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Arnold Clark Sales Executives now work a flexible 5-day week. So if you're enthusiastic, confident and motivated to succeed, you'll find a sales career that works for you.
5-day flexible working week: Two days per week from 9am–8pm, two days from 9am–6pm, Sundays 11am–6pm.
Stirling Volvo
About the role
As an Arnold Clark Sales Executive, you'll be responsible for handling sales enquiries – whether via the internet, telephone or in person – with enthusiasm, confidence and purpose.
As well as stellar selling skills, the focus is always on giving customers the best possible experience, so professionalism and integrity are essential. You should also be able to spy a sales opportunity a mile away, and have the resilience and drive to succeed in a target-based environment.
No experience? No problem. We'll consider candidates with or without a history in sales, and we'll give you full training and support to help you make a success of the role. If you genuinely enjoy exceeding customer expectations and creating positive results, this job will be a perfect fit.
Day-to-day duties
Essential skills
In return for your superb sales acumen, you'll benefit from excellent working conditions, including extensive training and support, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the automotive industry.
Though we would love to give every applicant direct feedback we are afraid due to the large amount of applicants we receive, only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
Employment within the Arnold Clark Group is offered subject to satisfactory reference and disclosure check.
Every Arnold Clark employee is entitled to a wide range of benefits, including:
Arnold Clark is Europe's largest independent car retailer with over 200 branches across the UK. And you could be part of it.
Some benefits are only available after a qualifying period.


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Lovely Rooms in Our New Orleans Inn
Awarded a Certificate Of Excellence for 2012 for achieving a Tripadvisor rating of 5 by our guests!
Book your stay in one of our charming rooms, and experience the true flavor of New Orleans unmatched by any typical hotel!
Below are our rates and terms for our New Orleans lodging.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pastel New York Skyline
Pastel New York Skyline 0/50 left
- High quality canvas print
- Marupa wood magnetic frame
- Set of screws and 3M tape
- Sturdy shipping/storing tube* *fancy tube one only with the large canvas.
5-10 business day worldwide delivery
We ship your artwork within one week. Depending on your location, it can take up to two more weeks to arrive at your doorstep.
Quality guaranteed
If anything is wrong with your artwork, you don't like the quality, or think it is not as described, you can send it back to us for an immediate full refund.
Walltone Unboxing
Every Walltone consists of a massive piece of quality canvas, a wooden frame that secures with magnets, and everything you need to mount it to your wall.
Step 1
Attach the back frames using the included screws or 3M tape
Step 2
Place your canvas and snap on the magnetic top frames.
Step 3
Enjoy the view


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I love my smartphone and iPad so much that my husband often makes jokes about my need to be with one of them at all times. No matter what I'm doing, one of these mobile devices is almost always in my hands. I think it all relates to my inability to do just one thing at a time.
So while we are watching MasterChef or The Next Food Network Star in the evenings, I am also keeping up on what is happening in the ASHA Community.
As with any relationship, there are habits or characteristics that are less than appealing about the other person. The pet peeve I have with my mobile devices is the constant need to use pinch-to-zoom maneuvers to read or navigate the browser. To avoid this, I usually download the app when there is one available for a particular website or service.
Until now, the only way I could surf the ASHA Community was with my mobile devices' browsers. You can imagine my excitement when the ASHA Community Mobile App idea was formed—my hand was definitely raised to be part of the team working on that project! Well, the day has finally come. The new ASHA Community Mobile App is not only helping my relationship with mobile devices, it helps all ASHA members with these unique features:
- Convenient. Read all the latest discussions from your subscriptions in a single feed.
- Seamless. Reply to discussions and post new discussions without pinch-to-zoom maneuvers.
- Searchable. Find your colleagues in the directory and easily add them to your personal contacts. With a couple of taps on your screen, you can send an e-mail or make a phone call to another ASHA member.
- Latest news. Find ASHA's Twitter feed and read this and other ASHAsphere blog posts directly in the app.
If you are as excited as I am, then you have already downloaded the app on all of your devices. Just in case, here are the steps:
- From your mobile device, click on the appropriate link below or visit your app store and search "ASHA Community."
- Download the app.
- Log in with your ASHA username and password.
You'll see your name at the top of the navigation. Under your profile, you will see Discussions, People, Inbox, Announcements, and a list of communities to which you subscribe. The ASHA Community Mobile App will help you stay connected with other ASHA members and allow you to post questions to your colleagues on the go–or when you are sitting on the couch enjoying your favorite show.
Visit community.asha.org/mobile to learn more about ASHA's new mobile app. If you have app-related questions, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
Jill Straniero is ASHA's online collaboration manager.


text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - caledonian school Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in caledonian school Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message jonneyJoined: 23 Jan 2003Posts: 28 Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 11:04 pm Post subject: caledonian school anyone know anything about the caledonian school in prague? as usual, any opinions are welcome. jeez - this job huntin' gets a little confusin'. cheers, jonney. Back to top scot47Joined: 10 Jan 2003Posts: 15329 Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2003 6:25 am Post subject: Prague You would be better to post this question under the more specific category of EUROPE/CZECH REPUBLIC and not here in the General Discussion Forum. Did you check the "Job Information Journal" ? Back to top bnixJoined: 16 Jan 2003Posts: 645 Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 4:36 am Post subject: Caledonian in Prague...Mixed Reviews As the other poster(Scot) says,take a look at the Job Journal under Czech Republic on Dave's Cafe.There are some VERY interesting and relevant comments on Caledonian...some favorable...some really critical.Also,there is a lot of relevant material on Czech in general at the Job Journal site...like how pathetic the pay is ,for example. I lived and taught in Czech...but not at Caledonian...personally,I would not do it...good luck,be careful.It is a great country,but basically no money there...you are virtually teaching for free(almost). Back to top BrendaJoined: 13 Feb 2003Posts: 48Location: Montreal, Canada Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 8:50 pm Post subject: Yeah, I've been tempted more than once to reply to the need for teachers in Prague or Bratislava given that my maternal grandparents are from the latter, but as previously mentioned, there is no money to be made in these two countries. I'm no gold-digger but I like to live confortably and so I've given up considering working in these two countries. If you've got money saved though I'd sy go ahead cuz I hear they are both beautiful cities! Good luck! Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


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• Cat C280 engines incorporate more than 20 years of proven component reliability and durability from 3600 engines
- Offshore drilling package provides single lift handling- Caterpillar warranty for all packaged components- Includes most ancillaries, ready-to-run package- Easy to handle and install, few shipped-loose parts
For any petroleum application, trust Caterpillar to meetyour project needs with custom factory generator setsand mechanical packages. Cat engines, generators,controls, radiators, and transmissions can be customdesigned and matched in collaboration with our localdealers to create unique solutions. Custom packagesare globally supported and are covered by a one-yearwarranty after startup.
Large variety of factory-installed engine attachmentsincreases application flexibility and reduces installationtime.Testing• Every unit is full-load tested to ensure proper packageperformance• Full range of factory tests and reports are availableincluding performance, torsional-vibration analysis, fuelconsumption, engine, and generator special tests
• Every unit is full-load tested to ensure proper packageperformance• Full range of factory tests and reports are availableincluding performance, torsional-vibration analysis, fuelconsumption, engine, and generator special tests
More than 2,200 dealer outletsCaterpillar factory-trained dealer technicians serviceevery aspect of your Cat engineCaterpillar parts and labor warrantyPreventive maintenance agreements available for repairbefore-failure optionsS•O•SSM program matches your oil and coolant samplesagainst Caterpillar set standards to determine:- Internal engine component condition- Presence of unwanted fluids and combustionby-products- Site-specific oil change interval
• C280 engines incorporate over 20 years of provencomponent reliability and durability from 3600 engines• Large field population in offshore applications providesproven performance, reliability, durability, andestablished worldwide product support network
Visit www.catoilandgasinfo.com to learn more.
- Electronic Unit Injection (EUI) fuel system providesoptimized combustion at any load- Lower specific fuel consumption at part load- Reduced transient smoke and emissions
The C280-8 generator set incorporates years of proven success of the 3600 engine with the latest technology in electronics. The result is a fully integrated solution that is ideal for offshore operations.Ideal applications for the C280-8 offshore generator set are main power on-board drilling and production vessels and platforms.Complete package offerings are MCS type-approved and compliant with IMO Tier II emissions standards, making integration of the Cat C280-12 generator set into the vessel a simplified operation.Cat generator sets are backed by the worldwide network of Cat dealers ready to support your operation with technical support, service, parts, and warranty.Cat C280-8 offshore generator set. Ratings: 2208-2600 ekW (2760-3714 kVA) @ 50/60 Hz (1000/900 rpm). IMO Tier II emissions compliant.
|Minimum Rating
|3084.0 kV·A 2300.0 ekW
|More Less
|Maximum Rating
|3634.0 kV·A 2710.0 ekW
|More Less
|IMO Tier II/EPA Marine Tier 2 IMO Tier II/EPA Marine Tier 2
|More Less
|9031.0 in³ 148.0 l
|More Less
|Oil Change Interval
|1000.0 h 1000.0 h
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|108027.0 lb 49000.0 kg
|More Less
|Generator Set Control
|Generator Monitoring System (GMS) Generator Monitoring System (GMS)
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|Turbocharged-Aftercooled Turbocharged-Aftercooled
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|11.8 in 300.0 mm
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|Engine Control
|Electronic ADEM™ A3 Electronic ADEM™ A3
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|Fuel System
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|11.0 in 280.0 mm
|More Less


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Chris Carter knows just about everything there is to know about the Beatles.
As host of "Breakfast with the Beatles," 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on KLOS (95.5 FM), he has to. It's not something you can fake; it has to be in your heart. And it is definitely in Carter's heart.
He has hosted the show since 2001, following the death of original host Deirdre O'Donoghue, who launched the program in November 1983 on KMET. What started as an idea to just play some Beatles records as a fun diversion on Sunday mornings has evolved into the longest-running Beatles program anywhere, playing not just a few records but rarities, and sharing stories behind the songs, the band and the fans.
Carter has taken the program and made it his own, though he doesn't quite see it that way.
"I'm just the host of the program, much like Jay Leno and now Jimmy Fallon are hosts of 'The Tonight Show' on NBC-TV," he says. Yet under his guidance, the program has expanded its scope to include rare records, bootlegs, interviews and much more, as opposed to the original focus on playing commercial releases.
He does the program live every Sunday and shows no signs of being burned out on the concept.
"I take the songs and put them into perspective," he says, explaining how he keeps the program fresh. "Using the music, I try to tell a story, follow a theme, place the music into a certain context, and keep it timely."
Fascinating facts tied to people, places and dates in history are a huge part of the program's appeal, something that Carter says he enjoys. This weekend's program will be particularly interesting, as "Breakfast" celebrates the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Beatles in the United States to appear on CBS' "The Ed Sullivan Show." They landed in New York City 50 years ago today; their first appearance on the Sullivan show was Feb. 9, 1964. "Breakfast" this Sunday will feature audio from the show, including the commercials.
"Commercials help keep the historical perspective accurate," Carter says.
Among the fascinating facts regarding the appearance? Turns out that the performance on "Sullivan" was coincidentally the three-year anniversary of the Beatles' first live concert at the Cavern Club in Liverpool: Feb. 9, 1961. And a third appearance on "Sullivan" later in 1964 was actually the first one performed: It was a taped recording of the afternoon dress rehearsal at CBS studios in New York.
Carter has every Beatles album ever made — including bootlegs, imports and those released on reel-to-reel tape — and multiple copies in most cases. His collection of music from all artists includes close to 7,000 vinyl records.
His collection of Beatles records began in earnest when he owned a record store in Wayne, N.J. But the Beatles are not his only interest. He's been in a band himself, one that KROQ (106.7 FM) and Alt 98.7 FM fans will know: Dramarama. The band's alternative hit "Anything Anything" is still popular nearly three decades after its 1986 release.
He also produced a critically acclaimed film that told the story of KROQ personality Rodney Bingenheimer. Carter also has managed bands.
But from what I can tell, his first love is the Beatles.
"My first album I bought, when I was about 7, was 'Rubber Soul,' " he said.
In an interview with Riprense.com, he explained how at every birthday and every holiday, he would ask for another Beatles album. From there, he says, it just took off.
Carter's version of "Breakfast with the Beatles" is good enough to have Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney as listeners and contributors: Both have called in to the show in the past.
And the program has been around long enough to outlive two of the three stations on which it has been carried: KMET (now KTWV 94.7 FM), where it originated; and KLSX (now KAMP, 97.1 FM), where it moved in 1987. KLOS has been running the program since 2006.
In addition to "Breakfast," Carter has a program on SiriusXM's Underground Garage (Channel 21) focusing on music from the more general British invasion. That program airs at 6 a.m. Sundays, with a rebroadcast at 9 p.m.
Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance writer covering radio in Southern California. Send him email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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"Who Do You Think You Are?" premieres Friday, March 5 (7-8 p.m. Central Time Zone) and gives viewers an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities.
Among the celebrities featured are Matthew Broderick, Lisa Kudrow, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Emmitt Smith. Ancestry.com is NBC's official partner on the series.
From executive producer Kudrow ("Friends," "The Comeback") – in conjunction with her production company Is or Isn't Entertainment and the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions – "Who Do You Think You Are?" is an adaptation of the hit BBC television documentary series created and executive-produced by Alex Graham. — Source: NBC press release January 14, 2010.
Filed under: Notices |


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Kitchen Interior Design.Your room is definitely the foremost necessary side of the house, as making ready food happens among this area. therefore enough area, air and ventilation ought to be there to urge the smoke of change of state and holding in outdoors. Kitchen Interior Design involves meticulous designing, concentrating on functionability and look.
Safety from the room is that the most concern. As change of state gas will be employed in several room areas, beside electrical home appliances like mixer, toaster, microwaves, care need to be taken to not place the electrical tools and flammable product like gas aboard. This will increase the danger of combustion, simply just in case of the accident. room interior style should take ample preventive measures.


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A few years ago I had the pleasure of auditioning a set of components from Elettromedia, the Hertz MLK165's. I was quite impressed with the set, and now here we have the Audison AV K6 VOCE components from the same parent company. These components are a less expensive than the MLK165s were. At $699, compared to the $999 for the MLK165's, the AV K6 VOCEs are significantly more affordable. There have been three years of development time since that last review, so I was anxious to see what had happened in that time as far as new technologies goes. I also wanted to see what these babies sounded like compared to their more expensive predecessors.
Product Description
As I unpacked the box housing this nice looking set of components, I was greeted by a pair of attractive grilles made of perforated metal that should let all of the goodness through without any restriction. Also on the first layer of packaging I found a pair of 28 millimeter soft-dome tweeters that, according to the information I received from Audison, are made of a material called Tetolon, a combination of silk and cotton with a proprietary damping treatment said to provide low mass and resonance-free response up to ultrasonic frequencies. They use a Neodymium motor structure and a double-layer voice coil wound with very light Copper-Clad Aluminum wire for good transient response. These tweeters also employ a Rear Damping Chamber to extend the response to lower limits and reduce harmonic distortion. On the next layer of parts was the tweeter mounting hardware which will allow all the common mounting schemes to fit most any vehicle I can think of: surface, angled surface, and flush mounting. The tweeters also have a perforated metal grille that shouldn't restrict their output.
Then there was the low frequency drivers for the system. These are a pair of 6.5" cast aluminum frame woofers with a four bolt pattern that fit my test boxes perfectly, meaning they use a standard dimension pattern as opposed to the multi-bolt patterns some of the competition uses. One interesting thing I noticed upon examination of the frames of these woofers is the aerodynamic shape of the spokes that support the motor structure. This shape helps reduce backwave reflections and the coloration such reflections can add to the sound projected from the front of the woofer. These drivers also incorporate a butyl rubber surround that's pleated to aid in linearity of travel of the cone. Speaking of the cone, it's made of a cotton-fiber pressed paper with a special damping treatment to help control breakup. The voice coil is a 30mm unit wound with copper-clad aluminum wire to provide high efficiency and great thermal dissipation. And there's what's called a radial venting system incorporating vents all the way around the frame where it meets the magnet that also aids in cooling. Another nice addition is the screw-equipped terminal to secure the speaker wire to.
The crossover point for the system is 2.5KHz at 12 dB and the system is rated at 125 watts continuous, 250 watts peak with an impedance of 4 ohms. There's also a three-way level adjustment switch that allows settings of -2dB, 0dB, and +2dB for the tweeter in relation to the woofer. All of this is housed in an attractive plastic box with a viewing window so you can admire the beauty of the components housed within.
The installation manual for this set is pretty basic and generic but contains the necessary information needed to do a quality installation of these components, even for a do-it-yourselfer.
Installing these components into my test boxes was a piece of cake since the four-bolt pattern of the woofer matched the pattern on my boxes perfectly. This could be a problem if they don't match the stock pattern in your vehicle, but any installer worth his salt will be able to overcome this minor inconvenience. These woofers aren't overly deep and will fit the majority of applications in the real world.
The tweeters mounted very easily, too, as they come with all the necessary hardware to adapt them to most any application I can think of. Their small size is a plus too.
The crossovers are small enough to mount behind a kickpanel or under the dash of your vehicle so their adjustments are readily available to tune their response to your vehicle and your ears.
In summation, this should be an easy set of components to install in general.
Now on to the fun part, listening!
Listening Setup
When testing these speakers, I powered them with an ARC Audio KS300.4v2 bridged to 2 channels for a total of 350 watts per channel. These speakers are rated at 250 watts per channel, so this way they'll never see a clipped signal at any sane volume. My philosophy is, just like in a car, there's no such thing as too much power. It's how you use it that counts!
The source unit was my old standby, a Denon R1 CD player with the tone controls set to flat. This unit has served me well since I started doing these reviews back in July, 2005. It's an oldie, but still a goodie.
The boxes the speakers were mounted in have a volume of 1.25 cu.ft. each, sealed, loosely stuffed with polyester fiberfill; and they're positioned on-axis for all but the off-axis portion of the test, and sit six feet apart. I sat in the "sweet spot" eight feet back and right between them. For the off-axis portion of the test, I canted them inward approximately 45 degrees.
As far as tweeter attenuation, after trying all three choices, -2dB, 0dB, and +2dB, I ended up setting them in the 0 dB position. This was the best sounding of the three to my ears.
GRP All-Stars Big Band, "Senor Blues"
This jazz piece starts with some drum work on upper and floor toms. The Audison speakers rendered the sound quite naturally, with good attack and the proper low frequency content to the toms. The drums are followed by the entrance of the piano and the natural sound continued as the sax/trumpet ensemble made their debut. All this happens in a very progressive manner until the much louder entrance of the full brass section, where there's a good separation of the full instrumentation of the band. It didn't get muddled as the sound got more complex, and the crystalline sound of the cymbals added just the right touch of spaciousness to the mix. At this point, things get quiet as a solo flute starts to play. The flute is very closely mic'd and had the appropriate airiness and, again, sounded quite natural without being harsh. The walking bass line accompanying the flute also sounded good with reasonable low-end extension. The lack of a subwoofer caused the bass to sound slightly thin. If these speakers were installed in a car with a sub and the transfer function of a small space, I would have to say the sound would probably be quite satisfying. The piano solo that starts at 2:15 also sounded like it should without any notes "biting my ears". Even when things on the recording are loud and brash, there was no breakup or discernable distortion. All in all, quite a commendable, above-average performance. Score – 7.5/10
Dire Straits, "Sultans of Swing"
This is an old standby of mine because their music is almost always impeccably recorded and because Mark Knopfler is an incredibly talented writer/performer. On "Sultans of Swing" the group sounded almost as though they were performing live in my living room. The drums and cymbals sounded particularly good, just as they did in the previous selection, with a very nice, sparkling effect to the cymbals. Mark's voice could have been a little more forward in the mix, but it was hard for me to decide if this is the fault of the speakers or the recording. The guitars had a live-sounding presence that gave the recording a realistic sound. The stage had very good depth and breadth. If there was anything that detracted from the realism of this recording, it was the fact that the lower bass lacked somewhat,
but I have to go back to my previous comment that when installed in a car, with a subwoofer, this would be a non-issue. Overall, Audison has done what appears to be a pretty good job in the design of these drivers. Score – 7.5/10
Dixie Chicks, "Landslide"
I know what some of you are thinking right now. What the heck is he doing testing these speakers with country music? Nobody listens to that stuff. Well, there must be somebody out there listening to it or there wouldn't be so much of it being sold! "Landslide" starts with an acoustic string ensemble that was rendered here beautifully. It sounded very realistic, with very nice separation of the various string voices. Each instrument was easily identifiable while blending seamlessly. One thing I noticed on the opening is that the sound of the bass was considerably more robust on this recording, something I didn't expect, which was a pleasant surprise. When the sisters start to sing together you feel like it's obvious they're siblings, as the voices blend in a way seemingly possible only for family members, and the Audisons captured this trait faithfully. Following the vocal ensemble, there's an instrumental verse that also sounds very good, with natural timbre of the strings and a full bodied sound with good spatial effect. Again the VOCE speakers reproduced that well. When things get quiet in the song, the detail wasn't lost and the imaging stayed in the correct position with virtually no wandering. Kudos to Audison! Score – 8/10
Keb' Mo', "Perpetual Blues Machine"
This was an easy choice for this category. Keb' Mo's rich, throaty voice can send chills down your spine when played on a good pair of speakers. I was eager to hear what these Italians could do with America's original music. "Perpetual Blues Machine" is a minimalist recording utilizing only an acoustic guitar, Keb's voice, and a harmonica in one verse. The selection starts off with a guitar intro and the Audisons did a fine job of replicating the sound of the guitar right down to the sound of Keb's fingers on the strings and fretboard. You could hear obviously the hollow body of the guitar. When he starts to sing, the robustness of his voice shone through convincingly with all the appropriate weight and emotion intended. In other words, he sounded like the incredible blues singer he is! The harmonica solo was rendered with all the realism I could ask for and it was placed in the correct position relative to the guitar. There was also a good sense of space conveyed by these Italian drivers. Nothing was lost in translation on this all-American genre of music. Score – 7.5/10
Vivaldi, "Flute Concerto in D"
I chose this beautiful piece for my classical music selection. This piece starts with the full orchestra and conveys the sense of great spaciousness. With the Audisons there was a reasonable sense of the ambience of a large hall and I could discern the positions of the various sections of the orchestra, i.e. the violins, cellos, contra basses, percussion, reeds and brass. When the solo flute made its entrance, my attention was focused on this single player as the rest of the orchestra dropped out. The detail of the flutist's breathing and even the sound of the pads of the flute opening and closing was evident, in addition to the realistic airiness of the flute. When the orchestra re-entered, the fugue between the solo violin and the harpsichord was portrayed very convincingly. The interplay between the flute, harpsichord, and violin was a true pleasure to behold, and there was s a realistic weight and thickness to the sound of the lower voices in the orchestra that I hadn't noticed on all the tracks I sampled for this review. Image stability and positioning were very good, especially considering the complexity of this selection. All in all, a very fine performance. Score: 8/10
This audition was truly a pleasure, as these components sounded very good, especially for their price! I was impressed with their imaging and natural sound on the majority of the material I used to test them with. There was also very little compromise when they were mounted off-axis, and this is the orientation they'll find themselves in for most of their intended applications. It's no wonder that Audison received EISA's (European Imaging and Sound Association) award for best in-car speaker system (for more information on that, visit the "AWARDS" area on the Elettromedia website). If you're shopping for new front stage speakers, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Audison's VOCE component set.


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Nath wrote:Still, it's not ridiculous for someone to switch from a manual grinder to, say, a cheap automatic grinder (even a blade grinder). Grind quality would suffer, but not everybody wants to spend two minutes in the morning rotating a crank for their coffee. Pretty small fraction of the population, I'd guess.
I went blade grinder -> manual -> basic automatic burr grinder (Bodum Bistro), and I quite like the convenience of my current set-up, even though I didn't mind the manual when it was my main grinder.
I have a hand mill at work (the Hario Skerton) and I get a lot of stick from it. A lot of 'why bother? We have the Nestle capsule thing, just use that'. Also, the pour over. Most people have never seen one before.


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Shop Online
If you don't need an entire carburetor kit, Walker offers individual carburetor components; washers, o-rings, gaskets and needles & seats, just to name a few. Whether you need to purchase just 1 item or 1000, Walker has all of your individual carburetor component needs covered.
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Click here for National Response Team (NR) Joint Information Center Model
It is the spiller's responsibility to report all spills. The spiller or responsible party is required to immediately report all releases of oil and hazardous substances into or on navigable water, adjoining shorelines, or the contiguous zone, to the National Response Center (NRC). The NRC will notify the appropriate OSC.
If U.S. EPA or USCG is the first to be notified of a release or discharge, they will notify the State, Local and Tribal entities and the NRC. Notification will also be made to other potentially affected EPA Regions, USCG sectors, and Canadian Provinces. OSC notification of trustees is accomplished through protocols developed via trustees-specific agreements. For spill of significance, if the State or other agency is the fist to be notified, they shall notify the appropriate Federal Agencies.
The objective is to promote timely and effective coordination among the entire spill response community including federal, state, tribal, local and private entities in response to an oil spill or hazardous substance release in Region 5.
For discharges or releases that fall outside the NRC notification protocols, if states are the first to be notified, the Department of the Interior requests notification by the state(s) through the RRT contact list of any significant discharges or releases that could significantly impact federal trust resources. These resources include threatened and endangered species, migratory birds and federal lands.
All news releases or statements made by participating agencies shall be jointly coordinated and released through a public information office. The spokesperson shall notify, at a minimum, immediately affected citizens, local and State officials and, when appropriate, emergency management agencies. OSCs may consider use of the RRT5 to assist in media relations and other community involvement activities. Also, responsible parties may implement community involvement activities.
PIAT is one of the special forces mandated in the National Contingency Plan. The team provides emergency public information services to Federal On-Scene Coordinators, primarily during oil spills and hazardous material releases. The team also provides these services for natural disasters, domestic terrorism events and weapons of mass destruction events.
Access to PIAT resources is available at www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/National-Strike-Force/PIAT/
The Crisis Communication Plan identifies the responsibilities of those gathering, organizing and releasing this information and establishes the process for coordinating efforts and meeting these demands through a well-defined dissemination process.
Information about Crisis Communication Planning and a template are available from Ready.Gov at www.ready.gov/business/implementation/crisis.
ESF 15 ensures that sufficient Federal assets are deployed to the field during a potential or actual Incident of National Significance to provide accurate, coordinated, and timely information to affected audiences, including governments, media, the private sector, and the local populace. This annex details the establishment of support positions to coordinate communications to various audiences.
A description of ESF 15 can be found at the FEMA.gov website.
The Standard Operating Procedures for ESF 15 can be found at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/34369.


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Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research
versão On-line ISSN 2219-0635
versão impressa ISSN 0030-2465
Onderstepoort j. vet. res. vol.80 no.1 Pretoria Jan. 2013
A cost-benefit model comparing the California Milk Cell Test and Milk Electrical Resistance Test
Inge-Marie Petzer; Joanne Karzis; Isabel A. Meyer; Theodorus J. van der Schans
Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
The indirect effects of mastitis treatment are often overlooked in cost-benefit analyses, but it | may be beneficial for the dairy industry to consider them. The cost of mastitis treatment may increase when the duration of intra-mammary infections are prolonged due to misdiagnosis of host-adapted mastitis. Laboratory diagnosis of mastitis can be costly and time consuming, therefore cow-side tests such as the California Milk Cell Test (CMCT) and Milk Electrical Resistance (MER) need to be utilised to their full potential. The aim of this study was to determine the relative benefit of using these two tests separately and in parallel. This was done using a partial-budget analysis and a cost-benefit model to estimate the benefits and costs of each respective test and the parallel combination thereof. Quarter milk samples (n = 1860) were taken from eight different dairy herds in South Africa. Milk samples were I evaluated by means of the CMCT, hand-held MER meter and cyto-microbiological laboratory analysis. After determining the most appropriate cut-off points for the two cow-side tests, the sensitivity and specificity of the CMCT (Se = 1.00, Sp = 0.66), MER (Se = 0.92, Sp = 0.62) and the tests done in parallel (Se = 1.00, Sp = 0.87) were calculated. The input data that were used for partial-budget analysis and in the cost-benefit model were based on South African figures at the time of the study, and on literature. The total estimated financial benefit of I correct diagnosis of host-adapted mastitis per cow for the CMCT, MER and the tests done in parallel was R898.73, R518.70 and R1064.67 respectively. This involved taking the expected benefit of a correct test result per cow, the expected cost of an error per cow and the cost of the test into account. The CMCT was shown to be 11% more beneficial than the MER test, whilst using the tests in parallel was shown to be the most beneficial method for evaluating the I mastitis-control programme. Therefore, it is recommended that the combined tests should be used strategically in practice to monitor udder health and promote a pro-active udder health approach when dealing with host-adapted pathogens.
When mastitis, due to host-adapted pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus agalactiae, (S. agalactiae) is misdiagnosed, the risk of more severe udder parenchymal damage increases. Longer periods of bacterial infection and shedding can create a prolonged window of opportunity for clinical mastitis to develop and for contagious transmission to occur (Lam 1996; Zadocks et al. 2002). In addition to dry-cow treatment, treatment of clinical mastitis forms part of most mastitis-control programmes (Swinkels, Hogeveen & Zadocks 2005).
Staphylococcus aureus mastitis is highly prevalent in South African dairy herds and is a costly disease (Petzer et al. 2009). According to Goodger and Ferguson 1987 and Zepeda et al. 1998, control of S. aureus mastitis through preventive measures, early detection, dry-cow treatment and culling of chronically infected animals can be economically profitable.
Determining the costs specific to a single disease-control programme requires partial budgeting (Smith 1995). In this study, partial-budget analysis was used to determine the relative effects of diagnosing and misdiagnosing true positive and true negative animals. These results were then used to perform a cost-benefit analysis.
In this study, the gold standard used for mastitis diagnosis was defined as a somatic cell count (SCC) of > 400 000 cells/mL milk and the presence of mastitogenic bacteria (Petzer et al. 2009). Chronic mastitis, which is associated with a low probability of cure, may be diagnosed by clinical signs. These include palpable tissue changes, a history of repeated clinical mastitis, the presence of bacteria and infection of multiple quarters within a cow (Sol et al. 1997; Sol et al. 2000; Deluyker, Van Oye & Boucher 2005).
Cow-side tests, such as the California Milk Cell Test (CMCT) and Milk Electrical Resistance (MER) are relatively cost effective and are used in the milking parlour for timeous identification- of possible udder health problems as part of a mastitis-control programme. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) requirement for a cow-side test is for it to have a sensitivity of at least 70% and a specificity of 99% (Mein 2010).
The purpose of this study was to determine the most beneficial cut-off points for the diagnosis of mastitis using either of the cow-side tests, when compared to the gold standard. This was done for tests used both separately and in a parallel combination. These cut-off points were then used to calculate sensitivity and specificity. Earlier identification of mastitis using cow-side tests is more beneficial to producers in a mastitis-control programme and could provide the producer with valuable information regarding the early treatment of true mastitis cases. This approach supports proactive udder-health management and may assist in the reduction of the mammary infection rate in herds. Indirect effects of mastitis treatment, such as prevention of clinical mastitis and transmission of infections to other cows are often overlooked in cost-benefit analysis, which may indicate that treatment is more favourable (St Rose et al. 2003; Swinkels et al. 2005).
Sample collection
The order in which the tests were performed in the parlour was as follows: a strip cup was used to identify possible clinical mastitis cases, after which aseptic quarter milk samples were taken, followed by quarter MER readings and the CMCT.
Quarter milk samples (n = 1860) were collected aseptically according to standard procedure (Giesecke, Du Preez & Petzer 1994) from eight dairies in South Africa. These samples were placed on ice and transported to the Milk Laboratory, Production Animal Studies, Onderstepoort and were analysed within 12 hours of collection. Following aseptic sampling, approximately 5 mL milk from each quarter was milked into the handheld MER meter. The reading was recorded and this milk was poured into the corresponding cup of the CMCT spatula, in order for the CMCT to be performed. This process was repeated for each quarter that was sampled.
Milk electrical resistance (MER)
Electrical resistance, the reciprocal of electrical conductivity, was measured in this study. Hand-held MER meters were used to evaluate udder health on a quarter basis. This is in contrast to in-line conductivity that is used in commercial dairies, which is measured at cow level. The hand-held MER meters (Mast-O-Test, Durotec, PO Box 12540, Centralhill, Port Elizabeth 6006, South Africa) read electrical resistance in milli-Ohms per centimeter (mΏ/cm). Measures of resistance were categorised into three ordinal levels for data analysis, < 24 mΏ/cm (red light), 24 - 31 mΏ/cm (orange light) and > 31 mΏ/cm (green light), based on the manufacturer's suggestion. An inter-quarter variation in resistance of 15% or more indicated possible udder health problems (Mast-O-- Test, Durotec, PO Box 12540, Centralhill, Port Elizabeth 6006, South Africa).
California Milk Cell Test (CMCT)
The CMCT spatulas were pre-calibrated to help ensure that equal volumes of milk and reagent were used in each test (Schalm, Carroll & Jain 1971). Excess milk was carefully discarded up to the calibration line, ensuring that the volume of milk left in each cup was equal to the volume of reagent to be added. The milk and reagent were thoroughly mixed whilst carefully studying the viscosity of the mixtures. In this study, the same operator performed the reading according to the description of Schalm et al. 1971. A weak positive (+) was recorded if during swirling, the mixture remained liquid (as with a negative score) and on tilting the paddle, the mixture flowed over the bottom of the cup in a slimy, streaky layer that was clearly visible. A distinct positive (++) was recorded if after the first one to two swirls of the mixture there was already distinct gel formation. Some portions of the distinct positive mixture tended to collect at the centre of the cup, whereas others continued to move around its periphery. Upon stopping the swirling motion, the gel-like mixture levelled out to cover the bottom evenly and on tilting the paddle, the mixture flowed over the bottom of the cup in a distinctly slimy non-uniform mass, possibly of streaky appearance. A strong positive (+++) was recorded if after the first one to two swirls the mixture had already formed a jelly that tended to adhere to the centre of the cup, where it formed a peak and left the periphery of the bottom of the cup exposed. After stopping the swirling motion, the mixture levelled out somewhat on the bottom of the cup, but its surface remained uneven and continued to show a distinct peak in its central region (Schalm et al. 1971).
Acid milk is indicated by the mixture becoming distinctly yellow, with a pH 5.2. This is very rare and usually indicates fermentation of lactose by bacteria. Alkaline milk is indicated when the reaction causes the mixture to become a deep purple colour, it may be as a result of udder inflammation or indicating that the udder is drying off (Schalm et al. 1971).
Laboratory procedures
Samples were plated out onto Columbia Agar base plates with 5% defibrinated bovine blood (Quantum Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd, Ferndale, South Africa). Test plates were incubated for 24 to 48 hours at 37°C ± 1°C. Isolated bacteria were identified in accordance with standard laboratory milk culture methodology based on colony morphology, haemolysis, catalase, KOH test and Gram staining. Additional tests for bacterial identification included a Strepkit (Latex agglutination test from Quantum Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd, Ferndale, South Africa), Staphylase Test (Quantum Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd, Ferndale, South Africa) and the API 20E kit (BioMerieux, PO Box 4328, Honeydew 2040) (Sandholm et al. 1995; Karzis 2005). SCC was determined using the Fossomatic 5000 (Rhine Rhur, PO Box 76167, Wendywood 2144).
Analysis of data: Sensitivity, Specificity and Determination of Cut-off points
Data was collected from 1860 aseptic quarter milk samples from eight different dairy herds in South Africa. This data was analysed using a gold standard (criteria used for mastitis positive quarters were: SCC > 400 000 cells/mL and bacteria present). Then the most appropriate cut-off point for each test was determined using the gold standard in the statistical programme GenStat® (Payne et al. 2011). Using these cutoff points, the sensitivity and specificity of each of the tests was calculated from the data using Microsoft Excel® 2003. The criteria of the gold standard used for disease positive quarters (SCC > 400 000 cells/mL) with bacteria present was taken into account for each test done separately and for both tests done in parallel (Dohoo, Martin & Stryhm 2003; Petzer et al. 2009).
These findings were used as criteria to determine whether each quarter had an increased SCC using the CMCT, with (1+, 2+ and 3+) indicating a positive test result and (0) indicating a negative test result. Increased SCC, as well as udder inflammation, are an indication of a possible mastitis case in a mastitis-control programme.
Similarly, the criteria used to evaluate udder inflammation of quarters using MER were as follows: an orange light (24 - 31 mΏ/cm) and red light (< 24 mΏ/cm) indicated a positive test result, whilst a green light (> 31 mΏ/cm) indicated a negative test result; the latter being a healthy quarter. Both sets of criteria were calculated in GenStat® using the gold standard (as described above).
The sensitivity and specificity of each of the tests and of the tests in parallel were then inserted into the model as inputs.
Modelling approach
Partial-budget analysis was used as part of a cost-benefit model. In a cost-benefit model, economic effects for any given scenario are calculated as total revenues weighed against total costs. In this model, the expected cost or benefit of a specific test was calculated. This was done by determining the likelihood that a specific test would predict a false positive, false negative, true positive or true negative result. An expected cost or benefit was associated with each of these outcomes. For example, correctly identifying a true positive result and acting on it would have certain benefits, such as a reduction in the infection rate and a reduction in the decline of milk yield and milk quality. It also has costs associated, such as the cost of treatment and the cost of additional labour. Similarly, incorrectly identifying a true negative result as positive would have costs associated, such as an increase in the loss of milk, an increase in antibiotic residues present in milk and in the bulk tank due to unnecessary treatment, and the cost of treatment.
Partial-budget analysis was used to calculate the relative costs and benefits. In partial-budget analysis, alternatives- are compared without calculating a complete budget for each scenario. Instead, only the revenues and costs that are affected by the specific scenario are considered. Total returns were calculated as extra returns plus reduced costs. Total costs were calculated as reduced returns plus extra costs. Both direct and indirect effects of diagnosing and misdiagnosing true positive and true negative animals were taken into account. Biological parameters included the clinical outcome of infection with host adapted pathogens for the affected animal, effects at herd level and contagious transmission for true positives (detected and undetected).
The sensitivity and specificity for each test were used in the cost-benefit model as a basis for determining the expected costs and benefits of each test. The expected value of each cost or benefit was calculated by determining, from the sensitivity and specificity of each test, the positive and negative predictive values of each test. The expected value of a true positive outcome was calculated as the probability of a test identifying a true positive case multiplied by the cost or benefit of that outcome, and similarly for other outcomes. Costs and benefits of correct or incorrect diagnoses were calculated at the cow level (Swinkels et al. 2005).
This model was applied separately for each of the two cow-side tests, as well as for tests used in parallel in order to determine which of the methods were more beneficial, compared to the gold standard criteria used. A comparison of the value of benefits that could be expected from a given test, based on the cost-benefit model, was used to estimate the value of the mastitis-control programme, using the CMCT test, the MER test or a combination thereof (Smith 1995). Model input variables were based on current South African economic conditions and on literature (Keefe 1997; Lactodata 2011). The accuracy of the mastitis- control programme in correct diagnosis of mastitis using the CMCT, MER and the tests in parallel was compared to the gold standard used. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel® 2003, by taking the model inputs and prices calculated (see below) into account (Dohoo et al. 2003).
Prices used for model inputs
Cost of treatment (R45.45) was calculated using the cost of Curaclox LC (Norbrook (ARK AH) PO Box 10698, Centurion 0046), which is commonly used (R15.15 per treatment x three treatments). Milk loss as a result of treatment (R360.86) was calculated using the current milk price at the time of the investigation (R2.97/L) x the average milk production per cow per day (27 L) (Lactodata 2011) x the number of days for which milk was discarded (4.5 days). This was calculated as the sum of the three treatments of Curaclox LC (Norbrook (ARK AH) PO Box 10698, Centurion 0046) at 12 hourly intervals (1.5 days) and the (72h or three day) withdrawal period of the product after final infusion, for which milk was discarded.
The cost of CMCT test was calculated by calculating the costs of the following:
Mastest reagent per test = price of Mastest per 5 L (R490)/ number of tests per 5 L (888.33) = 0.55
Number of 6mL CMCT tests done per 5 L = (1000 mL/6 mL per test = 166.66 tests) x 5 L = 888.33
The cost of the CMCT paddle = R60/number of tests per 5 L (R888.33) = R0.068
Pump bottle = R30/number of tests per 5 L (R888.33) = R0.034
Marking pen = R20/number of tests per 5 L (R888.33) = R0.023
The cost of the CMCT per cow (R2.70) was calculated using the sum of the cost of Mastest reagent per CMCT (R0.55), the cost of the CMCT paddle (R0.068) per test, the cost of the pump bottle (R0.034) per test and the cost of the marking pen (R0.023) used for calibration per test x four quarters per cow.
The cost of the MER test per cow (R5.36) was calculated by the sum of the cost of the handheld Mast-O-Test meter (R2500/1860 tests = R1.34 per test) (Csi-Africa 2011, product specifications) x four quarters.
Cost-benefit model inputs
For each test, the cost and benefit of each possible test outcome was calculated. For each possible outcome, positive effects were calculated as benefits and negative effects as costs. For all calculations, the cost of performing the test was included. This model was calculated over the 305 day lactation period for cows infected with host-adapted organisms (Keefe 1997). The following four scenarios were analysed for CMCT, MER and using the tests in parallel.
True positive cases (Sensitivity)
The benefit of detecting true positive cases of mastitis with cow-side tests was calculated as follows:
(Culling cost (R6000) x 13% reduced infection rate [19]) + reduced loss of milk (R360.86) - treatment cost (R45.45 x 87%) [19] = R1101.32 (Table 1)
False negative cases
The cost of not detecting true positive cases of mastitis by the cow-side tests was calculated as follows:
Estimated loss of milk yield due to sub-clinical mastitis (R360.86) x 13% increased infection rate [19] = R46.91
True negative cases (Specificity)
The detection of a quarter with normal udder health by the test is beneficial and has no cost implications.
False positive cases
The cost of misdiagnosing a healthy quarter with the test was calculated as follows:
The cost of unnecessary treatment (R45.45) + the consequent loss of milk (R360.86) = R406.31
For a given outcome, the expected benefit of the outcome was calculated by multiplying the net benefit with the likelihood of attaining the outcome (i.e. false positive, false negative, true positive, true negative) through the use of this test. The overall cost of the test per cow was subtracted from the expected benefit for all scenarios, since a test is always conducted.
Benefit-cost ratios
Benefit-cost ratios were calculated as follows (for each test done separately and for both tests combined):
Benefit-cost ratios = expected benefit or (expected cost of error + cost of test).
Results and discussion
Long periods of infection and bacterial shedding due to misdiagnosis create a prolonged window of opportunity for clinical mastitis to develop and for contagious transmission to occur. In addition to dry-cow treatment, treatment of clinical mastitis is part of most mastitis-control programmes. Indirect effects of mastitis treatment, such as prevention of- repeated clinical mastitis and transmission to other cows, are often overlooked in cost-benefit analysis, but render a specific treatment as being more favourable (Waage & Aursjoe 1993; Lam 1996; Hamman & Zecconi 1998; Zadoks et al. 2002; St Rose et al. 2003; Swinkels et al. 2005).
The sensitivity of CMCT and the parallel combination of CMCT and MER tests are both equal to 1, proving that these methods of diagnosis are equally able to identify true positive animals in the mastitis-control programme, with the expected benefit of test per cow being R1101.32 (Table 1). This is a surprising result, as it was expected that the combination of the two tests (measuring two mastitis indicators) should have had an advantage over one test (measuring only one mastitis indicator). The sensitivity of the MER test of 0.92 (Table 1), show that it is slightly less able to detect true positive animals in the mastitis-control programme than the CMCT test or the tests done in parallel.
The specificity of CMCT, MER test and the tests done in parallel were 0.66, 0.62 and 0.87 respectively (Table 1), indicating that the tests done in parallel were the most beneficial for detecting true negative animals. It also indicated that the CMCT was more beneficial than the MER test for the same purpose. The probability of diagnosing a false negative case using the CMCT and the tests done in parallel were 0, indicating that these methods were more beneficial in mastitis diagnosis than the MER test (p = 0.08) (Table 1), with the cost of error per cow being estimated at R46.91 (Table 1). The probability of a false positive case using the MER test was higher than both that of CMCT on its own and the tests done in parallel, indicating that the MER test was more likely to misdiagnose true negative animals, with the cost of error per cow being estimated at R406.31 (Table 1).
Partial-budget analysis was used in order to estimate benefits and costs to producers of a mastitis-control programme. The part of the enterprise budget affected by mastitis was separated out so that the effects of mastitis were not overshadowed by some other factor or disease (Smith 1995).
A cost-benefit model was used as a method for calculating the cost-benefit ratio, which was an index of the rand value of benefits that could be expected from an investment with a given cost associated (Smith 1995).
The cost-benefit model was also used to calculate the expected costs and benefits of a specific scenario. The sum of the total expected cost of errors per cow (Table 1) and the cost to conduct the test per cow (Table 2) was subtracted from the expected benefits of test per cow for CMCT, MER test. The tests were performed in parallel in order to calculate the total expected benefit of the tests (Table 1).
The CMCT was shown to be more beneficial than the MER test, with a total expected benefit of test per cow of R1228.64 as opposed to that of R1100.29 (Table 2). The most beneficial method for diagnosing mastitis in the mastitis-control programme was using both cow-side tests in parallel, with a total expected benefit of test per cow of R1393.25 (Table 1).
The conclusions made in this study were consistently made on the evaluation of an expected benefit. However, benefit-cost ratios were calculated as being 9.72 for CMCT, 7.74 for MER and 24.02 for both tests in parallel (see Table 2).
The gold standard used for mastitis diagnosis in this study was a SCC > 400 000 cells/mL milk and the presence of pathogens (Petzer et al. 2009), which can be both costly and time consuming. A cost-benefit model was used to estimate the accuracy of the mastitis-control programme, by comparing the costs and benefits that arise from using the CMCT, MER test, or both tests in parallel. Misdiagnosis of true mastitis cases by cow-side tests increases the duration of infection when treatment of mastitis is postponed.
When used separately, the expected benefit of CMCT is 11% more beneficial than the MER test in diagnosing mastitis. The cost-benefit model indicates that, by using the CMCT and MER tests in parallel, the total expected benefit of test per cow is the highest and the expected cost of error per cow the lowest. The total expected benefit of both tests in parallel is 13% more than that of the MER alone, and 11% more than that of the CMCT alone.
The sensitivity and specificity for the CMCT test is higher than that of the MER test and similar to that of the two cow-side tests used in parallel. The cost-benefit ratio of using both tests in parallel is 2.5 times that of the CMCT test alone, and 3.1 times that of the MER test alone. With all parameters considered, and taking all costs and benefits into account it is clearly beneficial to use both test in parallel.
Further research is recommended to analyse the data collected from in-line EC meters based on cow samples, comparing the accuracy of the results to CMCT results and a combination thereof against the gold standard. Future work with respect to modelling and sensitivity analysis is required in order to assess the extent of reduction in infection rates that should be maintained by control programmes in order to ensure that the process of testing and control of yield has a financially viable outcome.
The authors thank the dairy producers used for their participation and the staff of the Milk Laboratory, Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort for the analysis of the samples.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
Authors contributions
J.K. drafted the manuscript and critically revised it, formatted and edited the manuscript, was involved in the data analysis, calculating the sensitivity and specificity, as well as assisting in calculating the cost-benefit model and determining the model inputs for the partial-budget analysis. I.M.P. assisted in collection of aseptic milk samples and performing of cow-side tests, assisted with model inputs, reviewing the technical aspects of the manuscript. I.A.M. was involved in calculating the cost-benefit model, doing all the excel calculations, calculating the model inputs and technical editing of the article. T.J.v.d.S. was mainly involved in collecting of aseptic samples and performing of all the cow-side tests in the dairy, as well as in editing the manuscript.
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Joanne Karzis
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
Received: 14 Nov. 2012
Accepted: 30 Mar. 2013
Published: 24 Apr. 2013


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In the fall of 1968, white authorities announced that they would close the black Williston Senior High School and send all African American adolescents to the suburban institutions. Students of both races complained and fights between white and black pupils became commonplace. In May 1970, black high school students marched to protest student government election results; white teenagers responded and eventually the sheriff intervened. By the following fall, African American youths had organized the Black Youth Builders of the Black Community (BYBBC). On January 15, 1971, fifteen black high school students staged a sit-in because the school board prohibited a memorial service on King's birthday. On January 22, a large-scale fight erupted between white and black students, and one black female was injured. The next week, racial conflict continued. Police officers patrolled the schools, and school authorities suspended a large number of black students. The suspended pupils and the BYBBC established an alternative school at Gregory Congregational Church. When he learned of the school, Reverend Leon White, the director of the North Carolina-Virginia Commission for Racial Justice of the United Church of Christ, sent Benjamin Chavis Jr. to help. Shortly after Chavis's arrival, membership in the school reached five hundred, and arson attacks against white businesses began. Meanwhile, a local white supremacist group called the Rights of White People (ROWP) harassed African Americans, particularly targeting Wilmington's black neighborhood around the Gregory Congregational Church. These are the events described in the Nantambu interview.
Nantambu begins his narrative by describing the class conflicts within the white community and explaining to Thomas how that contributed to the 1971 violence. Working class whites, Nantambu says, reacted violently to integration because race gave them access to power they otherwise would not have had. Nantambu remembers Friday, February 5, 1971, as an important turning point. That night, several young black men were shot, and fear had so gripped the black community that the African American students at the Gregory Congregation Church established a makeshift medical clinic to deal with the injured rather than send them to the hospital. Guards were sent to the border of the black community, and barricades were erected to keep whites out. The next morning, a white sniper targeted the black neighborhood. Nantambu remembers carloads of whites roaming the city, attacking any blacks they encountered. That night, arsonists torched Mike's Grocery, a white-owned store in the black neighborhood. Chavis, Reginald Epps, Jerry Jacobs, James McKoy, Wayne Moore, Anne Shepard, Marvin "Chili" Patrick, Connie Tindall, Willie Earl Vereen, and William "Joe" Wright Jr.—nine black male youths and one white female social worker—were arrested, charged and convicted of the arson. These became known as the Wilmington Ten. Nantambu maintains that Chavis, McKoy, Patrick, Tindall, and Wright were among the contingent guarding the border of the black community, giving them an alibi for the arson attack. Nantambu hypothesizes on the motives for the arson and then reflects on the murder of Stevenson Gibb Mitchell, which happened concurrently. Nantambu remembers that Mitchell's death made the black teenagers realize that whites would not negotiate for peace. The next morning, cars full of whites broke through the barricades and wreaked further havoc in the neighborhood. On Monday, the National Guard took control of the area and searched the church for weapons. Nantambu claims that the dynamite and other weapons found there were planted to discredit the students. When asked to define the conflict, Nantambu says that the black neighborhood staged an insurrection rather than a rebellion because all they demanded were their rights. When the trial started, Nantambu and others picketed it, but neither this nor any of the injunctions filed by the Ten's lawyers halted the proceedings. Witnesses Allen Hall and Jerome Mitchell later recanted their testimonies against the Ten, and Nantambu closes the interview by reflecting on why they might have first spoken against the Ten.
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What's worse than a public policy debate that turns bitter and impolite? Well, for one, having the courts step into the marketplace of ideas to judge which side of a debate has the best "facts."
Yet that's what Michael Mann has invited the D.C. court system to do. In response to some scathing criticism of his methodologies and an allegation of scientific misconduct, the author of the infamous "hockey stick" models of global warming – because they resemble the shape of a hockey stick, with temperatures rising drastically beginning in the 1900s – has taken the global climate change debate to a record low by suing the Competitive Enterprise Institute, National Review, and two individual commentators. The good Dr. Mann claims that some blogposts alleging his work to be "fraudulent" and "intellectually bogus" were libelous. (For more background on the matter, see this excellent summary by NR's editor Rich Lowry; linking to that post is partly what led Mann to target CEI.)
The D.C. trial court rejected the defendants' motion to dismiss this lawsuit, holding that their criticism could be taken as a provably false assertion of fact because the EPA, among other bodies, have approved of Mann's methodologies. In essence, the court seems to cite a consensus as a means of censoring a minority view. The defendants appealed to the D.C. Court of Appeals (the highest court in the District of Columbia).
Cato has now filed a brief, joined by three other think tanks, in which we urge the court to stay out of the business of refereeing scientific debates. (And if you liked our "truthiness" brief, you'll enjoy this one.)


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Sunday, February 22nd 2015, 4:32pm
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Sunday, February 22nd 2015, 5:09pm
I said "seeing as no one ever bothered to put Pacifica on the LoN list". It should be noted that the 'no one' includes me. I probably never thought about doing that, because Japan is a LoN member. Now with this situation, I realized: "Hey! I guess I completely forgot about that! Silly me!"
I'm not sure how others think about it, but I'd think that Pacifica may have done that soon after its independence, looking back at the news, that would be late 1920s perhaps early 1930s. If not in that period, then it never did. If Pacifica were to do the petition now (i.e. Near the end of 1945) and have it accepted, other nations might think that Pacifica became a LoN just so it would be able to complain and protest about the Germans and their presence in the Pacific as soon as Pacifica gets involved by opening its mouth.
Sunday, February 22nd 2015, 5:32pm
Sunday, February 22nd 2015, 5:39pm
If they are not a LoN member, does that not mean that China joined Pacifica in the "Not League of Nations"? :)
... maybe I should try out the poll function of the board...
The Shadow
Sunday, February 22nd 2015, 6:01pm
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If you have just bought a car then you should know that getting an auto car insurance has been made mandatory by law. Without this you won't be able to drive on the roads and you will be collecting a lot of driving tickets. Getting auto car insurance is not that difficult; all you need to do is choose the right agency. This is not a daunting task if you are a wise buyer. There are so many insurance agencies to choose form, so finding the right one can be a bit tedious. It is vital that you choose the right agency if you want to save your hard earned money. Making a wrong decision will just make your money go out the window. Not everyone is a perfect driver so there is a possibility of you meeting with an accident. Paying for the repairs can be a bit expensive and at such times having auto car insurance in hand is beneficial. This will help you save your finances.
You really need to shop around to find the right agency and the easiest way to do is online. On the internet you will be able to find an agency nearest to you. You need to make sure that you browse through different websites before you actually settle on one. It can be a bit time consuming, but rushing into this will only make you suffer. So to avoid this you need to take your time and not hasten with this process. Browsing through an entire website will only take a few minutes, but by doing this you will get to know the policies of different companies. You can just choose a company randomly. You should choose the right one and make sure that they have all the services that you are looking for.
On the internet you will be able to compare auto car insurance rates to figure out which one is the most affordable. You should choose an agency that charges an affordable amount and it should also give you full coverage. Before you sign the fine print make sure that you read all the terms and conditions. If you find an agency that provides the required services and coverage then you should certainly take advantage of this. There will be many agencies that will lure you will attractive offers but you should take your time and choose the right one.


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Food & Drink
Italy's Academy of Silence wants you to travel -- quietly
By Silvia Marchetti, for CNN • Published 20th February 2014
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6 Pictures
Many people have heard of the
Slow Food
movement -- the global organization founded in Italy to counter fast food and the "fast life."
Its adherents favor gastronomic tradition and the calm, contemplative enjoyment of cuisine and life in general.
Now another idea is taking hold in the wake of Slow Food -- the quest for a quiet Italy.
It's embodied in the establishment of a new
Academy of Silence
(Italian site only), in Tuscany, which seeks to gather a list of the quietest hotels, towns and other places in Italy.
We've collected 10 idyllic spots -- among the calmest, quietest and most powerfully relaxing in all Italy -- to suggest to the Academy as prime candidates for inclusion.
1. Eremito Hotelito del Alma (Parrano, Umbria
Take that outside -- iPhones are banned at Eremito Hotelito del Alma.
Eremito Hotelito Del Alma
No TV, no phone, no mini-bar, no air-con.
Go to bed when it's dark, wake up at dawn.
Candlelight only after sunset.
Phones to be used outside only.
This is also the first hotel in Italy with only single rooms -- so not the place for romance.
It still feels like the monastery it once was -- the monk's cells have been converted into rooms -- except now there's a spa, and great Umbrian food instead of bread and water.
There are even Gregorian chants -- listening to them makes lying in the heated rock pool all the more relaxing.
During the day, there's little to do except explore the surrounding 3,000 hectares of national reserve.
Or practice doing nothing.
Hotelito del Alma
, Localitá Tarina, 2; +39 (0)76 389 1010; rooms from $208
2. Stargazing from the Rocca D'Orcia Tower (Siena, Tuscany
A single, stone medieval tower sits atop a wooded hill, overhanging a precipice.
From this superb lookout, you'd once have been able to spot enemies approaching from miles around across the Val d'Orcia valley.
Now it's open to the public -- a noble family fell on hard times and sold it to the state.
Surrounding it are just a few stone houses and cobbled streets.
Maybe the odd cat.
On clear nights, standing atop the tower, thick star clusters illuminate hills, vineyards and Renaissance-era dwellings.
If Tuscany has anywhere more quiet and calm, someone's keeping silent about it.
La Rocchetta (Via della Chiesa, 8; +39 (0
55 228 0413; rooms from $40) is a B&B in the middle of the hamlet, right under the tower.
The Osteria Perillá (Borgo Maestro, 72; +39 (0)577 887 263; dishes from $20) serves traditional meals such as bean soup and pici, typical handmade pasta.
3. Segesta ruins (Trapani, Sicily
Segesta: Just you and ancient history.
silvia marchetti
It's much easier to be transported to ancient times when you're contemplating ruins in virtual solitude.
Segesta's ruins are superb and all the better without the crowds at the Valley of Temples elsewhere in Sicily.
Legend says
was built by Achilles' companion, the Greek warrior Aeneas, on returning home after burning Troy.
There's a temple, theater and sanctuary.
MORE: Italy's 20 regions, dish by delicious dish
Set in a remote part of Sicily, surrounded by fields, the archaeological site is nonetheless well-kept.
It's way off the traditional tourist route and one of the least visited ancient sites in Italy.
Baglio Segesta
Italian site only; Contrada Pispisa; +39 348 883 0124; rooms from $54
) is a typical Sicilian rural estate close to the site.
4. The Gardens of Ninfa (Norma-Latium, Lazio
Eden, if it existed, quite possibly looked like this.
There are cascades of multicolored plants, spouting fountains and rich bird life.
Running water is the only sound, and the odd tweet and whirr of wings.
Once a hellish, malaria-infested backwater, the Ninfa Gardens were turned into a 105-hectare oasis in the early 20th century by the
Caetani Princes
The Ninfa ("Nymph") River cuts through the space, which includes rare ruins of an entire medieval town.
Norma on the Lepini Hills, overlooking the Pontine Valley and the sea, is the closest city.
Hotel Villa del Cardinale
(Via dei Colli 44, Norma; +39 (0)773 354 611; rooms from $38) has a well
regarded restaurant with Latium specialties.
5. Stagnone Lagoon (Marsala, Sicily
Separating you from the open sea -- the Mediterranean -- is an archipelago of small islands dotted with ancient windmills.
On the lagoon in a boat, you hold a glass of sweet Marsala wine.
In the background, there's an orange-pink sunset.
The only sounds come from things stirring in the hot breeze and low waves rocking the boat.
The sunset aperitif served out here on the water by
a tour company
(Italian site only) comes with what's almost a dinner: 12 types of Sicilian finger foods -- it's tempting to stuff yourself at the first dish.
The boat takes you out when the sun starts to set, anchors in the middle of the lagoon and brings you back when you've had enough of the quiet.
Hotel picks in Marsala include
New Hotel Palace
(Via Lungomare Mediterraneo 57; +39 092 371
9492; rooms from $108), close to the harbor.
Restaurant La Corte dei Mangioni
(Via Giovanni Bovio 28; +39 (0)923 951
939; from $20) serves traditional Sicilian cuisine.
6. Linosa (Pelagie Islands
A house on Linosa. You'll find ultimate silence atop the island's volcano.
Assessorato Turismo Sicilia
Stuck in the Mediterranean halfway between Sicily and Tunisia, this tiny volcanic atoll is off most travelers' radar.
People who do make it out here cluster on the noisier sister island of Lampedusa.
But to silence seekers, Linosa is bliss.
Ultimate silence can be found hiking up the extinct crater of Monte Vulcano.
READ: 10 things to know before visiting Sicily
At the summit, a panorama of black rocks dotted with fluorescent green cacti and prickly pears stretches to the sea.
This is the kingdom of a special kind of silence -- sea silence.
A single road circles Linosa.
There are a few, low-rise traditional dwellings and a bar that makes great slushies when it's hot.
On the beach of La Pozzolana, you might be lucky enough to find sea turtles from the island's animal hospital being released into the sea.
Linosa has few hotels.
(Via Vittorio Alfieri, +39 (0)92 272 212; rooms from $45) has modern, brightly colored rooms and serves fish bought direct
from island fishermen.
7. Civita di Bagnoreggio (Viterbo, Lazio
Here you find "the silence of a dying city."
That's how the citizens of Civita di Bagnoreggio describe it.
The town sits atop a high, narrow plateau of crumbling rock formed from compressed volcanic ash.
Each year, it slips a little further over the edge.
The population has dwindled over the past century to little more than around 10 hardy hangers on.
It's quiet.
The original bridge to the town collapsed, replaced by a dizzying metal catwalk.
Once within the town, you can only get around on foot -- cars threaten further erosion.
Writers and yoga practitioners are drawn here for the calm that prevails -- strange, given that catastrophe seems just around the corner.
Or over the edge.
Corte della Maestá
(Via della Provvidenza; +39 (
)335 879 3077; rooms from $330) is a small villa inside the hamlet.
Alma Civita
(Via della Provvidenza, +39 (0
76 179 2415 from $162) serves guests traditional recipes.
8. Porcini mushroom hunting (Frignano Park, Emilia-Romagna
The deep mountain silence of the rugged Apennines, Italy's smaller Alps, is what's on offer here.
Solitary valleys are dotted with stone structures the Celts erected during their invasion in the 4th century BC.
Wild porcini mushrooms, one of the great delicacies of Italian cuisine, are part of the allure.
MORE: Beyond Rome and Florence: 12 alternative Italian destinations
For a $20 ticket from
park authorities
Italian site only; +39 (0)536 72134
) you can go on a porcini hunt and pick as many you can find.
There's a magical ambiance in the forest -- a local legend describes "the ghost of clouds."
If that's not a silent image, what is?
La Capanna dei Celti (Doccia di Fiumalbo; +39 (0)5367 4444; rooms from $60), set at 1,400 meters, has the feel of a cozy mountain hut.
The menu served to guests includes strong-flavored dishes such as wild boar.
9. Alicudi (Aeolian Islands
Prickly pears: your (silent) Alicudi companions.
Silvia Marchett
The farthest and wildest of the Aeolian Islands, Alicudi offers a no-frills, zero sound pollution break amid turquoise waters, pebble beaches and prickly pears.
"Donkey taxis" are the main means of transportation across the island's 10,000 steps and 25 kilometers of ancient pathways -- you'll hear no roaring engines.
And there are no banks -- you'll need cash -- only one tiny supermarket and a newsstand.
Casa Ibiscus Resort
(Via Roma, +39 (0)3409 207 605; stays from $1,800) is an Aeolian-style villa with a seafront terrace rented on a weekly base.
Spaghetti with caper cream is a top dish at Restaurant Ericusa, part of
Hotel Ericusa
(Via Perciato; +39 0909 889 902)
10. Mt. Soratte (near Rome
You needn't go too far from possibly the noisiest place in Italy, Rome, to find silence.
A sacred hill to the ancient Romans, the "sleeping giant" of Mt. Soratte spikes up from the
Tiber Valley
an hour from the capital.
Hiking routes wind through a dense forest gouged with rock chasms.
You might find wild boar footprints beneath you and hear hawks' cries above.
The so-called Hermit Path leads to the highest peak, where there's an ancient stone shrine.
Here's where Pope St. Sylvester I is said to have miraculously cured Emperor Constantine of leprosy.
For a moment, given the purity of the air and the heavenly view, you can believe it.
Panta Rei rural estate
(Localitá Ponticello, Sant'Oreste; +39 076 1578 728; rooms from $54) overlooks the promontory
Al Campanile
(Italian site only; Via Filippo Leoni 8; +39 (0
76 157 9950), in the hillside town of Sant'Oreste, serves recommended local cuisine.
READ: 20 most annoying things people do on planes
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The Windpower Awards follow on from Windpower Monthly's annual features such as "Product of the Year" and "The Most Influential People in wind power", which focus on the people, technology and practices that are shaping the industry.
"In an industry that has grown from niche to a major energy player in a mere couple of decades, there is much to celebrate — innovation, inspiration, people, products and business practices," said William Kendrick, publisher of Windpower Monthly. "This is an opportunity to promote the great work being done in the global wind and green energy sector — both to the industry and to the wider community."
Awards categories cover products and services, ranging from "best offshore turbine" to "best construction contractor" and "wind power consultant of the year". All entries will be judged by an expert panel, and the winners will be featured in a Windpower Monthly special feature later in the year.
Entry requirements include a two-page submission and a minimal entry fee to cover administration costs. For more information go to windpowerawards.com.
The deadline for entries is 20 June.
Awards categories:
O&M product of the year
Developer of the year
Best technical innovation
Best O&M service provider
Best low wind speed turbine
Best onshore wind turbine
Best offshore wind turbine
Best offshore wind development project
Best onshore wind development project
Wind power consultant of the year
Best construction contractor
Best green practices