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How to Fix DWTS – An Open Letter to Producers (Part 1)
ETA: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those in Newtown, Connecticut tonight.
How to "Fix" DWTS – An Open Letter to the Producers. This is going to be a rather long series, judging by the length of part 1 by itself. 🙂 I tried to do it all in one post but my Word version is already five pages long and I'm less than half way done. The below is the first two and a half pages. 🙂 Oh, and I give a LOT of examples that are just that – examples with names inserted. They may or may not be accurate. The point is likely in bold – this isn't about individual dancers but about judge's and producer's behavior in a more general sense.
Dear DWTS Producers,
You need lots of help, because a lot of people can now see the man behind the curtain. And he's just a man, he ain't no wizard. So, I'm going to try to help you. You may not like what I have to say and you certainly don't have to listen to what I say. But I AM the average viewer (sort of) and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in my growing disgust with parts of how you run your show. Disgust seems like too strong a word, but it was the first one that popped into my head, so we're going with it. So…read on.
NUMBER ONE THING TO REMEMBER: Your viewers aren't stupid. Except when they ARE. 🙂
Most of the viewers of DWTS have been watching it long enough that they know a good Cha Cha from a stinky Cha Cha or a boring Cha Cha. So, when you give crap to someone like Shawn and Derek for a tractor and a cow, then rave over Kirstie Alley or (worse) Bristol Palin, a good chunk of your audience is rolling their eyes. And you lose a bit of credibility. They aren't that stupid – trust me. Even the super Maks fans recognize that Kirstie isn't at the same level as Shawn – just one example of dozens, of course. And for obvious reasons, not the least of which is age. But I skip ahead…
These very same viewers are sometimes easily manipulated by someone with a subtle (or even not so subtle) hand – especially when some of them are pre-disposed to buy into certain manipulations. And most people are, in some respect. "Too much frippery" or "not enough content" or "not enough in hold" or "always breaking the rules" or "no chemistry" – all things that have been true and NOT true (often within the same SHOW) and often used against one dancer but not another – again, within the same show. But you make these claims often enough (true or not) and people start to believe it. Why do you think politicians continually say things that are easily disproven if one were to look them up?? Because they know that the average person is inclined to believe what a person who they feel is in a position of authority says, especially if they hear it a lot. Like LEN, for example. People constantly regurgitate what they hear Len say, as if he's never wrong. Of course, they think he's wrong when he's talking about THEIR favorite…but not everyone else's. Then he's spot on. Go figure. Odds are, if you think he's wrong once he's actually wrong when you think he's right too.
But Len and the judges are just part of the problem. I've outlined several issues that I see with the show and how I think you could easily fix them.
Scoring – Dancers against each other or against themselves? Here at PureDWTS, we've raged over this issue season after season after season. There's been a bit of arguing about it as well. Say you have two dancers…we'll call them Bristol and Apolo. Bristol is a young woman with a questionable fanbase (and even more questionable work ethic) but definitely an attention getter, and she's not a great dancer but not horrendous either. Apolo is very popular athlete, handsome, hard worker and a really good dancer. Now, our esteemed judges, on week 1, give Bristol all 6.5's while they give Apolo all 7.0's – for the same dance style. Um…okay. Anyone's who's seen them dance likely does not agree AT ALL with only a half point separation per judge, but okay. Let's say it's a fluke. Week 2 rolls around and Bristol gets an 18, while Apolo gets a 24.5 – AWESOME. Life is how it should be, to anyone who has watched this show for any length of time. But uh oh – Week 3. Bristol dances Paso to Living on Video (an iconic dance to all viewers) and gets 7.5's across the board for a 22.5. Apolo does a foxtrot and gets a 25.5. Hum. A 3-point difference between a guy like Apolo and Bristol in week 3. That's it??It gets worse – it's only 2.5 points in week 4. Now, this isn't even the most egregious example of this – I just picked those two because they were on last season. Luckily, Bristol got the boot in week 4. But in the past, better dancers have been eliminated because of the judges' tendency to say "Oh, you've improved so much from your first week!!" to people who really aren't that good to begin with. And since you started with 7's (a ridiculous first week score – or it should be – for many or most couples) you've got no place to go but up. Of course, since you picked someone like Bristol for the all-star season in the first place is a whole other problem – ya kinda have to give her good scores to justify her presence on the season, eh? Anyway, the judges have a real problem with scoring someone based on how they've improved. Now, by itself, this might not seem like a huge problem. But you throw in a great dancer with a great fanbase who doesn't live up to (likely too) high expectations?? They get scored MUCH harsher and you end up with a tiny spread between a great dancer and a mediocre/bad dancer. How is that the viewers are the only ones who see how ridiculous this is?
The fix?? STOP IT. Stop ragging on the Shawns and Apolos of the cast, while praising the Bristols and perhaps your audience will start to take you seriously once again. Sure, it's a light, fluffy dance show – but if your audience thinks you have NO credibility?? Yer still screwed. You become as respected as Honey Boo Boo. Can't help yourself?? Think it's only fair to give the less fortunate a fighting chance?? Make a judge's rule. Once you are past Week 4, the gloves come OFF and you judge the dancers against each other. Of course, you'll have to have real criteria that's PUBLISHED so the fans can follow along…but we'll get to that in a later part. 🙂 It would also help if you started LOWER. Hand out 4s and 5s…and even 3s. Then you have a place to go with the scores for the not great dancers who improve without making it look like you are punishing the good dancers for BETTER dancing.
Bottom Line: When you set the bar extremely high for dancers like Nicole, Mya, Shawn, Apolo, Brandy, Jennifer…the list goes on…just because you expect more from them, it is patently unfair. When the bar is lower for the bad dancers and result is a very small spread between the mediocre/bad and the good/great?? Shocking eliminations abound. AND your audience believes you might be rigging the show.
To be continued in Part 2….


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The frustrations of dealing with sports equipment storage can't be summed up in four tiny paragraphs. You need real solutions to keep things organized, easy-to-find and sanitary. Piles of sports gear breed bacteria and smells. They also create such a mess that sometimes it's easier just to ignore them than sort through everything to take part in your favorite activities.
Most children can and do get used to organizing systems once they're in place. The key is making things easier to put back than to take out. When kids want to take part in an activity, they're motivated to unhook, unlatch and the like. After a long day of playing their hardest, chances are they'll want to drop everything and go inside.
Products like the RacorPro PXR-1R X-Rack perform this job perfectly. With a lower rack for shoes, middle hanging nets for placing balls and hooks for equipment like bats, your family will be putting back their own gear in no time. Most importantly, the next day when they want to play, they'll know exactly where to find everything. They spend less time waiting, less reason to ask mom and dad to help them find their things, and less chance to miss out on an opportunity to have fun. That kind of positive reinforcement leads to lasting habits, and is a great way to start out with sports equipment storage.
To a degree, getting used to having a place for everything and putting everything in its place is a process. Start out with easy things, like the X-Rack first. Later, when you're storing lots of bikes, skis, fishing rods or the like, the family will already be used to putting things away. They'll also realize the benefits. That isn't to say some products aren't better than others. Always remember, "make it easier to put away than to take out."
Let's look at bikes. Multiple bicycles in a household cause organization problems for everyone. The last thing you want is them all dumped on the front lawn where bugs and the elements wear away at them, or crowded in the corner of the garage, just waiting to fall over and scratch your car.
Because it is such a problem, there are literally thousands of products on the market. Some of them show more regard to space-saving and design than functionality, however, or only work for seasonal sports equipment storage. Bike racks that hang from the ceiling, for instance, are wonderful for keeping bulky equipment out of the way during times of the year when you won't be using them. For day to day storage, it is difficult enough to store your bike (and to take it back down) that it would likely not be used (or worse, once that expensive bike is put up enough times, your child or spouse may decide that walking is a much better option).
The RacorPro PLB-2R Gravity Bike Stand tastefully, easily suspends two bikes up off the ground using cushioned pegs. It rests against the wall so there is no drilling needed, and putting it together is easy. Racor makes a similar product that fits four.
The key to year-round sports equipment storage is making putting things away fast and easy. The key to participating in sports year-round is making things easy to take back down. These are things to look for in any piece of storage equipment, but especially when dealing with items that get used often.

subset: commoncrawl


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This past fall, I worked for the title sponsor (Grand Dynamics International) of the Ultimate Towner obstacle course race to build and run two of their races on the East Coast. One in Lake Placid up in the Adirondack Mountains, and one in Syracuse, New York. This was a blast. Basically the race is 4 miles over varying terrain with 25 obstacles (mud pits, walls, more walls, tires, sand bag carries, balance beams, etc) that add up to one challenging course. There are two heats: a fast class (where you are timed and must complete every obstacle) and a fun class (which is as the name implies, for fun.)
The main thing that distinguishes the Ultimate Towner from say, Tough Mudder, or Warrior Dash, is that they hold the races primarily in small towns, focus on overcoming obstacles through teamwork and passion, get the community involved, and a part of the profits go to a local charity. It is a super fun and inspirational event. Tim Walther (pictured in white, above), president of Grand Dynamics, starts off the race with a large group pump up/ dance/ aerobic work out craziness and it goes on from there. The race is open to all ages, and I think we had a two year old on the course at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid.
So yeah. Lot's of fun. Great people. Hard race. What more do you want. Oh yeah, also, cheaper than the other races too. So register for one near you. Or travel to it. The one in Jackson, WY is awesome. Be sure to check out the links up top for more info on races near you. Here's some more pics from the New York races:


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Pesto Man
Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 185
Location: New Orleans Louisiana
Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:12 pm
Post subject: Happy Easter!!!
Does anyone have aany special dinner plans other than the ocassional candy egg of Chocolate Bunny? We will be dining on the the real thing, not a chocolate replica, yes, I am eating the Easter Bunny
As we speak Pierre Lampin a.k.a. fluffie is enjoying a bath of olive oil garlic, lemon juice and herbs. He will then be placed over a bed of hot coals and stay there until golden, brown , and delicious!!! He will then be consumed along with some grilled fennell. beets, and asparagus bundles wrapped in ham. an Itallian Strawberry ice will follow.
Whatever your menu, I wish you a good meal and a Happy day!
I would like a gin martini, straight up, olives on the side, as dry as my wit, as clean as my conscience.
and... as cold as my heart!!!!
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:52 pm
Post subject:
Yum! how I wish I could join you. I love rabbit but no one else in my family does. Apart from that, it's lovely to hear that you're in a celebratory mood in your part of the world.
Happy Easter to you and everyone else who's celebrating it. I hope Passover is moving and affirming for everyone who celebrates it. And there may be other holidays at this time of year that I'm not aware of.
Happiness and Peace to all!!!
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 15 Dec 2004
Posts: 583
Location: Anniston Alabama USA
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:30 pm
Post subject:
I did my Easter weekend listening to two of the Bach Passions -- St. John and St. Matthew, and consuming my regular diet of cornmeal gruel.
I'm still amazed that Bach wrote such wonderful music back in the 1720's.
' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'
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Susan in Italy
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 37
Location: Milan, Italy
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:39 pm
Post subject: Happy Easter
I just got back from an early Greek Easter celebration. I think the actual date is next Sunday. We spiked a whole lamb with garlic, spread it with oregano, salt and pepper and then the next day, we roasted it on a spit for 6 hours. Everybody took turns turning. It was delectable. The Saturday preparation is on my blog now and the Sunday cooking will appear tomorrow. Kali Paska!
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Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Posts: 143
Location: Vancouver
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:09 am
Post subject:
I didn't go as all out as usual... but I only had two guests.
They brought some nice bread, olives, hummus etc. for an appetizer.
I started with a salad of mixed baby greens topped with articokes, olives, cucumber, tomato, onion and chevre in a light dressing. Then roasted a ham, which I served with a homemade mustard and tarragon sauce, roasted asparagus with fresh ground pepper and coarse salt. For starch, I made scalloped potatoes with gorgonzola cheese.
By the time we made it through the main course, no one had room for dessert, so I took it in to work Monday. It was Villacollinette's wonder flourless chocolate cake, which I served with strawberries and a balsamic vinegar reduction.
How did the Easter bunny turn out Pestoman?
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. - The Dalai Lama
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Adan Salazar
January 22, 2013
A North Chicago man's death following a police encounter has been reclassified as a "homicide" after a second medical examination revealed that he would not have died "but for the actions of police."
Officers went out to North Chicago resident Darrin Hanna's apartment on November 6, 2011 responding to a domestic disturbance call. Witnesses say about 20 minutes later Hannah was wheeled out of the apartment on a stretcher with a sheet covering his face.
He was taken to the Vista Medical Center East hospital where he died a week later.
Hanna, 45, was reported to have lunged at police with fists clenched yelling, "Shoot Me!" at which point he was restrained by police while they initiated multiple baton beatings and Taser shocks. At least 11 Taser marks were found on his body, according to the initial autopsy, despite police reports only mentioning two or three Taser attempts.
Originally previous Lake County coroner Artis Yancey had classified the death as "undetermined" saying a "combination of complications," including "Acute and chronic cocaine abuse, physical trauma and restraint, Taser restraint, poorly controlled hypertension and chronic renal insufficiency," all played a part; however, newly-elected coroner Dr. Thomas Rudd re-examined the evidence and has declared that Hanna would still be alive "but for the actions of police."
"In making this judgment, I used the National Association of Medical Examiners Manner of Death Classification principle that states 'but for the injury (or hostile environment), would the person have died when he or she did?'" Rudd stated, according to the Chicago Sun Times. "This logic is often cited as a way to determine whether a death should be classified as natural, or non-natural, i.e. homicide, accident, or suicide."
"It must be emphasized that the classification of homicide for the purposes of death investigation is a neutral term and neither indicates nor implies criminal intent, which remains within the province of legal processes," Rudd was quick to point out.
The original findings set off a wave of protests dedicated to seeking justice and accountability for Hannah.
The Sun Times reported that Officer Brandon Yost, a six-year police force veteran, was fired after an independent, internal investigation found that he had "lied when he said Hanna tried to bite and head-butt him and that he also lied on a Use of Force Report." Another officer, Arthur Strong, was suspended for 30 days "for falsifying a report by claiming Hanna came out of the bedroom swinging a flashlight." Five other officers involved in the incident are not mentioned in subsequent reports.
The new ruling lends credence to Hannah's girlfriend Dionne Wilcox's version of events.
Since that night, Wilcox and others have argued that Hannah's death was misreported by police and members of her own family.
According to the Sun Times:
"She said Hanna had heard a rumor that she was cheating, and that after they argued, he slapped and punched her when she tried to leave the apartment."
"Wilcox said she took a bath to calm down and that she and Hanna were sitting on the end of the bed in the dark when police broke through the apartment door with their guns drawn. Hanna did not yell "Shoot me, shoot me," as officers reported, Wilcox said, but stood up and walked toward the door."
In April 2012, a Freedom of Information Act request produced police audio of the event.
Listening to the audio, Hannah can be heard yelling, "I was down! They're killing me!"
According to the Tribune, one of the family's attorneys "argued that the tapes show police had subdued Hanna within 12 seconds, that he was compliant, not combative, and coherent but terrified. Yet by the time an ambulance took him away, he was beaten almost unconscious, and was mumbling incoherently, according to the state report."
Ralph Peterson, a member of Hannah's family, says he's relieved that there is justice being done: "I'm glad to see the wheels of justice are turning… We're overwhelmed because we've been saying it was homicide since 2011. Here it is 2013 and they're just now realizing it."
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December 31, 2015
Practical Resolutions: Deciding to Sell (Part IV)
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Tara Sharp
Choosing to put your house on the market is rarely easy, but if you must sell to move onto the next phase of your life, then you want to make sure your house is purchase-ready to get the most out of your investment. Here are some tips for getting your house ready to sell and placing it on the market:
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December 30, 2015
Practical Resolutions: Preparing to Buy (Part III)
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Tara Sharp
If you are ready to make the move towards purchasing your first home or upgrading to a new home, there are some considerations you should keep in mind to make the process easier. The housing inventory is up in some markets with the start of the new year, giving you more options. Whether you are just starting to save for your future home or you are ready to start searching...
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December 29, 2015
Practical Resolutions: Making Your House a Home (Part II)
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Tara Sharp
Your home is a reflection of your tastes, your lifestyle and your ambition, and many of us are regularly transforming our homes one way or another to fit our adjusting needs. Whether it is refreshing a room to fit your style, reorganizing a closet to accommodate the holiday excess, going green to save the planet and a couple of bucks or a complete renovation of your kitchen- homes take maintenance
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December 28, 2015
Practical Resolutions: Preparing for the Best in 2016 (Part I)
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Tara Sharp
Everyone's list of things to accomplish in the upcoming year is different, but one thing is pretty universal: most of us are too ambitious for our own good. The best thing to do is make reasonable goals for yourself and work towards accomplishing them one at a time. So be realistic. You may not renovate your entire home, but in all likelihood you can finish your kitchen remodel.
Read More >
December 23, 2015
Raise a Glass and Celebrate the New Year!
Posted in Living by Tiana Baur
Sparkles. Confetti. GLITTER. All New Year's Eve staples. In fact, we're pretty sure that New Year's Eve is the quintessential holiday for all things glitter. Whether your plans involve throwing a party or attending one, here are some creative ideas to step up your game.
Read More >
December 18, 2015
#YourStoryIsOurStory: Three Generations
Posted in #YourStoryIsOurStory by Tara Sharp
You know you trust your realtor when you will recommend their services to your parents and your children! Sue Rockwell has known Chip and Teresa for decades, as a friend and trusted real estate advisor, but when their aging parents, George and Teresa needed help selling their townhome they knew they could depend on her to make their transition into their retirement community seamless.
Read More >
December 17, 2015
Happy Holidays from Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Windermere by Tara Sharp
On behalf of everyone at Windermere Real Estate, we wish you a very happy holiday season!
Read More >
December 16, 2015
There's No Need To Panic About Rising Interest Rates
Posted in Inman News by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
After seven years of some of the lowest interest rates in recorded history, the Federal Reserve has decided to raise the key Fed Funds Rate by 0.25 percent, which is causing some to be concerned that it will lead to a jump in mortgage rates and negatively impact the US housing market. So, the question everyone wants to know is, do we need to worry about interest rates leaping?
Read More >
December 16, 2015
Holiday Mantel Glam Decor
Posted by Tiana Baur
Anyone who has a fireplace can appreciate how versatile a mantel is. It's easy to change its look with the different holidays and seasons. And there's no better season to do this than Christmas. Hang a wreath, decorate it with candles, ornaments, and twinkling lights. The options are endless. If you're not sure where to start, pick a theme. Here are some ideas to consider.
Read More >
December 15, 2015
Heading into the New Year, Agent Safety Still a Top Priority
Posted in Windermere by OB Jacobi, President, Windermere Real Estate
As the New Year approaches, the real estate industry can look back on 2015 and be proud of the accomplishments to continue to make realtor safety a top priority. At Windermere, we pride ourselves on making realtor safety a top priority. Industry leadership requires both constantly looking for new innovative products to help protect the health and safety of our agents and team members...
Read More >


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Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society
On-line version ISSN 0717-9707
J. Chil. Chem. Soc. vol.57 no.1 Concepción Mar. 2012
J. Chil. Chem. Soc, 57, No 1 (2012); págs.: 1048-1053
EFFECT OF PREPARATION METHODS OF CeO2-MnOx MIXED OXIDES ON PREFERENTIAL OXIDATION OF CO IN H2-RICH GASES OVER CuO-BASED CATALYSTS
1 Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China . *e-mail: email@example.com
2Department of Chemistry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, P. R. China
The CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides were prepared by deposition-precipitation (DP) and surfactant-templated (CB) methods, and then used as the support of CuO/ CeO2-MnOx catalysts. The samples were characterized by means of XRD, BET, H2-TPR, CO-TPD and XPS. Results show that preparation methods of CeO2-MnOx support have a direct effect on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts for the CO preferential oxidation in H2-rich gases(CO PROX). CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst exhibits higher CO conversion and stability in H2-rich gases than CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP), with 100% conversion of CO at 140 °C after a temperature cycle, which indicates that CeO2-MnOx (CB) as support of CuO based catalyst is more useful for CO PROX reaction than CeO2-MnOx (DP). Compared with CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP), there are richer oxygen vacancies and more Mn4+ species on the surface of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB), and stronger interaction between CeO2 and MnOx in it. More amounts of active copper species and complicated transfer of electrons density on CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) also favour the activity of the catalyst.
Keywords: CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalyst, Preparation method of CeO2-MnOx, CO oxidation, In H2-rich gases.
In recent years, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) which utilizes hydrogen as a fuel has been attracting much attention in the applications to electric vehicles or residential power-generations due to its low operation temperature, excellent energy efficiency and zero-emission of air pollutants. Hydrogen for PEMFC is generally generated from steam reforming or partial oxidation of hydrocarbons or methanol followed by the water-gas shift reaction. However, typical hydrogen mixtures from such a process usually contain 0.5-2% CO which can poison the Pt electrode in the PEMFC. Thus, carbon monoxide needs be decreased to a trace-level (below 10 ppm) to avoid poisoning of the Pt electrode. Among the current available methods to remove CO in the H2-rich gases, preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich gases (PROX) was proved to be the most straightforward and economic one 1-4. So far, extensive studies have focused on improving the activity of the catalysts for CO-PROX reaction. However, developing efficient catalysts for PROX system is still a challenge.
Catalysts for CO PROX are mainly the precious metals catalysts (such as Pt, Ru and Rh), gold-based catalysts and CuO-based catalysts 1,5. Ofthese catalysts, catalysts based on combinations between copper and cerium oxides have also shown promising properties for CO PROX and constitute a more interesting alternative from an economical point of view. Extensive investigations have been carried out about the preparation methods, characterization, mechanism and testing of CuO/CeO2 catalysts 3-8. Some researchers reported the performance of CuO/CeO2 catalysts was superior to that of Pt-based catalysts because of strong interactions between the copper species and the CeO2 support 6,7. However, most CuO/CeO2 catalysts showed the narrow temperature window with high CO conversions and its catalytic activity strongly depended on the preparation methods 1. Generally, the mechanism for CO PROX on CuO/CeO2 can be regarded as a redox reaction process involving lattice oxygen and lattice vacancy, and thus metals modification is important to improve the activity of CuO/CeO2 catalysts.
Previous investigations in CuO/(CeO, M) catalysts field have revealed that changing the chemical composition of support with ceria-related mixed oxides (Ce-M) instead of pure CeO2 could greatly improve the catalyst activity, which has mainly been attributed to the enhanced oxygen mobility of CeO2-MOx and the synergetic effect through the interaction between the mixed oxides 8. CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides, as the two-way support, could exhibit much better redox properties than ceria alone due to multi-valence state and strong interaction between ceria and manganese. However, reports on CO-PROX over CeO2-MnOx oxides support are still less.
It is well known that catalytic activity strongly depended on not only chemical composition of catalyst, but also the preparation methods. However, to our knowledge, the effect of CeO2-MnOx support prepared with different methods on the activity of the CuO-based catalysts for CO-PROX has not been studied. In this work, two CeO2-MnOx supports were prepared by deposition-precipitation and surfactant-templated methods, respectively, and the effect of preparation methods on the performance was studied. Characterizations of the CeO2-MnOx or CuO/CeO2-MnOx were performed with N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2 temperature- programmed reduction (TPR), CO temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The results of this physicochemical characterization were discussed in relation to the exhibited catalytic performance of the CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts.
2.1. Catalysts preparation
2.1.1. Preparation of CeO2, MnOx and CeO2-MnOx supports
Pure CeO2 and MnOx were prepared by precipitation method. The appropriate quantities of ammonia solution (5%) were added dropwise into the ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate solution (0.1 mol/L) and manganese(II) nitrate solution (0.1 mol/L), respectively, with vigorous stirring until pH of solution remained approximately at 10.0. The mixture was stirred for 4 h, filtered and washed with deionized water. The obtained sample was dried at 100 °C overnight and then calcined at 500 °C for 4 h under air.
CeO2-MnOx (DP) was prepared by deposition-precipitation method. A certain amount of ceria powder was added into the solution of 50% Mn(NO3)2 (Mn/(Mn + Ce) = 0.3, molar ratio) under vigorous stirring. Then 5% ammonia solution was added dropwise into the suspension until pH of the suspension solution was maintained at 10.0. The other steps were similar to those for the preparation of CeO2.
CeO2-MnOx (CB) was prepared by surfactant-templated method. A certain amount of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB, 1 mmol) as template was dissolved in 500 mL of distilled water, followed by the addition of (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 and 50% Mn(NO3)2 solution (Mn/(Mn + Ce) = 0.3, molar ratio) with vigorous stirring. The other steps were similar to those for the preparation of CeO2.
2.1.2. Preparation of CuO-based catalyst
The CuO-based catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The as-synthesized supports were impregnated with an ethanol solution of copper nitrate for 24 h, followed by drying (100 °C; 12 h) and calcining (400 °C; 4 h). The CuO loading for CuO-based catalysts was 8.0 wt %.
2.2. Catalytic activity measurements
The CO oxidation reaction in H2-rich gas was carried out in a continuous micro-reactor. The catalyst (0.1 g) was used. The composition of the mixture gas was 1.9 vol. % CO, 3.3 vol.% O2, 50 vol.% H2 and 44.8 vol.% N2, and the space velocity was 60,000 ml/h-g. The gas composition was analyzed before and after the reaction by on-line gas chromatographs with thermal conductor detector (TCD) and carbon molecular sieve (TDX-01) column. The catalytic activity is expressed as conversion of CO. After the first measurement from 60 °C to 200 °C, the catalysts were kept at 200 °C for 10 h and decreased to room temperature, and then the second measurement was carried out from 60 °C to 200 °C to test the stabilities of the catalysts.
2.3. Characterization of the catalysts
The BET surface area and porous texture were evaluated by N2 adsorption isotherms obtained at -196 °C using ASAP 2020 (Micrometrics) equipment. Before each measurement, the samples were degassed at 350 °C in vacuum (0.13 Pa) for 5 h. The surface area and average pore size of the samples were calculated with the BET equation and BJH formula, respectively.
The crystalline structure of the solids was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using German Bruker-AXS Corporation D8 Advnce diffractometer equipped with a rotating anode, Cu Ka radiation combined with the nickel filter. Operating voltage was 40 kV and current 30 mA, with a scanning rate of 1o/min from 2θ = 20° to 80°.
H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) measurements were carried out on a Chemisorb 2750 instrument (Micrometrics). A 0.01 g sample was heated from room temperature to 600 °C under a He flow (50 ml/min) at a rate of 10 °C/min in order to remove possible impurities. After cooling to room temperature in He, a gas mixture consisting of H2 and N2 (10:90 v/v) was introduced into the system, heated to 600 °C at a rate of 10 °C /min for recording the TPR spectra.
CO temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) measurement was carried out on the same instrument with the H2-TPR measurement. A 0.01 g sample was heated from room temperature to 400 °C under a He flow (50 ml/min) at a rate of 10 °C/min. After being cooled to room temperature, CO was injected into the reactor until adsorption was saturated. Then the sample was heated to 400 °C at a rate of 10 °C/min in He flow (50 ml/min) for recording the CO-TPD spectra.
X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were determined using a KROTAS AXIS Ultra DLD spectrometer with Al Ka radiation (hv = 1486.6 ev). The spectra of O 1s and Mn 2P2/3 levels were recorded. Charging effects were corrected by adjusting the binding energy of C 1s peak to 284.6 ev.
3.1. The structural studies of CeO2-MnOx supports
The N2-physisorption isotherms and pore size distributions of CeO2 and CeO2-MnOx supports are shown in Fig. 1. Pure CeO2 exhibits a typical type-IV isotherm with a pronounced hysteresis loop characteristics which always is connected with pore structure, and CeO2-MnOx (DP) exhibits a similar isotherm indicating that the pore structure is maintained. The isotherm of CeO2-MnOx (CB) shows a obvious difference as compared with them. The change in the shape of isotherms is probably because the Mnx+ ions enter ceria bulk lattice resulting in the destruction of pores. The effect of preparation method of CeO2-MnOx supports on the surface area (SBET), pore volume (Vp), the mean pore diameter (rp), crystallite size and cell parameter of CeO2-MnOx are shown in Table 1. The BET surface area of CeO2-MnOx (DP) is lower than that of CeO2, probably resulting from a part ceria being covered with MnOx during the precipitation processes. Comparing with CeO2, CeO2-MnOx (CB) has larger BET surface area and smaller crystallite size, which might be due to that the CTAB template can effectively inhibit the crystal growth of CeO2 during precipitation and calcination processes. High surface area and small crystallite size are favorable for the redox properties of the mixed oxides 9.
XRD patterns of the CeO2, MnOx and CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides are shown in Fig. 1. The peaks observed at 2θ = 28.5°, 33.0°, 47.4° and 56.4° were assigned to the diffraction patterns of CeO2 (111), (200), (220) and (311) planes, respectively. For pure MnOx, the intensive and sharp diffractions peaks could be primarily attributed to Mn3O4 (PDF#24-0734). Weak diffraction peaks of MnOx (2θ = 37.1°) is found in CeO2-MnOx (DP), indicating the presence of separated MnOx, but no diffraction of MnOx is observed in CeO2-MnOx (CB). Compared with pure CeO2, the diffraction peaks of CeO2 in CeO2-MnOx (CB) slightly shift to higher values of the Bragg angles and the cell parameter of that decrease obviously, which indicates the formation of solid solution of CeO2 and MnOx 10. It leads to the increase of surface oxygen vacancies, as confirmed by O2-TPD 11. And the defect surface of solid solution can enhance the chemisorption of oxygen and accelerate the mobility of surface oxygen species 10, 12.
3.2 The reduction performance of supports and catalysts
H2-TPR can provide information concerning the reducibility of different chemical species presented in the catalyst as well as the degree of interaction between metal-support. The H2-TPR profiles of CeO2, MnOx, CuO/CeO2, CeO2→ MnOx and CuO/CeO2→ MnOx are shown in Fig. 3 and Table 2 lists the reduction temperature and hydrogen consumption of all peaks. Pure CeO2 exhibits two reduction peaks at 380 and 780 °C, which are ascribed to the reduction of surface and bulk oxygen of CeO2, respectively 13. The amount of H2 consumption is 342 µmol· g-1 at temperature less than 400 °C, and is about 12% of the total amount for the complete reduction of ceria from CeO2 to Ce2O3 The H2-TPR profile of pure MnOx shows a main reduction peaks at 323 °C with a slight overlapped shoulder peak at 273 °C, indicating a two-step reduction (MnOx→ Mn3O4 and Mn3O4 → MnO)14. The total H2 consumption is calculated to be 5103 μmol· g-1, from which the predominant manganese species is estimated to be Mn3O4 as well as some higher valence manganese oxides. It is consistent with the result of XRD. For CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides, the H2-TPR profiles also show two reduction peaks (denoted as β and γ, respectively). According to the reduction characteristics of pure CeO2 and MnOx associated to the disappearance of the ceria low-temperature peak of CeO2-MnOx (CB), peak β is assigned to the reduction of MnOx2→ Mn3O4, and peak γ represents the combined reductions of Mn3O42→ MnO and the surface Ce4+ . Compared with the reduction temperature of pure MnOx and CeO2, the reduction temperatures of CeO22→ MnOx (CB) at 180 and 208 °C greatly shift to lower regions, indicating the presence of interaction between manganese and cerium oxides. Although that of CeO22→ MnOx (DP) also shift to lower temperature, the magnitude of shift is little. Thus, it can be inferred that the interaction between manganese and cerium oxides in CeO2-MnOx (DP) is weaker than that in CeO22→ MnOx (CB). It is worthy noting that the H2 consumptions of peak β is more than that of peak γ, which imply that some manganese oxide species turn to higher oxidation states in CeO2-MnOx (CB). All these are possibly related to the formation of CeO2- MnOx (CB) solid solution.
The H2-TPR profile of CuO/CeO2 shows two overlapped reduction peaks at 166 °C and 176 °C which should be due to the complete reductions of copper species and the surface Ce4+ according to the H2 consumptions. For CuO/ CeO2-MnOx catalysts, three reduction peaks can be observed: α, β and γ. The appearance of peak a should obviously be due to the reduction of copper oxides compared with the reduction characteristics of CeO2-MnOx. The reduction temperature of peak a in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) at 131 °C demonstrates a significant decrease compared with that in CuO/CeO2 and CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP). Generally, there are three kinds of copper species in CuO-CeO2 and their reducibility follows this order 15-18: highly dispersed CuxO in contact with ceria particle > isolated copper ions interacting with the support > large clusters and bulk CuO phase that do not contribute to the activity. According to literatures 17, 18, large clusters and bulk CuO phase are reduced at temperature higher than 200 °C; isolated copper ions interacting with the support begin to be reduced at about 160 °C; highly dispersed Cu O in contact with ceria is easy to be reduced at 127-160 °C. Thus, from the reduction characteristics of copper species associated to the H2 consumption of peak a, it can be deduced that highly dispersed CuxO interacted with supports and isolated copper ions are the main copper species for CuO/CeO2- MnOx, and the amounts of highly dispersed CuxO in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) are more than that in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP). In addition, the formation of CeO2-MnOx (CB) solid solution can facilitates the mobility of oxygen species on the surface 14, and then oxygen species can easily transfer to copper species from CeO2-MnOx (CB) during the reduction process. This also promote the reduction of copper species in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst.
3.3 Study of XPS spectra of the catalysts
XPS characterization was performed to obtain information of the chemical state of the surface elements. Fig.4 (a) shows the XPS spectra of Mn 2p. It can be seen that the binding energy (BE) peaks of Mn 2p3/2 for CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) and CuO/MnOx are both centered at 641.8 eV, indicting the similar state of manganese species in the two samples, and that for CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) shifts to higher binding energy centered at 642.0 eV. According to the literature 19, the BE of Mn2p3/2 in pure manganese oxides was found to be at 641.2 eV (Mn2+), 641.8 eV (Mn3+) and 642.1 eV (Mn4+), respectively. Then, from deconvolution of the Mn 2p3/2 peaks, it can be estimated that the relative ratio of Mn3+ is about 83% for CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) and that of Mn4+ is about 62% for CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB). Therefore, the Mn3+ is the dominant species in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP), while Mn4+ ions exist in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) as main manganese species. Six B.E peaks at 882.3, 888.8, 898.4, 900*8, 907.2 and 916.7 eV are observed in the Ce 3d XPS spectra shown in Fig.4 (b). These components should be assigned to Ce4+ species by comparison with the data of literatures 20. CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst shows an inconspicuous peak at 885.0 eV along with the decrease of BE peak at 898.4 eV(arrowed in figure), which indicates the existence of Ce3+ species in addition to Ce4+. The generation of more Mn4+ species with existence of partial Ce3+ species should be arised from the strong interaction between CeO2 and MnOx in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB). As is well known, high valence state of manganese oxides is easily reduced, so the presence of Mn4+ may enhance the redox property of the catalyst.
Fig.4 (c) shows the XPS spectra of Cu 2p3/2 in CuO-based catalysts. It can be observed that these spectra consist of the main peak of Cu 2p3/2 centered at 932.6-933.8 eV and a shake-up peak around 942.5 eV. The B.E peak of Cu 2p3/2 for CuO/CeO2 is found at 933.8 eV with a clear shake-up peak, which is the characteristic of CuO according to the literature 21, 22. Lower B.E at 932.2-933.1 eV and the absence of the shake-up peak are characteristic of Cu2O 22, 23. The Cu 2p3/2 peaks shift to lower B.E for CuO/CeO2 -MnOx(CB), CuO/CeO2-MnOx(DP) and CuO/MnOx compared with CuO/CeO2, and CuO/CeO2-MnOx(CB) exhibits the lowest BE. The shift indicates some modifications of electronic properties of copper species, suggesting the occurrence of electrons transfer between copper species and manganese species. The valence state of copper species on CuO/CeO2- MnOx(CB) are also effected by oxygen vacancy on CeO2-MnO (CB) solid solution according to U.R. Pillai's reports 24. Simultaneously, the shift is accompanied with a obvious decrease of the intensity of the shake-up peak. Thus, their XPS spectra of Cu 2p3/2 demonstrate that Cu+ species exist in these three catalysts, and the number of Cu+ species on CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) seems to be more than that on CuO/CeO2 -MnOx (DP). Cu+ species is far likely to be the active site for CO adsorption during the CO PROX reaction 7.
Fig. 5 displays the XPS spectra of O1s used to investigate the oxygen species on the surface of CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts. The O1s spectra of CuO/ CeO2-MnOx catalysts contain a main peak at 528.9-529.5 eV could be ascribed to the lattice oxygen (denoted as O ), along with a shoulder at 531.3-532.3 eV assigned to the defect oxides or a mixture of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the catalysts (denoted as Oβ) 25. The defect oxides are favorable produce of oxygen vacancy. The comparison of the XPS spectra of O 15 between CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) and CuO/CeO2- MnOx (CB) indicates that the main peak intensity of the two catalysts is similar, indicating their lattice oxygen amount is almost the same. The relative concentrations of Oβ listed in table 3 are 23.6 and 41.7 % for CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) and CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB), respectively. According to the following mechanism of preferential oxidation of CO (PROX) 26: (1) CO + M (adsorption site) → CO-M; (2) CO-M + O*(lattice oxygen) → CO2-M + Od (oxygen vacancy); (3) CO2-M CO2 + M; (4) O2 + 2Od→ 2O*, the high concentrations of Oβ may be favorable for reaction (4). Oxygen molecular in reaction gases can transfer to lattice oxygen via oxygen vacancy. Compared with CuO/CeO2- MnOx (DP), Oβ peak intensity of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) is stronger, which are favorable for the mobility of oxygen species and the generation of lattice oxygen.
3.4. CO adsorption property of the catalysts
CO-TPD curves of CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts are given in Fig. 5. CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts show two CO desorption peaks: α and β. CO desorption peaks temperature of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) and CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) is 110, 175 °C and 105, 180 °C, respectively. As reported 27, 28, the CO desorption peaks are around 250 and 110 □ for pure MnOx and CuO/CeO2, respectively. This indicates that the peak α and β should be due to CO adsorbed on the copper species and manganese species in CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts, respectively. The a peak areas of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst is much larger, implying that more copper active sites as CO adsorption sites exist in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB). CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) shows stronger peak β, indicating more manganese species as CO adsorption sites on its surface. The more copper species active sites and adsorption amount of CO, the more available the reactions were.
3.5. Performance of CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts
The catalytic activity of CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides and CuO-based catalysts for CO PROX system is shown in Fig. 7. CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides show relative low CO conversion in the temperature range investigated. It can be found that catalytic activity is not only dependent upon active constituents, but also has relations with supports of the catalysts. Obviously, the catalytic activity values of CuO-based catalysts with CeO2-MnOx mixed oxides as two-way support are higher than that with single support, especially at low temperature. From Fig.7, the catalytic activity of catalysts can be ranked as: CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB)>CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP)>CuO/CeO2 >CuO/MnOx. The activity of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst is higher than that of CuO/ CeO2-MnOx (DP). A complete conversion of CO over CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) achieves at 140 °C, whereas that over CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) catalyst is at 180 °C. This result indicates that the preparation methods of CeO2-MnOx support have a significant influence on the catalytic performance of CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts. After the first measurement, CuO/CeO2-MnOx catalysts are successively under reaction atmosphere at 200 °C for 10 h and cool down to room temperature, and then start the second activity test. The results after the temperature cycle are shown in Fig. 8. It can be observed that the conversion of CO remains almost unchanged, in addition to a slight decrease at 60 °C and 80 °C. The values of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) and CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP) decrease by 6% and 10% at 80 °C, respectively. This indicates that CuO/CeO2-MnOx(CB) catalyst is more stable for CO oxidation in H2-rich gases than CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP).
In this work, CeO2-MnOx was prepared by deposition-precipitation (DP) and surfactant- templated (CB) methods, and then used as support of CuO/ CeO2-MnOx catalysts. The structure analysis indicates that CeO2-MnOx (CB) support prepared by surfactant-templated mothd possesses a larger BET surface area and smaller particle size, compared with CeO2-MnOx (DP). Meanwhile, the formation of stable solid solution results in the strong interaction between CeO2 and MnOx in CeO2-MnOx (CB). The experimental results confirm that there are richer surface oxygen vacancies and more Mn4+ species on the surface of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) than that of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP). Surface oxygen vacancies facilitate the transference of oxygen species from CeO2-MnOx (CB) to active copper species and Mn4+ species improve the reduction of catalyst. And there are complicated electrons transfer occurred in CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst. All these must be benefit to CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst on CO PROX reaction. In addition, the more amounts of active copper species and CO adsorption sites distributed on CeO2-MnOx (CB) should be responsible for the superior performance of CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst. As a result, CuO/CeO2-MnOx (CB) catalyst shows higher catalytic activity (CO conversion reach 100% at 14¾ °C) and stability than CuO/CeO2-MnOx (DP).
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21062013).
(Received: August 5, 2011 - Accepted: October 3, 2011)
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VIDEO DOWNLOAD - Magnum T.A. 2009 Shoot Interview
One of the most talked about topics in our shoot interview series is the Magnum TA crash. Grown men have cried on camera when recollecting the story about Magnum TA. Now it is time to hear from the one man that has lived that tragedy. Magnum TA opens up about his car wreck and the aftermath like never before.
Before this crash, Magnum was on pace to rival Hulk Hogan in wrestling. Magnum talks about his rise in the business. Magnum starts from the beginning and tells a story about being ripped off by Buzz Sawyer. How did it impact Magnum later in wrestling? What did he learn from it? Does he forgive Buzz?
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How did you get started in wrestling
Were you a fan before you got into the business
What happened when you were tried out by the Andersons
Do you agree with those methods of breaking guys into the business
Do you think Ole was a bully
Jake Roberts said in an interview that Buzz and Brett Sawyer were screwing you over left and right as a rookie. Do you agree?
How did you wind up in Portland
Thoughts on Don Owens
Did you wind up in any shoot matches there courtesy of his brother
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What was the hardest thing to pick up about the business or wrestling
How did you wind up in Florida
What did Buzz promise you
Initial thoughts of the territory
Initial thoughts on Dusty Rhodes
Could you tell that he liked you right away
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Good road stories
Memories of Kevin Sullivan
Memories of seeing/meeting Ric Flair for the first time
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- New Jersey Invitational - Hosted by TCNJ -
Ewing, N.J. - The Farmingdale State outdoor track team competed in the New Jersey Invitational hosted by The College of New Jersey on Saturday, April 14. Rams freshman Ieshawn Johnson (Queens, N.Y.) improved his ECAC qualifying distance in the Discus at 52.14 meters, the 7th best mark in Division III.
Farmingdale State took the Top 3 spots in both the Discus and Hammer. In the Discus, Johnson won the event, while junior Mike Jang (Lynbrook, N.Y.) took 2nd with a toss of 40.48m and junior Edward Brown IV (Bay Shore, N.Y.) took 3rd place at 40.14m. Brown then took 1st in the Hammer at 52.54m, followed by Jang in 2nd and Johnson in 3rd.
Junior Steven Renteria (West Babylon, N.Y.) placed 3rd in the High Jump at an even 6'0". Senior Sean Tiernan (Staten Island, N.Y.) placed 5th in the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 10:07.82. Freshman William Frederic (Brooklyn, N.Y.) took 5th in the 400m High Hurdles at 59.85.
For the women's team, junior Victoria Mandat (West Babylon, N.Y.) posted three ECAC qualifying times. She tied her school record in the 100m Hurdles taking 2nd place with a time of 15.13 and took 7th in the 200. She also placed 3rd in the 4x100 Relay team, alongside junior Faustine Chukwuezi (Central Islip, N.Y.), junior Kathleen Clermont (Uniondale, N.Y) and sophomore Katherine Hoskins (Valley Stream, N.Y.).
Junior Joanna Pavone (West Islip, N.Y.) improved her school record in the Pole Vault, increasing her cleared height to 9' 8", taking 2nd place in her event.
The Rams will compete in the Collegiate Track Conference Championships this weekend, April 21-22, hosted by DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennslyvania.


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Bangkok-based reader Alan West, who works in market research, has been applying his analytical skills to the Come & Go blog and has made a fascinating discovery. He writes:
Dear Tim
Been reading and enjoying some of your blog entries over the past couple of days. Thing is it suddenly hit me this lunchtime just how many times you reference beer! This is just a fraction:
- I was once so drunk I failed to notice the complimentary chocolate on my pillow
- a lot of Beer Lao was consumed
- beer Lao & rice wine, which we are invited to share
- wooden genitalia and free booze
- order a Beer Lao, and wait for the boat to return
- for some beer & food
- washed down with, you guessed it, Beer Lao
- joins us for a few beers
- beer Lao strikes again
- and some beers
- downing copious bottles of the ubiquitous Beer Lao
- stop at the village shop for a cold Beer Lao
- a couple of foreigners drinking beer in their midst
- and a lot of cold beer
- we tested its [the beers] qualities most rigorously
- and the icebox of cold beers
- and the obligatory case of Angkor Beer
- drinking cold beers from our icebox
- washed down with some cold beers
- and more cold beers
- including quite a few beers
- drinking in some of the town's many bars
- Cheap beer? Check
- washed down with a cold beer or two.
- I'm either jetlagged, tired, drunk or a combination of all three
- where we end up quaffing Beer Lao
- hitting the riverside for beers
- we end up getting drunk again
- stopping for a beer
- after a few beers
- and several more beers
- a colder beer
- sipping cold Tiger on the beach
- I have a beer whilst watching a typically spectacular sunset
- return to Beach Club for a last beachside beer
and it goes on and on…
Yes, it can be revealed - my enthusiasm for travelling is merely a facade to hide my addiction to beer and if I have to travel to the wilds of southern Laos, the backstreets of Madrid or the beaches of Phu Quoc to indulge, then so be it. Without the amber stuff and the creative inspiration it supplies me, Come & Go Vietnam would not exist.
Thanks Alan!
From Tim's Site
Hi! I'm Tim Russell, owner & managing director of Come & Go Vietnam. I started the company in 2009 with a clear mission – to provide fun, original and value-for-money travel experiences in Vietnam for overseas visitors, whether they're on a tight budget or wanting to travel in the lap of luxury.
More about Tim and come and go Vietnam


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Take it to the next level with the More Mile Go For It racer short. The soft waistband, and flatlock seams deliver superior comfort, whist the standout print ensures you can go for it in style!
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Free Webinar for Parish Staff in the Diocese of Rockford!
In the webinar, learn about ParishSOFT Family Suite—smart, web-based church management software designed for the Catholic parish. The suite offers a single database solution, sacramental records, offering and pledge management, religious education tools, ministry schedule coordination, and much more!
This is an online event. You'll connect via phone and Internet.


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|1:50 000
|Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|GIS polygon data (ESRI, MapInfo, others available by request)
|30p per km2. Subject to number of users, licence fee and data preparation fee.
The Radon data: radon potential dataset is the definitive map of Radon Affected Areas in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, created jointly by Public Health England* (PHE) and the BGS using long-term radon measurements made in over 479 000 homes across Great Britain and 23,000 homes across Northern Ireland (without affecting householders' confidentiality), combined with geological map data.
The dataset includes a built in 75 m 'buffer', made up of 50 m to allow for the margin of error in the geological lines, and 25 m to represent the average extent of a home.
PHE recommends that radon levels should be reduced in homes where the annual average is at or above 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq m-3) — this is termed the Radon Action Level.
PHE defines Radon Affected Areas as those with one per cent chance or more of a house having a radon concentration at or above the Action Level of 200 Bq m-3.
The radon potential dataset answers the following questions:
Contact Digital Data for more information.


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In a sense, I know that we should respect everybody, but do we really just need to keep quiet when crazy religious people preach and yell and affect law? I personally don't think so. Maybe I am too closed minded, but I think the more vocal the atheist community becomes and LESS vocal the religious community can be the world would be better off...Faith is not based in fact, as everybody knows. So why not publicly denounce all faiths as ignorant and detrimental.
Does anybody else have any thoughts on this?
Views: 1738
I hold all religions that profess complete and universal knowledge in contempt.
I tolerate the religious as long as they do not intrude on my secular rights as I perceive them. I hold little respect for the philosophical or moral intellect of the religious, however in all other aspects, I offer respect of the religious until proven otherwise.
The vast majority of people I know are "quasi" religious. The understand and disregard the inconsistencies embedded in their "faith", however they lack the interest or courage to come to terms with it and thus become enablers for the fanatics.
As every guy knows, respect is a scarce commodity which must be earned. The only type of respect I have for religion is the type which I have for heavy machinery or firearms: Use carefully or it may be lethal. While I tolerate others right to hold a religion, I do not have any respect for others which hasn't done anything to earn any, nor do I have respect for religion.
Maybe god is Chuck Norris?
I don't and will never respect religions. As for religious people, I treat them the same as any other human being, with exceptions (religious extremists, criminals etc). But religions do not deserve respect in anyway, for all the good they have done is absolutely nothing compared to the amount of evil caused by them.
I try to. But I just can't. It's so foolish and I get so frustrated with them.
I really wish I could.
I respect everyone's right to believe as they wish, regardless of how preposterous I think it is. I see no reason whatsoever, though, for respecting the beliefs themselves without some corroborating logic or evidence of their truth and/or efficacy. Nor do I feel any moral or ethical need to respect people who believe things that are detrimental to society, such as parents who deny their child medical care because their imaginary God prohibits it.
As other members have already noted (especially Marc), discussions about whether religion requires respect are prone to confusion because different issues are confused. It seems to me that four distinct questions are very easily confused:
1) Is it legitimate to criticize religious claims?
2) Is it legitimate to criticize religious (and religiously motivated) behaviour?
3) Is it legitimate to criticize these things given the unusual proneness of the religious to taking offence when this happens?
4) Where is the line between intellectual criticism and personal insult?
Believers and nonbelievers alike are prey to the ambiguity inherent in the 'respect' issue, whenever it arises, and discussions tend to slide imperceptibly between these four questions. I think the answers to the first three are, unequivocally: 'Yes'. The fourth one is the Gordian knot, a can of worms…
(Codie, the elaboration beneath your question suggests you are concerned with religious behaviour, and whether it is legitimate to criticize it.)
The 'respect' issue has been one of the most discussed issues among the so-called 'New Atheists', ever since Sam Harris got on the lecture circuit in 2004, followed by Dawkins, Dennett, and Hitchens. One of the features of what we call the 'post-9/11' world is the recognition that religion is no longer a private matter, that the implicitly-accepted taboo on criticizing religion is absurd, especially since religion impinges on so many aspects of public life and on the well-being of society at large, that religious beliefs and practices are legitimate subjects of debate as much as are any other political issues.
It's important to recognize that the 'respect' issue is an entirely modern one, and is Western. It is the product of the decline of Christian orthodoxy and the rise of science and rationalism, of democracy, pluralism, moral relativism, and (to some degree) of political correctness. There was no need for it during the many centuries when the Church was an unchallenged orthodoxy, and it remains absent for the same reason today in Muslim countries. The demand for respect is essentially a defensive behaviour on the part of an ideological community in retreat, no longer invested with great power, aware of its vulnerability – like an aggressive dog switching its behaviour and rolling over to expose its belly. The angry rebukes and the moralizing tone one hears from religious believers in response to criticism are the entreaties of the weak – like a woman's demand for 'chivalrous' behaviour from a man. But whereas a woman's expectation of chivalry from the 'dominant male' is legitimate, the religious believer's demand for immunity from criticism is less obviously legitimate.
Religious claims extend to every important field of knowledge – the physical world, history, the future, the nature of man, the meaning of human existence, ethics and the good life, as well as basic aspects of human life like marriage, sex, health, diet, dress, and so on. Across religions, these claims present a riotous cacophony of contradiction, and most are either false, questionable, arbitrary, or discreditable. It matters to know whether our earth is 4.5 billion years old or a mere 6 to 10 thousand years old, and whether it formed from the collision and sticking of dust and rocks from the solar nebula or was created ex nihilo by a deity called Yahweh. It matters to know whether moral values and principles arise from human sympathy and cooperation and are amenable to reason and discussion, or depend on absolute commands believed to be of divine origin. Religious claims derive from the primitive history of our species and are legitimate objects of critical scrutiny, especially as they're advanced on the basis of inherited dogma rather than evidence or reason.
Then there is religious behaviour itself, based as it is on social contagion and the herd instinct, whereby a set of beliefs, values and practices, handed down by tradition, is embraced en bloc from the religious community to which the believer happens to belong, and affirmed on the basis of faith (with theology and apologetics sometimes coming in as subsequent but optional supports to the doctrines, in the manner of rationalization). Everything we know of the psychology of religion shows that religiosity is a self-deception, founded on the satisfaction of emotional and spiritual needs of individuals within faith communities. Then there are the social ills fostered by religion – sectarianism, ethnocentrism, intolerance, oppression, opposition to learning, progress and free enquiry, wars, inquisitions, and in the case of Islam, terrorism on a daily basis. These things, too, are legitimate objects of criticism.
What, then , of the unusual proneness of the religious to taking offence when their beliefs or behaviour are criticized? Given the nature of religion, the offence is inevitable, but the religious have no entitlement to being cosseted or treated with special consideration. When our deeply-held political or ethical convictions are criticized – particularly when the criticism is effective – we inevitably take it personally, but we accept this as part of life. We recognize that criticism of ideas and institutions is a core value of Western culture. It is no different with religion. But the objections of the religious to criticism seem prone to the confusions previously mentioned. Their complaint often seems to be that they are not being shown due respect as persons. To the critic this merely complicates the matter and adds a dimension of emotionalism that seems out of place, for his criticisms are directed at religion itself. True, if religion is a psychological condition, founded on self-deception, and its nature is analyzed and exposed with particular effectiveness, the believer is bound to take umbrage. But this is hardly the critic's fault. On the other hand, critics of religion, animated by the contempt they usually feel for religion, often go too far in personal disparagement of believers. Then again, believers often ask for it, with their stubbornly reiterated faith affirmations, quoting from scripture, their weak logic, circular arguments, and constant evasions of the points at issue when engaged in discussion with sceptics, whom they often describe as blind, in denial, driven by hubris, or in pact with the Devil! I say 'go too far'. But where is the line that separates legitimate criticism from uncalled for personal disparagement? There isn't one. For many religious believers the smallest degree of criticism is experienced as an aggressive and inappropriate onslaught. As Richard Dawkins has often observed, whereas a certain level of criticism directed at any subject other than religion seems perfectly normal, when applied to religious faith it suddenly strikes people (even nonbelievers) as "shrill strident, intemperate, ranting". Again, this arises from the conditioned taboo against religious criticism. Critics often feel they can't win; Dan Dennett remarked that no matter how mildly or respectfully he tried to present his criticisms, believers would still "play the hurt feelings card" and accuse him of offensiveness and insensitivity. So critics often decide they may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, abandon all pretence of treating believers with kid gloves, and adopt a policy (as A.C. Grayling puts it) of "plain speaking". This has long been my own conclusion.
Hey Mark,
This is a great post. Thanks.
Everything we know of the psychology of religion shows that religiosity is a self-deception, founded on the satisfaction of emotional and spiritual needs of individuals within faith communities
I'm wondering if you might expand on this for the reader. I don't think most atheists are all that knwledgeable of this area and I think you're touching on a key point here.
- kk


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text: Can anyone advise me on which beaches will have the least sea grass in the shallow swimming area on St. croix? Most beach photos seem to have the sea grass washed up on the sand, and it is hard to tell in photos if I am seeing sea grass or reefs in the water right off the beach. I am trying to find a self-catering duplex type unit with a decent swimming AND snorkel area. I have a little one in the family and if she has to walk thru the sea grass in shallow water it could spoil the fun


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The trailer for Robert Rodriguez' Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World has gone online. The film stars Jessica Alba as Marissa Cortez Wilson, a retired spy who returns to the espionage alongside her two step children Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), the new "Spy Kids", to defeat the evil Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven). Antonio Banderas, Danny Trejo, Alexa Vega, and Daryl Sabara are all set to return and they'll be joined by series newcomer Joel McHale. Even though I enjoyed the first two Spy Kids films, this one looks like a challenge. Bad guys getting hits with bags of vomit doesn't exactly have the same charm as a Spy Kid having a watch that does everything but tell time. I know these are movies for kids, but they used to be movies their parents could also enjoy and I'm not really seeing that in this international trailer.
Hit the jump to check out the trailer. Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World opens in 3D (I'm not sure why the trailer says "4D" unless all theaters magically got glasses-free 3D screens) on August 19th.
Trailer via Spoiler TV.
Here's the official synopsis Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World:
On the surface, Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all…married to a famous spy hunting television reporter, a new baby and intelligent twin step kids. But in reality, trying to mother Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who clearly don't want her around, is her toughest challenge yet. Also, her husband, Wilbur (Joel McHale), wouldn't know a spy if he lived with one which is exactly the case – Marissa's a retired secret agent.
Marissa's world is turned upside down when the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the planet and she's called back into action by the head of OSS, home of the greatest spies and where the now-defunct Spy Kids division was created. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action when they learn their boring stepmom was once a top agent and now the world's most competitive ten year olds are forced to put their bickering aside and rely on their wits. With a little help from a couple of very familiar Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world and possibly bring their family together while they're at it.


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Analysis of Business Performance in the Case of Mixed Farm
The economic analysis of business process on the mixed farm in Prekmurje region in Slovenia was performed. For the assessment of farm business analysis specific technologic-economic simulation model with sub-models were developed. The analysis showed that the most economically feasible vegetable product is onion (Financial result, FR = 2 783.71 € and Coefficient of economics, Ce = 2.24). Among the analyzed field crops is economically the most interesting production of oil pumpkins (FR = 1 920.84 € and Ce = 2.13). The analysis showed that the production of analyzed crops without direct payments is economically unfeasible. Further, linear optimization program for optimization farm production plan was presented too. Considering financial results maximization, production total cost minimization, as well as other resource limitation, in the production plan, the most advantageous combination is one of barley and oilseed rape by the scenario 1. In scenario 2, early cabbage, onion and early potatoes production were suggested. By the scenario 3 barley, red onions, and silver onions is defined. By the last scenario 4 onions and pumpkin oil production is suggested.
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Remember Touchgrind, the excellent skateboard simulator? My fingers still dance awkward steps across my iPod when I'm looking up hard dictionary words like 'cluster' and 'shill' 'cause Touchgrind rocked them to the memory core. It made this crappy sk8tR into something special, and kept my hands busy in the best ways possible. Well, come this Spring, Illusian Labs will release its sequel, Touchgrind BMX. The same sort of free style physics will get things going on pipes and over rails from the relative safety of your iDevice. That means no more pinchin' the biscuit. For now, enjoy the above video. We'll have more as it comes.
Wanna get prepped for Touchgrind BMX on one of the iDevice's first truly innovative titles? Check out Touchgrind now!
Illusion Labs, Touchgrind (TMA Review), 6.87MB – $4.99


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I am white, and I have an embarrassing secret.
Two decades ago, I had the occasion to travel for several months in Black Africa–Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Zaire.
The first few weeks after my arrival, I was shocked at my lack of ability to recognize people; everyone looked the same. I couldn't tell people apart. I thought something was wrong with me.
More than twenty years later, I found an explanation for my problem through watching a television program. In this episode of The Good Wife, trial lawyers discover through the use of a consultant that it is difficult for most white witnesses to make accurate identification of black perpetrators, and equally difficult for most black witnesses to make accurate identification of white perpetrators.
This problem, as I have recently learned, is called "Difficulty with Cross-Racial Face Recognition."
After spending approximately three weeks in East Africa, I finally became able to recognize people and tell them apart. I think what happened to me here as an adult was a reproduction of the experience all of us must go through as babies, yet none of us remember. It is clear that we learn as babies to recognize best of all those we grow up around, most particularly our family, and our own race. Recent research shows that it is in the extremely precise judgement of the micro-measurements of the face (which vary by race) where recognition takes place.
When I traveled in Burundi (four years before the war with Rwanda), one person I spent time with told me, "I could never step over the border into Rwanda, or they would kill me." When I asked why, he told me, "They would just take one look at my face, and kill me."
This person was a Tutsi. At that time, not only did I not believe my acquaintance, but I could not tell the difference between the Hutu and Tutsi. Now, many years later, the differences are clear.
Now I live in North Africa. When traveling with my North African husband (who is Caucasian), I find people in certain regions speaking to him in the Berber language. He doesn't speak Berber. My husband explains, "They just see my face and assume that I speak Berber."
I lived in North Africa for many years before anyone pointed out to me the facial differences between Arabs and Berbers. Sometimes I can clearly tell them apart; other times not. But even now, my recognition doesn't even come close to those who were born here.
A few years ago I went to a wedding in a small village high in the Atlas Mountains. That weekend I noticed something I had never seen before. Everyone in the village had a very distinctive cranial shape, and a very particular set of ears. It was distinctive enough that even if I saw someone who looked like that back in America, now I would ask them, "Are you, by any chance, from this particular village in the Atlas Mountains?"
I finally understood why Americans (or maybe just me) are particularly bad at racial face recognition. In most Old World countries, people have stayed in the same locations, and intermarried primarily with the local group for a long-enough time to develop very, very precise micro-racial characteristics. Each village, even 20-30 miles away from each other will have very particular characteristics. People from these countries are quite used to looking at people in this way, and recognizing which area they are from.
In America, we are not at all used to looking at people in this way. Since we have immigrants from all over the world, everyone is entirely mixed up. We have unlimited micro-varieties within every race. If a black African or white European came to America, he or she would no doubt be able to look at many Americans of their own race, and know precisely where many of their ancestors came from.
One important difference in America is that most people, even within their own race, have intermarried with others from many different locales. So many of their micro-features would no longer be the same as might be associated with a particular European or African village. Americans have always moved from one part of the country to another on a regular basis, as well. In addition, many more interracial marriages are occurring. For all these reasons, people are "mixed up" in America, and Americans are not used to recognizing people by looking at their micro-characteristics and trying to categorize where they are from. But, as babies, they become used to looking at the micro-characteristics of their own race, in order to recognize family members.
Animal micro-recognition is similar. Years ago, I used to wonder how biological researchers in the field could watch a troop or a herd of animals, and recognize each animal. They all looked the same to me.
Later, after we got two cats from the same litter as pets, I began to see the subtle differences in their faces and bodies, especially when there were several neighborhood cats who looked close enough to my own cats that I called to them by mistake. Now I never make that mistake as I immediately recognize much more subtle differences, even from a distance.
New information is now being publicized about a condition called Face Blindness. People who suffer from this condition are unable to visually recognize their own family members or close friends. The short linked-to video on Face Blindness also explains the opposite condition, which is called being a Super Recognizer, meaning that one is able to recognize and remember every face he has ever seen. These people are able to tell you where they saw a face, as well as being able to recognize a photo of any of those people taken at any point, at any age, during their lifetimes.
Through this new research, I now see that recognizing faces is a learned skill for most people, an impossible challenge for people with face blindness, and incredibly easy for super recognizers.
My hidden secret perplexed and embarrassed me for many years. But now that I understand why I had this problem, I no longer feel so guilty! Thankfully, in my older years I've now learned to recognize much more than I noticed in my younger years.
–Lynne Diligent


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When your parent, spouse or common-law partner dies, you may be eligible for certain government benefits:
- Allowance for the Survivor provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to widowed spouses with a low income who are not yet eligible for the Old Age Security pension.
- Death benefit provides a one-time payment to (or on behalf of) the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor.
- Survivor's pension offers a monthly pension paid to the spouse or common-law partner of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor.
- Children's benefit provides a monthly benefit for dependent children (under age 18, or between 18 and 25 and attending school) of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor.
- The Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Decedent Estates Program manages the estate of a deceased First Nation individual who lived on a reserve before their death.
- International benefits provide survivor benefits to eligible individuals who have lived or worked in another country.
For more information about government benefits after a death please see Service Canada – Benefits After A Death.
Next section: Important documents and questions checklist


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Training Course Prices include course documentation, but do not include any other elements such as accommodation or travel costs.
Please do not make travel arrangements prior to receiving confirmation of your class registration. Confirmation notification should occur within 48 hours of registration via email or fax. Please contact us if you have not received a confirmation or you want to check on the status of your registration.
Cancellations by the participants will be in writing and are not subject to charge if notification is received in writing no later than ten (10) working days prior to the start date of the Training Course. Cancellations of a Training Course between one (1) and nine (9) working days prior to the start date will be subject to a cancellation charge of fifty (50%) percent of the net order price. If the Customer reschedules the Training Course to an available alternative, no fee will be charged. Failure to attend the Training Course or cancellation on the start date will be subject to a cancellation charge of one hundred (100%) percent.
Keysight must provide customer with 10 business days written notification of class cancellation. Keysight is not responsible for fees related to travel and lodging changes.


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INDIANAPOLIS, July 23 (UPI) -- Penn State's football program, as a result of child-abuse allegations, was hit with a $60 million fine and a four-year post-season ban Monday by the NCAA.
NCAA officials repeatedly referred to the victims of child abuse in discussing what NCAA Executive Committee Chairman Ed Ray, the president of Oregon State University, said were "historically unprecedented actions" due to "reckless and callous disregard for children."
He said sanctions were "warranted by the conspiracy of silence" at Penn State.
The fine, said by the NCAA to amount to one year's gross revenue for the Penn State football program, the post-season ban and reduction in initial scholarships for four seasons, a vacating of records from 1998-2011 and a 5-year probation period reflect some of the stiffest penalties ever handed down by the NCAA.
NCAA President Mark Emmert said his decision regarding the "very, very, very serious sanctions" were the result of the "perverse and unconscionable" actions that led to years of child sex abuse by former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
"As we evaluated the situation, the victims affected by Jerry Sandusky and the efforts by many to conceal his crimes informed our actions," Emmert said Monday. "At our core, we are educators. Penn State leadership lost sight of that."
He also said: "We cannot look to NCAA history to determine how to handle circumstances so disturbing, shocking and disappointing. As the individuals charged with governing college sports, we have a responsibility to act.
"These events should serve as a call to every single school and athletics department to take an honest look at its campus environment and eradicate the 'sports are king' mindset that can so dramatically cloud the judgment of educators."
Emmert said Penn State signed a consent decree regarding the actions.
Penn State President Rodney Erickson said in a statement that "we are entering a new chapter at Penn State and making necessary changes."
"The tragedy of child sexual abuse that occurred at our university altered the lives of innocent children. Today, as every day, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims of Mr. Sandusky and all other victims of child abuse," Erickson's statement read.
"Against this backdrop, Penn State accepts the penalties and corrective actions announced today by the NCAA. With today's announcement and the action it requires of us, the university takes a significant step forward."
Emmert said the $60 million from the fine would be used for programs combating child sex abuse. He also said the funds shouldn't come at the expense of other Penn State sports or academics.
Erickson said the university will pay $12 a million for five years into a special endowment related to detection, preventions and treatment of child abuse.
"This total of $60 million can never reduce the pain suffered by the victims but will help provide them hope and healing," Erickson said.
The NCAA will allow Penn State football players to transfer to another NCAA member and be immediately eligible to compete.
Penn State will lose 10 initial scholarships -- a reduction from 25 to 15 a year -- for four years.
Sandusky was convicted last month of 45 of 48 counts of sexual abuse. He is expected to be sentenced in September.
Prior to Sandusky's trial, several Penn State officials were dismissed after they were charged with perjury related to the abuse allegations. Penn State fired Coach Joe Paterno late last season because of reaction to the breadth and long time frame of the allegations. Paterno died Jan. 22.
After the Sandusky trial, an independent investigation commissioned by Penn State and led by former FBI Director Louis Freeh concluded Paterno and other Penn State officials were aware of allegations against Sandusky as far back as 1998. The Freeh report said the officials "failed to protect against a child predator harming children for more than a decade."
Among the actions the school has taken since the report was the removal last weekend of a statue of Paterno outside Beaver Stadium.
Penn State won 111 games in the period in which records will be vacated. Paterno had owned the record for coaching victories with 409. The NCAA sanctions reduce his total to 298, which is 12th most.


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Man accused in triple homicide released earlier from jail
Official says Jaren Kuester made threats at Waukesha shelter
A Waukesha Animal Shelter official recounted the confrontation her workers had with Jaren Kuester, accused in the deaths of three people in southwest Wisconsin.
Shelter director Lynn Olenik said Kuester was belligerent and incoherent when he stormed into the shelter three days before the slayings, threatening workers and asking for his dog back. Olenik said Kuester had brought the dog to the shelter dead and had since been cremated.
"It's a little too close to home to think that somebody that was out there on the street could have done something so horrific," said Olenik.
Police arrested Kuester on an existing warrant. He spent the night at the Waukesha County Jail, but was released the next day on bail.
"In hindsight, he probably should have been charged with something. But he never touched anybody. He was just verbally abusive," said Olenik.
Waukesha County Sheriff Dan Trawicki said anyone booked into the jail is asked several questions "for us to try to make a determination as to whether or not they need help, they need medical help, they need mental help. And we do a very comprehensive exam, interview if you will, and there was nothing that stood out. It's a terribly tragic event, and all of us in law enforcement I think, look back and think, wish we could have done something different."
The sheriff examined the jail records and said all policies and procedures were followed.