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Productivity and efficiency
Productivity refers to the relationship between inputs and outputs. Efficiency is a much narrower concept, usually referring to the throughput (numbers) in a given time for a given resource allocation. Output in healthcare is a product of numbers of episodes and outcome of patient care in terms of quality, safety and their experience. Better and patient‐centred healthcare also impacts positively on the wider economy.
This FAQ focuses on efficiency but clinicians and managers need to be aware that a highly efficient service may not be productive if patient outcomes are poor. Moreover an efficient service designed around the needs of its staff, may impact negatively on the wider economy. Fortunately, there are good markers for quality and safety in endoscopy, and the service is routinely capturing and acting on the patient experience.
What is a point?
A point is a unit of time. For example some units assign 15 minutes to one point and allocate 1 point for an OGD, 2 for colonoscopy etc. Increasingly, this crude allocation is being adjusted for case mix and training. Many units allocate 12 points to a morning list and 10 to an afternoon list on the basis that a morning list lasts 3.5 hours (210 minutes) and an afternoon list 3 hours (180 minutes). If the time of each list is divided by the points then for this allocation a point = 17.5/18.0 minutes for morning and afternoon lists respectively. Thus a point allows for 2.5‐3 minutes of room turnaround. This is insufficient, so some of the time in the 'point' is actually required for room turnaround if the list is to finish on time.
How long is a list?
Before agreeing to the number of points on a list, the list time must be agreed. Ultimately, this is for local negotiation but it is worth considering these points:
- If a list is scheduled to start at a particular time then it is expected that this is the time the first patient is in the room and ready to scope, not the time the endoscopist arrives in the department. If scoping is to start when the list is scheduled to start, an endoscopist will have to arrive at least 10‐15 minutes beforehand.
- An endoscopist will not usually be able to leave the department immediately after the last patient leaves the endoscopy room: there is invariably some paperwork required and the endoscopist would be expected to check with the nursing team that all was well before he/she leaves the department. For a four hour PA it is reasonable to allow 30 minutes for starting and finishing, and it is recommended therefore that a list should last a maximum of 210 minutes.
- There is no compelling reason why morning and afternoon lists should be different.
- It should be appreciated that endoscopy is physically and mentally demanding and that there is very good evidence from the English bowel cancer screening programme that performance declines (and cancers are more likely to be missed) towards the end of a list. Lists in excess of 210 minutes should therefore be avoided and if an endoscopist is scoping all day, there should be time for a break between lists.
Endoscopists work at different speeds
Endoscopists undoubtedly work at different speeds. There is expected variation between individuals of different experience: for example recently qualified endoscopists will scope more slowly. Training, experience and annual workload will determine performance but there is also variation between endoscopists of a similar level. This variation should not exceed +/‐ 10%: for example a slow endoscopist might do 11 points while a fast one might do 13.
For variation beyond this the following possibilities need to be considered:
- Does the points allocation truly reflect case mix? Does the 'slow' endoscopist have more complicated procedures or higher risk patients?
- Are there process factors that explain the difference? Are this endoscopist's patients consented and cannulated before they enter the room? Is this endoscopist slower completing the report? Does this endoscopist speak to all the patients after their procedure?
- Does this endoscopist scope either very slowly or very quickly? Is the actual scoping time longer or shorter? Too fast may be inappropriate because cancers can be missed, therapy can be rushed and complications might be higher.
The solutions to these possibilities will be different but if all case mix and process factors are accounted for then very slow and very quick endoscopists should have their performance and technique reviewed.
How should points be adjusted for designated training lists?
To satisfy the measures laid down in the training domain of the GRS and to achieve eligibility for JAG accreditation, units which offer training need to provide designated training lists with workload adjusted to accommodate the specific needs of trainees. The adjustment made will clearly differ according to the skill level of a particular trainee, but as a guide, an increase of 50% in the points allocated for a procedure in early training seems appropriate (eg. colonoscopy becomes 3 rather than 2 units).
Are points the best measure of performance?
While endoscopy teams hone their efficiency the points system is a very good proxy for efficiency. However, ultimately the key marker of efficiency is how well the room is utilised. Endoscopy teams should be measuring the time the patients are in the room as a percentage of the total list time, or the time a patient is actually being scoped. There are no benchmarks but if everything is operating smoothly it should be possible after an uncomplicated procedure to turn a room round in 6 minutes. For a list with 12 endoscopies and 11 'turnarounds' the patients would be in the room (210‐66)/210, or 68% of the time. For six colons with five turnarounds room utilisation could be 86%.
Endoscopists might view achieving these levels of efficiency in two ways: having undue pressure to scope or having more time to scope properly without the pressure of time because, through efficiency, there is more time to scope. In time points allocation should be refined by measuring how long a procedure takes and allocating points accordingly.
Attention to efficiency is a very important requirement of a highly performing service but high efficiency does not always mean greater productivity. It is important to be clear on the length of lists and what is expected of a given start time. The points allocation system is a universally known and accepted method of scheduling patients but there needs to be better adjustment for case mix and training. Accurate timing of procedures will aid this adjustment. The speed at which endoscopists work varies, but the impact of training, experience and process factors need to be taken into account before concerns about performance and technique are raised. Ultimately endoscopy teams should be measuring utilisation of rooms to monitor efficiency, and make adjustments to scheduling on the basis of this. Finally, it must be appreciated that the real world is not straightforward, that there are patients being subjected to invasive and potentially uncomfortable procedures and that there are, as a consequence, inevitably unforeseen interruptions that will affect efficiency.


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Spooky goings on at Upton TIC!
As if in readiness for Halloween a creepy phantom has appeared on the wall at Upton TIC and Heritage Centre.
The image that terrifyingly crept up the inside wall of the landmark 'Pepperpot' building looks like a witch and appeared at the TIC last week just in time for the lead up to Halloween.
Its been suggested the witch-like image could resemble one of the women who centuries ago was put in the Ducking stool in the river after screaming abuse at the men of the town.
Simon Smith, Economic Development Manager at MHDC said "It's certainly a spooky coincidence that we have this creepy image on the wall and it's a timely fit with all the holiday activities across the area over half term and Halloween. As ever families are encouraged to come and have a look around the heritage centre displays for free and see our scary 'peppery' witch for themselves. "
For details of events, attractions and activities in the area visit the tourist information centre website or call in to the tourist information centres in Upton and Malvern.

subset: commoncrawl


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Metrics that matter
I bumped into an angel investor in a social gathering organized by a company funded by him. Discussing a range of subjects, he was interested in understanding how customers of his funded company used technology; and traction with the management across different sectors. Acknowledging the fact that all his invested companies used IT as a competitive differentiator, he queried the metrics used by CIOs in India. In the discussion group were CIOs from Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing and Retail.
Starting with IT budgets, the range observed was 1.5% upwards all the way to over 10% for a bank. I am referring to percentage of revenue, one of the metrics everyone uses, and is portrayed as a reflection of the seriousness of IT investments globally. Angelically, he disagreed with this norm as Capital and Operating budgets should not be clubbed into one IT budget. Echoing the thought, a few CIOs stated that they separated the capital investments, moving them to the business units since new initiatives have to be what the business needs and wants.
Investors have a way of getting their viewpoints; he asked if separating the capital investment and operating expenses helped. The answer to that was a vehement 'yes'. The CIO actively controls how the existing IT setup is managed and thereby can optimize capacity and support. Investments are always linked to new business initiatives and outcomes. A great system or the best technology does not create a recipe for success if business fails to utilize it effectively. When the investment impacts P&L of the business, the ownership and contribution equals the effort put in by the business and IT.
The discussion veered to CIO dashboards and to what were CIOs monitoring daily, weekly or monthly. The responses varied from health of systems to active budget tracking and key projects that IT was involved in. Only two mentioned that their dashboards were no different from the other CXO dashboards but included a few IT metrics too. Considering that the CIO is in most cases an equal partner in the business, why should the dashboard be different?
Active projects with large investments require monitoring and communication to provide visibility across the enterprise. Success is measured not just by on budget or timeline, but effective use and business value that may have been spelt prior to the project. Like the CMO would monitor marketing campaign effectiveness or the CFO tracks treasury, the CIO has his/her business IT projects.
Lastly, the IT strategy and long-term plan tracking is the most critical one. As the owner, the CIO must track and periodically report the progress made, issues and challenges, new opportunities and finally the business impact delivered. It is a living plan and not something to be created, approved and locked up. What gets measured normally gets done.
The investor benevolently nodded to the maturity of the CIOs and their success in managing perceptions and that they get it.


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From cactus dahlias like bursting fireworks stopped in time to pompon dahlias with intensely colored petals, dahlias make a dramatic addition to any garden. All but the smallest kinds provide an abundance of showy bouquets for the home. All are easy-to-grow plants that produce prolific flowers in the summer and fall. In my Missoula, Montana, garden, they bloom for more than six weeks, beginning around July 20. In most milder climates, bloom starts anywhere from early June to August 1 and continues until frost. Cutting the flowers for indoor bouquets encourages more blossoms. Dahlia foliage provides extra landscaping accents, as colors range from light yellow-green to a purple-green.
But many gardeners have never tried dahlias. They may have the mistaken impression that they're tricky. Dahlias are no more difficult than potatoes in most of the United States. Named varieties are propagated by sweet-potato-like tubers that rapidly grow into vigorous, multi-stemmed plants. In fall you divide and overwinter the tubers, increasing your stock each year.
You can also grow dahlias from seed. This works well with smaller kinds for bedding plants, and you'll see flats of these in garden centers in spring. Seed catalogs offer a range of seed-grown kinds, including larger cactus types and single colors that come true. If a seedling looks especially good, you can save tubers from it.
I hope this guide to dahlia landscaping, varieties and culture will encourage you to include these beautiful, prolific flowers in your garden.
Colors Galore
Dahlias' wide color range -- from the darkest red or purple to all shades of pink, orange, yellow, white, blends, variegated and even bicolors -- makes it easy to include them in any gardening color scheme and mix them with other annual or perennial flowers.
The height of most dahlia varieties ranges from three to six feet, so plant them in the middle to rear of your flower bed. The taller varieties also perform wonders as accents at the edge of a corn patch or around a pole bean trellis. Dahlias also are effective visual screens surrounding a garden nook or behind border plants because of their dense foliage. In perennial beds, use them as color spots along bed edges so you can easily dig the tubers in the fall. Edge a bed of dahlias with early-blooming annuals, such as ageratum, petunias or Hero or Aurora marigolds, to provide color at the beginning of the season.Thousands of Varieties
The dahlia's great variety in flower form and color results from the crossing of primarily two species. All dahlias are native to Mexico. In 1789, botanical explorers collected native dahlia species that had 1- to 2-inch flowers, a single set of petals and a central disk. The overall effect was similar to common sunflowers. Grown together, these native species naturally hybridized and produced flowers with many more ray flowers and colors. By the late 1800s, intensive breeding had developed most of the various flower forms and colors. Currently, there are nearly 2,000 named varieties in the world.Dahlia Flower Forms
The American Dahlia Society recognizes 16 different groups or types of flower forms and 15 different color categories (see list at the end of this article). It tends to get overly complicated and you don't need to memorize them all in order to grow beautiful plants. A few minutes with a catalog will make it all more clear.
Dahlia flowers range from less than 2 inches to more than 10 inches in diameter. Some flower forms have five different sizes.
To grow very large (sometimes called "dinner plate") blossoms, gardeners must limit the number of flowers that develop to as few as four. If your goal is a large number of flowers per plant, you will want to grow varieties with blooms less than 6 inches in diameter.How to Grow Dahlias
In all but the hottest climates, grow dahlias in full sun. In hot summer areas, do best with some afternoon shade.
Dahlias, like potatoes, prefer moist, but well-drained soil. If the soil has not been tilled, loosen it to a depth of a foot. If you have sandy soil, add compost or other organic material to increase water retention. For heavy clay soil, add sand and organic material to increase drainage. Many dahlia growers add a 1- to 2-inch layer of homemade compost to the soil before tilling in early spring.
Large amounts of nitrogen are not necessary, but plants must have adequate phosphorus and potash for growth and flowering. If you use a chemical fertilizer, add one with a rating of 6-12-12 or a slow-release fertilizer.
Dahlia shoots are frost-sensitive; plant tubers in the garden no sooner than two weeks before the last date of spring frost. In the South, plant tubers from April 15th to May 1st. Or, to avoid the intense heat of midsummer, plant in June so that flowers develop in the fall. Dahlias take 8 to 12 weeks from planting to start blooming.
Bench Starting. The easiest way to start dahlias is to plant tubers directly in the garden. However, in very short-season regions, in climates with heavy rains at planting time or where soil is warm and saturated, such as in the South, it's better to start tubers "on the bench".
Begin 4 to 6 weeks before outdoor planting time. Place the tuber in a 2- to 3-inch-deep tray filled with light potting soil. Set the "eye" -- the little "bump" or growing point of the tuber -- slightly out of the soil, and cover the rest. Place the tray in a bright window, cold frame or greenhouse where temperatures range from 50°F to 80°F. Keep soil moist but not wet. Sprouts will appear in two to four weeks.
Once the sprout has two sets of leaves, gradually acclimate it to the garden by taking the tray outdoors to a shaded location for a few hours every day for a week. Then, if possible, plant on a cloudy day, or shade the young plants for another week with a piece of cardboard set in the ground on the south side.
Staking and Planting. Space most dahlia varieties two feet apart, but allow three feet for ones with large-diameter blossoms. Where the growing season is long, use 30- to 36-inch spacing for all varieties. When planting more than one row of dahlias, stagger them so that they don't shade each other.
Dahlia varieties more than three feet tall need staking. This is especially important in hot climates, as the stem is not as strong as when grown in cooler temperatures. Label and place the stakes before you plant. Use 5- to 7-foot stakes (the longer stakes for hot or long-season climates), and drive them about one foot into the soil. Dig a 6-inch-deep hole next to the stake, and place the dahlia tuber with its eye about 2 inches below the surface in cool climates, and up to 4 inches deep in warm climates. Place the eye near the stake with the rest of the tuber angling down into the soil. Then cover the tuber with soil. When planting sprouted tubers, position them so that the sprouts are at the surface of the soil. Use twine to attach the plant to the stake as it grows.
To speed growth and flowering, keep dahlias weeded. Dahlia feeder roots are very shallow, so to avoid disturbing them, pull weeds when they are small. Most growers use a light mulch such as small chip pine bark, pine needles, compost, or a 1- to 2-inch layer of grass clippings around the base of plants to discourage weeds and help retain moisture. In hot or dry climates, mulching is a must to grow the best dahlias.
"Stopping" Growth. During the first month of growth, pinch out the very tip of the plant. This is called "stopping" because it stops the growth of the main stem and diverts growth to side shoots at the base of each leaf.
Dahlia varieties with flowers that are more than 8 inches in diameter need pinching when the plant has 4 leaves; for the 6- to 8-inch-diameter flow varieties, pinch at 6 leaves; and for smaller varieties, pinch at 8 leaves. If all the side shoots develop, there will be 4 to 8 lateral branches, and the plant will become bushy.
If you live in a warm, long-season climate, you can double pinch your plants so the flowers develop in the cooler part of the summer and have better color and form. Pinch as above, and pinch out again if any lateral branches develop flower buds before the third week of July. Pinch out the terminal flower bud and all small buds in the axils of leaves for three sets of leaves down the stalk. For the fourth set, pinch out one side so that the other lateral branch in the axil of a leaf becomes the new growing point.
Disbudding. If you grow dahlias for garden color, disbudding is not important. But if you want long-stemmed, larger-sized flowers, plan to "disbud" your dahlias. The terminal central flower bud is the largest and is flanked by two side buds. With your fingers, snip out these two smaller side buds when the central bud is no larger than a large pea. Then remove the small branches from the angles of the next two sets of leaves below the bud.
Pests and Diseases. Dahlias are susceptible to numerous pests, including spider mites, aphids, corn borers, earwigs, thrips, potato leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, cucumber beetles, and slugs and snails. Although all these pests can be troublesome, slugs or snails early in the season can kill young plants, and mites during the summer can dispatch even large, healthy plants in a few days. Insecticidal soaps work well to limit damage caused by spider mites, potato leafhoppers and aphids. Ladybugs eat both aphids and corn borer eggs. Another corn borer control is the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, sold as Bt. Using a rotenone or pyrethrin spray is often an effective control for beetles.
Dahlias are also susceptible to bacterial wilts and fungal and viral diseases. Light yellow vein banding, wavy yellow lines and rings or spots of yellow on the leaves are common indicators of viral infection. Other viral indicators include short internodes (stunted growth) or abnormally shaped leaves. In all cases, remove infected plants immediately, placing them in the garbage -- not the compost pile.
Dahlias as Cut Flowers. Immediately place cut dahlias into a bucket or vase of water. According to Alan Fisher, an accredited judge for ADS, "always cut with a very sharp knife" to avoid crushing the stems. Recutting the stems and changing the water every two days also extends flower life. Many gardeners who show dahlias use a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of bleach plus 2 teaspoons of sugar to 1/2 gallon of water to prolong blossom life.
Digging and Storing the Tubers. In areas with autumn frosts, dig tubers soon after a hard freeze has killed the tops of the plants. For areas with mild fall weather, cut the stems off about two inches above the ground with sharp pruning shears in late October or early November. Use a garden fork or spade to carefully lift the tubers out of the ground. Wash them with water to remove soil, and air dry. In very dry areas, keep tubers moist until storage.
Bill McClaren, ADS's research chairman, recommends cutting off the best tubers for next year and storing them in newspaper lined and covered flat boxes in your basement or other very cool but frost-free area. On selecting tubers to overwinter, he counsels, "If the tuber is smaller than a pencil, it won't survive a long winter, though it will do fine in short-winter areas." Plants grown from small-diameter tubers produce feeder roots faster and ultimately form more tubers than plants started from larger tubers.
Each cut tuber must have a growing point or "eye." The stem must be cut behind that growing point bump to ensure that the tuber has a growing point for next year. Place the tubers in the newspaper-lined wooden box in a single layer.
If your climate is very dry, place the tubers in plastic bags with small holes punched in them to reduce shriveling. Some growers use moist vermiculite in the bags to help maintain moisture. If possible, take more than one tuber from each plant to provide a selection to choose from the next growing season. Give your extra tubers to friends in the spring so they, too, can enjoy growing dahlias!
Some dahlia suppliers also sell an indelible pencil or permanent marking pen to label your dahlia tubers. Write the variety name directly on the individual tubers before storing, so your storage box does not become next year's dahlia grab box!
Throughout the winter, check the tubers and promptly remove rotting ones. If the tubers begin to shrivel, lightly mist the newspaper with water to increase the humidity.
As you can see, growing dahlias is very much like growing potatoes, except for the minor chores of staking, stopping and disbudding. Plan now to include gorgeous dahlias for an easy accent to your garden landscape!Dahlia Types
Enthusiasts classify dahlias by flower shape into 16 groups. Here we have pictured 10 of the most popular types and have listed a few of the proven performers in each group, with help from the American Dahlia Society.
The details of classifying dahlias can get a little complicated. Five of the groups, for example, are further subdivided into five flower sizes, ranging in width from 10 inches down to 4 inches. These things are of little practical importance unless you plan to enter your flowers in competitions. But if you want to know more, the best first step is to get a specialty catalog such as Swan Island Dahlias.
Semicactus. Flowers from less than 4 inches to more than 10 inches across. Outer petals pointed and tubular only near tips.
Popular varieties: Inland Dynasty, Irene's Pride, William R., Magic Moment, Hamari Accord, Grenador Pastel, The Queen, Mary Jo.
Pompon. Flowers less than 2 inches across. Round-tipped petals are arranged to form a globe.
Popular varieties: Oreti Duke , Poppet, Glenplace, Moorplace.
Collarette. Flowers are various sizes. Between the outer row of petals and the central disk is a collar of smaller petals.
Popular varieties: Alpen Cherub, Little Showoff.
Cactus. Flowers from less than 4 inches to more than 10 inches across. Petals are pointed and tubular.
Popular varieties: Camano Messenger, Andrew David, Nita, Jessica, Kiwi Gloria, Glenbank Twinkle, Billy.
Waterlily. Flowers are various sizes. Multiple rows of broad petals are flat or slightly curved toward the center.
Popular varieties: Red Velvet , Figurine, Ken's Flame, Nepos.
Formal Decorative. Flowers from less than 4 inches to more than 10 inches across. Petals are broad and round-tipped, arranged symmetrically, with no central disk.
Popular varieties: Jess Lynn, Clyde's Choice, Kidd's Climax, Sterling Silver, Kenora Lisa, Formby Perfection, Hamilton Lillian, Connecticut Dancer, Tonya, Rebecca Lynn, Alpen Jewel, Rose toscano.
Single. Flowers are various sizes. One row of petals around a center disk.
Popular variety: Alta Bishop.
Novelty. Flowers are various sizes. Petals are different than those of other classifications.
Popular varieties: Akita No Hikari , Alloway Candy, Fidalgo Julie.
Peony. Flowers are various sizes. Two to four rows of flat petals around a center of twisted petals.
Popular varieties: Tinker Bell , Japanese Bishop.
Anemone. Flowers are various sizes. Flat petals surround a disk composed of densely packed tubular petals.
Popular varieties: Alpen Embers , Azuma Kagami.
Missoula, Montana-based Diane Bilderback plans on expanding her dahlia collection to include small varieties in pots and more cactus types. And she's hooked on dahlia shows!
Photography by National Gardening Association and Suzanne DeJohn/National Gardening Association


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HighlightsTour begins and ends in Entebbe | 4x4 transfer to Buhoma | gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | optional community tours | complimentary massage | dugout canoe ride on Lake Victoria
Description of Bwindi mountain gorilla tracking, UgandaThis Bwindi mountain gorilla tracking holiday in Uganda is a four day trip that can be combined with a safari in Uganda or East Africa. Its also ideal for anyone short on time, but eager to trek with mountain gorillas. We use a domestic flight, from Entebbe to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Youll spend two nights here, tracking gorillas and enjoying some optional hikes if you wish, before flying back to Entebbe.
Using a domestic flight to reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has many advantages. It cuts out two full days of driving but, when travelling in a small group, produces less carbon output per individual than driving. A quick flight means you have more time in the area, so you can make the most of the forest and perhaps enjoy visiting one of the conservation and community-based projects here. The flight itself is spectacular, too, with spectacular views of Lake Victoria and Central Uganda.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? email@example.com
Departure information
Responsible tourism
Bwindi mountain gorilla tracking, Uganda
Carbon reduction
Your holiday will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this holiday and how to reduce them.
Any person lucky enough to who trek the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda contributes to the continued survival of a population numbering less than 900 remaining in the wild. Buying a gorilla permit funds the various rangers, guides, vets and support personnel whose daily task it is to monitor and ensure the welfare of these wonderful creatures. The same concept applies for the trekking of Chimpanzees, whose numbers are not quite so dire, but are still very endangered and again benefit immensely from tourist visitors.
As well as being an annual corporate sponsor, we donate $15 of your holiday price directly to the Uganda Conservation Foundation, a key player in protecting not just our primates, but other magnificent wildlife such as our elephant and lion populations. We also give you the option to match this donation should you wish.
In selecting accommodation for this itinerary, we have only used small lodges or camps; each with their own Responsible Tourism policy. Most run on solar power and harvest rain-water in order to minimise their footprint on the beautiful natural reserves in which they are situated. Most of these camps are built using locally sourced materials where available.
This particular itinerary uses light aircraft to access Bwindi Forrest. This is not only a more efficient use of your time on holiday, but weve actually calculated that for a small group of people; using a scheduled light aircraft for a one hour flight has a lower carbon footprint than the 10+ hour drive in a 4x4.
We are a grass-roots Ugandan company; hence the vast majority of your holiday price goes directly to supporting Ugandan service providers, wildlife foundations, Ugandan people and their families.
Being based in Uganda, were not paying big rent for some flashy sales office and all the overheads that come along with it. So not only can we give great value for money, you know that the end recipients of the money you are paying are real people here in Uganda, many of whom you will meet when you travel with us.
As another part of our lodge/camp selection criteria; we ensure that the lodges we use recruit the majority of their staff from the local area. As many lodges are in rather remote locations, employment and training opportunities for local people are not as abundant as for those whom live in Ugandas towns. This way youll be sure to experience the local culture (Uganda has over 35 tribes and over 40 different spoken languages!) and know your stay contributes to supporting families in the local area.
In addition to our contribution to the Uganda Conservation foundation, an additional US$15 per person from each trip sold is added to a fund which every six months (or when there is a reasonable amount) is donated to a deserving charity or organisation in our local community. We only approach parties whom we know personally and ones that do not already benefit from large amounts of funding. This way we are directly involved and can ensure the money is spent effectively. Current potential recipients are an Entebbe street-dog neutering project, development of a small recycled glass business, or an extension to the animal housing facilities at the USPCA in Kampala.
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Madhubani painting/Mithila painting was traditionally created by the women of the Brahman, Dusadh and Kayastha communities in Mithila region in Nepal and India. It was originated in Madhubhani village of Capital city of Ancient Mithila known as Janakpur (presently in Nepal). It is a well-demarcated cultural region lying between the Ganges and the Terai of Nepal, and between the Koshi and Narayani tributaries. This painting as a form of wall art was practiced widely throughout the region; the more recent development of painting on paper and canvas originated among the villages around Madhubani, and it is these latter developments that may correctly be referred to as Madhubani art.
The painting was traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Madhubani paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice. Madhubani painting has remained confined to a compact geographical area and the skills have been passed on through centuries, the content and the style have largely remained the same. And that is the reason for Madhubani painting being accorded the coveted GI (Geographical Indication) status. Madhubani paintings also use two dimensional imagery, and the colors used are derived from plants. Ochre and lampblack are also used for reddish brown and black respectively.
Madhubani paintings mostly depict the men & its association with nature and the scenes & deity from the ancient epics. Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings. Generally no space is left empty; the gaps are filled by paintings of flowers, animals, birds, and even geometric designs.[citation needed] Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila Region, mainly by women.


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- Features the ULLR & SKADE Summer '16 logo.
- Water based ink screen printed with three different shades of purple to give a rainbow effect. Not one will be the same. Each print will be unique due to the technique of screen printing.
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- We need to start off with a big fat lie that the American people have been told for about a month now. It is insulting that such a lie can be spread on television and radio airwaves to misinform the general public. Some of us are not idiots, and have the capabilities to be skeptical and challenge facts, such as the statement that Kevin James' new sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait' is the #1 rated new comedy in America. Even if the numbers back up this statement, I just refuse to believe it. Kevin James isn't funny. He's an oafish (surprised I didn't get the spellcheck squiggly line under oafish) looking fella who seems to portray (badly) the average american man in their 40's. I'm just not buying it. I question whether or not Mr. James knows what comedic timing is. The funniest thing associated with him is that Leah Remini (good looking gal!) was cast to be his wife on King of Queen's and we were supposed to find that believable.
God, this is so awkward.
- Speaking of King of Queen's, I had no idea what it was about until a couple months ago. It then dawned on me that the show referred to Queen's as in the neighborhood in New York, and not that Kevin James was a ladies man, aka the King of Queen's, which I'm guessing was a thought that my 9 year old self had when the show first came out, and it never left my mind. That was a true Eureka moment for me. Also, if you haven't watched the Austin Powers movies since you were in your early teen's, give them another shot. A lot more will make sense. Realizing that the name Random Task was a parody of the classic James Bond villain Odd Job was another Eureka moment that made me want to pound my head through a wall for not figuring it out sooner.
Inside look at yours truly upon realizing the Random Task joke.
- Rihanna really annoys me. This whole Bad Girl RiRi personality is hard to believe from the person who gave us the song 'Umbrella' ella...ella...ellla....ellllllaaaaa. Hope that got stuck in your head. I'll give her credit for 'Disturbia' being a pretty catchy number, but besides that I just see her stringing along poor Drake, basically the Robert Smith of Hip Hop and I just feel bad for him. She ought to be more nice to a guy who was once needed a wheelchair to get around.
|A true miracle.
- Lindsay Lohan cut off part of her finger. While the story was puzzling and involved an anchor, I like to pretend that she got in trouble with the Yakuza, lost the finger and then got it back for surgery by promising to give them their money back, which will inevitably come from her plan to make Mean Girls 2. I know there was technically that TV sequel of Mean Girls, but I'm talking bringing back the whole crew, Tina Fey included. Lindsay can pay off the Yakuza, and the world can get more of what they need in 2016: Glen Coco references.
- While a Mean Girls 2 sequel would be a positive, Hollywood needs to do something about the abundance of remakes and unwarranted sequels coming out. I love Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, but do we really need him and Jack Black teaming up to remake 'Jumanji'? It feels like Hollywood thinks it may be cheaper to remake these movies than to convert the VHS tapes to Blu Ray. Between 'The Mummy' (oh man, remember Brendan Fraser? what the hell happened to him?) and 'The Goonies' being remade and the possibilities of Mrs. Doubtfire 2 and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure 3, Hollywood is either out of ideas, or just refusing to give new writers and ideas a shot. This is hitting historic heights of suck-itude. *Le Sigh* At least that long awaited Hey Arnold! movie sequel will finally happen and we can find out what the shit happened to Arnold's parents.
- While remakes and sequels suck, I will allow the idea of spin-offs. Every once in a while a solid spin-off can take place, you know like 'Saved By the Bell', 'The Colbert Report' and the 22 different forms of CSI. What we need is a spin off from Mad Men, since that is a show that is very deserving of one due to the plethora of amazing characters it gave the world. I'm thinking we get a show revolving around Sally Draper being the rebellious teenager she undoubtedly grows into during the 70's, and hopefully she makes a pitstop in Point Place, WI and hangs out with Foreman, Hyde and Fez for at least one episode.
she would fit into the 'circle' so well!
- I never discuss politics. Never have and never will. I keep it private because 1. I don't like conflict and 2. I like to keep people guessing. This being said, I cannot keep my silence anymore. Trump is a mess. All I can compare Trump to is Old Man Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life", the rich, crazy tycoon who wants to take over the world, just because he can. America is currently Bedford Falls, and America will turn into the bizzaro-world that is Potterville if he wins the election, or if good ol' George Bailey isn't saved by Clarence the Angel. Either way, God dammit.
- One final political prediction: Ken Bone will set the record for the most presidential write-in votes in US history. Strike while the iron is hot, Kenny Bone!
Wow. The internet is great.
- I like Lady GaGa and think she'll be a great choice for the Super Bowl halftime show. I also love the fact that she's doing a dive bar tour (sponsored, of course, by Bud Light). It would be pretty amazing to see one of the most unique artists out there play sketchy bars where grumpy old men hang by out of order jukeboxes. What's not cool is that I looked up the setlist of the first Lady GaGa dive bar show and it was a grand total of 4 whole songs. 4, all of which are new. I'd love a stripped down acoustic version of 'Just Dance', not some song that no one but GaGa herself knows the words to. Great idea, just kinda executed poorly.
- Instagram is my favorite social media platform. Snapchat is weird, Twitter can get tiring, and Facebook is now just people I don't talk to sharing videos that I will never, ever watch. I'm going to give you all a heads up and tell you to follow San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto on the 'Gram. The man loves photoshop, posting multiple selfies in a 5 minute span, and horses. Here's just one sample that should get you hooked.
|Solid gold.
- Speaking of baseball, playoffs are here, which harkens back to the glory days where Duane Cook would tell the world that "THERE IS ONLY ONE OCTOBER!", which was nice to finally figure out with his help. I am tired of the Chicago Cubs fanbase. The Cubs haven't won a title since 1908, and every year when they lose and the season ends, their fans embrace the lovable loser attitude, which is just so Mid-West of them. Now, that they are having a nice playoff run, these lovable loser fans are sticking out their chests and talkin' trash like they already won it all. I like to watch the world burn, especially when it comes to overly optimistic people, so I cannot wait until something goes terribly wrong and the Cubs blow it, putting all these showboat Cubs fans back in their place of utter misery. The only good thing about the Cubs winning it all would be that Bill Murray can die happy, which he deserves.
- The Kim Kardashian Paris Jewel Heist is fascinating to me. Seems like a lot of holes in the whole story. Between the bodyguard not being there at the right time, the fact that there were no cameras on her for the first time in 14 years, the wide ranging estimates of the jewelry being stolen, all of it seems a bit fishy to me. The good news is that this upcoming season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians is gonna be a real thrilling Whodunnit? with twists and turns around every corner! I bet it was Kris Jenner, in the billiards room, with a candlestick. It only makes sense that the woman who capitalized on her daughter's sex tape would set up and inside job jewel heist. This is totally a joke though, guys, don't want to get sued by those pesky Kardashian gals, cause that's apparently already happening.
Welp, and here we are. Times are tough these days, and this is just a snippet of reasons why. Between lovable losers, Trump, and Linsday Lohan probably dealing with the Yakuza, it feels like the world has been turned upside down. Hey, there's a song that kinda hits on that topic, so I'll leave you with that.


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The past begins here
In the former Roman Civilan City of Carnuntum ideal type buildings of an ancient Roman city were reconstructed on the original location: a citizen's house, an upscale urban villa and public Roman baths. A semi reconstruction shields the only preserved floor mosaic which remained in Carnuntum from harsh weather conditions.
Hauptstraße 1 A
2404 Petronell-Carnuntum
The discovery of Carnuntum's gladiator school located about 800 m away from the Civilian City's Amphitheatre with methods of virtual archaeology was a world sensation in 2011. After partial excavations three years later, its wooden practice arena was reconstructed in its original location.
Walking distance from Roman City Quarter: approx. 10 min.
The smaller and older of Carnuntum's two amphitheaters built first of wood and later of stone lies halfway between the Roman City Quarter and the Museum Carnuntinum.
Wiener Straße 52, 2405 Bad Deutsch-Altenburg
Inaugurated in 1904 by Emperor Francis Joseph, Carnuntum's treasury in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg is the Roman City's oldest museum location.
Badgasse 40 - 46, 2405 Bad Deutsch-Altenburg
Built after the amphitheatre of the Military City, this complex was situated outside the ancient city walls.
Walking distance: approx. 10 min. from the Roman City Quarter
The Heidentor (Heathens' Gate) about 900 metres south of the civilian city is Carnuntum's most famous emblem.
Walking distance: approx. 20 min. from the Roman City Quarter.
Heidentorgasse, 2404 Petronell-Carnuntum
Carnuntum brings real adventures for children and meaningful recreational programmes. Games, fun and amusing explanations about Roman times make an ideal weekend excursion or day out in the holidays.
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Pazin might sound familiar to you, you've heard of Istria and maybe even stumbled across the name of Pazin, but did you know something more about this wonderful place in the islands of the Istrian peninsula?
Pazinština is a geographic and historical name for the mid part of Istria with Pazin as its center. Unlike the coastal towns, this part if Istria has continental climate and vegetation. Farming has been developed, mainly viticulture and fruit growing and the surroundings of Pazin and river stream valleys are suitable for extensive agriculture. Livestock farming has grown only in the modern time thanks to industrial production, especially poultry.
Historically, this area was under the governance of many feudatories, both church and civil which played a huge role in forming the identity of Pazin's culture.
One of the most famous attractions in Pazin is the Castle of Pazin, a well-defended fortress located on the edge of the Pazinčica river. It is also the biggest and the best preserved medieval fortress in Istria. It was first mentioned in 983 in the deed of gift by Emperor Oton II, giving the castle to the Bishop of Poreč as a present. During next two hundred years, the castle often changed its owners. The literature describes the first look of the fortress as the elongated two-floor building with a tower and a church with a small belfry built next to it. In time, the castle became a mighty masonry fort built by various owners throughout the Middle Ages and the New Era.
A mysterious pit which has always inspired human imagination is located underneath the walls of Castle of Pazin -the Pazin Abyss. A natural wonder that has its roots in the just incredible play of nature always seems to catch the eye of every passenger there.
There is even a local legend how the abyss was created: Long time ago in Istria when giants and people used to live together. On the northern part of Istria were lakes and ponds unlike on the south where there was no source of water, so the locals asked the local giant Ban Dragonja to do something. He opened the way from the river to the sea by plowing furrows and made water accessible to everyone. He made the first furrow and named it after himself. Later next day he made another furrow and named it after his wife, Mirna. On the third day, he plowed around the Castle of Pazin and a wife of the governor saw him and started to mock how shallow his furrow was. That made the giant angry and left away with water flowing in no specific direction and flooding its surroundings. The locals from Pazin begged the giant Ban to do something so he showed mercy and hit the ground with his massive leg and which made the Earth open right beneath the Castle of Pazin and that spot where he hit his leg is the famous Pazin Abyss.
Jules Verne, the father of SF, put the plot of his Mathias Sandorf novel in the Castle and the Pazin Abyss. Today, the Pazin Castle houses the Ethnographic Museum with exhibits of the life of the Istrian peninsula inhabitants.
Although Italianized a bit as almost all places in Istria, Pazin was one of the centers of Croatian struggle for national identity during the 19th century where locals and priests insisted on using Croatian as their first language in schools and public life in general.
Pazin has known for its high-quality agricultural products, and one of them is the Pazin Turkey. It can weight up to 30kg and is very valued in gastronomy. An interesting fact is that the cultivation of those turkeys began around the mid-60s of the last century by importing the first species of this kind of turkey from Canada!
Since not being at the very coast, many people still don't know much about Pazin or rarely think about visiting it but believe us, it's worth visiting, and you'll not find many people who brag about their Istrian vacation with Pazin included in the whole thing, so why not be ahead of the others?


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Implementing Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008
Overview: "Microsoft SQL Server 2008 introduces new geography and geometry spatial datatypes that enable the storage of structured data describing the shape and position of objects in space. This is an interesting and exciting new feature, with many potentially useful applications. Beginning Spatial with SQL Server 2008 covers everything you need to know to begin using these new spatial datatypes, and explains how to apply them in practical situations involving the spatial relationships of people, places, and things on the earth."
This free chapter has been selected from Beginning Spatial with SQL Server 2008 by Apress. Enjoy the chapter and be sure to check out the related SQL Server resources listed below. Voice your feedback on this chapter or let us know of other books you'd like to see featured on the IT Bookworm Blog by leaving a comment. Thanks.
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Alastair Aitchison
Beginning Spatial with SQL Server 2008
January 21, 2009
Chapter 2: Implementing Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008 (Part 1)
Chapter 2: Implementing Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008 (Part 2)
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→ Quiz: Business Intelligence


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The best part of studying in the UK is travel in Europe. Geographically, the UK is near by western European countries; France, Spain, Italy, Net herald, and so on. In addition, low price air companies, such as Ryanair, Easyjet, and wizzair, make travel easier.
Personally, I am the man type of wanderer. Literally, I love travel locally and globally. For new years day, I went to Amsterdam with my friend. In Birmingham to Amsterdam took just one hour by plane. If you can book it in advance, you can buy the ticket with reasonable price. In terms of route from Birmingham to other European countries to approach, honestly, Birmingham international airport does not have many route to go, however, there are other alternative airports near Birmingham; London airports, East Midland airport. Those airports can go most of popular cities in Europe with very nice price.
Learning is not only coming from books but also coming from the life experiences, such as trip is a classic. The best joy of trip is to meet new people, and talk with them. From talking someone who I just met at new places, I could learn the different thoughts and make broaden my horizon. That is why I love the travel. As long as I can still exist, I will keep wandering all over the world and meet new people to learn what is the global phenomenon practically not from books.


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These images from the first war period are of the Glamorgen Regiment, the Engineers. Showing bridge construction and on the firing range at Aber. Thanks to Mr Dan Jones of Risca for his kind donation.
Two images of quarry workers and quarry at Risca
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clinically proven probiotics:
chewable lemon-flavored tablets
Suitable for children of all ages and adults who are able to chew.
Clinically Proven
Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis** has been studied in 37 clinical trials on 3,035 subjects including infants, children and adults.* L. reuteri Protectis is recommended by doctors all over the world. More than 2 billion doses have been delivered to people of all ages. BioGaia tablets are one of the few probiotic products on the market that survive at room temperature and actually deliver the claimed health benefits.*
Probiotics Helping People
There is a constant battle going on in your gut between good and bad bacteria. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle favors the bad ones which may cause common digestive upsets such as diarrhea and constipation. The good bacteria that are natural to the body need reinforcements. BioGaia Probiotic chewable tablets contain Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis, a natural lactobacillus that helps the good guys restore a natural balance in your gut.*
- Suitable for the whole family
- Once-a-day dose
- Lemon-line flavored chewable tablet
- 100% natural
- No preservatives
- 30 Servings
Use daily for good gut and immune health, improved lactation, diarrhea, travelers diarrhea, antibiotic associated diarrhea, stomach ulcer, IBS or when your stomach just doesn't feel right.* BioGaia tablets are especially helpful during periods of stress and fatigue when the body's defenses are at their weakest. Chew one tablet a day, or as directed by your health care professional. SUPPLEMENT FACTS
Swallow, chew or allow tablet to melt in the mouth. Can be taken with or without food.
Store at room temperature (max 25°C/77°F).
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.


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As a writer, do you outline everything before hand? Or do you wing it, just sit down to write and see what comes out each day?
If you ask any fiction writer how they write, their answer will place them firmly into one of two camps. They are either a Plotter, or a Pantser.
Plotters plot their stories out ahead of time. They live and die by their outline. A Plotter puts the time in to figuring out the full arc of the story before they even write their first line. They know who their characters are, and what their relationships are to each other. Plotters don't have to pull rabbits out of their hats to make the ending work. They don't go wandering into dark alleys where they get stuck, or write themselves into a corner where they can't get out. They've already thought through every detail of the story. They've found the holes that need to be fixed before they invested the time, and energy of writing out a novel, until they know exactly how it will work.
Plotters can be very prolific, because they know what they are going to write before they write it. This way of writing is efficient and productive, but sometimes there's a cost for this. Plotter writers have to make sure they are showing real emotion. Sometimes the stories can feel a little flat or undeveloped.
You might be a Plotter if:
- It's the beginning of August, and you're already done with your Christmas shopping.
- You get excited about your to-do list.
- Your desk is neat and organized.
- When you go on vacation, you have a detailed itinerary of what you will do.
- You type out your shopping list.
- You hit all your deadlines on time.
As a proud and proper Pantser, I envy the Plotter. As a Pantser, I write by the seat of my pants. I make it a point to sit down every day and put in the time to write. But, as a rule, I have no idea where I am going. I am driving without a roadmap or GPS. Sometimes it feels like I'm driving with no headlights on a dark and stormy night. To a proper Plotter, this would be majorly stress inducing and considered certifiably crazy behavior.
And they might be right. I have too many partially completed novels sitting on my hard drive. It is painful and discouraging to write a couple hundred pages into a story and then find out you don't know where you're going, and have no idea how to finish.
That said, I wouldn't trade places with a Plotter. I think I have more fun. For me, a big part of writing is in the discovery. It is a true joy when you think your characters are going one way, and they surprise you and go off in a whole new direction.
I can't tell you how many times I have laughed out loud when someone in my story said something I didn't expect them to say. Being a Pantser is about letting go, and letting your subconscious take over. When it is flowing, it feels like you have a direct line to the universe, and it is dictating the story to you and you are just typing as fast as you can, trying to keep up. The pain is real when it doesn't work. But when it does, Wow! That is a cool thing.
If I am surprising myself, I know my readers are also feeling that, and I think these stories have a real life to them because of that.
You might be a Pantser if:
- You know you have the receipt you are looking for, you just don't remember which pile you put it in.
- You are why stores are open on Christmas Eve.
- You like to wing it, and you cook without using a recipe.
- Deadlines? It will get done when it gets done.
These are exaggerations of course, and most Pantsers try and have an idea of where they are going, and most Plotters will go off course from time to time as new ideas present themselves.
When I first started writing my newest novel The Family Man (To be released soon), I had already written pages of notes. I knew it would be about a Hitman who has a family and works for a secretive organization, where both his identity and theirs are hidden. I knew the basic idea of the story, but I discovered the rest as I wrote.
The novel I am writing now, will be a series. I know that I am going to have to get a whole lot better at pre-plotting, to make sure this all comes together in the best way possible. And I am truly working on it, but for now, it feels uncomfortable.
Each writer has a style that fits them most naturally but taking on some of the other style can help to improve their writing overall.
I'll keep you informed of my progress as I try to become more of a hybrid, a Plantser, maybe.


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text: Candlelit dinner, dozen roses, box of chocolates . . . wake us up on February 15, please. Not only do New Yorkers famously think outside of the box, they also date out of the box. And so for this week's Most Wanted, from interactive theater to old-world jazz, we bring you the concept date. Take inspiration no matter where you live: These ten great seemingly-only-in-New-York nights out can go anywhere—and here's how to dress for each of them.


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17 things to looks for in a Train the Trainer course…
Search the web for a train the trainer course and you are provided with a long list of websites which all appear to meet your needs – but do they? What is a train the trainer course? are they all the same and will they meet your needs?
What is Train the Trainer?
Lets first look at what a trainer is. Today in 2010 a trainer is a little different from those 10-20 years ago, indeed even the language has changed.
There are in essence 4 types of 'trainer' :
- The full time 'all skills' trainer within a company or organisation
- The part time trainer who has another role – often a "Subject Matter Expert" (SME) or "Subject matter Resource" (SMR)
- The "training Officer" or "Learning and Development Adviser" a person that supports training (learning & development) in an organisation
- The "Training Manager" or "Learning and Development Manager" who manages the function and provides strategic input and advice to the organisation.
(note in many organisations a wide range of terms is used, and indeed in the last 5-10 years the term "training" has been dropped in favour of "learning and Development" as a sign of the focus shifting from the organisation driving the requirements to the individual taking increased responsibility. In reality that does not often happen but that is the subject of another article!)
For each of these "trainer" roles different training and skills are required.
For the first two groups, a short course in design and delivery is often all that is required. The "Training officer" role requires a more rounded skills set beyond basic analysis and delivery. And finally the manager has considerably different needs.
Just to add some confusion there is a new type of "trainer" and this one is called the "Instructional Designer". This is a skill which has always been required in those that deliver training, however increasingly organisations are using e-learning and this is where a resource is needed that understand the basics of learning psychology to be able top construct the content for a technical specialist to fully configure.
Which of these 5 are you looking to develop? Knowing this can save a lot of unnecessary expense and save a lot of time.
What skills are needed in a trainer?
The ability to look at a task, break it down into manageable chunks and then design a range of ways of being able to communicate and test that knowledge and ability in others.
As the person physically delivering "face to face" a wide range of skills is required from rapport building, asking questions and interesting and engaging delivery.
The skills needed to run training day after day are different from running occasional sessions. In addition if your 'experts' are running training for clients it needs not only to be factually accurate, but it needs to engage people so that they listen and learn. There is nothing worse than have an expert in-front of you, doing their thing and you are bored out of your skill as they have the communication skills of a walnut.
If the course/ session is only 1 Hr long we can all suffer poor style (but we shouldn't) – longer than that and style is just as important as content.
So once you have decided on the content you need then you need to find a provider:
What to look for in a short Train the trainer course:
- A small number of participants (less numbers = more interaction)
- Between 3 & 5 days ( anything less and experience cannot be built)
- Provides participants the chance to practice at least 4 times
- Includes an assessment of performance which is undertaken at the end (and that some people do not pass!)
- Uses accelerated learning or "brain friendly" techniques (i.e. takes account of weel researched learning psychology)
- Flexibility in delivery approach (we don't want 'robot' trainers)
- Something that can be built on if and when the role develops
- Included one to one skills training and group work
- What is included in the price e.g. manuals, web material, certification costs, ongoing costs?
- Provides support beyond the training event for free (reasonable support)
- Check that the trainers are aware of different learners needs (learning styles, pace etc) and that the course accommodates these
- Are they able to provide testimonials from previous participants?
- Is the course accredited by relevant bodies (if relevant)
- Check that the trainer is themselves qualified
- That the trainer undertakes continued development
- That the course does not include any debunked theories ( eg Myths/ miss-quotes: Mehrabian, Yale/ Harvard goal setting, "Learning Pyramid", only use 10% of our brain, practice makes perfect, left brain/ right brain)
- Have a money back guarantee (if a public programme)
In the UK there are a large number of "train the Trainer" courses including:
CTP (Certificate in Training Practice – from various suppliers with varying content and accreditation including the CIPD) TMPA, TAP, ELF PTTLS and many others. In a series to follow in 2010 we will explore some of these courses in more detail.