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EUGENE, Oregon–(ENEWSPF)–December 2, 2013 — With the help of a new method called "dual-electrode photoelectrochemistry," University of Oregon scientists have provided new insight into how solar water-splitting cells work. An important and overlooked parameter, they report, is the ion-permeability of electrocatalysts used in water-splitting devices.
Their discovery could help replace a trial-and-error approach to paring electrocatalysts with semiconductors with an efficient method for using sunlight to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water to generate renewable energy, says , professor of chemistry and head of the Solar Materials and Electrochemistry Laboratory in the UO's Materials Science Institute.
The research is described in a paper placed online Dec. 1 in advance of regular publication in the journal Nature Materials.
Solar water-splitting cells, which mimic photosynthesis, require at least two different types of materials: a semiconductor that absorbs sunlight and generates excited electrons and an electrocatalyst, typically a very thin film of a metal oxide that contains elements such as nickel, iron and oxygen, which serves to accelerate the rate at which electrons move on and off water molecules that are getting split into hydrogen and oxygen.
"We developed a new way to study the flow of electrons at the interface between semiconductors and electrocatalysts," Boettcher said. "We fabricated devices which have separate metal contacts to the semiconductor and electrocatalyst."
To do so, lead author Fuding Lin, a postdoctoral researcher, electrically contacted a single-crystal of semiconducting titanium dioxide and coated it with various electrocatalyst films. A film of gold only 10 nanometers thick was used to electrically contact the top of the electrocatalysts. Both contacts were used as probes to independently monitor and control the voltage and current at semiconductor-electrocatalyst junctions with a device known as a bipotentiostat. Lin focused on oxygen-evolution reaction — the most difficult and inefficient step in the water-splitting process.
"This experiment allowed us to watch charge accumulate in the catalyst and change the catalyst's voltage," Boettcher said. It turns out, Lin said, that a thin layer of ion-porous electrocatalyst material works best, because the properties of the interface with the semiconductor adapt during operation as the charges excited by sunlight flow from the semiconductor onto the catalyst.
The research was designed to understand how maximum energy might be extracted from excited electrons in a semiconductor when the electrons enter the catalyst, where a chemical reaction separates oxygen and hydrogen. To date, Lin said, researchers have been experimenting with materials for creating efficient and cost-effective devices, but minimizing the energy loss associated with the catalyst-semiconductor interface has been a major hurdle.
In the study, Lin compared the movement of electrons between semiconductors coated with porous nickel oxyhydroxide — a film previously shown by Boettcher's lab to yield excellent electrocatalytic efficiency for separating oxygen from water — with semiconductors modified with non-permeable films of iridium oxide.
"The ion porous material allows water and ions to permeate the catalyst material," Lin said. "When these catalysts are in solution the catalyst's energy can move up and down as its oxidation state changes."
Catalysts with non-porous structures in semiconductor-catalytic junctions don't show this behavior and typically don't work as well, said Boettcher, who also is a member of Oregon BEST (Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center), a state signature initiative.
Converting sunlight into energy and storing it for later use in an economically viable way is a major challenge in the quest to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. Traditional solar photovoltaic cells absorb sunlight to form excited electrons that are funneled into wires as electricity but storing energy as electricity, for example in batteries, is expensive.
Details about how excited electrons move from semiconductors to catalysts have been poorly understood, Boettcher said. "This lack of understanding makes improving water-splitting devices difficult, as researchers have been relying on trial-and-error instead of rational design."
The system used in the study, Boettcher added, was not efficient. "That wasn't our goal," he said. "We wanted to understand what's happening at a basic level with well-defined materials. This will facilitate the design of systems that are more efficient using other materials."
"Researchers at the University of Oregon are reengineering the science, manufacturing and business processes related to critical products," said Kimberly Andrews Espy, vice president for research and innovation and dean of the UO Graduate School. "This important discovery by Dr. Boettcher and his team could lead to more efficient systems that help foster a sustainable future."
The researchers used UO's Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR) and the Support Network for Research and Innovation in Solar Energy (SuNRISE) to study the interfaces.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DE-FG0212ER16323) funded the research. The DuPont Young Professor Program also supports Boettcher's work.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.
Source: uoregon.edu


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For years and years, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has pointlessly given money to Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that Planned Parenthood's claims regarding breast exams have been exposed as wildly exaggerated. Today, after years of work by pro-life activists, that ends:
NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's leading breast-cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is halting its partnerships with Planned Parenthood affiliates — creating a bitter rift, linked to the abortion debate, between two iconic organizations that have assisted millions of women.
The change will mean a cutoff of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, mainly for breast exams.
Planned Parenthood says the move results from Komen bowing to pressure from anti-abortion activists. Komen says the key reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation in Congress — a probe launched by a conservative Republican who was urged to act by anti-abortion groups.
The AP's phrasing here is of course – millions of unborn women have been somewhat less than "helped" by Planned Parenthood, in addition to an unknown number of women involved in the sex trafficking trade. In any event, one of America's most unabashedly corrupt and evil organizations has lost some of its funding, which is cause for at least some rejoicing.

subset: commoncrawl


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Filter Results
You added nothing to Product Comparison
ArchitectureTours & Activities
From the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House, and from the Alhambra Palace in Spain to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai, mankind has certainly built some amazing structures over the centuries: landmarks that have become symbols of entire nations and peoples. And they're all out there just waiting for you and your camera! Explore the wonderland architecture of Güell Park and the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Gaudi's Barcelona, or take a selfie as you help prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Wherever you go, just make sure you enjoy the love, creativity and technical ingenuity that's gone into constructing the world's most iconic buildings.


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|Erotic nodes
|I remember when it was me who made her skin flush
|I'm just so tired of waking up all alone
|I don't care. I like who I am because of it.
|It was just a crush
|Remember I'm awful, in love with you
|Every time I look at this picture, I feel a little more in love
|Love is tangerine light
|A Language Older Than Words
|This is as real as magic gets
|Love is like skipping: if you know the secret, you can learn to fly
|Only in dreams are you real, whoever you are
|Waltzing with Nathan, the invisible bear
|Don't tell me everything
|There was this one great night at Alice's house,
|cold fusion
|my hands did nothing to replace yours.
|I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream


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This page copies the introduction paragraphs of the OSGeo Info Sheet at http://www.osgeo.org/gdal_ogr
- Home Page: http://www.gdal.org/
- Mailing List: http://lists.maptools.org/mailman/listinfo/gdal-dev/
Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL/OGR) is a cross platform C++ translator library for raster and vector geospatial data formats that is released under an X/MIT style Open Source license by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation. As a library, it presents a single abstract data model to the calling application for all supported formats. It also comes with a variety of useful commandline utilities for data translation and processing.
GDAL supports over 50 raster formats, and OGR over 20 vector formats.
It provides the primary data access engine for many applications including MapServer, GRASS, QGIS, and OpenEV. It is also utilized by packages such as OSSIM, Cadcorp SIS, FME, Google Earth, VTP, Thuban, ILWIS, MapGuide and ArcGIS. GDAL/OGR is the most widely used geospatial data access library.
Professional support options are available for commercial software developers desiring assistance integrating and extending GDAL, or dig in yourself and join the development team!


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Medal round set at University Championships
(by Jesse Matthews) On Tuesday night all but one of the eight playoff spots had already been decided for Wednesday's semifinals, and it was in the women's draw. That spot was up for grabs between the Dalhousie Tigers (5-2) and the Brandon Bobcats in a must win situation for both teams. As fate would have it, they were matched up against each other in the final game of round robin play. Dalhousie's Kristin Clarke showed why she is a women's world junior curling champion, leading her team to a clutch victory, 6-4, and grabbing the final playoff spot. The Guelph Gryphons (5-2) made school history as they qualified for the first time for the CIS / Curling Canada University Championships after triumphing 10-9 in an extra end versus the UNB Varsity Reds (0-7) in an incredible comeback victory. "We had to think about what we know about the ice, what we know about draw weight, because you need rocks in play," reflected Gryphons skip Jestyn Murphy. "It's really tough to shake a bad start like that, but you have to move forward." And move forward they did. Down 8-1 after four ends, the Gryphons rallied back in the next four ends to get within one. Thanks to scoring a deuce in the tenth end, both teams were forced into an extra end, where Guelph emerged victorious to complete the impressive comeback. Not only did the Gryphons make it to playoffs, they do so as the #1 seed! The Brock Badgers (3-4) ended their championship run on a good note, defeating the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (2-5) by a score of 9-7 after stealing one in the final end. Alberta Pandas (5-2) had an opportunity to seize the number one seeding for the playoffs, but that was quelled by the Thompson Rivers University (5-2) after they won by a commanding score of 10-4 in nine ends of play. "We knew coming in that this was going to be a tough week," said Pandas skip Kelsey Rocque. "We know we have to play our best to get to this point and we're looking to bring that forward into the playoffs." Tough is right. All four teams on the women's side have records of 5-2, so several tiebreakers have been employed to determine seedings. Wins and losses amongst the four teams become paramount, and both Thompson Rivers and Guelph have a 2-1 record amongst the four teams. When they played against each other, Guelph defeated Thompson Rivers, so they are the #1 and #2 respective seeds. The University of Alberta and Dalhousie have a 1-2 record amongst the four teams, but Dalhousie won in their matchup so they have the #3 seed and the University of Alberta has the #4 seed. Playoff pairings are #1 versus #4 and #2 versus #3, so Guelph will take on the University of Alberta and Thompson Rivers will take on Dalhousie in women's play on Wednesday. On the men's side all four playoff teams were already decided; the only question was the seedings all teams would earn going in to playoffs. The University of Alberta Golden Bears (7-0) completed their perfect run by defeating the University of Victoria Vikes (4-3) by a score of 7-6. This win came despite giving up four stones in the fourth end to the Vikes for a temporary 4-2 lead. "[This game] was an opportunity to execute some precise shots, but if we missed there wasn't a dramatic effect in result," noted Vikes skip Corey Chester. "We went in to play hard." The host UBC Okanagan Heat (2-5) fell 8-5 after nine ends in their final matchup versus the Dalhousie Tigers (2-5), while the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (6-1) secured their second seeding with a 9-4 victory over the Waterloo Warriors (2-5). The Brock Badgers (4-3) took down the Saint Mary's Huskies (1-6) with a 7-4 win, qualifying for playoffs for the first time as a school. "It's pretty exciting," commented Badgers skip Eric Bradey. "Our goal at the start of the week was definitely to make playoffs and we accomplished that." Bradey shows athletic excellence in multiple sports; he represents the Badgers in varsity soccer as a defender. This week he's all about curling, though. "It was important for us to have a good game and to carry out momentum into the playoffs. We won both today and securing that playoff spot feels great." The University of Alberta Golden Bears will enter playoffs as the #1 seed, which matches them up against the #4 Brock Badgers, while the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks will go in with the #2 seed and take on the #3 University of Victoria Vikes. Full scores, standings and team rosters can be found here: Women: https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/2061 Men: https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/2062


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Kenneth Dubuque State Forest, Hawley
Charlemont-Hawley get a $14000 Trail Grant
The Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, (formerly called the Hawley State Forest), is located 25 miles west of the Connecticut river among the northwestern slopes of Massachusetts' Berkshires. At 7,822 acres it is the state's seventh largest state forest. Many of the forest's roads, though unpaved, are maintained for vehicular traffic. There are plenty of hills, a few long singletracks and lots of doubletracks. Dubuque doesn't have a campground and its two small lakes are used mostly for fishing. Although, I have enjoyed swimming in Hallockville Pond. Dubuque is a mountain biker's paradise nicely juxtaposing moderately hard rolling woods roads and technically difficult singletrack trails.
The best place to start riding is forest headquarters. From there head uphill on Klingholt Road and try not to get lost on the hilly paths that keep branching off this old woods road. Clean your glasses because the scenery besides this particular road will forever after define the term "deep woods" in you're mind. After passing through a metal forest gate, check out the abandoned apple orchard right in front of you. In season there are great tasting apples here for snacking. Also, as you'll observe, this area is a very popular deer yard. I suggest bearing left up through the field and then going right onto a usually muddy old jeep road. There are any number of good riding options off that road, including a few singletracks that you won't want to miss.
If you plan things right, or get very lucky, you'll cross Route 8A, on a very steep downhill. This will be at Dubuque's snowmobile parking lot about 1 1/2 miles north of your start. (Or you may come out on Route 8A 1/2 mile north of there in West Hawley Center.)
Watch out for the bridge at the far end of the parking lot. It's usable, but the last time I was there it was missing a few planks. And get ready for a long hill. Now you're in the eastern part of the forest where you'll find the majority of the riding. A simple non-repetitive tour around Dubuque's most obvious woods roads will net you a 20-25 mile ride. But that's only for starters.
I feel that many of the best trails are in the eastern part of the forest north and south of Hallockville road. And because they see little use in the summer, save for mountain bikes, they are quite secluded and private. In particular you want to head North (downhill) on three trails, Gould Meadow Trail, the steep frightening Marsh Trail singletrack and The Moody Springs Trail, which some feel is the best example of a downhill in the Berkshires.
Dubuque has frequent, repetitive, elevation changes of between 200 - 400 feet. These provide an unexpected benefit, interval training compliments of Mother Nature.
Dubuque is a good example of the Second Law of Singletrack Placement which roughly correlates the frequency of singletracks, and their use, or lack of same, with nearby population pressure. Not only does Dubuque lack a nearby population center but it's located just west of the 10,500 acre Savoy State Forest and just south of the 6,547 acre Mohawk Trail State Forest. You would need a motorized vehicle, a mountain bike, hiking boots and a week's time to adequately explore all three of these areas. A fringe benefit of this isolation is solitude. You will rarely meet any other trail users in Dubuque. Therefore smart riders should be totally self reliant, or part of a group.
As Dubuque is surrounded by mostly unpaved woodlands, a town road map, or a geological survey map is essential for keeping yourself unlost. The DEM's latest Dubuque Forest map shows few of the surrounding roadways, but fails to show many of the forest's paths and trails. And some of the trails on the map, don't exist on the ground any more. This is very confusing, especially when you arrive at a 4-way intersection that's not even on the map. Also many of Dubuque's roads and trails extend quite a ways beyond the forests boundaries. So it's easy to ride out of the forest and off the map. I went on one such ride recently, starting at Hallockville Pond, we rode to the forest fire lookout tower in nearby Savoy State Forest and back. About a 21 mile round trip.
In the fall of 1996 NEMBA hosted the Northeast Mountain Bike Advocacy Summit at Dubuque. Spending a four day weekend riding in the forest has greatly improved my impression of the place. As well as familiarizing me with a whole bunch of previously unknown trails. In recent years Pioneer Valley NEMBA members, working with The Staff of the forest, have created some excellent new singletracks. Most of these are located to the north of Hallockville Road in the central part of the forest. Unfortunately the trails are not yet on the map.
You'll enjoy exploring Dubuque.There are plenty of opportunities for easy, as well as, challenging rides. Just don't forget to bring a map.
There are three maps at the top of this page. When the final version of the new DCR map is available it will replace the DCR map.
The Kenneth Dubuque State Forest is located mostly in the town of Hawley, Massachusetts. From Route 2 go about 5 miles south on Route 8a until you reach forest headquarters. Alternatively, forest headquarters is about 1/2 mile north of the junctions or Routes 116 and 8A on 8A.
There will be a lot of hunters in the forest during hunting season. Wear orange. However, there is no hunting in Massachusetts on Sunday. Don't expect the trails in this forest to dry out until late may at the earliest. Snow can fall, and stay any time after Halloween.
By Bill Boles
Local Shops
Highland Bicycle and Bike Shop


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WASHINGTON (AP) — A deeply divided Supreme Court threw out the most powerful part of the landmark Voting Rights Act on Tuesday, a decision deplored by the White House but cheered by mostly Southern states now free from nearly 50 years of intense federal oversight of their elections.
Split along ideological and partisan lines, the justices voted 5-4 to strip the government of its most potent tool to stop voting bias — the requirement in the Voting Rights Act that all or parts of 15 states with a history of discrimination in voting, mainly in the South, get Washington's approval before changing the way they hold elections.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for a majority of conservative, Republican-appointed justices, said the law's provision that determines which states are covered is unconstitutional because it relies on 40-year-old data and does not account for racial progress and other changes in U.S. society.
The decision effectively puts an end to the advance approval requirement that has been used to open up polling places to minority voters in the nearly half century since it was first enacted in 1965, unless Congress can come up with a new formula that Roberts said meets "current conditions" in the United States. That seems unlikely to happen any time soon.
President Barack Obama, the nation's first black chief executive, issued a statement saying he was "deeply disappointed" with the ruling and calling on Congress to update the law.
But in the South, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said that, while the requirement was necessary in the 1960s, that was no longer the case. He said, "We have long lived up to what happened then, and we have made sure it's not going to happen again."
The advance approval, or preclearance, requirement shifted the legal burden and required governments that were covered to demonstrate that their proposed election changes would not discriminate.
Going forward, the outcome alters the calculus of passing election-related legislation in the affected states and local jurisdictions. The threat of an objection from Washington has hung over such proposals for nearly a half century. Unless Congress acts, that deterrent now is gone.
That prospect has upset civil rights groups which especially worry that changes on the local level might not get the same scrutiny as the actions of state legislatures.
Tuesday's decision means that a host of state and local laws that have not received Justice Department approval or have not yet been submitted can take effect. Prominent among those are voter identification laws in Alabama and Mississippi.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican, said his state's voter ID law, which a panel of federal judges blocked as discriminatory, also would be allowed to take effect.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, dissenting from the ruling along with the court's three other liberal, Democratic appointees, said there was no mistaking the court's action.
"Hubris is a fit word for today's demolition" of the law, she said.
Reaction to the ruling from elected officials generally divided along partisan lines.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said in a news release, "The practice of preclearance unfairly applied to certain states should be eliminated in recognition of the progress Mississippi has made over the past 48 years."
But Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, the only black lawmaker in Mississippi's congressional delegation, said the ruling "guts the most critical portion of the most important civil rights legislation of our time."
Alabama Gov. Bentley, a Republican, pointed to his state's legislature — 27 percent black, similar to Alabama's overall population — as a sign of the state's progress.
The court challenge came from Shelby County, Ala., a Birmingham suburb.
The prior approval requirement had applied to the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. It also covered certain counties in California, Florida, New York, North Carolina and South Dakota, and some local jurisdictions in Michigan. Coverage was triggered by past discrimination not only against blacks, but also against American Indians, Asian-Americans, Alaska Natives and Hispanics.
Obama, whose historic election was a subtext in the court's consideration of the case, pledged that his administration would continue to fight discrimination in voting. "While today's decision is a setback, it doesn't represent the end of our efforts to end voting discrimination," the president said. "I am calling on Congress to pass legislation to ensure every American has equal access to the polls."
Congress essentially ignored the court's threat to upend the voting rights law in a similar case four years ago. Roberts said the "failure to act leaves us today with no choice."
Congressional Democrats said they are eager to make changes, but Republicans were largely noncommittal.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he expects Republicans to block efforts to revive the law, even though a Republican-led Congress overwhelmingly approved its latest renewal in 2006 and President George W. Bush signed it into law.
"As long as Republicans have a majority in the House and Democrats don't have 60 votes in the Senate, there will be no preclearance. It is confounding that after decades of progress on voting rights, which have become part of the American fabric, the Supreme Court would tear it asunder," Schumer said.
Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department "will not hesitate to take swift enforcement action, using every legal tool that remains available to us, against any jurisdiction that seeks to take advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling by hindering eligible citizens' full and free exercise of the franchise."
Those federal tools include other permanent provisions of the Voting Rights Act that prohibit discrimination and apply nationwide. But they place the burden of proof on the government and can be used only one case at a time.
The Obama administration and civil rights groups said there is a continuing need for the federal law and pointed to the Justice Department's efforts to block voter ID laws in South Carolina and Texas last year, as well as a redistricting plan in Texas that a federal court found discriminated against the state's large and growing Hispanic population.
The justices all agreed that discrimination in voting still exists.
But Roberts said that the covered states have largely eradicated the problems that caused them to be included in the first place.
"The coverage formula that Congress reauthorized in 2006 ignores these developments, keeping the focus on decades-old data relevant to decades-old problems, rather than current data reflecting current needs," the chief justice said.
Ginsburg countered that Congress had found that the prior approval provision was necessary "to prevent a return to old ways."
Instead, "the court today terminates the remedy that proved to be best suited to block that discrimination," she said in a dissent that she read aloud in the packed courtroom.
Ginsburg said the law continues to be necessary to protect against what she called subtler, "second-generation" barriers to voting. She identified one such effort as the switch to at-large voting from a district-by-district approach in a city with a sizable black minority. The at-large system allows the majority to "control the election of each city council member, effectively eliminating the potency of the minority's votes," she said.
Justice Clarence Thomas was part of the majority, but wrote separately to say anew that he would have struck down the advance approval requirement itself.
Civil rights lawyers condemned the ruling.
"The Supreme Court has effectively gutted one of the nation's most important and effective civil rights laws. Minority voters in places with a record of discrimination are now at greater risk of being disenfranchised than they have been in decades," said Jon Greenbaum, chief counsel for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
The decision comes five months after Obama started his second term in the White House, re-elected by a diverse coalition of voters.
The high court is in the midst of a broad re-examination of the ongoing necessity of laws and programs aimed at giving racial minorities access to major areas of American life from which they once were excluded. The justices issued a modest ruling Monday that preserved affirmative action in higher education and will take on cases dealing with anti-discrimination sections of a federal housing law and another affirmative action case from Michigan next term.
The Alabama county's lawsuit acknowledged that the measure's strong medicine was appropriate and necessary to counteract decades of state-sponsored discrimination in voting, despite the Fifteenth Amendment's guarantee of the vote for black Americans.
But it asked whether there was any end in sight for a provision that intrudes on states' rights to conduct elections and was considered an emergency response when first enacted in 1965.
The county noted that the 25-year extension approved in 2006 would keep some places under Washington's oversight until 2031. And, the county said, it seemed not to account for changes that include the elimination of racial disparity in voter registration and turnout or the existence of allegations of race-based discrimination in voting in areas of the country that are not subject to the provision.


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In the next five years, the global bring your own device (BYOD) enterprise market is set to grow at a combined annual rate of 24 per cent, according to a research and markets report.
Encouraging employees to use their own devices is a cheap and efficient way of adding capacity to your businesses IT infrastructure, but security concerns remain. We track the trends, exploring the future for BYOD with three international IT change experts. The most recent Global BYOD and Enterprise Mobility Market 2017–2021 report claims that BYOD adoption is set to increase massively across businesses of all sizes and in all sectors. Security concerns are being overlooked as cash-strapped businesses seek to cope with reduced budgets by cutting IT inventory. It's a positive move, with BYOD associated with increased productivity and efficiency.
The report describes how the recent growth of BYOD is the culmination of two complementary and interrelated developments: the prevalence of cheap and powerful mobile devices and the power of the cloud. As businesses of all sizes move from a tethered computing model to a flexible, cloud-powered model that embraces software-as-a-service, the report identifies a growing – if in some cases grudging – acceptance among CIOs that BYOD is here to stay.
"As more applications are being driven from the cloud, there's an opportunity for BYOD to become more embedded within the way people work," says Owen King, a senior consultant at global consultancy UnWork. Businesses now have the systems and tools to manage and monitor BYOD, making the process simpler, if not necessarily safer.
The way we work
Tethered IT systems may no longer provide the ideal solution, as the boundaries between work and home life become increasingly blurred. "Part of the increasing interest in BYOD is due to the drive by organisations to give their people more flexibility and choice, allowing employees to work from devices that work best for them," King says.
Working alongside brands and businesses like Marks & Spencer and the BBC, King has observed the adoption of BYOD first-hand. "Employees increasingly expect to be able to use their own devices, and companies are responding to that demand," he adds.
What has changed is that business are becoming more positive toward BYOD, facilitating and managing its introduction. DJ Oreb, vice president of client delivery at integrated mobile developers DMI has seen industry lead the shift. "It is the business that drives the BYOD effort in 90 per cent of the cases." The reasons, he claims, are very simple. "Overall savings can be significant."
Workplace change manager and founder of Simple Better HumanAndy Swann believes in the office of the future and that the flexibility of BYOD won't be a choice, but an expectation. "Workers will expect to use the devices of their choice and seamlessly integrate between work and home use."
For Swann, the shift to BYOD isn't a choice, but more of an inevitability. "The increase in BYOD should be nothing more than an opportunity to support better ways of working for everyone," he says. He is suggesting that BYOD could grow more quickly than projected, particularly as the begin their careers.
Risk and reward
BYOD isn't without its dangers, says Oreb. He reels off a comprehensive list, "User acceptance, company costs, legal restrictions and court rulings are some of the biggest risks."
Of all these, it's network security that remains the biggest concern for CIOs weighing up the benefits of BYOD. If 2016 was the year of the mega-breach, journalists will be scanning the dictionary for superlatives to describe this year, as a seemingly never-ending list of hacks and attacks makes headlines – and staff are often to blame.
"A company's data is only as secure as the weakest device it's sitting on," says King, repeating a familiar observation.
IBM, in its latest X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report, supports the statement, finding that insider attacks are now more prevalent than outsider attacks. Introducing any external device to your network brings with it the risk of corruption. IT professionals are shortsighted on the risk, with security firm Netwrix claiming up to a third of organisations "find it difficult to gain visibility to control shadow IT and BYOD."
The growth of BYOD could be affected by the new due to come into force in early 2018. These new regulations will increase the level of control and scrutiny that business will need to have over their data. Unpicking the complexities around this will take time and dedication, adding a layer of complexity around an already confusing situation.
A strong and flexible BYOD policy is essential, and if you don't have one, you need one now. "If they don't, they'll find that people start using their devices without appropriate safeguards or policies in place," King cautions.
The growth of BYOD introduces new risks, but the challenge for CIOs today and in 2021 will be the same as it's always been: to keep systems safe and secure.


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Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread
A classic loaf of cornbread with a sweet and salty topping of caramelized onions and bacon pieces.
This was one of those last minute ideas that popped into my head the other night, just needing to be made to accompany another recipe I had planned. It was essential. I had visions of a beautifully puffed up loaf of cornbread with scattered caramelized onions and bacon pieces throughout the top crust. Clearly this didn't turn out as ideal as I wanted but I wouldn't call this a fail either. It's imperfectly perfect.
This recipe meant making caramelized onions for the first time ever, and making my house smell incredible from late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Seriously incredible… and I don't even like caramelized onions. I know. But it was in my vision so I just went with it. Plus, the Mr was up for it and I was really cooking these few recipes for his enjoyment. It's great getting to test stuff out on someone else occasionally.
On another note… I can't stop spelling caramelized wrong. I'm one of those people who says 'carmle/carmel' not 'caramel' as it's spelled. So that second 'a' keeps messing me up. Potato … potahto… whatever. Oh and don't worry, I don't spell potato like that ever outside of just then. Just to be clear.
So this bread, it was based off of an already practically perfect cornbread recipe that I decided to adapt slightly turning it into a loaf, topping it off with deep dark caramelized (yup did it again) onions and salty bacon pieces… then I took it a step further and tossed a bunch of bacon into the mixture. Because bacon on the top clearly wouldn't be enough but fear not, this recipe only calls for 3 slices of bacon… only. But feel free to add more if you really want.
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 slices of bacon
- 1/2 C unsalted butter melted (plus 1 Tbsp for onions)
- 2/3 C plus 1 tsp granulated sugar divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 C buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 C cornmeal
- 1 C all purpose flour
- Peel and slice onion into thin pieces. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp butter. Add prepared onions, tossing occasionally with a wooden spoon until translucent. Reduce heat to medium low, sprinkle with salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water when necessary to keep onions moist. Continue stirring occasionally until onions are a deep amber color. Cook for a total of 30-35 minutes or longer as needed. Transfer to a small bowl. If preparing ahead, cover and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a loaf pan with parchment paper or baking spray (I used a 10" loaf pan).
- In the same medium skillet, cook 3 slices of bacon. Drain on paper towels, chop into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and 2/3 cup sugar. Whisk in eggs, followed by buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients, including 1/4 cup bacon pieces. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
28 Responses to "Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread"
It must be so tasty!
This is an absolutely fabulous idea! I'm a huge cornbread fan and the bacon and onion additions only make it better. Can't wait to test this out. :)
Caramelized onions are always a good addition, such a great idea to put them in your cornbread! You need to try making them in the slow cooker, they are amazing that way.
My family would love this cornbread, Rachel. Love it!
You don't like caramelized onions?! I don't know if we can be friends anymore… I kid, I kid :) Anyway, this is such a genius idea – I wish I had a giant slice for breakfast!
Yum! It may not have turned out like you wanted it to, but it still looks delicious!
Dang girl, this idea is just genius!! Bacon inside the cornbread and on top? Yes please!
Such delicious additions to cornbread! I have only tried jalapenos, but bacon? Of course!
Completely brilliant! I've never thought of adding bacon to cornbread. Can't wait to try this recipe!!
Hi Rachel! Now this is a bread my boyfriend would go NUTS over. He sometimes gets sick of all the sweet breads I bake (is he crazy? I love sweet breads!). But this is a fabulous addition to a quick bread archive and I must make something savory like it sometime!
I can smell your kitchen from here! YUM! bacon, cornbread, caramelized onions. I am sold!
Brilliant! I just love this cornbread. I'm like you, I so often spell caramel, carmel. I actually just did it as I was typing this too, lol! :)
Ha! So glad I'm not alone with that. :)
This is such a great idea! I love the flavor combo!
This looks awesome. The flavors sounds outstanding!!! And so pretty. Ha, love the carmel/caramel dilemma.
I dont eat bacon or onions but my hubs makes up for it. And he loves bread. This is his DREAM bread!
so glad you posted this after we talked about it yesterday. it looks SO good with that brown caramelized onion on top (boo, your whole spelling carmel thing tripped me up and i couldn't even type caramelized haha) and the bacon..of course the bacon!
looks very delicious
I want a big slice of this with a big bowl of chili! Or maybe just for breakfast…or lunch…or dinner…whatevs.
This is one of those "keep your husband happy for life" recipe's!!
Love bacon cornbread! It looks awesome!
I'm not a big fan of caramelized onions, but this looks delicious!
I would eat that whole thing by myself. I love the way the house smells of caramelizing onions as well. so good.
Oh my word! I want a piece of this ASAP! I love anything involving caramelized onions, but caramelized onions AND bacon… sign me up!
Now I know what to do with all that lonely cornmeal that has been sitting on the counter, taunting me!!
This is seriously amazing. I can't even tell you how much I like caramelized onions.
Hi Rachel, I'm new to your site and would like to try this recipe but I'm not clear about when to add the caramelized onions. Do you mix them into the batter or put them on top before you bake the cornbread? Thanks!


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ROSEMONT, Ill. – Sophia Young and Danielle Robinson scored 16 points each to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to a 77-68 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday for their eighth straight win.
Jia Perkins had 11 points and Shenise Johnson added 10 to help the Silver Stars (12-5) get their 10th win in 11 games.
San Antonio led by four at halftime before Becky Hammon's three-point play early in the third pushed lead to 45-35 lead. The Silver Stars scored six consecutive points to extend the advantage to 61-49 heading to the fourth and led by 21 midway through the final period.
"It was just another team effort," San Antonio's Becky Hammon said. "Everybody came in and contributed. We had that little burst at the end where we could create separation. They're a good team and we knew that they would push back at us. Luckily, we were able to sustain it and we really got to play our defense, especially in the fourth quarter."
Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said he isn't paying attention to the team's winning streak, instead focusing on how well the team is playing heading into the Olympic break after opening 2-4.
"I don't even know how many games we've won in a row to be honest," he said. "I don't care. What I do see is people starting to understand how to play with each other and getting their roles down. ... We've been able to understand how important our bench is and how we play together. We feel like we're playing good basketball."
Shay Murphy scored 20 points and Tamera Young had 18 to lead Chicago (8-8), which has lost three straight.
After winning seven of the first eight games, Chicago has lost seven of the last eight since losing star guard Epiphanny Prince to broken bone in her right foot on June 16.
"We're not a very good basketball team right now, and that's on me. I take that responsibility, and we'll figure it out," Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. "Individuals need to look in the mirror, try to improve themselves, and not have the same thing happen over and over again. ... Read the scouting report, if she's not a shooter, back up, don't get into her, let her drive."
Sylvia Fowles and Swin Cash, set to play for the U.S. at the London Olympics, combined for 14 points on 4-for-19 shooting. Fowles had six points, ending a streak of 83 consecutive games in double digits.
"I wasn't productive on the inside, didn't really do much on the boards. Kind of like I was non-existent," said Fowles, who grabbed seven rebounds — nearly six below her league-leading average. "I felt like my teammates did a great job at trying to stay in the game and be productive. We got good looks, we just didn't stop the ball in transition as much. Putting them to the line really hurt us."
San Antonio never trailed and scored 31 points off 20 turnovers by the Sky. The Silver Stars shot 42 percent (28 for 67) from the field and 15 for 19 (79 percent) on free throws.
The Silver Stars stretched the margin to 21 points on Perkins' 3 midway through the final period before the Sky closed with a 14-2 spurt over the final 3:50.
San Antonio scored six points off Chicago's five first-quarter turnovers on the way to a 19-15 edge. Sophia Young had six points for the Silver Stars while Tamera Young had six for the Sky.
Murphy had 10 points in the second quarter — including a 3 with 28 seconds left in the period — to pull Chicago to 34-33. However, Johnson made a baseline 3 to give San Antonio a four-point lead at the break.


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OCEAN CITY – While local legislators all agree the upcoming General Assembly session will be defined by the state's ability to reconcile its burgeoning $1.5 billion structural deficit, not all agree on how best to close the gap.
The resort area's representatives in Annapolis came before Ocean City's Economic Development Committee (EDC) on Wednesday to brief business and community leaders on the issues most likely to affect them in the coming year. Depending on whose figures one believes, the gap between spending and revenue in Maryland has swelled to somewhere between $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion, a deficit lawmakers will have to reconcile with a combination of tax increases and/or cuts to state programs and aid to local jurisdictions.
Delegates Norm Conway and Jim Mathias, who both represent District 38B, Delegate Page Elmore (R-37B), Senator Lowell Stoltzfus (R-38) and lobbyist Dennis Rasmussen, who represents the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, met with EDC members on Wednesday to lay out the nuts and bolts of the structural deficit issue and answer questions posed by business leaders and local elected officials about what they can expect in the upcoming session.
Most agreed the General Assembly should have started addressing the fiscal crisis in the last session, but latitude was given to the incoming Martin O'Malley administration to get a firm grasp on the state's financial picture before any real solutions were offered. Stoltzfus said the delay has only exacerbated the problem.
"I had an amendment that would have balanced the budget last year," he said. "The decision was made to put it off until this year, which ended up being a terrible mistake. Now, the problem is much greater."
Conway, a democrat, agreed the deficit problem should have been tackled last year, despite the new administration's request for more time.
"The decision was made to give the new administration time for its own analysis," he said. "Maryland is the only state with an executive budget. The only thing the legislature can do is cut it. It can't add anything to it."
Stoltzfus said his proposed budget amendment last year would have curbed the amount of state funding for public education pouring into the schools since the adoption of the Thornton Commission findings several years ago. Thornton essentially became an unfunded mandate when a revenue source for the program was not dedicated.
"The solution would have slowed down spending, especially in K-12," he said. "Thornton is largely responsible for the problem we're facing. Education is slated to grow even more to the tune of around $300 million this year."
Conway agreed the unfunded Thornton mandate was largely responsible for the state's fiscal trouble. In the beginning, state lawmakers dedicated a portion of an increase on the cigarette tax to fund Thornton, but the revenue source did not keep up with the spending.
"One of the primary causes is, of course, Thornton," he said. "The legislators never did put in place a mechanism to pay for it. They dedicated part of the cigarette tax to it, but that didn't even pay for one year."
While most agreed the Thornton school spending program was a large contributor to the state's growing deficit, there does not appear to be the will to cut funding for public education to rectify the situation. The local legislators called Thornton a "political football" that nobody really wanted to touch.
However, Elmore questioned aloud if the state dollars poured into Thornton were achieving the desired results.
"The Thornton bill passed with no funding in place and yet our SAT scores went down," he said. "As much as we put in, you would think we would be getting more out."
It remains uncertain how state lawmakers will begin to address the deficit when they return to Annapolis early next year, and they could be heading back sooner if a special session is called to figure out a way to tackle the growing revenue gap. Several possible solutions, or combination of solutions, have been discussed including an increase in the personal income tax rate across Maryland, or an addition to the gasoline tax by as much as 12 cents on the gallon. Of course, slots is hanging out there as a potential instant money source for the state, but for the moment, the legislators are considering a combination of cuts in spending and increases in certain taxes.
Conway said the state's financial picture is not as gloomy as it may appear, but did warn spending cuts are looming that could trickle down to the local jurisdictions.
"The fiscal picture is not as dire as it has been portrayed, but we're at a critical juncture," he said. "We can cut departments and staffing, but not to the point where we jeopardize the goals of the programs."
Conway said programs often have their funding cut in times of fiscal crises. He said everything will be on the table when the General Assembly starts to tackle the deficit, but advised his colleagues to carefully scrutinize just where they were making their cuts.
"We cannot forget those who are most vulnerable," he said. "As we move forward, it's important to keep those programs viable, but they won't grow as fast as they have been."
Trimming unnecessary spending and cutting funding for some programs is just part of the state's proposed plan to close the budget deficit. Also looming are increases in various taxes from the income tax to the gasoline tax as well as several other revenue-generating proposals. Elmore said state lawmakers have to make sure the proposed tax increases are not shouldered by the people who can afford them the least.
"That's a great concern on the lower Eastern Shore," he said. "You all saw the news reports last week where Maryland is the richest state in the country, but the figures don't equate on the shore."
Elmore pointed out in Howard County, the report said the median income is $90,000 and the state median income is $66,000, but on the shore, the county with the highest median income is Worcester at $53,000 and Somerset is around $35,000. He used the figures to illustrate just how much even modest tax increases would hurt Eastern Shore families.
"A large percentage of the population on the Eastern Shore is living pay check to pay check," he said. "Where will the tax and spender legislators dial for their dollars? I hope it will not be on the backs of the hard working people on the Eastern Shore."
Whether it comes in the form of cuts to funding for education or other state and local programs, or a tax hike package, slots, or a combination of all of the above, most agree the General Assembly and the O'Malley administration has its work cut out for it as it attempts to tackle the budget deficit. Rasmussen, who has served in many capacities in Annapolis over the last few decades said this upcoming session could be the most difficult in recent memory.
"This is going to be a very, very challenging session," he said. "I've been through 35 sessions and I can't think of one that was more challenging than this one is going to be."
The lobbyist predicted a combination of spending cuts and tax increases would likely be used to resolve the budget deficit.
"At the end of the day, there will be some new revenue-generating mechanisms in place, and they will likely include some tax increases," he said. "Another big part of fixing the deficit, or gap, will be cuts in funding to the local jurisdictions."


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Home Page Chess Life Online 2010 January World Championship Approaches Final Stretch
|World Championship Approaches Final Stretch
|May 8, 2010
As the World Championship approaches its final stretch, the score is still tied up 5-5. Round 10 was drawn in the Exchange Grunfeld:
Round 11 takes place on Sunday May 9 followed by another rest day on Monday and the final game is on Tuesday. If there is a need for playoffs, they will take place on May 13. The playoffs will begin with 25 minute+10 second increment rapid matches. See the official website for details tiebreak regulations.
See Rogers' latest in-depth CLO story on the World Championship, GM Rogers on Sofia: Topalov Strikes Back, with annotations of games 4 through 8.


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With 129 million views, 'Rewind YouTube Style' is one of the most viewed videos on the Internet. With 2013 nearing its end, interactive studio Portal A has managed to pull off a year-end recap even bigger than last year. YouTube Rewind 2013 stars more than 50 of the top channels on YouTube, who combine to imitate some of the year's top videos and songs.
As with last year, the video is centered around a few hit songs from the year prior, and if you can't guess which song inspires this year's subtitle, just try and remember what the fox says. It would take pages to recount every YouTuber who makes an appearance, so I'll just note a few who I was happy to see: The Slow Mo Guys, Convos With My Two Year Old, adorable Nebraska boy Jack Hoffman, and a practically unrecognizable Hannah Hart as the 'We Can't Stop' version of Miley Cyrus. It was also a nice gesture to dedicate the song to Talia Joy Castellano, the young YouTube beauty guru who died of cancer earlier in the year.
Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories
YouTube Rewind 2013 is one of Portal A's first projects since the creator of the 2011 YouTube Rewind acquired Seedwell, the creator of the 2012 YouTube Rewind. "The Rewind production was truly sprawling; we took over an expansive desert, flew the skies of downtown LA, and built a night forest fit for foxes," explains a blog post on the Portal A website. "We partnered with our good friends at Sweatpants Media to up the epicness – with aerial photography from planes and helicopters, massive mortar explosions, RC heli shots, custom motorcycles, Ultimate Arm shots, and beyond."
As the featured video on the main YouTube Spotlight channel, YouTube Rewind 2013 has already amassed a ton of views. Just a few hours after its release, it is already over a million hits, and looks to soar much higher.
As with previous years, the main video is accompanied by plenty of accouterments, including a recap of the year's top video and a behind-the-scenes feature. YouTube Rewind 2013 without a doubt one of the most expansive single videos ever, and it raises a question: How exactly will YouTube Rewind 2014 be able to top this?


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Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Robert Hunter
You had a house with forty-nine rooms
A cellar of wine and a parcel of doom
A gate at the door with a chain and a lock
A book of the hours and a grandmother clock
You had nearly everything you could desire
a lover, a lantern, a bath and a fire
You tried to shake the hand in your sleeve
But the more you see the less you believe
Joanne ... whoo-whoo, Joanne
Let's get away from here, Joanne
It's just another bird in the hand
A fourteen-karat place to die
You don't like it - neither do I
You fought for the right to be wretched as sin
To carve the Lord's Prayer on the head of a pin
To answer all questions with: What does it prove?
To pass up your chance without making your move
you fought for the right to be misunderstood
To squander your talent and come to no good
To be mentally crazy, retarded and sick
Your wounds are your own, no one else's to lick
Joanne ... whoo-whoo, Joanne
With all of these things that welled up inside
What's left of your conscience crumpled and died
Inviting us in with a wave of your hand
we raided your kitchen - me and Joanne
We licked your plates, looked over your home
Took a sheet of your tissues to play on your comb
A tune that was popular long ago
I remember it well - the name I don't know
I snatched up your parcel of doom from Joanne
Who attempted to leave it behind in a can
I said: Are you crazy? Without this we're lost
She stammered and stuttered: But look at the cost
There's one thing I cling to, intending to keep
The rest is like music you hear in your sleep
A parcel of doom is worth two in the clutch
Or ten in the future, which isn't worth much
As for the present, this point that exists,
Just guess at the reason I'm telling you this
I fought for the right to have nothing to say
Now me and Joanne must be on our way
Joanne ... whoo-whoo, Joanne


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The Red Cow Message
"It is not the corpse that causes spiritual contamination or the ashes of the Red Cow which cause purity. These laws are Divine decrees and man has no right to question them."
These words of Rabbi Yochanan in the Midrash relate to the special Torah chapter which will be read along with the regular weekly portion this Shabbat.
The opening words of this Parshat Parah are "This is the decree of the Torah." The term "decree" (chukat) applies not only to the purification process of the Red Cow, but also to other laws that are beyond human comprehension. Although our Sages saw many messages in the details of the Red Cow process, it is still shrouded in mystery.
It has been suggested that we learn from our lack of fully understanding the reasons for some mitzvot that we are also incapable of fully comprehending world events and must ultimately rely on our faith that whatever G-d does is for our good.
How important is such faith in these troubled times and only such faith can preserve Israel forever.


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Mishandled baggage
Delayed baggage
In the event you arrive at your destination without your checked baggage, please be assured that we will do our best to retrieve it for you. Delayed baggage is usually located within 24 hours and can be delivered to your home, office or hotel, if local customs regulations permit.
If you incur any expense due to the late delivery of your baggage, we will compensate you ( conditions apply). If the baggage is considered lost, then our compensation will be in accordance with the governed Convention (Warsaw Convention, Montreal Convention) , where applicable.
Damaged baggage
Please ensure your baggage is sufficiently robust, well packed, and properly secured to withstand the usual rigours of air travel.
If your baggage is damaged, you should report upon arrival before leaving the arrival terminal at the dedicated baggage desk within the baggage claims area. A Property Irregularity Report (also known as PIR) will be issued. You will also need to submit a written claim through 'My Baggage' within seven days, once you have left the airport.
Mishandled baggage reports must be filed, within seven days from the date of receipt of the baggage, at the latest.
Please note that accepting your baggage, without complaint, at the time of delivery is prima facie evidence that it has been delivered in good condition. It also means that the acceptance is in accordance with the conditions of contract.
Lost and found
If after your disembarkation, you have left or lost a personal belonging onboard your Qatar Airways flight or at the Qatar Airways departure gate or lounge, please contact the Qatar Airways baggage services desk at the airport immediately to assist you in locating your lost article. Qatar Airways is not responsible for lost items but will do its best to assist you.Search for items left behind
Limitations of liability
Qatar Airways has strict limits to its liability for mishandled items. Please see our conditions of carriage to learn more about our liability limitations.View our conditions of carriage


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Celebrate Global Lives
One of our 2008 Grant Recipients is about to have a residency at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts! Please join board members and friends of Global Lives Project for a brunch and fundraiser in honor of Global Lives Project's upcoming residency at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Sunday October 4th, 200911am to 2pm At the…Keep reading >>


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Josh Rosen, supplanted by Kyler Murray as the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback of the future after only one season, has been traded to the Miami Dolphins in a deal that also involved two draft picks.
The Cardinals used the No. 1 overall pick Thursday to draft Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma. For Rosen they acquired from Miami a second-round choice this year — No. 62 overall — and a fifth-round pick in 2020.
Arizona used the 10th overall pick on Rosen last year, and the former UCLA star had a rocky rookie season. He finished 33rd in the 32-team NFL in passing rating, throwing for 2,278 yards and 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, and the Cardinals finished last in points and yards while going 3-13.
In Miami he'll compete for playing time with well-traveled veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed in March after the Dolphins traded Ryan Tannehill to Tennessee.
The Rosen trade became final Friday night with the Dolphins on the clock to make their second-round pick, and it followed a day of speculation about a deal. Rosen wasn't surprised — he quickly posted a photo of himself in a Dolphins uniform on Instagram.
Miami had been paring payroll and stockpiling 2020 draft picks as part of a rebuilding plan under first-year coach Brian Flores. If Rosen makes an unfavorable first impression with the Dolphins, they might still use their top pick on a QB next year.
Since 1983, Miami has drafted only one quarterback in the first round — Tannehill in 2012.
With a multitude of needs, the Dolphins took Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in the first round Thursday.
Before making the deal for Rosen, they traded down in the second round and continued to stockpile 2020 picks. As part of that move, they also sent their fourth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for a sixth-round choice this year and a second-round pick next year.
Miami now has 10 picks in 2020, not including two possible compensatory choices.


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|Authorizing Charter Schools: Supporting Excellence
|How eight authorizers have supported the development of high-quality charter schools. (September 2007)
|K-8 Charter Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap
|Seven K-8 charter schools that are closing the achievement gap. (September 2007)
|Charter High Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap
|Eight charter secondary schools that are making progress in helping close the achievement gap between low-income, minority, and special need students and their peers. (December 2006)
|Successful Charter Schools
|Elements of successful charter schools and profiles of eight charter schools (June 2004).
|Public Charter Schools Program
|Supports the planning, development, and initial implementation of charter schools.
|Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities
|Provides assistance to help charter schools meet their facility needs.
|US Charter Schools
|Find out about charter schools, see what's happening in your state, and learn how to start a charter school.


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PNSK Manufacturing
PNSK Manufacturing (PO PNSK) was established in St. Petersburg in 1992. The company manufactures standard automobile gas stations, small-capacity gas stations, reservoirs for light oil products, and accompanying service equipment. In 2005, the manufacturing facilities were augmented (and the manufacturing areas were expanded to 17,300 sq. m), which allowed for manufacturing of up to 18 gas stations annually. In 2006, we are planning to manufacture 200 equipment sets for automobile gas stations.
PO PNSK also offers a broad range of services in shipping (by railroad or trucks), installation, and guarantee servicing of gas stations.
The quality management system used at PO PNSK for design, manufacture, installation, and servicing gas stations complies with the requirements of the GOST R ISO 9001 standard.
PO PNSK has all the necessary licenses and certificates, is a laureate of the National Recognition award, nominee of the French Business Club award, winner of the grand prix of the Russian-Swiss Business Club, Expert Prize in the Partnership Agreement and Product and Service Quality nominations, winner of the National Recognition prize in the nomination "Contribution to the High Reputation of National Entrepreneurship," and other awards.
The company has won the leading position on the market of gas station equipment, due to its broad and continuously updated product range, high-quality of products, and rapid development pace.
PO PNSK manufactures a number of automobile gas stations, each of which has its own special design. Our standard gas stations are practical, original, multifunctional, and are capable of meeting the needs of the most demanding customer.
PO PNSK gas stations are prefabricated and completely ready for use. They are equipped with the necessary engineering and service systems, which allows for them to be assembled in 1—3 days.
The types of PO PNSK tanks and reservoirs allow for equipping traditional and modular gas stations. The tanks come with all the required service equipment and are completely ready for use.
In 2004, PO PNSK designed oil collectors with a multi-stage waste-water filtering system that disposes the water to the city waste collectors or sewage farms.
The company annually expands the range of auxiliary equipment for gas stations that we offer to our partners: information displays, gas pump areas, entry and exit signs, flag masts, and lighting masts.
In order to maintain its leading position on the market, PO PNSK explores new areas of activity, such as the manufacture of car washes and car shops, prefab banking buildings and public catering facilitites.
PO PNSK was the first manufacturer in Russia that offered turnkey installations of its own equipment. Many partners of the company have already understood the benefits of working without subcontractors.
Need consultation?Our experts will answer any question of interest


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The legal battle over CBS's "Big Brother" and ABC's similarly themed reality offering "The Glass House" isn't over yet.
Former "Big Brother" producers Kenny Rosen, Corie Henson and Michael O'Sullivan, who were sued by CBS after moving on to ABC's rival show, have now filed suit themselves against CBS, claiming that the network breached its contract by violating its non-disclosure agreements with them.
The suit also accuses CBS of waging a legal harassment campaign with its original suit, which was filed in the spring.
Also read: "Glass House" Lawsuit: Judge Officially Denies CBS Restraining Order
"CBS made these allegations as part of its campaign to prevent, or at the very least, disrupt and harass, the production of a new reality show 'The Glass House,' which CBS regarded as competitive with its reality show 'Big Brother,'" the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Central California on Thursday, reads. "Plaintiffs had previously worked on 'Big Brother' and then took jobs on 'The Glass House.' CBS intended to send a message that former CBS employees who later dared to work for a competing show would be punished."
The complaint says that, in its earlier suit, CBS accused the producers of violating their non-disclosure agreements by using trade secrets obtained while working on "Big Brother." However, the producers say, the agreements stipulated that disputes should be settled by arbitration, not federal court, where CBS filed its complaint.
Also read: CBS Dropping Glass House Suit, Citing Poor Ratings
The suit goes on to claim that, when it became apparent that the judge expressed doubt in CBS's legal arguments, the network dropped the suit and filed an arbitration demand against Rosen, Henson and O'Sullivan — and then violated the confidentially clause of the non-disclosure agreement by issuing a press release saying that it would now pursue the matter through arbitration.
According to the complaint, the non-disclosure agreement stipulates that any arbitration "will be treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to any third party to such proceedings."
CBS believes that the former "Big Brother" producers are merely trying to stall the arbitration proceedings with their suit.
"We believe this is simply an attempt to delay the inevitable arbitration proceeding," a CBS spokesman told TheWrap in a statement. "We are very confident in our position that there has been a violation of signed, written confidentiality agreements, and we will look forward to a determination of that matter by the arbitration panel."
CBS filed suit in the spring, before "Glass House" premiered, claiming that there were too many similarities between the shows — which both monitor the activities of a group of people living in the same dwelling — to be coincidental, and claimed that the producers had brought secrets from "Big Brother" to their new venture.
U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess was disinclined to agree. In his June decision not to grant CBS's restraining order against the show, Fees wrote, "the Court … has concluded that, while it cannot say that CBS will not prevail at trial, it has concluded that success on the merits is unlikely."
The order added, "the evidence indicates to the Court that 'Big Brother''s alleged trade secrets were either already known to the business … were readily capable of being 'reverse-engineering' based on information disclosed in the public domain … or were not adequately protected as trade secrets."
"The Glass House" premiered in June to soft ratings, drawing a 1.6 rating/4 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic, and continued to suffer poor ratings.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.


text: ABOUT ALYSSA Alyssa Kirsten. Brooklyn based. Texas native. Interested in all things creative and new, Alyssa photographs the many artists, designers, and creatives living in Brooklyn and New York. She works to help many companies and individuals develop their sense of style and identity, while developing their brand, documenting their progress, and helping to communicate their work through photographs. Alyssa's inspirational and intimate photographs bring a sense of Texan home town nostalgia to her Brooklyn subjects' presence. Alyssa grew up in Houston, Tx and received her BFA in Fine Art Photography from the University of Texas at Austin. Now based in Brooklyn, she continues to photograph the creative community. Clients include: Crate + Barrel, Fab, Refinery 29, Miz Mooz, The Knot, The Nest, XO Group, Macys.com, Time Inc, Fortune Magazine, Georg Jensen USA, A.Heirloom, Q Squared NYC, Greenpoint Trading Co., Lauren Rubin Architecture, Alexandra Ferguson, Beam, In2Green, Good Thing NYC, Bhold Design, Elizabeth Whelan Design, Avandi Studio, 1.byLiz., Frances Bailey, Cl-oth Interiors, Kávé Espresso Bar, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Leader, Austin Monthly Magazine, Granonut, Mike Weiss Gallery NYC, K.Batty Design and Stationery, Campton Gallery, 1byLiz, Cat Merrick Studio


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Steve Hackett's Genesis Revisited II tracklist commentary
An Overview
I sympathise with Hitchcock's need to re-make an earlier film. The vision is clearer, techniques improve inwardly and outwardly. For all us musicians songs of innocence are now inevitably songs of experience. I love the original Genesis music so much that I want to highlight it even more. The temptation to infuse those tracks with more detail and enriched clarity was irresistible.
Musos set the ball rolling by passing it to one another as a means to carry forward combined ideas. The songwriters then necessarily move on to the next project, but the avid listener knows it's really a chariot of fire, a bow of burning gold or a dark satanic mill... It's emblazoned into the mind with a life of its own that moves way beyond the dreams of the original perpetrators. But sometimes dreams need to be re-lived!
On these versions I've altered the detail within the songs whilst aiming to preserve the authentic spirit of the originals. Real string instruments are often used either with or instead of Mellotron, there are several new introductions, plus many additional effects recorded on Apple Mac Logic with amp plug-ins instead of going the traditional route. You'll also find changed guitar and other instrumental solos, as well as additional vocal parts.
Every time I change a solo I feel I'm in danger of messing with people's childhoods, but sometimes the muse just has to have her way with me...
The Chamber of 32 Doors
I've always liked this song harmonically. It's an Anglo-American hybrid with unexpected gusts of passion. I wanted to re-play the original guitar parts with more control and sustain. Having tracked up string and flute players, this new version started to take on symphonic proportions. In contrast, the new subtle distant wailing guitars add to the song's unnerving quality. Nad Sylvan's expressive soulful range also reinvigorates the song for me, while sympathetically echoing Gabriel's vocal performance.
A small starter on the menu before Supper's Ready, recorded with a six string steel acoustic sent out through a Leslie to give it that authentic early Genesis sound. Influenced more by Bach and Byrd than Blues, this kicked off many acoustic ideas that were to follow.
Supper's Ready
This one is often referred to by fans as their favourite progressive track of all time... This version includes several vocalists to add to the varying texture of all the elements. It begins with a soulfulness in Mikael Akerfeldt's presentation, followed by a sweetness in Simon Collin's voice and the exuberance of Conrad Keeley. I aimed to pull off the English pastiche aspect of Willow Farm with its array of characters in a kind of Teddy bears Picnic meets I am the Walrus. The whole thing finally opens up into its epic ending with the warm and expansive vocal of Francis Dunnery. I played extra guitar parts which aren't on the original in both the organ section and on the end to give it more colour.
To my mind this is the most poetic song on The Lamb... It expresses Pre Raphaelite magic amidst the urban sprawl of Rael's tale. It's a song that speaks to women as much as men. Nik Kershaw sings this one with great passion. His take is hymn-like, emotional and erotic at the same time. Steve Rothery of Marillion and I swap guitar phrases that wrap around each other in a snake-like way, reflecting the lyric.
Dancing with the Moonlit Knight
This is possibly my favourite Genesis song, with influences ranging from Scottish plainsong to fusion... Elgar meets Brave new World. It epitomises the character and magic of early Genesis. It features tapping, nylon and twelve strings. Jeremy Stacey's drums give this version even more precision. The "Disney" section at the end has an English pastoral hypnotic feel - a thread to the world of Spencer's Fairy Queen - a small corner of England remaining while the rest is sold off as a job lot plunging headlong into an alienated future. In this version I started this piece with the beginning of Greensleeves to give a sense of the old English thread and the poignancy of the song, which Francis Dunnery's sensitive vocal also expresses.
Fly on a Windshield
Influences in this powerful piece range from Ravel to Hendrix, with the ramming speed of Ben Hur along with echoes of the Egyptian pyramids, all brought to life under the watchful towers of New York. A wall of sound meets the wall of death. In this new version the guitar sometimes screams like slaves under the whip.
Broadway Melody of 1974
Gary sings this with more blues inflection than the original. His vocal turns police radio commentary surveying an imaginary parade as the whole of the American dream turns nightmare. Consumerism runs riot whilst cheerleaders and the Clan join the procession.
Musical Box
To introduce this new version I used a musical box sound that distorts into another kind of nightmarish feel. On this track was the earliest recording of the tapping solo. The three part harmony guitar on the end now is everything I always dreamed of doing on the original. Also check out Nad Sylvan's cameo choirs and the Fiddlers three who have become soprano sax and violin along with slightly distorted flute...
Can-Utility and the Coastliners
The lyrics and music were essentially mine on this song about King Canute. This was Steven Wilson's favourite track on Foxtrot and he's sung it beautifully, with real feeling. Real orchestral instruments on this track enrich the sound.
Please Don't Touch
Another Genesis branch rehearsed by the band, originally linked to Wot Gorilla on Wind and Wuthering. It's a variation on my Unquiet Slumbers melody and I feel more strongly thematic than Wot Gorilla. An orchestra again plays on this version, in places making it huge and uncompromising... something I couldn't get in the same way without the orchestral instruments on the original. This time I also enjoyed really letting the guitar sustain and let rip...
Blood on the Rooftops
At the beginning is a totally new part for the nylon intro which then links to the original intro. Again, there's also now the addition of orchestral instruments which create an enriched sound. A great vocal from Gary O'Toole who really lives the song I wrote with Phil long long ago...
Return of the Giant Hogweed
Roine Stolt leads the main guitar solo and we go off the map significantly together in the new version, with power chords and police siren noises coming in from me as the track reaches its crazy finale with disembodied Mellotron hurtling towards the end ... With John Hackett on scat flute and Rob Townsend doubling the bass from Lee Pomeroy in places the whole effect makes the track now sound even more preposterously huge than ever!
A song I wrote with Tony, inspired by the dream state. On this version Jakko Jakszyck's beautiful vocal is joined by Amanda Lehmann's harmonies in the chorus...
Eleventh Earl of Mar
Again Nad Sylvan adds extra vocal parts here and I get to do the voice loops, an idea I had for Phil when the tapes were in danger of being chewed up. Doing many tape loops of vocals going 'aaah', my chest felt punctured from inside during the process! Guitar parts are clearer than before, plus a six stringed Rickenbacker, beloved of the Beatles, chimes in on the "features are burning" section.
This time I've chosen a female singer. Amanda Lehmann sings the song with beautiful vibrato like the young Marianne Faithful along with the poignant tone of the older Marianne. The electric guitar melody, which I created, I enjoyed really feeling my way back into and the guitar sound at the end was the product of three fuzz boxes hooked in series to create a distant string orchestra effect.
Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers
This started out life on the nylon guitar but Roger King added Mellotron mandolins plus repeat to swirl the whole effect around. The synth sounds more voice like on our version as it's ghosted by vocal sample.
In That Quiet Earth
I used one guitar on this instead of three. It's much clearer than the original. It's unnerving on the backwards section with a real siren quality. The Fernandes sustainer guitar comes into its own on this version. Gary O'Toole's drums sound deliberately aggressive and compressed on the slow powerful moments. Soprano sax replaces the synth for what I think of as the snake charmer phrases.
John Wetton seizes hold of this song and really lives the powerful romance of it, especially when he sings "And I would search everywhere..." On this version there are two Les Pauls and a Rickenbacker - a nod to George Harrison and the sound he developed with the Beatles.
A Tower Stuck Down
With original input from Mike Rutherford, this is one of my Genesis Branches. Now played with more brutality than the original, this has a killer riff. Written by John Hackett and myself, we've returned to it with added fervour! Genesis was never quite this heavy...
Camino Royale
Another Genesis branch, this time inspired by a dream I had of Genesis performing in a surrealistic version of New Orleans. Hungarian fusion band Djabe take the middle solos... creating a whole new authentic jazz feel to the song. Great mute trumpet from Ferenc Kovács and piano from Zoltán Kovác.
Shadow of the Hierophant
This was a co-write with Mike Rutherford, part of which was rehearsed by Genesis for the Foxtrot sessions. This version is a little faster than the original and partly in a lower key and this time we've used two twelve strings plus a keyboard twelve string, giving it the English Rose feel behind Amanda's glorious vocal. The spirit of Genesis from a mere forty years ago is back, sounding fresher than ever, mellotrons scream, bass pedals thunder, and Gary's drums sounding like his life depended on it. There's a dead stop to give the piece an explosive finale.


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JERUSALEM — Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline coalition partners on Sunday stepped up pressure on the Israeli prime minister, threatening to topple the government if he caves in to American pressure to accept a key Palestinian territorial demand in U.S.-backed peace talks.
The warnings came as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry took a brief break after three days of talks with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, jetting off to the Arab world to discuss his efforts before an expected return to Jerusalem later Sunday.
In a sign that Kerry is intensifying the pressure, a Palestinian official confirmed that the secretary asked Abbas to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland. Abbas has repeatedly rejected this Israeli demand, saying it would compromise the rights of Palestinian refugees and Israel's Arab minority. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Kerry has barred the sides from discussing the negotiations in public.
Kerry was meeting with the leaders of Jordan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday, possibly to win Arab backing for any Palestinian concessions.
Before departing, Kerry told reporters that had he made some progress in his marathon talks over the weekend. He praised both Abbas and Netanyahu for making "difficult decisions."
"You can see in the press and you see in the public debate that the choices they're making elicit strong responses from their people. And I understand that very, very well," Kerry said.
Under heavy U.S. pressure, Israel and the Palestinians agreed last July to relaunch their first substantive talks in nearly five years. With an April target date for an agreement looming, Kerry has increased his involvement by presenting bridging proposals on this trip to try to reach a framework agreement that would spell out the terms for a final peace deal.
Kerry has refused to discuss substance with reporters. However, the apparent trade-off is Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish homeland, in exchange for Israel's acceptance of its pre-1967 frontier as the baseline for border talks.
The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, lands Israel captured in 1967, but would accept minor land swaps to allow Israel to keep some Jewish settlements. So far, Netanyahu has refused to commit to the pre-1967 war lines as the starting point, at least in public.
Netanyahu, in turn, demands Palestinian recognition of Israel as the Jewish homeland, a condition he says must be met to ensure the conflict is ended once and for all.
"Opposition to recognizing the Jewish state and our right to be here is continuing," Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday. He said the Jewish people are "not foreigners" in the Holy Land. "I reiterate that in my view, this is the root of both the conflict and the incitement, the non-recognition of this basic fact."
Kerry has refused to discuss the details of his proposals, but noted Sunday that all of the core issues of the conflict fit together like a "mosaic."
"It's a puzzle, and you can't separate out one piece or another. Because what a leader might be willing to do with respect to a compromise on one particular piece is dependent on what the other leader might be willing to do with respect to a different particular piece," he said.
Such talk has begun to unnerve Israeli hardliners, who oppose a pullback to the 1967 lines on both security and ideological grounds.
The Jewish Home, a hardline party affiliated with the Jewish settler movement in the West Bank, threatened to pull out of the coalition if Netanyahu accepts the 1967 borders as the baseline for talks.
"A government that accepts the 1967 lines is committing national suicide. We will not be part of it and will try to replace it," said Ayelet Shaked, the party's faction chairwoman.
Netanyahu's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said any final peace deal would have to redraw the borders to place large chunks of Israel's Arab minority on the Palestinian side.
"Without swapping territory and populations, Yisrael Beitenu will not support an agreement," he told a group of diplomats.
Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu Party formed a joint list with Netanyahu's Likud before parliamentary elections last year. The union makes up the largest faction in parliament, and Lieberman's withdrawal from the coalition would rob Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority.
Lieberman insisted his proposal would not uproot anyone from their homes. Instead, he said the border would be moved.
"There is no reason why they shouldn't join their brothers the Palestinians under full Palestinian sovereignty and become citizens of the future Palestinian state, which they yearn for so much," Lieberman said.
Both the Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of Israel's population, oppose the plan, saying it would undermine the rights of Israel's Arab minority.
If either hardline partner bolts from Netanyahu's coalition, dovish opposition parties have said they would provide Netanyahu with the support he needs to keep his parliamentary majority.
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Creating Pathways of New Life in Urban Congregations
Creating Pathways for New Life in Urban Congregations: Change and Opportunity is a five year follow-up to the Vital Signs of Urban Congregations resource. This resource focuses on how the twelve congregations handled change and opportunity as they moved along in their ministry journeys. A mixture of stories, testimonies, conversations and observations of the dynamics of the urban congregations demonstrates their lives and their witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their neighborhoods.
Free (plus shipping) PDS #2331610001. Order from the Church Store.
Rural South Carolina churches find strength in numbers
By Edward Terry
Reprinted from The Layman, January 5, 2010
CLINTON, S.C. – A group of 15 Presbyterian churches in rural South Carolina have learned, as the old saying goes, there is strength in numbers.
Begun nearly 20 years ago, the Greater Laurens County Cluster of Churches (GLC3) has helped the group of small congregations pool their resources for the greater good in their community and the Kingdom.
"The key is having a vision that reaches beyond yourself and is bigger than any one of the participating congregations," said the Rev. Herb Codington of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Clinton, S.C. "Some of our small churches would say that the cluster has re-energized them. People started dreaming again at some of our churches."


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Due to the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) MSDE is prohibited from releasing individually identifiable information to the public (http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2011603). Because of this requirement we had to remove all of our archived websites prior to 2011 because in some cases it was possible to identify individual students. FERPA protects their right to privacy. We applied certain suppression rules to our website beginning in 2011 to meet the FERPA requirements.
The zipped files are compressed files that must be expanded using a decompression tool, which are built in to most modern operating systems. The zip contains a single file. This file contains column names and Data.
The files are large because they reflect information for 1600+ schools in Maryland. To ease the use of these large files for "serious number crunchers," the data is stored in CSV (comma separated values) format. The CSV format has commas as delimiters.
The files contain thousands of data rows. Use care when importing the data into spreadsheet or database programs. It is possible to import this data into Excel, FoxPro, Access, and many other programs.
ASCII Data files of Maryland School Performance Report Aggregated Data may be obtained here.
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