text:
Since the financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis and political recognition of over-extended state budgets in even less problematic nations, the news headlines have perpetually publicised the need for, and the social effects of, necessary fiscal controls to reduced government spending.
All under the banner of 'austerity measures'.
The tight fiscal policy plus loose monetary stance has sought to slow public expenditure whilst simultaneous QE continues to pump-prime financial markets. Primarily to buoy the depleted banking sector, yet also strengthening investor friendly large cap companies. The companies themselves using those hefty but declining reserves through the global slow-down.
A worldwide slow-down which consequentially limits previous concerns of western 'stagflation', containing inflation of vital input costs such as labour and commodities. In the meantime business leaders seek to construct the foundations of a new era, typically initially via acquisition to provide scale and latterly organic growth.
So the promise an improved tomorrow, first seen by the green shoots of today
However, today is vastly different to the economic re-births of yesterday.
Past Precedence Nullified -
At any other time throughout the 20th century today's circumstances would have almost automatically induced a full or partial Keynesian reaction, the flexibility of the public purse able to provide sufficient 'economic stabilisers' and provide the long-term funding behind central government's immediate instigation of 'shovel ready' infrastructure projects.
Conversely, for the west the 21st century denies such a simple panacea.
The triple blow of empty Treasury coffers, ageing demographics and increasing loss of the historical knowledge-advantage, all creates shifting economic sands as never really seen before.
[NB Here in the UK, the OBR relays the future need well. The long term boost effects of combined QE and ongoing immigration, with its flexible 1st generation workforce and an 'educationally hungry' 2nd generation, will be able to provide long-term local economic boost].
To state the obvious, the after-effects of 2008-12 have indeed been structural, to a degree never seen before. So through this decade, and perhaps into the next, western mindsets will have, indeed be forced, to fundamentally shift so as to create those new foundations.
Austerity's New Thinking -
Here in the UK, a now well-worn phrase since 2008, itself recycled from WW2, has been "Keep Calm and Carry On". Whilst seeping such attitudes through societies has helped people to recognise that they face very different times, the adjustment must be followed meeting the challenge pro-actively.
From 2012 onwards then the rally-cry must be that "Necessity is the Mother of Invention"...ideally followed by..."Ingenuity the Father".
This then translates as seeking solutions which are affordable yet effective. The creation of affordable, zero-budgeted ground-up solutions, as well as rationally evolved solutions, all of which equal or better the status quo.
So, affordable re-hashed old and completely new solutions across industry (in products and services), society (in group activities) and government (in policy-setting and especially so in public procurement).
Tightened Western Military Budgets -
Along with Health, Education and other public-facing service cut-backs, the question of Defense / Defence expenditure has gained ever greater profile Western military budgets under renewed scrutiny regards basic affordability and ultimate cost effectiveness.
Here in the UK discussions have been about downsizing the compliment of full-time personal vis a vis the expansion of reservists, the notion of a shared air-craft carrier with France, and the Treasury's desire to see Britain's 4 nuclear submarines shrunken to either 3 or 2 – the latter figure no doubt tabled to achieve the former.
Obviously, similar budget debates continue with even greater emphasis across Europe, given the level of massive cost savings needed. Ironically during a period when some thought the EU would collapse, the very need to maximise efficiencies will lead to a more militarily integrated, so politically integrated, Europe.
American Defence Expenditure -
The USA sees a similar, though less frenetic process. The opposing forces of national budget sequestration and extended QE ultimately causing less inherent tension than might seem the case.
Nevertheless, in the short and medium term costs are being reduced and the remaining expenditure scrutinized so as to operate in a lean manner, upon central requirements.
As understood, the overall budget remains spread as 33.3% for each of the Army, Air Force and Navy, though the Navy's Marine Corps tends to undertake a disproportionately high level of activity for its size.
Where funding has been heavily cut or stopped, this has arguably caused a vacuum-effect, where recipients and dependants have felt the results. Into this vacuum have stepped an increasing number of NGOs, primarily charities, now assisting serving and ex-service military personnel. One such being Operation Troop Aid with connections to the Army, Airforce, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. This organisation raises funds via events, charity collections and corporate sponsorship. These initiatives then provide in-direct, though more emotionally tied, publicly and commercially originated funding.
The commercial-military relationship then is most interesting, though it is seen that for the most part commercial charitable funding derives from local and national consumer-facing businesses to gain PR gains, so public affinity and so improved custom, whilst those firms whose prime operations lays with working with the military tends to be rather more removed from the public glare.
Though the USA will experience lesser military budget cuts than European counterparts, savings are still required. Required across much of the value-chain so capital expenditure and variable expenditure regards: strategy and consulting, sponsorship of pure and applied academic research, a rationalisation of internal research and development work, and external development work, delays in full series production for qualified and so ratified projects, in general procurement programmes, as well as massaging the schedule of 'through life' costs for machinery currently in use.
All of these challenges then offer potential opportunities to private enterprise.
The American Context -
Unlike the UK or its European partners, as NATO's figurehead, the United States will undoubtedly seek to maintain its strong military standing.
Since the Soviet 'Cold War' ended in 1989, NATO troops often wore the UN's light-blue helmets to act as peace-keepers as in the Balkans, though obviously participating as nation specific forces in the 1990-1 Gulf War (Iraq War 1) and to a far lesser extent Iraq War 2.
Thus under the auspices of the "War on Terror", but without a UN mandate, the USA along with closest allies such as Britain had to draw for the most part upon their own resources to try and secure regional regime change in Iraq and Afghanistan. With depleted capabilities and over-spent defence budgets, some political analysts suspect that the multimedia fuelled and chain-reactive 'Arab Spring' since Gaddafi's toppling, was instead designed not to strengthen and democratise the Middle East but to once again divide and disrupt the region; doing so without the high financial and reputational cost of 'boots on the ground' intervention. This conjecture supported by the Egyptian military coup which made a mockery of what had been a democratically elected outcome.
So with Iraq and Afghanistan much settled, and exit time-lines established, and with the Middle East veritably unsettled, and EM leaders concerned with re-orientating domestic economies as opposed to building military capability, US attention is increasingly drawn to broad Asia.
Today, under Shinzo Abe's leadership a more forthright Japan could be viewed as the USA's Asian proxy; as it seeks an 'extended arm' in its own right with soft and hard powers, but also with American interaction. Soft power enabled by the Yen's substantial depreciation so as to enhance its exporting capability and enhance cross-Asian trade, and hard power via the recent Japan-US joint force military exercises which underpin the island nation's rhetoric of moving away from post WW2 demilitarisation.
Indeed, America's regional influence will be seen to grow further if S.Korean troops and Japanese troops are similarly unified, as a counter the notional N.Korean threat, then latterly bolstered by US troops.
Those troops often drawn from the Southern US states (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee etc) whose own 'country' cultures of self-reliance, practicalness and gun ownership – primarily for hunting, though also last resort self-defence – gives a ready-made 'militia' for US forces.
At home, the US seeks greater North American integration as tries to once again unify its multi-racial 'melting pot', obviously so with a Black President, intending to lessen the previous hostility towards Mexicans, other Hispanics, and of course those of African descent. Understanding that to maintain economic strength, it will once again open its doors to further immigration in the future. A powerful example being Mexican actress Salma Heyek's rendition of the American national anthem recently on the prime time David Letterman Show (10.07.2013). However, frictions still obviously exist, the Trayvon Martin judgement once again upsetting African Americans, with echoes of Rodney King in 1992, leading to the Watts district riots.
[NB Unfortunately though, racism is pervasive and is the direct result of a range of social conflics. from the invisibly subtle to the obvious, and derives as ever from self-interests. Examples exist across the board, typically amongst those who feel themselves marginalised by 'the system' groups and left powerless; these typically low paid blue-collar whites who feel themselves impacted by 'under-cutting' immigration, those poorer african-americans and hispanics yet to reach the middle classes given the historical context of 'socio-economic traps', the last decade's focus on 'islamic terrorism' essentially segregating many muslims. But perhaps most disturbing when amongst supposedly educated people; especially when codified in likewise company, such as the yiddish use of term "schwarzers" ie "niggers" and similar].
Nevertheless, even with ever present 'tribal differences' the natural administrative intent is that of much better homeland integration.
Integration to improve as the economy grows and so opportunities for the disenfranchised appear. Such civil peace then lessens the need for a large National-Guard capacity and expenditure, and so allows the US to deploy a stronger military reach in foreign affairs. Generic national practice, and so little change for the US in this regard.
Yet likewise, it too must make defence budget savings, and seen to do so as part of the 'Federal Debt Ceiling' debate and Budget Sequestration demands.
Though in doing so, proportionately less compared to other nations, given the US's self-reliant posture, its external leadership role and monetary (ie the Fed's 'money printing') autonomy.
Thus the Defence Agenda has a relatively high corollary with the overall health of the US economy. Army, Air Force and Navy spending; plus an secondary trickle-down relationship with public law enforcement agencies and private security firms, indicates that whilst marginal savings will be made, in the long-term QE will ultimately allow the medium-term military budget (as % of GDP) to remain either static or indeed increase.
Yet even with this probability, in the cash restricted short and medium terms (and likely over the long-term) the "Bang for the Buck" quotient will need to be maintained or bettered. And since public accounting appears to be less rigorous than strictly governed commercial accounting, such efficiencies will inevitably be gained through the deployment of private firms undertaking a multitude of tasks.
Expanded Privatisation -
Such a 'new era substitution' previously explored with PMC's (Private Military Company)and PSC's (Private Security Company) as enforcement agencies in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The likes of America's Blackwater and Triple Canopy amongst foreign others such as Britain's Aegis plc.
Given the nature of the 'work', and the argument that profit-driven privatisation core to the 'US political- military-industry complex' would in fact seek to escalate conflict and peace-keeping tasks in strategically important and high value areas, this is indeed a highly sensitive topic.
Yet, given the increasing restriction of directly public funded forces, privatisation is set to continue at an even greater speed across an ever wider plain, from the upstream activities of leading-edge research and development in highly confidential locations, through downstream activities such as conflict supply logistics, and as seen, in post-war security within hostile environs, and throughout the security and government 'hand-over' process set for infrastructure renewal general economic development.
Amongst these arenas, the migration of unmanned ariel 'drones' from military to civilian applications is well under-way, just as the realm of cyber-security offers an expanding harvest for various private firms.
Within what might be classed as high-value industry, the best known share listed examples are...
of American origin: Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and General Dynamics, General Electric and Oshkosh ;
of British origin: BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce (Aero) and the UK government's spin-out of Qinetiq ;
of French origin: Thales and Safran ;
of Italian origin: Finmeccanica; and merged European interest: EADS.
of British origin: BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce (Aero) and the UK government's spin-out of Qinetiq ;
of French origin: Thales and Safran ;
of Italian origin: Finmeccanica; and merged European interest: EADS.
It is notable, that of the top 22 global defence firms, 14 are American
Ultimately, quite obviously, the business rationale of private industry's participation in military projects was and is to enhance value; typically via one, two or all three of the usual triple criteria:
1. Cost
2. Quality
3. Time
All three project issues inherent in the design of a next generation of general ground service vehicles, presently known as 'FED Alpha'.
Before taking a basic view of the new vehicle, it is perhaps useful to better appreciate the background to new hardware programmes.
Scenario Planning -
The start-point for an all new military vehicle design evolves from the 'scenario planning' process. Its basic methodology born partially from ever expanded political science and partly from what was once referred to (especially in the cold-war period) as 'war games'. But in essence it is a conceptualised refinement process which plots the level of likelihood versus the level of impact of important mid-term and long-term themes.
Of vital importance is the time-line being assessed, and the notion of 'origins of threat', or as counter-imperialists would argue, 'strategic theatres', for the single remaining super-power that is the USA.
The primary issue here is that with no matched oppositional super-power since the collapse of the Soviet Union – China and other EMs still militarily much smaller – political science moulds the notion of an anti-super-power threat that is both global yet evasive: ie a changing Islamic Fundamentalism which without conventional central control structures and forces operates in a 'guerilla-like' manner.
[NB See Post Script for investment-auto-motives' interpretation].
The FED Project -
Given that the world is increasingly urbanised, such notional evolution of the anti-US threat means that the combat environment is opposite to that which which the present US vehicle fleet was created in the late 1980s: the open terrain desert-lands of Iraq.
In general utility vehicle terms, that 'open, long distance theatre' called for a massive shift from the similar small vehicles that had been before. These being the iconic Willys/Ford Jeep of WW2 (1940-1945) and its archetype descendants, the M38 (US-Korea War) and Ford M151 'MUTT' (US-Vietnam War). Those replaced in 1984 by the now renowned 'Humvee'.
The Humvee (HMMWV – High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) essentially took on an intermediate role that sits between the agile light small Jeep and medium sized trucks. Its name ironically belies the fact that because of its size and weight its actual off-road capability is more restricted than its predecessors. At the time this made little sense to specialist off-road development engineers, especially amongst military equipment providers such as Land Rover Defender and the then Steyr-Daimler-Puch Pinzguar.
However, its specifically designed competence was latterly understood and came to the fore during the 1990s and 2000s Gulf Wars.
A New Era:
Today however, as seen, with threats from a different intra-urban environment the overly-large, unwieldy and fuel thirsty Humvee (marketed in civilian guise as the original H1 Hummer) is now viewed as less suited to tomorrow's needs.
Thus it seems US Forces seek to return to the use of both a smaller 'tactical vehicles', a type off-road able multi-task vehicle (LTV) and increased use of medium-size (MTV) trucks.
[NB The Army operates approximately 300,000 tactical (dark green and light green) vehicles and about 200,000 non-tactical (white); though a necessary flexible-use policy means that many can be 'de-contented' (down-graded) for non-combat theatre roles, or retro-fitted (up-graded) for combat theatre roles].
Hence initiation of the formal FED project (FED = Fuel Efficient Demonstrator) relating to the former 'LTV' which ran through 2009/10 and offered its concept hardware results in July 2011.
Although now two years later, the project is well-worth review given that it sought to be a marked step forward in its reduced-mass ethos. Whether the recommended solutions are able to remain under near to mid term budget pressures remains to be seen.
'Internalising' the Idea:
To promote a new FED vehicle project and outcome, Army seniors instigated the idea that the troops 'on the ground' should become involved. To this end, the 'home-grown' ELSORV initiative was born, in which a select band of 4x4 enthusiast soldiers designed and self-fabricated four high mobility vehicles with the notional intent of front-line logistics support. These used the far-corner wheel locations and long suspension travel seen on 'rock-crawler' and 'mudding' buggys. But beyond their back—yard capability, their real intent is to prepare the path for a productionised FED related truck.
Overall responsibility for inception and delivery of the FED prototyping project was held by the US Army Material Command, specifically via its 'TARDEC' section (Tank and Automotive Research and Development Engineering Centre) located in Warren Michigan. TARDEC in turn communicates with external organisations via NAC (National Automotive Centre), which marries the efforts of other government agencies, academia and the commercial entities within automotive sphere.
The Brief:
The project's general engineering brief objectives were to:
1. Improve upon Humvee fuel efficiency by 30% (7 mpg)
2. Improve over Humvee general capability
3. Improve over Humvee safety and survivability
Its specification accords to what the US Army refers to as MRUV-1, (Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle – Class 1) of 3 'MRAP' (Mine Resistant Ambush Protection) categories.
Competing Teams:
Two competing teams were established 'Alpha' and 'Beta', so as to create a motivational dynamic, but more so to evaluate different technology, cost and delivery paths.
To reach beyond the innate limitations of conventional US Army vehicle development procedure and practice external assistance and leadership was contracted, so as to gain a level of knowledge transfer between outside engineers experienced in wide-ranging arenas, and the arguably closed in-house environment of the US Forces. To this end TARDEC allowed for its engineers to become 'embedded' externally.
The engineering solution and vehicle demonstrator offered by the 'FED Alpha' team eventually won the contest; as led by Ricardo Engineering.
Ricardo plc:
This listed British company highlights itself as a high-value, multi-technology adept, engineering thought-leader to the world; in this instance boosting US-UK relations. Its roots lay in vehicle design and development, however re-imagined for the 21st century it sought to hold a broad portfolio of capability, with leaning to eco-tech applied across various fields including 'new-energy' such as wind-power generation and electric and hybrid vehicles. Though as previous governmental green-funding diminished it has partially re-set its income ambitions toward providing high-value content in more stable sectors, such as revived automotive, marine, civil engineering projects and and the military. It has facilities in Detroit.
Leading the FED Alpha team, it operated as lead solutions provider, supplier 'conductor' and overall systems integrator on the final demonstrator; which included mixed material applications across structural and skin parts, consisting of steel, aluminium and composites
The Demonstrator:
[NB The details below gained from various sources, including 'RQ', Ricardo's PR magazine]
The 4-seater, 75 mph, 30 gallon short-range, 'role-adaptive' vehicle concept centred around as lightweight and fuel-saving philosophy as possible, with an approximate mass of 15,000 lbs / 7 US tons versus a current average beyond 20,000 lbs
Advanced Tech:
1. Aluminium frame with 'clap-hand doors' (access-egress) and integrated 'V-Hull' (blast deflection)
2. Carbon-fibre body panels
3. Aluminium components (radiators, suspension parts, brake callipers)
4. Titanium components (suspension coil struts)
5. Electrically powered ancillaries (fans, pumps etc) avoid mechanical 'parasitic loss'
6. Conventional wheel hubs – not Portal 'Geared' Hubs
7. Aluminium wheels
8. 'Low-drag' brakes
Intermediate Tech:
9. Goodyear low resistance tyres
10. 'Super-finished' differential gears (extends life-time)
11. Kollmorgan starter-generator (28V)
12. Constant levelling suspension system
13. Solar panel (trickle charge) rear mounted
Matured Tech:
14. Supercharged and turbo-charged Cummins 4-cylinder diesel engine (200hp, 568 lbs/ft torque)
15. Aisin 6-speed transmission
16. Part-time 4WD
17. Brake system operated ABS and TC
This 'set-up' chosen to achieve best possible performance figures across various 'drive-cycles':
A. Highway/Convoy
B. Off-Road Assault Mission
C. At Idle for Equipment Powering
These modelled parameters allowed for general understanding of what may be required to achieve the set fuel-efficiency target. Whilst a basic aluminium vehicle architecture was determined, it was presented to TARDEC with varying 'up-grade' routes on core systems such as engine-type configurations.
Given the weight-loss advantage of the aluminium structure, even the most conventional engine choice, using mature or in-market items, gave a very healthy efficiency improvement, more than doubling the original 30% improvement, and with the 'Rankine Cycle' system introduced to capture and re-use heat losses it reach over 100% improvement.
Given that the simplest and most cost effective propulsion technologies had beaten the target by a wide margin, they were elected for detailed development.
Test Regime:
The vehicle was twice tested for fuel-economy against a similarly specification Humvee, with roof-mounted weapons system, and given additional ballast to 'top-up' its payload weight to equal the mass of the Humvee. Drivers switched vehicles between the first and second tests to minimize human input variation, traversing paved and gravel roads and across the load range from long-idle to full-load acceleration.
FED Alpha surpassed the Humvee with a 72% improved fuel-economy, equating to a 42% reduction in the amount of fuel used when running at a GVW of 15,200 lbs / 6.9 tonnes, aswell as notably improved all-round performance.
Ricardo states that this outcome reflected the generally expected result as predicted by its computer simulation work previously – within 2% - a methodology many engineering consultancies are marketing so as to reduce the physical prototyping process.
TARDEC seemingly enthusiastic about the increased reliance upon software simulation.
The project undoubtedly allowed TARDEC what appears a much improved view into the contemporary world of automotive concept engineering, that capability made available from the varied mix of mass-volume and niche-volume systems solutions that have emerged over many decades.
And undoubtedly the FED Alpha vehicle reached and possibly surpassed TARDEC expectation.
Ongoing Doubts:
However, ultimately the vehicle's structural DNA may prove too unconventional for what appears a very deep but narrow band of US Army technical knowledge and capability.
Whilst one Army officer states that front-line 'structural repairability' is no longer an issue, given that a mine-blasted vehicle whether aluminium or steel is essentially operationally defunct and would need too be replaced like for like, the fact is – as any commander will atest – that in hostile operational situations, with invariably limited manpower and hardware resources, an innate flexibility to scavenge all available components, hold a store and repair the vehicle fleet as soon as possible invariably using standard processes and equipment is invaluable.
And as seen by the home-grown ELSORV project, many of the US Army's front-line soldiers have impressive design and build capabilities in traditional mechanics, that practical knowledge very much engrained within TARDEC, given its Michigan presence and across the motor-pools of all the US forces.
FED Alpha: A "Catwalk Vehicle" ? -
It cannot be argued otherwise, but TARDEC's decision to develop FED Alpha over FED beta is to be congratulated. The process allowed for invaluable learning for the engineering managers and staff to appreciate the speed and variation regards vehicle development beyond its own walls.
That said, the ability to directly transfer FED Alpha into "field conditions" looks unlikely.
Without innate detailed knowledge of the project investment-auto-motives will highlight some of the vehicle disadvantages which would prove problematic in situ.
Body System: the aluminium structure massively assists in weight-saving but even with the V-Hull to deflect blasts, given that even hardened aluminium as a material has far less density than plate steel any substantial blast would send a larger shock-wave through the vehicle cabin so increasing the potential for external and internal organ damage of the occupants.
Furthermore, as explained, any damaged and base-returned vehicle, if unrepairable must offer at best spare parts and at worst material re-use. Steel offers this high potential for 'recycling'.
Suspension System: the fitted electro-mechanical self-levelling suspension system creates an occupant environment problem. Whilst maintaining impressive ride and poise it also appears unfortunately noisy and by its very nature audibly irregular. If it was a low volume, low pitched regularly-time noise it would be less irritable to driver and passengers. Better still obviously no noise.
This has been the case for decades with standard torsion bar, or coil and damper or even leaf-springs. Self levelling systems are advantageous, especially when towing trailers, but need to be as simple as possible.
Aluminium Components: Items such as radiators, suspension parts, brake callipers etc could indeed be produced in aluminium, so adding to mass reduction, but such items should also be re-produced and so made replaceable in cheaper steel equals.
Reduced Rolling Resistance: the 'low drag' brakes and 'reduced resistance' tyres offer much for test conditions, but less so in service. The low-drag aspect of brake callipers which constantly keeps brake shoes off the disc-face is typically reliant upon small tensioner clips etc which wear-out on all but smooth surfaces. The 'low roll' tyres likewise may prove less than adaptable given that their compound material may be overtly hard so as to reduce friction and the side walls may be overtly strengthened likewise, so reducing the usefulness of intentionally lowered tyre pressures over very soft terrain
Standard Wheel Hubs: these give the greatest indicated clue as to FED's future as reverting to a conventional / traditional truck engineering package
[NB The Portal style geared hub is effective but costly, heavy and can give high-speed overheating problems. It is seen on the Humvee, as well as previously on the VW Kubalwagen, Steyr Hafliger and Pinzguar, Mercedes Unimog, various Tatra and UAZ vehicles and specially adapted others. The Portal axle effectively puts an additional gearing set into the wheel hub so enabling even greater reduction gearing for greater torque, and as importantly raises the axle height to give better under-body clearance. Hence its favoured use by Eastern European and German forces often in mountainous and boggy terrain].
Importantly, as seen standard vehicles can be adapted with bolt-on' portal gearing as required, so providing a cost vs performance flexibility.
Quite obviously TARDEC well appreciates the finite disadvantageous details which FED Alpha proffers as a natural consequence of its engineered advantages. And investment-auto-motives and this web-log is not the natural forum for deep critique.
One Army officer leading the project foresaw that some of the emergent ideas would be retro fitted into current fleet. This makes sense regards the trickle-charge solar panel, which given its low cost could well become a standard feature to all vehicles.
Yet other design elements will very probably be carried forward, including the 'clap-hands doors which provide easier access and egress and in combat would provide front and rear ballistic barriers above knee-height when exiting the vehicle.
This feature has been seen on previous standard versions of the 'short-door' Chevy Silverado, and is an easily engineered fix for its larger GMC cousin and similar from Ford.
Logical Conjecture:
To this end, although not obviously stated by the Army, investment-auto-motives suspects that Army chiefs and procurement functions deliberately elected this simpler vehicle package, recognising that it has the option of utilising less sophisticated materials and allow for the ability to devise a 'combinational parts' strategy which, as with any prosaically intelligent platform strategy, allows for a myriad of 'mix and match' performance dedicated versions.
So although similar basic dimensional layout and similar drive-train, but instead comprised of mostly steel. Plus steel-related manufacturing such as 'super-finishing' on moving parts to reduce parasitic losses and so aid MPG whilst extend the life-time durability of the drive-train.
Most likely specific aluminium parts for items such as hood, suspension parts and other 'blast sacrificial' items could be used to assist in mass-reduction, expensive carbon-fibre not being used for skin panels unless those same panels can provide an ingenious high-value dual use such as removable ballistic personal shields.
Moreover, critically production vehicles will probably integrate greater eco-tech on a needs-must and cost-advantage basis, very probably in a 'bolt-on' manner. As such as the solar panel, the starter generator etc which then add-up to a value-additive sum that is greater than the cost-amortised parts.
Such solutions though would need to be planned into a schema that begins with the massive cost savings provided by procuring a conventional, ideally off-the-shelf yet highly adaptable vehicle platform.
The obvious candidates are the Ford F-350 to 550 chassis, GMC Sierra 3500HD to Kodiak chassis and Dodge Ram 3500 to 5500 chassis.
Looking to the Past -
In the early 1980s the US Army procured a sizeable amount of off-the-shelf vehicles to work in 'white' and 'light green' guises, then most notably Dodge pick-ups.
More recently in the early 2000s the Canadian forces procured the 'militarized' Chevy Silverado, an adapted version of the standard vehicle nicknamed 'Milverado'.
The US military uses a land vehicle classification system know as the "G-series" which is based upon families of vehicles which utilise the same engine, transmission and drive-line.
Hence the procurement and deployment of a standardised vehicle base would therefore reduce the mechanics of fleet variation, and so simplify inventory complexity and enable greater volume order savings.
It is an ethos seen before during fiscally constrained periods, so a case of re-learning much of what is possibly forgotten.
"Wheels to the World" -
If the conjecture of investment-auto-motives is correct, and because of budget pressures and the findings of other projects (such as ELSORV), FED Alpha actually morphs into a "Standard+" type of vehicle, then investment-auto-motive's idea that the US is actually seeking to develop an 'exportable' Light Tactical Vehicle to the forces of the world, would be ratified.
In this case the FED Alpha could be considered the "Military Model T" (from whichever supplier, Ford, GM or Dodge...even all 3).
Itself seeking to gain orders from global forces. Generally allied armies which must accept the new product given the discontinuation of the Humvee, and additionally those other typically EM forces which have to date used out-dated vehicles, some of which stem from the Soviet era. Whilst some mid-tier EM nations are indeed developing their LTV type vehicles, these are often themselves based upon now ageing western vehicle platforms and so cannot compete on performance criteria. Whilst other nations such as Nigeria have utilised previous Malaysian tooling to create its basic Pf1 LTV. Lastly such an American Model T would also compete against the specialist developments of necessarily geographically self-reliant countries such as Australia, which has created the design dedicated Hawkei to replace its now antiquated Perentie vehicle.
Critically the Australian government is also open to 'market available' product, of which a Militarised Model T
[NB Full examination of the competitive field requires review of "Jane's Military Land Platforms"]
Sales Prospecting -
An off-the-cuff estimation highlights that such a conventionally engineered, up-gradeable 'Son of FED' could be attractive to the following forces:
- NATO Forces
Allied Defence Forces:
- US Host Nations (ie Saudi Arabia, UAE)
- Israel
- South Africa
- Japan
Combat Situations:
- Iraq ('Hand-Over' Forces)
- Afghanistan ('Hand-Over' Forces)
- Syria (Oppositional Pro-Western Forces)
- Egypt (New Pro-Western Leadership)
- North African and Sub-Saharan Countries
EM Nations -
- Brazil
- India
The attraction herein is obvious with either allied nations seeking , 'new-friend' nations after regime change, or transitional nations seeking regime change. And whilst suffering their own economic slowing certain EM countries now have an overtly strong FX value versus a depleted US Dollar, so making modern foreign military equipment appear more affordable (though it must be said that such procurement would be mainly directed at high-advantage missiles, tanks, aircraft and drones as opposed to infantry vehicles who's success tends to be more of a in combat 'numbers game'.
Military Stimulus for Bankrupt Detroit -
Such an outcome would indeed become a key piece of the "renaissance jigsaw" for the city of Detroit.
The city is now in an $18.2 billion deficit hole, with a long-time value-destroying civic business model, that saw its interest charges grow without the ability to repay the capital borrowed from various sources. Bankruptcy was always just around the corner, and now finally here.
Its city administrators, emergency manager Mr Orr, Michigan's State Senators and Judge Rhodes presiding over the Chapter 9, all understandably seemingly at a loss as how to fairly execute the bankruptcy and, as importantly exactly how to revive the city's fortunes.
The resurgence of the broad US economy across all industrial sectors will, as now seen, generate new demand for full-size pick-up trucks, aswell as of course mid-size and large 'semi' trucks and passenger cars.
The northern states, and perhaps Michigan specifically has been the production home of the pick-up, with the Chevy Silverado manufactured in Flint MI (and Indiana and Mexico), the Ford F-series in Dearborne MI (and Kansas, Mexico and Venezuela) and the Dodge Ram in Warren MI.
The large production volumes, the impressive per unit margins and the importance of such trucks to the vibrancy of the local supplier-base and so state economy cannot be over-estimated. So the additional value that could be gained from these 'base platform' replacement military vehicles for the US forces and overseas forces is impressive. It could potentially run to near one million units.
Importantly, unlike the foreign manufacturing plants used for standard pick-ups, the fact that each vehicle would need a modicum of 'militarization' (communications packs, water fording, armouring etc) means that this specialist work would be done in Michigan.
This in turn could call for a dedicated 'Militarisation Engineering Centre' within each plant, but more likely GM, Ford and Dodge conjoining forces in a specialist singular location.
Given the re-emphasised importance and value of agricultural land – as per Jim Rogers' outlook – it is the regeneration of brownfield sites that state policies must continue to be directed toward; particularly so Detroit in Michigan's case.
Thus, there could be an argument that amongst the municipality's inevitable asset divestment programme (art treasures to derelict property lots) that the City of Detroit effectively offer 'gratis' a large location within its boundaries to a newly created SVO company set-up by the Big 3.
[NB Iveco, the truck unit held under FIAT Industrial SpA, though similarly run by Marchionne, would also probably tender for full production. Iveco no doubt integrating with Dodge to re-offer its historical offering of building military vehicles].
Doing so would re-energise that and broader reaches of the City and very probably attract domestic and foreign firms and investors.
To Conclude -
Though the FED was built in advanced materials, the basic mechanical package is actually relatively conventional.
So much so in fact that investment-auto-motives believes that the US armed forces will replace portions of the Humvee fleet with modified versions of standard 'off the shelf vehicles' for basic 'white' and 'light-green' and possibly even 'dark-green' uses.
The inclusion of standard OEM systems such as driver interface, ABS and Traction Control on FED, as available on Ford, GM and Chrysler (Dodge) trucks adds to the likelihood.
Furthermore, some systems on-board FED appear overtly problematic, one such example offered being the bothersome noise of the (possibly expensive) constant levelling system, suggesting that standard coils and shock absorbers would reduce cost and improve the cabin experience.
The US Army would most probably maintain a shrunken fleet of 'dark green' Humvee's for dedicated roles, able to mechanically strip-down those take out of service for use as spare parts reserve to enable the life-extension of motor pool vehicles.
Importantly, unsurprisingly the US has a good number of specialist vehicle constructors, including the likes if LENCO which builds adapted and specialist armoured vehicles for the military, enforcement agencies, police, and security services.
Thus it would be rational to suggest that ultimately a much pressurised Army Procurement division will insist that the progeny of the FED project befit the necessary cost savings available from the volume purchase of standard heavy duty chassis from the Detroit 3.
To have those vehicles initially adapted by various SVO (Specialist Vehicle Operations) 'Outfitters', whilst developing a dedicated 'Big 3' site; then possibly acquiring the 'Outfitters' companies in due course to build up sizable core capabilities.
[NB Such firms have innate knowledge in this sector and have previously given solutions transfers between sectors, for example the use of baffled radiator grills to stop small arms fire from damaging the radiator].
[NB Such firms have innate knowledge in this sector and have previously given solutions transfers between sectors, for example the use of baffled radiator grills to stop small arms fire from damaging the radiator].
This then accords with the previous investment-auto-motives' web-log which by virtue of macro-technical trends deduced that the US would indeed maintain its mid-tier technology focus. Not climbing to high up the specialisation ladder, so that it could continue to benefit from EM regions' previous adoption and steady uptake of evolutionary improved conventional technologies.
The Take-Away Picture -
But perhaps fittingly, the best mental image which sums up the present – indeed ever present - US Army technical perspective can be gained from the film 'Forrest Gump'.
In one scene whilst serving in Vietnam the simple southern boy is stood surrounded by Army tents, a truck, goods buggy and fuel trailer. A nearby board reads 'Alpha Company'...'Old Reliables'.
And in reply to others' criticism of his overtly simple manner, Forrest says "Stupid is as stupid does"
The US Army, the Big 3 Auto-Companies and the City of Detroit could do worse than follow Forrest's example.
Post Script -
The modern US viewpoint – whether truly plausible or the product of national security paranoia – is that whereas once the apparent threat was nation-based, and leadership-based as seen historically up to the near end of the 20th century, the apparent threat since "9-11 2001" (11th Sept 2001) has been supposedly ideological.
So very unfortunately returning to the overtly simplistic, highly tribal, aspect of religion – which ironically itself sought to unify warring local tribes over natural resources and population size - in turn superseded by the notion of nationhood.
So very unfortunately returning to the overtly simplistic, highly tribal, aspect of religion – which ironically itself sought to unify warring local tribes over natural resources and population size - in turn superseded by the notion of nationhood.
The religious aspect, so turning back the clock, is very unfortunate since there are far fewer major religions than nations, which therefore encapsulates an ever greater number of people, even if they 'non-practising'.
It is for this reason that Soviet Russia previously sought to raise national identity over religious identity, as China does so today, recognising that its re-rise in power could fragment national unity.
Thus rather like George Orwell's 1984, one sad outcome of globalisation, and specifically 9-11, has been to possibly create the 3 great supra-powers: Western Christianity (Oceana), Middle-Eastern Islamism (Eurasia) and Eastern Hindu-Buddhism (Eastasian).


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Designer Interview Part 1: Pheobe & Peter of Cold Picnic
We're proud to present our next designer interview or in this case...talented local US makers/designers. It's been a pleasure getting to know Pheobe Sung and Peter Buer, the lovely couple behind Brooklyn-based accessories label Cold Picnic. Their designs have been a shop favorite and the watches have been some of our best sellers. I've long admired their ability to create a variety of products (watches to wall hangings!) as well as to incorporate different materials in their designs. And yes, they manage to balance work, love and life with their dog Philip. Is there anything this wonder couple can't do?
|Natural Leather Large and Small Face Watches
How would you describe your creative process: from design, inspiration to creation for each collection?
Phoebe: We take a few weeks and really try to pinpoint what we've been thinking about in terms of inspiration, as well as what we loved or missed from the last collection. That part is really important, because we get so excited about every new collection when it's first released. But it takes a few months of living with it to determine what elements we want more (or less) of. Once we've done that, we make a list of everything we want to make and figure out how it ties in together. Designing is usually a very mixed bag - we sketch, watercolor, make computer CADs, pick out colors, make mockups in clay, rope, and fabric.
I love that the Cold Picnic line has ventured into a variety of products from jewelry, watches to home accessories, and now leather goods. What's next for Cold Picnic in terms of new collections or product lines?
Peter: We make so many different items that we don't really want to expand too much. But one thing we haven't been able to stop thinking about is rugs. Since our wall hangings incorporate Rya, a handwoven scandinavian rug making method, we thought it would be interesting to have our wall hangings made into larger rugs, in current designs as well as some new ones. We would also love to incorporate our macrame into a few furniture pieces.
|Home/Studio Photo
How did your accessory line get started?
Peter: We lived in Boston for about five years before moving to Brooklyn. The last summer in Boston we spent driving around to all these little towns for their library booksales. It was a fun way to say goodbye to the city, and to visit towns that we otherwise might not have seen. Afterwards we'd have a picnic or a fried clam shack, and visit a beach or trail nearby. The best part was going through all the books we'd bought - loads of 70s craft books, books on national parks, animals, caves, textiles. I don't think at the time we thought it would turn into a jewelry line but we got so inspired by all the images and the crafts in the books that we started trying things out on our own.
|Wall Hangings and Bags from their new collection
How has your designs changed and evolved since you started?
Phoebe: Loads. It started as a way to blow off steam after work, since we worked in corporate fashion - Peter doing print design and me designing apparel. We both had a background in fine arts and in fashion design, but neither of us had any formal jewelry training. Our first pieces we designed were carved into linoleum and block printed onto leather straps. We rolled them into bead-like shapes for big statement necklaces - we didn't have access to casters and couldn't do ceramics, so that was our way of making beads!
Once we moved to New York we were exposed to so many more resources and met other designers who helped point us in the right direction. Instead of just drawing and block printing an image, we could actually fabricate the image and have it cast. We also briefly owned a store with another brand Species by the Thousands. It was in Williamsburg and was called A Thousand Picnics. A lot of the expansion within our line happened during that period of time (a little over a year). We kept making more and more things to fill out the shop - plant hangers, wall hanging, bags, soap, even all natural cleaning products! When we decided to leave, we realized many of these pieces had become a really important part of our line and we didn't want to give them up!
|Plant Hangers
Running a business requires a lot of time and passion. What do you guys like to do on your down time-hobbies/interests?
Peter: Well, many of our hobbies have been absorbed into the brand. So a lot of the things we would do in our down time are the things we actually do when we're working - sketching, crafts, making things for the house. And because a lot of the work we do is by hand, we're able to listen to NPR or watch TV shows while working. Some of the pieces (especially the wall hangings) take several days, so we end up watching a LOT of TV :)
We both love to cook, and to eat. If we need a little break away from the studio (which is in our apartment) we may take a little day trip - something that incorporates a nice walk for our dog Phillip, and something nice for us to eat!
Any irks and quirks you'd like to share?
Phoebe (irks)
- Cilantro
- Not being able to bring Phillip into restaurants
- Telephone calls
Peter (quirks)
- lifetime supporter of Arsenal football club
- We keep water guns in every room of the house to spray our constantly-misbehaving cats
I find inspiration at home and places I've visited. Your collections feature themes and names of places. How does your surroundings influence your design?
Peter: Very much so. Not necessarily our immediate surroundings but definitely the environment and landscapes throughout the US - we're sort of obsessed with national parks. We're constantly planning trips which we haven't had time in the past year or two to visit, so sometimes we visit vicariously through our collections.
I know it's so hard to choose. Your watches have been a favorite in our shop. But what are some of your favorite pieces from your collection?
Peter: The new printed pieces and the new collection of wall hangings I think are my favorite pieces. We're also really excited about the new jewelry incorporating enamel.
Your products involve the use of a variety of materials from metals, textiles to leather. What do you like most about the process of exploration of different materials in your design?
Phoebe: When we had the shop we were just making the bags and home products as quickly as we could to fill the place out. So although they adhered to our overall design aesthetic and used the materials and techniques we'd been working with all along, we didn't truly design them as a part of our collection until recently, maybe the past two collections. It's been wonderful to design all these different pieces as part of the same collection and see how we can tie together prints with jewelry with wall hangings and plant hangers.
What is your personal style or aesthetic? What are some of favorite your pieces, items you collect for you or your home?
Phoebe: We both dress pretty simply, and actually from all the time living and working together have come to dress pretty similarly. In the winter I like Acne or Wood Wood jeans - mainly cause they're good for girls without hips/waists! - and a mens sweater. In the summer, tatty old jeans shorts with silk button up shirts. Love Dieppa Restrepo or Louffler Randall shoes. As for the home, we've been mainly trying to build up a really nice collection of cookware. I'd love to get a rack going of beautiful copper pans, but space is always an issue.
Peter: I hate dressing for summer, but one summer staple is the white Vans LP. Phoebe and I used to go through several a year until we found out they got discontinued! Now we have to be very careful with our last pairs, since there won't be any more. In colder weather I love shirts by Band of Outsiders and Patrik Ervell, Levis jeans, and Opening Ceremony chukkas.
Hope you enjoyed this interview. It's always a pleasure to share our designers' creative process as well as their personal side. We haven't met in person, but they're a great couple you just want to hang with. Thank you so much Pheobe and Peter for taking the time to answer our questions. We really appreciate it! {Stay tune for Part 2: Travel Tips from Pheobe and Peter}
Images courtesy of Cold Picnic
Designers and Home/Studio Photos by Agnes Thor

subset: commoncrawl


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Master of Accounting Program
Earning a Master of Accounting not only expands a student's education and job options; it amplifies earning potential and career advancement.
The master's of accounting program welcomes students from many different backgrounds — from psychology to environmental geology — who are looking to enhance their professional options. A certificate option is available for pre-master's students who do not have an accounting undergraduate degree. This certificate also serves as a credential for professionals interested in earning additional accounting skills.
Learn why our students and alumni chose to get a MAcc at KU.
Program Profile
Working Professional Master of Accounting
|Working Professional Participant Profile
|Professionals seeking to strengthen their skills and advance in their profession without a career interruption
|Professional Experience
|Most students in the program have full-time jobs during the day
|Class Schedule
|Two evening classes per week
|Program Length
|Five semesters (Less than two years, including summer semesters)
|Credit Hours
|30 hours
|Program Structure
|10 courses; online, hybrid and traditional offered
|KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kan.
|Entry Point
|Fall, spring, or summer
|$22,253 (estimated 2016-17). For more detailed information, visit Tuition & Fees
|Spring semester: Nov. 15
Summer semester: April 15
Fall semester: July 1
International students: June 15
This program is funded by the Education and Research Triangle initiative.


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Sennheisers PCX 95 in-ear neckband earphones have changed my opinion about the in-ear devices to a great extent. With these earphones firmly fitted in your ears, you need not suffer the irritations of background noise. Sennheiser calls the PCX 95 as its first model of headphones with an in-ear neckband design. Let us leave aside the in-ear or on-the-ear debate and come straight to the pointthese new headphones are very good at cutting out outside noise, which means you are left in peace with your music and you wont even have to crank up the volume. They are optimised for MP3, iPod, iPhone and portable media players and carry an affordable price tag of
R5,490. Sennheiser officials reckon that the PCX 95 in-ear neckband earphones feature precise, bass-driven sound with enhanced passive noise isolation, let us check them out for their performance and ease of use.
Out of the box, the PCX 95 earphones are small, light and comfortable to wear with a variety of ear buds for a secure fit. A major irritant in the earphones are their wires which have a tendency to get entangled. Sennheiser has got rid of this by provisioning in its new earphones a single-sided anti-friction cable for convenient handling. The cord length is more than sufficient to reach the phone or MP3 player that youll clip to your belt. The PCX 95 ship with a set of ear adapters (small, medium and large) for a personalised fit. Its design is surprisingly comfortable to wear even while jogging.
Technical speak, the PCX 95 earphones have a frequency response of 17-22,500 Hz, sound pressure level of 115 dB, impedance of 32 ohm and total harmonic distortion of <0.1%. For an ordinary user, this means they do a great job of concealing sound, removing all outside interference and giving the user a musical treat. My immediate reaction on plugging in the PCX 95 and listening to Faith Hills There youll be from Pearl Harbor was wow. Even Eric Claptons Tears in Heaven, renowned for its haunting guitar was rendered perfectly. I could go on waxing praise about how good these headphones are, but probably the best way of summing them up is to say that theyre extremely easy to listen to.
Overall construction is lightweight and sturdy, allowing users to sit comfortably and take in music for long stretches. Even someone not used to wearing in-ear headphones will get used to these pretty quickly and their light weight means they dont tug at your lugs as other headphones can. So what are you waiting for, place the PCX 95 in your ear, fire up your track of the day and sit back in peace. They sound good no matter which source you use.


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News >> Browse Articles >> Job & Career Advice
Job Search Tools & Advice
Elizabeth Hoyt
March 07, 2017
If you're looking for advice or tools to help with your job search, you've come to the right place. MonsterCollege can help you in your job search from start to finish.
Fine tune your job search with MonsterCollege's resources that can help you find the perfect job.
Resources to Help with Your Job Search
• Gaining Control Over Your Job Search
• Work the Room: Networking Tips
• 8 Signs You're Slacking in Your Job Search
• Millennials, Here are the 10 Best Jobs for You
• 10 Majors with the Highest Salaries for College Graduates
• 7 Job Hunt Mistakes New Grads Should Avoid
• 5 Ways to Ease the Transition from College to Career
• Keep It Professional: Social Media and the Job Search


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See how the iframe and quote look
This is the quote
And if we go with the iframe option...
And then we write more underneath...
Bitcoin was launched in 2009 by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity has not been confirmed. We do not know whether this is a real name or a pseudonym, or how many people the name represents.
Bitcoin is not run through a central bank. It is supported by a peer to peer network of computers. This network is responsible for both transferring bitcoin as well as creating new bitcoin.
At inception it was decided that the supply of Bitcoin would be limited to 20 million. There are currently just over 13 million in circulation https://blockchain.info/charts/total-bitcoins


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When San Francisco resident Amber Yust went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to change the sex designation on her license from "M" to "F," she didn't have any problems. It wasn't until a few days later that she says she got a letter from the DMV clerk who handled her forms — a letter warning her that she'd be damned to hell.
Homosexuality, he wrote, is "an abomination that leads to hell," according to the San Francisco Chronicle, apparently violating privacy laws. She also received a DVD from a church which promised damnation for those "possessed by demons."Yust, who is 23, plans to sue for damages and a court order that would instruct the DMV to enforce privacy laws. The Transgender Law Center, which is helping on her case, says the same clerk once berated another woman coming in to change the sex on her license and refused to process her application.
The DMV apologized after that incident, according to the center, in the summer of 2009.
As for the clerk's future at the DMV, the agency refused to comment to the Chronicle, citing personnel matters.


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Welcome to the Northwest ESA Interagency Website of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA-Fisheries, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service for information on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Streamlined Consultation Process. The "footprint" of NW Interagency Streamlined Consultation process includes our four agencies and staff in all or parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and California.
Our website contains ESA and Streamlined Consultation documents, important references and links and other materials. This website was created as a tool and resource for use by biologists, botanists, managers, and others working with the Streamlined Consultation process, the Endangered Species Act, National Fire Plan projects, and the Counterpart Regulation process.
Some of these links reference agency and other sites outside BLM's jurisdiction.
Photo courtesy of


text: My father, Henry, was an early supporter of the UFWA. He had a strong belief in the value of the work done by farm workers and felt that many growers mistreated and exploited their help. I was young at the time, not even a teenager, and traveled with my father to meetings, rallies, etc. during the March to Sacramento in 1966 we joined in and became more involved with the UFWA. I am honored to be in the attached photo, I am the girl with the curly hair just to the right of Cesar. I went on to be an activist in high school and college; always supporting the UFW causes and then went to work for the UFW when I ended my college career. I first worked in the organizing department out of the Selma Field Office, then was trained in contract negotiations. I eventually went to Sacramento to work the lobbying effort for the Agricultural Labor Relations Act. After we successfully lobbied the ALRA, I was assigned to the Legal Department and investigated cases of unfair labor practices in the areas between Delano and Livingston. I went to live in La Paz, the National Headquarters, and left the UFW in 1978. The training I received from the UFW allowed me to apply for, and get, a job with Fresno County as a criminal investigator. I held this position until my retirement in 2007. I will be forever grateful to the UFW for educating me in areas that schools can never teach; the kinds of things you have to experience in order to understand. Since leaving the UFW I have tried to help out in whatever way I can.


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When I have a glass of wine or two at night it definitely makes me sleepy and it's less than 5 minutes before my head hits the pillow and I fall a sleep. However, I normally wake up 1-2 times in the middle of the night when drinking wine. How can something make you so tired but disrupt sleep?
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5 Answers
on August 14, 2011
at 12:44 PM
There is a real difference between making you go to sleep and sleeping well. Studies have shown that alcohol does, indeed, make you go to sleep more quickly, at least if it???s not drunk in excess ??? it has a natural sedative effect. However, once you are asleep it disrupts what scientists call ???sleep architecture??? ??? the pattern of sleep and brain waves that leaves you feeling refreshed in the morning. We need the right balance of REM sleep (dreaming sleep) and non-REM sleep (including deep sleep), and alcohol disturbs this.
???Alcohol can mean that sleep is no longer refreshing, because the brain can???t perform the normal restorative job it does during the night,??? says Jessica Alexander, of the Sleep Council, which provides information about sleep and health.
During the first portion of sleep, alcohol drunk within an hour of bedtime increases the proportion of non-REM sleep and decreases the proportion of REM sleep, but it doesn???t greatly disrupt sleeping patterns. The problems come mainly in the second half of sleep, when REM falls off again and sleep becomes more disturbed. People taking part in sleep experiments have reported that they sleep more superficially a few hours into their sleep ??? and it has been observed that their limb movements increase, their temperature fluctuates, they are more dehydrated and are more likely to awaken from dreams. This may be partly because, in the second half of the night, your body is suffering alcohol-withdrawal symptoms once it has processed the alcohol you put in your bloodstream before going to sleep. It may also be a side-effect of some of the toxins produced by the breakdown of alcohol.
on August 14, 2011
at 04:04 PM
It suppresses growth hormone but it generally promotes serotonin which then turns over into melatonin. This causes you to be tired (melatonin) but not to be able to do adequate repair while in sleep (suppressed growth hormone)
on August 14, 2011
at 03:04 PM
I find that a largish dose (three or four right before sleep usually) of aspirin helps immensely - in particular I don't wake at 3AM. My theory was that it was a small (or large!) headache waking me and that the aspirin was protecting me from discomfort when I'm closer to the 'surface'. If I went to bed earlier I might take more, to last. For me, however, alcohol is usually quite energizing so I'm usually up later - and probably drinking more, so I still take a higher dose.
For a while I had switched to ibuprofen since less was needed to last through the critical period of time, but I understand that it is more toxic to the liver, and that aspirin isn't nearly as bad as the pharmaceutical industry would like us to believe (they don't make money on aspirin, and it competes against products that provide revenue). Although I don't, I could take very large amounts with no discomfort. YMMV.
I could be completely wrong on the mechanism but it seems a workable analogy regardless.
on August 14, 2011
at 04:37 PM
mth is absolutely right, but I think additionally alcohol affects blood sugar such that hypoglycemia can result? possibly interrupting sleep? maybe someone who knows the science will chime in...
on August 14, 2011
at 12:25 PM
In less technical terms, it has an initial depressive effect, but as your system processes the alcohol your body gets 'wake up' signals.


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SILER CITY — Chatham deputies have charged a man accused of driving a dump truck at a high rate of speed and running people off the highway, then denying he was the driver.
According to a press release, on Aug. 8 the sheriff's department received "multiple complaints" about a speeding dump truck in the Silk Hope/Siler City area.
Witnesses provided a description of the truck along with identifying marks, including the truck had an expired registration, bald rear driver's side tires, no N.C. Department of Transportation number on the door and the brake line hoses on each side were not connected.
A white dump truck matching those descriptions was found parked at the Silk Hope Store at 21 Silk Hope Lindley Mill Road, Siler City.
A man identified as Johnnie Clifton "Cliff" Fogleman, 32, approached Chatham officers and told them the dump truck had been parked there since that morning, the release stated. When asked for a license and registration, Fogleman stated he did not have a license or registration because he was not the driver of the vehicle.
The dump truck was towed at the request of the store owner. The store owner later provided investigators with video surveillance footage which showed Fogleman driving the dump truck into the store parking lot on the morning in question, parking it, then driving away in it later that afternoon.
On Monday, investigators charged Fogleman, of 1444 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, with two counts of driving while license revoked, two counts of expired registration tag, two counts of failure to carry registration card, two counts of operating a commercial vehicle with no commercial license, two counts of unsafe tires, one count of resist/delay/obstruct a public officer, and one count of covering a registration plate.
Fogleman is being held under a $5,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chatham District Court on Sept. 21.


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We visited Ellen Terrys house at Smallhythe which is near Tenterden very interesting the house is so pretty and really worth a visit.
Spent time on Winchelsea beach
along the front these interesting houses border the beach, you might recognise one as it was featured on Grand Designs, and is known as the Sugar Cube house for obvious reasons. Next to it is a Huff House,
and further along a very modern house with bright furniture on the balconies.
Now I appreciate the architecture and the modern concept but it really isn't for me.
Saturday saw us off on the Steam Train from Tenterden to Bodiam
It seems that this is the last of our summer, but what a lovely way to end it - the fires are lit
I am busy again with the sewing machine with lots of ideas going around my head. Catalogues and brochures are arriving on the doormat and evenings spent making wish lists!! I do have my eye on these, and my hand is hovering over the add to basket!
Off to Shepton tomorrow for the Flea market so will let you know if I buy anything.


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Fronteras: West Nile cases are up across the Southwest. A recent study shows more Latinos are moving to rural America. A young Mexican artist, now living in Texas, talks about his drawings that shine a light on the fact that children are growing up amid war and corruption along the border. Finally, Lydia Mendoza has been called the First Lady of Tejano and Conjunto Music and this week the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a forever stamp in her honor.
West Nile Cases Up in the Southwest
West Nile cases in the southwest are up from previous years. That's according to new 2012 statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control. From Albuquerque, Tristan Ahtone reports.
One in Two New Rural Neighbors Is Latino
Latinos have called both the rural and urban southwest home for generations, but the rest of the nation is just now adjusting to the latest wave of immigrants from Mexico and Latin America.
Across the country in rural America one in two new neighbors is Latino, according to a recent study. The Fronteras Desk sent Laurel Morales to rural Wisconsin to find out what this means for the changing community there.
Exhibit Depicts Child Influenced By War
Fernando Andrade is a San Antonio, Texas artist who was born in a northern Mexico border town and came to the U.S. when he was seven years-old. Andrade says growing up south of the border, he didn't see any violence firsthand, but the drug violence still has had a big impact on his art.
Andrade's exhibit, Jugando a la Guerrita (Playing the Little War), will be on display in San Antonio at Hausmann Millworks May 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tejano Matriarch Immortalized by U.S. Postal Service
Lydia Mendoza has been called the first lady of Tejano and Conjunto Music. This week the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a forever stamp in her honor as part of a music legends series.
Mendoza spent some of her youth in Mexico before moving to San Antonio in the 1930s' where she and her family would play in city squares.
Lydia Mendoza died in San Antonio in 2007 at the age of 91, her career spanned over 60 years, during which she recorded more than 50 albums. She was awarded the National Heritage Award as well as the National Medal of the Arts.
We revisit a 2006 Texas Public Radio interview with Mendoza before her 90th birthday celebration in San Antonio. Yvette Benavides takes us back.


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MSSDS govt jobs in Maharashtra Osmanabad : Latest Jobs for Skill Development Executive Trainee 2019-2019, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society MSSDS Jobs 2019 : Dear Candidates, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society announced recruitment notification for the Skill Development Executive Trainee vacancies. Eligible candidates can fill there application as per the guidelines of Maharashtra State Skill Development Society. Dear Job Seeker Remember the last date to fill the application form is 24/08/2019.
Other Details like Age, Education Qualification , Application Fees, Salary / Pay Scale, Important Dates, Selection Process, etc are given below in this notification.
Maharashtra State Skill Development Society Job Notification Details:-
Total Number Of Posts : 5 Post Vacancies
Jobs Details – Eligibility :
|Name of Posts
|Age Limit
|65 years
|Degree (Relevant Discipline), PG
|Associate Professor
|65 years
|Degree (Relevant Discipline), PG
Application Fees:-Not mention
Salary ( Pay Scale):-Rs.50000
Selection Process :-Selection will be based on Interview.
How To Apply:-Eligible candidates can attend the interview with all necessary documents to Dean, Government Ayurveda College, Tuljapur Road, Osmanabad Taluka, District – Osmanabad on 12-08-2019 at 11:00 AM
Important Dates to follow :
Starting date of application form : 5/8/2019
Last date of application form : 24/08/2019
Important links to follow:
|Download Notification Details
|Apply Online


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Pixar dives back in the ocean for 'Finding Dory'
Dory, the forgetful fish who was the breakout star of 'Finding Nemo' returns with her own adventure in Pixar's latest animation 'Finding Dory.' Rollo Ross reports.
Dory, the forgetful fish who was the breakout star of 'Finding Nemo,' is finally back on the big screen in her own movie 'Finding Dory' thirteen years after the original became a box office hit. SOUNDBITE director Andrew Stanton, saying (English): "You spend four years on these films. So, now somebody is saying, 'Now that you spent four years on these fish, do you want to spend another four years on fish?' 'No !' So, I moved on to robots and moved on to Mars. Surprised myself watching Nemo after six or seven years of not watching it. I had to see it in 3D to approve it. I walked out of the theater worried about Dory. I felt she had a hole inside her and didn't know where she was from." And this is where the story picks up with Dory on a search for her long-lost parents and perhaps she'll find out whether Dory is short for Doreen or Dorothy. SOUNDBITE actress Ellen DeGeneres, saying (English): "I think it is just Dory, I don't think there is a longer version. She may have a middle name but I don't think it is Dorothy or Doreen. I think she is just a Dory." SOUNDBITE director Andrew Stanton, saying (English): "Dory is actually a term for a row boat. It's a nautical term - Dory." Although the core cast of Dory, Marlin and of course, Nemo remain the same, there's a whole host of new colorful characters from barking sealions to shortsighted whale sharks. But is that a lesbian couple in the trailer? SOUNDBITE director Andrew Stanton, saying (English) "I don't think there is or isn't, we just didn't ask. They can be whoever they want them to be. We don't ask the extras in our shots exactly what their history is." The breakout star of 'Finding Dory' is Hank the seven-tentacled chameleon octopus who helps Dory on her mission. So will we be 'Finding Hank' any time soon? SOUNDBITE director Andrew Stanton, saying (English) "At least 100 people have asked me that. I have to make 'Finding Andrew.' SOUNDBITE producer Lindsey Collins, saying (English): "Right before that would be 'Finding Andrew.' Where is he? He was just here." SOUNDBITE director Andrew Stanton, saying (English) "Now it will be 8 years with fish in my life." SOUNDBITE producer Lindsey Collins, saying (English): "It will be a while I would imagine."


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Attorney for Man Falsely Identified as #Charlottesville Attacker Says He'll Go After Right Wing Websites
Earlier today we published an article on the right wing bloggers (Jim Hoft and Chuck C. Johnson, who is NOT ME) who recklessly and dishonestly named the wrong person as the suspect in the Charlottesville car attack on anti-Nazi protesters. Tonight we can report that the man they framed has legal counsel — and his lawyer is planning to go after these website owners with "the full power of the law."
Andrew Sommerman, a Dallas, Texas based attorney representing the man and his family, said in an interview Sunday night that they believe the Michigan man was targeted because his father owned the Dodge Challenger years ago before legally selling the vehicle. The son drove the father's car before the sale, according to Sommerman.
Alternative conservative online commentators appeared to single the Michigan man out because of the perception he may have had something in common with the anti-racism protesters injured on Saturday. The man's lawyer said he's still investigating.
"There was a clear misidentification," Sommerman said. "The motivation behind it, I don't quite understand yet."
The attorney who specializes in defamation cases said he planned to use the full power of the law against those who falsely claimed that his clients had anything to do with the fatal crash.
"I don't think it's careless," he said. "I think it was their intent to try to muddle" the truth of what happened in Charlottesville.
Mr. Sommerman is quite correct; this was a very deliberate tactic often used by these bloggers. They rush to blame "leftists" whenever an attack like this takes place, knowing that their cooked up false stories will immediately spread through social media and poison the well of public discourse. Both Jim Hoft and Chuck C. Johnson are notorious for this.
And Hoft and Johnson are named specifically in this article at the Detroit Free Press:
The website GotNews.com posted a story that "using internet sleuthing," it reposted "evidence" about the Michigan man. But later, the site updated the post to say that "GotNews has retracted the article. GotNews regrets the error and apologizes" to the man and his family.
Another site, the Gateway Pundit, reprinted a tweet that named the Michigan man as the suspected driver. "This is just a report….. But look at the tweet below," Gateway's Jim Hoft wrote at 4:21 p.m. Saturday, naming the Michigan man in the headline.
But now that post has been removed from the Gateway website. The Free Press found a cached version of the posting online.


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Users of a rural Doncaster beauty spot claim it is being ruined by vandalism, litter and couples 'dogging'.
Howell Wood, near Clayton, north Doncaster, has been popular for picnics and dog walkers for many years.
But now those who use the site and live nearby claim it has deteriorated and claim Doncaster Council is failing to provide enough rangers to keep it in good condition.
Complaints made by the public include a case of a gate being damaged and people being allowed to access a deep pit, which is regarded as dangerous. It has since been repaired.
There are also concerns around litter, dead fish in ponds, and couples performing indecent acts in the car park.
Andrew Street, who walks his dog in the park, said: "Down by the fishing pond there is a large amount of litter, and the bins are usually full to overflowing. It looks a disgrace and it has been like that for some time."
"There is an 18th century ice house with a gate on. It opens up to a pit that is 6ft deep that was once used to keep things cold. The gate was smashed down.
"That was an accident waiting to happen.
"Someone who fell down there would have been seriously injured."
One resident who lives near the woods asked not to be named. But he said he had seen antisocial behaviour and drug users' equipment in the woods, and the car park was used by couples performing indecent acts as others look on, a practice known as 'dogging'.
He said: "It has gone downhill in the last three years. We have contacted the council, but nothing seems to get done."
Another resident said he was concerned that there was drug abuse going on in the woods and said he was concerned about find equipment used by drug users in the grass.
He said: "In my opinion, the area has not been managed enough."
Bosses at Doncaster Council defended their management of the woods.
Coun Chris McGuinness, cabinet member for communities, said: "Like all of our woodlands across the borough Howell Wood is inspected on a regular basis by the council's park rangers.
"Residents can also report any issues to Doncaster Council by calling 01302 736000 and all necessary repairs will be carried out.
"If anyone witnesses an offence taking place they should call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency."
Howell Wood country park dates from the 1700s.


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Summer Seminars for College and University Teachers are offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide college and university faculty members and independent scholars with an opportunity to enrich and revitalize their understanding of significant humanities ideas, texts, and topics. These study opportunities are especially designed for this program and are not intended to duplicate courses normally offered by graduate programs, nor will graduate credit be given for them. Prior to completing an application, please review the letter from the project directors and consider carefully what is expected in terms of residence and attendance, reading and writing requirements, and general participation in the work of the project. This seminar includes 15 participants working in collaboration with two leading scholars. Participants will have access to a major library collection, with time reserved to pursue individual research and study projects.
These projects are designed primarily for teachers of American undergraduate students. Qualified independent scholars and those employed by museums, libraries, historical societies, and other organizations may be eligible to compete provided they can effectively advance the teaching and research goals of the seminar. Applicants must be United States citizens, residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Foreign nationals teaching outside the U.S. are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must complete the NEH application cover sheet and provide all of the information requested below to be considered eligible. Candidates for degrees are only eligible to apply if they are employed by an institution other than the one at which they are degree candidates and if their participation is intended to enhance their teaching of American undergraduates. Degree candidates can never use their participation in an NEH seminar or institute to meet a degree requirement, including work on masters' theses or doctoral dissertations. An applicant need not have an advanced degree in order to qualify. Adjunct and part-time lecturers are eligible to apply. Individuals may not apply to study with a director of a seminar or institute who is a current colleague or a family member. Individuals must not apply to seminars directed by scholars with whom they have previously studied. Institute selection committees are advised that only under the most compelling and exceptional circumstances may an individual participate in an institute with a director or a lead faculty member who has previously guided that individual's research or in whose previous institute or seminar he or she has participated. An individual may apply to no more than two projects in any one year.
A selection committee reads and evaluates all properly completed applications in order to select the most promising applicants and to identify a small number of alternates. (Seminar selection committees consist of the project directors and one colleague.) While recent participants are eligible to apply, selection committees are charged to give first consideration to applicants who have not participated in an NEH-supported seminar or institute in the last three years (2005, 2006, 2007). Recent participation in NEH's Landmarks of American History and Culture Program does not negatively affect eligibility or competitiveness.
The most important consideration in the selection of participants is the likelihood that an applicant will benefit professionally. This is determined by committee members from the conjunction of several factors, each of which should be addressed in the application essay. These factors include:
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Head of a carpenter ant showing large, powerful mandibles and the fine microtexture of the head capsule. The capsule is extremely strong to protect the brain and sensory organs. It also supports the massive muscles that operate the jaws. Note the "ball-and-socket" joint that allows a broad range of motion for each antenna.
HymenopteraFormicidaeCamponotus pennsylvanicuscarpenter antantennaemouthpartsheadjtorSmugMug collection


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This month is quite a contrast to 12 months ago, when we had nothing but misery and mud. Although we have had our fair share of rain, things have always dried up soon after. The drains are keeping up and things are unusually firm under foot.
This month is quite a contrast to 12 months ago, when we had nothing but misery and mud. Although we have had our fair share of rain, things have always dried up soon after. The drains are keeping up and things are unusually firm under foot.
Rainfall levels have a habit of averaging out, and I cannot decide if there is pain to come or Mother Nature is squaring up with us after last winter?
February began with one of our hen sheds being emptied out and the clean-down beginning. The constant uncertainty around bird flu and its impact on our business is a worry.
We are in a restricted area and our birds are to be housed for the foreseeable future to help keep them safe from wild birds and potential exposure to disease.
Although indoors, the birds still live a 'free-range' life with scratching areas, low stocking rates and toys to amuse them. The birds are only inside under 'doctor's orders' and I feel it would be extremely unfair to downgrade the eggs. I hope consumers and retailers are supportive and understanding.
All of our sheep which have been away on dairy grazing have now returned home. The girls are in good order and are happily tucking into the fresh grass which appeared while they were away.
All the ewes have been fluked and vaccinated for footrot, which is an expensive treatment but worthwhile. We did not vaccinate for footrot last year and we felt the difference, so it is back to the old routine.
The leanest 10 per cent of the flock have been housed and are happy to be out of their usual pecking order, enjoying an armchair ride towards lambing. Having the weakest sheep out of the main groups has meant everything looks good, even those lean girls inside.
All ewes are being fed ewe rolls through the snacker and I have been able to leave feeding later this year due to some good winter grazing and some pretty good silage. The savings high energy forage can bring certainly focuses the mind on getting the most from your grass.
The only downside to high-quality forage for us at the moment is the amount of weight our Salers cows are piling on. They are mainly eating from the top of the pit, but even that is too good for them as they gleefully demolish the next helping served up.
We have begun feeding the girls some wheat straw. If that fails to alter their condition, I will need to call in Slimming World for some help.


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Customers of a Worksop business helped to raise funds for a local forces charity in the week running up to Armistice Day.
Provide Education recruitment agency donated a proportion of every booking that week, to the Retford branch of the Royal Air Forces Association Wings Appeal Charity.
The initiative raised £100.
"We were really keen to show our support for this fantastic charity which works in the Retford, Worksop and Gainsborough areas to support both serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their families," said Cheryl Hyland, Provide Education branch manager.
"We told all the schools we work with about this fund-raising initiative and they were very happy to support the cause."
Provide Education works with hundreds of teachers and schools helping them to find work and fill job vacancies across the region.
The Royal Air Forces Association Wings Appeal Charity supports injured airman fighting to get back on their feet, young children who are missing their parents away on overseas operations and also World War veterans seeking companionship and support.
If you are interested in getting involved with the charity the branch meet the second Monday of every month at Babworth Road Social Club in Retford,
Alternatively please email John Jones at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Pilsudski, Jozef(1867- 1935), Poland's prominent leader between WWI and WWII. At the end of WWI Poland was granted renewed independence after 130 years of partition and political subjugation. Pilsudski, a popular military figure and political moderate, came to power in a coup in 1926 and continued to lead the country until his death in 1935.
He favored a policy (known as "sanacja") that would unite all the ethnic groups in Poland, the Ukrainians, Byelorussians, Germans, Lithuanians and the Jews with the ethnic Poles. At the opposite end of the political spectrum was Roman Dmowski whose Endeks party espoused a policy of Polish domination and "Poland for the Poles."
Marshal Pilsudski was a pragmatic and charismatic leader whose political heirs were unable to maintain the coalition on which his power was based. After his death a national boycott of Jewish businesses was organized and an campaign was started that would prohibit the kosher slaughtering of animals.
Source: Encyclopedia of the Holocaust.
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