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New major project in Turkey connected to the grid
We reported on the busy weeks of our Turkish regional company IBC SOLAR Turkey last summer. This included five major projects being implemented simultaneously. The first projects have now been connected to the grid; including a 1.1 MWp project in the province of Eskişehir. We are expecting a PV expansion of between 1 and 1.5 GW for the entire Turkish market in 2017 – despite the bureaucratic hurdles for project development. (mehr…)


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In September 1910 Eisenhower learned of an announcement of a competitive examination for applicants to the service academies. He also discovered that due to his age, he was no longer eligible to enter the Naval Academy, his first choice. He took the exam and scored second among the eight candidates. When the highest ranking candidate failed the physical requirement, Eisenhower secured an appointment to West Point. Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York in June 1911. He graduated in June 1915.
Second Lieutenant Eisenhower's first assignment was at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In the years that followed Eisenhower's duties included the Army's 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy, the Tank Corps, the Battle Monuments Commission, football coaching, and training recruits for World War I.
His Panama service (1922-24) introduced him to General Fox Conner who took him under his wing and encouraged him to read widely in history, military science, and philosophy and was instrumental in Eisenhower's acceptance by the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Eisenhower graduated first in the 1926 class of 245 officers.
After assignments in the War Department (1929-35), he accompanied Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines as an assistant military advisor; his principal duty was helping MacArthur and his staff develop a viable Filipino Army.
Following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Eisenhower was again called to the War Department where Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall placed him in charge of plans for the Pacific War. Two months later, Marshall promoted him to chief of the War Plans Division where he received his second general's star. In June 1942, Marshall sent him to England on a special mission to build cooperation among the Allies as Commanding General, U.S. Army, European Theater. Eisenhower arrived in England on June 24, 1942, and began planning for the assault on the Axis forces. After leading the campaign in North Africa, General Eisenhower turned his full attention to planning the invasion of Normandy, France, which occurred on June 6, 1944, D-Day. Except for a brief stateside visit in January 1944, he was separated from his family until June 1945, following the end of the war in Europe.
General Eisenhower served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from November 1945 until February 1948. He resigned from the Army on February 7, 1948 to serve as president of Columbia University. In 1950, at President Truman's request Eisenhower took a leave of absence from Columbia to command the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, during the following two years he would stay in touch with Columbia and especially with the American Assembly, a university innovation to which he had devoted substantial energy and time. On June 1, 1952 Eisenhower returned to the United States to campaign actively for the presidency.

subset: commoncrawl


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2010 Nicholas Allen Wines Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA $125 (S) – Rating 94
A powerhouse Cabernet, rich, dense, layered and complex from winemaker Luc Morlet. Very young so decant for at least an hour. 10% Petit Verdot in the blend adds texture and complexity. Intriguing aromas of dark cherry, plum, oak, leather and a bit of tobacco. Supple/Velvety tannins and a bit of cult-wine jamminess with flavors of black cherry, blueberry and ripe plum accented with notes of leather and dark spice. Smokey cherry and mocha in the long finish. Buy This Wine


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Serious Game to successfully managing a river catchment
Catchment Detox is an easy-to-play but tough-to-master online Serious Game from Australia. Catchment Detox is an online game challenging the player to successfully managing a river catchment while creating a sustainable, healthy economy.
According to the experts that perform a similar juggling act in real life, "the challenge of planning and implementing activities on a catchment scale is a very complex issue, and the game to a large degree picks that up. The wonderful thing about the game is that there's instant feedback about the impact of industries and the cost of removing or changing land uses. In reality it's not so simple."
Experts' suggestions for doing well in the game, and in real-life catchment management as well are to keep that need to balance industry and ecology in mind, and to move industries away from the edges of watercourses.
In 100 turns, you decide how and where to plant crops, when and where to log forests, where and when to build factories or set up national parks.
Keep your eye on the impact stats to compare the economic and environmental pros and cons of your decisions.
Some activities bring in more money, but use a lot of water; others bring environmental benefits, but not much income. You can add or remove as many activities as you like (until you run out of money and/or turns!)
Catchment Fact Sheet – A System in Balance
The catchment of a river is the area of land that water falls on to feed that river. Every area of land on the planet is part of a catchment. As water moves over the land, it finds its way into streams and down into the soil, eventually feeding the river. Some water remains underground and this slowly recharges the river even when there is no rainfall. Not all catchments feed rivers that flow to the sea. Some are the source of rivers which flow inland, ending in a dry lake or wetland.
Every one of us lives in a catchment. Look at a map or street directory of your area and find the nearest stream, creek or river. If you are in the city it may now be just a drain or even a pipe under the ground.
The concept of a catchment is useful, because it is the scale on which many parts of the landscape work. The soil, plants, animals and water all function together in a catchment – anything that affects one of these will also have an impact on the others. The health of our catchments is vital for human existence because they are where all food is grown. The water you drink comes from a catchment near you. The oxygen you breathe comes ultimately from a growing green plant or algae. So catchments are part of our life support systems, and support the lives of all plants and animals.
In 2002, an assessment was made of the overall health of Australia's more intensively used catchments.
The assessment looked at land, water and biodiversity in each catchment, including problems such as salinity, erosion, sedimentation, pesticide use, pollution, roads, native tree-cover, human population and pests.
The survey, done by the National Land and Water Resources Audit, found that the condition of 70% of Australia's most populated catchments is merely average or worse than average.
Over the last 200 years people have been busy clearing land for farming, mining, building towns and cities and changing catchments which had been in equilibrium for thousands of years.
One reason they are so damaged is because we have not understood that changing something in one part of a catchment can have a huge impact somewhere else.
Catchments will benefit from a more integrated approach to management: where the impact of all activities – farming, development, tourism, and so on – are considered as part of the entire landscape and can be done in greater sympathy with the natural plant, animal, soil and water assets of the catchment.
Game Background
Catchment Detox is a major initiative by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and its partners to help Australians better understand and manage the environment they live in.
The free online game begins with a catchment in critical condition and through virtual years, decisions must be made on how to restore and sustain it, balancing three basic factors: the health of the environment, the economy and population growth.
To assist players and give listeners a greater understanding of catchment management, ABC Local Radio decided to broadcast insights into five key elements of natural resource management: surface water, ground water, biodiversity, soil health and community sustainability.
The radio series broadcast over a two week period, coincided with a competition where the top player would win a trip for two to one of Australia's most pristine catchments - Lake Argyle in the Kimberleys. A special school prize was also available for school groups who registered.
Catchment Detox is an ABC initiative in partnership with eWater, the CSIRO, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and National Science week. Catchment Detox is based on an original idea by Natural Resource Management advisor Tim Stubbs and consultant Lucy Broad.


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Time-stamping is the process of keeping track of the creation of a packet. A time-stamping service supports assertions of proof that a datum existed before a particular time. Incoming packets are time-stamped before they are distributed on the PCI depending on the congestion in the PCI buffers. Outgoing packets are time-stamped very close to placing them on the wire.
Enabling Time-Stamping
Time-stamping is off by default and should be enabled before use.
To enable
time-stamping for a socket:
Call setsockopt() with SO_TIMESTAMPING and with the following flags:
try to obtain send time-stamp in hardware |
if SOF_TIMESTAMPING_TX_HARDWARE is off or fails, then do it in software |
return the original, unmodified time-stamp as generated by the hardware |
if SOF_TIMESTAMPING_RX_HARDWARE is off or fails, then do it in software |
return original raw hardware time-stamp |
return hardware time-stamp transformed into the system time base |
return system time-stamp generated in software |
determine how time-stamps are generated |
determine how they are reported |
ping for a net device:
Admin privileged user can enable/disable time stamping through calling ioctl (sock, SIOCSH-WTSTAMP, &ifreq) with the following values:
Send side time sampling, enabled by ifreq.hwtstamp_config.tx_type when:
/* possible values for hwtstamp_config->tx_type */
hwtstamp_tx_types {/*
* No outgoing packet will need hardware time stamping;
* should a packet arrive which asks for it, no hardware
* time stamping will be done.
* Enables hardware time stamping for outgoing packets;
* the sender of the packet decides which are to be
* time stamped by setting %SOF_TIMESTAMPING_TX_SOFTWARE
* before sending the packet.
* Enables time stamping for outgoing packets just as
* HWTSTAMP_TX_ON does, but also enables time stamp insertion
* directly into Sync packets. In this case, transmitted Sync
* packets will not received a time stamp via the socket error
* queue.
HWTSTAMP_TX_ONESTEP_SYNC, }; Note:for
send side time stamping currently only HWTSTAMP_TX_OFF and HWTSTAMP_TX_ON are supported.Receive side time sampling, enabled by ifreq.hwtstamp_config.rx_filter when:
/* possible values for hwtstamp_config->rx_filter */
hwtstamp_rx_filters {/* time stamp no incoming packet at all */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_NONE,/* time stamp any incoming packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_ALL,/* return value: time stamp all packets requested plus some others */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_SOME,/* PTP v1, UDP, any kind of event packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V1_L4_EVENT,/* PTP v1, UDP, Sync packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V1_L4_SYNC,/* PTP v1, UDP, Delay_req packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V1_L4_DELAY_REQ,/* PTP v2, UDP, any kind of event packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L4_EVENT,/* PTP v2, UDP, Sync packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L4_SYNC,/* PTP v2, UDP, Delay_req packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L4_DELAY_REQ,/* 802.AS1, Ethernet, any kind of event packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L2_EVENT,/* 802.AS1, Ethernet, Sync packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L2_SYNC,/* 802.AS1, Ethernet, Delay_req packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_L2_DELAY_REQ,/* PTP v2/802.AS1, any layer, any kind of event packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_EVENT,/* PTP v2/802.AS1, any layer, Sync packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_SYNC,/* PTP v2/802.AS1, any layer, Delay_req packet */
HWTSTAMP_FILTER_PTP_V2_DELAY_REQ, }; Note:for
receive side time stamping currently only HWTSTAMP_FILTER_NONE and HWTSTAMP_FILTER_ALL are supported.
Getting Time-Stamping
Once time stamping is enabled time stamp is placed in the socket Ancillary data. recvmsg() can be used to get this control message for regular incoming packets. For send time stamps the outgoing packet is looped back to the socket's error queue with the send time-stamp(s) attached. It can
be received with recvmsg (flags=MSG_ERRQUEUE). The call returns the original outgoing packet data including all headers prepended down to and including the link layer, the scm_time-stamping control message and a sock_extended_err control message with ee_errno==ENOMSG and ee_origin==SO_EE_ORIGIN_TIMESTAMPING. A socket with such a pending bounced packet is ready for reading as far as select() is concerned. If the outgoing packet has to be fragmented, then only the first fragment is time stamped and returned to the sending socket.
When time-stamping is enabled, VLAN stripping is disabled. For more info please refer to Documentation/networking/timestamping.txt in kernel.org.
On ConnectX-4 and above adapter cards, when time-stamping is enabled, RX CQE compression is disabled (features are mutually exclusive).
Time Stamping Capabilities via ethtool
To display Time Stamping capabilities via ethtool:
Show Time Stamping capabilities:
ethtool -T eth<x>
ethtool -T eth0
Time stamping parameters for
hardware-transmit (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_TX_HARDWARE)
software-transmit (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_TX_SOFTWARE)
hardware-receive (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_RX_HARDWARE)
software-receive (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_RX_SOFTWARE)
software-system-clock (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_SOFTWARE)
hardware-raw-clock (SOF_TIMESTAMPING_RAW_HARDWARE)
PTP Hardware Clock: 1
Hardware Transmit Timestamp Modes:
off (HWTSTAMP_TX_OFF)
on (HWTSTAMP_TX_ON)
Hardware Receive Filter Modes:
none (HWTSTAMP_FILTER_NONE)
all (HWTSTAMP_FILTER_ALL)
For more details on PTP Hardware Clock, please refer to: https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/ptp/ptp.txt
Steering PTP Traffic to Single RX Ring
As a result of Receive Side Steering (RSS) PTP traffic coming to UDP ports 319 and 320, it may reach the user space application in an out of order manner. In order to prevent this, PTP traffic needs to be steered to single RX ring using ethtool.
# ethtool -u ens7
RX rings available
Total 0
# ethtool -U ens7 flow-type udp4 dst-port 319
action 0
loc 1
# ethtool -U ens7 flow-type udp4 dst-port 320
action 0
loc 0
# ethtool -u ens7
RX rings available
Total 2
Filter: 0
Rule Type: UDP over IPv4
Src IP addr: 0.0
mask: 255.255
Dest IP addr: 0.0
mask: 255.255
TOS: 0x0
mask: 0xff
Src port: 0
mask: 0xffff
Dest port: 320
mask: 0x0
Action: Direct to queue 0
Filter: 1
Rule Type: UDP over IPv4
Src IP addr: 0.0
mask: 255.255
Dest IP addr: 0.0
mask: 255.255
TOS: 0x0
mask: 0xff
Src port: 0
mask: 0xffff
Dest port: 319
mask: 0x0
Action: Direct to queue 0
Tx Port Time-Stamping
Transmitted packet time-stamping accuracy can be improved when using a timestamp generated at the port level instead of a timestamp generated upon CQE creation. Tx port time-stamping better reflects the actual time of a packet's transmission.
Normal Send queues (SQs) are open with CQE time-stamp support. When this feature is enabled, the driver is expected to open extra Tx port time-stamped SQ per traffic class (TC).
The stream must meet the following conditions in order to be transmitted through a Tx port time-stamped SQ.
SKBTX_HW_TSTAMP flag was set at tx_flag (SO_TIMESTAMPING was set via setsockopt() or similarly)
Packet type is:
Non-IP, with EtherType of PTP over IEEE 802.3 (0x88f7)
orUDP over IPv4/IPv6
This feature is disabled by default in order to avoid extra SQ memory allocations. The feature can be enabled or disabled using the following command.
ethtool --set-priv-flags <ifs-name> tx_port_ts on / off
PTP Cyc2time Hardware Translation Offload
This feature is supported on ConnectX-6 Dx and above adapter cards only.
Device timestamp can be in one of two modes: real time or free running internal time.
In free running internal time mode, the device clock is not editable in any way. Driver and/or user space must adjust it to the real-time nanosecond values.
In real time mode, the hardware clock device can be adjusted and can provide timestamps which are already translated into real-time nanoseconds.
Both modes are global per device. Once a mode is set, all clock-related features (such as PPS, CQE TS, PCIe bar, etc) will work with the chosen clock mode only.
Free running internal time is the default mode configured in the hardware. The driver will modify the hardware real time clock based on PTP daemon clock adjustments.
Only physical functions are allowed to modify the hardware real-time clock, so PTP daemon adjustments from VFs will be treated as NOP. In case more than one physical function tries to modify the hardware real-time clock, the device will select one of the functions as its designated clock provider. All other input will also be treated as a NOP. The designated clock provide can be replaced by the device if no new adjustments have been received from the current provider after some period.
Timestamp Format
CQE hardware timestamp format for ConnectX-6 Dx and ConnectX-6 Lx NICs is 64 bit, as follows.
{32bit sec, 32 bit nsec}
In order to enable the feature, set REAL_TIME_CLOCK_ENABLE in NV_CONFIG via mlxconfig and restart the driver.
Administrator must restart the driver and perform a FW reset for the configuration to take effect. Otherwise, mismatch between HW and driver timestamp mode might occur.
Once real time mode is activated on a given device (see configuration section), version 5.3 or newer must run on all device functions. Any older driver running on a device function at this configuration will fail to open any traffic queues (RDMA or ETH), hence becoming dysfunctional.
In real time mode, all device functions must be PTP-synchronized by a single clock domain—do not use multiple GMs for different functions on the same device.
Regarding hardware clock ownership, the hardware is configured only from a single elected function; other function settings are ignored by the device. There is no indication as to which function is the hardware-clock's owner. After an internal timeout without modifying the hardware clock, a function losses the hardware-clock's ownership and is open to be grasped by any of the functions.
All PFs/VFs within the same device must sync to the same 1588 master clock. If multiple masters are used, the device will use a single elected function. This might lead to wrong clock representation by device, wrong 1588 TLVs and hiccups on replacement of elected function.
This feature is supported on ConnectX-6 Dx and above adapter cards only.
RoCE Time-Stamping allows you to stamp packets when they are sent to the wire/received from the wire. The time-stamp is given in raw hardware cycles but could be easily converted into hardware referenced nanoseconds based time. Additionally, it enables you to query the hardware for the hardware time, thus stamp other application's event and compare time.
Query Capabilities
Time-stamping is available if and only the hardware reports it is capable of reporting it. To verify whether RoCE Time-Stamping is available, run ibv_query_device_ex.
For further information, please see ibv_query_device_ex manual page.
Creating a Time-Stamping Completion Queue
To get time stamps, a suitable extended Completion Queue (CQ) must be created via a special call to ibv_create_cq_ex verb.
For further information, please see ibv_create_cq_ex manual page.
Time Stamping in not available when CQE zipping is used.
Querying the Hardware Time
Querying the hardware for time is done via the ibv_query_rt_values_ex verb. For example:
For further information, please see ibv_query_rt_values_ex manual page.
1PPS is a time synchronization feature that allows the adapter to be able to send or receive 1 pulse per second on a dedicated pin on the adapter card using an SMA connector (SubMiniature version A). Only one pin is supported and could be configured as 1PPS in or 1PPS out.
For further information, refer to HowTo Test 1PPS on NVIDIA Adapters Community post.


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Patricia F. Fitzpatrick Dimond Ph.D. Technical Editor of Clinical OMICs President of BioInsight Communications
Genetically modified mosquitos could be a way to curb the spread of dengue fever in Florida.
In 2010, a dengue outbreak was reported in the Florida Keys, in Florida's Monroe County in southern Florida, marking the first outbreak of the disease in seventy-three years—an event hardly conducive to tourism.
Dengue virus (DENV) causes a severe flu-like illness that is transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes, specifically Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of the disease. Also known as breakbone fever, four different viruses cause dengue, greatly complicating potential development of an anti-viral vaccine.
Dengue symptoms include chills, high fever, vomiting, and rashes, with the most distinctive accompanying symptom being agonizing pain behind the eyes and in arm and leg bones. Once the the fever subsides, lack of appetite and deep exhaustion may leave affected individuals unable to work for weeks or months. Dengue can vary from mild to severe; the more severe forms include dengue shock syndrome and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Patients who develop the more serious forms of dengue fever usually require hospitalization.
Mosquito eradication programs initiated at the end of World War II broke the chain of transmission between humans and insects, and by the end of the war, dengue had become a tropical illness that no longer occurred in the U.S. in significant outbreaks.
But dengue is back with a vengeance in the U.S., and apparently never left, as indicated by the recent Florida outbreak, and has remained an endemic disease in Puerto Rico. Periodic dengue activity has occurred since since 1963, with three to nine thousand suspected dengue cases reported during nonoutbreak years.
Disease Control
Control of the disease in Puerto Rico from 1970–1980s relied on pesticide use and household inspections, approaches that the CDC has described as "unsustainable." The focus shifted toward citizen involvement in the control of vector "breeding sites" in yards and homes, personal protection through use of insect repellent, and education on recognition of symptoms with the need to seek timely medical care.
Dengue remains a major human plague in other parts of the world. According to the NY Times, 30,002 people in India had been sickened with dengue fever through October in 2012, a 59% jump from the 18,860 recorded for all of 2011 with the real number of Indians who get dengue fever annually closer to millions. "I'd conservatively estimate that there are 37 million dengue infections occurring every year in India, and maybe 227,500 hospitalizations," said Scott Halstead, M.D., a tropical disease expert focused on dengue research.
Currently there is no vaccine, or a specific treatment for dengue, leaving management of its vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the only option for controlling the disease. And the mosquitoes have, some reports say, developed resistance to insecticides use to control them.
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Given great concern in the Florida Keys about the region's fragile ecosystem, mosquito control officials in the Keys have been searching for alternatives to pesticide use, which can and have negatively impacted public health and wildlife. Local mosquito control officials in the Florida Keys are awaiting approval from the federal government to begin releasing hundreds of thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes developed by British company Oxitec to stop the spread of the disease.
Oxitec is in discussions with the FDA regarding potential release its RIDL® (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal) male mosquitoes in the Keys. As Oxitec explains, by "sterile" it means that although the males do produce sperm and can fertilize the female's eggs. But their offspring are "inviable", meaning that they die at a very early stage of development due to the lethal gene construct passed on by the altered males.
The sterile OX513A mosquitoes were produced by introducing, via a piggyBac helper plasmid injected in mosquito eggs, the OX513 transposon. The OX513 construct encodes the tetracycline-repressible transcription activator (tTA). Once the mosquitoes were developed with the stably-integrated construct, the company was able to breed them, and says it has been breeding them now for over 100 generations.
When expressed at high levels the tTA protein proves lethal, probably due to transcriptional "squelching" and/or interference with ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis.
In a deadly genetic positive feedback cycle, when expressed in LA513 the tTA protein can keep its own expression turned on by binding to an upstream operator sequence, thus driving expression of tTA from a nearby minimal promoter, which in turn binds to the activator tetO, creating a positive feedback system.
But tetracycline, which binds tTA, prevents the activator from interacting with tetO, allowing batches of transgenic mosquitoes to be grown in the presence of the antibiotic. The resultant transgenic Aedes eggs are collected for hatching at a trial site, and the smaller male pupae are sorted from females and on maturity released into the field, where breeding with wild-type female mosquitoes results in sterile mating.
Oxitec scientists have conducted two series of field tests, one in the Cayman Islands and one in Brazil, to determine whether the altered mosquitoes could survive in the wild, their ability to compete for female attention with wild-type males, and whether they could successfully pass on the repressible lethal genetic system that would ensure their offspring would not survive.
Oxitec founder and chief scientific officer Luke Alphey, Ph.D., and the developer of the RIDL system, told GEN, "The trials turned out as exactly as we hoped with all endpoints met. The first trial asked the question whether these mosquitoes could successfully survive in the wild and mate with females in competition with wild-type males. That is fundamental to any kind of sterile insect method. The sterile mosquitoes survived and mated and we could then calculate how many males we would need to release over a specific time period in order to suppress the wild population."
The key end point of second trial, he said, was "to determine whether we could suppress the population of wild type mosquitoes, and we saw an 80% suppression in the population."
Regulatory Mosquito Netting
From a regulatory standpoint, Dr. Alphey said, "We are in discussions with the FDA and that's a good thing because it took a while to find a regulatory agency that would pick up the ball. The first release of a GM insect anywhere in the world was in the U.S. in Arizona, and that was for a plant pest. So it wasn't immediately clear who in the regulatory world was in charge because mosquitoes are not plant pests, so a different regulatory path was needed." And, he noted, "Credibility through regulation is important for us to reassure everybody that release of these mosquitoes is safe."
The company ultimately entered into discussions with the FDA after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies, when approached as potential permit-givers, said they have no jurisdiction. The FDA themselves were initially among those organizations.
Dr. Alphey told GEN that "we have had very strong support among local populations" in the Caymans and in Brazil, because "people recognize the problem and that we don't have other tools to deal with disease."
But not so unanimous in Florida. Locals have doubts about the safety of the mosquito release, including people who believe news of the release will destroy the tourist industry, although the prospect of contracting dengue would certainly give potential visitors pause.
In April, the Key West City Commission approved a nonbinding resolution "opposing the introduction of genetically altered mosquitoes until further research is provided and approval is obtained from the applicable regulatory body."
While awaiting a regulatory decision, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District executive director Michael Doyle plans on reassuring concerns of locals who remain opposed to the idea. A recent survey among Keys' residents found that 30% supported it, 30% were against it, 8% were unaware, and the remainder were undecided. But Doyle says even if the majority turns against the project, he will proceed with it.
"My job is to protect them," he says, "even if sometimes they don't want to be protected."
And with no other options to control the disease and no anti-dengue vaccine or adequate treatment to prevent its more lethal manifestations, local objections may have to yield to a recombinant mosquito alternative.
Patricia Fitzpatrick Dimond, Ph.D. ([email protected]), is a principal at BioInsight Consulting.


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We work with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. We offer practical support and advice throughout their journey in the UK. We have been helping refugees for more than 60 years and have a thorough understanding of the difficulties facing people arriving in the UK, having fled war, rape, torture and with unimaginable stories to tell. Many refugees have lost everything and their lives will never return to normal. We offer a helping hand to support and empower them to rebuild their lives.
Refugee Council has received exemption from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to provide immigration advice and holds the Quality Mark for our asylum advice work.
Registered Charity No. 1014576


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Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and it can occur at any joint in the body, especially in the foot. It generally effects those who are older, however, it can occur at any age. Although there are many different forms of arthritis, there are three main types that occur in the foot. The three types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
The primary cause of osteoarthritis is aging. As you age, cartilage degenerates around the joints which causes friction and pain. Obesity can cause osteoarthritis through mechanical stress. Injuries that damage joints can increase the probability as well. Finally, a family history of osteoarthritis can also increase chances of having it.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the joint linings and weakens them over a long time. While there is no known cause of rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and smoking can increase your chances of getting it. Women are also more likely to get it than men.
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when there is too much uric acid in your blood and painful crystals form in your joints. Men are more likely to have gout than women. People who are obese or drink alcohol often are also more likely to develop gout. Furthermore, having diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gastric bypass surgery or a family history of gout may increase your likelihood of developing the condition.
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling in the joints. These symptoms can make it harder and more painful to walk. Physical activity can increase pain and discomfort. Furthermore, joint pain can worsen throughout the day for osteoarthritis. Gout attacks generally last several days with the first few being the worst.
Diagnosis of gout includes either a joint fluid test or a blood test. X-ray imaging can detect osteoarthritis but not gout. On the other hand, there is no blood test for osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to diagnosis. Doctors utilize family and personal medical history, a physical examination, and antibody blood tests to determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment varies for the different kinds of arthritis. Anti-inflammatory medication or steroids can help reduce pain from inflammation of the joints. Changing shoe types can help with some symptoms. Wider shoes can help with discomfort from gout and osteoarthritis. High heels should be avoided. Shoes with proper arch support and that take pressure off the ball of the foot can help with rheumatoid arthritis. Drinking lots of water can also help rid uric acid from the blood. Losing weight, improving your diet, and limiting alcohol and smoking can also help prevent or lessen the symptoms of arthritis.
If you are having trouble walking or pain in your feet, see a podiatrist to check if you have arthritis.


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Concrete Construction
Have you ever stopped to think about why concrete has been one of the most popular building materials for over a century? The reason is simple, it is one of the most durable, affordable and flexible building materials known to man. If you want to build something big or small with strength and without breaking the bank, then building it with concrete might be right for you.
Read More


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Branford Marsalis continues to prove that there is no context too large or small to contain his gifts. A reigning master of the jazz quartet format, dedicated champion of the duo setting, in-demand soloist of classical ensembles both chamber and orchestral, and session-enhancing special guest on an array of rock, roots and pop performances over the course of his career, his ever-broadening creativity and instrumental command have created the profile of a multi-dimensional musician with few peers among contemporary performers.
One setting notably absent from Marsalis's resume until now has been the unaccompanied solo concert. This most daunting of formats poses particular challenges that were met with his signature blend of serious intent, technical rigor and emotional directness when Marsalis brought his soprano, alto and tenor saxophones to Grace Cathedral on October 5, 2012. This San Francisco landmark, the site of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts in the Sixties and, since 1983, home to recitals at the centerpiece of the annual San Francisco Jazz Festival, proved an ideal setting for a program spanning early and post-bop jazz, baroque and contemporary classical music and spontaneous improvisation. The results can be heard on In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral, the new album that Branford is releasing on his Marsalis Music via OKeh Records imprint on October 21, 2014.
As might be expected from someone with such a refined appreciation of musical excellence, Marsalis prepared by listening to solo recordings by a range of preferred artists, including Sonny Rollins, Steve Lacy and Sam Newsome from the jazz world as well as Anner Blysma, Angela Hewitt and Arno Bornkamp among classical players. He also committed himself to a program that transcended blatant displays of virtuosity. "From my time playing r&b and rock and roll, I can listen like a casual listener," he notes, "but the challenge for 80% of any audience, for any kind of music, is hearing melody and improvisation based on melody. Playing a lot of notes can be impressive at first, but will quickly make every song sound similar. So everything I played at Grace Cathedral was based on songs with great melodies, not being too `notey,' and utilizing the feeling in the room." Read more »


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Charlie Haden and Horace Silver, two immensely influential jazz musicians who first came to prominence in the Fifties, died in recent weeks. I took no note of their passing in this space because it was remarked widely and well in other places, and because, to put it bluntly, it isn't surprising that the great jazzmen of that generation should be dropping like flies. Haden, after all, was seventy-seven, Silver eighty-five. Their time had come—and gone.
I first heard their music in the Seventies, a decade that I remember with near-perfect clarity. To the millennials, on the other hand, it is, quite literally, history. As important as Silver and Haden were, the news of their deaths cannot possibly mean to any of my young friends what it does to me, especially now that jazz is no longer a significant part of the postmodern cultural landscape.
To be sure, I've always spent more time thinking about the past than most people. I graduated from high school in 1974, the year of Court and Spark and Pretzel Logic and Rock 'n' Roll Animal. While I bought all of those albums when they came out and listened to them closely and excitedly, I was no less interested in the jazz and pop of my parents' day. I still am.
Mrs. T thinks that I might possibly have been happier had I been born forty years earlier. Every once in a while I think she's right. Radio Classics, one of SiriusXM's many channels, is devoted to what fans of the genre call "old-time radio," meaning recorded broadcasts of pre-1962 network radio series. Whenever I rent a car that has satellite radio, as I did the other day, I always set one of the buttons to "Radio Classics." Usually it delivers up tiresome dross, but once in a while I hit the jackpot. As I drove back to Connecticut from New York last weekend, I listened to two consecutive episodes of the radio versions of Dragnet and Gunsmoke, both of which were better on radio than in their later, more widely remembered small-screen incarnations, and rejoiced at my good fortune. I wonder how many other people driving up I-95 that fine summer day were doing the same thing.
Probably nobody, I can hear Mrs. T saying sharply in my mind's ear. I expect she's right about that, too. Nor would I care to spend more than an occasional hour on the road partaking of the purely commercial entertainment of the now-distant past. About that much my beloved wife is wrong: I would never dream of taking a one-way trip in a time machine. I don't always rejoice in the present, but it's where I live, and for the most part I wouldn't have it any other way.
As I once wrote in this space:
I feel the temptation to live in the past, but one can truly live only in the moment, and the last thing I want to do is end up like the pathetic narrator of "Hey Nineteen," the Steely Dan song about a no-longer-young baby boomer who tries to tell his teenaged girlfriend about Aretha Franklin but discovers that "she don't remember/The Queen of Soul," subsequently realizing that "we got nothing in common/No, we can't talk at all."
I wrote those words in 2003, very early in the life of this long-lived blog, and I stand by them eleven years later. It would be an understatement to say that I don't like everything about the present, but I accept it. What's more, I don't idealize the past: I also like Twitter and texting and Pomplamoose and Justified and being able to buy really good bread at the grocery store whenever I want. I miss my mother something fierce, but I'm grateful that I'll never to have to choke down another helping of her boiled-gray canned asparagus.
That said, I hope that my millennial friends will forgive me for my occasional lapses into the nostalgia that is surely a normal part of growing older. While my mother's asparagus was pretty awful, Steely Dan was and is pretty damned good, and I'm glad that I grew up with songs like "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" (whose piano intro, lest we forget, was "sampled" from Horace Silver's "Song for My Father") and movies like Chinatown and The Godfather Part II. To accept the inescapability of the present is not to deny the pull of the past. You can have, and love, both.
As William Faulkner said in Requiem for a Nun, "The past is never dead. It's not even past." I know that's true for me.
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"Claustrophobia," a 1954 episode of the original radio version of Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad as Matt Dillon:


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Dell Shares Sink After Blackstone Withdraws Interest
The slide occurs a day after The Blackstone Group withdrew its name as an alternative buyer for Dell due to concerns about the PC business.
Chinh Chu, senior managing director at Blackstone's Private Equity Group, sent a letter to Alex Mandl, chairman of the special committee of Dell's board of directors, explaining Blackstone's decision to not submit a bid.
Related: Behind The Scenes Of Dell's Decision To Go Private (Part II)
"While we still believe that Dell is a leading global company with strong market positions, a number of significant adverse issues have surfaced since we submitted our letter proposal to you on March 22nd, including: (1) an unprecedented 14 percent market decline in PC volume in the first quarter of 2013, its steepest drop in history, and inconsistent with management's projections for modest industry growth; and (2) the rapidly eroding financial profile of Dell. Since our bid submission, we learned that the company revised its operating income projections for the current year to $3.0 billion from $3.7 billion," Chu wrote in the letter.
Cindy Shaw, managing director and research analyst at Discern, said Blackstone's exit seems to strengthen the hand of both remaining interested parties. "It supports the argument that the Silver Lake offer is a fair one. On a relative basis it strengthens [Investor Carl] Icahn's hand by reducing competition and removing alternatives for shareholders who object to the Silver Lake offer," Shaw said.
She also noted that Dell's former head of strategy, Dave Johnson, left for Blackstone in January and was on their deal team, which becomes more intriguing with Blackstone dropping out. "Icahn might decide that is a signal he should heed," she said. Sonia St. Charles, CEO of Davenport Group, a St. Paul, Minn.-based Dell partner, said she was pleased to hear that Blackstone withdrew its name.
"What this means is that the odds of the Silver Lake deal happening are fairly high, which means Michael Dell's vision can continue to be the go-forward plan for the company. We're excited because we think that means they will stay the course," St. Charles said.
In addition to the deteriorating PC outlook, Shaw said it's possible Blackstone was unable to reach an agreement with Michael Dell on strategy and/or leadership of the company.
"Without that agreement, we think Michael would be unlikely to throw his [shares] of the company into the deal. It would not be constructive if Blackstone got control of Dell and Michael became unhappy and uncooperative," she said.


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New Forecast: Sun's 'Superstorms' Could Doom Satellites
Magnetic storms set off by the sun could pose a bigger threat than thought to weather, communication, military and other satellites close to Earth, with a potentially devastating economic impact, scientists suggest.
In the new study, researchers found that solar radiation can energize a belt of high-energy particles that surrounds Earth more dramatically than previously believed.
The study focused on the possible effects of a particularly strong magnetic storm on the Van Allen radiation belts, the dangerous rings of high-energy particles that girdle the Earth. The belts are split into two distinct zones. The outer belt, which is made up of electrons, reaches from about 15,800 to 31,600 miles (25,500 to 51,000 kilometers) above the surface, while the inner belt, which consists of a mix of electrons and protons, reaches from about 4,000 to 8,000 miles (6,400 to 12,800 km) above. [Stunning Photos of Solar Flares & Sun Storms]
Scientists had known the outer belt could become far more intense during geomagnetic storms caused by high-energy particles spewed by the sun, such as the storm that supercharged Earth's northern lights display Monday night (Sept. 26). However, they have long thought such storms do not affect the inner belt.
Now computer simulations suggest that during a "superstorm" — which has occurred in the past and is likely to recur in the future ? the electrons in the inner belt, too, could become energized. Near-Earth radiation could then remain dramatically more intense for several years afterward.
"The increase in radiation in the inner zone may last for up to a decade and continue damaging satellites for years after a very strong storm," study lead author Yuri Shprits, a space physicist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told SPACE.com.
This radiation would damage satellites in that zone and potentially cut their lifetimes by five-sixths or more. [Related: Space Radiation to Rise for Astronauts, Airline Passengers]
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"It would not destroy all satellites at once," Shprits said. "However, at least according to our calculations, a very strong storm can increase the radiation dose in the inner zone by a factor of 10, and within a few years we may lose a significant portion of the satellites that traverse the inner zone."
In terms of new strategies that might be needed to protect satellite systems, "it's hard to say," Shprits said. "First of all, we need to estimate risks and estimate cost. If cost is too high, we may want to accept the risks and start getting ready to replenish the fleet in the case of such event."
"There are a number of rather expensive strategies that can be used to mitigate the risk, including redundancy in electronics and increased shielding," he added. "Zero risk means infinite cost."
Two missions to study the radiation belts are planned for 2012, Shprits noted: NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probe will observe radiation belts in the equatorial plane, while Moscow State University's LOMONOSOV mission, with UCLA-built instruments on board, will observe radiation belts at low altitudes.
The scientists detailed their findings online in the Aug. 25 issue of the journal Space Weather.
This story was provided by SPACE.com, sister site to LiveScience. Follow SPACE.com contributor Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.


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To receive updates on British artistSimon GARDEN's art works click here Right now we are waiting for new Simon GARDEN Abstract Art to arrive at the gallery. In the meantime, here is a wider selection of the artist's work featured at the Red Rag British Gallery.
Art by Simon GARDEN British Art and Artists at Red Rag Gallery Simon Garden was born in 1960. He studied at Art Exeter School of Art and Design, graduating with a BA (Hons) 1st Class, Fine Art in 1982. In 2002 Simon Garden was elected as an Academician by The Royal West of England Academy of Art. The talent of artist Simon Garden was acknowledged early in his art career when as a young artist the first showcase exhibition of his contemporary paintings was snapped up within hours of being displayed. Since then Simon Garden has gone from strength to strength building a strong reputation for imaginative and creative British art. Simon Garden has also had a number of successful one man solo art painting shows and participated in various open contemporary art exhibitions. Simon Garden uses seductive rich colour and texture in his modern contemporary paintings. He is an artist who creates a sense of composition that is classically beautiful whilst at the same time daring. Simon Garden strips his landscapes and nudes down to their most elemental forms. This rare simplicity and purity of vision in his painting arouses the subconscious and fires the imagination, drawing us irresistibly into a world both dreamlike and timelessness. Simon Garden paintings are regularly shown at the Royal West of England Academy for Art. Garden paintings have also featured at other major British Art Exhibitions such as The Hunting Art Prize. Today Simon Garden has obtained a strong presence in many British Art collections. His contemporary paintings also appear is many private art collections in the USA, Holland, Australia, Japan and Germany. In addition to Red Rag British Art Gallery Simon Garden has exhibited at other leading British Art Galleries. Each painting at Red Rag is sourced from the Simon Garden artist studio and like all Red Rag British art and Contemporary art it can be shipped worldwide.
To receive updates on British artist Simon GARDEN's art and art works at Red Rag Gallery click here or CALL RED RAG NOW on 01225 332223 or outside the UK +44 1225 332223. |
Scottish Exhibition |
Figures Exhibition |
John Lines and Heather Moseley Exhibition |


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A detailed look at climate sensitivity
Posted on 8 September 2010 by dana1981
Some global warming 'skeptics' argue that the Earth's climate sensitivity is so low that a doubling of atmospheric CO2 will result in a surface temperature change on the order of 1°C or less, and that therefore global warming is nothing to worry about. However, values this low are inconsistent with numerous studies using a wide variety of methods, including (i) paleoclimate data, (ii) recent empirical data, and (iii) generally accepted climate models.
Climate sensitivity describes how sensitive the global climate is to a change in the amount of energy reaching the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere (a.k.a. a radiative forcing). For example, we know that if the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere doubles from the pre-industrial level of 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv) to 560 ppmv, this will cause an energy imbalance by trapping more outgoing thermal radiation in the atmosphere, enough to directly warm the surface approximately 1.2°C. However, this doesn't account for feedbacks, for example ice melting and making the planet less reflective, and the warmer atmosphere holding more water vapor (another greenhouse gas).
Climate sensitivity is the amount the planet will warm when accounting for the various feedbacks affecting the global climate. The relevant formula is:
dT = ?*dF
Where 'dT' is the change in the Earth's average surface temperature, '?' is the climate sensitivity, usually with units in Kelvin or degrees Celsius per Watts per square meter (°C/[W m-2]), and 'dF' is the radiative forcing, which is discussed in further detail in the Advanced rebuttal to the 'CO2 effect is weak' argument.
Climate sensitivity is not specific to CO2
A common misconception is that the climate sensitivity and temperature change in response to increasing CO2 differs from the sensitivity to other radiative forcings, such as a change in solar irradiance. This, however, is not the case. The surface temperature change is proportional to the sensitivity and radiative forcing (in W m-2), regardless of the source of the energy imbalance.
In other words, if you argue that the Earth has a low climate sensitivity to CO2, you are also arguing for a low climate sensitivity to other influences such as solar irradiance, orbital changes, and volcanic emissions. Thus when arguing for low climate sensitivity, it becomes difficult to explain past climate changes. For example, between glacial and interglacial periods, the planet's average temperature changes on the order of 6°C (more like 8-10°C in the Antarctic). If the climate sensitivity is low, for example due to increasing low-lying cloud cover reflecting more sunlight as a response to global warming, then how can these large past climate changes be explained?
Figure 1: Antarctic temperature changes over the past 450,000 years as measured from ice cores
What is the possible range of climate sensitivity?
The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report summarized climate sensitivity as "likely to be in the range 2 to 4.5°C with a best estimate of about 3°C, and is very unlikely to be less than 1.5°C. Values substantially higher than 4.5°C cannot be excluded, but agreement of models with observations is not as good for those values."
Individual studies have put climate sensitivity from a doubling of CO2 at anywhere between 0.5°C and 10°C; however, as a consequence of increasingly better data, it appears that the extreme higher and lower values are very unlikely. In fact, as climate science has developed and advanced over time , estimates have converged around 3°C. A summary of recent climate sensitivity studies can be found here.
A study led by Stefan Rahmstorf concluded "many vastly improved models have been developed by a number of climate research centers around the world. Current state-of-the-art climate models span a range of 2.6–4.1°C, most clustering around 3°C" (Rahmstorf 2008). Several studies have put the lower bound of climate sensitivity at about 1.5°C,on the other hand, several others have found that a sensitivity higher than 4.5°C can't be ruled out.
A 2008 study led by James Hansen found that climate sensitivity to "fast feedback processes" is 3°C, but when accounting for longer-term feedbacks (such as ice sheet
disintegration, vegetation migration, and greenhouse gas release from soils, tundra or ocean), if atmospheric CO2 remains at the doubled level, the sensitivity increases to 6°C based on paleoclimatic (historical climate) data.
What are the limits on the climate sensitivity value?
The main limit on the sensitivity value is that it has to be consistent with paleoclimatic data. A sensitivity which is too low will be inconsistent with past climate changes - basically if there is some large negative feedback which makes the sensitivity too low, it would have prevented the planet from transitioning from ice ages to interglacial periods, for example. Similarly a high climate sensitivity would have caused more and larger past climate changes.
One recent study examining the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (about 55 million years ago), during which the planet warmed 5-9°C, found that "At accepted values for the climate sensitivity to a doubling of the atmospheric CO2 concentration, this rise in CO2 can explain only between 1 and 3.5°C of the warming inferred from proxy records" (Zeebe 2009). This suggests that climate sensitivity may be higher than we currently believe, but it likely isn't lower.
Recent responses to large volcanic eruptions
Climate scientists have also attempted to estimate climate sensitivity based on the response to recent large volcanic eruptions, such as Mount Pinatubo in 1991. Wigley et al. (2005) found:
"Comparisons of observed and modeled coolings after the eruptions of Agung, El Chichón, and Pinatubo give implied climate sensitivities that are consistent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) range of 1.5–4.5°C. The cooling associated with Pinatubo appears to require a sensitivity above the IPCC lower bound of 1.5°C, and none of the observed eruption responses rules out a sensitivity above 4.5°C."
Similarly, Forster et al. (2006) concluded as follows.
"A climate feedback parameter of 2.3 +/- 1.4 W m-2 K-1 is found. This corresponds to a 1.0–4.1 K range for the equilibrium warming due to a doubling of carbon dioxide"
Other Empirical Observations
Gregory et al. (2002) used observed interior-ocean temperature changes, surface temperature changes measured since 1860, and estimates of anthropogenic and natural radiative forcing of the climate system to estimate its climate sensitivity. They found:
"we obtain a 90% confidence interval, whose lower bound (the 5th percentile) is 1.6 K. The median is 6.1 K, above the canonical range of 1.5–4.5 K; the mode is 2.1 K."
Examining Past Temperature Projections
In 1988, NASA climate scientist Dr James Hansen produced a groundbreaking study in which he produced a global climate model that calculated future warming based on three different CO2 emissions scenarios labeled A, B, and C (Hansen 1988). Now, after more than 20 years, we are able to review Hansen's projections.
Hansen's model assumed a rather high climate sensitivity of 4.2°C for a doubling of CO2. His Scenario B has been the closest to reality, with the actual total radiative forcing being about 10% higher than in this emissions scenario. The warming trend predicted in this scenario from 1988 to 2010 was about 0.26°C per decade whereas the measured temperature increase over that period was approximately 0.18°C per decade, or about 40% lower than Scenario B.
Therefore, what Hansen's models and the real-world observations tell us is that climate sensitivity is about 40% below 4.2°C, or once again, right around 3°C for a doubling of atmospheric CO2.
Probabilistic Estimate Analysis
Annan and Hargreaves (2009) investigated various probabilistic estimates of climate sensitivity, many of which suggested a "worryingly high probability" (greater than 5%) that the sensitivity is in excess of than 6°C for a doubling of CO2. Using a Bayesian statistical approach, this study concluded that
"the long fat tail that is characteristic of all recent estimates of climate sensitivity simply disappears, with an upper 95% probability limit...easily shown to lie close to 4°C, and certainly well below 6°C."
Figure 2: Probability distribution of climate sensitivity to a doubling of atmospheric CO2
Summary of these results
Knutti and Hegerl (2008) presents a comprehensive, concise overview of our scientific understanding of climate sensitivity. In their paper, they present a figure which neatly encapsulates how various methods of estimating climate sensitivity examining different time periods have yielded consistent results, as the studies described above show. As you can see, the various methodologies are generally consistent with the range of 2-4.5°C, with few methods leaving the possibility of lower values, but several unable to rule out higher values.
Figure 3: Distributions and ranges for climate sensitivity from different lines of evidence. The circle indicates the most likely value. The thin colored bars indicate very likely value (more than 90% probability). The thicker colored bars indicate likely values (more than 66% probability). Dashed lines indicate no robust constraint on an upper bound. The IPCC likely range (2 to 4.5°C) and most likely value (3°C) are indicated by the vertical grey bar and black line, respectively.
What does all this mean?
According to a recent MIT study, we're currently on pace to reach this doubled atmospheric CO2 level by the mid-to-late 21st century.
Figure 4: Projected decadal mean concentrations of CO2. Red solid lines are median, 5%, and 95% for the MIT study, the dashed blue line is the same from the 2003 MIT projection.
So unless we change course, we're looking at a rapid warming over the 21st century. Most climate scientists agree that a 2°C warming is the 'danger limit'. Figure 5 shows temperature rise for a given CO2 level. The dark grey area indicates the climate sensitivity likely range of 2 to 4.5°C.
Figure 5: Relation between atmospheric CO2 concentration and key impacts associated with equilibrium global temperature increase. The most likely warming is indicated for climate sensitivity 3°C (black solid). The likely range (dark grey) is for the climate sensitivity range 2 to 4.5°C. Selected key impacts (some delayed) for several sectors and different temperatures are indicated in the top part of the figure.
If we manage to stabilize CO2 levels at 450 ppmv (the atmospheric CO2 concentration as of 2010 is about 390 ppmv), according to the best estimate, we have a probability of less than 50% of meeting the 2°C target. The key impacts associated with 2°C warming can be seen at the top of Figure 5. The tight constraint on the lower limit of climate sensitivity indicates we're looking down the barrel of significant warming in future decades.
As the scientists at RealClimate put it,"Global warming of 2°C would leave the Earth warmer than it has been in millions of years, a disruption of climate conditions that have been stable for longer than the history of human agriculture. Given the drought that already afflicts Australia, the crumbling of the sea ice in the Arctic, and the increasing storm damage after only 0.8°C of warming so far, calling 2°C a danger limit seems to us pretty cavalier."
This post is the Advanced version (written by dana1981) of the skeptic argument "Climate sensitivity is low". Note: a Basic version is on its way and should be published shortly.


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Research at Imperial College London examining influenza transmission in ferrets suggests that the virus can be passed on before the appearance of symptoms. If the finding applies to humans, it means that people pass on flu to others before they know they're infected, making it very difficult to contain epidemics.
The research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre.
Knowing if people are infectious before they have symptoms is important to help authorities plan for an epidemic, but it has been difficult to establish this from data collected during outbreaks. Previous research using mathematical models estimated that most flu transmission occurs after the onset of symptoms, but some happens earlier.
The new study, published in the open access journal PLOS ONE, is the first to investigate this question experimentally in an animal model. Ferrets are commonly used in flu research because they are susceptible to the same virus strains and show similar symptoms to humans.
Ferrets with flu were put in contact with uninfected ferrets for short periods at different stages after infection. Transmission occurred before the first symptom, fever, appeared, both when the ferrets were in the same cage and when they were in adjacent cages.
Professor Wendy Barclay, the study's lead author from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, said: "This result has important implications for pandemic planning strategies. It means that the spread of flu is very difficult to control, even with self-diagnosis and measures such as temperature screens at airports. It also means that doctors and nurses who don't get the flu jab are putting their patients at risk because they might pass on an infection when they don't know they're infected."
The flu strain used in the study was from the 2009 swine flu pandemic, which killed almost 300,000 people worldwide.
The researchers found that ferrets were able to pass on flu to others just 24 hours after becoming infected themselves. The animals did not suffer from fever until 45 hours after infection and began sneezing after 48 hours. The results are consistent with earlier studies which found that sneezing is not necessary to transmit flu – droplets of virus are expelled into the air during normal breathing.
In the late stages of infection, after five or six days, flu was transmitted much less frequently, suggesting that people can return to work or school soon after symptoms subside with little risk of passing flu on to others.
The first author, Dr Kim Roberts, who is now based at Trinity College Dublin,said: "Ferrets are the best model available for studying flu transmission, but we have to be cautious about interpreting the results in humans. We only used a small number of animals in the study, so we can't say what proportion of transmission happens before symptoms occur. It probably varies depending on the flu strain."
Source: Imperial College London


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By subsidising fossil fuels, governments are "stealing money from the pockets of the poor, who would get money otherwise for schools and hospitals".
So says Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, in the latest issue of Wind Directions.
Fossil fuels get over half a trillion US dollars – six times more than renewables, but 80% of this money goes to households with high and middle incomes, he says.
He adds that if renewable energy subsidies are used intelligently, "they can help kick-off renewables projects which would help us to reduce environmental problems and at the same time help to improve the energy security of countries and help to get jobs in the renewables sector."


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For the past year, the national media has attempted to paint the Tea Party movement and opposition to the Democratic agenda as based in racism, a reaction to the election of the first African-American President in November 2008. As the New York Times discovers, the reality of the opposition makes that very difficult to believe. Republicans have fielded a record number of African-American candidates for Congress, most or all of which have entered those contests with enthusiastic Tea Party support. And for that, the candidates credit … Barack Obama?
Among the many reverberations of President Obama's election, here is one he probably never anticipated: at least 32 African-Americans are running for Congress this year as Republicans, the biggest surge since Reconstruction, according to party officials. …
But now black Republicans are running across the country — from a largely white swath of beach communities in Florida to the suburbs of Phoenix, where an African-American candidate has raised more money than all but two of his nine (white) Republican competitors in the primary.
Party officials and the candidates themselves acknowledge that they still have uphill fights in both the primaries and the general elections, but they say that black Republicans are running with a confidence they have never had before. They credit the marriage of two factors: dissatisfaction with the Obama administration, and the proof, as provided by Mr. Obama, that blacks can get elected.
"I ran in 2008 and raised half a million dollars, and the state party didn't support me and the national party didn't support me," said Allen West, who is running for Congress in Florida and is one of roughly five black candidates the party believes could win. "But we came back and we're running and things are looking great."
But interviews with many of the candidates suggest that they felt empowered by Mr. Obama's election, that it made them realize that what had once seemed impossible — for a black candidate to win election with substantial white support — was not.
West called the media narrative about Tea Party racism "fiction," although the Times does its best to keep the fiction alive. The article says that videos show signs with "racially inflammatory language" at rallies, but West scoffs:
The black candidates interviewed overwhelmingly called the racist narrative a news media fiction. "I have been to these rallies, and there are hot dogs and banjos," said Mr. West, the candidate in Florida, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army. "There is no violence or racism there."
There was more violence at May Day rallies this past weekend than there have been in over a year of Tea Party rallies. Did the New York Times cover those and assign them to the entire liberal politisphere in the manner they do here with conservatives? Did they link that violence to the immigration-reform movement in the same way they have with no violence at all at Tea Parties with its attendees?
The same media double standard is true with the supposed racism they keep reporting at Tea Parties. These rallies back candidates like West, Princella Smith, Vernon Parker, Ryan Frazier, and others. They support these candidates for the simple reason that these candidates best represent their views on governance, fiscal policy, and national security. Will they all win? Probably not, although this year looks better than most, but it shows that conservatives have no barriers to entry except on policy and philosophy — just like any other political movement. The media spin on Tea Parties and conservatives has gotten very, very threadbare — and increasingly desperate.


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FHA 203k Renovation Mortgages
Mortgage Loan Information For Borrowers Considering A Purchase Of A Home In Need Of Renovations
If you are considering purchasing or refinancing a home in need of rehab work in New York, New Jersey, CT, PA, VA, MD, or FL, NJ Lenders Corp is a Direct FHA 203k lender ready to help you navigate this unique program. There are many homes on the market that require some TLC and could be your dream-home. We want to make your dream a possibility and assist you with understanding the guidelines to obtain a 203K Renovation Loan.
Benefits of FHA 203k Renovation Mortgages:
- More Options - You love the town, the neighborhood, the street, in fact you everything about the house except ____________. We can turn the negative into a positive with the FHA 203-K renovation loan product.
- Flexible Down-Payments - Down payment requirements are as low as 3.5% and you get a 30 year fixed, market rate of interest.
- Flexible Underwriting - Flexible FHA underwriting and credit guidelines
- Potential Home Value Appreciation - Potential increased value appreciation due to obtaining a reduced price for the home
What You Need To Know About 203K Renovation Mortgages
- Which repairs qualify? - A 203k Renovation Mortgage is for properties in need of structural repairs such as a room addition. A Streamlined 203k Renovation Loan is for non-structural repairs such as painting and new appliances. The FHA 203k also covers: patios, bathroom, decks and kitchen remodels, plumbing, flooring, new siding, additions and expanstion to the home such as a second story, and heating and air conditioning systems. Need a new well and septic, perfectly fine. The program does not cover so-called "luxury" improvements.
- How much money can you get? - The amount of money you may borrow under an FHA 203k varies depending on the type of loan you get (regular vs. streamlined). Regular FHA 203k Loans allow an amount that is the lesser of these two amounts: 1) As-is value of the property plus repair costs, or 2) 110 percent of the after improved estimated value of the property including planned repairs.
- Streamlined 203K Loans allow a loan of the purchase price of the home plus up to $35,000. The as-is value of the property or the estimated value of the property post-repair will be determined by an appraisal. The typical down-payment is as low as 3.5 percent, but the money can come from a family member, employer or charitable organization
- What kinds of properties qualify? - One- to four-family homes that have been completed for at least a year; homes that have been torn down (Some of existing foundation must be in place); a transportable home that can be moved to a new location. Co-ops are not eligible, but some condos are eligible. Have a mixed use property? We can help.
- FHA 203K mortgage loans have been available for a very long time. We take pride in the fact that we offer numerous options for borrowers in New Jersey and New York to achieve home ownership. NJ Lenders has years of experience helping many New Jersey and New York homebuyers in evaluating their needs for repairs and creating loan programs that make sense. Almost anyone that refinances or purchases a primary residence could be eligible for the 203K loan program in NJ and NY. Eligibility will depend on many factors, including your credit score.
Call one our qualified Loan Officers today!


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Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction, allowing us to connect, share ideas, and build relationships. However, for individuals with hearing loss, effective communication can present challenges. As a considerate and inclusive individual, it's important to understand and implement strategies that enable effective communication with people who have hearing loss. In this blog post, we will explore some valuable tips and techniques to help bridge the communication gap and foster better understanding.
- Gain Attention
When initiating a conversation with someone who has hearing loss, ensure that you have their attention before speaking. You can do this by making eye contact, waving your hand, or gently tapping their shoulder. This simple gesture allows the person to focus their attention on you and be prepared to receive the message.
- Find the Optimal Environment
Choose an environment that minimizes background noise and distractions. This can significantly improve communication for individuals with hearing loss. Find a quiet location, away from loud appliances or crowded areas, where both you and the person with hearing loss can converse comfortably.
- Face the Person Directly
Maintaining face-to-face contact while communicating is vital. Facing the person directly allows them to observe your facial expressions, gestures, and lip movements, which are essential cues for understanding the conversation. Avoid covering your mouth or speaking while turned away, as it makes lip-reading and visual cues difficult to interpret.
- Speak Clearly and at a Moderate Pace
When speaking, ensure that you articulate your words clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid mumbling or rushing through sentences, as this can make it challenging for individuals with hearing loss to catch important details. Remember, it's not necessary to shout; instead, speak naturally and emphasize keywords or phrases when appropriate.
- Use Visual Cues and Gestures
Visual cues and gestures can enhance communication and make it easier for individuals with hearing loss to follow along. Use simple hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning. However, avoid exaggerating your gestures, as it can appear unnatural or confusing.
- Rephrase Instead of Repetition
If the person with hearing loss doesn't understand something you said, it's better to rephrase your statement rather than repeat it verbatim. Try using different words or sentence structures to convey the same message. This approach increases the chances of understanding and prevents frustration from setting in.
- Write or Type Important Information
In situations where clarity is crucial, consider writing or typing important information. This can be done through a text message, email, or by using a notepad. Providing written information allows individuals with hearing loss to read and fully comprehend the message, ensuring effective communication.
- Be Patient and Understanding
Patience and understanding are key when communicating with someone who has hearing loss. Recognize that it may take them longer to process information and respond. Avoid interrupting or finishing their sentences, as it can be disempowering. Give them the time and space to contribute to the conversation at their own pace.
- Use Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices can significantly enhance communication for individuals with hearing loss. These devices include personal amplifiers, FM systems, or loop systems that help amplify sound and reduce background noise. Encourage the person to utilize these devices if available to ensure optimal communication.
- Seek Feedback and Clarification
Lastly, don't hesitate to seek feedback and clarification during the conversation. Ask the person if they understood the message or if they require any additional information. This shows your willingness to accommodate their needs and promotes a collaborative approach to effective communication.
In conclusion, effective communication with individuals who have hearing loss requires patience, understanding, and the implementation of specific strategies. By gaining attention, finding an optimal environment, facing the person directly, speaking clearly, using visual cues, and being patient, we can create an inclusive and supportive communication environment for all. Remember, every effort to improve communication helps to foster better connections and understanding.


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Kaname Madoka is a character from an anime television series about a girl being granted a wish in exchange for transforming into a magical girl tasked with fighting witches and despair. LEGO DOU Moko creates another amazing interpretation of an anime character out of LEGO. Most notable in this creation is his masterful posing of Kaname with her knee bent and magical bow drawn.
Tag Archives: Maname Madoka


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Hey Honey!
- Bees approx 0,5 cm, handcrafted in solid silver (925)
- Freshwater pearls measure 5,5 -6 mm
- Collier lenght 40 or 45 cm
- Handcrafted in Stockholm
2 300 kr
handcrafted in Stockholm
"This is where bee necklaces, big cat bangles, wild earrings and crawling rings are roaring into life."
Nature at heart
We have a huge passion to help and protect the natural world and continue to discover new ways in which our business can build on making eco conscious steps towards change.


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Team Moscow Wins Belaya Ladya Final in Olginka
The Republic of Tatarstan became second, the Moscow region is third.
The Moscow School No. 2101 team has won the final stage of the All-Russian competition of educational organisations Belaya Ladya. The Moscow team has scored 27 points, having taken seven out of nine matches. Secondary School No. 18 with an in-depth study of the English language (Republic of Tatarstan) has finished half a point behind. The third place with a score of 23.5 points has been taken by students of the Regional Gymnasium named after E. Primakov (Moscow region).
The members of the three best teams got diplomas, medals, cups, and presents from the CFR and Timchenko Foundation. They were given chess clocks and boards signed by the winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament Ian Nepomniachtchi. The Moscow team got the certificate to visit the FIDE World Cup, which will be held in Sochi in July-August 2021.
The tournament ran from May 28 to June 5. The tournament venue was AMAKS Orbita Resort (Krasnodar Krai, Tuapse District, Olginka village). Seventy-eight teams from the regions of Russia and one team from Belarus took part in the Belaya Ladya final.
The competition organisers are the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) and the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. The competition was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Elena and Gennady Timchenko Foundation. The general sponsor of the Russian national chess teams is Rosseti FGC UES. The general partner of the CFR is PhosAgro. The CFR's partner is Aeroflot.
Belaya Ladya is known for its extensive additional programme organised for children and teachers. This edition of the event saw daily classes with famous grandmasters - the senior coach of the Russian national teams Sergey Janovsky, the head coach of the women's team Sergei Rublevsky and the head coach of the youth team Mikhail Kobalia.
Oleg Pervakov, a four-time champion in chess composition, ran a number of contests and a simul of chess problems solving. Several meetings of the Chess Education subcommittee were carried out under the leadership of FIDE trainer, candidate of pedagogical sciences, secretary of the Chess and Education commission of the European Chess Union Alexander Kostyev. Together with the merited coach of Russia, grandmaster Alexander Kalinin he also organized a master class for teachers.
Besides, the participants enjoyed an extensive entertainment programme that featured intellectual and sports games.
Pictures from the Closing ceremony
Pictures from the entertainment programme


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03-20 Ram 2500/3500 4WD V2 Front Monotube Shocks Pair 2.5 Inch Rough Country
Whether you're tackling tough terrain or smooth city streets Rough Country's Nitrogen-charged V2 Monotube Shock Absorber leads the way delivering impeccable ride quality and performance mile after mile. Rough Country's Monotube V2 Shocks feature an internal floating piston design that keeps the shock oil and high-pressure nitrogen separate.
The result is a lightning-fast reaction with no cavitation - just unbridled vibration damping at each and every obstacle. The V2 Monotube Shock Absorber is more than an upgrade - it's a true performance shock.
Each shock features a T6061 brushed aluminum body with black anodized accents giving it a striking visual appearance that also dissipates heat faster than other materials. The internal 46mm high-flow piston offers countless years of durability. The V2 is designed to be mounted body-up for a more interesting look on the vehicle.
- 03-20 Ram 2500/3500 4WD V2 Front Monotube Shocks Pair 2.5 Inch
- Incredible ride quality and performance
- Monotube design
- Internal floating piston
- Nitrogen-charged
- 46mm high-flow piston
- Fast heat dissipation
- 36kN Tensile Strength
- Mounts inverted
- T6061 brushed aluminum body
- 3-year Manufacturer's Warranty
- 2003-2020 Ram 2500
- 2003-2020 Ram 3500
Tech Info:
- CALIFORNIA WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov


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About Us
Kluck Nursery, Inc. is a fourth generation nursery operation, having its beginning in the late 1920's when its founder, Walter Kluck, planted an acre or two of evergreens. Walter, with the help of his wife, Frieda, continued to plant nursery stock to supply our local customers. This part-time, "Dig Your Own" nursery was operated hand in hand with a full time dairy farm. Two sons joined them in the operations; Edward focused on farming, and Gerald on the nursery. In 1960 the dairy herd was sold, and Edward and Gerald became partners in the nursery business. In 1981 Gerald's son, Tom, joined Gerald and Edward until 1987 when Edward retired. Gerald remained very active in field production and overall general planning until his retirement in 1999.
View MoreSpecial Events
Kluck Nursery has a display booth every year, in the Ryder Center at Saginaw Valley State University. Stop by our booth for some interesting landscape ideas or to see a little touch of spring! Don't forget to pick up your 15% off coupon when you visit our booth.
Our annual FALL OPEN HOUSE - begins the weekend after Labor Day each year and lasts for nine big days. We offer 15% off all plants and supplies purchased during the open house.
View MoreContact Us
Kluck Nursery, Inc.1020 Van Wormer Road,
Saginaw MI, 48609
Phone: (989) 781 - 1650