personalities. Frequently, statements of civilians known to the target as authoritative or famous scholars, writers, scientists, commentators, etc., can be effectively used in propaganda messages.
Institutions, ideologies, national flags, religious, and other nonpersonal sources are often used. The creeds, beliefs, principles, or dogmas of respected authorities or other public figures may make effective propaganda testimonials.
Plausibility. The testimonial must be plausible to the target audience. The esteem in which an authority is held by the target audience will not always transfer an implausible testimonial into effective propaganda.
False testimonials. Never use false testimonials. Highly selective testimonials? Yes. Lies (fabrications)? Never. Fabricated (false) testimonials are extremely vulnerable because their lack of authenticity makes them easy to challenge and discredit.
Incredible truths. There are times when the unbelievable (incredible) truth not only can but should be used.
When the psychological operator is certain that a vitally important event will take place.
A catastrophic event, or one of significant tactical or strategic importance, unfavorable to the enemy has occurred and the news has been hidden from the enemy public or troops.
The enemy government has denied or glossed over an event detrimental to its cause.
A double-cutting edge. This technique has a double-cutting edge: It increases the credibility of the US/friendly psychological operator while decreasing the credibility of the enemy to the enemy's target audience. Advanced security clearance must be obtained before using this technique so that operations or projects will not be jeopardized or compromised. Actually, propagandists using this technique will normally require access to special compartmented information and facilities to avoid compromise of other sensitive operations or projects of agencies of the US Government.
Though such news will be incredible to the enemy public, it should be given full play by the psychological operator. This event and its significance will eventually become known to the enemy public in spite of government efforts to hide it. The public will recall (the psychological operator will "help" the recall process) that the incredible news was received from US/allied sources. They will also recall the deception of their government. The prime requirement in using this technique is that the disseminated incredible truth must be or be certain to become a reality.
Insinuation. Insinuation is used to create or stir up the suspicions of the target audience against ideas, groups, or individuals in order to divide an enemy. The propagandist hints, suggests, and implies, allowing the audience to draw its own conclusions. Latent suspicions and cleavages within the enemy camp are exploited in an attempt to structure them into active expressions of disunity which weaken the enemy's war effort.
- Political differences between the enemy nation and its allies or satellites.
- Ethnic and regional differences.
- Religious, political, economic, or social differences.
- History of civilian animosity or unfair treatment toward enemy soldiers.
- Comforts available to rear area soldiers and not available to combat soldiers.
- People versus the bureaucracy or hierarchy.
- Political differences between the ruling elite, between coalitions members, or between rulers and those out of power.
- Differences showing a few benefiting at the expense of the general populace.
- Unequal or inequitable tax burdens, or the high level of taxes. The audience should be informed of hidden taxes.
- The scarcity of consumer goods for the general public and their availability to the various elites and the dishonest.
- Costs of present government policies in terms of lost opportunities to accomplish constructive socially desirable goals.
- The powerlessness of the individual. (This may be used to split the audience from the policies of its government by disassociating its members from those policies.) This technique could be used in preparing a campaign to gain opposition to those government policies.
- Leading questions: The propagandist may ask questions which suggest only one possible answer. Thus, the question, "What is there to do now that your unit is surrounded and you are completely cut off?" insinuates that surrender or desertion is the only reasonable alternative to annihilation.
- Humor: Humor can be an effective form of insinuation. Jokes and cartoons about the enemy find a ready audience among those persons in the target country or military camp who normally reject straightforward accusations or assertions. Jokes about totalitarian leaders and their subordinates often spread with ease and rapidity. However, the psychological operator must realize that appreciation of humor differs among target groups and so keep humor within the appropriate cultural context.
- Pure motives. This technique makes it clear that the side represented by the propagandist is acting in the best interests of the target audience, insinuating that the enemy is acting to the contrary. For example, the propagandist can use the theme that a satellite force fighting on the side of the enemy is insuring the continued subjugation of its country by helping the common enemy.
- Guilt by association: Guilt by association links a person, group, or idea to other persons, groups, or ideas repugnant to the target audience. The insinuation is that the connection is not mutual, accidental, or superficial.
- Rumor: Malicious rumors are also a potentially effective form of insinuation.
- Pictorial and photographic propaganda: A photograph, picture, or cartoon can often insinuate a derogatory charge more effectively than words. The combination of words and photograph, picture, or cartoon can be far more effective. In this content, selected and composite photographs can be extremely effective.
- Vocal: Radio propagandists can artfully suggest a derogatory notion, not only with the words they use, but also by the way in which they deliver them. Significant pauses, tonal inflections, sarcastic pronunciation, ridiculing enunciation, can be more subtle than written insinuation.
Card stacking or selective omission. This is the process of choosing from a variety of facts only those which support the propagandist's purpose. In using this technique, facts are selected and presented which most effectively strengthen and authenticate the point of view of the propagandist. It includes the collection of all available material pertaining to a subject and the selection of that material which most effectively supports the propaganda line. Card stacking, case making, and censorship are all forms of selection. Success or failure depends on how successful the propagandist is in selecting facts or "cards" and presenting or "stacking" them.
Increase prestige. In time of armed conflict, leading personalities, economic and social systems, and other institutions making up a nation are constantly subjected to propaganda attacks. Card stacking is used to counter these attacks by publicizing and reiterating the best qualities of the institutions, concepts, or persons being attacked. Like most propaganda techniques, card stacking is used to supplement other methods.
The technique may also be used to describe a subject as virtuous or evil and to give simple answers to a complicated subject.
- First, the propagandist selects only favorable facts and presents them to the target in such a manner as to obtain a desired reaction.
- Second, the propagandist uses these facts as a basis for conclusions, trying to lead the audience into accepting the conclusions by accepting the facts presented.
Presenting the other side. Some persons in a target audience believe that neither belligerent is entirely virtuous. To them propaganda solely in terms of right and wrong may not be credible. Agreement with minor aspects of the enemy's point of view may overcome this cynicism. Another use of presenting the other side is to reduce the impact of propaganda that opposing propagandists are likely to be card stacking (selective omission).
Lying and distortion. Lying is stating as truth that which is contrary to fact. For example, assertions may be lies. This technique will not be used by US personnel. It is presented for use of the analyst of enemy propaganda.
Simplification. This is a technique in which the many facts of a situation are reduced so the right or wrong, good or evil, of an act or decision is obvious to all. This technique (simplification) provides simple solutions for complex problems. By suggesting apparently simple solutions for complex problems, this technique offers simplified interpretations of events, ideas, concepts, or personalities. Statements are positive and firm; qualifying words are never used.
Simplification may be used to sway uneducated and educated audiences. This is true because many persons are well educated or highly skilled, trained specialists in a specific field, but the limitations of time and energy often force them to turn to and accept simplifications to understand, relate, and react to other areas of interest.
It thinks for others: Some people accept information which they cannot verify personally as long as the source is acceptable to them or the authority is considered expert. Others absorb whatever they read, see, or hear with little or no discrimination. Some people are too lazy or unconcerned to think problems through. Others are uneducated and willingly accept convenient simplifications.
It is concise: Simplification gives the impression of going to the heart of the matter in a few words. The average member of the target audience will not even consider that there may be another answer to the problem.
It builds ego: Some people are reluctant to believe that any field of endeavor, except their own, is difficult to understand. For example, a layman is pleased to hear that '"law is just common sense dressed up in fancy language," or "modern art is really a hodgepodge of aimless experiment or nonsense." Such statements reinforce the ego of the lay audience. It is what they would like to believe, because they are afraid that law and modern art may actually be beyond their understanding. Simple explanations are given for complex subjects and problems.
Stereotyping is a form of simplification used to fit persons, groups, nations, or events into ready-made categories that tend to produce a desired image of good or bad. Stereotyping puts the subject (people, nations, etc.) or event into a simplistic pattern without any distinguishing individual characteristics.
Change of Pace. Change of pace is a technique of switching from belligerent to peaceful output, from "hot" to "cold," from persuasion to threat, from gloomy prophecy to optimism, from emotion to fact.
Stalling. Stalling is a technique of deliberately withholding information until its timeliness is past, thereby reducing the possibility of undesired impact.
Shift of Scene. With this technique, the propagandist replaces one "field of battle" with another. It is an attempt to take the spotlight off an unfavorable situation or condition by shifting it to another, preferably of the opponent, so as to force the enemy to go on the defense.
An idea or position is repeated in an attempt to elicit an almost automatic response from the audience or to reinforce an audience's opinion or attitude. This technique is extremely valid and useful because the human being is basically a creature of habit and develops skills and values by repetition (like walking, talking, code of ethics, etc.). An idea or position may be repeated many times in one message or in many messages. The intent is the same in both instances, namely, to elicit an immediate response or to reinforce an opinion or attitude.
The audience is not familiar with the details of the threat posed. Ignorance of the details can be used to pose a threat and build fear.
Members of the audience are self-centered.
The target can take immediate action to execute simple, specific instructions.
Fear of change. People fear change, particularly sudden, imposed change over which they have no control. They fear it will take from them status, wealth, family, friends, comfort, safety, life, or limb. That's why the man in the foxhole hesitates to leave it. He knows and is accustomed to the safety it affords. He is afraid that moving out of his foxhole will expose him to new and greater danger. That is why the psychological campaign must give him a safe, honorable way out of his predicament or situation.
Terrorism. The United States is absolutely opposed to the use of terror or terror tactics. But the psychological operator can give a boomerang effect to enemy terror, making it reverberate against the practitioner, making him repugnant to his own people, and all others who see the results of his heinous savagery. This can be done by disseminating fully captioned photographs in the populated areas of the terrorist's homeland. Such leaflets will separate civilians from their armed forces; it will give them second thoughts about the decency and honorableness of their cause, make them wonder about the righteousness of their ideology, and make the terrorists repugnant to them. Follow-up leaflets can "fire the flames" of repugnancy, indignation, and doubt, as most civilizations find terror repugnant.
In third countries. Fully captioned photographs depicting terroristic acts may be widely distributed in third countries (including the nation sponsoring the enemy) where they will instill a deep revulsion in the general populace. Distribution in neutral countries is particularly desirable in order to swing the weight of unbiased humanitarian opinion against the enemy.
The enemy may try to rationalize and excuse its conduct (terroristic), but in so doing, it will compound the adverse effect of its actions, because it can never deny the validity of true photographic representations of its acts. Thus, world opinion will sway to the side of the victimized people.
Friendly territory. Under no circumstances should such leaflets be distributed in friendly territory. To distribute them in the friendly area in which the terrorists' acts took place would only create feelings of insecurity. This would defeat the purpose of the psychological operator, which is to build confidence in the government or agency he represents. | 2019-04-19T09:18:51Z | https://drmenlo.com/abuddha/condition.html |
本发明提供一种锂离子二次电池，包括：a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；d)电解液；e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板以二者之间夹着隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，上述正极集电体由绝缘片和形成于绝缘片的两面上的导电层构成，在所述绝缘片的沿长度方向的两端部上设有未被导电层覆盖的、所述绝缘片的露出部。 The present invention provides a lithium ion secondary battery, comprising: a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge storable or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and a negative electrode current collector carry the negative electrode active material portion of the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge occluding or releasing lithium ions the negative electrode active material; c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; D) an electrolyte; E) a battery container for housed above the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, by the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate wound sandwich the separator therebetween to form the electrode plate group, the positive electrode current collector made of an insulating sheet and a conductive layer formed on both surfaces of an insulating sheet constituting, in the provided not electroconductive layer is covered on both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet, the exposed portion of the insulating sheet.
本申请是申请号为03138296.7、申请日为2003年5月30日并且发明名称为“锂离子二次电池”的发明专利申请的分案申请。 This application is a continuation Application No. 03138296.7, filed divisional applications 2003 on May 30 and entitled "lithium ion secondary battery" in the invention patent application.
本发明涉及锂离子二次电池。 The present invention relates to a lithium ion secondary battery.
近年来，AV设备或个人计算机等电子设备向轻便化、无塞绳化迅速进展，对驱动这些设备用的电源即二次电池的小型轻量化和高能量密度化的呼声很高。 In recent years, AV equipment or personal computers and other electronic equipment to the light of the rapid progress cordless technology, high driving these devices with the power supply that is smaller and lighter secondary batteries and high energy density voice. 这种二次电池中，以锂作为活性物质的锂离子二次电池尤其具有高电压、高能量密度。 This secondary battery, lithium as a lithium ion secondary battery active material in particular has a high voltage, high energy density.
作为现有的锂离子二次电池，卷绕型二次电池是主流。 As a conventional lithium ion secondary battery, a wound-type secondary battery is a mainstream. 卷绕型电池具有隔着隔板将正极板和负极板卷成的极板组，其中，正极板由正极活性物质部和承载该正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，负极板由负极活性物质部和承载该负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成。 Wound-type battery having a separator interposed therebetween positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate rolled electrode group, wherein the positive electrode plate includes a positive active material portion and a positive electrode current collector carrying the positive electrode active material portion, the negative electrode plate from the negative electrode active material portion and the carrier of the negative electrode current collector an active material portion configured. 正极活性物质部中含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质，负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质。 The positive electrode active material portion contained by a charge-discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion, a negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing a negative electrode active material a lithium ion. 极板组和电解液一起被收装在电池容器内。 Plate group and an electrolyte are housed together in a battery container.
在卷绕型电池的场合，卷绕极板时，极板和隔板在折弯部和弯曲部易变形。 In the wound-type battery case, the winding plates, the plates and separators easily deformable in the bending portion and bending portion. 这种变形有可能引起内部短路。 Such deformation may cause internal short circuit. 而且，在卷绕极板时，由于隔板的位置挪动，也有可能引起内部短路。 Further, when winding the electrode plate, since the position of the separator move, but also may cause internal short circuit.
本发明者鉴于上述情况，着眼于防止在卷绕型锂离子二次电池上产生内部短路的主要原因。 The present inventors in view of the above circumstances, focusing on the main cause internal short-circuit in the wound-type lithium ion secondary battery to be prevented.
内部短路的类型有以下所述的4种。 An internal short circuit type can have the four kinds.
(1)正极活性物质部与负极活性物质部短路(2)正极活性物质部与负极集电体短路(3)正极集电体与负极活性物质部短路(4)正极集电体与负极集电体短路本发明者将过充电状态的电池分解成各个部件，使各部件之间直接接触，观察有无火花和着火。 (1) The positive electrode active material portion and the negative electrode active material portion short-circuit (2) of the positive electrode active material portion and the negative electrode current collector shorted (3) positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material portion of the short-circuit current (4) of the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode member shorting the present inventors overcharge state of the battery down into its components, so that direct contact between the parts, to observe whether the spark and fire. 结果，短路模式(1)和(2)既未产生火花也未着火，但短路模式(3)产生了火花。 As a result, the short-circuit mode (1) and (2) neither a spark nor a fire, but the short mode (3) to produce a spark. 短路模式(4)虽产生火花，但未着火。 Short mode (4) Although the spark, but ignition.
根据这些结果研究以下情况。 Research following these results.
短路模式(1)和(2)中，由于正极活性物质自身的电阻大，故即便使正极活性物质部和负极活性物质部短路，也没有大电流流通。 Short circuit mode (1) and (2), the positive electrode active material a large own resistance, so that even when the positive electrode active material portion and the negative electrode active material portion short-circuited, no large current flows.
短路模式(4)中，通过具有导电性的集电体之间短路，产生火花，但由于集电体自身不是可燃性物质，故没有着火。 Short mode (4) by a short circuit between the current collector having conductivity, sparks, but because the current collector itself is not flammable material, so there is no fire.
短路模式(3)中，由于正极集电体和负极活性物质均具有导电性，所以，它们一旦短路便产生火花，而且可燃性的负极活性物质着火。 Short mode (3), since the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material has conductivity, so that, once they are shorted, sparks, and flammability negative electrode active material on fire.
根据上述研究，可以认为短路模式(3)是内部短路的主要原因。 According to the above studies, it is considered short mode (3) is the main cause internal short circuit. 短路模式(3)实际上是由于分切正极集电体时产生的导电性毛刺与负极活性物质部的表面接触而产生的。 Short mode (3) is actually due to the cut positive electrode current collector conductive burrs upon contact with the negative electrode active material portion of the surface is generated.
近年来，提出了具有极板组的层叠型锂离子二次电池的方案，这种电池的极板组不用以往的隔板，而是隔着电解质层将正极板和负极板层叠起来而形成。 In recent years, a program having a laminated type lithium ion secondary battery electrode plate group of such a battery electrode plate group without a conventional separator, but via the electrolyte layer, the positive and negative electrode plates are laminated is formed. 提出了在电解质层这样和正极板及负极板结合成一体的电池上，通过控制极板和隔板的尺寸来防止短路的方案(特开2000-30742号公报等)。 Proposed battery integrally in the electrolyte layer such and the positive electrode plate and a negative electrode harden, to prevent a short circuit of the embodiment by controlling the size of the plates and separator (Laid-Open No. 2000-30742 Publication, etc.). 但是，层叠整体型的极板组一般说来制造工序较复杂，也难以大容量化。 However, laminated monolithic electrode plate group in general the manufacturing process more complicated, it is difficult to a large capacity. 而且，这样的极板组上，从电池轻量化的观点出发，也提出了采用在聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯膜等树脂膜的表面上设金属蒸镀膜的集电体的方案(特开平9-213338号公报)。 Further, on this electrode plate group, from the battery weight reduction viewpoint, also made use of the program polyethylene on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate film, a resin film provided a metal vapor deposited film collector (Laid at Open No. 9-213338 Gazette).
本发明是鉴于上述见解而开发出来的，本发明的目的之一，是提供一种卷绕型锂离子二次电池，这种电池可防止正极集电体的毛刺和负极活性物质部短路，安全性很高。 The present invention is made in view of the above findings developed one, object of the invention is to provide a wound-type lithium ion secondary battery that prevents positive electrode collector burrs and the negative electrode active material portion short-circuit, safety very high.
为此，本发明提供一种锂离子二次电池，包括：a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；d)电解液；e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板以二者之间夹着隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，正极集电体由绝缘片和形成于绝缘片的两面上的导电层构成，在所述绝缘片的沿长度方向的两端部上设有未被所述导电层覆盖的、所述绝缘片的露出部。 To this end, the present invention provides a lithium ion secondary battery, comprising: a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode collector a negative electrode active material portion of the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge occluding or releasing the negative electrode active material a lithium ion; c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; D) an electrolyte; E) a battery container for housed above the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolytic liquid, by the positive and negative electrode plates wound so as to sandwich the separator therebetween to form the electrode plate group, the positive electrode current collector made of an insulating sheet and a conductive layer formed on both surfaces of an insulating sheet configuration, provided with a conductive layer not covered by the both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet, the insulating sheet is exposed portion.
通过将上述正极板和负极板以两者之间隔着上述隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组。 By the positive and negative electrode plates wound in sandwiching the separator between the two ways to form an electrode group. 在这里，本发明的锂离子二次电池，上述极板组可以具有下述[A]～[E]中的任一特征。 Here, the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention, the electrode group may have any of the following [A] ~ [E] is a characteristic.
[A]沿着上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿着上述负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 [A] along both ends of the positive electrode collector longitudinal direction it is located outside both end portions along the negative portion length active substance direction.
[B]沿着上述正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部位于沿着上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧。 [B] along the positive electrode active part length substances direction both end portions positioned outside along the positive electrode collector in the longitudinal direction both end portions.
[C]沿着上述负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部位于沿着上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧，沿着上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿着上述正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧，而且，上述正极集电体上未被上述正极活性物质部覆盖的露出部被绝缘材料覆盖。 [C] along the ends of the negative portion length active substance direction positioned along the outside of the cathode collector longitudinal direction, both end portions located along the cathode along both ends of the positive electrode collector in the longitudinal direction the outer end portions of the Minister of active substance direction, and the positive electrode active material covering the exposed portion is covered with an insulating material, not on the positive electrode current collector.
[D]上述正极集电体由绝缘片和分别形成于其两面上的导电层构成，沿着上述绝缘片长度方向的两端部上设有上述绝缘片的露出部。 [D] the above-described positive electrode collector is formed of an insulating sheet respectively thereon a conductive layer on both sides of the structure, with the insulating sheet along both ends of the insulating sheet longitudinal direction of the exposed portion.
[E]沿着上述正极板长度方向的两端部分别被绝缘材料覆盖。 [E] not covered along both end portions of the positive electrode plate longitudinal direction of the insulating material.
隔板使用例如由聚烯烃制成的纺布、无纺布、多微孔膜等。 A separator for example, nonwoven fabric made of polyolefins, nonwoven, microporous film.
图1是示意地表示本发明实施形式1的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图，图2是示意地表示与现有的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图，图3是示意地表示本发明实施形式2的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图，图4是示意地表示本发明实施形式3的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图，图5是示意地表示本发明实施形式4的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图，图6是示意地表示本发明实施形式5的极板组的与正极板、负极板及隔板的长度方向垂直的断面一例的图， FIG 1 is a schematic showing a sectional example of a perpendicular to the positive electrode plate, the longitudinal direction of the negative electrode plate and a separator in the embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plate group 1, FIG. 2 is a schematic showing a conventional electrode plate group and FIG cross section an example of a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate and a separator vertical, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section of the longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate and the separator perpendicular to embodiments of the present invention, the electrode plate group 2 example FIG 4 is a schematic showing a sectional example of a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate embodiment of the present invention forms the electrode plate group 3, a negative electrode plate and a separator vertical, FIG. 5 is a schematic embodiment of the present invention form 4 FIG cross section an example of a perpendicular to the positive electrode plate, the longitudinal direction of the negative electrode plate and a separator of the electrode assembly of FIG. 6 is a schematic showing the length of the positive electrode plate embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plate group 5, the negative electrode plate and a separator cross section showing an example of a direction perpendicular to FIG.
图7是本发明实施例1的锂离子二次电池的纵断面图，图8是说明本发明实施例1的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的俯视图，图9是说明本发明实施例1的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的另一俯视图，图10是本发明实施例1的正极板之正视图，图11是说明本发明实施例2的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的俯视图，图12是说明本发明实施例1的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的另一俯视图，图13是本发明实施例2的正极板之正视图，图14是说明本发明实施例3的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的俯视图，图15是本发明实施例3的正极板之正视图，图16是说明本发明实施例4的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的俯视图，图17是说明本发明实施例4的正极板的制造工序用的正极集电体的另一俯视图，图18是本发明实施例4的正极板之正视图。 FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lithium ion secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG 8 is a plan view illustrating the positive electrode collector manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 1 with the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating embodiment of the present invention another top view of the positive electrode collector manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 1 is used, FIG. 10 is a embodiment of the present invention is a front view of the positive electrode plate of Example 1, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 2 of the present invention with a plan view of the positive electrode current collector, FIG. 12 illustrates another top view of the positive electrode collector manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 1 with the embodiment of the present invention, FIG 13 is a front view of the positive electrode plate of Example 2 of the invention, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of a positive electrode collector manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 3 with the embodiment of the present invention, FIG 15 is a front view of the positive electrode plate of Example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode plate 4 a plan view of producing a positive electrode current collector step with, FIG. 17 is another plan view of a positive electrode collector manufacturing process of the positive electrode plate of Example 4 of the present invention is used, FIG. 18 is a positive electrode plate in Example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention Front view.
实施形式1本实施形式是包括以下几部分的锂离子二次电池：(a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；(b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；(c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；(d)电解液；(e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板，以二者之间夹着隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，上述极板组中沿着正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿着上述负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 Embodiment 1 the present embodiment is a lithium ion following the secondary battery cell: (a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprising charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; (b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode active material of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing a negative electrode active material a lithium ion; (c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; (d) an electrolyte; (e) a battery container, a receptacle of the positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, by applying the positive and negative electrode plates, so as to sandwich the separator therebetween is wound to form an electrode group, the above electrode plate group along a positive electrode collector longitudinal direction both end portions positioned along the outside of the negative electrode active part length substances direction both end portions.
由于沿着正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿着负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧，故即使在分切时正极集电体的端部产生毛刺，也可防止该毛刺和负极活性物质部的短路。 Since positioned along the outside of both ends of the negative portion length active substance direction, so that an end portion of the current collector of the positive burrs even when cut along the positive electrode collector both end portions thereof in the longitudinal direction can be prevented that the burr and negative terminal active material portion.
沿着正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部可分别设置即使充放电也不吸留或放出锂离子的非活性物质部。 Along a part length material of the positive electrode active both end portions respectively provided even if charge and discharge are not occluding or releasing inactive material portion lithium ions. 非活性物质部可使正极集电体的端部稳定。 Inactive material portion allows an end portion of a stable current collector of the positive electrode. 在沿着正极集电体长度方向的两端部上，非活性物质部的厚度和正极活性物质部的厚度一样，没有台阶，卷绕时不容易引起卷的错动，这一点是较理想的。 On both end portions along the longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode, the thickness of the non-active portion and the thickness of the positive electrode active material portion, there is no step, is not prone to dislocation roll movable winding, it is an ideal . 在非活性物质部用绝缘材料的场合，还可抑制正极集电体的毛刺与负极活性物质部的短路之外的一般短路。 In the inactive material portion with the case of the insulating material, also inhibit the positive electrode collector burr and the negative electrode is generally a short-circuit other than short-circuit the active material portion.
极板组中，沿着负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部最好位于沿着正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 The electrode plate group along both ends of the negative portion length active substance direction is preferably positioned along the outside of Ministers material of the positive electrode active both end portions. 通过这样的配置，充电时正极活性物质放出的锂离子可确实被相向的负极活性物质接收，这样，便可防止负极活性物质的负荷偏倚、金属锂析出等不良情况。 When the charging of the positive electrode active material releasing lithium ions can indeed be facing the negative electrode active material received by such an arrangement, so, can prevent the negative electrode active material load bias, metal lithium precipitation of defects.
图1示意地表示本实施形式极板组的垂直于正极板110、负极板120和隔板130长度方向的断面的一例。 FIG 1 schematically shows a vertical present form of embodiment of the electrode plate group in the positive electrode plate 110, one case section of the negative electrode plate 120 and the separator 130 in the longitudinal direction. 图1中，为了容易理解正极板110和负极板120以及隔板130的配置关系，在层叠方向上隔开间隔表示各要素。 In FIG. 1, for ease of understanding 120 and the positional relationship between the positive electrode plate 110 and the negative electrode plate of the separator 130, spaced apart in the stacking direction interval represents the elements.
正极板110由正极集电体111和正极活性物质部112构成，负极板120由负极集电体121和负极活性物质部122构成。 The positive electrode plate 110 is composed of positive electrode active material of the positive electrode collector 111 112, a negative electrode plate 120 is constituted by 121 and the negative electrode active material is 122 negative electrode current collector. 正极板110和负极板120隔着隔板130相对。 The positive electrode plate 110 and the negative electrode plate 120 via the separator 130 opposite. 从正极集电体的端部111a到正极活性物质部的端部112a之间，以及从正极集电体的端部111b到正极活性物质部的端部112b之间，虽然可以是未涂正极活性物质的部分，但最好设非活性物质部113。 From among 112a, and from between the end portion 112b end portion 111b to the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode current collector, although may be uncoated end portion of the end portion 111a to the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active portion of the material, but is preferably provided a non-active portion 113.
沿正极集电体111长度方向的两端部111a、111b位于沿负极活性物质部122长度方向的两端部122a、122b外侧。 Both end portions along the current collector 111 in the longitudinal direction the positive electrode 111a, 111b is located 122a, 122b outward along the ends of the negative electrode active 122 longitudinal direction of the material portion. 通过这样配置，即使正极集电体的端部111a或111b上产生毛刺，该毛刺扎破隔板130，也不和负极活性物质部122发生短路。 With this configuration, even if a burr on the end portion 111a or 111b of the positive electrode current collector, the burr punctured diaphragm 130, is not, and negative terminal active material portion 122 occurs.
采用图1所示的结构时，从正极集电体的端部111a到负极活性物质部的端部122a之间的间隔、以及从正极集电体的端部111b到负极活性物质部的端部122b之间的间隔最好分别为50～300μm。 When using the structure shown in Figure 1, from the end of the positive electrode current collector 111a of the negative electrode interval between the end portion 122a of active substance portion, and the end portion 111b of the positive electrode current collector to the end of the anode active material portion spacing between 122b preferably are 50 ~ 300μm. 这些间隔最好比从正极集电体断面上的估计的毛刺长度减去正极活性物质部一面的厚度和隔板的厚度之和的长度大。 The interval is preferably one side a large length and the thickness of the thickness of the separator subtracting the positive electrode active material portion than the burr length from the estimated on the positive electrode current collector cross section. 正极集电体断面上的估计的毛刺长度一般为50～100μm。 Burr length estimation on a current collector section of the positive electrode is generally 50 ~ 100μm is.
图2和图1一样，示意地表示现有极板组的与正极板210、负极板220及隔板230的长度方向垂直的断面。 2 and FIG. 1 as schematically illustrating the positive electrode plate prior electrode plate group 210, the negative electrode section in a longitudinal direction of the plate 220 and the separator 230 is vertical.
正极板210由正极集电体211和正极活性物质部212构成，负极板220由负极集电体221和负极活性物质部222构成。 The positive electrode plate 210 is composed of positive electrode active material of the positive electrode collector 211 212, a negative electrode plate 220 is composed of a negative electrode current collector 221 and the negative electrode active material portion 222.
沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部211a、211b位于沿着负极活性物质部222长度方向的两端部222a、222b内侧。 Longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode of the both end portions 211a, 211b positioned along the inside of both ends of the negative electrode 222 longitudinal direction of the active material portion 222a, 222b. 这样配置，若正极集电体的端部211a或211b产生毛刺，该毛刺扎破隔板230，则与负极活性物质部222发生短路。 So configured, when the end portion 211a or 211b of the positive electrode collector burrs, the burr puncture the separator 230, the short-circuited with the negative electrode active material portion 222 occurs.
实施形式2本实施形式是包括以下几部分的锂离子二次电池：(a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；(b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；(c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；(d)电解液；(e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板以二者之间夹着隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，上述极板组中沿着正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部位于沿着正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧。 Embodiment 2 the present embodiment is a lithium ion following the secondary battery cell: (a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprising charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; (b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode active material of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing a negative electrode active material a lithium ion; (c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; (d) an electrolyte; (e) a battery container, a receptacle of the positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, by applying the positive and negative electrode plates wound so as to sandwich the separator therebetween to form the electrode plate group, the above electrode plate group along a part length material of the positive electrode active both end portions located outside along the longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode of the both end portions.
由于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部位于沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧，故在分切正极活性物质部端部附近时，正极集电体和正极活性物质部不会同时被分切，不易产生毛刺。 Since both end portions along a part length material of the positive electrode active located outside both end portions in the positive electrode current collector in the longitudinal direction, so that when cutting close to the positive electrode active material of the end portion of the positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material portion does not while it is cut, easy to produce burrs. 另外，图2所示的现有结构中，由于正极集电体211和正极活性物质部212同时被分切，故正极集电体的端部211a或211b易产生毛刺。 In addition, Figure 2 shows the existing structure, since the positive electrode current collector 211 and a positive electrode active material 212 while being cut, so the positive current collector ends 211a or 211b prone to glitches.
本实施形式中，沿着负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部最好位于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 The present embodiment form, along both ends of the negative portion length active substance direction is preferably positioned along the outside of both end portions of the positive electrode active part length substances direction.
最好在沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部上分别配置沿正极集电体的平面方向延伸的绝缘材料部。 Preferably on both end portions along the collector longitudinal direction of the positive electrode body are arranged insulating material portion extending in a plane direction of the positive current collector. 利用这种绝缘材料部，可使正极活性物质部的端部稳定。 With such an insulating material portion, can end stability of the positive electrode active material portion. 绝缘材料部最好与沿着正极集电体长度方向的端部的端面连接，正极集电体和绝缘材料部接合成一体，在正极集电体和绝缘材料部接合为一体的场合，可将它们作为一个芯材进行使用。 The insulating material part is preferably connected to the end surface of the end portion along the longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode, positive electrode current collector and an insulating material portion integrally joined integrally bonded occasions and the insulating material of the positive electrode current collector, may be they are used as a core material.
沿正极集电体的平面方向延伸的绝缘材料部加工性好，具有绝缘性，成本低，是较理想的。 Insulating material portion processability extending in a plane direction of current collector of the positive electrode good, having an insulating property, low cost, is preferable. 作为这种绝缘材料部，可用聚丙烯、聚乙烯、聚偏二氟乙烯、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等。 As such an insulating material part, usable polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene terephthalate and the like. 可将它们单独使用，也可将2种以上组合使用。 They may be used alone or two or more thereof.
正极集电体最好完全被正极活性物质部覆盖。 Positive electrode current collector is preferably completely covered with the positive electrode active material portion.
在正极集电体的平面方向上延伸的绝缘材料部不是必须的构成要素。 Insulating material portion extending in a plane direction of the positive electrode current collector is not an essential component. 可在正极集电体的端部到正极活性物质部的端部之间填充正极活性物质。 It may be between the ends of the positive electrode active material portion filling the positive electrode active material at the end of the cathode current collector. 这种场合，正极集电体完全被正极活性物质部覆盖。 In this case, the positive electrode current collector is completely covered with the positive electrode active material portion.
在不设沿正极集电体的平面方向延伸的绝缘材料部的场合，最好分别用绝缘材料覆盖沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部。 In the case where the insulating material part is provided does not extend in the plane direction of the positive electrode current collector, it is preferable cover the both end portions along the collector longitudinal direction of the positive electrode body with an insulating material. 覆盖正极集电体两端部的绝缘材料也可用聚丙烯、聚乙烯、聚偏二氟乙烯、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等。 Cover the collector both end portions of the positive electrode an insulating material can also be polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene terephthalate and the like. 另外，也可通过喷镀氧化铝等陶瓷，用陶瓷等覆盖正极集电体的端部。 Further, by thermal spraying ceramic such as alumina, ceramic, etc. to cover the end portion of the positive electrode current collector.
图3示意地表示本实施形式极板组的与正极板310、负极板320及隔板330的长度方向垂直的断面的一例。 FIG 3 schematically shows an example of the present embodiment form electrode plate group with the positive electrode plate 310, the negative electrode plate longitudinal direction 320 and a separator 330 perpendicular cross section. 图3中，为了容易理解正极板310、负极板320和隔板330的配置关系，在层叠方向上隔开间隔表示各要素。 3, for easy understanding of the positive electrode plate 310, the negative electrode plate arrangement relationship 320 and the separator 330, in the laminating direction at intervals represent the elements.
正极板310由正极集电体311和正极活性物质部312构成，负极板320由负极集电体321和负极活性物质部322构成。 The positive electrode plate 310 is composed of positive electrode active material of the positive electrode current collector 311 312, a negative electrode plate 320 from the negative electrode current collector 321 and the negative electrode active material portion 322 configured. 正极板310和负极板320隔着隔板330相对。 The positive electrode plate 310 and the negative electrode plate 320 via a separator 330 opposite. 绝缘材料部313从正极集电体的端部311a延伸到正极活性物质部的端部312a，以及从正极集电体的端部311b延伸到正极活性物质部的端部312b。 Insulating material portion 313 extends from the end portion 311a of the positive electrode current collector to the end portion of the positive electrode active material portion 312a, and an end portion 312b extends from the end portion 311b of the positive electrode current collector to the positive electrode active material portion.
沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部312a、312b位于沿正极集电体长度方向的两端311a、311b外侧。 Along a part length material of the positive electrode active both end portions 312a, 312b located at both ends in the positive electrode current collector longitudinal direction 311a, 311b outward. 这样配置，在分切正极活性物质部312和绝缘材料部313的层叠部时，由于正极集电体311不被分切，故不产生导电性的毛刺。 So configured, when cutting the positive electrode active material of the laminated portion and the insulating material 312 313, since 311 is not cut positive electrode current collector, it does not produce a conductive burrs.
在采用图3那样的结构的情况下，对从正极集电体的端部311a到正极活性物质部312a之间的间隔、以及从正极集电体的端部311b到正极活性物质部的端部312b之间的间隔没有特别限定，但，最好分别为2mm以下。 In the case of a configuration as in FIG. 3, of the distance between 312a, and the end portions of the positive electrode current collector 311a of the positive electrode active material portion from the positive electrode current collector end portion 311b to the positive electrode active material portion spacing between 312b is not particularly limited, but preferably are 2mm or less.
实施形式3本实施形式是包括以下几部分的锂离子二次电池：(a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；(b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；(c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；(d)电解液；(e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板以两者之间隔着上述隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组。 Embodiment 3 the present embodiment is a lithium ion following the secondary battery cell: (a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprising charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; (b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode active material of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing a negative electrode active material a lithium ion; (c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; (d) an electrolyte; (e) a battery container, a receptacle of the positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, by the positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate therebetween way the separator wound therebetween to form an electrode group. 在上述极板组中，沿上述负极活性物质部长度方向的两端位于沿上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧，沿上述正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿上述正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧，另外，上述正极集电体上未被正极活性物质部覆盖的露出部被绝缘材料覆盖。 In the electrode plate group along both ends of the negative portion length active substance direction positioned outside along the cathode current collector longitudinal direction, both end portions along the cathode collector longitudinal direction, both end portions positioned along said positive electrode active the outer end portions of Ministers substances direction, in addition, not on the positive electrode collector of the positive electrode active material covering the exposed portion is covered with an insulating material.
根据这样的配置，由于沿负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部位于沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部外侧，沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧，故正极集电体的端部与负极活性物质部的表面相对。 According to such a configuration, since the direction the negative electrode both end portions of the Minister of active substance direction is located outside the longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode both end portions along the longitudinal current direction of the positive electrode both end portions positioned along a degree of positive electrode active material Ministers direction outside both end portions, so that an end portion of the positive electrode current collector with a surface active material of the negative electrode opposite. 但是，由于正极集电体上未被正极活性物质部覆盖的露出部被绝缘材料覆盖，故即使正极集电体产生毛刺，该毛刺也不会和负极活性物质部的表面发生短路。 However, since the positive electrode active material covering the exposed portion is covered with an insulating material is not on the positive electrode current collector, so even if the positive electrode current collector burr, the burr is not negative electrode active material portion of the surface of the short circuit.
覆盖正极集电体的露出部的绝缘材料可用聚丙烯、聚乙烯、聚偏二氟乙烯、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等。 Covering the positive electrode current collector insulating material the exposed portion can be used polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene terephthalate and the like. 可将它们单独使用，也可将2种以上组合使用。 They may be used alone or two or more thereof. 另外，也可通过喷镀氧化铝等陶瓷，用陶瓷等覆盖正极集电体的露出部。 Further, by thermal spraying ceramic such as alumina, ceramic, etc. to cover the positive electrode collector exposed portion. 也可将绝缘带粘贴在正极集电体的露出部上。 It may also be an insulating tape attached to the exposed positive electrode collector portion. 绝缘带最好使用由聚丙烯等制成的基体材料和承载在其一面上的丙烯树脂系粘结材料制成的带。 Insulating tape is preferable to use polypropylene, etc. made of base material and carrying on one surface of the acrylic resin-based adhesive material with.
用绝缘材料覆盖正极集电体的露出部的工序可在分切正极板之前或之后进行。 A step exposed portion covers the positive electrode collector with an insulating material may be performed before slitting the positive electrode plate or after.
图4示意地表示本实施形式极板组的与正极板410、负极板420和隔板430长度方向垂直的断面的一例。 FIG 4 schematically shows the present form of embodiment of the electrode plate group with the positive electrode plate 410, one case of vertical 420 and the separator 430 longitudinal direction of the cross section of the negative electrode plate. 图4中，为了容易理解正极板410、负极板420和隔板430的配置关系，在层叠方向上留有间隔地表示各要素。 Figure 4, for easy understanding of the positive electrode plate 410, the negative electrode plate 420 and the partition 430 configuration relationship, in the stacking direction on the left intervals represent the elements.
正极板410由正极集电体411和正极活性物质部412构成，负极板420由负极集电体421和负极活性物质部422构成。 The positive electrode plate 410 is composed of positive electrode active material of the positive electrode collector 411 412, a negative electrode plate 420 is constituted by the active material portion negative electrode collector 421 422. 正极板410和负极板420隔着隔板430相对。 The positive electrode plate 410 and the negative electrode plate 420 via a separator 430 opposite. 从正极集电体的端部411a到正极活性物质部的端部412a之间、以及从正极集电体的端部411b到正极活性物质部的端部412b之间被绝缘材料413覆盖。 From between the end portions of the current collector of the positive electrode 411a to the positive electrode active material portion 412a, and a 413 covers from between the end portion 411b to the end portion 412b of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode current collector insulating material.
沿负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部422a、422b位于沿正极集电体长度方向的两端411a、411b外侧。 Along the ends of the negative electrode active part length substances direction 422a, 422b located 411a, 411b outer ends along the set longitudinal direction is the positive electrode. 沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部411a、411b位于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部412a、412b外侧。 Both end portions 411a along the positive electrode current collector in the longitudinal direction, 411b positioned at each end along part length material of the positive electrode active 412a, 412b outward. 另外，正极集电体上未被正极活性物质覆盖的露出部被绝缘材料413覆盖。 Further, not on the positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material covered with the exposed portion is 413 covered with an insulating material. 这样构成的正极板上，即使正极集电体产生毛刺，该毛刺也不会和负极活性物质部的表面发生短路。 Such configuration of the positive electrode plate, even if the positive electrode current collector burr, the burr is not negative electrode active material portion of the surface of the short circuit.
在采用图4的结构的场合，对从负极活性物质部的端部422a到正极集电体的端部411a之间的间隔、以及从负极活性物质部的端部422b到正极集电体的端部411b之间的间隔没有特别限定，但最好分别为2mm以下。 Out of the negative electrode is between 422a to the end portion 411a of the positive electrode current collector end portion of the active material portion of the interval, and from the end of the anode active material portion 422b to the positive electrode collector terminal uses the case structure of Figure 4, the spacing between the portion 411b is not particularly limited, but preferably are 2mm or less. 而且，对从正极集电体的端部411a到正极活性物质部的端部412a之间的间隔、以及从正极集电体的端部411b到正极活性物质部412b之间的间隔没有特别限定，但最好分别为2mm以下。 Further, the interval between the 412a, and the interval between 412b is not particularly limited from the end portions of the current collector of the positive electrode 411a to the positive electrode active material portion from the end portion of the current collector of the positive electrode 411b to the positive electrode active material portion, but the best are 2mm or less.
实施形式4本实施形式是包括以下几部分的二次锂离子电池：(a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；(b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；(c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；(d)电解液；(e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液。 Embodiment 4 the present embodiment is a secondary lithium ion battery of the following parts: (a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprising charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; (b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode active material of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing lithium ions in the negative electrode active material; (c) separator sandwiched in the positive and negative plates between; (d) an electrolyte; (e) a battery container for housed the cathode plate a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte. 通过将上述正极板和负极板以两者之间隔着上述隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组。 By the positive and negative electrode plates wound in sandwiching the separator between the two ways to form an electrode group. 上述正极集电体由绝缘片及分别形成于其两面上的导电层构成，上述绝缘片的沿长度方向上的两端部设有上述绝缘片的露出部。 The positive electrode collector is formed of an insulating sheet and respectively thereon a conductive layer on both sides of the structure, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet is provided with the insulating sheet is exposed portion.
本实施形式中，正极集电体的大部分由绝缘片构成，故重量轻。 The present embodiment, the positive electrode collector is composed mostly of the insulating sheet, it is light weight. 而且，这样的集电体通过分切而形成的断面具有绝缘性，故不会产生导电性毛刺。 Further, such a current collector having insulating cross-section through cutting is formed, so that no conductive burrs.
绝缘片的构成材料可采用聚丙烯、聚乙烯、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等。 Constituting material of the insulating sheet can be polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and the like. 这些材料具有柔软性，这一点也很好。 These materials have the flexibility, it is also very good. 作为导电层，最好是铝、铝合金等的蒸镀膜。 As the conductive layer, preferably aluminum, an aluminum alloy or the like deposited film. 蒸镀膜的形成工序采用电子束蒸镀等现在周知的蒸镀法即可。 The deposited film forming process using electron beam evaporation, etc. now known vapor deposition method can be.
绝缘片厚度最好为10～30μm，导电层厚度最好为1～20μm。 The insulating sheet preferably has a thickness of 10 ~ 30μm, the conductive layer preferably has a thickness of 1 ~ 20μm.
本实施形式的沿负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部最好也位于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 Both end portions of this form of embodiment along the negative portion length active substance direction is also preferably located outside both end portions along the active part length substances direction of the positive electrode.
图5示意地表示本实施形式极板组的与正极板510、负极板520和隔板530长度方向垂直的断面的一例。 5 schematically shows an example of the present form of embodiment of the electrode plate group with the positive electrode plate 510, the negative electrode plate 520 vertically and separator 530 longitudinal direction of the cross section. 图5中，为了容易理解正极板510、负极板520和隔板530的配置关系，在层叠方向上留有间隔地表示各要素。 5, for easy understanding of the arrangement relationship of the positive electrode plate 510, a negative electrode plate 520 and the separator 530, left in the stacking direction showing the elements apart.
正极板510由正极集电体511和正极活性物质部512构成，负极板520由负极集电体521和负极活性物质部522构成。 The positive electrode plate 510 is composed of positive electrode active material of the positive electrode collector 511 512, the negative electrode plate 520 from the negative electrode 521 and the negative electrode active material portion 522 constituting the collector. 正极板510和负极板520隔着隔板530相对。 The positive electrode plate 510 and the negative electrode plate 520 via a separator 530 opposite. 正极集电体511由绝缘片511x及分别形成于绝缘片两面上的导电层511y构成，沿绝缘片511x长度方向的两端部设置有绝缘片的露出部511x'。 Positive electrode current collector 511 made of an insulating sheet 511x and the conductive layer 511y are formed on the insulating sheet both sides, along the insulating sheet 511x longitudinal direction both end portions is provided with an insulating sheet is exposed portion 511x '. 采用图5的这种结构的场合，对绝缘片露出部511x'的宽度没有特别限定，但最好为2mm以下。 Using the case of such a structure in FIG. 5, the insulating sheet is exposed portion 511x 'width is not particularly limited, but preferably is 2mm or less.
沿正极集电体511长度方向的两端部511a、511b具有绝缘片的切断面，故不会产生具有导电性的毛刺。 The cutting surface of both end portions 511a 511 along the longitudinal direction of the positive electrode collector, 511 b having an insulating sheet, so that no burrs having conductivity. 因此，尽管沿正极集电体511长度方向的两端部511a、511b与负极活性物质部522的表面相对，也可防止正极集电体和负极活性物质部发生短路。 Accordingly, both end portions 511a although in 511 the longitudinal direction of the positive electrode collector, 511 b surface of the negative electrode active material portion 522 opposite can be prevented positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material portion is short-circuited.
实施形式5本实施形式是包括以下几部分的二次锂离子电池：(a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；(b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；(c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；(d)电解液；(e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液。 Embodiment Mode 5 the present embodiment is a secondary lithium ion battery of the following parts: (a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprising charge and discharge occluding or releasing the positive electrode active material a lithium ion; (b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and carrying the negative electrode active material of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge capable of absorbing or releasing a negative electrode active material a lithium ion; (c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; (d) an electrolyte; (e) a battery container, a receptacle of the positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte. 通过将上述正极板和负极板以两者之间隔着上述隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，沿上述正极板长度方向的两端部分别被绝缘材料覆盖。 By the above-described positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate therebetween way the separator wound therebetween to form an electrode group, along the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction both end portions is covered with an insulating material.
由于沿正极板长度方向的两端部分别被绝缘材料覆盖，故在分切正极活性物质部的端部附近时，即使正极集电体产生毛刺，也可通过绝缘材料防止毛刺和负极活性物质部之间短路。 Since both end portions along the positive electrode plate longitudinal direction are respectively covered by an insulating material, so that when the slitting vicinity of the end portion of the positive electrode active material portion, even if the positive electrode current collector burrs, can prevent a burr and a negative electrode active material portion by an insulating material short circuit between. 例如，图2所示的现有结构的正极板的沿长度方向的两端部分别用绝缘材料覆盖，由此可实现本实施形式。 For example, both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate shown in Figure 2 conventional structure are respectively covered with an insulating material, whereby to achieve the present embodiment.
覆盖沿正极板长度方向的两端部的绝缘材料可采用聚丙烯、聚乙烯、聚偏二氟乙烯、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等。 Covering along the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction of insulating material both end portions can be polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene terephthalate and the like. 可将它们单独使用，也可将2种以上组合使用。 They may be used alone or two or more thereof.
用绝缘材料覆盖沿正极板长度方向的两端部的工序可在分切正极板之前或之后进行，但在分切正极板之后，可用绝缘材料覆盖分切所形成的整个断面。 Both end sections of the cover along the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction with an insulating material may be performed before slitting the positive electrode plate or after, but after cutting the positive electrode plate, can be used an insulating material covers the entire cross-section cut formed.
本实施形式中，沿负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部最好也位于沿正极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧。 Both end portions of the present embodiment, along the negative portion length active substance direction is also preferably located outside both end portions along the active part length substances direction of the positive electrode.
图6示意性地表示本实施形式极板组的与正极板610、负极板620和隔板630长度方向垂直的断面的一例。 FIG 6 schematically shows an exemplary cross section of the positive electrode plate 610, a negative electrode plate 620 and the separator 630 longitudinal direction orthogonal to the present form of embodiment of the electrode plate group. 图6中，为了容易理解正极板610、负极板620和隔板630的配置关系，在层叠方向上隔有间隔地表示各要素。 In FIG. 6, for easy understanding of the positive electrode plate 610, the arrangement relationship negative electrode plate 620 and the separator 630, in the laminating direction compartment representing intervals the elements.
正极板610由正极集电体611和正极活性物质部612构成，负极板620由负极集电体621和负极活性物质部622构成。 The positive electrode plate 610 includes a positive electrode current collector 611 and the positive electrode active material portion 612, the negative electrode plate 620 is made of an active material of the negative electrode current collector 621 and the negative electrode 622. 正极板610和负极板620隔着隔板630相对。 The positive electrode plate 610 and the negative electrode plate 620 via a separator 630 opposite. 沿正极板610长度方向的两端部被绝缘材料613覆盖，故，即使在正极集电体具有毛刺的场合，也可防止毛刺和负极活性物质部短路。 Both end portions along the positive electrode plate 610 in the longitudinal direction is covered with an insulating material 613, so that, even when the positive electrode collector having burrs case, also, prevents the burr and the active material portion short-circuiting the negative electrode.
在实施形式1～5中，对正极板4个边中的沿长度方向的两端部的配置和结构作了说明，但沿短边方向的两端部中的至少一方也可采用同样的配置和结构。 In the embodiments 1 to 5, the configuration and structure along the longitudinal direction of the four sides of the positive electrode plate of the both end portions has been described, but both end portions in the short side direction, at least one may also be the same configuration and structure. 这种场合，防止短路的效果更大。 In this case, bigger prevent short-circuiting effect. 另外，实施形式1～5中说明的正极板的配置和结构可分别单独采用，也可将数个组合起来采用。 Further, the configuration and structure of the positive electrode plate embodiments 1 to 5 described respectively alone, can also be a number of combined use.
下面，根据实施例，进一步对本发明作具体说明。 Here, according to an embodiment, further for detailed description of the present invention. 但是，下述实施例不是限定本发明的。 However, the following examples are not limiting the present invention.
实施例1参照图7～图10对实施形式1的实施例之一作说明。 Example 1 Referring to FIGS embodiment. 7 to FIG. 10, one embodiment for explanation of the embodiment 1.
(i)正极板的制作正极板708是通过在正极集电体708a的两面上承载正极活性物质部708b而制成的。 (I) the positive electrode plate produced positive electrode plate 708 by supporting a positive electrode active material portions on both sides of the positive electrode collector 708a to 708b made of.
正极活性物质部708b是将正极材料糊剂涂在集电体708a的两面上，经干燥、轧制而形成的。 The positive electrode active material portion 708b is a material paste of the positive electrode coated on both surfaces of the current collector 708a, dried, rolled and formed.
正极材料糊剂是将正极活性物质LiCoO2、导电剂乙炔黑和粘结剂聚偏二氟乙烯按重量比92∶3∶5的比例混合调制而成。 Material paste of the positive electrode is the positive electrode active material LiCoO2, the conductive agent, acetylene black and the binder polyvinylidene fluoride weight ratio 92:3:5 the ratio of modulation. 粘结剂聚偏二氟乙烯溶解于N-甲基-2吡咯烷酮(下称NMP)中，作为NMP溶液用。 A binder of polyvinylidene fluoride was dissolved in N- methyl-2-pyrrolidone (hereinafter referred to as NMP), and NMP as a solution. 另外，聚偏二氟乙烯的NMP溶液在制作正极板时也可作为非活性物质糊剂使用。 Further, polyvinylidene fluoride in NMP in the production of the positive electrode plate may also be used as inert material paste used.
正极材料糊剂和非活性物质糊剂在厚20μm的铝箔构成的正极集电体708a的两面上间断地涂成条纹状。 The positive electrode material paste and a non-active material paste on both sides of the positive electrode collector thickness of 20μm of aluminum foil 708a intermittently coated in a stripe shape.
图8所示为涂有正极材料糊剂801和非活性物质糊剂802的正极集电体708a的俯视图。 Figure is coated with a plan view material paste 801 of the positive electrode and the positive electrode current collector inert material paste 802 708a 8. 在未涂正极材料糊剂和非活性物质糊剂的部分，露出正极集电体708a，其露出部的间隔为40mm。 A portion uncoated material paste and a non-active material paste of the positive electrode is exposed positive electrode current collector 708a, its distance from the exposed portion is 40mm. 正极材料糊剂801和非活性物质糊剂802的长度均为419mm。 The length of the material paste 801 of the positive electrode and the non-active material paste 802 are 419mm. 正极材料糊剂801的宽度是50mm，非活性物质糊剂802的宽度是中央为8mm，两端为6mm。 Width of the material paste 801. The positive electrode is 50mm, the width of the non-active material paste 802 is central to 8mm, both ends 6mm. 沿正极集电体708a长度方向的两端部的未涂敷部的宽度为10mm。 The width of the uncoated portions of the both end portions 708a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode current collector is 10mm.
接着，如图9所示，在糊剂的间断部分也涂有非活性物质糊剂802'。 Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, it is also coated with an inert material paste 802 in the intermittent portion paste '. 非活性物质糊剂802、802'的涂膜厚度和正极材料糊剂801的涂膜厚度一样，干燥后两面的涂膜厚度合计为280μm。 Inactive material paste 802, 802 'of the film thickness and the film thickness of the positive electrode material paste 801 as dried film thickness on both sides of the total of 280μm. 包括正极集电体厚度在内的总厚度为300μm。 Comprising a positive electrode current collector thickness including the total thickness of 300μm.
然后，用直径300mm的辊子轧制到总厚度为180μm为止，从而得到具有条纹状的正极活性物质部和非活性物质部的正极板窄带。 Then, with 300mm diameter rolls rolled to a total thickness of up to 180 m, to thereby obtain a positive electrode hoop positive electrode active material portion and a non-active portion having a stripe. 在非活性物质部分切正极板窄带，制成正极板。 Cutting a positive electrode hoop in the non-active portion, a positive electrode plate. 所得到的正极板的材料密度为3.1g/cc。 The material density of the positive electrode plate obtained was 3.1g / cc.
正极板的俯视图示于图10。 Top view of the positive electrode plate in FIG. 10. 图10中，正极板长度方向的长度为428mm，宽度为54mm。 10, the length of the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction of 428mm, a width of 54mm. 正极活性物质部1002和正极材料糊剂的涂膜相同，长419mm，宽50mm。 The positive electrode active material portion 1002 and the coating material paste of the positive electrode the same, length 419mm, width 50mm. 正极活性物质部1002周围配置有宽2mm的非活性物质部1003。 The positive electrode active material portion around 1002 disposed 2mm wide inactive material portion 1003.
按5mm宽剥离非活性物质部1003的一部分而形成的正极集电体708a的露出部上焊接有长75mm、宽3mm的正极簧片716。 Positive electrode current collector pressing portion 5mm wide release inactive material portion 1003 is formed by 708a on the exposed portion welded length 75mm, width 3mm positive spring 716. 正极簧片716的焊接部，用绝缘带包覆。 The positive electrode reed welded portion 716, with an insulating strip coating.
(ii)负极板的制作。 Production (ii) a negative electrode plate.
负极板709是用现有周知的方法，将负极活性物质部709b承载在负极集电体709a的两面上而制成。 The negative electrode plate 709 is a method conventionally known, the negative electrode active material portion 709b carrier is made on both sides of the negative electrode current collector 709a is.
负极活性物质部709b是将负极材料糊剂涂敷在负极集电体709a的两面上，经干燥、轧制而形成。 Negative electrode active material portion 709b is a negative electrode material paste was coated on a negative electrode both surfaces of current collector 709a, dried, rolled and formed.
负极材料糊剂是将人造石墨和粘结剂苯乙烯-丁二烯橡胶(SBR)按重量比97∶3的比例混合调制而成。 The negative electrode material paste is artificial graphite and a binder of styrene - butadiene rubber (SBR) weight ratio 97:3 the ratio of modulation. 将粘结剂苯乙烯-丁二烯橡胶分散在水中，作为水溶性分散液使用。 The binder is a styrene - butadiene rubber dispersed in water and used as aqueous dispersion.
将负极材料糊剂涂敷在由厚度为14μm的铜箔制成的负极集电体709a的两面上。 The both surfaces of a negative electrode collector a negative electrode material paste was coated in a thickness of 14μm of a copper foil 709a of. 然后，用直径为300mm的辊子轧制到包括负极材料糊剂的涂膜和负极集电体在内的总厚度为196μm为止，从而得到具有负极活性物质部的负极板窄带。 Then, the diameter of the rolling of the roller 300mm of the total thickness including the coating film and the negative electrode collector a negative electrode material paste including as far 196μm, thereby obtaining a negative electrode active material of the negative electrode hoop.
将得到的负极板窄带分切成比正极活性物质部大、且比包括非活性物质部在内的整个正极板小的尺寸，得到负极板。 The obtained negative electrode hoop cut into larger than that of the positive electrode active material portion and smaller than the overall size of the positive electrode small plate comprising an inert material portion including, a negative electrode plate. 所得到的负极板的负极材料密度为1.4g/cc。 Negative electrode material density of the negative electrode plate obtained was 1.4g / cc. 负极板长度方向的长度为513mm、宽度为52mm。 The length of the negative electrode plate in the longitudinal direction of 513mm, a width of 52mm.
按5mm宽剥离负极活性物质部的一部分而形成的负极集电体709a的露出部上焊接有长75mm、宽3mm的负极簧片717。 By 5mm wide release the negative electrode portion of the active material portion is formed of negative electrode current collector 709a on the exposed portion welded length 75mm, width 3mm negative spring 717. 负极簧片717的焊接部用绝缘带包覆。 Welding portion of the negative spring 717 tape coated with insulation.
(iii)电解液的调制电解液用下述这种溶液，即，将溶质氟磷酸锂(LiPF6)溶解在混合溶媒中形成浓度为1mol/dm3的溶液，该混合溶媒是将乙烯碳酸酯(EC)和二乙基碳酸酯(DEC)按体积比1∶1的比例混合而成的。 (Iii) an electrolyte modulation electrolyte solution following this solution, i.e., a solute lithium hexafluorophosphate (of LiPF6) was dissolved at a concentration of 1mol / dm3 was formed in the mixed solvent, the mixed solvent is ethylene carbonate (EC ) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) by volume ratio of 1 are mixed.
(iv)圆筒形电池的组装工序组装了图7所示的直径18mm、高65mm的圆筒形锂离子二次电池。 (Iv) a cylindrical battery assembling process for assembling a diameter of 18mm, high 65mm cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery shown in FIG. 7. 电池的设计容量为1400mAh。 The design capacity of the battery is 1400mAh.
隔着由聚乙烯投影的多微孔膜构成的隔板，按图1所示的配置方式，使正极板708和负极板709相对，并卷成涡卷状，从而构成极板组711。 Via separator a microporous membrane made of polyethylene projection constituted by the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the positive electrode plate 708 and the negative electrode plate 709 relatively, and rolled into a spiral, thereby constituting the electrode plate group 711. 极板组711的上下配置有上部绝缘板718和下部绝缘板719。 Electrode group 711 is vertically disposed on an upper insulating plate 718 and a lower insulating plate 719. 和电解液(未图示)一同收装在电池容器712内。 And an electrolyte (not shown) together housed in a battery container 712. 将兼作负极端子的圆筒状电池罐713和兼作正极端子的封口板714组合在电池容器712上使用。 The serving as a negative terminal of a cylindrical battery can 713 and serves as a positive terminal of the sealing plate 714 in combination on the battery container 712. 极板组711和电池罐713的内周之间也隔有隔板710。 Electrode group 711 and between the inner periphery of the battery can 713 is also separated with a separator 710.
正极板708的正极簧片716通过上部绝缘板718的中央孔与封口板714的里面连接。 The positive electrode plate of the positive electrode reed 708 716 inside the upper insulating plate 718 of the central bore and the sealing plate 714 is connected through. 负极板709的负极簧片717绕过下部绝缘板719的外周安装在下部绝缘板719和电池罐713的底部之间。 The negative electrode plate 709 is a negative spring 717 bypasses the outer periphery of a lower insulating plate 719 is mounted between the bottom of the lower insulating plate 719 and 713 of the battery can. 负极簧片717和电池罐713的底部在下部绝缘板719中央的孔部内侧焊接起来。 The bottom of the negative spring 717 and the battery can 713 in the bore portion inside the lower insulating plate 719 center welded. 电池罐713和开口端部和封口板714的周边部之间夹有绝缘衬垫715，用封口板714封住电池罐713的开口，将电池容器712密闭起来。 Interposed between the peripheral portion of the battery can 713 and an open end portion and the sealing plate 714 of insulating spacer 715, the opening with the sealing plate 714 to seal the battery can 713, the battery container 712 sealed together.
实施例1的电池的极板组中，由于沿正极集电体长度方向的两端部位于沿负极活性物质部长度方向的两端部外侧，故可认为即使发生正极集电体端部所产生的毛刺扎破隔板的事态，该毛刺也不会和负极活性物质部发生短路。 Electrode group of the battery of Example 1, since both end portions along the collector longitudinal direction of the positive electrode member is positioned in the negative electrode outside both end portions of the Minister of active substance direction, it can be considered positive electrode current collector end portion even in the event generated burrs punctured separator situation, the burr is not negative electrode active material portion short circuit. 而且，因正极板的端部附近设置有由绝缘材料制成的非活性物质部，故正极集电体稳定，且不易引起一般的短路。 Moreover, since the end portion of the positive electrode plate is disposed near the non-active material portion made of an insulating material, so the positive electrode current collector stable and less likely to cause a general short circuit. 另外，非活性物质部的厚度和正极活性物质部的厚度一样，没有台阶，故卷绕时不易引起卷的错动等。 The thickness of the non-active portion and the thickness of the positive electrode active material portion, there is no step, it is difficult to cause the volume of dislocation during winding and so on.
实施例2参照图11～图13对实施形式2的实施例之一作说明。 Specified one of Example 2 with reference to FIGS embodiments 11 to 13 of the embodiments in the form of the second embodiment.
(i)正极板的制作如图11所示，将作为正极集电体的厚20μm的铝箔1101和作为绝缘材料部的2条厚20μm的聚丙烯膜1102配置成3列，构成正极芯材。 Production (i) the positive electrode plate 11, the two thick as the thickness of the positive electrode current collector foil 1101 and a 20μm dielectric material portion 20μm polypropylene film 1102 is configured to 3, constituting the positive electrode core member. 铝箔1101的宽度为48mm，配置在沿其长度方向的两端部的聚丙烯膜1102的宽度均为5mm。 The width of the foil 1101 is 48mm, disposed are 5mm in width along their length polypropylene film 1102 both end portions. 由3个构成部件组成的正极芯材设置在正极材料糊剂的涂敷机上。 The positive electrode core member consists of three components consisting disposed on the material paste of the positive electrode coater.
如图12所示，以覆盖在由聚丙烯膜1102制成的绝缘材料部1102上的方式，把和实施例1中调制的糊剂一样的正极材料糊剂1201按52mm宽度涂敷在正极芯材的两面上。 12, to cover the polypropylene film 1102 made of insulating material 1102 on the way to Example 1, prepared in a paste like cathode material paste 1201 by 52mm width is applied to the positive electrode both sides of the material on. 图12中，虚线表示铝箔和聚丙烯膜的界面。 12, a broken line indicates the interface of aluminum foil and polypropylene film.
也可将铝箔和聚丙烯膜配置成5列、7列……，高效地制作更多的正极板。 Also aluminum foil and a polypropylene film may be configured to 5, 7 ......, efficiently produce more positive electrode plate.
和实施例1一样，包括干燥后的两面的涂膜和正极集电体在内的总厚度设为300μm，将总厚度轧制到180μm，获得具有正极活性物质部的正极板窄带。 Same as Example 1, including both sides of the dried coating film and the positive electrode current collector, including the total thickness is set to 300 m, the total thickness of the rolled to 180 m, to obtain a positive electrode hoop having a positive electrode active material portion. 在成为绝缘材料部的聚丙烯膜1102和正极活性物质部的层叠部分切正极板窄带，从而制成正极板。 In an insulating material portion of the polypropylene film 1102 and the cathode active material part of the layered part cutting the positive electrode hoop, and thus produce a positive electrode plate.
正极板的俯视图示于图13。 Top view of the positive electrode plate in FIG. 13. 图13中，正极板长度方向的长度为428mm，宽度为50mm。 In FIG. 13, the length of the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction of 428mm, a width of 50mm.
在按5mm宽度剥离正极活性物质部1302的一部分而形成的正极集电体1101的露出部上设置和实施例1一样的正极簧片1316。 A positive electrode collector part by 5mm width of peeling of the positive electrode active material portion 1302 is formed 1101 over the exposed portion and embodiment as the positive-electrode reed embodiment 1316. 沿正极板长度方向的两端部上分别残留宽1mm的聚丙烯膜和正极活性物质部的层叠部。 Respectively, remaining width of 1mm on both end portions along the positive electrode plate longitudinal direction of the laminated portion polypropylene film and the positive electrode active material portion.
(ii)负极板的制作负极板是将和实施例1一样制作的负极板窄带分切成比正极板大的尺寸而制成的。 (Ii) the negative electrode plate of negative electrode plate is Same as Example 1 fabricated negative electrode hoop cut into larger than the positive electrode plate size made. 负极板的结构和尺寸和实施例1一样。 Structure and size of the negative electrode plate, and in Example 1.
(iii)圆筒形电池的组装工序和实施例1一样，组装了直径18mm、高65mm、设计容量1400mAh的圆筒形锂离子二次电池。 An assembly process in Example (iii) a cylindrical battery as an assembled diameter 18mm, high 65mm, the design capacity of the cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery is 1400mAh of.
即，隔着由聚乙烯制的多微孔膜构成的隔板，按图3所示的配置方式，使上述制作的正极板和负极板相对，并卷成涡卷状，从而构成极板组。 I.e., via a separator made of a microporous membrane made of polyethylene, by the arrangement shown in Figure 3, so that the prepared positive electrode and negative electrode plates opposing, and rolled into a spiral, thereby constituting the electrode plate group . 然后，组装出除了采用该极板组以外、其他和实施例1一样的实施例2的电池。 Then, assembled except that the electrode group except that the battery of Example 2 1 like other and embodiments.
实施例2的电池极板组中，由于在成为绝缘材料部的聚丙烯膜和正极活性物质部的层叠部分切正极板窄带，故可认为沿正极板长度方向的端部不产生导电性毛刺。 Battery plate group of Example 2, since become laminated portion polypropylene film of insulating material portion and the positive electrode active material portion of the cut positive electrode hoop, it can be considered an end portion in the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction does not produce a conductive burrs.
实施例3参照图14、图15对实施形式3的实施例之一作说明。 14, one of the embodiment 3 of FIG. 15 embodiment as described in Example 3 with reference to FIG.
(i)正极板的制作如图14所示，把和实施例1中调制的糊剂一样的正极材料糊剂1402呈条纹状地涂敷在和实施例1用的相同的正极集电体1401的两面上。 Production (i) the positive electrode plate 14, the and pastes Examples modulating an embodiment as a positive electrode material paste 1402 in stripes coated and same cathode current collector in Example 1 using 1401 on both sides. 图14中，正极材料糊剂的宽度，2列均为50mm，集电体露出部的宽度为：中央8mm，两端4mm。 14, the width of the positive electrode material paste, 2 are 50mm, collector-exposed portion is: a central 8mm, both ends of 4mm.
和实施例1一样，包括干燥后的涂膜和正极集电体在内的总厚度设为300μm，将总厚度轧制到180μm，获得具有正极活性物质部1501的正极板窄带。 Same as Example 1, comprising a coating film and the positive electrode current collector after drying, including the total thickness is set to 300 m, the total thickness of the rolled to 180 m, to obtain a positive electrode hoop having a positive electrode active material portion 1501. 在集电体露出部分切正极板窄带，如图15所示，用1mm宽的绝缘带1509包覆残留的集电体露出部，制成正极板。 In the collector exposed portion of the cut positive electrode hoop, as shown in Figure 15, with the 1mm wide insulating strip 1509 of the current collector coated with the remaining exposed portion, a positive electrode plate.
图15中，正极板长度方向的长度为428mm，宽度为52mm。 15, the length of the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction of 428mm, a width of 52mm. 按5mm宽剥离正极活性物质部1501的一部分而形成的正极集电体1401的露出部上设置了和实施例1一样的正极簧片1516。 Positive electrode current collector by a portion of the positive electrode active material portion 1501 is wider release 5mm formed by 1401 is provided Same as Example 1, a positive spring 1516 on the exposed portion.
(ii)负极板的制作负极板是将和实施例1一样制作的负极板窄带分切成比正极板大的尺寸而制成的。 (Ii) the negative electrode plate of negative electrode plate is Same as Example 1 fabricated negative electrode hoop cut into larger than the positive electrode plate size made. 负极板的尺寸和实施例1一样。 Size of the negative electrode plate, and in Example 1.
即，隔着由聚乙烯制的多微孔膜构成的隔板，按图4所示的配置方式，使上述制作的正极板和负极板相对，并卷成涡卷状，从而构成极板组。 I.e., via a separator microporous film made of a polyethylene constituted by the arrangement shown in Figure 4, so that the prepared positive electrode and negative electrode plates opposing, and rolled into a spiral, thereby constituting the electrode plate group . 然后，组装出除了用该极板组以外、其他和实施例1一样的实施例3的电池。 Then, except for using the assembled electrode group, and the other battery as in Example 1 Example 3.
实施例3的电池的极板组由于用绝缘带包覆正极集电体的端部，所以即使正极集电体端部产生毛刺，该毛刺也不会和负极活性物质部发生短路。 Example 3 battery electrode plate group due to belt embodiment end portion of the positive electrode current collector coated with an insulating electrode, positive electrode current collector even if the end portion burr, and the burr is not short-circuited portion of the negative electrode active material.
实施例4参照图16～图18对实施形式4的实施例之一作说明。 18 specified one of the embodiments of Embodiment 4 of Example 4 with reference to FIGS embodiment 16 to FIG.
(i)正极板的制作如图16所示，在厚20μm的窄带状的聚丙烯片1601两面的相同位置上，前后左右残留10mm以上的聚丙烯片的露出部，形成厚5μm的铝蒸镀膜1602。 , In the narrow strip of the same position as the polypropylene sheets 1601 on both sides of a thickness of 20μm on, around, remaining more than 10mm polypropylene sheet produced as shown in (i) the positive electrode plate 16 of the exposed portion, forming a thick 5μm aluminum deposited film 1602. 铝蒸镀膜1602长426mm、宽48mm。 Aluminum vapor deposition film 1602 length 426mm, width 48mm.
下面，如图17所示，把和实施例1一样调制的正极材料糊剂1701一面一面地涂敷在聚丙烯片1601两面的相同位置上。 Next, as shown in Figure 17, the Example 1 as prepared positive electrode material paste 1701 side face coated at the same position on both surfaces of the polypropylene sheet 1601. 这时，铝蒸镀膜1602一方的宽5mm的端部上残留有未涂敷正极材料糊剂的铝蒸镀膜的露出部1702。 In this case, the residual aluminum uncoated material paste of the positive electrode of the deposited film exposed portion 1702 on an end portion of an aluminum deposition film 1602 one 5mm wide. 铝蒸镀膜的露出部1702设在聚丙烯片两面的相同位置上。 Aluminum vapor deposition film of the exposed portion 1702 provided at the same position as the polypropylene sheet sides on.
和实施例1一样，包括干燥后的两面的涂膜和正极集电体在内的总厚度设为300μm，将总厚度轧制到180μm，获得具有正极活性物质部1501的正极板窄带。 Same as Example 1, including both sides of the dried coating film and the positive electrode current collector, including the total thickness is set to 300 m, the total thickness of the rolled to 180 m, to obtain a positive electrode hoop having a positive electrode active material portion 1501. 在没有铝蒸镀膜的部位分切正极板窄带，制成图18所示的正极板。 In the portion having no aluminum vapor deposition film slitting positive electrode hoop, a positive electrode plate shown in FIG. 18. 正极板的长度为428mm，宽度为50mm。 The length of the positive electrode plate is 428mm, a width of 50mm. 在设于正极集电体两面上的宽5mm的铝蒸镀膜的露出部1702上，用导电性粘结剂分别固定有长75mm、宽3mm的正极簧片1816，它们的自由端相互焊接起来。 Aluminum provided 5mm wide on a current collector on both surfaces of the positive electrode exposed vapor deposited film on the portion 1702, a conductive adhesive are fixed length 75mm, width 3mm positive spring 1816, their free ends welded to each other. 正极簧片1816的粘结固定部用绝缘带包覆。 The positive electrode reed adhesive fixing portion 1816 tape coated with insulation. 沿正极板长度方向的宽1mm的端部没有铝蒸镀膜，正极活性物质部直接承载在聚丙烯片上。 1mm wide end portion along the positive electrode plate in the longitudinal direction no aluminum vapor deposition film, a positive electrode active material portion directly supported on a polypropylene sheet.
(ii)负极板的制作负极板是将和实施例1一样制作的负极板钢带分切成比正极板大的尺寸而制成的。 (Ii) the negative electrode plate of negative electrode plate is Same as Example 1 produced negative electrode plate strip cut into larger than the positive electrode plate size made. 负极板的结构和尺寸和实施例1一样。 Structure and size of the negative electrode plate, and in Example 1.
即，隔着由聚乙烯制的多微孔膜构成的隔板，按图5所示的配置方式，使上述制作的正极板和负极板相对，并卷成涡卷状，从而构成极板组。 I.e., via a separator made of a microporous membrane made of polyethylene, by the arrangement shown in Figure 5, so that the prepared positive electrode and negative electrode plates opposing, and rolled into a spiral, thereby constituting the electrode plate group . 然后，组装出除了用该极板组以外、其他和实施例1一样的实施例4的电池。 Then, assemble except the plate group, other Example 1, the same as in Example 4 batteries.
实施例4的电池中，由于正极集电体的分切部分是绝缘材料，故不产生导电性的毛刺，不会引起因毛刺而产生的短路。 Example 4 of the battery, the positive electrode current collector slitting part is an insulating material, it does not produce conductive burr, it will not be caused by glitches arising from a short circuit.
实施例5对实施形式5的实施例之一作说明。 One embodiment for illustrative Example 5 Embodiment Mode 5 embodiment.
(i)正极板的制作在和实施例1用的同样的正极集电体的两面的整个面上涂敷和实施例1中调制的糊剂相同的正极材料糊剂。 Production (i) positive electrode plate in Example entire surface to be coated on both surfaces of the same positive electrode current collector 1 with the same paste positive electrode material paste prepared in Example 1 embodiment.
和实施例1一样，包括干燥后的两面的涂敷和正极集电体在内的总厚度设为300μm，将总厚度轧制到180μm，获得具有正极活性物质部1501的正极板窄带。 Same as Example 1, comprising coating both sides of the dried and the positive electrode current collector, including the total thickness is set to 300 m, the total thickness of the rolled to 180 m, to obtain a positive electrode hoop having a positive electrode active material portion 1501. 将正极板窄带分切为宽50mm、长428mm的尺寸，将沿其长度方向的宽2mm的两端部浸渍在聚乙烯粉末(熔点约100℃)的分散液中，干燥后，使附着在两端部上的聚乙烯粉末熔融而形成聚乙烯覆膜。 The positive electrode hoop cut in width 50mm, 428mm size length, both end portions immersed 2mm wide along its longitudinal direction in the dispersion liquid polyethylene powder (melting point of about 100 deg.] C), the dried, adhered in two powder melts the polyethylene on the end portion is formed of polyethylene film.
按5mm宽剥离正极活性物质部的一部分而形成的正极集电体的露出部上设置了和实施例1一样的正极簧片。 Provided Same as Example 1, the positive electrode reed on the exposed portion of the positive electrode collector by a portion of the positive electrode active material portion of the width of the peeling 5mm formed.
即，隔着由聚乙烯制的多微孔膜构成的隔板，按图6所示的配置方式，使上述制作的正极板和负极板相对，并卷成涡卷状，从而构成极板组。 I.e., via a separator made of a microporous membrane made of polyethylene, by the arrangement shown in Figure 6, so that the prepared positive electrode and negative electrode plates opposing, and rolled into a spiral, thereby constituting the electrode plate group . 然后，组装出除了用该极板组以外、其他和实施例1一样的实施例5的电池。 Then, assembled except for using the electrode group, other Example 1 as a battery of Example 5.
实施例5的电池中，分切正极板时即使产生毛刺，通过设在正极板的端部上的聚乙烯覆膜，也可防止毛刺和负极物质部发生短路。 In the battery of Example 5, even if burrs when cutting the positive electrode plate, through provided on the end portion of the positive electrode plate of a polyethylene film, but also, prevents the burr and the negative electrode material portion is short-circuited.
比较例1制作和实施例5一样的正极板窄带，将其分切成宽50mm、长428mm的尺寸。 Produced in Example 1 and the same size as in Example 5 of the positive electrode plate narrowband embodiment, which is cut into width of 50mm, length of 428mm comparison. 将这样得到的正极板，在沿其长度方向的两端部不形成聚乙烯覆膜的情况下，直接用它组装和实施例5一样的直径为18mm、高65mm、设计容量1400mAh的圆筒形锂离子二次电池。 The thus obtained positive electrode plate, in the case along the longitudinal direction both end portions are not formed of polyethylene film, directly assemble it and Example 5, the same diameter of 18mm, high 65mm, the design capacity of the cylindrical 1400mAh of A lithium ion secondary battery.
[评价]按以下顺序评价实施例1～5和比较例1的电池。 Batteries of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1. [Evaluation] Evaluation in the following order embodiment.
(i)各电池分别准备100个，用500mA将它们充电至电池电压为4.4V的过充电状态。 (I) each battery were prepared 100 with 500mA charging them until the battery voltage is overcharged state of 4.4V.
(ii)用平板对过充电状态的电池进行按压，将其压坏至其电压开始下降为止。 (Ii) a flat plate battery overcharged state is pressed to crush it to the voltage begins to drop so far.
(iii)调查因压坏后温度上升，产生气体而使安全阀动作的电池个数。 (Iii) survey the number of battery temperature rise after crushing, gas is generated so that the safety valve operation.
结果如下：实施例1：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中0个。 The results are as follows: Example 1: The number of battery safety valve is, 100 in the 0.
实施例2：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中0个。 Example 2: the number of battery safety valve is, 100 in the 0.
实施例3：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中0个。 Example 3: The number of battery safety valve is, 100 in the 0.
实施例4：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中0个。 Example 4: The number of battery safety valve is, 100 in the 0.
实施例5：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中0个。 Example 5: the number of battery safety valve is, 100 in the 0.
比较例1：安全阀动作的电池个数为，100个中26个。 Comparative Example 1: The number of battery safety valve is, 100 of 26.
如上所述，根据本发明的锂离子二次电池，可防止在切分正极集电体时产生毛刺，即使产生毛刺，也可防止毛刺和负极活性物质部短路。 As described above, according to the lithium ion secondary battery according prevent burrs during slicing positive electrode current collector, even if burrs, but also, prevents the burr and the negative electrode active material portion short-circuited.
1.锂离子二次电池，包括：a)正极板，它由正极活性物质部和承载上述正极活性物质部的正极集电体构成，上述正极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的正极活性物质；b)负极板，它由负极活性物质部和承载上述负极活性物质部的负极集电体构成，上述负极活性物质部含有通过充放电可吸留或放出锂离子的负极活性物质；c)隔板，它夹在上述正极板和负极板之间；d)电解液；e)电池容器，用于收装上述正极板、负极板、隔板及电解液，通过将上述正极板和负极板以二者之间夹着隔板的方式卷绕而构成极板组，上述正极集电体由绝缘片和形成于绝缘片的两面上的导电层构成，在所述绝缘片的沿长度方向的两端部上设有未被所述导电层覆盖的、所述绝缘片的露出部。 1. The lithium ion secondary battery, comprising: a) a positive electrode plate, which consists of a positive electrode active material portion and carrying the above-described positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode active material portion of the positive electrode active material portion comprises charge and discharge occluding or releasing lithium the positive electrode active material ions; b) a negative electrode plate, which is composed of a negative electrode active material portion and a negative electrode current collector carry the negative electrode active material portion of the anode active active material portion comprises charge and discharge occluding or releasing lithium ions material; c) a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates; D) an electrolyte; E) a battery container for housed above the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, by the positive electrode and negative electrode plates so as to sandwich the separator therebetween is wound to form the electrode plate group, the positive electrode current collector made of an insulating sheet and a conductive layer formed on both surfaces of the insulating sheet constituted in the insulating sheet provided with a conductive layer not covered by the both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet is exposed portion.
FR2996360B1 (en) 2012-10-01 2014-10-17 Commissariat Energie Atomique current collector with integrated sealing means, such a bipolar battery comprising a collector, METHOD FOR PRODUCING such a battery.
FR3004292B1 (en) 2013-04-09 2016-06-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique Electrochemical lithium accumulator with a housing heat dissipation IMPROVED pack battery and associated fabrication methods.
FR3006116B1 (en) 2013-05-21 2015-06-26 Commissariat Energie Atomique li-on battery bipolar tightness improved breathability and realization METHOD THEREOF.
FR3019686B1 (en) 2014-04-08 2016-05-06 Commissariat Energie Atomique Electrochemical lithium accumulator with terminal connected to the electrode plate, associated fabrication methods.
FR3022693A1 (en) 2014-06-24 2015-12-25 Commissariat Energie Atomique Electrochemical accumulator with a housing assembly by IMPROVED welding. | 2019-04-23T06:42:51Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/CN1324757C/en |
The Doctor of Science (Tech) degree is 40 ECTS credits of theoretical studies and dissertation thesis which means four years of full-time studies. The Licentiate of Science (Tech) degree is 40 ECTS credits of theoretical studies and licentiate thesis which means two years of full-time studies.The extent of the licentiate and doctoral degrees consist of theoretical studies and research work. The emphasis is on research work.
The degrees of doctor of science and licentiate constitute of three entities or modules which are the thesis, scientific principles and practices -studies and research field studies. Total of coursework is 40 credits.
Doctoral candidates are required to complete a dissertation, which is a individual research composed during the four years of study. The doctoral dissertation is written on a topic related to the research field approved for the doctoral candidate. A doctoral dissertation shall contribute to new scientific knowledge. Dissertation includes a public defence after pre-examination process. Accepted forms of dissertation are article dissertation and monograph.
Aalto University has more detailed instructions concerning the dissertation and its requirements.
A dissertation is a public document and cannot be concealed.
Quality requirements and forms of dissertation are described in Supervision, research and dissertation part.
The Licentiate thesis is written on a topic related to the research field approved for the doctoral candidate. In a Licentiate thesis, doctoral candidate shall demonstrate good conversance with the field of research and the capability of independently and critically applying scientific research methods.
An approved Licentiate thesis may also be a monograph or a number of scientific publications or manuscripts vetted for publication deemed sufficient by the university, which deal with the same set of problems and a paper summarising the findings, or some other work, which meets corresponding scientific criteria. The publications may include co-authored publications if the author's independent contribution to them can be demonstrated.
A Licentiate thesis is a public document and cannot be concealed.
The extent of module is 5 - 20 ECTS. The individual content of the module is confirmed to each doctoral candidate. Only compulsory course for fulltime doctoral candidates is the course Introduction to doctoral studies (ELEC-L0902). It is organised twice a year.
The aim of the scientific principles and practices studies is to provide students with knowledge of the basic concepts of science, the key characteristics of scientific research and scientific knowledge and to familiarize them with the most important research methods of their research field and develop the transferable skills. In addition, students learn to apply the principles of good scientific practice to their research, apply the basic structure of a scientific publication in their research reports, know the key publication series of their fields and are able to draft an appropriate and suitable structure for their doctoral dissertation.
The study module may include studies in research methodology, research ethics and the history or philosophy of science and principles of scientific writing. Some or all of the module may also consist of pedagogical studies. Language studies in general cannot be included to the degree, except for the specified language and communication studies.
The extent of module is 20-35 ECTS. Research field studies should support the writing of the thesis and prepare the doctoral candidates for research and other demanding work that requires expertise. In the Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering there are 24 research field to conduct studies in. Research field descriptions, list of professors and links to the research groups descriptions can be found below.
Research field studies need to be mainly post-graduate courses (advanced level) or other studies elegible for doctoral degree. Two master level courses can be included to the research field studies without any additional reasoning. No credits are given for doing research.
Attending suitable courses in Aalto University or another university.
Completing and reporting practical assignments related to the research field.
Oral or written examinations based on textbooks.
Studies in scientific summer and winter schools and courses organised by graduate schools.
Studies in the field of research need to be confirmed in the individual study plan for each doctoral candidate. Read more about the process here.
Scientific principles and practices module can include variety of studies but it may not consist totally of presentations in scientific conferences of one’s own field.
For full-time doctoral candidates the only compulsory course is ELEC-L0902 Introduction to doctoral studies.
Introduction to doctoral studies is compulsory to full-time doctoral candidates who have been admitted after August 1, 2015.
For more detailed course information, please see the MyCourses and WebOodi.
1-3 credits for acting as the assistant for exercises or teaching.
when doctoral candidate is nominated officially as bachelor thesis advisor.
The credits are assigned by the supervising professor case by case depending on the workload and requirements.
The participation in pedagogic training (YOOP courses or Aalto University pedagogic education) grants a maximum of 15 cr.
The credits are recorded for the general codes reserved for the doctoral studies of the research field, see details.
Please note that the study module may not consist totally of presentations in scientific conferences of one’s own field.
Study attainment includes: a rehearsal presentation in Finland,presenting a poster or giving an oral presentation at a conference and active participation in the conference: is worth 1-2 cr /conference.
These credits are registered by using the general codes reserved for the doctoral studies of the research field.
In the programme level there are no specific course requirements for this module. Courses should be post-graduate courses are marked letter L/P in the course name, with letter L in the course code or as "doctoral" in the course description.
Two master level courses can be included to the research field studies without any additional reasoning.
Bachelor level courses cannot be included to the doctoral degree but these are considered are prerequisite courses.
Doctoral studies in acoustics and audio signal processing focus on spatial sound technologies, digital music signal processing, and acoustic virtual reality, among others. Current trends are digitisation, such as the replacement of sound production tools with software, and novel communication and entertainment systems, which employ telepresence technologies.
Research in this field requires good signal processing and programming skills in practice. Furthermore, it is necessary to have an understanding of subjective testing, especially listening tests. Doctoral research will give you a chance to go deep into your favourite acoustic or audio topics and create new findings. Doctoral candidates will get a chance to use the outstanding measurement facilities of the Aalto Acoustics Lab, such as our three anechoic chambers and a modern artificial head.
Currently, research topics in this field are multidisciplinary and often related to virtual reality, physical modelling of audio devices, acoustics and modelling of concert halls, psychoacoustics of spatial sound, and acoustic measurements. Professors Ville Pulkki and Vesa Välimäki are well known internationally and widely networked. Their doctoral candidates will become part of the global community of audio researchers and will have opportunities to participate in international conferences. The Aalto Acoustics Lab collaborates actively with audio companies and with acoustics research groups of top universities.
Doctoral candidates can include in their theoretical studies several regular courses in this research field and can participate in the acoustics and audio technology seminar, which has a different theme each year. In addition, doctoral studies in this field may include courses on signal processing, speech and language processing, machine learning, and mathematics, for example. Anyone with a doctoral degree in acoustics and audio signal processing will readily find a job in a high-tech company, consulting firm, or university in Finland or abroad. Some of our doctors become entrepreneurs.
Doctoral studies in Automation, Systems and Control Engineering include research in intelligent software and hardware solutions for industrial automation, marine industry automation, intelligent robotic systems, robotic vision, micro- and nanorobotic manipulation, and autonomous vehicles. Current trends in the field include distributed internet-inspired automation architectures, the industrial internet of things, use of artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, human-robot and robot-robot interaction, microrobotic instruments, as well as cooperative control and manipulation.
The research in this field requires extensive knowledge of mechatronics, signals and systems, optimisation, and programming and software skills. Additionally, the research often requires deep understanding of particular application fields, and multidisciplinary approaches are often required. The doctoral research provides opportunities for students to delve into their favourite theoretical topics or develop novel scientific and engineering methods with high-impact real-world applications. Doctoral students will access the outstanding equipment and facilities of the research groups in the field of automation, systems and control engineering. These include state-of-the-art automation systems, robotic systems from macro scale to micro scale, and various autonomous vehicles, engines and drones.
The research topics in this field are highly multidisciplinary, related not only to subfields of engineering, (e.g. wireless and distributed automation, networked control systems, cooperative robotics, autonomous vehicles, micro- and nanoscale automation), but also to wide application fields, from electrical and diesel engines and manufacturing of products in the marine industry, to health-and-wellbeing, pharmaceuticals, materials technology and biotechnology. The professors in Automation, Systems and Control Engineering are well known internationally and widely networked. Their doctoral students will become part of the global community through participating in international conferences and active collaboration and exchange with top international and Finnish universities and companies.
The doctoral students can include in their studies regular courses of this field (control theory, robotics, machine learning, and mathematics), relevant seminars organised by research groups, and if necessary, courses that are important to their research from other departments, schools or universities. After successful completion of the research training, a doctor of Automation, Systems and Control Engineering will readily find a job in a wide variety of high-tech engineering companies and consulting firms, or pursue an academic career at a university, or become a successful entrepreneur.
Doctoral studies in space science and technology focus on space technology, Earth observation, space physics, and radio astronomy. Our research topics include the designing and building of satellite systems and space instruments, Earth observation by airborne and spaceborne microwave instruments, analysis of data from Earth observation and space physics, space weather and solar system dynamics, radio astronomical techniques, and the study of active galactic nuclei and galactic objects. Space-related services such as weather forecasts, environmental monitoring, and navigation and telecommunication services are rapidly growing, with nanosatellite technologies providing access to space at low cost and short time.
Finnish investments in space have risen anew, with several cubesat programs in orbit and under development, and commercial nano- and microsatellites coming to market with a wide variety of services. This highlights the need to understand the electromagnetic and plasma environment of space in order to design and operate space assets in a way that protects their operative capabilities. The analysis of long time series of satellite data to understand environmental and climate changes, or monitoring the data of active galactic nuclei are among Aalto’s current focus areas.
Doctoral students typically include advanced astronomy, plasma and space physics, and space technology courses in their theoretical studies. Mathematics, programming, and statistics courses support the skills required of a researcher in these fields. The students get unique hands-on experience in designing, building, testing and operating nanosatellites, in designing and building ground-based and space-based space research instrumentation, or e.g. in making radio astronomical observations with the Metsähovi Radio Observatory's large telescope. Students can also be involved in observations made with instruments aboard European Space Agency (ESA) missions or Aalto's space instruments aboard its own small satellites, or participate in developing and using state-of-the-art space-weather computer simulations. Students typically include these data and results in their theses.
Students are integrated into the research teams, many of them highly international, and are able to establish their own networks through research work, and participate in conferences and summer schools. Doctors in space science and technology will be qualified for research work in one of the focus areas, for work in large space organisations, or for work in the industry or public sector.
Doctoral studies in bioelectronics and instrumentation focus on the development of methods for measuring, modelling, analysing, and intervening in the human body. The research topics are, e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, biosignal analysis, neuroscientific applications, and applications of electromagnetic fields in medicine and their safety issues.
The research in bioelectronics and instrumentation requires a strong background in physics and mathematics as well as good programming skills. The multidisciplinary nature makes the research field suitable for students with various backgrounds, for example, in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, and biomedical engineering.
Doctoral studies and research work within bioelectronics and instrumentation are multidisciplinary and related to the development of computational methods, medical imaging, theoretical analysis, modelling of biophysical phenomena, modelling of the interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological media, and application of numerical electromagnetics in health technologies.
The doctoral student will gain deep understanding of the measurement, analysis and modelling of electrophysiological signals and phenomena, which are invaluable skills in modern health technologies. Graduated doctors are typically employed as experts in medical technology companies, and many of our doctors become entrepreneurs.
PhD studies in electronics integration and reliability focus on different aspects of microsystem technology, materials physics and chemistry, biosensing and the physics of various failure mechanisms encountered in microelectronics. Various types of modelling methods are also of key importance. Current trends in the field include different carbon nanostructures and their utilisation, new thin film materials in micro/nanoelectronics, computational material science, advanced failure analysis methods, and biocompatible sensors. The various methods of machine learning are also increasingly being utilised.
In practice, research in the field requires strong physics and/or chemistry skills and sufficient mathematical abilities. In addition, general knowledge of designing electronics and laboratory work experience are beneficial. Doctoral research can be directed in several directions in this wide application area. Examples include biosensing, carbon nanomaterials or microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems to name just a few possible paths.
Doctoral students can use the world-class facilities and equipment offered by Aalto University and VTT's joint Microelectronics Research Center Micronova and the analytical services provided by the Nanomicroscope Center. In addition, the computing resources offered by IT Centre for Science (CSC) are widely used.
Nowadays, topics of doctoral dissertations in the field are often very multidisciplinary and relate, for example, to the measurement of neurotransmitters from brain tissue, to the development and characterisation of new piezoelectric films or to the design of new types of carbon hybrid materials.
Professors in the field of Electronics Integration and Reliability, Tomi Laurila and Mervi Paulasto-Kröckel, are internationally renowned and widely networked researchers, with whom doctoral students can become part of the global research community and have access to top international conferences. We frequently carry out research in close collaboration with industry and various research groups from the top universities around the world.
Doctoral students can include in their theoretical studies a wide range of courses in materials science, computational science, chemistry, physics, electronics, machine learning and mathematics. PhDs in Electronics Integration and Reliability are well employed nationally and internationally in high technology companies, consultancy offices, research institutes and universities. There is also a strong culture of entrepreneurship in the field and many of our students have set up their own businesses.
Information theory, often defined as the study of communication, quantification, and storage of information, forms a fundamental basis for information and communication technology (ICT) and contains a wide variety of subfields subject to active research at Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. In addition to communication, signals and storage, the field also intersects with computer science, economics, mathematics, physics and statistics.
The fundamental, mathematical nature of information theory makes the research field suitable for students with a background in automation, computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, mathematics and physics. It is not uncommon that students migrate to this field from other universities, schools and disciplines.
The professors in charge cover different parts of this large area. The work of professors Themistoklis Charalambous, Jyri Hämäläinen, and Olav Tirkkonen covers communication theory with applications, and the work of professor Patric Östergård covers coding theory, discrete mathematics and algorithms. The professors in charge have many ongoing projects in which new students participate fully..
In addition to a few basic courses, the choice of courses to be included in the doctoral studies will to a large extent be guided by the research of the student with the agreement of the supervising professor. With the large number of supporting fields and courses lectured on in the many schools and departments of Aalto University, there are many possibilities and a lot of flexibility to support the research and studies that the student finds appealing.
An understanding of the basis of ICT and the capability to conduct fundamental research are invaluable skills in the modern and future world and provide an opportunity for a successful career. Doctors are typically employed in academia or as experts in information security, software or telecom companies.
The doctoral studies in advanced materials and photonics are focused on applications. Novel materials such as graphene as well as many other thin 2-dimensional materials have important applications in both electronics and photonics. These materials can also be realised by modifying the properties of existing materials, especially on the nanoscale. New directions in photonics include ultrafast lasers, new light sources, fast transfer of data and even quantum communication.
The doctoral students make extensive use of the state-of-the-art clean rooms of Micronova, and related measurement and characterisation infrastructure. The students learn to perform theoretical simulations and modelling, and to develop micro- and nanotechnology-based novel sensor and laser applications. The professors in this research field have extensive collaboration with the leading universities, research organisations and companies. Their offices are located in the Micronova building: Ilkka Tittonen, Harri Lipsanen, Hele Savin, Markku Sopanen, and Zhipei Sun. Erkki Ikonen is located in Maarintie 8.
Rapid advances in hardware, algorithms, software, and networks have opened remarkable new possibilities for human use of information technology. Doctoral studies in user interfaces prepare leaders, experts, and academics who use advanced theories and technical methodology to design and develop information technology for the benefit of people.
Research on human-computer interaction (HCI) is cross-disciplinary and seeks a principled understanding of how to improve the human use of interactive computing. The field of HCI is one of the largest fields in computer science and applied across a multitude of other fields, ranging from robotics to speech technology. Doctoral candidates can include in their theoretical and methodological studies our regular courses, seminars, reading groups, and summer schools in the above fields. The emphasis between theoretical or applied studies varies depending on the student's background and thesis topic.
The doctoral education draws on methods used in computer science, engineering design, machine learning, cognitive sciences and electrical engineering. The focus is on principled modelling and algorithmic solution of interaction problems. A PhD candidate will have a background that combines rigorous methods in computational and engineering disciplines with leading trends in user interface technology and interaction design. Research requires both top-down (system level) and bottom-up (analysis and experimentation) and attention to detail. Technical skills involved include programming, statistical and mathematical modelling, experimental research, and electrical engineering. Doctoral candidates will work closely in a research group and collaborate with leading universities and industrial partners.
Doctoral studies in micro- and nanoelectronic circuit design deepen the student’s knowledge and skills relating to integrated circuit design. In micro- and nanoelectronics, students can focus on analogue, digital, radio frequency, millimetre-wave or mixed-mode signal design. Current trends in this field are the replacement of accurate analogue circuits with digitally assisted mixed-mode circuits and the utilisation of high frequency (>100GHz) circuits in wireless and imaging applications.
The design of integrated circuits requires a versatile knowledge of design software, and a practical knowledge of integrated circuit measurements, in addition to theoretical skills. Doctoral research will give the student a chance to specialise in a favourite topic, like sensor circuits, integrated transceivers, energy harvesting or A/D and D/A converters, and thereby generate new results. Doctoral students will get a chance to use Aalto’s outstanding measurement facilities, such as the integrated-circuit measurement laboratory and the industry-compatible nanoscale circuit design environment.
In integrated circuit design, we collaborate closely with national and international companies. Hence, the topics of the doctoral studies are typically linked to applications currently being developed by industry for their future products, including digital transceivers, radio-frequency circuits for multi-antenna systems and low-power sensor circuits. Professors Kari Halonen and Jussi Ryynänen are globally networked and their students introduce their research results in top journals and conferences.
Doctoral students can include in their theoretical studies several regular courses in this research field. In addition, the doctoral studies may include courses on signal processing, microwave engineering or e.g. the nanotechnology of data science. Our students with a doctoral degree in micro- and nanoelectronic design will typically find a job in a high-tech company, research institute, or university in Finland or abroad.
The doctoral studies of micro- and nanosciences focus on the development of structures and small-scale devices with numerous applications in the field of physics, chemistry and biology. The internationally renowned cleanroom facilities of Micronova provide a research environment for their state-of-the-art fabrication and characterisation. The researchers learn to apply atomic layer deposition (ALD) for a wide range of purposes, electron bean lithography (EBL) for building ultrasmall structures, and MOVPE for fabricating bright LEDs and various quantum structures.
New directions include the use of graphene and other 2-dimensional materials for various sensor developments and for ultrafast photonics.
The professors in this research field have extensive collaboration with leading international universities, research organisations and companies. Their offices are located in the Micronova building. Ilkka Tittonen, Harri Lipsanen, Hele Savin, Markku Sopanen and Zhipei Sun.
Doctoral studies in measurement science and technology focus on optical metrology. Key research topics include development of state-of-the-art light detectors, challenges related to new energy-efficient lighting products, degradation of materials due to optical radiation and the measurement of very small light intensities. The research work is often cross-disciplinary; in addition to optical measurements, it may also include design of electronics and measurement devices, material research and computer simulations. One aspect of the research is international collaboration with top universities, research institutions and companies.
Optical metrology has applications in most industrial sectors. Most of the electrical appliances utilise visible or infrared light in displays, communications and sensors. On the other hand, the development of more energy-efficient lighting is an essential topic. Due to the importance and wide-range of the research field, the job opportunities are diverse.
Doctoral students may choose their postgraduate courses quite freely. Study topics may include semiconductor and laser physics, photonics or applied electronics. Professors Erkki Ikonen and Ilkka Tittonen are widely networked and well known internationally. Thus, their doctoral students will become part of the global community of optical metrology and have the opportunity to take part in international conferences and research projects.
We are surrounded by wireless devices and the amount of wirelessly transmitted data is growing exponentially. Radio engineering is at the core of this development and our post-graduate students will be the future trailblazers in this field.
Our focus areas cover a wide range of radio engineering subjects – antenna and propagation, artificial materials, systems and components, circuits, and terahertz and measurement techniques. Depending on the focus area, the post-graduate studies may necessitate a solid background in mathematics, physics, circuit analysis and electromagnetic field theory.
Research related to post-graduate studies in radio engineering may be either academic or applied in nature, depending on the focus area. Research into artificial materials, for instance, may aim at finding new electromagnetics functionalities of materials in general, whereas antenna research may focus on antenna solutions for future mobile devices. Applied research is typically done in close collaboration with companies.
Research in radio engineering relies on theories, numerical simulations and experiments. Numerical simulation and design tools have particularly improved during the past decades and they are now widely used in various design tasks. Our research activity is also fully supported by extensive radio frequency measurement facilities which are capable of working working up to terahertz. Our graduates are employed well in companies and academia.
Signal Processing Technology is a multidisciplinary research field with strong connections to applied mathematics, machine learning, information theory, data analysis and electrical engineering. Topics of our research groups cover a broad spectrum of research areas, including wireless communications, advanced radar technologies, statistical signal processing, cognitive systems, large-scale data analysis, statistical learning, optimisation theory, smart grids, localisation systems and technologies, multisensor systems, and the Internet of Things.
Professors in the field are internationally recognised researchers with a large network of research partners at top universities in the US, Europe and Asia. Research visits of our doctoral students to our collaborators abroad are very common and highly encouraged. We often collaborate in projects with industry and have contacts to many leading ICT and data-analysis companies in Finland.
Our doctoral students can include in their theoretical studies and seminars lectured on by our professors or given at international summer schools. Since many other research fields are related to signal processing, other courses given by Aalto departments – for example, in applied mathematics, machine learning or radio science –can be included in doctoral studies as well. Due to the broad applicability of signal processing methods and its importance as a driving force of digitalisation, our doctoral graduates have good prospects for employment in a variety of R&D, management or academic jobs, both in Finland and abroad. Some of our graduates have also founded successful start-up companies.
Postgraduate studies within electromagnetics lead to a deep understanding of theoretical electrical engineering and radio science, and the ability to apply this theoretical understanding to engineering and design projects. The basis of electrophysics is formulated in Maxwell equations, which describe the behaviour of electromagnetic fields from the nanoscale all the way to the phenomena of deep space. Mastering electromagnetics provides tools for successful professional engineering and research duties in application areas like wireless communications, remote sensing, electromagnetic compatibility, complex and optical materials, radio astronomy, and bioelectrical phenomena.
The recent rapid development of computer power and numerical algorithms has also made possible more effective and universal simulation methods. Numerical simulations have indeed become an integral part of the design and development of new systems and devices, in addition to the traditional experimental work. However, a productive and reliable use of simulation software requires, in addition to deep knowledge in the substance of the application area, expertise on the fundamentals of numerical algorithms.
Studies and the research work within electromagnetics and circuit theory focus much on analytical and numerical modelling and simulation of electromagnetic phenomena, development of computational methods, interaction between fields and matter, and the role of electromagnetics in practical applications.
Graduated doctors and licentiates in electromagnetics and circuit theory find employment in academia and research institutes. Recently, more and more of the graduates find their career in the private sector.
The doctoral studies in electromechanics focus on the design and modelling of energy conversion devices, where the medium of conversion is a magnetic field, such as in electric motors and generators. The scientific emphasis is on the numerical modelling of the electromagnetic field in the presence of nonlinear materials with hysteresis, the properties of which are coupled with other physical quantities such as mechanical stresses or thermal fields. The trend in electromechanics research is towards multi-physics models based on the behaviour of the underlying materials. The ultimate goal is the accurate modelling of the electromechanical energy conversion process, accounting for all the side effects, such as energy losses, mechanical vibrations, and acoustic noise with the view to developing reliable and energy efficient devices.
Besides engineering skills related to electrical machines, research in electromechanics requires a strong background in physics and mathematics as well as good programming skills. A major proportion of the doctoral candidates will have to conduct extensive experimental work at the laboratory level. The doctoral studies and research give tools for a deepening understanding of how electromagnetic fields are used the energy conversion, how to model them and how to create new devices and methods to deal with them. The doctoral students will get a chance to use the outstanding measurement facilities of the Aalto Power Hub, such as the well-equipped electrical machine hall and the state-of-the-art magnetic material characterisation devices.
Currently, the research topics in electromechanics are multidisciplinary and often related to energy efficiency, physical modelling of electrical machines, numerical modelling of electromagnetic fields, and characterisation and modelling of magnetic materials under mechanical stresses. Professors Antero Arkkio and Anouar Belahcen are well known internationally and widely networked. Their doctoral students will become part of the global electromechanics and electrical machines community. They will participate in well-established international conferences and have opportunities to spend periods as visiting researchers with research groups of top universities in the field.
The doctoral students can include in their theoretical studies several regular courses of electromechanics, mathematics, and physics and participate in related yearly-organised seminars where top researchers are invited. Graduates from the doctoral programme in the field of electromechanics easily find jobs in technology companies, Finnish and foreign universities as well as national and international research centres. Some of our doctors become entrepreneurs, too.
Energy is the biggest challenge of mankind. It is the basic prerequisite of any industrial activity, a necessity for the functioning of human communities and the necessary requirement for food production. As the population grows, the demand for energy is drastically increased. At the same time, our planet is coming up against the limits of sustainability. Climate change has accelerated and raw materials are being depleted. To meet the above challenges, there is today a radical transition around the world towards sustainable energy that combines smartness, flexibility and environmental performance with customer acceptance and engagement. New energy systems will be a complex combination of central and local resources, including energy production and storage, and new, efficient and flexible loads. This calls for new thinking about primary energy sources, energy production, energy markets, energy transmission, energy use and customers as producer-consumers (prosumers).
Electrical power systems are at the focus of the above development. In research, the field of power systems combines the engineering of energy systems and electrical systems in order to produce new sustainable system-level solutions for renewable energy utilisation and system integration. Topical research questions are responses to the demand for the management of balanced energy systems, the integration of distributed, renewable power generation in power and energy systems, smart grids, and self-healing networks. In the area of high voltage engineering, the focus is on developing new solutions for distribution and transmission networks and for their individual components.
Doctoral candidates are expected to have a strong background in electrical systems. The research is done in close collaboration with the energy and power industry as well as with manufacturing companies and vendors of energy and power system components and services. Close collaboration includes other energy research groups at Aalto University as well as internationally.
Power electronics enables the conversion of electrical energy from one form into another (from DC to multi-phase AC, for example) with very good efficiency. If a power-electronic converter is used to control an electric motor or generator, the system is referred to as an electric drive. Power electronics and electric drives are needed in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, industry applications and, to an increasing extent, in power systems (distributed generation, energy storages, etc.).
Our research is focused on developing main-circuit topologies, applying next-generation power semiconductor devices, and on developing advanced control methods for power converters and electric drives. In addition to theoretical considerations, research typically involves experimental work and the development of prototypes. Research is conducted in cooperation with leading companies and some of the best university groups in the field. Doctoral students can present their research results at various international flag-ship conferences.
In addition to the courses on power electronics and electric drives, doctoral students may include in their theoretical studies courses on systems engineering, signal processing, electromechanics, power systems or electronics, for example. Our graduated doctors have been very well employed at established companies in the field as well as at start-up companies, consultancy firms and universities.
The topics of doctoral dissertation are related to ultra-reliable low-latency communications, future generations of radio communication systems, and applications of communications theory and data transfer methods in other fields, such as automation. The professors of telecommunications technology are internationally known experts and widely networked researchers. With the help of their professors, the doctoral student can become a member of the global research community, publishing in top-tier journals and giving talks at international conferences. Aalto's communications engineering research is often conducted in close collaboration with leading industrial stakeholders and academic partners of international calibre.
Doctoral students can attend courses in their theoretical studies in communications engineering and networking technology and participate in seminars on telecommunications technology. Also well suited to theoretical studies are courses on signal processing, information technology, machine learning and other mathematics courses. Doctors in communications engineering can find employment at home and abroad in high technology companies, consultancy offices and universities. Some of our graduated doctoral students also become successful entrepreneurs.
Doctoral studies in telecommunication technology focus, inter alia, on wireless radio communication networks, multi-antenna technologies, spectrum management, and channel coding methods. Current trends in the field include software-defined radio and cloud-based radio access networks, the internet of things, millimetre-wave radios, machine-learning-based cognitive networks and quantum communication.
Communications engineering research requires extensive knowledge of telecommunication systems, where the role of individual technology as a part of the whole is clearly understood. A strong mathematical background and knowledge of signal processing is essential for the development of physical-layer data-transfer methods. Programming competence in all the layers of data transfer is important.
Doctoral research gives the opportunity to develop new methods to improve future telecommunication systems. Doctoral students have access to the well-equipped laboratories at Aalto University, enabling them also to do experimental research.
The discipline of signal processing is in many ways similar to applied mathematics. Wireless communications presents one of the most important and successful applications of signal processing techniques. In the protocol stack of wireless communication systems, signal processing methods typically fall into two groups, the physical layer and the layer of medium access control. The application areas we are exploring include the Internet of Things, multisensor systems, sensor networks, future radar systems, high-volume and high-dimensional data analysis on wireless networks, future wireless communication systems and networks, massive multi-antenna configurations and techniques, in-band full-duplex transceivers, network control, agile spectrum use, spectrum sharing, cognitive radio, wireless localisation and security applications, as well as automatic signal recognition and classification. Our toolbox includes methods and techniques from statistical inference, estimation and detection theory, linear algebra, data science, optimisation theory, information theory, communication theory, machine learning and harmonic analysis, as well as stochastic and differential geometry.
Our research focus is predominantly on the theory and methods of signal processing. The derived theoretical results and the methods and algorithms that are developed are typically verified with Matlab. In addition, we are building hardware-in-the-loop proof-of-concept systems using programmable platforms such as software-defined radios. We have an extensive network of collaborators from world-leading research universities in the United States and the rest of the Americas, Europe and Asia. We provide world-class researcher training to our diverse group of doctoral students. Our graduates are employed in academia in Finland and abroad, and hold key positions in various equipment and chip vendor companies in the areas of wireless communication and the ICT industry. Doctoral studies require very good analytical and problem-solving skills as well as programming skills.
Doctoral studies in network economics focus on the techno-economics of wireless and internet networks and services, from user, customer and provider viewpoints. Current trends include 5G small cell networks, quality of experience, virtualisation, block chains and application of machine learning.
Research in this field requires system-level and top-down thinking with the ability to zoom into relevant levels of detail as necessary. Technical skills such as programming, communication protocols and statistics as well as understanding microeconomics are necessary for successful system-level research. Doctoral research will allow you to combine technology and economic theories with practical industrial problems emerging in our research projects. Doctoral candidates will be closely connected to Aalto’s leading communication technology expertise, top industrial companies and our partner teams in leading foreign universities.
Doctoral candidates can include in their theoretical studies our regular courses, variable content seminars and foreign summer schools in this research field. The emphasis between technical and economics courses varies depending on student’s background and thesis topic. Our doctors have become managers, analysts, consultants and entrepreneurs in fields such as service providers, equipment providers and software houses.
In the past few decades, networks, both wireless and fixed, have evolved at an astonishing pace. Concealed from everyday users, the fixed network provides connectivity to the wireless network's base stations—the backhaul network. Innovations and challenges include the softwarisation of networks (SDN, network slicing, network function virtualisation), content-centric and delay-tolerant networking, backhaul for femtocells, efficient transport of small packets, simultaneous transmission from multiple base stations and self-deploying backhaul for future networks. In wireless networks, mobile data traffic is quickly catching up with wired traffic, as people are replacing their wired connections with mobile broadband and as 5G promises to offer unprecedented performance and novel services. The challenges and innovationsinvolve: the energy efficiency of hardware, software and protocols; massive Internet of Things (IoT) networks; service provisioning at the edge of mobile networks; improvements for mobile security, such as attribute-based encryption, as well as multipath transport to use multiple access networks simultaneously.
Research in this field requires good networking and programming skills. Furthermore, it is necessary to have an understanding of the challenges in networking involving security, emerging applications and recent developments in wireless and fixed networking. Doctoral research will give you a chance to go deep into your favourite networking topics and create new findings. Doctoral students will get a chance to use outstanding networking facilities, such as a sliced 5G test network, access to crowd-sourced network measurement data, our own data centre, etc.
Research topics in this field are multidisciplinary and often related to security, network softwarisation, -constrained IoT and wearable nodes. Professors in the area of networking technology have wide international networks of contacts, and the work is tied to other international research groups, research visits and conferences.
Doctoral students can include regular courses from this field in their theoretical studies and can participate in seminars with different annual themes. In addition, doctoral studies in this field may include courses on networking security, machine learning and mathematics. Graduates in networking technology with both theoretical and practical skills are highly appreciated by the industry, in Finland and internationally. Some of our doctors have started their own companies based on their research results.
Doctoral studies in Illumination Engineering and Electrical Building Services focus on aspects related to the impact of light and lighting on the living environment and the wellbeing of society at a global level. As an inherently cross-disciplinary field, the candidate needs to develop a basic understanding of a variety of topics related to light as a phenomenon and as a versatile tool. Therefore, the doctoral studies focus on topics such as light and vision, light and human wellbeing, lighting control, lighting design, energy efficiency, photometry, lighting technologies, lighting measurements, as well as electrical installations and automation systems in buildings.
Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of the field, the candidate has the opportunity to combine doctoral-level courses in automation and electrical engineering with courses from other field of studies at Aalto University, such as building technology, business, arts, design and architecture. The lighting and building sectors needs experts and academics who have a wide understanding of illumination engineering.
Digitalisation, connected lighting and human-centric lighting are growing trends in the lighting field. The combination of new lighting technologies with artificial intelligence, control and communication systems enable developing lighting systems that can respond to users’ needs such as route-finding, getting information, aesthetics, and creating atmosphere. Candidates are encouraged to focus on factual knowledge and theoretical understanding, but they are also encouraged to perform practical experiments to challenge existing concepts and to suggest new theories on light and lighting in different contexts.
Light is indispensable for the existence of life on earth as well as being an important factor for socio-economic development and a crucial cue not only for humans, but also in ecosystems. For instance, as light pollution and food security are globally growing concerns, doctoral candidates may, depending on their interests, also focus their research on the influence of light on food plants, living organisms and the environment.
The building sector and lighting are major global consumers of electricity, accounting for 50% and 19% of the total electricity consumption, respectively. As such, it is logical that the doctoral studies include energy efficiency and other sustainability aspects at different levels and contexts.
The lighting industry in Finland is continually growing in many application areas generating a need for qualified experts in the field. The lighting research group has good cooperation with the local industry, to whom it also provides measurement and R&D services. The research group is very active in international collaboration with top universities, research institutions and companies. Doctoral candidates will have the possibility to work in international projects and collaboration with industry.
Speech and language technology (SLT) refers to information technology that processes and utilises spoken and written language. SLT has many applications in the area of AI and ICT, particularly those related to man–machine interfaces and communications technology. Examples of applications for SLT are speech recognition, speech synthesis, speech coding and enhancement, automatic language translation and information retrieval.
Postgraduate studies in SLT call for good skills in signal processing and machine learning. In addition, courses taken in mathematics as well as in acoustics and audio signal processing are recommended. SLT is an interdisciplinary study area where the student can take relevant courses also from outside Aalto University in subjects such as psychology, linguistics, phonetics or logopedics.
Doctoral graduates in SLT will readily find work in Finnish and international ICT companies, research institutes, start-ups and universities. Examples of areas where recent Aalto PhDs have continued working after graduation include: statistical parametric speech synthesis, robust feature extraction, automatic speech recognition in difficult environments, and morph-based speech recognition. | 2019-04-23T08:58:09Z | https://into.aalto.fi/display/endoctoralelec/Degree+structure+and+coursework |
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The recent changes to Seattle’s Stormwater Code have added one more hurdle to an already challenging course.
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY GUIDELINES – WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?
The Puget Sound region continues to struggle with water quality, even as stormwater regulations increase. Released this October, The Seattle Times article, “Stormwater Pollution in Puget Sound Streams, Killing Coho Before They Can Spawn,” points to the issue’s reach and reveals what a priority it is in the region. The salmon are dying, and the same contaminants continue to damage the Puget Sound, affecting everything from orcas to oysters.
To protect, preserve and enhance natural resources, the Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Guidelines continue to evolve. The most recent guidelines put more emphasis on Low Impact Development (LID) or Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) - think rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, sustainability efforts, etc. In 2016, the State Department of Ecology and local jurisdictions (including the City of Seattle) adopted a more restrictive drainage standard related to GSI, strictly interpreting the guidelines. Where previously GSI was encouraged, it is now required.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROJECTS?
The City of Seattle began enforcing this additional requirement immediately at its release, in January 2016, changing the way we execute local projects. In this new setup, projects must explain why they can’t apply the city’s preferred (sometimes unattainable) GSI approach. The explanation must be in-depth, with specific cost details from the building team. For example, a team may propose bioretention planters in place of the city’s rainwater harvest and re-use system.
Implementing GSI strategies into tight sites and urban environments is challenging, as there are very few places to incorporate the systems. At urban infill projects, additions like green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems become expensive quickly. Add the new layer of regulation complications, and urban projects could quickly become the things of nightmares.
However, we’ve recognized that by carefully coordinating elements that were already planned for projects and making early changes to how roof drainage was managed, we can bypass the more difficult and costly systems while still achieving the positive goals of GSI and aligning with requirements.
When the new requirements were first implemented, they wreaked havoc within the project process. Plumbing design didn't occur until the later stages of the design process, but now, to appease requirements, teams had to modify previously approved roofscapes, or put thousands of extra dollars toward plumbing systems and design redo costs.
What do we recommend? Align the team - everyone from architect and owner to the civil engineer and plumbing consultant. Create the drainage plan early so the team can make decisions against code requirements and ensure no opportunities are lost. Consider the roof and the roof drain plumbing system an integral part of the stormwater approach and permitting process. Leverage your civil partner’s experience and expertise. Prioritize GSI, avoid steep redesign costs and potential project delays.
So, what has the last year taught us? Put simply: Plan for GSI early. Instead of considering GSI a last-minute add-in, it must be prioritized. The requirements disrupt the traditional design process. Now, teams must enter the schematic design phase knowing what the plumbing system and landscaping areas on and/or next to the building can do.
Let’s go back to basics. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) systems are designed to mimic natural drainage patterns and treat our Earth’s resources with care. Our civil engineers regularly design creative GSI systems for sites in the Pacific Northwest, everything from green roofs and rain gardens to stormwater re-use and bioretention systems.
Stormwater management is especially relevant in the Pacific Northwest for two reasons. First, the culture. Locals sincerely care about sustainability efforts and hold businesses, municipalities and themselves accountable. Certifications like Salmon-Safe and regulations like the GSI ordinance were created because the community demanded them. Second, there’s simply a lot of water here. Natural drainage patterns differ from region to region, and there are special considerations for the Pacific Northwest’s zone. The amount of water and the resources affected by it make stormwater management critical for our fragile natural systems. In the Seattle area alone, resources to consider include rivers, salmon populations, and groundwater. Looking at the context of the Pacific Northwest may help us understand why the Department of Ecology continues to enhance the requirements for stormwater.
Bioretention: a regenerative upland-based water quality and quantity control practice that collects stormwater and uses the physical, biological and chemical properties of plants, microbes and soils to remove pollutants from the runoff.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI): synonymous with Low-Impact Development (LID). Systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes for infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of stormwater to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat. GSI emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality.
Urban environments undoubtedly complicate things, and with the added challenge of meeting the state’s requirements, it’s more important than ever to meet challenges head on and adhere to best practices when designing and implementing stormwater systems.
1. Marry the Science with the Story.
As with all design decisions, the incorporation of a GSI system must be purposeful. Ensuring stormwater system innovations complement programming can be a challenge, but the payoff is a functional, differentiated project with a strong story and identity.
Most GSI plans affect every discipline: landscape, civil, architectural, structural, plumbing, construction. And they require sign-off from municipalities. Coordinating among so many parties requires proactivity, clear communication, and quite frankly, a time commitment. Civil engineers, who are traditionally responsible for managing the GSI plans and process, especially need to prioritize collaboration and understand the responsibility they’re shouldering.
The less space, the more puzzle-like the project. In urban settings, there’s less space overall, so bioretention-over-structure designs (stormwater systems integrated into a building’s footprint) need to be adapted to tight areas.
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The challenge with GSI systems is to ensure that they, as the metaphorical fallen tree, make a sound. It’s important to communicate value (what you did and why it matters) beyond the project team to the community, thereby raising awareness, crediting your project partners, and ultimately, attracting tenants.
5. Exceed the Requirements. Development in the Pacific Northwest can be challenging enough as it is. The recent changes to the stormwater code have added one more wrinkle to this already tricky terrain. Strive to create unique systems and solutions, so instead of only satisfying regulations, systems are designed to add value to the project beyond just meeting the code. It’s important to partner with team members who understand the challenges, are adept at navigating jurisdictions and municipalities and have a strong portfolio of work from which to draw inspiration.
What happens when best practices are applied? These PNW projects converted challenges into opportunities with sophisticated GSI systems and strategies.
Located in Belltown, Walton Lofts symbolizes a convergence of style, sustainability and premium downtown living. Walton’s location along the Growing Vine Street watershed and street park served as inspiration and allowed the team to explore designs not typical for the area or multi-unit residential designs.
What makes it a GSI standout: Quite a few things - a block-long swale collects, treats, and then gently guides water toward Elliott Bay and seamlessly integrates with the neighboring P-Patch. It earned three Green Globes, and overall, is a brilliant example of sustainability merging with urban environments.
Read our article, "Growing Vine Street"
The Fire Station 20 team created a model of sustainability in an industrial neighborhood, achieving LEED Platinum certification by incorporating solar panels, green roofs, geothermal wells, and LED lighting on a sensitive, steeply-sloped urban site.
What makes it a GSI standout: A gray water reuse system captures and stores shower water in a large cistern, allowing it to be recycled onsite – perfect for washing fire trucks! Retaining walls prevent erosion of the 30-foot slopes and integrated, tiered rain gardens treat and manage stormwater runoff. Water and energy savings are communicated to the community via signage and a custom flip-dot display just outside the building.
Terry Avenue Building was rehabilitated and incorporated into Amazon’s South Lake Union campus. Originally constructed in 1915, it now houses three Tom Douglas restaurants and is flanked by Amazon’s Dawson and Ruby office buildings.
What makes it a GSI standout: First, Terry Avenue Building’s GSI system is celebrated as a design element as stormwater is collected and flows through a tiered planter alongside the staircase. Pedestrians and passersby interact with it daily. Second, and just as notable, is the efficiency born from a creative approach to GSI. When the site plan closed groundwater flow, our team developed a unique overflow system that rerouted trapped water to free-flowing areas. This solution was applied to multiple projects in the area, simplifying design challenges and allowing more efficient building layouts across the campus.
The Roosevelt District’s Eleanor is a two-building apartment complex featuring 270 units with floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plans. Outside, a boardwalk and greenscape separate the two buildings while creating a unique community outdoor gathering area. Green features include solar panels, sun shades, and easy access to public transit.
What makes it a GSI standout: The site is an old creek bed, which inspires the entire design. A rooftop rainwater collection system feeds the courtyard rain gardens with exposed downspouts and runnels, enhancing functionality of the site’s wetlands and the stream beneath the boardwalk. It’s not only an impressive stormwater mitigation system, but a part of the building’s identity.
We love seeing projects in Seattle succeed and believe that with the right process and proactivity, every project can. We’re honored to be a part of our city’s continued growth, in GSI and beyond. To learn more about Coughlin Porter Lundeen’s sustainability efforts and vision, click here.
At our quarterly, all-company gathering this fall (held at the amazing Westland Distillery – one of our favorite TI projects), we released an employee appreciation gift: custom Miir water bottles. While we knew we could easily add a logo to any bottle order, we challenged ourselves to do more, to create something meaningful and memorable. Enter Miir.
Miir purchases fund projects that bring basic resources to people, supporting water, health and education initiatives here in Washington and internationally. (MiiR currently has project partnerships in Zambia, Kolkata, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, Liberia, and Honduras.) Every MiiR purchase, from on-tap beer and kombucha at their Fremont flagship store, to products like bikes, journals, water bottles and backpacks, support the cause. A tracking code on each item connects it to a specific project executed via nonprofit partnerships with organizations like Well Done Organization (WDO), Seattle-based Splash, One Day’s Wages, The Adventure Project, and World Bicycle Relief.
HOW DID THEY KNOW WE LOVE STEM!?
We were especially excited to find that the majority of our Give Codes were linked to a STEM program here in Washington. IslandWood, a local nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and stewardship, is inspiring 200 King County third through eighth grade students with hands-on environmental learning experiences at Brightwater Center in Woodinville, King County's state-of-the-art wastewater facility.
According to Miir’s summary, “while at Brightwater, students will engage in lesson plans that incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning and will focus on different environmental factors impacting watersheds: stormwater, wastewater and urban freshwater ecosystems.” Can you imagine a better fit?
When talking about the water bottles, we always seem to come back to our core values. Which is appropriate! After all, they’re one of the first things new employees hear on their way in the door, they’re the foundation laid by Jim Coughlin, Steve Porter, and Terry Lundeen, and they guide all that we do. Shouldn’t they extend to even the smallest of things? Even something as simple as an employee gift?
We wanted a quality product that didn’t cut any corners.
The concept and design featured on the water bottles was created in-house . Early on, we opted for something unique and universal – a sketched Seattle skyline.
The entire water bottle giveaway program was an employee appreciation effort. It’s a priority that every team member feels valued, recognized, and encouraged to grow.
We had a blast brainstorming concepts as an internal team, and have the utmost respect for our co-creators at Miir. We’re fans for life.
This core value was the cornerstone of our strategy. Not only is Miir a local, Seattle-based organization (so are we!), but they support organizations that are making a significant difference, here in Seattle and around the world.
We’re grateful to Miir for their partnership, and their commitment to the underserved and underprivileged. We’ve already spotted our bottles on conference tables during meetings, on the bus, clipped onto bikes, and along for the ride on weekend hikes. It’s great to see them out and about knowing that they represent our team’s hard work, the city we love, and a giving project that’s doing good.
To see more about our journey with Miir, read our full blog post.
The University of Idaho Integrated Research and Innovation Center (IRIC) is a campus centerpiece and a case study for the imaginative and untraditional. We conducted a Q&A with Principal Bryan Zagers to understand what made this project so special.
Q: Hi Bryan. To begin, can you give us an overview? What is the University of Idaho Integrated Research and Innovation Center all about?
BRZ: The Integrated Research and Innovation Center is a hugely important project to the university and community. It’s at the heart of the campus and, as its name implies, is a world-class facility designed for research and learning.
It’s three stories of high-end labs, offices and collaboration spaces. Interestingly, it doesn’t belong to any one department, instead, it’s designed for flexibility and multidisciplinary research.
Q: Why is it special that the building doesn’t belong to one department?
BRZ: First, it breaks with tradition. At most universities, there’s a science building, a business school, and so on. The IRIC throws out that structure. As a project team, we noticed early on that University of Idaho was committed to doing things differently. The decision to make the IRIC interdepartmental, which is the foundation of the entire project and program, perfectly exemplifies their overall approach.
Second, it’s a significant philosophical departure from the norm. Instead of assigning one department to the space or designating the building for a specific type of research, they’re inviting multiple disciplines to do their work under one roof. It’s an attitude that feels more like that of The Allen Institute, a place with collaboration at its core.
Q: How did this attitude affect your team’s designs?
BRZ: It guided every decision we made. While some goals aligned with those of a traditional university (for example, it needed to be an impressive stop on tours, attracting top student and research science talent), most priorities were unique for a campus project, as it needed to be a place where both new students and accomplished scientists would feel at home.
Q: You compared IRIC to The Allen Institute. Can you tell us more about the parallels between the two?
BRZ: The IRIC is different than a typical college campus building, but it’s different than most labs too. It’s named very intentionally, hosting projects like the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ study on the diets of diabetics (Kerry Huber), the Electrical & Computer Engineering College of Engineering’s microelectronics research (Fred Barlow), and Forest and Rangeland Measurements Lab College of Natural Resources study of the ecological and social impacts of extreme wildland fires (Alistair Smith). It’s rare for projects this diverse to be under one roof. I compare it to The Allen Institute because both are founded on the interdisciplinary model. They emphasize collaboration, put the science on display, and subscribe to the idea that distinct fields can inspire and inform one another.
Q: What are some complications or special requirements that come with creating a lab?
BRZ: Most of the complications were born from the equipment. Every building moves, but the movement that’s imperceptible to the average person is detrimental to lab equipment. In IRIC’s case, vibrations were a primary consideration, especially since the lab houses a mass spectrometer, one of the most highly-sensitive machines in existence.
We created a comprehensive plan that spanned the building’s footprint, organizing it into zones. Each zone has distinct vibration requirements, the most sensitive accommodating the mass spectrometer. Zoning allowed us to maintain ultimate flexibility, a priority to the university who needed to accommodate a variety of project types and programs.
Q: Were there any other unique engineering challenges?
BRZ: There always are. The University of Idaho had specific goals, and each demanded that the project team rise to the occasion.
From the beginning, the IRIC was slotted to be a centerpiece of the campus and an important stop on campus tours. As such, it couldn’t just function as a high-end lab, appealing to its scientists. The project team ensured that the building was impressive from the outside, mapped tour-friendly walking routes through the building, designed complex indoor/outdoor connections, and spent a lot of time considering the visitor experience.
The building’s structural system posed another challenge. Typically universities aren’t comfortable breaking away from stately, institutional-looking designs. In keeping with their breaking-from-tradition theme, the IRIC uses a variety of cladding systems and left the majority of structural elements exposed.
Another university priority was flexibility. Idaho had a long-term vision for the IRIC, and wanted to ensure that the building remained relevant and functional for years to come. The solution: a raised floor system which allows a portion of the building with less restrictive vibration requirements to evolve according to future needs. To create the system, we leveraged experience from Microsoft’s campus, demonstrating again how the IRIC was unique, pulling inspiration and ideas from impressive projects in a completely different market.
Q: Any final thoughts about this project?
BRZ: Different is interesting, and from the get-go, the University of Idaho wanted different. As an engineer, it’s exciting to break the mold, to work with complicated geometries, to solve problems. The project team got to do all that and more with this building. And to boot, the project team was full of great people who worked well together.
Overall, the university had a vision to create something unique. They remained true to that vision throughout, and it’s reflected in everything from the building’s cladding system and exposed structural elements, to the programming and in-action philosophy of the IRIC.
Since our founding more than twenty years ago, Coughlin Porter Lundeen has supported Mary's Place and their mission to "empower homeless women, children, and families to reclaim their lives.” Mary’s Place is a refuge, providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community. While our support of this great organization isn’t new (our structural team has developed designs for numerous Mary’s Place buildings), this year our team supported Mary’s Place in a few especially creative ways.
Led by founder Terry Lundeen, Coughlin Porter Lundeen established Volunteer Days to continue growing our team’s involvement with Mary’s Place and to lend hands-on support. This year, we were especially excited to have a Volunteer Day at the new White Center location.
Every Volunteer Day is a bit different, but whether chatting with residents, playing games with kiddos, tidying up, sorting donations, doing laundry, or simply lending an ear to a resident, the days are united in being valuable and rewarding.
When onsite for our February Volunteer Day, we asked Mary’s Place staff about residents’ greatest needs. We were surprised by the answer: professional clothing. Something we have in abundance!
In response, we organized an in-office clothing drive (and married it with a bit of friendly competition). In the spirit of March Madness, donation bins corresponded to staff’s various alma maters and points were awarded for each item donated. In all, we collected more than 1,250 articles of clothing. We’re told they helped the Mary’s Place community as they pursued jobs and took interviews.
A new outfit, a fresh notebook – we know these little things make a big difference when it comes to feeling excited about a new school year.
This July, we helped ensure 25 high schoolers had everything they needed to be ready (and excited!) for their first day. Via an in-office drive, we filled 25 (new, stylish) backpacks with supplies like rulers, binders, highlighters, and notebooks. Coughlin Porter Lundeen completed the kits, adding a TI-84 calculator to each.
Only two years old, the Charity Poker Tournament is already a Coughlin Porter Lundeen tradition. Led by Structural Project Engineer, Chris Padin, poker fans gathered at the Coughlin Porter Lundeen office and shared food, fun, gag prizes, and a respectably competitive tourney.
They donated $150 the first year, $500 the next. The latter went toward buying toys, board games and diapers for children at Mary’s Place. A Volunteer Day and conversations with the Mary’s Place staff had informed Padin of the needs. Instead of sending tagged cash, Padin did the shopping and delivered the bounty himself. There are rumors that this year’s tourney will be themed (ugly sweaters!). We can’t wait!
We believe that fulfillment of basic needs gives people hope and changes our world. Affiliation with organizations that improve people’s lives by supplying shelter, nourishment, and health care services makes us proud. And quite simply, it’s the right thing to do.
Coughlin Porter Lundeen has been recognized as one of the region’s top small business philanthropists by the Puget Sound Business Journal, reflecting our ongoing commitment to be a better neighbor where we live and work.
Built in 1927, The Publix Hotel served as a home for migrant workers coming to Seattle from around the world. After being closed for more than a decade, the historic building underwent a full rehabilitation, transforming the once single-room occupancy, 8 x10-room hotel, into a trendy multi-family, six-story apartment complex. Located in the heart of the Historic Chinatown International District, it’s one of six remaining buildings in the neighborhood constructed for Rainier Heat and Power Co. Thoughtful touches like the restoration of its original doors and wood paneling honor the building’s past, while more modern amenities like a high-design lobby space, roof-top deck, dog run and bike storage attract modern tenants. A new L-shaped structure constructed to the south contains larger apartments, and connects to the rehabilitated hotel at the ground and second levels. Adjacent to the Union Station transit hub, new ground floor tenants will add retail diversity as they open over the next few months.
The Publix has been recognized with numerous awards including Historic Seattle’s “Best Rehabilitation” and the Valerie Sivinski Award from Washington’s State Historic Preservation Officer, which recognizes achievement in historic preservation and outstanding rehabilitation of historic structures.
Named after Augusta Ada Byron, a gifted British mathematician who’s widely regarded as the world’s first programmer, Augusta Apartments is an amenity-filled, 216-unit complex at the edge of the University District. According to the project’s website, “in the late 1960s, the site was home to a startup called Computer Center Corporation and it was there at CCC that Paul Allen (owner of Vulcan, Augusta’s developer) and his childhood friend, Bill Gates, honed their coding skills by working after school and on weekends.” The story inspired the project team and has become a cornerstone of the building’s modern identity. Augusta cleverly pays homage to its namesake and technology roots, with everything from the art on its walls (including a colorful mural of Augusta Ada Byron herself), the “story” showcase on the website, the pixel-inspired logo, and of course, its very name.
While the demand for housing in Seattle is certainly there, Vulcan identified their story as an important differentiator, especially as their targets are students and young professionals, a market that values branding, uniqueness and personality in what they buy, what they watch, and yes, where they live.
As the F5 Tower (formerly The Mark) rose into the Seattle sky, it may have been easy to miss what was happening closer to the ground. Eleven years ago, the First United Methodist Church, which shares a city block with the tower, seemed fated for demolition due to mounting repair costs. Founded more than 100 years ago, it is Seattle’s oldest church. Preservation groups, with help from public officials, worked tirelessly to keep the church from being razed, and ultimately, Kevin Daniels saved the church to integrate it into the tower’s design.
The team reimagined what the church could be, and is currently refurbishing it as a high-end event venue for the F5 Tower’s hospitality arm. To honor the space’s history and former life, it’s called “The Sanctuary.” Our team helped restore the historical Beaux Arts treasure, providing seismic upgrades and designing connections to the tower (including an impressive glass walkway) and incorporating it into the final design. This year, the project was recognized with the “Exemplary Stewardship” award from Historic Seattle.
Activities to get you through the PNW winter.
A little rain never stops a Seattleite from enjoying the outdoors. We seized the summer, now it's time to buckle down for a long, wet winter in the Pacific Northwest. We plan to spend our upcoming winter days in the powder, at the gym, and Netflixing here and there.
To help with your planning, we’ve rounded up a few of our team’s favorite activities.
Why I Love It: There’s lots of great snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass. Lower Gold Creek Basin is one of the most popular, and for good reason. At four miles, it’s leisurely while still more difficult/interesting than staying on groomed trails. For something more challenging, try Kendall Peak Lakes, which starts at the same trailhead but extends the trip to nine miles (and includes great views of the Cascades).
Why I love it: Sure, getting out to the peninsula can feel like a chore, but I think it’s worth the trek. At the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, you can rent snowshoes and cross-country skis, then take to the trails around the mountain. Most routes are fine for beginners. There’s also a lift and a few runs for alpine skiing and snowboarding. Don’t forget your tire chains (they’re required!) and your National Park pass.
Why I love it: Whether it’s your first time up to the mountain or you’ve been skiing your whole life, Stevens has a lot to offer. There’s a good variety of groomed and off-piste runs of ranging difficulty levels and a large terrain park. Only 1.5 hours from Seattle, it’s an easy day trip. If you’re going on the weekend make sure to get up early - the parking lots fill up fast! If you’re not interested in downhill, head a few miles past the base on Hwy. 2 to the Stevens Pass Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. | 2019-04-22T02:02:21Z | https://www.cplthinks.com/theredline-fall2017 |
and then transform them into a work of art on the canvas!
AMARCORD, FELLINI AND THEIR LINKS TO OUR LAND..
There are places that can't just be defined in geographical terms. Rimini is one of them. Obviously, Rimini means the beach and the seaside, long the capital of summer fun and nightlife, but it's also a city with more than two thousand years of history that started when it was founded as a Roman colony in 268 BC, and with a wealth of monuments and traces left by the many generations that have succeeded each other over the centuries, from the Augustus Arch and Tiberius Bridge to the Pigna Fountain and the Palazzo dell'Arengo. But even this is not everything that Rimini means. Rimini is a place of the spirit, and above all of the spirit of the celebrated movie director Federico Fellini, who was born here in 1920 and lived here for the first 19 years of his life. But even after he moved away, Rimini continued to be important for Fellini, often returning here, telling its stories, idealizing it and transfiguring it in his masterpieces. Fellini's Rimini is therefore, first and foremost, an idea, a feeling, a gesture of the spirit, easy-going and irreverent in I Vitelloni, but lovably nostalgic in Amarcord. Amarcord Beer draws its inspiration from both these facets of Rimini, from its physical aspects of geography and history, and from the soul and the spirit of Fellini, linked in a bond that is more than a simple attachment to the territory, which nevertheless remains one of our fundamental resources, but that is far more a kind of "world vision", where people, authenticity, sincerity and the pleasures of sharing company and friendships are still essential values. The spirit of Fellini, which some of the founders of Amarcord Beer encountered while they were still only teenagers, precisely when the director was working with Tonino Guerra on the filmscript for Amarcord, seems to have permeated all the subsequent meetings with the many artists who have collaborated in the brewery's creative adventure, from Tonino Guerra himself through to Milton Glaser, Garrett Oliver, Robert Niccoli and Eron.
Fellini won the fourth Oscar award of his career with Amarcord, and it is the film that probably best represents the universe of his values. "Amarcord" is a local Romagna dialect word that means "I remember", and its sound has a distinctly poetic note suggesting a thinly-veiled nostalgia for a past that was more genuine and authentic. The name of the brewery, which opened in 1997, therefore combines a tribute to Fellini as an artist, the land of Romagna, and the significance of a single word "Amarcord" that blends values with a consistent corporate philosophy. A name that, despite being indissolubly linked with a specific context, can nevertheless be easily understood by everyone. And shared by everyone.
..WE HUG THE WHOLE WORLD..
A flamboyant showman, elegant and absolutely distinctive in everything he does, capable of engaging in an intense conversation on the science and history of brewing, but just a moment later exploding into his typically explosive laughter clutching a pint in his hand. Garrett Oliver is certainly one of the most iconic characters of the brewing revolution that started life in the USA in the mid-1970s, and that then swept almost the entire world in the space of just three decades. A former film student, and perhaps not coincidentally with an authentic admiration for director Federico Fellini, Garrett turned his passion for homebrewing into a serious job when in 1989 he became an apprentice at the Manhattan Brewing Company. His talent and creativity gained important recognition in 1994, when he was appointed brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery, of which he also became a partner. The epithet of ?brewmaster? has stuck with him ever since, in part due also to The Brewmaster?s Table, Garrett?s most famous book and a magnificent journey through the world of beers, with its many facets and its incredible associations with any food on the planet, and a book that has made tens of thousands of beer devotees fall even further in love with it, and that has inspired hundreds of young brewers. It?s not Garrett?s only book, however, because a few years later he edited the equally fundamental Oxford Companion to Beer. These publications were sandwiched together with hundreds of guided tasting sessions, prestigious prizes like the James Beard Award, dozens of designer beers brewed at his Brooklyn Brewery, and even important collaborations with European brewers, the most sparkling example of which is Amarcord Beer?s Special Reserve. This exceptional beer is the result of the meeting orchestrated by the Amarcord team between Garrett and poet and screenwriter Tonino Guerra in Pennabilli, the Romagna town where he lived. Our two friends started chatting together, and right from the start they were on the same wavelength. And that was when Garrett decided to create a beer in Tonino?s honour, something depicting his romantic inventiveness and intimate bond to his homeland. ?And it needs to be a bit sharp, and a bit fruity, just like some of the lines Tonino?s written,? as Garrett commented. So this is how the Brooklyn brewmaster became so passionately involved in one of Tonino?s long-cherished projects. Or to use Tonino?s words, the project of the ?forgotten fruits? that are part of the heritage of biodiversity of Romagna?s Apennines, by now with no commercial value but that he stubbornly insisted on cultivating in his garden. Forgotten fruits for example like sloes or wild sour cherries, which have been blended into the Special Reserve recipe to give it surprising and elegant fragrances. And a colour that?s the same, as Garrett claims, as the colours Tonino saw in his dreams and used in his works.
Nothing?s excluded for a good brewer. These few words could well sum up one of Amarcord Beer?s latest projects. Even when it?s brewed from the main classic ingredients:water, barley malt, hops and yeast of beer is never easy to make. Or at least, it?s never easy to make good beer. But even in the distant past, brewers didn?t make their beers using only these four basic ingredients, and thousands of years ago, in Egypt and Mesopotamia, they used to add various combinations of spices, fruit, roots and honey to their brews. So while today we?re firmly convinced of the freedom to brew as a basic expression of our brewing rights, the modern art of brewing is in fact nothing more than the result of many years of history and different traditions, and of the yearning to experiment with new ideas that?s the hallmark of every good brewer, in the past and equally so in the present. Amarcord Beer is fully endowed with this precious quality, as demonstrated in beers like AMA Mora and Special Reserve, and now confirmed in its Doppelbock. This important brewing project was launched in collaboration with two outstanding specialists in their respective fields?Oliver Wesseloh, world champion beer sommelier and proprietor and brewmaster of KreativBrauerei, the renowned German brewery, and Davide Bigucci, owner and oenologist of the Rimini?s famous ?Podere Vecciano? winery. Wesseloh provided his indisputable expertise in Germany?s ancient brewing traditions, and Bigucci brought his equally indisputable know-how in the field of winemaking. And more precisely, the precious oak casks in which the beer develops and matures for several months, with the contribution not only of the wood but also of wild yeasts that live inside the casks, including Brettanomyces yeasts. A meeting of skills and passions, a fusion of different backgrounds to give life to a truly innovative and original beer. A task that took many months of constant commitment, but that has allowed Amarcord Beer to add yet another fine product to its exceptional portfolio, already full of colours and aromas. And now it?s up to you to taste it and decide for yourself!
We're firmly convinced that, as even Benjamin Franklin sustained, "in beer there is freedom". Every single step in production and every single ingredient is the result of a precise choice, and brewers "design" their beers working freehand, respecting the materials they use and the required times, but also displaying their artistic talents. And the brewer's art bears a strong resemblance to the art of poets, painters and designers, of true artists. And this is why every bottle of Amarcord Beer is a tribute to the art and talent of several truly great people who have made art their life choice!
Tonino Guerra, born in Santarcangelo di Romagna in 1920, the same year in which Federico Fellini was born in nearby Rimini perhaps a sign of destiny, given that together they were the creative spirits behind the film Amarcord was many things in his lifetime. A poet, an artist, a screenwriter, and even an interior designer. And although these multifaceted talents came obviously from Tonino's innate genius, they depended just as much on his burning desire to explore every single form of art, and at the same time to consider almost every human action as potential forms of art.
While Tonino's international fame could perhaps be attributed to the success of the film Amarcord, he also left a vast heritage of other works ranging from literature, theatre, television and cinema through to illustrated books, paintings and drawings. He signed contributions to a restaurant and a hotel, he designed doors, stoves and furniture, and he even found a name for a type of our local "Fossa" cheese. He also designed the bottle and labels for Special Reserve, as a special tribute he wanted to dedicate to Amarcord Beer, with a peacock that immediately calls to mind the peacock perched on the fountain of the town square in Amarcord, during the snowstorm scene. The story of this collaboration between the artist and Amarcord beer is well worth telling. The first meeting of the Amarcord team with Tonino was difficult to say the least, because his character was always bluntly sincere, and he had little time for the niceties of false courtesies. He asked us what on earth beer could possibly have to do with him, and told us he had no intention at all of just doing advertising. But in later meetings, we learned something more about his memories of his wartime imprisonment in a German concentration camp, of his confused wanderings after being freed when the war ended, and of the generosity of the German farmers who shared with the escaping refugees what little they had?potatoes, bread and beer! "A dark beer it was, sweet, and good" continued Tonino in his narration, his eyes semi-closed. And then suddenly: "But yours is good too!"
So the next time we met, Amarcord played its trump card, its Tabachéra beer. Tonino celebrated his ninetieth birthday with this strong amber ale, fragrant, intense and robustly alcoholic (9% ABV). He drank a whole bottle, liked it, and fell in love with our project for a beer that would tell the tale of his homeland. He started by drawing the iconic peacock for us, choosing to show it with its tail closed, "waiting for the magical moment when the bottle is opened."
Tonino died in 2012, but he lived every day of his life with a passionate intensity, seasoning it with his poetic, rustic and almost childlike vision, concrete and down-to-earth, but at the same time light and dreamily surreal. Since 1989 he?d lived in Pennabilli, a small town in Montefeltro area, in the province of Rimini but directly bordering on the Marche region, in the "House of the Almond Trees", with its splendid view over the valley beneath it.
"Clarity is the ornament of deep thought" someone once said. And this is certainly true of the most famous work created by Milton Glaser, the designer who in 1976 was commissioned by the New York city authorities to come up with an idea for what turned out to be the city's most successful logo ever, and also the logo that's been most widely copied, on millions of souvenirs, stickers, T-shirts and other items. The logo was "I love NY", with the word "love" replaced by a red heart. Simple. Surprisingly simple. But an absolute winner. And also because, behind this disarmingly brief phrase, there was a whole world in waiting the pride of New Yorkers in their city, the hopes of all its immigrants past and present, and the thrills and amazement of visitors from all over the globe, when they flock to visit this gateway to the United States of America.
Born in 1929, Milton Glaser is now one of the world's most internationally celebrated designers, with exhibitions at MoMA and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and he has received countless awards and recognitions for his many works. Often ahead of the times, the New York magazine founded and designed by Glaser was a benchmark for similar publications all over the world, capable of communicating ideas, philosophies and images with its simple but elegant style.
Glaser has worked for a multitude of clients, from public institutions, as in the case of his famous logo, through to research centres, record companies, publishers, corporations and music events, designing elegant posters and other artwork. He has also collaborated with the Brooklyn Brewery, designing its main logo and creating its advertising campaigns. Glaser however also has close links with Italy, which started with his studies in Bologna guided by the renowned painter Giorgio Morandi, and which continued later with his design of one of the tourist posters that the city of Rimini commissions every year from a different artist. Glaser's turn came in 1995, and so it was that his long association with the capital of the Romagna Riviera began. Initially it was a close association, and then a long-distance one, which was brought back to life when the Amarcord team, accompanied by quintessential New Yorker Garrett Oliver, went to meet Glaser in Manhattan. "At the time, Garrett was working with us on an idea for a range of beers created for the catering trade, he was obsessed by it. Glaser instead was delighted to be able to come back to Rimini again, even if only virtually, and came up with a play on words focusing on the word Amarcord and the love he felt for Rimini and its territory. And this is how AMA beers were born."
Today, the name of Eron is one of the most firmly established on Italy's artistic panorama, but it hasn't always been like this. Born in Rimini in 1973, Eron first gave vent to his indisputable talents by spray-painting graffiti on an unknown number of railway carriages..
Today, the name of Eron is one of the most firmly established on Italy's artistic panorama, but it hasn't always been like this. Born in Rimini in 1973, Eron first gave vent to his indisputable talents by spray-painting graffiti on an unknown number of railway carriages. He could have been considered to have been just one of the many graffiti artists in action all over the world, but from when he took hold of his first spray can at the age of 15, he could certainly not be seen as "one of the many". As well as notable technical skills, Eron also has a distinctly personal poetic vein, a characteristic style, and a richness of expression that never goes unnoticed. His career soon took off, and from railway carriages he moved on to murals, art galleries and museums.
And he?s even one of the few graffiti artists to have his work on display in a church, with a trompe l'oeil that adorns the ceiling of the San Martino in Riparotta church in Rimini. He was also asked to decorate about 200 metres of Rimini's harbour, he's exhibited at Ravenna's art gallery, and has been invited to the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. He was elected Italy?s best graffiti artist by Aelle Magazine, and he?s won the Mondadori Art Prize and the Terna Prize for Contemporary Art from New York's Chelsea Art Museum.
A spectacular career, which has crossed Amarcord Beer's path on several occasions. The first of these was before Eron became famous, even though his name was already circulating among the graffiti community, often an exclusive and tightly-knit group of aficionados. In Rimini, for example, far more famous than Eron was the La Brasserie gastropub, a highly popular venue serving pizzas and much more, accompanied by rivers of Amarcord beer, to which La Brasserie has close links. And it was precisely La Brasserie that bought and displayed Eron's early works. This was one of the first times the artist was paid for something he'd done, but it was also a clear demonstration of the intention of Amarcord boss Roberto Bagli to invest in local talents, and of his authentic passion for art, also clearly evident in the pub?s slogan of "The Art of Beer".
So it was only logical that when Amarcord Beer started thinking about special limited editions of Gradisca, Midòna, Volpina and Tabachéra, Eron was chosen to design the new labels, as a natural continuation of Amarcord's collaborations with Robert Niccoli, Tonino Guerra and Milton Glaser. And this is just further proof that for Amarcord Beer, something good must always be paired with something beautiful!
The partnership between Amarcord Beer and art was firmly established right from the outset, as a vital feature of its DNA. The labels for the first beers were in fact designed by Robert Niccoli, an Italo-American who was born in 1961 in Brooklyn but moved to Rimini at a very early age. Niccoli started breathing in the atmosphere of Fellini at once, and his art was profoundly influenced by the maestro. Niccoli?s forms and colours were the same as those used by Fellini, vibrant, explosive or poignant, to portray his female characters first on paper and then on film, and more specifically, the characters who appeared in Amarcord, a film that not by chance is Niccoli?s favourite.?It?s always fascinated me, I must admit.The Romagna accents, the scenes that mirror the life of provincial Rimini in bygone days, but above all the fact that I?ve always felt myself to be a Rimini person, all these things make me see this film as something familiar.?
Niccoli, now a famous fashion designer working amongst others for Valentino, Marc Jacobs, Bulgari and Fendi, initially painted the female characters of Amarcord for Rimini?s La Gradisca hotel, and Gradisca, Volpina, Midòna and Tabachéra are just some of the works that still adorn the hotel?s walls and rooms.
This is where the first Amarcord Beer labels came from, four women revealing four different personalities, and that starting right from the label design announce the contents of each bottle. The seductive elegance of Gradisca, the bewitching but sometimes deceptive fascination of Volpina, the certainty and dependability of Midòna, and the buxom voluptuousness and intensity of Tabachéra.
To create a great beer, great ingredients and a great story are not enough. The real difference is made by people who work every day to create unique products. The best ingredient is the passion of these people, together with their commitment. Our aim is the brew the best beers you've ever tasted, and that you'll always remember. We've been working to achieve this goal and enjoying ourselves every day along the way.. ever since 1997! | 2019-04-20T04:38:21Z | http://www.birraamarcord.it/en/heritage/ |
Eyelid Twitch - Common Causes!
Eye twitching, tics in the eyelids and spasms in the eye are pretty common. In case of eye twitching, usually the lower eyelid becomes involved. The upper eyelid may also twitch in certain cases. Twitches are not permanent in nature, and they leave after some time. In some cases, eye twitching may last for long durations of time such as weeks or months.
1. Stress- Every individual goes through some amount of stress, and the body reacts differently in different people as a result of stress. An eye twitch may be caused due to stress, especially related to strain in the eyes.
2. Tiredness- Eye twitching can appear when you are fatigued or very tired. Lack of proper sleep makes your body tired, and this might trigger eye twitching.
3. Eye strain- Vision problems and any issue related to the eyes can cause stress, which may result in constant twitching in your eyes. Whenever too much stress is imposed upon your eyes, they tend to react and twitching occurs. Any problem would make the eyes put in more effort, which results in strain.
4. Caffeine- Intake of an excess amount of caffeine leads to eye twitching. Cut down your doses of coffee, tea, dark chocolates and soft drinks in case of eye twitching and you may observe an easing in the twitching.
5. Alcohol- Alcohol also leads to eye twitching so you must abstain from alcohol in case you are having twitching in the eyes.
6. Dry eyes- This disorder develops in people who have crossed the age of 50. People who use computers a lot also develop dry eyes, which leads to eye twitching.
Seizures - Know How Homeopathy Can Help?
Suffering seizures? Homeopathy can help!
It is undoubtedly a disturbing yet concerning experience to watch somebody have a seizure. One-off incidence may not be serious, but epileptic seizures need care; be assured, homeopathy can help!
Approximately 50 lac people have epilepsy worldwide, and each year 24 lac people are diagnosed with epilepsy. Of these patients, 80% live in the low- and the middle-income countries. Four to 10 people per 1,000 suffer from epilepsy, but certain studies also estimate the incidence as high as between seven to 14 epilepsy patients per 100 persons in low-income countries. One-fifth or about 10 lacs of the global 50 lac epilepsy patients are in India.
I consult many epilepsy cases in my clinic, of which, the majority (60%) are pediatric cases within the age group of two to eight years. The most common type of epilepsy in the clinic is primary generalized epilepsy. Absent seizures account for the rest of the 40% epilepsy cases in the clinic.
I agree, for a common person witnessing or experiencing an epileptic seizure may be scary or traumatic – mentally and sometimes physically too. However, we must understand that a seizure or even epilepsy is not the end of life. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, a patient can lead a normal, independent life. The lack of diagnosis and treatment is often due to the lack of awareness among the patients and the people around them, and also the social and cultural stigma attached to seizures. Depending upon the type of epilepsy, the signs and symptoms may include temporary unconsciousness, confusion, involuntary jerking movements of arms or legs, and sometimes fear and anxiety too.
Many other health conditions may be confused with epilepsy, for example, it may be wrongly diagnosed as a psychological disease and referred to a psychiatrist, or may be diagnosed merely as a fainting spell. Especially among females, the chances of wrong diagnoses of seizures – from hysteria and attention-seeking behavior to even wholly ignoring the symptoms.
Epileptic seizures can lead to further complications and emergencies. A sudden fall to the ground during the seizure can lead to minor or major injuries to the patients. An epileptic patient needs to be cleared by the doctor to be able to drive and ride a vehicle; these patients have an unusually high risk of vehicular accidents. These patients need to take regular treatment to avoid seizure incidences that may put their or the lives of the people around them at risk. For example, the patient with epilepsy has a far higher risk of drowning in water, if not supervised or if the help is not quickly available. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency where the patient suffers longer seizures lasting as long as over 30 minutes or has two seizures without gaining full consciousness in between them. In severe cases, epilepsy may cause the death of the patient.
The diagnosis of the causes behind epilepsies requires a thorough neurological examination. The investigations may include the seemingly complicated and expensive, perhaps not easily accessible, imaging technologies. EEG (electroencephalogram) plays a crucial role in the accurate diagnosis of epilepsy. To further investigate and rule out the other causes such as infections and tumors or cysts, specific blood tests and CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be advised by the physicians.
A homeopathic physician will carefully access and analyze a patient's case history, as with any other patient. I suggest my patients that meticulously maintaining a ‘seizure diary’ helps to describe the exact nature of patient symptoms to the physician. Such minutely detailed information helps in prescribing the most accurate and the most effective homeopathic treatment for the patient. It is a good idea to visit the homeopathic physician with a person who is around the patient so the physician can appraise the patient’s exact condition to the people close the patient.
A 22-year-old young lady described her case to me – she suffered regular seizures since her first period. The episodes occurred before her menses, sometimes leading to her collapse. The twitching of face and extremities was a regular feature. During the six months of the treatment she responded well; however, she soon discontinued the treatment as she got married. She hid condition from her husband and the in-laws. During the two-year lapse of the treatment, her condition aggravated, when she returned to my clinic. She was counseled about the importance of regular medication, and her family was apprised of her condition. They were very supportive, so she continued the treatment. She is leading a normal, symptom-free life with regular homeopathic treatment.
Another success story from my clinic is of a 4-year-old boy. A diagnosed case of partial epilepsy, he developed twitching and jerking movements in his left arm. His seizures would start as soon as he would wake up in the morning with a frequency of about two days. The child was very fearful and timid due to his condition. Considering his medical history, including tonsillitis, he was prescribed a homeopathic medicine for 15 days; his seizure-frequency lowered to once a week. With regular examination at the clinic and treatment compliance for a year, his EEG was completely normal, and the boy lived symptom-free. The child has been assessed once a year since and has grown-up to be a good sportsperson, leading a normal and worry-free life as any young man.
These representative and many more cases in my clinic underline two things: the lack of awareness and social stigma delay the diagnosis and the treatment for the patients, losing many months and years and increasing complications due to epilepsy; and a timely and quality homeopathic treatment can help you lead a fulfilling life even with epilepsy or help you cure the condition completely.
Magnesium Deficiency - How To Know If You Are Suffering From It?
Magnesium is one of the most abundant mineral found in earth, and a good 60 percent of all the magnesium in the body is stored in your bones. A small percentage is also present in your blood and this nutrient is beneficial for healthy bones and in regulating blood pressure. It also enables proper nerve functioning, good blood circulation, strong immune system and a healthy heart.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to a number of ailments including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic back pain, etc. Asthma is also widely known to be associated with magnesium deficiencies and can lead to irregular heartbeats and panic attacks. Magnesium deficiency occurs mainly due to unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, excessive vomiting, and long-term diarrhea.
Here are a few signs that indicate that you are suffering from magnesium deficiency.
Muscle cramps: Regular muscle cramps are the first symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is extremely important for muscle growth and regeneration. It increases the intake of calcium and potassium- the two key elements important for muscle functioning. If you experience regular cramps, consult a physician immediately. Also, frequent muscle twitching and eye twitching might be symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
Migraine: Migraines are caused by a number of reasons and one such reason can be low magnesium levels in your body. Severe migraines should never be ignored as it can be due to an underlying medical condition. Check with your physician as in some cases, migraines can be treated if magnesium deficiency is addressed.
Irregular heart beat: Irregular heartbeats and rhythms are the biggest symptoms of low magnesium levels in the body. Magnesium is extremely important for proper functioning of the heart and proper blood circulation in the body. If you are suffering from these symptoms for quite some time, seek medical attention immediately.
Anxiety and restlessness: Restlessness and anxiety can be a norm of life for some people. There can be many explanations for this and one is magnesium deficiency. Magnesium can make our body and mind calm, and lack of this nutrient can cause depressions and restlessness. Increasing your magnesium level can help in reducing anxiety levels and restlessness.
Fatigue and weakness: If you are experiencing black outs and constant weakness, then you may be suffering from low magnesium levels. Magnesium plays an important role in breaking down glucose into energy. This energy is needed for metabolism and fights the weakness of your body. Lack of magnesium can be harmful in the long run and you might experience extreme instances of weakness and fatigue.
Magnesium intakes: Always have a healthy magnesium rich diet to supplement your magnesium levels. You can best get them from foods such as almonds, avocado, bananas, beans, and pumpkin seeds. You can also opt for milk, cashews, potatoes and yogurt. You can intake magnesium supplements too, but do consult with your doctor before taking them.
Sorghum species of grass are drought tolerant plants. Both cyanide & nitrates can be present in various amounts in sorghum crops that are stressed by hot, dry conditions. Cyanide poisoning is the main culprit but nitrate & nitrite poisoning also a possibility when grazing in sorghum during draught. Hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid kills the animal by preventing o2 utilization in its tissue.
The poison is highest when the growth of grass is checked by draught or other physical damage. (as a hailstorm, insect damages) the risk is also higher in young plants or regrowth. Therefore regrowth under stress is the most dangerous (maybe 400-900 on ppm a dry wt basis).
History of ingestion of undergrown or regrown grass (in drought-prone areas, increased depth and rate of respiration, frothing in the mouth, muscular twitching, staggering, collapse convulsions and death.
Affected animals may effectively be treated and of sodium thiosulphate or sodium hyposulphite. This chemical is commonly known as hypo. It was easily available from a photographer's studio in the black and white photography.
Still, you may find this in photo studios. (be sure that it is sodium thiosulphate or hyposulphite.
Prepare 10% soln ie 10gm in 100 ml distilled water. Inject it iv @ dose rate of 660 mg per kg BW. Do not hesitate because I had saved several couples of cattle doing this.
Roughly an adult desi cattle will need 90 to 160 ml of 10% soln. Some animals will be needed the 2nd dose but be in the limit of 160 ml. If you can give the treatment before respiration stops it is certain that the animal will stand and will start eating within 1 & 1/2 hour.
Why We Fidget While We Work?
Every person is familiar with the remark “Stop fidgeting” but does anybody ever wonder why do humans fidget? Is there any scientific reason for such an action? This article shall inform the reader about the underlying cause for what is known as fidgeting.
Scientific research has revealed that fidgeting has many benefits still most people get annoyed when they see another person twitching and tapping. Most people do this seemingly without any control over their movement when they are ordered to be still. Research shows that there is at least one biological reason to back this action.
Since the same brain area is used for movement and speech, it is only natural that gestures are interlinked with thorough preparation for a speech. People tend to move their hands more when they are looking for a word to say but are not being able to find it. In a recent study, it was found that school children between the ages of 6-8 years who use their hands a lot can come up with the right answers during lessons.
While this is one theory, another neurological theory suggests that a portion of the mental load is offloaded through the process of fidgeting when people have to tackle complex problems or thoughts. The theory is called cognitive load hypothesis. The offloading mechanism frees up the mental faculties thus devoting them to the mental process. While this may not be a definitive explanation for fidgeting, it does go to show that there is a link between a person’s hand movements and their thought and speech process.
Other than the cognitive advantages, some evidence has also been found linking fidgeting with metabolism. People who fidget are found to have a higher metabolism and lower BMI. This difference can be seen between thin and overweight people. Fidgeting amidst lollygagging during the day helps burn up to 350 calories a day. Also, fidgeting among other incidental physical activity helps keep an individual fit.
Among other reasons, fidgeting also serves as a coping mechanism for people with ADD. If a person is engaged in something that he/she is not interested in then the additional sensory-motor input that is even slightly stimulating or entertaining helps the brain to get completely engaged. This helps to maintain focus on the actual activity being performed by the individual.
So, fidgeting helps distract that part of the brain that is getting bored. This helps the other parts of the brain focus better on the actual activity. This is known as floating attention which perhaps is an evolutionary trait that dates back to prehistoric times. In those times, the ability to focus entirely on a task with undivided attention was not favorable to the human since doing so could make them unaware of the enormous ravenous beast hiding behind the bushes.
Thus, though there is some degree of understanding is there when it comes to fidgeting, more research studies are required to gain further insight.
Too Much Alcohol - Can It Cause Eye Twitching?
Why Do We Do Fidgeting?
Every person is familiar with the remark “Stop fidgeting” but does anybody ever wonder why do humans fidget? Is there any scientific reason for such an action? This article will throw light on the underlying causes for what is known as fidgeting.
Since the same brain area is used for movement and speech, it is only natural that gestures are interlinked with thorough preparation for a speech. People tend to move their hands more when they are looking for a word to say, but are not being able to find it. In a recent study, it was found that school children between the age of 6-8 years who use their hands a lot can come up with the right answers during lessons.
While this is one theory, another neurological theory suggests that a portion of the mental load is off-loaded through the process of fidgeting when people have to tackle complex problems or thoughts. The theory is called cognitive load hypothesis. The offloading mechanism frees up the mental faculties thus, devoting them to the mental process. While this may not be a definitive explanation for fidgeting, it does go to show that there is a link between a person’s hand movements and their thought and speech process.
Thus, though there is some degree of understanding is there when it comes to fidgeting, more research studies are required to gain further insight. Consult an expert & get answers to your questions! | 2019-04-24T13:50:09Z | https://www.lybrate.com/topic/twitching/health-feed/tips?lpt=PS-TDP |
Would you like to access an Internet site that is not visible. Would you like to surf anonymously on the Net without communicating your real IP address to the outside and, therefore, without detecting your true identity? For these and many other purposes, the password is only one: VPN . I’m sure you’ve already heard about it, but today I want to help you shed more light on the subject.
VPNs (short for Virtual Private Network ) are extremely useful tools, thanks to which you can disguise your connection and bypass regional restrictions applied by Internet sites (as they make the connection appear as coming from other countries). To simplify the concept as much as possible, they are intermediaries that act as links between the user’s computer and the sites visited, thus hiding the identity of the latter.
Perhaps you think it is too complex a subject for what your computer skills are, but I assure you that you are wrong: using VPNs is less complex than it seems and, above all, does not require the payment of money (not necessarily at least). Do not you believe it? So take five minutes of free time and take a look at the list of the best free VPNs I have prepared for you: I bet you will be amazed by the potential and flexibility of this tool, not to mention the simplicity with which you will be able to use it!
Ready to enter the VPN universe? Perfect, I want to start right away by explaining in detail what this word means: VPN is the abbreviation of the English phrase Virtual Private Network , which we can translate into a “virtual private network” , and it is a special technique designed to make invisible unauthorized looks (whether they are cybercriminals, censorship bodies, surveillance bodies or other) information on what takes place on the Internet.
In detail, this camouflage d <sselle activities is obtained through a specific type of encrypted connection (or tunnel , in jargon) that is created between the device that connects to the Internet and the server that offers the VPN service: to be precise, speaking Internet browsing, the VPN server is required to navigate on its own account, and the navigation data is exchanged between the server and the device from which it is navigated, in protected and encrypted mode , so as to prevent anyone from accessing it from the outside .
In very simple terms, this means that an Internet site you surf on will actually see the IP address of the VPN server, and not the user who actually looks at it, thus ignoring the real position from which you are visiting. Numerous applications for VPN, especially those not related to the browser, allow you to apply the same criterion not only for Internet browsing, but to hide the incoming and outgoing data of any application that exploits the Net, increasing even more the level of protection.
To be honest, not even the Internet service provider (TIM, Vodafone, Infostrada, Fastweb, etc.) is able to enter the tunnel and trace back traffic generated through the VPN: this means that your manager can know that you have connected to a VPN, but can not know anything about how you’ve used it or the data you’ve exchanged through it.
The VPN tunneling criterion can also be exploited in the professional sectors, especially if a company gives its employees permission to work from outside the headquarters: if the company offers VPN access, the employee can connect to the internal local network even from your own home or from any other location, entering your login credentials and taking advantage of the virtual tunnelestablished by the VPN. So, thanks to the VPN, you can work from your desk at home and on the company’s internal documents, with the absolute certainty of not being spied on from the outside, and to communicate with your workplace through an encrypted connection. protected .
Including what I have explained so far, you will certainly be thinking that understanding how to use a VPN can be difficult for you: let me say that you are wrong, because thanks to the explanations I am about to give you everything will be very clear. Time a few minutes and you will be able to do everything autonomously even without being a genius of information technology.
I repeat, first of all, that through the VPN the traffic between you and the Internetis protected, encrypted and hidden, and that everything happens through a virtual tunnel between you and the VPN itself. To create this tunnel, specific programsor apps are used for the purpose, which are made available by the VPN services themselves: you must first identify the VPN that best suits your needs, then make an eventual registrationat the service (it is not always required), download the program or the app made available and, finally, configure them using their login credentials. After this, the software will create the tunnel between the user and the server, and to encrypt and “lock” the communications inside it.
Once in the VPN tunnel, data traffic can no longer be seen or intercepted from the outside, just like when a satellite “loses sight” of a car entering the tunnel. In addition, as I have already mentioned, Internet services do not know the real position nor the IP address of those who exploit them, but those of the VPN. This means that your manager can not know what is happening inside the tunnel, but at a cost, often paid in terms of speed: if the VPN service is not fast, or the servers are particularly far from the geographical position of those who exploit them , there could indeed be significant slowdowns in the use of the Internet. Is this clear? Well, let’s move on and move on to discovering the best free VPN services together.
Before entering into the heart of the matter and giving you the list of what I think are the best free VPNs , let me warn you about a couple of things: first, exploiting VPNs of dubious origin can be risky, because the server same could record your traffic (it is able, being the tunnel configured inside it) for advertising or data analysis activities. Let’s be clear, the VPNs that you will find in this list do not (at least not at the time when I’m writing) profiling activities, but always read well, and carefully, the terms of service , which you can consult during registration.
Also, know that hiding behind a VPN does not make it safe from the law , because there is no way not to leave traces of what you do on the Internet: I want to point it out because, often, it is thought that by using the VPNs you become authorized to practice illegal. I guarantee you that it is not so, since a crime remains a crime even from inside a tunnel, and the judicial authorities could – always with mandates and particular legal files – go back to the IP address of those who exploit a VPN, in the case of a investigation, and punish him severely. It therefore exploits this practical service with awareness, conscience, and in full respect of the law.
That said, keep reading the following to find out which are currently the best VPN services that you can take advantage of for free.
Opera VPN is the best example of free VPN : with few pretensions, it is integrated directly into Opera, the famous browser for surfing the Internet (which I also told you in my tutorial on the best browsers ). In reality it is not a very structured service: optimal speeds are not guaranteed and there is no possibility to choose the part of the world from which to simulate the connection.
Opera VPN is a service that you can easily exploit if you need to mask the IP address while surfing the Internet, in order to access blocked sites in your country, but the protection offered does not go beyond browsing the Internet, and is limited exclusively to sites visited through the browser.
Without this premise, it’s time to explain how to activate Opera VPN: if you use a Windows or MacOS , download the browser from this page by pressing the green button Download Now , open the file you just downloaded and, if you use Windows, presses the button Accept and Install , then click on the Yes button , while if you use macOS drag the Opera icon to the Applications folder of your Mac.
Now open Opera from the Windows Start menu (the flag icon, at the bottom left) or from the Applications folder of macOS, click the red O button you find at the top right, then on the Settings item , on the item Confidentiality & securitythat you find in the left bar and, finally, click on the box Enable the VPN to affix the check mark.
Return to your browsing activity, which is now protected through the VPN. To deactivate the service, repeat the procedure in exactly the same way, unchecking the box Enable VPN to return to “normal” navigation.
As for the Android or iOS operating systems , you can fully protect the traffic generated by your smartphone or tablet using the Opera VPN app , which you can download from Google Play or the App Store . Once you have downloaded and installed the app, call it from the list of apps on your device, press the Get Startedbutton , then on the Skip entry at the bottom left, tap Got It and when the request for authorization to use the VPN, tap the OK button and then the blue Connect button .
From now on you will be connected to the Opera VPN, which in its mobile version also allows you to change position: to do so, touch the blue Change Regio n button and choose the desired position. To disconnect from the VPN, recall the notification area of your device, tap the banner for the VPN connection via Opera and press the Disconnect button (or select the disconnect option directly from the app).
Although the malware detection service of this VPN leaves a little to be desired, I decided nevertheless to include it among the best free VPNs because, in fact, Betternet is completely free . Show a small advertisement before each connection and include in-app suggestions, but this is an acceptable exchange for free use of the service; also because the VPN offered by Betternet has no data limits, nor devices that can be used simultaneously, the connection speed is quite good, and there are several positions available to “simulate” a connection.
Betternet is available on Windows computers, as an extension for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers , as well as on Android and iOS platforms. All you have to do to use it is to go to the download page most suitable for your operating system, then press the blue button Get The App : if you use Windows, wait for the file BetternetForWindowsxyz, exe to be downloaded, then start it with a double click and presses the Yes , Next , Install , Install and Finish buttons to install it.
To install the Google Chrome extension, connected to the Chrome Web Store and click on the Add and Add Extension buttons, while on Android and iOS you simply need to download the Betternet app from your smartphone / tablet store.
To take advantage of this VPN there is no need for registration and, as I have already explained to you, all you have to do to use it is to view a small advertisement at every connection. I recommend that you do not visit sites that are notoriously full of malware, and that you have a good antivirus while browsing through Betternet: as I told you, this VPN does not offer an effective malware detection service.
TunnelBear is certainly one of the best VPN services in circulation, which guarantees anonymity and protection to those who decide to rely on it, and which can hide only the data related to surfing the Internet, taking advantage of the extensions for Google Chrome and Opera browsers , and the entire Internet traffic between the device and the server, taking advantage of programs for Windows or MacOS computers , and apps for Android and iOS .
To install TunnelBear on Windows or macOS, go to the download page of the program and wait for the installation file to be downloaded to your computer, then double click on the file you just downloaded and, if you’re on Windows , press the I Agree button , then on the Install and Yes buttons and follow the on-screen instructions to access the VPN. If you use macOS, instead, drag the TunnelBear icon to the Applications folder of your Mac and recall the program from the Applications folder. For Google Chrome, go to the Chrome Web Store page dedicated to TunnelBear and click on the Add button and Add an extension, while on Android and iOS you have to go to the app store of your device and download TunnelBear.
The VPN offered by TunnelBear has a completely free use mode, through which you can enjoy free 500 MB of VPN traffic per month, provided you make a simple registration from this page : enter a valid e-mail address and a password in the checkboxes, presses the Create Account button and follow the instructions that you will be sent via email to validate your registration. You can use the credentials obtained in the programs or apps I mentioned earlier.
In addition, if the data limit is tight or you decide to invest some money in your security, you can subscribe to the service by paying about $ 10 a month or $ 60 a year.
Have you heard of the name of Avira talking about antivirus for computers and no, you’re not confusing: Avira Phantom VPN is the VPN solution offered by the same manufacturer, has extremely stable servers and allows you to use IP addresses, both for navigation that for access to Internet services, in several countries of the world.
Available as a program for Windows and MacOS , and an app for Android and iOS (all can be downloaded from this page ), this service is not limited to protecting only the activities through the browser, but the entire data traffic between device and the Internet, and can also be used by multiple devices simultaneously. To install Avira Phantom VPN on your computer, go to the download page of the program and click on the green button Download the free VPN, wait for the file to be downloaded and start it with a double-click.
Now, if your operating system is Windows, click on the green Accept and Install button, then on the Yes button, and wait for the installation of all the services to complete. Otherwise, if you are using macOS , drag the downloaded file to the Applications folder, then click on the Accept and Install button and wait for the installation to complete. The program will be started by itself at the end of the procedure.
Avira Phantom VPN is among the best VPNs ever and allows you to take advantage of 500 MB of free traffic per month after a simple registration to Avira services (you must then enter the credentials in the programs or dedicated apps). As an alternative, it is possible to use the PRO version for free for one month, without limit of data, and then proceed with the subscription of a pay subscription at the price of € 7.95 / month.
Windscribe is one of the best free VPNs available today. Offers programs and apps for many platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers and for the Kodi program, as well as apps for Amazon FireTV, Nvidia Shield, DD-WRT plugin and Tomato for routers, and configuration generators for OpenVPN, IKEv2 and SOCKS5; all downloadable from the comfort of this page .
If you want to use Windscribe on your computer, go to the program download page and click on the icon for the operating system you are using (eg Windows ). Wait so that the file is downloaded to your computer, start it with a double click and, if you are on Windows, presses the buttons Yes and OK . Next, check the box I accept the terms of the license agreement and end the setup by pressing twice on the Next button and then on Finish.
If you use macOS , after downloading Windscribe to your computer, simply drag the downloaded file to the Applications folder on your Mac and then start the program by double-clicking. As for Android and iOS, you do not have to do is install the app through the store of your device.
The free version of Windscribe, which you can use a small recording to be made by pressing the blue button Use For Free , allows you to take advantage of 10 GB of monthly traffic and to connect from multiple devices simultaneously, with a limitation – as well as data – only on the locations to be accessed (some are only available to paid users). This does not mean that, overall, the quality of the service is good and that the speed of navigation offered, despite the free nature of data traffic, is absolutely acceptable.
To eliminate traffic and location restrictions, you need to sign up for a Pro subscription, which is not that expensive: it costs $ 4.50 a month or $ 45 a year.
Another great free VPN service is Hide Me, which has servers spread across 22 countries, so you can take advantage of 22 different locations when connecting. All in all, the connection speed is more than acceptable, the traffic is encrypted in terms of global connection (and not only for the browser), through the programs for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and there are apps for Android and iOS.
To download Hide Me on your computer, connect to the download page most suitable for the operating system you are using, then press the blue Download Now button , wait for the file to be downloaded, double-click it and, if you are on Windows, press on the Yes , Install and Finish buttons to finish the setup, while if you are using macOS you have to drag the Hide Me icon in the Applications folder of the Mac (to then start the program by a simple double-click).
A bit ‘like the solutions that I have proposed at the beginning, even the free version of Hide Me offers 2 GB of monthly traffic after registration, and guarantees, in addition to anonymity and security, not to store any log about the activity of its users, thus guaranteeing the security of what is done via the VPN. To unlock the data limit, you can subscribe to the service at a price starting at $ 4.99 a month, directly from this page.
Did you see? Not only have you easily learned what a VPN is and what you need, but now you are able to move securely between the various free VPN services and choose the one that suits you best. How do you say? Now that you understand what it is, do you think that using a VPN is too much for your purposes since you simply need to access blocked Internet sites while you surf? Then I invite you to consult my tutorial on how to hide IP, in which you can find solutions that are more suitable for your purpose. | 2019-04-18T18:36:37Z | https://uaetechnician.ae/best-vpn-virtual-private-network-free |
A search, using the Master Search Index, on the Puritan Hard Drive, for the word "providence" produces 34,334 results in 1,155 books. All these results are also shown in the context of one line and with one click, on any of these lines, you are taken to the right book, on the right page, with your search term highlighted.
There are 56 Reformation resources (books and MP3s) by the Puritan John Flavel on the Puritan Hard Drive including the six volume set entitled, The Works of John Flavel.
SHORT SUMMARY OF JOHN FLAVEL'S MYSTERY OF PROVIDENCE: Based on the words "God that performeth all things for me" (Ps. 57:2) this work shows us how providence works for us in every stage and experience of our lives. A great book to read if you are suffering under trials or perplexing circumstances. This is one of the best Puritan books on providence!
There 325 Reformation resources, under the category "Predestination and Providence", on the Puritan Hard Drive.
The Crook In The Lot; Or, The Sovereignty And Wisdom Of God In The Afflictions Of Men Displayed by Thomas Boston (Free online book).
In this sermon you will learn why God brings hardships, trials, sickness, suffering, poverty, and pain into your life. It also explains how faith and prayer intersect with everything God brings into your life, especially God's most perplexing acts of providence and sovereignty.
There are 87 Reformation resources, on the Puritan Hard Drive, with the word "providence" in the title.
The greatness of God is a glorious and unsearchable mystery. 'For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great king over all the earth' (Psalm 47:2). The condescension of the most high God to men is also a profound mystery. 'Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly' (Psalm 138:6). But when both these meet together, as they do in this Scripture, they make up a matchless mystery. Here we find the most high God performing all things for a poor distressed creature.
It is the great support and solace of the saints in all the distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.
How deeply we are concerned in this matter will appear by that great instance which Psalm 57 presents us with. It was composed, as the title notes, by David when he hid himself from Saul in the cave. It is inscribed with a double title: 'Al-taschith, Michtam of David.' 'Altaschith' refers to the scope and 'Michtam' to the dignity of the subject-matter.
The latter title 'Michtam' signifies 'a golden ornament,' and so is suited to the choice and excellent matter of the Psalm, which much more deserves such a title than do Pythagoras' Golden Verses.
Three things are remarkable in the former part of the Psalm: his extreme danger; his earnest address to God in that extremity; and the arguments he pleads with God in that address.
His extreme danger is expressed in both the title and the body of the psalm. The title tells us this psalm was composed by him when he hid himself from Saul in the cave. This cave was in the wilderness of Engedi among the broken rocks where the wild goats lived, an obscure and desolate hole; yet even there the envy of Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 24:1, 2). And now he that had been so long hunted as a partridge upon the mountains seems to be enclosed in the net. His enemies were outside the cave, from which there was no other outlet. Then Saul himself entered the mouth of this cave, in the sides and creeks of which David and his men lay hidden, and they actually saw him. Judge to how great an extremity and to what a desperate state things were now brought. Well might he say: 'My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire' (verse 4). What hope now remained? What but immediate destruction could be expected?
Yet this does not frighten him out of his faith and duty, but between the jaws of death he prays, and earnestly addresses himself to God for mercy: 'Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me' (verse 1). This excellent psalm was composed by him when there was enough to discompose the best man in the world. The repetition notes both the extremity of the danger and the ardency of the supplicant. Mercy, mercy, nothing but mercy, and that exerting itself in an extraordinary way, can now save him from ruin.
The arguments he pleads for obtaining mercy in this distress are very considerable. First, he pleads his reliance upon God as an argument to move mercy. 'Be merciful unto me O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast' (verse 1). This his trust and dependence on God though it is not an argument in respect of the dignity of the act, yet it is so in respect of the nature of the object, a compassionate God, who will not expose any that take shelter under His wings; also in respect of the promise by which protection is assured to them that fly to Him for sanctuary: 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee' (Isaiah 26:3). Thus he encourages himself from the consideration of that God in whom he trusts.
He pleads former experiences of His help in past distresses as an argument encouraging hope under the present strait: 'I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me' (verse 2).
In these words I shall consider two things: the duty resolved upon, and the encouragement to that resolution.
The duty resolved upon: 'I will cry unto God.' Crying unto God is an expression that denotes not only prayer, but intense and fervent prayer. To cry is to pray in a holy passion; and such are usually speeding prayers (Psalm 18:6; Hebrews 5:7).
The encouragements to this resolution are taken from the sovereignty of God and from the experience he had of His Providence.
The sovereignty of God: 'I will cry unto God most high.' Upon this he acts his faith in extremity of danger. Saul is high, but God is the most high, and without His permission he is assured Saul cannot touch him. He had none to help, and if he had, he knew God must first help the helpers or they cannot help him. He had no means of defence or escape before him, but the Most High is not limited by means. This is a singular prop to faith (Psalm 59:9).
The word which we translate 'performeth' comes from a root that signifies both to perfect, and to desist or cease. For when a business is performed and perfected, the agent then ceases and desists from working. To such a happy issue the Lord has brought all his doubtful and difficult matters before; and this gives him encouragement that He will still be gracious, and perfect that which concerns him now, as he speaks: 'The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me' (Psalm 138:8).
The Septuagint renders Psalm 57:2: 'The well-doer saving me,' 'who profits or benefits me.' And it is a certain truth that all the results and issues of Providence are profitable and beneficial to the saints. But the supplement in our translation well conveys the sense of the text: 'Who performeth all things.' And it involves the most strict and proper notion of Providence, which is nothing else but the performance of God's gracious purposes and promises to His people. And therefore Vatabulus and Muis supply and fill up the room left by the conciseness of the original with 'which he hath promised,' thus: 'I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth the things which he hath promised.' Payment is the performance of promises. Grace makes the promise, and Providence the payment.
Piscator fills it thus: 'unto God that performeth his kindness and mercy.' But still it supposes the mercy performed to be contained in the promise. Mercy is sweet in the promise, and much more so in the providential performance of it to us.
Castalio's supplement comes nearer to ours: 'I will cry unto God most high, unto God, the transactor of my affairs.' But our English, making out the sense by a universal particle, is most agreeable to the scope of the text. For it cannot but be a great encouragement to his faith, that God had transacted all things, or performed all things for him. This Providence that never failed him in any of the straits that ever he met with (and his life was a life of many straits) he might well hope would not fail him now, though this were an extraordinary and matchless one.
Let us then bring our thoughts a little closer to this Scripture, and it will give us a fair and lovely prospect of Providence in its universal, effectual, beneficial and encouraging influence upon the affairs and concerns of the saints.
The expression imports the universal interest and influence of Providence in and upon all the concerns and interests of the saints. It not only has its hand in this or that, but in all that concerns them. It has its eye upon every thing that relates to them throughout their lives, from first to last. Not only the great and more important, but the most minute and ordinary affairs of our lives are transacted and managed by it. It touches all things that touch us, whether more nearly or remotely.
The text displays the efficacy of providential influences. Providence not only undertakes but perfects what concerns us. It goes through with its designs, and accomplishes what it begins. No difficulty so clogs it, no cross accident falls in its way, but it carries its design through it. Its motions are irresistible and uncontrollable; He performs it for us.
And if so, how cheering, supporting and encouraging must the consideration of these things be in a day of distress and trouble! What life and hope will it inspire our hearts and prayers with when great pressures lie upon us! It had such a cheering influence upon the Psalmist at this time, when the state of his affairs was, to the eye of sense and reason, forlorn and desperate; there was but a hair's breadth (as we say) between him and ruin.
A powerful, enraged and implacable enemy had driven him into the hole of a rock, and was come after him into that hole. Yet now while his soul is among lions, while he lies in a cranny of the rock, expecting every moment to be drawn out to death, the reflections he had upon the gracious performances of the Most High for him, from the beginning to that moment, support his soul and inspire hope and life into his prayers: 'I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me.
It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straits, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives.
The Church, in all the works of mercy, owns the hand of God: 'LORD, thou also hast wrought all our works in (or for) us' (Isaiah 26:12). And still it has been the pious and constant practice of the saints in all generations to preserve the memory of the more famous and remarkable providences that have befallen them in their times as a precious treasure. 'If thou be a Christian indeed, I know thou hast, if not in thy book, yet certainly in thy heart, a great many precious favours upon record; the very remembrance and rehearsal of them is sweet; how much more sweet was the actual enjoyment?'.
Thus Moses, by divine direction, wrote a memorial of that victory obtained over Amalek as the fruit and return of prayer, and built there an altar with this inscription, Jehovah-nissi 'The LORD my banner' (Exodus 17:14, 15).
Thus Mordecai and Esther took all care to perpetuate the memory of that signal deliverance from the plot of Haman, by ordaining the feast of Purim as an anniversary 'throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed' (Esther 9:28).
For this end you find Psalms indited, 'to bring to remembrance' (Psalm 70, title). You find parents giving suitable names to their children, that every time they looked upon them they might refresh the memory of God's mercies (1 Samuel 1:20).
You find the very places where eminent providences have appeared, given a new name, for no other reason but to perpetuate the memorial of those sweet providences which so refreshed them there. Thus Bethel received its name (Genesis 28:19). And that well of water where Hagar was seasonably refreshed by the angel in her distress, was called Beer-laha-roi: 'the well of him that liveth and looketh on me' (Genesis 16:14). Yea, the saints have given, and God has assumed to Himself new titles upon this very score and account; Abraham's Jehovah-jireh and Gideon's Jehovah-shalom were ascribed to Him for this reason. And sometimes you find the Lord styles Himself 'The God that brought Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees' or 'The LORD God that brought them out of Egypt' or again 'The LORD that gathered them out of the north country'; reminding them of the gracious providences which in all those places He had wrought for them.
Now there is a twofold reflection upon the providential works of God.
One is entire and full, in its whole complex and perfect system. This blessed sight is reserved for the perfect state. It is in that mount of God where we shall see both the wilderness and Canaan, the glorious kingdom into which we are come, and the way through which we were led into it. There the saints shall have a ravishing view of it in its entirety, and every part shall be distinctly discerned, as it had its particular use, and as it was connected with the other parts, and how effectually and orderly they all wrought to bring about that blessed design of their salvation, according to the promise: 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28). For it is certain, no ship at sea keeps more exactly by the compass which directs its course, than Providence keeps by that promise which is its cynosure and polestar.
The other sight is partial and imperfect which we have on the way to glory, during which we only view it in its single acts, or at most, in some branches and more observable series of actions.
Between these two is the same difference as between the sight of the disjointed wheels and scattered pins of a watch, and the sight of the whole united in one frame and working in one orderly motion; or between an ignorant spectator who views some more observable vessel or joint of a dissected body, and the accurate anatomist who discerns the course of all the veins and arteries of the body as he follows the various branches of them through the whole, and plainly sees the proper place, figure and use of each, with their mutual respect to one another.
O how ravishing and delectable a sight will it be to behold at one view the whole design of Providence, and the proper place and use of every single act, which we could not understand in this world! What Christ said to Peter is as applicable to some providences in which we are now concerned as it was to that particular action: 'What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter' (John 13:7). All the dark, intricate, puzzling providences at which we were sometimes so offended, and sometimes amazed, which we could neither reconcile with the promise nor with each other, nay, which we so unjustly censured and bitterly bewailed, as if they had fallen out quite against our happiness, we shall then see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, 'the right way to a city of habitation' (Psalm 107:7).
And yet, though our present views and reflections upon Providence are so short and imperfect in comparison to that in heaven, yet such as it is under all its present disadvantages, it has so much excellence and sweetness in it that I may call it a little heaven, or as Jacob called his Bethel, 'the gate of heaven.' It is certainly a highway of walking with God in this world, and a soul may enjoy as sweet communion with Him in His providences as in any of His ordinances.
How often have the hearts of its observers been melted into tears of joy at the beholding of its wise and unexpected productions! How often has it convinced them, upon a sober recollection of the events of their lives, that if the Lord had left them to their own counsels they had as often been their own tormenters, if not executioners! Into what and how many fatal mischiefs had they precipitated themselves if Providence had been as shortsighted as they! They have given it their hearty thanks for considering their interest more than their importunity, and not allowing them to perish by their own desires. | 2019-04-23T18:39:19Z | http://www.puritandownloads.com/free-the-mystery-of-providence-by-john-flavel-puritan-many-more-free-puritan-books-mp3s-on-providence-calvinism/?utm_source=Prayer%3A+Paul+Washer%2C+George+Mueller+...&utm_campaign=SWRB-EMAIL-PrayerWashMuell-Mar26-2016&utm_medium=email |
A critique of radicalism is building within the heart of the Muslim world.
....Intellectually and theologically, a lot of the most ambitious work is being done by a group of scholars based in Ankara, Turkey, who expect to publish new editions of the Hadith before the end of the year. They have collected all 170,000 known narrations of the Prophet's sayings."
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday the government plans to increase the natural gas prices on June 1. Industrial natural gas prices will increase by 8.3 percent, while the percentage of the increase in residential prices will be 7.4."
Turkey's Islamist Vakit daily revealed a document of phone records that showed their correspondents listened the conversation between the main opposition party CHP's second man and a governor from Onder Sav's cell phone which he left open by mistake. CHP denied the report."
The Turkish FM urged the EU to honor its word over Turkey's bid for full membership ahead of the meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council to convene on Tuesday to assess recent developments in Turkey's accession and reform process."
The United States has imposed financial sanctions on the PKK Kurdistan Workers' Party. The move means the separatist group will no longer have access to the US financial system or be able to do business with US companies or individuals. The sanctions have been introduced under special anti-drugs legislation."
Turkey may face a “crisis” in meeting power needs because investments have failed to keep pace with increased demand, said Selahattin Hakman, head of Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS’s energy unit."
urkey's first 'canal city' is slated for construction in İzmir's Alaçatı District.
Port Alaçatı will be constructed on artificial islands whose water canals will open toward the valley. Around 1,000 houses will be built around these canals and will have the design of seaside homes. "
As Istanbul’s municipality and governorship celebrate the 555th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, academics believe the significance attached to the celebrations has been increasing over the last decades due to a rise in Islamist sentiments in Turkey."
In my travels I've pounded down a fistful of live termites in Costa Rica, pierced my septum at a Maori tribal ritual in New Zealand and attempted to ride a cow in Wales. I don't recommend the latter.
But none of these, I discovered, is one of the 1,000 Things I'm Supposed to Do Before I Die. Had I been wasting my time?
On a recent trip to Istanbul, I was longing for an adrenaline rush, so I followed a Turkish friend to the Asian side of town to a promised "very exciting location - one of the '1,000 Things to Do Before You Die.' ""
NICOSIA (Xinhua) --The top UN envoy in divided Cyprus said Thursday that he is encouraged by the momentum of the revived peace process but called for patience for substantive reunification talks to begin."
ISTANBUL, Turkey (UPI) -- Lifting an anchovy fishing ban in Georgian waters caused fisherman to flock to the area, glutting the market, the Turkish government said.
Fishermen ended up throwing fish away after an excessive harvest that filled 20 fish houses to capacity and depressed prices, the Turkish Daily News reported."
While most Americans think of the Middle East as swimming in oil, not all nations there are blessed with abundant hydrocarbon resources. Among those lacking substantial petroleum reserves are Turkey and Israel, leaving both nations to scramble to meet their energy requirements by diversifying their import sources."
The French parliament's lower house has approved a measure that would require France to hold a referendum on countries joining the European Union.
The French National Assembly approved the measure, which appeared to be aimed at Turkey's candidacy for EU membership, by a 48 to 21 vote, the EU Observer reported Friday."
If you are flying to Istanbul for first time and you are looking for any sign proving what you have learnt previously about Turkey – that Turkey is a country that is about to emerge as an economic powerhouse in Europe – you can look too close. All you need is looking your surroundings at the moment you land at the airport. Chances are that you have landed at the Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). SAW is the best proof that can show Turkey’s economic progress. "
Visiting Turkey is like going to an exhibit and seeing snapshots of centuries of history all in one place. But in this case, you get to dive to the sunken cities, touch the ruins of Troy, shop in the bazaars and stand in the Grand Theater where St. Paul preached. Even if you’re not a history buff, remnants of the Ottoman, Roman and Byzantine empires are sure to impress."
ANKARA, Turkey, May 30 (UPI) -- Officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey said Friday they are considering a diplomatic visit to Iraqi Kurdistan.
The announcement follows a visit by Kurdish delegates to Ankara last week to discuss boosting economic and political ties between Turkey and the semiautonomous region."
WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday imposed sanctions on the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, aimed at denying the rebel group access to the U.S. financial system."
AYDIN - Turkey`s first railway, constructed between the Aegean provinces of Aydin and Izmir in 1856 by Britain, is being renovated with a 20 million USD of investment."
The barber was reported to the police for cursing during an argument. Turkey's president has appealed to the Saudi monarch.
JIDDA, Saudi Arabia -- It's a profanity uttered countless times a day around the globe, but a barber in Saudi Arabia faces beheading for the crime of using God's name in vain. Sabri Bogday, a Turk who cuts hair in this Saudi port city, is awaiting appeal on his sentence."
Germany's Turkish community warned of continued racism in the country, while marking the 15th anniversary of an anti-foreigner arson attack in the western city of Solingen which killed five Turkish women and girls, the press reported Thursday."
ANKARA (AFP) — Turkey's former 1500m European champion Sureyya Ayhan has had a life ban for using banned substances reduced to four years on Friday, Anatolia news agency reported."
Turkish parliament passed a law Thursday to launch a 24-hour TV channel on State-run TRT with Kurdish-language programming along with some other dialects and languages, including Arabic and Farsi."
MOSCOW, May 30 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor will suspend imports of Turkish agricultural produce from June 7 after high levels of chemical fertilizers were found in the products."
Turkey's foreign minister, Ali Babacan, signed a contract in Berlin on Friday, May 30, to establish a German-language university in the Turkish city of Istanbul."
A leading Turkish gay rights group will fight a court ruling that ordered it be closed for 'violating morality'."
ISTANBUL, May 30 (Reuters) - Turkey can meet its share of investments in the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline to bring Caspian gas to Europe despite a sharp rise in expected costs, Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said on Friday."
Turkey may have changed but the sea recalls its history, writes Paul Ash.
This is the sound of a Turkish dawn: the cry of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, dogs barking and the thud of a mechanical digger breaking rock in a new housing development. The Sultan A, a 28m gulet of distinctly Turkish provenance, swings sweetly on anchor. "
Ankara residents have been consuming contaminated water from Kızılırmak River for the past three weeks, but are unaware of it, the capital's mayor told a press conference Wednesday"
Important note: This article was not written to label sociologist Şerif Mardin with a certain viewpoint as either Islamist or Kemalist. Mardin is an impartial scientist! The sole purpose of this article is to make contributions to his views.I would like to leave a note in history as well:The thesis introduced by Mardin has been discussed for a long time.Professor Mustafa Dilber of Boğaziçi University draws attention to the fact that Mardin's criticism over Kemalism's failure to fill the gap in “good, right and beautiful” philosophy, which is to be the backbone of this article, has been discussed in academic circles for fifty-something years. And Dilber as well made references to the same subject in his dissertation thesis in 1967."
The first time I visited Germany, I noticed that every third shop appeared to be owned and run by Turkish Germans. 'Yes,' my Canadian hosts told me, 'Turks are everywhere in Germany - and nobody talks to them, unless they need something cleaned.'"
Lobbying is quite a useful tool, if performed effectively of course. Those who want to influence international political or economic decision making, especially when certain new policy is still at its preparation stage, know very well how to successfully implement lobbying as part of their strategy. Apparently, that's the reason why there are currently around 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels, mainly consultants, lawyers, associations, corporations and NGOs who are seeking to influence the EU's legislative process. Out of these, some 2,600 special interest groups have established a permanent office in this European capital."
ISTANBUL // After the death of almost 90 workers in less than three years at shipyards in Istanbul, a public outcry has forced the government to close down one of the companies temporarily, but critics say the Dickensian working conditions at the shipyards are just one example of how far Turkey lags behind EU standards in enforcing safety rules and workers’ rights."
......The hardest case of all is Turkey. Its membership bid is currently in a form of suspended animation. Entry negotiations have been partly frozen to punish Turkey for its refusal to open its ports and airports to traffc from Cyprus. The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, remains publicly opposed to Turkish membership but has agreed to put high-level EU debate on the subject on hold until 2010, when a report on the future of the EU by a "group of the wise" (which was Mr Sarkozy’s idea) is due to be delivered. Turkey has serious problems of its own, starting with a court case that threatens to outlaw the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party for threatening the country’s secular order."
A senior U.S. official said here Thursday that the United States would always support Turkey in its fight against the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported. "
At least six main highway routes were also being targeted for privatization, Unakitan said."
Turkey and Russia signed an agreement on Wednesday, to boost relations in energy, agriculture and trade, and increase investments."
Turkish officials organized a meeting to promote Turkey's winter tourism facilities in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam on Thursday. Representatives of numerous hotels located in Turkey's winter tourism centers, as well as representatives of the Dutch tourism sector attended the meeting organized by officials from the Tourism Section of the Turkish Consulate General in the Hague."
ISTANBUL - A high-level official from the Dutch Foreign Invetsment Agency said on Wednesday that the Netherlands attached great importance to the cooperation with Turkish businessmen."
Dhaka, May 29, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- -- President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has stressed the need for boosting trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, saying there is huge scope for increasing trade flows between the two countries for mutual benefit of the both."
kilograms, roughly one dress size, a study conducted by the Turkish Association of Hypertension and Kidney Disease has shown."
ANKARA - Turkish maestro Gurer Aykal was decorated with Finland`s state medal on Thursday."
Berlin’s charming Bergama (Pergamon) Museum hosts a design exhibition for the first time in its history. The museum, which displays the Zeus Alter that has been transported from Anatolia, is now a platform for Turkish designs"
Public support for the European Union in Turkey has been eroding due to the 'double standards' over the country's membership bid, the Turkish prime minister re-issued a warning on Thursday."
Turkish and Greek chiefs of general staff debated confidence-building measures (CBM) in their meeting in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Turkey's General Staff said on Thursday in a statement posted on its website."
Turkey is likely to face power cuts again this summer as a combination of drought, poor planning and economic populism result in electricity production failing to keep pace with demand."
Efforts regarding the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline are underway, the energy minister saıd Tuesday, rejecting questions that have been raised about the future of the project."
.....“We need the Balkan states and Turkey to join the European Union – for both political and economic reasons. This is the only way we can secure stability and prosperity in Europe over the long term. This is particularly true of Turkey, which is not just tremendously important to Europe on economic grounds (but) especially important for reasons of security policy as it forms the bridge between Europe and Asia and the Arab states. It is an anchor of stability in a restless region."
The EU stressed judicial reforms in Turkey at a meeting Tuesday in Brussels. The case against the ruling AKP and possible chapter openings also were on the agenda."
As Turkey's foreign minister Ali Babacan returned home yesterday (28 May) from a two-day trip to Brussels, he could rest reassured of the EU's commitment to the accession talks. But Turkey should not expect an easy ride, with the EU pressing for more and faster reforms."
Once dismissed as imperialist fantasies about the Muslim world, British orientalist paintings are once again becoming popular. Their exotic visions tell us much about the social and cultural history of Victorian Britain"
Within the next couple of weeks a decision will be made by Turkey's Constitutional Court about the status of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its leaders. The AKP has been accused by a chief prosecutor of violating the Turkish Republic's founding principle: secularism - introduced by the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to transform Turkey into a modern European state. The irony is that the AKP has proven more modern and European in outlook and policies than its critics, and may be thrown out of power despite this. While Ataturk was the sole wielder of power during the early republic, he did set up institutions of democracy. These have been tested, even overruled, in the decades since Ataturk's death, and continue to be tested today. This most recent accusations directed against the AKP come as a response to reforms the AKP has implemented. The secular establishment, however, has argued that the AKP is pushing through reforms and promoting liberties selectively, in order to advance an Islamist agenda. The most emblematic of these reforms was a constitutional amendment abolishing the ban on headscarves in universities, which caused an uproar and led to the current challenge."
There are numerous experts in Turkey who are disputing Rehn’s analysis. They contend that the political struggle -- which is now centering on a Supreme Court case on a possible ban of the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- is more nuanced than what appears to be the perception from Brussels. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]."
European scepticism about Turkey's EU accession is fuelling a popular backlash among many Turks who are growing increasingly distrustful of the EU."
The top UN envoy in divided Cyprus said Thursday that he is encouraged by the momentum of the revived peace process but called for patience for substantive reunification talks to begin.
I will write about my month-long visit to Turkey later this week, probably tomorrow. I will publish photos, of course, and summarize what we did, what we saw, what happened in the country, etc.
For now, however, I’ll tell you all that I also visited Ankara, Turkey’s capital. I was invited by two Turkish friends, Fatma and Lale, to join them there (where they live). They told me that if I would come they would take me to some fascinating places, and they did what they promised; one of the things I visited was Anitkabir; the place where the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is buried."
NEW YORK - Turkish State Minister Mustafa Said Yazicioglu said Friday the most important problem of Turks living out of Turkey had to do with inability to vote in Turkish elections."
A strange debate about cows has occured in the European Parliament yesterday.
Several Turkish MPs and their European Parliament counterparts were discussing the problems about Customs Union between Ankara and Brussels."
Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs, the Diyanet, has sparked a controversy in a declaration on how women should behave in public life. The Diyanet, which controls the Muslim faith in Turkey, has, as Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, been sharply criticized by women's groups and supporters of the secular state."
Fazil Say’s international reputation continues to grow, and he has successfully made the step from child prodigy to highly successful international star. As the French newspaper Le Figaro put it: “He is more than just a brilliant pianist - he is set to become one of the greatest artists of the 21st century.“"
Turkey, which imports 90 percent of its energy needs, is positioning itself to become a major regional energy transit hub. Azeri and Iraqi oil already flow through pipelines crossing Turkey, but Ankara is seeking a bigger share of transporting rising Caspian energy exports."
The chairperson of a United States parliamentary delegation said on Thursday the U.S. would always support Turkey in its fight against the terrorist organization PKK."
France, due to take over of the rotating EU presidency on June 1, should revise its stance regarding the planned joint military exercise with the Greek Cypriot administration, Turkish Cypriot FM Turgay Avci told the Anatolian Agency on Wednesday."
The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION(R) network examines the riches and risks in the Turkish economy with an exclusive half hour-long special report, 'Turkey in Transition,' airing Friday, May 30th and repeating throughout the weekend.
'Last year's drought caused global food prices and energy to rise. So, inflation has been a global phenomenon across the board,' Turkey's Economy Minister Mehmet Simsek tells Bloomberg during the special program. 'Inflation in Turkey is at a forty year low, while in many other countries it is at a two decade high.'"
BRATISLAVA - Turkey`s Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan held a press conference with his Slovakian counterpart Jan Kubis following a tete-a-tete meeting and meeting between Turkish and Slovakian delegations on Wednesday."
BRUSSELS - Turkish and EU officials discussed the importance of intercultural dialogue, as well as the current status of Turkey`s relations with EU at a joint parliamentary commission meeting held in the Belgian capital, Brussels on Wednesday."
ISTANBUL - A Luxembourg-based property investment company considers Turkey a suitable country for investments with respect to its macroeconomic figures and remarkable initiatives in its EU accession process, a company executive said on Friday."
ISTANBUL, May 27 (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said a prosecutor's court bid to close the ruling AK Party was on a knife edge and the uncertainty was putting the brakes on foreign investment, newspapers reported on Tuesday."
ISTANBUL - A Louvre collection exhibition drew more than 50,000 visitors to an Istanbul museum, the museum authorities said on Tuesday."
CEYHAN - Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Saturday that Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline earned Turkey 2 billion USD."
ANKARA - Following are the highlights from today's Turkish daily SABAH. The Anadolu Agency is not responsible of opinions expressed or the context of the editorials and does not vouch for their accuracy."
Turkey's main opposition party CHP and the nationalist MHP raised their concerns over a tapping incident that local newspapers termed 'Turkish Watergate'. The opposition parties concerns were voiced after an Islamist newspaper published Tuesday, word-for-word, a conversation between CHP's number two person and a governor. The opposition leaders harshly criticized the government for 'hurting democratic values'. The CHP leader slammed the government and said the security forces tapped party offices, as the government vowed to investigate the claims. AKP Deputy Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat accused the CHP of casting aspersions over the ruling AKP, calling attention to the timing of the tapping claim as dark cloud over the AKP’s achievements, at a news conference in Ankara late on Wednesday. The prosecutor's office launched an investigation regarding the claims."
A list of controversial “dos and don’ts” regading sexual relations for Turkish women has been published by the Directorate of Religious Affairs. According to the much debated list(it is not law in Turkey) people should avoid having illegal etra-marital affairs and engaging in such behaviors as flirting and dating that might lead to adultery. Turkey is a nation in which some women are blatantly western in their normal behavior while others adhere more closely to traditional ways of behavior.The web site of the Directorate said “women have to be more careful since they have sexual stimulants.” It cited women who wear perfume outside fthe home as displaying immoral behavior because “Our Prophet Mohammed did not approve of women who wear perfume and fragrances outside their homes and he descried this action as immoral.”"
Turkey and Russia signed on Wednesday an agreement in the Russian capital of Moscow to enhance relations in energy, agriculture and trade, and increase investments."
ISTANBUL, May 28 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira firmed 2 percent on the day on Wednesday to its firmest since mid-May, as high interest rates lured investors."
On May 27, 2008 the History Channel aired “Noah’s Great Flood” in its Mega-Disasters series. The show hypothesizes that the Black Sea, between Russia, Ukraine, Romania on one side and Turkey on the other, was once a fresh water lake, apparently about 300 feet below sea level, and that the earliest urban civilizations began to develop along the lake, particularly on the southern (Turkish) side. (Note, the endorheic Caspian Sea to the east is actually 92 feet below sea level). Then, one day about 8000 years ago, the Mediterranean Sea overflowed through the Strait of Bosporus, filling up the lake and creating today’s Black Sea, which is saline but which has unusual composition and different depths."
Berlin - Ali Babacan, the Turkish foreign minister, is to sign a contract in Berlin this Friday to establish a German-language university in the Turkish city of Istanbul, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin said Wednesday. Two German ministers, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (foreign) and Annette Schavan (education), will sign for Germany."
Turkey surpasses European countries with its investments in outlet centers, in which YATIRIM manufacturers sell their products directly to the public through their own stores."
In a country known for embracing both democracy and its Muslim heritage, an attempt to dissolve the ruling Islamic party sets up a looming crisis.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY -- At the ancient, towering gates of Istanbul University, students say, there was once an easy mingling of young women who choose to cover their heads as an expression of their Muslim beliefs, and those who do not."
SAN CLEMENTE – Five decomposed bodies found over the holiday weekend in an upscale Orange County home were members of a Turkish-American family that spanned three generations, authorities said Tuesday."
In July 2003, Turkey announced its candidacy for one of the non-permanent seats allocated to the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) at the United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010. The voting will take place on October 16 2008 during the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The first and last time Turkey served at the Security Council was almost 50 years ago when Turkey shared a two-year term with Poland in 1960. At the dawn of the 21st century, Turkey seeks greater responsibility within the global community and will compete with Iceland and Austria for one of the two seats allocated to the WEOG at the Security Council."
Turkey's prime minister has launched a $14.5bn development plan aiming to ease the poverty that feeds violent Kurdish separatism in the country's south-east."
Why do young girls kill their mothers in Turkey?
"Why do young girls kill their mothers in Turkey?
What is the most precious thing for a mother? Undoubtedly, her children. And isn’t the mother the most precious and valuable asset for her children? Isn’t the relationship between a mother and her young girl special?
So, why is Turkey currently experiencing a rash of recent killings of mothers by their daughters? Why do we hear of murders almost every week? Why is this happening?"
UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 27 May 2008 -- On 8 May FRIDE organised a conference entitled “Turkey’s role in Europe. Looking beyond the membership question – social cohesion, shared values and parallel security interests”, as part of its “FRIDE in Casa de Galicia” series of seminars."
I was first inspired to travel to Turkey by a poster framed and hung in our Turkish-themed family room. It showed an isolated hilltop palace, which was once home to a powerful and wealthy Kurdish chieftain. Although today long abandoned, and in various stages of collapse due to neglect and disassembly by the nearest villagers, the walled, hilltop complex, with its soaring towers and minarets, clearly suggested the grandeur that was reported to have once existed there. So wonderful were the accommodations therein said to have been, that visiting dignitaries from Persia, and other eastern places, were full of its praise by the time they later reached Constantinople (today's Istanbul). It was even breathlessly reported that the palace had solid gold plumbing. The Sultan was so irritated by listening to his guests rave about Ishak Pasha's palace that he made the popular Kurdish chief persona non grata (unwelcome) in Constantinople. For years, I dreamed of taking my cameras there"
Ugur Kenan Ipek, Midwest consul general of Turkey, during a visit to St. Louis last week, stressed Turkey's 'strong, lasting and positive relations' with the State of Israel, the United States and with Jews in his own country, America and in all of the cities in his large jurisdiction."
The official communiqué last week announcing the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria stressed that it was in accordance with the principles established at the 1991 Madrid conference."
"Is Turkey's Government Starting a Muslim Reformation?
[ARAB COUNTRIES] Accounts from Turkey suggest that the government is attempting a bold re-interpretation of Islam.
Its unusually named ministry of religion, the 'Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Religious Charitable Foundation,' has undertaken a three-year 'Hadith Project' systematically to review 162,000 hadith reports and winnow them down to some 10,000, with the goal of separating original Islam from the accretions of fourteen centuries."
BRUSSELS: The European Union and Turkey blamed each other Tuesday for the slow pace of negotiations about Turkey's entry into the EU.
The Turkish foreign minister, Ali Babacan, in an oblique reference to France, said questions about whether his country should join at all dampened enthusiasm in Turkey for far-reaching changes in politics and other matters related to membership."
Adding to its much coveted resume as “Europe’s bridge to the Middle East”, Turkey has now been officially recognized as the facilitator of talks between Israel and Syria. Whether or not the Israeli media agrees with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s motivations for publicizing the existence of talks, Turkey can at least shine in the warm spotlight of international recognition for a few weeks."
German red tape and a lack of will on the part of officialdom is putting some Muslim women in a very dangerous position. Instead of protecting them from the threat of honor killings, some of the bureaucracy actually increases the risk."
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 27, 2008) - The Mosaic Institute (www.mosaicinstitute.ca) invited to Toronto, Kaan Soyak, the Co-Chair of The Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) (www.tabdc.org) to address a group of Canadians of Turkish and Armenian origin at a dinner reception on May 22. The Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO, seeks to address conflict regions of the world by facilitating dialogue between their respective diaspora communities in Canada. The TABDC is the international leader in promoting improved Turkish-Armenian relations."
Celebrated Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan was awarded Best Director in Cannes on Sunday. Perhaps now Turks will finally go see his movies. Despite being heralded globally for his movie magic, Ceylan's films — slow-paced, poetic tales of individuals struggling against the bleak backdrop of modern Turkey — routinely flop back home. Distant, a previous Cannes competitor, was seen by just 20,000 people in Turkey — only one-fourth as many as saw it in France. His current Cannes winner, Three Monkeys, has yet to sell to Turkish TV, which has deemed it too arty."
Turkey remains a major transit route for heroin trafficking with a substantial proportion of the revenue being used to finance radical organizations, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to a recent report by the Department for Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) in the Turkish Interior Ministry."
BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - European Union (EU) commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn told the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee that he wants to see 'progression, not regression' in Turkey's reform efforts to meet EU accession principles."
´The opening of some chapters are blocked,´ Babacan told a news conference, referring to the 35 reform areas.
Turkey told the European Union on Tuesday the slow pace of its accession talks was causing public enthusiasm for membership of the bloc to wane, but the EU insisted it was up to Ankara to push harder on reforms.
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan cited one unnamed EU state in particular as holding up part of the talks started in 2005, an indirect reference to France and President Nicolas Sarkozy's oft-stated opposition to Turkey's membership aspirations."
ISTANBUL, May 27 (Reuters) - Turkish shares rose on Tuesday, led higher by a rebound in recently battered banking stocks, but the rally was expected to be short lived due to ongoing political uncertainty."
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, May 27 (Reuters) - Turkey's prime minister launched a multi-billion dollar development plan for the poor, mainly Kurdish, southeast on Tuesday which he said would help reduce the poverty which feeds violent separatism."
We see the government signaling a step back in the reform process and a return to populist political implementations that we have not seen for years, Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said on Tuesday."
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is today set to announce the government's action plan to complete the long-suspended Southeastern Anatolia Project, known by its Turkish acronym GAP."
ANKARA, Turkey: Kurdish politicians have skipped a major speech by Turkey's prime minister to protest the government's refusal to recognize the country's Kurdish minority."
BRUSSELS, Belgium: Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said Tuesday he still hopes to begin face-to-face negotiations on reunifying Cyprus with his Greek Cypriot counterpart next month and aims to get a deal by the end of the year."
The EU expressed concern at the slowing pace of reforms intended to bring Turkey into line with the accession requirements of the bloc."
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Turkey on Tuesday signed an agreement on mutual logistics support, enabling smooth exchanges of military munitions during times of peace or war, the Defense Ministry said."
MOSCOW, May 27 (Reuters) - Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it had increased gas supplies to Turkey after it asked for more gas following a stoppage of flows from Iran."
ANKARA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's drug trafficking report for 2007 revealed that at least 31 tons of opium and 13 tons of heroin were seized in Turkey last year, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on Tuesday."
Support from the private sector is crucial to Istanbul's preparations to become European Capital of Culture in 2010, said the chairman of Istanbul 2010's Executive Board over the weekend."
"What is happening in Turkey?
Turkish politics is on the brink of a new era as whatever the outcome of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Justice and Development Party (AKP), a new political landscape will emerge after the changes enforced, argues Senem Aydin Düzgit in a 22 May commentary for the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)."
The Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union – Memur-Sen has held another warning strike at the 'Central Bank' after the two sides failed to reach agreement.
The Union President Sener Ozburak said that problems – being faced over additional payments, working conditions and organization’s law, are still continuing."
The flow of Iranian natural gas to Turkey was halted early on Monday after an explosion hit a gas pipeline in eastern Turkey, Turkish energy officials said.
A senior military source in southeast Turkey, who declined to be named, told Reuters the blast was the work of the outlawed separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)."
It’s too late for Hrant Dink, the brave Armenian-Turkish newspaperman who was murdered in 2007, not long after being convicted of violating Turkey’s medieval Article 301 which made it a crime to “insult Turkishness,” which is pretty hard to do when so much of your history is built on bayoneting babies and your national sport is invasion."
Istanbul welcomed a new modern museum; the Museum of the History of Islam, Science, and Technology is opened in the Gülhane Park on May 24, 2008.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the world’s first museum of Islamic science and technology museum.
The world’s first museum of Islamic science and technology, a project backed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with the Greater İstanbul Municipality, will open in İstanbul’s Gülhane Park in May."
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the tourism statistics for April. The statistics show that the number of tourists visiting Turkey in 2008 is expected to increase significantly.
The number of tourists visiting Turkey in the first four months of 2008 increased by 12.37 percent over the same period last year, reaching 4.63 million."
The Chicago Turkish Festival returns to the Daley Center this week.
Hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish American community in the Chicagoland area, the festival will focus on the arts, culture and cuisine of Turkey. One of the summer's first ethnic festivals, it runs Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free. "
When Rebetiko and Balkan music is spoken of in Turkey, the name of the virtuoso accordionist Muammer Ketencoğlu is inevitably mentioned. Every week on the radio the folk music scholar takes his listeners 'to the other side of the Danube' – with great success."
Turkey resisting U.S. demands to X-ray containers bound for U.S.
"Turkey resisting U.S. demands to X-ray containers bound for U.S.
ANKARA — Turkey and the United States are clashing over border security procedures.
Officials said Turkey has rejected a U.S. demand for equipment to screen containers destined for the United States. They said Washington has required X-ray and other equipment to certify the Turkish port of Izmir as safe for the re-export of goods to the United States."
More:World Tribune — Turkey resisting U.S. demands to X-ray containers bound for U.S.
A private Turkish company known for its successful research and development (R&D) projects has produced a unique type of tomato that grows only in water, which experts claim has no equivalent anywhere in the world. The Dizayn Group, a prominent actor in the Turkish heating and plumbing sectors, produced the special type of tomatoes that do not need soil to grow at its R&D center in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. The total amount produced in one year is 1,600 kilograms from a single tomato seed. The product will soon be available on the market under the name Miracle."
With a row between the Islamist-rooted AKP government and the secular judiciary compounding Turkey's political crisis, the European Parliament (EP) has stepped in and urged both sides to refrain from controversial moves."
The flow of Iranian natural gas to Turkey was halted early on Monday after an explosion hit a gas pipeline in eastern Turkey, Turkish energy officials said. A senior military source in southeast Turkey, who declined to be named, told Reuters the blast was the work of the outlawed separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Work to repair the pipeline, hit just after midnight, was underway and it should be operational in a few days time, said a source at state gas company Botas. "The first results of the investigation show damage to a 30 metre (98 ft) piece of the pipeline which will need to be replaced," the Botas source told Reuters. An energy ministry official, who declined to be named, said the blast, which he believed may have been sabotage, occurred around 13 kilometres (8 miles) inside Turkish territory.
ANKARA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish technology firm stated on Monday that its boron products might narrow the ozone hole, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
'The products manufactured using boron minerals decreased the amount of exhaust gas released by motor vehicles by 15 percent, thus making the hole on the ozone layer getting smaller,' General Manager of NNT Nano Teknoloji A.S. Mehmet Can Arvas was quoted as saying."
ISTANBUL, May 26 (Reuters) - Turkish currency and stocks weakened on Monday along with global markets, while shares in banks fell more sharply than the rest of the market on concerns about plans to tighten rules on credit cards."
Greece's top commander Dimitros Grapsas praised Monday Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and former Greek leader Eleftherios Venizelos, saying their countries are lucky to have such great leaders, at a meeting with his Turk counterpart."
Leading Turkish businessmen and industrialists are urging the government to privatize the energy production sector as soon as possible, a report revealed last week."
Turkish President Abdullah Gul steps in to resolve the conflict between the government and the high judiciary, and urged all parties to be careful to avoid such debates that harm stability and Turkey's reputation. Gul met the chairman of the Supreme Court Monday."
A German deputy of Turkish origins dining with fellow parliamentarians at a hotel in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet Square was told she could not be served alcohol, unlike the rest of the group, because she was Turkish. "
Turkey takes a controversial turn in the process of full membership to the European Union. Yet, how this, which we are trying for almost a half century, will be concluded is unknown. Although EU officials say this is normal, if we ask this to an ordinary citizen we realize that people are getting indifferent toward relations with the EU as officials shrug their shoulder to the questions. According to European diplomats, Turkey has to do a lot for full EU membership.I will focus on a critical point in this article, rather than bilateral relations. And it is that there is too much EU interference in our internal matters; or in other words, they're getting “more involved in Turkey's internal affairs.” "
A Turkish play will travel to Broadway for the first time. ‘Kanlı Nigar’ (The Wedding night / Bloody Nigar), considered an unforgettable work of art in Turkey, will be staged by the Turkish–American Art Society of New York"
The Kültepe-Kaniş-Karum excavations that are being carried out under the leadership of Professor Fikri Kulakoğlu of Ankara University's Archaeology Department, are celebrating their 60th anniversary. The goal of the excavations is to reveal huge statues and monuments which are believed to exist along the city walls"
Uruguay came from behind twice to defeat Turkey 3-2 in an exciting international friendly match played in Bochum, Germany."
Another Eurovision Song Contest is over and the same grumblings have started to be heard again: 'Neighbors vote for each other!' 'It doesn't matter if you have a good song or not!' etc...."
It’s too late for Hrant Dink, the brave Armenian-Turkish newspaperman who was murdered in 2007, not long after being convicted of violating Turkey’s medieval Article 301 which made it a crime to “insult Turkishness,” which is pretty hard to do when so much of your history is built on bayoneting babies and your national sport is invasion. The European Union has weakly requested that Turkey scrap Article 301 as one requirement to become a member of the European Union, where it is okay to insult all nationalities, allowed in real democracies. With Dink’s murder safely behind them, and knowing the economic benefits of being in the EU are looming, Turkey has amended its law so that it’s no longer a crime to insult Turkishness. You just can’t insult the Turkish nation, which means you can only insult foreigners there apparently."
Turkey's Nuri Bilge Ceylan won Cannes' Best Director prize on Sunday for his searing family drama "Three Monkeys".
According to a recent article in the Jerusalem Post (“Is Turkey's Government Starting a Muslim Reformation?” Daniel Pipes, May 22, 2008), a government ministry in Turkey, the so-called “Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Religious Charitable Foundation,” has undertaken a three year project to study and condense thousands of pages of material associated with Islam. The problem, they claim, is that fourteen hundred years of “Hadiths,” reports about the sayings and deeds of Muhammad, have distorted the meaning of Islam as revealed in Islam’s central text, the Koran. The goal of the project is to weed-out all that is inconsistent with the Koran."
Turkey's president approves "employment package"
Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved the Labor Law which is publicly called 'employment package' on Sunday. The Package was criticized by economists because of the amnesty to premium debts of employers to Social Security Institution it brings."
More:Turkey's president approves "employment package"
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday the Supreme Court did not have authority to issue the statement that criticized last week 'certain political circles' for attempting to influence and control the judiciary."
Turkey's ruling AKP member Zafer Uskul, a professor of law, said on Saturday he did not believe the AKP will be shut down, adding the ruling party had no alternative plans in the closure case, the Anatolian Agency reported."
Nicosia. An opinion poll conducted in Northern Cyprus says that 50.4% of the Turkish Cypriots would like to see that part of the island continue existing as “an independent state,” the Cypriot Famagusta Gazette writes, citing the Volkan, a Turkish Cypriot newspaper.
Asked how they would like for the Cypriot issue to be resolved, 4.6% of the respondents say they are in favor of a federal state, 20.1% describe the unimplemented Annan plan as the best option, and only 6.6% are in favor of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been recognized by Turkey only."
ECOTA, Turkey's first preferential trade agreement after Customs Union, that will gradually drop the 80 percent of the products' customs taxes to 15 percent would take effect on January 1 in 2009, Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Sunday, Anatolian Agency reported."
Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Crude Oil Pipeline earned Turkey $2 billion and it is now Samsun-Ceyhan and Nabucco projects' turn, Turkey's Energy Minister, Hilmi Guler said on Saturday."
Carrying red and white Turkish flags and wearing red and white, thousands of Turkish-American people gathered in New York to attend the 27th Turkish Day Parade and Festival on Saturday."
ON AN icy February morning a clutch of Turks and Armenians huddled in a hotel in Kars, with Turkish intelligence officials looking on. On May 14th their secret, a giant round of cheese, was unveiled in Gyumri, over the sealed border in Armenia. Under the label of “Caucasian cheese”, the yellow slab symbolises reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, and across the Caucasus."
Baku. Vugar Mesimoghlu-APA. Azerbaijan’s song, Day After Day by Elnur Huseynov & Samir Javadzade in the country’s first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest, picked up 132 points from the 43 countries taking part in this year’s contest in Belgrade."
Turkey can't avoid stepping on its neighbors' toes forever, an American foreign policy expert said Friday, noting that Turkey should put it's cards on the table and realize it cannot be everything to everyone."
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Friday he will wait until late Monday to decide whether to attend a Turkey-European Union meeting, in response to a French initiative to remove the word �accession� from a key EU document."
"Turkey rowing to a sinking ship?
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announces Turkey’s request for full membership will be decided on in October. Turkey expects such membership to bring in extra financing in private sector investment, but the bank is deeply divided on what course to take in the future"
More important than the comments issued about the advanced Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel are those that were not issued. Particularly the comments that one could have expected from governments and organizations intent on showing 'clarity' in their stance, when it concerns open conflict with Israel and the imminent end of the Hebrew state, as that state celebrates its 60th anniversary… and the state of the Arabs remains what it is!"
(IsraelNN.com) Turkey, a vacation destination for many Israelis and the home newly launched talks with Syria, is experiencing an upsurge in Islamist programs targeting Israel for destruction."
ANKARA (AFP) — Turkish President Abdullah Gul will pay a five-day official visit to Japan in early June, the first ever by a Turkish head of state, his office said Saturday.
Gul, accompanied by several ministers and a large delegation of businessmen, will meet Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Senate President Satsuki Eda and lower house Speaker Yohei Kono during the June 3-8 visit."
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's state-run news agency says suspected Kurdish rebels have detonated a bomb that derailed five cars of a train in southeast Turkey.
ISTANBUL, May 24 (Reuters) - Economy Minister Mehmet Simsek denied a report on Saturday that the goverment was thinking of raising electricity prices by 19 percent for households before July this year."
An opinion poll carried out in occupied northern Cyprus has suggested that 50.4% of Turkish Cypriots would like to see the northern sector continue to exist as a so-called “independent state”."
The most important thing about the Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations is not that they are happening but where they are happening. A few months ago, President Shimon Peres addressed the Turkish parliament in Hebrew."
Businesswomen in İzmir are getting together to establish an association to promote their work in local and international platforms, to strengthen their job portfolios and to prepare projects that encourage women who do not work to claim their place in the job market."
A new Turkish philanthropist enters Turkey's foundation scene with the Turkish Philanthropy Foundation spearheaded by Haldun Taşman. Having spent more than 40 years in the US, Taşman hopes to inspire more giving on both sides of the Atlantic"
A report by Human Rights Watch says gay and transgender people in Turkey are subject to 'endemic abuses', and calls on the government to act to protect them. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford met some of the victims."
The head of the city’s Turkish association is bracing for more violence after a bloody fight between rival groups at a west-end cafe.
“I’m very sad today,” said Turkish Canadian Association president Kenan Tan, who worries the Thursday’s violence will give a “bad name to the Turkish people.”"
An EU Training Program, started in 2005 with the support of Philip Morris/Sabancı, among the leading industrial establishments of İzmir since 1992, has been one of most important components of the European Union process in informing people in the Aegean region."
Areva T&D Division, one of three global players in the transmission and distribution of energy, decided to invest $105 million in Turkey."
A simple wooden chair in a kebab shop is the latest must-see sight in Bursa, Turkey, ever since the Queen used it on a recent state visit to the country."
To the Editor: When I read “Istanbul’s Beat Is International” (May 11), I said to myself, no wonder. We can justify the new Turkish sound, as you refer to it, by the type of rock club/brewery/basement music joint I visited in December 2007. I was invited for a night out by two young Istanbul locals and we wound up at Balans, the kind of place where the entrance is a back door in an alley."
ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Friday that his country has not yet decided to join the 'Unity for the Mediterranean,' the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported."
Today I saw that the AKP government in Turkey is still trying to impose its will on higher education, by appointing the rectors of new public universities in Turkey."
The debts of farmers are going to be postponed in the cities of Turkey's southeastern provinces affected by drought, Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said on Thursday."
ISTANBUL, May 23 (Reuters) - Turkish lender Garanti Bank GARAN.IS said on Friday the Capital Markets Board (SPK) and banking regulator BDDK had approved its application for a 100 percent capital hike."
An inspiring conference on Turkey-Armenia relations was held in Yerevan this past Tuesday. At the end of the event, which was organized by the Yerevan-based Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation, and supported by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and USAID, a number of students among the audience took the microphone kindly asking that their “elders” guide them in making a difference in the relationship. Thirty young students were motivated to give me their email addresses with hopes that I could link them with Turkish counterparts upon my return to Istanbul."
Potential membership of the European Union (EU) could improve many aspects of Turkish living, which may interest those considering purchasing property in the country.
A report by Amberlamb looks at the hopeful predictions made about Turkey as an investment destination, made as it prepares for the busy tourist season with and following news that a positive economy is improving prospects.
Due to the lack of free market in the energy sector, Turkey will face supply-related problems in the summer months, warns Turkish Industrialists' And Businessmen's Association. It is crucial to speed up investments to prevent deficit"
Turkey's Intercollegiate Board (UAK) supported on Friday the Supreme Court as the board's chairman said the judiciary was criticized unfairly by both the government and from abroad."
Reuters Fri May 23, 2008 (...) The fading of hope for religious reform fits into a larger picture of the ruling party's fading interest in the democratic reforms needed if Turkey is ever to become an EU member.
"They only wanted a place in the power system. Once they got it, they stopped," said Ankara University sociologist Dogu Ergil.
Rusen Cakir, author of several books on Islam and politics in Turkey, said political power rather than religion was always key to the AK Party's confrontation with the secularist elite."
Turkey has been making positive assessments of the project of the Mediterranean Union, although it is still not clear that Turkey will join the project, Turkey's FM Ali Babacan told on Friday in a joint news conference with his Croatian counterpart."
An advertisement by the Kurdish Institute of Paris and deputies of Turkey's pro-Kurdish party, or DTP, that appeared in Le Monde calling for an international mediator to help in solving the Kurdish problem sparked angry reaction in Turkey yesterday. " | 2019-04-18T22:40:03Z | http://turkishdigest.blogspot.com/2008/05/ |
This part of the series looks at the best players to emerge from the academy at AS Roma.
Roma are a proud club. For their supporters the team embodies the spirit of the city of Rome. Fans revel in their side playing in the colours of the city, red and yellow, and having the ancient symbol, Romulus and Remus with the she wolf, on their kit. Another manifestation of this pride is felt when they see a Roman play for the club. And Roma fans have seen plenty of their own wear the famous Giallorossi shirt. From World Cup winner Bruno Conti, who is now head of Roma’s youth sector, to Agostino Di Bartolomei, many of Roma’s best players have been “one of their own”.
In recent years however there has been a shift in the Giallorossi’s transfer policy. At the turn of the millennium, Roma paid huge transfer fees for some of the best players in the world. The likes of Gabriel Batistuta, Hidetoshi Nakata and Antonio Cassano, all cost a small fortune. They also cost some youth players their chance at Roma. Although the Giallorossi do not spend as much money on transfers these days, young Roma players still find it hard to break through into the first team. In what is seen by many as a worrying trend, Roma like many other clubs in Italy today, have a low proportion of players who have come through their academy in their first team squad. That being said, whether their breakthrough has come at the Stadio Olimpico or further afield, Roma have still produced some fantastic young players in recent years.
Note that these are professional footballers whom have played in or after 2000.
Not one of the household names to come out of the Roma academy, but he has proven in recent years to be a useful forward. Born in a small Umbrian town to Nigerian parents, Okaka moved to the Italian capital in 2004 to join Roma’s academy at the tender age of 14. Okaka was part of the class of 2005 at Roma who won the Primavera title, with the striker scoring in both the semi-final and final against Atalanta and Juventus. Just a year later he made history, becoming the youngest player to make their debut in Europe for an Italian side. His first goal for the club came later in the same year against rivals Napoli in the Coppa Italia. However his direct style and physical presence did not suit coach Luciano Spalletti’s manner of play and Okaka soon found himself out on loan. He spent spells at clubs such and Modena and Brescia as well as English side Fulham but Okaka failed to impress. On his return to Roma, he was attacked by a group of fans for apparently refusing to sign autographs. Okaka moved on quickly to Parma but once again could not establish himself.
The Italian winger never played a game for Roma’s first team yet Simone Pepe has achieved tremendous success in his career so far. Pepe was on loan at lower league sides before moving to Sicilian side Palermo in 2003. He helped the Rosanero win Serie B for the first time in the club’s history. However Pepe struggled to establish himself in a fine Palermo squad once they were promoted, which went onto to re-establish itself in Italy’s top tier and provide four players for Italy’s triumphant World Cup campaign in 2006. He thus moved to Udinese and shone. Forming a dynamic forward line along with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Di Natale, Pepe earned praise for his fast and hardworking style. His performances at Udinese earned his an Italy call up in 2008. He was part of Italy’s Confederation and World Cup squads in 2009 and 2010. Despite the Azzurri’s poor showing in South Africa, Pepe got his big money move to Juventus. The Roman born winger adapted straight away to new coach Antonio Conte’s style of play, which took Serie A by storm in 2011. Pepe won four Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia during his time in Turin as well as being part of the squad who reached the Champions League final in 2015. Yet when Conte was replaced by Allegri in 2014, Pepe found himself marginalised and lacking first team football. There was no surprise therefore that he left the Bianconeri in the summer and moved to Chievo. Pepe achieved remarkable success at Juve and Conte will tell you just how important the Roma academy graduate was to his remarkable Juve side.
Alessio Cerci was held in high regards when he came through the Roma academy. He made his Serie A debut for his local club, when Fabio Capello brought him on late on at home to Sampdoria. In the next season he was part of the successful Roma team which won the primavera title in 2004-5. After successful loan periods in Serie A, Cerci was ready to make his breakthrough at Roma but he suffered a series of injury set back including an anterior crucial ligament injury which kept him out for an extended period of time. It was therefore only in 2009 when Cerci scored his first goal for the Giallorossi. Yet in the 2009/10 season could not break into Claudio Ranieri’s side, which went onto finish runners up to Jose Mourinho’s Inter in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Out of favour in Rome, Cerci moved to Florence under former Roma coach Cesare Prandelli. At Fiorentina, Cerci came of age. His direct style of play on the right wing, favouring to cut in onto his favourite left foot, Cerci became a vital part of La Viola’s first 11. Interest came from Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City but Cerci turned the move down. However he did leave Florence after falling out with the club and the fans. His antics away from the pitch annoyed many people at Fiorentina, notable when he parked his car in a space reserved for the police. Although considered a step down, Cerci cemented his status as a star in Serie A at Torino. Combining with Ciro Immobile to form a dynamic duo, Cerci helped Torino reached Europe and earned a place in Prandelli’s Italy squad for the World Cup. Despite not impressing in Brazil, Cerci got a big move to Champions League runners up Atletico Madrid. Yet since then his career has plummeted. He made only six appearances for the Spanish and has since joined AC Milan on loan. But at the San Siro he has barely featured and even has looked out of shape at time. Cerci has much work to do if he is to fulfil the potential he showed in his early Roma days.
Bertolacci is another player who never played for Roma’s first team. The 24-year-old instead made his name in the Italian game at Lecce. Over two years he made over 40 appearances at the Puglia side notably scoring a double against Juventus, which were his first goals at senior level. With the arrival of the likes of Miralem Pjanic to bolster the Giallorossi midfield, Bertolacci faced the exit door at Roma. He was subsequently part of the deal which saw Panagiotis Tachtsidis move to Rome and Bertolacci headed north. At Genoa, the Rome born midfielder finally found his feet in Italy’s top tier. In three years at Genoa between 2012 and 2015, Bertolacci made nearly 90 appearances for the first team. His style matured as he developed into a highly effective box to box player, with an eye for a goal. The left footer can also play in slightly further up the pitch behind a forward, where his passing technique and vision can help unlock defences.
While at Genoa, Bertolacci also made his debut for the Italian national side. Fittingly he played his first game for Italy at Genoa’s stadium, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, in a qualifier against Albania. Bertolacci still has not nailed down a place in Italy’s starting 11 but with five caps to his name, he is certainly in the plans of Antonio Conte. This summer, Bertolacci’s career took a dramatic turn. After Roma bought back Genoa’s 50% stake in the player, the Giallorossi let Bertolacci leave the club for good as they sold him to AC Milan for around €20 million. With a quarter of the quality of Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi to choose from in the central midfielder, it was always unlikely Bertolacci would get enough time to fulfil his potential at the Olimpico. Yet for Roma to sell a player with such promise was surprising. Bertolacci has struggled with injuries so far at the San Siro but it still could be the case that he may be the one that got away for Roma.
Alessio Romagnoli is the youngest player on this list but what he lacks in experiences and age, he certainly makes up for in potential. Zdenek Zeman is famed in Italy for giving young players at chance, most notably for the young trio of Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Marco Veratti all making their big breaks under the Czech coach at Pescara. It was Zeman who made the surprising decision to call up the 17-year-old Romagnoli to the Roma pre-season training camp on the eve of the 2012/13 season. Although Zeman barely made it half way through the season before being sacked, he gave Romagnoli the opportunity to shine at an incredibly young age. He made his debut against Atalanta in December 2012 and went on to make another two appearances that season. Under new coach Rudi Garcia, Romagnoli’s opportunities grew in the next campaign and the young defender made over 10 starts for the Giallorossi. Then Romagnoli went out on loan for the 2014/15 season to fellow Serie A side Sampdoria. The year in Genoa proved to be pivotal in Romagnoli’s development.
When Romagnoli left for Sampdoria, he was a young defender full of potential. When he returned to Rome in the following summer, he was a proven Serie A centre back. Developing his style under coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, Romagnoli matured into a stylish defender. With many drawing comparison to a certain Alessandro Nesta, Romagnoli has the grace of a tradition Italian defender and is extremely composed and elegant on the ball. Playing 30 times in Serie A, Romagnoli helped guide Sampdoria to European qualification. He also earned himself a spot in the Italy under 21 squad. It seemed Roma had finally found their (cheap) solution to replacing the likes of Marquinhos and Mehdi Benatia, both centre-backs who had left in big money deals to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Yet like Bertolacci, Romagnoli was sold to Milan this summer. The transfer fee was and continues to be a cause of debate. €25 million is a huge amount for a 20-year-old with just one full year of Serie A experience. Romagnoli does, however, have undoubted talent. Giallorossi fans will hope that their club have not sacrificed long term advantages for short term gains.
Alberto Aquilani looked destined to become a central figure for both club and country, but he career has never truly taken off and he has become a somewhat of a journey man. Clubs around Europe knew of Aquilani’s talent early in his career, with Chelsea and Arsenal reportedly offering him contracts before he had made his first team debut. His first game for Roma came under Fabio Capello against Torino in May 2002. The following season he was loaned out to Triestina in Serie B. Upon his return, Aquilani forged a close relationship with the club and began a fan favourite. He was nicknamed “Il Principino” (The Little Prince), as a tribute to Roma legend Giuseppe Giannini who was known as Il Principe (The King), with Aquilani remarkably similar to him both in terms of appearance and playing style. He scored vital goals, notably in the derby against Lazio in 2006 which earned Roma’s their 11th straight Serie A win, a club record. Yet just when Aquilani was starting to impose himself on both Roma and Italy, injuries started to take their toll. During the 2008/09 he was ruled out for seven months due to a thigh injury. With his career at a crossroads, Aquilani made a huge decision.
Liverpool bought Aquilani to bring their trophy home but the Italian was barely on the pitch at Anfield. Another set of injuries put pay to his time in England and he was sent on loan back to Italy, His spells at Juventus and AC Milan on loan were mixed but he rediscovered his best form at his next club. Fiorentina took a gamble on Aquilani when they signed the injury prone player, yet the Rome born midfielder repaid their faith. Aquilani got back to his dynamic, box to box style in Florence which had been lacking for the last five years or so. Aquilani was part of a Fiorentina side who, coached by Vincenzo Montella who played with Aquilani at Roma, finished fourth in three consecutive seasons in Serie A and reached the semi-final of the Europa League. Yet when Montella was replaced by Paulo Sousa, Aquilani faced the exit door. The midfielder now plays at Sporting Lisbon, in Sousa’s native Portugal. Aquilani is now 31 and there is a real sense of what might have been for the baby faced midfielder.
Versatility is an asset that every coach graves and in Alessandro Florenzi, Roma have a player who is blessed with this asset. Florenzi made his debut for Roma against Sampdoria in May 2012 and then was sent on loan to Crotone. He thrived getting first team football week in week out and scored 11 from 35 appearances from in central midfield role in Serie B. He made such an impact while on loan that just after returning to Roma he was rewarded with is first call up in the autumn of 2012 by coach Cesare Prandelli. Florenzi was recalled by Zdenek Zeman but it was when Rudi Garcia took over at the club that Florenzi’s Roma career really took off. Florenzi featured in all of Roma’s recording ten consecutive wins at the start of the season went onto to only miss two Serie A games all campaign.
It was in Garcia’s second season where Florenzi shined in an unnatural position. Due to injuries, Florenzi was shifted to right back in the Roma starting line-up. Rather than complaining, Florenzi took the change of role in his side. His energetic style of play is perfectly suited to Garcia’s attacking style of full back and his tactical knowledge has helped him seamlessly adapt to being in the backline. Despite his great ability as both a defender and midfielder, it is a goal he scored in match day one of the Champions League against Barcelona which Florenzi is best known for. From nearly sixty yards and while on the run towards the by-line Florenzi lobbed Marc Andre Ter-Stagen in the Barca goal to send the Olimpico mad. Overnight Florenzi became an internet star and his goal was named as one of the three final nominees for the 2015 FIFA Puskas Award as the best goal during the calendar year. Even without the wonder goal, Florenzi has all the attributes to be a key member of both the Roma and Italy team for many years to come.
Nicknamed Tyson because of his boxer like build, Angelo Peruzzi was one of the best Italian goalkeepers of his generation if not of all time. Although Peruzzi grew up at the Roma academy, he left the side after just 13 appearances after five years at the club. Somewhat surprisingly he left the Giallorossi to join Juventus as competition for Stefano Tacconi in the Bianconeri goal. Peruzzi was not competition for long. He quickly made the number one jersey his own, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A. In eight years at Juve, Peruzzi made over 200 appearances and won everything he could. Three Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa completed the domestic treble and Peruzzi also won the UEFA cup and UEFA Supercup. But was winning the Champions League in Rome in 1996 that Peruzzi is most fondly remembered by Juventus fans. Peruzzi saved two penalties in the shootout in the final in Rome as the Old Lady claimed her second European cup. At this time Peruzzi was at the peak of his powers. A dominant goalkeeper, Peruzzi commanded his penalty area and was a super shot-stopper. After leaving Juventus in 1999, Peruzzi had an unexpected poor year at new club Inter. He then moved back to Roma and joined Roma’s arch rivals Lazio. Peruzzi was back home and it showed on the pitch. He went onto become a main stay in the Lazio team playing 192 appearances before his retirement in 2007.
For Italy, Peruzzi also made his mark. He played over 30 times between 1995 and 2005. He perhaps did not earn the caps he deserved, although that was mostly due to the emergence of a certain Gianluigi Buffon. But Peruzzi was part of the Euro 1996 squad and would have played in France 98 had it not been for injury. Peruzzi was often named in the Italy squad but was on the bench more often not that. Yet Peruzzi still has a World Cup winners medal as he was part of the squad under Marcelo Lippi which won in Germany. Despite never making an impact at Roma, Peruzzi is undoubtedly one of the best players the club has ever produced, even if he made his name at two of the club’s fiercest rivals.
It is a dream of all fans to go from the terraces to the pitch. For Daniele De Rossi that dream came true. De Rossi has openly said if he was not playing for Roma he would be with the Ultras in the Cruva Sud cheering the side on. That is why he is so loved in Rome. His passion for the club is showed every week with his determined and aggressive performances on the pitch. De Rossi made his debut for his hometown club in 2001 under Fabio Capello just months after the club win its third scudetto. De Rossi was also part of the golden generation of Italians who won the under 21 Euros in 2004 alongside the likes of Alberto Gilardino and Andrea Barzagli .It was under Luciano Spalletti though when De Rossi really established himself in the Roma starting 11. He was the check and balance for Roma’s attacking style as De Rossi sat in front of his two centre backs. Despite his aggressive nature, he won the Serie A fair play award after he admitted to scoring a goal with his hand when the referee had not seen the incident in the game against Messina. De Rossi was the youngest member of the Italy squad that went to the World Cup in Germany. De Rossi’s tournament was marred by the red card he picked up for elbowing Brian McBride in the 1-1 group stage draw against America. He returned for the final where he scored one of the penalties in the shootout as Italy claimed their fourth World Cup. He was once again in the headlines as he missed a penalty in another shootout this time against Spain as Italy crashed out of Euro 2008.
De Rossi was winning at Roma, claiming back to back Coppa Italias under Spalletti and the midfielder’s form was not going under noticed as he won the Italian player of the year in 2009. The roman man was now widely considered as one of the best central midfielders in the world. His defensive and technical attributes have seen him praised as one of the best Italians midfielders of his generation. As the years have gone on, De Rossi has moved further back and has even played, both for Italy and Roma, as a libero centre back. His maturity and leadership skills have matured since his early days where his temper often got the better of him. He has now played 100 times for Italy and nearly 400 for the Giallorossi. As he enters the final years of his career, De Rossi will be desperate to win the Scudetto which was alluded him for years and years. De Rossi has finished second in Serie A seven times. Despite this gap on his CV, he will always be lauded by the Roma fans for truly being one of their own.
There is only one modern king of Rome and his name is Francesco Totti. That’s what Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said recently and he is not the only who shares this opinion. There is no Roma players, past or present who is held in the same view. It also started over 20 years ago when Totti made his debut against Brescia in 1993. It took Totti a few years to fully establish himself in the Roma side but when he did he became irreplaceable. His style was developing as he made the number ten role his own. His incredible technique helped create chances for the likes of Marco Delvecchio and Vincenzo Montella. He was also impressing on a national level when he was part of the Italy under21 side that won the 1996 Euros. Under coach Zdenek Zeman, Totti grew in statuRe and became the youngest club captain in the history of Serie A. he was also named as Serie A’s best young player in the 1998/1999. Fabio Capello was the man who oversaw Totti flourish into world star. It was at Euro 2000 where Totti had has big break though. He was in scintillating form, notably scoring both goals in a 2-0 win against Romania, as Italy made the final. In the semi-final he executed a perfect chipped penalty in the shootout against the Netherlands. Despite losing to France in the final, Totti was named in the tournament’s team of the year.
The 2000/01 season was Totti’s best at Roma. He led his hometown to their third scudetto and was central to their title winning form. As part of the golden trio along with Montella and Gabriel Batistuta, Totti fired Roma to top spot and became an icon in Roma. All three scored as they beat Parma on the final day to lift the Serie A crown. Totti continued to lead Roma with great charisma and style. In 2006 Totti feared he would miss the World Cup in Germany due to injury. He made the squad but was not at his best despite scoring the last minute winner against Australia in the last 16. Totti did become a world champion and never played for Italy again. Many outside to Rome point to his Italy career as proof that he is not one of the all-time greats. But to Romanisti he certainly is. His quirky personality showed by that Selfie celebration when he equalised against rivals Lazio. He rejected chances to go to bigger club who guaranteed success year after year, most notably Real Madrid. Each time Totti rejected the advances. He is now Roma’s top goal scorer and have played for the club more than anyone else. Legend is a word used far too often in modern football. But Totti is certainly worthy of the title.
Roma’s academy has had its up and downs. For every player that has come through the system like Totti, there has been one that has been let go and the Giallorossi made to pay like Peruzzi. The recent examples of Bertolacci and Romagnoli point that the latter may well be the common case in years to come in Rome. Roma wonderkid Gianluca Scamacca signed for PSV Eindhoven earlier this year, citing better prospects for career progression. The Giallorossi fans will be fearful that he will be another man who has got away. Yet Roma still have a group of very talented young players at the club. The Primavera side have had success both domestically and on the continent. Players such as Daniele Verde and Nura Abdullahi look set to become the next inline on the conveyor belt of Roma talent. Yet Roma are continuing to loan out players like Verde rather than given them chances in the first team, suggesting their chances of making it in Rome are going to be tough. Regardless Roma will continue to produce superb players. Whether they will shine at Roma, only time will tell.
A Yorkshire man born and bred, Richard is a lifelong fan of Hull City and regularly attends matches. Having Italian blood, he is also a keen follower of Serie A and in particular AS Roma. He has written for several websites and appeared on numerous football podcasts.
Mathieu Debuchy: Stick or twist? | 2019-04-22T14:49:13Z | http://outsideoftheboot.com/2015/12/22/the-academy-series-10-best-roma-products-peruzzi-aquilani-and-totti-feature/ |
I visited our furniture retailer Vivense‘s newest showroom earlier this week. Vivense’s latest showroom, in the Beylikduzu neighborhood of Istanbul, is its fourth showroom. It follows the company’s first showroom in the Sisli neighborhood of Istanbul, second in Ankara, and third in Izmir.
The new showroom is different from the others on two dimensions. The first is its size. At four floors covering 800 square meters of space, it is Vivense’s largest showroom to date. Now that the company knows what works and what doesn’t when running its showrooms, and is able to get them operational at a low cost and fast pace, it has the confidence to launch increasingly larger showrooms.
The second distinction of the Beylikduzu showroom is its location. Whereas the other showrooms are located in the downtown areas of their respective cities, the Beylikduzu showroom is on the outskirts of Istanbul, close to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
I hadn’t been to Beylikduzu before and, since I don’t have a car and get around by a combination of public transport and taxis, I was initially hesitant to take the long journey to visit the new showroom. I ended up borrowing my wife’s car for the day to make the trip and I’m glad I did. Although Beylikduzu is on the outskirts of the city, it’s an area bustling with residential buildings. The Vivense showroom is in the middle of these residential buildings, in close proximity to the stores of home improvement retailers like Koctas and Bauhaus. It’s a great place for a furniture retailer.
Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what the showroom looks like. If you’d like, you can visit it at this address.
This entry was posted in Aslanoba company, Ecommerce, Marketplace, Startups, VC and tagged Furniture, Showroom on July 31, 2016 by cankut.
Why is Thiel supporting Trump?
The fact that Peter Thiel, co-founder of Paypal and VC fund Founders Fund, and an early investor in companies like Facebook, SpaceX, and Lyft, is supporting Donald Trump’s candidacy for the US presidency perplexed a lot of people in the tech sector and beyond. I was one of them.
Thiel recently gave a speech endorsing Trump at the Republican National Convention (RNC), and I listened to it to see if I could find clues about his rationale for supporting a candidate whose most views, like Trump’s positions on protectionism against free trade, immigration, and minorities, seem to conflict with Thiel’s libertarian views.
After listening to the speech and thinking about the rationale behind the apparent contradiction, here’s the conclusion I came to.
Thiel has many unconventional views in areas like technology (see this post in which I covered the podcasts of Thiel’s VC fund, Founders Fund, in which they share their thoughts in areas like nuclear energy, biological engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality) and education (the Thiel Fellowship gives $100K to young people who want to build a company rather than go to college) and it will be easier to bring these views to life by supporting and perhaps even working together with the unconventional Trump than the establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.
As I wrote in the post covering Founders Fund’s views on potentially ground-breaking but also risky technologies, “the adoption of these technologies each represents a big change from our current status quo.” And, because of his unconventional stance on many issues and the limited political network he has to choose his team from in the case that he wins the election, Trump gives Thiel a greater chance of changing the status quo than Clinton does.
The problem is that, if Trump is elected, it’s not just the status quo in technology that might change. The status quo in so many other areas, many of which make the US the country that it is, will be at risk.
Here’s Thiel’s full speech from the RNC.
This entry was posted in Personal and tagged Donald Trump, Peter Thiel, Republican National Convention on July 30, 2016 by cankut.
Venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) are two very different asset classes. Although both asset classes invest in private companies, PE invests in more mature companies with a lengthy performance record while VC invests in younger companies with a more limited, if any, operating history.
In PE, since the target companies have an established business model, lengthy operating history, and extensive financials, it’s possible to extrapolate from these to the company’s future. Although the actual outcome will be different than any individual’s projection, the range of projections is likely to differ by a small factor. The range of individual projections is unlikely to be more than an order of magnitude apart.
The target companies in VC have limited operating history and limited financials. That is if they have a business model at all. Sometimes they’re in search of a business model. As a result, the investment decision can rarely be based simply on extrapolating a prior performance record. It requires a qualitative assessment and insight rather than number crunching.
This doesn’t mean that valuation doesn’t matter for VC. It does. But the range of individual projections for a specific company are very likely to be an order of magnitude, if not more, apart. As a result, in VC you can afford to be off by a factor of 2 or 3 on the exact size of the outcome as long as you are correct in your assessment of the order of magnitude of the outcome. In PE, being off by a similar factor of 2 or 3 would be lethal.
As such, the profiles of the types of people who succeed in VC and PE are quite different. In PE, you make money by being quantitatively right. The qualitative direction is pretty clear. In VC, the accuracy of your qualitative assessment is the key driver of returns. You need to be in the right ball park quantitatively, but you make money by being right qualitatively.
Knowing whether you prefer and are good at making qualitative or quantitative assessments is key to knowing whether you’re likely to make a better VC or PE investor.
This entry was posted in Startups, VC and tagged Private equity, Qualitative, Quantitative, Venture capital on July 29, 2016 by cankut.
I decided to have a day without meetings yesterday. I wanted to have the time to think, read, reflect, and see what would come up rather than rush from meeting to meeting. I had a feeling that it would help me look at problems more creatively, see them as opportunities, and come up with potential solutions to experiment with.
Although I was interrupted by a few phone calls during the day, I was able to spend the bulk of it performing the creative thinking that I wanted to do. By the end of the day, I had sent 5 of our startups ideas on how to improve their business.
2 of the ideas were put to the shelf after debating them with our entrepreneurs. Armed with their more in-depth perspective on the market, we decided that the ideas weren’t worth pursuing.
The other 3 ideas were appreciated by our entrepreneurs and either they or I, as appropriate, have taken action to get the ball rolling on the ideas.
I’m happy with 3 potentially value enhancing new projects emerging from a day’s work. It’s more than I feel gets done in most days which are filled with back to back meetings.
Given the successful results of my experimental no meeting day, I’ve decided to make it a regular habit. I recognize that there may be some weeks when urgent meetings force me to skip it, but I’m going to try to have a no meeting day once each week.
I also recognize that being able to set up a no meeting day is a luxury that not every role provides. But if you’re in a role with disproportionate returns to creativity and insight, I strongly recommend you try to make it happen. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
This entry was posted in Personal, Startups, VC and tagged Creativity, Insights, No meeting day on July 28, 2016 by cankut.
A question I like to ask entrepreneurs is whether their startup is a product or a sales and marketing company. All startups need to do at least a bit of both. You can’t sell without at least a working product, and how good your product is doesn’t matter if you can’t get people to use it.
However, I’ve discovered that the best startups tend to excel on one of the dimensions. For example, in our portfolio Sinemia is primarily a sales and marketing organization and Insider is primarily a product company. Globally, Uber is primarily a sales and marketing organization and Google is primarily a product company.
More important than whether I think a startup is a product company or a sales and marketing company is what the founder thinks. This is because, taken together with their business model, it informs their strategy. And founders need to be aware of this. For example, a SaaS company with global ambitions needs to be a product company, and the founders need to recognize this.
The match, or mismatch, between the type of organization that a founder sees their company as, and their stated ambitions, says a lot about the company’s eventual chance of success.
This entry was posted in Entrepreneurs, Startups, VC and tagged Product company, Sales and marketing company on July 27, 2016 by cankut.
I was speaking with another investor recently. We were talking about one of the companies where he’s a co-founder. Although he’s not operationally involved, he helped pull together the initial team and secure the company’s first angel funding.
When the company was first formed, the founding CEO wasn’t stepping up to the plate. He was reluctant to take leadership and was going through the motions of building a business rather than actually building one. As a result, the company found it difficult to raise money. Although they completed a small angel round, the company couldn’t settle on a business model, there were problems among the founding team members, and there was insufficient product progress being made.
Then the company’s angel funding ran out. The founding CEO was faced with two options. Either he would shut down the business, or he would personally finance it. He chose the latter approach, selling his home and putting up an important portion of his net worth into the company.
That’s when the company experienced a step change increase in its performance. The CEO settled on a business model, restructured his team, and shipped a great product. Seeing this progress, investors started knocking on the company’s door. The company has yet to become a runaway success. However, it’s certainly headed in the right direction.
It’s only when the entrepreneur felt like he had no options left that he came up with the inner motivation and resourcefulness to build his business. Necessity is the mother of invention.
This entry was posted in Entrepreneurs, Startups, VC on July 26, 2016 by cankut.
I was recently thinking about how much personal growth Melis Guctas, the founder of Modacruz, has shown over the 2 years since we invested in her company. The pace at which she has learned how to deal with cofounder issues, build and motivate a team, and balance investor interests, all while growing her business is very impressive.
Part of this growth is because of her character. You need to have a strong motivation to learn and recognize that the best way to do this is to experience as much as possible, read as much as possible, and reflect on your experiences and readings to continually improve yourself.
However, there’s a second very important contributor to learning. And this is seeing success. Experiencing and reading, and applying your learnings from these experiences and readings to the problems you’re facing isn’t enough. If you don’t see success after doing so, your motivation to learn will gradually decline. However, if you see success after applying your new learnings, you’ll embark on a virtuous circle where your learnings produce success which encourages you to learn more and achieve even more success.
So having a desire to learn is great, but its effect is much stronger if you’re in an environment where you see success. And the most important determinant of the latter is the market you’re in. In the case of Modacruz, a mobile-first second-hand female clothing marketplace in Turkey, the market dynamics are very favorable.
The large number of price conscious buyers, the large inventory of unused clothing sitting idle in womens’ wardrobes, the ease with which you can list your unused clothing using your smartphone’s capabilities, and the low degree of competition when Modacruz launched all came together to create a very attractive market. And this attractive market amplified Melis’ existing predisposition to learn.
Great markets literally pull the personal growth out of the entrepreneur.
This entry was posted in Aslanoba company, Entrepreneurs, Marketplace, Mobile, Personal, Startups on July 25, 2016 by cankut.
It’s been less than 3 weeks since the launch of Pokemon Go, a mobile game where players use their smartphone’s camera to collect Pokemon’s at different real world locations. The game was downloaded by over 5% of all US Android users during the first two days of its release and it has set a record for the highest number of downloads among all apps in their first week on the iOS app store.
These records are despite the fact that the app has yet to be released in all countries. If you live in a country where the game hasn’t been released yet you can download it from this link if you’re an Android user and follow these instructions to download it if you’re an iPhone user.
Following Snapchat’s augmented reality filters, Pokemon Go is the second use case of augmented reality that has gained widespread user adoption.
Here’s an Andreessen Horowitz podcast which talks about the history behind the development of Pokemon Go, some of the reasons behind its success, and what lessons can be drawn for future applications of augmented reality.
This entry was posted in Mobile, Startups and tagged Augmented reality, Camera, GPS, Pokemon Go on July 24, 2016 by cankut.
Yesterday evening, I was browsing YouTube when I came across some popular songs from my childhood. I spent my childhood in Belgium. Belgium’s three official languages are French, Dutch, and German.
I remember how I pushed back against my parents as they tried to convince me of the importance of taking advantage of living in another country by learning its languages. If it was up to them, I would probably speak all three languages today. Instead, I only speak one. French.
As I listened to these songs in French yesterday evening, I realized that the only reason why they’re meaningful to me is because I understand what’s being said. And if my parents hadn’t pushed me to learn French, this wouldn’t be the case.
If only I had also learned Dutch and German, I would be able to enjoy the great songs in these languages as well.
And the joys resulting from learning a new language aren’t limited to just music. A new language gives you access to all the unique content, ideas, and perspectives that the countries and cultures which speak that language have to offer.
And from these perspectives comes not just a tolerance, but a deep appreciation for diversity. Once you realize that the perspective through which you see the world is strongly influenced by the arbitrary countries, cultures, and languages that you were born and raised in, different perspectives that were once inexplainable to you suddenly become understandable.
In other words, learning a new language is about much more than learning a language.
In case you’re wondering which songs I was listening to, the first one was “Tombe pour elle” (“Fell for her” in French) by Pascal Obispo. I’m sharing the song below. The other songs came from following YouTube’s recommendations at the end of this song.
This entry was posted in Personal and tagged Diversity, Language on July 23, 2016 by cankut.
It has been a week since the failed military coup attempt in Turkey. I don’t know the situation in other cities, but life has fast returned to normal in Istanbul. Businesses are open and people are going about their daily lives. Heavy traffic is back and that’s probably the best indication of a return to normal in a city like Istanbul.
Another indication that life has fast returned to normal comes from our portfolio. Prior to the coup attempt, 5 of our companies had received term sheets and were in the due diligence phase with investors. Following the coup attempt, 4 of the 5 investments are still proceeding. Only one investor dropped out. That’s a pretty good sign.
I think that the fact that 80% of the investments are still proceeding shows two things.
First, we’re fortunate that the Turkish government acted as swiftly as it did during and following the coup attempt. In the absence of this swift action, if the coup had been successful or if civil order had not been restored following the failed coup attempt, Turkey would have been in a far more precarious state than it is in now.
Although many individuals and foreign governments have criticized the Turkish government for the scale and speed of the post-coup detentions, we need to keep in mind what just happened. Members of the military tried to overthrow a democratically elected government. I can’t speak to the merits of each individual detention. That requires a case-by-case analysis. However, faced with the same threat, most democratic governments would respond in a similar way, and rightly so.
The second conclusion we can draw from the fact that 80% of the planned outside investments in our startups are still proceeding is that local investors as well as those foreign investors who invest in emerging markets like Turkey are resilient. In fact, several of them told me that they and the institutions they represent have done business in countries with much more volatile conditions than those that Turkey faces today.
Ideally, the coup attempt wouldn’t have happened. But, it did. So our assessment of the current situation needs to be grounded in this reality.
If you would have asked me during the coup attempt what Turkey will look like a week later, I would have found it very difficult to paint a picture as positive as today.
This doesn’t mean that the risk of civil unrest has subsided. Although it seems highly unlikely, there is also a risk of further military interventions. But based on what happened a week ago, where we are today is about as good as one could hope for.
This entry was posted in Entrepreneurs, Startups, VC and tagged Post-military coup attempt Turkey on July 22, 2016 by cankut. | 2019-04-25T18:48:59Z | http://cdurgun.com/2016/07 |
It started out as a summer closet-cleaning project, as it does every year. What differentiates this year from the last seven is that I am actually doing it. I started cleaning out our closet several days ago and I haven’t stopped. Among some if the items found are: bags, shoes, books, sweaters, children’s toys, my own stuffed animals. The closet is very crowded with boxes upon boxes of paper and old clothing and photographs, about fifty books, drivel in adolescence journals and every memento since I was a teenager.
I bought new bright aqua hangers at Target feeling confident and ambitious. Only minutes after my mug of espresso I was ready to start. I cleaned for hours as music blared from my computer: The Beatles and Glee, America and Bruce Springsteen, I revisited Natalie Merchant, The Beach Boys and songs from Grey’s Anatomy. I sang as loud as possible, off-key. I found cookbooks, a dozen notebooks, and old, scratched CD’s. I made a pile to give away perfectly fine clothing that fit my far younger self. Clothes, past their expiration date by twenty years, as I looked down at my larger body. I sighed as I stuffed them into black garbage bags shaking my guilty, downtrodden head. I tried to soothe myself by saying they will go to people who have nothing, but I don’t deep down, forgive my slovenly self.
I was enjoying putting some order into chaos carrying out box after box of stuff I hadn’t seen or used in years. It felt really good to finally attack at least ten to twenty years worth of stuff. That is, until I found “Baby.”Baby was my son’s love object when he was very little. I remember we flew to Oregon for a vacation with our six month year old son, the Buddha Child. This was a boy who fell asleep in a second. One day, while we were in Oregon we put him in his car seat and he cried and wouldn’t be soothed. The child who fell asleep immediately in any car ride fussed and could not sleep and we had no idea why. As new parents do, we thought ear infection? He looked fine albeit cranky but he didn’t look sick.
All of a sudden as if I had just discovered the new 500 million dollar invention, an idea popped into my head? Baby? I made my husband pull off the side of the road and he searched for Baby; Baby was found in the trunk. Baby was given to our son as we watched in wonder. He clutched Baby in one hand, my son’s thumb slid smoothly in his mouth and he fell asleep immediately. We hadn’t known Baby was that important until that moment. When Baby needed surgery, he was not allowed to be fixed by my mother-in-law, an expert seamstress. Only I was allowed to fix Baby; to me, it was a proud moment.
When I found Original Baby and Substitute Baby today scrunched in the back of my closet I gasped and exclaimed “Baby!!” Then I burst into tears. I thought I had worked through the anticipated separation from my first-born son going to college in three and a half weeks, apparently I wasn’t done. Holding Baby in my arms, clutched to my heart, I sobbed.
When you clean out old things, you find emotional reminders of the past. I found letters from my dad who died ten years ago, it makes you more aware of what you are missing; it brings up sadness, longing, for things that will never again be the same.
I’ve decided to put away all the not-so-gentle reminders of my children’s younger lives into boxes. It’s time. My father’s shirt and his letters will get another box and it will also live in the basement. I don’t want to bump into Baby or Dolly or the cards that they made for me and cry. As my son and daughter move on, so must I.
The sad part of seeing Baby was that I thought, I have only one more year with my daughter staying home. My life as being their mother will never be the same. What on earth am I going to do now? Sobbing answered that question quickly and then I normalized. I will always be their mother, I will always be my father’s little girl but relationships shift and change. It was time for all of us, including Baby and his friends, to move to a different place. When my son and daughter want to look for memories of their past they will know where to look and that’s how it should be. Life moves on and I with it. Starting from the inside, then moving out.
Manically I go through box after dusty box in my closet as if flames are licking at my fingers.
What was once mere clutter in my over-stuffed hideaway, needs to be given or thrown away. Now.
I look at these now disposable items with weary and tired eyes of dull green.
It looks like I am abandoning my life; life as I know it now.
I am just changing it to focus more on me.
Is it because I feel I am being abandoned that I take things and stuff them into one of seven white trash bags?
Is anger really depression turned inward?
and I question for the first time, where all my love and devotion, went.
My daughter is a dark mystery, my son, a stranger, separating.
Tonight I feel used and sorry for myself to be surrounded by silent, awkward strangers.
the vagrant mysteries of life.
I want to get ahead of the start of the race, I am in position before they stand up.
my hair is in an angry ponytail pulled tight, strands of gray and white wiry hair are like lit candles in silent darkness.
I feel unhappy, I say I want more fun.
before it because a slow, steep burn of a salty secret.
I already have plans for new skills and new habits and a location change in the future.
but we are all old now.
taken from my inner sanctum of sweet sentimentality.
I will hand them over to my children like an Olympic medalist running with the torch.
photographs and letters that I have saved; now dissolving and crackling with a light touch.
It is time to let all these things go. It is time to move ahead and change.
Maybe I will keep a few sentimental things in a box for myself, just a few small morsels of sacred sweetness.
so I don’t trip over his memories several times, every single day.
His absence, like a gaping raw wound that never completely closes.
who deserve to smother them with sloppy kisses and love.
but at least I don’t feel pain.
I’m finding it hard now to feel anything.
but I don’t think it will make me feel any better.
This is pain I need to feel and get through.
I am giving away many books, enough to fill a small bookstore.
Starting fresh without all these things I do not really need.
I have my photographs, my slow -motion technicolor memory.
when the morning sun tuns alive, with color, again.
In my imagination I think we would be friends if only we lived closer together. I would give her, and only her, the true secret ingredient to my super moist banana chip/raisin bread. Her mouth would smile widely and crumbs would spill happily from her mouth as she ate it with delight; her big doe eyes would nod in agreement. I can’t compete with her cooking of course, she was born baking and cooking but there is no competition between friends. We laugh together at my lack of cooking skills and she constantly admonishes me and tells me she will force me to learn. Knowing her, I have a feeling, she will make me follow through.
On the side of her house I imagine her large garden where she picks her own deep, red tomatoes from the vine and takes a big bite of one warmed by the sun. She has sunflowers, big tall, brown, vibrant orange and yellow, about fifty of them, near the rows of green peas and lettuce and carrots hiding in the moist soil. Next to them, sweet butter corn grows tall and stretches to the sun like a morning yoga pose. Wildflowers grow nearby, purple, yellow, pink, white and the blue of a delicate robin’s egg. There are so many vibrant and intense colors in her garden, it’s like staring at a painting by Matisse.
I’ve never had the actual opportunity to meet an idol, someone I’ve cherished since I was a teenager, but I came close, by association, a few weeks ago. I spoke with her warm and friendly assistant and it was such a pleasure. Melissa, her assistant, told me something I will always remember. “She liked your writing and wants you in HER group.” That lifted my spirits for days. While I could not go to the current workshop she was holding I hope one day to meet her and attend a different workshop.
I read her first book about one hundred times; a book that still sits on my living room shelf now, forty years later. I share my house with my husband, a son who is soon off to college for the first time, a daughter who will now be a senior in high school and a nine-year old adopted shelter dog named Callie who is sleeping on top of my feet. That first book has been carted from my parents’ apartment to college to every city I have lived in. We grew up together, she and I, for a forty-year time period, she just didn’t know me.
There’s no doubt in my mind, from her first magazine article in the New York Times that she would grow up to be an amazingly talented, gifted writer. True to herself and her family and friends. She grew as a writer and as a person, I wonder if people expected her to stay nineteen and if that was hard for her? We all change and grow, make mistakes, learn; stagnant is boring.
I think she would be warm and funny, intense about her work and friendly, she probably just baked apple muffins with a crumb topping and served it with sun tea. There’s a colorful tiled table that holds chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies that she whipped up in a spare hour; sharp, white cheddar cheese and crispy pita chips would be nearby. Family and friends are always invited to her kitchen; there are always people and animals nearby.
I imagine sitting on a large white patio, rocking slowly on our rocking chairs and exchanging whispered secrets and watching the red sunset fall slowly into the water to form three lines of color, orange, dark green, ultimately black. I remember when my family and I used to go to Cape Cod, when our kids were much younger, at every sunset we would sit on the sand, other people around us, and we would wait for the sun to set. When it did, everyone clapped. That is my idea of heaven, living near the ocean, watching the sunset with strangers sharing stories, listening to Reggae music provided for free. Sitting still in front of nature as if we were in a theater waiting for the curtain to rise.
At night, in my imagination, we would creep down the stairs and meet in the kitchen unplanned. We would burst into giggles when we found out we were there for the very same thing. I always snack after I am supposed to be asleep and I eyed a bowl of ripe peaches on a small, round table that she had recently repainted in pink-rose paint. That first bite of that juicy peach would make me happy, so happy I can’t even describe it. This peach, this wonderful gift from nature was just perfect. It was ripe, juicy, sweet and had a silken texture. The juice rolled down my chin and I groaned with every bite of happiness. It was the sweet scent of a perfect peach with my new friend, laughing into the dark night.
When I was very young my best friend Claudine and I sat on the floor of my bedroom and played with my two turtles. Apparently I injured the turtle ACCIDENTALLY. I didn’t know it at the time because my father played doctor and I remember the turtle’s frail neck had been wrapped with white bandages. He smelled like the red, antiseptic medicine that my mom used on my skinned knees. I don’t remember being particularly upset over the sudden demise of the turtle but I do remember that my dad, who of course knew it was dead, pretended to nurse him back to health, for me.
That same loving man, my father, died ten years ago. He died New Year’s Eve 2001 an hour before my parents’ wedding anniversary on January 1st. I remember that horrible night in excruciating detail, I was sitting on my bed and the phone rang and it was my mother. “It’s over, it’s done” she said and I sobbed for what seemed forever and grieved for a very long time. I still miss my dad, I will always miss him. Sometimes I do get messages or signs from him and I believe in that. How do you recover from someone’s death? You don’t. Not ever. There will be a new world for you and it will be divided into before the death and after. You are now a member of a new club for adult children who have lost a parent and it’s not a club you ever wanted to join. You have no choice. Intense pain and grief get less frequent with time but there will always be moments, at least for me, when the pain feels fresh and raw. I was in Targets six weeks ago and I automatically turned into the Father’s Day card section. I remember I stood still and openly gasped. I had to hold on to my cart to steady myself. Only then did I stop and remember I had no one to send it to. I didn’t have a dad who was alive anymore in the physical world. Tears filled my eyes and I left the store quickly; my eyes were so blurry it was hard to see.
Closing all Borders stores is an out-and-out major disappointment. It stinks, big time. What now? Adios Barnes and Noble too? I’m not saying that I don’t love Amazon.com because I do, I like it for its convenience and low prices. Sigh, but really, you can’t sit at Amazon and drink a cup of coffee. You can’t leisurely and lovingly stroll down the aisles to see what the new hardcover books look like or how the new in paperback books are all lined up in a perfect row begging for hands to fondle them. It’s just not right and it’s sad.
Now, there is no where to go and stroll through the aisles, looking at book jackets, stopping to read the titles, gently touching my fingertips to the outline of the illustration. Borders was a great place to meet, it was in the perfect place for so many people from nearby medical offices, stores, office buildings and deli’s to meet. Closing Borders is closing a network of people who like to linger, socialize and have a damn cup of coffee even it tasted like dirty dishwater. It was a place to sit and not ever feel rushed. You could linger among magazines and mochachinos. You could also meet like-minded people, give unsolicited advice about books, make friends, start a book club, read books to their springy, enthusiastic children.
So now, what do we do? Read our lifeless Kindles (I don’t use the one I ordered years ago) by ourselves, never touching a piece of fine, heavy, cream-colored paper? Part of closing this particular business is not like saying good-bye to a furniture store or a nail salon, it’s saying good-bye to a way of life. A nice, peaceful way of life where people could talk, they could exchange ideas and suggest books for each other or lend coupons. It was a social place as well as a store. My children may never sit in a bookstore and linger over a heavenly array of different books, with different colorful covers and eat snacks. They won’t meet other people or share a cup of coffee or talk to other people their age. They will be hunched over their iPhones and all they need, it seems, is a credit card and a computer. It’s a sad statement for our society.
I am not a reporter or a tabloid hunter, I don’t have anything to do with Hollywood or acting, modeling or AA. The only thing I over indulge with are oatmeal raisin cookies, and the occasional (not THAT occasional) Almond Joy bar or half a piece of baklava. It won’t end me up in rehab or the Betty Ford Clinic but it does make my clothing too tight and uncomfortable. I wouldn’t be able to be a plus-sized model, I’d need to probably go up to a double plus.
That said, I can deal with emotional eating and extra pounds; I’m not twenty anymore so even though it doesn’t make me happy, I deal with it. I’m sure women in their 50’s can relate to me. I’m a parent of two teenagers, a boy 19 and a girl 17. I’m not a saint and either are they but we cope as best we can. My son has done things I don’t approve of, I’m sure my daughter will do the same. Thus ends the comparison. We’ve instilled good values in them, they are bound to make mistakes, but we will be here, always, to help them get it right with every ounce of our being and love.
You were a sweet, adorable kid. Don’t believe me? Watch The Parent Trap again. You got turned around. Turned around again and again and so fast that you seemed not to have a childhood or an adolescence or two strict parents on the same page. You have made mistakes, tried (feebly, in my own opinion) to correct them and failed, tried and failed again and again. Listen up, there’s hope, you are not Amy Winehouse. Yet.
I’m not being mean or cruel or trying to blame. I am begging you to wake up, leave your friends that party with you and move on, and most importantly, move AWAY. Don’t care about Hollywood or movies for the time being or modeling. Just think about being clean, and whole, loved and TRUSTED. Turn your life around while you can. Don’t lose this chance. Please.
I’m not your mom, I’m not even a fan but I implore you to think about what you have been through and where you are going. You must know a lot of rich, DOWN TO EARTH celebrities that don’t live in Hollywood or NYC anymore. Reach out to them. Better yet, is there anyone that can help Lindsay, actors, philanthropists, solid, strict, good people-who don’t drink or use drugs and that have real values and appreciate life? Reach out to Lindsay, please. How about Rosie O’Donnell or Ellen Degeneres? The seem like sweethearts to me. If you know them CALL them or knowing them, RETURN their calls. I know, to my dismay, that Oprah is in a different place than she was once but I bet if you called her for help, she WOULD help you.
You are invited here, to our tiny house, but it would not be what you are used to. Maybe that’s a good thing. My husband may kill me but you can stay with us, upstairs right next to our bedroom in a tiny spare room. I wouldn’t rat you out to the press or to anyone. I would help you learn to trust again. There are people out there that you can rely on, you need to find them. Stick with them and they will stick with you.
Please don’t be the next Amy Winehouse, there is no need for that. You have a chance while so many terminally ill people DON’T. You have a choice. Now, get honest and get real, dye your hair, change your name and come over.
P.S. you would not be exempt from loading the dishes into the dishwasher or any other household family chore.
P.S.S. My husband said it was fine. | 2019-04-22T13:56:32Z | https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com/2011/07/ |
customer service delivery and organisational performance.
With the rapid developments in the sphere of information technology, internet has become a powerful tool in business. As a result e-service quality has become critical for companies to attract and retain the customers in this virtual environment. The main aim of this article is to provide insight into the dimensions of e-service with an empirical study on online railway ticket reservation website service. Primary data was collected from the online users of Indian Railways in India with the help of a 21 item instrument which is devised on the basis of thorough review of literature. To extract the various dimensions of e-service quality factor analysis is performed via SPSS 16. The results bring out four core e-service quality dimensions namely: Efficiency, Responsiveness, Privacy and security and Reliability. Surprisingly, privacy and security dimension scores the highest score of 3.85. It indicates that the users do not recognize considerable risk in online environment of e-service stemming from the possibility of misuse of their financial information and personal information. It is followed by efficiency, responsiveness and reliability with mean scores of 3.72, 3.43 and 3.19 respectively. Managers should focus on providing superior technical function of the website without any operating problems and 24 hours access to e-service. The reason behind is that if the users cannot use e-service when they need, they will immediately switch to some other e-service. Directions for further research on eservice quality are offered. Managerial implications stemming from the empirical findings about e-service quality are also discussed. Keywords: E-SERVQUAl, E-service Quality, Online Tourism, Website Evaluation.
Parasuraman et al. (2002) state that electronic service (eservice) might be the key to long term advantages in the digital times. internet has become a powerful tool in business. emails are not answered. Issue 1 (January. the second section provides a brief review of literature on e-service quality and various techniques measuring website e-service quality. 2005).the transactions—to e service-all cues and encounters that occur before. The fifth section sheds light on the various managerial implications of the present study. and e-service quality is becoming even more critical for companies to retain and attract customers in the digital age . when consumers could not complete transactions. down servers etc. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Introduction With the rapid developments in the sphere of information technology. Service quality is determined by the difference between expected service and perceived service from companies (Zeithaml 1998). Internet has radically revolutionized railway industry in the last five years. companies must shift the focus of e-business from e-commerce . Even though railways have realized the importance of online service. and the future research directions. 1988). but they have not made efforts to understand the customer‟s perception of online services and how customers assess their online service quality. This article focuses on measuring e-service quality dimensions in the online market with an empirical study on online railway ticket reservation website service. Earlier low price and web presence were the main drivers of success. If this channel is to be feasible.IJMMR Volume 2. If Web channels are to be accepted by consumers. the study concludes with a discussion of the limitation of the study.The situation become more vulnerable. Review of Literature Service Quality Traditional service quality refers to the quality of all non Internet based customer interactions and experiences with companies (Parasuraman et al. The fourth section reports the results and findings of the empirical data analysis. To deliver superior e-service quality. Currently many studies have been conducted on traditional service quality but the area of eservice quality appears to be understudied. conduct empirical studies in different service industries to develop and refine the service quality instrument (SERQUAL) to assess companies‟ service quality (Parasuraman et Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. desired information could not be accessed. The third section provides the research methodology applied in this research work. and after the transactions (Parasuraman et al. inaccurate information. Oliveria et al.com -23- . Finally. but now railways operating in the internet market need something else to attract customers for their online services. low speed of the websites. they must be perceived by customers as efficient and effective. railways first need to understand how consumers perceive and evaluate online services. Internet has become a critical channel for railway ticket reservation and selling various tourism related products and services. during.skirec. The paper is organized as follows: Following the introduction.
which is based on the original ten dimensions of service quality put forward by Parasuraman et al. Reliability: The ability to perform the promised service dependably and accurately. but e-service quality evaluation in railway industry is still understudied. Responsiveness: The willingness to help customer and provide prompt services. Issue 1 (January.service quality reveals that many studies have been undertaken to uncover underlying dimensions of e-service quality evaluation in different sectors. But to measure e-service quality evaluation SERVQUAL is not appropriate. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 al. The widely used SERVQUAL instrument is composed of five dimensions (Parasuraman et al.. The reason lies due to the difference of e-service from traditional service in three aspects: no sales staff.com -24- . They aim at providing a generic instrument for measuring service quality across a broad range of service categories. In this light it is clear that the SERVQUAL is not suitable for measuring eservice quality. travel companies. 1991. the researchers have widely used the five dimensions of SEVQUAL instrument to measure service quality in various industries like banks. 1988). Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. A thorough review of existing research studies done empirically to examine customers‟ perception of e. and it is meaningful to another instrument for measuring e-service quality. E-Service Quality And Its Dimensions Zeithaml and al. (Parasuraman et al. and delivery of products and services. equipment.IJMMR Volume 2. the absence of traditional tangible element. 1985). purchasing.skirec. retail sector etc. 1988. and customers self service. (2005) defined electronic service quality as "the extent to which a web site facilitates efficient and effective shopping. Empathy: Care and individualized attention provided to customers. 2005). personnel and communication materials. Although service quality literature is found to be rich in different service sectors. The five dimensions of SERVQUAL are: Tangibles: The appearance of physical facilities. Since its inception. Assurance: The knowledge and courtesy of employees and their ability to convey trust and confidence.
Core scale refers to the quality of the website itself. ease of use. rather than with website performance. It follows the rule of original SERVQUAL and includes some dimensions of SERVQUAL. WEBQUAL. communication. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Responsiveness and Fulfillment were identified. aesthetic design.IJMMR Volume 2.. represented by four and three dimensions respectively. There is a need to evaluate railway website which is a tourism website. reliability. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Table: 1 Critical Dimensions For Measuring E-Service Quality S. Dimensions website design. But most of the scales have been used in the e-retailing context. Dabholkar (1996) 2. accessibility.com -25- . E-SERVQUAL is a widely used technique to measure e-service quality as perceived by customers. year 1. and eTailQ. The E-SERVQUAL scale contains a core and recovery scale. Identified seven Mahapatra and dimensions to measure Sreekumar internet banking service (2009) quality. So in the following section only three main scales developed for measuring e-service quality is reviewed. 2002) and Parasuraman et al. understanding and availability 4. and interactive responsiveness 3. credibility. Accessibility. delivery. Privacy/Security.skirec. while the recovery scale is more concerned with the actual performance of the company. Userfriendliness. which seems to be the most inclusive ones amongst those reported in the literature to date. (2005) developed E-S-QUAL Model to measure e-service quality. Issue 1 (January. Reliability. Efficiency. enjoyment and control ease of use.No Author. Yoo and Donthu (2001) Description Focuses on website design Develop a 4dimension scale called SITEQUAL to measure online service quality of website Cox and Dale Set up 6 dimensions of (2001) online retailing service quality with the comparison of the traditional dimensions of service quality Khan. processing speed. E-Servqual Zeithaml (2000. Main E-Service Quality Evaluation Techniques Majority of scales have been developed by different researchers for measuring the website eservice quality. website appearance. namely e-SERVQUAL.
find their de-sired product and related information. ease of use.). Reliability is a technical function of the website such as the extent to which it is available and functioning prop-erly. Etailq ETAILQ is the scale for measuring and predicting e-tail quality. handling returns mechanisms. and check it out with minimal effort. and complimentary relationship. It suggests four website quality dimensions to predict customer judgments of quality and satisfaction with the website. The instrument consists of four constructs. Usefulness includes informational fit-to-task. return of shipping and handling costs. Con-tact points refers to customers' need to speak to a "live" customer service agent online or on the phone. Finally. the entertainment construct consists of the visual appeal (presentation graphics and text). Responsiveness defines the company's ability to provide appropriate problem-solving mechanisms (online complaint handing. each of which is evaluated by a website visitor according to his/her perceptions of web-site quality. fulfillment. Its main focus is on website interface and most empirically grounded e-service quality scales. Fulfillment/reliability depicts the accurate display and description of a product and delivery of the right product within the time frame promised. which are mainly concerned with the situations which arise when a problem needs to be solved and "personal service" is required. and incorporates accuracy of service promises. such as having products in stock and timely delivery. fulfillment/reliability. Fulfilment refers to a company's actual performance in contrast with what is promised through the website. Compensation involves money-back guarantees. Three recovery dimensions of e-SERVQUAL are responsiveness. Ease of use includes ease of understanding and intuitive operations dimensions. Webqual WEBQUAL is developed by Lociacono. innovativeness ("aha"/surprise element associated with creativity and uniqueness). complimentary relationship construct includes consistent image (the website's ability to accurately reflect the company's image promoted through other communication channels). and customer service. Issue 1 (January. Efficiency defines customers' ability to effectively access the website. privacy refers to the company's will and ability to maintain the integrity of customer data. Furthermore. and better than alternative channels (the website's ability to act on the same level or better than alternative marketing channels) dimensions. Watson and Goodhue in 2000. trust and response time dimensions. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. It is based on two behavioral theories namely Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). WEBQUAL is used to judge a website ability to satisfy customer needs. privacy/security. namely usefulness. reliability and privacy. entertainment. and defines the company's ability to offer such support in real-time via online or other means of communication. etc. namely website design. It is developed by Wolfinbarger and Gilly in 2002.skirec. interactivity.com -26- . Finally. online guarantees. which include a range of website dimensions. The prime motive of WEBQUAL is to predict the revisit/reuse behavior of web users based on their perceptions of overall website quality. on-line completeness (the web-site's overall ability to suit customers in their operations). 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Four dimensions of core e-SERVQUAL scale are efficiency. compensation and contact points.IJMMR Volume 2. and flow-emotional appeal (the website's ability to deliver enjoyable and engrossing experiences for users) dimensions.
helpful. While section C was used to determine respondent‟s perception on e-service quality using 21 items developed on the basis of ESERVQUAL (Parasuraman et al. Issue 1 (January. including navigation. Customer service signifies to a responsive. Section A collects the respondents‟ demographic details such as gender. Evaluate all the dimension of e-service quality as perceived by the users of e-services of railways. Respondents were asked to evaluate these items on 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire was divided into three sections. The profile of the respondents is shown in table 2 Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www.skirec. order processing. Among 158 questionnaires. 2005). the empirical sample of this study was the users of IRCTC website to make the online reservations of the railway ticket in India. Results And Discussion Profile of The Respondents The final sample size for e-service evaluation is 150. willing service that responds to customer enquiries quickly. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Website design comprises of all elements of the consumer's experience at the website (except for customer service). Objectives The main aim of this article is to provide insight into the dimensions of e-service with an empirical study on online railway ticket reservation website service. The sample is considered to represent the IRCTC‟s website users in India to reserve a train ticket through internet. Research Methodology A well structured questionnaire was designed after analyzing the various constructs to measure customer‟s satisfactions with e-service quality of Indian railways. 8 incomplete questionnaires were removed from the further analysis. Section B was used to collect data on the usage pattern of the online services of Indian Railways in terms of length of period and frequency. and 158 0f the 800 individuals replied at a response rate of 19. occupation and income. age.com -27- . Finally. ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree. The remaining 150 responses formed the basis of the present study. Totally 800 questionnaires were mailed to potential respondents. education. appropriate personalization and product selection. The questionnaire was distributed to the customers by e-mail to a convenience sample during the month of July and August 2010. So.75 percent. Indian Railway Catering and tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is providing the service of online reservation of railway ticket on behalf of Indian Railways.IJMMR Volume 2.. security/privacy refers to the security of credit card payments on the website and privacy of shared information. information search.
About 35.7%) are male and only (3. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Table 2: Profile of The Respondents Frequency 18-28 years 41 Age 29-39 years 53 40-50 years 35 Above 50 years 21 Total 150 Male 145 Gender Female 5 Total 150 Under Graduate 13 Education Graduate 53 Post-Graduate 45 Professional Degree 39 Total 150 Government Employee 24 Occupation Private Employee 67 Student/Research scholar 20 Own Business/Entrepreneur 20 Professional/ self employed 19 Total 150 Up to Rs.3 100.3 23. 00.to 7.0 100.skirec.0 7.0 100.0 96.53 Income Rs.0000/20 Total 150 Less than 6 Months 11 Length of 6 to 12 Months 13 e-service usage 12 to 24 Months 35 More than 24 Months 91 Total 150 21 Frequency of use Occasionally Moderately 54 of e-service Frequently 75 Total 150 Variable Percent 27. Seventy two percent of the respondents belongs to low income group up to Rs250000 (36. 2. by this age.000/22 Above Rs.3%).000/. Further.3% of the respondents are graduation degree holders and 44.3 60. 50.000/. 2.7% are private employee.7 35.0 44.0 8. 00.7 3.to Rs.3 8.3%) are female.3%) in 18-28 years.0 26.7 13.0 The respondents were at least 18 years old since. Majority of the respondents (96.0 14.7 13.0 100.IJMMR Volume 2.3 35. 5.7%) and Rs250000 to Rs500000 (35.3 30.0 50.7 23.000/. The age profile of the respondents represents most age groups with the majority (35. one is allowed to reserve a railway ticket through internet in India. 5.3 12. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. 7.7 35.com -28- .7% of the respondents have been using eservice for more than 24 months and 50% uses this service frequently.3 14. as to the e-service usage pattern 60.3 13.3%) being in the 29-39 years and (27. Issue 1 (January. 50.3 100.0 16.0 36.7 100.000/55 Annual Rs.7 100.50.3 14.50.0 36.
927 shows that data was fit for factor analysis (Table 3).e.797 Rotation Sums of Squared Loadings Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis.025 1.833E3 210 .IJMMR Volume 2. Table 3: KMO And Bartlett's Test Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy.0 will be retained and other factors will be excluded. In the present study four factors has been extracted explaining 66. In this approach. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Data Analysis Reliability was tested by using Cronbach‟s alpha coefficient.581 36.209 3.000) and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) value is 0.581 17.281 14. In order to express the structure of the original questionnaire with fewer variables and maintain most information provided by the original data factor analysis is performed on 21 items by using SPSS 16.097 66.169 55.097 5. factors have been extracted by using Principal Component Analysis extraction method with orthogonal varimax rotation. items represent a high degree of inter-correlation.000 Further.169 1.572 66.797 4.112 3.378 1. .945 which is well above the recommended level of 0. degree of freedom is 210 and significance is 0.339 6. Measure of sampling adequacy. indicating that the variables are interrelated. such as Bartlett‟s Test of Sphericity (approx. In this study the cronbach‟s alpha score is 0.620 3.0.com -29- .225 of Cumulative % Total 49.087 % of Variance Cumulative % 19. The first step is to assess the appropriateness of factor analysis.70. factors with Eigen values greater than 1.325 49. Bartlett's Test of Approx.547 61. Issue 1 (January. Table 4: Total Variance Explained Initial Eigen values % Component Total Variance 1 2 3 4 10.833E3.816 52. Chi-Square Sphericity df Sig.265 6. The higher score denotes the high reliability of the generated scale i.700 19.236 15.skirec. chi square is 1.927 1. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www.797% of total variance (Table 4). Factors have been extracted on the basis of Eigen Values.
000 Information on the IRCTC‟s website about the tourism products and 1. is up-to-date and correct. The IRCTC‟s site never shares my personal information with other sites.774 .e.4 should be dropped from the further analysis as they are not fit for the factor solution.com -30- .678 .40.000 The IRCTC‟s site operates without problem. .713 . 1.786 .638 . 1. 1. 1.000 per personal requirement.665 .000 It offers all required products and service I want 1.000 website page. As it is clear from table 5.000 queries and problems.000 The IRCTC‟s site provides confirmation of executing online transactions.000 The IRCTC authority gives me promote and relevant response of my 1. the IRCTC‟s site navigation is consistent and standardized.000 The IRCTC‟s site protects information about my credit card.skirec. 1.696 .000 input).625 .700 .538 . 1.000 option in the web site The IRCTC site provides comprehensive FAQ section to help/ guide me 1. 24*7*365 accessibility).000 When the IRCTC‟s site promise to perform something it does so.000 The IRCTC‟s site provides language option so as to personalize the site as 1. 1.000 for my common questions.716 .000 It loads its page fast 1.IJMMR Volume 2.000 The IRCTC‟s site is always available (i. 1.651 .791 .427 Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Table 5: Communalities Initial Extraction The IRCTC site makes it easy to find what I need (with minimum data 1.583 . Issue 1 (January. Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 To test the reliability of the variables communalities of the variables has been computed. Variables having value less than 0.719 . 1.000 Overall. 1. The IRCTC‟s site provides a phone number to reach the IRCTC.671 . I don‟t have to scroll from side to side to adequately see the IRCTC‟s 1. Desired products and services can be easily found using key word search 1.000 services etc. The website does not contain too many pop-ups and banner advertisement 1.618 . all the items fit well in factor solutions.000 The IRCTC‟s site has online customer service representatives.000 that make it difficult for me to look on the webpage.765 .485 . as all factors have value more than 0. Simple for me to learn the handling of site.000 Information at this site is well organized 1.788 .
24*7*365 accessibility).163 . Desired products and services can be easily found using key word . is up-to-date and correct.453 .166 .750 .45 are significant contributors and if factor loading is greater than .120 .728 . .614 .557 .390 .148 . but low loading on other factors. Issue 1 (January.258 .329 Information on the IRCTC‟s website about the tourism products .436 .681 Overall. The objective is to find variable which have high loading on one factor.162 .126 . Table 6: Rotated Component Matrixa Component 1 2 3 The IRCTC site makes it easy to find what I need (with minimum .026 The IRCTC‟s site provides language option so as to personalize the .388 .146 .525 . . . This is done by identifying the items that have high loading on individual factors.531 . The IRCTC‟s site provides a phone number to reach the IRCTC.064 The IRCTC‟s site operates without problem.383 .144 .147 . An important output. Values close to 1 represent high loadings and those close to 0 represent low loadings. .313 .590 . The IRCTC‟s site never shares my personal information with other . Simple for me to learn the handling of site.com -31- .260 . 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 After the extraction of factors the next task is to interpret and name them.125 .522 Information at this site is well organized . The IRCTC authority gives me promote and relevant response of . All variables have factor loading greater than .593 .231 .840 .358 When the IRCTC‟s site promise to perform something it does so. . Rotated factor matrix has been depicted in table 6 and explained below.074 .745 .031 sites. the IRCTC‟s site navigation is consistent and .200 .196 .236 .319 .303 It offers all required products and service I want .196 .653 standardized.333 .648 .144 .387 .830 It loads its page fast . The IRCTC‟s site protects information about my credit card.251 . .skirec.147 .351 .459 search option in the web site 4 . rotated component matrix is used to identify the variables in terms of the factors. .252 .465 The IRCTC‟s site has online customer service representatives.202 .601 .7 these are supposed to be highly significant.241 .236 .220 .217 site as per personal requirement.375 .144 . The IRCTC‟s site is always available (i.815 .294 . The factor loadings represent the correlations between factors and variables.498 transactions.136 and services etc.414 .e.812 data input).010 Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www.IJMMR Volume 2.253 my queries and problems.134 The IRCTC‟s site provides confirmation of executing online .
I don‟t have to scroll from side to side to adequately see the . Parasuraman et al.025% variance of the total variance with Eigen value of 1.097 guide me for my common questions.com -32- . It can be easily observed that the items are revealing the responsiveness of the website.387 . well organized.590 . It could be defined as effective handling of problems with the help of website. al.632 . Yoo and Donthu .305 advertisement that make it difficult for me to look on the webpage. Khurana 2009. So the researcher named this factor as responsiveness. 2009. et al. Khan et. The security and privacy Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Rotation converged in 7 iterations Factor 1: Efficiency This is most significant factor as it explains 49. al. Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis. Parsuraman et. Efficiency refers to the ease and speed of accessing and using the site (Parasuraman et al.335 . Issue 1 (January. This factor has exhibited heavy loadings for five items out of 21 items.481 . After reviewing carefully. 2005).265. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 The IRCTC site provides comprehensive FAQ section to help/ . confirmation of completed transactions. simple.032 . navigation and speed. In case of e-service quick service to users through website can make users feel more comfortable during purchasing without any interruption. The researcher named this factor as privacy and security as it shows the company‟s will and ability to maintain the privacy of the user and protects their personal information.406 .IJMMR Volume 2. It includes ease of use. Khurana 2009 and Hongxiu et. phone number.339. It has also been identified as one of the major core dimension of E-SERVQUAL. easy search and FAQs for help in problems. Efficiency could also be defined as user‟s ability to access the website. This factor consists of six items pertaining to correct and up-to-date information. So the most appropriate label for this factor is efficiency. Rotation Method: Varimax with Kaiser Normalization. The website does not contain too many pop-ups and banner .169% variance of the total variance with Eigen value 10. Factor 2: Responsiveness It has been found as second largest factor with 6.378% variance explained and Eigen value 1. 2009. Factor 3: Privacy And Security This factor explains 6.120 IRCTC‟s website page.2001.. availability of customer representative. al. also asserted that prompt response to the problems of the customers largely determines customer evaluation of e-service.skirec..438 . Five items are loaded to this factor pertains to security of credit card and personal information.319 . language option. it was evident that all of these items related to efficiency of the website. Several research studies in recent past years (Khan.(2005) have also highlighted it as an important recovery dimension for ESERVQUAL. privacy from pop ups and no need to scroll from side to side.325. 2005) have recognized it as a major contributor in measuring e-service quality.
01 3. This is also an important dimension of E-servqual and eTailQ e-service evaluation technique.79 F2 Responsivenes s 10 Information on the . This Reliability depicts the technical aspect of the website such as its 24 hours availability and functioning without any problem. 1988. It shows name of factor.IJMMR Volume 2.68 3. According to some empirical studies (Parasuraman et al. F1 Factor Interpretation Efficiency 1 The IRCTC site makes it easy to find what I need (with minimum data input). It loads its page fast Information at this site is well organized Overall.43 3. If the value is greater than 0. Factor 4: Reliability This is the last factor accounts for 5.531 IRCTC‟s website about the tourism products and services etc. Since all the items of this factor emphasize on technical part. It consists of five scale items related with the availability of the website. Following table depicts the summary of factor analysis.886 2 3 4 5 . desired products. Simple for me to learn the handling of site.72 3.653 4.43 . is up-to-date and correct.812 Ite m No.225% explained variance and have Eigen value 1.873 Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Variables Factor Loadin g Mea n 3. factor loadings.com -33- .65 so the constructs are reliable.830 . Table 5: Summary Of The Results Facto r No.99 Cronbach’ s Alpha . Issue 1 (January. and response to queries. (2000). involves the degree to which the customer believes the site is safe from intrusion and personal information is protected. Khan et al.522 . Dabholkar 1996. the researcher decided to name this factor as reliability. 3. operates without problem.097. the IRCTC‟s site navigation is consistent and standardized .65 it is reliable. Cronbach‟s alpha is checking the construct reliability. mean and cronbach‟s alpha. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 dimension used by Zeithmal et al. 2009 and Khurana 2009) reliability is the most important dimension of eservice quality.skirec. The values of all the factors are greater than 0. 1985.15 3.681 .
Issue 1 (January. Desired products and services can be easily found using key word search option in the web site The IRCTC site provides comprehensive FAQ section to help/ guide me for my common questions.27 .601 3. .481 adequately see the IRCTC‟s website page.728 3.62 3.28 .19 3. 3.745 shares my personal information with other sites.85 3.840 The IRCTC‟s site protects information .632 3.IJMMR Volume 2.69 .614 about my credit card.49 F3 Privacy And Security 11 12 13 20 21 The IRCTC‟s site never .593 3.590 transactions. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 15 16 17 18 19 The IRCTC‟s site provides a phone number to reach the IRCTC The IRCTC‟s site has online customer service representatives The IRCTC‟s site provides language option so as to personalize the site as per personal requirement.750 3.92 4. . The IRCTC‟s site provides confirmation of executing online .830 3. I don‟t have to scroll from side to side to . The website does not contain too many popups and banner advertisement that make it difficult for me to look on the webpage.skirec.com -34- .71 Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www.79 .40 .
414 3. 24*7*365 accessibility).e.648 .525 3. It offers all required products and service I want The IRCTC authority gives me promote and relevant response of my queries and problems.IJMMR Volume 2. Issue 1 (January.590 . When the IRCTC‟s site promise to perform something it does so. .86 3.44 Level Of Customers’ Perceived Feeling of Satisfaction With Regard To EService Quality Dimensions The figure 5.37 .19 2. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 F4 Reliability 6 7 8 9 The IRCTC‟s site is always available (i.com -35- .10 below.41 3. The IRCTC‟s site operates without problem.skirec. displays mean scores of customers‟ perceived satisfaction regarding derived dimensions: Figure 1: Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www.89 2.815 .846 14 .
It is followed by efficiency. It is good indicator that users found it very simple to learn the handling of website and satisfied with confirmation of executing online transactions.89 respectively. the responsiveness facet of website is also a critical contributor to users‟ perceptions of e-service quality. After examining this dimension it is suggested that the customer care representatives should resolve the customer‟s complaints timely and that the customer‟s queries are taken seriously. It indicates that the users do not recognize considerable risk in online environment of eservice stemming from the possibility of misuse of their financial information and personal information.72. Recommendations On the basis of current research findings several important recommendations for practitioners of e-service quality can be made. Privacy and security and Reliability.19 respectively.‟ Efficiency‟ may be helpful in providing enhanced quality of service. 3.IJMMR Volume 2. Efficiency. measured on a five point Likert scale. Second. 2005. anchored at 1: “Strongly disagree” to 5: “Strongly Agree”. The steps should also be taken to update the information on the website. it is suggested to increase loading speed of the pages and installation of more effective servers. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 It can be observed from the figure 1 that privacy and security dimension scores the highest score of 3. responsiveness and reliability with mean scores of 3. using principal component analysis with varimax rotation via SPSS 16. if site operates without any problem and 24*7*365 access is offered than it helps in improving the image of the e-service quality.86 and 2. railway should rectify operating problems of the website and it should run all the time 24*7*365 as the users tend to have low mean score of 2. All the mean scores of the dimensions are rated by the users between „Neutral‟ and „Agree‟ so the railways should pay attention for further improvement of these dimensions. Conclusion To measure the e-service quality a 21 item instrument is devised after a thorough review of literature and exploratory investigations. First. Most of the statements adapted from E-servqual which is developed by Parasuraman et al..85. the findings highlight that managers should devise appropriate strategies to increase the speed of the website and its 24 hours availability. responsiveness and reliability. In e-service. The results bring out four factors namely. The perception of e-service quality was assessed on 21 items. To extract the factors affecting e-service quality factor analysis is performed.com -36- . Thus. The network become very busy during the peak hours.43 and 3. Issue 1 (January. the study indicated that among the various e-service quality dimensions „Efficiency‟ is most critical and important facet of e-service quality. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. so managers should provide discount on earlier booking or special offers during dip hours online reservations. Surprisingly the mean scores of the factors revealed that privacy and security is strongest dimension followed by efficiency. Responsiveness. Looking at this individual dimension. Specially. Cronbach‟s Alpha confirms the reliability of all these extracted factors.skirec. superior performance on the most critical dimension. Furthermore.
as they dilute the privacy of users. experience have not been considered. „Reliability‟ has emerged at the fourth place in terms of its importance. pop-ups. They also thank Ms.G. ease of use. „Privacy and Security‟ factor also appeared to play an important role in influencing the overall service quality as perceived by the users. In this dimension managers should focus on providing superior technical function of the website without any operating problems. so the further studies may explore the importance of e-service quality dimension for corporate customers. It would enhance the understanding for managers. B. So the practitioners should provide a single spot for advertisement. 11(2). Too many banners.com -37- . Managing Service Quality. The study can be further extended to investigate the cause and effect relationship between customer satisfaction and retention. website design. there is need to explore these results for other developing and developed economies. Present study excludes the voice of the corporate customers. banners etc. This may provide a better understanding of e-service quality dimensions across different economies. without which this research could not have been conducted. practitioners should avoid too many advertisements. It is also advisable that all the contents should be visible on a single screen as it irritates users to scroll the page again and again to see the things adequately. Rajni Hasija GGM (ITs) of IRCTC for her immense help and providing a text link of questionnaire with ticket confirmation mail to seek the feedback of the consumers.IJMMR Volume 2. But. 121131. 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Additionally. (2001). Last but not the least e-service should be 24 hours available as if users cannot use the e-service when they need. empathy. they will immediately switch to some other eservice. the results indicate that privacy and security does not have significant influence on users‟ perception of e-service quality. Issue 1 (January. Third.skirec. J. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge cooperation of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Surprisingly. animation effects on the home page also distract the mind of the users. there must be an opening to interact with other users through internet and learn about earlier users experiences. and Dale. References Cox. Finally. Service quality and ecommerce: An exploratory analysis. The study has considered only four dimensions and other dimensions like attitude to e-service. Limitations And Suggestions For Future Research The data was collected from the users in India. they feel interrupted in between. trust of customers. Thus.
Issue 1 (January. No. pp. Kaynama. Zeithaml. (2002).A.4. and Gilly. A. (2002). International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management. “Theoretical Framework for Quality Evaluation of Tourism-Related Websites Services” Vol. (2001). V. and Keesling. Roth. A. Condratov. 1.IJMMR Volume 2. Quarterly Journal of Electronic Commerce. A. VIII. Sunayna (2009). 2011) ISSN 2229-6883 Dabholkar. No. P. No. Service quality delivery through web sites: A critical review of extant knowledge. 30(4). 69(2002). Yoo. pp. Zeithaml. pp. Valentin. 2(1). 13(1).C. Working paper. M. P. 30-46. 721739. and Gilland W. (2005). Mohammed Sadique. 2951. B. Technology Forecasting & Social Change.. (1996). Wolfinbarger. “Impact Of The Internet On Internal Service Quality Factors: The Travel Industry Case”. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. 362375. Black Christine I. 135-145.. and Malhotra.F. “Service Quality Evaluation in Internet Banking: An Empirical Study in India”. 52-58. and Malhotra. Shohreh. 2..skirec. “Managing Service Quality: An Empirical Study on Internet Banking”. Sri Krishna International Research & Educational Consortium http://www. Parasuraman. A. Vol. Developing a scale to measure perceived quality of an Internet shopping site (SITEQUAL). pp. pp. Achieving competitive capabilities in eservices. 1. and Donthu. Iulian (2007). Hapenciuc Cristian. N. (2002). No. Mahapatra.V. Cambridge MA. 3146.. A. 213233. measuring and predicting quality of the etailing experience.. Siba Sankar and Sreekumar (2009). 151.1. No ¾. A. Garland.. Parasuraman. The Journal of Applied Business Research. Oliveria. “E-SQUAL: A Multiple-Item Scale for Assessing Electronic Service Quality”. COMQ: Dimensionalizing. The ICFAI Journal of Marketing Management. Vol.A.3. Consumer evaluations of new technology based self-service options: An investigation of alternative modes of service quality. Journal of Service Research. 96-112. Marketing Science Institute.. Vol. International Journal of Research in Marketing. V. Vol. 19. 7. Khan. M.com -38- . Khurana. | 2019-04-22T05:01:20Z | https://www.scribd.com/document/127822584/1-2 |
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Today, OECD launched the Your better Life Index, a project on which I had been involved for months.
I’m happy with the launch, the traffic has been really good, and there was some great coverage.
Just because data is presented in an interactive way doesn’t make it interesting. The project is interesting because the design was well-suited to the project. That design may not have worked in other contexts, and other tools may not have worked in this one.
The critical skill here was design. There are many able developers, but the added value of this project was the ability of the team to invent a form which is unique, excellent and well-suited for the project.
Getting a external specialists to develop the visualization was the critical decision. Not only did we save time and money, but the quality of the outcome is incomparable. What we ended up with was far beyond the reach of what we could have done ourselves.
Before going any further, I remind my kind readers that while OECD pays my bills, views are my own.
OECD had been working on measuring progress for years and researching alternative ways to measure economy. In 2008-2009 it got involved in the Stiglitz-Fitoussi-Sen commission which came up with concrete recommendations on new indicators to develop. It was then that our communication managers started lobbying for a marketable OECD indicator, like the UN’s Human Development Index or the Corruption Perception Index from Transparency International.
The idea was to come up with some kind of Progress Index, which we could communicate once a year or something. Problem – this was exactly against the recommendations of the commission, which warned against an absolute, top-down ranking of countries.
Eventually, we came up with an idea. A ranking, yes, but not one definitive list established by experts. Rather, it would be a user’s index, where said user would get their own index, tailored to their preferences.
Still, the idea of publishing such an index encountered some resistance, some countries did not like the idea of being ranked… But at some point in 2010 those reserves were overcome and the idea was generally accepted.
It was then that my bosses asked a colleague and I to start working on what such a tool could look like, and we started working based on the data we had at hand. I’ll skip on the details of that but we first came up with something in Excel which was a big aggregation of many indicators. It was far from perfect (and further still from the final result) but it got the internal conversation going.
Meanwhile, our statistician colleagues were working on new models to represent inequality, and started collecting data for a book on a similar project, which will come out later this year (“How is Life?”). It made sense to join forces, we would use their data and their models, but will develop an interactive tool while they write their book, each project supporting the other one.
It wasn’t clear then how the tool would be designed. Part of our job was to look at many similar attempts online. We also cobbled some interactive prototypes, I made one in processing, my colleague in flash. Those models were quite close to what we had seen, really. My model was very textbook stuff, one single screen, linked bar charts. Quite basic too.
I was convinced that in order to be marketable, our tool needed to be visually innovative. Different, yes, but not against the basic rules of infovis! No 3D glossy pie or that kind of stuff. Unique, but in a good way. There was also some pressure to use the existing infovis tools used by OECD. We have one, for instance, which we had introduced for subnational statistics and which was really good for that, and which we have used since then in other contexts, with mixed success. My opinion was that using that tool as is on this project would bury it.
That’s my 1st lesson here. I’ll take a few steps back here.
In 2005, the world of public statistics was shaken by the introduction of gapminder. The way that tool presented statistics, and the huge success of the original TED talk – which attracted tens of millions of viewers – prompted all statistical offices to consider using data visualization, or rather in our words to produce “dynamic charts”, as if the mere fact that gapminder was interactive was the essence of its success. The bulk of such initiatives was neither interesting nor successful. While interactivity opens new possibilities, it is a means and certainly not than an end in itself. Parenthese closed.
At this stage, the logical conclusion was that we needed to have a new tool developed from scratch, specifically suited for the project. Nothing less would give it the resonance that we intended. My colleague lobbied our bosses, who took it to their bosses, and all the way to the Secretary-General of OECD. This went surprisingly well, and soon enough we were granted with a generous envelope and tasked with finding the right talent to build the tool.
Being a governmental organization we also had to go through a formal call for tenders process, where we’d have a minimum number of bidders and an explicit decision process that could justify our choices.
This process was both very difficult and very interesting. Difficult because we had many very qualified applicants and not only could we only choose one, but that choice had to be justified, vetted by our bosses, which would take time. And it was rewarding because all took a different approach to the project and to the selection process. What heavily influenced the decision process was (nod to the 2nd lesson I outlined) whether the developers showed potential to create something visually unique. We found that many people were able to answer functionally to what we had asked. But the outcome probably wouldn’t match the unspoken part of our specifications. We needed people who could take the project beyond technical considerations, and imbue it with the creative spirit that would make it appealing to the widest audience.
When we officially started to work with the selected developer – a joint effort by Moritz Stefaner and RauReif, some time had passed since we had introduced the project to them. When Moritz started presenting some visual research (which by the way has very little to do with the final site) I was really surprised by how much this was different what we had been working on. And that’s my 3rd lesson here.
We had become unable to start again from a blank sheet of paper and to re-imagine the project from scratch. We were too conditioned by the other projects we had seen and our past prototypes that we lacked that mental agility. Now that’s a predicament that just can’t affect an external team. Besides, even if we had the degree of mastery of our developers in flash or visual design (and we don’t), we still had our normal jobs to do, meetings to attend and all kind of office contingencies, and we just couldn’t be that productive. Even if we had equivalent talent inhouse, it would still had been more effective to outsource it.
What I found most interesting in our developers approach is that it underplayed the accuracy of the data. The scores of each country were not shown, nor the components of that score. That level of detail was initially hidden, which produced a nice, simple initial view. But added complexity could be revealed by selecting information, following links etc. At any time, the information load would remain manageable.
Two things happened in a second phase. On one hand, Moritz had that brilliant idea of a flower. I instantly loved it, so did the colleagues who worked with me since the start of the project. But it was a very hard sale to our management who would have liked something more traditional. Yet that flower form was exactly what we were after: visually unique, a nice match with the theme of the project, aesthetically pleasing, an interesting construction, many possibilities of variation… Looking back, it’s still not clear how we managed to impose that idea that almost every manager hated. The most surprising is that one month after everybody had accepted that as an evidence.
Fast forward to the launch. I just saw a note from Moritz that says that we got 60k unique visitors and 150k views. That’s about 12 hours after the site was launched (and, to be honest, it has been down during a couple of these 12 hours, but things are fine now)!! those numbers are very promising.
When we started on that project we had an ambition for OECD. But beyond that, I hoped to convince our organization and others of the interest of developing high-quality dataviz projects to support their messages. So I am really looking forward to see similar projects that this one might inspire.
so here it is. I chose to compete on the Activity Rates and Healthy Living data set, because after downloading it I really enjoyed exploring it.
My main reason for entering the contest is to be able to see what others have done. There are obviously many, many ways to tackle this and I am very much looking forward to see everyone’s work! my interactions with the Tableau community, especially through the forum, have always been very rewarding and what better way to learn than from example!
So for the fellow contestants that will see my work, here is my train of thoughts for the dashboard.
I’m aware of USDA’s food environment atlas. It’s an application where people can see various food-related indicators on a map. The dataset we were handled is actually the background data of this. So, there is already a place where people can consult food indicators.
Now this beeing Tableau and all, I wanted to create an analytical dashboard where people could understand if and how the input variables affected the output variables.
The dataset consists mostly of input variables: various indicators that influence how healthy a local population is. That status (output) is expressed through a few variables, such as adult and child obesity rates and adult diabetes rates. Those variables are highly correlated with each other, so in my work I chose to focus on adult obesity rates which is the simplest one.
socio-demographic variables (ethnic groups in population, “metro” status of county, whether the county was growing and shrinking, and voting preferences).
Yes, that’s a lot of variables (about 90, plus the county and state dimensions).
Oddly enough, there wasn’t a population measure in the dataset, and many indicators were available in absolute value only, so I constructed a proxy by dividing two variables on the same subject (something like “number of convenience stores” and “number of convenience stores / capita”).
That enabled me to build indicators per capita for all subjects, so I could see if they were correlated with my obesity rates.
The indicators which were most correlated with obesity were the income ones, which came as no surprise. All income indicators were also very correlated to each other. In the USA, poverty means having an income below a certain threshold which is defined at the federal level. But in other contexts, poverty is most often defined in relation to the median income (typically, a household is in poverty if its income is below half of the median income), so it can be used to measure inequality of a community, and dispersion of incomes.
As a result, many indicators appear to be correlated with obesity because they are not independent of income. This is the case for instance for most of the policy indicators: if a programme has many recipients in a county, it is because poverty is widespread, so residents are more likely to be affected by obesity. This makes it difficult to measure the impact of the programmes with this dataset. This is also the case, unfortunately, for racial indicators, as most of the counties with a very high black population have a low income.
Diet indicators also appear to be uncorrelated with obesity. This is counter-intuitive – isn’t eating vegetables or fresh farm produce the most certain way to prevent obesity? But one has to remember that this dataset is aggregated at the county level. Just because a county has a high level of, say, fruits consumption per capita doesn’t mean that every household is eating that much. Realistically, consumption will be very dispersed: the households where people cook, which are less likely to be affected by obesity, will buy all the fruits, and those where people don’t cook will simply buy none. Also, just because one buys more vegetable than average doesn’t mean they don’t also buy other, less recommended foodstuff.
The only diet indicator that appear to be somewhat correlated to obesity is the consumption of soft drinks.
When it comes to lifestyle habits, surprisingly, the proportion of households without car and living far from a store – people likely to walk more, so to be healthier – is positively correlated with obesity. This is because counties where this indicator is high are also poorer than average – again, income explains most of this. However, physical activity in general plays a positive role. States where people are most active, such as Colorado, enjoy the lowest obesity figures. In fact, all the counties with less than 15% of obesity are in Colorado.
Finally, pricing didn’t seem to have much impact on neither obesity, nor consumption. Why is that? Economists would call this “low price elasticity”, meaning that price changes do not encourage people to switch products and habits. But there is another explanation. Again, people who can’t cook are not going to buy green vegetables because they are cheaper. Also, consider the tax amount that are applied: no more than 7% in the most aggressive states. Compare that figure to the 400%+ levy that is applied to cigarettes in many countries of the world! Clearly, 4-7% is not strong enough to change habits. However, this money can be used to sponsor programmes that can help people adopt safer behaviors.
First, I wanted to show all of those findings. If 2 variables that you expect to be correlated (say, consumption of vegetables and obesity) are in fact not correlated, a point is made! But visually, nothing is less interesting than a scatterplot that doesn’t exhibit correlation. It’s just a stupid cloud of dots.
So instead I chose to focus on the correlations I could establish, namely: obesity and income, and obesity and activity. Those are the 2 lower scatterplot of my dashboard. I chose the poverty rate measure, because I’d rather have a trend line going up, than going down.
I duplicated that finding with a bar chart made with median income bins. For each bin (which represent all the counties where the median income fall in that range), I would plot the average obesity rate, and, miracle! this comes up as a markedly decreasing bar chart. Now, this figure doesn’t establish correlation, let alone causality, but it certainly suggests it more efficiently than a scatterplot. Also, it can be doubled as a navigation aide: clicking on a bar would highlight or select the relevant counties.
Finally, I decided to do a map. Well, actually, it was the first thing I had done, but had second thoughts about it, and eventually I put it in. Why? first, to allow people to look up their county. Technically, my county is Travis county (Austin, TX) and I can find it easily on a map. Less so if I have to look for county names listed in order of any of their indicators. I added a quick filter on county name, for those who’d rather type than look up.
I also wanted to see whether there was a link between geography and obesity. So try the following.
Where are the counties with obesity rates less than 15% ? Colorado only.
If we raise the threshold a little, we get San Francisco and New York. But until 20%, these counties remain very localized.
Likewise, virtually all counties above 35% are in the South – Alabama, Louisianne, Mississipi.
Population also has an importance. The counties with a population above 1m people tend to have lower rates – their citizens also usually have higher incomes.
I decided to zoom the map on the lower 48 by default. It is possible to zoom out to see Alaska and Hawaii, but I don’t think that the advantage of seeing them all the time is greater than the inconvenient of having a smaller view point even if they are not necessary.
Regarding the marks. Originally, I didn’t assign any variable to their size, but then thought that the larger counties (i.e. LA, Harris (Houston), Cook (Chicago) …) were underrepresented. So I assigned my population proxy to size. But then, the density of the marks competed with the intensity of the color, which was attributed to the obesity rate. So I removed that and chose a size so that marks wouldn’t overlap each other too much. Regarding color, I wasn’t happy with the default scale. If I let it as is, it would consider that 12.5%, the minimum value of the dataset, is an extremely low number. But in absolute terms, it’s not. Most developed countries have obesity rates lower than that value at the national level. Japan or Korea are below 4%. So I made the scale start at 0. But I didn’t like the output: the counties with the highest values didn’t stand out. Eventually, I chose a diverging scale, which helped counties with high and low values to be more visible.
I edited an tooltip card for the view. In another version of the dashboard, I had a sheet with numbers written out that would change depending on which country was last brushed. I like the idea that this information can stay on. But I got confused in the configuration of the actions, and couldn’t completely prevent the filter that applied to this sheet to be disabled, sometimes, which caused number for all counties to overlap, and an annoying downtime as that happens. So I made an tooltipinstead. Anyway, it’s easier to format text like this. But the problem is that it can hide a good portion of the dashboard. So I exercised constraint and only chose what I found the 15 or so most relevant variables.
Voilà! that’ s it. I hope you like my dashboard, and I look forward to see the work of others! If you are a contestant, please leave a link to your entry in the comments. Good luck to all!!
Those last 2 weeks, I finally found time to give Tableau 5.0. Tableau enjoys a stellar reputation among the data visualization community. About a year ago, I saw a live demo of Tableau by CEO and salesman extraordinaire Christian Chabot. Like most of the audience, I was very impressed, not so much by the capacities of the software but by the ease and speed with which insightful analysis seemed to appear out of bland data. But what does it feel on from the user perspective?
Everyone who wrote about charts would pretty much agree that the very first step in making one is to decide what to show. The form of the display is a consequence of this choice.
When you want to insert a chart, you must first choose what kind of chart (bar, line, column, pie, area, scatter, other charts) and one of its sub-types. You are not asked, what data does this apply to, and what that data really is. You are not asked, what you are trying to show through your chart – this is something you have to manage outside of the software. You just choose a chart.
I’m picking Excel because with 200m users, everyone will know what I’m talking about, but virtually all software packages ask the user to choose a rather rigid chart type as a prerequisite to seeing anything, despite overwhelming theoretic evidence that this approach is flawed. In Excel, like in many other packages, there is a world of difference between a bar chart and a column chart. They are not of the same nature.
Fortunately, Tableau does it the other way round. When you first connect with your data in Tableau, it distinguishes two types of variables you can play with: dimensions and measures. And measures can be continuous or discrete.
(This is from an example file).
These are all the possible representations we have. Some are greyed out, because they don’t make sense in this context. For instance, you need to have dimensions with geographic attributes to plot things on a map (bottom left). But if you mouse over one of those greyed out icons, you’ll be told why you can’t use them. So we could choose anything: a table, a bar chart, etc.
Gone are the frontiers between artificial “chart types”. We’re no longer forcing data into preset representations, rather, we assign variables (or their automatic aggregation, more on that shortly) to possible attributes of the graph. Rows and columns are two, which shouldn’t be taken too literally – in most displays, those would be better described as abcissa and ordinate – but all the areas in light grey (called “shelves”) can welcome variables : pages, filters,path, text, color, size, level of detail, etc.
Here’s an example with a more complex dataset. Here, we’re looking at sales figures. We’re plotting profit against sales. The size of the marks correspond to the volume of the order, and the colour, to their category. Results are presented year by year. It is possible to loop through the years. So this display replicates the specs of the popular Trendalyzer / Motion chart tool, only simpler to set up.
Note that as I drag variables to shelves, Tableau often uses an aggregation that it thinks makes more sense. For instance, as I dragged Order Date to the page shelf, Tableau picked the year part of the date. I could ask the program to use every value of the date, the display will be almost empty but there would be a screen for each day. Likewise, when I dragged Order Quantity to the Size shelf, Tableau chose to use the sum of Order Quantity instead. Not that it makes much of a difference here, as each bubble represents only one order. But the idea is that Tableau will automatically aggregate data in a way that makes sense to display, and that this can always be overridden.
But if I keep the data for all the years in the display, I can quickly see the transactions where profit was negative.
And I can further investigate on this set of values.
So that’s the whole idea. Because you can assign any variable to any attribute of the visualization, in the Tableau example gallery you can see some very unusual examples of displays.
When I saw the demos, I was a little skeptical of the data being used. I mean, things were going so smoothly, evidence seemed to be jumping at the analyst, begging to be noticed. Tableau’s not bad at connecting with data of all forms and shapes, so I gave it a whirl with my own data.
Like a lot of other official data providers, OECD’s format of choice for exporting data is SDMX, a flavor of XML. Unfortunately, Tableau can’t read that. So the next easiest thing for me was Excel.
I’m not going to get too much into details, but to come up with a worksheet that Tableau liked with more than a few tidbits of data required some tweaking and some guessing. The best way seems to be: a column for each variable, dimensions and dates included, and don’t include missing data (which we usually represent by “..” or by another similar symbol).
Some variables weren’t automatically reckognized for what they were: some were detected as dimensions when they were measures, date data wasn’t processed that well (I found that using 01/01/2009 instead of 2009 or 1/2009 worked much better). But again, that was nothing that a little bit of tweaking couldn’t overcome.
On a few occasions, I have been scratching my head quite hard as I was trying to understand why I could get Y-o-Y growth rates for some variables, but not for some others, or to make custom calculated fields. Note that there are plenty of online training videos on the website. I found myself climbing the learning curve very fast (and have heard similar statements of recent users who quickly felt empowered) but am aware that practice is needed to become a Tableau Jedi. What I found recomforting is that without prior knowledge of the product, but with exposure to data design best practices, almost everything in Tableau seems logical and simple.
A Dashboard is a combination of several displays (sheets) on one space. And believe me, it can become really sophisticated, but here let’s keep it simple. The top half is a map of the world with bubbles sized after the 2007 population of OECD countries. The bottom half is the same information as a bar chart, with a twist: the colour corresponds to the population change in the last 10 years. So USA (green) have been gaining population while Hungary has seen its numbers decrease.
And you’ll see them highlighted in the bottom pane.
Representing data in Tableau feels like flipping the pages of a Stephen Few book, which is more than coincidiential as he is an advisor to Tableau. From my discussion with the Tableau consultant that called me, I take that Tableau takes pride in their sober look and feel, which fervently follows the recommendation of Tufte, and Few. I remember a few posts from Stephen’s blog where he lashed as business intelligence vendors for their vacuous pursuit of glossiness over clarity and usefulness. Speaking of Few, I’ve upgraded my Tableau trial by re-reading his previous book, Information Dashboard Design, and I could really see where his philosophy and that of Tableau clicked.
So there isn’t anything glossy about Tableau. Yet the interface is state-of-the-art (no more, no less). Anyone who’ve used a PC in the past 10 years can use it without much guessing. Colours of the various screen elements are carefully chosen and command placement makes sense. Most commands are accessible in contextual menus, so you really feel that you are directly manipulating data the whole time.
When attempting to create sophisticated dashboards, I found that it was difficult to make many elements fit on one page, as the white space surrounding all elements becomes incompressible. I tried to replicate displays that I had made or that I had seen around, I was often successful (see motion chart reproduction above) but sometimes I couldn’t achieve the level of customization that I had with visualizations which are coded from scratch in Tableau. Then again even Tableau’s simplest representations have many features and would be difficult to re-code.
But my job is precisely to communicate data, so I’m quite looking forward this state of affairs to change. Tableau’s answer is twofold.
The first half is Tableau Server. Tableau Server is a software that organizes Tableau workbooks for a community so they can access it online, from a browser. My feeling is that Tableau Server is designed to distribute dashboards within an organization, less so with the anyone on the internet.
That’s where the second part of the answer, Tableau Public, comes into play. Tableau Public is still in closed beta, but the principle is that users would have a free desktop applications which can do everything that Tableau Desktop does, except saving files locally. Instead, workbooks would have to be published on Tableau servers for the world to see.
There are already quite a few dashboards made by Tableau Public first users around. See for instance How Long Does It Take To Build A Technology Empire? on one of the WSJ blogs.
I’ve made a few dashboards that I’d be happy to share with the world through Tableau Public.
This wraps up my Tableau review. I can see why the product has such an enthusiastic fan base. People such as Jorge Camoes, Stephen Few, Robert Kosara, Garr Reynolds, Nathan Yau, and even the Federal CIO Vivek Kundra have all professed their loved for the product. The Tableau Customer Conference, which I’ve only been able to follow online so far, seems to be more interesting each year. Beyond testimonies, the gallery of examples (again at http://www.tableausoftware.com/learning/examples, but do explore from there to see videos and white papers), still in the making, shows the incredible potential of the software.
Google’s public data has been launched somewhat unexpectedly at the end of April 2009.
The principle is as follows. When someone enters a search query that could be interpreted as a time series, Google displays a line graph of this time series before other results. Click on it, and you can do some more things with the chart.
The name public data can seem ambiguous.
Public, in one sense, refers to official, government-produced statistics. But, for content, public is also the opposite of copyrighted. And here, a little bit of digging reveals that it’s clearly the latter sense. If you want this service to point to your data, it must be copyright-free.
I’ve seen Hans Rosling (of Gapminder fame, now Google’s data guru) deliver a few speeches to national statisticians to which he expressed all the difficulties he had to access their data, and battle with formatting or copyright issues. So I can understand where this is coming from. However. Imagine the outcry if google.com decided to stop indexing websites which were not in the public domain!
Remember my find > access > process > present > share diagram?
I’d expect that google will solve the find problem. After all, they’re search people. But they don’t! You’d find a time series if you enter its exact name in google. There is no such thing (yet, as I imagine it would be easy to fix) as a list of their datasets.
They don’t tackle the access problem either. Once you see the visualizations, you’re not any step closer to actually getting the data. You can see them, point by point, by mousing over the chart. I was also disappointed by the inaccuracy of the citation of their datasets. I’d have imagined that they’d provide a direct link to their sources, but they only state which agency produced the dataset. And finding a dataset from an agency is not a trivial matter.
They don’t deal with process, but who will hold that against them? Now what they offer is a very nice, very crisp representation of data (presenting data). I was impressed how legible the interface remained with many data series on the screen, while respecting Google’s look and feel and colour code.
Another issue comes from the selection of the data sets proper.
One of the datasets is the unemployment rates, which are available monthly and by USA county. Now I can understand the rationale to match a google query of “unemployment rates” to that specific dataset. But there are really many unemployment rates, depending on what you divide by what. (are we counting unemployed people? unemployed jobseekers? which definition of unemployment are we using – ILO’s, or the BLS’s? and against what is the rate calculated – total population? population of working age? total labour force?) But how could that work if you expand the system to another country? To obtain the same level of granularity (to a very narrow geographic location, to a period of a month) would require some serious cooking of the data, so you can’t have granularity, comparability and accuracy.
I don’t think the system is sustainable. I don’t like the idea that it gives the impression to people that economic statistics can be measured in real time at any level, just like web usage statistics for instance. They can’t be just observed, they’re calculated by people.
Google public data is still in its infancy. To have a usable list of the datasets, for instance, would alleviate much of my negarive comments on the system. But for the time being, I’m not happy with the orientation they’ve chosen. | 2019-04-22T01:07:03Z | http://www.jeromecukier.net/tag/data-visualization/ |
"Acquirer" or "Acquirers" means the entity or entities to which Defendants divest the Divestiture Assets.
"Alternative Newsweekly" means a publication (such as the Cleveland Scene or LA Weekly) that possesses more than one of the following attributes: (i) it is published in a geographic area served by one or more daily newspapers to which residents turn as their primary source or sources of printed news; (ii) it is published weekly (or less frequently), and at least 24 times annually; (iii) it is distributed free of charge; (iv) it is not owned by a daily newspaper publishing company; and (v) it is a general interest publication that does not focus exclusively on one specific topic, such as music, entertainment, religion, the environment, or a political party or organization.
"California Attorney General" means the Office of the Attorney General of the State of California, who may share information and consult with the Office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney on any matters arising under this Final Judgment.
"Cleveland Asset Purchase Agreement" means the Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Cleveland Free Times Media, Inc., Cleveland Scene, LLC, Village Voice Media, LLC, and NT Media, LLC, dated October 1, 2002, and any agreements ancillary thereto.
"Cleveland Scene Termination Period" means the period of time beginning October 1, 2002, and ending thirty (30) calendar days after consummation of the divestiture of the Cleveland Free Times Assets.
"Divestiture Assets" means the Cleveland Free Times Assets and the New Times LA Assets.
"Greater Cleveland Area" means the counties of Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina and Lorain in the state of Ohio.
"Greater Los Angeles Area" means the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura in the state of California.
"Los Angeles Asset Purchase Agreement" means the Asset Purchase Agreement among LA Weekly Media, Inc., New Times Los Angeles, LP, Village Voice Media, LLC, and NT Media, LLC, dated October 1, 2002, and any agreements ancillary thereto.
"LA Weekly Termination Period" means the period of time beginning October 1, 2002, and ending thirty (30) calendar days after consummation of the divestiture of the New Times LA Assets.
"New Times" means Defendant NT Media, LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, its successors and assigns, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups, affiliates, partnerships and joint ventures, including without limitation Cleveland Scene, LLC, and New Times Los Angeles, LP, and their directors, officers, managers, agents, and employees.
all other tangible and intangible assets used in the publication of the New Times LA, including, but not limited to: all other leases; all licenses, permits and authorizations issued by any governmental organization; all contracts, teaming arrangements, agreements, commitments, certifications, and understandings, including supply agreements; all customer lists, contracts, accounts, and credit records; all agreements with retailers, wholesalers, or any other person regarding the sale, promotion, marketing, advertising or placement of such products; all graphics and artwork relating exclusively to the New Times LA; all other records stored in the offices of, or generated by or for, the New Times LA; all technical information, computer software and related documentation, and know-how, and information relating to plans for, or improvements to, the New Times LA; all research, packaging, sales, marketing, advertising, and distribution know-how, information, data and documentation, including marketing and sales data, and layout designs used exclusively in, or which relate exclusively to, the publication of the New Times LA (and copies of such know-how, information, data and documentation which relates to the publication of the New Times LA); all manuals and technical information New Times provided to any of its New Times LA employees, customers, suppliers, agents or licensees; and all specifications for materials.
"Ohio Attorney General" means the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Ohio.
"Publication" means all activities associated with the business of offering an Alternative Newsweekly to the public as a commercial endeavor, including, but not limited to, editing, writing, printing, circulating, operating, marketing, and distributing such Alternative Newsweeklies, and selling advertisements and promotions therein.
"State Attorneys General" means the California Attorney General and the Ohio Attorney General.
"Village Voice Media" means Defendant Village Voice Media, LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its headquarters in New York, New York, its successors and assigns, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups, affiliates, partnerships and joint ventures, including without limitation LA Weekly Media, Inc. and Cleveland Free Times Media, Inc., and their directors, officers, managers, agents, and employees.
This Final Judgment applies to Village Voice Media and New Times, as defined above, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise.
Defendants shall require, as a condition of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of their assets or of lesser business units that include any of the Divestiture Assets that the purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Final Judgment, provided, however, that Village Voice Media and New Times need not obtain such an agreement from the Acquirer(s).
Village Voice Media and New Times are enjoined as of the filing of the Complaint in this matter from taking any actions in furtherance of, or required under, either the Cleveland Asset Purchase Agreement or the Los Angeles Asset Purchase Agreement. Village Voice Media's and New Times's obligations under this Final Judgment supersede their obligations under either of these agreements, and Village Voice Media and New Times shall not object to the performance of their obligations under this Final Judgment on the grounds that those obligations would cause them to breach either agreement.
For a period of two (2) years commencing upon the filing date of the Complaint in this matter, Village Voice Media shall permit any advertiser that entered during the LA Weekly Termination Period into a written or oral contract to advertise in, or engage in a promotion with, the LA Weekly, solely at the advertiser's option, to terminate such contract without penalty, retaliatory action, or threat of retaliatory action. Village Voice Media shall provide all affected advertisers a copy of this Final Judgment within fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of the Complaint in this matter, and inform in writing all affected advertisers within: (i) fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of the Complaint in this matter; and (ii) thirty (30) calendar days after consummation of the divestiture of the New Times LA Assets, of their right to terminate at their option their advertising or promotion contracts with the LA Weekly.
For a period of two (2) years commencing upon the filing date of the Complaint in this matter, New Times shall permit any advertiser that entered during the Cleveland Scene Termination Period into a written or oral contract to advertise in, or engage in a promotion with, the Cleveland Scene, solely at the advertiser's option, to terminate such contract without penalty, retaliatory action, or threat of retaliatory action. New Times shall provide all affected advertisers a copy of this Final Judgment within fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of the Complaint in this matter, and inform in writing all affected advertisers within: (i) fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of the Complaint in this matter; and (ii) thirty (30) calendar days after consummation of the divestiture of the Cleveland Free Times Assets, of their right to terminate at their option their advertising or promotion contracts with the Cleveland Scene.
Each Defendant, its officers, directors, agents, and employees, acting or claimingto act on its behalf, and successors and all other persons acting or claiming to act on its behalf, are enjoined and restrained from, in any manner, directly or indirectly, entering into, continuing, maintaining, or renewing any market or customer allocation agreement, or from engaging in any other combination, conspiracy, contract, agreement, understanding or concert of action having a similar purpose or effect, and from adopting or following any practice, plan, program, or device having a similar purpose or effect.
Unless such transaction is otherwise subject to the reporting and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18a (the "HSR Act"), Defendants for a period of five (5) years commencing upon the filing of the Complaint in this matter, and without providing advance notification to the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice, shall not directly or indirectly enter into any merger or joint venture involving, or sale of, any of its Alternative Newsweeklies or national advertising networks or acquire any assets of or any interest, including any financial, security, loan, equity or management interest, in any publication that possesses more than two of the five attributes specified in the definition of "Alternative Newsweekly" in Section II(B) of this Final Judgment, one of which must be the attribute specified in Section II(B)(v). Such notification shall be provided to the Antitrust Division in the same format as, and per the instructions relating to, the Notification and Report Form set forth in the Appendix to Part 803 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations as amended, except that the information requested in Items 5 through 8 of the instructions must be provided only about Alternative Newsweeklies. Notification shall be provided at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to acquiring any such interest, and shall include, beyond what may be required by the applicable instructions, the names of the principal representatives of the parties to the agreement who negotiated the agreement, and any management or strategic plans discussing the proposed transaction. If within the 30-day period after notification, representatives of the Antitrust Division make a written request for additional information, Defendants shall not consummate the proposed transaction or agreement until twenty (20) calendar days after submitting all such additional information. Early termination of the waiting periods in this paragraph may be requested and, where appropriate, granted in the same manner as is applicable under the requirements and provisions of the HSR Act and rules promulgated thereunder. This Section shall be broadly construed and any ambiguity or uncertainty regarding the filing of notice under this Section shall be resolved in favor of filing notice.
For any employee involved in the publication of the Cleveland Free Times as of October 1, 2002, any non-compete provision imposed by Village Voice Media shall be null and void. For a period from the filing of the Complaint to one year from the divestiture of the Cleveland Free Times Assets, Defendants shall not enforce any other non-compete contractual provisions against any of their former or current employees of the Cleveland Free Times or the Cleveland Scene in the Greater Cleveland Area. Defendants shall notify in writing all affected former and current employees that such non-compete contractual provisions will not be enforced.
For any employee involved in the publication of the New Times LA as of October 1, 2002, any non-compete provision imposed by New Times shall be null and void. For a period from the filing of the Complaint to one year from the divestiture of the New Times LA Assets, Defendants shall not enforce any other non-compete contractual provisions against any of their former or current employees of the New Times LA or LA Weekly in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Defendants shall notify in writing all affected former and current employees that such non-compete contractual provisions will not be enforced.
Defendants are ordered and directed, within thirty (30) calendar days after the filing of the Complaint in this matter, to divest the Divestiture Assets in a manner consistent with this Final Judgment to an Acquirer or Acquirers acceptable to the United States in its sole discretion, after consultation with the State Attorneys General. The United States, in its sole discretion, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, may agree to an extension of this time period for any divestiture of up to thirty (30) additional calendar days, and shall notify this Court in such circumstances.
Defendants agree to use their best efforts to divest the Divestiture Assets in a manner consistent with this Final Judgment to an Acquirer or Acquirers acceptable to the United States in its sole discretion, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, and to effect such divestitures as expeditiously as possible.
In accomplishing the divestitures ordered by this Final Judgment, each Defendant promptly shall make known, by usual and customary means, the availability of the Divestiture Assets under its possession, custody or control. Defendants shall inform any person making inquiry regarding a possible purchase of the Divestiture Assets that such assets are being divested pursuant to this Final Judgment and provide that person with a copy of this Final Judgment. Defendants shall offer to furnish to all prospective Acquirers, subject to customary confidentiality assurances, all information and documents relating to the Divestiture Assets customarily provided in a due diligence process except such information or documents subject to the attorney-client privilege or attorney work-product doctrine. Defendants shall make available such information to the United States and the State Attorneys General at the same time that such information is made available to any other person.
Village Voice Media shall provide the Acquirers, the United States, and the State Attorneys General information relating to the personnel that were involved in any way in the publication of the Cleveland Free Times to enable the Acquirer to make offers of employment. Defendants will not interfere with any negotiations by the Acquirer(s) to employ any current or former Village Voice Media employee that was involved in the publication of the Cleveland Free Times.
New Times shall provide the Acquirers, the United States, and the State Attorneys General information relating to the personnel that were involved in any way in the publication of the New Times LA to enable the Acquirer to make offers of employment. Defendants will not interfere with any negotiations by the Acquirer(s) to employ any current or former New Times employee that was involved in the publication of the New Times LA.
Defendants shall permit prospective Acquirers of the Divestiture Assets to have reasonable access to personnel and to make inspections of the physical facilities of the Divestiture Assets. To the extent that Defendants continue to maintain any environmental, zoning or other permits pertaining to the publication of the Cleveland Free Times or the New Times LA, Defendants shall permit prospective Acquirers access to any and all documents and information associated with those permits. Defendants shall permit prospective Acquirers of the Divestiture Assets to have access to any and all financial, operational, or other documents and information customarily provided as part of a due diligence process.
Defendants shall warrant to the Acquirer(s) of the Divestiture Assets that each asset will be operational on the date of sale.
Defendants shall not take any action that will impede in any way the permitting, operation, or divestiture of the Cleveland Free Times Assets or the New Times LA Assets.
To the extent that Defendants continue to maintain any environmental, zoning or other permits pertaining to the publication of the Cleveland Free Times or the New Times LA, Defendants shall warrant to the Acquirer(s) that there are no material defects in those permits. Following the sale of the Cleveland Free Times and/or the New Times LA Assets, Defendants will not undertake, directly or indirectly, any challenges to the environmental, zoning, or other permits relating to the publication of the Cleveland Free Times and/or the New Times LA.
shall be accomplished so as to satisfy the United States, in its sole discretion, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, that none of the terms of any agreement between an Acquirer (or Acquirers) and Defendants give Defendants the ability unreasonably to raise the Acquirer's costs, to lower the Acquirer's efficiency, or otherwise to interfere in the ability of the Acquirer to compete effectively.
With respect to copyrights or trademarks associated specifically with the New Times LA that New Times employs in the publication of other New Times Alternative Newsweeklies, the divestiture pursuant to Section V, or by a trustee appointed pursuant to Section VI, of this Final Judgment shall be accomplished by means of an exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, assignable license to those copyrights or trademarks for use by the Acquirer and its successors in connection with publishing an Alternative Newsweekly in the Greater Los Angeles Area. New Times is enjoined from using, or granting rights to persons other than the Acquirer or its successors to use, such copyrights or trademarks in the publication of an Alternative Newsweekly in the Greater Los Angeles Area. New Times, consistent with the purpose and intent of this Final Judgment, may include, as part of the license for any valid registered trademark used specifically with New Times's other Alternative Newsweeklies and New Times LA, the requirement on the Acquirer and its successors to take the minimum reasonable measures necessary to prevent New Times from being deemed to have abandoned such shared registered trademarks under the Lanham Act.
If Defendants have not divested the Cleveland Free Times Assets within the time period specified in Section V(A), they shall notify the United States and the State Attorneys General of that fact in writing. Upon application of the United States, the Court shall appoint a trustee selected by the United States in its sole discretion and approved by this Court to effect the divestiture of the Cleveland Free Times Assets.
If Defendants have not divested the New Times LA Assets within the time period specified in Section V(A), they shall notify the United States and the State Attorneys General of that fact in writing. Upon application of the United States, the Court shall appoint a trustee selected by the United States in its sole discretion and approved by this Court to effect the divestiture of the New Times LA Assets.
After the appointment of a trustee becomes effective, only the trustee shall have the right to sell the Divestiture Assets. The trustee shall have the power and authority to accomplish the divestiture to an Acquirer(s) acceptable to the United States, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, at such price and on such terms as are then obtainable upon reasonable effort by the trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections V, VI, and VII of this Final Judgment, and shall have such other powers as this Court deems appropriate. Subject to Section VI(E) of this Final Judgment, the trustee may hire at the cost and expense of the Defendant whose Divestiture Assets the trustee is to divest any investment bankers, attorneys, or other agents, who shall be solely accountable to the trustee, reasonably necessary in the trustee's judgment to assist in the divestiture.
Defendants shall not object to a sale by the trustee on any ground other than the trustee's malfeasance. Any such objections by Defendants must be conveyed in writing to the United States, the State Attorneys General and the trustee within five (5) calendar days after the trustee has provided the notice required under Section VII of this Final Judgment.
The trustee shall serve at the cost and expense of the Defendant whose Divestiture Assets the trustee is to divest, on such terms and conditions as the United States approves, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, and shall account for all monies derived from the sale of the assets sold by the trustee and all costs and expenses so incurred. After approval by this Court of the trustee's accounting, including fees for its services and those of any professionals and agents retained by the trustee, all remaining money shall be paid to the Defendant whose Divestiture Assets the trustee divested and the trust shall then be terminated. The compensation of the trustee and any professionals and agents retained by the trustee shall be reasonable in light of the value of the Divestiture Assets and based on a fee arrangement providing the trustee with an incentive based on the price and terms of the divestiture and the speed with which it is accomplished, but timeliness is paramount.
Defendants shall use their best efforts to assist the trustee in accomplishing the required divestiture. The trustee and any consultants, accountants, attorneys, and other persons retained by the trustee shall have full and complete access to the Defendants' personnel, books, records, and facilities, and Defendants shall develop financial and other information relevant to such businesses as the trustee may reasonably request, subject to reasonable protection for trade secrets or other confidential research, development, or commercial information. Defendants shall take no action to interfere with or to impede the trustee's accomplishment of the divestiture.
After its appointment, the trustee shall file monthly reports with the United States, the State Attorneys General and the Court setting forth the trustee's efforts to accomplish the divestiture ordered under this Final Judgment. To the extent such reports contain information that the trustee deems confidential, such reports shall not be filed in the public docket of this Court. Such reports shall include the name, address, and telephone number of each person who, during the preceding month, made an offer to acquire, expressed an interest in acquiring, entered into negotiations to acquire, or was contacted or made an inquiry about acquiring, any interest in the Divestiture Assets the trustee is to divest, and shall describe in detail each contact with any such person. The trustee shall maintain full records of all efforts made to divest the Divestiture Assets.
If the trustee has not accomplished such divestiture within three months after its appointment, the trustee shall promptly file with this Court a report setting forth: (1) the trustee's efforts to accomplish the required divestiture, (2) the reasons, in the trustee's judgment, why the required divestiture has not been accomplished, and (3) the trustee's recommendations. To the extent such reports contain information that the trustee deems confidential, such reports shall not be filed in the public docket of this Court. The trustee shall at the same time furnish such report to the United States and the State Attorneys General who shall have the right to make additional recommendations consistent with the purpose of the Final Judgment. The Court thereafter shall enter such orders as it shall deem appropriate to carry out the purpose of the Final Judgment, which may, if necessary, include extending the trust and the term of the trustee's appointment by a period requested by the United States.
Within two (2) business days following execution of a definitive divestiture agreement, Village Voice Media, New Times, or the trustee, whichever effected the divestiture, shall notify the United States and the State Attorneys General of any proposed divestiture required by Section V or VI of this Final Judgment. If the trustee is responsible, it shall similarly notify the Defendant whose Divestiture Assets the trustee divested. The notice shall set forth the details of the proposed divestiture and list the name, address, and telephone number of each person not previously identified who offered or expressed an interest in or desire to acquire any ownership interest in the Divestiture Assets, together with full details of the same.
Within five (5) calendar days of receipt by the United States and the State Attorneys General of such notice, the United States, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, may request from Defendants, the proposed Acquirer or Acquirers, any other third party, or the trustee (if applicable) additional information concerning the proposed divestiture, the proposed Acquirer or Acquirers, and any other potential Acquirer. Defendants and the trustee shall furnish any additional information requested within five (5) calendar days of the receipt of the request, unless the parties shall otherwise agree.
Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the notice or within five (5) calendar days after the United States and the State Attorneys General have been provided the additional information requested from Defendants, the proposed Acquirer or Acquirers, any third party, and the trustee (if applicable), whichever is later, the United States, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, shall provide written notice to the Defendant whose Divestiture Assets are at issue, and the trustee (if applicable), stating whether or not it objects to the proposed divestiture. If the United States provides written notice that it does not object, the divestiture may be consummated, subject only to Defendants' limited right to object to the sale under Section VI(D) of this Final Judgment. Absent written notice that the United States does not object to the proposed Acquirer or upon objection by the United States, a divestiture proposed under Section V or Section VI shall not be consummated. Upon objection by either Defendant under Section VI(D), a divestiture proposed under Section VI shall not be consummated unless approved by this Court.
Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the filing of the Complaint in this matter, and every thirty (30) calendar days thereafter until the divestiture(s) has been completed under Section V or VI, Defendants each shall deliver to the United States and the State Attorneys General an affidavit as to the fact and manner of its compliance with Section V or VI of this Final Judgment. Each such affidavit shall include the name, address, and telephone number of each person who, during the preceding thirty (30) days, made an offer to acquire, expressed an interest in acquiring, entered into negotiations to acquire, or was contacted or made an inquiry about acquiring, any interest in the Divestiture Assets, and shall describe in detail each contact with any such person during that period. Each such affidavit shall also include a description of the efforts Defendants have taken to solicit buyers for the Divestiture Assets, and to provide required information to prospective purchasers, including the limitations, if any, on such information. Assuming the information set forth in the affidavit is true and complete, any objection by the United States, after consultation with the State Attorneys General, to information provided by Defendants, including limitation on information, shall be made within five (5) calendar days of receipt of such affidavit.
Upon the written request of a duly authorized representative of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division, or upon written request of duly authorized representatives of the State Attorneys General, Defendants shall submit written reports, under oath if requested, relating to any of the matters contained in this Final Judgment as may be requested.
No information or documents obtained by the means provided in this section shall be divulged by Plaintiffs to any person other than an authorized representative of the executive branch of the United States, or of the State Attorneys General, except in the course of legal proceedings to which the United States or State Attorneys General is a party (including grand jury proceedings), or for the purpose of securing compliance with this Final Judgment, or as otherwise required by law.
If at the time Defendants furnish information or documents to the United States, they represent and identify in writing the material in any such information or documents to which a claim of protection may be asserted under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and mark each pertinent page of such material, "Subject to claim of protection under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," then the United States shall give Defendants ten (10) calendar days notice prior to divulging such material in any legal proceeding (other than a grand jury proceeding). | 2019-04-23T14:47:47Z | https://www.justice.gov/atr/case-document/proposed-final-judgment-274 |
Salvation (from corruption) and Ethics.
The appropriation of salvation in Christ and the mystical conception of the Church.
The Church and the Eucharist.
The Church or the Community.
Relative observations concerning the origin and basis of the episcopate.
The basis for equality of bishops.
1) Salvation (from corruption [ 1 ] ) and Ethics.
St. Ignatius emphatically and persistently points out the absolute necessity of faith in the real historical facts of the incarnation of God from the Virgin and of the death and fleshly resurrection of the God-man. (Tral. 2,9,10; Phil. 8,9; Smyr. 1,2,3,4,7.) "I desire to guard you... that you fall not upon the hooks of vain doctrine, but that you attain to full assurance in regard to the birth, and passion, and resurrection which took place in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate.: (Mag. 11.) Faith in the flesh and spirit (Smyr. 3) of Christ is the very basis of the whole structure of New Testament and ancient Christian ethics. The life of selfless love and the successful struggle against the powers of death and the devil are impossible without communion with the real life-giving and resurrected flesh of the Lord. "Consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love, etc. ..." (Ibid. 6.) Most probably St. Ignatius is here referring to heretics with dualistic doctrines who ignore the true nature of material creation and by consequence the real meaning of death and corruption. It is possible to suppose that Ignatius is here exaggerating the inadequate ethics of the heretics he has in mind. Such a judgment is especially tempting when one realizes the fact that some of the heretics attacked by Ignatius admired and respected the Orthodox, even as happens today. "For what does any one profit me if he commends me but blasphemes my Lord, not confessing that He is possessed of flesh?" (Ibid. 5.) Such a value judgment, however, concerning such possible exaggeration can be made only when one uses as criteria ethical theories foreign to the basis of Ignatius' thought. The ethical criteria of St. Ignatius cannot be judged according to theories of natural moral law which conceive of man's quest for security and happiness as normal. It is quite obvious that Ignatius unites the possibility of a Christian ethic not to natural utilitarian principles of happiness, but solely to the resurrected flesh of Christ. This relationship of Christian ethics to the physical death and resurrection of Christ must be comprehended for an adequate understanding of the presuppositions of Ignatian ecclesiology.
2) The appropriation of salvation in Christ and the mystical conception of the Church.
St. Ignatius' mystical conception of the Church as the body of Christ is not a result of personal enthusiasm for a mystical union with God as happens with certain philosophical types who individualistically seek ever more clear visions of eternal truths contained in the essence of the one by the soul's transcending or penetrating material phenomena and uniting with reality. The mysticism of Ignatius has nothing to do with philosophical or natural mysticism which operates according to the presupposition that reality consists in overcoming the material so that two natural immortalities, the soul and God, may again become one. For Ignatius this world is itself reality because it was created by God to be reality and proof of this is the resurrection of Christ in history for the salvation of history and time, not from history and time. In sharp contrast to his spiritualistic adversaries, Ignatius presents a mysticism completely Christocentric and indeed Sarkocentric - only the flesh and blood of the resurrected God-man are the source of life and resurrection of all men of all ages. (Ign. Eph. 1, 7, ,19, 20; Mag. 6, 8; Smyr. 1, 3; Pol. 3; Mag. 9; Phil. 5,9.) The human nature of God is none other than salvation itself - namely 1) the restoration of immortality to those who partake corporately in selfless love, 2) the justification of man by the destruction of death and man's accusor and captor, the devil, and 3) the granting of the power to defeat the devil by struggling to attain to selfless love for God and neighbor through the flesh of Christ. The Christocentric and flesh-centered mysticism of Ignatius is not a simple luxury of the more enthusiastically inclined, but on the contrary an absolute necessity for salvation, and constitutes the very basis of his ecclesiology, which is indeed that of the New Testament and ancient Church.
3) The Church and the Eucharist.
4) The Church or the Community.
According to the thought of Ignatius there exists an inseparable relationship between the bishop and the Eucharist. Unity with the bishop and unity with each other in the one bread within the altar is precisely one identical reality. There is one flesh of the Lord, one cup, one altar, as there is one bishop. "Take heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup unto unity of His blood, one altar, as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery, and deacons, my fellow-servants, so that whatever you do, you may do it according to God." (Ign. Phil. 4; also to be interpreted in the light of this passage: Eph. 20; Mag. 7; Tral. 7; Phil. sal.) The liturgy is a distinctive characteristic of the office of the bishop under whose personal surveillance all mysteries must be performed. "Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a firm Eucharist which is under the bishop, or one to whom he has entrusted it." (Smyr. 8.) Only in case of necessity could the Eucharist be administered under the surveillance of a presbyter. This is clearly indicated by the fact that, "It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate an agape." (Ibid.) Such a claim that even the agape cannot be held without the bishop would be incomprehensible and extremely fantastic if it were not presupposed that in the thought and experience of St. Ignatius each liturgical center necessitated the existence of a bishop-that the relationship of one bishop to each liturgical center was an inseparable reality.
According to Ignatius the faithful are not saved through the bishop as an individual as such as having some sort of magical power. The Church as the very body of Christ has God Himself operating salvation in Christ by His Spirit in the corporate mysteries. Herein lies the whole theology of the "epiclesis" whereby the community is continuously vivified and justified by the Spirit in the life of love by the flesh of Christ, whereby the devil is continuously judged a false accusor and destroyed, and whereby the world is constantly reproved of sin because of lack of such faith as would lead it to the community of salvation living by corporate love in Christ. (John 16:7-11.) The saving grace of God is His own uncreated energy because only He Who has the power to create ex nihilo can vivify and thereby justify man by slaying the devil. Thus the bishop is the sine quo non of salvation, not as an individual as such, being some sort of magical means between God and man, [ 16 ] but as the necessary center of corporate life in Christ epi to auto, to whom, together with the presbytery and diaconate, has been entrusted the faithful and correct administration of and teaching concerning the corporate mysteries. When St. Ignatius says of the bishop, presbytery, and diaconate, that "apart from them there is no Church" (Tral. 3), he clearly means that "apart from them there is no local community."
6) Relative observations concerning the origin and basis of the episcopate.
The idea that the bishop is now what the apostles once were is completely missing from the epistles of Ignatius. Peculiarly enough it is the presbyters who are always compared to the apostles. One finds in the thought of Ignatius a distinction between apostles and bishops. The apostles could command in a general manner, while the jurisdiction of a bishop is limited to one community. "Shall I, when permitted to write on this point, reach such a height of self-esteem, that though being a condemned man, I should issue commands to you as if I were an apostle?" (Tral. 3: or according to the longer version, "I do not issue orders like an apostle.") "I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles; I am but a condemned man; they were free, while I am even until now a servant." (Ign. Rom. 4.) It is quite evident that Ignatius is here giving expression to the mentality and attitude of an age still living in the shadow of the great apostles not long dead, which are did not dare compare the office of a bishop with that of an apostle. For Ignatius the bishop is the liturgical center of a local group of faithful who gather together in love epi to auto. An apostle was one who traveled everywhere establishing Churches. St. Paul writes, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel." (I Cor. 1:17.) St. Ignatius writes, "It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or the celebrate an agape." (Smyr. 8.) The origin of the episcopate cannot be understood when one compares bishops with apostles and tries to prove that they differ only in name. On the contrary, the source and basis for the episcopate is to be found in the litourgical practise of the Church and in the doctrine of the Church as defined in this same liturgical life and conditioned by the biblical doctrines of Christology and demonology. Only when one grasps the meaning of corporate communion of immortality and love through Christ epi to auto as the only condition for salvation, can one understand the life and doctrine of the primitive Church.
7) The basis for equality of bishops.
The origin of the patristic insistence on the equality of all bishops (e. g. St. Cyprian, Sententiae Episcoporum, op. 1) can be understood only in terms of the presuppositions 1) that the corporate eucharistic life locally manifested is an end in itself, 2) that individual communities are related to each other by their identity of existence in Christ, 3) that the fullness of Christ dwells in the faithful who gather together in the life of Christ epi to auto, and 4) that the episcopate is an inseparable part of this local life epi to auto. The order of the episcopate was not something that existed in itself, or itself, and over or apart from the local Church. It was definitely within the Church, and since the visible Church could be defined only in terms of the body of Christ locally manifested in its mystagogical life, the episcopate was definitely of local character. The existence of bishops in the smallest and remotest villages of the empire cannot be explained otherwise than in terms of the necessity to have a bishop and council of presbyters within and responsible for the life of each eucharistic center. Therefore bishops were equal because communities were equal. One local manifestation of the body of Christ could not be more body of Christ or less than another. Likewise the living image of Christ (the bishop) could not be more image or less image than another image because Christ, whose image the bishops are, is identically One and Equal with Himself.
Communities without bishops appeared for the first time in large cities where the overgrown Christian population could not be accommodated any longer in one liturgical center. Whereas in the city of Alexandria the various liturgical centers at first had each a bishop (P. Trembelas, Taxeis Cheirothesion kai Cheirotonion, Athens 1949, p. 26-29, n.), in Rome not only were presbyters appointed to the different liturgical centers, but were originally not given permission to administer the Eucharist. Rather a portion of the already consecrated elements was sent from the bishop's liturgy to the faithful gathered together at the lesser centers. When finally the presbyters did receive permission to celebrate the liturgy, the bishop of Rome continued to send a portion of the consecrated elements from his own liturgy to be put into the chalices of the lesser eucharistic centers. This practise continued in Rome until the 14th century and did not completely disappear until 1870. (Dom G. Dix, op. cit. p. 21.) Thus the Churches in Rome very early lost the meaning of the Eucharist as an end in itself and vividly introduced the idea that the office of the bishop is rather something in itself and that somehow the elements consecrated at the bishop's liturgy were somewhat superior to those consecrated at the liturgy of presbyters.
Most probably because of the initial refusal of the original city communities to install bishops in the newly-founded communities of the same city, it became normal in cities to have local Churches with presbyters celebrating the liturgy. When this became a normative practise in the big cities, the bishop of the city became much more authoritative than the village bishop who was still the bishop of one community. This, plus the fact that the bishop of the city was very influentially situated, obviously introduced the idea that he was somehow more important than the village bishop. Gradually the village bishop was deprived of some of his most important functions and subjected to the surveillance of the city bishop. "... even though they may have received episcopal ordination (cheirothesian) ... let them dare not ordain neither presbyters nor deacons without the city bishop to whom he and his village is subject." (Canon 10 of Antioch; Chrysostomos Papadopoulos, Peri Chorepiscopon, Athens 1935, p. 8-10). In the Church of North Africa of the late 4th century one could still find small village communities with a bishop and only one presbyter. (Canon 55 of Carthage, H. Alibizatos, The Holy Canons, Athens 1949, p. 254.) Progressively, however, St. Ignatius' conception of the bishop in terms of the local eucharistic life as an end in itself is either mitigated or completely forgotten, and the episcopate conforms to the political structure of the empire. Because the city Churches had become accustomed to the existence of communities with presbyters celebrating the mysteries, it is obvious that the village bishop, having already been deprived of his rights to ordain his own presbyters and deacons, was in reality of no more importance than a presbyter of a city Church. [ 17 ] Thus the city bishops could see no reason why the village Churches should have a bishop at all since the city communities were functioning quite well with presbyters. Therefore, "one must not establish bishops in the town and villages, but travelers: those, however, already established must do nothing without the opinion of the bishop in the city." (Canon 57 of Laodicia.) Very characteristic of the new mentality is the 6th canon of the Council of Sardica: "It is forbidden to simply establish a bishop in some town, or small hamlet, where only one presbyter suffices. For it is not necessary to establish bishops there, that the name and authority of the bishop may not be cheapened."
In the Constantinopolitan Synods of 1341 and 1351 (John Karmiris, The Dogmatic and Symbolic Monuments of the Orthodox Catholic Church, Athens 1952, vol. 1, p. 294ff.) the Orthodox Church vigorously condemned all magical understandings of salvation which might conceive of the saving grace or energy of God as something created, stored quantitatively within a so-called bank of grace, and distributed quantitatively through sacramental acts and indulgences, by proclaiming the biblical and patristic teaching that God Himself saves men directly by His own uncreated energy. The very basis of all Orthodox doctrine concerning Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, and Soteriology is the fact that God creates, sustains, and saves creation not by created means, but by His Own life-giving energy. Only God can be the source and subject of His uncreated energies. The divine energies are neither the essence of God (God is not actus purus), for this would mean that God acts by essence and not by will (pantheism), nor hypostatic (individual entities), for this would either reduce God to a mere platonic conglomeration of ideas, or to a neo-platonic source of emanating creatures, thereby confusing the Son and the Spirit with such creatures. (A good example of such views concerning divine energies may be found in the teachings of the heretics attacked by St. Irenaeus.) The divine energies are not creatures, but precisely the creating, life-giving, justifying, uncreated energy of God. [ 19 ] Therefore grace cannot be manipulated and distributed by man who can only partake of this uncreated light of God in the corporate life of selfless love in the flesh of Christ locally manifested and formed by God Himself in real people epi to auto. This fact is extremely clear in the thought of St. Ignatius and is repeated by the whole patristic tradition of the East, and is especially re-emphasized by the anti-scholastic polemics of the 14th century.
The position of modern Orthodox theology, therefore, concerning ecclesiology cannot be dogmatically different from that of St. Ignatius. Unfortunately, however, the traditional doctrine of salvation and its appropriation has been in recent centuries much obscured by the invasion of many Western and especially Latin presuppositions used dishonestly in a convenient way both to combat Protestantism and to justify nationalism which is another form of papism in so far as the limits of the Church are extended beyond the corporate mysteries to something else. Whereas in the 14th century Nicholas Cabasilas could say that "the Church is indicated in the mysteries" (Migne, P. G. t. 150, col. 452), many modern Orthodox think of the Church as something peculiar to their national character and identify her boundaries with those of the nation, and thereby the Church is reduced to some sort of national institution. [ 20 ] Because in their conception the Church is of a wider range than the corporate life within the mysteries as an end in itself and more or less identical with the national character, it has become quite common to uncritically accept some form of the individualistic magical interpretations of Holy Orders common to the Roman and Anglican Churches. Since holy order, and especially that of the episcopate, are conceived of as something loosely connected to or almost detached from the corporate life of love epi to auto, it is only natural that the priesthood be interpreted as in itself having individual powers apart from the laity. Such an attitude has been further intensified by the heretical idea that all baptized Christians are members of the body of Christ even though they are hardly go to Church to communicate and have not the slightest desire to struggle for selfless love and fight the devil epi to auto as they solemnly swore in baptism.
[ 1 ] The so-called physical or psychosomatic magical doctrine of salvation misunderstood by Western theology in general.
[ 2 ] See my article "Original Sin According to St. Paul" St. Vladimir's Quarterly, New York 1955, Vol. IV, No. 1-2.
[ 3 ] Augustine's acceptance of a utilitarian interpretation of love for neighbor is forced upon him because of his acceptance of the pagan principle of happiness as man's goal. Love of neighbor is a means to attaining happiness, not part of a struggle for selfless love. De Doctrina Christiana, I, 20. The acceptance of such an interpretation of human destiny underlies Harnack's silly observations of the fact that in spite of baptism and participation in salvation in this life the voraugustinische Christians experienced not happiness in this life, as if this were what they striving for, because they had not that feeling of being the object of irresistible grace. Their frominigkelt war ein Schwanken swischen Furcht und Hoffnung. Dogmengeschichte, Tuebingen, 1931, p. 293ff.
[ 4 ] Canons 10, 11, 12 of First Ecumenical Council; 62 of the H. Apostles; Can. 1, 2, 3, etc., of Angyra; Canons 1, etc., of Peter of Alexandria. Enumeration system followed in this paper are those of H. Alibizatos, The Holy Canons, Athens, 1949.
[ 7 ] The basic presupposition of Chalcedonian Christology, "to aproslepton atherapeuton," which understands salvation as a destruction of Satan and death by the restoration of immortality to the world through the flesh of Christ, is foreign to the moralistic and juridical Western doctrines of atonement. It is interesting to note the tendency amongst some Protestants to conclude that Nestorius was not really a Nestorian. This is quite natural since both have a moralistic understanding of salvation.
[ 8 ] For a discussion of the term "dikaiosis" or "dikaiosyne" as God's vindicating the right, redressing wrong, and delivering men from the power of evil, see C. H. Dodd, The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, London, 1932, p. 9-13.
[ 9 ] The basic biblical presuppositions of the ancient Church that God does not create, sustain, and save by created means, rejected by Arians, Macedonians, and Nestorians, have been overthrown by the Roman doctrine that grace is created. Council of Vienna; Council of Trent, Sess. VI, Canon 11.
[ 11 ] First resurrection is that of Christ shared by the prophets, etc., who lived before Christ and in baptism and the mysteries by those after Christ and uninterrupted by death for those who are to share in the final victory.
[ 12 ] The meaning of the Church as a continuous becoming through the corporate Eucharist epi to auto, is clearly manifested in the fact that even though the ancient Christians communicated daily at home from the reserved elements, it was considered an absolute necessity for them to be present at every corporate Sunday Eucharist even during times of intense persecution. Dom G. Dix, The Shape of the Liturgy, Glasgow 1949, p. 141-155. Absence from the Eucharistic gathering because of fear was considered as proof that one had once again become a slave to the devil. This can be the only explanation of the ancient Church's practise of excommunicating even during persecutions those who abstained from the corporate life in the mysteries.
[ 13 ] Compare St. Athanasius, Migne, P. G. t. 25, col. 260.
[ 14 ] Very interesting in this respect is a statement made by Polycarp about the presbyter Valens and his wife, "but call them back as suffering and straying members that you may save your whole body." Epistle of Polycarp, ch. XI.
[ 15 ] The word ecclesia for Ignatius means a local community. Eph. sal., 5, 8; Mag. 1, 14, 15; Tral. sal., 3, 12, 13; Rom. sal., 9; Phil. sal., 10; Smyr. sal., 11; Pol. sal., 7, 8. the term "Catholic Church" has the same meaning as the term "to katholikon" used to designate the Church building of Orthodox monastic communities. In monastic usage it means the place of gathering where the faith according to all (kath' holous) is expressed and maintained in liturgical worship and communion. For Ignatius "Katholike ecclesia" designates the people themselves, that is, "the Church, or community according to all." In this term the identity of communities living in Christ is presupposed, as will become clearer in discussing the position of the bishop in the thought of St. Ignatius.
[ 16 ] "Entha gar he kephale, ekei to soma; oudeni gar meso dieigetao he kephale to soma: ei gar dieirgeto, ouk an eie soma, ouk an eie kephale." St. J. Chrysostom, Migne, P. G., t. 62, col. 31.
[ 17 ] Orthodox presbyters today are according to their function what the chorepiscopl were once they had been deprived of the right to ordain. In contrast to Western practise this is the only difference existing between bishops and presbyters in the East, viz: presbyters cannot ordain.
[ 18 ] That man is justified by God in the eyes of God and not delivered from captivity to the devil who could be no more than the punishing agent. If Western theologians would rid themselves of their monothelite cosmologies and their happiness complexes maybe they would understand the moral and ethical implications of the biblical and patristic doctrines of salvation from corruption and the devil, and cease putting forth the accusation that Eastern theology ignores the so-called moral problem of divine justice, wrath, etc. In reality it is the West that has forgotten the meaning attached to Satan and death by the biblical witness, and has made God's justice and happiness psychology in the image of fallen man by attributing to His essence moral attributes of corrupted human imagination.
[ 19 ] According to Eastern patristic tradition the energies or activities of God are not of the immutable divine essence. The justice of God is His own saving energy operated and revealed fully in Christ. This is very clearly emphasized by the Palamite Councils of the 14th century. It is interesting to note that C. H. Dodd makes such a distinction in his interpretation of the term justice as used by Paul, op. cit. p. 9-10. The acceptance of the term justice according to its Greek usage, however, as a moral attribute of God's essence, accepted by Western theologies since Augustine, is rejected by the Greek Fathers who although Greek are biblical (Hebrew) in thought. See e. g. St. Basil, epistle 149, to Eustathius Chief Psysician, ed. R. J. Deferrari, London 1930, p. 64-66.
[ 20 ] Unlike the Slavic Churches the Greek Churches are not grouped according to national boundaries. Greek-speaking Christians e. G. predominantly comprise such autocephalous groups as the Churches of Constantinople, the Churches of Alexandria, the Churches of Greece, the Churches of Cyprus, the Church of Sinai, and together with numerically more Arab Christians the Churches of Palestine. The Churches of Crete and some more other Greek islands, and the Churches of Thrace, although nationally a part of the kingdom of Greece, belong to the Autocephalous groupings of Constantinople. Such groupings of the Greek and Arabic speaking Orthodox is a remnant of the byzantine mentality and is a living refutation of the connection that the byzantine Churches are the source of Orthodox nationalism. The winds of ecclesiastical nationalism blew into Eastern Church history from the North and not from the South.
[ 21 ] This is not to be interpreted as a disapproval of clerical participation in struggles for freedom. | 2019-04-25T13:54:48Z | http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.11.en.the_ecclesiology_of_st._ignatius_of_antioch.01.htm |
The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of July 29, 2011 was 107,784,042.
Save the World Air, Inc. (“STWA”, the Company) designs, licenses and develops products to reduce operational costs for oil pipelines, and improve fuel economy and reduce emissions from diesel-powered internal combustion engines. The Company is a green technology company that leverages a suite of patented, patent-pending and licensed intellectual properties related to the treatment of fuels. Technologies patented by or licensed to us utilize either magnetic or uniform electrical fields to alter physical characteristics of fuels and are designed to create cleaner combustion. Cleaner combustion has been shown to improve performance, enhance fuel economy and/or reduce harmful emissions in laboratory testing.
The AOT™ and ELEKTRA™ are technologies which use electric fields to alter some physical properties of petrochemical fluids to reduce viscosity of the fluids. The Company differentiates AOT™ and ELEKTRA™ products based on their differing attributes and marketing focus. AOT™ products are primarily designed to reduce operation costs for oil pipelines, and ELEKTRA™ products are primarily designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions from diesel-powered internal combustion engines. Our AOT™ products are intended to reduce the viscosity of crude oil, thereby making it less restrictive to pipeline transport. Our AOT™ products will be marketed primarily to pipeline operators as well as to pilot and government mandated delivery programs. Our ELEKTRA™ products are intended to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. ELEKTRA™ will be marketed primarily to specialty consumer accessories market for many types of diesel-fueled vehicles, including but not limited to trucks, trains, maritime, military and aviation.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Save the World Air, Inc. have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Regulation S-K for scaled disclosures for smaller reporting companies. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in United States of America for complete financial statements. However, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations. Results shown for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for a full fiscal year.
Since its inception, the Company has been primarily engaged in organizational and pre-operating activities. The Company has generated insignificant revenues and has incurred accumulated losses of $63,692,181 from February 18, 1998 (Inception) through June 30, 2011. As reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company had a net loss of $5,259,261 and a negative cash flow from operations of $3,005,779 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, and had a working capital deficiency (excluding derivative liabilities) of $1,458,387 and a stockholders' deficiency of $3,456,765 at June 30, 2011. As a result, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company’s 2010 consolidated financial statements, raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
On March 28, 2011, the Company completed its final adjusted payment to Temple University for all outstanding obligations on the License Agreements and the R&D Agreement.
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to raise additional funds and implement its business plan. The Company’s operations from inception, February 18, 1998 to June 30, 2011 have been funded through issuances of its common stock and convertible notes. During this period, the Company raised an aggregate of $25,414,482 of which $14,598,408 was from the sale of convertible notes. As of June 30, 2011, the outstanding balance of convertible notes was $827,764, of which $791,950 represented the 2011 Winter and Spring Offerings which closed February 28, 2011 and May 31, 2011 respectively (see “Note 4. Convertible Debentures”). The Company expects substantially all of the outstanding notes will be converted into shares of common stock of the Company.
On June 30, 2011, the Company had cash on hand in the amount of $448,362. In addition to the funds on hand, the Company will require additional funds to continue to operate our business. This includes expenses we will incur in connection with license agreements; product development and commercialization of the AOT and ELEKTRA technologies; costs to manufacture and ship our products; costs to design and implement an effective system of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures; costs of maintaining our status as a public company by filing periodic reports with the SEC and costs required to protect our intellectual property. In addition, the Company has contractual commitments for salaries to one of the executive officers pursuant to an employment agreement, severance payments to a former officer and consulting fees, during 2011 and beyond. In light of the Company’s financial commitments over the next several months and its liquidity constraints, we have implemented cost reduction measures in all areas of operations. The Company intends to review these measures on an ongoing basis and make additional decisions as may be required.
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution, using the treasury stock method that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the loss of the Company. In computing diluted loss per share, the treasury stock method assumes that outstanding options and warrants are exercised and the proceeds are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Options and warrants may have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when the average market price of the common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options and warrants. For the six month period ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options of 22,177,892 and 4,976,376 respectively, and outstanding warrants of 37,701,079 and 19,932,339 have been excluded because their impact on the loss per share is anti-dilutive.
The following table presents certain investments and liabilities of the Company’s financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
As at June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, the Company had loan payable to an officer of the Company in the amount of $63,464 and $86,947, respectively. These loans are unsecured, are due on demand and bear interest at 6% per annum. On July 6, 2011, the Company made a partial payment of $40,000, bringing down the balance of these loans to $23,464.
As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had accounts payable to related parties in the amount of $76,183 and $241,176, respectively. These amounts are unpaid Directors Fees and expenses incurred by officers and directors.
The aggregate value of the Winter 2008 Offering Warrants issued in connection with the December 5, 2008 closing were valued at $168,925 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of 3.42%; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 153.56%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. The Company also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $308,075. The value of the Winter 2008 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature, and the initial discount and transaction fees of $47,700 were considered as debt discount and were amortized over the life of the Note.
As June 30, 2011, investors have converted $519,200 of the Convertible Notes into 3,054,117 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of June 30, 2011, one note for $5,500 was in default and outstanding ($6,997 in total including $1,497 in penalties and interest).
The Company received $165,000 in net proceeds in the Spring 2009 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Spring 2009 Offering Warrants issued in connection with the April 30, 2009 closing were valued at $39,994 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of 0.94%; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 156.39%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. The Company also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $96,827. The value of the Spring 2009 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature, and the initial discount and transaction fees of $16,500 were considered as debt discount and were amortized over the life of the Note.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $176,000 of the Convertible Notes plus penalty and interest of $7,538 into 679,768 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of June 30, 2011, one note in the amount of $5,500 was in default and outstanding ($6,755 in total which includes $1,255 of penalty and interest).
The Company determined that the fair value of the warrant liability at issuance on November 20, 2009 to be $75,000 based upon a probability weighted average Black-Sholes-Merton calculation. The Company recorded the full value of the derivative as a liability at issuance with an offset to valuation discount. The fair value of the warrant liability as of June 30, 2011 was $24,735 (see Note 8).
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $75,000 of the Convertible Notes plus $4,664 of accrued interest into 318,656 shares of the Company’s common stock. There was no outstanding balance as of June 30, 2011.
The Company determined that the fair value of the warrant liability at issuances to be $3,027,815 based upon a probibility weighted average Black-Scholes-Merton calculation (See Note 8), of which, $654,978 was recorded on December 31, 2009 and $2,372,837 was recorded on January 15, 2010. The Company recorded the full value of the derivative of $2,372,837 as a liability at issuance with an offset to valuation discount. As the fair value of the liability of $2,372,837 exceeded the note value of $1,243,625, the excess of the liability over the note amount of $1,129,212 was considered to be cost of the private placement and was charged to expense upon issuance. The fair value of the warrant liability as of June 30, 2011 was $1,613,819 (see Note 8).
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $1,578,125 of the Convertible Notes plus interest of $11,502 into 6,358,507 shares of the Company’s common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $11,062 which includes $1,062 in accrued interest.
The Company received $849,861 in net proceeds in the Fall 2010 #2 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Fall 2010 #2 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $436,986 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .27; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 121%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. The Company also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $417,875. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Fall 2010 #2 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $85,486 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $929,347 of the Convertible Notes into 3,717,386 shares of the Company’s common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $11,000.
The Company received $2,353,111 in net proceeds in the 2011 Winter Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the 2011 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $1,368,888 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .25; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 130%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. The Company also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature valued at $984,223. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the 2011 Winter Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $235,311 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $2,296,372 of the Convertible Notes into 9,185,486 shares of the Company’s common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $292,050.
From March 14, 2010 through May 31, 2011, the Company conducted a private offering (the “Spring 2011 Offering”) of up to $1,000,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “Spring 2011 Notes”). A total of $1,469,550 aggregate face amount of the Spring 2011 Notes were sold for an aggregate purchase price of $1,335,955. While there was no stated interest rate on the Spring 2011 Notes, the implied effective interest rate on the Spring 2011 Notes is 10% per annum. The Spring 2011 Notes mature on the first anniversary of their date of issuance. The Spring 2011 Notes are convertible, at the option of the note holder, into 5,878,200 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
Each of the investors in the Spring 2011 Offering received, for no additional consideration, a warrant (the “Spring 2011 Warrants”), entitling the holder to purchase a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares of common stock into which the Spring 2011 Notes are convertible (the “Warrant Shares”). Each Spring 2011 Warrant is exercisable on a cash basis only at an initial price of $0.30 per share, and is exercisable immediately upon issuance and for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Up to 5,878,200 Warrant Shares are initially issuable to date on exercise of the Spring 2011 Warrants.
The Company received $1,335,955 in net proceeds in the 2011 Spring Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the 2011 Spring Offering Warrants issued were valued at $726,787 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .45; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 119%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. The Company also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature valued at $609,168. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the 2011 Spring Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $133,595 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $969,650 of the Convertible Notes into 3,878,600 shares of the Company’s common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $499,900.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company issued 14,785,666 shares of common stock in exchange for conversion of $3,696,417 of Convertible Notes.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company issued 81,020 shares of common stock upon cashless exercise of 224,000 warrants.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company issued 77,778 shares of common stock upon exercise of options at $0.27 per share and valued at $21,000.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company granted, but did not issue 200,000 shares of common stock for consulting services. These shares were valued at $120,000 based on the trading price at the date of the agreement and were subsequently issued on July 25, 2011.
The Company currently issues stock options to employees, directors and consultants under the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the Plan). The Company could issue options under the Plan to acquire up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock. In February 2006, the board approved an amendment to the Plan (approved by the Shareholders in May 2006), increasing the authorized shares by 2,000,000 shares to 7,000,000 shares. At June 30, 2011, 2,672,108 were available to be granted under the Plan. Prior to 2004, the Company granted 3,250,000 options outside the Plan to officers of the Company of which 250,000 are still outstanding.
On January 29, 2011, the Company issued 17,600,000 options to Cecil Bond Kyte, its chairman and chief executive officer. The options have an exercise price of $.25 per share, vest over a five year period, and expire ten years from date of grant. Twenty percent of the options shall vest on each of the first five anniversary dates. In the event of a change of control of the Company, all unvested options shall vest on the date of the change of control. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company amortized $565,248 of compensation cost based on the vesting of the options. Future unamortized compensation expense on the outstanding options at June 30, 2011 is $6,277,041.
The weighted average fair value for options granted in 2010 was $0.53. The weighted average fair value for options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $0.38.
The Company has research and development facilities in Morgan Hill, California. The Company has tested products incorporating our ZEFS, MK IV, ELEKTRA and AOT technologies for multiple makes and models diesel engines, motorbikes, boats, generators, lawnmowers, other small engines and pipelines. The Company has purchased test vehicles, test engines and testing equipment. The Company incurred $81,213 and $29,802 and $552,568 and $204,095 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on its research and development activities.
In mid-July, 2010, the Company entered into a Letter of Intent with the U.S. Department of Energy-Naval Petroleum Reserve/Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center (RMOTC) in Wyoming. On December 22, 2010, a formal Agreement was entered into with RMOTC for testing of our Applied Oil Technology (AOT). Third-party vendors and suppliers were used by the Company to provide the facility construction materials and the prototype’s design and fabrication. To conduct the testing, the Company was responsible for designing and building the testing facility, located on the Naval Petroleum Reserve #3. Design and engineering began on January 6, 2011 and construction was completed on June 30, 2011. Costs incurred for the testing during the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $542,540.
As of June 30, 2011, the Company re-measured the derivative liabilities and determined the fair value to be $2,101,091. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded a gain on the change in fair value of derivatives of $1,563,584.
The Company concluded its litigation in previous matters involving the Company’s prior Chairman and Chief Executive, Jeffrey Muller and all related matters and are of the current opinion that the Company no longer faces litigation liability in connection with those cases. The Company is continuing to ensure it’s obligations are fully in compliance with a previous injunction order entered by a Federal District Court over six years ago to timely file all of the Company’s financial and related reports. The Company will shortly be petitioning the Federal District Court to dissolve the compliance injunction on the basis that for more than a six-year period, under the Company’s new administrative and executive leadership, it has been in full compliance with the Company’s SEC financial and reporting obligations. The Company can provide no assurance that such action to dissolve the injunction would be successful.
As previously reported, on April 7, 2010, Bruce McKinnon, the former CEO of the Company, and the Company entered into an Agreement Re: Collection on Judgment (“Judgment”) (the “Settlement Agreement”), wherein McKinnon, among other things, agreed to cease further collection efforts on the Judgment, and the Company, among other things, agreed to satisfy the Judgment for, and McKinnon agreed to accept as full and final satisfaction of the Judgment, subject to certain payment waivers described below, a total amount of $360,000, plus interest of ten percent (10%) per annum from March 15, 2010, on the unpaid balance until paid, payable as follows: $30,000 on April 7, 2010; $85,000 on or before April 15, 2010; and, $15,000 per month commencing on June 1, 2010, until paid. As of June 30, 2011, all payments have been made on time and the balance due is $74,541. The Settlement Agreement also provides that if the Company makes all payments thereunder on a timely basis, McKinnon will waive final payments due him in the amount of $35,000. On July 15, 2011, the Company made the full and final payment to Bruce McKinnon.
From July 1, 2011 through July 29, 2011, the Company issued 1,186,384 additional shares of common stock in exchange for the conversion of $296,596 Convertible Notes. The outstanding balance of Convertible Notes at July 29, 2011 is $531,168.
Since June 24, 2011, the Company has been conducting a private offering (the “Summer 2011 Offering”) of up to $500,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “Summer 2011 Notes”). The Summer 2011 Offering closed on July 31, 2011. As of July 31, 2011, a total of $487,783 aggregate face amount of the Summer 2011 Notes have been sold for an aggregate purchase price of $443,438. While there is no stated interest rate on the Summer 2011 Notes, the implied effective interest rate on the Summer 2011 Notes is 10% per annum. The Summer 2011 Notes mature on the first anniversary of their date of issuance. The Summer 2011 Notes are convertible, at the option of the note holder, into 1,951,132 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
Each of the investors in the Summer 2011 Offering will receive, for no additional consideration, a warrant (the “Summer 2011 Warrants”), entitling the holder to purchase a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares of common stock into which the Summer 2011 Notes are convertible (the “Warrant Shares”). Each Summer 2011 Warrant is exercisable on a cash basis only at an initial price of $0.30 per share, and is exercisable immediately upon issuance and for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Up to 1,951,132 Warrant Shares are initially issuable to date on exercise of the Summer 2011 Warrants.
Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
We obtained three licenses (the “Licenses”) from Temple University for their patent-pending uniform electric field technology, which provide the intellectual property foundations upon which the AOT and ELEKTRA products are based. The AOT technology consists of passing crude oil through an array of dynamically-controlled electrical fields to reduce the viscosity of the oil, making it easier to pump through oil pipelines. The ELEKTRA technology consists of passing fuel through a dynamically-controlled electrical field to assist in the atomization of fuel via fuel injectors. ELEKTRA introduces a uniform electrical field into the fuel flow to reduce the viscosity of diesel fuel, enabling smaller droplets to be released into the combustion chamber of a diesel engine. At December 31, 2010, the Company owed to Temple University a total of $721,785 for the License Agreement, Maintenance Fees, R&D Agreement and penalties and we were in default in those payments. On March 28, 2011, we completed our final adjusted payment to Temple University for all outstanding obligations on the License Agreements and the R&D Agreement.
We did not generate any revenue for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
Operating expenses were $1,428,251 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $1,058,433 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, an increase of $369,818. This increase is attributable to increases in non-cash expenses of $49,141 and cash expenses of $320,677. Specifically, the increase in non-cash expense is attributable to an increase in valuation of options given to employees as compensation of $264,752, offset by decreases in stocks and warrants given to consultants of $215,527 and depreciation of $84. Specifically, the increase in cash expense is attributable to increases in consulting and professional fees of $188,777, office and other expenses of $75,009, corporate expenses of $53,288, salaries and benefits of $6,361, offset by a decrease in travel and related expenses of $2,758.
Operating expenses were $2,511,235 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $2,621,969 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, a decrease of $110,734. This decrease is attributable to a decrease in non-cash expenses of $296,897 offset by an increase in cash expenses of $186,163. Specifically, the decrease in non-cash expense is attributable to decreases in stocks and warrants given to consultants of $685,527, stocks given to employees of $91,700 and depreciation of $635, offset by an increase in valuation of options given to employees as compensation of $480,965. Specifically, the increase in cash expense is attributable to increases in consulting and professional fees of $93,540, corporate expenses of $53,935, office and other expenses of $32,938 and salaries and benefits of $11,271, offset by a decrease in travel and related expenses of $5,521.
Research and development expenses were $81,213 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $29,802 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, an increase of $51,411. This increase is attributable to an increase in product testing, research and supplies of $77,671, offset by a decrease in contract fees of $26,260.
Research and development expenses were $552,568 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $204,095 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, an increase of $348,473. This increase is attributable to an increase in product testing, research and supplies of $548,736, offset by a decrease in contract fees of $200,263.
Other income and expense were $2,886,206 expense for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $975,410 income for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, an increase in expense of $3,861,616. This increase is attributable to increases in interest and financing expense of $1,839,138, change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $2,163,905 and other non-operating expense of $26,913, offset by a decrease in costs to induce conversion of notes of $168,340.
Other income and expense were $2,194,658 expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to $2,795,248 expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, a decrease in expense of $600,590. This decrease is attributable to decreases in cost of private placement of $1,129,212, change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $292,455, costs to induce conversion of notes of $168,340, offset by increases in interest and financing expense of $1,022,671 and an increase in other income of $33,254.
We had a net loss of $4,396,470, or $0.04 per share, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to a net loss of $112,825, or $0.00 per share, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010. We had a net loss of $5,259,261, or $0.06 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, compared to a net loss of $5,622,112, or $0.07 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010. We expect to incur additional net loss in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 primarily attributable to continued operating and marketing-related expenditures without the benefit of any significant revenue for the remainder of the year.
Since its inception, we have been primarily engaged in organizational and pre-operating activities. We have generated insignificant revenues and have incurred accumulated losses of $63,692,181 from February 18, 1998 (Inception) through June 30, 2011. As reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, we had a net loss of $5,259,261 and a negative cash flow from operations of $3,005,779 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, and had a working capital deficiency (excluding derivative liabilities) of $1,458,387 and a stockholders' deficiency of $3,456,765 at June 30, 2011. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm, in their report on our 2010 consolidated financial statements, raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.
On March 28, 2011, we completed our final adjusted payment to Temple University for all outstanding obligations on the License Agreements and the R&D Agreement.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to raise additional funds and implement our business plan. Our operations from inception, February 18, 1998 to June 30, 2011 have been funded through issuances of our common stock and convertible notes. During this period, we raised an aggregate of $25,414,482 of which $14,598,408 was from the sale of convertible notes. As of June 30, 2011, the outstanding balance of convertible notes was $827,764, of which $499,900 represented the 2011 Spring Offering which closed May 31, 2011. (see “Note 4. Convertible debentures”). We expect substantially all of the outstanding notes will be converted into shares of common stock of the Company (see “Item 5 Other Information”).
On June 30, 2011, we had cash on hand in the amount of $448,362. In addition to the funds on hand, we will require additional funds to continue to operate our business. This includes expenses we will incur in connection with license agreements; product development and commercialization of the AOT and ELEKTRA technologies; costs to manufacture and ship our products; costs to design and implement an effective system of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures; costs of maintaining our status as a public company by filing periodic reports with the SEC and costs required to protect our intellectual property. In addition ,we have contractual commitments for salaries to one of our executive officers pursuant to an employment agreement, severance payments to a former officer and consulting fees, during 2011 and beyond. In light of our financial commitments over the next several months and its liquidity constraints, we have implemented cost reduction measures in all areas of operations. We intend to review these measures on an ongoing basis and make additional decisions as may be required.
Since June 24, 2011, we have been conducting a private offering (the “Summer 2011 Offering”) of up to $500,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “Summer 2011 Notes”). The Summer 2011 Offering closed on July 31, 2011. As of July 31, 2011, a total of $487,783 aggregate face amount of the Summer 2011 Notes have been sold for an aggregate purchase price of $443,438. While there is no stated interest rate on the Summer 2011 Notes, the implied effective interest rate on the Summer 2011 Notes is 10% per annum. The Summer 2011 Notes mature on the first anniversary of their date of issuance. The Summer 2011 Notes are convertible, at the option of the note holder, into 1,951,132 shares of our common stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
We determined that the fair value of the warrant liability at issuances to be $3,027,815 based upon a probability weighted average Black-Scholes-Merton calculation (See Note 8), of which, $654,978 was recorded on December 31, 2009 and $2,372,837 was recorded on January 15, 2010. We recorded the full value of the derivative of $2,372,837 as a liability at issuance with an offset to valuation discount. As the fair value of the liability of $2,372,837 exceeded the note value of $1,243,625, the excess of the liability over the note amount of $1,129,212 was considered to be cost of the private placement and was recorded upon issuance. The fair value of the warrant liability as of June 30, 2011 was $1,613,819 (see Note 8).
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $1,578,125 of the Convertible Notes plus interest of $11,502 into 6,358,507 shares of our common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 is $11,062 which includes $1,062 in accrued interest.
We received $805,330 in net proceeds in the Winter 2010 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Winter 2010 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $476,268 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of 1.02; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 135%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $329,062. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Winter 2010 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $80,533 are considered as debt discount and were fully amortized in conjunction with the conversion of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $885,863 of the Convertible Notes into 2,214,657 shares of our common stock. There was no outstanding balance at June 30, 2011.
We received $130,000 in net proceeds in the Spring 2010 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Spring 2010 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $62,730 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .41; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 110%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $67,270. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Spring 2010 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $13,000 are considered as debt discount and were fully amortized in conjunction with the conversion of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $143,000 of the Convertible Notes into 357,500 shares of our common stock. There was no outstanding balance at June 30, 2011.
We received $356,500 in net proceeds in the Summer 2010 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Summer 2010 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $209,512 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .55; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 132%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $146,988. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Summer 2010 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $35,650 are considered as debt discount and were fully amortized in conjunction with the conversion of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $392,150 of the Convertible Notes into 1,568,600 shares of our common stock. There was no outstanding balance at June 30, 2011.
We received $158,620 in net proceeds in the Fall 2010 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Fall 2010 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $88,113 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .42; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 135%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $70,507. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Summer 2010 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $15,862 are considered as debt discount and were fully amortized in conjunction with the conversion of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $174,482 of the Convertible Notes into 697,928 shares of ou common stock. There was no outstanding balance at June 30, 2011.
From October 4, 2010 to November 30, 2010, we conducted and concluded a private offering (the “Fall 2010 Offering #2”) consisting of up to $3,000,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “ Fall 2010 Notes). A total of $940,347 Fall 2010 #2 Notes were sold to ten accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $849,861. While the stated interest rate on the Fall 2010 #2 Notes is 0%, the actual interest rate on the Fall 2010 #2 Notes is 10% per annum. The Fall 2010 #2 Notes mature on the first anniversary of the closing of this offering and will be convertible, at the option of the noteholder into 3,761,386 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
We received $849,861 in net proceeds in the Fall 2010 #2 Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the Fall 2010 #2 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $436,986 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .27; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 121%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $417,875. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Fall 2010 #2 Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $85,486 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $929,347 of the Convertible Notes into 3,717,386 shares of our common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $11,000.
From December 13, 2010 through February 28, 2011, we conducted a private offering (the “Winter 2011 Offering”) of up to $3,000,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “Winter 2011 Notes”). A total of $2,588,422 aggregate face amount of the Winter 2011 Notes were sold for an aggregate purchase price of $2,353,111. While the stated interest rate on the Winter 2011 Notes is 0%, the actual interest rate on the Spring 2011 Notes is 10% per annum. The Winter 2011 Notes mature on the first anniversary of their date of issuance. The Winter 2011 Notes are convertible, at the option of the note holder, into 10,353,688 shares of our common stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
Each of the investors in the Winter 2011 Offering received, for no additional consideration, a warrant (the “Winter 2011 Warrants”), entitling the holder to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares of common stock into which the Spring 2011 Notes are convertible (the “Warrant Shares”). Each Winter 2011 Warrant is exercisable on a cash basis only at an initial price of $0.30 per share, and is exercisable immediately upon issuance and for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Up to 10,353,688 Warrant Shares are initially issuable to date on exercise of the Winter 2011 Warrants.
We received $2,353,111 in net proceeds in the 2011 Winter Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the 2011 Winter Offering Warrants issued were valued at $1,368,888 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .25; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 130%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $984,223. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the 2011 Winter Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $235,311 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $2,296,372 of the Convertible Notes into 9,185,486 shares of our common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $292,050.
From March 14, 2011 through May 31, 2011, we conducted a private offering (the “Spring 2011 Offering”) of up to $1,000,000 aggregate face amount of its convertible notes (the “Spring 2011 Notes”). A total of $1,469,550 aggregate face amount of the Spring 2011 Notes were sold for an aggregate purchase price of $1,335,955. While the stated interest rate on the Spring 2011 Notes is 0%, the actual interest rate on the Spring 2011 Notes is 10% per annum. The Spring 2011 Notes mature on the first anniversary of their date of issuance. The Spring 2011 Notes are convertible, at the option of the note holder, into 5,878,200 shares of our common stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $0.25 per share (the “Conversion Price”).
Each of the investors in the Spring 2011 Offering received, for no additional consideration, a warrant (the “Spring 2011 Warrants”), entitling the holder to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares of common stock into which the Spring 2011 Notes are convertible (the “Warrant Shares”). Each Spring 2011 Warrant is exercisable on a cash basis only at an initial price of $0.30 per share, and is exercisable immediately upon issuance and for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Up to 5,878,200 Warrant Shares are initially issuable to date on exercise of the Spring 2011 Warrants.
We received $1,335,955 in net proceeds in the 2011 Spring Offering which was used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The aggregate value of the 2011 Offering Warrants issued were valued at $726,787 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the following assumptions; risk-free interest rate of .45; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of common stock of 119%; and an expected life of two years (statutory term) and vest immediately upon issuance. We also determined that the notes contained a beneficial conversion feature of $609,168. As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the 2011 Spring Offering Warrants, the beneficial conversion feature and the implied discount and transaction fees of $133,595 are considered as debt discount and will be amortized over the life of the notes.
As of June 30, 2011, investors have converted $969,650 of the Convertible Notes into 3,878,600 shares of our common stock. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 was $499,900.
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) were ineffective as of June 30, 2011 due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below.
In light of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below, we performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Despite material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we believe that the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the periods presented.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Controller conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011 based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). A material weakness is a deficiency or a combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As a result of the material weaknesses described above, management concluded that, as of June 30, 2011, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by COSO.
As previously reported, on April 7, 2010, Bruce McKinnon, the former CEO of the Company, and the Company entered into an Agreement Re: Collection on Judgment (“Judgment”) (the “Settlement Agreement”), wherein McKinnon, among other things, agreed to cease further collection efforts on the Judgment, and the Company, among other things, agreed to satisfy the Judgment for, and McKinnon agreed to accept as full and final satisfaction of the Judgment, subject to certain payment waivers described below, a total amount of $360,000, plus interest of ten percent (10%) per annum from March 15, 2010, on the unpaid balance until paid, payable as follows: $30,000 on April 7, 2010; $85,000 on or before April 15, 2010; and, $15,000 per month commencing on June 1, 2010, until paid. As of June 30, 2011, all payments have been made on time and the balance due is $74,541. The Settlement Agreement also provides that if the Company makes all payments thereunder, on a timely basis, McKinnon will waive final payments due him in the amount of $35,000. On July 15, 2011, the Company made the full and final payment to Bruce McKinnon.
2010 Spring Offering. From February 15, 2010 through June 30, 2010, we conducted a private offering (the “2010 Spring Offering”) and issued Convertible Notes in the aggregate face amount of $885,863. These Notes were sold for an aggregate purchase price of $805,330 net proceeds. The Notes are convertible into 2,214,657 shares of our common stock and in addition, investors received warrants entitling the holders to purchase up to 2,214,657 shares of our common stock. (See “Details of Recent Financing Transactions”).
2011 Spring Offering. From March 14, 2011 through May 31, 2011, we conducted a private offering (the “2011 Spring Offering”) and issued Convertible Notes in the aggregate face amount of $1,469,550. These Notes were sold for an aggregate purchase price of $1,335,955 net proceeds. The Notes are convertible into 5,878,200 shares of our common stock and in addition, investors received warrants entitling the holders to purchase up to 5,878,200 shares of our common stock. (See “Details of Recent Financing Transactions”).
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we issued 14,785,666 shares of common stock in exchange for conversion of $3,696,417 of Convertible Notes.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011we issued 81,020 shares of common stock upon cashless exercise of warrants.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we issued 77,778 shares of common stock upon exercise of options at $0.27 per share and valued at $21,000.
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we granted, but did not issue 200,000 shares of common stock for consulting services. These shares were valued at $120,000 based on the trading price at the date of the agreement and were subsequently issued on July 25, 2011.
On January 29, 2011, the Company issued 17,600,000 options to Cecil Bond Kyte, its chairman and chief executive officer. The options have an exercise price of $.25 per share, vest over a five year period, and expire ten years from date of grant. Twenty percent of the options shall vest on each of the first five anniversary dates. In the event of a change of control of the Company, all unvested options shall vest on the date of the change of control. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company amortized $557,190 of compensation cost based on the vesting of the options. Future unamortized compensation expense on the outstanding options at June 30, 2011 is $6,129,106. As of June 30, 2011, the market price of the Company’s stock was $0.40 per share and the aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding and exercisable was $308,467.
From July 1, 2011 through July 29, 2011, we issued 1,186,384 additional shares of our common stock in exchange for the conversion of $296,596 Convertible Notes. The outstanding balance of Convertible Notes at July 29, 2011 is $531,168.
Each of the investors in the Summer 2011 Offering will receive, for no additional consideration, a warrant (the “Summer 2011 Warrants”), entitling the holder to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares of common stock into which the Summer 2011 Notes are convertible (the “Warrant Shares”). Each Summer 2011 Warrant is exercisable on a cash basis only at an initial price of $0.30 per share, and is exercisable immediately upon issuance and for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Up to 1,951,132 Warrant Shares are initially issuable to date on exercise of the Summer 2011 Warrants. | 2019-04-20T20:55:27Z | https://ir.qsenergy.com/all-sec-filings/content/0001019687-11-002556/stwa_10q-063011.htm |
These terms and conditions contain the agreement between you ("the Customer") and VeeTel Pty Ltd A.B.N. 39 118 924 146 for the telecommunications services provided. You warrant that you are over 18 years of age and legally entitled to enter into an agreement with VeeTel. Our agreement with you includes these terms and conditions. We will provide you with our current pricing at your request or it can be found on our web site www.veetel.com.au. VeeTel reserves the right to change the terms and conditions without notice.
VeeTel Pty Ltd will send you a tax invoice on a per calendar month basis setting out the fees due for the service we have provide you. All call charges will be rounded up to the next cent. Timed calls are charged in six second increment with a minimum of one minute charge. International calls are metered from the time dialling has concluded as such unanswered International calls may incur a charge. A flag fall of 38.5 cents applies to all timed calls. Local and 13/1300 calls are not itemised, they are listed as the number of units made during the calender month. Itemisation of Local and 13/1300 incurs and administration fee of $5.00 per month. All prices are inclusive of GST and are subject to change without notice. The initial month of billing will be pro-rated from the date you connect till the end of the calender month plus one month in advance for all Line Rental, Internet and service charges. Any payments made through Australia Post will incur an additional charge of $3.30 per transaction. Monthly invoices sent out by form of paper bills incur a charge of $1.98. (Online Billing Option is Available at no extra charge) We will charge you an administration fee for additonal bill reprints $5.50 per billed invoice. You agree to pay all invoices by the Due Date; if a payment is not received by the due date a late fee of $5.50 will apply. You will be liable for all reasonable collection costs (including our total legal fees) we incur to collect the amount outstanding, or to recover Hardware or any other equipment; and the Carrier may be entitled to claim payment from you of any amount under our commitment unpaid by the Due Date on the same terms and conditions we can claim payment from you. To obtain new connection discounts, bills must be paid in full by the due date otherwise full charges apply. If there is a dispute, you must pay the undisputed amount of each invoice by the Due Date. Where in our opinion you have a reasonable claim or dispute with an invoice, we will suspend our collection or recovery processes on the disputed amount until a resolution on your claim or dispute has been settled. We aim to resolve invoice disputes within 21 working days. You will not have to pay any amount which you have genuinely disputed in accordance with this clause unless, and until, the disputed amount is resolved in our favor. You must otherwise pay all Charges specified on your bill by the due date.
If any of the bills are not paid in full within 60 days from the due date and still remain outstanding, Veetel may refer you to our collections agency Dun & Bradstreet who will take legal action to fully recover the debt. We may use or disclose any personal information recorded to help us proceed in the debt recovery inclusive of your name, address, date of birth, identification, employment and credit history. This may affect your future credit rating and where these recovery actions have been initiated and confirmed unsuccessful, we may elect to default and register your details with Dun & Bradstreet or any other credit reporting agencies.
The service is provided to you on the basis that it is used only for approved purposes. In particular you must not use the service in any manner involving illegal, malicious, deceptive or misleading activity.
not use the service for commercial purposes or in any way distribute or resell the service without our written permission.
give us all information and cooperation that we may need in relation to the service; and advise us of changes in your personal information such as account details, debit or credit card details and expiry dates and billing and service addresses.
To obtain your Calls and Data usage please contact VeeTel Customer Service on 1300 833 835 during business hours or email [email protected].
We reserve the right to cancel your services and charge you a late payment fee of $22.00 (Inc Gst) & $59 (Inc Gst) reconnection fee, if accounts are not paid by the due date.
Financial hardship means circumstances where you are unable to pay your invoices because of illness, unemployment or other reasonable causes with the expectation that VeeTel will assist you with a payment plan or Service arrangement where you can manage your invoices. Click here to view our policy.
If you are having a problem paying your bill, or you wish to discuss your options, call our friendly Credit Control Representatives on 1300 833 835 or email [email protected] We can work with you to arrange a payment plan, bar or restrict your service until you have cleared your payments or change your plan to make the service with VeeTel more affordable.
For further information regarding Financial Support Services visit the ACMA's Website.
An initial credit limit of $250 applies to all accounts and VeeTel Pty Ltd reserves the right to disconnect the services without notice once this limit has been exceeded. If you require a higher credit limit please call us on 1300 833 835. Please note: International call charges may be delayed due to delivery of calls from our wholesale carriers.
Your service can be terminated by either yourself or by VeeTel Pty Ltd at any time and without notice. You can terminate your service by contacting our customer service team by telephone or in writing. We may suspend the service immediately and without notice at any time if there is a failure of the equipment used to deliver the Service or the equipment used to deliver the Service requires maintenance or modification or you do not comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement. If we suspend your service, you will still remain liable for all Fees during the suspension. We can temporarily suspend you from the Service if: (a) We identify excessive use or unusual call patterns; (b) you have not done what you are obliged to do; (c) an authority, such as the ACMA, requests us to do so; or (d) there are technical problems with our network or the network of the Carrier; (d) your Service has an unusually high volume or spend when compared to previous activity for that Service; (e) You exceeded the current credit limit on your account in any given month.
If you have any concerns about the Services we are providing to you, you should contact us immediately on 1300 833 835. We will endeavor to resolve any problem or complaint you have as quickly as possible. If you are not satisfied with the initial outcome of your complaint, the matter will be reviewed in accordance with our complaints handling policy. Click here to view our policy.
Once an account has been cancelled or closed, VeeTel Pty Ltd requests that you pay the whole of the unpaid balance of your account. If your account has a credit balance, VeeTel Pty Ltd will refund that to you by cheque.
VeeTels Terms and Conditions / Acceptable Use Policy may be changed at any time without a formal notice being sent or circulated. In the event that VeeTel were to change their Terms and Conditions / Acceptable Use Policy that maybe consider as impacting your use of their Service /Product, then VeeTel will advise you of the change with a minimum of 30 days advance notice.
Naturally if you do not agreed with changes to VeeTel’s Terms and Conditions / Acceptable Use Policy you have the right to terminate your service (product) without penalties, conditional on you advising VeeTel within a minimum of 30 days of receipt of our notice.
VeeTel Pty Ltd is committed to participate with copyright laws in Australia.
VeeTel users must not copy any CDs, MP3s, Books, Articles, Software and Games from the Internet. This is considered illegal and in breach of the Copyright Act 1968. Therefore prosecution by the authorities is possible. VeeTel Pty Ltd condemns piracy and takes serious steps to prevent infringements. VeeTel reserves the right to suspend or cancel any repeat offenders.
As soon as VeeTel receives notification from any third parties regarding a breach of copyright by a user, a warning notice is sent to the end user.
If the breach is repeated yet again VeeTel will have the end users service suspended or cancelled off the network.
Reason for fair use is to ensure all VeeTel customers enjoy quality service and are not disadvantaged by others that misuse VeeTel’s promotions or plans. Veetel Acceptable Use Policy applies to all VeeTel Services.
Customers must not use Value plans, specials or promotions in an unreasonable or excessive manner in which it impedes or stops VeeTel from providing service to other customers. We may call you asking you to reduce the amount of calls made to give other customers a fair go in using VeeTel services. We may also limit your call access or charge you standard rates for calls if you continue to excessively use the VeeTel specials, Value plans or any international call promotions. You must use your Internet in accordance with any limits stated in plan that you subscribe to for the use of that Service. We may limit, suspend or terminate your Internet Service if you unreasonably exceed such limits. Speed will be limited to 256kbps once Total monthly data download limit is exceeded. Speed will revert back to ADSL2 fast speed at the start of a new calendar month.
The 4-digit override code provided can be used to access the VeeTel network. This may be used for Local, National, International and Calls to Mobile. You can remain with your provider for the line rental and use VeeTel for the Override. The override connection may fail due to network duplication or your line service is not compatible with the network.
Your Pre-selection or Long Distance direct service can be connected or transferred from another provider to VeeTel with your authorization. The Transfer of your Long distance calls may take up to 5 to 10 working days to complete. The Transfer or connection of your Long Distance direct service may fail due to network duplication or your line service is not compatible with the network. Long Distance calls include National, International and calls to mobiles.
Your Line Rental provider will bill you for local calls & any other additional services. VeeTel will only bill you directly (without an override) for National, International, and calls to mobile.
When you authorize VeeTel to transfer your line Rental you are also authorizing to transfer your Pre selection/Long distance calls. The transfer of your Line Rental may take up to 5 to 10 working days to complete. The transfer or connection of your Line Rental and Long Distance direct service may fail due to network duplication or your line service is not compatible with the network. By authorizing the transfer of your line Rental to VeeTel you are consenting that you are the account holder of the telephone and you are authorizing VeeTel to transfer your telephone service to VeeTel, the information you provided is true and correct. You understand that prices are subject to change without notice. You understand access fees are charged from the date of connection and one month in advance. Any additional discounts, benefits and services from your existing provider will not automatically be transferred or may no longer be available. You are liable for charges and commitment billed after the date of transfer from your previous provider. You are Subject to VeeTel’s credit assessing policies. You understand that it is your responsibility to check the terms and conditions of your existing fixed telephone services relevant to this transfer to VeeTel with your existing service provider. No costs involved to transfer your line Rental to VeeTel from another provider.
If you do not have an existing telephone line, VeeTel can connect a new line for you, there are connection fees involved to provide you a new line at your premises.
$59.00 Connection Fee: This is when a working telephone socket exists from a previous connection and a technician is not required to visit your property or premises.
If you request VeeTel to connect a new line and if the line gets cancelled or transferred within three month period, VeeTel reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of $49.50 including GST.
VeeTel will bill you for all calls directly this includes local National, International, and calls to mobile. VeeTel will also charge you for additional features used by you for example 1900, 123 Sensis, *10# and extra service charges you may have had with your previous line rental provider for Example Calling number Display, Call Control, Silent line or Message Bank..etc.
VeeTel does not own the network as such cannot guarrantee continuous Telephone service at all times due to factors out of our control. VeeTel will endeavor report any fault to its supplier as quickly as possible in order to repair the service with regulatory timeframes. These guidlines may not be met due Mass Service Distruptions. If at anytime you are experiencing a fault on your telephone line you must contact VeeTel during business hours to advise of the problem. Our Carrier's network terminates at The Main Distribution Frame (MDF) if you live in a building or at the Network Boundary Point (NBP) or first wall socket if you live in a free standing house. An Incorrect call out fee of $130.00 plus $38.50 every 15 minute of labour for a technician to diagnose a fault only if the fault is found to be on the Customers Private Equipment (CPE) that is beyond the MDF or NBP and not on the our carrier's network. As per the carriers advise faults are usually rectified within 2 to 5 working days in Metro areas or 3 to 10 in regional areas unless a Mass Service Distruption is announced by the carrier.
Sometimes things happen beyond our carrier's control that means they can’t connect or fix faults to standard telephone services in their usual timeframes, or even keep appointments. These situations can include natural disasters, extreme weather conditions and instances where their facilities have been damaged through no fault of their own. During these times a Mass Service Disruption exemption may be put in place. This exempts our carrier and VeeTel from complying with the Customer Service Guarantee (CSG) performance standards for the duration of the Mass Service Disruption. which exempts VeeTel from the CSG. The exemption process is explained in sections 22-27 of the Telecommunications (Customer Service Guarantee) Standard 2011, which can be found on the ACMA website. When a Mass Service Disruption exemption is in place, our Carrier will issue a detailed public notice via a daily newspaper.
VeeTel Provides Mobile Sim only plans. You can transfer your existing mobile number to VeeTel from your current provider. VeeTel can provide you with a new mobile number. All new VeeTel Sim cards come with active Voice mail diversions. To set up Voicemail from your mobile, Dial 121 then, follow the prompts through the recorded tutorial. You will be asked to set up your PIN, Name and Greeting. To deactivate your voice mail dial ##002# from your handset.
VeeTel will also charge you for usage of additional services such as 1900, 123 Sensis, International roaming, International calls and 3G internet connections as well as access to the Vodafone Live website from your mobile phone. These rates are consistently changing therefore VeeTel is unable determine the exact rates of these services. You may incur high usage charges on your VeeTel account when using 1900, 123 Sensis, International calls/Roaming and internet services from your VeeTel Sim Card.
Current GPRS, 3G or Mobile Internet connection charges 1.7 cents per kbs, or $17.00 per mb downloaded. For example if a song from YouTube is about 3 mbs. Therefore if downloaded to the mobile phone the charge will be about $51.00 for that song. It is the responsibility of the customer to manage additional services and charges from their mobile phone as it may incur high, International, roaming, 123 Sensis, 1900 and data usage charges.
VeeTel Sim cards come with Inactive GPRS 3G or Mobile Internet. In order for VeeTel to activate GPRS 3G or Mobile Internet client must Pay a $250.00 bond. (This will be held by VeeTel for a min of 3 months. After which the client can request VeeTel to send a refund cheque or allocate the amount on their phone account. No interest will be paid by VeeTel on the bond held. Then clients must sign a direct debit form (Credit Card) for the clients VeeTel account to be direct debited monthly on the due date.
VeeTel Sim cards come with International IDD and Roaming restrictions. Prices are consistently changing and are charged at higher rates. Roaming and International call charges may be delayed due to delivery of calls from overseas carriers. Call VeeTel to obtain the most current Roaming and IDD rates. A bond of $250.00 may be required to activate International IDD or roaming. This bond may be held by VeeTel for a minimum of 3 months.
3G data charges, GPRS connections, WAP connections, International Calls, International roaming calls, 1900 calls, 123 Sensis calls or Directory calls, Call minder Operator calls and Premium SMS. It is the customer’s responsibility to manage these services as they may incur higher monthly bills.
All plans (Metro and Regional) are available only on direct debit through a nominated Credit Card. Click here for Line Rental Terms and conditions for Bundle plans. ADSL2 is only available in selected coverage areas. The new connection or transfer fees are charged on your first VeeTel bill. You understand access fees are charged from the date VeeTel activates your ADSL2 connection on your line and one month in advance. Should you wish to withdraw your ADSL2 plan after you have agreed to proceed with the order VeeTel reserves the right to charge a $99.00 withdrawal fee even though the connection is not complete. You are responsible for your internet use and wireless security. Therefore VeeTel takes no responsibility for any data downloaded and/or the content stored on your computer. Please see VeeTel's postion on copyright laws. All VeeTel Internet services are subject to Acceptable Use Policy. All ADSL2 Plans cannot be used in conjunction with any other VeeTel offer. Unused downloads cannot be rolled over to a new Calendar month. Speed shaped to 256kbps when monthly download limit is exceeded. Speed will revert back to ADSL2 fast speed at the start of a new calendar month.
All ADSL2 plans (Metro and Regional) are available only on direct debit through a nominated Credit Card. VeeTel Pty Ltd will send you a monthly invoice and will debit your credit card on the due date of your VeeTel invoice. A fee of $15.00 applies if the direct debit transaction gets rejected. If you choose to change your Direct Debit details, please contact VeeTel Customer Service on 1300 833 835.
if you request to downgrade during your commitment period a $99.00 downgrade fee applies. The plan will take effect from the following calender month with a new 24 months commitment period.
If you request to upgrade your plan a fee of $99.00 will apply. If the upgrade is to the unlimited plan a new 24 months commitment period applies. All upgrades will take affect from the following calender month.
ADSL2 transfers and connections may take up to 10 to 14 working days to complete. Subject to availability at your local exchange. VeeTel will not be liable for delays in transfer or connections. The transfer or connection of your ADSL2 may fail due to your local exchange being too far away from your premises therefore hindering the service we provide, no available ADSL2 ports at your local exchange or your line infrastructure is not compatible with the ADSL2 network.
A relocation fee of $99.00 is applicable when customers change their address and/or phone number in addition to Telephone line relocation charges. The Relocation fee applies with no additional per month cost unless relocation is to another Telstra Exchange Zone (Zones 2 and 3 Regional) $198.00 relocation fee plus an additional premium per month will apply.
Distance from the local telephone exchange.
If the cable from the Local Telephone exchange is running through Sub Exchanges, RIMs or Top Hats causes drastic drops in speed.
The quality of the phone line.
The number of equipment connected to the network and phone line.
Quality of hardware and software of your modem and PC.
Any major works or maintenance by our wholesale supplier, in which it may restrict your service to a lower speed.
There may also be congestion at the local telephone exchange or network on our wholesale supplier’s equipment this means our wholesale supplier may not be able to provide the consistent speeds at all times of the day.
Downloads from overseas sites. Some International sites will have their own traffic management per site visitor to a specific download rate. This means slower download speed on the site may be experienced. The reasons these sites have their own restrictions in place to ensure all visitors to their websites have the same accessibility and download rate.
8.6.2 VeeTel does not take responsibility for any Internal or external electrical/magnetic interferences which may occur that hinders the speed and or the connection to the internet.
You must use your Internet in accordance with any limits stated in plan that you subscribe to for the use of that Service. We may limit, suspend or terminate your Internet Service if you unreasonably exceed such limits. Speed will be limited to 256kpbs once monthly Total monthly data download limit is exceeded. Speed will revert back to ADSL2 Plus fast speed at the start of a new calendar month.
VeeTel currently does not have an online download usage link. In the meantime if you require to check your download usage please call our friendly Customer Service representatives on 1300 833 835 between Monday to Friday 8:30am-8:00pm and Weekends 10am-5:00pm AEST. They will be able to provide you with acurrate download usage. You can also email your request to [email protected]. VeeTel will also endeavour to send notifications to any contact mobile or email provided when 50%, 85% and 100% of data limit has been reached.
NBN Phone and Internet is VeeTel’s residential telephony service where there is a requirement for one or two lines and an Internet Service. NBN Phone and Internet is delivered via NBN Co fibre access infrastructure. In special circumstances more than 2 lines can be provided by provisioning multiple NBN Co accesses at the customer premises.
Given the NBN is now rolling out, and in most cases This service is a residential and small business offering that is comparable to the “Plain Old Telephony Service” (POTS) offered on legacy copper infrastructure. Legacy copper infrastructure will be phased out, this product is a replacement for the POTS product and uses NBN infrastructure. Given this service is replacing the traditional copper based POTS, it has been designed to offer features offered with POTS including Local calls, national calls, International Calls, calls to Mobiles.
There are a range of services that work over the NBN Phone service, however due to the diversity and complexity of end devices (that are connected over the service) we recommend our customers test these services to ensure they work. This includes Fax to national and international numbers, EFTPOS, Back to Base alarms, Foxtel program purchases (via landline),and analogue modems. Note, these services may work on the service however VeeTel does not provide any assurance around their performance.
There are other services which will not work over this service including VoIP based fax, Priority Assistance Scheme, calls to 19/1900, 0500 numbers and Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFN).
This service can be purchased as a standalone telephony service or bundled with other NBN Internet services.
The Phone service is delivered via the UNI-V port and the Internet is delivered via the UNI-D Port on the NBN supplied Network Terminating Device (NTD). As with POTS customers may choose to port (transfer) their phone number from Telstra, Optus, Primus or Powertel to VeeTel. We may not be able to port your number in all circumstances, including where you fail to provide correct account details, or as a result of contractual obligations with your existing provider. If you are porting your number to VEETEL, inbound calling to your number will not commence until porting is complete which will take a further 1 to 5 business days. Here is an OVERVIEW on NBN Installation Process.
NBN Phone, delivered via NBN UNI-V, the service boundary point for the voice service is up to the analogue port on the ATA.
NBN Co will install the NTD at the premises. If the end customer dwelling has had NBN Co services before they may already have this network device installed. This will be confirmed with you when we service qualifying your site.
Any re-configuration of the end customer’s devices is the responsibility of the customer, not undertaken by VeeTel or its Agents.
Internal wiring issues are customer’s responsibility. VeeTel can arrange for a field services technician to perform non-standard installation for an additional charge. Alternatively, customers may choose to get a private technician to do the required work.
Battery Back-Up (optional refer to backup battery Clause.
Medical Services: The service is not suitable for users who require a phone line to support medical devices.
Messagebank - Some Telephone handsets come with built in answering services. These will work on NBN phone.
In general, unwelcome calls are unsolicited communications that, by virtue of the content, frequency or timing, are offensive or tend to menace and harass the recipient. A life threatening call is more serious and involves the use of a telecommunications service connected with an event actually or potentially perilous to human life.
VeeTel has implemented appropriate processes to assist customers resolve issues of unwelcome calls and to provide assistance in life threatening situations in an efficient and expedient manner.
If you require a new number, VeeTel can allocate this for you. The geographic number allocated to you will be based on the service delivery address that you nominate in the application process or which you subsequently advise us. The number allocated to you will be at VeeTel’s discretion. If you move the service delivery address VeeTel may be required to give you a different service number, relevant to your new service delivery address.
For NBN Phone delivered via UNI-V, battery back-up will be supplied as an option. The battery back-up will only provide power to the UNI-V ports in case of an on-premise power outage. Depending on usage, the battery back-up can supply power to the UNI-V ports for a couple of hours after a power failure before reaching the 50% power availability level. At this point it will switch off to preserve the remaining power for emergency use only.
The back-up battery is designed only to maintain power to the voice and the data ports on the NBN Connection Box. It will not operate to supply back-up power to your handsets or to your broadband equipment. If chosen as an option, the battery has a warranty period of two years from the date of installation. Replacement of a back-up battery that has ceased to supply electrical charge will be the responsibility of the customer Note: Equipment supplied by NBN Co, including the NBN Connection Box, fibre connectors and other connectivity equipment is and always remains the property of NBN.
NBN Phone is delivered to customers using our suppliers Standard Access in particular through the NBN Co fibre access infrastructure. NBN Phone is available in selected locations with dependency on NBN rollout and our suppliers availability.
An existing order can be withdrawn Fees may apply if the withdrawal involves late cancellation of an LNP port.
The Installation Lead Time Targets outlined below are subject to the ready availability and capacity of installed network infrastructure of our supplier.
Installation target only applies if new VeeTel numbers are to be allocated to the service. Installation target does not apply if porting your number is required. An additional 5 working days may apply.
VeeTel will use its best endeavours to adhere to the Installation Lead Times Targets.
The Installation Lead Time Targets commence from the date of the Order Acceptance Notification.
VeeTel may modify these leadtimes due to changes provided to us from the NBNco in respect to leadtimes.
Third Party Access refers to any Services that are not provisioned using our suppliers owned infrastructure.
You acknowledge that in some cases VeeTel will not be able to deliver the ordered Service by the advised Installation Lead Time Targets, due to limitations imposed on VeeTel by Third Party Service Providers.
You must be available for appointments set by VeeTel and its contractors. In a shared building, you are responsible for ensuring that VeeTel and its contractors have access to the main distribution frame (MDF) and riser cables where required.
The Availability Targets are outlined below.
VeeTel will use its best endeavours to adhere to the Availability Targets.
Failure to achieve the Availability Targets does not entitle you to a rebate.
The Service Restoration Targets are outlined below.
VEETEL will use its best endeavours to adhere to the Service Restoration Targets.
Service Restoration Targets are the maximum elapsed time, during Standard Service Hours, between the Customer reporting a fault to VeeTel or VeeTel responding to an alarm, and confirmation to the Customer that the Service has been restored.
Some Non-Interrupted faults may require monitoring over a time period to effectively diagnose and resolve the problem and this will be advised to the customer as the fault is investigated.
All plans are available only on direct debit through a nominated Credit Card. NBN is only available in selected coverage areas. The Installation fees are charged on your first VeeTel bill. You understand access fees are charged from the date VeeTel activates your NBN connection and one month in advance. Should you wish to withdraw your NBN Bundle plan after you have agreed to proceed with the order VeeTel reserves the right to charge a $99.00 withdrawal fee even though the connection is not complete. You are responsible for your internet use and wireless security. Therefore VeeTel takes no responsibility for any data downloaded and/or the content stored on your computer. Please see VeeTel's postion on copyright laws. All VeeTel Internet services are subject to Acceptable Use Policy. All NBN plans cannot be used in conjunction with any other VeeTel offer. Unused downloads cannot be rolled over to a new Calendar month. Speed shaped to 256kbps when monthly download limit is exceeded. Speed will revert back to allocated NBN fast speed at the start of a new calendar month.
All NBN plans are available only on direct debit through a nominated Credit Card. VeeTel Pty Ltd will send you a monthly invoice and will debit your credit card on the due date of your VeeTel invoice. A fee of $15.00 applies if the direct debit transaction gets rejected. If you choose to change your Direct Debit details, please contact VeeTel Customer Service on 1300 833 835.
if you request to downgrade your plan or speed during your commitment period a $99.00 downgrade fee applies. The plan will take effect from the following calender month with a new 24 months commitment period.
If you request to upgrade your plan or speed a fee of $99.00 will apply. All upgrades will take affect from the following calender month with a new 24 months commitment.
A relocation fee of $165.00 is applicable when customers change their address and/or phone number to an NBN enabled area. If the relocation is to a copper area. $165.00 relocation fee applies plus Copper connection charges of $59.00 $125.00 or $299.00 depending on previous connection at the new premises. See Line Rental Connection charges.
Customer must provide VeeTel a 30 notice to cancel an NBN Phone Service.
The number of equipment connected to your Wifi network, quality of hardware /software of your PC.
Any major works or maintenance by our wholesale supplier or NBN in which it may restrict your service.
Downloads from overseas sites. (Some International sites will have their own traffic management per site visitor to a specific download rate. This means slower download speed on the site may be experienced) and power outages as the NBN service is connected to a Power supply.
VeeTel does not take responsibility for any Internal or external electrical/magnetic interferences which may occur that hinders the speed and or the connection to the internet.
You must use your Internet in accordance with any limits stated in plan that you subscribe to for the use of that Service. We may limit, suspend or terminate your Internet Service if you unreasonably exceed such limits. Speed will be limited to 256kpbs once monthly Total monthly data download limit is exceeded. Speed will revert back to NBN fast speed at the start of a new calendar month.
VeeTel currently does not have an online download usage link. In the meantime if you require to check your download usage please call our friendly Customer Service representatives on 1300 833 835 between Monday to Friday 8:30am-8:00pm and Weekends 10am-5:00pm AEST. They will be able to provide you with acurrate download usage. You can also email your request to [email protected].
When an existing customer refers a friend to VeeTel they receive $5.00 off the total bill with every friend they refer to us. $5.00 will be credited as soon as the referred friend makes $5.00 worth of calls.
With the price match guarantee promotion VeeTel will match any post paid service providers standard rates. If another Telecommunications company is cheaper we will match or beat their standard call rates as long as it is not a Calling Card or Internet Service.
With Vee days you are eligible to ongoing special days. All International calls are reduced off the standard rates on a day in the month nominated by VeeTel. We announce the special day on your monthly bill. 33 cents flagfall per call applies.
With the one day special you can nominate a date in the month to receive discounted International rates to selected destinations. The date selected must be a date not a day. The 1st and 25th of the month cannot be chosen. Offer does not include international mobiles. Your special date will be visible on your monthly VeeTel bill. 33 cents flagfall per call applies.
Weekend rates apply between the hours of Friday Midnight to Sunday Midnight and do not include International Mobiles. Standard rates will apply at all other times. 33 cents flagfall per call applies. All specials and promotions are not in conjunction with any other offer or special. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice.
VeeTel Home Entertainment is a an IPTV subscription service that provides its customers with access to a wide range of movies, television programs and other audio-visual content streamed over the internet using the VeeTel Home Entertainment set-top box and related equipment provided by VeeTel Home Entertainment (“Hardware”) connected to your television or other compatible device (“Service”). Please contact us on 1300 354 788 if you are not sure your device is compatible with the Service and the Hardware.
11.2.1. These terms and conditions (“Terms”) contain the agreement between you and VeeTel Home Entertainment Services Pty Ltd (ACN 605 056 568) (“VeeTel Home Entertainment”) for the VeeTel Home Entertainment IPTV services provided (“Service”). By creating an account to access the Services (“Account”) you agree to be bound by these Terms and agree that these Terms supersede any prior agreement you have with VeeTel Home Entertainment.
11.2.3. You warrant that you are over 18 years of age and legally entitled to enter into an agreement with VeeTel Home Entertainment, have a valid email address and have a valid credit/debit card with an Australian residential billing address.
11.2.4. VeeTel Home Entertainment reserves the right to change the Terms on giving you 30 days’ notice. Your continual use of the Service after the Terms have been amended will be evidence of your agreement to the changes. If any such change has a materially detrimental effect on you, you may cancel your subscription in accordance with clause 8.2 below.
11.2.5. References to “you” or “your” means both you and any other individuals you let use the Service and Hardware. References to “we”, “us” or “our” means VeeTel Home Entertainment Services Pty Ltd and/or one or more of its corporate affiliates.
(b) in all other cases, month-to-month until terminated in accordance with clause 8.
11.3.2. To use the Service you must be at least 18 years old, have internet access and a compatible device, and you must provide us with a current, valid, accepted method of payment (“Payment Option” specified in clause 4.4) and pay the monthly Service Fee in accordance with clause 4.
11.3.3. You agree to provide us with proof of your identity if we reasonably ask you to do so from time to time.
11.3.4. You are responsible for installation of the Hardware.
By creating your Account and providing us with details of your Payment Option, you authorise us to charge to your Payment Option a Service Fee in accordance with this clause 4.
(a) Details of the pricing for the Service including any surcharges, late payment fees, fees in relation to the Hardware (including fees incurred in relation to the replacement of, or damage to, the Hardware) or any other additional fees (“Service Fee”) can be viewed on the Critical Information Summary provided to you when your Account was setup. You agree to pay all applicable Service Fees.
(b) All prices are inclusive of GST.
(c) We may increase the Service Fee at any time by giving you at least one calendar months’ notice except where such increase is required by law or any regulatory authority (in which case we will try to give you reasonable notice).
(a) You will be charged the Service Fee monthly in arrears. We will continue to automatically charge the Service Fee to your Payment Option on the same day in every month (“Due Date”) unless and until you cancel your subscription. If the Due Date does not fall in a particular month we will charge you on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, public holidat or bank holidate (“business day”).
(b) You agree to pay all invoices by the Due Date. If any of the bills are not paid in full within 30 days from the Due Date we may refer you to our collections agency to take necessary legal action to recover the debt. This may also affect your credit rating. You will be liable for all reasonable collection costs (including our legal fees) we incur to collect the amount outstanding, or to recover Hardware or any other equipment unless we otherwise agree.
(a) You must pay your Service Fee by direct debit from your credit/debit card (or such other Payment Option as we agree from time to time) in accordance with clause 4.3. For certain Payment Options, the issuer of your Payment Option may charge you a fee. Check with your Payment Option service provider for more details.
(b) You can change your Payment Option by calling us on 1300 354 788. If a payment is not successfully settled due to expiration of the Payment Option, insufficient funds, or otherwise and you do not change your Payment Option or cancel your Account, we may suspend your access to the Service until we have obtained a valid Payment Option.
If there is a dispute and in our opinion you have a reasonable claim or dispute with an invoice, we will suspend our collection or recovery processes on any disputed amount until a resolution on your claim or dispute has been settled in accordance with clause 10. We aim to resolve invoice disputes within 21 business days. You will not have to pay any disputed amount which you have genuinely disputed in accordance with this clause unless, and until, the disputed amount is resolved in our favour. We will refund any amount that you successfully dispute.
(c) notify us of the loss of, any damage to, or faultiness in, the Hardware.
A wall-plug type power supply: in 100-240VAC 50/60Hz 0.7A, Out : +12V ---- 1500mA min (This power supply should not be replaced except in exceptional case with the agreement and components provided by VeeTel/Flip TV.
Allow a minimum area around each side of the Set-top-box for cooling and install it on a firm and flat surface.
To unplug the power supply, do not pull the power cord, but manipulate the plug itself. The plug must be properly introduced in your wall plug. Improper installation can cause electrical shock and accidential fire.
The device must be not exposed to dripping or splashing and moreover no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should be placed close to it.
Remote control installed battery shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like. It must be replaced with same battery type.
Do not throw batteries to househol refuse. Watch to arrange them in places planned for that purpose.
Always use the set-top-box in a temperature range between 0-45°C.
11. 5.2. The Service and its content is for your personal and non-commercial use only. VeeTel Home Entertainment grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, license to access the Service and its content on a streaming-only basis. Otherwise, no right, title or interest shall be transferred to you. You agree not to use the Service for public performances or commercial use.
11.5.3. You must only use the Service and view its content in accordance with our reasonable instructions and all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other applicable restrictions.
11.5.4. Subject to clause 5.6, you agree not to archive, copy, download, reproduce, distribute, modify, display, perform, publish, license, create derivative works from, offer for sale, or use (except as explicitly authorised in these Terms ) any content and information accessed through the Service. You must not remove any of VeeTel Home Entertainment’s or our content partners and licensors’ proprietary notices from the content on the Service or the Hardware.
11.5.5. You must not attempt to circumvent, remove or alter the digital rights management and anti-piracy measures utilised by VeeTel Home Entertainment or its content partners and licensors.
11.5.6. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Terms affects your ability to record any free-to-air TV channels whether accessed through the Service or not or any of the VeeTel Home Entertainment channels using the personal digital recording (“PDR”) functionality of the Hardware (if applicable). The PDR function (if applicable) is a temporary recording function only. Any programme you have recorded may be erased from the Hardware from time to time and we will not be liable to you whatsoever for any such erasure.
11.5.7. VeeTel Home Entertainment makes no representations or warranties regarding the content available on the Service and you acknowledge that the content may change from time to time and without notice. No refund will be given in relation to content unavailability unless this has a materially detrimental effect on you in which case you may terminate your Account in the manner set out in clause 8.2.
11.5.8. You acknowledge that VeeTel Home Entertainment may need to update its software from time to time. You acknowledge that if you decline to upgrade the software, the Service may no longer be available to you. VeeTel Home Entertainment will not be liable to you whatsoever for your failure to upgrade the software. Furthermore, VeeTel Home Entertainment will not be liable for any outages in the Service resulting from such upgrades.
11.6.1. VeeTel Home Entertainment is an IPTV service which requires an internet connection for the Service to work (with a line bandwidth of at least 3 Mbps for the Service to run efficiently viewing standard definition content).
11.6.2. You acknowledge that the Service may not be available in all circumstances and involves significant internet usage. The Service Fee does not include any charges you are separately charged by your internet service provider (“ISP”) for internet usage. VeeTel Home Entertainment does not accept any liability for services which do not meet this criteria.
11.6.3. You further acknowledge that your ability to stream content using the Service is affected by various factors including your device, internet connection, other tasks your device is simultaneously performing and your ISP’s network traffic at the time you are streaming using the Service.
11.6.4. VeeTel Home Entertainment makes no warranties or representations about the quality of your viewing experience or the time it may take to commence or resume viewing, nor that your viewing experience will be seamless or uninterrupted.
11.6.5. You agree you are solely responsible for internet usage or access charges and we will not be liable for default or failure to perform our obligations under these Terms resulting from your internet connection or from any other cause beyond our reasonable control. VeeTel Home Entertainment does not take any liability for excess usage and/or charges you may incur from your third party ISP. We highly recommend that your internet service be an unlimited plan.
VeeTel Home Entertainment will provide classification information as required by law with each piece of applicable content available on the Service. You are responsible for ensuring that MA15+ classified content and R18+ classified content is only viewed or accessed by persons 15 years and over and 18 years and over respectively.
11.8.1. Subject to clause 11.8.2, you can terminate the Service by contacting us by telephone on 1300 354 788. In this case, cancellation is effective at the end of the current monthly subscription period and your Account will be closed and your access to the Service will be disconnected from this date. If you terminate the Service before the expiration of the term of a fixed term contract, you must pay the Service Fee for the remainder of the term as stipulated in your Account summary.
11.8.2. You can terminate the Service if any changes to these Terms have a materially detrimental effect on you by notifying us within 14 days of the date on which the changes are made. Your cancellation will be effective as of the date of the change to these Terms and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Terms you will receive a pro-rata refund for any amount already paid to us in respect of any period after that date.
(f) you use the Service other than for private, non-commercial use, or in a way that is inconsistent with these Terms or the requirements of our content partners or licensors.
Otherwise, VeeTel Home Entertainment may only suspend, restrict or cancel the Service on 7 days’ notice to you.
11.8.4. If we suspend your Account, you will still remain liable for all Service Fees during the suspension period.
11.8.5. You must return the Hardware to us by registered post within 14 days after cancellation of your Account. The return of the Hardware is at your own cost unless we otherwise agree. If you fail to return the Hardware, we may take legal proceedings to recover the Hardware or charge you an unrecovered equipment fee in accordance with the Critical Information Summary for each item of Hardware you do not return.
“VeeTel Home Entertainment” is a registered trademark of VeeTel Home Entertainment Holdings Pty Ltd (ACN 605 110 852). VeeTel Home Entertainment Holdings Pty Ltd’s graphics and logos are trademarks of VeeTel Home Entertainment Holdings Pty Ltd. VeeTel Home Entertainment’s trademarks may not be used in conjunction with any product or service other than the Service. All other trademarks that appear on the Service or VeeTel Home Entertainment’s website that are not owned by VeeTel Home Entertainment Holdings Pty Ltd are the property of their respective owners.
If you have any concerns about the Service, you should contact us immediately on 1300 354 788. We will endeavour to resolve any problem or complaint you have as quickly as possible.
11.11.1. These Terms do not exclude, restrict or modify any rights that you have under any existing laws or regulations and codes, including without limitation the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
nless the loss, damage, liability, cost, expense or other liability is caused by the relevant indemnified party’s wilful default, negligence or breach of these Terms.
11.11.3. To the extent permitted by law, including the Australian Consumer Law, VeeTel Home Entertainment does not accept any liability for any content provided by third parties as part of the Service or for any product or service advertised, promoted, offered or sold by third party service providers for use in connection with the Service or otherwise. While we will make efforts to ensure that the information contained in or on the Service is as accurate as possible, to the extent permitted by law, including the Australian Consumer Law, we do not accept any liability and make no representations or warranties in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the Service.
11.12.1. VeeTel Home Entertainment ensures that we only use your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
11.13.1. You may not transfer, assign or novate your rights under these Terms are to any person, firm or company without VeeTel Home Entertainment’s prior written consent. VeeTel Home Entertainment may transfer, assign or novate its rights and obligations to any party in its absolute discretion.
11.13.2. These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia and the parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.
11.13.3. VeeTel Home Entertainment may notify you of something under these Terms using electronic communication (including sending notice to your email account or by publishing the notice to our website). It is your obligation to ensure all information you have provided to us is up to date.
11.13.4. If any part of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, these Terms do not include it. The remainder of these Terms continue in full force.
11.13.5. VeeTel Home Entertainment’s failure or delay to exercise a power or right does not operate as a waiver of that power or right. The exercise of a power or right does not preclude its future exercise or the exercise of any other power or right. | 2019-04-23T05:53:39Z | https://veetel.com.au/terms-and-conditions.html |
I’ve owned the Citroen for eighteen months now and for most of that time I’ve been plugging a strange contraption (above) into its cigarette lighter socket. Like most modern cars the radio/cd player is highly integrated into the car’s systems, being used to display more than just the time and track on its remote display, therefore it’s not recommended (though not impossible with the right adaptor) to replace it.
Putting an aftermarket cd player would also spoil the lines of the dashboard so if I wanted to do more than play cds I had to come up with an alternative solution to playing my music from my phone through the radio. First I tried a plug-in FM transmitted which worked well enough but it was a bit of a faff, plugging in various cables, next came a simpler FM transmitter that plugged directly into the top of the phone, powered by a splitter cable. Better but not perfect – I want less cables. I had a small bluetooth receiver and I could plug the transmitter into that, power both with a splitter and voila, bluetooth from the phone to the adaptor, FM to the radio.
Still not ideal though, it was a bit untidy – plus the button on the Bluetooth made it too easy to redial the last number used instead of switching it off.
Next, by chance, I bought a usb-powered bluetooth receiver (the white bit in the middle) from China on Ebay for a few quid. After wondering why I’d bought it other than the fact that I thought it was a cool thing the lightbulb moment happened. If I got a three-port car USB power supply I could plug a lead to the phone in, the USB Bluetooth Receiver and finally with a very short USB lead, the FM transmitter that plugged into the top of the bluetooth receiver. In one neat tower that plugs into the lighter socket I have everything I need. I don’t have to switch this one on and off even, if it’s left in the socket it all comes on with the car’s ignition.
The phone is set up to automatically launch the music app and start playing music as soon as it detects and connects to the Bluetooth adaptor and I can control the volume of the radio from the steering wheel while swiping the screen to change tracks.
Now, of course, you can buy the same setup as a single device that attaches to your dashboard but it was still immensely satisfying to make something that did the job from these various disparate modules – all bought for a few quid each off Ebay. The joy of tinkering is still with us.
One advantage of a paper book on a bookshelf (or a to-read pile, depending on how tidy/organised you are) is that you don’t forget you’ve bought it.
While recently considering my nature and my problems with small-talk and even with publishing my thoughts on this very blog I started thinking again about the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won’t Stop Talking and I thought “I must get that” so I looked through my entire Amazon wish list where I was sure I’d logged it but it wasn’t there. I was briefly puzzled and searched for it. When the page came up there were the words “You purchased this item on November 1st 2015” – of course I had, it’s sitting on my Kindle, forgotten because it’s not sitting visibly in front of me.
I do love reading, as much as writing, and I haven’t been doing it as much as I’d like recently for various reasons including the old favourite of “not having time” – i.e. not making time, but at least if you have something in front of you, taking up space, it can prod you occasionally to pick it up and do something with it. So it seems that Kindle is also both wonderful but also a procrastination tool par excellence.
Now you could say that these two things make the Kindle (and other e-book readers) a potential voyage of discovery into piles of books bought on a whim, clicked on because they were free, or randomly downloaded while drunk but left alone it’s potentially also a black hole of unlearned knowledge and undiscovered worlds.
Check your libraries regularly people.
I had a problem, a big though not what you would call serious or important problem. It was one that my psyche would not let me sweep under the carpet, or rather, delete. For literally years I would just skim websites and rather than read articles I’d click “Read Later” – that’s how long ago it was, the Firefox extension (and later Android app) was still called Read It Later rather than it’s more famous current name of Pocket.
I just couldn’t be bothered to read stuff, I just wanted to passively watch TV even though I knew that I enjoyed learning and reading interesting articles. I’d look at articles I thought would be too long to read, or watch, and I’d just again think “can’t be bothered” and clicked “LATER!” I often made the mistake of looking at a news article that had links to more, each of which ended in a click on “Add to Pocket”. So the Pocket became bigger. Over 1,300 items bigger.
Like tomorrow, later never comes though so you eventually have to either read it all or delete stuff.
It took over a year of Saturday and Sunday mornings to read, watch and if necessary bookmark or log them in Evernote. At Christmas last year I finally returned to the blank sheet and Pocket was sat there encouraging me to add things to it again. I have vowed never to get there again – I use Pocket to transfer links from my tablet to the desktop to read or watch on the bigger screen and use it to put aside long articles, or complex ones that I’d want to absorb properly that I’d have more time to read at the weekend but never as a replacement for reading stuff, for procrastination.
As for link-heavy sites, well I either try to be disciplined and either not click on the stuff the site thinks I might be interested in, or I cheat and cover the links up with Windows Task Manager – set to stay in front of other windows. Another help in this is Firefox’s Reading Mode, as long as you can click it before seeing the other articles. Due to my earlier effort to reclaim my evening time I now know that I have time to read articles and do anything else I want, I don’t need to procrastinate and tell myself I’ll have to read it later.
It’s just as well I wasn’t buying newspapers between 2012 and 2014 I’d be buried in newsprint by now.
Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks to two fantastic experts on the internet I have my Nexus 7 tablet running just like it did on Christmas day in 2012 when I got it. Woohoo.
The process of “downgrading” from the problematic (to put it politely) Android 5 Lollipop (not so much the sweet as the bitter medicine) to the much better version 4 (Kitkat – always preferred chocolate anyway) was, as described in most places, a pain in the neck requiring the use of the Android SDK, digging into long-forgotten MS-DOS territory of environment variables etc, and command prompts. The post I found linked to a document on Google Docs that the author (Techno Bill) had written which streamlined the process.
Having followed the instructions for collecting the required files in a folder on my PC’s C: drive, and eventually managing to install the necessary drivers, thanks to the second online saviour, I fired up a command prompt in windows and was taken back to my earliest days of PC computing – typing commands and seeing the remote device respond accordingly. It was, strangely, fun. Back to the old days, typing commands, like we had to once upon a time, as manually as you can without resorting to machine code.
I have never been so pleased to see the old google animated flower type loading screen, or that old home screen (after the initial setup, naturally). Instantly I knew it was right again. Even as it started to update the default apps, and Gmail looked for all the unread email I’d ignored for the last few years, it was so much quicker – under Lollipop I’d have to wait half an hour before I could use it after switching on the WiFi but the re-Kitkatified (?) Nexus was flying within seconds.
Yet another example of the wonder that is the collective fount of knowledge that is the internet. No more thoughts of buying a new tablet, the Nexus is back.
I only drive my car once a week, generally, when I visit my folks, twenty-something miles up the A1. However, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said “I wish I could have recorded that” after some idiot has done something daft and/or dangerous.
Dashcams have gained in popularity over the last few years, overcoming fears that people might take exception to being filmed while driving (ok, maybe that’s just my fear), due in part to the videos posted from russia of often spectacular footage of crashes and meteorites. Of course, apart from the draw of gaining YouTube views the footage is handy for insurance or police evidence reasons in case of an accident.
I’ve looked at various options over the years and decided that I couldn’t justify the more expensive (better reviewed, supposedly better quality) ones and yet the cheaper ones seemed to get mixed reviews and needed to be powered from the car to work properly. The problem with a wired cam for me is that my convoluted smartphone charging and combined Bluetooth receiver/FM Transmitter combo setup takes up all the USB charging ports I’ve got in the car.
Then a couple of weeks ago I had a revelation, via a Gizmodo UK article on reusing supposedly outmoded gadgets.
I have two smartphones, the older of the two Xperias being semi-retired after becoming brain-addled a few years back, lacking storage and running very slowly suddenly, for eighteen months it’s been a receive-only connection to my old phone number for texts from the network pleading with my to top up my credit. But as mentioned in the article it could serve as a dashcam with one free app.
So off I went. Firstly I turned sync off on most of the Google services as I don’t want it downloading historical emails. Next I deleted any apps that were never going to be used again (including, it seemed, the one that had caused its memory and speed issues – it’s like having my old phone back). Finally I installed the CamOnRoad dashcam app and after a few settings tweaks to save the videos onto the SD card it was up and running. Two advantages to this Xperia dashcam is a great camera and long battery life – it’s cordless!
The last part of the solution was mounting it on the windscreen. The next day at the supermarket I found a £4 smartphone holder. The first test showed this wobbled too much on the road but a simple block of rubber jammed between the dashboard top and the phone holder kept everything stable and free of seasickness-inducing motion.
The only other issue was finding the videos on the phone to copy to the computer but putting the phone in “pretend I’m a USB disk” mode (Mass Storage Mode to be precise) sorted that out – after much head-scratching and cries of “where the blazes are you hiding them?” Or words to that effect.
I can also still use the old phone for one of the other tips in the article too – as a Google Play Music streaming device with either headphones or one of my many Bluetooth speakers.
Technology becomes seemingly outdated quickly today, the hardware can’t cope with new software, they run out of space, but if you can’t or don’t want to throw devices away or sell them then there are people coming up with creative and useful ways to give this tech a second life.
Rebooted Music – Buy, Buy and Buy Again?
Sometime in the early 2000s I bought an REM album, in a record store, and on the sticker on the case I saw the words “DELUXE EDITION” and made the mistake of not inspecting it closely. It turned out that the rest of the (much smaller) words on the sticker said “also available as a”. Hmm.
Since then I generally check if an album has a deluxe version at release but generally I don’t tend to buy albums until they’ve been out for a while, which is helpful these days.
The reason being the trend of artists (or perhaps the labels more accurately) releasing a deluxe version six months or more after the first release and expecting fans to buy the whole album again. Some bands do it right, releasing an EP after the main album and reissuing the original packaged with the extra tracks for those who are catching up but more often than not they don’t.
One noteable current example that is being commented on regularly on the radio station I listen to is Ed Sheeran’s “X” which I bought when it first came out, it’s now also available as a deluxe version and a deluxe-deluxe (Wembley) version too, with different extra tracks. The same was true with both Ellie Goulding albums I have, there are many others I’m sure.
Our modern methods of listening to and buying music kind of makes this a moot point these days, you could just buy the extra tracks from Amazon, Google Play or iTunes, often for less than the deluxe CD but if you want to have the actual album in your hands it can get a bit pricey.
Once you’ve enjoyed an album it’s nice to be able to get just a little bit more but doing it that way, while benefiting the labels, is just going to be bad for the artists as even if the reissue isn’t their choice it’s them who often get tagged as being cynical money-grabbers.
Another of the reasons my blog turned silent for eight months was the fact that I didn’t have time to write it.
There we go, that’s a good enough reason, so let’s move on.
No, actually, let’s not. The reason was that when I got home from work, by the time I’d eaten, by the time I’d watched two hours of TV repeats I then wanted to catch up on some online reading, and I felt tired, so I thought “I haven’t got time, and I can’t think straight” and I went to watch some more repeats on TV instead.
Seven hours passed like nothing and the next thing I know it’s the next morning. A couple of months ago I finally made plans to do something about the cycle of believing that I hadn’t got the time, or the energy. Firstly the tiredness; I bought a new mattress as I thought that the old one (creaking all the time, springs jutting into me) might be disturbing my sleep. The new one is much more comfortable and combined with cutting down on excess light (I tried blacking out the window first to no difference then moved a bedside clock-radio) has made a difference, I feel much less tired and more energised than before in the evenings.
I have been eating Bananas religiously in the mornings which has possibly helped, although getting better sleep has similar benefits for memory, concentration and creativity so it could be either. The other dietary change has been returning to something I used to love when I was younger – a piece of toast and marmalade at supper time (9pm) as such carbohydrates eaten in the late evening can improve sleep some studies have shown.
Finally I changed my behaviour; I told myself to always go home at five o’clock, don’t think “I’ll just sort this out now”. It’s a little thing but it makes me feel that my life is my own as I’m going home to do what I want to do when I want to not when the job lets me, it’s empowering. I’ve also learned not to worry about work issues which drains you emotionally and leaves you feeling mentally exhausted.
I then told myself that I do have time to do stuff in the evenings and proved it – rather than watching a repeated TV show while eating and then watching the whole thing, the mental equivalent of eating one chocolate digestive and then thinking “what the hell, I’ll finish the packet” I told myself to switch the TV off after I’d finished eating then get on with the online stuff – reading, writing etc. Starting earlier gives you a buffer and once it’s done you’ve still got two or three hours left and can even watch a new tv show or two and listen to music or read before going to bed. There’s even time for decluttering if you feel like it.
As I’ve learned that new experiences and learning new information, exploring new frontiers even in an intellectual way can help with cognitive function I’ve also made space in my day for watching the late evening news, something I used to avoid as I felt that I’d just forget everything I’d seen – the side benefit to this is it gives you topics of conversation, something else I always felt I lacked.
I’ve rearranged things too, making tomorrow’s sandwich at the same time as I’m waiting for dinner to finish cooking, and the same with washing pots still in the sink. It’s about efficient use of the time available and the more time you have left over the better you feel, your leisure time feels less like a high-pressure job and you can enjoy it more.
So, right now it’s 20:54 (GMT), I’ll just finish this off and go and get a slice of toast. Goodnight.
Earlier this year I experienced something that made me think about how we appreciate food. I tend to watch TV while eating meals, I have done for many years and on this particular evening I was watching The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads while eating a pizza, suddenly I realised that the pizza had pretty much disappeared. I didn’t remember eating it, by which I mean I didn’t remember what it was like. I did, however, remember the TV programme.
I realised that because I’d been concentrating on the events on-screen my mind had simply allowed the eating to be done autonomously, as though it were simply food for survival rather than enjoyment. I felt distinctly disappointed as it was a kind of food I like to taste and savour. For some people the TV is more important than enjoying food but not me.
There are restaurants where you eat in the dark and when I first heard about the concept, about how it enables you to appreciate the food more and experience all the nuances of flavour fully without even the distraction of seeing the food I thought it was just a fad, until the lost pizza.
Perhaps this is why we enjoy food more in restaurants or outdoors, whether it be a bacon cob or a picnic, with fewer distractions. TV is often a constant stream of events, taking your full attention as opposed to having it on in the background, or listening to music, or having a conversation with family or friends at the dinner table like we used to – all of which let you pay attention to everything in turn, including the food in front of you.
Once upon a time if you wanted to complain about a tv show, or make a suggestion, enter a competition, or send in a drawing you’d done to Blue Peter, you’d send it “on the back of a postcard” or in a “stamped, addressed envelope” to the Beeb or whomever and after a couple of weeks you’d see or hear it on the telly.
Taking off my nostalgia hat and rose-tinted specs I return to today and find that as with so much media feedback or interaction is now lightning fast. Any live show on tv or radio will have email, text and a Twitter feed in front of the presenter so they can receive on the fly praise or abuse dependant on the subject and opinion of the viewer. Sports reporters carry tablets to field questions and comments.
The internet as a communication medium is making media more interactive than ever and allows faster access to those in front of the cameras – particularly useful when it is, for example, politicians being grilled in real-time; no more need to queue up for a place on a Question Time audience.
Of course it’s just as well that not every tweet appears on-screen, or on the speaker – as the Rev Richard Coles said on QI of his twitter feed for Saturday Live on Radio 4 he often received some less than complimentary comments, which I imagine could get distracting and even depressing while trying to present a programme.
The other aspect of course is public voting, though not a new idea (it was phone voting in the old days of course) it seems that everything has to have some public choice built-in rather than the decision as to who’s the best cook, candidate or singer being left to experts. One of the latest examples is that Formula E motor sport features the potentially race-changing Fan Boost, powered by online votes, by popularity, hmm. The problem is when the choice is made with the heart rather than an expert head. But at the end of the day it’s all just entertainment. | 2019-04-18T20:43:53Z | https://21stlunch.com/author/andyvtall/page/2/ |
In the last episode personal finance blogger Phillip “PT” Taylor shared some great money saving tips.
[0:00:12] ST: Welcome nation to The Financial Rock star show, I’m your host Scott Alan Turner ready to help you get out of debt, save more money and retire early. In the studio with me is producer Katie who has never met a stranger. On the show today we’ll be answering your questions about money, business and life. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, visit Goaskscott.com.
If you missed the last show, I had a special guest, Philip Taylor or PT as he’s known, shared how you can do more with your money. PT is a popular financial blogger, please check out that show if you missed it. There’s one thing that when, “when” not if but when, when you get to it you’ll have a better marriage, you will treat your friends and family better. Your health will get better, you’ll be happier, your job will get better, you’ll sleep better at night. Everything in your life will improve.
It’s getting away from living paycheck to paycheck. Now, living paycheck to paycheck means, you’re waiting for your next paycheck to come in before you can do things like pay your electricity bill or your mortgage or car payment or even buy groceries. You never seem to get ahead, it’s like purgatory. You’re just waiting and wondering when will it ever end. It’s demoralizing and depressing. Not only that, it’s a very risky place to be.
If you or your spouse loses a job, you can’t pay for your basic necessities. You’re often stuck at your job too because you’ve got to have that paycheck. If you hate your job, you still have to go to work. If your car breaks down, you have no way to pay for it except whipping out a credit card to pay the mechanic. You go deeper into debt, you get further away from breaking the death cycle and you can’t plan for unexpected situations or emergencies.
You certainly can’t save up for a vacation to the beach or going on a ski trip, and forget about saving for retirement. Now, if you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, the first thing you need to do is get a handle on where your money goes. You might think I was going to say, “Hey, make more money.” Well sometimes it’s not a money problem. Often, it’s an awareness problem. You may have plenty of money coming in to cover your expenses but you don’t know where it’s being spent.
You might be making some lousy spending choices but until you know what you spend your money on, you’ll never know. I want you to pile up all your receipts and your bills for a month and add them up in the categories that makes sense for you. Utilities, credit card debts, your doctor visits, groceries, clothes, haircuts, entertainments. Just see how much you’re spending and decide if we can make some cuts in those categories. Decide in advance of getting your paycheck how much you’re going to spend. If you want to have more money than month, you have to write down how you plan on spending your money before you have the money and then you follow the plan.
Creating a written spending plan doesn’t take that long to do and once you get in the habit of following your plan, you have taken that first step. Sometimes, hey, you can’t cut anymore, I get that. Some people are living close to the bone, then you’ve got some tough choices to make if you’re in that situation. You can go extreme, you can downsize your home, you could rent for a while, you can sell the car to get rid of that car payment, you can sell your TV, you can sell your nightstand, cancel the gym membership, ditch the cable.
Now, these are lifestyle changes and yes, some might seem extreme but they’re also temporary, it might take a couple of years of renting a small apartment or renting a small house. But how does that compare to decades of not being in debt, it’s a small sacrifice if you’ve cut costs, you can’t cut anymore, then you’ve got to figure out how to earn more. Cost-cutting is limited. Your earning potential is unlimited. Working more hours, working a part time job, working from home when the kids are asleep, starting a side hustle, excelling at your current job so you can get a raise or move to a different job. There are a lot of options.
Again, remember, you don’t have to work 80 hours a week forever, we’re just trying to get ahead. But cutting costs or earning more, you now have more money than month. Now you’ve got to take your extra money and prioritize where it’s going to go so you can get ahead. Priority one, you want to build up a small emergency fund, knock out that savings quickly by selling stuff and getting a part time job for a few weeks and you just want to have that little bit of cash because you can’t get out of debt by taking on more debt.
Most people, they’ve never had $1,000 set aside in their life for an unexpected expense. Then when something goes wrong, you get stressed out and we have to charge it to the credit card. That’s the last thing you want if you’re already trying to get out of debt. If a “what if” situation happens, you’ll be able to pay for it in cash. Now with your spending plan in place, you can start attacking your debts one at a time with the extra money you’ve carved out, either from your cost-cutting or earning more.
Follow that plan each month and you focus in paying off the credit cards, paying off the car, paying off the student loans, the medical bills the 401(k) loan. One at a time, methodically with laser focus. It’s a simple plan but it’s not always easy, I get that. But it does work and it will work for you if you stick to it. Above anything else I’ve shared here is you have to have a burning desire to get out of living paycheck to paycheck. If you want freedom but you haven’t started to get it yet then you don’t want it bad enough. You’ve got to be relentless in your pursuits.
Now, on to your questions Dana writes.
[0:06:20] D: “I make a budget on paper and sometimes use every dollar but actually making it work is another thing. I don’t have the preferred tool where my bank accounts are used because I’m cheap to auto import the transactions, maybe that would help? We make really good money so there’s hugely a surplus but we have two in college and are cash flowing that and it’s hitting us pretty hard. We want to pay off our house by the end of next year but I need to slow down on my extra spending. We have $41,500 left on our mortgage.
[0:06:51] ST: First Dana, nice work on getting the house paid down, that is awesome to look forward to in only a short time do you get that paid off. Now certainly having a tool that makes it easy will help you but you have to commit to keeping it updated. You don’t want to spend the extra money on every dollar plus, you can check out Mint — mint.com. That allows you it import all your bank accounts and credit card statements for free. The budget tools aren’t as easy to use as every dollar, Mint that is. You’ll be clicking around three times as much but it does beat using paper.
Now what I would think would be a greater benefit to you is going to the envelope system. Once you decide on a budget, determine how much you want to spend in each of your budgeted categories. Just withdraw cash at the beginning of the month for those categories you typically overspend on. Whether that is eating out for you or groceries or clothing or personal shopping. Whatever categories you feel you want to improve on and cut your spending.
So you may take $500 for entertainment and $500 for groceries, $100 for clothing, $100 for personal shopping. Take that cash, stick it in the envelope on the first of each month, when you go out each day, just grab some cash out of the envelope if you plan on making a purchase for that category. You’re picking up take out on the way home from work, grab $50 from the entertainment envelope. If the envelope is empty, guess what? You’re cooking tonight. I keep a sticky note on the door of our garage that says, “Bring cash,” as a reminder to me and my wife when we head out the door.
Maybe the first month or two, you do this, you run out of cash before the month is up, that is normal. But because of how we feel about cash and treat it differently, we become more conscientious — ahh that is the toughest word for me to say. We become more aware of our spending each month. Always get conscious and conscientious, confused. Someday I’m actually going to spend the five minutes on a dictionary looking up the difference between those two.
Become more aware each month. Month two or three, you’re more likely to have a surplus at the end of the month, you just have to try it but trust me, your spending habits will change for the better. Please let me know when that house is paid off so that I can celebrate with you, that is going to be an awesome day and it’s coming. If you moved to the cash budget, that day will arrive sooner. Thanks for the question Dana.
Manny’s brother in law wants him to cosign a rental home so they can start getting into real estate. He writes.
[0:09:25] M: “I have an emergency fund and could afford a situation if we didn’t have tenants for a while but how do I tell him I don’t want to be a landlord with him?
[0:09:33] ST: He can’t afford the mortgage by himself Manny, and he wants you to not afford it with him. Bad idea. Co-signing on a loan doesn’t help him or you build a real estate empire. What’s more important than money is your relationship and when you start adding a financial component to a relationship, the relationship quickly breaks down. If the roof needs replacing, how is it going to be paid for? When the toilet breaks on the weekend and the toilet is going to break on the weekend, who is going to go fix it? You want to replace the carpets? He doesn’t, he likes these tenants, you don’t. There’s more to it than a signature.
You don’t know how long that house will sit vacant and you guys are going to have to foot the mortgage bill. Does he have the money to do that? No? Well, are you going to pay it all? Nope. I am avoiding that mess, I’m going to stay out of that situation all together. You need to sit down with him and tell him the truth, you don’t want to be a cosigner on a loan with anyone, family or not. Don’t send him a text or an email, that’s impersonal. The downside outweighs the upside. Too much could go wrong and flame out the relationship, it’s not worth the money.
Now I had to tell someone once, I wasn’t going to lend them some money and why and they understood, that was that. They’re still my friend, it was weird, I didn’t like having to tell them no but it was the right thing to do. Not because I couldn’t afford it but because I valued the friendship more. It does make it harder when you have the money but we are not helping people in that situation. Though it seems like we are getting them out of a bind or whatever reason, we don’t like saying no, people don’t like hearing no but you’ve got to say no to co-signing loans and lending out money. It’s going to be bad for the relationship. Thanks for the question Manny.
Kaylie is going to refinance from a 30 year loan to a 15 year loan.
[0:12:26] ST: $25,000 in credit card debt, no car loan, that’s pretty awesome. Nice work on that, way to get started on that. Now, if you can afford to pay a bit more and go from a 15 year to a 30 year loan, that’s a pretty smart move, you can save a lot of money on that in interest over time.
Now what points are they’re prepaid interest, you pay points that represents 1% of the total amount of the money borrowed. We’ve got two types of points, you have borrowed points, was there a profit paid to the lender and these other type of points are discount points, they are fee paid in advance to lower the interest rate over the life of the loan. Now you’ve got to ask yourself, what’s the breakeven point? What points if you’re going to pay them down?
For me I would say, don’t waste your time in the calculations. You’re paying money to lower in interest rate by a fraction of a percent and when you figuring this stuff out, general rule is, the longer you plan to have a mortgage, the more it makes sense for you to pay the points now because you’ll have a long time to benefit from the lower rate. But what we’ve got to consider, average person in the home about five and a half years. It’s not a long time. Because it’s not a long time, it’s never enough time to make your money back. Average time to recoup your points if you pay them is about seven years.
If you’re going to be in the home five and a half years, it’s going to take you seven years to make the money back, that doesn’t make sense at all. Some of you are thinking, “Alright, what if I’m going to be in my home 10 years or 50 years or what if this is my lifetime home? This is the last home we’re ever going to have.” What I do know is, most people, we don’t know for sure how long we’re going to be in the same place or in the same mortgage or in there for the life of the mortgage. We don’t know those things, it’s just going to educate a guess, most time we’d guess wrong.
Another factor you got to figure in is the opportunity cost. If you don’t use that money for points, what else could you be doing with it? Can you invest it? Even if you expect to be in your house for a long time, there might be more pressing needs over the years. Now, if you listen to me, take my advice, you’re going to be out of your mortgage faster anyways. Take the mortgage rate with no points, with no origination fees, your payments are going to be slightly higher but you don’t’ have to come up with that extra cash, that big check going in with closing and you’re going to have that extra money to do with what you want.
Sum it all up, mortgage points, don’t do it, that’s all. If you have a money related question you would like answered, please visit Goaskscott.com and get in touch with me. That website has my email address, Twitter, you can also leave me a voice mail. Please contact me, I am here to help you.
[0:15:28] ST: Got on some very popular financial websites not long ago, a couple article topics caught my attention. They were two different websites, two different articles but they’re both about where you should put money for your emergency funds, where should we store it? I thought, “Alright, I’ll check this out.” Read through them and I was blown away, flabbergasted, five dollar words. Five dollar word, flabbergasted. I was blown away that both of these articles said that you should be using your Roth IRA as an emergency fund.
Now Roth’s are used for making money in investing. Roth’s, 401(k) 403(b), 457 plans, these are investment vehicles therefore retirement. They are not for emergencies, they are not for cars. Both articles, they gave all the pros of why you could use a Roth for your emergency fund because you can earn 10% interest, right? You put your money in there and it’s going to grow as supposed to being in a brick and mortar earning 0% or where I recommend on my savings account where you can earn a measly 1% but it’s greater than zero.
Yeah, you can earn 10% on your investments in a Roth if you put them there. But neither of these articles mentioned the cons about why this is a terrible idea. Number one, it’s going to take you four or five days to get your money out. Any type of an investment place you’ve got to sell your investments even to the cash money mutual fund, you’ve got to unload it there, you got to transfer it to your bank. If you get the phone call and say, “Hey, bro, I’m in trouble, I need a thousand bucks tomorrow or I’m getting kicked out of my apartment.” I am telling you, western union, they don’t accept Roth IRA’s, you can’t go there and link up to your account and get that money to somebody when they need it in a short period of time.
So that’s con number one, your money is not quickly accessible. But the bigger one and neither of these articles mentioned it, not a single time. They didn’t mention the stock market goes down. If you have $5,000 in a Roth in 2008 and you wanted that to be your emergency fund, in 2009, that emergency fund was worth $2,500 because the stock market dropped by 50% over 18 months. If you have $1,000, $5,000, $50,000 in your emergency fund, you put that in cash because it will continue be worth $1,000, $5,000, $50,000. You don’t want to put it in a Roth, you don’t want to treat your 401(k) as an emergency fund, 403(b), 457 plans. Any of those. Those are for investing. They go up and they go down, you don’t want to lose your value of your emergency funds.
Now, back to your questions. Peter is up next. Peter has a daughter aged 13 and a son aged 16.
[0:18:46] ST: 18 years of debt, wow. How much interest is that? That is a lot of interest and that is the new normal right now for many people, which is unfortunate. One of the reasons I do this show but you’re six months away from getting out of debt, fantastic, congratulations on that. 18 years and now finally getting out of debt for the first time, what a great, great feeling. This is one thing that just many people need to know because we’ve all got, most of us have children.
Just one. Okay, I don’t know if I can do just one thing that I would teach them. The first one would probably be don’t go into consumer debt. With your car loans, car loans are the worst, credit cards are bad too. For me, the car loans or the student loans, it was the trifecta. Car loans, credit cards, student loans, they’re all kind of bad news. Student loans, some people consider those a good debt, we’re not going to dwell on that. Anyway, your kids, they’re too young for a house, we’re going to forget about that, please don’t tip you’d want to teach them for that.
But I think number one, yes I know. I would yield to a man who is slightly smarter than I, a man who has no parallels in his wisdom, Homer J. Simpson. Here’s what Homer had to say. No, I’m just teasing — Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein, when talking about compound interest, he said it was the eighth wonder of the world. Sit down with your kids, you can bust out a white board and show them the math so that they could see the examples, there’s online calculators to do this, you can write it down real quick.
$1,000 invested at age 15 become $117,000 at age 65 if you do nothing else. Put $1,000 in it to stop. $1,000 invested at age 25 becomes $45,000 at age 65. That’s a big drop huh? $72,000 less for the same investment, that is sick, that is the power of compound interest. How many of you right now wish you had put a thousand dollars away when you’re 15? The hands are probably going up. There’s a compound interest calculator, I use quite frequently on investor.gov. You could sit down with your kids and walk through some examples there and they will see the value of money and the power of compound interest and the wisdom of Homer J. Simpson — Albert Einstein.
Our next question comes from a voice mail. Let’s have a listen.
[0:21:26] D: “Hi Scott, I’m 41 and I have been maximizing my Roth IRA, 401(k) contributions to the max and by the age of 55 I should have just over a million dollars in present value today money dollar. My question is, since the age to withdraw funds out of your Roth account is 59 and a half. I want to retire by 55, is there a way to pull your contributions out of your Roth account without paying the 10% penalty? I know it’s not really advertised but I thought I heard that you could pull off the contributions since they were after tax.
[0:22:38] ST: Nice work on the investment savings, sounds like eyou’ve been stocking away some serious cash. Now the Roth IRA, yes, you can withdraw money before age 59 and a half without penalty in taxes but there’s some rules to do so. Let’s say you have a Roth IRA balance of $40,000 and $30,000 of the balance was your contributions. The remaining $10,000 came from your investments going up. You would be able to pull out $30,000 in contributions that you made tax free and penalty free.
Now, withdrawing your regular contributions is always tax free and always penalty free in a Roth if you’re under age 59 and a half or if you had the account for less than five years. It’s only the earnings that are taxable and subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty before age 59 and a half. But what people run in to is they don’t know how much they’ve contributed over time. If you don’t track your contributions, you won’t know what amount is taxable and what amount isn’t. You can compound the problem by moving accounts around between different brokers, rolling over regular IRA’s to Roth IRA’s or just not keeping track.
Especially if you’ve been doing this for five, 10, 15, 20 years. The easy thing to do is just keep a spreadsheet recording how much you’ve contributed each year. And keep all your deposit receipts for when you do, make a contribution then when the time comes, you just add up the values and the spreadsheet and see how much you put in and how much your account has grown. There is no need to open up a separate investment account unless you’re going to need to pull out money to live on and those four and a half years until you hit age 59 and a half.
Now with some rough math, if you plan on living on 30,000 a year, you would need to have added a $135,000 in contributions to your Roth to be able to pull out that money without penalty. Now you asked, “Is a million dollars enough to retire on?” It depends. It depends on so many factors that there’s not a one size fits all answer. There are 30 year old couples who were aggressive in saving and have accumulated one million dollars in the 20’s and they’re now early retirees. Now they’re going to make it till age 65? 70, 80? I don’t know? I don’t know, but they’re trying it out.
General rule of thumb is, it gets tossed around is called 4% rule. If 4% rule states, you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement money each year and have good odds of having enough money to last you 30 years in retirement. It’s a very, very basic calculation and it should only be used to start a conversation. I would never bet my retirement or yours or anyone else’s in such a simple equation.
Recent research is showing the 4% rule is not all that reliable. One study revealed, I got it in front of me, “Using historical interest rate average a retiree drawing down savings for a 30 year retirement using the 4% rule had only a 6% chance of running out. Using the interest rate level is from January 2013 when the research was published, the authors found their retiree savings would grow so slowly that the chance of failure rose to 57%” in that study.
It used to be, 4% was pretty reliable, nowadays, research has shown, not so much. In your case, if you have a million dollars, you could withdraw $40,000 each year to live on. The first question is, can you live on $40,000 a year given your current standard of living? For me, the answer is absolutely not because we have to pay $15,000 a year for health insurance and that’s a single expense, that is brutal, you have to consider health care in your equation, utility bills, car upkeep, food, clothing, property taxes, you get the idea.
Then you have to figure out what you’re going to do in retirement, travel, might get a new car someday, there are big ticket items that need to be factored in. At some point, you’ll need to replace your automobile unless you rely exclusively on public transportation. Next, how long do you plan on living? When doing a retirement projection, we need to consider the health and the longevity of our parents and grandparents. Plus, people are living longer. Do you expect to live to 80, 85, 90, an extra five years makes a huge difference. Are you going to work part time on your retirement?
Extra pocket money from some occasional work can extend your retirement savings. For many people, myself included, earlier retirement means working because you want to, not because you have to. Even if you work because you want to, you’re making an income. Also, you have to factor in the social insecurity benefits, how much are you going to have when you start collecting them? If you wait until age 70, you’ll collect more benefits, that’s another piece of the puzzle that’ll help preserve your nest egg a little bit.
Your best bet, sit down with a fee only certified financial planner, pay them for a few hours at a time, plug in all your numbers and give you a much more accurate assessment of your desire to retire early. It is well worth the investment. Take out the guesswork, see if these can run an analysis and come up with a probability of you running out of your money or money outlasting you.
Check out the Garret Planning Network, I’ll include the link in the show notes, you can search for a fee only, CFP’s in your area that charge by the hour. It’s worth the investment to consult with a financial adviser before making any big decisions about an IRA withdrawal. Thanks Dimitri for the question.
[0:28:25] ST: Okay, quick break, back in 30 seconds. I’ll be answering more of your questions, you’re listening to Scott Alan Turner.
[0:28:31] ST: Hey Rock Star Nation, Scott Alan Turner here. Now folks, for those of you that are my long time listeners, you know I’m not one of those guys in the radio who promotes every product that shows up on their desk. You’ll never hear me trying to get you to buy Twinkies — delicious! Or recommending you buy Microsoft Windows — blue screen of death. No, I have a name to uphold to you, the Rock Star Nation.
If I were to recommend something to you, I would tell you about Himalayan cats. No other cat requires much brushing as a Himalayan. You can spend hours of peaceful time brushing your Himalayan cat. With all the extra fur you collect, you can stuff your own pillow saving you money from that expensive down pillow you’ve been considering. Win/win. If you can figure out how to spell Himalayan, type it in to Google, tell them Scott Alan Turner sent you.
[0:29:27] ST: Welcome back Nation. Everything you think or do is an outcome set in motion. It’s going to affect your life. Listening here right now will have an outcome for you, the money you spend today will have an outcome. The money you save today will have an outcome. Not listening to me will also have an outcome for you. Not spending money today will also have an outcome. Not saving money today is going to have an outcome. You might think the effect is negligible or small and you might be right.
Buying a 99 cent pack of gum isn’t a big deal but it is a deal. It does have an effect on your life. The thousands of decisions will make each day and our job and our business, our relationships, eating habits, finances, they compound over time. They compound just like compound interest compounds. Eating half a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts today won’t kill you right? But eating half a dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts every day for the next 10 years probably might.
Now I love those donuts, you haven’t experience at Crispy Kreme donuts? You need to add that to your bucket list. I just said, it’s not a doughnut, it’s an experience but I digress. Everything you do or don’t do has a result, make sure at what you’re doing today is compounding the results you want tomorrow. Those are the words. Shout out to Eric F. in the Philippines for subscribing to the podcast, thank you Eric. Send me a screenshot of your iTunes or stitcher showing you as a subscriber to the show so I can personally thank you on the show. Get your name on here.
Next time on the show I’m going to give you some simple tips to improve your credit score as well as answer more of your questions, that’s it for this episode. I’m your host, Scott Alan Turner, rock star Katie is my producer. Special bumper music today provided by The Hyenas. Thanks guys for the audio tracks. Find out more about them and all the links mentioned in the show in the show notes on Scottalanturner.com. Today’s episode is powered by Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Keeps my motor running. Thanks for listening.
[0:31:40] ANNOUNCER: Okay Nation, for your free copy of the guide How to Save $1,000 in One Week, simply subscribe to the podcast right now on iTunes and text the word “saving” to the number 33444 to prove that you did it. Subscribe now to get out of debt, save more money and retire early. See you next time. | 2019-04-22T02:31:25Z | https://scottalanturner.com/how-to-break-the-paycheck-to-paycheck-cycle/ |
Alison Johnson (White Horse Press, a Harris resident with a brilliant mind on planning issues) has kindly forwarded me the attached document comprising Lord Hardie's ruling on the superqurry delay. He's basically expecting the Scottish Excutive to decide within 3 weeks, and is ruling that recourse to SNH for turning the area into a conservation zone is not acceptable, partly because Mike Scott and Kevin Dunion are on the Board. He seems to be saying that as the affair is a Civil law matter, it automatically comes under the European Human Rights provisions.
1) The Judge clearly had in mind the recent Pinochet case, though Lafarge Redland did not draw upon it. The Judge seems to be saying that, in order to be seen to be fair, a government advisory body such as SNH must be completely disinterested. Accordingly the presence of environmental campaigners like Scott and Duninion on the Board damages its partiality.
Well, that's all very well, and it has a certain logic if you believe that values-based decisions can be made with reference only to abstract scientific logic, but if you think that the environment is only safe in the hands of those who care and know something about it, it creates a dangerous position.
It means that upcoming environmentalists may be less likely to take a campaigning position lest this will compromise their future ability to work within the system. It will select in favour of those who are all talk and no action. Also, I remember in the late eighties and early nineties when the Government flirted with going green, a lot of pressure was placed on some of us to work within the system. I refused to do so to a compromising degree as was expected at Edinburgh University, and the CHE was closed down in consequence. However, it seems now that those who found niches within the system where, it is clear from their actions, they did not compromise themslves, are being penalised from a different angle.
There is a further implication to all this, and tell me if you think I read it right. Would it not follow that in the case of damaging developments like the Cairngorm furnicular that was being driven by the HIE and other enterprise bodies, that if those bodies contain (as they do) active businessmen who support business expansion, then their advice to Government must, in law, be considered similarly tainted?
Secondly, am I right in my understanding of Lord Hardie's ruling that he accepts that Lafarge Redland ("the respondents") have had their human rights violated on the grounds that this is a civil law case, and that civil law is a competent field of play for corporations? Am I, then, right in concluding that Lord Hardie has failed to consider whether it is "rational", in his words, to consider a corporation to merit "human" rights?
there is no mention of it here.
decision about the police to the likes of SNH).
and the statutory or other framework in which it operates."
judgement then I don't see how it can be seen as being partial.
have them because they can own property (a weak and weird argument, huh?).
The point about civil law here is that it is the opposite of criminal law.
The petitioners are a company incorporated under the Companies Act having its Registered Office at Bradgate House, Groby, Leicester. They were formerly known as Redland Aggregates Limited. In this petition they seek to bring under Judicial Review (i) the failure by the Scottish Ministers (hereinafter referred to as "the respondents") to determine the petitioners' application for planning permission for the development of a "superquarry" at Lingerbay, Isle of Harris, (hereinafter referred to as "the application") lodged with the planning authority on 25 March 1991 and called in by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 6 January 1994 for determination by him and (ii) the decision by the respondents to refer to Scottish Natural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as "SNH") the question of whether any part of the application site should be proposed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (hereinafter referred to as a "cSAC"). Answers to the petition have been lodged and at the first hearing of the petition, which lasted four days, I heard submissions on behalf of the petitioners and the respondents. I also heard counsel for both parties By Order on 5 October 2000 when I was advised that the petitioners are tenants of inter alia the application site and that in terms of their lease the petitioners have various rights to anorthosite and other minerals on the site.
On 25 March 1991 the petitioners submitted to the Western Isles Islands Council (hereinafter referred to as "WIIC") the application for the extraction, processing and transport by sea of anorthosite. On 24 June 1993 WIIC informed the Secretary of State for Scotland that they were minded to grant planning permission to the petitioners. SNH, a statutory body established under the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 to advise upon environmental issues in Scotland, recommended to the Secretary of State for Scotland that the application be called in for his determination. On 6 January 1994 the Secretary of State for Scotland informed WIIC that he had decided that the application should be referred to him for determination in terms of section 32 of the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 (hereinafter referred to as "the 1972 Act"). A public local inquiry (hereinafter referred to as "the inquiry") into the application was held between 11 October 1994 and 6 June 1995 before G.M. Pain (hereinafter referred to as "the Reporter"). The rules governing the inquiry and subsequent procedures were the Town & Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (Scotland) Rules 1980 (hereinafter referred to as "the Rules"). The principal objector represented at the inquiry was SNH which led evidence and made submissions opposed to the grant of planning permission. The grant of planning permission was also opposed by members of a group known as "the Link Quarry Group", which comprised a number of environmental and other bodies. An environmental pressure group, Friends of the Earth (Scotland), appeared and led evidence against the grant of planning permission as part of the Link Quarry Group. Two of the witnesses led on behalf of the Link Quarry Group in opposition to the application were Mr Michael Scott, who was then Scottish Officer of Plantlife and Mr Kevin Dunion, who was Director of Friends of the Earth (Scotland). Both Mr Scott and Mr Dunion are now members of the Main Board of SNH, Mr Scott being the Deputy Chairman. The term of office of Mr Scott will continue until at least 31 March 2002 and the term of office of Mr Dunion will continue until at least 31 March 2003.
Following the conclusion of the inquiry the Reporter prepared a report in accordance with the Rules. Part 1 of the Report was circulated in draft in about March 1998. Following amendments to Part 1 the Reporter delivered the final version of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Report to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 29 April 1999. On 1 July 1999 the respondents assumed responsibility to determine the application in accordance with the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998. They have not done so. On 12 July 2000 one of the respondents, the Transport and Environment Minister (hereinafter referred to as "the Minister"), in an answer to a question in the Scottish Parliament, intimated that she had decided, prior to determining the application, to refer to SNH the question whether any part of the application site should be proposed as a cSAC in terms of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (hereinafter referred to as "the Directive") . The full text of the Minister's reply is contained in 11/2 of process.
By letter dated 12 July 2000 (6/4 of process) the head of the Scottish Executive's Environment Group wrote to the Chief Executive of SNH seeking its scientific advice, in co-operation with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (hereinafter referred to as "JNCC") "about whether or not, applying the relevant selection criteria, any part of the application area should be identified as a proposed cSAC." JNCC was established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 inter alia to establish common standards throughout Great Britain for the monitoring and analysis of information on nature conservation and to commission and support relevant research. On 12 July 2000 Mr Kevin Dunion issued a press release (6/14 of process) on behalf of Friends of the Earth welcoming the approach to SNH but recommending the consideration of other factual matters in the event of the inquiry being re-opened.
The Directive was made on 21 May 1992 and required Member States to bring appropriate measures into force within two years of its notification. In pursuance of this obligation the Government enacted the Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc.) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994 No.2716) (hereinafter referred to as "the Regulations) which came into force on 30 October 1994. In so far as Scotland is concerned, since 1 July 1999 the obligations incumbent upon the United Kingdom under the Directive and the powers to implement the Directive and the Regulations, have fallen to the respondents. Copies of the Directive and the Regulations are produced as 6/5 and 6/6 of process respectively. In terms of Regulation 7(4) of the Regulations the Secretary of State was to transmit to the European Commission on or before 5 June 1995 a list of cSACs, selected by him on the basis of the criteria set out in Annex III to the Directive and relevant scientific information.
On 6 March 1995 the Scottish Office Environment Department published circular 6/1995 entitled "Nature Conservation: Implementation in Scotland of EC Directives on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna and the Conservation of Wild Birds: The Habitats and Wild Birds Directives" (hereinafter referred to as "the 1995 Circular") setting out the initial approach to the implementation of the Regulations. Between 1995 and 1999 the UK Government submitted to the European Commission several lists of cSACs of which approximately 131 were Scottish sites. In selecting cSACs, the Government relied upon the advice of SNH and JNCC, the Government's statutory advisors upon such issues. Following discussions between Member States and the European Commission, the JNCC set out within its report No.270 "Selection of Areas of Conservation in the UK" (hereinafter referred to as "the Selection Report") the criteria used in the selection process within the United Kingdom in order to ensure compliance with the Directive and the Regulations. The Selection Report noted that the process as a whole required consideration of the relative value of the sites in relation to the whole national resource of each habitat type and species. It also noted that site assessment had been based upon the criteria and principles set out in the Directive and did not simply select existing protected areas. As a consequence the selection process identified a number of cSACs which had not previously been notified as a site of special scientific interest (hereinafter referred to as "SSSI") under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
In September and November 1999 the European Commission held moderation seminars when the Commission found that certain Member States, including the United Kingdom, had proposed insufficient sites for cSACs. On 11 January 2000 the Commission announced that it intended to make an application to the European Court of Justice against certain Member States, including the United Kingdom, in respect of their failure to fulfil their obligations under the Habitats Directive. In response to this finding and announcement the respondents asked SNH, in co-operation with JNCC, to re-examine the selection process and to make further proposals for cSACs. As a result of this exercise the Minister announced on 14 June 2000 a list of the additional sites which SNH had proposed to her as potential cSACs. No part of the application site at Lingerbay has been proposed to the Minister as a potential cSAC by SNH and JNCC at any stage of the selection process. The Minister herself did not invite SNH to consider the application site for inclusion as a potential cSAC until July 2000, although the Minister had had in her possession the Report of the Reporter since at least 1 July 1999. In June 2000 the respondents also issued guidance updating Circular 6/95 (11/4 of process).
A further moderation seminar will be held early in 2001 and the list of proposed sites must be notified by Member States to the Commission by January 2001. The procedure adopted by the respondents to enable a Scottish site to be included in a list of cSACs involves evaluation of sites by SNH and the submission to the Minister of a list of suitable sites for possible inclusion as cSACs. The Minister determines which sites should be subjected to further consideration and these sites are forwarded to JNCC for evaluation within the context of the United Kingdom. JNCC undertakes a consultation exercise lasting 12 weeks and thereafter submits a final United Kingdom list for consideration by the appropriate Ministers. Thereafter the appropriate Ministers determine which sites are to be proposed as cSACs. It will not be possible to include the application site in the list for consideration by the Commission at the next moderation seminar.
The petitioners seek a declarator that by failing to determine the application, the respondents are in breach of their statutory duty under sections 37(1) and 46 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (hereinafter referred to as "the 1997 Act"). They complain about the inordinate delay which has occurred between the submission of the application to WIIC on 25 March 1991 and the present date, a period in excess of nine and a half years. They accept that the responsibility for such delay on the part of the respondents, or their predecessors in office as successive Secretaries of State for Scotland, only commenced on 24 June 1993 when WIIC advised the Secretary of State for Scotland of its intention to grant the petitioners planning permission. Even on that basis the petitioners allege that the delay of a period in excess of seven years amounts to a breach by the respondents of their statutory duty. Counsel for the respondents accepted the timetable of events specified in 10/4 of process, subject to the correction that the public local inquiry commenced in October 1994. It was also accepted that the delay between the end of the inquiry in June 1995 and the circulation of the first draft of Part 1 of the Report to parties almost three years later in March 1998 amounted to a considerable period of time. The reason advanced for this particular period of delay was that this was an exceptional inquiry raising a great many complex issues compounded by the illness and hospitalisation of the Reporter, although counsel very properly did not maintain that this latter issue justified a significant proportion of the three year period. As far as the final stage of the delay between 29 April 1999 when the Report was submitted to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the present date, counsel for the respondents stated that it was regrettable that the delay had occurred.
In considering the question of delay in the context of the statutory duty of the respondents, I observe that there is no statutory timescale within which the respondents must determine an application for planning permission which is the subject of an appeal to them or which is the subject of the call in procedures under section 46 of the 1997 Act. The absence of such a timescale is understandable because each application will differ in its nature and complexity and for that reason it would not be prudent or appropriate to have a timescale which applied uniformly, whatever the nature of the application. Had any alternative approach been adopted in the legislation, the outcome would probably have been detrimental for all concerned in the planning process, not least developers. Any uniform timescale would either cater for complex cases or not. If the former approach were adopted, decisions in less complex appeals may be delayed unduly if reporters and Ministers took advantage of the time available; the latter approach would probably have the consequence that complex cases would frequently be the subject of petitions for Judicial Review because of a failure to determine them within the statutory timescale.
However the absence of a statutory timescale is not determinative of the respondents' obligations in cases such as this. The structure of the planning legislation is such that applicants for planning permission are entitled to expect a decision on their application from the local planning authority within a specified time. In terms of section 47(2) of the 1997 Act and Article 14 of the Town & Country Planning (General and Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended (hereinafter referred to as "the GDPO"), an applicant for planning permission may appeal to the respondents if the local planning authority has not given notice of its decision to the applicant within two months of the lodging of the application or such extended period as may be agreed in writing between the applicant and the planning authority. In terms of Article 2 of the Town & Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 1997 (hereinafter referred to as "Circular 4/1997"), a local planning authority, which notifies the respondents of its intention to grant planning permission for development for which applications must be notified to the respondents, is precluded from granting such permission for a period of 28 days. In the present case the period was extended by agreement to six months. Thus applicants may reasonably expect decisions at first instance within a short timescale unless they agree to extend the period in question. The justification for this is readily understood when one considers that developers require to have prompt decisions of their proposals to enable them to make alternative proposals for other sites if their application is unsuccessful, or to make necessary arrangements to enable them to proceed with the development as soon as possible if they are successful. The time within which applicants may reasonably expect their appeals to be determined must be considered in this context. Another factor which will inform the expectations of developers in relation to the timescale of appeals or applications which are called in for determination by the respondents is the practice of the respondents and their predecessors in the determination of appeals by other developers. I was advised by senior counsel for the petitioners that the public inquiry in the Gartcosh Power Station case lasted sixty six days, as compared with seventy eight days in the present case, and the determination was issued eighteen months after the close of the inquiry. That case also involved the preparation and issue by a reporter of Part 1 of a report. The timescale in that case could be used as an indication of what might reasonably be expected in the present case. By contrast the respondents did not refer to any other case where the delay between the close of the inquiry and the determination approximated three years, being the time taken by the Reporter to issue the first draft of Part 1, far less a period close to four years being the time taken to submit her report to the respondents and certainly not a period in excess of five years, being the time which has now elapsed since the close of the inquiry.
In all the circumstances I am of the opinion that the petitioners had a legitimate expectation that the respondents would determine the application within a reasonable time. What amounts to a reasonable time in any case depends upon the particular circumstances of the case, including its complexity, the length of the public inquiry at which evidence was led, and a variety of other factors including, in this case, illness of the Reporter and the change of administration following upon Devolution. Nevertheless, even allowing for these special factors, the delay in this case was of scandalous proportions and the respondents have failed to determine the application within a reasonable time. The delay on the part of the Reporter after the close of the inquiry on 6 June 1995, even allowing for her illness, was in itself unreasonable as was the delay following 29 April 1999. However, the cumulative effect of both periods of delay resulted in the failure of the respondents to meet the reasonable expectations of the petitioners that their application would be determined within a reasonable time by the respondents. In all the circumstances I have concluded that by their said failure the respondents have acted unfairly from a procedural point of view. For that reason I shall grant the declarator sought that the respondents are in breach of their statutory duty by their said failure.
The petitioners also seek a declarator that the decision of the Minister to refer to SNH the question of whether any part of the application area should be proposed as a cSAC was ultra vires. There are a number of different issues raised in this context and I propose to deal with them in turn.
It was accepted by counsel for both parties that as far as partiality is concerned the test within our jurisprudence is the same as in European jurisprudence. In the course of his submissions on this aspect of the case, junior counsel for the petitioners referred to the Minister's alleged membership of Friends of the Earth. This was not foreshadowed in the petition and therefore the respondents had no opportunity to answer this allegation. In view of the potential significance of junior counsel's statement I enquired whether he intended to develop an argument based upon R v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates and Others ex parte Pinochet Ungarte (No.2) 1999 1 All. E.R. 577 but was advised that the petitioners disavowed any such argument. Moreover, counsel stated that no reliance was placed upon the Minister's alleged membership of that organisation. In these circumstances I have disregarded this matter although I am at a loss to understand why any reference to this matter was made, particularly in the absence of any averment in what is a particularly detailed petition.
The thrust of the submissions on behalf of the petitioners was that it was ultra vires of the Minister to refer the classification of the application site to SNH for advice in the context of a planning application where SNH had been the principal objectors. The objection to the involvement of SNH at this stage was compounded by the presence on the main board of SNH of Mr Michael Scott and Mr Kevin Dunion, both of whom gave evidence on behalf of objectors at the inquiry, and Mr Dunion's recent public statement in opposition to the application.
The submissions on behalf of the respondents concentrated upon the terms of the Minister's statement (No. 11/2 of process) and more particularly upon the terms of the letter dated 12 July 2000 to SNH (No. 6/4 of process). It was submitted that the tone, tenor and neutral language of the letter resulted in a construction which negated any hint of prejudice.
While I have some sympathy with the submission on behalf of the respondents as far as the tone, tenor and neutral language of the letter is concerned, I have concluded that the reference to SNH in the circumstances of this case conveys the appearance that they will not bring an impartial judgment to bear on the matter. They were instrumental in persuading the Secretary of State for Scotland to call in the application, thereafter they attended the inquiry as the principal objectors to the grant of planning permission and two of its present board members gave evidence on behalf of other objectors. Since the close of the inquiry, Mr Dunion has made public statements as recently as 12 July 2000, from which it is clear that he remains opposed to the grant of planning permission. As will be apparent from my observations when I consider the question of irrationality, it is essential to distinguish between the respondents' obligations in terms of the planning legislation and their obligations under the Directive. The objection to the reference to SNH must be seen as being confined to the planning process. Having regard to the history of the involvement of SNH in the application and subsequent planning procedures and of Mr Scott and Mr Dunion it must appear to the petitioners that in the context of the planning process SNH cannot bring an impartial judgment to bear upon the matter and justice would not be seen to be done. It is well settled in our law that the appearance of injustice is as offensive as the reality. In that regard I would refer to R v Kent Police Authority and Others ex parte Godden 1971 2 Q.B. 662. In my opinion this is sufficient to justify a declarator that the Minister has acted ultra vires. However, I should also deal with a supplementary submission relating to another aspect of alleged procedural impropriety.
The other aspect of procedural impropriety relied upon by the petitioners relates to an interpretation of the Rules. The Rules govern the procedure prior to, during and after the inquiry. Rule 12(3) regulates the procedure where the Minister differs from the Reporter on a finding of fact or wishes to take account of any new evidence. It was submitted that the necessary procedure had not been followed in this case. The response on behalf of the respondents was that it is clear from the Parliamentary answer that the Minister required further information and had not reached the stage of disagreeing with the Reporter.
Having considered these competing submissions I am of the opinion that although there is no specific provision in the Rules for the Minister to undertake investigations, it is not unreasonable for her to cause inquiry to be made to inform her decision as to whether she disagrees with findings in fact. Accordingly had the alleged contravention of the Rules been the only basis upon which procedural impropriety was alleged, I would not have concluded that the Minister was acting ultra vires.
Counsel for the petitioners also submitted that the decision of the Minister was irrational and accordingly ultra vires. In considering this particular aspect of the case it is essential, in the context of the Minister having a number of different responsibilities, to determine the purpose of the reference to SNH. In this regard counsel for the respondents emphasised that the Environment Department of the Scottish Executive (hereinafter referred to as "the Environment Department") was separate from and operated independently of the Planning Department, even although the Minister was responsible for both functions. Officials within the Environment Department were responsible for advising the Minister on the implementation of the Directive. They had no interest in the planning process associated with the application. Although officials in the Environment Department had seen and checked the factual accuracy of the environmental section of Part 1 of the Report, they had no other involvement in the consideration by the Minister of the application.
The first question to be considered thus becomes one of whether the reference to SNH by the Minister was solely connected with the fulfilment by the Minister of her obligations under the Directive. If the answer to that question is in the affirmative, I consider that it cannot be maintained that the reference was irrational. In determining this question a number of issues required to be considered. In the first place, what significance is to be attached to the departure in this case from the normal procedure for the identification of cSACs. I am of the opinion that there is nothing improper or irrational in the Minister's departure from the procedure normally followed in the identification of cSACs. Although the initiative is usually taken by SNH in evaluating sites and identifying possible cSACs for submission to the Minister for her consideration as an initial step in the process, it would be unreasonable to preclude a third party, including the Minister, from suggesting sites to SNH for evaluation which the third party considered to be significant. In the present case the Minister was aware that the Commission's view that the deficiency in the sites submitted by the United Kingdom and other Member States is related to the under-representation of certain botanical species. The Minister was also aware that some of these species are present on the application site and that the Reporter concluded that the bryophyte flora are of national and international importance. In these circumstances it would be totally unrealistic to expect the Minister to refrain from asking SNH to include this site for the purpose of its evaluation of potential cSACs. Indeed it might even be argued, with some merit, that if the Minister did not refer the matter to SNH she would be failing in her duty under the Directive.
The second question to be considered is whether the Minister could have determined the planning application without preventing her from considering the classification of the site as a cSAC. Obviously if planning permission were refused by the Minister, she would not be precluded from considering whether the site or any part thereof should be proposed as a cSAC. The issue thus becomes whether the grant of planning permission would preclude the subsequent classification of the site as a cSAC. It was conceded by counsel for the respondents that from the point of view of the protection of the site there would be no prejudice in granting planning permission. In my opinion that concession was appropriate and could not properly have been withheld particularly when it is appreciated that following the grant of planning permission there would be a period of about four years before any development of the site can proceed. That period is required to enable the petitioners to obtain other licences and permissions associated with ancillary works outwith the application site. The Minister could also utilise that period to enable advice to be obtained concerning the need to classify the site as a cSAC. If the site were ultimately classified as a cSAC following the grant of planning permission, Regulation 50 of the Regulations provides for the review of planning permission as soon as reasonably practicable after the date on which the site becomes a European site. In order to secure the protection of a cSAC, planning permission may be revoked or modified in terms of sections 65 - 69 inclusive of the 1997 Act. Section 76 of the 1997 Act provides for the payment of compensation when planning permission is revoked or modified. Thus the scheme of the Regulations and the 1997 Act envisages the grant of planning permission for a site which later becomes a cSAC. In that situation the cSAC would be protected from development by the revocation or modification of planning permission. The provisions for compensation ensure that all the legitimate interests are balanced and appropriate protection is given to each of these interests. In these circumstances there is no need in the present case to defer the determination of the planning application pending advice from SNH as to whether the site should be proposed as a cSAC. If Parliament had considered that to be a proper approach, the Regulations could have been framed accordingly. I also consider that if the deferral of the decision on the application is to secure the avoidance of a potential liability to pay compensation, that is an improper consideration in the context of the Regulations and the statutory provisions to which I have referred.
It is clear from a fair reading of the Minister's statement (No.11/2 of process) that the Minister intends to defer determination of the application pending receipt of advice from SNH about the inclusion of the site as a cSAC. I have reached the conclusion that there is no justifiable reason to defer consideration of the planning application pending the receipt of such advice. If the site merits such a designation and the protection following such a designation that can be achieved before any planning application is implemented. In all the circumstances I am of the opinion that the decision of the Minister is irrational and as such is ultra vires.
The petitioners also seek a declarator that the respondents have acted in breach of Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"). Counsel for the respondents invited me to conclude that Article 6 did not apply because there is no dispute or "contestation" as to the petitioners' civil rights and obligations and that until the respondents determine the application it could not be asserted that there will be a "contestation". It was accepted by counsel for the respondents that if Article 6 applied in this case, the European jurisprudence is the same as our own jurisprudence in relation to partiality.
The petitioners have a heritable right in the form of a 99 year lease of the site and have indicated a willingness to enter into an agreement in terms of section 75 of the 1997 Act, formerly section 50 of the 1972 Act. They also have the right to anorthosite and other minerals on the site. These property rights of the petitioners are clearly a civil right within the meaning of Article 6(1) of the Convention. Reference is made to the opinion of the Commission in Bryan v United Kingdom (1995) 21 E.H.R.R. 342 at p.351 para.38.
The only remaining question is whether the call in of the application by the respondents and the resulting proceedings can be described as being directly concerned with the way in which the petitioners may use the land in which they have an interest. Counsel for the respondents accepted that if the local planning authority had refused the petitioners planning permission, any appeal to the respondents in terms of the planning legislation would constitute a dispute about the petitioners' civil rights and obligations and the planning appeal would be governed by Article 6(1). Similarly in terms of Bryan v United Kingdom, if the petitioners proceeded to develop the superquarry without planning permission and appealed against any enforcement notice served upon them, such appeal proceedings would be proceedings which determined a civil right in terms of Article 6. In either of these circumstances the petitioners would be entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law. It is difficult for me to comprehend why in that situation the present proceedings before the respondents should be treated in any different manner. The approach of the respondents' counsel was, in my opinion, unduly restrictive. If an appeal against a refusal of planning permission is protected by Article 6, it seems astonishing that the proceedings resulting from the call in of an application which WIIC was minded to grant should be afforded any less protection. It is even more astonishing when one recalls that the procedure adopted in respect of applications called in for determination by the respondents is identical to the procedure in appeals against refusal of planning permission and appeals against the serving of enforcement notices. I am of the opinion that there is a dispute about the exercise of the petitioners' civil rights, evidenced by the desire of the local planning authority to grant the petitioners the necessary planning permission and the call in by the respondents of the application for their determination after a public local inquiry. Moreover, the consideration of objections to the grant of planning permission and the hearing of evidence from witnesses in support of and against the application clearly points to the existence of a dispute. I have concluded that the submissions for the respondents should be rejected and that Article 6 is applicable in the present case.
Having regard to my conclusions concerning the delay in this case, and to Santilli v Italy (1991) 14 E.H.R.R. 421, I am of the opinion that there has been a breach of Article 6(1). In addition, having regard to the views which I have already expressed about partiality, I have concluded that there is also a breach of Article 6(1) in that regard. Accordingly I shall pronounce the declarator sought that the respondents are in breach of Article 6 of the Convention.
I was advised by senior counsel for the respondents that it would be sufficient for me to pronounce declarators to secure a decision from the Minister within a reasonable time. Upon being pressed concerning the meaning of "a reasonable time" in this context, senior counsel was unable to be more precise other than to assure me that the Minister and her officials were aware that the timescale contemplated by me was of the order of 21 days from the date of my interlocutor. In these circumstances I consider that it is unnecessary for me to pronounce any further order at this stage to secure a determination of the application by the respondents. I shall accordingly pronounce a declarator (1) that the respondents are in breach of their statutory duty by failing to determine the application within a reasonable time; (2) that the decision by the respondents to refer the classification of the site to SNH for advice in the context of the determination of the planning application was ultra vires and (3) that the respondents have acted in breach of Article 6 of the Convention in respect of the delay in determining the application and the reference to SNH in the context of the planning process. | 2019-04-18T17:16:19Z | http://www.alastairmcintosh.com/general/quarry/lord_hardie.htm |
I'm terrible at maths... very bad at it."
Prince William did the "I'm terrible at maths" thing on his tour of India. Unhelpful.
He said it out of ignorance, insensitivity, and a misplaced wish to "get down with the kids".
Is Prince William being ignorant? Is he not allowed to say he is terrible at maths? Or that he does not like it? Does everyone have to say they are good at maths and that they enjoy it?
I would argue that Prince William, and indeed anyone, is entitled to recall positive or negative experiences of maths without being called ignorant. It is up to those working in maths education to listen and ask why.
Of course, we can not ask Prince William why he made this statement, although his GCSE grade (A or B) suggests that he might not be a terrible mathematician at all (if such a thing exists...).
Perhaps he was just reproducing a family narrative: Prince Harry has said in the past that he "...can't do maths," and their father, Prince Charles, failed Maths O-level. Teachers often get frustrated at parents expressing negative views about maths; perhaps negative attitudes to maths are largely intergenerational?
Families may well have a big influence on children's negative (and positive) attitudes towards maths. But I think that blaming others does not help. We need to listen to negative attitudes, and change our response from blaming others to asking ourselves: what are we in maths education doing to create these negative experiences?
This, then, is the 'maths' that Prince William believes he is terrible at, or is positioning himself outside.
As someone who loves teaching and doing maths, I find these exam questions hugely depressing. This exam paper was written in 1998 but little has changed in the 18 years since then. The GCSE content and questions are so banal that I can no longer bring myself to teach GCSE Maths.
This mathematics, which I call 'school mathematics' (comprising both the curriculum and GCSE qualification), is an impoverished, degraded version of maths that is far removed from what could and should be taught. It is barely recognisable from the the subject that so many mathematicians and maths teachers have devoted their lives to studying, and I imagine, like me, would like to share with others.
Students and teachers spend the whole of year 10 and 11 in preparation for answering banal questions like these. Students spend these 2 years preparing for an extremely high-stakes qualification that has little use value and considerable exchange value. If students don't pass their GCSE, they are told they won't be able to go into further study, and/or will struggle to get a job.
Mathematics is everywhere, it must be studied by everyone, everyone must be good at it, and everyone must enjoy it. So goes the message from maths educators and politicians alike.
Little wonder that many students leave school with an aversion to maths.
We can point to the impoverished curriculum and examinations in order to understand peoples negative attitudes towards maths.
There are wider issues: school mathematics, as a proxy for intelligence, and with the status it has been afforded, leaves children in little doubt as to their 'ability'. Prince William's belief that he is terrible at maths will have been produced by 11 years of being measured and compared with others on his performance at these types of questions. This bears little resemblance to the endeavour of mathematics at all.
Instead of getting 'fed up' every time we hear this statement - and we hear it a lot - isn't it time we asked ourselves why? Why do so many people perceive they are no good at maths? Why are they happy to say they are no good at maths? What does it mean to be no good at maths?
What is it about school maths, and the way that it is taught, that creates this powerful aversion?
What could 'we', those of us in maths education, do differently, so that people leave school with a different more positive view of maths?
In my last post, I wrote about how focusing on the 'achievement gaps' of groups of children - in this case British white working class children, but it could apply to any arbitrary group of children - may lead to teachers (and society in general) adopting a deficit view of these children, thus reproducing negative stereotypes.
I suggested at the end of the post, drawing on inspiration from educators such as Sherri Spelic (@edifiedlistener), Sarah Thomas (@sarahdateechur) and Jenn Binis (@jennBinis), that we might (a) counter-act this narrative by amplifying positive actions of children who are construed as deficient, and (b) address student issues on an individual basis.
...there’s something we should be talking about and we’re just not... I feel decidedly uncomfortable with that notion, simply because the long terms effects of ignoring this problem may be much worse than the twinge of discomfort felt in useful and important discussions, where clear strategies are established for the re-engagement of the white working class.
I have spoken very briefly with Bansi about this; we are trying to arrange a space to talk in more depth (I find that Twitter is no substitute for conversation).
Before that happens, and I may well be getting the wrong sense about what Bansi is saying, I take the post to suggest that we shouldn't ignore achievement gaps, that we should identify and name the categories of students that require additional support, and then put measures in place to provide this support.
Perhaps Bansi is saying that pushing the positive is not enough to address systematic underachievement, or that it is not practical to address students issues on an individual basis? Or perhaps she is just saying that we should use information regarding the commonalities of people to help them? Or perhaps something else.
There is a dilemma with aggregated data analysis. On the one hand, the analysis may suggest that there are groups of students that require additional help. However, on the other hand, by naming and intervening, we re-inscribe (static) deficit categories, viewing issues as problems that can be 'solved'.
My current thinking is that we as educators should consider very carefully the effects of focusing on achievement gaps produced by aggregated data analysis. Although students may face common issues due to formal and less formal groupings and overlapping forms of experience, and in some cases a similar intervention may work for a group of students, I think the negative effects of reinforcing deficit categories (such as stereotyping) may be damaging. And, of course, what might help one student may not help another just because they are in the same (say) socioeconomic group.
That does not mean to say that we should ignore the problems that children face due to their position in society - we should try to find out as much as we can about the struggles people face, or have faced. By listening to individual stories we can gain a greater understanding of the difficulties they, and perhaps other children in similar circumstances, have encountered - and be in a better position to offer support. It is for this reason that I would like to give a brief account of my experience.
I must stress that this is my experience; I am telling this story as it may resonate-with, or provide insight into, others' experience, and not because I think it is necessarily typical in any way.
This passage is guilty of reinforcing the image of the (static) category 'working class' as having a (fixed) attribute: the subordination of the theoretical to the practical. With that said, it resonated with important aspects of my personal experience.
Throughout my childhood, my older brother (and to a lesser extent my father) used to tell me that, 'I was clever, but had no common sense.' This statement used to bother me greatly. My brother left school with no qualifications, perhaps always knowing he would work for the family plumbing business. I idolized my brother; I spent much of my childhood trying to emulate him, and did not take my education very seriously.
I think I was desperately trying to seek his approval, to be like him. I was determined to go into the army at 16, and then 18 (he also wanted to go into the army), but my sister 'strongly encouraged' me to study for my A-levels and then go to university. I was the first person in my family to do so - when I told my mum I got a 1st in my degree, she replied: "Is that good?".
Practical sense, social necessity turned into nature, converted into motor schemes and body automatisms, is what causes practices, in and through what makes them obscure to the eyes of their producers, to be sensible, that is, informed by a common sense. It is because agents never know completely what they are doing that what they do has more sense than they know.
What was my brother suggesting in asserting that I had no common sense? That I had no practical sense, that I was not practical; and If Paul Willis' analysis of the working class is to be accepted, we could interpret my brother's comments as suggesting I was not of the working class. In some sense, he was suggesting that I was not like him, or my family, not of-my-background.
Do other working class children feel the same conflict, that to 'be academic' positions them outside of their (family and friends') identity?
I spent my teenage years getting into trouble in and out of school in attempts to assert my status/identity as a member of the working class - to be one of 'the lads' - but I never really belonged to this or any group.
The conflict between my family identity and my own personal (changing) identity has remained with me ever since. I am incredibly proud of my working class roots, and remain uncomfortable at times with my status as a member of the middle class; it is as though I identify as working class, but my life and actions are of the middle class. This may partially explain my propensity for self-destruction.
I don't speak to my brother as much as I would like, and am aware we are getting older - this makes me sad every time I think about it.
I have made a life out of rejecting my own culture. It is only now, at this age, that the real impact of this has hit home. My grandfather passed away two weeks ago and I didn’t go the funeral. While I know deep down there were many reasons for this, one reason stands out and points at me. I knew I would find it hard to communicate with people in the language they know and I don’t. I know today that one of the things that is most tragic about this wholesale movement away from my past is the growing gap between me and members of my family – particularly the older generation. I have chosen at some point along the line to deny myself the language that would connect us. In forgetting the words, I have forgotten them. This is something I can now never rectify.
Bansi's (family) history and culture are very different to mine, but this passage resonated with my experience. There is a sense of betrayal of loyalty that I too feel very strongly.
The theme of conflicting/changing identities is here vividly depicted. There is throughout the book a sense of us and them, of the divide between the working class and everyone else. This has been an ever-present narrative in my experience, the divide between classes, between north and south, between the practical and the theoretical, between us and them.
Do such categorisations help or harm our children? I would suggest they do more harm than good. The re-production of static social groups (in the family, at school, in the media) goes some way towards explaining why class remains so firmly entrenched in our society, and why some working class children might find it difficult to identify with 'being academic'.
But this is just my experience, what I consider 'common sense', and may not be that of others.
What is right with British white working class children?
Since 2005, average performance at the end of secondary school has improved by just over half a GCSE grade. Primary pupils are also achieving about a fifth of a National Curriculum Level higher than ten years ago.
It makes for a very depressing read, but not because of what it is supposedly telling us.
Firstly, whether it is based on reliable data or not, the report is barely comprehensible - what does a 'fifth of a National Curriculum level' represent? It is full of percentages about whether this region, or that class of people, or this race, have met this or that benchmark in this or that qualification. It is full of the usual mix of political-data-speak that we have come to expect - 'a world-class education', 'benchmarks', 'good passes' - whilst the language of levels is alive and well (what happened to life without levels?). There is of course no mention of wider educational aims.
Secondly, I am more depressed by the narrative it produces. It presents a deficit model of education, and society as a whole. There are sections entitled 'closing the disadvantage gap', 'pupil characteristics' and 'regional trends'. It is the worst of what Gutierrez terms a 'gap gazing fetish': a focus on 'achievement gaps' that arise a result of unhelpful data aggregations, thereby producing/reinforcing static social, economic, ethnic, or geographical categories, which in turn supports deficit thinking and leads to the creation of negative narratives, whilst perpetuating the myth that the solution is a technical one.
At a classroom level, we teachers help whichever students need our help, when they need it. What is the benefit in knowing that, on average, a this child from this (say) ethnic group might perform less well on their GCSEs than another child who is not of the same ethnic group?
Who are the losers in this discourse? Well, nearly everyone involved in education: the children, parents and teachers who fall under the gaze of the subsequent media 'outrage'.
So the spotlight is currently on the deficits of the white British working class - all of them. With this 'knowledge', how might we move forward? Perhaps the report offers some guidance on this? And more importantly, how can we alter the narratives that the report has reinforced?
78 pages, for this. What are we to make of this?
Since the report, there has been much written on Twitter about what it means to come from the white British working class, such as this from @jarlathobrien and this from @debrakidd. What is important about these accounts is that they are personal stories about what it is like to face (and overcome) adversity by whatever means possible. I too have scrabbled my way 'up' from the working class to the middle classes, but this isn't about telling my story.
These accounts suggest a way we might counter-act the negative effects of gap-gazing provided by this report. Instead of producing a narrative of deficit, could we instead amplify other people's accounts who are finding ways to change the narrative?
The hashtag #pushthepositive was created by @edifiedlistener with this in mind - to divert the gaze on the deficits of *this* group, and instead amplify positive words and actions of *all* of those people who are being oppressed.
We can all contribute to this by elevating the voices of all those who are fighting to overcome oppression, by: listening (not talking), acknowledging what power and privilege we have (and the effect it has on others), and celebrating and amplifying others through our words and actions.
When will we ever need this in real life?
Here is Thales' theorem. Every student in the UK must learn this theorem as part of the Maths GCSE.
It's useful for solving geometrical problems, and solving problems is useful in itself. Solving problems teaches us how to think logically, and builds our resilience, perseverance, and so on.
It's part of maths, and maths is important. Maths describes the world around us, it's everywhere. Also, people who can do maths earn more money.
We don't always learn things because we need them, sometimes we learn things because they are interesting or beautiful... Why do we learn art, or history, or anything?
It's useful for learning about proof (here are some proofs).
You'll need it if you study maths at A-level.
What can you make sense of in this topic so far?
I think this is getting closer to a satisfactory response, and this may well be helpful for those students who are indeed finding the work difficult. But what if the student is not feeling lost; perhaps they are just bored, or they can not see the relevance of maths for them. What then?
With this view of mathematics education as identity-in-the-making, we could view the students question as a means of (publicly) positioning themselves (their identity) outside of what is happening in the classroom. What exactly are they positioning themselves outside, and why? I think it is also important that they are choosing to do this publicly - who might be the 'we' in their question?
The reasons why a particular student is positioning themselves outside of what is happening will of course depend on the specific instance of the asking of the question. Perhaps our work as a teacher is then to ascertain why this student views themselves as outside what is happening, by talking to them.
A rejection of the authority, either of mathematics or the teacher (or other relational issues with the teacher or other students).
An identification with what is not-mathematics - as viewed by that student. Perhaps they view themselves as a 'creative' person and view mathematics as not creative - a subscription to the artistic-scientific dichotomy that has been created by the segregation of the curriculum?
Perhaps they view mathematics, or the teaching of mathematics, as cold, hard, unemotional, inhuman, where they respond more enthusiastically to (subjects) that are more strongly connected to the human or emotional?
An inability to see how it will be useful in future employment, or future study. They might aspire to employment/study in a non-mathematical field, or perhaps can only see a future in low-paid work?
A conditioning against mathematics and its relevance/usefulness, perhaps from parents, or friends, or...?
A feeling of not being part of the mathematical community, perhaps due to gender, race, 'ability', and so on - a subscription to the narrative produced by history/society about who does maths, and who is successful at maths.
I am sure there are many other possible reasons for this question. There is only one way to find out what may be the case in each instance of the question - talk to the student who asked it. | 2019-04-25T12:28:29Z | https://www.squeaktime.com/blog/archives/04-2016 |
4 The the help of the flap taken from temporal fascia or any other other alternative is surgical treatment.6 Strokes can have minor consequences especially lacunar Decompressive Craniectomy: As an alternative and small cortical strokes or they can be lethal if they therapy. ischaemic stroke and surgical treatment of stroke along with recommendations haemorrhagic stroke. Karachi. large bone flap. Haemorrhagic stroke comprises of two main types. Aga Khan University Hospital.5 Current available medical treatment of intraparenchymal haemorrhage (ICH). In this review the recent advances in accommodate the swollen brain. CT Brain showing large right MCA territory infarct with significant midline shift and twenty four hours or leading to death. The aim of treatment in stroke patients is to prevent further neurologic deterioration and prevent recurrence. Ischaemic stroke or cerebral infarction from latest randomized trials will be discussed. surgical decompression techniques have been involve major arterial distribution such as whole middle proposed to relieve the high ICP. but they are often The poor outcome associated with ischaemic stroke devastating. In this review the recent advances in surgical treatment of stroke will be discussed along with recommendations from the latest randomized trials. Syed Ather Enam Department of Neurosurgery. To deal with the lethal complication of haemorrhage (SAH). However there is recent reconsideration of this form of treatment and ongoing trials are showing some promising results. hypothermia surrounding the brain.2 Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages Surgical treatment of ischaemic stroke: account for about 20% of all strokes. barbiturate coma. hypertonic saline. However there is recent reconsideration of this the necrotic infarcted brain parenchyma. Ipsilateral to the side of infarction Despite all advances in medical treatment. Abstract Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The rationale of form of treatment and ongoing trials are showing some this therapy is to create compensatory space to promising results. where there is ischaemic stroke includes thrombolysis and anti bleeding within the brain itself and subarachnoid coagulation. accounting for a disproportionately large is attributed to malignant oedema that causes early rise in proportion of morbidity and mortality among stroke intracranial pressure (ICP) and subsequent brain herniation patients. The other alternative is surgical treatment. This involves removal of cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction (Figure 1). medical treatment offers rupture in the cerebrospinal fluid filled subarachnoid space mannitol. accounting for approximately 70-80% of all strokes. thereby normalizing 378 J Pak Med Assoc .7 No attempt is made to remove 1 evidence. Muhammad Zubair Tahir. which is characterized by vessel malignant oedema and raised ICP. However no medical therapy has The aim of treatment in stroke patients is to prevent proven effective in preventing brain herniation and further neurological deterioration and prevent recurrence. lasting for more than Figure 1.1 We can divide stroke mass effect. Introduction Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. is the most common. which still lacks class available graft (duroplasty). and death. Despite all advances in medical treatment. which still lacks class 1 evidence. improving patient outcome. mortality in such (hemicraniectomy) followed by dural reconstruction with large infarcts is estimated to be between 50% and 78%. morbidity and mortality in stroke patients is still very high. into two broad categories namely.Review Article Role of neurosurgery in the management of stroke Gohar Javed.3 and hyperventilation.1 The World Health Organization defines stroke clinically as "rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function.
in the surgery group compared with 5. The benefits of carotid surgery appear to be patients originated from 2 centres only.11 However.23). the decompressive surgery. and 50%. respectively). because of slow recruitment and organizing a pooled Decompressive surgery was first reported as a analysis of individual data from this trial and the two other potential treatment for large hemispheric infarction in case ongoing European trials of decompressive craniectomy in reports as early as 1956. cases of cerebral infarction due to main-trunk occlusion had randomized.15 Based on the results of several reports suggesting that Prospective analyses as the North American patients more than 60 years may not benefit from Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET). the data safety symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. DESTINY only included patients Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS). the proportion of patients with a MRS score provide improved outcomes by avoiding the consequences less than 3 at the 6-month and 1-year follow-up. the treatment of large MCA ischaemic strokes. and 18 to 60 years of age.9 effective in improving the prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction within 3hours after the onset. was 25% of brainstem compression from transtentorial herniation. patient Carotid endarterectomy: Carotid artery surgery enrollment was interrupted as per protocol.8 But this form of treatment remains controversial in of death after craniectomy compared with medical therapy the absence of randomized controlled trials.intracranial pressure. There was a 52.0001). DECIMAL (Decompressive Craniectomy In emergency revascularization. Recurrent stenosis occurs at the rate of 5 .10. 47% of include serious medical risks of anaesthesia and recent large patients in the surgical arm versus 27% of patients in the parenchymal infarction.2%. Vol. After 6 and 12 months. 7. Among the 38 patients that early decompression reduces mortality and may randomized. stenting and Germany. First.10% per this makes DESTINY an oligocentre rather than a year after operation but is not always symptomatic. the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) demonstrated DECIMAL is a Sequential-Design trial conducted in superior reduction in the incidence of stroke among France involving patients between 18 and 55 years of age symptomatic and a select group of asymptomatic patients with malignant MCA infarction to compare functional undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).12 design that used mortality after 30 days as the first end point. multicentre. (47%) patients randomized to conservative therapy survived Possible contraindications to carotid endarterectomy after 30 days (P = 0. DESTINY showed that brain ischaemia secondary to haemodynamic insufficiency.10 When this end point was reached.7 The largest case series suggested malignant MCA infarction. In addition DESTINY does not provide Operative mortality is less than 2% and the risk of stroke is data on older patients with malignant MCA infarction. Fifteen of seventeen (88%) alone. No. DESTINY has several shortcomings. controlled. conservative treatment arm had a modified Rankin Scale Carotid artery surgery helps prevent subsequent score of 0 to 3 (P = 0. July 2008 379 . early decompressive craniectomy increased by more than half the number of Recently three multicentre randomized controlled patients with minimal to moderate disability and trials have been conducted with favourable outcomes in significantly reduced (by more than half) the mortality rate patients who underwent decompressive craniectomies for compared with that after medical therapy. carotid endartrectomy.6% and Patients who underwent early hemicraniectomy had a 22. The National Institute of Middle Cerebral Artery Infarcts) from France and Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reported that HAMLET (Hemicraniectomy After Middle Cerebral Artery thrombolytic therapy by intravenous administration of a Infarction With Life Threatening Odema Trial) from recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was Netherland.13 Carotid artery surgery has also been used when the patients randomized to hemicraniectomy versus 7 of 15 patient has acute carotid occlusion and minor stroke. These are DESTINY (Decompressive Surgery for the Treatment of The other surgical options for ischaemic stroke are Malignant Infarction of the Middle Cerebral Artery) from embolectomy. clinical trial based on a sequential a low revascularization rate and a poor prognosis.02).14 multicentre trial. reverting brain shifts and preventing monitoring committee recommended stopping the trial secondary neuronal insult. less than 4%. only (P<0. DESTINY is a prospective. durable. 58.6 established CEA as the therapeutic gold standard for After randomization of 38 patients. 81% of diseased artery. A statistically has been shown to significantly decrease the risk of a significant reduction in mortality was reached after 32 subsequent stroke compared to the best medical therapy patients had been included. hemicraniectomy reduces mortality in large hemispheric arterial embolism or propagating thrombosis from the stroke.8% absolute reduction surgery. As a matter of fact. in the no-surgery group respectively (P = 0.18 and P mortality rate of 16% compared to 34% for delayed = 0. In this trial. These studies outcomes with or without decompressive craniectomy.
treating a case of ICH is whether or not surgery is required Sakai et al reported their surgical results in patients in a particular case? The answer to this question is better with acute cerebral main-trunk occlusion in the anterior defined in the case of infra-tentorial haematomas than in circulation. In issue.20 Similarly prognosis condition characterized by progressive. 14 less than 13. pathological site. Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage itself may not require The current indications of revascularization surgery any surgical treatment but some of its causes or include patients with impaired collaterals causing regional complications require surgery.middle collateral blood flow to the territory of occluded or severely cerebral artery (MMA-MCA) anastomoses. encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) carotid . failed to reveal any benefit of external transposition. revascularization was achieved. Vermian haematomas more often require evacuation all the patients. idiopathic occlusion for brain stem haematomas is poor except in those cases of of the bilateral supraclinoid internal carotid arteries (ICA). The indirect stenosed cerebral arteries. Surgical interventions have been Transluminal Angioplasty Study (CAVATAS) will attempt divided into direct and indirect bypass techniques. both usually done by end to side anastomosis of superficial consist of laying dural flap with intact blood supply directly temporal artery branch with middle cerebral artery distal to on to cerebral cortex. however. Other clinical situations in which an EC-IC coiling. Moyamoya therapy. within 24 hours after the onset.21 The results of surgery were found to be in 1957 and subsequent angiographic characterization and favorable in 13 out of 20 patients with CT guided 380 J Pak Med Assoc . Vascular malformations may require surgical bypass procedure may be considered includes. hydrocephalus or a Glasgow coma score of artery in 1 patient. However technical innovations in interventional naming by Suzuki and Takaku in 1969.internal carotid artery (EC-IC) bypass surgery. With a morbidity rate of >70% in untreated patients. a selected patients with acute cerebral main-trunk occlusion hemispheric haematoma can be observed and managed in the anterior circulation. Hydrocephalus or malignant oedema developing cerebral aneurysms not amenable to direct surgical clipping after sub-arachnoid hemorrhage may also require surgery. The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent surgical intervention has become the standard therapy in Trial (CREST) and the Carotid and Vertebral Artery patients with MMD. Aneurysms causing sub cerebral blood flow compromise and failed maximal arachnoid haemorrhage require obliteration by clipping or medical therapy.17 stroke.middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA). prospective evaluation is pending. The to address the efficacy of percutaneous angioplasty and direct bypass techniques proposed include superficial stenting compared with CEA. However. conservatively. Revascularization surgery: Bypass surgery provides occipital artery-MCA. The occlusion occurred in Surgery is required in cerebellar haematomas if there the internal carotid artery in 10 patients. A large international cooperative techniques consist of multiple cranial bur holes. giant excision. temporal artery . Although retrospective analyses of angioplasty and disease is diagnosed and staged by using catheter stenting suggest that their clinical efficacy is comparable to angiography. and 3 had a carotid endarterectomy. and in the anterior cerebral fourth ventricle.18 Twenty six patients were surgically treated supra-tentorial clots. omental study. moderate to severe compression of cerebral artery in 15 patients. Since its first description by Takeuchi and Shimizu than 20 mm. and as compared to hemispheric hematomas of comparable size. Size of the haematoma is a more controversial had an embolectomy. pontine haemorrhage that are not comatose to begin with. several thousand radiology have renewed the debate about the optimal cases have been documented worldwide. Their study Surgery is required for a hemispheric hematoma which is 40 concluded that early surgical revascularization can be an x 30 mm or more and a vermian hematoma which is 35 x 25 effective and safe treatment modality in appropriately mm or more in their largest dimensions. neurological improvement was obtained.16 However two Surgical treatment of haemorrhagic stroke particular groups were not addressed: those for whom the Intra parenchymal brain haemorrhage is more best available medical therapy had failed and those with common than sub arachnoid haemorrhage as a cause of clearly documented haemodynamic compromise. and reconstruction (where the parent vessel must be The first question that a surgeon has to address while sacrificed) and other progressive vasculopathies. and middle meningeal artery. that of endarterectomy. even if it is more than 30 mm in its Revascularization in Moya Moya Disease: maximum diameter but is not causing any significant Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular compression of the fourth ventricle. in the middle is tight posterior fossa.19. and anterior cerebral artery have normal pupils and the size of the haematoma is less (ACA). and encephaloduroarteriomyosynangiosis (EDAMS). proximal middle cerebral artery. Nine patients underwent anastomosis. in the setting of symptomatic arterial occlusions and inaccessible stenosis.
Prognostic score was calculated as: (10 x admission Glasgow coma score) . Secondary outcome included mortality. Any favorable outcome seen with minimally invasive methods was offset by the craniotomy procedures. Surgery offered as a life saving procedure after patient developed signs of herniation. multicentre study addressing this issue is Craniotomy: In STICH trial. The only large. modified Rankin scale or Barthel index. A more organized patients were managed conservatively. 7. knowledge.Age (years) - (0. Significant benefit of surgery was not found in terms of mortality.23 In this trial 1033 patients from 83 centres in 27 favorable outcome for the hematomas within 1 cm of the countries mainly from Europe. So the best indication of treatment. a . One of the inclusion criteria for this trial is "if the responsible neurosurgeon is uncertain about the benefits of either treatment". Glasgow coma score.post op scan. Variables were age. randomized. b . This may be because of a paucity of large. randomized.23 Does that prove that there are no well defined indications for surgery in supra tentorial ICH? The answer to this question lies in the inclusion criteria of STICH trial. severity of neurological deficit and type of intended operation. multi-centre studies. Asia and Africa were brain surface (Figure 3). no one can wait in a middle aged otherwise fit patient who Figure 3. The other theoretical consideration randomized into two treatment groups.Preop scan. When should a surgeon be more certain about the decision to operate in a case of supra tentorial ICH? Although there is no support from the literature. Results of other randomized trials before STICH also failed to show any benefit of surgery in ICH. In one group. the Barthel index and the modified Rankin scale. This majority of craniotomies are probably the reason why the only advantage of early surgery 3b observed in this study is for the hematomas located within one centimeter of the surface (easier removal of superficial hematomas through craniotomies). is the consistency of the hematoma. while in the other group patients underwent surgery within 24 hours of 3a randomization in addition to conservative treatment. Another reason is The methods for hematoma evacuation can be probably a trend towards minimally invasive surgery with divided into two categories: craniotomy / craniectomy and resultant modification of the indications. Vol. haematoma volume.22 surgery in supra-tentorial hematomas is certainty of the The indications of surgery in supra-tentorial ICH are surgeon about the results of surgery according to his/her less obvious. craniotomy and International Surgical Trial for Intra Cerebral Haemorrhage evacuation of ICH has been found to be associated with (STICH). 58.64 x volume [ml]) Primary outcome was death or disability using the extended Glasgow outcome scale 6 month after the ictus. July 2008 381 .stereotactic aspiration of pontine tegmental hypertensive relatively superficial medium size (15-30 cc) clot located in haemorrhages when compared to the conservative a non eloquent part of the brain. This leads to another question. which were performed in the majority of the patients. minimally invasive procedures. experience and circumstances. So the uncertain results attest to the "uncertainty" of the surgeons. CT Brain showing large left basal ganglia bleed with mass effect and intraventricular shows rapid deterioration of level of consciousness due to a spillage of blood. This means that there should be a number of cases in which a surgeon is more certain about the results of surgery. thrombolytic or anticoagulant treatment. lobar versus basal ganglia / thalamic haematoma or both. No.
96 +/. In other group the patients were treated respect to waiting time of surgery.27 Studies have functional independence measure (FIM) score.001). hematoma evacuation rate and mortality. Barthel index and improvement in muscle power functional outcome. stereotactic aspiration and craniotomy stereotactically placed catheter was used to instill urokinase in non comatose patients. depending upon the with the use of neuroendoscope. All these are considered to be bad prognostic signs. as functional outcome. A smaller bony opening is availability and urgency of the situation endoscopic required to accommodate a cortical incision. Outcome combination of craniotomy and operating microscope may after fibrinolytic stereotactic evacuation of clot may be be another advantage over blind procedures which form a comparable to other methods of treatment. with but is resistant to suction without fibrinolysis if operated by urokinase or t-PA or mechanical e. However. Stereotaxy adds precision to the procedure by Neuro observation.26 In a study deep seated hematoma in clinically good patients should be evaluating stereotactic treatment of intra cerebral observed (Figure 2). Minimally Invasive Surgery: This can be described in two broad categories namely blind procedures and endoscopy. from India has reviewed 12 patients who were treated with decompressive hemicraniectomy with evacuation of hypertensive ICH. a advantageous for deep seated lesions. Visibility provided by the screw.30 The surgical technique becomes less invasive craniotomy group. to be better than the stereotaxy and craniotomy for the 50.g. when compared to external ventricular complications were re bleeding and infection. No months after surgery. length of operation time. conservatively. The tube can be 382 J Pak Med Assoc .56 +/. The only difference was better Neurological outcome was compared with respect to reduction of haematoma volume over 7 days. respect to haematoma volume reduction or outcome. 7 of 11 with intra ventricular extension of haematoma and 4 of 8 with haematoma volume greater than 60 cc made good functional recovery. while fibrinolysis makes a clot of firm consistency more hematoma should be easily evacuated through craniotomy amenable to suction.3%) Neuroendoscopic evacuation of intra ventricular and highest complication rate (16. Fibrinolysis may be chemical e.24 (236. Blind Procedures: Blind procedures are essentially burr hole aspirations. Three out of seven with pupillary abnormalities. This makes it less suitable for urgent situations. with Archimedes minimally invasive procedures. there was no difference in were significantly better in endoscopy group as compared to mortality. however. CT Brain showing small deep seated right basal ganglia bleed. highest mortality (13. There was no difference in mortality as well blood loss.25 Interestingly 11 out of 12 patients were discharged alive.13 +/-137. Managed non operatively and fibrinolysis.29 P<001). usually less than a centimeter in width. P < .31 Use of a metallic Decompressive Craniectomy: Not much is tube allows both endoscope as well as other instruments to available on this topic in the literature. Neuroendoscopy: Neuroendoscopy has been found Craniotomy had the longest operating time (229.g.001).24 The three randomized treatment to liquefy and drain the ICH in 6 hourly intervals over 48 groups (with 30 patients in each group) were compared with hours.18 minutes. The most major haemorrhage. with or without the help of stereotaxy Figure 2.57 minutes.45 ml. P<0. which is evacuation of the hematoma is preferable over craniotomy. ultrasonic aspirator or oscillating cutters. Therefore. In surgical group a endoscopic surgery.6%). Barthel also compared the results of frame based and frameless index score and muscle power (MP) of affected limbs 6 stereotaxy for the evacuation of supra tentorial ICH. Stereotactic aspiration had the longest difference has been found between the two techniques with waiting time before evacuation (172. haematoma by means of a plasminogen activator (SICHPA) One study from China has prospectively compared randomized 70 patients in two groups. Therefore decompressive hemicraniectomy with clot evacuation can be life saving with good functional outcome in patients with a large size ICH is extending into the ventricles and is associated with papillary abnormalities.93. It is particularly significant part of minimally invasive surgery. was found to be associated with better score. A retrospective study be used through the tube at the same time. The FIM drainage alone.28. with most significant blood loss evacuation of basal ganglia ICH in non comatose patients.
Clinical alert: benefit of carotid endarterectomy for patients with high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Brain edema after stroke. Ross SA. Dissection can be done arrangement may be agreed upon. Arch Neurol. controlled trial of early decompressive craniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (DECIMAL Trial). of haemorrhagic stroke such as spontaneous sub dural Early hemicraniectomy in patients with complete middle cerebral artery infarction. plays a definitive role in improving the quality of stroke Flexible endoscope has been introduced through aqueduct patient care. Horn M. Management of spontaneous cerebellar hematomas: a prospective treatment protocol. Touzé E. Delayed craniotomy 2007.. hydrocephalus after spontaneous ICH. 93:313-8. while burr hole 10. Sequential-design. This is especially 2. Stroke. Craniotomy is 9. Steiner T. von Kummer R. In addition. 19 :655-64. the ventricular system. Couvreur G. Physical proximity of the neurology and neurosurgery transparent viewing dissector coupled with endoscope. and controversies. Kirollos RW. Mortality by cause for eight regions of the world: may be required in those cases which develop acute Global Burden of Disease Study. Vahedi K. Hacke W. 29 :1888-93. Steiner HH. Gupta R. Ultra early craniotomy 6. Spetzler RF. Mikulik R. haematoma or extra dural haematoma. centres as well as other hospitals for the neurosurgery and 18. Surgery.Stroke. Ogiwara T. Association/American Stroke Association guidelines 5. Connolly ES. Molina CA. N Engl J Med. It behoves therefore in tertiary analysis in light of the International Cooperative Study. neurology to work together. 38 :3302-7. increased risk of recurrent bleeding. July 2008 383 . van Hille PT. 58. Youkey JR. Aschoff A. Stroke. Jüttler E. Hacke W. outcomes. Stroke. Goldstein LB. Unterberg A. Awad IA. Hemicraniectomy for massive the outcome. References CSF Diversion: External ventricular drain (EVD) 1. 3. Guillon B. Neurosurgery. Nitta J. 1997. Advantages. Schwab S. Simel DL. Sacco RL. Ropper AH. Failure of extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass to reduce the risk of yet to be defined with high quality studies. mortality rate and on the other hand is associated with multicenter. In many centres the haemorrhagic stroke patients 19. ischemic stroke. NINDS clinical trials in stroke: lessons learned and future vasculitis.manoeuvred in different directions. EVD may be life saving in this 293:2391-402. e. The EC/IC Bypass Study Group. Liquid part of stroke patients are managed by Neurologists. undertaken. Tanaka Y et. 1989. North American impending herniation. Woitzik J. 1986. Rouanet F. Appropriate referral can make Emergency revascularization for acute main-trunk occlusion in the anterior a remarkable difference for the unfortunate victims of circulation. 38 :2518-25. More solid part requires should be practiced in all the centres or an alternate dissection and piecemeal removal. 1997. directions. A inpatient beds. Schmiedek P. Lopez AD. their respective roles have 16. Elkind MS. intervention that was done by neurosurgery has been taken concerns. 2007.al. Schwarz S. invasive methods has some benefit. 313 :1191-200. Sakai K. situation. surgery may also play a diagnostic role (DESTINY): a randomized. thrombosis can have a remarkable benefit from surgical Hutton JE Jr. Stroke. Neurosurg Rev. Is this patient having a stroke? JAMA. Stroke. required for acute and more solid lesions. Stroke. Kim YS. Lancet. Whether this the haematoma can be aspirated. Stroke. 2007 . 1985. Orabi M.31 4. "Malignant" middle cerebral artery territory infarction: clinical course and Recommendations in recent American Heart prognostic signs. Awad IA. Jansen O. De Georgia M. McDonald PT. Arch Neurol. Jenetzky E. 41:26-9. 36 :869-71. 53:309-15. Vol.g. George (within 12 hours) does not improve functional outcome or B. 7. Little JR. Schwab S. true in those cases in which ICH extends into or compresses Neurology. Yelnik A. Vicaut E. Instead two separate are admitted by the neurosurgical service and ischaemic burr holes can be used for the same purpose. DECIMAL Investigators. DESTINY Study Group. 349:1269-76. Mayer S. intervention in certain cases. Witte evacuation is usually sufficient for more liquid and chronic S. Decompressive Surgery for the Treatment of Malignant Infarction of the Middle Cerebral Artery lesions. Clinical syndrome and suggest that operative removal within 12 hours by less intracranial pressure. Carpentier A. whenever a biopsy is required in cases of ICH due to 11. Schwab S. neurosurgical involvement but in certain cases where the 13. Marks PV. and stroke subtypes for ischemic stroke. 1984. 22 :816-7. 2006 37:e18-e26. Salander JM. Bousser MG. Guichard JPet. Spranger M. neurosurgery should be immediately Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) investigators. 2005. 20 :417-22. Even diseases as devastating as cerebral venous 14. stroke. similarly does not offer any benefit and in fact may worsen 7. Extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery: a critical the management of stroke. Early recanalization rates and clinical outcomes in patients with tandem internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery occlusion and Majority of the stroke patients do not need isolated middle cerebral artery occlusion. 35 :539-43. Rich NM. Stroke. Marler JR. Patch angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy. over by interventional radiology. Neurosurgery plays an important second-tier role in 17. Horiuchi T. clinics and combined academic activity water jet can also perform dissection of the haematoma.1996. Garami Z. Payen D. Kurtz A. herniation or Disorders and Stroke Stroke and Trauma Division. Shafran B. Tyagi AK. National Institute of Neurological patient is deteriorating fast with increased ICP. 49(5 Suppl 4):S39-44. 2004. Hennerici M. CLOTBUST Conclusion Collaborators. Olson DW. 15. Kobayashi S. 2008. depends on the strength with the help of a metallic instrument separate from the of the neurology and neurosurgical service and their support endoscope or it can also be performed with the help of a staff. 31 :69-76. Surgery may be required to treat less common causes 8. for the evacuation of pontine haemorrhage. Etiologic factors for recurrent carotid artery stenosis. No. 38 :2506-17. Clagett GP. controlled trial. 12. Major ongoing stroke trials. randomized. Mateo J. Results of an international randomized trial. 1991. Murray CJ. Alexandrov AV.32 middle cerebral artery territory infarction: a systematic review.33 Although a lot of 1983. Boutron C. Hacke W. 2005. 1998. Risk factors.
Abstract the etiology of stroke in children. Cerebrovasc Dis. Frame-based Funct Neurosurg 1990. importance. Lodder J. Broderick J. Hanley D. Son BC. non aneurysm. 2006 56 :543-7. Nakamura J. Prusmack CJ.Overview Including an Asian Perspective Mubeen F. Zhang Z. In particular. Choudary GV. Suematsu T. clinical remarks on 50 cases. these are still at very early and is therefore rarely considered as the first diagnosis when stages. this article will beneficial hyper-acute therapies is of even greater review the available data from Asian countries. Franke CL. Mendelow AD. Acikgoz B. neuroprotective therapies have proved to be effective in Improved understanding and advances in neuroimaging adults with ischaemic stroke. Rafay Section of Neurology. Murthy JM. hemorrhage in adults. obstructive hydrocephalus developing following spontaneous intra cerebral stereotactic aspiration. Spontaneous intra cerebral hemorrhage: non arteriovenous malformation. Todd's paresis. subtle and non-specific that can be case series and population based studies. Guidelines for the management of spontaneous intra cerebral hypertensive intra cerebral hemorrhage. 33. Lee SW. Chen CC. High Blood 26. City interdisciplinary Working Group. In: Winn HR (ed). Thron A et. Murthy TV. data from developing countries largely delayed. Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage: 2003. J Pak Med Stereotactic treatment of intra cerebral hematoma by means of a plasminogen Assoc. Chang CS. Neurocrit Care 2005. Masiyama S. As a Paediatric Ischaemic Stroke Registry(CPISR). randomized controlled studies a child presents with the symptoms. Neurol Sci 2002. largest being the recently completed Canadian intracranial haemorrhage. Although uncommon in children compared to therapeutic interventions including thrombolytic and adults. which differ significantly from those in adults. The majority of attributed to other neurological disorders such as focal paediatric stroke data is reported from North America and seizure. 2007. Murray GD. Bhasha PS. Youmans Pressure Research Council. 251:1443-50. J Neurol Neurosurg Psyciatry 1985. Teasdale GM. 38:2001-23. Blaauw G. Canada. Rohde V.2 Several in children. Raco A. 2 :258-62. 2006. Teernstra OPM. Tokuda S. In paediatric stroke. Leffers P. The current symptom onset). Tso TM. J Neurol Hope DT. Surg Neurol hemorrhages. 24. Mayfrank L. Stroke is uncommon in children care and research are underway. Salvati M. Stereotact 29. Naryanan TJ. for the treatment of supra tentorial deep seated spontaneous intra cerebral 22. Minim Invasive Neurosurg. External ventricular drainage for acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage: comparing endoscopic surgery. Shitamichi M. Mayberg Decompressive craniectomy with clot evacuation in large hemispheric M et al. Gregson BA. :91-6. Sumer MM. Hong JT. 25. For the clinician. Role of surgery in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Akpinar G. Enam SA. A guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association stroke council. Sasaki T. Cervoni L. Liu Y. University of Manitoba. childhood stroke is less rare than previously thought. 54-55: 453-6. Li X. Niizuma H. Surg Neurol 2001. the development of during this period of life. to be effective and techniques have resulted in improved recognition and safe. Karimi A et al. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health. Singh RVP. Multiple causative and risk factors contribute to comprises of case reports and series. Fifth edition. Computed hemorrhage. Rohde I.1 The consequence is lifelong disability Stroke is an important cause of death and disability of a significant proportion in the affected children. Review Article Ischaemic Stroke in Children . since disability from stroke review will provide an overview of recent advances in our will impact the individual and society for many decades understanding of childhood stroke and its implications over their life span compared to adults. 28. 49 : 1378-86. activator.3-5 In children. 32. therapy for the treatment of spontaneous intra cerebral hemorrhage. however. Feldmann E. Krieger D. 34:968-74. 23 : 29-33. tomography guided stereotactic aspiration of pontine hemorrhages. Kase C. 2007. Multiple causes and risk factors therapeutic window (typically within 3-6 hours from contribute to the etiology of stroke in children. Pontine hemorrhage: a clinical analysis of frameless stereotactic hematoma puncture and subsequent fibrinolytic therapy 26 cases. Connoly S. 55 : 156-61. Early surgery versus initial conservative treatment 2004. Yang Y.al. Morcos JJ. Comparison of frame-based and 21. 50 : 86-90. 48 : 658-62. necessitating prompt and correct stroke Background diagnosis. A multi center randomized control trial (SICHPA). Thiex R. Suzuki J. Lancet January 2005. Delfini R. 24 randomized trial. 2004. Shao Y. Cho DY. Stroke. Fernandes HM. Saunders: 1753-55. the are lacking and the available literature is only limited to presentation is varied. and craniotomy in non comatose patients. the diagnosis of ischaemic stroke Although systematic approaches to paediatric stroke in children is a challenge. In children. 2007. Neurosurgery 2001. in patients with spontaneous supra tentorial intra cerebral hematomas in the 30. Evers SMAA. 65 : 547-55. Zeki Z. 384 J Pak Med Assoc . 365: 387-97. Except few result the diagnosis of ischaemic stroke is often missed or population studies. and frameless stereotactic hematoma puncture and subsequent fibrinolytic 23. Endoscopic surgery for 31. 27. demyelination and tumuors. Sung JH. these interventions must be instituted within a narrow diagnosis of this disorder. Application of Neuroendoscopy international surgical trial in intra cerebral hemorrhage (STICH): a in the treatment of intra ventricular hemorrhage. Xu S. Lee WY. Stroke April 20. complicated migraine and Europe. Kim IS. and the Quality of Care and Outcomes in research Neurological Surgery.
Medical Management of Cerebral Edema. | 2019-04-19T05:12:19Z | https://www.scribd.com/document/340058525/Role-of-Neurosurgery-in-the-Management-of-Stroke |
You are skilled and opportunistic, and you use your sharp wits to take advantage of your opponents’ missteps in order to strike where it hurts most. While the stereotypical rogue is a thief or scoundrel, plenty of rogues make respectable and honorable livings as bounty hunters, detectives, or scouts, and even sometimes as aristocrats, diplomats, or politicians. One thing you all share in common is the breadth and depth of your training in skills, easily outpacing your more martially or magically inclined comrades.
Trained a number of skills equal to 10 plus your Intelligence modifier.
Trained all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, and shortsword.
During combat, you move about stealthily so you can catch foes unawares. You’re a precision instrument, better used against a tough boss or distant spellcaster than against rank-and-file soldiers.
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In exploration mode, you sneak to get the drop on foes or look for danger or traps. You’re a great asset since you can disable traps, solve puzzles, and anticipate dangers.
In downtime mode, you might pick pockets or trade in illegal goods. You can also become part of a thieves’ guild, or even found one of your own.
Rogues are known for being swift, stealthy, and skilled.
Hone your skills through intense practice, both on your own and out in the world.
Know where to attain illicit goods.
Skirt or break the law because you think it’s meaningless or have your own code.
Think you’re motivated only by greed.
Find you charming or fascinating, even if they think they know better than to trust you.
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You gain these abilities. Abilities gained at higher levels list the requisite levels.
When you attack with an agile or finesse one-handed melee weapon, you can add your Dexterity modifier to damage instead of your Strength modifier.
You deal additional damage to flat-footed creatures. If you Strike a flat-footed creature with an agile or finesse melee weapon, an agile or finesse unarmed attack, or a ranged attack, you deal 1d6 extra precision damage. For a ranged attack with a thrown weapon, that weapon must also be agile or finesse.
As your rogue levels increase, so does the number of damage dice of your sneak attack. Increase the number of dice by one at 5th, 11th, and 17th levels.
Surprise Attack On the first round of combat, creatures that haven’t acted are flat-footed to you.
At 1st level and every even-numbered level, you gain a rogue class feat.
You gain skill feats more often than others. At 1st level and every level thereafter, you gain a skill feat. Skill feats can be found in Chapter 5 and have the skill trait.
You gain extra skill increases. At 2nd level and every level thereafter, you gain a skill increase. You can use this increase to either become trained in one skill you’re untrained in, or become an expert in one skill in which you’re already trained.
You’ll see the following key terms in many rogue abilities.
Enhancements: Enhancements are additional effects applied to a Strike that deals damage. Some enhancements require a critical success against your opponent in order to apply them.
Debilitations: Debilitations are a type of enhancement. A creature can’t be affected by more than one at a time, even from different creatures. When the creature is affected by a new debilitation, any previous one it was affected by ends.
You aren’t flat-footed to sensed, unseen, or flanking creatures of your level or lower; they can still provide allies a flank.
In addition to your initial ancestry feat you started with, you gain an ancestry feat at 5th level and every 4 levels thereafter. The list of ancestry feats available to you can be found in your ancestry’s entry in Chapter 2.
Your proficiency rank for Reflex saves and Perception increases to master. When you succeed at a Reflex save, treat the outcome as a critical success.
You gain the Debilitating Strike free action.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target becomes entangled.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
Your proficiency rank for Reflex saves and Perception increases to legendary. When you critically fail a Reflex save, treat the outcome as a failure. When you fail a Reflex save against a damaging effect, you take half damage.
You become an expert in all simple weapons plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, and shortsword.
When you use Debilitating Strike, you can apply two debilitations simultaneously; removing one removes both.
You become a master at Will saves. When you succeed at a Will save, treat the outcome as a critical success instead.
You gain the Master Strike free action.
Trigger Your Strike hits a flat-footed creature.
You apply the following enhancement.
Enhancement The target must attempt a Fortitude save at your class DC, with the following effects. It is bolstered.
Success The target is enfeebled 2 until the end of your next turn.
Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds.
Critical Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds, knocked unconscious for 2 hours, or killed (your choice).
At every level that you gain a rogue feat, you can select one of the following feats. You must satisfy any prerequisites before selecting the feat.
If you need to look up a rogue feat by name instead of by level, use this table.
You make brutal bludgeoning attacks that daze your foes. You can deal sneak attack damage with one-handed weapons of the club and mace groups even if they don’t have the agile or finesse trait. When you Strike with that weapon and critically succeed at the attack roll, you gain the following enhancement.
Enhancement The target is slowed 1 until the end of your next turn.
Requirements You are not encumbered.
Trigger You are targeted with a melee or ranged attack by an attacker that you see.
You nimbly dodge out of the way, gaining a +2 circumstance bonus to your Armor Class against the triggering attack.
You have an intuitive sense that alerts you to the dangers and presence of traps. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Perception checks to find traps, to AC against attacks made by traps, and to saves against traps. Even if you aren’t searching, you still get a check to find traps if you are trained or better in Stealth. You can disable traps as though you had a proficiency rank of master in Thievery; if your proficiency modifier in Thievery is actually master, this increases to legendary instead.
Trigger You kill an enemy.
After downing a foe, you menacingly remind another foe that you’re coming after them next. Attempt an Intimidation check with a +2 circumstance bonus to Demoralize a single creature that you can see and that can see you. If you are 10th level or higher, you can use this as a free action with the same trigger.
When you critically succeed at an attack roll against a flat-footed creature with an agile or light simple weapon or a hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, or shortsword, you apply the critical specialization effect for the weapon you’re wielding.
When you take a Stride action to move half your Speed or less, that movement does not trigger reactions. You can use Mobility when Climbing, Flying, or Swimming instead of Striding if you have the corresponding movement type.
You draw a weapon with the Interact action, then Strike with the weapon you just drew.
Sniper’s Aim Feat 2 Close observation lets you pinpoint an enemy’s weakness at a distance and pierce concealment. Until the end of your turn, you treat creatures within 30 feet of you as though they weren’t concealed when you make Strikes with ranged weapons against them.
With careful observation, you identify an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. The GM rolls your Perception check against the Stealth or Deception DC (whichever is higher) of an enemy who is not concealed from you or unseen by you. The GM might apply a penalty for the distance between you and the enemy. You can’t use battle assessment more than once on the same enemy.
Success The GM chooses one of the following pieces of information to tell you about that enemy: which of the enemy’s weaknesses imposes the worst penalty, which of the enemy’s saving throws has the lowest bonus (this might be several if multiple saves are tied for lowest), one immunity the enemy has, or which of the enemy’s resistances is highest.
Critical Success The GM chooses two pieces of information about the enemy to tell you. If a monster doesn’t have an appropriate strength or weakness (such as if it doesn’t have any weaknesses or immunities), the GM can’t choose that piece of information.
Critical Failure The GM gives you false information (the GM makes up the information).
You capitalize on your enemies’ fear to slip past their defenses. Any creature that is frightened is also flat-footed against your attacks.
Requirements You are wielding a piercing or slashing weapon and have one hand free.
You apply a poison to the required weapon. Your next attack with that weapon before the end of your next turn gains the following enhancement. If you miss, the poison is wasted.
Enhancement (Poison) You apply the effects of a poison you have collected or purchased, provided it can be delivered by contact or injury. If you have no such poisons, you can instead deliver a simple poison that deals 1d4 poison damage. You can only deliver a simple poison in this manner a number of times per day equal to your level.
Trigger An adjacent enemy moves away from you and ends its movement in a space where you can reach at least one adjacent space with a Stride action.
You Stride, but must end this move adjacent to the triggering enemy. This move does not provoke reactions from the triggering enemy. You can use Reactive Pursuit while Burrowing, Climbing, Flying, or Swimming instead of Striding if you have the corresponding movement type.
You Stride, Step, or Sneak, and then Interact to reload a ranged weapon.
Requirements You must have a free hand.
Choose one item that a creature within your reach wields or carries. The item must have moving parts that you could possibly sabotage (a shortbow could be sabotaged, but a longsword could not). Attempt a Thievery check against the Reflex DC of the creature.
Success The item gains 1 Dent.
Critical Success You break the item.
Critical Failure The item is bolstered against your sabotage.
Trigger You are about to roll a Perception check for initiative.
You audibly or visually warn your allies of imminent danger. Any ally who is able to hear you (if you audibly warn them) or see you (if you visually warn them) gains a +1 circumstance bonus to their initiative roll.
Whenever your Strike is a critical hit, you can apply the following enhancement.
Enhancement The enemy is flat-footed against your attacks until the end of your next turn.
You are more aware of concealed and invisible enemies. If you are adjacent to an unseen creature of your level or lower, you treat it as sensed. When you are adjacent to a sensed creature, you treat it as concealed. When adjacent to a concealed creature, you treat it as though it weren’t concealed.
You treat an enemy as flat-footed against your melee attacks due to flanking as long as both you and an ally threaten that enemy, even if you and the ally aren’t in a position that is usually considered flanking. Your allies must still flank an enemy to treat it as flat-footed.
When you take the Stride or Step action, you can ignore difficult terrain.
Either Step and then Strike, or Strike and then Step. You take a –1 penalty to the attack roll on your Strike.
Requirements Your last action was a Strike that dealt sneak attack damage to a flat-footed target.
You deal persistent bleed damage to the target equal to one die less than your sneak attack damage dice. For example, if you have sneak attack 2d6, you could use Twist the Knife to deal 1d6 persistent bleed damage to the target.
Trigger A trap within your reach is triggered.
Attempt a Thievery check to disable a device on the trap; the DC to do so is increased by 5, and the effects are as follows.
Success The trap’s activation is delayed until the end of your next turn or the trap is not triggered (whichever is worse, GM’s choice).
Critical Success You prevent the trap from being triggered, or you delay the activation until the start or end of your next turn (your choice).
Critical Failure You are flat-footed until the start of your next turn.
When you apply a simple poison with Poison Weapon, the poison enhancement deals 2d4 extra poison damage instead of 1d4 extra. In addition, you don’t waste a poison you apply with Poison Weapon on a failed attack roll (though you still waste it on a critical failure).
You can trigger Nimble Dodge when you need to attempt a Reflex saving throw against an effect, in addition to when you are targeted by a melee or ranged attack. If you do, the circumstance bonus applies to your Reflex save against the triggering effect.
When you use Nimble Dodge and the triggering attack fails or critically fails, or when you succeed or critically succeed at the saving throw, you can also Stride up to 10 feet as part of the reaction. If you do, the reaction gains the move trait. You can use Nimble Roll while Flying or Swimming instead of Striding if you have the corresponding movement type.
Trigger A creature within your melee reach is hit by a melee attack from one of your allies.
Make a Strike against the triggering creature and take a –2 penalty to the attack roll. You can’t deal sneak attack damage with this Strike unless your ally’s attack was part of a reaction.
Trigger The attack roll for a Strike targeting you fails or critically fails.
You redirect the attack to a creature of your choice that is adjacent to you and within the reach of the triggering attack.
The attacker rerolls the Strike’s attack roll at the same multiple attack penalty against the new target.
Your attacks deal more damage, even against creatures that aren’t flat-footed. When you succeed or critically succeed at a Strike’s attack roll against a creature that isn’t flat-footed, you deal extra precision damage equal to half your sneak attack damage. Roll your full sneak attack damage dice, and then halve the result. This applies only if you’re using a weapon or unarmed attack you could deal sneak attack damage with.
When you attempt a Sneak action, you treat a failure as a success. You can still critically fail.
You learn new debilitations that grant you tactical advantages against your foes. When you use Debilitating Strike, add the following debilitations to the list you can choose from.
Debilitation Your actions and reactions don’t trigger the target’s reactions.
Debilitation The target can’t flank, nor can it contribute to its allies’ flanking.
The debilitations you dish out seriously impair your foes. When you use Debilitating Strike, add the following debilitations to the list you can choose from.
Debilitation The target gains weakness 5 to your choice of bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage.
Debilitation The target becomes sluggish 1.
Whenever you critically succeed at an attack roll against an enemy and use Debilitating Strike, add the following debilitation to the list you can choose from.
Debilitation The target attempts a Fortitude save against your class DC with the following effects.
Success The target is slowed 1 until the end of your next turn.
Failure The target is slowed 2 until the end of your next turn.
Critical Failure The target is paralyzed until the end of your next turn.
Attempt a High Jump or Long Jump. If you attempt a High Jump, determine the distance you can travel using the scale of a Long Jump, to a maximum of 30 feet up. At the end of your jump, you can make a melee Strike.
After your Strike, you fall to the ground if you’re in the air. If the distance of your fall is no more than the height of your jump, you take no damage and land upright.
Your ranged attacks can shoot an unprepared foe right out of the air. Make a Strike with a ranged weapon or a thrown weapon against a flat-footed creature. If the Strike is a success, you can apply the following enhancement.
Enhancement The target must attempt a Reflex save against your class DC with the following effects.
Failure The target falls up to 120 feet. If it hits the ground, it takes no damage from the fall.
Critical Failure As a failure, and the target can’t fly, jump, levitate, or otherwise leave the ground until the end of your next turn.
Trigger A physical attack would reduce you to 0 Hit Points.
You can absorb a lethal attack and stay conscious. You take half damage from the triggering attack.
With some form of distracting action, whether it’s a few choice words, a distraction, or a rude gesture, you distract your opponent. Choose a target within 30 feet. It’s flat-footed against your attacks until the end of your next turn.
You Stride up to your Speed, but you must end your movement next to an enemy you’re sensed or unseen by. You then make a Strike against that enemy. You can use Spring from the Shadows while Burrowing, Climbing, Flying, or Swimming instead of Striding if you have the corresponding movement type.
Your deceptions confound even the most powerful mortal divinations. You’re immune to detection, revelation, and scrying unless the effect is a 10th-level spell cast by a creature, hazard, or item whose level exceeds 20th.
When you Stride, you can move across water, air, and solid surfaces that can hold only limited weight as if they were normal ground. If you Stride over a trap with a weight-sensitive pressure plate, you don’t trigger it. At the end of your turn, you sink, fall, break fragile surfaces, or trigger traps as normal for your current location.
Requirements You are currently affected by a mental effect that you gained by failing, but not critically failing, a saving throw.
You can find a loophole in a mental effect to temporarily overcome it. Until the end of your next turn, you ignore all mental effects of a single ability against which you failed, but not critically failed, the saving throw. You can suppress a particular effect using Cognitive Loophole only once.
Special You can take this reaction even if the mental effect is preventing you from taking reactions.
Your sneak attack slices through the threads binding magic to a target. Make a Strike against a flat-footed creature. If your Strike deals sneak attack damage, you can apply the following enhancement.
Enhancement You attempt to counteract a single spell active on the target. Your counteract level is equal to half your rogue level rounded up, with a bonus equal to your class DC – 10.
Requirements You Sneak and your roll’s result exceeded your enemy’s Perception DC for all its senses.
You use smoke and mirrors, decoys on ropes, or other clever tactics to mislead your foes. Gain the benefits of the spell mislead , except you aren’t invisible, just unseen. You can continue to concentrate to move your decoy, per the spell, whether or not you remain hidden throughout the duration.
Requirements You are adjacent to a floor or vertical wall.
You move directly through the wall or floor from one side to the other. Your attempt to move through it fails if the wall or floor is made of something other than wood, plaster, or stone; is thicker than 10 feet; or contains even a thin layer of metal. If you have a climb Speed, you can move through a ceiling.
Trigger An adjacent enemy begins to use a reaction.
If the triggering creature is your level or lower, you disrupt the triggering reaction. If the triggering creature is higher-level than you, you must succeed at an attack roll against its AC. On a success, you disrupt the action.
Requirements When you make your daily preparations, you must specify a trigger for this reaction using the same restrictions as the triggers for a Readied Action. You also choose a single spell from the arcane, divine, occult, or primal list of 4th level or lower. The spell can’t have a cost, nor can its casting time be more than 10 minutes. The spell must be able to target a single creature, and you must be a valid target for it.
Trigger You specify the trigger when you make your daily preparations (see Requirements above).
Whether from jury-rigged magic items, stolen magical essence, or other means, you have a contingency in your back pocket for desperate situations. You cause the chosen spell to come into effect. The spell targets only you, no matter how many creatures it would affect normally. If you define particularly complicated conditions, as determined by the GM, the trigger might fail.
Trigger You successfully use Stealth to Hide and become sensed to all of your current foes or use Stealth to Sneak and become unseen to all your current foes.
You become invisible for 1 minute, even if you act in a hostile manner. Not even see invisibility , glitterdust , or similar effects can reveal you, though creatures can still use the Seek action to sense you as normal.
Trigger You would be hit by an attack or targeted by an effect, or you are within an effect’s area.
You can Stride up to half your Speed to an appropriate location to use the Hide action and then gain the effects of the mislead spell, though you are unseen rather than invisible. Your decoy is targeted by the attack or effect instead of you. In the case of an area effect, if you don’t move out of the area, both you and the decoy are targeted by its effect. You can use Reactive Distraction while Burrowing, Climbing, Flying, or Swimming instead of Striding if you have the corresponding movement type. | 2019-04-18T13:27:20Z | http://pf2playtest.opengamingnetwork.com/classes/rogue/ |
New behaviors typically arise from the co-option of existing morphological systems for new functions. But what happens to the evolutionary trajectory of a structure when it begins to be used for a new behavior? The ability to bury underneath the sediment has convergently evolved many times among fishes. Representatives from at least four of the groups demonstrating burial behavior can be found at FHL, and each group uses a different set of structures to accomplish this task. Some of these groups are very diverse (e.g., flatfishes, 800+ species, 9 species at FHL) and some are evolutionary one-offs (e.g., sandfish, one species). My mentees can choose to study either the evolution of morphology involved in burial behaviors, the function and biomechanical performance of structures involved with burial in live fishes, or a combination of both evolution and function.
The bull kelp Nereocystis luetkeana is an annual kelp species that provides the bulk of the complex three-dimensional habitat space in rocky subtidal habitats of the San Juan Islands and elsewhere in Washington State. There are a variety of potential projects that focus on investigating biotic and abiotic factors influencing bull kelp across their complicated life history using a combination of lab and field work. Topics of interest include Northern kelp crab (Pugettia producta) feeding preferences (in the lab) and distribution and abundance (in the field, using snorkel or SCUBA surveys); contribution of P. producta feces to detrital food webs (in the lab, using the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus); effect of intraspecific and interspecific competition with invasive Sargassum muticum on growth of juvenile N. luetkeana (in the field, using transplant experiments); and the relationship between maximum force exerted by crab claws and crab food preferences (collecting organisms in the field, testing in the lab using P. producta as well as shore crabs, genus Hemigrapsus). Subtidal data collection using SCUBA may possible for a student who is already a trained scientific diver at an AAUS member institution. A better understanding of the dynamics of N. luetkeana beds in the Salish Sea is crucial not only because they create valuable habitat for economically and ecologically important species, but also to inform management decisions and restoration efforts in a changing ocean.
The evolution of facial asymmetry in flatfishes is one of the most prominent and bizarre departures from the vertebrate body-plan. Over a short period of time during the larval phase of flatfish species one eye migrates nearly completely to the opposite of the head as the fish transitions to a benthic lifestyle. In this project, we will use CT scanning and geometric morphometrics to study the evolution of skull shape in flatfishes and their relatives. Students will gain valuable experience operating a micro-CT scanner and learning how to segment high-resolution slice data. They will also gain experience analyzing three-dimensional shape data and analyzing multivariate datasets in a comparative phylogenetic framework.
Durophagous fishes consume hard prey, such as snails or crabs, and typically overcome their prey’s defenses by crushing them with sets of robust teeth and powerful jaw muscles. While Asemichthys taylori (Family: Cottidae) is durophagous, these relatively tiny fish appear to use their vomerine teeth for puncturing small holes in snail shells as opposed to crushing. If unpunctured, snails have been reported to emerge alive and intact following the process of digestion1. How then do these relatively tiny fish generate the necessary forces to puncture the shells of these snails, effectively facilitating nutrient uptake? Accomplishing this goal will require us to conduct in depth investigations of the system’s form and function to understand the biomechanics behind the mechanism. Over the course of this program students will learn a number of techniques including fish collection from tidepools, video analysis of feeding motions, SEM, 3D printing, mechanical testing, and CT scanning and segmenting.
Animals and plants are formed of myriad material components, from sinew and bone, to bark and leaves. These tissues have varying properties, with some more flexible and tough, while others are brittle and strong. Consumers must be able to break down these materials to access the resources they need to grow, reproduce, and survive. We might expect then, that herbivores are shaped differently than carnivores, given the unique mechanical difficulties in breaking down cellulose and silica-infused plant stalks, relative to crushing bone and tearing flesh. The Amazon basin has the highest diversity of freshwater fishes in the world (>25% of all fishes). The basin’s many rivers blend together during seasonal flooding into ‘varzea’, or flooded forest. Varzea is packed with diverse herbivorous fishes, which consume flowers, fruits, and seeds of plants submerged in the forests and are important seed dispersers.
In the Summer of 2019, we will explore how the overall form and function of South American characiform fishes (tetras, pacus, piranhas, etc.) is tied to the material composition of their prey. Specifically, how the strength and performance of fish skulls and teeth relate to the toughness of their chosen food. Using micro-computed tomography scanning (micro-CT) of museum specimens and a material testing station we will (1) quantify shape change in the feeding apparatus of Amazonian characiform fishes, (2) build computational models of how skulls perform while biting, and (3) determine the material properties of a vast variety of tropical fruits, seeds, and nuts. Students will learn: (A) how to use CT scanning and morphometric methods to quantify functional differences in skeletal and soft tissue anatomy; (B) how to build computational engineering models of fish skeletons; (C) the basics of materials science and biomechanical testing using a mechanical loading frame; and (D) how to examine the evolution of traits using phylogenetic comparative methods. This research is in collaboration with international researchers from the George Washington University, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, and the Royal Ontario Museum. Past students have presented their research at international meetings of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) and several exceptional students are coauthors on publications published in the Royal Society, Anatomical Record, and elsewhere.
The ochre star (Pisaster ochraceus) is an important predator in the rocky intertidal, eating a wide variety of prey across many trophic levels (e.g. barnacles, chitons, snails, etc). Our understanding of P. ochraceus as a keystone predator originated from the strong trophic link between mussels and P. ochraceus, which was apparent when the stars were removed from a mussel-dominated system. P. ochraceus is abundant even on coastlines that do not support mussel populations, however, most of the research exploring the top-down control P. ochraceus exerts has taken place on the western coast of the US where mussel beds tend to dominate the upper intertidal zone. What happens when this top predator is removed from a system in which mussels are not present? In this project, we will explore prey community assemblage in the absence of P. ochraceus in the San Juan Islands, which do not support large populations of mussels. These interactions will be tested through the use of plot clearing and exclusion cages to manipulate prey and predator composition in the field. These experiments are amenable to comparisons across tidal heights (lower intertidal vs higher intertidal exclusions), a temporal scale (summer data vs previously collected spring data), or sites (long term sites vs a new site). Additional surveys of P. ochraceus populations via snorkeling (cold water!) are optional but available to those interested, with limited gear available to lend. Although this is part of a larger project, it will easily accommodate the student’s interests and ideas.
Fishes display an incredible variety of mechanisms and morphologies to capture prey. I am interested in the selective pressures that shape these feeding structures: how can some fish capture elusive prey, while others can filter tiny particles out of the water? My research evaluates why fish mouths look the way they do, from their gills to their teeth. The shape of feeding structures is often the result of a compromise between function and selection. By looking at how teeth resist breaking during puncture or why the gill arches are shaped the way they are, I can answer questions about how function influences shape. For instance, in order to puncture a prey item, teeth must do two big things: pierce through the tissue, and bring that tissue into the mouth without breaking. This seems like an easy task, but each problem has a different functional solution. Slender and sharp teeth are excellent for puncturing, but more prone to breaking than wider teeth; which can’t puncture as well. Moreover, the way we currently describe teeth only focuses on shape and misses a great deal of the variation. Utilizing 3D CT scans, modeling, and morphological characters of shape and position we can evaluate what functions (load, stress, replacement, etc.) enforce particular tooth shapes. I am also interested in how the microstructure and material properties of teeth play a role in how well they deflect stress regardless of shape. Using histology, material testing, and modeling we can see how similarly shaped teeth may be built to resist different forces. Filter feeding fishes also have to capture and swallow prey, but they face problems of an entirely different scale: their food is vanishingly small. How do you set up the initial flow to even be able to eat such small prey? Rather than their teeth, filter feeders have modified parts of their gill arches, specifically their gill rakers (bony protrusions that extend off the arches) that manipulate the flow of water to capture tiny particles. Looking at the shape and spacing of the gill rakers and arches, my research investigates how important flow control is in the mouth and what controls this flow field. This project utilizes CT scanning and large databases to explore an underused axis of variation, highlighting large-scale trends in gill raker and arch diversity.
Seagrasses are critical biological engineers in that they can transform two-dimensional, muddy habitats into three-dimensional, complex meadows that support entire food webs – ranging from tiny crustaceans to fishes to people. They also enhance important ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and shoreline stabilization. Global seagrass populations, however, are in decline due to a multitude of stressors. One such stressor is seagrass wasting disease, which is caused by a protist slime mold called Labyrinthula. Although we are learning more about what might promote increased wasting disease (e.g. higher temperatures), we do not understand the physiological responses that underlie the interaction between a seagrass host and the disease. It can be reasoned that combating the disease incurs an energetic cost (carbon reserves), which is supported by the energetics associated with the identified plant characteristics that correlate to disease (see Groner et al. 2016). In this REU experience, we will work together to run an experiment that aims to quantify carbon reserves (i.e. sugars and starches) in seagrasses that are infected with wasting disease and in disease-free plants. If logistics allow, we will also incorporate a temperature treatment in the experiment because temperature is a leading driver in both carbon metabolism and quantified disease load. This work will be an important contribution in better understanding the line between physiological resilience in seagrasses versus disease outbreak.
Groner M.L., Burge C.A., Kim C.J., Rees E., Van Alstyne K.L., Yang S., Wyllie-Echeverria S., and Harvell C.D. (2016) Plant characteristics associated with widespread variation in eelgrass wasting disease. Diseases of aquatic organisms, 118(2), 159-168.
Skates (relatives to stingrays), exemplify an intriguing organism to study as they exhibit multiple modes of locomotion. Skates use their large pectoral fins to swim and glide through the water column in order to feed, they are also known to “walk” along the seafloor using their pelvic fins. Skates are benthic dwellers, and generally remain close to the seafloor, one of the ways they avoid predators is by burying into the sand, but how exactly do they do this? Do they wiggle their entire body to throw sand on top of themselves, similar to other benthic fishes? Or do they use a different functional approach to achieve a similar result? Using video recordings of skate burial we can then analyze their behaviors and thereby describe the biomechanics that dictate burying in big skates (Raja binoculata). Once we understand how skates bury we can test to see how the size of sand grains changes their burying behavior. Changing the effective grain size is a proxy for different habitats and allows us to look carefully at the ecology and burying preferences of the big skate. Another behavior that has been observed in skates is spy-hopping. Spy-hopping has been documented in many marine organisms, including sharks and flatfishes, but is most commonly seen in dolphins and whales, where one’s head is elevated above the water line. Spy-hopping and burying are both characteristic behaviors that have been observed in skates, yet the mechanical functions of these actions have yet to be quantified. Through this work I hope we will be able to evaluate the differences in skate burial compared to other fishes and how skates spy-hop. These studies ultimately are an evaluation of modified locomotion presented by the unique anatomy of the fins in skates.
Many fish have evolved mechanisms to rapidly bury their bodies in the sand — a behavior that allows them to evade potential predators and ambush prey. At Friday Harbor Labs, students will study the mechanism of burial with a focus on anatomy and fundamental physical principles. What body movements enable fish to move their bodies into a solid-like substrate? What substrates (mud, sand, cobble) can fish exploit for burial? How does the relationship between fish and substrate change as fish change in overall body size? How do fish with different body shapes produce burial behaviors? In the summer of 2019, we will investigate these questions using two experimental organisms with very different body shapes: English Sole (a flatfish) and the Pacific Staghorn Sculpin (see Figure). Students will use a variety of experimental methods to address these questions, including: habitat preference studies, video analysis of behavior, experimental manipulation of substrate size, and modeling of organism-substrate interactions. While working on the project, students will be trained in a wide range of techniques, including high-speed videography, CT scanning, and physical-model building. At the end of the project, students will be encouraged to present their research as a poster or oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in January 2020.
Pacific Staghorn Sculpin use the head and tail fin in repeated cycles of dorsal-ventral oscillation (red arrows indicate upward movement, yellow arrows indicate downward movement) to bury in the sand.
Predation is a key factor that drives evolution and shapes ecosystems. It affects the prey’s fitness directly, by reducing survival. Body armor is one of the most commonly found strategies in nature to face the threat of a predatory attack. It has evolved in multiple species and generally comes with a trade-off between defense and maneuverability. Investigating body armor is of special interest because it tells us a lot about the organism’s ecology and environment. Is it under high predatory pressure? What kind of predatory threats does it have to thwart? Addressing such questions helps us understand the predator-prey relationships this organism encounters and how these might be stabilized in terms of population fluctuations.
In fishes, a vast variety of body armor is found, ranging from none at all, e.g. most ocean-living eels (Anguilliformes), through fish that are partially armored, e.g. some stickleback species (Gasterosteidae), to heavily armored fish like some poacher species (Agonidae). The poacher body armor is composed of heavy bony scales and varies among species. Although the variety in poachers’ skeletal, cranial and postcranial morphological traits has been studied to some degree, little is known about the postcranial scales and their function as body armor. The scales are ‘typical concentric layered fish scales’ but are augmented with trabeculae (small bony beams) which build a bony network on the scales’ surface, and in some species converge into a spine on the dorsal scales.
In this summer project we aim to determine the trade-off between body armor and maneuverability in poachers. Students joining me in this project during summer 2019 will work using biomechanical methods in order to evaluate the body armor’s material properties. Students will also use imaging methods (e.g. microCT and SEM) to determine the morphological characteristics that limits maneuverability. Thus, basic skills in biomechanics and (3D) imaging as well as (3D) image analysis will be obtained during this project.
12. How are echinoderm larvae responding to environmental changes in the Salish Sea?
The recent IPCC report predicts that due to increased ice melt and precipitation, the salinity of surface waters in the Pacific will decrease. There are more than 15 rivers emptying into the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest including the Fraser River, the second largest in the region. Wind direction and strong tidal currents determine the River’s effects in the San Juan Islands. Data collected in surface waters by the FHL weather station to the south of the Fraser River has revealed an increase in the amplitude and frequency of low salinity waters into the area during the spring and summer months. Unfortunately, this coincides with the reproductive season of many marine invertebrates including many echinoderms with planktotrophic larval development e.g. the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus and the seastar Pisaster ochraceus. Depending on food availability and physical conditions, larvae can remain in the plankton for between 20 – 228 days. Larvae may thus be exposed to very low salinity surface waters for a considerable length of time. Recent studies in my lab indicate differences in morphology (George and Walker 2007 and Pia, et al. 2012), vertical distribution (Bashevkin et al. 2016), particle capture (Navarro et al. in prep), and proteins expressed by larvae exposed to multiple low salinity events during development. During the summer of 2019, REU students and I will use a variety of echinoderm larvae to continue research on their swimming behavior in haloclines and particle capture under different environmental conditions. Larvae from each species will be exposed to high temperatures (15-18°C), temperatures typical of the San Juan Islands (11-13°C), low (20-25‰) and high (30‰) salinities characteristic of the region. Results from this study will give us a better understanding of the response of echinoderm larvae to environmental changes in the Salish Sea.
13. Chasing Molgula tails: the molecular basis of the evolution of larval tail loss in tailless ascidians.
Tailless ascidians have evolved several times independently within the molgulid ascidians. We will spend the summer exploring the molecular basis of the loss of taillessness, examining gene expression in embryos through in situ hybridization. We have three different genes in a gene complex that have been implicated in being responsible for tail loss, manx, bobcat and NA-14. We will look for the gene complex in Ciona and Boltenia, or in other Molgulids, such as Molgula pacifica. We will have the opportunity to publish the changes in the promoter regions between each gene as a molecular evolution paper and the gene expression as an EvoDevo paper.
Sea anemones and corals are dominant space competitors in the benthic environment, frequently excluding other species forming monocultures. In this project, we will explore the patterns of distribution of anemones around the San Juan Islands and the processes that lead to these patterns. Projects will include lab and field work determining the impacts of abiotic and biotic interactions on survival of the local anemones and corals. Some specific projects include transplanting anemones from one depth to another via SCUBA or snorkel to explore distribution patterns, examining the benefits and costs of sea anemone aggregations in lab through predation experiments, or caging out predators in the subtidal. Subtidal experiments involving SCUBA may be possible for a student already certified by an AAUS member institution as an AAUS scientific diver. | 2019-04-19T01:03:55Z | https://fhl.uw.edu/research/student-financial-aid-for-research/summer-research-internships/2019-mentors-and-projects/ |
Here is my cover of 'Part Of Your World' from The Little Mermaid. Hope you enjoy!
Today I felt rather creative and decided to make my own chocolate covered strawberries. The alcohol part is optional. This is a really simple DIY project and you can't go wrong.
Step 1: Cover your tray with tin foil/baking paper.
Step 2: Wash and dry your strawberries.
Step 3: If you would like alcohol inside your strawberry, take a toothpick and poke a few holes around the strawberry near the bottom. Else, skip this step and move onto step 5!
Step 4: Pour the alcohol of your choice into a small bowl. Take a toothpick and poke a hole into the top of the strawberry. Soak it into alcohol for a little while, rotating as necessary.
Step 5: Pour chocolate chips into a (microwaveable) bowl. Heat the chocolate in a pan or if you wish to make life easier for yourself, heat it for 30 seconds on low heat setting in your microwave.
Step 6: Wrap a cloth around the bowl and remove from microwave.
Step 7: Stir the chocolate until melted and smooth. If you can still see chocolate chips, place back into your microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat step 7 until chocolate is smooth.
Step 8: This is the fun part! Hold your strawberry by the stem and dip half of it into the bowl containing chocolate. Repeat for all strawberries.
Step 9: Place your chocolate covered strawberry onto your baking tray to set for 10 minutes.
Step 10: Place the tray into your fridge for an hour.
As Christmas is just around the corner, these would make great little gifts for your family and friends or a nice treat for yourself!
It has taken me so long to find a white blouse and I have finally found one! River Island's Dolly Blouse for £22. It's long sleeved, fitted, has a black bow and is simple enough to mix and match. Perfect. Made my week.
My favourite make up item - lipgloss. I guarantee you will find more than one lipgloss in my make up bag. I probably have more lipgloss in my make up bag than pens (decided I no longer need a pencil case, saves space = saves me from carrying a heavy bag).
The Shiseido and Kanebo lipgloss are a gift from my best friend.
First impressions of the Shiseido and Kanebo lipgloss: Smells good, sheer colour, moisturising and very sticky. Almost like Lancome's Juicy Tubes. I wasn't too keen on how sticky they were at first but after a while I got used to the texture. The glitter on the Kanebo lipgloss are more visible than the Shiseido lipgloss. I've been using the Shiseido lipgloss every single day before I leave my house and it lasts for several hours before I reapply my mac lipgloss that I carry around with me.
The Lancome lipgloss is great for dry chapped lips, definitely handy for colder months. As always, I will apply Vaseline, then lipgloss on top as I find it gives the best effect.
Here is my "how to" guide for surviving rush hour on the London Underground.
1. The most obvious one: don't travel during peak hours (06:30 - 9:30 and 16:00 - 19:00) unless you absolutely have to. Ironic how we pay more to travel during peak hours when I'm paying to stand in a crowded corner of the tube carriage.
2. Plan. Make sure you know your journey route and plan an alternate route just in case.
3. Get there on the platform earlier than you would...because it's quite likely you won't be able to squeeze onto the first train if you're changing lines during peak times.
5. Listen to music - shut your eyes and imagine you have lots of space around you.
6. Wear your most comfortable heeled shoes - this will increase your height giving you more space to breathe if you are unfortunate enough to stand for the whole of your journey.
7. Keep an eye on your belongings. Make sure your bags are zipped and possessions out of sight from pickpockets.
8. Escalators - stand on the right, walk on the left.
9. Know which side of the doors open for your station and stand on the correct side. This will save you from squeezing past 10249348 people.
10. Know which carriage to get on - by this, I mean knowing which carriage doors open to give you the exit passage at your destination station.
Those are a few of my personal tips, have you got any to share? What are your experiences on the London Underground?
A cover of Taylor Swift's new song 'I Knew You Were Trouble'. Enjoy!
Here's my new YouTube video, a guitar cover of Taylor Swift's new song - Begin Again.
And to all my Chinese readers, Happy Mid - Autumn Festival! 中秋節快樂!
This beautiful lipstick by Dior (Rouge Dior 451 Cinderella) is the latest addition to my lipstick collection. The price is £25 from Boots. This is my first ever Dior lipstick - I normally use mac/Lancome lipsticks or just lipgloss.
I had difficulty picking out this lipstick, especially when there are millions of other pretty shades. That's the thing about buying lipstick, there's too much choice. I was waiting to be served at the Chanel counter but they were busy so I got side tracked in the Dior counter instead. Oops!
Moving along, the packaging is what initially drew me to the product. It's well designed and the case looks sturdy. It isn't something I would pack in my daily make up bag though, it would take up too much space.
The colour is a pink coral with gold shimmer! Before I apply this lipstick, I use vaseline to give it a good base and to help the lipstick last longer. When applied, it looks natural and not too over the top, it's great for an every day lipstick.
Forever 21 - Socks for autumn/winter!
Sorry for no blog updates in a while! Been a hectic few weeks...but I'm back and ready to blog. My friend and I decided to have a browse in Forever 21 on Oxford Street. First thing I noticed when I walked into the store: Woah - has Forever 21 expanded?! I believe it has. It is a lot wider than I last remembered. If I remember correctly, Desigual used to be next to Forever 21?
I walked into the store with a mission though, so up to second floor we went. I was looking for autumn/winter socks which I can push down and peek out from my autumn/winter boots. I am not so much a fan of autumn/winter, I catch too many colds in autumn and winter. Normally, I like to wear tights in autumn/winter and pair them with shorts or a skirt (rare). I'm not so much of a jeans person anymore - shorts are so much comfier! Who agrees?
I picked 2 pairs, one blue pair which are knee highs and a maroon/oxblood (the IN colour this season) over the knee pair of socks. They feel soft but I have yet to wear them out, I will save them for the colder months. They costed £3.90 each, which I think is reasonably priced, totalling to £7.80.
At the counter when I was about to pay, I was asked whether I have a student card - yes, I do. This is one thing I love about being a student. Student discount. Forever 21 now offer a 10% discount to all students - more reasons to shop there!
Recently, MUA (Make Up Academy) had a 25% off all products on their website for reaching 25k likes on their Facebook page. Once they reach 30,000 likes on Facebook, their next offer to all customers will be 3 free products from the Love Hearts Collection.
For this purchase, a minimum spend of £10 was required to qualify for the 25% off and free shipping, so I spent £7.50 in total and bought 2 eyeshadow palettes and 2 single eyeshadows. In the second photo, the top palette is called Undressed (drugstore dupe of Urban Decay's Naked palette) and the bottom palette is called Starry Night. These products are from the Make Up Academy Professional line. The single eyeshadows (shade 4 pink & 9 purple) are from the Make Up Academy line.
I have, in the past, purchased an E.L.F eyeshadow palette but it did not compare to the quality of this palette. I found with the E.L.F palette, it wasn't pigmented enough and there were usually fall outs from the eyeshadows. On the other hand, both my MUA palettes are highly pigmented and there are not as many fall outs as from the E.L.F palette. Obviously, for the price you are paying (£4 normally), the quality is not going to be the exact same as a premium eyeshadow brand such as Dior or Lancome.
The packaging of the 12 eyeshadow palettes are sturdy and the lid closes well. The eyeshadows do not have names but they are given numbers on the back of the palette. Included is also a double ended eyeshadow applicator brush which is really stiff and not soft like regular eyeshadow applicators. I'd recommend you to use your own brushes instead! I think I would prefer to have a mirror inside the palette as opposed to an eyeshadow brush which I will not use.
Moving onto the Undressed palette, it is clearly a dupe of Urban Decay's Naked palette (Even the colours are aligned in the same order as they are in the Naked palette hint hint haha). The colours are extremely similar. I was thinking of buying a Naked 1 or 2 palette but the cost £36 drew me back and also, as someone who already owns a lot of eyeshadows, another palette is just not necessary. Price is a huge factor and for MUA to create a 12 eyeshadow palette for £4 (purchased for £3 using 25% code)...I knew I had to try it out!
The single eyeshadows do not seem to have a smell but the palettes do seem to have a slight drugstore eyeshadow smell. It is not something I would use every day but it isn't something I'd neglect and leave untouched. The colours in the palette are definitely wearable!
Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase and at £4 for a palette containing 12 eyeshadows, you just can't go wrong! I'd recommend you to check MUA out if you haven't already!
My Taylor Swift Wonderstruck perfume sample arrived today! I got it through the Facebook Taylor Swift Wonderstruck application. I requested a sample so long ago through the application that I almost forgot about it! My sister actually bought the full sized bottle yesterday (£20 for 30ml from Boots) being the huge and crazy Taylor Swift fan she is. She has hidden it somewhere though, probably to stop me from using it - like she does with my perfumes.
The name of the perfume 'Wonderstruck' is from one of Taylor's songs 'Enchanted' where in the lyrics she is 'wonderstruck, blushing all the way home'. The song describes the feeling when you first meet someone you really like who makes you feel 'Enchanted' in a magical sort of way.
I do like the colour combination of the packaging. It's pretty, purple and romantic looking. First thoughts about the perfume: It smells so much like Britney Spears - Fantasy. If I were to describe how Wonderstruck smells like, I would say it smells like Fantasy! I did like Fantasy, especially the bottle design with crystals around it, but I found too many people wore it. Clearly though, it's a popular choice for a fragrance scent. I predict Wonderstruck will be the same, a scent for teenage girls who adore Taylor Swift.
Launched in collaboration with cosmetics company, Elizabeth Arden (much like Britney Spears - Fantasy!), the fragrance composes of floral, fruity and sweet notes. The bottle design is beautiful with cute charms hanging around it. I've had this perfume on for 2 hours approximately (scent has almost disappeared so it doesn't last very long) and it definitely smells like Fantasy. Definitely suitable as a day perfume! I believe I have mentioned how it smells like Fantasy a million times in this post but the point I'm trying to get across is that...it smells like Fantasy. I would recommend it if you are a fan of Taylor Swift and prefer sweet and feminine perfumes.
This is Maybelline's Colour Sensational Lipstick in shade 530 - Fatal Red. There's a reason why I purchased this, you will soon see why. I'm a huge fan of Maybelline's Coral Drama eyeshadow palette which are neutral - bronze shimmery colours so I decided to try out their lipsticks too.
My thoughts on this lipstick? I didn't like the smell much...the shade is perfect though if you're looking for a bright and bold red colour. It does feel heavy on though which I'm not too fond of either. It's very pigmented and has some sparkle. I wouldn't repurchase though simply because of the fragrance on this lipstick. Sorry Maybelline...forever a mac and Lancome lipstick fan.
As I was flicking through the pages of InStyle magazine, I noticed the advert for Max Factor's Flipstick. The model was wearing shade Gipsy Red and that's when I decided to go and buy one for myself. It looked really interesting, the whole lip was in the red shade but in the centre of the lips was a gold shimmer.
Price is £8.49 from Boots and there is also a 3-for-2 offer currently. I didn't buy anything else as there was nothing else I really needed. I think price wise, it is incredibly pricy for a drugstore product. The packaging is not fancy at all. I have never owned any Max Factor products before so I guess you can say I was slightly disappointed in terms of the packaging aspect.
Moving on to the product, it is double ended so you are paying for two colours instead of one. To get the colour, you twist the lipstick up. The lipstick bullets are quite thin so you must be gentle with application. One flaw I've found with this lipstick is that it sits in the cracks of your lips quite obviously, so make sure you have a thin layer of lip balm (my personal choice is Vaseline) before applying the red/orange colour.
I loved the colour though, it's quite bold but a pretty shade. The red colour is highly pigmented and one swipe on your lips are enough. However, the gold colour isn't heavy enough so you do need to apply a few more coats before colour shows over the red. Both the colours have specks of glitter and are sheer. Compared to other high street drugstore make up brands I've bought lipsticks from (17, Rimmel, Maybelline, Revlon) I can tell you that Max Factor wins for lip scent. It has a pleasant, light scent. 17 is unscented whereas Rimmel and Maybelline smell the same, sort of like plastic cherries (is it just me?!) which I'm not particularly fond of. Lasting power of this lipstick is long, lasts for 4+ hours if you don't drink or eat anything.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the product. If this colour combination didn't exist, I wouldn't have purchased this product as I think you can achieve the same look with lipsticks you already own! Do you own one?
Don't know if those who read my blog know I have a YouTube channel...if you are interested you can watch my videos here. This is my cover of Demi Lovato's new single 'Give Your Heart A Break'. The music video was shot in Portugal over the span of 2 - 3 days.
I had a lot of fun being in it and I'd like to thank my film crew, consisting of one member (so I guess it's not really a crew), for being so patient, directing and filming all of it for me. The editing is done by me on i-movie.
For a first music video cover, I'm really happy with the outcome of it. It's a shame we don't have fancy filming equipment to make the footage more steady (stabilizing on i-movie only does so much) but hopefully next time I'll be able to use my mini tripod and place it on a table. Anybody want to guess what my next music video cover is going to be?
Finally I own a pair of lace shorts! The best bit is that I bought these on sale from Zara, TRF collection. Original price: £22.99 Sale price: £17.99 These are really girly and comfortable. It has a zip on the side and it has elastic around the waistline. The first time I wore them, I paired it with some black tights and light sweater with a chunky knit long cardigan from Mango to balance out the shorts.
I am a little disappointed though as the material kept scraping against the knit cardigan, damaging the ends of the shorts. They aren't fully black anymore as it has bits of pink/white (from my cardigan) which kind of destroyed these shorts. Oh well...I'm just glad I didn't pay full price for them.
This is the first time I've tried a Chanel lipstick. Once at the Chanel make up counter, I asked one of the make up artists to match me up with a red lipstick. She asked whether I've ever worn red lipstick before so I told her I never have. The shade she picked for me was Monte Carlo (shade number 62) from the Rouge Coco Shine line as I told her I prefer a glossy look as opposed to matte finish.
I like this Chanel lipstick, think I would rate it the same level as Lancome lipsticks. The colour lasts long and it doesn't feel dry or heavy on my lips. It is non-scented. This is what it looks like on. It's not red red, but it's red enough compared to my other lipsticks. The price for this lipstick is £24. I would recommend this to you if you are looking for a long lasting lipstick and prefer sheer finishes!
The tube is small, great for travelling with and also very pretty. These lipsticks are not scented which is one thing I like about them - another thing I like are how wearable these shades are. These are great every day pink shades. Rose Candy is a Barbie pink colour whereas Soft Marshmallow is a cool toned pastel pink colour. The texture of these lipsticks are sheer which is great as it gives a bit of shimmer and shine whilst keeping lips moisturised. I do find I have to reapply every few hours but that's ok. Top it off with a coat of lipgloss to make the colour stay longer and you should be good!
Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-In-Place concealer is my favourite concealer. It costs £20 for 7ml. Although it is expensive, I do find this concealer lasts for a very long time. The liquid concealer comes with a wand for easy application.
My shade is 02 light medium and I always go back to this concealer. It does what a concealer is meant to do - conceal blemishes. A little dab is all you need, use sparingly and blend out with a small brush or clean fingertips. It gives very good coverage and is really long lasting. This concealer is very natural looking and does not give a cakey feel. I do find, however, if you use it under your eyes, it may set into fine lines so I tend not to use it there.
If you are looking for a long lasting concealer from a premium cosmetics line, I'd definitely recommend you to give this a try.
Packaging Are you bored of your hair? Read on and I'll tell you how to get people talking about your hair...guaranteed! I was watching these hair tutorials on YouTube and came across one called the Waterfall braid. It's a French plait embedded in your hair with a waterfall effect. I'm not very good at hair styles so I asked my sister to watch it and try it on my hair.
You can learn how to achieve this look here (Waterfall twist) and here (Waterfall French braid). The Waterfall twist is easier as you only take 2 pieces of hair whereas the Waterfall French braid requires 3 pieces of hair. What I didn't expect were the amount of compliments I would receive with it. I even got stopped by a lady whilst walking home telling me she admired my hair style and asked how she could do this. So just before I end this post, I'd like to thank everyone who has complimented my hair style in the past month and a huge thank you to my sister who helped plait my hair at 7am in the morning.
Having seen this product advertised everywhere, from magazines to posters on buses, I thought it would be time to buy one for myself and see what all the hype is about. Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat is a highligher pen. It's pricey - costing £25 but it is from a premium cosmetics brand so I hope the product justifies the cost.
Packaging is simple but effective. It's gold and shiny which adds to the high end feel of the product. The applicator brush on the pen is soft and flat, allowing you to evenly apply the product. The pen has a clicky top to press for the product. At the Yves Saint Laurent counter, I asked the make up artist to help match me up with a shade, since I do not trust myself to find my own shade (Don't exactly want to walk out of my house with two different skin tones!). He looked at my skin colour and immediately told me I'm a shade 2.5. Impressive.
I tried the 2.5 shade under my eyes in the store lighting and it was indeed a perfect match. The product glided on smoothly and did not feel cakey. It did cover up dark shadows and made me look more wide awake. You can use this pen anywhere on your face where you have dark shadows, under the eyes, sides of your nose and to brighten up dull areas. What I like about this product is that it's travel friendly, you can easily put this into your make up bag and touch up when needed. On the down side, you can't see how much of the product is left in the pen and the tip of the pen would require cleaning.
Would I use this product daily? Probably not. I would only use this product if I've stayed up super late and need that something extra to cover up dark circles. (Concealer normally does the trick anyway.) Benefit also has a product, of which some may be familiar with, called Eye Bright - It's a chunky pink/peach toned pencil which does the same job. Only difference is that Benefit's Eye Bright has a slight shimmer in the pencil. I like to apply Eye Bright to the inner corners of my eyes which helps to brighten them also.
So ladies, don't worry if you didn't get enough sleep last night, invest in YSL's luxurious Touche Eclat pen and it will conceal those dark shadows and enhance your natural features too!
This is one of my recent Lancôme purchases! This mascara pack contains 2 Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara in black which retails for £30. The mascara wand has a decorative rose design which adds a nice touch to the packaging. The wand in the last picture is cone shaped, thinner towards the front and thicker towards the back. I think the original Lancôme Hypnôse mascara gives a more dramatic look compared with the Hypnôse doll eyes mascara. Doll eyes formula is quite thin but it does give you the chance to control and build up the layers as necessary.
Compared with other mascaras I have used, this one is really good and is level with Benefit's Bad Gal Lash which is my all time favourite. I tend to go for more natural looks when it comes to eyelashes so my routine is to curl lashes and to add a coat of mascara. If you are after an every day mascara which is not too dramatic, this is the one for you. It lengthens your lashes as well as provides volume without clumping. It really does give you a natural doll eyes effect.
The make up bag is shaped uniquely with a curved zip design to hold everything inside together. The rose designs are printed on both sides of the make up bag, there is a shiny jewel attached to the strap, very chic and elegant. This is definitely one of my favourite make up gifts! If I remember correctly, last year Lancôme did something similar, offering free Lancôme products with the purchase of 2 Lancôme items but it didn't include a make up bag.
The lipstick is a shimmery light red/pink colour, a very wearable every day shade. Lancôme's Génifique is a serum, suitable for all skin types, to help your skin look radiant and glowing! I love using this product before I apply cream on my face. If you have dry skin, it helps to hydrate it, the serum is light and absorbs quickly. Eau Micellaire Douceur make up remover is gentle and fragrance free. Lancôme's Hypnôse volume mascara really does volumise your lashes. Visionnaire is also a serum to keep your skin looking youthful and wrinkle free!
There's something for everyone in this gift set - a great way to try different Lancôme products without breaking the bank!
When you want to sleep, you can't and when you have to wake up, you want to sleep. Who else is the same?
Waking up, for me, is actually really easy. It's getting out of bed which is the trickiest part.
Let's start with waking up and I'll let you know my tips and tricks on how to always wake up on time.
1. Set 3 alarms. Not 1, not 2 but 3 - I use my phone as my alarm clock. The first alarm is there to wake you up on time. The second alarm makes sure you wake up again once you've turned the first alarm off half asleep and go for your 5 minute "snooze". The third alarm is your final call. Hopefully, after two alarms, you will already be out of your dream/half asleep state and be awake.
2. Use a LOUD alarm ringtone and set your phone to vibrate mode. My alarm is the Overture from The Phantom of The Opera. I believe after you've heard it if you are not already familiar with it, you will understand why waking up is really easy for me. Also when your bed is vibrating, you can't really go back to sleep properly.
3. Put your alarm clock on the other side of the room. This forces you to wake up and get out of bed.
If you know me really well, you will know that I love to shop online. In fact, asos is probably the place I shop at the most if I think about it for both offline and online. You must be thinking why?
For starters, shopping is time-consuming. It takes time for me to travel to and from my shopping destination whereas for online shopping, I can sit in my pyjamas at 3:05am, log onto asos and buy a dress (For those wondering whether I really have done this...yes, I have.) This way, I also avoid the crowds in shops and there's no need to wait 2392304 minutes in a long queue. Shops can often be messy too, making it hard to find what you are after but not for online shopping - there is a search bar, meaning I can find what I'm looking for almost instantly. It stops me from endless browsing and helps me buy things I actually need, not want. Another reason why? asos has so many different brands, it's like shopping at a virtual department store and I don't have to walk to get to the next shop. Online shopping has made my life so much easier. Now you know why!
My first ever mac lipstick was bought for me by my best friend as a Christmas gift. My wonderful friends also bought me two mac lipsticks for my birthday last month as part of my present (Thank you so much, I love the shades you picked!) They picked Speed Dial which is a cremesheen finish and Politely Pink which is a lustre finish and probably my favourite from the ones I've tried.
Mac lipsticks smell so good - like vanilla! Speed Dial is a fairly bright pink colour with some gold shimmer. It's a wearable every day look colour and you can build upon the colour to increase the tone of pink. Politely Pink is a frosted pale pink colour, perfect for a natural day time look! The lipsticks are pigmented and I always apply some Vaseline to my lips before applying my lipsticks. I think both shades work well with my NC35 skin tone. I also like to add a coat of lipgloss (usually this one) over my mac lipsticks to give a bit more shine.
They retail at £13.50 and compared to other high end cosmetic brands are a good price in my opinion. I used to be more of a gloss girl than a lipstick girl but I think I am gradually moving over to the lipstick phase. Of course, I am still a loyal lipgloss fan as it keeps my lips moisturised throughout the day! Have you got a favourite mac shade? Tell me below! | 2019-04-19T01:25:42Z | http://www.toxicdiamonds.com/2012/ |
I’ll give you a moment here to think of the things that scare you—maybe spiders, or heights, or being in the dark, or dying. (One of my biggest fears is falling, usually brought on by airplane turbulence, if that makes you feel any better.) Got it? Now toss that out, because of course we both know that’s not what I’m talking about.
What are you really afraid of?
You probably clicked on the link to this post because on some level, you feel unsatisfied with your life. Maybe you’re unhappy with your current job. Maybe you feel like your life is mostly satisfactory, but you’re stuck in a rut that you need to break out of. Maybe your life is great, but you still have a sense that there’s still something more out there that will bring you fulfillment.
Now I’ll give you a moment to think about the things you would like to do with your life—the dreams and goals you’ve accumulated over your lifetime but haven’t achieved. These could be dream careers, like performing on stage or owning a Fortune 500 company, or they could be one-time goals, like summiting Mount Everest or taking a cross-country road trip. All of these are achievable goals; in theory, anyone can learn to play an instrument, manage a business, or climb a mountain. So why haven’t you achieved them? What’s holding you back?
I’m no psychologist, and I’m definitely no mind-reader, but I do have an educated guess that answers that question: Fear. All of us have fears that overshadow and outweigh our dreams. These might be fears of failure, of losing relationships, or of regression. For the most part, we avoid those fears, shove them back and pack them away where we don’t have to look at them. Sometimes we may not even be aware that we have them. But these fears obstruct us and keep us from achieving our dreams.
As for me, I’m afraid of failing. I’m afraid of outright rejection, of being judged and found wanting, of not being good enough, or not being as good as someone else. I’m afraid of feeling crushingly disappointed. I’m afraid of having to work hard at something to the point that I start to hate it. I’m afraid of getting bored or frustrated by something that I normally love to do.
How do I avoid that?
What do I do if I can’t avoid it?
The funny thing about this exercise is that by giving a name to your fears, they start to become less frightening. Often we get to the first question—what’s the worst that could happen?—and stop there. But by brainstorming solutions to a potential problem, we give ourselves the tools to overcome it. Examining our fears gives us the power to conquer them.
What would you attempt to do if you knew that you could fail?
You’ve probably heard the metaphor about life being a juggling act. Everyone has multiple pins, or roles, that they have to keep in perpetual, balanced motion. In my case, the pins I’m juggling are my day job, Protagonist, school, family, boyfriend, best friend, personal fitness, and any other miscellaneous events or opportunities as they arise. That’s a lot of pins to have going at one time, and frankly, my juggling act is an unsustainable, stressful mess.
I never learned how to juggle. My time management skills are pretty dismal. I have a lot going on in my life and at any given moment, I feel like I’m slacking on at least half of my roles, if not all of them. Every time I need to focus on a particular aspect of my life—my classwork, or my day job—I have to drop a different role to make the juggling act work.
I don’t know when to say “no.” I just want to do all the things! Every time I encounter another opportunity, I add it to my juggling act. Thus far, I’ve had pretty good success making things work through sheer force of will alone, but at a huge price—astronomical levels of stress during, and depression after.
I treat all my pins as though they were created equal. In other words, I’m not great at prioritizing, and I tend to find everything equally overwhelming.
For me, these two articles painted a stark picture: not only is it worth figuring out which of my roles or pins are obligations and which I feel enthusiastic about, but the activities about which I feel enthusiasm are more likely to contribute meaning to my life.
So, I’m taking on an experiment (and I’m trying very, very hard not to make it just another pin to juggle). This week, I put my schedule down on paper, using the template from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I blocked out my time commitments, and I listed all the tasks on my to-do list. Then I went through and made a brief notation in pink beside each of my commitments: O for things I feel obligated to do; E for things I am genuinely enthusiastic about; P for things I enjoy doing for their own sake and which contribute meaning to my life; and ? for instances where I wasn’t sure how I felt or in which I felt torn.
The next stage of my experiment is to start working out where I can make cuts in my schedule. It’s time to start setting some of my pins down, and focusing on the pins that matter most. I don’t have a choice about some of them; when it comes to work, I can’t exactly quit my day job, because I need to keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach, but I can start saying “no” to networking events I don’t need to attend or projects that aren’t my direct responsibility. When it comes to extra-curriculars, I can’t ignore my classwork, but I can bow out of meetups and just-for-fun lessons that are a drain on my energy, time, and money. And maybe, once my balancing act evens out again, I can start actively scheduling in some of the things that give my life meaning.
My challenge to you this month is twofold. First, write down your roles or commitments, however it makes the most sense to you, and categorize your feelings for them. Which are the most important in your life, and which bring you unnecessary stress? Second, give some thought to the activities you enjoy doing just for the sake of doing them. How do they add meaning to your life, and how can you work them into your schedule on a more regular basis? I’d love to hear your thoughts or see how your schedules and priorities differ from mine—drop me a line at [email protected]!
The beginning of a new year often brings ample opportunity for reflection on the previous year and one’s goals for the upcoming year. But how many of us actively take that opportunity when it’s presented?
Between the New Year, the beginning of a new quarter for Protagonist, and the start of my final semester in college, I’ve been given the opportunity this year to take a restock of where my life is at. Previously, I’ve been content to watch such opportunities sail by—if I even noticed them at all. This year, I won’t have that option. I’ve already spent some time creating the outline of a vision for the upcoming year, à la Andy Drish, but that’s only the beginning. Both my courses this semester focus on reflection: a philosophy course on the meaning of life, and my capstone for my major, in which I will reflect on my education, my place in the world, and my future goals.
Normally I’m the sort to shy away from all this new-agey, introspective, reflecting-and-visioning stuff. It’s uncomfortable. If I start reflecting on the past, that means looking back not only on my successes, but also on my mistakes and my low points—and as someone who struggles with depression and PTSD, I find that frankly a bit scary. It’s so much easier to let sleeping dogs lie, and keep plugging along as usual. So what makes the reflection worth the discomfort?
As my philosophy professor put it, “A good life doesn’t happen by accident.” Any sort of meaning in life must be intentional, or else it isn’t meaningful. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Live like there’s no tomorrow.” It’s inspirational, and it sounds great, but few of us immediately quit our jobs and start knocking things off our bucket lists.
No, the harder part is to live like you have forever. What if you knew for a fact you were going to live to be over a hundred years old? How would you want to spend all that time? You have the option to tread water, going through life just keeping your head above water without going anywhere, or you can pick a direction and start swimming. And to pick the best direction, to figure out where you want to go, you must first recognize where you came from and where you currently are.
Thanks to Mr. Drish, I have the beginnings of a plan for 2018 that, if I follow it to its conclusion, will help me establish myself in a place where I want to be, pursuing a career and lifestyle that will bring me pleasure and pride. With the help of my two classes, and with continued reflection, I hope to flesh out that plan and make my dream even more achievable.
Learning can be uncomfortable; learning about ourselves, doubly so. To learn more about ourselves, we have to confront our fears and insecurities, but we can’t learn from our past if we don’t tackle that discomfort. And once we have, we are empowered to create a meaningful, good future.
If you’re an average human being, you probably know what it feels like to procrastinate. There’s always that one task—or three, or ten—that you’ve left until too late, and now it’s the last minute. Or maybe you’ve only barely begun the procrastination process, and need to convince yourself to start your work before it becomes too stressful.
The other night, I found myself lying awake at midnight in my favorite life avoidance position (face-down, with my entire face smushed into a pillow), unable to sleep because of all the end-of-semester school assignments hanging over my head that I should have started days before. I had reached the point where procrastination was no longer viable, and I absolutely had to start working, but my mental self-flagellation only added to my stress. I already knew I had to get to work, and I knew why I had to get to work; I just needed to remind myself how.
The hard part is, how do you go from Point A (realizing that you have a lot of work to do) to Point B (actually doing it)? I’m glad you asked! Here’s the pep talk I gave myself, which helped me get in gear.
The more I stress about not wanting to do something, the less I want to do it. Take a moment to breathe, relax, and recognize that you can do this. (You truly can, no matter how hard it seems or how little time you have. Humans have an incredible ability to overcome ridiculous odds.) Picture how good it will feel to have this unwanted task done and out of the way.
Break it down into smaller goals.
Admittedly, I’m pretty terrible at this, and I tend overwhelm myself with the scope of the task that needs doing, but when I can focus on one piece of the assignment at a time, it always feels more manageable. I find it helpful to write down a ridiculously detailed checklist of all the parts of my project, and then I cover all but the current step with Post-It notes.
Remember that starting is the hard part.
Once I delve into a project, it’s always relatively easy to keep doing it. It’s basic physics: an object at rest stays at rest, but an object in motion can do anything she sets her mind to. (Or something like that—science was never my best subject!) Once you hit your groove, you’ll find it easier to keep going.
Begin with whatever catches your interest most. Find one exciting aspect of the project, and use it as a jumping-off point. If you have to write an essay, don’t start by planning the introduction; start by planning that rad bombshell of an argument you want to drop in paragraph three, and let your enthusiasm carry the momentum.
Breaks help both your productivity and your health while you work, but I’ve never liked timed work sessions (such as the 80 minutes of work and 6 minutes of break suggested by the linked article). My attention span waxes and wanes when I work; sometimes I can focus for a solid hour or more, and sometimes I need to get up from the computer again after fifteen minutes. Learn to recognize when you need a few moments of distance from your work, and take the opportunity to physically remove yourself from your workspace: stand and stretch, or grab a glass of water, or take a bathroom break.
When I do manage to break a project up into bite-sized tasks, it helps to have a reward at the end of each section. I might tell myself, “I’m going to finish drafting these three pages, and then I’ll go for a walk and enjoy some fresh air,” or “I’ll make some tea in my fanciest teapot,” or “I’ll cuddle the heck out of my boyfriend.” In the interests of health, I try not to reward myself with food except at actual meal times, but if chocolate motivates you the most, go for it! Having a reward to look forward to makes it all worth it.
Keep in mind—just because I originally compiled this list to encourage myself to do schoolwork doesn’t mean you can’t adapt it for other projects! Maybe you procrastinate when it comes to shoveling snow or wrapping a mountain of holiday gifts; you can still focus on the small tasks by starting with the front step or the present you’re most excited to give, and even if you can’t change where you do the work, you can always crank up some tunes on your iPod or radio. Plus, winter is a great time of year for hot cocoa breaks!
And no matter what you keep putting off this month, remember that Protagonist has your back! If you need help overcoming a problem that feels too big for you, or if you need the reassurance that you can handle it, drop us a line at [email protected]. We believe in you, and we’ll help you tackle your challenge like a true hero!
What advice do you give yourself to avoid procrastinating?
It seems obvious to me why we call insights “pearls of wisdom.” Pearls form when an irritant intrudes on a mollusk, and the mollusk coats it with nacre until it becomes smooth, shiny, and valuable. In the same way, ideas enter our minds and niggle at the back of our consciousness until, over time, our minds polish them into something valuable.
At the time, that cued a weepy, defensive meltdown—I didn’t want to hear that the extent of my difficulties could possibly be my fault, because I already felt bad enough about them. But like a speck of dust in an oyster, his question stuck, and in the few months since then my mind has kept turning it over and over. Do things really have to be as hard as I make them?
Here’s the answer I’ve come up with: No. But also, sort of…yes.
I don’t hide the fact that I struggle with depression (in fact, sometimes it’s hard to get me to shut up about it). Thanks to prescription medication and a therapist, who is a goddess among men, I mostly have my depression under control, but sometimes it still sneaks up and ambushes me. For the most part, my depression manifests as a drop in mental capacity; I am no less capable of rational thought than on my good days, but everything, including thinking, becomes ten times more exhausting.
When I’m not depressed, I can recognize logically that I possess the capability to deal with the difficulties in my life, and I can act on that realization. If I have an unexciting project due, I know that I can (eventually) make myself complete it whether I want to or not. It’s like rolling a big boulder: not always easy, for sure, but possible with the proper application of force and willpower.
One of the most maddening aspects about my state of mostly-under-control is what happens when I hit a downswing. On my down days, I can still reach that logical realization of my own capability, but acting on it becomes a task of Sisyphean proportions. Completing my project is still possible, but overcoming my apathy becomes not only a much larger task than before, but often a downright repulsive one—when I’m super depressed, the idea of going back to functioning as normal feels physically uncomfortable. I still possess the ability to roll my boulder, but now I have to shift it uphill through knee-deep mud.
And yet, if I just got the right leverage and pushed harder, I could overcome that obstacle, too, right? Maybe I just don’t have enough resilience.
The problem in this case, as eloquently as I can describe it, is that when I am depressed, I am simultaneously Sisyphus (Wikipedia) and the muddy hill. The obstacle is my own brain chemistry, and while there are things I can do to optimize my brain chemistry, sometimes my brain throws me for a loop anyway.
Hence, what I think of as the Paradox of Rational Depression: I can always control how I respond to difficult situations…except for the times when I also can’t.
In both cases, all I have to do is apply the proper force and willpower, but during a depressive episode, the parameters change. The sort of thinking that would make a problem less stressful on a good day won’t always work on a bad day. However, I know that no matter my mental state, I always have the option to plot a new course or grab a bigger lever. Sometimes it’s just easier to stop pushing my boulder and wait until the mud dries up. There are choices available to me.
Everyone, to some degree, has an aspect of their life in which they get in their own way. I wish I could share the answer to this paradox and how to apply it to your own life, but I don’t yet have all the psychological and emotional tools I need to solve it (although between Curious and the goddess of therapy, I have a pretty good support team to help me get there). This is something I plan to keep working on, but if I discover any pearls of wisdom that are polished enough to share, I’ll post updates.
What is your Sisyphean task? Do you need help getting up your hill, or have suggestions for how to get out of your own way? Let us know at [email protected]!
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a link to a blog post from Princess Awesome entitled “Stop Telling Kids They Can Be Anything,” which caught my eye. I wondered what the heck that meant—are we supposed to stop encouraging kids? Well, no. Princess Awesome suggests that instead of telling kids “You can be anything,” we should say, “You can choose your path.” This option takes the pressure off of kids by eliminating any need to be something (and only one thing) for the rest of their lives.
How might my outlook on life differ, and how much farther might I have gotten, if someone had told me as a kid that I could choose my path? What would I have learned or done differently?
Why on Earth don’t we tell this to adults, too?
I’m one of those people who feels like a late bloomer. I have watched, with no small amount of jealousy and perplexity, as my high school compatriots went off to college knowing exactly what they wanted to do with their lives, and then proceeded to do it. A good friend of mine wanted to go into sports management, and has now worked for our state’s major-league baseball team for several years. Another friend went to MIT and got into aerospace engineering. A former classmate moved to LA and became a model and a singer. But unlike them, I never felt that I knew what I wanted to be, much less how to become it.
Roughly eight years ago, during my first go-round through college, I visited my school’s career counseling center to see if someone could help me figure out what to do with my major. When I had applied for colleges, I’d known with absolute certainty that I wanted to major in writing (even though I had no idea how to turn that into a career), because I loved writing and I wanted to become a better writer. By the time I visited that career counselor, I had learned a lot about the art of writing, but I still had one problem: I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my major once I graduated from college. I hoped the career counseling center could help me figure out which direction to take.
Instead, the counselor dropped a list of possible careers for English majors in my lap and sent me home to look it over and see if any of them looked interesting. This list consisted of multiple pages of job titles, in a twelve-point font, with at least three columns to a page, and provided so many options that I never even read all of them, much less pursued any of them. I had run into the same problem Princess Awesome identified: with an English major, I could theoretically be anything, but knowing that I had endless career possibilities didn’t help me to actually pick a career!
At that point, I didn’t need to hear that I had possibilities. I already knew that. Instead, I needed to learn how to narrow my possibilities down to a more manageable selection. I needed help choosing my path.
Fast forward a few years. When Adam (our very own Curious Bystander) first mentioned the idea of Protagonist, I knew I wanted to get involved. I had no idea how, and I had no experience with entrepreneurship, but when he accepted my offer of editing support, I felt for the first time like I had the opportunity to chose my path. Committing to that choice felt scary, but I wasn’t choosing something as monumental as a career, and nothing decrees that I have to follow this path all the way to the end. At no point did I choose what I’m going to “be” for the rest of my life. But in the face of endless possibilities, I found an opportunity, and I chose to follow it.
Ultimately, the moral of this story boils down to this: it doesn’t matter what our possibilities are. It matters what our opportunities are. Our power lies in finding one thing we can do, or not do, and then trying it. And then maybe trying something else, and seeing what happens.
To this day, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, and I still don’t even know all of my options. But not only is that okay—it ultimately doesn’t matter, because I don’t have to be anything, or even have a plan. I just have to keep my eye out for opportunities. And when they arise, I can choose my path. | 2019-04-20T22:57:44Z | https://protagonist.life/tag/calligraphie/ |
The S&P 500, the investment community’s most widely-watched index, fell in the last few minutes of today’s trading session to close the year at 1257.60. It closed 2010 at 1257.64. We finished a year marked by surging corporate profits, mega-doses of government stimulus, plummeting treasury bond yields, headline-grabbing bankruptcies of American Airlines and MF Global, ongoing armed conflicts, overthrows of Middle Eastern governments, violent protests in Europe, “Occupy” protests here at home, unresolved housing and unemployment problems, our AAA credit rating diminished, politicians who can’t craft a compromise, and European banks and countries on the edge of bankruptcy. All that action notwithstanding, the S&P 500 closed the year virtually unchanged. Beyond the S&P, the Dow Jones Industrials and Utilities tacked on gains, while the Dow Transports, Nasdaq Composite, New York Stock Exchange Composite, Mid-caps, Small-caps and the most inclusive Dow Jones Total U.S. Stock Market Index all showed losses. Overseas the carnage was more significant, with both emerging and developed markets falling. All but a very few countries experienced declines ranging from about 15% to 40%. Not a happy year for equity holders.
Will recently improving employment, manufacturing and consumer confidence statistics continue into the new year as government stimulus and tax incentives wind down?
Will housing prices halt their declines in 2012?
Can we make a meaningful dent in the overhang of homes for sale?
With Real Disposable Personal Income now declining, will the U.S. consumer continue to cut his/her savings rate in order to maintain spending?
Can U.S. corporations continue to grow earnings in an environment of weak housing and massive unemployment?
Will our major political parties reverse the trend of moving farther away from common ground?
Will Occupy Wall Street simply mark the beginning of growing social unrest?
Europe and the Euro were the dominant financial stories in 2011. With their multiple problems still unsolved, these are likely to remain the primary themes at least through much of 2012. That probability raises additional questions.
Can the Eurozone escape a serious recession despite rapidly declining economic indicators?
Can several European countries roll over massive amounts of debt coming due in 2012 at rates that will not worsen already serious debt conditions?
Can the Eurozone hold together?
Will more European countries introduce austerity programs sufficient to meet Eurozone standards without sinking their economies?
Will the European Central Bank need to obtain a changed mandate to print its way out of the worsening debt crisis?
The United States is faced with an equally problematic debt dilemma, although less imminent. We have so far been spared European-type pain, because the world remains willing–even eager–to fund our massive deficits. Whether or not we begin to experience Europe’s problems depends upon the sustainability of investor confidence. The reality is that we can never pay for all our past promises with a dollar possessing anything like its current value.
Will our politicians cobble together a debt reduction plan to sufficiently placate rating agencies in order to keep the U.S debt rating from being lowered further?
Will the Federal Reserve resort to some form of QE3?
Will we begin to renege on some past promises, either domestic or international, to keep budgets from exploding?
Will we ultimately resort to dramatically rapid money printing?
Will foreign sources continue to buy U.S. debt at historically low interest rates despite our huge deficits?
Will gold prices rise for the twelfth consecutive year if investors fear the inevitability of massive money printing?
Many bullish investors argue that, despite growing debt problems in the developed world, the emerging economies will provide the engine of growth that will keep the world financially steady. That prospect raises some difficult-to-answer questions.
Why did the world’s emerging country stock markets significantly underperform those of the developed world in 2011?
Why did the stock market of China, the economic giant of the emerging countries, fall precipitously in 2011? Why is it down by almost two-thirds over the past four years?
The most powerful influences on markets often flow from events that are totally unanticipated. What currently unforeseeable events, good or bad, will unfold in 2012?
With so many open questions facing investors in the coming year, we will remain extremely flexible and ready to adapt to the unfolding story.
As we close 2011, we wish you and your families a new year filled with good health, happiness, peace and prosperity.
Last week’s blog post about Mission adding gold to client portfolios elicited a few questions and comments. Among others, there were questions about the relative attractiveness of bullion, exchange-traded funds or gold mining stocks.
For the purpose of our purchase, which is to hedge against the probability of money printing, bullion is the best pure play. Gold is heavy, however, and presents the problem of storage and possibly also of transport. For our purposes, investing in physical gold for large numbers of individual clients would be impractical.
While investing in the common stocks of mining companies would be an easy alternative, mining stocks do not always move in concert with the price of gold. Often, the direction of the overall stock market has a greater influence on gold stocks than does the direction of gold’s price. While mining stocks pay a dividend, unlike the metal itself, that dividend yield is typically below the already low average yield of most common stocks. Despite the fact that gold’s price has risen for a decade, the stocks have been far less consistent. Most major gold stocks are trading below their levels of four to six or more years ago. In fact, giant Newmont is trading barely above its price in early 1994. Periodically gold stocks do very well, but they are not as consistent a hedge against the perils of the printing press as is gold itself.
The exchange-traded fund GLD presents the best combination of direct correlation to the price of gold and ease of ongoing ownership for large numbers of investors. It’s not perfect. In an extreme market disruption, access to the value of the asset could be temporarily compromised, as would be the case with any tradable security. It does not, however, suffer the inconveniences of storage and transportability, which burden physical gold.
A separate question was why we bought now and not years ago. As longstanding readers of our commentaries and attendees at our seminars know, I have long been an advocate of individuals owning some gold. I have characterized such ownership in those communications as more an insurance policy than an investment. Its purpose has been to protect against unpredictable and dangerous economic, political or monetary events.
What has changed our thinking about adding gold positions to client portfolios is the growing belief that we are now faced with predictable and dangerous events. Over the past six months there has been clear evidence in this country and Europe that governmental and monetary authorities are unwilling to take meaningful actions to deal with our respective debt crises. Europe’s unwillingness has precipitated the dramatic rise in sovereign bond yields in recent months. While we still maintain that the timing of the ultimate resolution of these crises is highly uncertain, it looks increasingly likely that the resolution will have to involve large quantities of newly printed money. Because such heavy printing could be ramped up at any time, we decided that it would be worth initiating gold exposure now in case such printing should begin very soon. As indicated in last week’s post, we plan to build our position if gold prices correct further in the weeks, months or quarters ahead.
In the meantime, we wish our readers a merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah and a peaceful, relaxing holiday season.
An aphorism passed down over centuries says that you should always have enough gold to bribe the border guards. In modern industrial societies, that concern has rarely been the motivation for gold ownership. In most time periods, only those labeled “gold bugs” pay any attention to the investment merits of the precious metal. Periodically, however, some political, economic or monetary condition gets gold’s price rising. If it climbs far enough, publicity pushes gold into the consciousness of those whose otherwise closest connection is their jewelry box.
While I have never been counted in the “gold bug” camp, I have counseled for several decades that holding some gold is a prudent insurance policy against any number of potential political, economic or monetary disruptions. Prior to this week, however, we have not established long-term positions for clients in gold or gold stocks. This week we changed that practice.
With a nod to Reinhart and Rogoff’s comprehensive history of 800 years of financial crises, This Time Is Different, governments and central banks have for centuries resorted to money creation to cover up prior eras of overspending and overleveraging. As our country faces its mother of all long-term debt crises, it appears virtually certain that our politicians and monetary gurus will eventually choose the easy way out– by way of the printing press. The unconscionable inaction by the Congressional supercommittee charged with carving out a mere $1.2 trillion from the next decade’s projected deficits announces clearly that there is no real commitment to getting our budget under control. Fiscal discipline won’t happen–if at all–until we demand term limits that would eliminate legislators’ need to bribe the electorate with near-term goodies in a seemingly perpetual bid for reelection. Similarly, our august central bankers have demonstrated their utter disregard for the elderly retired and generations unborn. Their expansionary bailout attempts benefit primarily the current working generation, whose budgetary imprudence has constructed the bulk of our precariously tottering debt edifice. Almost certainly the Fed will ultimately choose more money creation rather than accept the consequences of a decade and a half of dangerous central bank decisions.
The logical result of excessive money creation is the depreciation of the currency, which has led many analysts to forecast the decline of the U.S. dollar. In fact, the U.S. dollar’s purchasing power has been systematically reduced throughout the nearly one-century life of the Federal Reserve. Relative to a basket of foreign currencies, the dollar is worth far less than it was a decade or a quarter of a century ago, although it is above its 2008 low and about 10% above its May low in this most recent cycle. The recent rise comes not from any dollar strengthening moves from our central bank, but from persistent weakening conditions in other major currencies. And in the short run, that could continue.
Several asset categories demonstrate a negative correlation to the worth of the dollar. Gold, especially with the wide acceptance of the GLD exchange-traded fund, is an extremely liquid and easily accessible investment choice. Following the significant decline from GLD’s September price high, we began to build what could become a meaningful portfolio position in gold.
Above price levels that would be largely determined by jewelry demand, there is no sound way to value gold, notwithstanding the many authoritative-sounding analysts who grace the airwaves. Most are short-term traders. Rather, gold’s price is largely a reflection of investor fears and emotions.
The timing of factors that will stimulate investor fears and emotions is highly uncertain. Europe appears to be on the brink of a regional recession with the possibility of a banking collapse. Should Europe weaken markedly, it is likely that the rest of the world will follow in varying degrees. Such a condition would be disinflationary–even deflationary–which would logically be negative for the price of gold. On the other hand, such a condition would also logically prod central banks into action. As the aforementioned Reinhart and Rogoff have pointed out in great detail, inflation is typically the method of choice to rescue economies from debt crises. There is little reason to expect this episode to vary from the historical norm.
Given the uncertainty of the coming sequence of events and their timing, we began to construct our position in GLD this week at two potential levels of support: the trendline in effect since January, then GLD’s 200-day moving average. Given the current poor technical condition of gold, it was not surprising that prices broke through both levels. Because most gold surprises for the past decade have been positive, we wanted to begin our holding with a small portion of a desired full position at these levels, in case central banks got itchy trigger fingers and began to print earlier than we have reason to expect. Should such printing occur soon, we will likely see nice profits but on a relatively small position. On the other hand, should gold experience a larger correction of its earlier substantial price advance, we plan to add to the position over the weeks, months or quarters ahead at price levels where gold has found support in the past. Should the price decline last for a while, we will experience some loss of value on the small early positions, but we will build the potential for much larger gains from larger positions purchased at lower prices.
Whatever the near-term course of events, we anticipate that governments and central bankers will honor their genetic predisposition to avoid current pain without regard to longer-term economic dislocations. In fact, I suspect they are actively oiling their printing presses today.
What Does A 490 Point Advance Foretell?
After Wednesday, November 30th’s massive 490-point rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, USA Today ran a lead story highlighting the ten biggest point gains ever. The most recent advance was the seventh largest. All ten have occurred in the last ten years. While the USA Today story did not pretend to draw conclusions about future price movements, it clearly implied that such an advance was an indication of overdone fear in a context of many positive, underappreciated factors.
A quick look at the dates of the other nine biggest gains clarifies that most took place in major bear markets. Eight of the prior nine took place after major market declines yet well above ultimate bear market bottoms. Only the 497-point surge on March 23, 2009 occurred near the beginning of a new bull market. In that instance, stock prices had bottomed just two weeks earlier, and the advance proved to be part of the initial surge in a market rally that carried for 26 months. From the history of this century-to-date, therefore, the recent rise looks unlikely to mark the kickoff of an extended rally.
Leaning in a more bullish direction, however, is a study by Ned Davis Research, Inc., a highly reputable source of historical data. Their December 6 report revealed that since 1950, there have been 37 instances of a 4% or better one-day advance in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. In 33 of those instances, the market was higher 12 months later. Those advances included most of the big gains that took place during the two giant bear markets that opened the twenty-first century.
The Ned Davis data showed that over the six-decade period of their study, such 4% one-day surges have typically initiated advances that grew roughly another 20% — more or less steadily over the subsequent 12 months. That behavior clearly differs from eight of the most recent nine advances in the last decade, which saw major declines to ultimate bear market bottoms before beginning lasting recoveries. Another important observation in the Ned Davis study was that preceding the 4% one-day surges, stock prices had on average been declining aggressively, by about 22% in the prior seven months and an even more aggressive 18% in the immediately prior three months. In other words, stocks typically surged out of a significantly oversold condition.
What do these seemingly conflicting data suggest for the aftermath of our most recent stock market surge? It is important to note that the November 30th rally did not flow from a seriously oversold condition. In fact, it began at a price level roughly 10% above where the index had traded about two and four months earlier. This is markedly different from the typical advance profiled in the Ned Davis study and all nine of the biggest point-gaining days of this century.
If I had to choose between the precedents offered by price patterns in this century and those from the last half of the prior century, I would lean toward the most recent experience. These observations took place in the era of egregiously overextended debt, which continues to provide the backdrop for today’s market. That, I suggest, is the single most critical variable weighing on economic progress and equity prices. If prices follow the recent precedent, they are likely to move significantly lower before beginning the next sustainable market advance.
While we are now in the seasonally strong month of December, interpretation of news from Europe will probably be the single biggest determinant of stock prices’ immediate path.
The drama continues to play out.
Tuesday afternoon Standard & Poors downgraded 37 global banking giants–hardly a surprise. But when someone points out that the emperor is wearing no clothes, our markets reflexively decline, as they did in Tuesday night’s futures session. Just hours later the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the central banks of England, Canada, Japan and Switzerland jointly agreed to cut the cost of borrowing U.S. dollars from 1% to just half that. Whether part of a coordinated move or not, the People’s Bank of China simultaneously announced a 50 basis point cut in that country’s Required Reserve Ratio for banks. The appearance of central bank solidarity quickly turned overnight futures from negative to strongly positive. That strength continued throughout Wednesday’s session with the Dow closing up a spectacular 490 points.
The financial press speculated that what prodded the central banks into their stimulative move was the prospect of an imminent collapse of a major bank, most likely French. Interviewed on TV Thursday, former Fed Governor Larry Lindsey admitted the likelihood of a major bank failure this month, but suggested the most probable stimulus to the central bank action to be S&P’s bank downgrades.
At least for one day the stock market celebrated this action as a big deal. One TV talking head characterized it as the banking authorities firing both barrels. On the other hand, it is not an immediate infusion of new money that can be put toward asset purchases. It is rather the expansion of a safety net should banks otherwise be unable to acquire U.S. dollars. One analyst aptly analogized it as putting foam on the runway to limit the damage of a crash.
At the very least, the move is encouraging because it provides clear evidence that cooperation is possible among the world’s largest central banks. At the same time, however, it underlines how severe the current crisis has become. The central banks acted because funding between banks has been freezing up, as it did in 2008, necessitating the greatest bailout in history. The S&P downgrades simply increased the distrust that banks have of their peers’ abilities to repay loans.
Whether or not this central bank action will provide meaningful assistance in calming the European storm is open to question. During the 2007-2009 banking crisis, similar swap line actions were taken four times, typically leading to dramatic stock market rallies. They ultimately failed, however, to promote the desired interbank confidence, which was only reestablished when the Fed provided broad guarantees. Such pledges would be politically improbable a second time around. Notwithstanding the stock market rallies precipitated by these liquidity-providing policy actions, all such gains were ultimately forfeited as the markets continued their plunge of more than 50% to their 2009 bottom.
As we have stated repeatedly, the ultimate resolution of this crisis is unknowable. A systemic collapse is possible with terribly severe potential consequences to worldwide asset prices. More hopefully, politicians and central bankers will craft a series of plans that will sufficiently boost investor confidence to keep asset prices afloat while the underlying debt problems are resolved, or where that is impossible, restructured. The latter alternative could lead to intermittent powerful rallies. Because the former alternative remains very possible, investors should weigh carefully how much exposure to risk they wish to assume. As recent market volatility demonstrates clearly, good or bad announcements can lead to precipitous moves in both stock and bond markets. In a truly dramatic resolution to the crisis, either positively or negatively, market prices could gap in either direction allowing no opportunity to get trade executions over a very broad price span.
The equity markets had little to be thankful for during the U.S.’s holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 dropped by 4.7% through the normally bullish Thanksgiving week. Other commonly watched indexes fell even more. Not affected by our holiday, world markets likewise fell precipitously.
Expectations that Europe would cobble together a plan to prevent imminent economic collapse led to a spectacular October rally in stock markets around the world. However, as persistent bickering among heads of state decreased confidence in that outcome, markets sagged throughout most of November. Markets still go hour by hour waiting for a positive rumor from Europe. A plausible plan to “kick the can down the road” will likely lead to a substantial rally, especially with markets as oversold as they are today.
Nonetheless, the longer-term picture is getting darker by the day. Rating agencies downgraded sovereign bond ratings en masse last week. Moody’s cut Hungary to junk levels and Fitch did the same for Portugal. Belgium was downgraded. S&P warned that it may cut Japan’s rating. Fitch said that France’s triple-A was at risk. Investors also downgraded bonds on their own, independent of the rating agencies. The Italian ten-year bond reached 7.3%, and the two-year climbed over 8%. There is no realistic prospect that Italy will be able to grow its way out of this debt morass with debt service burdens at such levels. Even Germany, the financial engine of the Eurozone, saw its bond rates surge last week. In just over two weeks, German ten-year rates climbed from 1.72% to 2.25%. By way of comparison, the U.S. ten-year stayed at 1.96% over the same period. Fear is creeping in with respect to all of Europe. And Europe is a giant piece of the world’s economic and market composite.
As I write this on Sunday evening, a report is circulating that the International Monetary Fund is preparing a $794 billion rescue package for Italy. The rumor has overnight futures markets in rally mode. With markets as oversold as they have become over the past few weeks, snap-back rallies could be powerful if it looks likely that some sort of rescue package will defer a near-term debt collapse. On the other hand, long-term investors must remain conscious of the rapidly spreading deterioration of underlying fundamentals. Massive debt problems don’t cure themselves. Left to their natural outcomes, they unwind in a deflationary spiral. Rarely through history, however, do governments and central banks allow natural outcomes. More often than not, money printing becomes the defense of choice, resulting in a debt burden reduction through inflation. In extreme situations, runaway inflation eliminates all debt but introduces economic chaos. The last example of such an outcome for a major industrial country was in Germany in the 1920s. In any inflationary environment, varying only by degrees, lenders (bondholders) are penalized and borrowers are rewarded.
Today’s investors are by rights in a serious quandary. The financial system, at least in Europe, is in danger of collapse. Perhaps investors will believe in a rescue plan that will defer the pain for a few years, and equity prices may rise in celebration. Holders of sovereign bonds in perceived safe-haven countries (the U.S., Germany and Canada, for example) may profit if a disinflationary or deflationary recession unfolds. On the other hand, such bondholders may be beaten up badly if central banks resort to the printing press to alleviate the debt pressures.
Eventual outcomes will be politically determined. Successful investors may succeed more by their ability to anticipate political outcomes than by a deep understanding of investment fundamentals. In such an environment we rely on our underlying philosophical guideposts, which have stood us in good stead in this extremely dangerous century-to-date. In a high-risk environment, reduce risk exposure. Buy risk-bearing assets only when you can acquire them at extremely attractive valuation levels. Never lose sight of the fact that there will always be another opportunity to make significant gains. You will not be able to take advantage of that opportunity, however, if you lose a substantial amount of your assets when markets decline.
This has been mostly a business travel week, capped by a New York visit in time to witness the University of Arizona’s thrilling basketball win last night over St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. Tonight I’ll be able to see the tournament championship game against Mississippi State before heading back to Tucson. Go Cats!
This week the stock market repeated the past few months’ pattern, characterized by tremendous daily price volatility. In fact, triple-digit daily moves in the Dow Jones Industrial Average have become the norm, not the exception. The week closed with the S&P 500 down by nearly 4%.
Both stocks and bonds bounced back and forth with each new headline about European or U.S. debt crises. As we have noted previously in these posts, current markets are responding to rumors, hopes and speculation far more than to investment-worthy data. With stock trading volume low and volatility high, it is apparent than the indexes are in the hands of hedge funds and high-frequency traders rather than true investors.
As has been the case for months, European bankers and heads of state are long on plan announcements and short on committed cash. It’s apparently far easier to pledge than to pay.
As its first deadline nears, the congressional supercommittee is increasingly in the news. The committee’s bipartisan recommendation and the subsequent congressional vote are due next week. Most political analysts believe there to be substantial risk of failure to agree on even the minimal $1.2 trillion deficit reduction over ten years. It’s impossible to know how investors will react to various degrees of success or failure to agree on the mandated reductions. Nonetheless, based on recent market performance, it is highly likely that reactions will be violent in one direction or another–or both.
Realistically, the debt problems in many European countries and the United States cannot be solved, only deferred. At present, deferral is all that investors are hoping for. It is impossible to forecast when the intractability of the debt condition will force itself upon investor consciousness. The only realistic alternatives in the long run are partial default or inflating away the problems by money creation. Which of the alternatives unfolds over time will subsequently induce bond market reactions that are polar opposites. The threat of default would penalize any suspect bonds but induce a flight to safety into perceived “safe haven” paper. The prospect of inflation could decimate bonds of all credit quality levels.
Equities could experience virtually opposite reactions. The threat of any consequential level of default would likely lead to severe economic contraction and a resultant stock market decline. Moderate inflation for an extended period of time might be beneficial for equities. On the other hand, rampant inflation would introduce huge economic uncertainty. Some companies would benefit; others would suffer. Historically, periods of powerful inflation have generally produced weak stock markets. Ironically, returns on short-term cash have outperformed stocks in periods of severe inflation.
Such uncertainty reinforces the advice we have given for well more than a decade: investors will be better served by maintaining a flexible asset allocation rather than the traditional fixed allocation with periodic rebalancing. The worst of all worlds for the fixed allocation approach would be a declining stock market induced by rampant inflation, which in turn produces negative bond returns – certainly a realistic possibility.
In last week’s entry I pointed to the U.S. stock market’s daily Pavlovian responsiveness to stories and rumors coming from Europe. That action continues this week with the focus shifting from Greece to Italy. Greek Prime Minister Papandreou’s government has collapsed, and opposing parties are scrambling to find enough points of agreement to coalesce around a unity candidate. Virtually no one expects such a government to last. The desperate hope is that the politicians can simply assemble a sufficiently credible coalition in support of the promised austerity measures, so that the next tranche of bailout money will be released before Greece runs out of funds.
Despite the immediacy of that concern, the 800-pound gorilla that has taken its place in the middle of the room is Italy. Italy’s economy and debt levels are many times larger than those of Greece.
Last week I lamented that Italy’s ten-year bond yield had risen to 6.4%, a level that strongly called into question the government’s ability to service its debt and grow its way out of financial distress. Conditions have since worsened. On Wednesday, fear pushed that yield up to 7.25%. It is noteworthy that reaching the 7% threshold was a red flag warning that preceded the necessary bailouts of Greece, Portugal and Ireland. Italy’s political situation is in obvious disarray, and there appears to be no compelling voice strongly advocating the severe austerity measures needed to bring the country into compliance with Eurozone financial standards.
Italy’s growing crisis dramatically compounds the rescue problems that have so far bedeviled Eurozone finance ministers and heads of state. Italy’s failure to roll over its maturing debt at a manageable rate of interest would send shock waves through the European economy. On the other hand, in a weak economic environment, there is virtually no chance that the combined Eurozone members will provide enough rescue money to get Italy over this hurdle.
If the markets push Italy to the wall, there is no European entity (as currently funded) capable of coming to the rescue. The European Central bank could be further capitalized, but that is unlikely given the already-existing financial pressure on its members. Or the Eurozone could agree to permit the ECB to print enough money to paper over the problem. Such a solution, however, runs painfully against the grain for Germans, who retain in their DNA an abhorrence to inflation that decimated the value of their currency in the 1920s. If Germany doesn’t want it, it isn’t going to happen.
If you oppose the parade of financial bailouts, as I do, I urge you to let your voice be heard in any way you can. Don’t allow our government officials to reward the profligate at the expense of the prudent.
And if Italy is temporarily rescued, Spain is waiting in the wings. And how are we going to solve our own debt crisis here in the United States?
Another very volatile week! Friday’s mere 61-point loss on the Dow Jones Industrial Average on very light volume brought a frenetic week to a relatively calm conclusion. Reacting to a possible unwinding of the Greek rescue plan, the Dow lost 573 points on Monday and Tuesday. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s reassuring words that the Fed retained numerous options to shore up a flagging economy prompted a 386-point recovery on Wednesday and Thursday. The net of all action was a 2% loss for the week.
This week demonstrated conclusively the market’s responsiveness to headlines and rumors. The Dow rose and fell 100 points or more several times during the week as rumors circulated about prospects for the Greek bailout. Clearly, traders–not investors–had control of the buy and sell levers.
Trading closed for the week with the Greek parliament debating the fate of the Papandreou government and, in turn, with the European debt rescue effort hanging in the balance. It is remarkable that while the heads of state of Eurozone member nations have been meeting repeatedly for months, they have yet to agree on a concrete plan of action. Given the dire consequences that would flow from one or more sovereign defaults and from the resulting damage to the banks holding such bonds, it is hardly a surprise that individual investors are leaving the stock market in droves. It may take years for many of them to return. However, notwithstanding this week’s market decline, traders have been pushing prices up for several weeks with apparent confidence that governments and central bankers will prevent defaults from leading to a banking system failure. Whether or not that confidence will be rewarded is an open question.
Longer-term stock market price patterns still look negative. Ned Davis Research’s study of 45 world markets shows 41 of the 45 with stock indexes trading below their respective 200-day moving averages, a line viewed by many analysts as the demarcation between bull and bear market conditions. Additionally, 40 of those 45 moving averages have turned down, serving as confirmation of a bear market in the eyes of many.
Further disagreement with traders’ recent confidence comes from the bond markets. A vast amount of money has fled to risk-free U.S. treasury bills, which yield effectively nothing. Money has likewise poured into the bonds of safe-havens like the United States and Germany, each of which can borrow for 10 years for a mere 2%. In contrast, despite substantial supportive buying by the European Central Bank and the promise of further support from the block of Eurozone nations, Italian 10-year bond yields have soared to about 6.4%. Most analysts fear that yields over 6% will preclude distressed countries like Italy from servicing their debts and growing out of their current financial distress. The bond market is casting a powerful vote of no confidence in the efforts of politicians and bankers to cobble together a viable solution to the growing European debt crisis.
If Eurozone problems cannot at least be deferred, the consequences for the world financial system could be severe. When ongoing financial success depends upon programs crafted by politicians and self-interested bankers, we are not looking at a normal investment landscape, but rather a casino in which the standard rules of investment only minimally apply.
The third quarter was painful for stock market investors with the S&P 500 losing 13.9%, leaving that index down 8.7% over the first three quarters of 2011. In a very difficult environment we are pleased that where we have complete asset allocation responsibility, client portfolios are up slightly both for the quarter and the year-to-date.
Investors read the news daily to learn whether Greece will soon join the ranks of countries currently in default on their debts. The bigger story surrounds speculation about whether much larger countries like Italy and Spain will also be unable to pay their bills. Greece is almost universally acknowledged to be incapable of financial survival without further bailout assistance. Spain’s debt rating was just downgraded. The problems are growing.
In the United States, the situation has become severe enough to warrant a third-quarter downgrade of our formerly sacrosanct AAA debt rating. Further downgrades are possible if Congress does not quickly craft a credible debt reduction program.
Fundamental conditions throughout the developed world are extremely weak. In the U.S. a few recent economic readings have improved slightly, but remain at depressed levels. Many economists, those from Goldman Sachs among them, have argued strongly that the U.S. will skirt a recession. Other economists contend that, while we may not be in recession today, the economy could easily slip into negative territory. The highly respected Economic Cycle Research Institute states boldly that its readings are at levels that have always forecast a recession. In ECRI’s view, a recession is inevitable.
Many contend that Europe is already in recession. At the very least, Europe is expected to be in recession soon. For years, emerging market economies have provided the bulk of world economic growth. These economies are slowing perceptibly and are unlikely to be able to carry the worldwide economy absent much greater support from the developed world.
A minority of analysts voice serious concerns about China, the leading engine of emerging economies. Some foresee an imminent collapse in the Chinese real estate market. Others point with alarm at dangers they perceive in the Chinese banking system. While growth figures remain substantial, something must be wrong in China. Its stock market is still more than 60% below its 2007 peak. A Chinese crisis would be disastrous for the world economy.
The global economy remains weak despite a record amount of on-going multi-country stimulus. Resulting debt levels now stand in the way of a continuation of such stimulus. Banking systems and sovereign debt structures are so precarious, however, that further government rescue money is seen as necessary to prevent imminent collapse, notwithstanding the long-term damage such additional rescues may cause. Current politicians are determined not to allow economic collapse on their watch. Defer the calamity to the future, even if it makes debt problems worse. Let our children and grandchildren deal with them.
Long-standing clients know that we began warning about an approaching long weak cycle at the end of the 1990s. We pointed to two primary reasons: 1) extremely extended stock valuations and 2) excessive debt (long before debt became a four-letter word). In the first decade of the new century, valuations have become less extreme, although in the aggregate they remain well above average. The debt issues, however, are far worse today than they were a dozen years ago, and there is no credible solution in sight. We pointed out that over the two prior centuries, long weak cycles averaged about a decade and a half in length and ended only after they had expunged the excesses of the prior long strong cycle. Unfortunately, we will not eliminate the problem of excessive debt for several more years at the very least. The persistent debt crisis doesn’t preclude intermittent rising equity markets. It does make it less likely, however, that we will have sustained rising equity markets until debt problems are solved. So far in this century we have experienced two historic market collapses and two powerful rallies. The net of all that action is that stock returns are negative for the century-to-date and prices today are where they were in the late-1990s. With banking systems and numerous countries on the edge of failure, great danger remains in the equity markets.
In the long weak cycle to-date, we have protected portfolios extremely well through the declining phases. We have attempted to find low-risk opportunities in the rising periods. We have found some opportunities, missed others. Net of it all, our client portfolios are up 65% before fees, which vary based on portfolio size. For the remainder of the long weak cycle with its huge potential for losses, our operating philosophy will be that it is far better to miss an opportunity than it is to lose any appreciable amount of money. There will always be another opportunity if capital is intact.
Through the twenty-first century so far, bonds have been the premier financial asset category. As a result, investors have recently flocked to bond ownership. At interest rates very close to all-time lows, however, bonds have become a high-risk asset class. They could do relatively well in the years ahead if the economy remains weak, especially if it falls again into recession with a deflationary bias. On the other hand, a stronger economy would almost certainly lead to higher interest rates and bond price losses. Should the monetary authorities attempt to solve the country’s overwhelming debt problems by printing large volumes of money, interest rates could skyrocket. One can make a plausible case for either rising or falling interest rates over the next few years. At today’s extremely low rates, however, the potential gains from steady or declining rates are far smaller than the potential losses from rising rates. It is instructive to remember that when interest rates last began a long rising cycle, bond returns trailed risk-free cash for four decades from the early-1940s to the early-1980s. At these interest rate levels, even top quality bonds can be a very high-risk investment.
We are pleased to have been able to avoid the equity market’s losses in 2011. We will continue to look for low-risk profit opportunities as the ongoing long weak cycle continues. | 2019-04-19T19:07:45Z | http://www.missiontrust.com/blog/2011/ |
After all the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam), comes the Sahaabah (radhiAllaahu anhum) in rank. to have love for the Sahaabah is a part of the Deen and Imaan, and to have hatred and animosity for them is a sign of kufr, nifaaq and fisq.
Just as Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) is the most virtuous person amongst the entire creation, so too is his Ummat the most virtuous Ummat from amongst all the previous Ummats. You are the best of Ummats, that has been taken out for the guidance of mankind. This factor is proven from the Qur`aanic text. From amongst the Ummat, the Sahaabah are the most virtuous.
It is for this reason that the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat hold this belief that after the Ambiyaa (alaihi salaam) the Sahaabah hold the highest rank and virtue. After the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam) the most beloved and accepted persons in the Sight of Allaah Ta`ala are the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam. They were, without doubt, true believers and Muslims. Nauthubillah, Nauthubillah, they were never Munafiqeen. The Qur`aan Shareef and the Ahaadith bear testimony to their sincerity and Imaan. Their end was on Imaan and until Qiyaamah, no other person will ever be able to attain their rank. Just as no Wali can ever reach the status of a Nabi, so too will no Wali ever reach the status of a Sahaabi. In the Qur`aan Shareef, Allaah ta`ala had declared His Pleasure at the Sahaabah. Allaah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.
They were given the glad tidings of Jannat in this very world. Although the Sahaabah were not sinless like the Nabis, we accept as a fact and Haqq that Allaah Ta`ala is pleased with them and that they will enter Jannat. There can be absolutely no reason to doubt this, because this information is mentioned in the Qur`aan Majeed and Ahaadith. Besides them, these two bounties are not mentioned for anyone else. Therefore, these two blessings cannot even be certain for the greatest Wali. It cannot be said with certainty that any person (besides the Ambiyaa and Sahaabah) will enter Jannat. Although on the surface it seems so. The condition and sincerity of the heart, only Allaah Ta`ala knows, and for the Sahaabah, Allaah Ta`ala mentions in the Qur`aan Shareef. Indeed Allaah is pleased with the believers when they took ba`it with you under the tree, thus He knows what is in their hearts.
In this Aayat, Allaah Ta`ala makes clear His Pleasure for the Sahaabah, and He clarifies the state of their hearts. These are those persons who had sincere love for Allaah Ta`ala and His Rasul (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), and they harboured no hypocrisy or duplicity in their hearts. Since this Aayat explains the condition of their hearts, there can be absolutely no slur made on their being hypocrites and only acting to be Muslims.
30367. The Sahaabah were the first persons (of this Ummat) whom Allaah Ta`ala had blessed with the Noor of Imaan and they were the first to witness the excellent personality of Nabi-e-Kareem (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). All Muslims agree that to see Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in a dream is excellent and sublime fortune, so what can be said about those who in every stage of their lives, they saw Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) with love, affection and complete devotion.
30368. Allaah Ta`ala chose the Sahaabah for the service of His beloved Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wsallam). They were also the chosen ones who were instrumental in giving support and credence to Islaam in its initial stages. And We granted them Taqwa, and they were most rightful and deserving of it. And Allaah knows everything.
It is clear that there is no person (in this Ummat) that is more pious and Allaah-fearing than the Sahaabah.
30369. The Qur`aan Majeed was revealed in the presence of the Sahaabah. They were witnesses to the various Surahs and Aayaats that were revealed. Therefore the Sahaabah are the most knowledgeable regarding the Qur`aan Majeed.
30370. The Sahaabah-e-Kiraam were the first to be addressed in the Qur`aan Majeed.
30371. The Sahaabah were the first to hear the Qur`aan Shareef and the Commandments of Allaah Ta`ala from the lips of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam).
30372. Th Sahaabah sacrificed their wealth and lives willingly and selflessly in the Path of Allaah Ta`ala. Owing to their profuse love for Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) they left behind their beloved family and close ones and made Hijrat and they accompanied Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in every step and stage for the upliftment of Islaam. They participated in the battles and cared not for their fathers, children and uncles.
30373. The Qur`aan Shareef, Ahaadith and Laws of the Shariah reached the Ummat via the agency of the Sahaabah. If the Sahaabah had not compiled the Qur`aan Shareef and not related the Ahaadith, then the Ummat would have been deprived of all these blessings. The Sahaabah were the intermediaries between the Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) and the rest of the Ummat.
30374. The Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (radhiAllaahu anhum) had raised the flag of Islaam in this world. They did not leave a stone unturned in trying to convey the Message to the Ummat. After the demise of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), whoever became a Muslim, became indebted to the Sahaabah. They had reached such a stage that after anyone makes the Ziyaarat of the grave of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), then their Ziyaarat is also made. Just like how the Sahaabah are virtuous and honourable, so too, after them are the Taabi`een.
30375. In the Qur`aan Majeed, wherever there appears virtuous qialities for the believers, they refer firstly to the Sahaabah, and then to the rest of the Ummat, like the Ulama, Pious ones, Walis, etc. Amongst these qualities are: Mu`mineen, Muslimeen, Muttaqeen, Saadiqeen, Siddiqeen, Shuhadaa, Saaliheen, Qaaniteen, Saabireen, Shaakireen, Taai`been, Aabideen, Raaki`een, Saajideen, Aamireen anil Ma`roof, Naaheen anil Munkar, etc., etc.
30376. Just like how the virtues and description of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) appears in the Tawraat and Injeel, so too do the qualities and descriptions of the Sahaabah appear in the Tawraat and Injeel.
30377. There are numerous Aayaat which testify to the everlasting pleasure that Allaah Ta`ala has for them. There is announcement of Allaah=s Pleasure for them, without any conditions. As for those who will come after them, there is a condition attached that if they follow the Sahaabah with sincerity, then they will also attain the Pleasure of Allaah Ta`ala. As Allaah Ta`ala says: The predecessors and those who came first from amongst the Muhaajireen and Ansaar and those who follow them with sincerity, Allaah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him... In this Aayat, Allaah Ta`ala firstly declares His Pleasure for the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar and secondly they are promised the everlasting gardens of Jannat, then thirdly is the promise of the Pleasure of Allaah ta`ala for those who come after the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, provided that they are sincere and they follow in their footsteps.
30378. Indeed the Rasul and those with him who believe, strive (in the Path of Allaah) with their wealth and their selves. For them is goodness and they are the successful ones. Allaah has prepared for them gardens, beneath which rivers flow, they will remain therein forever. This is the Great Success.
In this Aayat, Allaah Ta`ala has promised four things for the Nabi and those who follow him; firstly charity and Zakaat, secondly complete success, thirdly Jannat and fourthly a Great Success.
30379. And those who believe and make Hijrat and strive in the Path of Allaah, and those who granted shelter and assisted, they are the True Believers, for them is forgiveness and an honourable sustenance.
In this Aayat, Allaah ta`ala has stated the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar as true and firm believers. He has promised them forgiveness and a honourable sustenance. They were not hypocrites.
30380. Muhammad, the Rasul of Allaah, and those with him are stern upon the kuffaar, but compassionate amongst themselves. You will see them making ruku and sajdah, seeking Bounty from Allaah and His Pleasure. The signs on their faces are the effects of (their) sajdahs. A description of them is in the Tawraah. But their description in the Injeel is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting its sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allaah has promised those amongst them who believe and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Jannat).
In this Aayat is a high praise for the Sahaabah and it shows that just as there is mention made of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in the Tawraah and the Injeel, so too is there mention made of the Sahaabah. Whoever harbours hatred and malice for the Sahaabah are kaafir.
In conclusion, after Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in rank, comes the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam. And just as following Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) is tantamount to obeying Allaah Ta`ala, so too, following the Sahaabah is tantamount to obeying Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). Just like the example and Sunnat of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) cannot be separated from Allaah Ta`ala, so too can the example and Sunnat of the Sahaabah not be separated from Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). This Deen has reached us via them. Those who do not accept the Sahaabah and belie them, should indicate as to how this Deen has reached them!
There is a consensus of opinion amongst the Ahle Haqq that the best and most virtuous person is Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), thereafter all the Ambiyaa and thereafter is the first Khalifah of Islaam, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radhiallaahu anhu). After him comes, Hadhrat Umar Farouq (radhiAllaahu anhu), thereafter is Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) and then Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). There respective virtues are in keeping with their sequence of Khilaafat.
My Ummat will never unite on deviation.
In the initial stages of the mashwera, the Ansaars opined the following: There should be an Ameer from amongst us and one from amongst you (Muhaajireen).
The Ansaar reasoned that the Khilaafat should be based upon tribal leadership, as was the custom of the Arabs. That the leader should be from their tribe. However, Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) explained to the Ansaar with proof and evidence, and told them that during the final illness of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) he appointed Hadhrat Au Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) as the Imaam and leader of the Muslims, and that Salaat is one of the most important fundamentals of Islaam. Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) appointed Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) to take his place in the Salaat, hence the same person upon whom the Rasul of Allaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) chose and placed in front, we (Sahaabah) cannot place him at the back. We should also place this personality in front. Also, since Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) was from amongst the Muhaajireen, so your Khalifah should also be from amongst the Muhaajireen, and the best Muhaajir is the one who Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) gave preference to and made the Imaam of the Muslims. Thereafter, the Ansaar also willingly took ba`it at the hands of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). The Ansaar did not have any fear for the Muhaajireen, since they were in the majority in Madinah Munawwarah. They were more wealthy and affluent in the society than the Muhaajireen. If the Ansaar refused to take ba`it at the hands of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu), then the Muhaajireen were helpless at trying to force them to take ba`it, since they did not have the necessary means and power at their disposal. This proves that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) had such a great status and position amongst the Sahaabah that everyone willingly took ba`it at his hands and readily accepted him as their leader. If Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) did not have the necessary qualifications of knowledge, intellect, etc., etc. then he would not have enjoyed this standing in the eyes of the Sahaabah, and would not have been the natural choice for Khilaafat. The fact that the Ansaar readily accepted the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) and they followed him unflinchingly bears testimony to this fact that they also regarded him as the most reliable and most suited for the duty of Khilaafat. Had this not been their opnion, they would not have accepted his Khilaafat. Some Ulama even opine that the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was indicated clearly by the words and actions of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). At the time of Rasulullaah=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) final illness, he clearly appointed Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) as his deputy. The Shiahs aver contrary to this and say that Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) chose Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) as his deputy.
The truth of the matter is that no clear and definite proof can be found where Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) had appointed a deputy after him. Neither did he appoint Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) nor Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). Nevertheless, regarding Nabi=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) preference of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) can be found indirectly. The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat are unanimous on this that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) as the first choice in Khilaafat and the implications of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) support this and are indicative of the same. The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat forward these implicative actions of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) as a proof and support. Otherwise, the consensus of the Sahaabah which is the best and most authoritative proof is not in need of any further proofs.
If there was any clear text and proof (from Allaah Ta`ala or Nabi - sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), there would have been absolutely no need for the slight difference between the Muhaajireen and Ansaar about There should be an Ameer from amongst us and one from amongst you (Muhaajireen).
Also, if there was any definite proof regarding the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu), then the Sahaabah would most certainly have forwarded it. If there existed such clear proof and the Sahaabah concealed it then Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) would most certainly have mentioned it and the Ansaar would then have definitely have followed him, also considering that he was a close family member of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) and the Ansaar had great respect for the Banu Haashim. Also, we see that during the skirmish with Hadhrat Mu`aawiyah (radhiAllaahu anhu), the Ansaar stood by Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). If the Shiahs aver that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) concealed such information (of his Khilaafat) due to the concept of Taqiyah (Shiah doctrine of Holy hypocrisy), then we will reply by saying that it is against the grain and honour of Hadhrat Ali, the Lion of Allaah (radhiAllaahu anhu) to conceal anything. Also, to adopt Taqiyah at such a stage when the Ansaar were in the majority in Madinah Tayyibah and they were all lovers of the Banu Haashim, is plain cowardice. And a coward is not worthy for Khilaafat. According to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) never adopted Taqiyah, he was known as the >Lion of Allaah=. Besides Allaah Ta`ala he feared none. Even if we assume for a moment that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) had adopted Taqiyah, then he would most certainly have divulged this information at the time when he became Khalifah. He would not have, whilst he was based in Kufa, lauded so much of praise upon Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma).
The basis of virtue is on precedence and being first. As far as virtue and perfection is concerned, that person succeeds who sets the precedent. This is the rule of thumb, in both, worldly and Deeni matters; that is >first come first served=. Whoever comes second will be placed second. Whoever comes later will be placed in ranks accordingly. Whoever lags behind, will be placed behind correspondingly. Allaah Ta`ala says: And the first of those who preceded from amongst the Muhaajireen and Ansaar. This indicates this principle.
Now based on this we look at Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). In every respect, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) came first and preceded the others. He was the first to accept Islaam and bring Imaan. He was the first to render service and aid to Islaam. He was the first to sacrifice wealth and soul for the service of Allaah Ta`ala and His Rasul (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). It was as though in every sphere of Deen, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was the first. Everyone else followed him and came after. He was the teacher to those who followed. Whatever those who followed attained, was attained through the blessings of the predecessor.
30381. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was the first person to accept Islaam and bring Imaan on Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Khadija Kubra (radhiAllaahu anha) was the pure and chaste wife of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) and Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) was a young man who had grown up on Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam)=s lap. Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) was Nabi=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) freed slave and servant. Their acceptance of Imaan was not a matter of excellence, since they were subordinate to Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) or they grew up in front of him. It was beyond their power or natural dispositions to reject the invitation of Imaan. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was leader of his tribe and he was an affluent and notable person in the community. He was not subservient to anybody. He was completely free to accept or refute the invitation. He was not forced to accept the Message. After proclaiming Nubuwwat, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) first went to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu), from amongst the >outsiders=. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) immediately accepted the Message with firm conviction and a sincere heart. He accepted the Message without any hesitation. He immediately entered the fold of Islaam.
30382. Immediately upon accepting Imaan, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) joined and assisted Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in da`wat and tabligh. For the first 13 years, he was partner to Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in every difficulty and hardship. He always accompanied Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in his effort of da`wat and tabligh.
Hadhrat Uthmaan, Talha, Sa`ad, Zubair, Sa`eed, Khabbaab (radhiAllaahu anhum) .
30383. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) sacrificed his entire wealth and fortune upon Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). This virtue of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was not shared by anyone else. For the two years when the Muslims were exiled in the valley of Abu Taalib, it was the wealth of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) that came to their assistance. Those Muslims who were suffering at the hands of the kuffaar, it was the wealth and assistance of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) that came to their rescue. Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) said at the time of his final illness: There is not anyone from amongst the people who surpassed and excelled Abu Bakr Bin Abi Quhaafa in (sacrificing) their selves and wealth.
He (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) also said: No wealth has benefited me more than the wealth of Abu Bakr. In short, there was none that surpassed Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) in sacrificing their bodies and wealth for Islaam. At that time, Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) was still young, who due to the constrained circumstances of his father, Abu Taalib, was living with Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) and he could not and did not offer any assistance at that time. He was also not physically equipped (in body) to withstand the difficulties and hardships imposed on Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) by the kuffaar.
30384. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) remained close to Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in the battles and expeditions, just like how a head-minster remains with the king. During the battle of Badr, a separate >hut= was constructed for Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), and during this time, it was Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) that remained with him whilst the remainder of the army were on the battlefield. Nabi=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) head was placed in Sajdah and he was making du`aa and it was Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) who was consoling him. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) accompanied Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in every battle. There is not a single battle or journey undertaken by Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) wherewith Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was not there. During bloody battles like Uhud and Hunain, many great Sahaabah were shaken, but the feet of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) always remained firm and steadfast.
30385. The relationship of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was such as would be the relationship of a king with his closest confidant and minister. If there arose any matter that needed mashwera or advice, he would consult with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). Whenever Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) stood up, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) stood up with him. Whenever Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) sat down, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) sat down with him on his right side. Whenever Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) used to make du`aa, then Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) used to say >Ameen= to it. Whenever any person experienced any difficulty, they would approach Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) through the agency of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). In Surah Tawbah, the Aayat ..the second of the two, when they were in the cave... Bears testimony to the fact that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) came second to Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). During his final illness, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) mentioned in his Khutbah, that all the doors and openings to the Masjid be closed, except the door of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). He further said that if he were to take any friend and close companion then he would have chosen Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu), but he had already taken Allaah Ta`ala as that close compatriot. The love and compassion of Allaah Ta`ala had so much overtaken and overwhelmed his heart that there remained absolutely no place for anyone else. Allaah had not placed two hearts in the bosom of man.
He ordered those present to instruct Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) to make Imaamat in place of him. It is reported in some narrations that Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) asked for pen and paper so he could write something down and said that he feared that there may be those with desires who will fall (prey) to their desires after his demise. That is desire for the Khilaafat. This request to write something was later rescinded. He said: Allaah and the believers reject all besides Abu Bakr. (i.e. besides the Khila afat of Abu Bakr, that of anyone else will not be acceptable, hence there was no need to write anything down).
Even the kuffaar acknowledged the fact that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) was the closest confidant of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). At the time of Nabi=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) Hijrat to Madinah, the kuffaar offered a joint reward for the capture of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). The kuffaar did not make any such announcement regarding Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). After the departure of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) from Makkah, Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) remained in Makkah but the kuffar did not do anything.
These were the indications and signs that the Sahaabah understood as being Nabi=s (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) tacit appointment of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) as his successor, and they all readily accepted him as their Khalifa. They followed him with heart and soul. Those Sahaabah that were not present at Saqeefah Bani Sa`ada, later took ba` it at the hands of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu). Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) was busy in the preparations of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) burial, hence he was not present at Saqeefah Bani Sa`ada, he took ba`it later on.
The Shiahs aver that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) concealed his Khilaafat due to Taqiyah. According to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) never adopted Taqiyah, he was known as the >Lion of Allaah=. Besides Allaah Ta`ala he feared none. Even if we assume for a moment that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) had adopted Taqiyah, then he would most certainly have divulged this information at the time when he became Khalifah. He would not have, whilst he was based in Kufa, lauded so much of praise upon Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma). Also at the time of his expedition against Hadhrat Mu`aawiya (radhiAllaahu anhu) he would have disclosed this information.
Imaam Zehni mentions that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu), during his reign of Khilaafat professed his respect and admiration for Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma), and he declared them as being the best of this Ummat. More than 80 persons reported this from Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). May Allaah Ta`ala disgrace the Raafidhis (Shiahs), who are so ignorant that they do not even listen to Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). Imaam Zehni mentions via an authentic chain of narrators that Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) said : It has reached me that some persons are giving me preference over Abu Bakr and Umar. Whoever you find giving me excellence and virtue over Abu Bakr and Umar, then know that he is a liar. His punishment will be that of a liar.
Daar-e-Qutni reports from Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu): If I find anyone giving me preference over Abu Bakr and Umar, then I will give him as many lashes as a liar deserves (i.e. 80 lashes).
It is reported in Bukhari Shareef that once Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) said: The best person after Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) is Abu Bakr, then Umar and then another person. His son, Muhammad Bin Hanifah said: Then you (O father). He (Hadhrat Ali - radhiAllaahu anhu) said: Indeed I am a man from amongst the Muslims.
After Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu), comes Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) in rank. It is for this reason that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) appointed Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) as Khalifah on his death-bed. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) wrote a bequest regarding this, and he gave all the believers the order to follow and obey Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu). Due to the stern nature of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu), the people told Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) that what answer will he give to Allaah Ta`ala because he appointed a sharp-natured person as the Khalifah. He replied that he will say to Allaah Ta`ala that he had appointed the best Allaah-fearing person as the Khalifah.
This is also borne out by the Ahaadith, in that many Ahaadith mention the names of Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhuma) together with that of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). The name of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) always comes before that of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu). In all the multitudes of Ahaadith, there is not a single one where the name of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) is not before that of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu).
One of the specialities of the Shaikhain is that in many Ahaadith, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) mentions their names togther with his. This makes abundantly apparent that the two of them enjoy special status by him (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). Besides these two, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) did not mention his name together with any other Sahaabi. The second speciality of these two Sahaabah is that even after their deaths, they are together with Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in that their graves are all side by side. This is an honour which is not enjoyed by any other Sahaabi.
The rank of "Khatinain" after that of "Shaikhain"
The rank of Khatinain, i.e. Hadhrat Uthmaan and Ali (radhiAllaahu anhuma) comes after that of Shaikhain, i.e. Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma). Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma) are called > Shaikhain=, and Hadhrat Uthmaan and Ali (radhiAllaahu anhuma) are called >Khatinain=. The meaning of >Khatan= is son-in-law. Both these Sahaabah were the sons-in-law of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) was also known as >Zun Nurain= (the holder of two lights), because he married two daughters of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), one after the demise of the other.
After the assassination attempt on Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu), he called six Sahaabah to one side and told them to choose a Khalifah from amongst themselves. All of them were deserving of the post of Khilaafat. these six were: Hadhrat Uthmaan, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Sa`ad Bin Abi Waqqaas, Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf (radhiAllaahu anhum).
After the demise of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) these six Sahaabah got together and Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf, Talha, Zubair (radhiAllaahu anhum) said the following and stood up: Besides Uthmaan and Ali none other is worthy of the post of Khilaafat.
Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf (radhiAllaahu anhu) was assigned the task of choosing between these two. He told these two Sahaabah that they should go to their homes, and after having consulted with the others, they will be informed of the outcome. When these two Sahaabah went to their homes, Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf (radhiAllaahu anhu) went to them individually and told them that if either of them were to be selected as Khalifah, the other must willingly accept the result and take ba`it at his hand.
He act in full accordance to the Qur`aan Kareem and the Sunnat of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), that he spend all his energy and effort in the progress and success of the Ummat, both in worldly and Deeni terms, that he follow the pattern laid out by Shaikhain during their respective periods of reign. Refer to Bukhari page 1070.
After Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf consulted with the senior Sahaabah, the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar, he appoint ed Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) as the Khalifah. After everyone had completed their Fajr Salaat, Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf (radhiAllaahu anhu) told Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) to ascend the Mimbar. Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan then addressed the Sahaabah and told them that after he had consulted with the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar, they had all come to the conclusion that at that time none was more qualified to take the position of Khilaafat than Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu). First to take the ba`it was Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) and thereafter all the other Sahaabah followed suit. All the Sahaabah were unanimous on this that Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) was the most suited for Khilaafat, even over Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). There was no doubt in their regarding Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) as the most virtuous. Without any hesitation and arguments they all agreed on the excellence of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu). Allaama Taftaazaani says that if there was any doubt in the virtuousness of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) over Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu), then it would have been brought out by the Sahaabah. Hence the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat agree that Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) holds a higher rank than Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu).
It is reported in Bukhari Shareef that once Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhum) were on Mount Uhud when it began to shake. Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) said: AO Uhud, stop! Today there is on top of you a Nabi, a Siddique and two Shuhadaa.@ The Nabi was Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), the Siddique was Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) and the two Shuhadaa were Hadhrat Umar and Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhuma). In this Hadith, the names of Hadhrat Umar and Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhuma) are joint indicating that after Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) in rank, comes Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu). After Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) comes Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu).
Hadhrat Mu`aawiyah (radhiAllaahu anhu) thought the murderers to be some trouble-makers and Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu) regarded them as rebels. If rebels surrender themselves, then whatever acts they had perpetrated during their time of rebellion is not accountable, and there is no Qisaas or liability upon them. The insight and foresight of Hadhrat Ali (RadhiAllaahu anhu) was indeed very deep and profound.
Imaam Abul Hasan As`hari (Rahmatullahi alaih) states that the virtue of Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma) is above that of the rest of the Ummah and this is certain (absolute/final/binding).
However, as for the virtue of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) over Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu), that is not absolute. The ruling of the four Aimmah-e-Mujtahiddeen, is that Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) is more higher in rank than Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). Some Ulama have opted to remain silent on this issue and not say anything definite, because of the various virtues that are enumerated regarding Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). Qaadhi Iyaadh says that it is reported from Imaam Maalik (rahmatullahi alaih) regarding this issue that he has opted for silence. Nevertheless, thereafter he had taken a leaning towards opting for Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu). Imaam Qurtubi (rahmatullahi alaih) says that this is the correct view, Insha-Allaah.
The object of this statement was not that he had doubt regarding this matter, but rather because during the Khilaafat of Khatinain there was uprisings and mischief, and many people=s hearts started getting turned away from these two illustrious Sahaabah. In order to combat this feeling of disillusionment amongst the masses he used the word AMuhabbat@ (love) for these two Sahaabah. Imaam Saheb never intended hesitation, in fact the Kitaabs of Hanafi Fiqh are replete with the order of ranking of the Sahaabah. In conclusion, the Fuqahaa have sated that the highest rank goes to Shaikhain and this is absolute, and then after them comes Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) in rank. It is for this reason that the Fuqahaa have not placed Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) with Shaikhain, because his rank is a bit lower than theirs.
Next in rank from amongst the Sahabah after the Khulafaa-e-Raashideen are those Sahaabah regarding whom Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) had given the glad tidings of Jannat. They are known as the >Ashara-e -Mubassharah.
Regarding them Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in one gathering mentioned their names one by one. They are: The four Khulafaa-e-Raashideen, Hadhrat Sa`ad Bin Abi Waqqaas, Abdur Rahmaan Bin Auf, Abu Ubaidah Bin Jarrah, Sa`eed Bin Zaid, Talha and Zubair (radhiAllaahu anhum ajmaeen).
These ten Sahaabah are the best and highest ranked amongst the entire Ummat. They are from amongst the leaders of the Quraish and they are close and family members of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). They are from amongst the first in Islaam. Their family connections and personal qualities were reasons for the strengthening of Islaam. After they accepted Islaam they sacrificed their bodies, souls and wealth for the Deen. They accompanied Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in every battle after their respective acceptances into Islaam. The benefit that Islaam had reaped by these ten personalities was not surpassed by any other person.
Because Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) mentioned all these ten names at one time, and gave them the glad tidings of Jannat, they are known as >Ashara-e-Mubassharah=. Besides these ten, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) had also given the glad tidings of Jannat to other Sahaabah, on an individual basis. Like Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiAllaahu anha), Hadhrat Hasan and Hussein, Hadhrat Khadija, Aisha, Hamza, Abbaas, Salmaan, Hubaib, Ammaar Bin Yaasir (radhiAllaahu anhum ajmaeen).
Indeed Allaah Ta`ala is well pleased with the participants in Badr. Then He said: You (participants of Badr) may do as you please, because indeed Allaah has forgiven your sins.
Therefore, Allaah Ta`ala assisted the Muslims in this battle by sending down 5 000 angels to assist them. These participants in Badr, since they were treading in the footsteps of the Nabis, they were told that whatever they desired to do they may do so. This statement is not said to anybody and everybody. It was said to those pious servants of Allaah Ta`ala, who were completely firm in their steadfastness (radhiAllaahu anhum).
The Ashara-e-Mubassharah also participated in this battle, for the exception of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu). His wife, the daughter of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) was very ill at that time, and he, although ready to join Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), was ordered to remain behind in Madinah and look after his wife. Nevertheless, Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) included him amongst the Mujaahideen and he also received a share in the booty (spoils of war).
Since the Sashara-e-Mubasshrah are higher in rank than the participants of Badr, their names were mentioned individually and given the glad tidings of Jannat and the rest of the Participants of Badr were told that they have been forgiven.
After them in rank, comes the participants of the Battle of Uhud. It was in this battle that the blessed teeth of Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) were martyred. The leader of Martyrs, Hadhrat Hamza (radhiAllaahu anhu) along with 70 other Sahaabah were martyred in this battle. The Ashara-e-Mubassharah also participated in this battle.
Indeed Allaah is pleased with the believers, when they took ba`it with you beneath the tree. He knows that (sincerity) in their hearts.
In this Aayat, Allaah Ta`ala speaks of the sincerity of the Sahaabah. It is this sincerity that is highly lauded. Hence, the putrid claim of the Shiahs that the Sahaabah (Nauthubillah!) only displayed an outer facade of Imaan, but they had hypocrisy in their hearts. This Aayat refutes all such rotten and rancid claims of the Shiahs.
Indeed the most honourable amongst you in the Sight of Allaah is the one who has the most Taqwa.
Those Muslims who have seen our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and have died as Muslims, are known as Sahabah. Very great virtues have been mentioned with regard to them. We have to love and think good of all of them. If we hear of any dispute or conflict among them, we should regard it as a misunderstanding or a miscalculation. We should not speak any ill of them. The greatest among them are four Companions: Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq radiallahu anhu. He took the place of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and supervised the matters of the Deen. He is therefore called the first Khalifah. He is the best person in the entire ummat. After him comes Hadrat Umar radiallahu anhu. He is the second Khalifah. After him is the third Khalifah, Hadrat Uthman radiallahu anhu. After him is the fourth Khalifah, Hadrat Ali radiallahu anhu.
The status of the Sahabah is so high that even the greatest of walis cannot reach a stage equal to the lowest Sahabi.
All the children and wives of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam are worthy of respect. Among his children, Hadrat Fatima radiallahu anha has the highest status. Among his wives, Hadrat Khadija and Hadrat Aisha radiallahu anhuma have the highest status. | 2019-04-24T02:15:34Z | https://tazkia.org/en/beliefs/beliefs-related-to-sahaba |
I’ve used RSS feeds for quite awhile now to keep up with blogs I enjoy. I also use it to follow scholarly journals of interest. Unfortunately, my current feed reader of choice (Digg Reader) is shutting down.
This is the second time my feed reader has shuttered (I used Google Reader before that shut down as well). Another particular problem I never really solved was link rot. Google reader has some metrics where you could see old feeds that have not had any new posts for awhile. Digg had no such service, and I tried my hand at writing python code to do this myself, but that code never quite worked out.
To partially replace this service instead of migrating to another feed reading service I will give Twitter a shot. Twitter is a bit chaotic from what I can tell — I much prefer the spreadsheet like listing of just a title to peruse news and events of interest in the morning. I had been using Google+ and like it (yes, I know I’m one of those nerds), but it is a bit of a ghost-town. So I will migrate entirely over to Twitter and give it a shot.
So the blog has continued to show linear growth in terms of views over time, I take a good hit though in December.
I only ended up writing 35 new posts in 2017 (that includes things that are not blog posts, like pages I created for new classes). For comparison in 2015 I wrote 50, and 2016 I wrote 40. I’ve managed to be pretty consistent though over time, here is the cumulative total over time.
That is more or less what I aim for, to just have some content every few weeks.
There is not much to say in terms of popular posts on the site for the year. My most popular posts are ones I’ve written in previous years. I did not have any post this year gain a large number of viewers when it was first written. It is just a slow accumulation of around 200 views per day, mostly people being referred via Google searches.
I wanted to analyze the topics I’ve written about over time, so I grabbed all of the tags I’ve placed on posts. I collapsed both categories and tags, as I don’t really make much of a distinction when I pick them. Here is a graph of the number of posts that have that tag and the page views (this will double count page views, for example a post could have both SPSS and Data Visualization). None refers to pages that are not blog posts, like my home page and pages I created for class syllabi.
If we look at the ratio though, you can see my scholarly posts are mostly ignored, only in total do they accumulate much viewing.
My posts on showing how to use various google maps services with python must be reasonably high in Google searches, as I get a slow trickle of hits for them every day. The high uncertainty is driven by my ratios need to be plotted on log scales post.
I tried to analyze whether the content of my posts substantively has changed over time. I suspected since I took my job at Dallas my posts swayed more towards paper/scholarly (the tag I use for academic related things) and more away from technical computing stuff. I have too few of posts though (and too many tags) to easily make sense of it. Taking only tags that are included on 30 or more posts, here are the counts of those tags over time.
About the only clear trend is that scholarly has risen with SPSS dropping, the other frequent categories though look to me to be fairly consistent. I could spend more time grouping the tags into thematic content, but I have too many other things I need to do (including writing other blog posts)!
So most of the posts go relatively unnoticed, and even when they do get shared it at best a few hundred views in a day or two after it is posted. Being on my home page probably gets all of my posts abit of exposure for a week or two. But looking at the long haul many of my tutorial SPSS, python, and R posts get a fair amount of traffic. Or at least enough to continue to motivate me to write more posts!
As always, I don’t have a real fixed schedule I plan to write posts, nor any real roadmap of what I plan to blog about. I will say though doing my tour on the job market it has been interesting to get some recognition for what I post on the blog. It is mainly students who have asked me about it, but I’ve have some folks mention it at conferences as well.
I was recently re-reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and it re-reminded me of why I do not like to listen to music in the workplace. The thesis in Pirsig’s book (in regards to listening to music) is simple; you can’t concentrate entirely on the task at hand if you have music distracting you. So those who value their work tend to not have idle distractions like music playing (and be all engrossed in their work).
I have worked in various shared workspaces (cubicles and shared offices) for quite a while now, and I do have a knack for going off into space and ignoring all of the background noise around me. But I still do not like listening to music, even though I have learned to cope with the situation. At this point I prefer the open office workspace, as there at least is no illusion of privacy. When I worked at a cubicle someone coming behind me and scaring me was basically a daily thing.
Scott Adams, the artist of the Dilbert comic, had a recent blog post saying that music is the lesser evil compared to constant distractions via the internet (email, facebook, twitter, etc.) This I can understand as well, and sometimes I turn off the wi-fi to try to get work done without distraction. I don’t see how turning on music helps, but given its prevalence it may just be differences between myself and other people. I should probably turn off the wi-fi for all but an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon everyday, but I’m pretty addicted to the internet at this point.
It partly depends on the task I am currently working on though how easily I am distracted. Sometimes I can get really engrossed in a particular problem and become obsessed with it to the point you could probably set the office on fire and I wouldn’t notice. For example this programming problem dominated my thoughts for around two days, and I ended up thinking of the general solution while I did not have access to the computer (while I was waiting for my car to get inspected). Most of the time though I can only give that type of concentration for an hour or two a day though, and the rest of the time I am working in a state of easy distraction.
Background music I don’t like, and other ambient noises I can manage to drown out, but background TV drives me crazy. My family was watching videos (on TV and tablets) the other day while I was reading Zen and ironically I became angry, because I was really into the book and wanted to give it my full concentration. I know people who watch TV in bed to go to sleep, and it is giving me a headache just thinking about it while I am writing this blog post.
I highly recommend both Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Scott Adam’s blog. I’m glad I revisited Zen, as it is an excellent philosophical book on the logic of science that did not make much of an impression on me as an undergrad, but I have a much better grasp of it after having my PhD and reading some other philosophy texts (like Popper).
Emailing automated messages using Python was on my bucket list for a few projects, so here I will illustrate how to do that within SPSS. Basically the use case is if you have an automated report generated by SPSS and you want to send that automated report to certain parties (or to yourself while you are away from work). Emailing right within Python cuts out the middle annoying task of having to email yourself.
There are basically two parts of emailing within Python, 1) building the message and 2) opening your server and sending the mail. The latter is pretty simple, the former is quite tedious though. So adapting from several posts around the internet (1,2,3 plus others I don’t remember at this point), here is a function to build the email text.
send_to: A list of email addresses to send to.
So here is an example constructing a message, and I attach three example files. Here I just use my gmail address as both the from and to address. You can uncomment the print MyMsg at the end to see the particular markup, but it is quite long with the base64 attached files.
*Now lets make a message.
fr = us + "@gmail.com"
The second part is opening your email server and sending the message — relatively straight forward. Many people have their python functions for emailing with the username and password as part of the function. This does not make much sense to me, as they will be basically constants for a particular user, so I find it simpler to make the message and then open the server and send it. If you want to send multiple messages it makes more sense to open up the server just once. Below to make it work for yourself you just have to insert your own username and password (and possibly update the port number for your server).
*Now set up the server and send a message.
I don’t have Outlook on any of my personal machines, but hopefully it is just as simple when sending an email through a client as it is through gmail.
2013 was my second year in blogging. I published 40 posts in 2013 (for a total of 72), and my cumulative site views were just a few shy of a 21,000 for the year. I only recieved 7,200 site views in 2012, so the blog has seen a fair bit of growth. The below chart aggregates the site views per month since the beginning (in December 2011) until December 2013. December has been a bit of a dip with only around an average of 60 views per day, but I was up to an average of 78 and 75 views per day in October and November respectively.
The large uptick in March was due to the Junk Charts Challenge being mentioned by Kaiser Fung. I got over 500 site views that day, and have totalled 765 referrals from the JunkCharts domain. This is pretty similar to the bursty behavior I noted on the CV blog, and that one good tweet or mention by a prominent figure will boost visibility by a large margin.
Most of the regular traffic though comes from generic internet searches, mainly for SPSS related material. A few of my earlier posts of Comparing continuous distributions of unequal size groups in SPSS (2,468 total views), Hacking the default SPSS chart template (2,237), and Avoid Dynamite Plots! Visualizing dot plots with super-imposed confidence intervals in SPSS and R (1,542) are some of my most popular posts. The Junk Charts Challenge post has a total of 1,804 views, but it seems to me that it was more of a flood initially and then a trickle as oppossed to the steady views the other posts bring.
Last year I said I would blog about a few topics and failed to write a post about any of them, so I won’t do that again this year. I will however state that I am currently on the job market, as I recently defended my prospectus. If you are aware of a job opportunity you think I would be interested in, or would like to talk to me about a consulting project feel free to send me an email (you can see my CV for my qualifications and brief discussion of past and current consulting services I have provided).
Some sites give advice about maintaining a blog and attracting visitors (such as writing posts so often). My advice is to write quality material, and the rest is just icing on the cake. Hopefully I have more cake for you in the near future.
The original post on remaking a great line chart by Kaiser Fung, with the suggestion that the task (data manipulation and graphing) is easier in Excel.
My response on how to make the chart in SPSS.
Kaiser’s response to my post, in which I doubt I swayed his opinion on using Excel for this task! It appears to me based on the discussion so far the only real quarrel is whether the data manipulation is sufficiently complicated enough compared to the ease of pointing and clicking in Excel to justify using Excel. In SPSS to recreate Kaiser’s chart is does take some advanced knowledge of sorting and using lags to identify the pit and recoveries (the same logic could be extended to the data manipulations Kaiser says I skim over, as long as you can numerically or externally define what is a start of a recession).
All things considered for the internet, discussion has been pretty cordial so far. Although it is certainly sprinkled in my post, I didn’t mean for my post on SPSS to say that the task of grabbing data from online, manipulating it, and creating the graph was in any objective way easier in SPSS than in Excel. I realize pointing-and-clicking in Excel is easier for most, and only a few really adept at SPSS (like myself) would consider it easier in SPSS. I write quite a few tutorials on how to do things in SPSS, and that was one of the motivations for the tutorial. I want people using SPSS (or really any graphing software) to make nice graphs – and so if I think I can add value this way to the blogosphere I will! I hope my most value added is through SPSS tutorials, but I try to discuss general graphing concepts in the posts as well, so even for those not using SPSS it hopefully has some other useful content.
My original post wasn’t meant to discuss why I feel SPSS is a better job for this particular task, although it is certainly a reasonable question to ask (I tried to avoid it to prevent flame wars to be frank – but now I’ve stepped in it at this point it appears). As one of the comments on Kaiser’s follow up notes (and I agree), some tools are better for some jobs and we shouldn’t prefer one tool because of some sort of dogmatic allegiance. To make it clear though, and it was part of my motivation to write my initial response to the challenge post, I highly disagree that this particular task, which entails grabbing data from the internet, manipulating it, and creating a graph, and updating said graph on a monthly basis is better done in Excel. For a direct example of my non-allegiance to doing everything in SPSS for this job, I wouldn’t do the grabbing the data from the internet part in SPSS (indeed – it isn’t even directly possible unless you use Python code). Assuming it could be fully automated, I would write a custom SPSS job that manipulates the data after a wget command grabs the data, and have it all wrapped up in one bat file that runs on a monthly timer.
To go off on a slight tangent, why do I think I’m qualified to make such a distinction? Well, I use both SPSS and Excel on a regular basis. I wouldn’t consider myself a wiz at Excel nor VBA for Excel, but I have made custom Excel MACROS in the past to perform various jobs (make and format charts/tables etc.), and I have one task (a custom daily report of the crime incidents reported the previous day) I do on a daily basis at my job in Excel. So, FWIW, I feel reasonably qualified to make decisions on what tasks I should perform in which tools. So I’m giving my opinion, the same way Kaiser gave his initial opinion. I doubt my experience is as illustruous as Kaiser’s, but you can go to my CV page to see my current and prior work roles as an analyst. If I thought Excel, or Access, or R, or Python, or whatever was a better tool I would certainly personally use and suggest that. If you don’t have alittle trust in my opinion on such matters, well, you shouldn’t read what I write!
So, again to be clear, I feel this is a job better for SPSS (both the data manipulation and creating the graphics), although I admit it is initially harder to write the code to accomplish the task than pointing, clicking and going through chart wizards in Excel. So here I will try to articulate those reasons.
Any task I do on a regular basis, I want to be as automated as possible. Having to point-click, copy-paste on a regular basis invites both human error and is a waste of time. I don’t doubt you could fully (or very near) automate the task in Excel (as the comment on my blog post mentions). But this will ultimately involve scripting in VBA, which diminishes in any way that the Excel solution is easier than the SPSS solution.
The breadth of both data management capabilities, statistical analysis, and graphics are much larger in SPSS than in Excel. Consider the VBA code necessary to replicate my initial VARSTOCASES command in Excel, that is reshaping wide data to stacked long form. Consider the necessary VBA code to execute summary statistics over different groups without knowing what the different groups are beforehand. These are just a sampling of data management tools that are routine in statistics packages. In terms of charting, the most obvious function lacking in Excel is that it currently does not have facilities to make small-multiple charts (you can see some exceptional hacks from Jon Peltier, but those are certainly more limited in functionality that SPSS). Not mentioned (but most obvious) is the statistical capabilities of a statistical software!
So certainly, this particular job, could be done in Excel, as it does not require any functionality unique to a stats package. But why hamstring myself with these limitations from the onset? Frequently after I build custom, routine analysis like this I continually go back and provide more charts, so even if I have a good conceptualization of what I want to do at the onset there is no guarantee I won’t want to add this functionality in later. In terms of charting not having flexible small multiple charts is really a big deal, they can be used all the time.
Admittedly, this job is small enough in scope, if say the prior analyst was doing a regular updated chart via copy-paste like Kaiser is suggesting, I would consider just keeping that same format (it certainly is a lost opportunity cost to re-write the code in SPSS, and the fact that it is only on a monthly basis means to get time recovered if the task were fully automated would take quite some time). I just have personally enough experience in SPSS I know I could script a solution in SPSS quicker from the on-set than in Excel (I certainly can’t extrapolate that to anyone else though).
Part of both my preference and experience in SPSS comes from the jobs I personally have to do. For an example, I routinely pull a database of 500,000 incidents, do some data cleaning, and then merge this to a table of 300,000 charges and offenses and then merge to a second table of geocoded incident locations. Then using this data I routinely subset it, create aggregate summaries, tables, estimate various statistics and models, make some rudimentary maps, or even export the necessary data to import into a GIS software.
For arguments sake (with the exception of some of the more complicated data cleaning) this could be mostly done in SQL – but certainly no reasonable person should consider doing these multiple table merges and data cleaning in Excel (the nice interactive facilities with working with the spreadsheet in Excel are greatly dimished with any tables that take more a few scrolls to see). Statistical packages are really much more than tools to fit models, they are tools for working and manipulating data. I would highly recommend if you have to conduct routine tasks in which you manipulate data (something I assume most analysts have to do) you should consider learning statistical sofware, the same way I would recommend you should get to know SQL.
Ease of directly interacting and editing components of charts and tables (this includes adding in supplementary vector graphics and labels).
Routine data management is not one of them, and only really sparklines and interactive dashboards are functionality in which I would prefer to make an end product in Excel over SPSS (and that doesn’t mean the whole workflow needs to be one software). I clean up ad-hoc tables for distribution in Excel all the time, because (as I said above) editing them in Excel is easier than editing them in SPSS. Again, my opinion, FWIW. | 2019-04-21T16:14:15Z | https://andrewpwheeler.wordpress.com/category/personal-productivity/ |
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2007-08-20 First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=24711388&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US5928279(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Stented tubular grafts of expanded, sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The stented PTFE grafts of the present invention include an integrally stented embodiment, an externally stented embodiment, and an internally stented embodiment. In each embodiment, the stent may be either self-expanding or pressure-expandable. Also, in each embodiment, the stent may be coated or covered with a plastic material capable of being affixed (e.g., heat fused) to PTFE. Manufacturing methods are also disclosed by the individual components of the stented grafts are preassembled on a mandrel and are subsequently heated to facilitate attachment of the PTFE layer(s) to one another and/or to the stent. Optionally, the stented graft may be post-flexed and post-expanded following it's removal from the mandrel to ensure that the stented graft will be freely radially expandable and/or radially contractible over it's full intended range of diameters.
The present invention pertains generally to medical devices and their methods of manufacture, and more particularly to tubular, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts having integral, radially expandable stents, for implantation in a cavities or passageways (e.g., ducts or blood vessels) of the body.
The prior art has included a number of radially expandable stents which may be initially deployed in a radially collapsed state suitable for transluminal insertion via a delivery catheter, and subsequently transitioned to a radially expanded state whereby the stent will contact and engage the surrounding wall or the anatomical duct or body cavity within which the stent has been positioned. Such stents have been used to support and maintain the patency of blood vessel lumens (e.g., as an adjuvant to balloon angioplasty) and to structurally support and/or anchor other apparatus, such as a tubular endovascular grafts, at desired locations within a body cavity or passageway (e.g., to anchor a tubular endovascular graft within a blood vessel such that the graft forms an internal conduit through an aneurysm or site of traumatic injury to the blood vessel wall).
Many stents of the prior art have been formed of individual member(s) such as wire, plastic, metal strips, or mesh which have been bent, woven, interlaced or otherwise fabricated into a generally cylindrical configuration. These stents of the prior art have generally been classified into two major categories--a) self-expanding stents, and b) "pressure expandable" stents.
Self-expanding stents are typically formed of spring metal, shape memory alloy, or other material which is resiliently biased toward it's fully radially expanded configuration or otherwise capable of self-expanding to it's fully radially expanded configuration without the need for the exertion of outwardly directed radial force upon the stent by some extraneous expansion apparatus (e.g., a balloon or mechanical expander tool). These self-expanding stents may be initially radially compressed and loaded into a small diameter delivery catheter or alternatively mounted upon the outer surface of a delivery catheter equipped with some means for restraining or maintaining the stent in it's radially compressed state. Thereafter, the delivery catheter is inserted into the body and is advanced to a position where the stent is located at or near the site at which it is to be implanted. Thereafter, the stent is expelled out of (or released from) the delivery catheter and allowed to self-expand to it's full radial diameter. Such expansion of the stent causes the stent to frictionally engage the surrounding wall of the body cavity or passageway within which the stent has been positioned. The delivery catheter is then extracted, leaving the self-expanded stent at it's intended site of implantation. Some examples of self-expanding stents of the prior art include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,771 (Wallsten et al.); 4,954,126 (Wallsten): 5,061,275 (Wallsten et al.); 4,580,568 (Gianturco); 4,830,003 (Wolf et al.); 5,035,706 (Gianturco et al.) and 5,330,400 (Song).
The pressure-expandable stents of the prior art are typically formed of metal wire, metal strips, or other malleable or plastically deformable material, fabricated into a generally cylindrical configuration. The pressure-expandable stent is initially disposed in a collapsed configuration having a diameter which is smaller than the desired final diameter of the stent, when implanted in the blood vessel. The collapsed stent is then loaded into or mounted upon a small diameter delivery catheter. The delivery catheter is then advanced to its desired location within the vasculature, and a balloon or other stent-expansion apparatus (which may be formed integrally of or incorporated into the delivery catheter) is utilized to exert outward radial force on the stent, thereby radially expanding and plastically deforming the stent to it's intended operative diameter whereby the stent frictionally engages the surrounding blood vessel wall. The material of the stent undergoes plastic deformation during the pressure-expansion process. Such plastic deformation of the stent material causes the stent to remain in its radially expanded operative configuration. The balloon or other expansion apparatus is then deflated/collapsed and is withdrawn from the body separately from, or as part of, the delivery catheter, leaving the pressure-expanded stent at it's intended site of implantation.
Some examples of pressure-expandable stents of the prior art include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,135,536 (Hillstead); 5,161,547 (Tower); 5,292,331 (Boneau); 5,304,200 (Spaulding) and 4,733,665 (Palmaz).
Fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, have been heretofore used for the manufacture of various types of prosthetic vascular grafts. These vascular grafts are typically of tubular configuration so as to be useable to replace an excised segment of blood vessel.
The tubular PTFE vascular grafts of the prior art have traditionally been implanted, by open surgical techniques, whereby a diseased or damaged segment of blood vessel is surgically excised and removed, and the tubular bioprosthetic graft is then anastomosed into the host blood vessel as a replacement for the previously removed segment thereof. Alternatively, such tubular prosthetic vascular grafts have also been used as bypass grafts wherein opposite ends of the graft are sutured to a host blood vessel so as to form a bypass conduit around a diseased, injured or occluded segment of the host vessel.
In general, many tubular prosthetic vascular grafts of the prior art have been formed of extruded, porous PTFE tubes. In some of the tubular grafts of the prior art a PTFE tape is wrapped about and laminated to the outer surface of a tubular base graft to provide reinforcement and additional burst strength. Also, some of the prior tubular prosthetic vascular grafts have included external support member(s) such as a PTFE beading, bonded or laminated to the outer surface of the tubular graft to prevent the graft from becoming compressed or kinked during implantation. These externally supported tubular vascular grafts have proven to be particularly useful for replacing segments of blood vessel which pass through, or over, joints or other regions of the body which undergo frequent articulation or movement.
One commercially available, externally-supported, tubular vascular graft is formed of a PTFE tube having a PTFE filament helically wrapped around, and bonded to, the outer surface of the PTFE tube. (IMPRA Flex™ Graft, IMPRA, Inc., Tempe, Ariz.).
One other commercially available, externally-supported, tubular vascular graft comprises a regular walled, PTFE tube which has PTFE reinforcement tape helically wrapped around, and bonded to, the outer surface of the PTFE tube and individual rings of Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) rings disposed around, and bonded to, the outer surface of the reinforcement tape. (FEP ringed ePTFE vascular graft, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Flagstaff, Ariz.).
The prior art has also included a number of "stented grafts". These stented grafts typically comprise a self-expanding or pressure-expandable stent which is affixed to or formed within a pliable tubular graft. Because of their radial compressibility/expandability, these stented grafts are particularly useable in applications wherein it is desired to insert the graft into an anatomical passageway (e.g., blood vessel) while the graft is in a radially compact state, and to subsequently expand and anchor the graft to the surrounding wall of the anatomical passageway.
More recently, methods have been developed for introducing and implanting tubular prosthetic vascular grafts within the lumen of a blood vessel, by percutaneous or minimal incision means. Such endovascular implantation initially involves translumenal delivery of the graft, in a compacted state, by way of a catheter or other transluminally advancable delivery apparatus. Thereafter, the graft is radially expanded and anchored to the surrounding blood vessel wall, thereby holding the graft at its intended site of implantation within the host blood vessel. An affixation apparatus such as a stent, is typically utilized to anchor at least the opposite ends of the tubular graft to the surrounding blood vessel wall. One particular application for endovascular grafts of this type is in the treatment of vascular aneurysms without requiring open surgical access and resection of the aneurysmic blood vessel. Also, such stented grafts may also be useable to treat occlusive vascular disease--especially in cases where the stented graft is constructed in such a manner that the tubular graft material forms a complete barrier between the stent and the blood which is flowing through the blood vessel. In this manner the tubular graft material may serve as a smooth, biologically compatible, inner "covering" for the stent, thereby preventing a) turbulent blood-flow as the blood flows over the wire members or other structural material of which the stent is formed, b) immunologic reaction to the metal or other material of which the stent is formed, and c) a barrier to separate a diseased or damaged segment of blood vessel from the blood-flow passing therethrough. Such prevention of turbulent blood-flow and/or immunologic reaction to the stent material is believed to be desirable as both of these phenomena are believed to be associated with thrombus formation and/or restenosis of the blood vessel.
Other uses for stented grafts may include restoring patency to, or re-canalizing, other anatomical passageways such as ducts of the biliary tract, digestive tract and/or genito-urinary tract.
Many of the stented grafts known in the prior art have utilized woven or knitted material, such as polyester fiber, as the graft material.
There exists a need for the development of a radially expandable, stented graft formed of a continuous, tubular ePTFE tube because the inherent properties of PTFE may offer various clinical advantages over the woven polyester and other graft materials which have been previously used in stented grafts of the prior art.
The present invention is directed to stented, tubular, PTFE grafts and their methods of manufacture. In general, the present invention may exist in any of three (3) separate embodiments, depending upon whether the stent component of the graft is formed integrally (i.e., within) the tubular PTFE graft, externally (i.e., on the outer surface of) the tubular PTFE graft, or internally (i.e., on the inner lumenal surface) of the PTFE tubular graft. Each of these three separate embodiments of the invention may be self expanding (i.e., incorporating a self-expanding stent) or pressure-expandable (i.e., incorporating a pressure-expandable stent.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided an integrally stented PTFE graft which comprises a tubular PTFE base graft preferably of a density less than 1.6 g/cc, a radially expandable stent surrounding the outer surface of the tubular base graft, and an outer PTFE layer having a density of less than 1.6 g/cc. The tubular outer layer is fused to the tubular base graft through lateral openings or perforations formed in the stent. A polymer coating, such as a PTFE coating, may be disposed on the stent to further facilitate fusing or boding of the stent to the base tube and/or outer tubular layer.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided an externally stented, tubular PTFE graft which comprises a radially compressible/expandable stent having a ePTFE tube of less than 1.6 g/cc density coaxially disposed within the stent, with the outer surface of the tubular ePTFE graft being fused or attached to the stent. A polymer coating, such as PTFE or any other plastic which may be fused or adhered to PTFE, may be applied to or formed on the stent to facilitate the desired fusion or attachment of the tube graft to the stent, and/or to improve the biocompatibility of the stent.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, there is provided an internally stented, tubular PTFE graft comprising a tubular outer layer formed of ePTFE having a density of less than 1.6 g/cc, and a radially expandable stent. The stent is coaxially disposed within the lumen of the tubular outer layer, and fused or attached thereto. The stent may be covered with a polymer coating, such as PTFE or other biocompatable plastic capable of adhering or fusing to PTFE, to facilitate the desired fusion or attachment of the stent to the outer tubular layer, and/or to improve the biocompatability of the stent. Additionally or alternatively, PTFE particles may be disposed between the tubular outer layer and the tubular base graft to facilitate adhering or fusing of these two layers to one another, and/or to the stent. Such PTFE particles may be disposed between the inner base graft and outer tubular layer by applying or depositing PTFE liquid dispersion therebetween, or by depositing dry PTFE resin powder therebetween.
Any of above-summarized three (3) separate embodiments of the invention may be manufactured by a method which comprises the steps of: a) initially positioning a generally cylindrical stent of either the self-expanding or pressure-expandable variety in contacting coaxial relation with the tubular ePTFE base graft and/or the tubular ePTFE outer layer, upon a cylindrical mandrel or other suitable support surface, and b) subsequently fusing the fuse (i.e., heating to a lamination temperature) assembled components (i.e., the stent in combination with the inner base graft and/or outer tubular layer) of the stented graft into a unitary stented graft structure. In integrally stented embodiments where both the tubular ePTFE base graft and the tubular ePTFE outer layer are present, such heating will additionally cause the tubular outer layer to fuse to the inner tubular base graft, through lateral openings or perforations which exist in the stent. The stent may be surface treated, abraded, or coated with a plastic capable of adhering or fusing to ePTFE to facilitate attachment of the stent to the adjacent outer layer and/or inner base graft upon subsequent heating, application of solvent or other suitable adhesion promoting technique. In instances where a plastic coating is formed on the stent, such coating may be in the nature of a tube or film which is applied to the stent prior to assembly and mounting of the stented graft components on the mandrel or other support surface. Also, in embodiments where both the outer tubular layer and tubular base graft are used, aqueous PTFE dispersion, powdered PTFE resin or other flowable plastic material, may be deposited between the outer tubular layer and inner tubular base graft at the time of assembly (prior to heating) to further facilitate fusion of the outer tubular layer and/or inner tubular base graft to the stent and/or to one another.
By the above-described materials and methods of construction, the stented PTFE grafts of the present invention are capable of radially expanding and contracting without excessive puckering, wrinkling or invagination of the PTFE graft material. Furthermore, in embodiments wherein the stent is constructed of individual members which move or reposition relative to one another during respective expansion and contraction of the stented graft, the manufacturing methods and materials of the present invention render the PTFE sufficiently strong and sufficiently firmly laminated or fused so as to permit such relative movement of the individual members of the stent without tearing or rupturing of the tubular PTFE graft.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integrally stented PTFE tubular graft of the present invention, wherein a portion of the graft has been inserted into a tubular catheter.
FIG. 1a is an enlarged perspective view of a segment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, cut-away, elevational view of a preferred, integrally stented, tubular PTFE graft of the present invention.
FIG. 3a is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the stent incorporated in the graft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3b is an enlarged cross-sectional view through line 3b-3d of FIG. 3a.
FIGS. 4a-4f are a step-by-step illustration of a preferred method for manufacturing an integrally stented PTFE graft of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative electron beam deposition method which is usable for depositing PTFE coating on the stent portion of the integrally stented PTFE grafts of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative heating apparatus which is useable in the manufacture of the integrally stented PTFE grafts of the present invention.
The following detailed description is provided for the purpose of describing and illustrating presently preferred embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to exhaustively describe all possible embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3b, there is shown an integrally stented tubular PTFE graft 10 of the present invention. The preferred integrally stented graft 10 comprises a tubular PTFE base graft 12, a PTFE-coated stent 14 and an outer layer of PTFE 16.
One of the many types of stents which may be used to form the stent 14 component of a stented graft 10 of the present invention, is shown in the drawings. This particular stent 14 is formed of individual elements or wires 18 which have been coated with a PTFE coating 20. Gaps or lateral openings 19 exist between adjacent ones or bundles of the wires 18. The configuration, construction, and function of this stent 14 is described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,771 Wallsten); 4,954,126 (Wallsten); and 5,061,275 (Wallsten et al.), the entireties of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. As shown in the figures of this patent application, this particular stent 14 is composed of rigid but resiliently flexible thread elements or wires 18. These thread elements or wires 18 are formed of metal, such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, nickel or molybdenum, wherein the alloying residue is iron. One specific example of a commercially available alloy which may is usable to form the wires 18 of the stent 14 is Elgiloy (The Elgiloy Company, 1565 Fleetwood Drive, Elgin, Ill. 60120). The wires 18 of this stent 14 are arranged in helical configuration about a common longitudinal axis LA. A number of the wires 18 are positioned in substantially parallel relation to one another, but are axially displaced relative to each other. By such arrangement, some of the wires 18 are wound in a first helical direction, while others are wound in a second or opposite helical direction such that they cross on opposite sides of adjacent ones of the wires wound in the first helical direction so as to form a helically braided wire stent as shown in the Figures. This results in the formation of a braided wire stent 14 of generally tubular configuration which is self-expanding and biased to it's radially expanded diameter D2. However, this stent 14 may be radially compressed to a smaller diameter D1 and radial constraint, as may be applied by the surrounding wall of the tubular delivery catheter 22 shown in FIG. 1, may be applied to hold the stent 14 in such radially compressed state (diameter D1). Thereafter, when the radial constraint is removed from the stent 14, the stent 14 will resiliently spring back to its radially expanded diameter D2. The individual, helically wound wires 18 of this particular braided stent 14 move and articulate such that the angular dispositions of the wires 18, relative to one another, will change radial expansion and compression of the stent 14. Also, the longitudinal length of the stent 14 will increase as the stent 14 is radially compressed toward its radially compact configuration D1, and such length will shorten as the stent 14 expands toward its radially expanded configuration D2. Thus, the optional PTFE coating 20 is applied to the wires 18 of the stent 14, such coating (described in detail herebelow) is preferably flexible enough to withstand the flexing and movement of the individual wires 18 without cracking or degrading.
The tubular base graft 12 is initially coaxially positioned within the hollow inner bore of the tubular stent 14 while the stent 14 is in its radially expanded configuration, after the stent 14 has been coated with the PTFE coating 20, if desired. Thereafter, the outer PTFE layer 16 is formed by any suitable means, such as by wrapping PTFE tape 17 upon the outer surface of the PTFE coated stent 14 to form the generally tubular outer PTFE layer 16. Thereafter, heat or other means are utilized to fuse the outer PTFE layer 16 to the inner base graft 12, through the gaps or openings 19 which exist in the stent 14. In embodiments wherein the optional PTFE coating 20 has been applied to the stent 14, such heating will also facilitate bonding of the PTFE coating 20 of the stent 14 to the adjacent base graft 12 and outer PTFE layer 16. In this manner, there is formed a self-expanding, tubular, integrally stented, PTFE graft 10 of substantially unitary constructions. The stent 14 forms an integral structural framework within the tubular graft 10, and the fused PTFE body of the graft is low enough in density and sufficiently pliable to allow the stent 14 incorporated into the graft 10 to continue to undergo substantially the same range of radial expansion and contraction that such stent 14 was capable of before disposition of the PTFE graft thereon. In this regard, the internally stented graft 10 is radially compressible to the stent's first diameter D1 and may be may be inserted into the lumen of a small diameter tubular catheter 22. The external constraint provided by the wall of the catheter 22 will maintain the stented graft 10 in it's radially compressed configuration of diameter D1 until such time as the graft 10 is expelled or ejected out of the catheter 22. After the graft 10 has been expelled or ejected out of the catheter 22, the graft will self-expand to a diameter which is substantially equal to the original expanded diameter D2 of the stent 14.
The manufacture of the tubular base graft begins with the step of preparing a PTFE paste dispersion for subsequent extrusion. This PTFE paste dispersion may be prepared by known methodology whereby a fine, virgin PTFE powder (e.g., F-104 or F-103 Virgin PTFE Fine Powder, Dakin America, 20 Olympic Drive, Orangebury, N.Y. 10962) is blended with a liquid lubricant, such as odorless mineral spirits (e.g., Isopar®, Exxon Chemical Company, Houston, Tex. 77253-3272), to form a PTFE paste of the desired consistency.
The PTFE-lubricant blend dispersion is subsequently passed through a tubular extrusion dye to form a tubular extrudate.
The wet tubular extrudate is then subjected to a drying step whereby the liquid lubricant is removed. This drying step may be accomplished at room temperature or by placing the wet tubular extrudate in an oven maintained at an elevated temperature at or near the lubricant's dry point for a sufficient period of time to result in evaporation of substantially all of the liquid lubricant.
Thereafter, the dried tubular extrudate is longitudinally expanded or longitudinally drawn at a temperature less than 327° C. and typically in the range of 250°-326° C. This longitudinal expansion of the extrudate may be accomplished through the use of known methodology, and may be implemented by the use of a device known as a batch expander. Typically, the tubular extrudate is longitudinally expanded by an expansion ratio of more than two to one (2:1) (i.e., at least two (2) times its original length).
Preferably, the base graft 12 is formed of expanded, sintered PTFE having a density of less than 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter.
After the longitudinal expansion step has been completed, the expanded PTFE tube is subjected to a sintering step whereby it is heated to a temperature above the sintering temperature of PTFE (i.e., 350°-370° C.) to effect amorphous-locking of the PTFE polymer. The methodology used to effect the sintering step, and the devices used to implement such methodology, are known in the art.
Completion of the sintering step marks the completion of the preparation of the expanded, sintered PTFE base graft 12.
The usual manufacture of an expanded, sintered PTFE tape 17 useable to form the outer PTFE layer 16 of the stented graft 10 begins with the preparation of a PTFE paste dispersion. This PTFE paste dispersion may be prepared in the same manner as described hereabove for preparation of the PTFE paste dispersion used to form the tubular base graft.
The PTFE paste dispersion is subsequently passed through the film extrusion dye to form a wet film extrudate. The wet film extrudate is taken up or wound upon a rotating core so as to form a roll of the wet film extrudate.
The wet film extrudate is subsequently unrolled and subjected to an initial cold (i.e., <100° C.) calendaring step by passing the film through at least one set of opposing stainless steel calendaring rollers having an adjustable gap thickness therebetween. The calendaring rollers are preferably maintained at a temperature between room temperature and 60° C. The width of the wet extrudate is held constant as it passes through these calendaring rollers. The thickness of the wet film extrudate is reduced to its desired final thickness (e.g., 0.004-0.005 inches) while the width of the film is maintained constant. It will be appreciated that, since the width of the film is maintained constants the passage of the film through the calendaring machine will result in a longitudinal lengthening of the film. The amount of longitudinal lengthening will be a function of the decrease in film thickness which occurs as the film passes between the calendaring rollers.
Thereafter, the wet film is subjected to a drying step. This drying step may be accomplished by permitting or causing the liquid lubricant to evaporate from the matrix of the film. Such evaporation of the liquid lubricant may be facilitated by passing the film over a drum or roller which is maintained in an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the liquid lubricant to fully evaporate from the film matrix.
Separately, or concurrently with the drying step the film is subjected to an expansion step. Such expansion step comprises expanding the PTFE film in at least one direction (e.g., longitudinally). Such expansion of the film serves to a) increase the porosity of the film, b) increase the strength of the film, and c) orient the PTFE fibrils in the direction of the axis of expansion.
This expansion step is typically carried out with some heating of the film during such expansions but such heating does not exceed the crystalline melting point of the PTFE polymer.
After the drying step and expansion step have been completed, the film is subjected to a sintering step wherein the film is heated to a temperature above the melting point of PTFE to accomplish sintering or amorphous locking of the PTFE polymer. This sintering step may be carried out by passing the film over a drum or roller which is maintained at a high surface temperature (e.g., 350°-420° C.) to cause the desired heating of the PTFE film above the melting point of the PTFE polymer for a sufficient period of time to effect the desired sintering of the film.
After the film has been dried, the film is cut into strips, each strip typically having a width of 0.25-0.50 inches, thereby creating strips of expanded, sintered PTFE tape 14.
Prior to assembly of the components of the integrally stented graft 10, the stent 14 may be coated with a polymer coating 20.
The polymer coating formed on the stent 14 may be any suitable type of polymer which will adhere to PTFE. Examples of polymers which may be used for such polymer coating or covering include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and other biocompatable plastics.
One manner in which such coating of the stent 14 may be carried out is illustrated in FIG. 4a. As shown in FIG. 4a, the stent 14 may be immersed in a vessel 30 containing an aqueous dispersion of PTFE 32. One aqueous PTFE dispersion which may be useable for coating of the stent 14 is DuPont T-30 Aqueous PTFE Dispersion, available commercially from the E.I. DuPont de Numoris Co., (Wilmington, Del.). Another commercially available PTFE dispersion 32 which may be utilized for coating of the stent is Daikin-Polyflon TFE Dispersion, available from Daikin Industries, Ltd., Chemical Division (Umeda Center Bldg., 4-12 chome, Nakazaki-nishi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan).
The time in which the stent 14 must remain immersed in the liquid PTFE dispersion 32 may vary, depending on the construction of the stent 14 and the chemical composition of the PTFE dispersion 32. However, in most cases, an immersion time of 10-15 seconds will be sufficient to obtain uniform deposition of the PTFE coating 20 on the wire members 18 of the stent 14.
After the stent 14 has been removed from the liquid PTFE dispersion 32 it will be permitted to air dry such that a dry PTFE coating 20 remains deposited upon the outer surface of each wire 18 of the stent 14.
Optionally, after the air drying has been completed, the PTFE coated stent 14 may be placed in an oven at 350° C. for approximately 10 minutes to sinter the PTFE coating and/or to enhance the bonding of the PTFE coating 20 to wire members 18 of the stent 14. Sintering of the PTFE coating renders the coating more resistant to abrasion or peeling during the subsequent handing of the stent and/or the ensuing manufacture and use of the stented graft 10. It will be appreciated that various alternative methods, other than immersion, may be used for depositing the PTFE coating 20 on the stent 14. One alternative method is electron beam deposition, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In accordance with this alternative PTFE deposition method, the stent 14 is positioned within a closed vacuum chamber 36 wherein a mass of PTFE 38 is located. An electron beam apparatus 40 is then utilized to project electron beam radiation onto the PTFE 38 within the chamber 36 so as to cause sublimation of the PTFE and resultant deposition of the layer 20 of PTFE on the outer surface of the stent 14. The apparatus and specific methodology useable to perform this electron beam deposition of the PTFE coating 20 are well known to those of skill in the relevant art.
As with the above-described immersion process (FIG. 4a), the stent 14 whereupon the PTFE coating 20 has been deposited may be subjected to optional heating at 350° C. for a period of approximately ten minutes in order to sinter the PTFE coating and/or to enhance the bonding of the PTFE coating 20 to the wire members 18 of the stent 14.
As an alternative to coating of the stent, or in addition thereto, such PTFE aqueous dispersion may be painted onto the outer surface of the base graft 12, or the inner surface of the outer tubular layer 16, or may be otherwise disposed between the base graft 12 and outer tubular layer 16 to facilitate fusion or bonding of the inner base graft 12 to the outer tubular layer 16. Or, such PTFE aqueous dispersion may be sprayed or otherwise applied to the outer surface of the outer tubular layer 16 provided that the PTFE present in the dispersion are small enough to migrate inwardly through pores in the outer tubular layer 16, thereby becoming deposited between the outer tubular layer 16 and the inner base graft 12.
Another alternative or additional means by which adherence or fusion of the base graft 12, outer tubular layer 16 and/or stent 14 may be facilitated or enhanced includes the deposition of raw PTFE resin powder between the outer tubular layer 16 and inner base graft 12, and/or upon the stent 14.
It will be appreciated that in many cases, it will be desirable to apply the polymer coating 20 to the stent 14 while the stent 14 is in it's fully radially expanded configuration of diameter D2. In this manner, after the coating 20 has been applied and formed on the fully radially expanded stent 14, the stent 14 may subsequently be contracted to it's radially compact configuration of diameter D1 without tearing or disrupting of the previously-applied coating 20. In embodiments which utilize a pressure-expandable stent 14, it may thus be necessary to volitionally or purposely expand the stent 14 to it's fully radially expanded diameter D2 prior to application of the coating 20. Alternatively, when the stent 14 is of the self-expanding variety it will, in most cases, automatically assume it's fully radially expanded configuration of diameter D2 and no such volitional or purposeful pre-expansion of the stent 14 will be required.
The preferred means by which liquid PTFE dispersion and/or solid PTFE powder may be deposited between the outer tubular layer 16, and inner base graft 12 will be discussed in more detail herebelow with reference to the manufacturing methodology.
FIGS. 4b-4f show, in step-wise fashion, the preferred method for assembling and constructing the integrally stented PTFE graft 10.
As shown in FIG. 4b, the tubular base graft 12 is initially disposed on a rod or mandrel 50. Such rod or mandrel 50 may comprise a stainless steel rod having an outer diameter which is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular base graft 12. In this manners the tubular base graft 12 may be slidably advanced onto the outer surface of the mandrel 50 without undue effort or damage to the base graft 12.
Thereafter, the PTFE-coated stent 14 is axially advanced onto the outer surface of the tubular base graft 12, as shown in FIG. 4c.
At this point in the process, PTFE liquid dispersion or powdered PTFE resin may be additionally (optionally) applied to the stent 14 and/or outer surface of the base graft 12 to promote further bonding and fusion of the base graft 12 to the stent 14 and/or subsequently applied outer layer 16. In this regard, the mandrel-borne tubular base graft 12 and stent 14 may be rolled in powdered PTFE resin to accomplish the desired deposition of PTFE powder thereon. Alternatively, the above-described PTFE liquid dispersion may be painted sprayed or otherwise applied to the surface of the stent 14 and/or outer surface of the tubular base graft 12 prior to subsequent application of the outer tubular layer 16.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4d, the tape 17 is initially helically wrapped in overlapping fashion, on the outer surface of the stent 14, in a first direction. In the preferred embodiment, tape of 1/2 inch width is used. The tape is helically wrapped about the stent at a pitch angle whereby 6 to 8 revolutions of the tape are applied per linear inch of the stent 14.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4e, a second tape wrap in the opposite direction is accomplished, preferably using the same width of tape at the same pitch angle, thereby applying another 6-8 revolutions of tape 17 per linear inch of stent 14. In this manner, both wrappings of the tape 17 (FIGS. 4d and 4e) combine to form a tubular, outer PTFE layer 16 which preferably has a thickness of less than 0.1 inches, and which may be formed of 1 to 10 consecutive (e.g., laminated) layers of the tape 17. For example, when using ePTFE tape of less than 1.6 g/cc density and 1/2 inch width, the first helical wrap (FIG. 4d) may deposit four consecutive layers of tape 17 and the second helical wrap (FIG. 4e) may deposit an additional 4 layers of tape 17, thereby resulting in an outer tubular layer 16 which is made up of a total of 8 layers of such tape 17.
Optionally, to further promote bonding of the outer tubular layer 16 to the stent 14 and/or inner base graft 12, liquid PTFE dispersion may be sprayed, painted or otherwise applied to and dried upon the tape 17 prior to wrapping, or such liquid PTFE dispersion may be deposited by any suitable means (spraying, painting, etc.) between the outer tubular layer 16 formed by the helically wrapped tape 17 and the inner base graft 12. Or such liquid PTFE dispersion may be sprayed onto or otherwise applied to the outer surface of the helically wrapped tape 17 such the small particles of PTFE contained within the liquid dispersion will migrate inwardly through pores in the layers of tape 17, and will thereby become deposited between the outer tubular layer 16 and the inner base graft 12 prior to subsequent heating of the assembly, as described herebelow. Another alternative (and optional) method for depositing polymer (e.g., PTFE) particles between the base graft 12 and outer tubular layer 16 is by rolling the mandrel 50, having the base graft 12 and stent 14 disposed thereon, in dry, powdered polymer resin (e.g., the above-described PTFE resin) to cause such dry polymer resin to become deposited on the outer surface of the base graft 12 and/or stent 14 prior to application of the tape 17 as shown in FIGS. 4d and 4e.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4f, ligatures 52 of stainless steel wire are tied about the opposite ends of the graft 10 so as to securely hold the base graft 12, PTFE-coated stent 14 and outer layer 16 on the mandrel 50. The mandrel, having the graft 10 disposed thereon is then heated to a temperature of 363°±2° C. for thirty minutes. Such heating will cause the outer PTFE layer 16 to heat fuse to the inner base graft 12 through the openings 19 which exist in the stent 14, and will further facilitate bonding or fusing of the PTFE coating 20 of the stent 14 to the adjacent base graft 12 and outer tape layer 16. In this manner, the desired integrally-stented PTFE tubular graft 10 is formed.
The heating step illustrated schematically in FIG. 4f may be carried out by any suitable means. For example, the mandrel 50 having the graft 10 and ligatures 52 disposed thereon may be placed in an oven preheated to the desired temperature, for the desired period of time. Alternatively, the mandrel, having the graft 10 and ligatures 52 disposed thereon may be rolled on a hot plate or heated surface to accomplish the desired heat fusing or bonding of the outer layer 16, base graft 12 and PTFE coating 20 of the stent 14.
Another alternative apparatus which may be utilized for the heating step shown schematically in FIG. 4f, is the U-shaped aluminum block heater shown in FIG. 6. This aluminum block heater is formed of a solid aluminum plate or block 54 formed into a generally U-shaped configuration, and having a plurality of bore holes 60 formed longitudinally therein and extending at least part way therethrough. Elongate, cylindrical, electric heaters 62, such as those commercially available from the Watlow Electric Company, 12001 Lackland Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63146, are inserted into the bore holes 60, and such heaters 62 are heated to a temperature which will cause the inner surface of the U-shaped aluminum heater block 54 to be maintained at approximately 300° C. or greater. It will be appreciated that other types of heating apparatus, such as electrical strip heaters mounted on the outer surface of the U-shaped block 54, may be useable as an alternative to the bore holes 60 and cylindrical heaters 62 described herein.
After the U-shaped block 54 has been heated to the desired temperature, the mandrel 50, having the graft 10 and ligatures 52 disposed thereon, is inserted into the U-shaped inner region of the block 54, and is rotated, therein so as to accomplish the desired heat fusing of the tubular base graft 12, outer tape layer 16 and PTFE coating 20 of the stent 14.
In many applications, it will be desirable to post-flex and re-expand the stented graft 10 to ensure that the stented graft 10 is capable of undergoing full radial compression and full radial expansion, over it's complete range of intended diameters.
To accomplish this post-flexing and re-expansion of the stented graft 10, the stented graft 10 is removed from the mandrel 50 and is held in a heated environment, such as in the inner space of the U-shaped heater device shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the opposite ends of the stent 14 are pulled longitudinally away from each other to thereby radially contract the stented graft 10 to it's minimal radially compressed diameter D1. Thereafter, the stented graft 10 is allowed to self-expand. If this self-expansion of the stented graft 10 does not result in return of the stented graft 10 to its fully radially expanded diameter D2, the stented graft 10 may then be re-advanced onto the mandrel 50 to thereby force the stented graft 10 to reassume it's full radially expanded configuration of diameter D2.
Thereafter, when the graft is again removed from the mandrel 50, the stented graft 10 will be rendered capable of being radially compressed to it's fully compressed diameter D1, and subsequently self-expanded to it's full radially expanded diameter D2.
In a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner base graft 12 may be eliminated or excluded, thereby providing a modified version of the stented graft 10 comprising only the stent 14 and outer tubular layer 16.
In this first alternative embodiment, the above-described manufacturing method is performed as described without the tubular base graft 12, thereby forming a modified version of the stented graft 10 wherein the outer tubular layer 16 of PTFE is fused only to the stent 14.
In embodiments wherein the stent 14 is coated with a polymer coating such as PTFE, the presence of such coating on the stent 14 will provide lubricity and biocompatability, which may render such internally stented graft suitable for use in applications wherein the exposed stent 14 will come in direct contact with biological fluid or blood flowing through the graft, thereby avoiding the need for use of the internal base graft 12.
Thus, this first alternative embodiment of the present invention includes all possible embodiments wherein only the outer tubular layer 16 is utilized in conjunction with the stent 14, to provide an internally stented graft 10 which is devoid of any internal tubular base graft 12.
In a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the outer tubular layer 16 may be excluded or eliminated, thereby providing an externally stented PTFE tube graft which comprises only the stent 14 and the inner-base tube 12.
In this second alternative embodiment, the above-described manufacturing method is performed as described without the outer tubular layer 16. This results in the formation of a modified version of the stented graft 10, comprising only the inner base graft 12 and the stent 14.
In embodiments wherein the stent 14 is coated with a polymer coating, such as PTFE, the presence of such coating on the stent 14 will provide for enhanced biocompatability, which may render such externally stented graft suitable for implantation in blood vessels or other tubular anatomical passageways wherein the exposed exterior of the coated stent 14 comes in direct contact with vascular tissue or other tissue of the body, thereby avoiding the need for use of the outer tubular layer 16.
Thus, this second alternative embodiment of the present invention includes all possible embodiments wherein only the inner base graft 12 is utilized in conjunction with the stent 14, to provide an externally stented graft 10 which is devoid of any outer tubular layer 16.
It will be appreciated that the invention has been described hereabove with reference to certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Various additions, deletions, alterations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such reasonable additions, deletions modifications and alterations to the above described embodiments be included within the scope of the following claims.
said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
2. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said PTFE tape has a thickness of less than 0.015 inch and wherein said tape has been wound about said stent in overlapping fashion, such that said tubular outer layer comprises 1 to 10 layers of said tape.
3. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tape is helically wrapped about said stent.
4. The stented graft of claim 3 wherein said tape has a width of 1/2 inch, and wherein said tape is helically wrapped such that 6-8 revolutions of tape are applied per longitudinal inch of the stented graft.
5. The stented graft of claim 4 wherein said helical wrapping of said tape is applied twice, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
6. The stented graft of claim 5 wherein said helical wrappings of said tape form an outer tubular layer which is made up of 8 consecutive layers of said tape.
7. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is a self-expanding stent.
8. The stented graft of claim 7 wherein said self-expanding stent comprises a shape memory alloy which alternately exists in first and second crystalline states, and wherein the stent will assume it's radially expanded configuration when said shape memory alloy is in it's first crystalline state, and will assume it's radially compact configuration when said shape memory alloy is in it's second crystalline state.
9. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is a pressure-expandable stent.
10. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said self-expanding stent is formed of a multiplicity of wire members which are braided into said generally cylindrical shape, and wherein said lateral openings in the stent are formed by gaps which exist between adjacent wire members.
12. The stented graft of claim 10 wherein some of the wire members of said stent are helically wound about a longitudinal axis in a first direction, and others of said wire members are helically wound about said longitudinal axis in a second direction such that they cross on opposite sides of the wire members which had been wound in the first helical direction, thereby forming a helically braided, cylindrical, wire stent.
13. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is formed of a multiplicity of plastic members which are braided into said generally cylindrical shape, and wherein said lateral openings in the stent are formed by gaps which exist between adjacent plastic members.
15. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE of less than 0.10 inch thickness.
16. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE having a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
17. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE having a thickness of less than 0.10 inches and a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
18. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular outer layer has a thickness of less than 0.1 inch.
19. The stented graft of claim 18 wherein said PTFE tape has a thickness of less than 0.015 inches, said tape being wrapped about said stent in overlapping fashion so as to form said tubular outer layer.
20. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said PTFE tape has a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
21. The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular outer layer has a thickness of less than 0.1 inch and the PTFE tape has a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
iv) a polymer coating formed on said stent.
drying that liquid polymer dispersion which has remained on the stent, thereby forming said polymer coating thereon.
25. The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said polymer coating was formed on the stent by electron beam deposition.
26. The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said stent is formed of a plurality of elongate members, and wherein said polymer coating was formed on said elongate members by positioning a polymer tube around each elongate member.
27. The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said base graft and said tubular outer layer are adherent to the polymer coating which is formed on said stent.
iv) polymer particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular layer and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer.
29. The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are PTFE.
30. The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are melted by heat.
31. The stented graft of claim 29 wherein said polymer particles are melted by solvent.
32. The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
33. The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.
c) said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
36. The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are PTFE.
37. The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are melted by heat.
38. The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are melted by solvent.
39. The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
40. The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.
42. The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are melted by heat.
43. The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are melted by solvent.
44. The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
45. The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.
BR9710100A BR9710100A (en) 1996-07-03 1997-06-26 Graft stent with tubular and process for manufacturing a tubular graft.
ES2141071T1 (en) * 1998-02-25 2000-03-16 Medtronic Ave Inc Graft assembly and insert and method of manufacture.
FR2702954A1 (en) * 1993-03-03 1994-09-30 Andrew H Cragg And intraluminal prosthesis implant. | 2019-04-22T14:50:02Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/US5928279A/en |
(7) Maintenance operations associated with the construction activities described in this subsection.
Action level means employee exposure, without regard to the use of respirators, to an airborne concentration of lead of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air (30µg/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Chief means the Chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health or designee.
NIOSH means the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or designee.
Supervisor means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable lead hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Supervisors shall be trained, as required by this section, and, when required, be certified consistent with section (l)(3).
(1) The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.
Allowable employee exposure (in µg/m3)=400 divided by hours worked in the day.
(3) When respirators are used to limit employee exposure as required under subsection (c) and all the requirements of subsections (e)(1) and (f) have been met, employee exposure may be considered to be at the level provided by the protection factor of the respirator for those periods the respirator is worn. Those periods may be averaged with exposure levels during periods when respirators are not worn to determine the employee's daily TWA exposure.
(A) Each employer who has a workplace or operation covered by this standard shall initially determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level.
(B) For the purposes of subsection (d), employee exposure is that exposure which would occur if the employee were not using a respirator.
(C) With the exception of monitoring under subsection (d)(3), where monitoring is required under this section, the employer shall collect personal samples representative of a full shift including at least one sample for each job classification in each work area either for each shift or for the shift with the highest exposure level.
(D) Full shift personal samples shall be representative of the monitored employee's regular, daily exposure to lead.
(B) In addition, with regard to tasks not listed in subsection (d)(2)(A), where the employer has any reasons to believe that an employee performing the task may be exposed to lead in excess of the PEL, until the employer performs an employee exposure assessment as required by subsection (d) and documents that the employee's lead exposure is not above the PEL the employer shall treat the employee as if the employee were exposed above the PEL and shall implement employee protective measures as prescribed in subsection (d)(2)(E).
2. Where lead containing coatings or paint are present: rivet busting; power tool cleaning without dust collection systems; cleanup activities where dry expendable abrasives are used; and abrasive blasting enclosure movement and removal.
1. Appropriate respiratory protection in accordance with subsection (f).
2. Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with subsection (g).
3. Change areas in accordance with subsection (i)(2).
4. Hand washing facilities in accordance with subsection (i)(5).
6. Training as required under subsection (l)(1)(A) regarding section 5194, Hazard Communication; training as required under subsection (l)(2)(C), regarding use of respirators; and training in accordance with section 1510, Safety Instruction for Employees.
3. Any employee complaints of symptoms which may be attributable to exposure to lead.
(C) Where the employer has previously monitored for lead exposures, and the data were obtained within the past 12 months during work operations conducted under workplace conditions closely resembling the processes, type of material, control methods, work practices, and environmental conditions used and prevailing in the employer's current operations, the employer may rely on such earlier monitoring results to satisfy the requirements of subsections (d)(3)(A) and (d)(6) if the sampling and analytical methods meet the accuracy and confidence levels of subsection (d)(9).
1. The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record documenting the nature and relevance of objective data as specified in subsection (n)(4), where used in assessing employee exposure in lieu of exposure monitoring.
2. Objective data, as described in subsection (d)(3)(D), is not permitted to be used for exposure assessment in connection with subsection (d)(2).
(A) Where a determination conducted under subsections (d)(1), (2) and (3) shows the possibility of any employee exposure at or above the action level the employer shall conduct monitoring which is representative of the exposure for each employee in the workplace who is exposed to lead.
(B) Where the employer has previously monitored for lead exposure, and the data were obtained within the past 12 months during work operations conducted under workplace conditions closely resembling the processes, type of material, control methods, work practices, and environmental conditions used and prevailing in the employer's current operations, the employer may rely on such earlier monitoring results to satisfy the requirements of subsection (d)(4)(A) if the sampling and analytical methods meet the accuracy and confidence levels of subsection (d)(9).
(C) Objective data for an initial assessment that demonstrate surface coating or material that contain lead at concentrations equal to or exceeding 0.06% lead dry weight (600 ppm) demonstrate the presence of lead surface coatings or material that constitute a health hazard to employees engaged in lead-related construction work. The lead concentration of paint or materials is based on the lead content in the nonvolatile components of the surface coating or material such as paint. Objective data as described in this subsection are not permitted to be used in lieu of exposure assessment in connection with lead-related tasks listed in subsection (d)(2).
(A) Where a determination, conducted under subsections (d)(1), (2), and (3) is made that no employee is exposed to airborne concentrations of lead at or above the action level the employer shall make a written record of such determination. The record shall include at least the information specified in subsection (d)(3)(A) and shall also include the date of determination, location within the worksite, and the name and social security number of each employee monitored.
(B) Objective data that meet the requirements of subsection (n)(4) for an initial assessment that demonstrate surface coating or material that contain lead at concentrations less than 0.06% lead dry weight (600 ppm) are sufficient to establish a negative determination. The lead concentration of surface coatings or materials is based on the lead content in the nonvolatile components of the surface coating or material such as paint. Objective data as described in this subsection are not permitted to be used in lieu of exposure assessment in connection with lead-related tasks listed in subsection (d)(2).
(A) If the initial determination reveals employee exposure to be below the action level further exposure determination need not be repeated except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(7).
(B) If the initial determination or subsequent determination reveals employee exposure to be at or above the action level but at or below the PEL the employer shall perform monitoring in accordance with this subsection at least every 6 months. The employer shall continue monitoring at the required frequency until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for that employee except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(7).
(C) If the initial determination reveals that employee exposure is above the PEL the employer shall perform monitoring quarterly. The employer shall continue monitoring at the required frequency until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are at or below the PEL but at or above the action level at which time the employer shall repeat monitoring for that employee at the frequency specified in subsection (d)(6)(B), except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(7). The employer shall continue monitoring at the required frequency until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for that employee except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(7).
(7) Additional exposure assessments. Whenever there has been a change of equipment, process, control, personnel or a new task has been initiated that may result in additional employees being exposed to lead at or above the action level or may result in employees already exposed at or above the action level being exposed above the PEL, the employer shall conduct additional monitoring in accordance with this subsection.
(A) Within 5 working days after completion of the exposure assessment the employer shall notify each employee in writing of the results which represent that employee's exposure.
(B) Whenever the results indicate that the representative employee exposure, without regard to respirators, is at or above the PEL the employer shall include in the written notice a statement that the employees exposure was at or above that level and a description of the corrective action taken or to be taken to reduce exposure to below that level.
(9) “Accuracy of measurement”. The employer shall use a method of monitoring and analysis which has an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95%) of not less than plus or minus 25 percent for airborne concentrations of lead equal to or greater than 30 µg/m3. Methods for the determination of lead concentrations of surface coatings and material shall be determined by methods which have an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95 percent) of not less than plus or minus 25 percent at 0.06% lead dry weight (600 ppm).
(A) General. The employer shall implement engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead to or below the permissible exposure limit to the extent that such controls are feasible. Wherever all feasible engineering and work practices controls that can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit prescribed in subsection (c), the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of subsection (f).
(A) Prior to commencement of the job each employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program to achieve compliance with subsection (c).
8. A description of arrangements made among contractors on multi-contractor sites with respect to informing affected employees of potential exposure to lead and of regulated areas.
(C) The compliance program shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, regulated areas, materials, and equipment to be made by a supervisor.
(D) Written programs shall be submitted upon request to any affected employee or authorized employee representatives, to the Chief and NIOSH, and shall be available at the worksite for examination and copying by the Chief and NIOSH.
(E) Written programs shall be revised and updated at least every 6 months to reflect the current status of the program.
(3) Mechanical ventilation. When ventilation is used to control lead exposure, the employer shall evaluate the mechanical performance of the system in controlling exposure as necessary to maintain its effectiveness.
(5) The employer shall ensure that, to the extent relevant, employees follow good work practices such as described in Appendix B of this section.
(D) Periods when respirators are required to provide interim protection for employees while they perform the operations specified in subsection (d)(2).
(A) An employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with section 5144(b) (except (d)(1)(C)) through (m).
(B) If an employee exhibits breathing difficulty during fit testing or respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical examination in accordance with subsection (j)(3)(A)2. to determine if the employee can use a respirator while performing the required duties.
(A) The employer shall select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirator or combination of respirators specified in Section 5144(d)(3)(A)1.
(C) The employer shall provide employees with a full facepiece respirator instead of a half mask respirator for protection against lead aerosols that may cause eye or skin irritation at the use concentrations.
(C) Face shields, vented goggles, or other appropriate protective equipment which complies with section 1516.
(A) The employer shall provide the protective clothing required in subsection (g)(1) in a clean and dry condition at least weekly, and daily to employees whose exposure levels without regard to a respirator are over 200µg/m3 of lead as an 8-hour TWA.
(B) The employer shall provide for the cleaning, laundering, and disposal of protective clothing and equipment required by subsection (g)(1).
(C) The employer shall repair or replace required protective clothing and equipment as needed to maintain their effectiveness.
(D) The employer shall assure that all protective clothing is removed at the completion of a work shift only in change areas provided for that purpose as prescribed in subsection (i)(2).
(E) The employer shall assure that contaminated protective clothing which is to be cleaned, laundered, or disposed of, is placed in a closed container in the change area which prevents dispersion of lead outside the container.
(F) The employer shall inform in writing any person who cleans or launders protective clothing or equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to lead.
DANGER: CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT CONTAMINATED WITH LEAD, MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD. CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE WHEN HANDLING. DO NOT REMOVE DUST BY BLOWING OR SHAKING. DISPOSE OF LEAD CONTAMINATED WASH WATER IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
(H) The employer shall prohibit the removal of lead from protective clothing or equipment by blowing, shaking, or any other means which disperses lead into the air.
(1) All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead.
(2) Clean-up of floors and other surfaces where lead accumulates shall wherever possible, be cleaned by vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of lead becoming airborne.
(4) Where vacuuming methods are selected, the vacuums shall be equipped with HEPA filters and used and emptied in a manner which minimizes the reentry of lead into the workplace.
(5) Compressed air shall not be used to remove lead from any surface unless the compressed air is used in conjunction with a ventilation system designed to capture the airborne dust created by the compressed air.
(i) Hygiene facilities, practices and regulated areas.
(1) The employer shall assure that in areas where employees are exposed to lead above the PEL without regard to the use of respirators, food or beverage is not present or consumed, tobacco products are not present or used, and cosmetics are not applied.
(A) The employer shall provide clean change areas for employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL, and as interim protection for employees performing tasks as specified in subsection (d)(2), without regard to the use of respirators.
(B) The employers shall assure that change areas are equipped with separate storage facilities for protective work clothing and equipment and for street clothes which prevent cross-contamination.
(C) The employer shall assure that employees do not leave the workplace wearing any protective clothing or equipment that is required to be worn during the work shift.
(A) The employer shall provide shower facilities, where feasible, for use by employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL.
(B) The employer shall assure, where shower facilities are available, that employees shower at the end of the work shift and shall provide an adequate supply of cleansing agents and towels for use by affected employees.
(A) The employer shall provide lunchroom facilities or eating areas for employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators.
(B) The employer shall assure that lunchroom facilities or eating areas are as free as practicable from lead contamination and are readily accessible to employees.
(C) The employer shall assure that employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL, without regard to the use of a respirator, wash their hands and face prior to eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics.
(D) The employer shall assure that employees do not enter lunchroom facilities or eating areas with protective work clothing or equipment unless surface lead dust has been removed by vacuuming, downdraft booth, or other cleaning method that limits dispersion of lead dust.
(A) The employer shall provide adequate handwashing facilities for use by employees exposed to lead in accordance with section 1527.
(B) Where showers are not provided the employer shall assure that employees wash their hands and face at the end of the work-shift.
(A) Employers shall establish regulated areas, where feasible, for work areas where employees are exposed to lead at or above the PEL or performing the tasks described in subsection (d)(2).
(B) Regulated areas shall be posted with signs as described in subsection (m)(2).
(C) Employers shall restrict access to the regulated area to employees authorized by the supervisor, to representatives of affected employees, as described in subsection (o) and to persons authorized by the Chief or NIOSH.
(D) Each employee authorized to enter the regulated area shall be provided with and be required to wear protective equipment required by subsections (f) and (g).
(A) The employer shall make available initial medical surveillance to employees occupationally exposed on any day to lead at or above the action level. Initial medical surveillance consists of biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels.
(C) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician.
(D) The employer shall make available the required medical surveillance including multiple physician review under subsection (j)(3)(C) without cost to employees and at a reasonable time and place.
3. For each employee who is removed from exposure to lead due to an elevated blood lead level at least monthly during the removal period.
(B) Follow-up blood sampling tests. Whenever the results of a blood lead level test indicate that an employee's blood lead level is at or above the numerical criterion for medical removal under subsection (k)(1)(A), the employer shall provide a second (follow-up) blood sampling test within two weeks after the employer receives the results of the first blood sampling test.
(C) Accuracy of blood lead level sampling and analysis. Blood lead level sampling and analysis provided pursuant to this section shall have an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95 percent) within plus or minus 15 percent or 6 µg/dl, whichever is greater, and shall be conducted by a laboratory approved by OSHA.
2. The employer shall notify each employee whose blood lead level is at or above 40 µg/dl that the standard requires temporary medical removal with Medical Removal Protection benefits when an employee's blood lead level is at or above the numerical criterion for medical removal under subsection (k)(1)(A).
3. As medically appropriate for each employee either removed from exposure to lead due to a risk of sustaining material impairment to health, or otherwise limited pursuant to a final medical determination.
6. Any laboratory or other test relevant to lead exposure which the examining physician deems necessary by sound medical practice.
b. To conduct such examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests as the second physician deems necessary to facilitate this review.
b. The employee initiating steps to make an appointment with a second physician.
3. If the findings, determinations or recommendations of the second physician differ from those of the initial physician, then the employer and the employee shall assure that efforts are made for the two physicians to resolve any disagreement.
b. To conduct such examinations, consultations, laboratory tests and discussions with the prior physicians as the third physician deems necessary to resolve the disagreement of the prior physicians.
5. The employer shall act consistent with the findings, determinations and recommendations of the third physician, unless the employer and the employee reach an agreement which is otherwise consistent with the recommendations of at least one of the three physicians.
f. All prior written medical opinions concerning the employee in the employer's possession or control.
2. The employer shall provide the foregoing information to a second or third physician conducting a medical examination or consultation under this section upon request either by the second or third physician, or by the employee.
d. The results of the blood lead determinations.
b. Advise the employee of any medical condition, occupational or nonoccupational, which dictates further medical examination or treatment.
(F) Alternate physician determination mechanisms. The employer and an employee or authorized employee representative may agree upon the use of any alternate physician determination mechanism in lieu of the multiple physician review mechanism provided by subsection (j)(3)(C) so long as the alternate mechanism is as expeditious and protective as the requirements contained in this subsection.
(A) The employer shall assure that any person whom he/she retains, employs, supervises or controls does not engage in prophylactic chelation of any employee at any time.
(B) If therapeutic or diagnostic chelation is to be performed by any person in subsection (j)(4)(A), the employer shall assure that it be done under the supervision of a licensed physician in a clinical setting with thorough and appropriate medical monitoring and that the employee is notified in writing prior to its occurrence.
1. The employer shall remove an employee from work having an exposure to lead at or above the action level on each occasion that a final medical determination results in a medical finding, determination, or opinion that the employee has a detected medical condition which places the employee at increased risk of material impairment to health from exposure to lead.
2. For the purposes of this section, the phrase “final medical determination” means the written medical opinion on the employees' health status by the examining physician or, where relevant, the outcome of the multiple physician review mechanism or alternate medical determination mechanism used pursuant to the medical surveillance provisions of this section.
3. Where a final medical determination results in any recommended special protective measures for an employee, or limitations on an employee's exposure to lead, the employer shall implement and act consistent with the recommendation.
b. For an employee removed due to a final medical determination, when a subsequent final medical determination results in a medical finding, determination, or opinion that the employee no longer has a detected medical condition which places the employee at increased risk of material impairment to health from exposure to lead.
2. For the purposes of this section, the requirement that an employer return an employee to his or her former job status is not intended to expand upon or restrict any rights an employee has or would have had, absent temporary medical removal, to a specific job classification or position under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.
(D) Removal of other employee special protective measure or limitations. The employer shall remove any limitations placed on an employee or end any special protective measures provided to an employee pursuant to a final medical determination when a subsequent final medical determination indicates that the limitations or special protective measures are no longer necessary.
1. Removal. The employer may remove the employee from exposure to lead, provide special protective measures to the employee, or place limitations upon the employee, consistent with the medical findings, determinations, or recommendations of any of the physicians who have reviewed the employee's health status.
b. If the employee has been on removal status for the preceding eighteen months due to an elevated blood lead level, then the employer shall await a final medical determination.
(A) Provision of medical removal protection benefits. The employer shall provide an employee up to eighteen (18) months of medical removal protection benefits on each occasion that an employee is removed from exposure to lead or otherwise limited pursuant to this section.
(B) Definition of medical removal protection benefits. For the purposes of this section, the requirement that an employer provide medical removal protection benefits means that, as long as the job the employee was removed from continues, the employer shall maintain the total normal earnings, seniority and other employment rights and benefits of an employee, including the employee's right to his or her former job status as though the employee had not been medically removed from the employee's job or otherwise medically limited.
(C) Follow-up medical surveillance during the period of employee removal or limitation. During the period of time that an employee is medically removed from his or her job or otherwise medically limited, the employer may condition the provision of medical removal protection benefits upon the employee's participation in follow-up medical surveillance made available pursuant to this section.
(D) Workers' compensation claims. If a removed employee files a claim for workers' compensation payments for a lead-related disability, then the employer shall continue to provide medical removal protection benefits pending disposition of the claim. To the extent that an award is made to the employee for earnings lost during the period of removal, the employer's medical removal protection obligation shall be reduced by such amount. The employer shall receive no credit for workers' compensation payments received by the employee for treatment-related expenses.
(E) Other credits. The employer's obligation to provide medical removal protection benefits to a removed employee shall be reduced to the extent that the employee receives compensation for earnings lost during the period of removal either from a publicly or employer-funded compensation program, or receives income from employment with another employer made possible by virtue of the employee's removal.
(F) Voluntary removal or restriction of an employee. Where an employer, although not required by this section to do so, removes an employee from exposure to lead or otherwise places limitations on an employee due to the effects of lead exposure on the employee's medical condition, the employer shall provide medical removal protection benefits to the employee equal to that required by subsection (k)(2)(A) and (B).
(B) For all employees who are subject to exposure to lead at or above the action level on any day or who are subject to exposure to lead compounds which may cause skin or eye irritation (e.g. lead arsenate, lead azide), the employer shall provide a training program in accordance with subsection (l)(2) and assure employee participation.
(C) The employer shall provide the training program as initial training prior to the time of job assignment or prior to the start up date for this requirement, whichever comes last.
(D) The employer shall also provide the training program at least annually for each employee who is subject to lead exposure at or above the action level on any day.
(E) Where the certification of employee and supervisor training is required, as described in subsection (l)(3), the training shall be conducted by a training provider accredited by the California Department of Health Services, in accordance with Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 8.
(H) The employee's right of access to records under section 3204.
(3) Certification of training for residential and public buildings.
The employer shall ensure that all employees and supervisors who are engaged in lead related construction work as defined in Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Section 35040, and have been shown to be exposed to lead at or above the permissible exposure limit, meet the training requirements of this section, are trained by an accredited training provider and are certified by the California Department of Health Services. Lead related construction work is defined in Title 17 to be any construction, alteration, painting, demolition, salvage, renovation, repair, or maintenance of any residential or public building, including preparation and cleanup, that, by using or disturbing lead containing material or soil, may result in significant exposure of adults or children to lead. As used in the definition of lead related construction work, “public building” means a structure which is generally accessible to the public, including but not limited to, schools, daycare centers, museums, airports, hospitals, stores, convention centers, government facilities, office buildings and any other building which is not an industrial building or a residential building. Regulations for accreditation of training providers and for the certification of employees and supervisors are found in Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 8.
(4) Access to information, training and certification materials.
(A) The employer shall make readily available to all affected employees a copy of this standard and its appendices.
(B) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials relating to the employee information training program and certification to affected employees, their designated representatives, the Chief and NIOSH.
(A) The employer shall post the following warning signs in each regulated area or work area where an employee's exposure to lead is above the PEL.
(B) The employer shall ensure that no statement appears on or near any sign required by this subsection (m) that contradicts or detracts from the meaning of the required sign.
(C) The employer shall ensure that signs required by this subsection (m) are illuminated and cleaned as necessary so that the legend is readily visible.
(D) The employer may use signs required by other statutes, regulations or ordinances in addition to, or in combination with, signs required by this subsection (m).
(A) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of all monitoring and other data used in conducting employee exposure assessments as required in subsection (d).
5. The environmental variables that could affect the measurement of employee exposure.
(C) The employer shall maintain monitoring and other exposure assessment records in accordance with the provisions of section 3204.
(A) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance as required by subsection (j).
4. Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to lead.
3. A copy of the results of biological monitoring.
(D) The employer shall maintain or assure that the physician maintains medical records in accordance with the provisions of section 3204.
(A) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee removed from current exposure to lead pursuant to subsection (k).
4. A statement with respect to each removal indicating whether or not the reason for the removal was an elevated blood lead level.
(C) The employer shall maintain each medical removal record for at least the duration of an employee's employment.
(4) “Objective data for exemption from requirement for initial monitoring”.
(A) For purposes of this section, objective data are information demonstrating that a particular product or material containing lead or a specific process, operation, or activity involving lead cannot release dust or fumes in concentrations at or above the action level under any expected conditions of use. Objective data can be obtained from any industry-wide study or from laboratory product test results from manufacturers of lead containing products, including surface coatings or other materials. The data the employer uses from an industry-wide survey must be obtained under workplace conditions closely resembling the processes, types of material, control methods, work practices and environmental conditions in the employer's current operations.
(B) The employer shall maintain the record of the objective data relied upon for at least 30 years.
(5) Availability. The employer shall make available upon request all records required to be maintained by subsection (n) to affected employees, former employees, and their designated representatives, and to the Chief and NIOSH for examination and copying.
(A) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, the successor employer shall receive and retain all records required to be maintained by subsection (n).
(B) Whenever the employer ceases to do business and there is no successor employer to receive and retain the records required to be maintained by this section for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted to NIOSH.
(C) At the expiration of the retention period for the records required to be maintained by this section, the employer shall notify NIOSH at least 3 months prior to the disposal of such records and shall transmit those records to NIOSH if requested within the period.
(D) The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements involving transfer of records set forth in section 3204(h).
(1) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to lead conducted pursuant to subsection (d).
(A) Whenever observation of the monitoring of employee exposure to lead requires entry into an area where the use of respirators, protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer shall provide the observer with and assure the use of such respirators, clothing and equipment, and shall require the observer to comply with all other applicable safety and health procedures.
3. Record the results obtained or receive copies of the results when returned by the laboratory.
(p) Lead-Work Pre-Job Notification. The employer shall provide written notification to the nearest Division District Office in the manner prescribed by subsections (p)(1) through (p)(4) when work is planned that includes any of the tasks listed in subsection (d)(2).
B. The only subsection (d)(2) task to be performed consists of torch cutting or welding, not to exceed a duration of 1 hour in any shift.
EXCEPTION NO. 2: The employer is not required to notify the Division if the percentage of lead in the material disturbed is less than 0.5%, 5,000 parts per million (weight by weight), or 1.0 mg/cm2.
(D) Telephone call, followed by written notification sent or mailed within 24 hours of placing the call.
EXCEPTION: When an employer intends to initiate unforeseen lead-work on an urgent basis within 24 hours, the notification requirement may be met by giving telephone notice to the Division at any time prior to commencement of the work, followed by written notification sent or mailed within 24 hours of telephoning the Division.
(K) The amount of lead in the disturbed materials (percent by weight, parts per million or milligrams per square centimeter) if known.
(3) The employer shall notify the Division, and provide the current information, if changes are made to the starting date, the surface area to be disturbed, or the type of lead-related work performed or work practices to be utilized, before or upon adoption of that change.
(4) An employer conducting ongoing, lead-related operations and maintenance work on stationary steel structures need only notify the Division once for each structure if the duration of the operations and maintenance work is less than one year. If the duration of the work is more than one year, the employer shall submit to the Division at least once per year a supplemental written notification updating all of the information required by subsection (p)(2) for each structure.
(q) Appendices. The information contained in the appendices to this section is not intended by itself, to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed by this standard nor detract from any existing obligation.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 142.3 and 6717, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 6717, Labor Code.
4. Amendment of section and amendment of Appendices headings and text filed 10-19-94; operative 10-19-94. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142(a)(3) (Register 94, No. 42).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending Appendix A heading filed 2-16-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 7).
8. Amendment of former subsections (f)(1)-(f)(4)(C) including subsection renumbering and relettering resulting in newly designated subsections (f)(1)-(f)(3)(B)2., amendment of Appendix B, subsection IV, and amendment repealing appendix D and adding editorial reference filed 8-25-98; operative 11-23-98 (Register 98, No. 35).
11. Repealer of subsection (p) and new subsections (p)-(p)(4) filed 12-26-2001; operative 1-25-2002 (Register 2001, No. 52).
12. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (l)(3) filed 7-24-2003 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2003, No. 30).
13. Amendment of subsection (f)(2)(A) filed 7-31-2003; operative 8-30-2003 (Register 2003, No. 31).
14. Editorial correction of subsection (p)(1)(B) designator (Register 2006, No. 29).
15. Amendment of subsections (f)(3)(A)-(B) and (f)(3)(B)2. and new subsections (f)(3)(C)-(D) filed 3-6-2007; operative 3-6-2007. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2007, No. 10).
16. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (g)(2)(D) filed 8-8-2008 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2008, No. 32).
17. Amendment of subsections (j)(2)(B), (j)(2)(D)2. and (k)(1)(C)1.a. filed 1-18-2012; operative 1-18-2012 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2012, No. 3).
18. Amendment of subsection (j)(2)(D)2. filed 9-4-2012; operative 10-4-2012 (Register 2012, No. 36).
19. Redesignation and amendment of former subsection (g)(2)(G) as new subsection (g)(2)(G)1., new subsection (g)(2)(G)2., repealer and new subsections (l) and (l)(1)(A), new subsections (l)(1)(A)1.-5., amendment of subsections within subsection (m) and amendment of Appendix B, item XI. filed 5-6-2013; operative 5-6-2013 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4) (Register 2013, No. 19).
20. Redesignation and amendment of former subsection (g)(2)(G) as new subsection (g)(2)(G)1., new subsection (g)(2)(G)2., repealer and new subsections (l) and (l )(1)(A), new subsections (l)(1)(A)1.-5., amendment of subsections within subsection (m) and amendment of Appendix B, item XI. refiled 11-6-2013; operative 11-6-2013 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4) (Register 2013, No. 45).
21. Repealer of 11-6-2013 order by operation of law 5-6-2014 pursuant to Labor Code 142.3 (Register 2014, No. 19).
22. Redesignation and amendment of former subsection (g)(2)(G) as new subsection (g)(2)(G)1., new subsection (g)(2)(G)2., repealer and new subsections (l) and (l)(1)(A), new subsections (l)(1)(A)1.-5., amendment of subsections within subsection (m) and amendment of Appendix B, item XI. filed 5-5-2014; operative 5-6-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 19). | 2019-04-20T17:19:26Z | https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1532_1.html |
Cool Barbie is an Austenasian sci-fi fantasy television series directed and written by HIM Emperor Jonathan I and produced by Austenasian Television Productions (ATP). Three original episodes were privately made by Jonathan (together with his cousin and sister) before the foundation of Austenasia, between December 2005 and September 2008. After ATP was created in December 2008, it was decided to remake the three films, as well as to create sequels. A new series of fifteen episodes was therefore written, and published on YouTube between March 2009 and December 2018. The series revolves around an eponymous Barbie doll in a world where toys are alive and have communities protected by humans, and her encounters with aliens and villains.
Cool Barbie is set in an alternate universe where toys are alive and have communities protected by humans, where the existence of extraterrestrial life is well-known and accepted, and where magic and elves also exist. The series is mainly set in a house in Carshalton, known by its resident toys as "Xeaphon VII's Land of Plenty" (henceforth referred to as "the Land").
The universe in which Cool Barbie is set is based on a fictional world imagined by the now Jonathan I and his sister Crown Princess Caroline in childhood games played c. 2001-2006. In this world, Jonathan played the character of Xeaphon and Caroline played Moonita, Xeaphon's sister. Xeaphon and Moonita served as the Guardians of the toys' Land, bearing ultimate responsibility for its protection and good governance.
As well as being home to humans and dogs, several groups of toys live in the Land. They are ruled over by a monarch and the Doll Senate, with a form of constitutional monarchy. The toys living in the Land include Barbies, teddy bears, action figures (mostly Action Men), and dolls. There are several rooms in the Land. On the upper floor, there is a room where the Doll Senate convenes, a room used by the monarch as a Royal Hospital, a room home to numerous toys (the "Doll Box"), and another room which has not been featured in the series, connected by a landing. On the lower floor, there is a living room into two parts by a sofa, a kitchen, and a room adjoining the Garden (which is where Protectors of the Realm live in CB.IV and is used as a school for the toys in CB.IX). The Garden is used as a destination to exile toys as a criminal sentence, and underneath the Garden several powerful spiritual beings referred to as the "Titans" are imprisoned, having been defeated in 1290 by one of Xeaphon's ancestors. At the end of CB.VII, a independent Land of toys ruled by a King is established in the Garden, known as Crepundia, but it does not reappear in the series.
The monarch of the toys of the Land is appointed by Xeaphon, as stated in CB.VI. Prior to the events of CB.IV, the Land maintained three separate armies for its security, each lead by a Captain and all following orders from a Minister of Defence appointed by the Doll Senate. The First Army was the largest, equipped with modern equipment such as guns and grenades, and despite later switching sides and allowing Xeaphon and Moonita into the Land initially rebelled alongside Colin in CB.IV. The Golden Arrows were the smallest army (Colin states that they were much larger before a "Battle of the Prison") and had the most advanced technology, including cybernetics, robots, and what appeared to be laser guns; they were Colin's most faithful followers, and supported his coup in CB.IV. The Third Army was the second largest, equipped with medieval technology such as swords, shields, and bows and arrows; they are described as "devoted to Xeaphon", and Colin only considered it safe to begin his uprising in CB.IV after the majority of them had been locked outside in the Garden. The Golden Arrows were exiled along with Colin at the end of CB.IV, and the First and Third Armies continued to protect the Land, renamed to the People's Army and the Royal Army respectively (as first stated in episodes VII and VIII). The Land was also, before their deaths in 2014 and 2017 respectively, defended by Rose and Edd, who were referred to as the Protectors of the Realm in CB.IV.
Another guarantor of the Land's security is Spectrum International Police, an organisation which functions as a form of security force for toys internationally. It is revealed in CB.IV that toy communities can allow whether or not to grant Spectrum jurisdiction over their lands, although the benefits of having trained agents ready to help in crises is evident in CB.II (in which Captain Scarlet arrives to help stop Bubbles) and CB.III and IV (in which Sergeant Grey arrives to help stop Bubbles and Colin respectively).
All of the ATP episodes of Cool Barbie were filmed using the video setting on a digital camera. The original two episodes were filmed on an analogue camcorder, and the original third episode was filmed on a digital camcorder. The first two original episodes were very crudely edited by transferring various clips from the camera onto a VHS cassette, and the third original episode was unable to be edited before being published on a DVD due to technical difficulties with the camera used. All ATP episodes were edited using Windows Movie Maker.
The thumb and forefinger of the then Crown Prince Jonathan clearly being seen to push Bubbles into his spaceship in CB.I.
The majority of characters in the films are toys, with relatively few characters (mostly playing minor roles) played physically by humans. Two methods were used to film the toys "acting": the first method comprised of the character's lines being spoken by their voice actor behind the camera while the toy is recorded, whereas the second comprised of scenes being filmed with no dialogue, for background noises to be cut out and replaced with recorded audio of the characters' lines during editing. Whereas the series began with the first method being used for all characters other than Cool Barbie herself, the second method became increasingly common as the series went on, with all episodes after CB.IX having had their toy scenes filmed entirely in this way.
Despite ATP specifically attempting to film the modern episodes more competently than the originals, some mistakes have been made which were unable to be corrected during editing. This is most notable in CB.I, in which the then Crown Prince Jonathan's hand can be seen numerous times while moving Cool Barbie and Bubbles around the set; his thumb can also be seen holding Colin upright in a shot in CB.IV, and at the beginning of that episode the reflection of him filming can be seen in a window. Another similar incident is when the Dalek can be glimpsed on top of a small cupboard in CB.III, in the scene prior to that in which it is freed by Bubbles. In CB.VII, Moonita can be seen glancing down at a script when talking to Corporal Barbie, and a camera strap briefly falls into the shot later in the episode. Overall, however, this kind of "blooper" is rare. In CB.VIII, two mistakes of this kind - a door switching between being open and closed in different shots in a scene, and Xeaphon pointing a staff at Wisealise which is on the ground next to him in other shots - were addressed post-filming by changing the dialogue to explain that the staff holds reality-warping magical effects.
Lighting can also be an issue; this is especially noticeable in some shots of CB.V, in which some scenes which were set at night and on the Moon are so dark that it is difficult to understand what is happening, and the viewer may have to rely almost solely on dialogue and on subsequent events in the film.
The three original Cool Barbie episodes were filmed by Jonathan I, Crown Princess Caroline and Lord Timothy before Austenasia was founded. Widely regarded as very badly filmed, these episodes (especially the first two) were full of plot holes, continuity errors, and breaking of the fourth wall, deriving great comedic value from their sometimes intentionally poor quality. The script for a fourth was written, but filming had barely started by the time that the project was abandoned.
The first two films were recorded onto a VHS tape, and were converted into digital format by ATP in September 2014. The third was recorded directly onto a DVD by a digital camcorder, but was unable to be edited until software was acquired in March 2015 enabling it to be downloaded to a computer. The three original films have yet to be released publicly, but footage from the first is used in ATP's CB.I. Furthermore, with CB.IX made as somewhat of a tribute to ten years of Cool Barbie, audio clips from all three original episodes are used in CB.IX, a short clip from the original Cool Barbie film is seen on a television screen, and clips from all three original episodes are included in a tribute compilation after the credits. More clips from the original Cool Barbie film are included in a montage after the credits of the final ATP episode.
Cool Barbie Bubbles appears on Earth and attacks Cool Barbie. She is abducted onto his spaceship, which comes under attack by a single soldier who fires a gun at it for a long time (with some shots being repeated, including one in which "you haven't filmed that bit yet, have you?" can be heard shouted off-screen). A brief scene involving a newsreader follows, after which a judge rules that a nuclear missile should be launched at Bubble's spaceship after a court ruling at which Cool Barbie was somehow in attendance and for some reason used as a gavel. A missile is fired at the ship, which is destroyed. The episode ends with Jonathan and Timothy singing "We Are Family" in front of the camera.
The fourth wall is frequently broken, with discussion between the voice actors/cameramen heard at points throughout the film. Furthermore, the whole episode is randomly interspersed at various points with brief clips from another production inadvertantly mixed into the episode due to poor quality editing, including two instances of a shot of an Action Man saying "oh yes I am!" in a pantomime-like fashion.
Cool Barbie 2 Bubbles floats back down to Earth in an escape pod. Captain Scarlet visits Cool Barbie and informs her of this. The two travel to "base" and share the news with members of toy government. Bubbles attacks the toys, but leaves due to disliking the sound of screaming dolls. A battle breaks out between Bubbles and some soldiers led by Captain Scarlet, the latter of whom is badly wounded in an explosion. Captain Scarlet transforms into a giant snake and attacks Bubbles, who is knocked out and placed in a freezer. The episode ends with Cool Barbie and the Captain Scarlet Snake singing "We Are Family" in front of the camera.
Cool Barbie II was initially filmed by Jonathan and Timothy, with some of the episode then re-filmed by Jonathan alone the next day. Unlike the first and third episode, Caroline had no involvement. Parts of some scenes are missing, and others from the initial day of filming only survive due to having been filmed on the camera while later being shown on a television screen, much of the footage from the first day of filming having been taped over either by Jonathan's re-filming of some scenes or by other productions. Upon the transferral of the VHS tape into digital format in September 2014, ATP edited the different shots and scenes into - so far as was possible - one cohesive film.
Cool Barbie 3 Cool Barbie and her best friend Sophie go on holiday, not knowing that Bubbles has broken free from his prison. Sergeant Grey tries to take Cool Barbie and Sophie to safety, but the three are attacked by Bubbles and left for dead, Sergeant Grey being knocked unconscious. Bubbles frees a Dalek and returns to destroy the house, but the two aliens are defeated by Rose after a battle which unexplainedly switches rooms two times. The episode ends with Cool Barbie and Sergeant Grey singing "We Are Family" by Rose in front of the camera.
This was the only one of the original episodes with which the now Lord Timothy had no involvement, being made entirely by Jonathan and Caroline. It is the longest of the original three, and includes two minutes of post-credits "outtakes" most of which have no relevance to the film.
After Austenasian Television Productions was founded in late December 2008, Crown Prince Jonathan decided that ATP would re-make the original Cool Barbie films, and create sequels, all the while improving the plotlines and removing continuity problems.
Cool Barbie I - Fallen from the Sky Set in October 2004. Bubbles crash-lands on Earth, and abducts Cool Barbie as a specimen while attempting to repair his ship. He comes under attack by Earth military and releases Cool Barbie, but after repairing his ship he is shot down by NATO while attempting to escape the planet. 4 March 2009 Premiere. First appearance of Cool Barbie, Bubbles, and the Supreme Allied Commander. Included a brief clip from the original Cool Barbie I for when Bubble's ship came under attack from soldiers (acquired by having the camera record a television screen playing the original episode), the only ATP Cool Barbie episode to date to have directly incorporated footage from the original three episodes (although CB.IX included audio from all three, and showed a brief clip of the first playing on a television screen).
Cool Barbie II - Return of the Champion Set in July 2005. Bubbles returns to Earth in an escape pod. Captain Scarlet arrives to warn Cool Barbie and the Doll Senate, which are attacked by Bubbles. A battle breaks out at a roadblock set up to contain Bubbles, in which Captain Scarlet is mortally wounded. He transforms into a giant spider which defeats Bubbles before dying. Bubbles is imprisoned in the Cryogenic Research Prison. 15 March 2009 First appearance of Colin, the Chancellor, and Spectrum International Police.
Cool Barbie III - Prisoners Freed Set in August 2008. Bubbles escapes from the Cryogenic Research Prison and frees an imprisoned Dalek, and the two proceed to attack Cool Barbie, Sergeant Grey, and some soldiers. The villains are defeated by Edd, the Dalek being killed and Bubbles re-imprisoned. 15 April 2009 First appearance of Sergeant Grey and King Ken II.
Cool Barbie IV - The Uprising: Part 1 Set in June 2009 (introduction in February 2007). Colin and his fellow conspirators enact a plan to take over the kingdom. The Chancellor summons Sergeant Grey, but they are too late to prevent the regicide of King Ken. 6 September 2009 First appearance of Xeaphon, Ken the Elder, and the Trolls. The only episode to be split into two halves due to its length.
Cool Barbie IV - The Uprising: Part 2 Colin's uprising gets fully underway, with the First Army and Golden Arrows taking control of the house. Sergeant Grey is badly injured by one of Colin's soldiers, but the Chancellor and Cool Barbie call together an Emergency Senate, which appeals to Spectrum for help. Colin sends for a "giant" to help fight off Spectrum, which results in the First Army abandoning Colin - the giant sees off Spectrum's reinforcements, but is no match for Xeaphon himself when he and Moonita arrive to quash the uprising. Colin and the Golden Arrows are exiled into the Garden. 7 September 2009 Immediately continues on from the last episode. First appearance of Moonita.
Cool Barbie V - Stepping towards the Sky Set in 2010 (with the introduction being a month earlier). Cool Barbie becomes a member of Spectrum International Police, and is sent with Sergeant Grey to the Moon to investigate a mysterious base. They discover it is Uranian, capturing its occupant and teleporting back to Earth. The Uranian escapes their custody and goes on the rampage, but is soon killed by Sergeant Grey. 30 November 2010 First episode which had not been planned for the original series.
Cool Barbie VII - Secession Corporal Barbie is asked by Moonita to supervise the unveiling of a new "superweapon", built by the toys' government to defend the land against the upcoming attack by Colin which he threatened the previous episode. However, a group of toys are opposed to the building of new weapons as they do not believe that Colin will attack; when it is discovered that the superweapon is the reverse-engineered shell of the Dalek, there is a riot which results in the protesters founding a new land in the garden, Crepundia. Meanwhile, some of Colin's followers and a mysterious figure celebrate the summoning of "the fleet"... 9 June 2012 Produced almost entirely as a means of giving a fictional backstory to the Austenasian-Juclandian joint cultural project of Crepundia.
Cool Barbie VIII - Plan of the Scourge Uranus invades Earth to give Colin a chance to free Bubbles for them, which he does so with the help of Wisealise, an old enemy of Xeaphon. Wisealise and Colin take over the Land, freeing Bubbles, who leaves Earth along with the Uranians. Wisealise attempts to free the Titans and drain their power to become invincible, but is stopped by Corporal Barbie and Moonita; the resultant magical explosion makes the latter two switch bodies and kills Wisealise, but not before he reveals he is of a species called the Scourge, whom he threatens will avenge him. Colin and his followers teleport away after Wisealise's defeat. 1 September 2014 The longest single episode published to date (CB.IV is longer in its totality, but was published in two parts). First appearance of the Scourge.
Cool Barbie Minisodes Moonita - Now in the body of Corporal Barbie, Moonita is crowned Queen of the toys to replace Emily II, who was killed by the Troll Leader during Wisealise's takeover of the Land. However, Xeaphon promises that he will find a way to restore her to her human body.
Xeaphon - Now an officer in NETDOF (an independent organisation set up to defend the world against alien attack), Xeaphon discovers that Wisealise's staff was not the Staff of Forest Elves as he claimed. The Forest Elves give Xeaphon the genuine staff to help him guard the prisons of the Titans.
1 September 2015 Three mini-episodes published over 2015 to mark the tenth anniversary of the franchise, showing Moonita, Xeaphon, and Colin in the aftermath of the events of CB.VIII.
Cool Barbie IX - Last of the Mysterons Xeaphon intercepts a Mysteron fleeing the Uranian conquest of Mars, and takes it to NETDOF HQ. Meanwhile, one of Colin's Golden Arrows teleports to the Land and takes Moonita hostage, claiming he has a message for Xeaphon. They go to NETDOF, and the Mysteron and Golden Arrow kill each other, but with his dying words the latter warns that the Scourge are coming. Suddenly, an alarm goes off... 11 December 2015 Released on the tenth anniversary of the first of the original episodes: contained audio from all three original episodes, as well as footage from the first briefly shown on a television screen; furthermore, the only voice actors in the film were the three creators of the original episodes. A tribute to ten years of Cool Barbie was included after the credits, featuring clips from every other episode (including the originals) to date. The first episode in a four-part story arc.
Cool Barbie X - War in the Sky Continues on immediately from the end of CB.IX. Bubbles arrives at NETDOF, warning them that the Scourge are about to invade the Solar System and asking for help from Earth to defend Uranus. Corporal Barbie goes to the Elven Emperor for help, and he destroys the Scourge armada with magic. 1 February 2016 The only full episode to date in which the Cool Barbie doll was not featured, as well as the full episode with the least number of actors (two) and characters (five) to date. The second episode in a four-part story arc.
Cool Barbie XI - Infiltration After Corporal Barbie and Moonita return to their respective bodies, the Land comes under attack from a Scourge as a diversion while Colin modifies the laser cannon. Planning to use it to destroy major cities and take over the world, he teleports away when it is revealed that the Scourge technology will actually destroy the planet. The Elven Emperor informs Corporal Barbie in a vision that he has prevented the explosion, but the others are left mystified as to what saved the world. 20 December 2016 The third episode in a four-part story arc.
Cool Barbie XII - A Last Chance Corporal Barbie has been having dreams sent by the Elven Emperor, telling her that she will have to kill someone to prevent catastrophe. Colin returns to the Land and frees Kronos, one of the Titans, in an attempt to conquer the world. Though reeling from the news that Moonita has passed away, Xeaphon re-imprisons Kronos using the Thunder Stone, before having Colin and his followers imprisoned in the Cryogenic Research Prison despite Corporal Barbie's argument that he should be executed. 10 August 2017 The last episode of a four-part story arc. First appearance of Kronos.
Cool Barbie XIII - The Assassin Xeaphon informs King Yellow Bear that a creature has broken into the Land, killing some border guards. The Doll Senate and the leaders of the military are murdered, forcing Yellow Bear into hiding and hampering efforts to mobilise soldiers to find the creature. As the King reaches shelter, he escapes attack by the assassin, which reveals itself to be a toy spider working for the Eagle, the latter of which is poised to attack the Land with an army of toy animals. 30 August 2017 The first episode in a three-part finale.
Cool Barbie XIV - The Invasion of the Eagle The Eagle invades the Land with his army of toy animals, and after trapping Xeaphon and Corporal Barbie frees Colin, intending to drain the power of the latter. However, Colin drains the Eagle's power instead, and goes on to free, defeat, and then possess Kronos, giving himself the new name of "Dominus" and announcing that he will conquer the planet with his amalgamation of magical power. 9 September 2017 The second episode in a three-part finale.
Cool Barbie XV - The Final Battle After defeating the Elven Emperor, Dominus rules over planet Earth. As Dominus attempts to negotiate with the Scourge, Xeaphon and Cool Barbie collect magical crystals of the same class of the Thunder Stone. Teleporting to Dominus' palace, they use the Staff of High Elves and the stones they have collected to destroy the Scourge command ship threatening the Earth, and then to kill Dominus. 24 December 2018 The final episode, concluding both the series and the three-part finale.
Since Cool Barbie 2 (2006), numerous references to and characters from 1960s TV series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons have been incorporated into Cool Barbie.
In Cool Barbie 2 (2006) and its remake CB.II (2009), and in Cool Barbie 3 (2008) and its remake CB.III (2009), Captain Scarlet himself and Sergeant Grey respectively arrive to help combat Bubbles, with both named as agents of Spectrum, a futuristic security organisation in Captain Scarlet which in Cool Barbie functions as a sort of international toy police.
In CB.IV (2009), Lieutenant Green (an appropriation of a character from Captain Scarlet itself) arrives in a helicopter in an attempt to put down Colin's military takeover of the Land.
In CB.V (2010), Cool Barbie herself joins Spectrum (becoming known as Corporal Barbie), which then leads a mission to the Moon at the behest of NATO. Her jeep is seen to be emblazoned with the Spectrum logo which is also used in Captain Scarlet (seen again in CB.VIII).
In CB.VI (2011), Agent Holly of Spectrum rescues Corporal Barbie and confronts Colin when the latter attempts to kill Corporal Barbie.
In CB.VII (2012), Moonita enlists Corporal Barbie to oversee the unveiling of the Queen's superweapon, stating that "there won't be any violence with a Spectrum agent in attendance."
In CB.VIII (2014), Corporal Barbie is warned of the Uranian invasion of Earth by Spectrum leader General White; in Captain Scarlet, the leader of Spectrum is Colonel White. When Corporal Barbie attacks Bubbles, he calls Spectrum "fools" for thinking that "technology built to kill Martians" (a reference to the Mysterons) would work against Uranians. Later, Wisealise worries that Spectrum may force him to leave his new Land if he does not have the Uranians' protection.
In the Colin minisode (2015), Sergeant Grey leads Spectrum forces in pursuit of Colin and his followers, who are on the run.
In CB.XI (2016), Sergeant Grey attempts at the start of the episode to get Corporal Barbie to their base in order to run some tests examining the effects of her recent body-swap.
In CB.XIII (2017), Corporal Barbie and Agent Holly are both enlisted in their capacity as Spectrum agents to track down the assassin.
In CB.XV (2018), Sergeant Grey uses the Spectrum archives to help Cool Barbie - who has left Spectrum due to its takeover by Dominus - aid Xeaphon in locating one of the elemental crystals they are seeking. | 2019-04-23T18:44:20Z | https://micronations.wiki/wiki/Cool_Barbie |
1. Pestle analysis of Coca-Cola.
2. Porter’s Five Force Model used in Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola is one of the world’s largest and most popular brand in beverage industry. Coca-Cola was established in the year 1886 at Atlanta, Georgia. The company ranks top in non-alcoholic beverage industry and also in the marketing, distribution and production of its concentrated syrup. With the brand name coca-cola, the company features many brand like Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid which counts to 14 billion dollar revenue. (Karan, 2010).
Coca-cola along with its bottling companies stands first in production and distribution channel in the world. The company has reached over the world with 115 years of existence. The major aim of the company is to increase the market share value which is achieved by maintaining good relations and bond with its associates. The company also values customer requirements and feedback and also focuses on protecting the company assets and reducing the risks associated with operating the business (Thomson, 2008).
For conducting external environmental analysis of Coca-Cola, the country selected is India. Coca-Cola comes under the FMCG market and in India the FMCG market is witnessing huge changes since 1990. The competition in this market is increasing and the small and local players are facing difficulties in survival. From 20th century the Indian market and consumers are changing and liking the foreign products. This was the time when Coca-Cola got a green signal from Indian customers. The best marketing strategy adopted by Coca-Cola in India market is to ensure that its beverages are available at rural areas which are very far and inaccessible and reaching maximum of the Indian people. With this strategy the company gained a brand image among the nation and people started assuming it as iconic image. But the entry of Coca-cola in India was not easy it has faced various political and legal factors which will be discussed later in the essay.
The aim of this paper is to discuss the environmental analysis of Coca-cola. In today’s business scenario most of the companies are astonished by the amount and type of changes taking place in their external environment. Companies of any type of industries are facing the uncertainties of the external environment. For e.g. the retail shops have faced major threat from the huge discount store like Big Bazar, D-Mart or Wall Mart. So in this paper we will discuss the external environment of Coca-Cola and how the various factors of external environment affects the functioning of the company and how the company responds to these uncertainties.
Coca-Cola was invented by Doctor John Pemberton who was a Pharmacist. The basic components of Coca Cola drink are the cola leaves extracts, carbonated water, caffeine and syrup of sugar cane.
The external environment of a company consists of two areas: Macro and micro environment. The macro environment of Coca Cola consists of external and uncontrollable factors which influence the company’s decision making, performance and its strategy. These factors are social, political, legal, economical, technological factors. Under these factors comes the demographics, corporate social responsibility and environmental forces. Under micro environment the factors affecting the business operations are market structure, market trends, competition, customers and suppliers (Fahad, 2013). By studying the macro environment of Coca-Cola we can identify the possible opportunities and threats for the company which are not in control of the business.
PESTLE analysis is a marketing tool used by marketers and researchers to study the macro environment or the external environment of a company. The external environment of a company is affected by various factors like Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Environment and Legal. These factors in total define the whole external environment of Coca-Cola from each and every angle and helps in determining how these various factors will affect the performance and business operations of the company in long run (Pestle Analysis, 2013). Although the company is leading the beverage industry but still to sustain its competitive advantage the company should conduct regular PESTLE analysis so that it can keep a track on its competitor strategies and seek the opportunities so that it can win the customer loyalty and its market position.
The political environment of India is influenced by various factors like government policies, interest of political parties. India started liberalization with which Coco-Cola got easy entry in India. But because of corruption and pressure from various political parties the company faced down-run and then again it entered India by fulfilling all the political factors.
India has huge population with higher younger generation. The population rise leads to more employment and people have more money to spend.
The youths of India are more health conscious and constantly looking for drinks which are refreshing.
India is a developing country and has strongest IT sector in the world. Gradually the country is adopting the attest technologies like 3G and 4G.
In the recent years India has brought various legal changes in the FMCG market which has brought a positive impact leading to rapid growth of FMCG industry in India.
The government has also imposed excise free zones so that companies can start manufacturing instead of outsourcing.
The environmental factors are not in control of humans. The natural calamity can affect the Coca-Cola operations.
The environmental factors which India is concerned is recycling, depletion of the resources, pollution etc.
Political Factors: Marketing decisions are strongly affected by the development in the political environment. The Political factors includes the government agencies, pressure groups, rules and policies like trade traffic and fiscal policies which influences the economy of a country and in turn the operations of the business.
With the rules and regulations the government intervenes with the functioning or operations of the company as cited by Demetris, 2006. The members of board of directors of a company have to ensure that in every business decision the rules and regulations must be followed. While formulating the various policies related to recruitments, monitory, fiscal and environment must be in adherence with the political factors.
Coca-Cola being a non alcoholic beverage company falls under the category of Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is an US government recognised agency whose role is to monitor and crosscheck the ingredients used in the drink. Thus the company Coca-Cola has to ensure that its ingredients should meet the FDA guidelines before getting the approval of FDA.
Besides meeting the requirement of FDA, the other political factors that need to adhere by business operations of Coca-Cola are the rules and regulations of income tax, export, import and political crisis. The political crisis like protests, political violence brings fluctuations in demand which makes difficult for the company to penetrate in the countries facing political crisis as stated by Demetris, 2006.
Economical Factors: The economical factors are the economic determinants of a country, like interest rate, fluctuation rates, currency exchange rate and economic growth of the nation. These economical factors define the sales and price of the product and purchasing capacity of the customers. The various economical factors like inflation rate, employment and unemployment rate, wage rate, standard of living helps the company in taking decisions related to future investments. The economical factors varies with the country therefore whenever the company is entering into a country it has to make sure that its business operations are in congruence with the county’s economical factors (Njanja, 2012).
The purchasing power of a country depends upon its economic growth, and this is best identified by the company Coca-Cola to enter into the new market and market its product across the world. With this tool the company is working with 63 types of currency. With the fluctuations in exchange rate and currency rate the company’s export of product is affected worldwide (Buchanan, 2009).
The next economical tool affecting the external environment of Coca-Cola is the interest rate on borrowed money. Coca-Cola manages with fluctuations in interest rate by using a derivative instrument. At the time of inflation as indicated by Njanja, 2012 the company sorts its staff on the basis of high salary in countries where inflation rate is high so that they can cope with the situation. The major threat to company from external environment, at the time of inflation is with increasing the salaries, the product cost also increases but that cannot be imposed on product’s price because of the market risk and competition.
Social Factors: The social factors comprises of trends related to cultural, environmental, demographic, seasonal and population. For example during the sports season the demand for soft drinks increases. Also in terms of demographic segmentation the youth generation prefer soft drinks more in comparison to old generations.
The social factors like people choice, their culture and tradition, population growth and trends cannot be changed by the company and the choice left for the company is to adapt and adjust with such factors. Coca-Cola being B2C type of company has a direct relationship with the consumers thus the company has to be very specific in analysing the culture and traditions of the country they are entering into (Fahad, 2013).
Coca-cola is having around 3000 above different products. So the strategy followed by the company to penetrate into the new market is to first conducting an intensive market analysis and then introducing few of their products as per the social factors of the targeted country and then gradually increasing the products base on the basis of social factors.
The threat company is facing is the nutritional value of Coca-Cola drinks. The consumers and government are becoming very cautious about the obesity caused from the beverage industry. Younger generations are getting physique conscious and they are getting very concerned about the nutritional value of Coca-Cola drinks. The Coca-Cola management responded to this threat by introducing drinks like diet coke and light coke as cited by Fahad, 2013.
Technological Factors: In beverage industry technology plays an important role in production of the concentrated syrup, packaging of the bottles, filling of the bottles, and distribution of the products. The reason why Coca-Cola is available in different packages or bottles or cans is the technological advancements which bring availability of different vending machines all over the world. The technology helps in production of stylish, colourful, non-refillable cans and bottles which are attracting the children and youth and thus becoming a marketing tool for Coca-cola in promoting its products.
The major business of the Coca-Cola is dependent on its bottling partners. Around 85% of the volume is produced by its manufacturing partners on which the company Coca-Cola do not have the full power. The company is majorly involved in making the concentrated syrup and rest of the work like bottle manufacturing, bottle filling and packaging is done by its bottling partners. Thus the company has to keep a strong relationship with its various partners who are involved in the company operations (Regassa, 2011).
Legal Factors: The various legal factors are the laws related to employment, consumer, health and safety and discriminations. As the company Coca-cola is US based so it has to adhere itself with the rules and regulations of the USA like Food Safety act, Federal trade act, cosmetic act etc. Apart from these mentioned acts the company has also to adhere with the environmental acts like waste disposal, pollution checks etc. For this the company has opened various recycling plants where the plastic bottles and water are recycled.
The company has to keep a check on the regulations related to advertising, sales and promotions. If the company fails to adhere or follow these legal laws would create a negative impact on the brand image and company has to pay serious penalties. Thus the company Coca-Cola should keep a regular check whether its operations are in adherence with the country’s legal factors.
Environmental Factors: The environmental factors includes the factors related to environment. Some of the environmental factors are under human control like natural calamities. But other environment factors like pollution, carbon footprint etc can be controlled by humans and the organisations.
Coca-Cola is sincerely following the norms and policies related to environmental issues in India. The company is using recyclable plastic in its packaging. The company has opened water recycling plant where it is recycling the waste water. The company has also planted so many trees to save water. As the company is manufacturing non-alcoholic beverage which requires lot of water so in return company is planting trees to save water.
The Porter’s five force model is used by Coca-Cola for analysing the industry and developing the business strategy.
Rivalry among existing firms: Coca-cola is India facing major competition with Pepsi, Cadbury, Parle which are leading the beverage industry. The global sales of Coca-Cola is higher than Pepsi but in India Pepsi is leading the market with highest sales as initially coke faced legal issues while entering Indian market.
As per the survey report in Beverage digest 2008 in non alcoholic carbonated drinks Pepsi is leading the Indian market with 30.8% increase in share whereas the Coke market share has decreased to 42.7%. But gradually coca-cola is gaining its market size by setting up its own bottling plant and distribution network (Fahad, 2013).
Threat of substitutes: The beverage industry is filled with various products like tea, coffee, water, juices etc. Such companies need aggressive advertising and marketing strategies to make their products easily available to the consumers. Thus to gain a competitive advantage Coca-Cola has also started diversifying its products like bottled drinking water and juices to increase its profitability. The switching cost for consumers is very less thus they easily shift to other substitutes. The perceived values of this industry is very less because for consumers all products are same the only difference is in their promotional strategies (Fahad, 2013).
Bargaining power of consumers: Consumers can buy the products from vending machines, fast food cafes, and retail stores. Thus the availability of these products at different places shows the bargaining power of buyers. The bargaining power is high because these various stores purchase in bulk.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The bargaining power of suppliers is weak because the raw material required in manufacturing the soft drinks are very cheap like sugar, colour, flavours etc. These raw materials are easily available to the producers; switching cost is less so manufacturers can easily shift to other suppliers (Fahad, 2013).
Threat of forward integration is also weak as suppliers cannot afford establishing plants as they are very costly.
The above report details the brief introduction of the company Coca-Cola. Then gives a light on the international market analysis of its product and operations. The paper mainly focuses on the external environment analysis of Coca-Cola which is done by doing PESTLE Analysis. With PESTLE analysis the company’s management can identify the major segments which the company need to focus. Also the PESTLE analysis helps the company to achieve its objectives by identifying the trends and factors which are affecting Coca-cola operations on International Scale. As stated by Fahad, 2013 the company operating in international market is still facing the challenges and overcoming them by maintaining its top position by its innovative ideas, brand position and availability.
From the report it is very clear the Coca-Cola always regards its customer base number one factor in while operating in international or local level. The customers are always valued as their choices and tastes are varying day by day. Thus the company has understood to succeed in the market it has to first understand the liking and demographics of its customers and accordingly bring new product innovations to maintain and target new customer base. If Coca-Cola fails to satisfy the need of its customers they will switch to other brands. Customers are no longer loyal thus Coca-Cola has to keep regularly analysing its external environment to maintain its leading position in the market and sustain its competitive advantage.
At last we can conclude saying that Coca-Cola is maintaining its top position by emphasising on its initiatives and focusing on minimising the pollution, providing health living (Diet Coke) and providing excellent work environment for its employees. These all activities of Coca-Cola will amplify the economic development of the country in which Coca-Cola is operating.
Demetris Vrontis, Alkis Thrassou. (2006). Situation Analysis and Strategy Planning: An Empirical case study in the UK beverage Industry. Innovative Marketing, Vol 2, Issue 2.
Fahad Muhammad Umar. (2013).Global business strategy: A case study of Coca-cola company. Stratford college of business and Management UK.
Njanja, L., Pellisier, R., & Ogutu, M. (2012). The Effect of External Environment on Internal Management Strategy. International Journal Of Business & Management, 7(3), 194-205.
Pestle Analysis. (2013). Understanding PEST Analysis with Definitions and Examples.
Regassa, H., & Corradino, L. (2011). Determining the value of the coca cola company — a case analysis. Journal of The International Academy For Case Studies, 17(7), 105-110.
Thomson Reuters. (2008). U.S. Soft Drink Sales Volume Falls More in '07. | 2019-04-22T00:18:32Z | https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/external-environment-analysis-of-coca-cola |
Motorsportarena Oschersleben. The NATC (North German ADAC Touring Car Cup) started as usual at Motorsportarena Oschersleben on April 13/14, 2019. The CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup, which started the season with 8 touring cars in two sprint races, also celebrated its season opener. The demanding 3.696 km long race track in the Magdeburg Börde turned into a real “slippery challenge” for all drivers. With outside temperatures around the freezing point and sleet occasionally falling, it wasn’t just the drivers’ skills that were put to the test but also the Cup touring cars’ TOYO TIRES Proxes R888R Semislick tires.
After the first training runs and the time training to establish the starting positions, it became apparent that Andreas Eichhorn (GER, Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN) should have a knack for the slippery track conditions. He secured pole position and went into the race from leading position after the standing “Grand Prix start.” But then he had to fend off tough attacks by his two opponents in pursuit Thies Ahrens (GER, Mainfranken Motodrom Racing Team) and Sven Grossmann (GER, magnet-shop.net). The three racers delivered a great show and fought for victory in this first race right up to the last few meters.
In the midfield Christoph Pflügler (GER, U4 AUTOMOTIVE RACING) managed to gain a bit of ground on his pursuers in 4th place but Nicolas Hillebrand (GER, RAVENOL Racing) made a sensational debut and remained in the top 5 until the end of the race just behind Pflügler. Dennis Bröker (GER, Pfister-Racing by MAIN-POSTLOGISTIK) and rookie Matthias Gorzellik (GER, Pfister-Racing by TOP-EXPRESS) dueled for the other positions, ahead of Claus Gramlich (GER, TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT).
The weather conditions were also not expected to improve for the second race day on Saturday but become even more slippery than before. This time Thies Ahrens (GER) secured pole position ahead of Sven Grossmann (GER) and Andreas Eichhorn (GER). The young man from Bremen started this second race with ambitions to win but was already braked by bad luck with the technology on his CHEVROLET Cruze 1.8 LT V2 racing car at the start of the race, and had to stop at the edge of the track.
During the course of the race, a close duel broke out between Grossmann and Eichhorn, which Eichhorn was just able to win by a whisker. At the same time, Grossmann was only beaten by a few tenths of a second and moved up to be a candidate for the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup championship with his second podium finish of the weekend.
After the top duo, the rookie Nicolas Hillebrand (GER) sensationally managed a podium position in 3rd place for his team RAVENOL Racing. He won the race against Christoph Pflügler (GER, U4 Automotive Racing Team) in the last second after some remarkable duels. Christoph Pflügler was able to score another 5 points for fourth place.
Behind him, Matthias Gorzellik (GER, Pfister-Racing by TOP-EXPRESS) was able to improve his lap times considerably and made the remarkable jump into the top 5. After a short excursion into the gravel bed Dennis Bröker finished in 6th place for his team Pfister-Racing by MAIN-POSTLOGISTIK. “It wasn’t my race weekend but I learned a lot,” he said with a fighting spirit afterwards.
Claus Gramlich (GER, TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT) managed to add two more points to his points account in 7th place.
Andreas Eichhorn GER 20 pts.
Sven Grossmann GER 14 pts.
Nicolas Hillebrand GER 10 pts.
Christoph Pflügler GER 10 pts.
Thies Ahrens GER 8 pts.
Matthias Gorzellik GER 6 pts.
Dennis Bröker GER 6 pts.
Claus Gramlich GER 3 pts.
Autodrom Most. The first long-distance race of the 2019 season for the Pfister-Racing Team took place on 03/31/2019 at Autodrom Most (CZ). The team used the 350 hp SEAT Leon TCR racing car in the 6-hour endurance race there. More than 34 touring cars in various performance classes entered the race on the 4.2 kilometer racing track.
The Pfister-Racing Team starts the new racing season with a podium finish.
“In the 2019 season we are going to participate in some endurance races again, and the season kick-off here at Autodrom Most has already gone very successfully for us. Our two drivers Wolfgang Kriegl (AUT) and Björn Dietrich (GER) were able to efficiently complete more than 171 laps in the 6-hour race without any problems and therefore took 3rd place in their racing class. Our TCR racing car is fast with great durability, and we can make the most of our long distance experience here. The teamwork with the pit stops also ran smoothly. We are already looking forward to the season’s other races,” said team manager Andreas Pfister after the finish.
The drivers’ ability to concentrate was also put to the test during the course of the race: Björn Dietrich and Wolfgang Kriegl were each at the racing car’s wheel for more than 2 hours and managed to maneuver the racing car over the racing track without any mistakes and stay well away from any incidents.
Starting from 6th position, the Pfister-Racing Team was able to gradually work its way forward bit by bit during the race. The good teamwork between the drivers and the pit stop strategy were crucial. “Our TCR racing car is equipped with a 120 liter FIA tank. This allows us to stay on the track for a very long time and make as few pit stops as possible. We gain vital time on the track as a result,” says Andreas Pfister.
Wolfgang Kriegl (l.) and Björn Dietrich (r.) are delighted with their success at the podium ceremony!
Are you interested in participating in the endurance races with a Pfister-Racing Team racing car?
Pfister-Racing Team extends RCN commitment into 2019 – Nordschleife rookies get a chance!
– Nordschleife rookies get a chance!
Nürburgring Nordschleife. The successful Pfister Racing team has also dedicated itself to mass sport in the 2019 season: the racing team’s area of activity will also include the RCN (Nürburgring circuit challenge), besides the north German ADAC Bördesprint Cup and ADAC Börde 2H Cup.
“I myself have already been very familiar with the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife for several years and was also able to successfully take part in the RCN with our team in the 2018 season. The surrounding area is very pleasant and the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s “green hell” is a really major attraction for racers, sponsors and fans from all over the world. As we have always been dedicated to affordable mass sports series in motor sports, the RCN is predestined for our team to give talented racing drivers the chance to gain a foothold on the Nordschleife.
22-year-old Marvin Tamburrino can already look forward to a first cockpit in this regard. The racing driver from Enger (North Rhine-Westphalia) successfully passed the ADAC touring car driver evaluation in 2018 and can hardly wait to fulfill his dream of racing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
“The Nordschleife is a unique challenge for the driver and car. There is not a comparable racing track, which is what makes the “green hell” so fascinating for me.
I am delighted to be facing this challenge and gaining valuable experiences in the oldest German touring car series,” says the touring car racing driver.
CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup announces the race calendar and news for the 2019 season!
In other areas, the series organizer Andreas Pfister relies on continuity “We are looking forward to working with our tire partner TOYO TIRES again in the 2019 season. We have developed a strong partnership with TOYO TIRES and the TOYO Proxes R888 Semi-Slick is perfect for the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup race cars. We also count on continuity when it comes to the rules, and we are keeping the “rotating system” between the drivers. Each racing weekend, each driver drives a different CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup race car. This ensures that everybody has the most equal opportunity possible. Together with the technical modifications, which make the race cars significantly more attractive, we are now looking forwards to a great 2019 season!”.
The CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup is not just considered a low-cost opportunity for newcomers from karting and lateral entrants from other race classes to enter the touring car motor-sport, but also a springboard into higher motor-sport classes. The 2019 overall winner receives a free test drive in a TCR race car to put their skills to the test. Furthermore, the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup races are becoming increasingly popular in the German and European motor-sport news.
Oschersleben. Racing driver Andreas Pfister had an extraordinary race meeting on the program on December 1/2, 2018: The world’s first 24-hour race for electric vehicles was held at Motorsportarena Oschersleben.
More than 30 international teams were registered for this 24-hour race, the ultimate challenge which featured electric vehicles from a variety of car manufacturers. TESLA was represented with several vehicles on the starting grid. Klaus Schäfer’s “E-Motion” team, which Andreas Pfister and his team were behind the wheel for, was also relying on a TESLA Model S saloon.
“The ride quality of the TESLA is quite remarkable and the electric four-wheel drive also ensures great handling on corners. It will be particularly exciting to keep an eye on the vehicles’ ranges during the race and to complete as many laps as possible here in Oschersleben,” said Pfister after doing the first electric training laps.
The world’s first 24-hour race for electric vehicles received a great deal of media coverage!
After the race started at 2 p.m. on December 1st 2018, it was up to the teams and driver to get round the track quickly but also efficiently to plan the tactics and charging times in the pits in the best way possible.
More than 385 smooth laps and a finish in 6th place is a great success!
The first part of the race was still in dry conditions but the rain that set in overnight in particular was to provide an additional thrill.
“After the first charging break, my team colleagues took the wheel during the night and I was able to get back behind the wheel again for the race’s home stretch. After a challenging 24 hours we were then able to cross the finish line with 385 completed laps and not one single technical problem in 6th place, which is a great success. At this point I would like to thank “E-Motion” for the trust placed in us and the great teamwork, I’m already looking forward to the next electric race meeting, it was great fun!” says racing driver Andreas Pfister at the end of the 24 hour race.
Oschersleben. The Pfister Racing team was able to achieve the title of Champion in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup (class 11) with its driver Christian Meurer (GER) and the Vice Champion title in the ADAC Börde 2H Cup and ADAC Logan Cup with the talented drivers Lucian Aron (GER) and Dennis Bröker (GER) with a successful finale on Germany’s northernmost racing track on November 17, 2018.
The youngster David Serban (RO) and Sergiu Nicolae (RO), who had traveled to Germany especially from Bucharest (Romania), were behind the wheel with start number 210 in the ADAC Logan Cup on the final race day in Oschersleben. The famously fast duo Lucian Aron (GER) and Dennis Bröker (GER) drove the racing car with start number 211 in the ADAC Logan Cup.
The final took place under difficult conditions for the teams and drivers. The drivers headed onto the 3,699 km long racing track for the first time in free training, driving in motorcycle style this time, with an outside temperature of just 2 degrees Celsius.
The training was also particularly important for David Serban (RO) and Sergiu Nicolae (RO) as they were both lining up on the starting line in the ADAC Logan Cup for the first time this year.
After the standing “Grand Prix start” to the two-hour long distance race, it was also start number 210 with Sergiu Nicolae (RO) behind the wheel that managed to really excel first. He managed to take over the lead with one best time after another.
Dennis Bröker and Lucian Aron were in a rather more conservative position at the start of the race but were able to make up good ground during the race and with a very good pit stop strategy finally achieved a strong second place just behind the leader.
After Nicolae had headed into the pits, the youngster David Serban (RO) took over the wheel and used every racing lap to gain valuable experience in his still very young touring car career.
Sergiu Nicolae (RO) drove very fast lap times and led the race from the start.
Christian Meurer (GER) was also able to gain his third class victory in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup and was crowned this year’s Champion in class 11.
As a result, Meurer can not just be delighted about winning more cups but his racing driver license being upgraded to International C class too.
“We would like to thank our drivers for their loyalty and the great results. We were able to achieve outstanding racing results thanks to our good teamwork. Thanks also go to all the committed team members in the workshop at home and on the racing track as well as our team partners & sponsors. We are now looking forward to a fun winter break and of course the 2019 season!” said Andreas Pfister.
Further information on the ADAC Bördesprint Cup, as well as the up-to-date race results of the Pfister Racing team can be found on the homepage www.pfister-racing.eu and on the official Pfister-Racing GmbH Facebook page.
Motorsportarena Oschersleben / Nürburgring. The racing weekend from October 12 to 14, 2018 was all about the double commitment for the Pfister Racing team: the team from Franconia were on the starting grid at both the Motorsportarena Oschersleben (GER) in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup, and at the Nürburgring (GER) in the Skoda OCTAVIA Cup.
The famously fast duo Lucian Aron (GER) and Dennis Bröker (GER) drove the ADAC Logan Cup racing car with start number 211 in the in Oschersleben and Claus Gramlich (GER) and Christian Meurer (GER) drove the CHEVROLET Cruze Cup and ADAC Logan Cup racing car in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup.
Wolfgang Kriegl (AUT) started the final race of the season in the Skoda OCTAVIA Cup with start number 3, he was supported by his team colleague Andreas Pfister (GER) as a guest starter with start number 77.
Team leader Andreas Pfister commented as follows: “We’re thrilled about the use of 5 touring cars in total and the huge interest in our team associated with this. At the same time, the ADAC Logan Cup is still an affordable great opportunity for newcomers to touring car motor racing. Drivers can gain a wealth of experience in the 2-hour race at low cost. We have two hot irons in the fire in our racing class with our ADAC Logan Cup racing car and the CHEVROLET Cruze Cup racing car in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup.
The race day at the Motorsportarena Oschersleben started with a moment of shock for the team: after just a few laps in the open training, the drive Lucian Aron with start number 211 had to head into the pits with engine problems. The mechanics on site, Bozo Erak and Heiko Kraft immediately started searching for the fault and replaced possible sources of the fault. Despite great commitment, only mechanical damage could be diagnosed on the engine in the end, which led to a loss in performance. Despite this, the Aron / Bröker duo were able to gain an important 4th place in the first race of the day with a “wounded” ADAC Logan Cup racing car.
The mechanics then replaced the engine in the pits overnight from Saturday into Sunday, which had been brought especially to Oschersleben by the team. These outstanding efforts were rewarded with fast lap times and a great 2nd place in the ADAC Logan Cup race on Sunday. Claus Gramlich and Christian Meurer also certainly put a smile on everyone’s faces at the track with their class victories in the ADAC Bördesprint Cup.
The Pfister Racing team was also put to the test in the OCTAVIA Cup. Everything was still going to plan after the open training, but then the Andreas Pfister’s racing car (#77) ran into problems in the time training: “We had to battle with a loss in boost which reduced the engine’s performance. We even had to head to the pits in the first race for this reason. Our mechanics, Mirek Göbel and Alois Pfister, were able to replace the right component for the second race, despite the time pressure, and I managed to move forwards into 6th place from the last starting position with a catch-up battle,” said Andreas Pfister.
Wolfgang Kriegl managed to join the middle field during his debut at the Nürburgring. He also experienced an action-packed racing weekend and was able to cross the finish line in 12th place in his 280 HP powerful OCTAVIA Cup racing car in both races.
“We would like to thank our drivers for their loyalty and the great results in the end. Special thanks go to our mechanics who had to work really hard at both racing track. These kinds of unforeseen problems can only be solved by superb team work at the racing track, and we proved that. We are convinced that our commitment will also pay off for future races!”, commented Andreas Pfister in an interview the media.
Further information on the ADAC Bördesprint Cup and Skoda OCTAVIA Cup, as well as the up-to-date race results of the Pfister Racing team can be found on the homepage www.pfister-racing.eu and on the official Pfister-Racing GmbH Facebook page.
Thrilling duel in the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup finale at Automotodrom Brno with David Wassermann as the new champion!
with David Wassermann as the new champion!
Automotodrom Brno. The famous MotoGP racing track at Automotodrom Brno in the Czech Republic was the venue for this year’s CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup finale from September 7 to 9, 2018. The drivers were put to the test with a challenging “hill and valley” section on the 5.4 km course in Brno. The second section of the course in particular with several challenging curves demands the drivers’ full concentration to achieve a fast lap time. Thanks to the famous “BOSS GP” racking series with former Formula 1 racing cars, the spectator stands were also well filled and fans enjoyed exciting touring car motor sports in the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup.
The CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup is an affordable way of enjoying touring car motor sport, and thrills drivers and fans alike with close wheel-on-wheel duels. In particular, the appealing look of the racing cars, and the prize for the overall winner, a free test drive in a TCR racing car, all add to the excitement.
Martin Rennhofer (AUT, Mainfranken Motodrom Racing Team) was David Wassermann’s (GER) toughest rival in the battle for race victories over this racing weekend!
After the first practice runs, the first time training to establish the starting grid for race 1 was held on Friday. David Wassermann (GER, Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN) once again showed off his skills and warmed up the TOYO Semi-Slicks R888R best, thus securing pole position ahead of Martin Rennhofer (AUT).
Thies Ahrens (GER, magnet-shop.net Racing) also delivered a great performance and was able to secure the third starting position in his CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup debut. At the same time it was extremely important for the young drive from Bremen to use every minute on the track to get to know the racing car better.
It was already revealed in the first few racing weekends of the season that David Wassermann (GER) knew how to mercilessly use his experience against the competition. With another two victories at the Autodrom Brno (CZ), he not only managed to win all the 2018 season’s races, which no other driver has accomplished before him in the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup, but also of course to win the title of Champion. This is endowed with a free test drive for the aspiring young racing driver in the 350 HP powerful TCR racing car.
True to the motto “close, closer, CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup!”, there were plenty of close duels to see.
Wassermann definitely did not have an easy ride in adding two more winner’s cups to his collection. As Martin Rennhofer in paticular put Wassermann under pressure in the races. Rennhofer did in fact achieve the fastest lap in the second race and attacked the leader several times in the battle for victory.
There were constant gripping duels in the challenging hill section of the course, which David Wassermann was able to brilliantly fend off though.
As a result, Wassermann achieved two more victories ahead of Martin Rennhofer and Thies Ahrens. Ahrens was able to impress during his cup debut and will be among the favorites for next season.
Delight among the Top 3 at the end of both races!
Automotodrom Brno. Following what has been an excellent and really exciting touring car season on four renowned racing circuits, the final racing weekend of this year’s CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup took place from the 7th to the 10th of September 2017 at the Automotodrom Brno (CZ). The traditional racing circuit located in the heart of the Czech Republic is known for its exciting layout with “motorcycle characteristics” on an “uphill and downhill” course. On a circuit length of 5.403 kilometers, the touring car drivers were to offer the spectators two exciting races.
“All four contenders for the title had done enough to deserve to win the Championship, but in the end, there could only be one champion. The level of competition during this CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup season was very high, with talented drivers from the carting world regularly battling it out with ambitious “gentleman drivers”. This has been the recipe for success for the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup with excellent touring car motor racing on internationally renowned circuits, and all that at an affordable price. After a successful season in 2017, with more than ten drivers scoring points, we are going to keep campaigning for cost-effective touring car motor racing in the future.” series organizer Andreas Pfister stated.
things up well as a successful guest starter in the field of drivers!
After the first test races, 30-minute qualifying training to determine positioning took place. The youngster David Wassermann (GER, magnet-shop.net Racing) showed a great performance and nabbed the pole position off Pirmin Weixler (GER, U4 Automotive Racing Team) and Björn Dietrich (GER, TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT).
– Björn Dietrich wins himself second place in the championship with a great final win!
The tension was palpable before the important first race, because this race could already produce a preliminary decision in the championship battle. In this race a „rolling start“ was used for the first time, which meant that there was extra tension: The man in pole position, David Wasserman, was only able to enjoy his shining moment for a short while and had to move aside for Pirmin Weixler. Behind him, Björn Dietrich put good pressure on him and Dietrich was able to leave Wassermann behind in a difficult but fair competition.
However, both of them now had a fight on their hands with a quickly approaching Gerald Heigis (GER, Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK-OBERFRANKEN) who drove towards the finish line with very fast lap times. Neither David Wassermann nor Björn Dietrich were able to fight off the challenger effectively and Heigis took over second place behind Weixler.
For last year’s champion, Wolfgang Kriegl (AUT, Pfister-Racing by TOP-EXPRESS), it was a difficult racing weekend. The likeable Austrian wrestled with the technology of his Chevrolet Cruze Cup race car all weekend and was not able to exploit his talent. As a result, he placed only fifth in the first race, just ahead of Uwe Welzenbach (GER, magnet-shop.net Racing). Welzenbach felt right at home in the Automotodrom Brno and got himself noticed with strong lap times.
Fabian Piwetz (AUT, Mainfranken Motodrom Racing Team) was forced into the pit lane prematurely. After a problem with the gearbox, the mechanics of the Pfister-Racing Team immediately set about finding a solution to the problem, so that Piwetz was able to begin the second race without a problem.
A fantastic final race keeps the many spectators on their toes!
The many fans that traveled to watch in the stands gave the championship battle extra flavor and provided a real ‘race feeling’. After his victory in the first race, Pirmin Weixler needed to collect only a minimum of three more important points to ensure his championship victory.
With a determined ride, Björn Dietrich made a big splash in the second race. Starting from the third position, he fought his way forward and left the competition behind him. After having secured the leading position, he did not give it up again and, as a result, celebrated a great victory at the end of the racing season.
Fabian Piwetz also delivered a great race to catch up and, in the end, crossed the finish line in second place. For Pirmin Weixler, third place was enough to guarantee him the well-deserved title in the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup 2017. Fourth place was taken by Gerald Heigis, where he took more championship points, coming in before David Wassermann, Wolfgang Kriegl and Uwe Welzenbach.
Pirmin Weixler GER U4 AUTOMOTIVE RACING TEAM 72 pts.
Björn Dietrich GER TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT 66 pts.
Wolfgang Kriegl AUT Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN 62 pts.
David Wassermann GER Magnet-Shop.net Racing 60 pts.
Fabian Piwetz AUT MAINFRANKEN MOTODROM Racing Team 44 pts.
Uwe Welzenbach GER Magnet-Shop.net Racing 21 pts.
Leon Weitmann GER Mainfranken Motodrom Racing Team 14 pts.
Gerald Heigis GER Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN 13 pts.
Dennis Wunderl AUT U4 AUTOMOTIVE RACING TEAM 5 pts.
Marius Erasme GER Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN 3 pts.
Wolfgang Kriegl remains unbeaten at the Automotodróm Slovakia Ring – Pirmin Weixler takes over the lead in CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup 2017!
Pirmin Weixler takes over the lead in CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup 2017!
Automotodróm Slovakia Ring The very modern and challenging racing circuit on the outskirts of Bratislava welcomed the drivers of the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup brand trophy from 18th to the 20th of August 2017 for races 7 and 8 of the current racing season. Following what has been a turbulent season up to now, the Automotodróm Slovakia Ring represented yet another opportunity to experience more highlights in this captivating title race. The Slovakian circuit really puts it up to the driver with dangerous high-speed curves and a technically challenging “in-field” in sector two. The 5.922-km circuit offers the drivers the perfect stage to see who can perform the best to get their “Chevy” around the track the fastest.
“The season is now entering its most critical phase and we are very much looking forward to putting on a show of the very best touring car motor racing for our series sponsors, as well as for our fans. The CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup stands for exciting and affordable touring car motor racing on internationally renowned and iconic circuits with a lot of public relations work. The winner of the series will receive a free test drive in a TCR racing car, and that is a further reason to be excited about who will take the title in the finish!, said series organizer Andreas Pfister.
The 3rd place on the starting grid achieved by Leon Weitmann was the best starting position of his still young touring car career.
In qualifying to determine who will start from what position on the grid for the first race, Wolfgang Kriegl (AUT, Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN) burned it up out on the circuit to record the fastest time. Hot on his wheels was Pirmin Weixler (GER, Magnet-Shop.net Racing), something which was not to change over the course of the race weekend. The youngster Leon Weitmann (GER, Mainfranken Motodrom Racing Team) secured a highly impressive third place on the starting grid, and sent out a strong message that he was also to be reckoned with.
Wolfgang Kriegl and Pirmin Weixler showed themselves to be Gladiators behind the wheel, with both not giving the other an inch in the quest for victory.
– David Wassermann and Fabian Piwetz both put in great drives to get themselves on the podium!
After taking up their places at the end of the warm-up lap on the start-finish straight, the red lights went one at a time to mark the countdown to the start, which is then indicated when all the red lights go out. Kriegl showed excellent reactions and made sure that his pole position meant that he would also be the race leader off the grid. Pirmin Weixler on the other hand did not start well at all, losing a number of positions right from the outset. Leon Weitmann had a strong opening phase to the race: The youngster was able to secure second position and was even able to get himself close enough to attack the leader Wolfgang Kriegl.
Following the first few laps Kriegl was able to put some distance between himself and the chasing pack, while Pirmin Weixler drove furiously to close the gap and take over the lead. In the battle for positions, it was then 5 CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup racing cars that wanted to take the corner all at the same time. This wasn’t going to end well and the Championship leader up to that point Björn Dietrich (GER, U4 Automotive Racing) ended up in the gravel trap. This was a significant setback to his title ambitions, although he still remains very much in the running. This incident resulted in a safety car phase that neutralized the race.
Pirmin Weixler vs. Wolfgang Kriegl was the head-to-head battle of the race weekend!
Following the re-start, Pirmin Weixler went on the attack once again and put Wolfgang Kriegl under massive pressure. While the fight for first place raged on, Fabian Piwetz (AUT, Magnet-Shop.net Racing) was able to cement his place in third despite being handed a “drive-through” time penalty by the race commission. As the black-white chequered flag was waved, Kriegl crossed the finish line just ahead of Pirmin Weixler and David Wassermann (GER, TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT). Leon Weitmann, Fabian Piwetz and Uwe Welzenbach (Pfister-Racing by TOP-EXPRESS) were then the next to cross the finishing line.
The qualifying for the second race took place in wet conditions. Björn Dietrich wasn’t perturbed by the wet conditions, instead using it as a stage to really showcase his class behind the wheel of a racing car and secured a dominant pole position.
However, things would get tougher for Dietrich in the second race because the rain cleared and a number of his rivals were able to drive clearly faster lap times in the now dry conditions. Kriegl immediately took over the lead once the lights went out, with Pirmin Weixler not needing to be asked twice to bustle his way into second place. This was the spark that saw a top-class head-to-head battle explode between Wolfgang Kriegl and Pirmin Weixler to see who would be the first to take the chequered flag. The track battle between the two was full of numerous overtaking manoeuvres and exchanges of paint.
Fabian Piwetz put in an absolutely fantastic drive and secured third place behind Kriegl and Weixler, which was also his second podium finish of the season. Leon Weitmann crossed the finish line in fourth ahead of Björn Dietrich, David Wassermann and Uwe Welzenbach.
Pirmin Weixler GER Magnet-Shop.net Racing 56 pts.
Wolfgang Kriegl AUT Pfister-Racing by BRIEFLOGISTIK OBERFRANKEN 55 pts.
David Wassermann GER TOYO TIRES MOTORSPORT 51 pts.
Björn Dietrich GER U4 AUTOMOTIVE RACING TEAM 50 pts.
Fabian Piwetz AUT Magnet-Shop.net Racing 36 pts.
Uwe Welzenbach GER Pfister-Racing by TOP-EXPRESS 16 pts. | 2019-04-25T02:36:57Z | https://pfister-racing.eu/en/author/pfister/ |
The laboratory mouse has been used for many decades as a model system for radiation research. Recent advances in genetic engineering now allow scientists to delete genes in specific cell types at different stages of development. The ability to manipulate genes in the mouse with spatial and temporal control opens new opportunities to investigate the role of genes in regulating the response of normal tissues and tumors to radiation. Currently, we are using the Cre-loxP system to delete genes, such as p53, in a cell-type specific manner in mice to study mechanisms of acute radiation injury and late effects of radiation. Our results demonstrate that p53 is required in the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium to prevent radiation-induced GI syndrome and in endothelial and/or hematopoietic cells to prevent late effects of radiation. We have also used these genetic tools to generate primary tumors in mice to study tumor response to radiation therapy. These advances in genetic engineering provide a powerful model system to dissect both the mechanisms of normal tissue injury after irradiation and the mechanisms by which radiation cures cancer.
There is increasing evidence that two of the biological effects associated with low-dose ionizing radiation, genomic instability and bystander responses, may be linked. To verify and validate the link between the two phenomena, the ability of Si490 ions (high-energy particles associated with radiation risk in space) to induce bystander responses and chromosomal instability in human bronchial epithelial (HBEC-3kt) cells was investigated. These studies were conducted at both the population and single cell level in irradiated and nonirradiated bystander cells receiving medium from the irradiated cultures. At the general population level, transfer of medium from silicon-ion (Si490)-irradiated cultures (at doses of 0.073 Gy, 1.2 Gy and 2 Gy) to nonirradiated bystander cells resulted in small increases in the levels of chromosomal aberrations at the first division. Subsequently, single cell clones isolated from irradiated and bystander populations were analyzed for the appearance of de novo chromosome-type aberrations after ∼50 population doublings using mFISH. Both irradiated and bystander clones demonstrated chromosomal instability (as seen by the de novo appearance of translocations and chromosomal fragments), albeit to different degrees, whereas sham-treated controls showed relatively stable chromosomal patterns. The results presented here highlight the importance of nontargeted effects of radiation on chromosomal instability in human epithelial cells and their potential relevance to human health.
The radiation environment in space is complex in terms of both the variety of charged particles and their dose rates. Simulation of such an environment for experimental studies is technically very difficult. However, with the variety of beams available at the National Space Research Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) it is possible to ask questions about potential interactions of these radiations. In this study, the end point examined was transformation in vitro from a preneoplastic to a neoplastic phenotype. The effects of 1 GeV/n iron ions and 1 GeV/n protons alone provided strong evidence for suppression of transformation at doses ≤5 cGy. These ions were also studied in combination in so-called mixed-beam experiments. The specific protocols were a low dose (10 cGy) of protons followed after either 5–15 min (immediate) or 16–24 h (delayed) by 1 Gy of iron ions and a low dose (10 cGy) of iron ions followed after either 5–15 min or 16–24 h by 1 Gy of protons. Within experimental error the results indicated an additive interaction under all conditions with no evidence of an adaptive response, with the one possible exception of 10 cGy iron ions followed immediately by 1 Gy protons. A similar challenge dose protocol was also used in single-beam studies to test for adaptive responses induced by 232 MeV/n protons and 137Cs γ radiation and, contrary to expectations, none were observed. However, subsequent tests of 10 cGy of 137Cs γ radiation followed after either 5–15 min or 8 h by 1 Gy of 137Cs γ radiation did demonstrate an adaptive response at 8 h, pointing out the importance of the interval between adapting and challenge dose. Furthermore, the dose–response data for each ion alone indicate that the initial adapting dose of 10 cGy used in the mixed-beam setting may have been too high to see any potential adaptive response.
This in vitro study compared the detrimental effect and relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of high-linear energy transfer (LET) fast neutrons on rat immature hippocampal cultured cells with those of low-LET γ rays. Immature hippocampal cells were exposed to fast neutrons or γ rays. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were analyzed using a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-release assay and a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, respectively. The cytotoxicity and cell viability with fast neutrons or γ rays varied in a dose-dependent pattern. In the LDH release and MTT assay indices, the RBEs of fast neutrons were approximately 2.35 and 2.42, respectively. Fast neutrons markedly induced apoptotic changes in immature hippocampal cells with increased expression of active caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Increased cytotoxicity and decreased cell viability in immature hippocampal cells were seen in a dose-dependent pattern after fast-neutron and γ irradiation. Fast neutrons have a higher RBE for cell death indices than γ rays.
Radiation exposure induces acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in humans and mice. Recent studies postulated that AML stem cells of spontaneous human AML arise from hematopoietic stem cells. However, other studies support the possibility that short-lived committed progenitors transform into AML stem cells, accompanied by a particular gene mutation. It remains unclear whether AML stem cells are present in radiation-induced AML, and information regarding AML-initiating cells is lacking. In this study, we identified and analyzed AML stem cells of mice with radiation-induced AML. The AML stem cells were identified by transplanting 100 bone marrow cells from mice with radiation-induced AML. We injected 100 cells of each of seven cell populations corresponding to different stages of hematopoietic cell differentiation and compared the latencies of AMLs induced in recipient mice. The identified radiation-induced AML stem cells frequently displayed similarities in both CD antigen and gene expression profiles with normal common myeloid progenitors. The number of common myeloid progenitor-like AML stem cells was significantly increased in mice with radiation-induced AML, but the progeny of common myeloid progenitors was decreased. In addition, analysis of radiation effects on the hematopoietic system showed that common myeloid progenitor cells were extremely radiosensitive and that their numbers remained at low levels for more than 2 months after radiation exposure. Our results suggest that murine radiation-induced AML stem cells arise from radiosensitive cells at a common myeloid progenitor stage.
Thermal radiosensitization is believed to be mediated by an inhibition of double-strand break (DSB) repair, but the exact mechanism of radiosensitization remains to be elucidated. Previously, we demonstrated that proteins of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 complex (MRN) translocate from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in cells have that been heated or heated and then irradiated; this finding led us to propose that heat radiosensitization was due at least in part to translocation of MRN. In the current study, we used leptomycin B to inhibit MRN translocation in heated, irradiated cells, but we found that heat radiosensitization was not altered. Thus enhanced radiosensitivity was not attributed to translocation of MRN proteins. To determine which of the MRN subunits contributed to heat radiosensitization, we compared the extent of heat radiosensitization in wild-type cells with that of cells hypomorphic for Mre11 or Nbs1 or cells in which the level of Rad50 was suppressed. We found that neither Nbs1 nor Rad50 is involved in heat radiosensitization, because a similar amount of heat radiosensitization was observed in cells deficient in those proteins compared to cells expressing normal levels. However, heat radiosensitization was not observed in A-TLD1 cells deficient in Mre11. Measurement of exonuclease activity of purified Mre11 heated at 42.5°C or 45.5°C indicated that the protein is very heat-labile. Immunoprecipitation of Mre11 from heated HeLa cells also revealed that hsp70 associates with Mre11 and that this association is maintained long after heating. Taken together, these findings implicate Mre11 as a target for heat radiosensitization and suggest that heat radiosensitization and inhibition of DSB repair may be mediated by heat-induced conformational changes in Mre11.
Exposure to ionizing radiation induces p53, and its inhibition improves mouse survival. We tested the effect of 17-dimethylamino-ethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) on p53 expression and function after radiation exposure. 17-DMAG, a heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, protects human T cells from ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and subsequent caspase-3 activation. Using ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we found that ionizing radiation increased p53 accumulation, acute p53 phosphorylation, Bax expression and caspase-3/7 activation in a radiation dose- and time postirradiation-dependent manner. 17-DMAG inhibited these increases in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 0.93 ± 0.01 µM). Using in vitro models, we determined that inhibition of p53 by genetic knockout resulted in lower levels of caspase-3/7 activity 1 day after irradiation and enhanced survival at 10 days. Analysis of p53–Hsp90 interaction in ex vivo cell lysates indicated that the binding between the two molecules occurred after irradiation but 17-DMAG prevented the binding. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of p53 phosphorylation and Hsp90-dependent p53 stabilization after acute irradiation. Hsp90 inhibitors such as 17-DMAG may prove useful with radiation-based cancer therapy as well as for general radioprotection.
An important stage in tumorigenesis is the ability of precancerous cells to escape natural anticancer signals. Apoptosis can be selectively induced in transformed cells by neighboring normal cells through cytokine and ROS/RNS signaling. The intercellular induction of apoptosis in transformed cells has previously been found to be enhanced after exposure of the normal cells to very low doses of both low- and high-LET ionizing radiation. Low-LET ultrasoft X rays with a range of irradiation masks were used to vary both the dose to the cells and the percentage of normal cells irradiated. The results obtained were compared with those after α-particle irradiation. The intercellular induction of apoptosis in nonirradiated src-transformed 208Fsrc3 cells observed after exposure of normal 208F cells to ultrasoft X rays was similar to that observed for γ rays. Intercellular induction of apoptosis was stimulated by irradiation of greater than 1% of the nontransformed 208F cells and increased with the fraction of cells irradiated. A maximal response was observed when ∼10–12% of the cells were irradiated, which gave a similar response to 100% irradiated cells. Between 1% and 10%, high-LET α particles were more effective than low-LET ultrasoft X rays in stimulating intercellular induction of apoptosis for a given fraction of cells irradiated. Scavenger experiments show that the increase in intercellular induction of apoptosis results from NO• and peroxidase signaling mediated by TGF-β. In the absence of radiation, intercellular induction of apoptosis was also stimulated by TGF-β treatment of the nontransformed 208F cells prior to coculture; however, no additional increase in intercellular induction of apoptosis was observed if these cells were also irradiated. These data suggest that the TGF-β-mediated ROS/RNS production reaches a maximum at low doses or fluences of particles, leading to a plateau in radiation-stimulated intercellular induction of apoptosis at higher doses.
It has been proposed that the development of diabetic nephropathy is caused in large part by oxidative stress. We previously showed that continuous exposure of mice to low-dose-rate γ radiation enhances antioxidant activity. Here, we studied the ameliorative effect of continuous whole-body irradiation with low-dose-rate γ rays on diabetic nephropathy. Ten-week-old female db/db mice, an experimental model for type II diabetes, were irradiated with low-dose-rate γ rays from 10 weeks of age throughout their lives. Nephropathy was studied by histological observation and biochemical analysis of serum and urine. Antioxidant activities in kidneys were determined biochemically. Continuous low-dose-rate γ radiation significantly increases life span in db/db mice. Three of 24 irradiated mice were free of glucosuria after 80 weeks of irradiation. Histological studies of kidney suggest that low-dose irradiation increases the number of normal capillaries in glomeruli. Antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione are significantly increased in kidneys of irradiated db/db mice. Continuous low-dose-rate γ irradiation ameliorates diabetic nephropathy and increases life span in db/db mice through the activation of renal antioxidants. These findings have noteworthy implications for radiation risk estimation of non-cancer diseases as well as for the clinical application of low-dose-rate γ radiation for diabetes treatment.
We recently reported that daily dietary supplementation with 100 µg selenium (a dose exceeding a rat's nutritional requirement by about 33-fold) initiated immediately after total-body irradiation (TBI) and maintained for 21 weeks mitigates radiation nephropathy in a rat model as indicated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and histopathological criteria (Radiat Res. 2009; 17:368–73). In this follow-up study, we explored the risks and benefits of delaying the onset of supplementation, shortening periods of supplementation, and escalating selenium supplementation beyond 100 µg/day. Supplementation with 200 µg selenium/day (as selenite or seleno-l-methionine) substantially improved the mitigation of radiation nephropathy by lowering BUN levels at 4 months after TBI from 115 to as low as 34 mg/dl and by proportionally lowering the incidence of histopathological abnormalities. Shortening the period of supplementation to 3 or 2 months did not compromise efficacy. Delaying the onset of supplementation for 1 week reduced but did not abrogate the mitigation of radiation nephropathy. Supplementation with 300 µg/day mitigated radiation nephropathy less effectively than 200 µg and was poorly tolerated. Rats that had been given 10 Gy of TBI were less tolerant of high-dose selenium than nonirradiated rats. This reduced tolerance of high-dose selenium would need to be taken into consideration when selenium is used for the mitigation of radiation injury in victims of nuclear accidents or acts of radiological terrorism. The high dose requirements, the pronounced threshold effect, and the superior performance of selenite suggest that the mitigation of radiation nephropathy involves mechanisms that go beyond the induction of selenoproteins.
A combined analysis of three case-control studies nested in three European uranium miner cohorts was performed to study the joint effects of radon exposure and smoking on lung cancer death risk. Occupational history and exposure data were available from the cohorts. Smoking information was reconstructed using self-administered questionnaires and occupational medical archives. Linear excess relative risk models adjusted for smoking were used to estimate the lung cancer risk associated with radon exposure. The study includes 1046 lung cancer cases and 2492 controls with detailed radon exposure data and smoking status. The ERR/WLM adjusted for smoking is equal to 0.008 (95% CI: 0.004–0.014). Time since exposure is shown to be a major modifier of the relationship between radon exposure and lung cancer risk. Fitting geometric mixture models yielded arguments in favor of a sub-multiplicative interaction between radon and smoking. This combined study is the largest case-control study to investigate the joint effects of radon and smoking on lung cancer risk among miners. The results confirm that the lung carcinogenic effect of radon persists even when smoking is adjusted for, with arguments in favor of a sub-multiplicative interaction between radon and smoking.
The typical primary malignancies of the liver are hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, whereas colorectal liver metastases are the most frequently occurring secondary tumors. In many cases, only palliative treatment is possible. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) represents a technique that potentially destroys tumor tissue selectively by use of externally induced, locally confined secondary particle irradiation. In 2001 and 2003, BNCT was applied to two patients with colorectal liver metastases in Pavia, Italy. To scrutinize the rationale of BNCT, a clinical pilot study on patients with colorectal liver metastases was carried out at the University of Mainz. The distribution of the 10B carrier (p-borono-phenylalanine) in the liver and its uptake in cancerous and tumor-free tissue were determined, focusing on a potential correlation between the uptake of p-borono-phenylalanine and the biological characteristics of cancerous tissue. Samples were analyzed using quantitative neutron capture radiography of cryosections combined with histological analysis. Methodological aspects of the combination of these techniques and results from four patients enrolled in the study are presented that indicate that the uptake of p-borono-phenylalanine strongly depends on the metabolic activity of cells.
The uneven shielding of the International Space Station from the vessel hull, racks and experiments produces a modulation of the internal radiation environment. A detailed knowledge of this environment, and therefore of the Station's shielding effectiveness, is mandatory for an accurate assessment of radiation risk. We present here the first 3D measurements of the Station's radiation environment, discriminating particle trajectories and LET, made possible using the detection capability of the ALTEA-space detector. We provide evidence for a strong (factor ≈ 3) anisotropy in the inner integral LET for high-LET particles (LET > 50 keV/µm) showing a minimum along the longitudinal station axis (most shielded) and a maximum normal to it. Integrating over all measured LETs, the anisotropy is strongly reduced, showing that unstopped light ions plus the fragments produced by heavier ions approximately maintain flux/LET isotropy. This suggests that, while changing the quality of radiation, the extra shielding along the station main axis is not producing a benefit in terms of total LET. These features should be taken into account (1) when measuring radiation with detectors that cannot distinguish the direction of the impinging radiation or that are unidirectional, (2) when planning radiation biology experiments on the ISS, and (3) when simulating the space radiation environment for experiments on the ground. A novel analysis technique that fully exploits the ability to retrieve the angular distribution of the radiation is also presented as well as the angular particle flux and LET characteristic of three geomagnetic zones measured during 2009 by the ALTEA-space detector. This technique is applied to the ALTEA-space detector, but a wider applicability to other detectors is suggested.
The mitotic shake-off method revealed the remarkable variation of radiosensitivity of HeLa cells during the cell cycle: M phase shows the greatest radiosensitivity and late S phase the greatest radioresistance. This method harvests all M-phase cells with a round shape, making it impossible to further subdivide M-phase cells. Recently, the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) was developed; this system basically causes cells in G1 to emit red fluorescence and other cells to emit green fluorescence. Because the green fluorescence rapidly disappears at late M phase, two-dimensional flow cytometry analysis can usually detect a greenhigh/redlow fraction including S-, G2- and early M-phase cells but not a transitional fraction between greenhigh/redlow and greenlow/redlow including late M-phase cells. However, combining the shake-off method concentrated the transitional fraction, which enabled us to separate early and late M-phase cells without using any drugs. Here we demonstrate for the first time that cells in early M phase are more radiosensitive than those in late M phase, implying that early M phase is the most radiosensitive sub-phase during the cell cycle. | 2019-04-18T17:00:16Z | https://bioone.org/journals/radiation-research/volume-176/issue-3 |
NOTE: I WILL BE GOING ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS BEGINNING JULY 1. LOOK FOR ME TO BE BACK ON LINE AFTER JULY 15.
IN THE MEANTIME, BLESSINGS TO ALL AND ENJOY YOuR SUMMER.
I AM LEAVING YOU WITH TWO MASTERS TO REFLECT ON. ONE IS RUMI, AND OF COURSE WE ALL LOVE HIS POEMS THAT RETAIN THEIR SPIRITUAL POWER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. THE OTHER IS AN ENERGY WORKER FROM CROATIA NAMED BRACO, WHO SEEMS TO HAVE AMAZING HEALING POWERS. BOTH, I FEEL, CAN CREATE A SPECIAL ENERGY FIELD THAT DOES WONDERS TO HEAL BOTH BODY AND SPIRIT.
The family darling comes home!
Braco hails from Croatia and is reputed to have wondrous healing powers, though he does not call himself a “healer.” Rather, he prefers to be known as one who acts as a conduit for the divine energies from Source. Braco does not speak--rather he holds “gazing sessions” in which he appears before a vast audience and gazes into their eyes. He is well known in Europe and attracts huge crowds wherever he goes.
He does all of this in silence, and his “gazing sessions” last only five minutes, though he repeats these throughout the day.
He does not charge for his services when he appears in Europe, but there is a small charge (about $6.00) when he travels to other countries. He visited California recently, then went on to Hawaii and Japan.
Is he authentic? Many believe so, and his record seems to support this. How could such a being appear in our midst?
For one thing, I think the veils between the worlds are indeed growing thinner, and things that might have been impossible only a few years ago, now are becoming more frequent, just as more and more people are awakening to spiritual reality.
For another, I am convinced that in such gatherings, a marvelous vibrational field is created by the crowd itself, for people are truly in an altered state and each amplifies the emanations of the others. And such energy infusions (of love) are healing, whatever the source.
In any event, the process helps many people in all sorts of ways.
And--finally--I think this is how the world itself is undergoing massive transformation. Great energetic fields are being created, impacting larger and larger numbers of people. As more and more are drawn to participate in these “higher” vibrations, the field becomes larger and more intense, until at last the vast majority of the populace is involved.
This may seem fanciful, but why not? If it can happen on a lesser scale, why not across the entire planet? And thus we will experience global Kundalini initiaton as the instrument by which we will together enter a new stage of evolution of consciousness. Far fetched? Perhaps, but no more farfetched than many of the other major transitions into new levels of consciousness humanity has undergone in past eras.
To read more about Braco, look him up on google or check him out on YouTube. Whatever or whoever he is, he is a fascinating phenomenon on the world scene --we need more like him.
Of late, I have thrown caution to the winds, and am writing things I might not have been bold enough to share a few years back. I do not consider myself a channel or a prophet, but sometimes I seem to get "hits" or glimpses of how things might be. Where we might have come from, where we may be going, and--now--how the change will happen.
This is whatI think. I don't think that the "end" will be as traumatic or frightening as one might suppose. If we are indeed at the end of an era, or possibly the end of planet earth, then this is how we may--as individuals and groups--experience it. I think that vast numbers of people will be--in effect--cast into an altered state, a dream state, if you will, and together we--possibly the entire population of the planet--will easily and effortlessly move together into our next level of consciousness. Some might see this as death, a vast tragedy afflicting earth. But I think otherwise.
Many writers in the past have spoken of evolution of consciousness in terms of actual "root races" that preceded our present status. In fact, some, such as Madame Blavatsky, have described different "races" existing in ancient times, all predating by many eras the appearance of "humanity" on earth. In order to move into a new state of being--to become a transfigured version of the prior self--the old condition must be surrendered, to make way for the new reality.
I am putting this forth not as solid truth, but rather as grounds for speculation. I once experienced death as it came about in a past life. At the (actual) time, I was receiving a massage, but in my "dream body" I knew that I was a monk lying prone, undergoing the transition from "life" to "death." The passage was very easy. As my fellow monks surrounded me, I drifted in and out of consciousness, and slowly made my way--effortlessly and painlessly--into the other realm.
This notion may seem untenable, but my bottom line--as always--is that if what happened to me so unexpectedly (K. awakening) some 30 years ago then anything is possible. Anyone who has had experience well outside the norm will likely be convinced of this. Whether it is sudden ecstasy, altered consciousness, or near death--even alien contact--one is changed forever in terms of acceptance of the "possible" in a way one simply could not accept before.
And more and more are having such key experiences. These are the yeast transforming the dough into the bread, the seeds that have been sown sometimes years ago that now are opening in full bloom.
Kundalini is, I believe, the key ingredient for the transition itself, for through the years it transforms the nervous system in astonishing ways, preparing the self for the move into yet higher realms.
Last night I watched the Science Channel, where first I learned that "String Theory" (the universe is composed of an infinite number of vibrating "strings" (beads) had been for a time discredited in favor of Super Gravity--then, when the idea of 11 dimensions (instead of 10) was accepted the two theories appeared to be complementary instead of contradictory.
The 11th dimension is said to be infinitely long but extremely thin--a fraction of a millimeter across. Thus it is very, very close to everything in the universe.
Also, somewhere in all of this theorizing is M theory--the notion that the universe is a giant membrane--although some (skeptics?) interpret "M" as Magic or Mystery or Mother of All, or even Madness.
But the theory of the weakness of gravity led to the notion of parallel universes. Some were cylindrical or membranes with holes in them--there seem to be an infinite number of membranes with untold parallel universes. Some of these parallel universes may be quite close to us but we are not aware of them.
Indeed, I would add that when I described in a recent entry those of us who feel we are " not at home" in consensus reality might be seen as inhabiting a "parallel universe" of a kind, since we occupy the same space as the "others," yet we experience the world in a totally different fashion.
Indeed, science is sounding more and more like science fiction--in fact, I think it is time to look at the Seth books again--Seth spoke of matters similar to these notions. And we should not forget the Spanda Karika of ancient India--in which vibration itself is the basis of all that exists (or seems to ) in the cosmos.
The bottom line is that Kundalini (vibration of source) is the ultimate reality, and when we connect with it (or are connected to it) we too "vibrate" with that reality which is the final mystery. If we are not prepared, we may suffer serious consequences. But if we are in the right alignment, we can know unsurpassed bliss of union.
Today I was in a bookstore and picked up the latest book by Drumvalo Mechizedek--"Serpent of Light." I read only a bit of the introduction, but found some interesting observations there. First, he talks about the Kundalini of the Earth as changing. Now, of course, other writers and mystics have spoken of the Kundalini of earth itself, so this notion (that earth also possesses Kundalini) is not brand new.
Drumvalo says that once every 13,000 years, the central base of earth's K. energies shifts to a new location--and that this shift is sometimes accompanied with an actual polar shift, with all that that entails. He feels that in the present era ("now" is swiftly becoming the previous era), this spiritual center was located in India and Tibet, but that at present it is shifting to Peru and Chile, a place somewhere high in the Andes.
I have no idea whether this theory is or is not correct, but we do know that India and Tibet have been special energy centers for many centuries. Why these would now move to a new location on earth is not clear.
Drumvalo also says that this big shift will occur in the next few years--perhaps even in 2011 or 2012. In this respect, he is clearly in line with the many other prophecies from various seers and traditions speaking of this as a time of major change.
And, like many others, he sees this shift as both positive and negative. As outer structures collapse, new spiritual formations are emerging--the phoenix of change rising once more from the ashes of decay.
One of these changes is the shift from male dominated to female dominated culture. The notion of the resurgence of the feminine aspect of humanity has been with us for some time now. Many years ago, gender studies became a significant topic in university classes. Now, it seems to be gaining ever more strength, as more and more women take on positions of authority in various social institutions, more women spiritual teachers have emerged, and the divine feminine is acknowledged as central to our salvation as a society. In fact, one popular magazine currently features an article entitled, "Are Men Obsolete?" Personally, I think this is going a bit far, for we know many men who successfully embrace their "feminine" aspect, as well as some women who seem to be more "male" in their drive to power than some men. But on the whole, it is interesting to see such notions grow from small beginnings to mainstream themes in contemporary society and more and more people become aware of the need to balance the male and female energies within. The balancing of the opposites--including male and female aspects of self--is essential in virtually all initiatory systems.
I then discovered that if you look up Drumvalo's "Serpent of Fire" on Amazon, you can actually read a good portion of the book there and gain even further insights as to his theories.
Last night, I attended a party to remember. It was not the typical gathering of persons attempting to connect with "chitchat" about irrelevant topics, but quite the antithesis. Held at the home of Tami Simon, founder and publisher of the Sounds True company, it celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of that firm. Sounds True pioneered the recording and distribution of major spiritual teachers and musicians, and has since its beginnings grown into a major presence in the spiritual world, an institution recognized as at the forefront of the creation and distribution of both CD's and books on spiritual topics.
SoundsTrue is the publisher of "Kundalini Rising," the anthology of writings on Kundalini which has been called the essential Kundalini handbook for our time. I was delighted that such a book was published and honored to be a contributor (see sidebar.) Tami herself has experienced Kundalini and writes about this awakening in her introduction to "Kundalini Rising."
This party was unlike any other I have ever attended, for it included many well known luminaries in the field of spiritual development and expansion of consciousness, as well as others who were devoted employees or friends of SoundsTrue. Suddenly, people I had admired from a distance were real and palpable and lovely in every way. And it seemed that everyone, famous or not, was part of the same "tribe," the forward thinkers or "evolutes" of our time. One could approach virtually anyone present and feel quite at home discussing topics of mutual interest, for we were all working (each in our own way) for the expansion of awareness of humanity as a species.
For me, it began with a surprising synchronicity. I had arrived early, in the hopes of meeting Tami and perhaps speaking with her briefly. When I entered her home, she was no where to be found. There was an intriguing sign at the bottom of the stairs announcing that something called a "NexNeuro" was available above. My friend and I went up to investigate and learned that this was the name of a relaxation bed that combined vibrations with music. The presenter announced that I would be next in line to try out this device. Although I was fearful that by waiting to experience this novelty, I would miss my chance to meet Tami, I waited out of curiosity and politeness. After a few minutes, the door opened, and out walked Tami, with a bright glow on her face. Obviously, she had loved her session on the bed.
I talked briefly with Tami and then I had my session, followed by a long talk with the local distributor of the bed. He and I exchanged life stories as we sat next to one another downstairs, and he mentioned that he often sold books at various alternative health conferences and in fact might be interested in including copies of "Unmasking the Rose."
Later, in that same location (a circle including several well known musicians and writers), Jonathan Goldman (someone I have long admired for his work in sound healing) took a seat. I was especially delighted at this, since I have for years listened to his music, which is designed specifically to awaken the energy centers within. At one time, I listened to his CD's as my major meditation--"Trance Tara" in particular used to put me into deep ecstasy daily, so I was grateful to be able to tell him how much his music meant to me.
Then we all partook of a dinner consisting of catered Indian food. It was not hot and spicy as so often is the case, but just right, and in fact, it was the best Indian food I have ever eaten.
Later, we gathered outside for a short talk by Tami, who of course was in a state of glory as she told of her long relationship with her firm, which she described as her "consort," a lover who gives constant inspiration and encouragement.
The final speaker was Clarissa Pinkola Estes, the beloved and famous author of (among others) "Women Who Run with the Wolves." Clarissa and Tami have a long standing connection, and clearly are deeply devoted to one another. Among other things, Clarissa stated that we (about 200 people gathered together) were the prototypes for the future human. After she finished, she stepped down and then she offered a private blessing to Kabir, the musician/kirtan singer I so respect, as he stood before her. When she finished, I told her how pleased I was to meet her and how moved I was by her presentation. She then asked me what I did, and, after I explained that I was a poet/writer who offered help and encouragement to those undergoing Kundalini awakening, she asked me to bless her. Of course, I was quite surprised and deeply honored to bless a woman of such stature and standing, one who has given so much to the betterment of our world.
To meet and speak with so many distinguished persons I have so long admired was of course quite gratifying for me, almost like a dream. I am still in a bit of a daze from all this spiritual nectar.
Sometimes it happens that way.
Are there two different kinds of humans?
I have often discussed this mystery with many friends. Why do some seem to stumble blindly (or perhaps easily) through their lives, accepting the dictums of society, conforming easily to the given norms and expectations, apparently happy in their paths, while others are never really comfortable in their efforts to "fit in," often sensing that they are "different" in ways they can't quite describe.
At times, it seems as though there are two different races or strains among the group we name "the human species." Why are some more aware, more sensitive, more in touch with invisible realms?
Recently, I considered the theory that space travelers from other planets did indeed visit earth at some point in ancient history, and implant a new set of genes in what became the human race. Perhaps some of us now have more of those genes "turned on" in our systems, while others do not. Everyone carries this potential within, but some already are living this awakened state.
Tonight, watching another episode of Morgan Freeman's "Through the Worm Hole" (on the Science Channel), I was again fascinated by the notion of time travel. One researcher has discovered that it is possible to send a signal (from one device) to another--and the latter picks up the signal slightly before it is actually sent. This was presented as an example of "travel into the past."
However, it occurs to me that from the perspective of the "receiver", it might as well be seen as an example of "travel into the future." Indeed, one experiment in telepathy at a major university asked a human subject to press a lever when a signal was sent--some were very good at this, and some could even anticipate the signal, pressing the lever a split second before the signal was sent. Did these subjects literally travel into the future, sensing the event before it became the "present" in normal space/time?
Now--here is my clincher--if the familiar laws of space/time can be set aside in these various experiments, can they not also offer possible explanations of such things as intuition of coming happenings, premonitions, visions of the "future" in waking or dreaming states?
Unfortunately, the scientists who are working on these issues do not seem to connect their theories with happenings well documented in the storehouse of human experience. There are many such examples, some involving well known historical figures, some involving ordinary people, perhaps those we ourselves know--or even ourselves. How often have you known who is on the phone before you pick it up, or think of someone who then gets in touch shortly thereafter? How often do you dream of something that happens later, including details that were included in the dream (as if time were reversed)? Science seems to disregard all evidence that does not occur in a laboratory under controlled conditions, but we do not live in laboratories, and our lives occur in totally unregulated environments.
And--here is another even more radical theory. One of the scientists on Freeman's program commented that if time travel were possible, we would be inundated with visitors from the future. My question: how do we know that these visitors are not already here, living more or less undetected among us, looking and acting pretty much like the rest of humanity? Indeed, how do you know that we--the ones more open, more seemingly "awake," more "sensitive' in ways unfathomable to the "throng"--are not in fact "visitors from the future," infused with ways of perceiving and knowing beyond the comprehension of the "regular folk" who represent the majority among the masses of humanity?
If we are not in fact "visitors from the future" we are certainly representatives of the next stage of human evolution, when expanded consciousness will characterize everyone. If nothing else, we are here to point the way, to enable others as they enter this transformed state.
I am not insisting that any of these notions is true. But Freeman's program does awaken speculation on some central issues--in particular, how it is that the "two tribes" of humanity are so different from one another in so many ways.
that is taking place within me?
but it cannot explain it.
unbounded in its awesome greatness.
This lovely poem was written by an early Christian mystic, yet in many ways it could be describing the experience of Kundalini awakening today. We know Kundalini (divine flow within) not by thinking or reading about it, but by "participation." The hand cannot write out an adequate description, the mind can know what is happening, yet cannot accurately convey its nature and power to others. It is indeed an "awesome mystery" taking place within us.
Symeon the Theologian is one my favorite early writers--I have often wondered if indeed he did not experience Kundalini in his own life, but used a different vocabulary to express it.
Sometimes Kundalini itself brings us such moments of joy and transcendence. It is then that we feel our cells dance, and we see the "beauty beneath the beauty." It is then that every pebble sparkles, and the mundane world lights up with the beauty of the sublime. At those times we "see with saint's eyes" and know that we are blessed.
Someone has asked me to write on the topic of "catharsis." We know that the awakening of Kundalini can bring into consciousness all sorts of issues and feelings, many related to disturbing events of the past. Sometimes it feels as though we are literally re-experiencing sensations or feeling states from these earlier experiences.
So--what do we do with these deep states of "remembering" that have arisen so strongly and are asking to be dealt with in present time?
To begin, I am not a certified therapist, so what I will say next will be strictly a subjective or intuitive response. But here are some of my thoughts on this subject.
First, let them come through in full force. Don't try to "squash them down" or pretend they are not happening. They are happening and are saying loud and clear, here I am, I linger in your cells, and this is the time to attend. Tibetan Buddhism tells us not to skirt pain, but to enter it fully--feel it, allow it, and move through it. Once that happens, relief may come.
Acknowledge them ("yes, I know, you are still angry; yes, I recognize this as continuing grief"--and so forth). Name them for what they are. That sometimes is in itself enough to lessen their intensity.
But even more important--release your feelings in any way possible--crying is really good, if you can cry. Or screaming or hitting a pillow, if you are dealing with anger and are in a safe environment.
This is a perfect time to seek professional help on these issues. So if you can, see a reliable therapist, one who will give you appropriate techniques to allow these emotions to come through and then find release. If possible, find one who knows about Kundalini as spiritual transformation--stay away from those who see it as an "illness." If you are afraid to tell your therapist about Kundalini (that is, if they are still ignorant of this subject), you don't have to go into the details of this part of your awakening--you can focus on the feelings themselves. Surely they will understand grief, anger, basic feeling states. Don't let them focus entirely on talk therapy--that can be good, but you need to get right down to your gut sensations, your bodily responses--your cellular body wants relief. So find a therapist who combines bodily release techniques with mental exploration.
And by all means, write it out in a personal journal. You can say things there you never told anyone or even said to yourself before. You may be amazed what will come forth. You can, at times, even be more or less your own therapist in this way.
Until these basic issues are pretty much resolved and inner healing occurs, you cannot make the kind of progress you desire on your spiritual path. These are the blockages that can cause "Kundalini pain"--both mental and physical--once they are released, you can make speedy progress, with fewer of the "down" periods of the K. process.
I am sure there are many other techniques of use here--I have offered only what occurs to me at this moment. Even certain yoga and meditation teachers might have useful advice. Find what works for you.
And keep in mind that you are dealing with an entire lifetime of struggle and challenge--so be patient for the change to occur.
And always remember--it is not enough to 'know it" mentally--you must experience it at its deepest level and thus experience the actual connections.
But it could be an "a-ha" moment, when you not only see but feel the root cause, and from that time on, everything can change.
And don't give up--I finally discovered my own "root cause" of suffering and self-rejection after years and years of not knowing--and after that, everything changed. I literally became a different person, free at last of the anxiety and self-doubt that had plagued me all my previous life. Kundalini was at last free to weave its full magic, as I gained confidence and discovered (what we all need to know) that we need not depend on others for our sense of self-worth, but can in fact be "our own person," and become who we truly are.
There seems to be a great deal of discussion these days about "intention." Apparently, the idea is to set your intention for whatever it is you want and then it will come to you. One man decided he wanted a million dollars, so he pasted a copy of a million dollar bill over his bed so he would see it first thing each morning. He did get his million--in fact, he made many millions through a popular book he wrote, and bought himself a multimillion dollar house and fancy car(s).
Now, I have nothing against "asking the universe" for what you need, but I am mystified that so many seem to think the technique is to be used to gain excessive material wealth. Little is said about desiring to be closer to the divine or doing work that is true to one's soul purpose. In fact, it seems that for the most part "God" (the divine, source, reality, ultimate essence, whatever you wish to call it) is simply ignored.
I have indeed asked the universe for things I truly needed in the past. I once got a car this way--not a fancy expensive one, but a "pre-used" model that was quite inexpensive and was perfect for my needs. I also found an ideal apartment when I moved a year ago--indeed it was the first one I looked at--and I had in fact asked for "outside help" for this.
However, I am not sure we should focus on this technique to the exclusion of other interests and avenues. I feel our best "intention" is to be open to what the universe brings us--whether friends or activities or transcendent meditations or progress on our spiritual path. If we need a new (or any) job, indeed we should ask. If we are hungry, we should ask for food. If we are lonely,we should ask for friends.
But--asking to become a millionaire? Whatever happened to "lay not up treasures on earth"--an admonitions once most honored.
My daily prayer is "Give me the strength to do what I am supposed to be doing on this earth and the good sense to know what that is."
I also believe that those of us who have been blessed with Kundalini awakening have already received the greatest possible gift the planet offers, and thus our overall intention should be--surely--to deepen our own spiritual connection and to contribute in whatever way we can to the welfare of the world around us. I see many who do this in various ways--sometimes they drive old cars, wear the same clothes for years, live in modest houses. Some give through their art or other forms of service. Some dedicate their own spiritual practices to raising the overall planetary vibration. They are our models and our inspiration.
They bless and are blessed for they understand and practice true dedication.
Our descent into the world is made. Tendrils of fear and hope entwine as we slowly and carefully unite with the tiny form that will be our home for the forseeable future. Tenderly and with great care, we explore this newly made one within whom we are the expected guest. Who will we be now? Will we manage to fulfill our contracts this time? So much longing resides in this new journey. Will our courage carry us through? Will we re-member what we came to do? Sweetly and with great gentleness we expand our light until this new form accepts our presence with trust. Now the waiting begins.
I am eager to see the new faces of my parents. Long have we been together in our soul group and on earth as mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, friend. I hope they have remembered our agreements and that we have a home in the forest, far from the city energy and the tension that it carries. Soon we will be together again. Perhaps this time our ascent will be a beautiful journey into expressing fully who we truly are. My prayers flow back to our Source. May we be a blessing to the world. May we walk in beauty all the days of our life.
She is the kind of person you wish you could get to know. There is something about her, something subtle yet present, something you can't quite name. You sense that she has lived deep, has mysteries she could unveil if she wished.
When she speaks, everyone listens, for she dispenses wisdom in her quiet voice. Beautiful poetic images roll forth, like nuggets retrieved from far beneath earth’s surface. When she is cast in the role of leader, she has a quiet command, a presence that calls others to attend, for they know that something of significance is taking place, that they are being offered bountiful gifts.
Her lineage is one with ancient roots, but her role as a female leader in this primarily male domain defies all the traditional prescriptions. She accepts her position easily, for she knows this is a cloak that fits. She has prepared for her role for many years, both as a student and as one who has explored life at a deep level. She is a pioneer, a risk taker, a poet whose tongue has been kissed by spirit. Her commitment to her calling is complete, and compels respect and love from those who come into her orbit.
Above all, she is not afraid to express love. She has found the secret and her eyes sparkle with that knowledge, for she carries a wisdom born from both pain transcended and ecstasy revealed. She is open to visions, for she is an authentic mystic. For her, the veils are thin, and she travels where others are afraid to venture. She is protected. She gives fully of herself to others, and is blessed with their love in return.
I received this note today from a friend who is herself experiencing K. awakening, and thought I would pass her letter along to you. The area of the mystical experience and its relation to Kundalini is always a fascinating one. Many of the mystics speak of the deity as the "Beloved" and use the language of love to express their connection with the divine. One is never sure if, for them, the "Beloved" is simply a useful metaphor to express their feeling of Oneness, or whether they are actually experiencing this love in their bodies as inner rapture or bliss.
In any event, as Mary points out, the similarities with Kundalini bliss are obvious. Once more, I am reminded of the best definition of Kundalini that I have heard: "Kundalini is God moving through your body."
I found myself in the car today listening to a CD I've had for several years. Today the lyrics jumped out at me as never before. Wonderful expressions of kundalini energy. I'm sure you've heard these by now but just in case you haven't here's the lyrics from 3 of the songs.
Since I am in you and you are in Me.
And you shall delight in body and in soul in My Love.
Sing to me Your Lover’s song.
The more beautiful I am.
I love you often. I love you long.
I can be no other way.
And forever in my heart it sings.
And together we fly in the sweet clear air of your flowing love in me.
You come to set my spirit free.
playing in a new key.
When Gregory Orr was young, he accidentally shot and killed his brother in a hunting accident. This event haunted him for life. He is now one of our most distinguished poets. | 2019-04-23T18:27:51Z | http://kundalinisplendor.blogspot.com/2010/06/ |
One month from now I will be moving to Boone, North Carolina! For years I have been dreaming of mountains, so when my husband Ben got an incredible job offer from Appalachian State University, we were both very excited about the change. I have been cleaning out the closets and getting rid of excess things with enthusiasm, and can hardly wait to get the rest of my treasures packed up and ready to go.
But leaving clients behind is hard! I have determined that I cannot continue to manage my small team of staff from out of state. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll be gone for good. I will return to Chicago once each season to visit with family and friends and to check in with clients. Chicago subscribers will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment as soon as those visits are booked. There is a short but compelling list of services that I can continue to offer remotely (see below). I can also offer several recommendations for assistants and professionals who may be able to help you in my absence. Finally, I am looking forward to putting years of ideas about organizing and productivity into writing for the benefit of all!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make Ideal Space Consulting a reality over the past few years. I am deeply grateful for the support of clients, mentors, family, and friends.
Schedule a check-in with me over the phone once a week, or once a month. We can clarify your goals and objectives, create your plan of action, design a comprehensive project plan, and troubleshoot crippling roadblocks. These virtual check-ins have left clients feeling productive, empowered, motivated, and clear.
Successful businesses don’t always have the infrastructure they need in order to grow. I have helped more than a dozen businesses and non-profits create or revise business plans, job descriptions, manuals, or apply for grants. I can also provide writing, editing, and social media support to strengthen your communications.
Reason #1: My agenda for tomorrow is clear. While I may feel complete in this moment, the work is not done. The work is never done! Yet my schedule for tomorrow makes sense. I know exactly what needs to be done, and I know I have enough time to do it all. This is made so clear in my calendar that I don’t even need to think about it until I finish my breakfast tomorrow morning and sit down at my desk to get started.
Reason #2: I pushed myself today. I confronted resistance and fear and I won. In this case it was my first ever Bikram yoga class. I was terrified, having heard other people describe their Bikram experience as ‘thinking they were going to die for the last half hour’. So I pushed myself, overcame fear, and then I pushed myself more, finishing the class with a sense that I had rocked it! Laying on the floor I felt completely connected to my exhausted sweaty self as my heart pounded almost out of control.
Reason #3: I helped someone. I get to help people for a living. In this case it was administrative assistance for a busy client going through a major life event. Today, I listened, I made phone calls, I pulled data from huge stacks of papers. By the end of the session, there were answers and just a little bit of resolution. Tomorrow it may take a completely different form, but I will help someone again.
Reason #4: First I showed up, and then I stayed present. Everywhere I went today, everyone I met with, every time I walked my dog, and every time I parked my car, I was fully present. This is the most mysterious of all the phenomena that merged today to make me feel blissfully successful. Why is it that I was able to be so present today when other days I fail miserably to be where I am? This time I chalk it up to rest and resolution, and perhaps a little good fortune.
On a day like today, being organized is just a small piece of the puzzle. What does it take for you to have your most productive, successful, and inspiring day ever? Don’t hold back. Your comments and insights might bring someone just a little bit closer to brilliance tomorrow!
Fall is an extremely evocative time for me. I always looked forward to my October birthday, and I’d plan my Halloween costumes all year round, but the real thing that drew me to fall as a child is the same thing that draws me to it now: fresh starts.
It’s been years since my life was regulated by an academic calendar. Still, the subtle changes in light, the increasing crispness of the air, the crunchy carpet of leaves, and of course the changing colors all fill me with a sense of excitement. I am filled with memories of pristine new shoes, smart new clothes, clean blank notebooks and unused pens and pencils, and the little girl in me is jumping up and down.
I miss starting school, but it actually doesn’t have anything to do with new shoes, or even with the glory of the season. On the first day of school, with some help from parents, I arrived on time and prepared for the day ahead. My bag was packed with all the necessary supplies, my mind was sharp and open, and everyone was on equal footing. Nobody was behind or discouraged, yet.
Here is my favorite part: on first days of class teachers laid out their expectations. They said: here are the rules you must follow in order to succeed; this is what you will learn; these are the books you will need in order to complete your projects and assignments, here is how your success will be measured. There are very few mysteries in the way it works. If you play by the rules and do what you’re told, you will get good grades and learn something.
Adults rarely ever have success defined for them in such clear terms, and they rarely have the path to success laid out for them in manageable steps. I remember sitting down to my homework assignments some nights with eagerness, knowing that all the information I needed was either already inside of me, or readily available in a book nearby. It was simple, though it never really felt that way at the time.
I am obviously a person who loved school. Not everyone does, and yet clearly expressed and achievable goals with well thought-out action plans achieved over set periods of time are almost universally supportive of growth and productivity. When I meet with a client for the first time, or re-evaluate after working with them for awhile, I am effectively customizing a curriculum for them based on the goals I hear them expressing.
As the school year progresses, the excitement wears off. The real work begins. Mistakes are made, deadlines are missed and one starts to fall behind. Motivation occasionally falters. Imperfections are rampant. Time is mismanaged and one stays up all night trying to finish a project. The new shoes have scuff marks on them, books are dog-eared, and notebooks are misplaced. It is not the perfect, pristine, productive year it was supposed to be. It’s just like all the other years, but with slightly different content.
The organizing process is also ongoing and it is never quite as pretty as it looks in pictures, but there is the extraordinary benefit of being able to take specific steps toward clear and achievable goals. Organizing is palpable: you can see and feel it happening around you and inside you. When it’s working, you don’t have to wonder if you’re on the right track, focusing on the right things, or making any progress.
If you’re as excited as I am about fall, fresh starts, and the idea of getting assignments designed precisely to get you where you want to go, then now is an excellent time to hire an organizer. Click here, to book an appointment. If not, maybe a new pair of loafers and a fresh notebook will suffice.
1. Perform a ruthless evaluation of spring and summer clothing. What did you love wearing? What did you hate wearing? *What did you never ever wear? Neatly fold the items you loved wearing and place them in a plastic bin for winter storage, or move them to a back rack in your closet. Include winter/spring shoes and accessories. If you have more than one bin, label each one so that you can find your sandals and bathing suits for winter or spring vacations.
2. Appraise the less-loved or unworn spring and summer clothing. Choose what to donate and put it into bags. Put the items you just aren’t sure about, into a dedicated box or bin labeled “quarantine.” These items will be stored for a year giving you a chance to make up your mind, lose ten pounds, or start loving polyester.
3. You should now have free space in your closet, drawers, or shelves for winter clothes. Take this time to arrange winter clothes in a way that will work for you. As you go through them, notice which items you are happy to see, and which items look outdated or worn out. If you are ready to let go of any items now, **bag them immediately! Otherwise keep this information in mind come spring when it’s time to repeat the process.
Don’t want to deal with this on your own? Click here to schedule an appointment.
*Keep all your hangers pointing in the same direction. When you wear an item, hang it back up with the hanger facing the opposite direction. By the end of the season you will be able to see how much of your wardrobe you actually wore based on the direction of the hangers.
**Keep a shopping bag for donations in your closet. As you find a shirt here or a sweater there that you think may be more useful or flattering to someone else, put it in the bag right away. When the bag gets full, take it to your favorite charity and replace it with an empty bag.
I have been married for just over a month! The months leading up to the wedding were extraordinary. The anticipation increased past a point my mellow self was comfortable with, and at the last minute, I was still scrambling to finish or let go of the professional projects I had taken on. The month of the wedding, on the other hand, was a non-stop celebration, some of it taking place on a honeymoon in Portugal. Now, finally, I am back, and still trying to settle in. This is not the first time in my life I have been painfully aware of the importance of organizing during life transitions, but I’m finding that this time in particular, I need to practice what I’ve been preaching.
Whether you are conscious of it or not, your present moment is reflected in the spaces in which you spend your time. Your home is particularly revealing about the current state of your life, and it can also be a tool to help you live the life you want. Changes or adjustments in your home will have symbolic and practical effects on your life.
Organization is both a tool to improve your life and also a necessary process for maintaining it. When you choose to put silverware in that place in the kitchen, and then put it away in that place every time they are cleaned, you are organizing. When you unpack groceries you are organizing. When you put away laundry you are organizing. These processes become habitual, evolving to match the rhythm of life in the place where that living and organizing is happening.
When something changes - something big like a death in the family, a new career, a move, a retirement, a breakup, or a marriage, your home inevitably changes as well. This seems obvious, especially in some cases. Moving to another place, your home is undoubtedly changing. And yet, in times of transition most people try as hard as they can to hang on and keep things the same.
I once heard a story of an affluent couple living in a very large house with many rooms. As their only daughter grew up, instead of substituting a bed for a crib, a dresser for a changing table, they moved her into a new bedroom, preserving the old one like a museum dedicated to each stage of their daughter’s childhood. This couple used their resources to move forward without ever letting go of the past. What an eerie luxury!
All transitions are governed by the passage of time. In a static universe there would be no need for organization. In contrast, our dynamic lives call for organization and reorganization.
Just as personal goals can be achieved more easily through symbolic or practical changes to physical spaces. Conscious clutter clearing, rearrangement, and analysis of the systems we are using on a regular basis can ease the mind and heart during troubled times, help with the processing of grief, improve learning, improve family dynamics, contribute to the health of a relationship, build independence, and support professional success or financial prosperity.
When I am going through a transition, I am enveloped by my emotions. I am so absorbed by the changes taking place, and my feelings about those changes, that it is difficult to look at things objectively. Navigating logistical processes and making decisions becomes extremely challenging. I first look for help from family and friends, then I reach out to various professionals. The challenges of a transition are only exacerbated when a change or event affects an entire family. When, for example, a loved one dies, the grieving family is left with a massive organizing project, and yet their ability to handle it is severely compromised, putting their relationships and their emotional health at risk. This is when professional support can be most effective.
As my new husband and I settle back into our daily routines, we are redefining and re-evaluating many aspects of our personal and professional lives. Unlike many newly married couples, we live in the same wonderful apartment we did before we got married, but it isn’t the same. For months, I have been engaged in the process of donating clutter and old possessions to make room for the wonderful gifts our friends and family have so generously given us. This process helps me understand and adjust to the less obvious changes that have taken place below the surface.
Before beginning work this week I rearranged my office yet again to reflect a new chapter in my professional life, and my husband has completely rearranged his daily work schedule. Bringing our awareness to the changes we want to make through reorganization of our space and our time empowers us to define how we want to live. I think that might be my definition of freedom.
For a limited time only, receive an incredible discount when you pay in advance for your sessions with an organizer or a personal assistant.
Not sure if you need an organizer or an assistant? Change your mind at anytime. One hour of prepaid organizing is worth two with an assistant, or apply two of your prepaid assistant hours to one hour with an organizer. It’s up to you!
I first considered this truth bomb around Christmas time a few years ago when I was meeting regularly with a group of middle school students about Quaker values. Along with most Quakers, I believe that simplicity is totally sacred, even magical. The lessons of simplicity make room for profound revelation, hold potential for the spreading of peace, and support the healing of our extraordinary planet. I am thinking about it again now - about wanting what I have - because it’s another way of saying the word “gratitude”.
The young people and I put together alternative Christmas lists. We wrote down all of our favorite things and shared them with each other. It was exciting. It made you want to go home and revel in the way things already were.
I am constantly getting caught up in episodes of insatiable wanting. One of the first times this happened to me as an adult, I realized I had unknowingly memorized my own credit card number because I had typed it into so many shopping websites lately. These episodes of pseudo-deprivation are remarkable in that they are never resolved by acquiring the magic item, or number of items. I have to snap out of it somehow, usually by moving into awareness of how great things are.
This activity is all about identifying the things you already have that are totally aligned with your heart, spirit, senses, or childhood dreams. What possessions make you feel most like yourself? Like the best version of yourself? What makes you gloriously comfortable? What would you grab right now if the house was burning down? What do you love to show off to friends? What objects and devices make your life easier?
Now, take a moment to revel in it.
Next, pick a few items on your list that you’re either unbearably excited about and/or are unable to live without, and bless them. Connect to them as if they were alive, because indeed your enthusiasm infuses them with something.
The concept of mental clutter is not brand new, but I am thinking about it in a new way today. For a long time I have been struggling just like so many others to be more productive, more satisfied. I work my way through long lists of tasks hoping to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Instead, I feel drained and less alive. Kind of like a zombie.
Inspite of this misfortune, I am fully aware of the certain truth that my life is full of joy and blessings. I see it reflected in the face of my financé and the wagging tail of our puppy. I see proof of joy in the sunlight streaming through yellow leaves into our breakfast room.
This joy is always there, but it’s not always clear to me. When bills come in the mail that I hadn’t planned for, when tea spills on my computer (again), when I’m sick, or someone tells me about a recent tragedy, I cannot see the joy that surrounds me. The sun still rises and the leaves are still golden and Ben still smiles and Luta still wags her tail, but I don’t feel it.
These obstacles need to be sorted and cleared, just like clutter. Some of them may require an annoying phone call or $750 or a few seconds of grief, but they must be addressed and sorted.
The easy ones will be first. Sometimes with just a conscious resolve not to worry about that anymore the joy is already shining through the cracks, seeping back in. Today I cleared the obstacles. I let them go, and to my surprise I was left with only one that demanded more from me. I was face-to-face with my own dissatisfaction, with images of the person I want to be and the life I want to live, and the images did not look like the present moment at all. Suddenly it was very simple.
Clearing the other obstacles had reminded me that in fact, things are pretty great. I have satisfying work. My business is growing. I am gloriously comfortable. I am healthy and excited about things to come. There was just one missing piece. In my case it was expression. So I came straight home to write, amazed that I hadn’t seen it before. It wasn’t that I didn’t know I needed this - I just hadn’t seen the power of this one action to put everything back in alignment and reveal the full and glorious abundance of joy everywhere I look.
When you sort through the obstacles, letting go of anxiety, unnecessary worries, and solving the problems that need solving, what is left over? What is at the root of it all? Let me know in the comments below.
Books are one of those things that everyone loves to save. Or is it just that they’re really hard to get rid of? Here’s the thing about books: they are most powerful when they are being read, and yet they spend most of their lives being neglected on a shelf. someone could truly benefit from those books you’re not going to read. A woman in prison could find hope, or a child could nourish his imagination. Let your neglected books do some good! In this article you’ll find out how to make getting rid of books easier, and how we’re offering to help you. You can also check out our own book hoarding stories.
So you might read it eventually, but are you even excited? Keep the books you’re actually enthusiastic about reading.
Does the content or subject matter uphold your current goals and values? Let go of books that only apply to your past.
Are you keeping it because someone gave it to you? Give it away.
Is it culturally outdated or obsolete? Pass it along. Plenty more where that came from.
Are you really, actually going to read that again? Really? When?
Does the first page grab your attention? Cool! Keep it!
You think you really want all of them? Think again, or just aim to pull one book off the shelf each day. A fresh perspective makes it much easier to think rationally about what you’re actually going to read.
*Add an organizing session to help you decide which ones to donate and get 20% off the first hour!
I am on the verge of embarking on some very exciting summer adventures. First I'll be heading down to southern Indiana to attend a traditional Lakota sun dance ceremony that I've been going to every year for six years. After that I'll stop back in town for one day to recover, do laundry, and say goodbye to my fiancé before I head out to the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota with a car full of children's clothes to donate. I'll be staying there until early August.
Keep in mind that Ideal Space Consulting can help you with more than just your closets. For a reduced rate one of our staff can also assist you with errands, projects, administrative tasks, selling or donating your stuff, and anything else that might free you up to focus on what is most important to you. Happy Summer! | 2019-04-19T05:14:56Z | http://www.idealspaceconsulting.com/blog |
Preview: 14 papers are in preparation as of December 31, 2008! That's what a real journal gets in a day or two!
How many times do we have to say it? Just because there are dissenting opinions about a field of science doesn't make the overall science wrong or account for changes in a theory to correct itself. It certainly does not mean that creationism is right. This article reads like a long blog entry. There is a question, here, too as to how this article helps to establish the creation model as promised by the journal. Yes, it's your journal, AiG, but you ain't sticking to your mission as promised.
Another paper that does nothing to establish a creation model, which should have been outright rejected according to the criteria above. In fact, it's a book review not a journal article. The take home message is that creationist should give up on using the ad hominem attack that Darwin stole the theory of evolution by natural selection because it is easily demonstrated as false. Whilst surprisingly refreshing, it is not science.
Symbiosis between fungus and plants is a reason for religious people to take care of the earth. It does not support a godly created earth one bit.
This article by a repeat author tries to filibuster a topic to lead people to concluding it is valid. However, looking at this article's table 2: Global extinctions is not evidence for "uniformitarian" view because it is "no support--observation only" makes it clear that Matthews does not understand science. What the author doesn't understand is that real scientists make observations first, and then make hypotheses that suggest other observations to make. Science does not start with the Bible and attempt to backfill explanations. Furthermore, that global extinctions are "almost 100%" support for a "visible Flood model" but "no support" for a "uniformitarian" [i.e., scientific] model is utter rubbish.
Editor-in-Chief Andrew Snelling publishes his fourth paper in ARJ, again about the radiohaloes.
Two months go by with nothing.
Lightner, a repeat contributor (why solicit new authors?), reinterprets genetic data in terms of the creation/flood model. Except, of course, there is no linking the non-original data (does anyone actually measure anything in this field?) to the creation or flood model, and the account fails to explain the mutation rate required to account for the genetic diversity in 4000-ish years from four alleles. Indeed, "There remains a tremendous need for more detailed studies of within kind genetic variability to determine the types of changes that have occurred." Perhaps one should find evidence for "kinds" first.
Have the ARJ authors gotten bored? One article in four months? No articles for three months? That's it? ARJ is well behind for the fourteen papers we were promised.
This paper talks about the fledgling field of "creation microbiology" (although the relationship to regular ol' microbiology is not clear). In its attempt to "organize the field of creation microbiology," the authors review the literature combining creationist and scientific literature and propose to classify microbes according to baraminological concepts. No new experiments are performed, and no evidence links microbes to the Genesis account.
“”The findings of comparative genomics around the syncytin-1 loci is especially challenging to creationists. The gene is well conserved among hominoids— humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons, but not in the Old World Monkeys.
It dismisses these as simply being an examples of common design or after The Fall degradation of the genome. No evidence is presented for either of these explanation, just the statement that it is a better alternative explanation to natural selection.
Another long review of the current literature. If you are interested in the current research on the serial endosymbiotic theory (SET), that is that modern cells are the result of several cells living together over 2 billion years ago, all of the reference in this paper except one would be a great place to start. Inside every cell in your body are, what we will loosely call, sub-cells such as the mitochondria, which it is widely accepted once lived a life separate from the "parent" cell. However, as it could perform a function the parent cell could not, it was "accepted into" the parent cell where it was allowed to live and they have been co-evolving ever since. Unsurprisingly, creationists have criticized the theory before — CreationWiki's entry dates back to 2007, and Michael Behe criticized it in Darwin's Black Box — hence this article is hardly original.
What makes this paper strange is it discusses SET at length until the last three sections. The paper then starts to discuss E. coli experiments. It notes that antibiotic resistant E. coli grows at only 20% of the rate of normal E. coli and so conclude this mutation cost "information" and hence reduced fitness. In an attempt to move back to the SET, they discuss an experiment where Salmonella was placed inside E. coli and they mostly interfered with each others metabolic pathways; they conclude multiple steps must be involved in endosymbiosis. In the penultimate section they pull out a creationist paper, based on a computer simulation, which found that mutations accumulate with time and the net effect is negative. Combining this with the previous evidence, they conclude there is no possible pathway for endosymbiosis, therefore creationism is correct.
Ultimately this paper is one long Gish Gallop. The author tries to paint themselves as knowledgeable with a detailed literature review, only to pull out the irreducible complexity and God of the gaps arguments at the end. Not wanting to get ad hom here, but how many microbiologists work at Bible software companies?
Yet another research-free diatribe about a micro-organism before and after the Fall, making conjectures about the transition from neutral or beneficial to pathogen. No argument for special creation is presented beyond "the Scriptures teach" and the quoting of Genesis. Things are referred to as having "overt design features" without any explanation as to what these features are and why they could not have evolved. Essentially a review paper about amoebas with the literal truth of the bible taken as an a priori, no scientific evidence for this position is provided or cited.
“”The purpose of fungi in recycling organic material is consistent with an originally perfect creation. In the current debate between philosophical naturalism and biblical creationism, an important sticking point involves the relationship of life and death in the history of the universe. In the evolution paradigm, death is a necessary means of progress for advancement of organisms from simple to more complex. As part of the process of natural selection, it is a tool to allow for adaptation of organisms to various environmental niches. This stands in contrast to the role of death according to the Bible, where death is an enemy that will be destroyed when all of creation is restored to its original state after Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 15:26). This highlights the incongruity between the biblical creation and evolution worldviews: if spiritual and physical death are not a consequence of sin, then the Christian faith is vain because Christ had no reason to die and rise again. Therefore, the role of death in biology is crucial in this worldview debate.
Another long review paper about bacteria and still no evidence is presented for special creation. In fact most of the paper is dedicated to how bacteria evolves adapts. Other than a few references through out the paper such as "[t]his concept is in direct opposition to the biblical creation model", otherwise it reads like a grad student's literature review. It is only at the end in the conclusion where the author tackles the problem of creation research.
“”From the creation perspective, all bacteria were originally created “good” and important for many biological processes from the digestive processes of humans and animals to biogeochemical recycling in the environment. The vast majority of bacteria still perform these functions today. However, the Fall and subsequent curse placed on creation has altered some bacteria resulting in their pathogenicity leading to disease and death. Bacteria possess very specific and complex pathogenic mechanisms that cannot be explained merely as the result of mutations. A creation model is needed to understand how bacteria become pathogenic in a post-Fall world.
So why was one not presented? Oh, no,wait; we have one.
“”In order to survive in a post-Fall world, God designed bacteria with mechanisms to adapt. These include adaptive mutation (Purdom and Anderson 2008), HGT of GEIs, and likely many others that have yet to be discovered. As bacteria were displaced to new environments these mechanisms were crucial to their survival. Pathogenicity should be rightly viewed as a “side effect” of bacterial adaptation and survival in the post-Fall world and not part of God’s original “very good” (Genesis 1:31) created world.
There is no suggested hypotheses to test, no experiments, no analysis. Just a review of the literature and a straight out denial of evolution, with no evidence presented to support this position.
It is on! Young Earth creationism vs Old Earth creationism intelligent design. Answers in Genesis' Terry Mortenson gets stuck into the Discovery Institute's William Dembski proposal for why evil exists in the world. Bible quotes fly around and much frothing at the mouth, but very little science. As this is suppose to be a science magazine we will concentrate on that and leave the arm-chair philosophy to the amateurs.
The only discussion of any science is to editor-in-chief Andrew Snelling's Rate project, which is trying to shoehorn radiometric dating into the young Earth model. Dembski dismisses this research as unconvincing, proving the stopped clock principle. Mortenson responds pretty much by accusing Dembski of heresy and being insane.
“”Therefore, since God has so clearly spoken, it is nothing short of “insanity” for us to doubt His Word and instead believe the fallible interpretations of that cursed creation by godless “insane” men with darkened minds who have invented the old-earth and old-universe theories based on unscientific, philosophical, anti-biblical assumptions!
His cure for this, Dembski should buy and watch DVD's available through Answers in Genesis so he can be convinced of the over-whelming evidence for a young Earth.
This research-free rant against a fellow pseudo-theologian in a supposedly creation science journal is pretty much all the explanation you need as to why real scientists don't bother debunking creationists, and the job has been left to a bunch of piss-takers on the internet.
The creationists finally figured out that using the terms "beneficial" and "deleterious" doesn't saying anything about design. Hence, they decided to just right out define mutations as "design-consistent" and "design-inconsistent."
This leads to some interesting assertions on the part of the creationists: "A mutation which occurs at a significantly higher rate than the average mutation rate for the organism is likely to be design-consistent." How does one determine the rate of one mutation? Is it just 1 divided by the time over the last mutation? Might it be better to use waiting time statistics to determine if the mutation is random? Is exposure to radiation and carcinogens "designed?" And why is a more rapid mutation consistent with design? Aren't all mutations loss of information? The other criteria are not much better.
“”If the day-age view or framework hypothesis or any other old-earth view is true, then what kind of God is it who would create the earth instantly and then leave it covered with water for millions of years and then create dry land and plants and let them produce for millions of years before He made the sun? And what kind of God would make the sun, moon, and stars to enable man to measure time, but then wait billions of years before He made man to measure the time? Or if we reject the order of events in Genesis 1 and say that the evolutionary order of appearance of the different creatures and the time-scale are correct, we have other problems. What kind of God would create the earth 4.5 billion years ago and let it exist for one billion years before He made the first microscopic creatures (protozoans)23 and then waited another 2.875 billion years before He made the first metazoans24 and then waited another 625 million years before He made Adam, who was the ultimate goal of His creation and was made to rule over all the animals, most of whom lived and died before Adam was created?25 This is a bizarre, wasteful God, and nothing like the wise and omnipotent Creator revealed in Scripture. And if God really created in the order and over the long timescales that evolutionists claim, does this not make God a deceiver or a liar when He inspired Moses to write the Genesis 1 account of the order of His creative acts, which is so contradictory to the evolutionary order of events of history?
Unfortunately, incredulity is not evidence.
Mortenson provides three primary reasons for the rejection of old-earth creationism (and other non-young-earth creationism): weak exegesis of the relevant Scriptures; inadequate consideration of the relevant creationist literature; and inadequate consideration of the impact of the Fall. Like the other rejection of physical evidence in the article, these criteria are all biblical with no significant attempt to incorporate the actual physical evidence. As usual, the rationalization of young earth creationism is ineffective.
This paper fails again to present anything original and does not help to establish a creationist model. Indeed, there are cases of fraud in science and humans are fallible, but that doesn't mean that the fossils are not evidence, even if it is fragmented. Human evolution is well established through chromosomal fusion evidence and much other fossil evidence, so looking at paleoanthropology isolated from the rest of biology is inappropriate. A regular science journal would reject this gossip piece, especially since every single item in the article is unoriginal. Honestly, how many times will creationists cite Piltdown man?
“”Another thing that Bergman fails to do is to at all illuminate what has not been faked, that is, the majority of all work in the field ever. He does not illuminate what is agreed upon, and leaves the ignorant reader (ARJ's reader) with the false impression that there is no consensus on anything, which happens to be a fetid load of dingos' kidneys.
The authors of ARJ continue to attempt to discredit evolution through character attacks, as evidenced by "intolerance", "fraud and forgery" in article titles. One ARJ author even attempted to discredit ID this year. This does nothing to establish a creationist model.
Quite a few articles were on microbes and fungi. No article (except perhaps the radiohalo article) contains an original experiment, and none link a designer to the evidence cited.
Many articles cited standard creationist fare: Piltdown man, polonium radiohalos and incredulity about evolution. As usual, whenever the creationists get stuck, they revert to a Bible quote. There is little original thought here.
↑ Jerry Bergman is a well-known YEC'er. See the wikipedia page on him , or rather don't see it as it was deleted for non-notability.
↑ Although Bergman claims to have taught geology at Northwest State College in Archbold OH, his bio at AIG shows that he has no formal qualification in that subject.
↑ See here for another of Dr. Wood's pieces.
↑ Todd Charles Wood's blog may be found here. Wood is more realistic than many of his creationist peers, as he is quoted as saying, ""We cannot keep pretending that there is no evidence for evolution. We reject serial endosymbiosis not because it's scientifically inadequate (as you've seen here, it's quite compelling) but because it is inconsistent with the biblical record of creation. According to the Bible, we know creation is true by faith (Heb. 11:3)" in this post.
↑ A lambasting about Snelling's conflicts of interest that appeared after this paper appears here.
↑ Behe, Michael J. Darwin's Black Box New York, Free P: 1996, pp.188-189.
↑ A rather unusual repeat pseudonym. "Ira S. Loucks" had an abstract from the Microbe Forum published in the first volume.
This page was last modified on 27 December 2016, at 21:41. | 2019-04-23T01:02:41Z | http://rationalwiki.nom.pw/wiki/Special:Random |
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