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Two weeks after India and England met for the 2000th Test match at Lord's, London, two relatively unheralded sides will meet under celebratory conditions of a different nature. Test cricket makes a long-awaited return to Zimbabwe. Asaad Wahid gives us a detailed tour preview along with the predictions for the series.
Series Preview: Bangladesh in Zimbabwe (August 2011)
by Asaad Wahid
Published: 27th July, 2011
Two weeks after India and England meet for the 2000th Test match at Lord's, London; two relatively unheralded sides meet under celebratory conditions of a different nature. Test cricket makes a long-awaited return to Zimbabwe.
It has been some six years since Zimbabwe last played a Test match. Political turmoil both in the government and in Zimbabwe Cricket resulted in virtually the entire first string squad leaving the country. Zimbabwe wisely decided to step away from Tests in an effort to bolster its struggling infrastructure. Today, a half decade later, most of Zimbabwe's old guard have returned in various capacities rendering the setup at nearly full strength.
Bangladesh too have been away from the premier form of the game, although for not nearly as long. Still, the subcontinent team will have to not only contend with 14 months of absence, but alien conditions as well.Â
On paper, Bangladesh are the far superior team. However, the game has never in its 134 year history been played "on paper," thus rendering such analyses as nothing more than mere conversation points. Zimbabwe will have prepared well for this encounter dating all the way back to last year's Intercontinental Cup tournament, where they finished second place. Series against the visiting New Zealand, Australia, and South African A teams has provided them with abundant practice ahead of this most important clash.Â
The pitch at the Harare Sports Club ground should offer more bounce than Bangladesh are accustomed to at home. However, the curators may be instructed to produce a surface that assists spinners, given that is Zimbabwe's unquestioned bowling strength, especially in ODIs. However, both sides will likely look to include at least 3 seamers in every game.
Several questions remain as to the exact playing elevens the hosts will decide on. The best guess at this moment is that Brian Vitori and Keegan Meth will join Christopher Mpofu to comprise the seam attack. Mpofu in particular has been impressive across formats by providing invaluable control to Zimbabwe's attack. Vitori is still raw and yet to receive any international caps, and Keegan Meth continues to be inconsistent with bat and sometimes with ball as a fast-bowling all-rounder. Ed Rainsford might sneak into the final squad due to his experience, but it seems as though neither fans nor selectors have full confidence in him at the moment. Tendai Chatara is young, has pace, and might also be considered although his performance against Australia A have been mediocre at best. All-rounder Elton Chigumbura is an experienced ex-captain, and seems to have rid himself of the burdens that leadership placed on his batting and bowling. He has scores of 95 and and a first class century in the recent series against Australia A and will be an important man down the order.
The spinners will be Zimbabwe's mainstay, more so in the ODI series. Ray Price leads a unit which are amongst the world's most economical, but sometimes struggle to take wickets. The elderly Price will most probably be partnered by young leg-spinner, Graeme Cremer, although Cremer might be put on the injured list. Prosper Utseya has improved his game by leaps and bounds over the past year, but still looks unlikely to crack the Test lineup unless the pitch offers serious assistance to slow bowling. Nonetheless, when he plays, Zimbabwe will always feel like posting a competitive performance.
On the batting front, Zimbabwe will be boosted by the return of Hamilton Masakadza, who along with Mohammad Ashraful, is one of the very few teenage Test centurions in history. He has the ability to play a long innings, and as he displayed against the Kenyans a couple of seasons ago, he can put really big scores on the board. Vusi Sibanda will likely open in Tests, courtesy of a solid run in the build up to the Bangladesh series. Newly appointed skipper, Brenden Taylor will probably occupy a spot at #4 in Tests, and continue to open in one-dayers. The middle order has proven to be Zimbabwe's weakness as they have tended to collapse from strong positions as of late. Craig Ervine has a ton of talent, but has not been able to translate that into big scores. The same could be said of Regis Chakabva. Malcolm Waller and Foster Mutizwa are the duo who have the best shot at getting a cap, but are currently on the outside looking in. Chigumbura offers big hitting down the order, but has been in wretched form over the past year. The tail can't bat, and that puts immense pressure on the top order with a middle order prone to self-destruction.Â
Tamim Iqbal has really emerged as an exciting firebrand at the very top of the order for the Tigers. Unfazed by the new ball, and often attacking from the outset, he has bustled his way to score 1000 Test runs faster than any other player in the history of the game, barring one man. Since the summer of 2009 tour of the Caribbean, Tamim has averaged better than 57 with the bat at a stellar strike rate of over 70 in Test matches. His ODI form is less consistent, but he is equally dangerous as his match-winning 154 during his previous trip to Zimbabwe will attest. Imrul Kayes is far more sedate, but his solidity in one day cricket is anticipated to tranlsate over to Test cricket. He's got issues with the short ball, but if he can get in his groove, then he is the type of accumulator who can easily put the bad balls away. Junaid Siddique will round out the top three, providing equal parts grit and gumption.
Shahriar Nafees will likely snatch a spot batting at two-down, and the classy southpaw will look to continue his dominance over the Zimbabwean attack. Although he does not warrant the spot, based on tour match performance, the ever-enigmatic Mohammad Ashraful will probably bat at number five. Always with game-breaking potential, new coach Stuart Law may yet find a way to filter the retardation and harness the energy that is trapped within "Sir Ash". Captain Shakib al Hasan will bat next, and it might be a better idea if he swaps places with either of Mushfiqur Rahim or Mahmudullah in the second innings if he must bowl a lot of overs in the match. Rahim will keep, and Riyad looks unlikely to get promoted up the order and so will bat at eight.
The final three spots will probably go to the pacers. A fractured hallux has already ruled out spearhead Shahadat Hossain, and he will be missed on what should be seam-friendly tracks in Harare and Bulawayo. Instead, the equally inexperienced duo of Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam will be leading the attack. Both can cause problems with their pace and movement, and Rubel is the best in the country when it comes to reversing the old ball. Should Bangladesh choose to operate a third seamer, the candidates are Nazmul Hossain and Robiul Islam, neither of whom inspires much confidence with the red ball at least.Â
Shakib will lead the spinners, and it won't be a surprise to see Abdur Razzak get in ahead of the third fast bowler, given his stellar record against Zimbabwe. Mahmudullah can also chip in usefully with his tight off-spin, and Ashraful can always be counted on to try and take a surprise wicket by tweaking his arm over.Â
Recent Head-to-Head
Bangladesh won 3-1 (ODIs, Dec 2010)Â
Bangladesh won 4-1 (ODIs, Oct/Nov 2009)
Recent Head-to-Head in Zimbabwe
Bangladesh won 4-1 (ODIs, Aug 2009)
Bangladesh won 3-1 (ODIs, Feb 2007)
Zimbabwe won 3-2 (ODIs, Jul/Aug 2006)
Shakib al Hasan (*), Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim (+), Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Shuvagoto Hom, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Robiul Islam
Zimbabwe's first line bowlers are catching some serious stick, conceding 282 without loss in less than a full day's play against Australia A. If the pitches aren't bowling friendly, they will struggle to take 15 wickets, let alone 20. But Bangladesh's lack of exposure for the past 14 months will serve to even things up perhaps. That being said, I see Bangladesh winning the one-off Test, and by triple digit margins (100 runs or more) or by 7-8 wickets.
The ODIs could be closer, but every time Zimbabwe have shown a spark, they've only flattered to deceive. Bangladesh will probably take the one-dayers four games to one, and it will be interesting to see if they drop the first game of the series as has been their habit recently.Â
Men of the Test match: Shafiul Islam (BAN), Brendan Taylor (ZIM)
Men of the Series (ODI): Abdur Razzak (BAN), Chris Mpofu (ZIM)
About the author(s): Asaad Wahid is a distinguished member of Banglacricket forum and he goes by the nick al Furqaan.
This page has been viewed 5351 times.
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The Latest Developments From Egypt
Since Tuesday, Egypt has been in a state of open revolt with protesters taking over the streets of Cairo and other cities and towns demanding the removal of a defiant President Hosni Mubarak. Here's a roundup of the latest reports.
- Intelligence chief Lieutenant General Omar Suleiman has been sworn in as vice president — the first time Mubarak has ever appointed a VP. The army supports him, as do many Egyptians and foreign diplomats, but he's still a close ally of Mubarak and most Egyptians want a clean break from the past. [Al Arabiya]
- Mubarak's son and onetime presumed heir apparent Gamal has fled the country to London with his brother, Alaa. [BBC]
- The nationwide death toll has reached at least 74 since Tuesday. [Reuters]
- Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told Al Jazeera that he supports the demonstrations against Mubarak. [AJE]
- The army is in Tahrir Square — the epicenter of the protests — and there are many reports of Egyptian soldiers and officers joining the protesters. Tanks have been spray painted with anti-Mubarak graffiti, and one general really got into it (via reporter Jon Jensen):
- At least five protesters were shot and killed while storming the Interior Ministry headquarters. [CNN]
- Eight police stations in Alexandria are on fire. [Al Masry Al Youm]
- There are many reports of looting — government buildings, businesses and private homes — and much of it is being blamed on police officers. [Al Masry Al Youm]
- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, another unpopular strongman fearing for his own ass, backed Mubarak and denounced the protesters. [WSJ]
[Image via Getty]

subset: commoncrawl


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Information for Prospective Students
Visit Graduate Studies in English at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The Department of English and Theatre and Foreign Languages at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke offers two concentrations of a Master of Arts in English Education, and an English concentration of a Master of Arts in Teaching. Programs are designed to be completed by full-time students in two years, though part-time students have up to five years. Classes meet during the evening to accommodate graduate students' busy schedules.
The scholars of the English Education graduate faculty bring diverse experiences and specialties to their instruction, and develop close professional relationships with their graduate students. Our graduate faculty includes current and former deans, department chairs, and teaching award winners, including several recipients of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors' Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Which program is for you?
- THE MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH EDUCATION, LICENSURE CONCENTRATION is designed to prepare the licensed, in-service secondary English teacher to be a leader, researcher, and master teacher. It is designed for English teachers with an initial ("A") license who, after the successful completion of the program, will obtain the North Carolina "M" license in English (9-12)
- THE MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH EDUCATION, THESIS CONCENTRATION is designed to prepare individuals with undergraduate degrees in English or closely-related fields for endeavors requiring a Master's degree, including community college instruction or further study in English. Unlike traditional Master of Arts in English programs, this degree includes coursework in the teaching of literature and writing that will prepare community college and private school instructors.
- THE MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING, ENGLISH 9-12 SPECIALIZATION is part of an interdisciplinary degree housed in the School of Education. This degree, compatible with Lateral Entry licensure, allows graduates of accredited colleges or universities to seek teaching licensure in an appropriate area. This program has two phases; completion of Phase I leads to initial ("A") licensure, and at the conclusion of Phase II candidates will be recommended for "M" licensure. The English 9-12 Specialization accepts candidates with undergraduate degrees other than English, though admission may require completion of some undergraduate coursework.
Current UNCP undergraduates may be qualified for provisional admission to the Master of Arts in English Education while they complete their undergraduate studies. See our 4+2 program and the flyer below for details.
College graduates with backgrounds in English or related fields who are admitted to the program seek advanced knowledge and skills in language, literacy, and literature for various personal and professional proposes, including preparation to teach in community colleges. Our alumni have gone on to positions in the public schools, private schools, both the public and private sectors, community colleges, higher education, and doctoral study. They are leaders, innovators, and authorities; they are committed, collaborative, and competent.
Through graduate course work, candidates for the Graduate Programs in English Education develop advanced expertise in language, literacy, literature, and pedagogy. For licensure candidates (MA or MAT), the culminating product of the graduate experience is a Capstone Portfolio and Presentation, in which the candidate demonstrates a clearly articulated, coherent philosophy of teaching. MA candidates in the Thesis Concentration complete a six-credit thesis, in which they pursue a substantial topic through sustained independent research.


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NSA Confirms It Has More Snowden Emails; It Just Isn't Going To Release Them
from the stop-asking,-agency-reps-explained dept
Ed Snowden claims he made multiple attempts to bring his concerns about the NSA programs to those occupying "proper channels" positions, only to be ignored or told everything was perfectly legal and to stop worrying about it.
In response, the ODNI (James Clapper's office) released an email from Snowden to the NSA's General Counsel, asking for clarification as to where Executive Orders stood in the legal authority pecking order. This, it was claimed, was Snowden's only attempt to have his concerns addressed and Clapper used this statement/release to portray Snowden as an analyst who simply gathered documents and leaked them, rather than someone who found his whistleblowing routes closed off.
Of course, this statement came from an agency that admitted it couldn't even search its own internal email system. The fact that reps for the agency (Clapper himself for one) had lied about or obscured elements of the NSA's collection programs several times in the recent past made this statement even more questionable.
Journalist Matthew Keys appears to have obtained evidence that the agency has more Snowden emails, including some addressing his concerns, but isn't willing to release them.
In a letter responding to a June 27 FOIA request from The Desk, the NSA's chief FOIA officer Pamela Phillips wrote that while the agency has retained records related to Snowden's employment as a contractor, they are being withheld from public examination because, among other things, releasing the records "could interfere with law enforcement proceedings, could cause an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, could reveal the identities of confidential sources or would reveal law enforcement techniques and procedures."Interestingly, although Keys' FOIA request did not specify emails dealing with whistleblowing attempts (it simply asked for all emails from Snowden's email address to other government email addresses), the NSA went ahead and preemptively denied this in its FOIA response.
Other records are being withheld because those documents were "also found to be currently and properly classified…and remains classified TOP SECRET, SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL."
[P]hillips wrote that "there are no e-mails indicating that Mr. Snowden contacted agency officials to raise concerns about NSA programs."That's not strictly true, unless the NSA is deciding to read the previously released Snowden email as just a procedural question, rather than considering the question in the context of the leaks.
But there's obviously more information out there. It just seems the NSA will not be releasing it anytime soon. The NSA could clear up this "did he/didn't he" question with a (redacted) dump of Snowden's email account, but it has chosen to hide behind exemptions instead. As long as it considers nearly everything to be critical to "law enforcement proceedings," it is just the NSA's word against Snowden's -- and the NSA's word isn't worth all that much these days.
Clearly, there's more to the story than just Snowden's side. The NSA has gathered plenty of documentation about Snowden's tenure at the agency, but what that actually includes is still limited to speculation. Keys is planning to appeal this decision, but the NSA generally doesn't hand over disputed documents until a federal judge orders it to. The harder the NSA holds onto Snowden's emails, the less trustworthy it appears. If it's so certain Snowden bypassed the proper channels, why not provide evidence to back that assertion up?
Filed Under: ed snowden, foia, matthew keys, nsa


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Who I'm I, Well, I'm James Little, I live in Belgium . I live a vintage mid century life. Every week-end you find me on the flea markets around Europe. I can't let something go lost, so I buy and buy... you know what I mean
I love it when you let me know what you think of the items I post on the blog. click on the pictures to enlarge them.so leave a comment, and feel free to followthanks James Little


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The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Tyler Eifert to help their offense become more dynamic, and we already have proof of the transition.
The first-year tight end lined up all over the field in Friday's rookie minicamp session, something the former Notre Dame pass-catcher felt at home with.
"A lot of the things I'm learning are a lot of the same plays we had in with two tight ends -- move me around in different positions," Eifert told The Columbus Dispatch. "Today I was out in the slot quite a bit. I think I'm picking it up pretty fast."
When Around The League this week ranked the AFC North as the third-most powerful division in the NFL, the Bengals had a lot to do with it. For years they were a weak sister, but the Bengals are coming off back-to-back playoff seasons with a young roster. The Bengals' defense is beastly, but quarterback Andy Dalton is on the hook to turn this offense into a more productive unit.
Marvin Lewis, of course, has seen the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots -- last year's AFC title game entrants -- toy with defenses using double tight end sets, and now the Bengals have the tools to wreak similar havoc. Pairing Eifert with Jermaine Gresham is going to keep coordinators up at night.
"You get the matchup of the tight ends on the linebackers and safeties," Dalton recently said. "So I think (Eifert's) going to be a great addition. He's going to make Jermaine a better player. I'm excited to get him in here and get working with him."
For fans of the Bengals -- and of the game -- it will be fascinating to watch how the Bengals use this new chess piece to outsmart opponents.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'The Friendzone' tag.
Podcast. Something to give you a break from listening to the constant noise as you walk down the street, take the subway and hear the words "Showtime!" or you just want a break from Spotify being annoying with its algorithm, and playing the same songs on your music list even though it's on shuffle. Well here are some of my favorite podcasts to make you not only laugh, but maybe add something positive to your routine.
The first one that I love is Another Round with hosts Heben & Tracy. I love these two and if you're familiar with BuzzFeed, then you've probably heard of them. Their weekly podcast airs every Wednesday. They are great. Their show is lively and makes me laugh every time I listen. They have guests, and their banter is both witty and charming. They talk about real issues, as well as entertainment ones. They make you feel like they are your friends too.
Next on my list is an ultimate fav, and that's The Read.
We all know we have those friends that are loud and funny as hell. Well meet Kid Fury & Crissle. This is my top number 1 podcast, and the first one that I ever listened too. It's a weekly podcast, as well, that airs every Thursday and is the perfect end to my work week with Kid Fury's rants about pop culture, his and Crissle's love for Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, and did I mention that he is a total nerd, too? He loves comics, video games, and Steven Universe. It gets no better than that. Crissle will entertain you being annoyed with people who piss her off, to her always having a rant of some kind that you can relate to, and have I mentioned how I love her laugh?
Their opening is classic, and I always laugh so hard when I tune in to the point that I get starred at on the train or bus for laughing too loud. I will not apologize for that. Their listener letters segment brings me to tears with their advice to fellow listeners who write in with their problems. They're not afraid to give real advice on situation's, of course ultimately leaving the final decision up to the person.
The third one is The Friendzone.
This podcast features you guessed it, the three friends Fran, Asante, and Dustin. They talk about wellness and everything from health to life issues. They don't sugar coat anything and they even give little bits on how they feel about their own lives, where they are, and where they want to be.
Fran will give you wonderful insight on a great natural product that she uses, and you'll want to go and try it yourself. From fragrance oil, to natural deodorant, but its not just about that, Fran is all about wellness, and helping people want better. Asante, is all about music, and will get you hooked on artist that you didn't even know existed. Dustin will always have you laughing with how he describes people or his latest reality show interest. Together they make up this great show that's between 1-2hrs of goodness. Tune in every Wednesday
My final favorite is Lady Partz.
Yes the title is what this show is about, but that's not all they discuss. They talk about news, and pop culture as well, but that's not what the show is centered around. Join Erica, and Eden who have been friends since high school on their podcast that talks about all the squeamish things about yourself that you are afraid to. Trust me these ladies don't have any filter, and that's the best part. They will make you laugh from start to finish, and their friendship is oh too real. They upload on Saturdays.
Portia Lightfoot is a Communication and Media major at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She's a true gamer at heart. Obsessed with curly hair care, podcast, reading (You can always catch her in a nearby bookstore), and working on her fictional blog when she has a spare moment.


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split(redirected from splitting a gut)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
1. To cleave or break.
2. Any condition involving cleavage or bifurcation.
split(splĭt) [D. splitten, to divide]
1. A longitudinal fissure.
2. Characterized by a deep fissure.
split estrus
occurs in bitches, especially during the first heat. Early signs do not proceed and the bitch is not mated but comes on heat 6 weeks later but is likely to be infertile. Occurs sporadically also in most other species.
split fats
fats which have been split into fatty acids and glycerol by digestion. A preponderance of split fats over neutral fats in the feces suggests that the supply of lipase is adequate and that any steatorrhea that is present is probably due to malabsorption rather than maldigestion.
split genes
genes which contain coding segments (exons) interrupted by non-coding segments (introns); found in eukaryotes but not in prokaryotes.
split hand deformity
see ectrodactylia.
split tongue
may be congenital or the result of injury to the tongue.


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GlidePoint TM9911 Trackpad
The TM9911 trackpad is a PS/2® pointing device. The dimensions of the TM9911 are compact, making it ideal for integration into a wide variety of products where space is not a constraint and cursor quality is vital.
Note: This trackpad uses older technology and is only available in limited quantities. Please contact Cirque for more inromation.
- Keyboards, keypads, and mouse alternatives
- Industrial control panels
- Medical instruments
- PC peripherals
- Point-of-sale devices
- Laptops
- PS/2 protocol compatibility
- Low power consumption
- Easy product integration due to thin, lightweight design
- No maintenance required – Sealable design is immune to dust and abuse
- Superior navigation and high responsiveness
- Windows®-compatible embedded features mean no additional drivers needed
Power efficiency of any application is improved with an "idle mode," where the touchpad's current draw is reduced when a finger is not touching its surface.
|GlidePoint TM9911 Specifications
|Operating Systems
|Compatible with standard mouse drivers. Cirque offers Windows-compatible drivers for processes that require greater flexibility. Contact your Cirque representative for more information
|Button Support
|Two (2) mechanical buttons
|Physical Parameters
35.92 mm
Width: 28.25 mm
Thickness: Maximum of 4.00 mm with all components
Weight: < 14 g
|Active Sensing Area
|33.0 x 26.5 mm
|Operating Temperature
|-40 to 85°C
|Operating Humidity
|5% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing)
|Storage Temperature
|-40 to 125°C
|15 kV when properly mounted in bezel
|EMI tolerant and manufactured RoHS compliant
The touchpad is fully compatible with standard Windows mouse drivers. No additional driver is required to activate many of its advanced features. Hardware-configurable options on the module allow for taps (function as left-button clicks), corner-taps (function as right-button clicks), vertical scroll (functions as mouse scroll wheel) and more, depending on the specific application.
For custom functionality at the product design stage, Cirque offers software that allows OEMs to enable, disable, or personalize advanced settings and/or reprogram the touch sensitive area.
OEM customers can order a trackpad with a Cirque overlay or without an overlay and purchase their own customized overlay. Custom overlays may include a logo and matching colors. Contact Cirque for overlay design guidelines.


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Inside/Outside Days Out in London: Where to take the kids when it looks like rain and Shine: by Laura Evans Vogel, founder www.london-baby.com and contributor to www.reallykidfriendly.com
Getting out with the kids and enjoying all that London has to offer on a fine summer's day can be a rewarding day for adults and children alike. There are animals in the city farms, wildlife ponds, lush trees, shrubs and manicured gardens. On the other hand, being far from home on a fine day suddenly turned cold and wet day can miserable, especially with very small children.
Fear not! In London you can easily plan a weather-proof day summer day. Head to the farm, the ecology centre, the park and if the weather turns foul, head indoors and spend time soaking up some culture at one of the near-by museums.
Kensington Gardens and The Natural History Museum
Kensington Gardens in the midst summer is heaven. Let the kids run and tumble in the growing heath or dally in the dizzying delight of drifting dandelion seeds, look for exotic fowl on the Serpentine, check out the Peter Pan Statue or head over to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground with its swings, sand and massive pirate ship.
If you need to warm up, head over to the Natural History Museum and continue investigating wildlife in the Cocoon at the Darwin Centre, the Wildlife Garden or the Investigate room.
The Darwin Centre is a new addition to the museum that houses millions of specimens collected from around the world. Take the kids for an educational walk down the Cocoon where they can look at preserved Scarab Beetles, Luna Moths, and Tarantulas. Evan small children can enjoy looking the exotic collections while having a little run down the ramps. There is a great interactive area where you pack for a field outing. It is brilliantly put together.
After the Cocoon, if the weather cooperates, take the kids into the Wildlife Garden and have a wander around the nature path. Look for moorhens in the wildlife pond, along with wrens and robins in the marsh areas, but do not miss the bee tree. There is a bee hive that is set inside a tree with a window to see the bees at work in their hive, absolutely amazing.
For children ages 3+, the investigate room is the perfect place to learn a love for science. There are specimen trays filled with shells, animal skins, bones, preserved bugs, pine cones, tortoise shells. Further, there are microscopes and measuring instruments to really investigate the specimens. An attentive staff will guide older children through an investigation while the adult chases the toddler around. The Investigate room is open from 2:30 term time as schools have usually booked the room prior to that, and is open from 11:00 during school holidays.
Coram's Fields and the Foundling and British Museums:
Right in the heart of London is a massive playground where adults are only allowed to enter with children so kids are able to really run far and free. Coram's Fields boast penned sheep, hen, ducks and goats for children to look at. After taking in the wonders of animals, have a play in the sandbox, or in one of the four climbing frames. There is a high-quality Austrian bakery and sandwich stand in the playground that does amazing coffee.
Should you need to head inside, the Foundling Museum is just around the corner; entry free is £7.50 per adult. While you will learn a lot about the first orphanage and art museum in London, and on weekends they have good activities for older children, the museum is not really pitched for toddlers.
A good alternative for young children is the near-by British Museum. There is no entry fee, and you can seek shelter wandering around the Greek temples and Egyptian tombs. On weekends and school holidays they have amazing activities for the older children, but they do offer fun activities for the under five's, too. Check the web site for details.
Vauxhall City Farm and Tate Britain
Slightly off the beaten path, a short walk from Vauxhall Station is a hidden gem, the Vauxhall City Farm. This free city farm is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10:30 – 4:00 and his home to over 80 animals. Unique to many city farms, there is a pen filled with rabbits and chickens; children are allowed to play and handle the animals in here. This can be a very messy, but it really is such a pure right of childhood to be able to chase a chicken or a rabbit around a barn yard and then hold them (usually accomplished with a great deal of adult assistance). Further, the farm has alpacas, turkey, cows, goats and horses. There is a small vegetable garden to play in, too.
Should you need to get out of the rain, just over the river (15 minute walk with a pushchair, toddler pace much longer) is Tate Britain with its sentimental Pre-Raphaelites. Again, there is little at the museum actually pitched to toddlers, but the galleries are large and there is plenty to see. On the weekends and during school holidays there is an art cart available. The café has, among other things, child portions of fruit and veggies, great cakes and coffees.
Ranelagh Gardens and the National Army Museum
Just off the Embankment is the Chelsea Hospital grounds, an amazing expanse of gardens that are open to the public. The Ranelagh Gardens are completely fenced in and are comprised of hills, brambles, trails and a tiny shelter in case of sudden rain. There are no climbing frames, and the toilets are a bit of a walk, but it is such a special area to take small children to have an old fashioned romp running up and down hills, playing hide and seek in the woods or just plain old woodland exploration.
Next to the Chelsea Hospital Ground is the National Army Museum (new Kid Zone to open 18th July). Should you need a break from the weather, head this way and enjoy the galleries and exhibits. If you are lucky, the Kid Zone may be open. They have timed entries from 10:00 and 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30; on weekends this schedule changes with pre-booked parties. This is the best indoor climbing frame play area in London. Not only is the entry free, the space is immaculately kept with family toilets. In the event that you have missed the entry, continue through the museum. The museum is fascinating and there are very toddler-friendly interactive play areas.


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September 22, 1922 - July 17, 1999
EM1 U. S. Navy
World War II
Westview Cemetery is located in Blacksburg, Montgomery, VA
Contributed on 2/21/06
Record #: 189
Thank you for visiting the Virginia Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Virginia, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 2/21/06 • Approved: 3/16/06 • Last Updated: 10/20/12 • R189-G0


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Patent tax break takes effect in April 2013
'Patent Box' is strong incentive for UK companies to develop IP
A 10 per cent corporation tax rate will apply to profits from companies' worldwide trading activities which are attributable to qualifying patents, the Treasury confirmed in draft Finance Bill 2012 legislation published today, establishing the 'Patent Box' tax regime.
The Patent Box will allow companies to elect to apply a 10 per cent rate of corporation tax from 1 April 2013 to all profits attributable to qualifying patents, whether paid separately as royalties or embedded in the price of products.
"The Patent Box will provide an additional incentive for companies in the UK to retain and commercialise existing patents and to develop new innovative patented products," the consultation response says. "This will encourage companies to locate the high-value jobs associated with the development, manufacture and exploitation of patents in the UK and maintain the UK's position as a world leader in patented technologies."
Qualifying patents will be those granted by the UK's Intellectual Property Office or the European Patent Office.
The response document states that the government intends to compile a list of other EU member states that have patent regimes with comparable patentability criteria and search and examination practices to the UK, with the intention of extending the Patent Box to include those regimes.
The regime will also apply to other qualifying intellectual property rights such as regulatory data protection (also called "data exclusivity"); supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), and plant variety rights. Other non-qualifying profits in these companies will continue to be taxed at the main rate of corporation tax.
The draft legislation confirms that, as proposed in the last consultation document, the Patent Box will apply to existing as well as new intellectual property (IP), and to acquired IP provided that the group has further developed the IP or the product which incorporates it.
"It is welcome that the regime will apply to existing IP as well as new IP, and that the Government has listened to points raised in the consultation around the compliance burden of the regime," said John Christian, a tax expert at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com. "A workable regime is emerging and business will be positive about the proposals."
The response to consultation document confirms that the regime will be phased in over five years in order to manage the cost of extending the regime, despite some responses to the consultation which called for the regime to be phased in more quickly to provide a greater incentive for groups to invest in the UK in the early years of the plan.
The response to the consultation gives details of further changes that the government proposes to make to the patent box regime which it states will "result in a more competitive and accessible regime".
The draft legislation sets out a structured approach to calculate the profits from qualifying IP.
For companies selling patented products or licensing their patents, the calculation starts from the total profit from the sale of products incorporating the patented invention or the profit from licensing the invention. The full rate of corporation tax will still be charged on a 10 per cent routine return on certain costs and on any part of those profits which is attributable to marketing intangibles.
Companies making smaller claims can choose a simpler calculation avoiding the need to value their brand. All remaining profit will be eligible for the Patent Box rate.
"Businesses will be able to benefit regardless of how they use their IP – whether it is licensed to others, included in products they sell, or used in internal processes or to provide services," states the consultation response.
The main rate of corporation tax from April 2012 is currently planned to be 25%, following the proposed reductions from the current rate of 26%.
A Treasury consultation paper consultation paper (52-page/587KB PDF) published in June 2011 asked for the view of business on the proposed design of the Patent Box.
Copyright © 2011, OUT-LAW.com
OUT-LAW.COM is part of international law firm Pinsent Masons.


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The release of a new medical text doesn't normally generate the kind of fever-pitch anticipation of say, a new Harry Potter book or iPhone model. But the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM for short, is an exception. The American Psychiatric Association released its revised fifth edition of the manual, which serves as the official authority on mental health diagnoses (and related insurance claims), on Wednesday. The DSM-5, which informs the way psychiatrists prescribe drugs, comes with 15 new diagnoses—including hoarding and cannabis withdrawal—while eliminating and combining others. "Sexual aversion disorder," for example, has been redacted from legitimate diagnoses because of "rare use and lack of supporting research," according to the APA. (Until the 1970s, the manual listed homosexuality as a disorder.)
Also see: DSM overhaul stirs controversy
While psychiatrists considered suggestions from medical professionals as well as the public, the updates have already sparked debate and criticism. "People are just as confused about the question, What is madness?" says Paul McHugh, a professor and former psychiatrist in chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who says the DSM-5 fails to distinguish between the underlying causes of the symptoms associated with its diagnoses. "This is a field guide to the birds."
But the handbook also sheds light on the current state of the world's mental health. The proliferation of medical marijuana has led to a clinical diagnosis of "cannabis withdrawal," for example. Meanwhile, in a special trial section of the DSM-5 for conditions needing further research, there is now "Internet gaming disorder," along with suicide-related disorders due to "increased recognition of suicidal ideation." Here's the thinking behind the DSM-5's 15 new mental disorders.
— By Jen Wieczner
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
With this addition to the manual, psychiatrists can now more precisely diagnose speech and written language problems that are unrelated to autism or diminished cognitive ability, according to an American Psychiatric Association fact sheet about the disorder. Indeed, while symptoms of this disorder, which must date back to childhood, include "inappropriate responses in conversation" and difficulty communicating, the diagnosis can only be made after autism spectrum disorders have been ruled out, according to the APA. These problems often hamper people's social lives, academic careers and job performance, and the diagnosis, known as SCD for short, is intended to bring their issues "out of the shadows" and help them get appropriate treatment, according to the fact sheet.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
While this diagnosis, limited to children under 18, could be interpreted by some parents as applicable"anytime you have a temper tantrum," says McHugh, the tendency to dismiss kids' outbursts often leads to misdiagnoses, at the expense of the children and their families, when the disorder goes untreated. The new diagnosis is designed to help families and children who "have never been successfully treated for extreme, explosive rages," says David Kupfer, chairman of the DSM-5 task force and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh "Too many severely impaired children like this have fallen through the cracks because they suffer from a disorder that had not yet been defined."
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
In classifying symptoms preceding women's monthly cycle as a mental disorder, the DSM-5 has provoked outrage from those who worry that people will use the official illness to discriminate against women, like they have with PMS, the milder sister to PMDD. (The new disorder was mentioned in an appendix of the DSM-4 as a condition needing further study.) Other critics worry that the diagnosis could allow people to use common and mundane problems like minor menstrual cramps as medical excuses. But researchers for the DSM-5 found justification for listing the disorder, which affects 2% to 5% of premenopausal women, according to an article published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in May 2012. Symptoms include depression, "feelings of hopelessness" and bloating sensations at specific times during a woman's menstrual cycle—severe enough to interfere with people's ability to function at work or school.
Hoarding Disorder
The television remedy for hoarding on shows such as A&E"s "Hoarders" usually involves a heavy-duty house cleaning by a team of professionals and many garbage bags or dumpsters. But thanks to the DSM-5's inclusion of "hoarding disorder" as a standalone diagnosis, doctors may be able to treat the condition with a pill. There is now adequate evidence to confirm the "diagnostic validity" of hoarding, which is characterized by "persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save the items and distress associated with discarding them," according to an APA guide to the changes in DSM-5. The newly added diagnosis is listed under obsessive-compulsive disorders, though the APA admits that there is not enough data to say whether hoarding is truly related to OCD or another mental illness. Still, hoarding may have underlying neurobiological causes, which may mean that it can be treated with medication. Indeed, some DSM critics believe the creation of hoarding disorder could be driven by pharmaceutical interests: "All they are saying is, we think hoarding should be made an illness that we can get paid for," says McHugh, who believes psychiatrists should investigate the root causes of the hoarding in order to formulate a treatment plan that could involve behavior therapy instead of drugs.
Caffeine Withdrawal
People who are grumpy before they've had their morning coffee may welcome caffeine withdrawal to the DSM-5 as a legitimate mental affliction. A controversial addition, the new diagnosis directly reflects our increasing dependence on caffeine, from the proliferation of Starbucks outlets to the growing array of non-coffee energy drinks and caffeine-injected alcoholic beverages: "Caffeine is invading our society more and more," Alan Budney, a psychiatrist who helped develop the DSM-5, said at a 2011 industry symposium, according to reports. (Caffeine withdrawal was included in an appendix of the DSM-4 as a condition needing further study.)
But some psychiatrists worry that caffeine withdrawal may be an easy way to clinically label symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances and moodiness, at the cost of missing a serious pathological disorder. "The real problem for [psychiatrists] is,Will they be able to have time with the patient to distinguish between caffeine withdrawal and the kind of uneasiness and headaches that come from an encounter they might have had in life experiences?" says McHugh.
Cannabis Withdrawal
Included in the DSM-5 in tandem with caffeine withdrawal, experts say the increasing prevalence of another substance besides coffee merited the new "cannabis withdrawal" diagnosis. As marijuana has become available to buy legally and for medical purposes in more states, psychiatrists have also noted withdrawal symptoms in people who frequently smoke marijuana and then quit. A study of 384 lifetime cannabis smokers, conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health and published in 2012, found that more than 40% of participants met the withdrawal criteria in the DSM-5. Only in recent years have medical experts recognized that marijuana can be associated with drug withdrawal, so the DSM until now excluded the condition "due to debate about the clinical significance of the cannabis withdrawal syndrome," according to researchers who helped develop the DSM-5. But the researchers identified several cannabis withdrawal symptoms that interfered with people's ability to function normally, including loss of appetite, nightmares and "imagining being stoned (cravings)."
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Under the awning of obsessive-compulsive disorders, this condition is characterized by chronic picking and scratching of the skin that can cause wounds and scabs, and diagnosed when the behaviors are not associated with another disorder. The disorder can be triggered by other skin irregularities like acne or bug bites, according to a 2011 paper from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine that proposed including the disorder in the DSM. The condition can be associated with other disorders involving compulsive eating, buying and stealing, the researchers wrote. The DSM-5 added "excoriation disorder" in light of "strong evidence for its diagnostic validity and clinical utility," according to the APA, and the problem is often treated with antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs or other medications.
Binge Eating Disorder
In the context of an increasing national obesity epidemic, psychiatrists made a statement by adding this diagnosis: "This change is intended to increase awareness of the substantial differences between binge eating disorder and the common phenomenon of overeating," according to an APA fact sheet. With nearly 70% of Americans overweight or obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the manual distinguishes between problems with weight versus mental health, noting that "while overeating is a challenge for many Americans, recurrent binge eating is much less common, far more severe, and is associated with significant physical and psychological problems." (The new disorder was included in an appendix of the DSM-4 as a condition needing further study.) People with this disorder frequently eat a large amount of food very quickly, even when they're not hungry, and often when they are alone to avoid embarrassment, according to the APA.
Binge Eating Disorder is not to be confused with bulimia nervosa, which involves, in addition to binge eating, purging behaviors like vomiting. The revised manual stipulates that binging or purging just once a week qualifies for the diagnosis, rather than biweekly.
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
In his 2012 autobiographical film "Sleepwalk With Me," the comedian Mike Birbiglia brought attention to this disorder, often called REM behavior disorder, which causes him to act out his dreams in real life. The phenomenon became particularly problematic for Birbiglia after he jumped through a second-story hotel window in a dream about escaping a missile, landing him in the emergency room with glass wounds. (The disorder differs from typical sleepwalking in that people with REM behavior disorder usually remember what they were doing in the dream.) Now, the disorder, which the DSM previously included ambiguously under parasomnia, gains official recognition by the clinical psychiatry community in addition to Hollywood. The diagnosis, which the APA says is fully supported by research evidence, is often preceded by dream enactment episodes resulting in injury to the person or the partner with whom they share a bed. In treating the condition, doctors may recommend removing sharp and dangerous objects from the bedroom and cushioning the area around the bed.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Given its solid neurological basis, some psychiatrists, including McHugh at Johns Hopkins, wonder why the disease, characterized by uncomfortable urges to move the legs when lying down, wasn't given full DSM status long ago. But scientific and genetic research have advanced the medical knowledge of the disorder, which is now also identified as Willis-Ekbom disease, since the previous version of the DSM. While about 2% to 3% of adults are severely affected by it, up to 10% of people in the U.S. may have it, according to the Willis-Ekbom Disease Foundation (formerly the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation). By giving official diagnostic status to the disorder, which was previously classified as a "not otherwise specified" form of dyssomnia, the DSM-5 may promote more precise diagnoses and treatment of restless legs syndrome, psychiatrists say.
Major Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy Body Disease and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
With these additions, the DSM-5 expands the category of dementia, the memory and cognitive impairment increasingly afflicting the aged: About 14% of Americans age 71 and older have dementia, and the number is expected to double by 2050 because of the wave of baby boomers hitting 65, according to a new report by the Alzheimer's Association. The new diagnoses also allow psychiatrists to distinguish between different levels of dementia's severity. "The psychiatry group is waking up to what the neurologists have been classifying and recognizing for a long time," says McHugh, the Johns Hopkins psychiatrist. Still, the "threshold" between mild and major neurocognitive disorder "is inherently arbitrary," the APA admits. (The newly added mild version was mentioned in an appendix of the DSM-4 for conditions needing further study.) But by differentiating between them, the DSM-5 could pave the way for the diagnosis and treatment of "less disabling" cognitive impairment that could be nonetheless problematic for people and their families, according to the APA.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
This disorder can often be mistaken for ADHD, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but the DSM-5 may reduce the confusion by adding it to the list of official diagnoses. While children with disinhibited social engagement disorder can be inattentive and impulsive, the disorder may stem from inadequate caregiving and neglect. This disorder was previously grouped with reactive attachment disorder, children who have it may not actually lack attachments, according to the APA. The separate classification allows for different clinical interventions and treatment plans.
Central Sleep Apnea and Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
The DSMhas long struggled to classify sleep disorders, especially those that related to problems with breathing while sleeping. The growing share of the population with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which studies have shown to increase the risk of central sleep apnea and other breathing-related sleep disorders, may make it more important to precisely identify the problems. But the medical community has also learned much more about these conditions since the previous DSM edition, enabling the new diagnoses: "This change reflects the growing understanding of pathophysiology in the genesis of these disorders and, furthermore, has relevance to treatment planning," according to the APA's guide to the changes in the DSM-5.
Central Sleep Apnea and Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
The DSMhas long struggled to classify sleep disorders, especially those that related to problems with breathing while sleeping. The growing share of the population with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which studies have shown to increase the risk of central sleep apnea and other breathing-related sleep disorders, may make it more important to precisely identify the problems. But the medical community has also learned much more about these conditions since the previous DSM edition, enabling the new diagnoses: "This change reflects the growing understanding of pathophysiology in the genesis of these disorders and, furthermore, has relevance to treatment planning," according to the APA's guide to the changes in the DSM-5.


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Even if you've never considered using a lighting design program, now may be the time. There are good business reasons why you should check into such software.
As lighting installations become increasingly more complex, separate ambient, task, and security illumination take on greater importance. New light sources and technologies (such as remote source lighting) also complicate design issues. State and federal energy requirements often define a maximum power density for lighting in new construction. With all of these factors to consider, where do you turn for help? Lighting design software can make things easier and serve as an effective tool to help you refine and analyze any project.
A look at the market. The industrial plant lighting market is ripe with opportunities. Generally, each facility has its own spatial conditions and task requirements. With a lighting design program, you can prepare several design solutions using different lamp/system combinations to determine variances in performance and economics. Each solution also can include a return-on-investment (ROI) evaluation.
The growing use of these programs by contractors is already speeding and simplifying the process of handling bid work, design/build contracts, and retrofit projects.
Many lighting installations are coming into the second or even third generation of retrofits. Though previous retrofits may have saved some energy dollars, many have also caused a diminished visual environment. In some cases, they've simply provided poor quality lighting. The biggest opportunity for contractors today is high-efficiency, high-quality fixtures, and lighting controls for a complete relighting. This is especially true for fluorescent and metal halide applications. In this case, a software program can help turn a proposal into a sale.
Don't forget about the increasing importance of lighting controls. You can use lighting control software to cut the time required to specify, design, and document preset dimming control in half. Modern lighting control schemes can help create "just the right" atmosphere. Well-integrated controls can also enhance security and reduce energy costs.
What's new and useful? Still think you don't need any kind of lighting design program? Suppose you're involved in lighting renovation/energy-saving upgrade projects. If you need assistance, two free software programs are available from U.S. government agencies:
(1) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers Project Kalc, which is available from its website (epa.gov). This program provides a full analysis of a planned lighting upgrade, including relamping, controls, tandem wiring, and more. It also includes a user-modifiable database of costs, labor time, and performance for more than 8000 hardware components.
(2) A public domain program, called Federal Lighting Energy Expert (FLEX), is available from the Federal Energy Management's website (eren.doe.gov). It allows you to evaluate an energy-saving relighting project using a number of efficient lighting products. Designed for federal relighting projects, the program runs under DOS and is for Windows, Windows95, or OS/2.
From calculations to virtual reality. Evolution is the keyword for lighting software programs. In the "old" days, we only used these programs to do complex calculating functions rapidly. Today's modern programs can take you on a virtual 3-D color tour of the lighted space. This transforms your computer or workstation into a video tool that allows you to see how a proposed design will look with the installed lighting equipment. The result: a better design solution in less time with greater assurance of accuracy.
An important development spurring the use of such software is the easy availability of photometric data files. Major lighting fixture manufacturers and photometric laboratories archive luminaire photometric data in accessible databases, using the most popular formats. One new program uses a Windows format to automatically evaluate the electrical requirements and loads for each room and select the best solution. You enter load information and control points. Then, the program uses this input to create one-line diagrams, equipment schedules, bills of material, specifications and dimming panel schedules (if needed).
Where to find program comparisons. The best source of information on computer software is the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), which conducts an annual survey on available products. The latest survey (printed in the October 1998 issue of the association's monthly magazine, Lighting Design and Application or LD&A) includes 27 lighting design software programs.
A table with nine major headings shows the survey results. Sample headings include "Price," "Applications," "Hardware Requirements," and "Types of Analysis." The table lists some elements as acronyms. For example, the required Operating System elements include Win95/NT, Unix, or DOS. The survey defines system memory requirements in megabytes (Mbs) or kilobytes (Kbs). Other features use letter designations.
The first heading of interest is probably "Price." One fixture manufacturer has two free programs and one that costs only $100. Programs offered by other fixture manufacturers (or the Electric Power Research Institute) cost only a few hundred dollars and should satisfy most contractors and engineers. Programs sold by independent software firms range in price from the same few hundred dollars to $10,000. Of course, the higher priced products are for very detailed analysis.
The "Special Features" heading lists particular capabilities of the program. For example, "automatic layout" means the program will suggest a layout of the luminaires. "Generate schedules" means it will produce a luminaire schedule for the building. "Building shadowing" means the calculations take into account the shadowing effects of other buildings in outdoor analysis. "Batch processing" means the program can run several analyses while the computer is unattended. "Interior obstructions" means the program calculations take into account the effects of user-defined obstructions in interior spaces.
An "Economic Analysis" checkmark indicates the program will calculate cost considerations for the lighting system. For example, one popular program (from an independent software company) costs about $600 and offers a photometric library of more than 17,000 products from more than 60 manufacturers. Using a Windows operating system, it provides a familiar, easy-to-use graphical user interface, pull down menus, and toolbars. It's also resizable.
Other features of lighting software include a CAD interface with import and export capabilities; gray scale images; project file merging; and a variety of report types of customized output. It also offers predefined objects (such as partitions, tables, and chairs) you can add to a rendered space with a mouse. In addition, you can use a second software program in tandem to produce full-color, photographic quality images.
According to IES, other important features to look for in a lighting software package include:
If it operates inside of (and requires) a CAD program to function.
If you can enter data into tables on the screen.
If it accepts input from a digitizer, keyboard, mouse, pen, or voice commands.
If it has provisions for multilingual support or CIE calculations, which are European standards.
Can view graphs of photometric distributions on the screen?
If you can tilt light meters.
If it uses the Zonal Cavity Method for indoor calculation for average illuminance value.
If it uses the Lumen Method to get the average illuminance value for an area.
If it offers roadway luminance and daylighting capabilities.
If technical support is available, and documentation is provided online or available in a printed manual.
Sidebar: Example of 3-D Modeling in CAD
Here's how 3-D modeling creates images that were impossible a few years ago. This modeling was the basis for the lighting design of a corporate headquarters, completed only a few years ago. Gesner and Associates, a San Francisco-based architectural firm, began by working out two-dimensional sketches on a computer. Then, the firm built scale models to show its client in more detail what the architects had in mind. From these, the firm returned to CAD for plans and sections. After the client selected one of the schemes, Gesner and Associates generated a 3-D computer model that enabled th e firm to conduct internal and external light studies.
From within the CAD program, the Gesner design team created a series of >images that served as the basis for a video. Projected on a large >television screen, the video allowed the client to "walk through" the >space of the museum and boardroom. Then, the architect showed the video to >the general contractor and subcontractors so they could visualize >construction. Then, these contractors offered refinements on the details >to improve them.


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Thanksgiving Procolamation
This outstanding letter was forwarded to me and I think it's so important that I'm printing it here for all of you and also offering it as a download at the bottom of the post where my freebies always live. (The formatting is messed up and I can't seem to fix it, sorry.) God bless you this Thanksgiving:
"I sat down at the computer to write my yearly short poem for Thanksgiving and would end it with an appropriate scripture, but this year as you can see you are getting my message on your email. Why, because the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving should perhaps be taken more seriously as the situation in the world is so tenuous. I also wanted to stress that choosing a day to thank God for His blessings seems so inadequate and sometimes insincere. I was reading the history of Thanksgiving in the Federalist Digest and the presidential proclamations of Washington, Lincoln and others and was moved to remind and perhaps enlighten some who have forgotten where and why Thanksgiving Day was started. To those who believe in the separation of church and state this should put your minds at rest or change uninformed views to the truth of our forefather's declarations, writings and intentions.
The first Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by the revolutionary Continental Congress on November 1, 1777. Authored by Samuel Adams, it was one sentence of 360 words, which read in part: "Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to Him for benefits received…together with penitent confession of their sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor; and their humble and earnest supplications that it may please God through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feeling of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor…acknowledging with gratitude their obligations to Him for benefits received…to prosper the means of religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth 'in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Then in Congressional Record, September 25, 1789
"Mr. Boudinot (who was the President of Congress during the American Revolution) said he could not think of letting the congressional session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. This then was passed on to George Washington to sign…
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness':
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations(especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, 1789
George Washington
Then from the hand of Abraham Lincoln during internal strife in the United States this proclamation.
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart, which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence…..
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the shop; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore.
Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up ascriptions justly due Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
Abraham Lincoln (October 3, 1863, passed by an Act of Congress.)
Then Theodore Roosevelt wrote: "No people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our own strength, but with the gratitude to the Giver of good who has blessed us."
I dare say, our young Nation had men who knew where our blessings came from and who bestowed them. They were not afraid of offending and openly proclaimed it for all to hear and strongly suggested to America's citizens that they should reverently observe a special day of Thanksgiving to their Creator.
As you see "God" taken, or soon taken, from our hallowed buildings, our schools, court houses, national anthems and pledges, graduation speeches, currency and perhaps someday pulpits in our churches, remember how thankful our forefathers were for the freedom to have God among us and his blessings upon us.
As you sit with family and friends before a bountiful table, let these humble words from a friend come to mind. The God who once blessed our Thankful Nation, will also judge a thankless one.
With deepest wishes for a blessed Day of Thanksgiving for you and all Americans. Please say a prayer for our valiant military who serve here and in distant lands, making sure we enjoy this God Given Country.
Proud and Very Thankful American,
Jane Canaday"
If you like it well enough to download, please leave me a comment at the bottom of this post as I have disabled 4shared comments. Please support this blog by shopping my PayPal store. God bless you!Download here. Check out my TERMS OF USE here. The password is jesuschristislord.Digifree CraftCrave CraftCrave


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New Honda Hybrid Bests Toyota in Fuel Economy
A new Japanese car has claimed domestic bragging the rights for the best fuel-economy rating—and it's not a Toyota.
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Honda Motor Co. said Friday that the hybrid version of the upcoming redesigned Fit compact was rated at 36.4 kilometers a liter, or about 85.6 miles a gallon, based on testing protocols by Japan's transport ministry.
That beats the 35.4 kilometers a liter, or 83.2 mpg, fuel-economy rating achieved by Toyota Motor Corp.'s Aqua hybrid, heretofore the champion car in fuel efficiency in Japan.
The fuel-economy rating of the new Fit in other markets are not yet available, a Honda spokeswoman said. The tests conducted by the Japanese transport ministry are performed under different conditions from those done by overseas federal regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S., which takes various highway and city driving situations into consideration.
Winning the best fuel-economy rating is crucial for Honda as it relies on the new compact, one of the auto maker's best-selling cars and known as the Jazz in some markets, to help reach its goal to sell six million vehicles by March 2017.
Japan's third biggest carmaker by volume plans to release the Fit along with the City sedan and a small sport-utility vehicle over the next few years. Honda aims to have the three vehicles account for one-fourth of the sales target. Honda sold 3.8 million vehicles in 2012.
The Fit hybrid, set to debut in Japan in September, is Honda's latest hybrid offering that trumps its counterpart from Toyota in fuel economy. The hybrid version of Honda's Accord sedan, rolled out last month, boasts a fuel efficiency of 30.0 kilometers a liter, compared with 23.4 kilometers a liter for the rival Toyota Camry hybrid.
Honda's stronger showing are the fruits of the Tokyo auto maker's renewed focus to gain ground in the hybrid race as fuel economy becomes an increasingly important factor in Japanese consumers' purchase decisions. Honda has lagged behind Toyota in hybrid systems since the latter began sweeping the market for gasoline-electric cars in the early 2000s. The Toyota Prius has since become synonymous with hybrid vehicles and has comfortably positioned itself as a household favorite.
The sport hybrid i-DCD system installed in the Fit hybrid and to be mounted in the upcoming small SUV is just one of the three new hybrid systems Honda has been working on to meet stricter emission regulations. The latest i-DCD system boasts 38% better fuel efficiency than the integrated motor assist system used in the current Fit hybrid.
But it's unclear whether the higher fuel-economy vehicles will gain traction with consumers outside of Japan. Hybrid vehicles represent 20% of the domestic market, while accounting for only 2.7% and 0.5% of the autos markets in North America and Europe, respectively, according to research firm Fuji Keizai.
Adding pressure on Honda's bet is a rash of new mini vehicles, a booming segment in an otherwise shrinking home market. These no-frills cars are conventional gasoline-engine vehicles but mini-vehicle specialists like Suzuki Motor and Daihatsu Motor are offering cars with fuel economies that increasingly rival hybrids.
Suzuki launched the Alto Eco in March that gets about 33.0 kilometers a liter, or 77.6 mpg. Meanwhile Daihatsu is introducing the latest version of the Mira e:S with a rating of 33.4 kilometers a liter, according to a report in the Nikkei.


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Amongst other restaurants in Reading, The French Horn has been providing hospitality for two hundred years. Originally a coaching inn, the hotel has been run by the Emmanuel family since 1972, with a focus on providing quality food and excellent service. It has a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in Reading with comfortable rooms.
The French Horn sits next to the bridge in the busy little village of Sonning on Thames. The hotel is on the banks of the River Thames, providing a stunning backdrop for our restaurant amongst other restaurants in Reading. Witness lovely views from many of the bedrooms and as you relax in our dining room, looking out at this pretty stretch of the Thames, it's hard to believe that you are such a short journey away from London.
Park the car, check in to the hotel, and enjoy the wonderful view – you'll find yourself in what feels like a different world. Welcome to The French Horn.
We are only open for Diners and Residents Lunch 12 noon last orders 2pm, Dinner 7pm last orders 9.30pm, 9pm on a Sunday.


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My memories of Christmas TV and movies when I was a child - I don't have them. One of the strongest traditions in our family was that the TV stayed switched off on Christmas Day. When my cousin got older, he was allowed to watch Christmas Top of the Pops (it was a teenage thing).
As I have grown older myself, have moved out, and spent (unfortunately too) many Christmases on my own, I have looked forward to Christmas TV as my main source of entertainment. Older still, and family history is now my main form of entertainment - so the TV stays switched off again.
The only 'Christmas' movie which I will watch at any time of the year is "A Christmas Carol" - the version with Sir Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. I admit, I first watched it because I am a Star Trek fan - and he played Captain Picard - but I continue to watch it because he is such a splendid actor. And he's British!
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories: Christmas Tree
This was my post from last year (2012):
I grew up with artificial trees, so it was natural when I left home and set up my own flat to have an artificial tree myself (and all of my flats have been far too small to cope with anything over a foot tall!). Over the years, artificial trees have improved considerably, so what used to be a rather obviously-plastic one now looks almost real. You often have to touch the needles to check!
|"Happy Christmas" by Viggo Johansen
The Christmas tree has not always been with us. Or has it? Check this out from Wikipedia:
"While it is clear that the modern Christmas tree originates in Renaissance and early modern Germany, there are a number of speculative theories as to its ultimate origin. Its 16th-century origins are sometimes associated with Martin Luther. Alternatively, it is identified with the "tree of paradise" of medieval mystery plays that were given on 24 December, the commemoration and name day of Adam and Eve in various countries. In such plays, a tree decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist and redemption) was used as a setting for the play. Like the Christmas crib, the Paradise tree was later placed in homes. The apples were replaced by round objects such as shiny red balls."
And this from Encyclopædia Britannica: "The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime."
And from religioustolerance.org: "Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event."
I wonder how many of my ancestors had a Christmas tree?
The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family's holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.
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Vol. 4, No. 19, October 6, 2011
ASPE and ARCSA Sign Joint Standards Development Agreement
ASPE Executive Director/CEO Jim Kendzel, MPH, CAE, and recently elected ARCSA President Bob Boulware, PE, have signed an agreement to jointly develop and publish an ARCSA/ASPE consensus standard for rainwater catchment systems.
ASPE Seeks Member Input on Green Supplement Revisions
IAPMO is calling for public comments on changes to the 2012 Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, and ASPE would appreciate members' help in developing an official Society response. Send your comments or recommended changes to Jim Kendzel no later than October 20.
ASPE Seeks Member Comments on the 2012–2013 ICC Code Cycle
ICC is soliciting recommendations on code changes for the International Building Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Private Sewage Disposal Code. The ASPE Legislative Committee is asking all ASPE membersto take this opportunity to provide comments or suggestions related to I-Code changes. Submit your comments directly to Jim Kendzelby November 5.
It's Not too Late to Register for the 2011 ASPE Technical Symposium
On Oct. 27–30, ASPE is holding this year's premier professional development event for plumbing industry professionals—the ASPE Technical Symposium—in Orlando, Florida. If you want to attend innovative, hands-on educational sessions, network with industry leaders from across the country, increase your career advancement opportunities, and have fun with your peers, register today!
Congratulations to the 2011 Technical Symposium Suite Winner
ASPE congratulates the Central Florida Chapter for winning the use of a suite at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa during the 2011 ASPE Technical Symposium. As of Oct. 4, the Central Florida Chapter had the most members registered for the event.
Free Webinar for ASPE Members
On Thursday, October 13, at 1 p.m. EST, the Plumbing Contractors of America will host a joint PCA/ASPE webinar on how engineers and contractors can successfully work together on design-assist projects. ASPE members can register by visiting the Members-only section of ASPE.org.
ASPE Seeks Technical Articles on Venting System Design
Are you skilled in designing or specifying systems such as combination drain and vent, wet venting, or circuit venting? Plumbing Systems & Design magazine seeks nonproprietary articles on how to design such systems and would like to help you share your knowledge. Contact Gretchen Pientafor more details or to submit a proposal.
Want to Help Spread the Word About Engineering?
Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows Committee Seeks Nominations
ASPE's Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows honors ASPE members of established reputation who have made significant, sustained contributions to the plumbing engineering profession, the Society, or the plumbing industry. Any Society member may nominate any other member, but members may not nominate themselves. If you have questions, contact Stacey A. Kidd.
Educational and Networking Opportunities
Today: Dallas Plumbing Product Exposition
ASPE's Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter is holding this event at Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, from 4:30–8:30 p.m. Technical sessions offering CEUs will be held from 12:30–4:30 p.m.
October 7: Phoenix Pump Seminar
ASPE's Phoenix Chapter is presenting a pump technical seminarfrom 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aunt Chilada's Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix. The cost of the event is $30, which includes refreshments and lunch. Three CEUs will be issued for attendance.
October 7: Dallas Golf Outing
ASPE's Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter is holding this event at Riverchase Golf Course in Coppell, Texas, starting with breakfast at 6:45 a.m. Price includes breakfast, golf, lunch, and prizes.
October 14: San Francisco Golf Outing
ASPE's San Francisco Chapter is holding this event at Willow Park Golf Course in Castro Valley, California, starting at 10 a.m. Contact Wade Sorensen (510-317-8102) for more information or to RSVP.
October 18: North Florida Golf Outing
ASPE's North Florida Chapter is holding their annual golf outing at Saint Johns Golf and Country Club in Saint Augustine, Florida, starting at noon. Contact Joe Bertino (904-357-4237) for more information.
October 18: Raleigh Manufacturing Plant Tour
ASPE's Raleigh Chapter will be touring the Zurn Industries manufacturing plant in Sanford, North Carolina. The event is open to the first 20 members who sign up at the September 20 chapter meeting or contact Scott Sansbury (919-772-4767).
October 20: Philadelphia Plumbing and Fire Protection Exposition
ASPE's Philadelphia Chapter is holding this event at the Ramada Inn in Essington, Pennsylvania, from 1:45–7 p.m., with technical seminars on LEED and vacuum drainage systems starting at 1 p.m. Contact Mike Panco for more information or tickets to the exposition and Steve Ziga to RSVP for a seminar.
October 24: Alabama Golf Outing
ASPE's Alabama Chapter is holding this event at Grayson Valley Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, starting at noon. Contact Clark Williamson for more information.
November 1: St. Louis Plumbing Product Show
ASPE's St. Louis Chapter is cosponsoring this event with PSC at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri from 1:30–7:30 p.m. Technical sessions offering CEUs will be held from 1:30–5:30 p.m. Contact Dennis Callahan for more information.
November 3: Western Michigan Trade Show
ASPE's Western Michigan Chapter is holding this event at the Elks Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan in conjunction with the Michigan Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors Association. Contact Gordy Berridge for more information.
November 8: Boston Product Show
ASPE's Boston Chapter is holding this event at The Lantana in Randolph, Massachusetts, including technical sessions offering CEUs. Visit aspebostonchapter.orgfor more information.
The USGBC's annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, being held this week in Toronto, is live video streaming a variety of speakers and education sessions so those who are unable to attend can view the event from their home or office.
Green Jobs Account for One-third of the Design and Construction Workforce
Currently, 35 percent of architects, engineers, and contractors report having green jobs, representing 661,000 jobs and one-third of the industry workforce. That share is expected to increase over the next three years, with 45 percent of all design and construction jobs being green by 2014, according to McGraw-Hill Construction.
WaterSense Partners of the Year Announced
Yesterday, the EPA announced the 2011 WaterSense Partners of the Year, who have made great strides in increasing water efficiency and awareness of the WaterSense label across the country: Cobb County Water System, Delta Faucet Company, The Home Depot, Christopher Curry, KB Home, and Energy Inspectors Corp.
Atlanta Passes Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance
The new Section 1300 "Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems" of the Atlanta City Code allows harvested rainwater to be used for private potable uses if it has been treated to EPA Primary Drinking Water Standards.
New D.C. Storm Water Performance Standards Promote Green Infrastructure
The new permit, which goes into effect tomorrow, requires a minimum of 350,000 square feet of green roofs to be installed on Washington, D.C., properties; all development projects of at least 5,000 square feet to retain 1.2 inches of storm water on site from a 24-hour storm; and the retrofitting of more than 18 million square feet of drainage of impervious surfaces.
Is Texas in Danger of Running Dry?
In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, businesses, and agricultural enterprises, and without proper planning, severe drought conditions could cost Texans $116 billion per year by 2060, according to "Water for Texas 2012 State Water Plan" by the Texas Water Development Board.
Ohioans Soon Will Be Able to Fill Up Their Tank with Recycled Sludge
In southern Summit County, Ohio, construction begins this month on a $4.5 million anaerobic digester, which will turn sewage sludge into compressed natural gas for vehicles.
Saskatchewan Adopts New Plumbing and Sewage Regulations
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has separated its private sewage requirements and plumbing requirements into two separate documents—The Plumbing Regulations and The Private Sewage Works Regulations—both of which became effective October 1.
Next Week Is Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. This year's theme is "Protect Your Family from Fire."
The Parducci, Caymus, Conundrum, Alpha Omega, and Rombauer wineries in California are applying innovative methods to treat their wastewater, including hydrate systems, trickle towers, and wetlands, to conserve water used for irrigation.
Rainwater Harvesting Technologies Showcased at Conference
At the ARCSA national conference in Portland, Oregon, innovative rainwater harvesting techniques such as a rain wall and rain pillow were exhibited.
Harnessing the Sun to Create Drinking Water
Purdue University researchers have invented a prototype water-disinfection system that uses the sun's ultraviolet radiation to inactivate waterborne pathogens and purify water so it is safe to drink.
Get Your Code Questions Answered on ICC's New Online Forum
ICC's Codes & Standards Discussion Forum allows both members and nonmembers to ask questions, share opinions, and discuss the I-Codes and related subjects in an interactive environment.
New Standard Aims to Prevent Fires and Explosions During Gas Pipe Purging
NFPA 56 (PS), 2012 Edition: Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping Systems provides minimum safety requirements for the cleaning and purging procedures of flammable gas piping systems for electric-generating plant, industrial, institutional, and commercial applications.
Revised Backflow Standards Are Now Available
ASSE's four reduced-pressure and double-check backflow standards, which have been recognized by ANSI as American National Standards, have been updated and are now available for purchase.
IAPMO Becomes the Sixth Organization Worldwide to Earn ANSI Audited Designator Status
As an Audited Designator, IAPMO now has the right to designate future editions of the UPC, UMC, USEC, and USPHTC as American National Standards immediately upon the publication release date, and upon conclusion of IAPMO's ANSI-accredited procedures, without requiring prior approval by the ANSI Board of Standards Review.
ICC Seeks Comments on Commissioning Guideline
The guideline is aimed at code officials who want to use commissioning as a tool to verify compliance with high-performance building design, as well as owners, architects, and engineers who want to use commissioning to satisfy regulatory requirements. Comments will be accepted until Oct. 27.
This e-mail was sent by American Society of Plumbing Engineers, located at American Society of Plumbing Engineers 2980 S. River Road Des Plaines, Illinois (United States) 60018 847-296-0002, Fax: 847-296-2963 To receive no further e-mails, please click here or reply to this e-mail with "unlist" in the Subject line.


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- Manufacturer: Kuryakyn
Küryakyn Pro-R Hypercharger
The Hypercharger has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the performance minded rider. Taking what we've learned from Mike Roland's testing & development of our Wild Things Performance® Products & the combined efforts of our talented design staff, this is without a doubt thebest flowing Hypercharger we have ever produced.There are no sacrifices with the Pro-R Hypercharger, the frontal opening is huge & the vacuum operated butterflies allow for almost unrestricted airflow to the filter under high-load riding situations. In addition the outer cover features an incorporated scoop to direct air into a high-flow, washable foam filter element paired to one of the best flowing K&N filter elements on the market. And thanks to the carefully designed interior shapes, air flow is smooth & precise, delivering maximum power. Complete with mounting hardware & crankcase breather kits.
Installation Instructions - 9465
Manufacturer Part Number: 9465


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Tropical Storm Isaac has been a thorn in the side of Republicans for a week as it's threatened to disrupt the party's nominating convention in Tampa, which begins on Monday. But as the storm now takes aim at the US mainland, Isaac has managed to, at least for now, chase off one uninvited guest to the GOP party: Vice President Joe Biden.
Mr. Biden's scheduled trip to Tampa on Monday, a bit of political gamesmanship and theater to tweak the Republicans on their big day, was scrapped late Friday as the National Weather Service began issuing hurricane warnings from the Keys to the Panhandle.
The decision came after local law enforcement in Tampa pointed out that the vice president's presence in the city on the eve of the convention would strain already stretched police resources, especially given the storm's approach.
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"This change in schedule is being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure that all local law enforcement and emergency management resources can stay focused on ensuring the safety of people who might be impacted by the storm, as well as those attending the activities in Tampa," read a missive on the White House web page.
Republicans, meanwhile, are moving ahead, buoyed by news that the hurricane's track seems to be moving westward instead of toward Tampa. Even as the storm threatens to grow into a potentially major hurricane over the next few days as it first crosses the Keys and then heads north by northwest into the Gulf, all indications are that the convention is a go.
At the same time, party planners did scurry late into the week to make sure that the basic task of the convention – officially nominating Romney and Ryan – would occur, even if it has to happen by tele- or video-conference in case convention-goers have to flee the coast.
The storm hit Haiti overnight Saturday, battering the disaster-prone island with heavy rains and high winds. That landfall weakened the storm, but forecasters say it's likely to gather strength as it rejoins the warm waters of the Gulf. The likely midweek landfall now ranges from the Panhandle to New Orleans.
News that Biden had plans to hold events in Tampa on Monday roiled Republicans, some of whom called it "bad form."
To be sure, in the good old days, crashing the other party's big parade was considered ungentlemanly. But not today, according to Ross Baker, a Rutgers University political scientist quoted by the Hill's Mike Lillis. Given today's polarized electorate and frenzied media environment, the idea that each party would let the other lay out its plank in peace has become a "quaint code of etiquette" relegated to the last century, Mr. Baker said.
To be sure, the Democrats' arm-waving will go on. President Obama has several big media events scheduled for next week, and Michelle Obama is slotted to be on Letterman the night of Romney's big speech. And Biden may still make it to Tampa, as the White House left his exact plans open and contingent on what the storm does over the next few days.
Last week, Biden made light of his trip when he spoke to national reporters tailing him in Michigan. "Any of you going to Florida?" Biden asked. "I'm the speaker at the convention. I'm going to be down there."
Dispatching Biden to the heart of the opposition camp had the potential to reap rewards, but political observers said it was also a risky move. The voluble Biden was excoriated from myriad corners of the political spectrum – though supported by the Obama campaign – after he recently swayed into a Southern accent and told a largely black Virginia audience that, if elected, Romney and Paul were "gonna put ya'll in chains." Critics said it was an obvious allusion to slavery, but Biden's aides said it referred to Romney's plans for banking regulations.
Of course, Republicans have set up their own "war room" in Charlotte, N.C., ahead of the Democratic National Convention, but have not said whether they'll dispatch someone as high profile as Biden to crash that party. Four years ago, Romney himself traveled to Denver and spoke at an event there – a breakfast sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor – as the Democrats began nominating Obama and Biden for the presidency.
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