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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The tornado hurtled toward the nursing home. Physical therapist Patti Gilroy said she saw the swirling mass barreling down through the back door, after she herded patients into the hallway in the order trained: walkers, wheelchairs, then beds.
"It wasn't like a freight train like everybody says it is," said Gilroy, who rounded up dozens to safety at Green Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. "It sounded like a bomb hit. And we hit the floor, and everybody was praying. It was shocking."
The National Weather Service said as many as a dozen twisters touched down in a wrecking-ball swath of violent weather that stretched across Dallas and Fort Worth. The destructive reminder of a young tornado season Tuesday left thousands without power and hundreds of homes pummeled or worse.
Despite the intensity of the slow-moving storms, only a handful of people were hurt, a couple of them seriously, and no fatalities were reported as of late Tuesday.
As the sun rose Wednesday over the southern Dallas suburb of Lancaster, one of the hardest hit areas, it was clear that twisters had bounced in and out of neighborhoods, destroying homes at random. Vehicles were tossed like toys, coming to rest in living rooms and bedrooms.
At one house, a tornado had seemingly dipped into the building like an immersion blender, spinning directly down through an upstairs bedroom and wreaking havoc in the family room below before lifting straight back up and away. A grandfather clock leaned slightly but otherwise stood pristine against a wall at the back of the downstairs room that was filled with smashed furniture and fallen support beams.
The Red Cross estimated that 650 homes were damaged. Around 150 Lancaster residents stayed in a shelter Tuesday night.
"I guess 'shock' is probably a good word," Lancaster Mayor Marcus Knight said.
The exact number and strength of the tornadoes won't be known until surveyors have fanned across North Texas, looking for clues among the debris that blanketed yards and rooftops peeled off slats. National Weather Service meteorologist Jesse Moore said Wednesday that the damage in Arlington suggested an EF2 twister struck there. EF2 tornadoes are classified as having wind gusts between 111 and 135 mph.
April is typically the worst month in a tornado season that stretches from March to June, but Tuesday's outburst suggests that "we're on pace to be above normal," said National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Bishop.
An entire wing at the Green Oaks nursing home in Arlington crumbled. Stunning video from Dallas showed big-rig trailers tossed into the air and spiraling like footballs. At the Cedar Valley Christian Center church in Lancaster, Pastor Glenn Young said he cowered in a windowless room with 30 children from a daycare program, some of them newborns.
Ten people in Lancaster were injured, two of them severely, said Lancaster police officer Paul Beck. Three people were injured in Arlington, including two Green Oaks residents taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Arlington Assistant Fire Chief Jim Self said.
Gilroy said the blast of wind through Green Oaks lasted about 10 seconds. She described one of her co-workers being nearly "sucked out" while trying to get a patient out of the room at the moment the facility was hit.
Joy Johnston was also there, visiting her 79-year-old sister.
"Of course the windows were flying out, and my sister is paralyzed, so I had to get someone to help me get her in a wheelchair to get her out of the room," she said.
Forney Police Det. Michael Clay said seven people were injured, none seriously, in the Dallas suburb. A Forney elementary school was damaged but no students were hurt.
In an industrial area of Dallas, rows of empty tractor-trailers crumpled like soda cans littered a parking lot.
"The officers were watching the tornadoes form and drop," Kennedale police Chief Tommy Williams said. "It was pretty active for a while."
Most of Dallas was spared the full wrath of the storm. Yet in Lancaster, television helicopters panned over exposed homes without roofs and flattened buildings. Residents could be seen walking down the street with firefighters and peering into homes, looking at the damage after the storm passed.
Hundreds of flights into and out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field were canceled or diverted elsewhere Tuesday. About 500 flights remained grounded Wednesday, airport officials said.
The storms knocked out power for thousands. Utility Oncor said nearly 14,000 homes and businesses, mainly in the Arlington area, still had no electricity early Wednesday.
Meteorologists said the storms were the result of a slow-moving storm system centered over northern New Mexico.
Associated Press writers Nomaan Merchant and Robert Ray in Lancaster, Terry Wallace and David Koenig in Dallas, Betsy Blaney in Lubbock and Angela K. Brown in Fort Worth contributed to this report.


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It is a non profit( Non-Rep) organization to celebrate being a veteran Saddo member. Its kinda like the VFW they have for former soldiers..
Its only 3 requirements
1) a member for 2 years, but will make exceptions for 1 year and 1/2 members with exemplary service
2) 1000 posts
3) respect and carry on the tradition and values of the old Saddo Forum society.
I repeat we are not a pro-rep organization but stand soley for the old school mentality of Saddo's Hallowed forum..
Your only benefit is the badge "Old Guard" next to your avatar wear it proud since its a symbol of Dignity and Honor and preserving the Saddo way..
The "Old Guard" is not a faction or a clique that is formed to gang up on anyone but more like a secret society that shares the same sentiment of the Old School persuasion... -JTRock

subset: commoncrawl


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As you may recall, the Small Business Administration (SBA) launched the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) back in April to help companies reeling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Created under a provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the PPP is available to U.S. businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
In its initial incarnation, the PPP offered eligible participants loans determined by eight weeks of previously established average payroll. If the recipient maintained its workforce, up to 100% of the loan was forgivable if the loan proceeds were used to cover payroll expenses, certain employee health care benefits, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on any other existing debt during the "covered period" — that is, for eight weeks after loan origination.
On June 5, the president signed into law the PPP Flexibility Act. The new law makes a variety of important adjustments that ease the rules for borrowers. Highlights include:
Extension of covered period. As mentioned, under the CARES Act and subsequent guidance, the covered period originally ran for eight weeks after loan origination. The PPP Flexibility Act extends this period to the earlier of 24 weeks after the origination date or December 31, 2020.
Adjustment of nonpayroll cost threshold. Previous regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department indicated that eligible nonpayroll costs couldn't exceed 25% of the total forgiveness amount for a borrower to qualify for 100% forgiveness. The PPP Flexibility Act raises this threshold to 40%. (At least 60% of the loan must still be spent on payroll costs.)
Lengthening of period to reestablish workforce. Under the original PPP, borrowers faced a June 30, 2020 deadline to restore full-time employment and salary levels from reductions made between February 15, 2020, and April 26, 2020. Failure to do so would mean a reduction in the forgivable amount. The PPP Flexibility Act extends this deadline to December 31, 2020.
Reassurance of access to payroll tax deferment. The new law reassures borrowers that delayed payment of employer payroll taxes, which is offered under a provision of the CARES Act, is still available to businesses that receive PPP loans. It won't be considered impermissible double dipping.
Important note: The SBA has announced that, to ensure PPP loans are issued only to eligible borrowers, all loans exceeding $2 million will be subject to an audit. The government may still audit smaller PPP loans, if there is suspicion that funds were misused.
This is just a "quick look" at some of the important aspects of the PPP Flexibility Act. There are many other details involved that could affect your company's ability to qualify for a PPP loan or to achieve 100% forgiveness. Also, new guidance is being issued regularly and further legislation is possible. We can help you assess your eligibility and navigate the loan application and forgiveness processes.
© 2020


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Why Visiting Angels Franchise?
What Are The Expected Investments and Returns?
What Areas Are Available?
Take advantage of our free seminars to learn about our franchising opportunities and get answers to your questions. We look forward to seeing you.
» Learn More
National Ad Campaigns Seen On:
Our senior care franchise opportunities are designed to provide the support you need to build a thriving business. With approximately 8,000 Americans turning 65 each day, the need for private duty home care is growing dramatically. By 2030, it is projected there will be 72 million seniors in the United States. Families are stretched thin. Balancing the needs of elderly parents or family members with career responsibilities and raising children has never been more difficult. Our private duty care services provide the support many families need.
Read More
When you choose a senior care franchise from Visiting Angels, you are partnering with a company committed to the growth and success of your business. We are committed to providing our franchisees with a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign that will drive business to their locations. Our national branding and lead generation campaign includes advertising in print, online, on the radio, and on national TV outlets including Fox News, CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV and more. We distribute thousands of home care leads each month to our senior care franchise locations via our national call center. Our call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to log and distribute calls to each of our senior care franchise locations around the world.
Our senior care franchise owners enjoy working with a supportive home office that is always available to provide guidance and advice. Just a few ways we support our senior care franchise owners include:
We find our most successful franchisees are committed to compassionate care and have a passion for the services they provide. Our business is a personal one. We work inside the homes of our clients providing personalized, one-on-one care services. Our Angel companions make it possible for families to keep their loved ones at home. We are the "difference makers" in our communities. Are you prepared to make a difference?
Click Request Information to learn more about owning a senior care franchise from Visiting Angels.
Visiting Angels is seeking entrepreneurs who are motivated to own their own businesses, and so much more. What do we mean? The Visiting Angels franchise opportunity offers far more than just a business. Our franchisees care for people.


text:
he great Darkness has fallen, and the Empire with it.
The arcane crystals which once powered entire cities were shattered, and the darkness was destroyed by the magics unleashed. All that remains are the lawless ruins known as the Wildlands, and the shards of the crystals that have been strewn across them. Now a few souls, the brave and the desperate, seek the shards to harness their power for their own ends.
Take control of one of four factions, from the spell-slinging Mages' Guild or the nimble Gnomads to the versatile Lawbringers or the hard-hitting Pit Fighters. Each brings their own playstyle, with unique decks of action cards determining their abilities on the battlefield, so plan your tactics carefully. Dash through the ruins to grab the crystals you so desperately desire or focus your efforts on taking out the opposition – but take care, danger may be lurking in the darkness…
In the Wildlands, opportunity awaits… if you fight for it.


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Dear Visitor,
welcome on my personal website. You can find some information concerning my scientific work and interests, mainly covering the areas of computer science, space science and technology, and math, as well as information on myself here.
Students of the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences may find some materials that I prepared during my study time for the courses mentioned above within the category "Science".
Please do not hesitate to contact me in case of questions, criticism, errors or any other concerns. You may find my contact information here.
— M.Eng. René Schwarz
New Blog Posts
DLR Pictures of the Year 2016
René Schwarz (talk), 21 January 2017 13:07
New Memorandum "Quaternions and Spatial Rotation" Released
René Schwarz (talk), 29 October 2014 17:42
The Memorandum "Quaternions and Spatial Rotation" has been published as part of my Memorandum Series. It provides a compact introduction into quaternions and their application for spatial rotations:
- brief introduction into quaternions, their components, notations, and properties
- quaternion algebra formulary summarizing
- basic properties (quaternion equality, hypercomplex conjugate, norm, and inverse)
- basic operations (quaternion addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, normalization, cross and dot product)
- exponential and logarithmic functions (quaternion exponential function, natural logarithm, logarithmic functions, power and root functions)
- trigonometric and hyperbolic functions of quaternions
- application of quaternions in the context of spatial rotations, quaternion rotation operators, rotations and transformations
- conversion algorithms:
- Euler Angles to Quaternion (for all 12 possible rotation sequences)
- Quaternion to Euler Angles (for all 12 possible rotation sequences)
- Direction Cosine Matrix (DCM) to Quaternion
- Quaternion to Direction Cosine Matrix (DCM)
- Euler Angles to Rotation Matrix (for all 12 possible rotation sequences)
- time derivative of a rotation quaternion
- quaternion interpolation algorithms
- linear interpolation (LERP)
- spherical linear interpolation (SLERP)
Have a look here if you are also interested into other Memoranda out of my Memorandum Series.
DLR-Jahresfilm 2013
René Schwarz (talk), 23 February 2014 17:29
OpenPGP Key Transition
René Schwarz (talk), 11 August 2013 18:47
In the light of the recent occurences in the domain of computer security, I will hereby replace my old OpenPGP key by a new and stronger key. The old key is invalid with immediate effect and I recommend to use my new one for all future correspondence. Please see my key transition notice here for further details:
Using Moxa NPort 5450 Serial to IP Server with Linux Kernel Version 3.8.0 (tested with Ubuntu 13.04)
René Schwarz (talk), 7 August 2013 09:39
Unfortunately, Moxa's NPort Real TTY Driver for Linux is currently (version 1.18, released 2012/03/20) not compatible with Linux kernel 3.8.0. When I tried to install this driver for the NPort 5450 Serial to IP Server on my Ubuntu 13.04 machine (currently with kernel 3.8.0-27), the driver didn't compile. It turned out, that it is possible to patch the driver source code in order to get it work with Linux kernel 3.8.0 – here is a short documentation what I did.
New Memorandum on Astronomical Constants Released
René Schwarz (talk), 24 July 2013 14:18
In endeavor to extend my Memorandum Series, I published a new Memorandum on astrodynamical constants, listing commonly used constants in astrodynamics as well as in space science and engineering with their latest values according to recent publications. This Memorandum is going to be updated with new constants from time to time.
Have a look here if you are also interested into other Memoranda out of my Memorandum Series:
- M001: Keplerian Orbit Elements to Cartesian State Vectors
- M002: Cartesian State Vectors to Keplerian Orbit Elements
- M003: Trigonometric Functions
- M005: Astrodynamical Constants
- M004: Conversion between Gregorian and Julian Dates
- M006: Quaternions and Spatial Rotation
Master's Thesis Available as Book and Download
René Schwarz (talk), 23 July 2013 16:41
After one year of having missed to update the page on my Master's Thesis, I am finally pleased to announce the availability of my master's thesis "Development of an illumination simulation software for the Moon's surface: An approach to illumination direction estimation on pictures of solid planetary surfaces with a significant number of craters" as book both in form of a free download (PDF file) and in form of a printed paperback copy over the book trade.
For details see this page.
php_mailparse.dll for PHP 5.4.x (VC9 version) available
René Schwarz (talk), 17 May 2012 14:45
I'm pleased to announce the immediate availability of a precompiled php_mailparse.dll for the PHP 5.4.x series, built with VC9. This version is compatible with the standard 32-bit binaries of PHP for Windows.
php_mailparse.dll for PHP 5.4.x is available for download here.
Please notice the instructions written here (they are valid for the new version too).
Breathtaking Time-Lapse Aurora Video in Norway 2012
René Schwarz (talk), 7 February 2012 14:56
Aurora 2012 from Christian Mülhauser on Vimeo.
Today I've seen this breathtaking time-lapse aurora video made in Norway, January 2012, by Christian Mülhauser. It is so fascinating, that it would be a shame not to share it with you.
Many thanks to Christian Mülhauser for his efforts!
Misleading Output of MySQL Profiling Feature
René Schwarz (talk), 30 January 2012 16:23
During the ongoing work on my Master's Thesis I noticed a bug in the MySQL profiling feature: The output of the
statement is misleading, since the presented durations are not given for the status in the same row, but the durations are given for the previous status!


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L. Ron Hubbard
Among the most beloved humanitarians in the last hundred years, L. Ron Hubbard is best characterized by a simple declaration that reads:
"I like to help others and count it as my pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days."
In testament to that statement are entire populations now living better lives for the fact he himself lived. Included therein are the countless people saved from addiction, thanks to the Narconon drug education and rehabilitation programs. To date, Narconon is presented in more than thirty nations on all continents. Consequently Mr. Hubbard is the recipient of numerous awards from world governments—not to mention recognition for humanitarian contribution from the United Nations.
Yet the greatest testament to L. Ron Hubbard are the miracles ensuing from his work and the millions who forward that work with each passing day.
For Further Information Visit: www.lronhubbard.org


text:
When considering whether you are ready for small business coaching, check first to see if you are suffering from any of the following 3 business frustrations. An experienced coach can guide and support you in remedying these road blocks to small business success.
Not Enough Customers
One of the major frustrations for entrepreneurs is how to consistently fill their sales pipeline with qualified prospects Are you suffering from too few prospects to convert into customers? Have you considered your approach to how you go about marketing your business?.Many businesses utilize a very limited tool box of strategies and tactics in bringing potential customers to their business. A small business coaching program can open your eyes to many different methods for pulling more clients and their dollars.
Lack of Focus and Lack of Direction
It is very easy to become distracted and diminish your effectiveness by splitting your attention over too many tasks. Are you doing too many things and think this means you are productive? This can lead to poor results and an unhappy business owner. Machines can multi task; humans weren't designed for this function.
Reaching your goals and dreams is more probable when a clear focus and defined objectives are directing your energies. To satisfy your main business goals you need to forego the adhoc decision making approach and structure the way you make decisions based on important priorities. A decision to commence a small business coaching program could be the answer.
Working Too Many Hours
Perform this exercise and enlighten yourself. Write down how many hours you are putting in each week towards running your business. Multiply this by say 50. Now jot down how much you draw in remuneration from the business per annum. Divide the dollar amount by the yearly hours and this will reveal your hourly rate. Sometimes owners will discover what they already feared; that they are earning less than some of their employees.
One of your reasons for starting a small business coaching regime may have been to be financial independent or at least to make enough to enjoy a great lifestyle. The main goal here is to improve your business to the point where:
– You are making more income than if you were working for someone else
– The business is making a profit (not just covering your drawings)
– You will eventually be working less hours


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For Immediate Release: Jan. 9, 2013
Media Inquiries: Morgan Liscinsky, 301-796-0397; email@example.com
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance document to assist industry in developing new formulations of opioid drugs with abuse-deterrent properties.
The document "Guidance for Industry: Abuse-Deterrent Opioids – Evaluation and Labeling," explains the FDA's current thinking about the studies that should be conducted to demonstrate that a given formulation has abuse-deterrent properties, how those studies will be evaluated by the agency, and what labeling claims may be approved based on the results of those studies.
"The FDA is extremely concerned about the inappropriate use of prescription opioids, which is a major public health challenge for our nation," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. "This draft guidance is an important part of a larger effort by FDA aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse and misuse."
Opioids can be abused in a number of ways. Abuse-deterrent formulations target the known or expected routes of abuse, such as crushing in order to snort or dissolving in order to inject, for the specific opioid drug substance in that formulation. The science of abuse deterrence is relatively new, and both the formulation technologies and the analytical, clinical, and statistical methods for evaluating those technologies are rapidly evolving. In working with industry, the FDA will take a flexible, adaptive approach to the evaluation and labeling of potentially abuse-deterrent products.
"While prescription opioids are an important component of pain management, abuse and misuse of these products have resulted in too many injuries and deaths across the United States," said Douglas Throckmorton, M.D., deputy director for regulatory programs in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "An important step towards the goal of creating safer opioids is the development of products that are specifically formulated to deter abuse."
The FDA continues to encourage the development of abuse-deterrent formulations of opioids and believes that these products have promise to help reduce prescription drug abuse. At the same time, the FDA remains committed to ensuring that patients with pain have appropriate access to opioid analgesics.
This draft guidance fulfills mandates under the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.
"Our nation is in the midst of a prescription drug abuse epidemic," said Gil Kerlikowske, director of National Drug Control Policy. "While there are no silver bullet solutions to this public health and safety challenge, abuse-deterrent formulations of powerful prescription opioids can make a difference in addressing this epidemic. This guidance is a vitalcomponent of the Administration's comprehensive effort to reduce prescription drug abuse in America, and we commend the FDA for its commitment to this challenge."
FDA is seeking public comment on the draft guidance for 60 days and encourages additional scientific and clinical research that will advance the development and assessment of abuse-deterrent technologies. Instructions on how to submit comments will be announced in an upcoming Federal Register notice. The FDA will also hold a public meeting to discuss and receive feedback on the draft guidance. In finalizing the guidance document, the agency will consider the information received from the public.
For more information:
FDA: Draft Guidance for Industry: Abuse-Deterrent Opioids – Evaluation and Labeling1
ONDCP: Prescription Drug Abuse2
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.


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Passengers with disabilities are entitled to extra baggage allowances, free of charge, as follows:
Portable dialysis machines cannot be brought on board as cabin baggage, due to hazardous material rules. They can be checked in with luggage before the flight, free of charge. Exceptions apply to US routes, which permit the transport of dialysis machines on board as cabin baggage, free of charge and in addition to your allowance. Size and weight limits apply.
Passengers travelling with infants (under two years of age) have different baggage allowances based on your itinerary.
All routes, excluding travel to and from destinations in the Americas and Africa:
All routes to and from the Americas and Africa:
The baggage allowance will be shown on the infant's ticket.
You can also ask our check-in staff if space is available for you to carry any one of these items on board free of charge:
If you'd like to carry an approved car seat, please get in touch with us to purchase an additional aircraft seat at the appropriate child fare.
See how Emirates makes travelling with infants safer, easier and more comfortable.
All sporting equipment including golf equipment, bicycles and ski equipment
Emirates will accept sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance. A list of sporting equipment can be found below. If you intend to take a bicycle as checked luggage, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance. Special packaging rules may apply.
Weight Concept
Individual items with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage, and must be sent as cargo or freight. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Piece Concept
The total dimensions (length + width + height) of the entire division of sporting equipment must not exceed 300cm (118 inches). Any sporting equipment with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage and must be sent as cargo or freight.
At any time, should your overall baggage weight or number of bags, including sports equipment, exceed the complimentary free baggage allowance, excess baggage rates will apply. Please visit Purchase additional baggage allowance for more information.
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus – SCUBA
SCUBA equipment normally consists of diving suits, flippers, masks, snorkels, buoyancy control devices and so on. If air bottles are also carried, they must be emptied.
Sporting weapons and ammunition
Firearms designed for sporting purposes, such as target pistols and rifles, air guns, safari rifles, hunting rifles etc, may be carried as checked baggage on Emirates flights under the following conditions:
The following special conditions apply to customers wishing to carry firearms on flights into or through Dubai:
Ski equipment
Ski equipment can be carried as part of your normal baggage allowance. However, in some situations additional charges may apply when checking in ski equipment. Please contact your local Emirates office for more information.
A set of snow ski equipment may consist of:
A set of water ski equipment may consist of:
Learn more about the rules for ski equipment when travelling to or from destinations in North, Central or South America.
Other sports equipment
Emirates will accept wind surf boards, kite surfing equipment, kayaks, body boards, pole vault or other sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance, provided:
For surf boards, the following precautions must be taken:
Should your overall baggage weight or amount exceed the normal free allowance, excess baggage rates will apply. Please contact your local Emirates office for information on excess baggage rates. For information on travelling with other sporting equipment, particularly sporting weaponry, please contact your local Emirates office, as other rules may apply.
Note: if your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules from the below may apply for these flights. For information on specific allowances for sports equipment, please contact us or the airline in question.
Pets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of falcons between Dubai and certain destinations in Pakistan. Depending on the individual circumstances, pets must be carried either as cargo, or as checked baggage in the hold. The charge for the animal(s) and container will depend on the weight and size of the animal plus cage combined. These charges will apply in all cases, even when no other checked baggage is being carried.
Please take note of the following weight and size restrictions for animals travelling as checked baggage:
Animal and cage | Price |
When the animal and cage combined do not exceed 23kg and 59 inches(150 cm) | USD 500 |
When the animal and cage combined weight between 24 and 32kg and dimensions between 59 inches(150cm) and 118 inches(300cm) | USD 650 |
When the animal and cage combined weight over 32kg and dimensions between 59 inches(150cm) and 118 inches(300cm) | USD 800 |
When the cage dimensions exceed dimensions 118 inches(300cm) | Cargo |
Please contact Emirates well before your flight to confirm any required procedures (such as permits, tests, vaccinations, etc) to allow your pet to travel – you must complete these before Emirates can make final arrangements for your pet. Note that this process can take a long time, especially in complex cases. Once complete, please allow one week to submit your paperwork to Emirates ahead of your flight.
Emirates is unable to provide a special free baggage allowance for the carriage of musical instruments. Musical instruments must be handled as normal checked or cabin baggage (subject to cabin baggage limitations) or be transported on a paid-for seat in the passenger cabin.
If you check-in your instrument, it will be subject to normal excess baggage charges if it exceeds your baggage allowance.
Please note that certain conditions and limitations may apply when transporting musical instruments. To review these conditions or if you have any questions regarding musical instrument transport, please get in touch with us.
When departing from Mauritius, a special charge applies for the transportation of ship models, and can't be included as part of your standard baggage allowance.
For the first 10kg, a charge of EUR 150 applies, and for the next 10kg a charge of EUR 50 applies.
The maximum weight of the ship model is 20kg.
All fireworks and any other items containing explosives, for example Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers and sparklers are forbidden to be carried either as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage on our flights.
For safety reasons, we can't accept personal motorised vehicles such as hoverboards, mini-Segways and smart or self-balancing wheels on our flights. We can't carry them either as checked-in baggage or as hand luggage as they contain large lithium batteries. This regulation still applies even if you're connecting to our flights from an airline that has accepted them.


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There is currently no open public consultation. Join our mailing list and follow us on social media to learn about our next public consultation.
CeDePesca are working on a confirmation of a Co-management Commission in Panama have begun data collection through voluntary logbooks by fishers.
It is an ongoing experience where we are discussing and resolving together how to recover the diminished resources that make our livelihoods. We really thank CeDePesca and Seafood MAP for their help on this process.
FENAPESCA (National Artisanal Fishers Federation)
The Philippines and Indonesia - Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative
This aquaculture project seeks to engage smallholder shrimp farmers to help them improve their efforts towards environmental, social, and gender equality sustainability targets. ASIC provides improvement programs to allow for a step-by-step continuous journey for smallholder farmers to comply with the ASIC Shrimp and Social and Gender Standards. The program offers verification of sustainable practices at no cost which is then leveraged to provide direct market access to buyers. ASIC fisheries project is working to finalize its program while providing support to existing fisheries programs in the Philippines and looking to pilot its program soon.
The social and gender components are a new area that we have not yet heard before and through this program, our awareness has increased - which extended to farm management, household, and to the community level.
Uganda - Deutsche Gesellschaft fϋr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
The Responsible Fisheries Business Chains Project (RFBCP) in Uganda is concentrating on sustainable fisheries management of Nile Perch on Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga. Currently, GIZ-RFBCP is drafting selection criteria that will be used to identify producers to work with. The status of such businesses will be ascertained at the beginning and where points of weakness are identified in regards to sustainability measures. GIZ-RFBCP will work with producers to validate their sustainability measures and help them register on the Seafood MAP.
China - China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance and China Blue Sustainability Institute
CAPPMA and China Blue have been working with scientific research teams, producers, purchasers, and other stakeholders over the span of this project. In close cooperation, a large amount of research has been carried out and suggestions have been made for the optimization and next development of the Seafood MAP registration model based on China's characteristics and reality.
In China, there are many types of aquatic products available for residents to consume, and the production model is diversified. Reflecting on our pilot work so far, we know more time is needed to optimize, but we are looking forward to establishing a concrete buildout of the Seafood MAP platform to move our work forward and improve.
Papua New Guinea - Fishing Association of Papua New Guinea
The prawn and lobster fisheries management in the area is aimed at preserving the fishery for the traditional inhabitants, with strict limited entry for non-inhabitants. We aim to move all fisheries and aquaculture operations toward sustainable certification, we need Seafood MAP as a path to educate our fisher how to collect data properly, report and assess it.
Seafood MAP has increased the collaboration between the National Fishery Authority and the producers in the area with respect to data collection, measuring performance and reporting against the robust Seafood MAP criteria based on FAO and SDG indicators.
Sustainability Director, FIA PNG
Aquaconnect and IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative
The project focused on improving disease data collection and analysis, by linking Aquaconnect to a lead aquatic epidemiologist. The objective of the project is to provide farmers better information on diseases with the ultimate aim to improve resource efficiency. The Aquaconnect team tested the Seafood MAP registration form for seafood producers, as well as the self-evaluation form for their customers.
Through the IDH-Aquaconnect program, we were able to promote sustainable practices among the farmers communities and set several shrimp production benchmarks. One of the key highlights is that we have redesigned our data architecture to capture individual and population-level symptoms to support the shrimp epidemiology study.
Project Manager, Aquaconnect
Indonesia - UNIDO
The programme supports the country to align the demand and supply of quality services required by markets through enhancing quality infrastructure and services, strengthening producers and value chains, and raising a culture for quality.
The Indonesian fisheries sector has great potential for both capture fisheries and aquaculture, with small fishers and farmers dominating the sector. Small scale fishers and farmers usually have limited access to markets, technology, information, finance, and public services. Helping them to improve their access to these services will ultimately improve their livelihood that could incentivize sustainable fishing and farming practices.
Chief Operations Officer, UNIDO
Ecuador - Sustainable Shrimp Partnership and IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative
Over the course of the project, twelve farms qualified for the SSP criteria of zero antibiotics, ASC certification, minimal environmental impact, and full traceability. Currently, the SSP focuses on a better understanding of their carbon and water footprint by joining the IDH Aquaculture Working Group on Environmental footprint. The SSP team tested the Seafood MAP registration form for seafood producers, as well as the self-evaluation form for their improvement program.
The improvement program allowed us to support small shrimp farms to demonstrate accountability by improving their environmental and social performance and it demonstrated that SSP members are committed to the highest levels of transparency by being the first shrimp producers in the world to adapt blockchain traceability for shrimp
Director, SSP
Mozambique - Pescamar and Nueva Pescanova
The project is a public-private initiative that transfers knowledge from the Atlantic Maritime Fisheries Institute of Vigo (Spain) to the Matola Fishing School (Mozambique) funded by AECID and the collaboration of Pescamar and Nueva Pescanova. To date it has allowed improving the school´s curricula, and its equipment and has incorporated students to work at Pescamar.
Seafood MAP will give visibility to the work that Pescamar is doing to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, in this case highlighting its collaborative work to improve fisheries education.
General Manager, Pescamar
Hugo Byrnes joined Ahold in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the position of Vice President Product Integrity. He is responsible for Ahold Delhaize's food and non-food product policies, which cover product safety and responsible products. This includes social compliance, animal welfare and environmental issues. Hugo Byrnes has a Dutch Law degree from the State University Leiden, the Netherlands. He is a food lawyer whose career has focused on the food business and in particular on quality management and standardization.
Flavio has spent more than two decades working in responsible aquaculture globally for non-profit, intergovernmental, and for-profit organizations. As Aqua-Spark's Director of Partnerships, he is responsible for driving the development and execution of a robust partner ecosystem that aligns all stakeholders behind a core vision, while supporting Aqua-Spark's portfolio, network, and goals. Prior to joining Aqua-Spark, Flavio worked for IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, overseeing their Aquaculture Program. He was also IDH Vietnam Country Director, establishing groundbreaking public-private partnerships in coffee, tea, and apparel. He founded and ran the sustainability arm of the Vietnam association of farmers and fishers (VINAFIS). He has worked as an expert for over 20 international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Flavio holds an M.Sc. in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology, the study of diseases in populations, from the University of Liverpool.


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Graduate Studies
The Department of CSB is strongly committed to providing excellent graduate programs that train and mentor students in the fields of Cell, Molecular and Systems Biology. The Department of CSB fulfills this commitment by maintaining and enhancing a world-class research, learning and training environment to ensure successful, rigorous, and internationally-recognised graduate education and research. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the fields in the CSB graduate programs, exposure to a breadth of research areas and approaches are a key component of the graduate programs. Graduate students in CSB use state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge approaches throughout their graduate program. This includes participating in the best of functional genomics, genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and physiology research.
Graduate Programs
Become part of the next generation of independent researchers in cell, molecular and systems biology
The Department of Cell & Systems Biology (CSB) offers a master's program leading to the degree of Master of Science (MSc) and a doctoral program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
The MSc in CSB provides ideal training for career paths in education, business and policy where science-based decision-making and the interpretation and transmission of scientific information is becoming increasingly important, particularly in many of the "knowledge-based" economies that are emerging the world over. The MSc program trains scientists that are well suited to fill this demand. The objective of the MSc program is to provide students with skills in the generation, critical evaluation, assessment and communication of data so that they are equipped to proceed with further post-graduate degrees, or other career opportunities where such skills are desired.
The CSB PhD program trains scientists who will form part of the next generation of independent researchers in cell, molecular and systems biology. Graduates of the CSB PhD program will be the future high-level teachers, frontier-expanders, and decision-makers in these fields of inquiry.
In keeping with this expectation, PhD graduates will emerge from the program as independent and autonomous scientists, producing a written thesis that describes original research that stands as a testimony to their ability to generate publishable, stand-alone contributions to the peer-reviewed scientific literature. As part of their training, PhD students acquire skills in the communication of scientific research (including teaching skills), and acquire broad-based knowledge of the theory and practice underpinning their chosen field.
What's Happening at CSB
May 14, 2024
Animal and Plant Science out on the street for Science Rendezvous with CSB
The Science Rendezvous open air festival provided CSB staff and students a chance to bring our science outside to share with the general public. Even…
May 7, 2024
Excellence and excitement at CSB Research Day 2024
The wide variety of cutting-edge science in the Department of Cell & Systems Biology was on full display in the distinguished halls of Hart House…
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How To Train For A 5k
Last Updated: May 03, 2017
By: Taira Jordan
In This Article: Run, Walk, Rest and Repeat Keep Yourself on Track
You may not consider yourself a runner (and can't remember the last time you ran for 30 minutes straight) but you have signed up for a 5K and are ready to train to run for the full 3.1 miles. As intimidating as 3.1 miles might seem to a non-runner, the 5K is a great distance for a beginner as it can be trained for in about two months. And if you train properly, the 5K can be a gateway to longer distance runs, including the 10K, Half Marathon and even (with much more training) the Marathon.
Run, Walk, Rest and Repeat
As workouts are goal orientated when training compared to simply exercising for your physical health, developing a plan to reach your 3.1 mile run goal is key. Start off each workout with a 5 minute walk to warm up your body and cool down at the end of each workout with a 5 minute walk. After warming up, begin with a 30 second to 1 minute run followed by at least double time power walking at a quick pace. You can progress with each training session by adding more running time and spending less time walking. The key is to focus on going farther, not harder and doing the "talk test" will prevent you from going too fast too soon. Put simply, if you can talk while you run, you are going the correct pace. Running too hard too soon lessens enjoyment and can lead to cramps and injury.
For any good training program, rest and recovery are very important. Aim to do no more than 3 runs per week and alternate your running days with cross-training workouts such as swimming, biking or yoga. By allowing yourself to rest, your body gets stronger and you can better adapt to your increasing mileage, to better prevent injuries.
" The most essential item, running shoes, should be replaced every 350-500 miles to prevent unnecessary stress and the risk of possible injury to your knees, back and feet. "
It may seem minor but what you eat and drink before, during and after a training run or race can have a big impact on your body and is important in preventing discomfort and aiding in recovery. An hour or so before your run, eat a light meal or snack that combines carbohydrates with minimal protein. This light meal is both easy to digest and provides an essential carbohydrate boost. You may have heard of runners maximizing their carbohydrate intake or carbo-loading before an event but this strategy is recommended for endurance events lasting longer than 90 minutes and not necessary for a 5K. In addition to food, make sure that you hydrate by drinking enough fluids before, during and after your run. Water, fruit juice and milk are ideal for hydration with the latter two, fruit juice and milk, providing needed carbohydrates and electrolytes, which are essential for energy and post-run recovery.
Keep Yourself on Track
Consistency is key when training so once you have developed your training schedule, make your best effort to follow it. Discover a favorite nature trail or develop a running route through your neighborhood that you will look forward to running and challenge yourself to run a little further each time. If the weather outside is cold and unpleasant, do your run on your home treadmill or at the gym.
Like any sport, having the right running gear will help you get the most out of your run. The most essential item, running shoes, should be replaced every 350-500 miles to prevent unnecessary stress and the risk of possible injury to your knees, back and feet. A pair of moisture wicking socks will keep your feet feeling comfortable and help prevent annoying and painful blisters. With many different models with various features available, sport watches or activity trackers will help you keep on pace by providing a variety of functions including active time, GPS distance, calorie counter or heart rate.


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The RTP Product Development Guild – a local group of engineers and designers working together to improve the regional economy – is hosting its third annual RTP Product Design Street Faire Saturday, Sept. 12 from 3:00 – 6:30 pm at 400 Dominion Drive in Morrisville. This fun, outdoor networking and educational event will feature exhibits and demonstrations by leading Triangle-area product designers and affiliated professionals showcasing the technological innovation that makes North Carolina a hotbed of state-of-the-art manufacturing design and production talent.
Admission to the Street Faire is free but requires pre-registration online at RTPStreetFaire.com.
Barbeque, drinks, popcorn, snacks and other treats will be served throughout this family friendly event which will include an inflatable kids' play area and plenty of shaded space for business networking among peers.
"The Street Faire is a great way for area businesses and manufacturers to get to know product design and prototyping professionals right here in RTP," Montie Roland, president of the RTP Product Development Guild, said, adding, "Why spend hours on conference calls or travel overseas to work with vendors when you can find the resources you need right down the street? I think people will be surprised at how competitive the region has become in the global marketplace."
According to Roland, each year has seen increased attendance and vendor participation at the Street Faire, with well over 200 attendees representing a diverse range of business professions and 26 vendors last year. Vendor spaces are still available for this year's event; pricing and information is available at RTPStreetFaire.com.
Sponsors of the 2009 Product Design Street Faire include Montie Design, the RTP Product Development Guild, Studio Hagler and Trimech, with Gilmore Global as a contributor.
The annual Street Faire is one of many educational and business development programs conducted by the Guild, which also hosts networking meetings, lunch-and-learn seminars, and other events at member locations throughout the year.
"We love our craft and do a lot of different things to promote it, share leads and resources, and build essential working relationships," Roland said.
For more information visit RTPStreetFaire.com or call 919-481-1845.
About the RTP Product Development Guild
The RTP Product Development Guild seeks to improve the regional economy in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C. by providing a framework for product developers and startups to work together on products in a collaborative environment. This helps entrepreneurs move products to market that might otherwise languish due to a lack of funding and professional guidance. The Guild accepts applications for products, services or concepts from entrepreneurs, early stage start-ups and corporate spin-offs. More information is available online at www.rtpproductguild.com.


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Introduce your business and tell us your story: How did you decide on what to sell, and how did you source your products?
Bike sales annually began exceeding car sales, and our distribution business began niche selling bikes and accessories. Nutcase Helmets was a young brand only selling in the US since 2006. They had just signed European distribution and we became the Australian distributor in late 2008. Australia has mandatory bicycle helmet laws, but at that time, few stylish or fun choices of helmets. We source our products from our overseas supplier.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
We decided to drive sales through generating consumer demand - we negotiated affordable print ads, set up the first Facebook page for Nutcase, and the Twitter account. These are now used globally by the brand. We contacted editorial pages for features in newspapers and when our products were shown in broadsheets or magazine gear guides, things began to move. Soon enough people began walking into bike shops demanding the product, or coming to us if they don't live near a store. Since then we have recommended Shopify to USA and Europe and some of them have migrated their stores so we can all have a consistently branded store in our countries.
Google search, email marketing and Facebook create a regular stream for us. Print ads in specific periods and sponsorships, word of mouth, and exposure via Roller Derby Teams, bike events or special causes also help. We also sponsor the Olympic aerial skiers development team. Instagram and Pinterest provide a lot of visual attention in the product and may be helping new customers find us. Editorial mentions, although time consuming and less controllable than advertising, still drive great sales when the timing and the place is right: blogs and print.
Tell us about the back-end of your business. What tools and apps do you use to run your store? How do you handle shipping and fulfillment?
We migrated to Brightpearl and it has revolutionised the day-to-day business and account management as it is synced with Shopify. We have less double handling, less mistakes and are no long overwhelmed by the volume of orders we need to fill, especially during hectic periods like Summer/Christmas in Australia. We have lowered our costs for order processing and this allows us to increase our attention on marketing. Our order turnaround is officially 24 hours to dispatch, but in general we actually get it down to a same-day dispatch, and in reality if we see an order arrive, it's usually booked into our warehouse in minutes and on the dispatch truck that afternoon. We can also do business from anywhere in the world, which is sometimes necessary with annual trade shows in the Europe or Asia, and a relatively small in house team. We use a local fulfilment partner.
What are your top recommendations for new store owners?
Know what drives your desire to have a business before you start: is it freedom, wealth, flexibility, fun? Structure your business around your core anchors, otherwise you can miss the wood for the trees or spend time doing things that are the opposite of what you started out wishing for. Even so, often all startups involve doing all the jobs yourself. It takes many hours, sometimes long days so it's good to be aware at the start. Be sure to love what you've chosen as your product or focus, because usually that means you know something (or a lot) about it already. Whether it be finance, marketing, tech or just knowing a lot about the product itself - if you know something at the start, and you have passion, it'll take you far.


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Previous Posts in This Series …
2011-10-25: NIST's Recommendations on the 9-11 WTC Building Collapses … GROUP 1. Increased Structural Integrity – Recommendations 1, 2 & 3 (out of 30)
2011-11-18: NIST WTC Recommendations 4-7 > Structural Fire Endurance … GROUP 2. Enhanced Fire Endurance of Structures – Recommendations 4, 5, 6 & 7
2011-11-24: NIST WTC Recommendations 8-11 > New Design of Structures … GROUP 3. New Methods for Fire Resisting Design of Structures – Recommendations 8, 9, 10 & 11
2011-11-25: NIST WTC Recommendations 12-15 > Improved Active Protection … GROUP 4. Improved Active Fire Protection – Recommendations 12, 13, 14 & 15
2011-11-30: NIST Recommendations 16-20 > Improved People Evacuation … GROUP 5. Improved Building Evacuation – Recommendations 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20
2011-12-04: NIST WTC Recommendations 21-24 > Improved Firefighting … GROUP 6. Improved Emergency Response – Recommendations 21, 22, 23 & 24
2011-12-07: NIST WTC Recommendations 25-28 > Improved Practices … GROUP 7. Improved Procedures and Practices – Recommendations 25, 26, 27 & 28
2011-12-08: NIST WTC Recommendations 29-30 > Improved Fire Education … GROUP 8. Education and Training – Recommendations 29 & 30 (out of 30)
2011-12-15: You know what is coming soon … so Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to One and All !!
1. There were 2 Important Reasons for undertaking this Series of Posts …
(a) The General Public, and particularly Client Organizations, should be facilitated in directly accessing the core content of the 2005 NIST WTC Recommendations. Up to now, many people have found this to be a daunting task. More importantly, I also wanted to clearly show that implementation of the Recommendations is still proceeding far too slowly … and that today, many significant aspects of these Recommendations remain unimplemented. Furthermore, in the case of some recent key national standards, e.g. British Standard BS 9999, which was published in 2008 … the NIST Recommendations were entirely ignored.
As a golden rule … National Building Codes/Regulations and National Standards … cannot, should not, and must not … be applied without informed thought and many questions, on the part of a building designer !
(b) With the benefit of hindsight, and our practical experience in FireOx International … I also wanted to add a necessary 2011 Technical Commentary to the NIST Recommendations … highlighting some of the radical implications, and some of the limitations, of these Recommendations … in the hope of initiating a much-needed and long overdue international discussion on the subject.
" Architecture is the language of a culture."
" A living building is the information space where life can be found. Life exists within the space. The information of space is then the information of life. Space is the body of the building. The building is therefore the space, the information, and the life."
C.Y. Lee & Partners Architects/Planners, Taiwan
[ This is a local dialect of familiar Architectural Language. However, the new multi-aspect language of Sustainable Design is fast evolving. In order to perform as an effective and creative member of a Trans-Disciplinary Design & Construction Team … can Fire Engineers quickly learn to communicate on these wavelengths ?? Evidence to date suggests not ! ]
2. 'Climate Change' & 'Energy Stability' – Relentless Driving Forces for Sustainable Design !
Not only is Sustainable Fire Engineering inevitable … it must be ! And not at some distant point in the future … but now … yesterday !! There is such a build-up of pressure on Spatial Planners and Building Designers to respond quickly, creatively, intuitively and appropriately to the relentless driving forces of Climate Change (including climate change mitigation, adaptation, and severe weather resilience) and Energy Stability (including energy efficiency and conservation) … that there is no other option for the International Fire Science and Engineering Community but to adapt. Adapt and evolve … or become irrelevant !!
And one more interesting thought to digest … 'Green' is not the answer. 'Green' looks at only one aspect of Sustainable Human & Social Development … the Environment. This is a blinkered, short-sighted, simplistic and ill-conceived approach to realizing the complex goal of a Safe and Sustainable Built Environment. 'Green' is 'Sustainability' for innocent children !!
(a) Organization for Economic Co-Operation & Development (OECD) – 2012's Environmental Outlook to 2050
Extract from Pre-Release Climate Change Chapter, November 2011 …
' Climate change presents a global systemic risk to society. It threatens the basic elements of life for all people: access to water, food production, health, use of land, and physical and natural capital. Inadequate attention to climate change could have significant social consequences for human wellbeing, hamper economic growth and heighten the risk of abrupt and large-scale changes to our climatic and ecological systems. The significant economic damage could equate to a permanent loss in average per capita world consumption of more than 14% (Stern, 2006). Some poor countries would be likely to suffer particularly severely. This chapter demonstrates how avoiding these economic, social and environmental costs will require effective policies to shift economies onto low-carbon and climate-resilient growth paths.'
(b) U.N. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin No.7, November 2011
Executive Summary …
The latest analysis of observations from the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme shows that the globally averaged mixing ratios of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) reached new highs in 2010, with CO2 at 389.0 parts per million (ppm), CH4 at 1808 parts per billion (ppb) and N2O at 323.2 ppb. These values are greater than those in pre-industrial times (before 1750) by 39%, 158% and 20%, respectively. Atmospheric increases of CO2 and N2O from 2009 to 2010 are consistent with recent years, but they are higher than both those observed from 2008 to 2009 and those averaged over the past 10 years. Atmospheric CH4 continues to increase, consistent with the past three years. The U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Annual Greenhouse Gas Index shows that from 1990 to 2010 radiative forcing by long-lived Greenhouse Gases (GHG's) increased by 29%, with CO2 accounting for nearly 80% of this increase. Radiative forcing of N2O exceeded that of CFC-12, making N2O the third most important long-lived Greenhouse Gas.
(c) International Energy Agency (IEA) – World Energy Outlook, November 2011
Extract from Executive Summary …
' There are few signs that the urgently needed change in direction in global energy trends is underway. Although the recovery in the world economy since 2009 has been uneven, and future economic prospects remain uncertain, global primary energy demand rebounded by a remarkable 5% in 2010, pushing CO2 emissions to a new high. Subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption of fossil fuels jumped to over $400 billion. The number of people without access to electricity remained unacceptably high at 1.3 Billion, around 20% of the world's population. Despite the priority in many countries to increase energy efficiency, global energy intensity worsened for the second straight year. Against this unpromising background, events such as those at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the turmoil in parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have cast doubts on the reliability of energy supply, while concerns about sovereign financial integrity have shifted the focus of government attention away from energy policy and limited their means of policy intervention, boding ill for agreed global climate change objectives.'
[ Not just in the case of Tall, Super-Tall and Mega-Tall Buildings … but the many, many Other Building Types in the Built Environment … are Building Designers implementing the 2005 & 2008 NIST WTC Recommendations … without waiting for Building and Fire Codes/Regulations and Standards to be properly revised and updated ?? Evidence to date suggests not ! ]
3. Separate Dilemmas for Client Organizations and Building Designers …
As discussed earlier in this Series … the Fire Safety Objectives of Building and Fire Codes/Regulations are limited to:
- The protection of building users/occupants ; and
- The protection of property … BUT only insofar as that is relevant to the protection of the users/occupants ;
… because the function of Building and Fire Codes is to protect Society. Well, that is supposed to be true ! Unfortunately, not all Codes/Regulations are adequate or up-to-date … as we have been observing here in these posts.
Just taking the Taipei 101 Tower as an example, I have very recently sent out three genuine, bona fide e-mail messages from our practice …
Toshiba Elevator & Building Systems Corporation (TELC), Japan.
To Whom It May Concern …
Knowing that your organization was involved in the Taipei 101 Project … we have been examining your WebSite very carefully. However, some important information was missing from there.
For our International Work … we would like to receive technical information on the Use of Elevators for Fire Evacuation in Buildings … which we understand is actually happening in the Taipei Tower, since it was completed in 2004.
The Universal Design approach must also be integrated into any New Elevators.
Can you help us ?
C.J. Walsh
[2012-01-10 … No reply yet !]
Mr. Thomas Z. Scarangello P.E. – Chairman & CEO, Thornton Tomasetti Structural Engineers, New York.
Dear Thomas,
Knowing that your organization was involved in the structural design of the Taipei 101 Tower, which was completed in 2004 … and in the on-going design of many other iconic tall, super-tall and mega-tall buildings around the world … we have been examining your Company Brochures and WebSite very carefully. However, some essential information is missing.
As you are certainly aware … implementation of the 2005 & 2008 National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Recommendations on the Collapse of WTC Buildings 1, 2 & 7, in New York, on 11 September 2001 … is still proceeding at a snail's pace, i.e. very slowly. Today, many significant aspects of NIST's Recommendations remain unimplemented.
For our International Work … we would like to understand how you have responded directly to the NIST Recommendations … and incorporated the necessary additional modifications into your current structural fire engineering designs.
Many thanks for your kind attention. In anticipation of your prompt and detailed response …
C.J. Walsh
[2012-01-10 … No reply yet !]
Mr. C.Y. Lee & Mr. C.P. Wang, Principal Architects – C.Y. Lee & Partners Architects/Planners, Taiwan.
Dear Sirs,
Knowing that your architectural practice designed the Taipei 101 Tower, which was completed in 2004 … and, later, was also involved in the design of other tall and super-tall buildings in Taiwan and China … we have been examining your Company WebSite very carefully. However, some essential information is missing.
As you are probably aware … implementation of the 2005 & 2008 U.S. National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Recommendations on the Collapse of WTC Buildings 1, 2 & 7, in New York City, on 11 September 2001 … is still proceeding at a snail's pace, i.e. very slowly. Today, many significant aspects of NIST's Recommendations remain unimplemented.
For our International Work … we would like to understand how you have responded directly to the NIST Recommendations … and incorporated the necessary additional modifications into your current architectural designs.
Many thanks for your kind attention. In anticipation of your prompt and detailed response …
C.J. Walsh
[2012-01-10 … No reply yet !]
So … how many Clients, or Client Organizations, are aware that to properly protect their interests … even, a significant part of their interests … it is vitally necessary that Project-Specific Fire Engineering Design Objectives be developed which will have a much wider scope ? The answer is … not many !
How many Architects, Structural Engineers, and Fire Engineers fully explain this to their Clients or Client Organizations ?
And how many Clients/Client Organizations either know that they should ask, or have the balls to ask … their Architect, Structural Engineer and Fire Engineer for this explanation … and furthermore, in the case of any High-Rise Building, Iconic Building, or Building having an Important Function or an Innovative Design … ask the same individuals for some solid reassurance that they have responded directly to the 2005 & 2008 NIST WTC Recommendations … and incorporated the necessary additional modifications into your current designs … whatever current Building and Fire Codes/Regulations do or do not say ?? A big dilemma !
A common and very risky dilemma for Building Designers, however, arises in the situation where the Project Developer, i.e. the Client/Client Organization … is the same as the Construction Organization. The Project Design & Construction Team – as a whole – now has very little power or authority if a conflict arises over technical aspects of the design … or over construction costs. An even bigger dilemma !!
4. The Next Series of Posts – 2008 NIST WTC Recommendations
In the new year of 2012 … I will examine the later NIST Recommendations which were a response to the Fire-Induced Progressive Collapse of World Trade Center Building No.7.
5. Please … Your Comments, Views & Opinions ?!?
The future of Conventional Fire Engineering ended on the morning of Tuesday, 11 September 2001, in New York City … an engineering discipline constrained by a long heritage deeply embedded in, and manacled to, an outdated and inflexible prescriptive approach to Codes/Regulations and Standards … an approach which is irrational, ignores the 'real' needs of the 'real' people who use and/or occupy 'real' buildings … and, quite frankly, no longer makes any scientific sense !!
On the other hand … having confronted the harsh realities of 9/11 and the Mumbai 'Hive' Attacks, and digested the 2005 & 2008 NIST WTC Recommendations … Sustainable Fire Engineering … having a robust empirical basis, being 'person-centred', and positively promoting creativity … offers the International Fire Science and Engineering Community a confident journey forward into the future … on many diverse routes !
This IS the only appropriate response to the exciting architectural innovations and fire safety challenges of today's Built Environment.
BUT … what do you think ?


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In Pamela T. v. Marc B., 2011 N.Y. Slip. Op. 21355 (N.Y.Sup.2011), the court had to decide whether the parent's obligation to pay for college should be limited to the so-called "SUNY cap". The Supreme Court concluded that parent's argument that before a parent can be compelled to contribute towards the cost of a private college, there must be a showing that a child cannot receive an adequate education at a state college, has no basis in the law.
The parties were divorced on December 23, 2008 and have two sons, 18 and16 years old. Their judgment of divorce was silent as to the payment of the children's college tuition and expenses.
In 2007, the older child was diagnosed with emotional and learning/anxiety disorders, which resulted in certain educational accommodations. Despite his disabilities, he graduated in 2011 from a selective public high school in Manhattan. He was accepted at Syracuse University, SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Buffalo, as well as other schools. The costs of college education varied from Syracuse at approximately $53,000 a year to attend, to SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Buffalo that cost about $18,000 a year. The child decided to attend Syracuse which he is now attending as a freshman.
The both parents are practicing attorneys in New York City. Plaintiff's 2010 federal income tax return reported adjusted gross income of $109,896. Defendant's 2010 federal income tax return reported adjusted gross income of $105,135. Plaintiff's net worth statement showed she had assets of approximately $1,230,000. Defendant's net worth statement showed he had assets of approximately $580,000. Both plaintiff and defendant went to private undergraduate colleges and law schools.
Defendant did not oppose an order directing him to contribute to his older child's college education, but he requested that the court to apply the SUNY cap and limit his responsibility to a percentage of the costs of a state university education rather than to a percentage of a private college education. Defendant's position was based on his claim that he was unable to meet the financial demands of paying for private college and on his belief that his son could receive as good an education at SUNY Binghamton as he could at Syracuse.
The court stated that Domestic Relations Law 240(1- b)(c)(7) gave the courts of this state the authority to "direct a parent to contribute to a child's private college education, even in the absence of special circumstances or a voluntary agreement. The statute provides that when a court exercises its discretion to direct such a contribution from a parent, it is to do so "having regard for the circumstances of the case and the parties, the best interests of the child, and the requirements of justice." The courts interpreted the provisions of DRL 240(1-b)(c)(7) by setting forth specific factors that are to be considered in determining whether to award college expenses. These factors include the educational background of the parents and their financial ability to provide the necessary funds, the child's academic ability and endeavors, and the type of college that would be most suitable for the child.
The Court stated that DRL 240(1-b)(c)(7) does not provide for a SUNY cap. The SUNY cap appeared in a number of decisions rendered since the enactment of the statute. These cases have not provided an explanation as to when a SUNY cap might be properly applied over the objection of the parent who is seeking an award for college expenses.
The court found that Berliner v. Berliner, 33 A.D.3d 745, 749 (2d Dept. 2006) was instructive because in that case the Second Department stated that there "is no basis in this record" for imposing the SUNY cap implied that the burden falls on the proponent of the cap to demonstrate that it is warranted. The inference to be drawn is that there is no presumption that a parent's obligation to pay for college is to be limited to the cost of a SUNY education unless proven otherwise; if anything, the presumption goes the other direction. It was also instructive because the decision's reference to the "so-called SUNY cap" implied that even the Second Department views the SUNY cap as something less than an established doctrine.
The court rejected defendant's argument that plaintiff be required to prove that Syracuse was a better school than SUNY Binghamton, in order for him to be required to pay Syracuse's higher expenses. The decision noted that it is difficult to conceive of a workable procedure, let alone a methodology, for a court to make a finding that one college is "better" than another. The court found that there was sufficient showing to support the child's choice of Syracuse, irrespective of whether it is ranked lower, higher or the same as SUNY Binghamton or any other SUNY school. If there are funds are available to finance the child's education, the fact that Syracuse was a private school and cost more than a public school was not a reason to interfere with the child going to the school he chose and he wanted to attend.
The court further held that one of the factors to be considered when making a determination under DRL 240(1-b)(c)(7) is the parents educational background. Inasmuch as plaintiff attended Northwestern and defendant attended Columbia, the court could reasonably assume that there would exist an expectation in the family, and in the child himself, that he too could attend a private college.
Having found that defendant had to contribute to his son's education at Syracuse University, the court had to consider the defendant's ability to pay. It was defendant's position that even though plaintiff may have the means to pay the high cost of their son attending Syracuse, he lacked the means to do so. Consequently, he argued that he should have to pay no more than $9,000 a year towards his son's education, an amount that is roughly 50% of the present annual cost of a SUNY school.
The court rejected defendant's contention as to his inability to pay a significant share of the child's actual educational expenses being incurred at Syracuse. The court held that the parties's incomes and assets would allow them to pay for their child's education at Syracuse.
The court further held that there was no basis to impose the SUNY cap, to the extent that it should be imposed at all, where the party seeking to invoke the cap has the financial ability to contribute towards the actual amount of his or her child's college expenses. Although defendant's contribution should be less than plaintiff's, based on the difference between their net assets, and in particular what each of them had available for eventual retirement, that contribution should not be subject to some artificial construct like the SUNY cap. On this basis, the court held that defendant shall be obligated to contribute 40% of the total cost of the older child attending Syracuse University, with those costs to include tuition, room and board, fees and books.
Thus, this decision confirms that if a parent is hoping to place a limit on future college costs, it is very important to include provisions in the parties' separation agreement or settlement stipulation placing an upper limit on such costs.


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When I was a little girl, one of my mom's best friends got married. Her wedding was the first big wedding I had ever been to, and the only one I recall from my childhood. I remember hunting down the servers with passed hors d'oeuvres, searching for shrimp cocktail. I remember playing with the other kids in the super fancy bathroom. I remember the ceremony and riding in the car with several of the bridesmaids from the church to the reception. But what I remember most of all was the morning of the wedding.
We ordered Jimmy John's for lunch (which I managed to finally slam 5 minutes before the ceremony when I realized I was starving. Yes, a Jimmy John's Vito, full of delicious garlicky goodness right before my wedding. I also split it with the ring bearer who kept asking me for a bite), so everyone had something to eat, and they delivered Freaky Fast as JJ tends to do. And then we all rolled out in a party bus I hired at the last minute (are you catching a theme here, guys?) when I realized I didn't know how to get 13 people from my house to the venue.
Are you tired of wedding nonsense, yet?


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Although many emulators have useful accessibility features built-in, such as speed adjustment, cheats and the ability to reconfigure controls, it may still be necessary to make use of external utilities to improve access further.
Cheats are a way to make a game more comfortable for your personal abilities. For those unable to play a game without them, they're not cheats at all.
GameWinners.com is a great site for cheats and help for many PC and console games from the off.
MAME the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator has an optional 'cheat' facility, making for some, previously inaccessible arcade coin-op games, accessible on a PC.
Utilities that enable players to activate more buttons than they ordinarily could manage.
4 Noah - Enables one switch gamers to play certain games that use multiple buttons. This software is under development but available to try for free. 4Noah Lite is a great place to start.
SwitchXS - Enables Apple Mac switch users to take almost complete control over keyboard and mouse controlled games.
Software that enables one piece of hardware, such as a USB joypad to emulate another such as a mouse or keyboard. Ideal for people unable to use a keyboard or mouse to play games.
JoyToKey or Xpadder - Enables adapted or standard USB joypads or joysticks to emulate the mouse and keyboard on a PC.
USB Overdrive - Shareware version of JoyToKey for Apple Macintosh computers.
Track-Mapper - Enables older Natural Point head-trackers to play keyboard controlled games.
"Dwell Clickers" are ideal for head-tracker users, and anyone else, unable to activate a mouse click. You simply hover over an area for a fixed length of time to activate a mouse click.
I have found Natural Point's Dwell Clicker with "XP Fix" works with the majority of PC games. However, you will need to contact them to purchase this version.
See the Game-Accessibility.com Dwell Clicking forum thread for more.
Many games are simply too fast for some to play. Although a growing number of games have in-built options to slow them down, it's more likely that you will need software that can slow your entire computer down.
CPU Killer - Can slow your computer down up to 99%. If playing games through an emulator, you will need to switch off any frame-skipping. PC Shareware.
Mo'Slo - Very similar to CPU Killer.
Software utilities that helps smooth out hand tremors a gamer may have.
SteadyMouse.com - offer free software and support for PC Windows users.
Steady Hamster - a smaller-scale project written for PC Linux users.
These utilities enable people to enter text sentences who would be unable to with a traditional physical keyboard. Some utilities will assist dyslexic gamers too.
Ability Net have an excellent guide to On Screen Keyboards and text entry utilities for PCs.
Click-N-Type is an On-Screen-Keyboard with a predictive-text facility.
You may find more help at the Game-Accessibility.com On Screen Keyboards forum thread too.
LEGAL NOTICE: Many game ROMs remain the copyright of the original owners who may or may not be happy for them to be played under emulation. Put in the context of these games impossible to play in their original format for some disabled gamers and I would hope that attitudes would be more relaxed. Support developers by letting them know why you can't play their games and offer some solutions.