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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
KOKH and Parent Company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Paid Black Female Reporter Less Than Coworkers, Federal Agency Charged
OKLAHOMA CITY – KOKH-TV (Fox 25) in Oklahoma City will pay $45,000 and additional consideration to a veteran African-American TV news reporter to settle a race and sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. The settlement terms are set forth in a proposed Consent Decree, approval of which is pending before the Court.
The EEOC charged that Phyllis Williams' employers, KOKH and its parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, paid her lower wages than comparable white female reporters and male reporters of all races, and subjected her to unequal terms and conditions of employment until August 2007, when she signed an employment contract for a higher salary. Sinclair and KOKH had routinely offered employment contracts to other reporters at Channel 25. Williams has reported for Fox 25 since 1996.
Fox Broadcasting Company, which has an affiliate agreement allowing the station to use the Fox name, did not employ Williams and was not a party to the lawsuit.
Race and sex discrimination violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma (EEOC, et al. v. KOKH, et al., Case No. 5:07-cv-01043-D) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
After the EEOC filed its charges, Williams intervened in the EEOC's suit and added a retaliation claim under a separate civil rights statute known as Section 1981, which prohibits race discrimination and retaliation for reporting the same. KOKH and Sinclair agreed to resolve her Section 1981 claim in a private settlement for consideration in addition to the $45,000 being paid to resolve the Title VII claim.
In addition to monetary payment, during the three-year term of the consent decree KOKH and Sinclair must post an anti-discrimination notice, disseminate an anti-discrimination policy, and provide live training on preventing sex and race discrimination on at least an annual basis to all KOKH employees.
"This decree will remind KOKH Channel 25, Sinclair and all news organizations to treat their employees equally as required by law, including women and people of color, who traditionally have been the victims of job discrimination," said Barbara Seely, regional attorney of the EEOC's St. Louis District Office, which has jurisdiction over Oklahoma. "The notice posting and training required by the consent decree will go far in educating the station's managers on their employees' right to work in an environment free of race and sex discrimination."
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency's web site at www.eeoc.gov.


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VATICAN CITY, 1 DEC 2008 ( VIS ) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for December is: "That, faced by the growing expansion of the culture of violence and death, the Church may courageously promote the culture of life through all her apostolic and missionary activities".
His mission intention is: "That, especially in mission countries, Christians may show through gestures of brotherliness that the Child born in the grotto in Bethlehem is the luminous Hope of the world".
Monday, December 1, 2008
Pope Benedict's December Prayer Intentions
Posted byJack Smithat11:48 AM

subset: commoncrawl


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Puppet Theater "Luna's Sea" Comes To Museum main content.
by AMNH on
This Mother's Day weekend, travel from the shores of Africa to the deep-sea habitats of bioluminescent creatures with a live puppet theater production that makes its New York premiere. Luna's Sea tells the story of a girl named Luna on a magical journey through the world's oceans using dance, puppetry, optical illusions, and black-light theater. Luna's Sea will hold performances at the Museum on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13. The show's creator, Linda Wingerter, recently shared the history of Luna's Sea as well as some of the details about how the production's spectacular puppets are made.
How did the idea for Luna's Sea come about?
Linda Wingerter: I'm a children's book illustrator by trade with a background in puppetry. Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium and the Cornerstone Playhouse in Mystic asked me if I would write, create, and build a stage show based on animals at the aquarium.
What kind of research did you conduct at the aquarium?
Wingerter: The aquarium gave us unlimited time to spend on site with our puppeteers to study the animals. We brought some of our in-progress puppets right to the tanks and had our puppeteers move them alongside the animals. My co-puppet-builder, Jen McClure, and I would then make adjustments.
Where do you find inspiration for materials used to make the puppets?
Wingerter: I was practically raised in my grandfather's puppet theatre company and grew up watching him create elaborate carved marionettes. While I wasn't allowed to use his machines and expensive materials, he always encouraged me to make puppets alongside him with child-friendly scraps. I learned that even professional shows can be made from humble materials, things you find in your basement, or in the woods, or in a dumpster. After kids see our show, we invite them to look at the puppets up close, and they discover that all these animals are actually mostly made of discarded and broken objects.
How do you go about constructing the puppets?
Wingerter: Lots of trial and error. For the octopus, we knew we wanted it to be our biggest puppet, and so it had to be very lightweight. I was stumped for a long time until I passed a garbage can with one of those Ikea hanging net shelves on top. Inspiration! Jen and I immediately went to work sewing together a dozen of those and threading them onto pipe insulation I had in my basement.
What message do you hope audience members take away from the production?
Wingerter: Much of Luna's enthusiasm comes directly from my own experiences growing up, including the excitement of my first trip to the American Museum of Natural History when I was five years old. The world has so much beauty to offer. I hope everyone feels even just a little more connected to the immense life that abounds in our great oceans.
To purchase tickets to Luna's Sea, click here.


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Annual Conference Roommates
Roommate(s) wanted!
I have a non-smoking room booked at the Red Roof Inn (162 E Ontario Street) at $109 + 15.4% tax per night. I'll be there from July 8-14, and am looking for 1-2 female roommates (for all or some of those dates).
Please e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com - thanks!
JOIN US at the hostel!
As of 07-07-2009, the hostel is full. They may get last-minute cancellations but you will need to call them directly at 312-360-0300.
There will be several conference attendees staying here (the HI Hostel). If you happen to get a room, ask to "Share room with Leanne Armstrong – ALA Conference." For more information about the hostel go to http://www.hichicago.org
Have a wonderful time at the conference.
Roommate wanted. I have a room at the Westin River North ($189 + tax per night) for July 10th through July 15th. I would like a roommate for all or most of those dates. Please contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks Sheila
Roommate (non-smoking, female) wanted for July 10-14. I have a room booked at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza at $159+tax (15.4%) per night. The address is 350 N Orleans St. Please e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com. Thanks.
Roommate found! See everyone at ALA!
Roommate (non-smoking, female) wanted for fully furnished lakeside condo. Includes fully functioning kitchen (comp coffee),linens, secure wireless internet, and a doorman. We are two women looking for a third, from July 9-15. We are Simmons grad students (one graduating in the Fall and one graduated and working first job(Teen Services)), quiet but not boring. This is our first conference and would love to share it with somebody. Condo is 45 minutes by bus to McCormick Center. $193.00 for week ($590 % 3 = 193.00). I will send pics and more info. Meg email@example.com
Roommate found! thanks everybody!
Seeking a roommate! I am a 52 y/o Rutgers student (non-smoking) seeking a roommate for July 9-13. I haven't booked a room yet and am pretty flexible about location as long as its downtown or mag mile. Please contact me at email@example.com if you are interested. thanks, Lorraine
Roommate found!
Looking for a roommate! I have already registered at Palmer House Hilton from July 10th to 14th. Female preferred. There is a possibility that there could be 3 of us (which would cut down the costs) but I am not sure yet. Please email me at email@example.com if there is anyone interested. Thanks.
Sandra Keirsey
Roommate FOUND through dorm housing: http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/2009/travelandhotels.cfm#dorm
I would love to share a hotel room, female roommate preferred, from July 10-14. I have not booked a hotel room yet; if you have a room booked and would like to split the cost, please contact me. firstname.lastname@example.com
I am a school librarian in Seattle and this will be my first time attending Annual.
Best, Laurie Amster-Burton
Roommate found! I am looking for a roommate for July 10-14. I have a double room booked at the Travel Lodge Downtown which is 2 blocks from the Hilton that is a headquarter hotel. The room is $111 +tax a night. I prefer a female roommate. Please contact Dawn at firstname.lastname@example.com if you are interested.
Thank you, Dawn
No longer needed... room mate has been found.
I need a female, non-smoking, room mate for ALA annual. I have a room at the "Inn of Chicago."
I have the room booked beginning on July 10th with a July 15th departure date.
I would like a room mate for all or most of those dates.
I am a librarian at the University of Arizona Library.
Thank you.
Please contact me at
I have found someone. Thank you.


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Gibbons not worried about Happ's early struggles
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- J.A. Happ has gotten off to a very rough start this spring, but his job in the Blue Jays' rotation does not appear to be in jeopardy.
In two starts, Happ has surrendered six runs while recording a total of four outs. He's allowed six hits, five walks and owns a 8.25 WHIP as opponents are hitting .600 against him.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- J.A. Happ has gotten off to a very rough start this spring, but his job in the Blue Jays' rotation does not appear to be in jeopardy.
In two starts, Happ has surrendered six runs while recording a total of four outs. He's allowed six hits, five walks and owns a 8.25 WHIP as opponents are hitting .600 against him.
Happ entered camp with a guaranteed job in the starting rotation, and while his recent outings haven't done much to justify the club's stance, the Blue Jays are sticking with the original plan.
"He had a bad outing, I'm not worried about J.A.," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said a day after Happ's rough outing vs. Minnesota. "He has been battling a little bit of a stiff back. He's not going to use that as an excuse, we're not going to use that as an excuse, but it can affect you a little bit.
"It wasn't like he was scattering [balls] everywhere. He was close, but still, the name of the game is throwing strikes. If you work ahead, you have the advantage. If you fall behind, they have the advantage."
Happ's spring hit an early low point on Monday in Boston when he was unable to get out of the first inning. He allowed four runs on two hits and four walks and managed to get ahead in the count on just two of the batters he faced.
The 31-year-old Happ has experienced a lot of difficulty throwing strikes, and when he does find the zone, the opposition has been recording a lot of hard-hit balls. Still, the Blue Jays stress that it's very early in camp and there are almost four weeks remaining for Happ to work out the kinks.
"A lot of it too is mindset," Gibbons said. "The guys that are pretty secure on being on the team, just attack them. Get your work in. When you give up a few runs through contact, there's nothing wrong with that. We want them all to get in the right frame of mind, attacking the zone. We're looking for contact -- if we get ahead, we can expand the zone. That's what we're looking for.
"We like Happ. I think that one is out of the way and I expect him to have a good one the next time out."
Happ went 5-7 with a 4.56 ERA in 18 starts for Toronto last year. Gibbons and general manager Alex Anthopoulos talked at length during the offseason about how Happ's new arm angle should be a recipe for success in 2014. Happ dropped his arm angle, which the club believed would help command the ball from side-to-side as opposed to top-to-bottom.
The improved accuracy of Happ's pitches has been apparent in side sessions but has yet to transfer into game situations. But Happ does seem happy with the mechanics, it's just that the results haven't been there quite yet.
In a way, that's how the entire Blue Jays pitching staff looked against the Twins. Toronto walked eight batters and allowed 14 hits in a 12-2 loss. Finding the strike zone appeared to be Toronto's biggest issue.
"Yes and no," Gibbons said when asked if he was concerned. "I know the guys can throw strikes, we've seen them all do it. But you have to get in the zone. That's pitching 101. Take your chances, look for contact. It seems like we've been steering away from contact a little bit, and that's a recipe for disaster."
Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB.


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Steve Jobs Legacy for me – what's important to you?
This is a tough blog post for me. Like many folks in the US and around the world I too believe we have lost a genius. From a consumer products perspective Jobs disrupted the animation industry, disrupted the music industry, disrupted the phone industry and disrupted the laptop industry. Disruption for the last three meant big wins for Apple – big profits and big market share numbers.
We're all wondering what was planned next and, despite assurances that Apple will continue to produce innovation and that innovation is in safe hands with the existing management, I have a feeling that the 'Jobs spark' will be hard to replicate in the future. I do have confidence that someone or 'ones' will appear in the future to continue the innovation the US has been famous for.
Steve Jobs 'Righting the Ship' after he takes the Helm. He's talking about his predecessor's approach, not his! That's why Gates etc. are laughing.
As Managing Editor of the Manufacturing Industry Blog I am allowed the occasional 'Editorial' only slightly related to the industry (well, that's what I've decided, anyway!). So this blog is tough because I'm not going to address the innovation issue. I'm not going to address the need for improved education or more engineers or more math students (though they are sadly needed).
No, this blog is about priorities in life. I've learned, as many of us have, that Jobs allegedly delayed getting surgery for his pancreatic cancer by three-quarters of a year, or thereabouts. It is reported that the new biography that's due out on Monday has some of the details. Now I make no judgment on his choices, I'll leave that to you as reader, but a "60 minutes" interview that airs on Sunday with biographer Walter Isaacson apparently confirms details that had been speculated upon or widely reported, including that Jobs might have been cured of his "slow-growing" cancer had he sought professional treatment sooner, rather than resorting to unconventional means.
Please don't judge Steve Jobs, or me. But here's a similar learning from both of us. I passed a certain age a while ago where I should have had my first colonoscopy. I delayed it. Too busy; not high enough priority; low risk factors; you name the excuses. Four years after that time, in 2010, my wife Julie forced me to have it done. We had a 6 year old and she had just given birth to our second child – a beautiful baby girl.
Unfortunately for me, It was bad news…
I could have cancer. They found polyps in the colon. One pretty big in a difficult place to remove. We waited for tests to come back. No cancer in the two other areas, but this one near my appendix they weren't sure about. If not cancerous now it was the type that goes that way 60% of the time in 5-10 years. Only way to be sure of stopping it was to cut it out. So they did. They performed a partial colectomy which removes a portion of my colon along with my appendix and another valve-like organ. You can read the whole story with gory (well not that gory) details on my personal blog here.I'm one of the lucky ones. Lymph nodes clear and all polyps were 'pre-cancerous'. Not sure I'll be around to play with any grandchildren (we had kids late in life), but I sure as hell want to walk my daughter down the aisle one day (and maybe I'll be invited to my son's bachelor party? – he'll probably not want me as a witness!). None of this would have likely if I had delayed even more.
Right now is the time most people get ready to choose their health options for next year. Whilst you're about it, think about those health tests you should have had done. That colonoscopy you should have had ages ago.Whatever else to keep healthy.
With Halloween parties soon, Thanksgiving around the corner, the holiday season next and a new year ahead of us it's easy to get distracted. Take a lesson from Steve Jobs and Peter Granger – get your priorities right! Many Happy Years ahead if you do!
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
11 Comments
This is a great post, due to other aspects of life, health often takes a back seat.
But only in situations like the one you describe that people learn to get their priorities in order.
Great story Peter!!! We all need to have the courage to put first things first. Thanks for sharing.
Peter, a good reminder of keeping our priorities straight!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you for your incite Mr. Granger. I have postponed several of my family's preventative health checks due to job loss and financial considerations. It is always a wake-up-call to find that we still need to value "the little things" more. We continue to place importance on our 'jobs' and pay less attention to taking care of things.
Best of health to you!
Regards, Amy Johnson
Wow, Peter. That's quite a story. Thanks for sharing, and good health to you!
At the end of the day we are all humans ….


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ATI Catalyst 10.8 Windows 7 Driver Analysis (Page 4)
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
Version and / or Patch Used: Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
Timedemo or Level Used: Built-in Test
Developer Homepage: http://www.ubi.com/UK/default.aspx
Product Homepage: http://www.hawxgame.com/
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X is an arcade-style flight simulator video game developed by Ubisoft Romania and published by Ubisoft for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and iPhone OS.
The fundamental gameplay mechanics are similar to those of other console-based flight series. Players take on enemies with over 50 aircraft available. Each mission is at real world locations in environments created with commercial satellite data. A cockpit, first person, and third person view are selectable. The third person view gives the player an external view of both their plane and the target.
Set above the skies of a near-future world, increasingly dependent on private military companies with elite mercenaries who have a relaxed view on the law. As these non-governmental organizations gain power, global conflict erupts with one powerful PMC attacking the United States.
HD 5770 - Here we see no change.
HD 5850 - Performance seems to be a little up here.
HD 5870 - Here we see no real change.
HD 5970 - Here we see no real change.
PRICING: You can find products similar to this one for sale below.
United States: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon's website.
United Kingdom: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon UK's website.
Canada: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon Canada's website.


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VENTURA, Calif. -- A .45-caliber gun once owned by Butch Cassidy has sold at auction in Southern California for $175,000.
A spokesman for the private seller said Sunday that the Colt Single Action Army revolver went to an anonymous online bidder.
The gun is accompanied by a black leather shoulder holster and two binders filled with documentation verifying the revolver's authenticity.
Cassidy, the infamous Old West bank robber, bought the revolver in a hardware store in Vernal, Utah, in 1896. He turned it over to Utah authorities in early 1900 in an unsuccessful attempt to gain amnesty. Known as the "Amnesty Colt," it is the most documented of Cassidy's guns.
The outlaw was immortalized in the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." He was played by Paul Newman.
Sunday's sale was held by California Auctioneers of Ventura.


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dog(redirected from A dog)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
dog(dôg, dŏg)
1. A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris syn. Canis lupus subsp. familiaris) occurring as a wide variety of breeds, many of which are traditionally used for hunting, herding, drawing sleds, and other tasks, and are kept as pets.
2. Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
3. A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of a fox or a domesticated breed.
4. Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog.
Pros Dogs may belong to the family unit, provide companionship, unqualified affection, service to the disabled, work—e.g., herding sheep, rescuing in extreme conditions, etc.—and serve as models for certain diseases
Cons Dogs may 'turn' on their owners, maul or kill other animals or humans, an event for which pitbulls are notorious. Dogs can trigger asthma, largely due to an allergen, Can f1, which is primarily found in saliva—which is less common than is asthma evoked by feline dander. Dogs are vectors for multiple infections—anthrax, blastomycosis, Bergeyella (Weeksella) zoohelcum, Brucella canis, campylobacteriosis, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Capnocytophaga cynodegmi, CDC group EF-4a, CDC EF-4b, CDC group NO-1, cheyletiellosis, coenurosis, cryptosporidiosis, cutaneous larva migrans, Demodex folliculorum, dermatophytosis, Dipylidium caninum, echinococcosis, Francisella tularensis, Gastrospirillum hominis, granulocytic ehrlichiosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Malassezia pachydermatis (associated with external otitis externa in dogs and may cause intravascular infections in low-birth-weight infants who receive lipid emulsions), Neisseria canis, Neisseria weaveri, Pasteurella multocida, plague, rabies, RMSF, salmonellosis, scabies, Staphylococcus intermedius, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichinosis, visceral larva migrans, Yersinia enterocolitica
dogVeterinary medicine A relatively obtuse homeothermic quadriped long domesticated in Europe, and longer a culinary staple in Asia Pros Dogs may belong to a family unit, providing companionship, unqualified affection, etc Cons Dogs are vectors for multiple infections–anthrax, blastomycosis, Bergeyella (Weeksella) zoohelcum, Brucella canis, campylobacteriosis, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Capnocytophaga cynodegmi, CDC group EF-4a, CDC EF-4b, CDC group NO-1, cheyletiellosis, coenurosis, cryptosporidiosis, cutaneous larva migrans, Demodex folliculorum, dermatophytosis, Dipylidium caninum, echinococcosis, Francisella tularensis, Gastrospirillum hominis, granulocytic ehrlichiosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Neisseria canis, Neisseria weaveri, Pasteurella multocida, plague, rabies, RMSF, salmonellosis, scabies, Staphylococcus intermedius, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichinosis, visceral larva migrans, Y enterocolitica. See Detection dog, Mad dog, Service dog.
1. a member of the family Canidae of the order Carnivora. Includes the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, many wild dogs, foxes, fennecs, jackals and wolves.
2. the term is also used by dog people to mean the entire male dog. There is no other name for him as there is in the other species. See also canine.
assistance dog
those trained to be of assistance to handicapped or disabled people. The most familiar ones are guide dogs and hearing dogs, but others may be trained to assist people confined to wheelchairs or with other types of limited mobility.
a loop of rope at the end of a pole, with the end of the rope at the holding end of the pole. The loop goes over the dog's head and is pulled tight.
domestic dog
classified as hound, gun dogs, terriers, nonsporting dog, working dogs, draft animals, toy breeds.
Breeds of dogs are listed below:
affenpinscher, afghan hound, airedale terrier, akita inu, alaskan malamute, american cocker spaniel, american pit bull terrier, american staffordshire terrier, american water spaniel, anatolian shepherd dog, appenzeller, australian cattle dog, australian kelpie, australian silky terrier, australian terrier.
basenji, basset fauve de bretagne, basset hound, beagle, bearded collie, bedlington terrier, belgian shepherd dog (sheepdog) (Groenendael, Malinois and Tervueren), bergamasco, berger de beauce, bernese mountain dog, bichon frise, black and tan coonhound, bloodhound, bluetick coonhound, bolognese, border collie, border terrier, borzoi, boston terrier, bouvier des flandres, boxer, boykin spaniel, braco italiano, briard, brittany spaniel, brussells griffon, bull mastiff, bull terrier, bulldog, bullmastiff.
cairn terrier, canaan dog, carelian bear dog, catahoula, cavalier king charles spaniel, chesapeake bay retriever, chihuahua, chinese crested, chow chow, clumber spaniel, cocker spaniel, collie, coonhound, coton de tulear, curly coated retriever, czesky terrier.
dachshund, dalmatian, dandie dinmont terrier, deerhound, dobermann pinscher, dogue de bordeaux, dunker.
elkhound, english setter, english springer spaniel, english toy terrier, eskimo dog, estrela mountain dog.
field spaniel, finnish lapphund, finnish spitz, flat coated retriever, fox terrier, foxhound, french bulldog.
german pinscher, german shepherd dog, german shorthaired pointer, german spitz, german wirehaired pointer, glen of imaal terrier, golden retriever, gordon setter, grand basset griffon bendeen, grand bleu de gascoigne, great dane, great pyrenees, greater swiss mountain dog, greyhound, griffon bruxellois.
hamiltonstovare, harrier, hovawart, ibizan hound, irish setter, irish terrier, irish water spaniel, irish wolfhound, italian greyhound, jack russell terrier, japanese chin, japanese spitz.
keeshond, kerry blue terrier, king charles spaniel, komondor, kooikerhondje, kuvasz, labrador retriever, lakeland terrier, lancashire heeler, large munsterlander, leonberger, lhasa apso, lowchen, lundehund, maltese, manchester terrier, maremma sheepdog, mastiff, mexican hairless, miniature pinscher.
neopolitan mastiff, newfoundland, nippon inu, norfolk terrier, norwegian buhund, norwegian elkhound, norwich terrier, nova scotia duck tolling retriever, old english sheepdog, otter hound, papillon, parson jack russell terrier, pekingese, petit basset griffon veneen, pharaoh hound, plott hound, pointer, polish lowland sheepdog, pomeranian, poodle, portugese water dog, pug, puli.
redbone coonhound, rhodesian ridgeback, rottweiler, st. bernard, saluki, samoyed, schipperke, schnauzer, scottish deerhound, scottish terrier, sealyham terrier, segugio italiano, shar pei, shetland sheepdog, shiba inu, shih tzu, siberian husky, skye terrier, sloughi, soft coated wheaten terrier, spinoni italiani, staffordshire bull terrier, stumpy-tail cattle dog, sussex spaniel, swedish lapland dog, swedish vallhund.
dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA)
see blood group antigen.
dog flea
guide dog
one trained as an aid to the mobility of a visually impaired person. Guide dogs do not 'take' their owners to specific destinations, but respond to commands given for directions. They are of particular value in avoidance of obstacles, both on the ground and overhead. Many breeds have been used for this purpose, but German shepherd dogs and Labrador retrievers are the most common. Called also seeing-eye dogs.
hearing dog
one trained to respond to certain sounds such as a telephone bell or door knocker and to alert a person with impaired hearing.
dog kennel
a small box-like unit for housing a single dog, or an establishment that boards dogs, or breeds them or maintains a colony, e.g. a pack of hounds, or a stable of Greyhounds.
dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) complex
the major histocompatibility complex in dogs.
dog murrain
chronic selenium poisoning in pastured ruminants. An Irish expression.
dog pox
a papular balanoposthitis and vaginitis described in young dogs; a viral etiology is suspected, but has never been confirmed.
seeing-eye dog
see guide dog (above).
dog tick
varies with the country: American d. tick, see dermacentorvariabilis; Australian d. tick, see ixodesholocyclus; British d. tick, see ixodescanisuga; brown d. tick, see rhipicephalussanguineus; yellow d. tick, see haemaphysalis leachi leachi.
Patient discussion about dog
Q. Can a dog become alcoholic? my uncle has an English bulldog and he lets it drink from his beer every night. Is it possible that the dog will become alcoholic?
A. Maybe. Animals are capable of becoming addicted to drugs (in fact many animals are used in research about drugs), although since it can't reach to the alcohol itself, and the dog isn't expected to go to work every day it probably would cause much less damage than addiction in humans.
However, alcohol has many deleterious effects apart from that on the brain, so it may damage the dog's liver, pancreas, heart etc.
However, alcohol has many deleterious effects apart from that on the brain, so it may damage the dog's liver, pancreas, heart etc.
Q. Can dogs be bipolar? I know it sounds weird but I really think my dog is... some days he acts normal and on others he doesn't even open his eyes... Is there a way to diagnose him??
A. that's a good idea though I wonder how to find a good dog therapist...I mean it'll be hard to prove he know what he's doing- right? He can tell me that he does stuff that only him and my dog understand...
Q. i have been bitten by a dog recently , and i wanted to know what should i do and what is the recommended treatment ?
A. go see your doctor asap,also find out if the dog had its rabies shot,most of importantly GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR NOW.More discussions about dog


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The Minnesota Public Relations Blog is proud to announce three new interns just in time for its 9th Anniversary. Reaching out to his alma mater University of Minnesota graduate, Ryan May has chosen to hire three students from the University Scott Berman, Abbey Seashore and Emily Homuth.
All three students are currently enrolled in the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC). Berman is a senior is studying strategic communications and business and brings two years of marketing and sales experience gained working as a freelance marketing consultant for several local organizations. He has also done marketing communications internships at ShopNBC, KXXR Radio (93X), and Edina City Hall. Born and raised in N.Y., Scott is a passionate guitarist and avid traveler, having visited nearly 20 countries on five continents.If you'd like, contact Scott at email@example.com. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Seashore is majoring in advertising, minoring in management, and has had previous experience with sales for four years now. You can contact Abbey at email@example.com or connect with Seashore on Twitter and Facebook.
Homuth has a passion for performing as she spent seven years of her life performing as a trapeze artist in a youth arts circus school called Circus Juventas in St. Paul, MN. On top of that, Emily is passionate about travel, good food, and the great outdoors.You can contact Emily at email@example.com. You can also connect with her via Twitter or LinkedIn


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The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant on Friday admitted it had played down the risks to the facility of a tsunami for fear of the political, financial and reputational cost.
The admission is one of the starkest yet by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which has been criticised for trying to shirk responsibility for the worst nuclear disaster in a generation.
The report says before the huge waves of March 2011 smashed into the plant the company was aware defences against natural disaster were insufficient, but did not act because of the possible consequences.
"There was a latent fear that plant shutdown would be required until severe accident measures were put in place," Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said in a report.
The document, entitled "Fundamental Policy for the Reform of TEPCO Nuclear Power Organization" says insufficient planning was done to prepare for a natural disaster.
It said "severe accident" measures were taken in 2002, but nothing since because of worries about how it would appear to people living nearby.
"There was concern that if new severe accident measures were implemented, it could spread concern in the siting community that there is a problem with the safety of current plants.
It also said any action might "add momentum to anti-nuclear movements".
The company, one of the world's largest utilities, admitted it was frightened by the prospect of getting sued if it acknowledged the safety regime in place was not up to scratch.
TEPCO, which has been lambasted as a secretive, elitist institution in cahoots with its regulator, produced the report after convening a panel of outside experts to review its nuclear programmes.
Friday's admission of failure is a sharp about-face from previous claims that the tsunami was beyond conventional scientific expectation and there was no way they could have reasonably prepared for it.
However, two separate investigation panels, set up by the government and the legislature, both found TEPCO had been blinkered to the potential risks.
Those risks became reality on March 11, 2011, when a towering tsunami triggered by a record offshore earthquake slammed into Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, knocking out cooling systems and sending reactors into meltdown.
The crippled units spewed radioactive materials across a wide area, contaminating a swathe of farmland in one of land-strapped Japan's key food-producing areas.
They also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, many of whom are still living in temporary accommodation. Some may never be allowed to return.
The clean-up of the land and demolition of the reactors are expected to take decades, while many communities remain deserted.
The giant utility, which has since been nationalised, faces colossal compensation claims in addition to the cost of dismantling the Fukushima plant.
No one is officially recorded as having died as a direct result of the nuclear accident, although the natural disaster is believed to have killed almost 19,000 people.


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Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering
On-line version ISSN 2309-8775
Print version ISSN 1021-2019
J. S. Afr. Inst. Civ. Eng. vol.55 n.1 Midrand Apr. 2013
Experimental and numerical investigation of the natural frequencies of the composite profiled steel sheet dry board (PSSDB) system
F A Gandomkar; W H Wan Badaruzzaman; S A Osman; A Ismail
This paper investigates the natural frequencies of the profiled steel sheet dry board (PSSDB) system. Frequency response functions (FRFs), estimated experimentally, were used to determine the natural frequencies of three different PSSDB panels with different screw spacing. Finite element models (FEMs) were developed to predict the natural frequencies of the tested panels. The FEMs were verified by comparing their results with results of the experimental test, and these confirmed the natural frequencies of the system. The effect of screw spacing on the natural frequencies of the system was studied experimentally and numerically. The numerical results uncovered the effect of various parameters, such as the PSS and DB thicknesses and boundary conditions, on the fundamental natural frequency (FNF) of the system. Fifteen finite element models were developed to determine the FNF of the PSSDB system with practical dimensions. When applied as a flooring system these panels are categorised as low-frequency floor (LFF) or high-frequency floor (HFF), to determine occurrence of resonance, design criteria, and whether or not they would be comfortable for humans.
Keywords: natural frequency, profiled steel sheet dry board, frequency response function, low and high frequency floors, human comfort
The PSSDB system is a lightweight composite load-bearing structural system consisting of profiled steel sheet (PSS) and dry board (DB). They are attached by self-drilling and self-tapping screws, as illustrated in Figure 1.
The system was developed by Wright et al (1989) as a flooring system with many advantages (Wan Badaruzzaman & Wright 1998). It can be applied in domestic buildings, office buildings or during renovation (Wright et al 1989) for various structural purposes such as floors, roofs and walls (Ahmed et al 2000).
According to some researchers on the static behaviour of the PSSDB system, the screw spacing has a significant effect on the stiffness of the system, as a panel with lower screw spacing is stiffer than a panel with higher screw spacing (Wan Badaruzzaman et al 2003; Ahmed et al 1996; Ahmed & Wan Badaruzzaman 2006). This stiffness has a direct effect on the natural frequencies of the system.
Soedel (2004) stated that knowledge of the frequency of a structure is crucial for two reasons: firstly, from a design point of view, for example prediction about the occurrence of resonance conditions on the structure; and secondly, measurement of natural frequency is needed to obtain forced response of the structure.
Many reports and studies are available to show that the FNF of a floor system is the most important value to determine its serviceability for human activities. In this case Wiss & Parmelee (1974) presented a response rating formula, Murray (1981) proposed a formula for the critical damping ratio, Ellingwood & Talin (1984) predicted the maximum acceleration of a floor mid-span, Ebrahimpour & Sack (2005) presented literature on the critical FNF for wood and lightweight construction, and Murray et al (1997) proposed a design criteria graph with respect to the peak acceleration and FNF of a floor system.
Over a number of decades studies have been performed on the dynamic characteristics of the structural system, focusing on natural frequencies. Hurst & Lezotte (1970) conducted an analytical and experimental study on the natural frequency of the plywood-joist system, considering the effect of joist size on the results. In their study plywood was nailed to joists. In the same study, Filiatrault et al (1990) revealed the natural frequency and mode shapes of a plywood-joist system for different boundary conditions by the finite strip method, which, when compared, agreed well with experimental test results. They also discussed the effects of different parameters on the natural frequency of the system. Fukuwa et al (1996) evaluated dynamic properties of a prefabricated steel building by obtaining the natural frequency and damping ratio of the system for various construction stages. Effects of non-structural members on the results were investigated in their study. El-Dardiry et al (2002) determined the natural frequency of a long-span flat concrete floor by using a suitable FEM and an experimental heel-drop test. They considered several FEMs and refined them by comparing their results with experimental test results, and then presenting the most suitable FEM. Ferreira & Fasshauer (2007) performed a free vibration study on a composite plate by an innovative numerical method. Results of different thickness-to-length ratios were determined and discussed in their study. Ju et al (2008) developed a new composite floor system, and measured the natural frequencies and damping ratios of the system by experimental testing for three different construction stages: steel erection stage, concrete casting stage, and finishing stage. They compared the results with international codes to evaluate the serviceability of the proposed floor system and obtained good vibration characteristics. Xing & Liu (2009) derived successfully the natural modes of a rectangular orthotropic plate by exact solution of mathematical statements for three different boundary conditions. Two studies were carried out on the modal analysis of an orthotropic composite floor slab with profiled steel deck (De A Mello et al 2008) and a pre-and post-impacted nano-composite laminates system (Velmurugan 2011). Both studies were performed to find dynamic characteristics of composite floor systems, similar to the study by Bayat et al (2011) to determine the vibration frequencies of tapered beams. Honda & Narita (2012) presented an analytical method to determine the natural frequencies and vibration modes of laminated plates having such cantilever reinforcing fibres.
Study of the natural frequency of the PSSDB system is limited to an experimental study done by Wright et al (1989) to identify the FNF of the system, considering PMF100 as the PSS and chipboard as the DB. It was reported that, since the PSSDB system is slender and flexible by nature, its FNF may be low. Vibration of such floors during human activities may therefore be perceivable. It has also been stated that floors with FNFs lower than approximately 7 Hz are considered uncomfortable for users (Wright 1989). In addition, Gandomkar et al (2011) determined the natural frequencies of the PSSDB system experimentally and numerically with in-filled concrete in the trough of the PSS. They also evaluated the effect of various parameters on the FNF of the mentioned system.
There is little energy in high frequency floors (of approximately 10 Hz) (Middleton & Brownjohn 2010). A floor is an HFF if it has an FNF above 10 Hz, but it is known as an LFF if it is dominated by resonance from the first four harmonics of a walking force. Ljunggren et al (2007) stated that some researchers suggested two different design criteria for floors: deflection criteria for HFF and an acceleration limit for LFF. However, Murray et al (1997) recommended acceleration limits for LFF and HFF, and a minimum static stiffness of 1 kN/mm under concentrated load as an additional check for HFF. Therefore, knowing the FNF of a floor system will determine the design of the floor and whether it should be an LFF or HFF floor, and hence its level of comfort.
Using non-structural systems, such as partitions, on a completed floor has an effect on the damping value of the floor system (De Silva & Thambiratnam 2009). Knowing the damping ratio of a bare floor system can therefore help designers to select a realistic damping ratio for the dynamic analysis of the system.
This paper presents natural frequencies of the PSSDB system, focusing on three main goals. The first goal is to estimate the natural frequencies and damping ratios of the system through experimental study by considering the effect of different screw spacing. The natural frequencies and damping ratios will be used to verify finite element models (FEMs) and determine the dynamic response of the system under human walking load respectively. The second goal is to develop FEMs to identify the natural frequencies of various configurations of the PSSDB systems. The third goal is to determine the effect of various selected parameters, such as the PSS and DB thicknesses, and also different boundary conditions, on the FNF of the system through verified FEMs. The FNFs of panels with practical dimensions are investigated for different boundary conditions; then the panels are categorised as LFF or HFF systems, which will determine how comfortable the panels would be for users.
In the PSSDB system, the value of partial interaction between the PSS and DB is influenced by the screw spacing. The study of the effect of partial interaction between the PSS and the DB on the FNF of the PSSDB system is carried out by experimental tests to meet the first goal of this paper. For this purpose, three different samples were prepared to measure the natural frequencies and damping ratios of the studied systems with 100 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm screw spacing. The characteristics of the samples are presented in Table 1.
The length and width of all samples were selected as 2 400 mm and 795 mm respectively. Figure 2 shows the PSSDB system with screw spacing of 200 mm during the test.
Natural frequencies of the samples were measured by estimating their FRFs, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Eleven points were selected for the determination of the FNFs of the PSSDB100 and PSSDB200 samples (Figure 3). In these samples the accelerometer was fixed very close to Point 10 (Figure 3). In addition, for sample PSSDB300, seven points were considered, as illustrated in Figure 4, and the accelerometer was fixed near Point 6 (Figure 4).
The excitation and response signals of the studied systems were recorded and measured. Bruel & Kjaer portable, and multi-channel PULSE analyser type 3560D ENDEVCO accelerometers type 751-100, and impact hammer type 2302-10 were used as the measuring devices (Figure 5), as well as the Bruel & Kjaer Pulse LabShop as measurement software. Damping ratios of the systems were also outcomes of these tests.
The structural model of the samples is depicted in Figure 6.
According to Murray et al (1997), the dynamic modulus of elasticity for steel can be chosen similar to its static value (BS 5950 Part 4:1994), i.e. 210 GPa. Stalnaker & Harris (1999) stated that plywood is nearly isotropic because of its manufacturing process. Also, Ahmed (1999) declared that, although dry boards may be found to be isotropic or orthotropic by nature, they can easily be modelled as isotropic plates with very good results. Based on the study carried out by Narayanamurti et al in Hu (2008), Matsumoto & Tsutsumi (1968), and Bos & Bos Casagrande (2003), the dynamic Young's modulus of plywood was found to be higher than its static value. In this study, the static modulus of elasticity of plywood, available in the local market, is adopted as 7 164 MPa (Yean 2006), considering an isotropic sheeting, while the dynamic value is chosen 10% greater than the static value according to Bos & Bos Casagrande (2003).
The density of Peva45 and plywood has been chosen as 7 850 kg/m3 and 600 kg/m3 respectively.
In the PSSDB system, the stiffness of the screws which is obtained by experimental push-out tests (Ahmed 1999; Akhand 2001; Nordin et al 2009) is directly used as input data for the FEMs (Nordin et al 2009). A study was performed to identify the connection stiffness between Peva45-Cemboard, Cemboard-Timber, and Peva45-Plywood by push-out tests. Also, the shear connection stiffness between Peva45 and plywood for the same configuration was found to be 610 N/mm (Nordin et al 2009), which is the same as in this paper.
To cover the second goal of this paper, three FEMs were developed to obtain natural frequencies of the PSSDB100, PSSDB200, and PSSDB300 systems. The FEMs are implemented using ANSYS finite element computer program (ANSYS 2007).
Two methods were used to evaluate the natural frequencies of the systems. The "Block Lanczos" and "QR damped" methods were utilised to extract undamped and damped natural frequencies of panels respectively. In the FEMs, the PSS and DB were assigned by element of SHELL281 (Figure 7) as it is suitable for analysing thin to moderately thick shell structures (ANSYS 2007). It comprises an 8-noded element having six degrees of freedom at each node: translation in and rotation about the x-, y- and z-axes. In addition, the screws were represented by an element of COMBIN14 (Figure 8) as the connection between Peva45 and plywood. COMBIN14 possesses longitudinal or torsional capability in 1-D, 2-D or 3-D applications (ANSYS 2007).
The longitudinal spring-damper option is a uniaxial tension-compression element having up to three degrees of freedom at each node: translation in the nodal x-, y- and z-directions. No bending or torsion is considered. The spring-damper element has no mass. Mass can be added by using the appropriate mass element. The spring or the damping capability may be removed from the element (ANSYS 2007). In this paper, the capability of damping was removed (Cv = 0) from the element.
Figure 9 illustrates the procedure of modelling Peva45 and plywood in a simulation for one bay of the studied system. The connection between elements of Peva45 and plywood in the simulation is performed by using spring element (COMBIN14) in three directions (X, Y, and Z). In this case, and according to Figure 9, the nodes D2 and D10 were respectively connected to the nodes P2 and P10 in which stiffness of springs were adopted as 610 N/mm (Nordin et al 2009) in X and Y directions, and as 105 N/mm in Z (vertical) direction (see Figure 9).
Results are presented in two parts - experimental and finite element simulation. Then the experimental and finite element results are compared to present the accuracy of the FEMs.
Experimental results
The FRFs of studied systems are shown in Figure 10 and according to the figure the first six natural frequencies (NFs) of the systems are presented in Table 2. Damping ratios (DRs) corresponding to the NFs of the systems are also summarised in Table 2.
The status of the natural frequency in Table 2 was missing for the mode number 5 while the natural frequency of this mode was available in its FEM (Table 3). The reason for this absence has been revealed by evaluation of its mode shape. This mode was in the transverse direction of accelerations that were measured. Therefore, the mode did not appear in the experiments.
According to earlier studies, the PSSDB100 is stiffer than PSSDB200, and the latter is stiffer than PSSDB300 due to the number of screws. On the other hand, the mass of the PSSDB100, PSSDB200 and PSSDB300 is almost the same. As a result it can be predicted that the FNF of the PSSDB100 should be greater than that of PSSDB200, and the latter greater than that of PSSDB300. This issue was verified by results of the experimental test. Table 2 shows that the partial interaction between two main elements of the PSSDB system had an effect on the natural frequencies of the systems, as the FNF of the system increased by 3.55% and 11.24% respectively for changing the screw spacing from 300 mm to 200 mm, and 300 mm to 100 mm. However, reduction of the screw spacing decreases the damping of the system. The FNFs of the studied panels were measured by the test well above 10 Hz. Therefore all panels fell in the HFF category (Middleton & Brownjohn 2010) and were also comfortable for users (Wright et al 1989).
Finite element results
The experimentally observed FRFs of the systems presented their damped natural frequencies. Therefore, in the simulation, damped natural frequencies of the systems were determined by the QR damped method via the ANSYS finite element package. In the QR damped method, damping of the system is introduced by the Rayleigh damping approach (see more detail in Clough & Penzien 1993). According to Chowhury & Dasgupta (2003), only the first few modes of a structure with large degrees of freedom (around three at minimum and about 25 at maximum) contribute to the dynamic response of a structure. In this study, the first six modes are assumed to be significant in the dynamic behaviour of the system. Then the Rayleigh damping coefficients were determined (Chowhury & Dasgupta 2003) and used in the simulation.
Three finite element models were developed to identify the natural frequencies of the PSSDB100, PSSDB200 and PSSDB300 systems. The first six undamped and damped natural frequencies of the studied systems are summarised in Table 3.
According to simulation results, the FNF of the PSSDB100 was greater than the PSSDB200, and the latter was greater than PSSDB300. This point is also confirmed by the experimental results. Table 3 shows small differences between undamped and damped natural frequencies of the systems. The results also show that the undamped natural frequencies of all systems were greater than their corresponding damped natural frequencies. Caughey & O'Kelly (1961) stated that, in a system with classical normal modes, the damped natural frequencies are always less than or equal to their corresponding undamped natural frequencies. Piersol et al (2010) mentioned that generally classical normal modes exist in a structure without damping or with particular types of damping. According to the results of this study, the measured damping can be considered as particular damping for each system; therefore they can be used in the dynamic analysis of the bare PSSDB systems with different screw spacing.
Comparison of experimental and finite element results
As stated, the FRFs of the systems present their damped natural frequencies. However, undamped and damped natural frequencies of the studied systems were calculated very close to one another by the numerical method. Nevertheless, damped natural frequencies of the systems which were determined by FEM are compared with their damped natural frequencies that have been evaluated by the tests in order to reveal more accurate errors. The errors of numerical results are calculated by Eq (1) and presented in Table 4.
T2Ci: column i = a, b, c of Table 2
T3Ci: column i = a, b, c of Table 3
T4Ci: column i = a, b, c of Table 4
The mentioned errors show that the FEMs can predict the natural frequencies of the PSSDB system with accuracy. Therefore, performed convergence studies on the finite element models and selected elements of the models which were combinations of the SHELL281 and COMBIN14 elements were suitable for the purpose of the study. The difference between the experimental and FEM results may be due to reasons such as:
■ Finite element method is a numerical approximate method.
■ Imperfections of the PSS, DB and screws in the test specimens were not captured in the FEMs.
A series of parametric studies based on the FEMs for the PSSDB200 system were performed to show the effect of different conditions on the FNF of the system. The PSSDB system with a length of 2 400 mm and a width of 795 mm was chosen as the control sample, adopting 0.8 mm thick Peva45 as PSS, 18 mm thick plywood as DB, DS-FH 432 self-drilling and self-tapping screws at 200 mm screw spacing as the connectors, and pin support at Y = 0 and roller support at Y = 2 400 mm both at the bottom flange of the PSS (Figure 6(a)). A series of studies were performed to uncover the FNF of the PSSDB panels with practical dimensions. Their categorisation and level of comfort were also revealed. All supports in these studies were considered at the bottom flange of the PSS. Only in one case supports were assumed at the bottom, top and web of the PSS (see Figure 12).
Effect of thicknesses of Peva45 and plywood
The thickness of the considered Peva45 is 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm, whilst the thickness of the plywood is 9.252, 12.7, 18, 23 and 25 mm. Both products are available on the local market. The effect of the thicknesses of Peva45 and plywood on the FNF of the system is presented in Table 5. The percentage difference between the FNF of the control sample and the FNF of the panel with other thicknesses for Peva45 and plywood are also presented in Table 5.
According to the results, increasing the thicknesses of the Peva45 and the plywood enhanced and decreased the FNF of the system respectively. By enhancing the thickness of the Peva45 from 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, and the thickness of the plywood from 9.252 mm to 25 mm the FNF increased and decreased by an average value of 4.91% and 18.56% respectively. It can therefore be seen that the obtained results are a manifestation of the effect of the mass and stiffness of Peva45 and plywood on the FNF of the system. The highest value of the FNF occurred for the maximum thickness of Peva45 and minimum thickness of plywood (20.677 Hz), whilst the lowest value of the FNF occurred for the minimum thickness of Peva45 and maximum thickness of plywood (16.566 Hz).
Therefore, by changing the thickness of main elements the FNF can be increased by a maximum value of 24.82%. The minimum value of the FNF of the studied system showed well above 10 Hz. The studied system was therefore in the HFF category and also comfortable for occupants.
Effect of boundary conditions
The effect of boundary conditions on the FNF of the system was taken into account in three situations: effect of sliding and rotation at the end supports perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS (sliding parallel with Y direction of the plan, Figure 11); effect of locating support under the top flange and web of the PSS at two ends of the length (Figure 12); and effect of adding support parallel with the strong direction of the PSS (parallel with Y direction of the plan, Figure 13).
Effect of sliding and rotation of supports
The effect of sliding and rotation at the end supports perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS (X direction, Figure 11) on the FNF of the system is investigated for various support conditions, as shown in Figure 11. These involve (i) pin (P) and roller (R) (control sample), (ii) P-P, (iii) P-F (fixed), (iv) R-F and (v) F-F end supports.
The FNF results for these conditions are presented in Table 6. The percentages of the increase (PI) in the FNF of the various models over the control sample are also shown in Table 6.
The results show that if sliding is constrained parallel with the strong direction of the PSS (P-R support converted into P-P support), then the FNF is increased significantly. Chao & Chern (2000) and Jalali (2012) affirmed this observation. On the other hand, changing a pin support to a fixed support (P-F instead of P-P, and F-F instead of P-P) did not show a considerable effect on the FNF value. Therefore, the control of rotation at the bottom flange of the PSS at the end support did not significantly affect the FNF of the system.
Effect of adding support under top flange and web of PSS
The supports for the control sample were only considered under the bottom flange (Case 1) of the PSS. Table 7 shows the FNF and PI in the FNF for various models over the control sample of the system if additional supports are provided at both the top and bottom flanges of the PSS (Case 2), and at the top and bottom flanges and the web (Figure 12) of the PSS (Case 3).
When comparing the results of Cases 1 and 2, it is clear that the FNF of the system is enhanced significantly if supports are added at the top and bottom flanges of the PSS. Also, by comparing the results of Cases 2 and 3, it is demonstrated that additional supports at the web do not have any significant effects on the FNF of the system. This may be because adding support on the top flange already prevents rotation of the PSS, so adding more support on the web does not make a big difference. By keeping the above-mentioned three cases in mind, designers can decide on the shape of supports (beams) which can be used under the PSS of the PSSDB floor system to reduce its natural frequencies.
Effect of adding support parallel with longitudinal side edges
The supports of the longitudinal side edges (support in X = 0 and 795 mm parallel with Y direction of the plan as in Figures 6(b) and 13) for the control sample were considered free (unconstrained). Various additional support conditions studied at the longitudinal side edges are shown in Figure 13. Table 8 shows the FNF and PI in the FNF for various models in the control sample.
As shown in Table 8, when only one of the longitudinal side edges was supported one side edge free), as in the R-Fr and P-Fr cases, the FNF increased slightly. It can be seen that restraining sliding perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS (X direction of the plan) would not change the FNF of the system much (2.8% = 10.59%-7.79%) if only one of the longitudinal side edges were supported. However, the increase in FNF was much more significant, based on restraining both longitudinal side edges as in the R-R, P-R and P-P cases. The control of sliding perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS shows a pronounced effect on increasing the FNF of the system (20.57% = 103.87%-83.30%), where both longitudinal side edges of the panel were supported (P-P instead of R-R).
FNF of panels with practical dimensions
Peva45 is available on the local market in widths of 795 mm and maximum lengths of 15 m. Also, the maximum length and width of plywood is 2 400 mm and 1 200 mm respectively. Therefore, to prepare bigger practical panels, some pieces of Peva45 and plywood should be used together. Fifteen panels in four different lengths of 1 200 mm, 2 400 mm, 3 600 mm and 4 800 mm involving one, two, three and four repeating sections of the system were developed, which were combinations of elements similar to the control sample, verified by experiments, as shown in Figure 6(b) and Figures 14-16. In all fifteen panels, the length and width of all pieces of plywood were chosen as 2 400 mm and 795 mm respectively. Also, the length of Peva45 was used as the length of the panels.
The connection between two adjacent side-by-side panels (detail A) was represented by a typical lap joint idea as shown in Figure 17. Wright & Evans (1987) presented the connectivity characteristics of such a joint. As can be seen in Figure 17, nodes i(2) and j(2) are connected to node i(3) and node j(3) respectively, assuming complete freedom in the longitudinal and rotational directions, whilst assumed to have complete connection in the vertical and lateral directions (Wright & Evans 1987). It should be noted that connections between i(1) and j(1) respectively to i(2) and j(2) (Peva45 to plywood) are represented by results of the study by Nordin et al (2009).
The joint does not exist perpendicularly to the strong direction. Figure 18 shows the connection between plywood and Peva45 according to their dimensions.
Table 9 shows the characteristics and the FNF of the developed panels with practical dimensions. The categorisation (LFF or HFF) and level of comfort of the panels are also undertaken. All panels had pin-roller supports perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS and free-free supports parallel with the strong direction of the PSS (Model 0).
The width of the panels with only end supports perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS did not significantly affect the FNF of the system, as the panels with the same length and widths of 795 mm, 1 545 mm, 2 295 mm and 3 045 mm had close values in terms of the FNF. The reason for this was the enhancement of the stiffness and mass by increasing the width. However, the FNF of the 3 045 mm wide panel was a bit greater than the FRF of the 2 295 mm wide panel, etc. This may be due to the increased stiffness of the panels when using lap joints in the panels, with two pieces of Peva45 (one-lap joint), three pieces of Peva45 (two-lap joints), and four pieces of Peva45 (three-lap joints), compared to panels with one piece of Peva45 without a lap joint (795 mm wide).
It is obvious that the length of the system has a direct effect on the FNF of the system. The results showed that the FNF of a PSSDB system with a length of more than 3 600 mm and widths of 795 mm, 1 545 mm, 2 295 mm and 3 045 mm fell in the LFF category. Also, panels that were 3 600 mm and 4 800 mm long, with any widths, were respectively shown to be comfortable and uncomfortable for users.
An increase in the FNF of a floor system (less resonance) is required for user comfort. If panels are supported on all sides, the FNF of the system will be higher. This can be used to increase the FNF (stiffness) of the panels via boundary conditions. Depending on the control of sliding at supports, roller or pin supports can be used on all sides. In this case, all panels with lengths of 3 600 mm and 4 800 mm were selected in order to increase their FNFs through three boundary conditions as shown in Figure 19. Table 10 summarises the increased FNFs of the panels corresponding to these boundary conditions (models I, II, and III). It also illustrates the level of comfort of the studied panels.
The PI in the FNF of the selected panels are listed in Table 11 by comparing the FNFs of the panels under boundary conditions of models I, II, and III with the FNFs of the panels under boundary conditions of model 0.
Table 11 shows that control of sliding parallel with the strong direction of the PSS in the multi-panel systems had a significant effect on the FNF of the system. However, control of sliding perpendicular to the strong direction of the PSS considerably affected the FNF of the 795 mm wide panel and did not have a significant effect on the FNF of the panels wider than 795 mm. Even by using the model III boundary condition (pin supports in all sides), the panels that were 4 800 mm long, with widths of 1 545 mm, 2 295 mm and 3 045 mm were still in the category of LFF. Also, panels with a length of 4 800 mm and widths of 2 295 mm and 3 045 mm were not comfortable for users.
This paper reveals experimentally and numerically the natural frequencies of the PSSDB system, considering the effect of the level of interaction between the PSS and the DB. It is shown that the PSSDB system with lower screw spacing has higher FNF. The damping ratio of the PSSDB system is inversely related to the stiffness of the system, as the damping ratio of the PSSDB with lower screw spacing is greater than the system with higher screw spacing. A series of parametric studies reveal the effects of different parameters on the FNF of the system. It is proved that the FNF of the PSSDB system is significantly influenced by (i) screw spacing or level of interaction between the PSS and DB, (ii) thicknesses of the PSS and DB, (iii) control of sliding along the strong direction of the PSS, (iv) using support under both the top and bottom flanges of the PSS, and (v) the number of side edges being supported. On the other hand, the FNFs are not much affected by (i) control of sliding along the weak direction of the PSS at the side edge supports, (ii) rotations at all end and side edge supports, and (iii) the support conditions under the web of the PSS. Identification of the FNF of the panels with practical dimensions with end supports only shows that the FNF of the panels with the same length and different widths are very close to one another. However, a small difference may occur by increasing the thickness of Peva45 in the location of the lap joint. It is proved that a significant increase in the FNF of the PSSDB floor system with practical dimensions is possible via boundary conditions.
The authors would like to acknowledge the Mechanical Engineering Department of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for granting permission to conduct the experimental tests. The authors also express their gratitude to Mr Alireza Bahrami and Dr Mohammad Hosseini Fouladi for their contributions to some parts of this study.
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Contact details:
Dr Farhad Abbas Gandomkar
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
E: firstname.lastname@example.com
Contact details:
Prof Wan Hamidon Wan Badaruzzaman
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
E: email@example.com
Contact details:
Prof Siti Aminah Osman
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
E: email@example.com
Contact details:
Prof Amiruddin Ismail
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
E: email@example.com
DR FARHAD ABBAS GANDOMKAR obtained his BEng in Civil Engineering from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 1996, his MSc in Structural Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology in 1999, and his PhD in Structural Engineering from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2012. He has been a full-time ecturer at the Ahvaz branch of the Islamic Azac University, Iran, since 1999 and is a member of the Khouzestan Construction Engineering Disciplinary Organization. He has more than 13 years' experience n teaching, training, research, publication and administration.
PROF WAN HAMIDON WAN BADARUZZAMAN obtained his PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Wales, Cardiff, UK in 1994. He is Professor of Structural Engineering at the National University of Malaysia, where he began his career almost 30 years ago. His research interest focuses on the profiled stee sheeting dry board (PSSDB) system, a lightweight composite structural system that he has developed over the years. He has published many papers related to research findings on this patented and award-winning construction system.
PROF SITI AMINAH OSMAN is Associate Professor in Civil and Structural Engineering, and is a member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia. She graduated from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 1992 with a BEng (Hons), MSc in Structural Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK (1995) and a PhD in Civi and Structural Engineering from Universit Kebangsaan Malaysia (2006). After her undergraduate studies, she started ecturing at Universiti Kebagsaan Malaysia. Her interests are structura engineering, wind engineering and industrial building system construction.
PROF AMIRUDDIN ISMAIL obtained his BEng in CM Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, in 1983, his MSc in Transportation and Urban Systems from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984, and his PhD in Transportation Engineering from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2002. He is currently Professor in Civil & Structural Engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and has more than 25 years' experience in teaching, training, research, publication and administration.


text:
Re: Discrepancies
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:57 pm
But the only place that she could get the idea, like Bella said when she explained to Edward her theory, is when Edward tracked her to Texas. And it makes sense because before she created an army she always striked the same way. Like Bella said, she was predictable. And her "strikes" were months before the problems in Seattle started...ringswraith wrote:
Only if you assume that she created them after leading Edward on a wild goose chase.
She could have created either one prior to that event.


text:
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Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Business Administration
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How will British Columbia power its liquified natural gas industry?
Vladimir Putin's Crimean escapades have politicians demanding the U.S. ramp up its natural gas export capacity, thereby breaking – or so the theory goes – Russia's energy stranglehold on Europe. As HCN's Jonathan Thompson and others have pointed out, though, President Obama can't turn gas into a geopolitical weapon by snapping his fingers: Export facilities are costly, time-consuming projects, and the Department of Energy has so far approved just 6 of 21 terminal applications. While one terminal will open in Louisiana in late 2015, the rest won't get cranking until 2017 at the earliest, and plants faced opposition even before a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank blew up along the Columbia River on Monday.
As the U.S. has tiptoed toward gas exports, however, its northwestern neighbor, British Columbia, has lurched forward – not for Russophobic reasons, but for boring old economic ones. The Canadian province is in the midst of a fracking boom that's producing 3.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, and its shale reserves hold over 1,000 trillion cubic feet (about seven times more than the famous Marcellus Shale in the northeastern U.S.). Shipping that vast production to Asian markets is too tasty an opportunity to pass up. Provincial Premier Christy Clark predicts B.C.'s nascent LNG industry will someday contribute $100 billion to the province's economy and transform B.C. into an energy powerhouse to rival Alberta, home of the tar sands.
Last week, British Columbia took a big step toward making its LNG dreams a reality. The province approved four export terminals, to be operated by energy giants like ExxonMobil, Pacific Oil & Gas, and Petronas, with the combined capacity to ship nearly 75 trillion cubic feet annually. Canada's plants, like those in the U.S., will take years to come online. Still, it's hard to downplay the magnitude of this act: With a few strokes of the pen, Canada's minister of natural resources authorized more LNG capacity in British Columbia than all U.S. approvals combined.
Even as Canada's LNG industry plows ahead, however, a critical question remains unanswered: How will all these new plants be powered?
This might sound like a minor detail, but its answer will have huge implications for B.C.'s energy landscape – and our climate. LNG facilities are essentially giant refrigerators that cool gas to 260° below zero so that it can be shipped in liquid form. As you might expect, those refrigerators require a huge amount of power: According to one energy lawyer, proposed LNG plants could someday require up to 50 percent of B.C.'s existing energy capacity. (LNG facilities also gobble power to run pumps, lighting, offices, and other operations.) Where will the plants get all that energy?
There are two options. The first, and by far most commonly used, is called "direct drive," whereby LNG plants power their compressors with the resource they have in abundance: natural gas. "By having your own power plant you have control of your own fate," energy consultant Zoher Meratla told the Canadian Press last year. "You're not worried about a tree falling on the powerlines, you're not worried about the ice affecting the lines."
But direct drive has a major drawback: carbon emissions. Natural gas might be cleaner than coal, but it's still a fossil fuel. According to a recent report by Clean Energy Canada, building just three direct drive LNG plants could have the same climate impact as adding 3 million cars to B.C.'s roads. Powering the industry through direct drive would likely blow through B.C.'s self-determined emissions reduction targets – though if that happened, the province could meet its goals through purchasing carbon offsets or simply setting new targets. (Neat trick, eh?)
To shrink its massive carbon footprint, the LNG industry could pursue an alternative technology: electric drive, or e-drive, which would allow plants to run their compressors through harnessed renewables like wind and run-of-river hydro. Clean Energy Canada's reports suggest that operating B.C.'s LNG industry on renewable-powered e-drive would cut carbon pollution by a third (and create 400 jobs to boot). "B.C. has an abundance of renewable energy and a population that wants us to be climate leaders," says Merran Smith, the group's director.
E-drive sounds great in theory, but it's virtually without precedent. The only electric drive plant in the world is Statoil's Snøvit plant in Norway. Although Clean Energy Canada claims that e-drive would raise the selling price of LNG by just 2 percent, companies still say that powering their operations with renewables would be too expensive and unreliable. British Columbia's balancing act – trying to attract LNG companies while claiming that its liquefied gas industry will be the world's cleanest – has forced the government to resort to legal sleight-of-hand. In 2012, it amended its own Clean Energy Act to reclassify natural gas as a clean fuel source when it's used to operate LNG plants – a move that one environmental lawyer called "putting lipstick on a pig."
Still, mandating e-drive comes with perils of its own. While electric LNG plants would ideally harness energy directly from wind and run-of-river projects, they could also hook up to B.C.'s grid – already strained by projected population growth and a province-wide mining rush. To help meet LNG's power demands, Clark has repeatedly called on B.C. Hydro, the province's largest utility, to construct a massive hydroelectric installation that would flood wildlife habitat and prime farmland in the Peace Valley. If the choice is between carbon-polluting direct drive on one hand and a giant dam on the other, B.C. could find itself wedged between a climate rock and an ecological hard place.
Proposed LNG plants in the U.S. are resolving their own energy dilemmas in different ways. Oregon LNG, a proposed terminal at the mouth of the Columbia, would hook up to the grid to take advantage of abundant hydro and wind power. Meanwhile, the Jordan Cove Energy Project in Oregon's Coos Bay plans to build its own natural gas-fired power plant. And construction on an electric-drive plant in Texas is scheduled to begin this year.
In B.C., the falling price of wind and other renewables, combined with B.C.'s rigorous carbon tax, could be enough to push the industry in the right direction. "Since the fall, we've seen movement from companies saying they're only going to use gas-fired direct drive to saying they're going to power about 20 percent of their load with renewables," says Smith. "That said, we really need government to take leadership here and create the right conditions for renewable energy."
Ben Goldfarb is an editorial intern at High Country News. He tweets @bengoldfarb13.


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by Sue Ann Rybak
Julia Fleming, of Wyndmoor, is no ordinary teenager. After interviewing two Erdenheim brothers with progeria, a rare fatal aging disease, for a paper in 10th grade, she decided to make it her personal mission to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for progeria.
On Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. o 12:30 p.m., Fleming will hold Walk for a Cure at William Penn Charter School, 3000 W. School House Lane.
Phyllis Falcone, mother of Bennett and Nathan, who have been diagnosed with progeria, said they were excited and grateful to Fleming for organizing the walk to benefit the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF). She said all of the funds raised will help fund ongoing research and clinical trials. Nathan and Bennett are currently participating in one such trial.
"Julia has become one of our biggest advocates for raising awareness about progeria as well as fundraising," Falcone said. "She has so much energy and has channeled that energy into helping children and families like ours. She is an example of how one person's efforts can impact the lives of many people.
Falcone said PRF has accomplished amazing things in a short amount of time; from identifying the gene responsible for progeria to possible treatment options and clinical trials.
In September 2012, the Progeria Research Foundation released the results of the first-ever clinical drug trial for children with progeria. The clinical trial, completed at Boston only six years after scientists identified the cause of progeria, showed that a drug, FTI lonafarnib, had a positive effect on weight gain, hearing, bone health and, most importantly, cardiovascular health.
But for children with Progeria, finding a cure is a race against time, and because the disease is so rare the government, pharmaceutical companies and other related businesses do not provide adequate funding for research.
"Money raised at the Walk for a Cure and other fundraisers ensures that researchers can continue at this pace and find a cure for children with progeria and their families," Falcone said.
Fleming said she wants to raise a total of $30,000 for PRF.
"I know its a big goal but I really think it can be achieved," Fleming said.
To date she has raised about $8,000.
"These kids are so unbelievably full of life and energy, and knowing that they will only live to 13 just doesn't work for me," Fleming said. "I really want to be able to say that I helped these kids live their lives by finding a cure!"
Fleming said she treasures her relationship with the Falcones. She said the first time she walked into the Falcone's house she fell in love with the boys.
"All the kids said 'Hi, Miss Julia,' and Bennett even came up and hugged my knees," Fleming said. "It was a great moment."
She said her relationship with the boys and their sister Libby is very special.
"When it comes to the boys, we are all laughs and tickles," Fleming said. "I really love being with them, and to be honest ,I spend more time at the Falcones than with my own friends. As for Libby, I know she looks up for me, which I like because it's hard being the sister of two special needs brothers, who are constantly getting attention and events held for them. I like to make her feel special and just as much loved by me!"
"The biggest thing I want to get across in this article is how important it is to find a cure and how little time we have to find it," Fleming said. "I just want Nathan, Bennett, and all of the other little kids to be able to live a long healthy life!"
Registration for the walk is $20 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children (under 12). There is no fee for children under 2. Register at: http://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/LoginRegister.aspx?EventID=121671&LangPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone For more information go to www.nathanandbennett.org.