text:
Canada's Waste Flow
by ALEC ROSS
Myra Hird, sitting in a friend's kitchen, reaches into her bag and pulls out a fist-sized ball made of elastic bands wrapped around each other. It took her six months to collect the elastics, which she found on the ground.
Hird uses the ball as a prop to explain that everything we use – smartphones, cars, refrigerators, food, playing cards, your wedding ring, you name it – goes through the same process. They start with materials grown in or mined from the earth. They're converted from their original state into something that people use. Some of these manufactured items will be reused or repurposed. Sooner or later they will be considered "waste" and be disposed of. Ultimately they return to earth – as rust or mold, as toxic ash harvested from an incinerator, or as leachate, the "garbage juice" which, if not adequately contained, could leak out of landfills into the soil and water.
It's this latter stage – after a thing has been discarded – that fascinates Hird, who's a Queen's University sociologist and professor in the School of Environmental Studies. She's intrigued by what she calls the "network of relations" associated with waste – the web of interactions, transactions and negotiations that occur after a thing is thrown away. These days, she's thinking a lot about those relationships. Hird is the principal investigator of Canada's Waste Flow, an interdisciplinary research project that is examining three critical questions: What is waste? What do we do with our waste? What is Canada's waste future?
No time to waste
It's a timely initiative. Canada produces more waste than any other country – every year, more than 1000 kg per person, or 35 million tonnes nationally. Much of it is solid waste from households, businesses like fast-food restaurants, and large organizations such as hospitals. Most of it – some 27million tonnes – ends up in landfills that are specifically designed to prevent toxic leachate from entering the surrounding soil and water. This leachate must be collected and disposed of.
On the industrial side, mining is Canada's biggest single waste generator. Every year it cranks out millions of tonnes of tailings and effluent that can threaten nearby waterways, wildlife and people. From a technical and sociopolitical point of view, however, Canada's most troublesome waste is spent nuclear fuel. It's stored in secure ground-level facilities or in specially-engineered tunnels hundreds of metres underground, where it's supposed to stay, forever.
A million familiar and unfamiliar questions surround waste. Why do Canadians produce more of it than anyone else? How is it linked to capitalism, advertising, economics, health, politics, human rights and labour practices? Do recycling programs really work? Is it ethical to bury nuclear waste so that future generations have to deal with problems that might arise? Which waste issues interest the public, and why? How can we reduce waste? Is it possible to dispose of waste in a way that doesn't harm the environment? "Waste touches virtually every aspect of our lives," says Hird. "How we deal with it is a matter of democratic importance. It's a question that's not going to go away."
Building a team
Canada's Waste Flow (CWF) is the current project of the genera Research Group (gRG), which Hird formed in 2010 to bring together Queen's academics and students from the natural and social sciences, engineering and applied sciences, and humanities to work on a common topic. The gRG took a while to build a head of steam.
"Philosophers, social scientists and engineers look at the world in different ways and don't always agree about how to define a problem, so we had trouble trying to settle on a topic we could all study," explains Hird. "Canada's Waste Flow solved this impasse by allowing everyone to come together, regardless of their approach, around this thing called 'waste.' It works because while waste involves difficult technological issues, it also raises social and ethical issues for which there's no technological fix."
Waste touches virtually every aspect of our lives," says Hird. "How we deal with it is a matter of democratic importance."
The first phase of CWF began in 2010, when Hird partnered with Kerry Rowe, a Queen's professor of civil engineering who is one of the world's leading experts on landfill engineering. The pair surveyed waste management practices and attitudes in Kingston, Ontario, from technical, engineering, social, cultural and ethical angles. An Insight Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) funded the initiative. The success of the pilot project led to Hird's successful application for another, much larger, SSHRC Insight Grant (it was the largest Insight Grant awarded that year at Queen's) that will fund Canada's Waste Flow for the next five years. The second phase will be a proving ground for the interdisciplinary approach that Hird says is not only logical, but essential, when researching complex problems like waste. "All sorts of technical, environmental, social, economic and cultural interactions happen at every point along the waste continuum," says Hird. "That's why you can't look at waste through a single lens. If you want meaningful answers to the complicated questions it raises, you have to come at it from as many directions as possible."
The CWF team members all hail from Queen's, except for Peter van Wyck, a professor of communication studies at Concordia University in Montreal who is an expert in nuclear waste issues. For the next five years, the team will study waste by focusing on landfill, food and agriculture waste, medical waste, mining waste, nuclear waste, and Arctic waste issues. Research in each of these six areas, or nodes, will be led by two academics – one from the natural, applied, or engineering sciences, and one from the social sciences or humanities – assisted by a graduate student. Everyone has access to a panel of international scholars that Hird has recruited as expert advisers.
Although more gRG members are still coming on board, some of the researchers have already begun to turn out academic papers on their respective topics. Hird and her team, for instance, are preparing a number of articles as a result of her landfill work with Rowe, and some are already in press.
In one of the CWF case studies, Hird is collaborating with Dr. Allison Rutter of the Queen's Analytical Services Unit to learn more about waste issues in Northern Canada, where waste is a critical topic. Since the ground there is frozen for much of the year, it's impossible to build the same types of landfills that are common further south. Yet every Northern community generates waste. How can it be disposed of responsibly? How will the gradual thawing of permafrost brought on by global warming affect waste disposal policies and methods in the Arctic?
Graduate benefits
One of Hird's goals is to encourage graduate students to interact with academic experts outside their area of study. "The CWF and the gRG are tremendous opportunities for graduate students to gain experience in interdisciplinary research and learn from leading experts at Queen's– and get paid to do it!" she says.
One beneficiary of this approach is Cassandra Kuyvenhoven, one of Hird's graduate students in the School of Environmental Studies. Kuyvenhoven is interested in the transportation of waste, and is conducting an in-depth survey of what happens to municipal solid waste, e-waste and organic waste generated at Queen's. So far, she's travelled to New York, Newfoundland and England to present her findings at conferences and meet with waste scholars. Kuyvenhoven's research has produced some surprising findings. For instance, she learned that most recycled Styrofoam from Queen's is broken down and shipped to China, and that much of the university's electronics waste ends up in landfills in India and Mexico. The transport of these materials consumes considerable amounts of fossil fuels, so from an emissions perspective it makes more sense to dispose of these materials domestically. Some of the materials can be recycled, but many will be landfilled. Some people may not like this solution, but it's preferable to sending it across an ocean or two.
Kuyvenhoven's research will be used by the Queen's Office of Sustainability to ensure that the university's waste disposal practices produce the lowest possible amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. In that sense, what Kuyvenhoven is doing is a miniature version of what CWF seeks to accomplish.
"We want to bring different kinds of academics and graduate students together," says Hird. "But we also hope their research will ultimately inform better, stronger environmental policies within organizations and at the government level."
For more information about Canada's Waste Flow and the genera ResearchGroup, visit their respective websites at wasteflow.ca and generaresearchgroup.com


text:
Biologists study the living world and attempt to understand the nature of life itself in all of its complexity. At the Mount, we believe that developing the knowledge and understanding requires a liberal arts education with a broad exposure to science.
Biology is a dynamic area of study encompassing a variety of life science courses in the areas of microbiology, genetics, ecology, cell, molecular, and organismal biology. The life sciences require an understanding of concepts in mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
The Biology major is interdisciplinary in nature. The curriculum meets recently defined competencies and prepares students for entry into health-related and other graduate programs.
There is, currently, a great need for science teachers, both in high school and at the elementary level, as science specialists. Students interested in pursuing teaching as a career should consult the Division of Education for details about courses needed to obtain certification in New York State.
A 5-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Science in Adolescence Education with certification to teach in New York State is also available to Mount students.
There are many advantages to studying Biology at Mount Saint Mary College:
Opportunities outside of the classroom.You could be a student rep atdivision meetings, an officer in the Biology and Chemistry honor societies, or participate with the American Chemical Society student affiliate chapter on campus. Students organize speakers, museum tours, hiking trips, campus activities like faculty vs. student quiz bowl, and science night for elementary school students. You'll get involved in things you enjoy, meet new people, interact withthe faculty, and develop your leadership skills.
A strong peer group. Biology majors become a part of the science community at the Mount. Students who have majors within the Division of Natural Science take their math and science classes together and quickly form study groups.
Peer tutoring. Science majors serve as peer tutors, and all students have the opportunity to get support for their learning efforts. Tutoring can provide you with income, but it will also help you to build your resume and strengthen your knowledge base.
Research. All full-time faculty members have PhD degrees in different fields and offer the opportunity to develop research projects. This will make an impression on graduate schools and future employers, giving you an edge when you move on from your studies at the Mount.
Learning science as a process. Many of our laboratory courses use inquiry-based collaborative learning to introduce students to the process of science and research.
Mentoring. All science students are assigned a full-time faculty advisor to help you explore career options, plan your course schedule and follow your academic progress. New freshmen are assigned a "science sibling" before coming to campus, so they have the opportunity to ask questions of an upperclassman, student to student.
A Biology major must attain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) in Biology courses of 1.7 by the end of the freshman year, and 2.0 by the end of the sophomore year and each succeeding semester. A student who does not maintain the minimum GPA in Biology will be asked to withdraw as a Biology major.
Where Mount students have interned
Students pursuing a major in Biology have many career paths available to them. In addition to the traditional careers in dentistry, medicine, and veterinary medicine, many allied health professions begin with a major in Biology. Optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, physical therapy, and physician assistant programs all have Biology as their foundation.
Outside of the health professions, there are many careers that include zookeepers, museum curators, science writers, agricultural specialists, environmental consultants, genetics councilors, nutritionists, and forensic specialists.
Students who wish to develop expertise in a sub-discipline of biology, such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, ecology, etc. attend graduate school, working toward either a Master of Science degree (MS) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Those trained as research scientists often build careers in academia or in industry.
The New York State Department of Labor predicts the employment prospects for persons with a bachelor's degree in Biology to be "very favorable." The projected change in employment growth for biotechnicians from 2012 to 2022 is 10 percent*.
*U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Occupational Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 2015.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sunday's Maracana match beefed up with more police
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Six hundred additional military police will be assigned to Sunday's World Cup match at Rio's Maracana stadium between Belgium and Russia after almost 100 un-ticketed Chilean fans rampaged through the stadium's media center before the last game.
Colonel Jose Luis Castro, head of military police for Rio de Janeiro state, said Friday the reinforcements would be used to beef up the 2,500 military police that had already been assigned to the game.
''Should there be an attempt to invade, we will have a contingency force to prevent this,'' Castro said.
FIFA's director of security Ralf Mutschke called the security lapse before Wednesday's 2-0 victory by Chile over Spain ''embarrassing.'' Four days earlier, at least 10 Argentine fans were detained after jumping fences at the famous stadium to see their team play Bosnia-Herzegovina.
''This is a challenge for us,'' said Roberto Alzir, a top Rio state security official in charge of policing the World Cup. ''This is a very complex operation. ...We had specific failures, but various other invasion attempts were avoided by public and private security forces.''
He did not say what they were.
He said the Maracana was difficult to police because of its location in the heart of the city, and because it attracts tourists.
''We have to understand that Maracana is a tourist attraction and so we cannot prevent people from getting close to the Maracana unless the situation becomes abnormal,'' Alzir said.
Alzir said people without tickets were free to mill around outside the stadium and soak up the atmosphere, which is not allowed at some other World Cup venues.
He left open the possibility that Brazil's armed forces could be used.
''If the situation reaches the point where the measures being taken are not enough, we will have to think about different measures to take,'' Alzir said. ''The armed forces are our partners. They are available if we need them. The president (Brazil President Dilma Rousseff) has made a few men available to work with us.''
The number of private security workers at Sunday's match could also be increased from the 1,037 at the last game. Hilario Medeiros, security manager for Brazilian organizers, said up to 1,300 were available but did not say how many would be deployed on Sunday.
The private security forces work inside the stadium.
Sunday's is the third of seven matches there. It is the venue for the final on July 13.
Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP


text:
Automatically Send a Survey to a Customer List
Identify the people you'd like to reach in a list. Create or copy a survey to send to them, or take advantage of one of our templates. Your customizable email message will generate automatically.
Easy tracking - Map fields back to Zendesk fields (Admins only)
Save and share the data you'd like to highlight, through Zendesk.
How to Install
Note: This app requires the customer lists feature enabled on your Zendesk Support account.
Need more help? Visit the Help Center.


text:
White Jacobs & Associates is Nationwide
Located Near You
Don't see your city here? We can probably still help!
With thousands of happy clients on Google, Facebook, TrustPilot, and more, you won't find a stronger reputation
We don't just send out dispute letters like other companies. We customize our approach with personalized audits for maximum results.
You'll work with the same credit expert for the duration of the program. They will update you, coach you, and answer your questions.
Our in-house law firm backs our 3rd and 4th round audits. This is part of the reason we get results where other companies fall short


text:
Wallace-for-President Rally - 1968
George C. Wallace, a former segregationist governor of Alabama, was an independent candidate for president in 1968. Well known for his symbolic stand "in the schoolhouse doorway" to oppose integration at the University of Alabama, he entered the presidential race claiming to offer voters "a real choice," and that there was "not a dime's worth of difference" between the two major parties. Arriving at the Raleigh-Durham Airport on October 24, Wallace said, "Both national parties can't understand a redneck running for president. They have looked down their noses at us."
Later that day, he spoke to an estimated crowd of 15,000 in the parking lot of Durham's police headquarters (the present city hall location). Spectators came from as far away as Onslow and Haywood counties. Wallace delivered a speech similar to others he had given around the country. He pledged to "return some sanity" to the federal government, criticized "federal guideline writers," and claimed to have the support of Southern union leaders—though the national AFL-CIO was attempting to discredit his claim to be a friend to organized labor.
Wallace received a mixed reception. While one local newspaper reported there were "oceans" of "Wallace for President" placards in the crowd, other demonstrators carried signs such as "Nobody Wins with Wallace" and "Hitler Was to Jews What Wallace Is to Blacks." Responding to hecklers, Wallace said, "Let them get on television and it will all be over with," and "I don't know what they teach in college these days, but they ought to teach you how to behave in a crowd."
At one point, a brawl broke out between Wallace supporters and opponents. According to one report, it was set off when a man wearing a Wallace campaign hat released a tear-gas-like chemical toward a group of black and white counter-demonstrators. Three people, including one police officer, received minor injuries before the fight was broken up.
On election day, Wallace received 31 percent of North Carolina's popular vote. Republican Richard Nixon won the state with 40 percent, and Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey came in third with 29 percent.
Last Update: May 18, 2010


text:
Facebook raced past Google in 2010 to be become the most popular destination on the Internet, according to online aggregator Experian Hitwise. Facebook was ranked the No. 1 online destination for 2010 with 8.93 percent of U.S. visits from January through November of this year. Rounding out the top five were Google, ranked second with 7.19 percent of visits, Yahoo Mail with 3.52 percent, Yahoo with 3.3 percent and YouTube with 2.65 percent.
Hitwise also analyzed the top 1,000 online search terms and found that "Facebook" also ranked No. 1 for the second year in a row. It also surmised that four variations of Facebook queries received about 3.48 percent of all Internet searches, more than doubling its searches from 2009.
When I contacted Hitwise, a spokesman didn't seem have any physical numbers to give me saying than only an analyst had the raw data, specifically how many millions of users make a top Internet search term. However, Hitwise's competition, ComScore, recently released its monthly numbers for November 2010, which show that Yahoo still maintains a No. 1 spot -- barely -- with 180.9 million unique visitors. Next comes Google with 178.7 million, while Facebook ranks at No. 4 with 151.7 million.


text:
Drumaxx 1.1.1 Update
Drumaxx's new features and bugfixes include:
- New Self Oscillating Filter (SOF)
- New 'Import Sequencer pattern'
- Fixed Logic compatibility
- Fixed pattern loading
- Fixed wrong key triggering
The SOF section will help you create some thumping electro kicks and great snare sounds.
'Friday Nights' Remix contests and the winners are...
We had a fantastic response to the second remix contest with 191 entries. You can see the winning project in action or check out them all at the competition Looptalk thread. Congratulations to:
1st - Madeon RMX (France)
2nd - John Rios RMX (Colombia)
3rd - D-Vision RMX (Finland)
Over 4000 Drumaxx sold & our Haiti pledge
We promised in the Drumaxx 'Pay what you think it's worth' sale to donate $1USD to a Haiti charity for each Drumaxx sold. We are pleased to announce that we have donated $4018 USD to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters.
So what was Drumaxx worth to you? The most paid for Drumaxxwas $125 (thanks Ronald) so, in the spirit of giving, we refunded the money back to his account.
Complete our survey & get an Image-Line plugin
We made some changes in the 9.1 Browser to help users 'browse' presets and samples. That is, pressing F5/F6 step back/forward through the Browser item list and load it into the last touched plugin.
We want your input. There are only so many function and other keys to go around, did we make the right decision?
Participate in our survey by May 31st and you will be in the draw to score any Image-Line plugin of your choice. We will draw 3 lucky participants.
Buy bundles and save 30% or more
The Image Line store has been refurbished, shiny and new for the rush of bargain hunters. To give you better value we added Gol's & Sample CD bundles. Shown right is the 30% discount you will get if you buy 4 or more products. Click on the image to go to the Image Line shop and check out the deals for yourself. Just scan down the items and click on the Gol's or Sample CD bundle to see the details.
'ballistic drummer' charity drive
Fellow FL Studio user (de la Mancha) is selling the Ballistic Drummer plugin an donating 100% of proceeds to Cancer Research UK. He writes:
"ballistic is a 15 slot drum sample player designed to get you making beats quickly without a million parameters to adjust. I am donating 100% of sales of ballistic to this charity. If you buy ballistic for $10, I will donate that $10 directly to Cancer Research UK and you get a new plugin and a set of samples from some top sample providers. Sounds like a pretty good deal no?
Click on the ballistic drummer image learn more.
Watch out for ...
So with FL Studio 9.1 out what can you look forward to? Well, something many of you have been asking for is a bigger mixer. So, here's a sneak peak at an alpha Mixer scheduled for FL 9.x.
The 'Wide Mixer View' will be optional in FL 9.x
See all our videos first on YouTube


text:
HAYWARD — People who want to help end hunger and homelessness may not know that many service organizations don't have enough volunteers to gather food donations.
Bringing the two together is one of the goals of a community forum Saturday organized by the Hayward city library and the Task Force to End Hunger and Homelessness in Hayward, created last year to find ways to help the more than 18,000 people living in poverty in the city.
"For example, there are restaurants that can't sell their food at a certain point, but it's still good," said librarian Sally Thomas.
Volunteers are needed to connect with those restaurants to arrange to pick up excess food and deliver it to nonprofit groups that feed the hungry, such as South Hayward Parish, she said.
Panelists at the forum will include Suzan Bateson, Alameda County Community Food Bank executive director; Elaine de Coligny, EveryOne Home executive director; and people who have faced hunger and homelessness in Hayward.
Betty DeForest, of South Hayward Parish and a member of the task force, said identifying the problem is key to addressing it.
"We need to be clear that there are many more people who are hungry in our city than are homeless," she said. "Last year, we served 6,755 individuals in the South Hayward Parish food line, compared to 135 who identify as homeless."
While the City Council recently put restrictions on handing out free food in Hayward city parks and banned the handouts at the Main Library and Giuliani Plaza, some groups are working on a centralized indoor location where people could not only be fed but also receive job training and social services and have a place to shower, Thomas said.
"We're not quite there yet," she said.
Instilling hope is crucial to helping people move from homelessness to self-sufficiency, said Sara Lamnin of Community Action Network, which also is taking part in the forum. The organization offers three programs that teach homeless people job skills while providing some income: jewelry-making, sewing reusable shopping bags, and working as peer advocates helping other homeless people. Making meaningful contributions also boosts self-esteem, Lamnin said.
Another possibility would be to connect a resident with an extra bedroom with someone who could provide an extra set of hands in exchange for housing.
"It's using the resources we already have — that extra room, that excess food — and redirecting it in a way that helps to address hunger and homelessness," Lamnin said.
Thomas said the inspiration for the forum came from the Book-to-Action program she started at the Hayward library. The program sponsors book readings and then encourages readers to take on community projects related to book topics.
The group recently read "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion" by Gregory Boyle. A Jesuit priest in Los Angeles, Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a two-decades-old program that gives former gang members jobs making and selling T-shirts, selling baked goods and mentoring other young people.
Thomas said the Book-to-Action program has energized those taking part.
"Everyone who's been engaged in these projects has felt hopeful about doing something concrete," she said.
Also taking part in the forum are the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of the Eden Area, South Hayward Parish, Hayward/Castro Valley AAUW, Opportunity and Freedom at Chabot College and Hayward Councilman Francisco Zermeño. The meeting space was provided by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Thomas said.
Organizers say they will welcome suggestions on ending hunger and homelessness during a brainstorming session, which is being called "You Have a Place at the Table — Ending Hunger and Homelessness in Hayward."
"There are ideas out there that we haven't even tapped," Lamnin said.
Contact Rebecca Parr at 510-293-2473.
You have a place at the table: ending hunger and homelessness in Hayward
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Southgate Community Center, 26780 Chiplay Ave., Hayward


text:
Sanders' Former Police Dog Sold
CLARENCE - The chief of police in Clarence confirmed to KOMU 8 News Wednesday that his department has bought the police dog Fano from Columbia Police. Columbia police officials confirmed the sale took place last week, but refused to say for how much--saying KOMU 8 News would have to file a state sunshine law request to get that figure. But Chief Raymond Barton of the Clarence Police told KOMU 8 News his department bought the dog for one dollar.
Barton said Clarence was in need of a police dog and that Fano seemed to be a good fit for the town. Barton said Fano's main purpose would be drug detection. Barton said he still needs to evaluate the young dog, but thinks the department would be a good place for him to be utilized.
Fano's former handler, 18-year veteran patrol officer Rob Sanders, was fired by Columbia chief Ken Burton in 2011 for using excessive force against an prisoner. The dog became the center of controversy as Sanders and his wife urged the police department to sell Fano to them, but the city said the liability risks and chance of aggressive behavior from the dog were too risky.


text:
- Prayer and Worship
- Beliefs and Teachings
- Issues and Action
- Media
- Bible
- Catholic Giving
- About USCCB
Protecting Human Life and Caring for Creation: Why Protecting Unborn Children in Their First Environment Matters
A Discussion and Study Guide
On April 30, 2007, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsored a conference, Protecting Human Life and Caring for Creation: Why Protecting Unborn Children in Their First Environment Matters. The conference brought together leading scientists and heads of Catholic organizations to examine the latest science on the impact of environmental toxins on unborn children.
The conference examined ethical and moral implications of environmental hazards on children through the lens of Catholic social teaching. The primary focus was on respect for the human person, care for God's creation, and the need to work for the common good, with an overarching concern for the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Participants also discussed regulatory and legislative opportunities to safeguard human life and the environment.
The conference was jointly organized by the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, in collaboration with the Catholic Coalition for Children and a Safe Environment (CASE), and with financial support from the National Religious Partnership for the Environment.
Companion study guide and DVD
This study guide, prepared by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, is intended for use with the companion DVD of the conference presentations (see below for information on how to get a free copy). On the DVD, you can hear a recording of each speaker's talk, and see the accompanying slideshow presentation. Each chapter of the study guide corresponds to a presentation included in the DVD.
Each chapter in the the study guide includes a glossary, with definitions of words and phrases used that are critical to understanding the presentation.
This guide also includes questions for small-group discussion, designed to clarify possible misunderstandings of the presentations, spark additional study, and lead participants to faith-inspired action.
To get your free copy of the DVD, please send your request to
Environmental Justice Program
Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
Download the complete study guide, Protecting Human Life and Caring for Creation: Why Protecting Unborn Children in Their First Environment Matters
By accepting this message, you will be leaving the website of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This link is provided
solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for,
nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or
sponsoring organizations.


text:
God gave rock and roll to you.
Wyld Stallyns rides again! Vulture reports that original stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are signed on for a third installment of the long-dormant "Bill and Ted" series. Dean Parisot, who helmed the wildly funny sci-fi meta-spoof "Galaxy Quest," is attached to direct.
I, for one, am more than ready for another go-round with Bill Preston, Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan. I assume since "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" (SPOILER ALERT) ended with them saving the world, this one will pick up with some dystopian threat to their utopian, rock 'n' roll-unified future? Having explored ancient history and the afterlife, where will they go next? Outer space? The possibilities for such a film range from transcendent to most heinous.
To amp up your anticipation, here's the trailer for "Excellent Adventure"...
...and the big closing number from "Bogus Journey."


text:
It looks like you're new, can we be friends?
Minimum of 8 characters
Welcome back!
Need help picking a size?
Check out our
sizing guide!
This Product is Not Available at the moment
🥤SLURRRRRRRRRP 🥤If your favorite drink puts a smile on your face just like the one this little panda has, then this cobalt blue TeeTurtle original "Boba Panda" t-shirt is perfect for you!
Tees are social creatures, so make sure to get them lots of friends!
Men's T-shirt: Cobalt blue 100% Super Soft Ringspun Cotton Unisex Tee for perfect comfort and fit
Juniors T-shirt: Cobalt blue 100% Super Soft Ringspun Cotton Junior's Tee for a body-hugging slim fit
Women's T-shirt: Cobalt blue 100% Super Soft Ringspun Cotton Women's Tee for a looser, more casual fit
>Wash cold
>Tumble dry low
>Do not iron
>Wear with pride
Don't miss out on your next favorite tee! Add your e-mail address to get the latest on new designs
and exclusive sales.
© 2020 TeeTurtle


text:
There are people who don't know the meaning of bilateral peaceful/friendly relationship between states on equal grounds , they only know master-slave relationship or enemy-enemy relationship.
We find them in politics,media,intellectual classes and everywhere just like other people because they represent a mindset, mindset of a slave.
They criticize those who talk about protecting the sovereignty and self respect of the country and nation. They think by talking about protecting the sovereignty means going into baseless wars and talking about self respect means insulting others or breaking all ties with others.
I have seen people who demand the freedom loving people not to go to foreign countries or not to send their children in those countries for studies because freedom loving people oppose the occupation and control of these countries on our country and the reason is same slave mindset about relationships.
They can't understand that countries promote bilateral people to people, government to government , institution to institution relationships with each other without ceding their sovereignty and backing off from their principle stands.


text:
February 16, 2012
13 comments:
I didn't know you ate so much raw food, Maria. I am loving the idea of a broccoli avocado dressing, though. :)ReplyDelete
I love the bright yellow color, gives a sunny atmosphere to an otherwise gloomy afternoon. Thanks for the tips in cooking the beans too. A must try, really!ReplyDelete
so bright and colorful. I love it.ReplyDelete
Those yellow squash look AMAZING! I love squash, but dont have them very often and when I do it's usually roasted. Anyway, seeing you tonight I CANT WAIT! :)ReplyDelete
I don't eat as much raw veggie as you, but I have some on a daily basis. A nice recipe!ReplyDelete
This looks delicious! I love the dressing!!ReplyDelete
Am most interested in the 'green dressing', as it is unlike any I have been taught to make! Broccoli and avocado together: sounds fabulous with the squash I so like :D !ReplyDelete
What a beautiful dish, Maria! I bet it was so delicious with all those fresh summer flavors. Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
That dressing sounds fantastic! So tasty and healthy - I hav eto try it! I bet it is wonderful on many things, over grilled fish, as a dip for fresh veggies, or even as a quick sauce for pasta.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous18 February 2012 at 20:31
Beautiful colors!ReplyDelete
Your meals always inspire me to get in the kitchen and eat even more veggies than I already do...and this is no exception! I can almost taste the vibrant flavors from here.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous7 July 2012 at 06:50
I've never used hemp seeds before. What do they do for the flavor or nutrition? Could you substitute chia or flax?ReplyDelete


text:
Representatives from four organizations will speak at the Fayette Opera House at 7 p.m. Thursday to discuss a variety of assistance programs.
• A Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission representative will talk about four programs for income-eligible residents.
Technicians will check homes for energy efficiency and funding is available for weatherization upgrades.
The First Energy Community Connections program works with residents to reduce energy consumption.
The Area Office on Aging has funds to assist elderly residents with home repair needs and handicapped modifications to help citizens live independently.
The Ohio Housing Trust Fund provides money for home repairs and handicapped modifications to help applicants live independently.
• Habitat for Humanity works on home ownership programs, building new homes through community volunteers and donations of materials.
More recently, the organization has started rehabilitation efforts to preserve existing housing.
• Fayette's Helping Hands—Fayette's food pantry operates on donated food, along with food purchased from a regional food bank in Toledo.
• Project Pride—Fayette council member Ruth Marlatt initiated a program last fall called Project Pride in which neighbors get together for a "block party." Participants discuss neighborhood problems and solutions, or come up with projects to improve the neighborhood.


text:
Dept. Head Anantha Chandrakasan announced to the EECS Faculty the appointment of Professor Albert Meyer as the new EECS Undergraduate Officer effective July 1, 2013. Prof. Meyer will take over from Professor Denny Freeman, who was recently chosen as the MIT Dean for Undergraduate Education. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Dennis Freeman for his truly outstanding work as the EECS Undergraduate Officer," Prof. Chandrakasan said.
Professor Meyer, the Hitachi America Professor of Engineering (since 1991) and principal investigator in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), has published over sixty papers spanning theoretical computer science. With his student, Larry Stockmeyer, he formulated the polynomial-time hierarchy and the first proofs of the exponential complexity of known decision problems. He has contributed extensively to Type Theory and Semantics of programming languages and concurrent processes. As an outgrowth of his recent responsibility for several large introductory courses, he has become interested in education, in particular active learning and educational technology.
An ACM Fellow (1999), Professor Meyer has guided 27 PhD Thesis graduates, many now prominent faculty members in leading departments including MIT. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science (1987), and has been Editor-in-Chief of the journal Information and Computation since 1982. He has been a Member (or Chair) of program committees and organizing committees for numerous symposia and workshops sponsored by ACM, IEEE, EATCS, AMS, ASL, NSF, SDC, IBM, INRIA, CSSR, USSR, and Japan Info Processing Society.
Professor Meyer has made outstanding educational contributions to our department. He is a pioneer of the "flipped" classroom for 6.042 (which he has taught since 1999). Lectures are recorded before class and class time devoted entirely to supervised team problem solving. He has held a number of administrative positions including Area II chair (1981-1985), Associate Head of Lab for Computer Science (1979-1981), member of the MIT Committee on the Educational Commons from 2004 – 2007, Chair of the MIT Committee on Curricula from 2004-2006, and Secretary of the Faculty from 2010-2012. He joined the MIT faculty in 1969 following his education at Harvard University (AB 1963, MS 1965, PhD 1972).
As the Undergraduate Officer, Professor Meyer will have oversight of the undergraduate and MEng program. He will be responsible for MEng admission decisions and running department advising meetings. He will also deal with individual student issues referred by the undergraduate administrators and instructors. He will also participate in USAGE meetings to get student input on various initiatives.


text:
A coronary risk profile is a group of blood tests used to measure your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The profile can help determine your risk for heart disease.
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease, stroke, and other problems.
Some types of cholesterol are considered "good" and some are considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to measure each type of cholesterol.
Lipoprotein/cholesterol analysis; Lipid profile; Lipid panel; Hyperlipidemia - testing; Cholesterol and triglyceride test
A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture.
Your doctor may order only a cholesterol level as the first test, which will measure cholesterol and, sometimes, HDL cholesterol levels. You may not need more cholesterol tests if your cholesterol is in the normal range.
You may also have a lipid (or coronary risk) profile, which includes:
People who also have high triglyceride levels may get a test called a direct vLDL cholesterol (direct vLDL-C).
Other blood tests, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), may be added to the profile in some laboratories.
Often, if you are only having a cholesterol level done, you can eat beforehand.
If you are having a lipid profile, you should not eat or drink anything except water 9 - 12 hours before having your blood drawn.
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Cholesterol blood tests are done to help you and your doctor better understand your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by blocked arteries.
Some guidelines recommend having the first cholesterol test done at age 20. Everyone should have their first screening test by age 35 in men, and age 45 in women.
People who have diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or high blood pressure should always have a cholesterol test done, no matter what their age.
Follow-up testing should be done:
Not all experts agree on when to first check cholesterol levels in children.
The ideal values depend on whether you have heart disease, diabetes,ÃÂ or other risk factors. Your health care provider can tell you what your goal should be.
The desired values in most healthy adults are:
Talk to your health care provider about the ideal levels in children.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
Abnormal values may be a sign that you are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by blocked arteries. If your cholesterol is too high, you may need treatment to lower your cholesterol levels. This may include medicine and lifestyle changes.
Any active illness, such as a flare-up of arthritis, can change your total cholesterol number. If you have had an illness in the 3 months before having this test, you should have this test repeated in 2 or 3 months.
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001;285:2486-2497. Updated 2004.
Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 49.
Gennest J, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 47.
Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Implications of recent clinical trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Circulation. 2004 Jul 13; 110(2):227-39.
Review Date: 6/3/2012
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2003 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Medical Center. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.


text:
Monday, July 13, 2009
Whenever someone says "Upstate New York," it usually means anywhere but New York City. But, to be more specific, I spent the better part of last week in Western New York, about an hour away from Buffalo. It was such a wonderful vacation that I thought I'd share some photos.
The first two photos are from Letchworth State Park, which is definitely worth a visit (or two — this was my second trip to the area, the first being 10 years ago, right after I graduated from high school).
— A catfish feeding frenzy at Moss Lake
— Blue poncho-wrapped tourists braving the mists of Niagara Falls
— Maid of the Mist, ready for a new load
— My first time on a prop plane — not exactly the fastest, but worth it for the finale: a low, slow loop around Manhattan
Posted by Paolo Rivera at 9:00:00 PM
Labels: Photos
3 comments:
Awesome Photos Paolo! I'm actually leaving to go up there tomorrow myself! I can't wait!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousTuesday, July 14, 2009
Beautiful pics, Paolo! Did you catch any of those catfish? They make for good eating.ReplyDelete
Chris: that's great to hear! Have a wonderful time.ReplyDelete
Christina: I didn't catch any of them (they were pretty small) but my friends saw a snapping turtle grab one!
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
These requirements were effective until May 31, 2014.
To see the current requirements, Click here.
- Become certified as an Open Water Diver by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). If PADI or NAUI instruction and certification are not available, certification may be accepted from other agencies that comply with the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) guidelines, provided that such acceptance has been expressly approved by your local BSA council in consultation with the BSA national Health and Safety Service.
- Make a presentation to your crew, another crew, or a Cub or Boy Scout group on what it takes to become certified and some other subject related to scuba diving.
- Assist with a Discover Scuba program. (Note: An Open Water Diver may assist with logistics under the guidance of the instructor conducting the program, but is not qualified to and is not expected to perform as a professional-level assistant such as a divemaster or assistant instructor.)
Above information from Ranger Handbook (No. 33494), 2009 printing.


text:
NFL's Former 49ers Football Player Dana Stubblefield's Wife Puts Out Restraining Order! "Im Scared Of This Guy. He Locked Me In The House"
Restraining order against 49ers Great
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
You may well ask why I do a periodic update of the resources in FamilySearch? There are a couple of reasons. First, FamilySearch frequently adds substantial content and makes changes to their websites without formal announcements. By and large they do a pretty good job of communicating, but sometimes the "announcements" are days and weeks behind the occurrences. Second, FamilySearch is sometimes drowned out by the hoopla of the large commercial websites. For example, Ancestry.com has its TV ads and links everywhere on the Internet, so there is no real need to assess what they are doing regularly, they are very good at letting everyone know what is going on.
Also, with all my involvement in the FamilySearch Research Wiki and the TechTips websites, I have a very personal interest in the resources. Last, FamilySearch is free. Sometimes it is hard to see value in free services and the FamilySearch resources are extremely valuable.
Here is the update:
With the addition of records every day during the past week, FamilySearch is up to 1146 collections. As an example, one collection added last week, the Brazil, Catholic Church Records has 5,860,767 images. This is just the last of millions of images introduced this week. The rest of the site appears pretty much the same, with increases in the number of articles on the FamilySearch Research Wiki with 67,049. Change is incremental but significant because as the number of records increase, the likelyhood that your ancestors will appear increases.
Family Tree
It is not surprising that since Personal Ancestral File, last updated in 2002, is still floating around and being taught as a current program at Family History Centers, that it might take a while for FamilySearch to transition from one program to another. FamilySearch.org underwent a major upgrade and revision in December of 2010 and now, more than a year later, after the old website has disappeared from the new site, you can still go to the old website. Now, we are facing another one of those types of transitions. FamilySearch Family Tree is going to replace New.FamilySearch.org.
I am not sure if keeping the old sites and programs around is just a symptom of being involved in genealogy or has some other basis, but I am fully aware that there is a significant segment of the genealogical community that still believe PAF to be the one true program and the same people "don't like" the new FamilySearch.org website notwithstanding the huge number of new resources on the website. I expect that some of the diehards will asked to be buried with their favorite copy of PAF on 3.5 inch floppies.
Since New.FamilySearch.org died in Beta testing and is now being replaced by Family Tree, want to make any guesses as to how long the transition might take?
By the way, during the past week or so, I noticed that there were updated changes to Family Tree from day to day, not yet reflected in the documentation.
1940USCensus.org Project
Indexing the US Census is moving right along. You can see the progress at the webiste linked from FamilySearch.org. The overall progress shows 35.06% complete with 15 states completed 100% and 2 more very close. It is a very good program and quite easy to teach.
The big news this week was Poindexter, slipped into the Labs.FamilySearch.org website without much explanation or clarification. What is there looks interesting but not much to go on yet.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
FamilySearch Update 13 May 2012
2 comments:
- AnonymousMay 13, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Thanks Ron, for some explanation on behind-the- scenes of FamilySearch. There is much more than what meets eye going on at this fabulous site. And, all for free!ReplyDelete
Thanks James. I really appreciate your articles. They are very helpful and informative.ReplyDelete
Liz Snow
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
|Pin Making
|One needs to look beyond the census information
|The Potato famine in Ireland caused an epidemic of opthalmia.
- England and Wales - 19,352 [ an increase of 1046 persons blind since 1851 and 1 in every 1037 persons compared to 1 in 979 in 1851]
- Scotland - 2820 [ 1 in every 1.086 persons compared to 3010 incidences or 1 in 960 persons in 1851]
- Ireland - 6,879 [ 708 less than in 1851 ]
- Islands to the British Seas - 197 [1 in every 728 persons and a decrease of 26 cases since 1851]
- Blindness was found to be less prevalent in 1851 in the south western counties of Britain (Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall with 1 in 793 person affected.
- The eastern counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk show a lesser proportion of the population affected by blindness with the ratio of 1 in 902.
- The north western counties of Cheshire an Lancashire demonstrate a lesser rate of blindness with 1 in 1253 person affected.
- York and West Riding the proportion of people reported to be blind was even less at 1 in 1296.
- Durham showed 1 in every 1252,
- The county of Bedfordshire, where the main employment for young persons was straw plaiting, recorded the lowest ratio of people who were blind with numbers recorded as 1 in 1325 persons.
|On the bottom right, it indicates that Charles Saber, aged 49, is Blind.
|Charles Saber (spelled Sopher) in the 1861 census. 'Blind'
|Keynsham Union Workhouse where Eliza resided
|Children making pins in the 1800's
|Jane and Hannah Kirk in the 1871 census
In the 5, April, 1891 census, Jane now aged 28, and her sister Hannah aged 26, are living with their parents on a farm where Samuel at 65 years of age is employed as a farm labourer. brother Richard William Kirk is now 16 and working alongside his father as a farm labourer. With two daughters, unable to hear or to speak, life must have been challenging for the Kirk family. Samuel was the sole supporter for the family with help possibly from sons James and Richard while they lived with the family. Samuel Kirk died in 1900, a death which would have meant an enormous loss to the Kirk family, both emotionally and financially. Sarah was left to care for her adult daughters, Jane and Hannah in a world where they could not hear or communicate effectively.
|Looking at this painting of a young girl in the 1860's we might ponder the lives of Jane and Hannah Kirk.
In the 1901 census, Sarah Kirk is shown as the head of the household in the parish of All Saints, Ashover, in Derbyshire, living with her daughters Jane and Hannah. With three women aged 68, 38, and 36 years in the home, none of whom were employed, one must suppose that they were dependent upon either sons and brothers James and Richard for financial support or that they were reliant upon parish charity for survival.
|All Saints, Ashover, Derbyshire
Sarah Kirk died in 1911, leaving her 'deaf and dumb' daughters Jane and Hannah aged 48 and 46 years with no option but to be placed in an institution. These girls were fortunate to have had parents who cared for them at home for as long as they were able, despite the financial burden this must have placed upon the family.
The 1911 census record shows Jane Kirk aged 46 (48) and her sister Hannah Kirk aged 46 years living in an institution at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.Both girls were single, having had no opportunity for marriage with their affliction. Although other inmates of the institution are shown to be employed in various jobs mainly connected to the cotton industry, (mill hands, flour sack menders, cotton mill winders), neither Jane nor Hannah are reported as working. The occupations of inmates in this workhouse, which was not far from their home of Ashover, tells us much about the agricultural nature of the area of Derbyshire in which Jane and Hannah grew up. It is entirely probable, tragically for these sisters, that their lack of hearing and importantly, speech, rendered them 'dumb' and unemployable in the eyes of those around them. Jane and Hannah both died in their silent world in far from desirable conditions in the Chesterfield Workhouse.
|The dreary Chesterfield Institution where Jane and Hannah Kirk lived out their days unable to hear or to speak
|Another view of the Chesterfield Workhouse
These are merely a few examples of how disabilities impacted on the lives of people in the past. We can be grateful to census records which from the 1850's in the UK and the US, provide us with a window through which to glimpse the lives of those suffering impairments such as deafness, blindness, and mental health issues. This one column added to the census record has provided governments and organisations with crucial information which has aided the provision of facilities to help children such as Jane and Hannah Kirk to be educated and taught to communicate with others. Jane and Hannah were locked in a silent and isolated world. But for the 'Whether Deaf, Dumb and Blind' information reported in a far right column, on the census records, Jane and Hannah's story, and thousands more like theirs, would never have been told.


text:
Consensus Report
A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials (2012)Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports.
Despite substantial research, gaps remain in understanding the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) risks of nanomaterials—materials just one billionth of a meter in size—used in an array of products including drug-delivery systems, cosmetics, and food additives. With the nanotechnology sector poised to expand rapidly, there could be greater exposure of workers, consumers, and the environment to nanomaterials. As a result, there is a critical need for a research strategy to build knowledge of the unique properties of nanomaterials, this report finds.
This report sets out a conceptual framework for environmental, health, and safety research on nanomaterials, develops a research plan with short- and long-term research priorities, and estimates the resources needed to implement the plan. In a subsequent report, the committee will evaluate progress toward these goals.
Key Messages
- The report describes four broad, high-priority research categories, with some aspects that need to be addressed in the short term (within 5 years) and others that will evolve over longer terms. The research categories are: identify and quantify nanomaterials being released and the populations and environments being exposed; understand processes that affect both potential hazards and exposure; examine nanomaterial interactions in complex systems ranging from subcellular to ecosystems; and support adaptive research and knowledge infrastructure for accelerating research progress and providing rapid feedback to advance research.
- While surveying the status of existing resources needed to implement the research priorities, the committee concluded that there is a gap between research and associated activities funded and the level of activity that would foster greater progress toward the research priorities. The committee concluded that approximately $120 million per year over the next five years should remain for health and environmental risk research by federal agencies. Any reduction in the amount could be a setback to nanomaterials risk research.
- A modest infusion of additional resources garnered through public, private, and international initiatives could help build infrastructure that is critical for supporting progress toward the research goals. These additional resources should be directed towards critical cross-cutting EHS research needs including: informatics ($5 million per year); nanomaterial measurement and characterization approaches ($10 million per year); benchmark nanomaterials ($3-5 million per year); characterizing nanomaterial sources ($2 million per year); and developing research networks for collaborative research and information sharing ($2 million per year). Funding in these areas should be sustained for 5 years.
- Mechanisms are needed to ensure the research strategy is implemented effectively, to evaluate research progress, and to refine the strategy as evidence is gathered. Successful implementation of the research strategy will require improved coordination among domestic and international stakeholder groups involved in nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research. Development of public-private partnerships could help leverage resources to advance research progress, foster independent governance, and build operational transparency into the process.
- The structure of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)—which has only coordination and information-sharing roles across the federal agencies and no "top-down" budgetary or management authority to direct nanotechnology-related EHS research—hinders its accountability for effective implementation of the research strategy. Effective implementation of the research strategy outlined in this report will require an entity that has sufficient management and budgetary authority to direct development and implementation of a federal EHS strategy across NNI agencies, and to ensure integration of federally supported EHS research undertaken by the private sector, the academic community, and international organizations.
- There is a concern that the dual and potentially conflicting roles of the NNI—developing and promoting nanotechnology and its applications while also identifying and mitigating risks that arise from such applications—impede implementation and evaluation of EHS risk research. To implement the research strategy effectively, a clear separation of management and budgetary authority and accountability is needed between the functions of developing and promoting applications of nanotechnology and of understanding and assessing potential health and environmental implications.


text:
I have been blessed with wonderful students at the University of Pristina. They and their families suffered so much in the 90s, and now they lead impossibly complicated lives as they juggle commitments to family and to jobs. But they still make time for MA studies and remain sweet tempered and hopeful about the future.
After our last classes, the Monday/Thursday students and the Saturday students took me to coffee, a fine old Albanian tradition. I offer these pics as proof that they like me! The 'student' sitting on my lap (my wife Judy) likes me most of all ;).


text:
|Biosequences .. Software .. Molbio soft .. Network News .. FTP
Posting for someone with no access to the Net. Apologies for any cross- postings! NJ/ASIS Workshop and Presentation HUMAN GENOME PROJECT: Tools Demonstrating Standardization of Genetic Information WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992 RAMADA HOTEL, Clark, NJ Evening Schedule: 5:30-6:30 Social Hour 6:30-7:30 Dinner 7:30-8:30 Presentation by Dr. Karl Sirotkin, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine The Human Genome Project is an international effort to locate and identify our genes. Karl Sirotkin, a research computational biologist, is involved with the software development used to describe genetic information - enter and recover information from genetic databases. TOPICS COVERED: How can genetic information systems be used to advance medical research? What role does and will the Human Genome Project have in bringing this about? How can the format for genetic data representation allow one to uncover biological connections between genes and independent reports of sequence information in different databases? It is difficult to create software which allows such linkages to be made because there is no standard in genetic databases for data exchange and syntax. Dr. Sirotkin will present a standard that keeps the software development load for database communications linear, and he will demonstrate a program which utilizes this standard to integrate literature (Medline) information, protein and DNA sequences, and nearest neighbor relationships between them, in order to uncover biological connections. ************************************************************************* WORKSHOP on DIALOG INFORMATION'S BIOTECH DATABASES SEMINAR Ramada Hotel, Clark, NJ, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (light refreshments served) ************************************************************************* Please send, fax, or call in your reservations by MARCH 13 to: Judy Roff Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals Bldg SIC 134 556 Morris Avenue Summit, NJ 07901 Telephone: (908) 277-5404 Fax: (908) 277-7999 Checks must accompany reservations; please make checks payable to: NJ ASIS. Refunds only for cancellations received by Friday, March 13, 1992. NOTE: If you make a reservation by telephone or fax, payment is expected even if you do not attend the meeting. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -RESERVATION FORM- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NAME: PHONE: ( ) AFFILIATION: WORKSHOP FEE: ____ $15(member) ____$20(nonmember) ____$10(jobseeker) ___$free(student) EVENING PROGRAM: FEE: ____ $25(member) ____$28(nonmember) ____$10(student/jobseeker) DINNER - Please select entree: ______Stuffed Breast of Chicken ______ London Broil w/mushroom gravy TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $________ DIRECTIONS TO CLARK RAMADA HOTEL: Exit 135 Garden State Parkway, Clark. (908) 574-0100


text:
Common Ground: Commencement speakers aren't puppets
- Cal%3A An education isn%27t supposed to be about reinforcing ideas in which you already believe.
- Bob%3A Liberal arts colleges have traditionally provided a forum for debating ideas.
Cal Thomas is a conservative columnist. Bob Beckel is a liberal Democratic strategist. But as longtime friends, they can often find common ground on issues that lawmakers in Washington cannot.
BOB: As a life-long liberal who has engaged in protests against the government and for civil rights, I am saddened at efforts by some of my fellow liberals to silence commencement speakers with whom they might disagree on some issues. Academic freedom and free speech mean the right to consider ideas with which you might disagree.
CAL: I applaud your honesty and consistency, Bob, and couldn't agree more. Our liberal friend and First Amendment authority, Nat Hentoff, has said it best: The answer to speech you don't agree with is not less speech, but more speech.
BOB: You won't hear me disagree with that. It's peculiar how this debate has come full circle. In the 1980s, some conservative groups tried to censor certain things they didn't like on TV, or columnists they read in their newspapers. We liberals said, "If you don't like it, change the channel, or read another section of the paper." Now, when conservatives are the target of censorship efforts, too many of my fellow liberals are protesting or remaining silent. If pluralism and academic freedom are to be used to defend liberal speakers and ideas, they ought to be equally valid for conservative views.
CAL: According to the conservative group Young America's Foundation, liberal commencement speakers this year outnumber conservative speakers by a ratio of 7-1. There was a time not too long ago when keynote speakers at college commencements were rarely controversial. They sure are today.
BOB: There may well be many more liberal than conservative keynoters, but I predict very few of the liberals will be controversial. I'm sure you have a long list of examples of disinvited and controversial conservative speakers.
CAL: I do, indeed. The latest is Dr. Ben Carson, one of the world's most successful and honored surgeons. Dr. Carson was initially invited to give a commencement address at Johns Hopkins University, but when an apparent minority at the school protested his traditional views about marriage, he decided to withdraw. Former World Bank president Robert Zoellick was to speak at Swarthmore College, from which he graduated, but withdrew after some students objected to his support of the Iraq War and his record as president of the World Bank. An education isn't supposed to be about reinforcing ideas in which you already believe, but hearing competing ideas. What about the right of conservative students to hear these speakers? Don't they get a vote?
BOB: It was Carson (recently elevated by you conservatives to "one of the world's great surgeons"), who linked gay marriage to bestiality and pedophilia. He apologized, but that was such an outrageous statement that I don't blame Johns Hopkins for encouraging Carson to back out of the speech. I do agree Zoellick should not have withdrawn.
CAL: The list goes on. At Skidmore, there has been a fracas over inviting a former mining company CEO. At St John's University, the fight is over a Republican congressman. A pastor has been disinvited from Morehouse, allegedly for his criticism of President Obama, while at Xavier University the fight was over a former NFL Bengals offensive lineman with ties to a group opposed to gay rights. It isn't too different from when a former ambassador to the United Nations, the late Jeane Kirkpatrick, who was to be awarded an honorary degree in 1987 by Lafayette College. She withdrew as commencement speaker following opposition by 60 members of the faculty. College President David Ellis responded, "In my judgment, we have failed adequately to uphold the first principle of academic freedom, which says that persons of all persuasions, whether we individually agree with them or not, have every right to be heard."
BOB: That's a disturbing list. We need to be open to more views.
CAL: Within the memory of many older adults, times were different. There were few protests against commencement speakers. During the Vietnam War, some commencement speakers caused an uproar before their addresses if they were known as war supporters, but today an enforced "orthodoxy" seems to be growing at too many colleges and universities.
BOB: It's all how you apply the labels. We should mention that although protests have increased, most colleges manage to avoid protests against their keynote speakers.
CAL: I think Kermit the Frog's Southampton College address in 1996 might have been one of the few without controversy!
BOB: Personally, I would prefer Miss Piggy.
CAL: What amazes me, Bob, is that universities, which are supposed to be bastions of open-mindedness and free speech are now engaged in censorship of ideas some don't agree with.
BOB: Liberal arts colleges have traditionally provided a forum for debating ideas. Avoiding controversy and "playing it safe" by not inviting — or disinviting — speakers with "controversial" views stifles debate. Most protesters against a speaker usually represent a small minority of the student body. By giving in to protesters, colleges are denying the majority of students their right to hear controversial opinions and drawing their own conclusions about those opinions. By the way, are you speaking at any commencements this year?
CAL: Just one, and it should not surprise you it is a conservative college. It's been a long time since Harvard invited me to speak, and that was not for commencement. At least Harvard occasionally is more tolerant than some other institutions of "higher" education. You?
BOB: I graduated from college with a 2.0001 grade point average. Though I have been a commencement speaker, it has been at colleges where even I could get a few A's and B's!
In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.


text:
Cherry-picked: Redone Fifeville ranch is the bees' knees
Address: 1518 Cherry Avenue
Neighborhood: Fifeville
Asking: $318,000
Assessment: $208,300
Year Built: 1955
Size: 1940 fin. sq. ft.
Land: 0.20 acres
Agent: Steve Taylor, Cornerstone Real Estate 434-981-9850
Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10
College students who survive first-year dorm life eventually move on to fraternity row or pack like sardines in off-campus housing. But if graduate school is in their future, most find the choice of continuing to live among undergrads unappealing. The option then is paying higher rent for more room and less nightlife in neighborhoods off the beaten student track.
Another choice might be to move in with a significant other, but then the question arises: buy or rent?
Five years ago, the current resident of 1518 Cherry Avenue took the double plunge of beginning grad school (engineering) and undertaking home ownership— purchasing a fixer-upper on the fringe of Fifeville. Energetic and artistic, she rolled up her sleeves, put down her bees (she's also an apiarist), and has been a hands-on property owner ever since.
A complete renovation of the interior (down to replacing the furnace) as well as tackling the outside with a new deck, patio, and roof put her engineering skills to the test.
The appeal of this 1955 ranch is its simple, clean lines. A low-pitched roof and deep eaves overhang narrow awning windows, providing privacy on a busy street. The owner added lush grasses, Arts and Crafts fixtures, and a bold color palette to give the house a contemporary look.
The living room continues the modern theme with a sleek stainless ceiling fan, contemporary wood cabinets, and furnishings to complement gleaming hardwood floors. A U-shaped updated kitchen shines with white cabinets and appliances, stainless hardware, soft grey laminate countertops, and marbled vinyl floor.
At the end of a long narrow hall are the master bedroom with a smaller room on either side. One bedroom, off the kitchen, sports the knotty pine popular in the fifties. This room has morphed into a dining room with the removal of several doors and the addition of a chandelier.
Still, this is one room a new owner might consider renovating. Eliminating the paneling and opening the doorway will improve the flow for entertaining and make the living room less isolated. The new bathroom has a ceramic tile floor and wood wainscoting surrounding a porcelain sink and fiberglass tub.
Converting a bedroom into a dining room might normally pose a space dilemma, but it's not less a worry here as there's an additional bedroom on the lower, walkout level of the house. A generous bathroom with jetted tub, ceramic tile floor, and large vanity, a walk-in closet, a second laundry facility, and a kitchen with an open dining/living room area create a useful private apartment in the basement. If height isn't an issue, one could be quite content staying in this spacious suite, but the addition of a laminate wood floor would be a cozy finishing touch.
Outside, the owner has built two separate levels for entertaining: a wood deck and an artsy mosaic stone patio. The landscaped yard is picture-perfect and fit for a queen– bee that is. The wood-box hives will be relocated once the house sells, but in the meantime, the flowers are well pollinated, and the bees are not the only appreciative beneficiaries of the design.
In the past five years, the Fifeville area has undergone a wave of gentrification. Upscale developments like Cherry Hill and Village Place have attracted buyers and stimulated the market on this side of the tracks. For a buyer who wants a slightly shorter commute to downtown, the University, or hospital grounds (and the benefit of a rental to offset the mortgage payment) this Cherry Avenue property could be a sweet deal.
Each week a brave local seller invites the Hook in for a candid, warts-and-all review of a property for sale. Email yours today.Read more on: fifeville


text:
* = Mandatory field
* = Mandatory field
We want to supply you with the most suitable information possible. Therefore we ask you to provide us with further details regarding the questions which of our products are of interest to you and for which application(s) they should be used. Please also kindly inform us of any special requirements of your application.
Based on our various product descriptions and data available for our individual products and technologies, we will then provide you with a customised information package.
The fields marked with * must be completed to ensure our answer to your enquiry will reach you at your address.


text:
Inez & Vinoodh at Gagosian
Photography: Inez & Vinoodh
Longtime V contributors Inez and Vinoodh have opened a new door at the Gagosian Gallery in Paris. Here, their photographs are displayed with accutely curatorial marks, each in a series of three. It's a reference to the ancient practice of triptych display, but the images here tell a less linear story than a tapestry-bound hunt. Looping a portrait of Lady Gaga with an anonymous head of hair and a study of snowdrops, the juxtapositions feel at once natural and comfortably coercive. Masters of manipulation, the duo have ushered in the movement of digitally enhanced photography, bridging the classic with the fantastic since the 1990s. Their eye for the cutting edge is found throughout stories featured in every major fashion magazine, but the old country is omnipresent, too, in the traditional ideals placed on each work. The Dutch masters have influenced the duo over the years in their still lifes, as have photography greats Robert Maplethorpe, Irving Penn, and Nobuyoshi Araki in portraiture. Newest to the canon are the artists' take on a time-honored tradition of flower renditions. The Inez & Vinoodh version of the still life is a modernist's: the agency is placed on the still subject, but the artist's hand has undoubtedly brought it to life.
Inez & Vinoodh's work is on display at the Gagosian in Paris until March 9th.


text:
Taking the Lead: Courageous Leadership for Today's Public Safety Professionals provides public safety professionals of all ranks, sworn and civilian, with practical time-tested leadership lessons learned from the arena. The program has been developed to prepare today's leaders to confront the new reality of heightened transparency and unprecedented expectations.
As one of the nation's most experienced police chiefs, Harry P. Dolan, places a laser-like focus on specific leadership actions and traits that have led to success or failure when navigating challenging times. "We are not doomed to repeat history if we grow to understand that war stories may indeed be case studies. When combined with evidence-based research, these case studies and practical experience contain valuable leadership lessons."
Course Objectives:
Thursday, September 19, 2019—Thursday, September 19, 2019
Day 1: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Registration from 8:00-8:30)
Central Time
Kansas City Regional Police Training Academy
6885 NE Pleasant Valley Road
Kansas City, MO 64157
Chief Harry P. Dolan (Ret.)
Chief (Ret.), Raleigh Police Department
CEO, Dolan Consulting Group
*Pre-payment is NOT required for registration.*Registration fee includes coffee, course materials and certificate of attendance.
Click here for Hotel Accommodations
Dolan Consulting Group
*Certificates of attendance will be sent to attendees electronically following course completion.
Cvent Online Event Registration Software | Copyright © 2000-2020 Cvent, Inc. All rights reserved.


text:
This website uses cookies to ensure proper functionality of the shopping cart and checkout progress. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Click here to learn about our cookie settings.
Skip to Main Content »
Welcome to Toucan of Scotland
Email to a Friend
Be the first to review this product
Availability: In stock
Use spaces to separate tags. Use single quotes (') for phrases.
You have no items in your shopping cart.


text:
STOCKTON - Police are "confident" that one of the deceased men who robbed a north Stockton Bank of the West branch Wednesday was involved in a similar robbery of the same branch Jan. 31. Last week's incident, however, ended far more tragically.
STOCKTON - Police are "confident" that one of the deceased men who robbed a north Stockton Bank of the West branch Wednesday was involved in a similar robbery of the same branch Jan. 31. Last week's incident, however, ended far more tragically.
Investigators working around the clock to piece together the robbery that resulted in three women being taken hostage, an hourlong pursuit, two of the hostages seriously injured and the fatal shootings of the third hostage and two of the three bank robbers during a major gunbattle based their conclusions on a number of factors.
"Detectives are confident that Alex Martinez was one of the bank robbers from the Jan. 31 Bank of the West robbery because of similar MO's - disguises, armed and left in an employee vehicle," Police Department spokesman Officer Joe Silva said Sunday in releasing the new development.
"Detectives also reviewed witness statements, suspect physical descriptions and video surveillance," Silva said.
During both robberies of the bank branch on Thornton Road, the criminals were dropped off outside, came in carrying guns and made their getaways by stealing a bank employee's sport utility vehicle, Silva said.
There was nothing to report Sunday on a fourth person still at large who helped the three robbers carry out Wednesday's heist.
That person drove a Buick sedan - now in police custody - that was used to drop off Martinez, 27, Gilbert Renteria Jr., 30, and Jaime Ramos, 19, near the Thornton Road bank shortly after 2 p.m., the Police Department said. The Buick was located Friday evening in a north Stockton neighborhood about one hour after police released video surveillance of the robbers being dropped off outside the bank.
Investigators also hope to learn more from the two bank employees who were taken hostage and injured during the attempted getaway. At different times, they either jumped or were thrown out of the fleeing vehicle as the heavily armed men continually fired at police.
One of the women has undergone surgery, and the other has been taken to a head-trauma center for care, according to Ron Freitas, chief deputy district attorney for San Joaquin County.
"We'll be learning a lot more about what happened in the bank and then what happened during the chase," Freitas said.
Freitas also said that Ramos, the surviving suspect who police say used bank customer Misty Holt-Singh as a human shield during the final gunbattle, could face at least 33 charges, including murder counts that make him eligible for a death sentence.
Ramos, being held in the San Joaquin County Jail without bail, is scheduled to appear in Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. today. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
Holt-Singh, 41, was discovered deceased in the SUV as police approached the vehicle. An autopsy may determine who shot her. She had left her 12-year-old daughter in her vehicle at the bank when she went inside.
"She stopped at the bank to get some cash to get a haircut," friend and family attorney Michael Platt said. "She happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Relatives of Martinez and Renteria, the two slain bank robbers, have said that they believe police acted appropriately by engaging their sons in a gunbattle.
"This is still a very active and ongoing investigation," Silva said, urging anyone with information to contact police at (209) 937-8377, Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 or submit a tip on the Stockton Police Department Facebook page.
"We appreciate all the tips that are coming in," Silva said.
Associated Press reporter Scott Smith contributed to this report.
Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/goldeenblog and on Twitter @joegoldeen.


text:
Aw, yeah.
LSU 40, Oregon 27
It's going to be a GOOD year! At least defensively, LSU is looking like Championship form.
After surviving the "Lee" chinese water torture of the first week of College Football season, I had six wins on the annual deClouet Football pool. Just pacing myself…I'll take 60% at the end of the season.
Oh, and for the record…LSU was voted the LOUDEST College Football stadium in America by The Sporting News. But, we knew that, right?
To quote the LATE, great Bear Bryant, "Tiger Stadium was the worst place in the world to be a visiting team. It's like being inside a drum."
Death Valley welcomes Northwestern State on Saturday.


text: Everybody knows a computer is a machine made of metal and plastic, with microchip cores turning streams of electrons into digital reality. A century from now, though, computers could look quite different. They might be made from neurons and chemical baths, from bacterial colonies and pure light, unrecognizable to our old-fashioned 21st century eyes. Far-fetched? A little bit. But a computer is just a tool for manipulating information. That's not a task wedded to some particular material form. After all, the first computers were people, and many people alive today knew a time when fingernail-sized transistors, each representing a single bit of information, were a great improvement on unreliable vacuum tubes. On the following pages, Wired takes a look at some very non-traditional computers. Above: Slime Computation "The great appeal of non-traditional computing is that I can connect the un-connectable and link the un-linkable," said Andy Adamatzky, director of the Unconventional Computing Center at the University of the West of England. He's made computers from electrified liquid crystals, chemical goo and colliding particles, but is best known for his work with Physarum, the lowly slime mold. Amoeba-like creatures that live in decaying logs and leaves, slime molds are, at different points in their lives, single-celled organisms or part of slug-like protoplasmic blobs made from the fusion of millions of individual cells. The latter form is assumed when slime molds search for food. In the process they perform surprisingly complicated feats of navigation and geometric problem-solving. Slime molds are especially adept at finding solutions to tricky network problems, such as finding efficient designs for Spain's motorways and the Tokyo rail system. Adamatzky and colleagues plan to take this one step further: Their Physarum chip will be "a distributed biomorphic computing device built and operated by slime mold," they wrote in the project description. "A living network of protoplasmic tubes acts as an active non-linear transducer of information, while templates of tubes coated with conductor act as fast information channels," describe the researchers. "Combined with conventional electronic components in a hybrid chip, Physarum networks will radically improve the performance of digital and analog circuits." Image: Adamatzky et al./International Journal of General SystemsThe Power of the Blob Inspired by slime mold's problem-solving abilities, Adamatzky and Jeff Jones, also of the University of the West of England, programmed the rules for its behavior into a computational model of chemical attraction. That Russian nesting doll of emulations -- slime mold interpreted as a program embodied in chemistry translated into a program -- produced a series of experiments described in one superbly named paper: "Computation of the Travelling Salesman Problem by a Shrinking Blob." In that paper, released March 25 on arXiv, Jones and Adamatzky's simulated chemical goo solves a classic, deceptively challenging mathematical problem, finding the shortest route between many points. For a few points this is simple, but many points become intractably difficult to compute -- but not for the blob (above). Video: Jeff Jones and Andrew AdamatzkyCrystal Calculations For decades, scientists who study strange materials known as complex fluids, which switch easily between different phases of matter, have been fascinated by the extraordinary geometries formed by liquid crystals at different temperatures and pressures. Those geometries are stored information, and the interaction of crystals a form of computation. By running an electric current through a thin film (above) of liquid crystals, researchers led by Adamatzky were able to perform basic computational math and logic. Image: Adamatzky et al./arXivComputational DNA It's hard to keep up with the accomplishments of synthetic biologists, who every week seem to announce some new method of turning life's building blocks into pieces for cellular computers. Yet even in this crowded field, last week's announcement by Stanford University researchers of a protein-based transistor stood out. Responsible for conducting logic operations, the transistor, dubbed a "transcriptor," is the last of three components -- the others, already developed, are rewritable memory and information transmission -- necessary to program cells as computers. Synthetic biologist Drew Endy, the latest study's lead author, envisions plant-based environmental monitors, programmed tissues and even medical devices that "make Fantastic Voyage come true," he said. In the image above, Endy's cellular "buffer gates" flash red or yellow according to their informational state. In the image below, a string of DNA programmed by synthetic biologist Eric Winfree of the California Institute of Technology runs synthetic code -- the A's, C's, T's and G's -- with its molecules. Image: Bonnet et al./ScienceEvolution's Design Most designs for molecular computers are based on human notions of what a computer should be. Yet as researchers applied mathematician Hajo Broersma of the Netherlands' University of Twente wrote of their work, "the simplest living systems have a complexity and sophistication that dwarfs manmade technology" -- and they weren't even designed to be that way. Evolution generated them. In the NASCENCE project, short for "NAnoSCale Engineering for Novel Computation using Evolution," Broersma and colleagues plant to exploit evolution's ability to use combinations of molecules and their emergent properties in unexpected, incredibly powerful ways. They hope to develop a system that interfaces a digital computer with nano-scale particle networks, then use the computer to set algorithmic goals towards which evolution will guide the particles. "We want to develop alternative approaches for situations or problems that are challenging or impossible to solve with conventional methods and models of computation," they write. One imagines computer chips with geometries typically seen in molecular structures, such as the E. coli ribosome and RNA seen here; success, predict Broersma's team, could lay "the foundations of the next industrial revolution." Images: Center for Molecular Biology of RNA/University of California, Santa CruzParticle Collisions The Large Hadron Collider's 17 miles of track make it the world's largest particle accelerator. Could it also become the world's largest computer? Not anytime soon, but it's at least possible to wonder. Another of Adamatzky's pursuits is what he calls "collision-based computing," in which computationally modeled particles course through a digital cyclotron, with their interactions used to carry out calculations. "Data and results are like balls travelling in an empty space," he said. In the image below, simulated particle collisions evolve over time. Above, protons collide during the Large Hadron Collider's ATLAS experiment. Images: 1) CERN 2) Martinez et al./A Computable UniverseQuantum Computers The idea of computers that harness the spooky powers of quantum physics -- such as entanglement, in which far-flung particles are linked across space and time, so that altering one instantaneously affects the other -- has been around for years. And though quantum computers are still decades from reality, achievements keep piling up: entanglement made visible to the naked eye, performed with ever-greater numbers of particles, and used to control mechanical objects. The latest achievement, described March 31 in Nature Photonics by physicist Edo Waks of the University of Maryland and colleagues, involves the control of photons with logic gates made with quantum dots, or crystal semiconductors controlled by lasers and magnetism. The results "represent an important step towards solid-state quantum networks," the researchers wrote. Image: Schematic of the quantum dot-controlled photon. (Kim et al./Nature Photonics)Frozen Light If quantum computers running on entangled photons are still far-off, there's another, non-quantum possibility for light-based computing. Clouds of ultra-cold atoms, frozen to temperatures just above absolute zero -- the point at which all motion ceases -- might be used to slow and control light, harnessing it inside an optical computer chip. Image: Schematic of controlled light. (Anne Goodsell/Harvard University)The Quantum Brain It's easy to think of minds as computers, and accurate in the sense that brains are information-processing systems. They are also, however, exponentially more complex and sophisticated than any engineered device. Even as quantum computing remains a far-off dream, some scientists think quantum physics underlies our thoughts. The question is far from settled, but quantum processes have been observed in a variety of non-human cells, raising the alluring possibility of a role in thought. "Quantum computation occurs in the human mind, but only at the unconscious level," said theoretical physicist Paola Zizzi of Italy's University of Padua. "As quantum computation is much faster than classical computation, the unconscious thought is then much faster than the conscious thought and in a sense, it 'prepares' the latter." If identified in our brains, quantum thinking could be used to inspire computer designs not yet dreamed of. Broadly speaking, that's a motivation of many in the non-conventional computing community, said Hector Zenil, a computer scientist at Sweden's Karolinska University and editor of A Computable Universe: Understanding and Exploring Nature as Computation. Zenil isn't convinced by quantum claims for the brain, but he sees a world suffused by informational processes. Researchers like himself and Zizzi are trying to "use the computational principles that nature may use in order to conceive new kinds of computing," said Zenil. Image: Sea slug neuron. (Dylan Burnette/Olympus Bioscapes)Universe As Computer In A Computable Universe, Zenil and others take the idea of computation as an abstract process, capable of being performed on any system that can store and manipulate information, to its logical extreme. Computers might not only be made from chemicals and cells and light, they say; the universe itself could be a computer, processing the information of which our everyday experiences -- and everything else -- are composed. This is a tricky idea -- if the universe is computed, what's the computer? -- and for obvious reasons difficult to test, though Zenil thinks it's possible. In his work on the algorithmic aspects of existence, he's developed measures of the statistical distributions one would expect to see if reality is in fact computed. If that seems a scary proposition, in which life would play out in linear mechanical ordination, rest assured: mechanistic, predetermined processes don't hold sway in a universal computer. Some aspects of existence will necessarily be "undecidable," impossible to describe with algorithms or predict beforehand. Ghosts will still live in the machine. Image: The Milky Way galaxy/NASA/ESA/Q.D. Wang/Jet Propulsion Laboratory/S. Stolovy


text:
VCU product Jamal Shuler steps to the free throw line with 6 seconds left, his French team up one. What happens next, c'est incroyable.
Shuler graduated in 2008, and like so many of our not-quite-good-enough basketball players, took his talents overseas. In his case, to Vichy of France's LNB. In a game against Limoges, Shuler had a chance to close down the game. Up one, two free throws. Brick. Brick.
Limoges pushed it up the court with some nifty passing, and put in the go-ahead bucket with 1.4 left on the clock. But, naturally, the ball ended up back in Shuler's hands, redemption just half a court away.
Cue the screaming Frenchmen.


text:
The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences was fortunate to have Brenda Dann-Messier, the Assistant Secretary of Education for Adult and Vocational Education at its 2011 graduation on Friday, June 10th. Dann-Messier is the Senior Official in the Department of Education for Community Colleges and all Career & Technical Education including agricultural education.
In the photo above Dann-Messier is joined by Principal William Hook, Assistant Principal Lucille Shaw and Advisory Board Co-Chairs, Eli's Marc Schulman and Attorney Rouhy Shalabi.
Before the graduation ceremony, Dann-Messier took a tour of CHSAS with the "Top 10″ graduates and members of the junior class.


text:
Young Jeezy To Def Jam: Either Get My Album Right Or I'm Leaking It
AllHipHop Staff
(AllHipHop News) Twitter has given a voice to the voiceless, a name to the nameless and an international microphone for the loquacious celebrities to vent. Young Jeezy decided to indulge in social media venting to address his distaste with how Def Jam has handled his as-of-yet untitled new album.
In his Twitter diatribe, Jeezy claimed that there was mismanagement on his upcoming album on the part of Def Jam:
Jeezy also implied that Bary Weiss, current Def Jam CEO/Chairman of The Island Def Jam Music is not working as hard as former CEO/Chairman, L.A. Reid:
In the end, Jeezy pulled the one move every artist who has felt they are constrained by their label has threatened to do since the dawn of (record business) time: Leak the album himself.
Jeezy announced that his upcoming album was "coming soon" in September and the song "In My Mind" would serve as the first single. The last Jeezy song to chart on Billboard was 2012's "R.I.P." featuring 2 Chainz. A point of contention for Jeezy could be that his rival and labelmate Rick Ross' new album, Mastermind has not only been announced and promoted with singles but has had multiple release dates before its final December 17th date was selected.