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Some of my earliest memories of Star Wars fandom are of searching my local comic book store for trade paperbacks of X-Wing: Rogue Squadron. Huge book stores were still in vogue back in the nineties, so odds were good that the only thing between me and whichever novel I’d decided to read next for my Great Bantam Catch-Up of ’97-’99 was a quick trip to Media Play or Borders. Catching up on the comics was another matter—something “mainstream” like Dark Empire wasn’t too hard to track down, but there were at least six trade collections of XWRS already in print by the time I got around to it, and a couple more on the way—and that’s not counting the first story arc, The Rebel Opposition, which wasn’t collected until the first XWRS Omnibus several years later.
For sixteen-year-old me, just figuring out which TPB came next was something of a challenge; actually finding the damned thing in tiny little Seeley & Kane’s a couple blocks from my house was far more uncertain. I eventually managed, of course, but if those trades hadn’t been out there, I’d have stood virtually no chance of finding the original issues, meaning I wouldn’t have had another shot at reading the series until the aforementioned Omnibus set much, much later.
All this is to say that it’s incredibly heartening to see the announcement this week of Marvel’s first Star Wars “Epic Collection” TPB, including much of Dark Horse’s post-Revenge of the Sith material, some of which is less than a couple years old. Regardless of the Legends banner on the front, Dark Horse’s Star Wars catalog includes some of—no, many of—the best SW stories ever told, and I’m thrilled to know that the comics license changing hands doesn’t mean new generations of fans will lose access to that material; at least not all of it. » Read more..
Computer Generated Imagery or, as it’s better known, CGI gets a huge amount of flak from just about everyone. It may have revolutionized filmmaking, it may have opened the doors to unrealized dreams for directors but none of that stops it from getting a regular royal kicking! Now why is that? I am inclined to suggest it is a combination of factors – lazy thinking and fool filmmakers. Together, these two factors form an unholy alchemy into a destructive firestorm of criticism that never fails to repeatedly roast CGI.
First then: Lazy thinking. The charge made against CGI is that it is lazy and unimaginative. This is the sort of charge anyone could come up, no matter their state of being. Drunk as a skunk? You can still slur that CGI is lazy. High as a kite? Hey man, I may be lazing here stoned but it takes a laze to know a laze and that CGI is a laze! This charge falls apart the instant it hits reality. Here’s the world of CGI as the accusers would like it:
CGI Data Monkey hits Run on his computer panel, goes down the pub for a swift couple of pints, comes back a couple of hours later and blam! Work’s done. » Read more..
As I’ve mentioned, well, repeatedly at this point, I’m unusual among my generation (and certainly among people with Star Wars websites) in that I didn’t really grow up with Star Wars. My first exposure to the original trilogy was the release of the Special Editions, at which point I was already almost 15. I have no memories of the films correlating with my early development, my understanding of narrative, or my appreciation of science fiction and/or fantasy. In fact, I’m still not really into sci-fi and fantasy to the extent that many SW fans are.
No, growing up, my thing was superheroes. My earliest genre memories are of the original Ninja Turtles cartoon in the eighties, which led to Spider-Man and X-Men in the nineties, which led to buying actual comics around 1995, which I’ve been collecting pretty much ever since.
But despite my natural affinity for Marvel properties, the genre throughline from childhood all the way to my college years was the DC Animated Universe. I was ten when the first episode of Batman: The Animated Series debuted in 1992, and I still remember it vividly all these years later—because that episode, spearheaded by visionaries Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, ended up ushering in an expansive new DC continuity that lasted more than a decade in animated form, and technically continues in comics form to this day. From Batman to Superman to Batman Beyond to Justice League (with the occasional Static Shock and Zeta Project thrown in for good measure), Dini, Timm, and others built a shared universe rivaling its comic-book predecessor (and in my opinion, often surpassing it in quality), developing disparate elements—and, crucially, voice actors—from series to series and era to era in a way that imbued each new story with a weight that’s rarely seen in children’s television. The DCAU taught me what expansive, long-form storytelling could do, and I owe my appreciation of continuity in Star Wars to that example. Here are some of its other lessons. » Read more..
When I’m not thinking about Yuuzhan Vong, Sith Lords, or Force philosophy, I’m probably thinking about blood elves. In other words, World of Warcraft. The Warcraft franchise spans three real-time-strategy games, one MMO that is still the definition of the genre, and quite a few spin-off novels and comics. The Warcraftverse is starting to enter the cultural lexicon more and more, and for a game celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, it still has quite the audience.
Warcraft has plenty of things to offer other media, especially since as a franchise it’s rife with pop culture references. It’s an expansive world whose unexplored corners, plot holes, and possibilities for expansion echo those of Star Wars. As something of the definition of its genre and a mishmash of references and ideas, it has much of the worldbuilding feel of Star Wars. There has been much discussion over the last few years about whether Warcraft is a dying franchise, but it certainly doesn’t feel dead to those of us who lose $15 a month and much of our free time to it. No other MMO has been able to knock it off its pedestal, despite quite a bit of effort (even from SWTOR). It’s successfully navigated many years and quite a few different markets, and has much to offer to other massive media franchises. » Read more..
What would Star Wars be without John Williams? The opening blast of horns, percussion and strings in the Star Wars theme is one of the most iconic moments in all of cinema. The music score for the film we now know as Episode IV: A New Hope has more than stood the test of time, being named #1 on the American Film Institute’s list of the all-time best movie scores, and each successive entry in the series only added to that legacy. Songs like the Cantina Theme, the Imperial March, Duel of the Fates and Battle of the Heroes are hummed across the world by hardcore fans and casual moviegoers alike. The series’ collective soundtrack ranks with the most iconic and influential film scores of all time.
You don’t have to rely on imagination to wonder what Star Wars would be without its soundtrack. If you watch the first trailer cut for the first film, you see iconic scenes from the Death Star escape and the cantina fight unfold in almost complete silence aside from a stock synthesized beat. It’s an eerie experience. John Williams gave the Star Wars films a sound that is at once classic and distinctive, filled with blaring trumpets, shouting horns, soaring violins, humming cellos, pounding drums and crashing cymbals. His work is a substantial part of what has made the films such icons of pop culture for the last four decades. » Read more..

domain: hobby


text: High-throughput phenotypic displays possess re-emerged as testing equipment in antibiotic finding. high-throughput testing (HTS) possess accelerated medication discovery, to be able to test an incredible number of substances for antimicrobial activity in weeks instead of years. Because of this many fresh molecules have already been found out by whole-cell phenotypic testing campaigns and released because of the potent inhibitory activity. Certainly, the first fresh TB medication, Bedaquiline (brand SirturoTM, previously TMC207) to get FDA authorization since 1971, was initially named a potential anti-TB substance inside a whole-cell phenotypic HTS marketing campaign. SirturoTM, an associate from the diarylquinoline (DARQ) family members, was defined as an inhibitor of HDAC-42 both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant GuaB1 (Rv1843c), GuaB2 (Rv3411c) and GuaB3 (Rv3410c)10,11. The pace restricting two-step catalysis of IMP to XMP transformation by IMPDH needs nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) like a cofactor, that is 1st decreased to NADH by way of a dehydrogenation response, developing an intermediate covalent relationship between IMPDH and XMP, accompanied by a hydrolysis response that breaks the covalent connection and produces XMP12. GuaB2 may be the just catalytically energetic and important IMPDH demonstrated by transposon site hybridization (Garbage) to be needed for viability of had been proven to inhibit GuaB2. An over-expresser centered MIC change analysis was carried out to validate the prospective in along with a 16-fold upsurge in MIC (0.5C8?g.ml?1) was observed13. You can find three unique classes of IMPDH inhibitors, type I inhibitors are IMP or XMP analogues, type II inhibitors are NAD+/NADH analogues, whereas type III are muti-substrate inhibitors17. These DPU substances were specified as type III, plus a HDAC-42 series of substances identified inside a display of commercially obtainable molecules HDAC-42 which focus on mycobacterial GuaB2. In this situation, the business lead molecule, 7759844, exhibited high potency having a Ki 0.603?M and MIC of 0.633?g.ml?1, however displayed toxicity Ptprc inside a chronic mouse model18. Many crystal constructions of GuaB2 from possess recently been decided in complicated with substrate, item and cofactors plus a number of fresh substances with anti-mycobacterial activity19,20,21. This improved knowledge of the biophysics of GuaB2 inhibition may be used for medication discovery as well as for the evaluation of newly found out anti-mycobacterial substances targeting GuaB2. Carrying out a high-throughput resistance-based phenotypic display utilizing a GuaB2 over-expressing stress of BCG, we present 7 fresh inhibitors of GuaB2, and their following biochemical and evaluation. These diverse substances contribute to an evergrowing pool of GuaB2 inhibitors, laying a basis for another therapeutic chemistry optimisation programs and acceleration of GuaB2 as another anti-tubercular medication target. Results Recognition and validation of book inhibitors of GuaB2 Right here we present 7 book inhibitory substances focusing on GuaB2. These substances have been provided the identifier JAGC_1 to JAGC_7, respectively. The chemical substance structures of every of these substances receive in Fig. 1(a) and information on their chemical substance data are offered in Supplementary Desk 1. Open up in another window Physique 1 (a) Recently identified anti-mycobacterial substances that target the fundamental inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, GuaB2 (JAGC_1C7). These substances have been recognized inside a target-based HTS using BCG over-expressing GuaB2 from Chemical substance structures from the DPU substances (DPU-1-3) will also be shown (boxed)13. Information on the chemical substance data for JAGC_1C7 is usually offered in Supplementary Desk 1. (b) Graph illustrating the difference in XC50 (substance concentration necessary to inhibit cell viability by 50%) of every substance against BCG pMV261 and BCG pMV261-BCG over-expressing the fundamental IMPDH, against a GSK 10,000 substance assortment of known inhibitors of (the TB Package arranged)22. A commercially obtainable luciferase reporter assay was utilized to measure cell viability of every stress following seven days of incubation with each one of the TB Package arranged at 1 and 10?M inside a 1536-well file format. Hits were recognized based on change in obvious inhibition (determined as % inhibition of BCG pMV261 (vacant plasmid) % inhibition of BCG pMV261-[centered upon duplicate data]), leading to 256 substances that were additional selected to become tested inside a dosage response manner. Substances were analysed utilizing a serial dilution from 10?mM to 0.17?nM against BCG HDAC-42 pMV261 and BCG pMV261-The percentage inhibition at each focus.

domain: chemistry


Purpose-built to exceed your expectations, our all-new Aero Leggings are another step forward in our commitment to head-turning design and impressive performance. Constructed using the exceptional yarns found in our R6 Revival Range, you’ll find all of the flexibility, stretch, and softness you expect from a top-drawer legging here. Intricate mesh and ribbing details are found throughout the quads, shins, calves and glute area to accentuate and contour your curves, while the tapered high-set waistband flatters your physique even further. Our ultimate seamless legging has arrived.
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Materials & Washing Directions:
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Semi-sheer at full stretch (a natural occurrence with lighter colors)
If you feel bashful in lighter colors, we’d recommend opting for a darker colorway
Model is wearing size small and is 5’5”, 130 pounds, with 36” hips.


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[Editor's Note: Ryan Ritchie is one of our talented music scribes at the Weekly. He's also in a local punk band called the Heathens who just toured Japan. This is the third and final part of his crazy tour diary.]
December 2, 2013
No show today, but we attended the going-away party at the Moon Cafe, a diner run by Mooneyes--a legendary SoCal custom racing brand. There was free barbecue, but nothing was vegan, so I drank Chu-Hi and ate potato chips.
I made friends with a guy named Corner from Sweden and two couples from Rome. Everyone was very cool and for the first time I found myself wanting to return next year not just as a musician but as a person with new friends.
By the time we assembled outside the cafe for a group shot, I was drunk. See also: The Heathens Tour Diary, Pt.1: OC Punks Encounter Japanese Bidets The Heathens Tour Diary, Pt. 2: We're Kinda Big in JapanMore »

domain: artistic


Tiff is shooting all the babies this week. And the bumps. So many bumps. Cait is sleepy and was worried about Tiff shooting babies until she remembered that she is talking about a camera, and now we are cool again. Cait is just back in Tucson for a minute before the move to LA, and wrangling all the avocados possible.
How to get featured in a street style blog during Fashion Week? Easy.
Ugh, Tiff’s PM is the cutest. Wait for the slow-mo “sorry.”
A great read that really pulled it all together for me on the cultural appropriation debate.
I am going to watch all of this, so hard. #teamremini
Mark Duplass’ TIFF advice for bootstrapping it to success in the film industry. So good.
Good to know that we will all be fine. #bradgzit? Will that pick up?
Learning about this word really helped me get all my crap together over the past week.
I am on this tumblr all the time, and this is one of my favorites.
Kerry Washington is everything I want to be.


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Dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives (esters and anhydrides) have been used as acylating agents in lipase-catalyzed reactions in organic solvents. The synthetic outcomes have been dimeric or hybrid derivatives of bioactive natural compounds as well as functionalized polyesters.
Keywords: biocatalysis; dicarboxylic acids; lipase; polyesters; regioselectivity
The finding that enzymes can work in organic solvents has significantly expanded the scope of preparative scale biocatalyzed transformations [1-4]. An uncountable number of reports have been published on this topic since the eighties of the last century, the vast majority of them dealing with the synthetic exploitation of hydrolases [5,6].
It was found that reactions that are thermodynamically unfavorable in water, like esterifications, transesterifications (transacylations) and amidations, can be efficiently catalyzed by lipases and proteases in organic solvents. Moreover, both substrates and acylating agents’ scope could be significantly expanded. Lipases, whose natural substrates are fatty acid triglycerides, and proteases, enzymes acting on peptides and proteins, were found to be able to catalyze, i.e., the esterifications of sugars and steroids, using acylating agents different from simple aliphatic acids [7-9]. Specifically, years ago Dordick and coworkers proposed the so-called ‘combinatorial biocatalysis’ as an approach to easily produce small libraries of derivatives of bioactive natural compounds using a panel of different acylating agents and hydrolases [10-12].
Among the great number of investigated acyl donors, activated esters of dicarboxylic acids have been found to be particularly versatile for the production of bifunctionalized compounds. As it will be discussed in the following paragraphs, these molecules have allowed the synthesis of dimeric or hybrid derivatives of bioactive natural compounds as well as the biocatalyzed production of functionalized polyesters.
In most of the biocatalyzed transesterification reactions, ‘activated’ esters are usually employed in order to make the reactions irreversible thanks to the release of alcohols that are poor nucleophiles (halogenated derivatives of ethanol, vinyl or isopropenyl alcohol) [13-15]. This has been also the case with several reports on the use of dicarboxylic acid derivatives.
Accordingly, vinyl diesters (1) and trifluoroethyl diesters (2) have been synthesized following standard procedures . Moreover, succinic (3) and glutaric anhydride (4) could be used as acylating agents in controlled biocatalyzed reactions (Scheme 1) [17,18].
Natural products are traditionally classified into groups of substances (terpenes, alkaloids, amino acids, lipids, etc), depending on their biosynthetic origin and on their chemical and structural features [19-21]. The complex structures of most of these molecules along with the presence of multiple functional groups make their chemical manipulation difficult. This inherent “fragility” makes biocatalysis an attractive method for their derivatization. Specifically, glycosides and polyhydroxylated compounds can be selectively acylated at specific hydroxy groups by the action of an activated ester in the presence of a suitable hydrolase in organic solvents [22,23].
Different authors have shown that activated dicarboxylates are also accepted as acyl donors by these enzymes. As an example, Figure 1 shows the products obtained using divinyl adipate in the esterification of the antineoplastic antibiotics mithramycin (5) catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A) and chromomycin A3 (6) catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) . In another report a series of mono-substituted troxerutin esters (7a) were synthesized by action of the alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis on 7 . The carboxyacetyl (malonyl) derivative of some flavonoid glycosides (i.e., 8b) and of ginsenoside Rg1 (9b) could be obtained with two-step sequences. The preliminary CAL-B catalyzed acylations of 8 with dibenzyl malonate and of 9 with bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)malonate to give the mixed malonyl derivatives 8a and 9a, respectively, were followed either by a palladium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of the benzyl moiety to give 8b , or by a selective chemical removal of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol with Zn/AcOH to give 9b .
More recently, symmetric diesters have been synthetized exploiting both the activated extremities of divinyl carboxylates.
C6-dicarboxylic acid diesters derivatives of the thiazoline of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG-thiazoline, 10a,b, Figure 2) were prepared and their inhibitor activities towards fungal β-N-acetylhexosaminidase evaluated .
Similarly, dimers of sylibin (11a,b, Figure 3) and dehydrosylibin, obtained by Novozyme 435-catalyzed acylation with the divinyl esters of dodecanedioc acid, were evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity .
The obvious hypothesis related to the synthesis of these compounds was that a dimer should be more bioactive than a monomer, but this was not always the case [28,29].
According to a pioneering paper Dordick linked glucose to paclitaxel with divinyl adipate in a two-step biocatalyzed acylation . As shown in Scheme 2, the protease thermolysin catalyzed the regioselective acylation of the side chain of paclitaxel (12) to give the 2’-vinyl adipate 12a in 60% isolated yields. Novozyme 435-catalyzed elaboration of this intermediate allowed either to hydrolyze the residual vinyl ester to give the carboxyl derivative 12b (reaction performed in acetonitrile containing 1% H2O v/v) or to link it to a sugar, like glucose to give the hybrid compound 12c (reaction performed in dry acetonitrile containing glucose). Both derivatives were significantly more soluble in aqueous solutions than the parent compound 12.
A similar approach was followed later on by Lin and coworkers, who described the enzymatic esterification of the nucleoside 5-fluorouridine (13) and of other polyhydroxylated bioactive molecules with divinyl esters of dicarboxylic acids [31-35]. The monovinyl esters obtained (i.e., 13a) were then used either to acylate monosaccharides (i.e., galactose to give 13b) in order to increase the solubility of the parent compounds in aqueous solutions (Figure 4) or as co-monomers in radical (AIBN)-catalyzed polymerizations (see next paragraph).
In recent years linking different bioactive molecules with suitable dicarboxylic acids to prepare hybrid compounds has been receiving more and more attention. The interest is due to the fact that these new substances might show additive activities , having improved properties or efficacies compared to the combined use of the respective two parent compounds. This is the so-called ‘dual drug’ strategy [37-41]. For instance [40,41], an increased capacity of inhibiting endothelial cell differentiation and migration (key steps of the angiogenic process) was observed as well as a marked ability to inhibit the polymerization of tubulin in vitro. The same methodology might be applied to direct a drug by conjugation to a molecule binding to a specific receptor on cancer cells. Moreover, by using dicarboxylated linkers with a disulfide bridge, it was possible to generate dynamic libraries of dimeric hybrids based on disulfide exchange reactions in vivo [42,43].
All of these compounds were synthesized by (sometimes troublesome) chemical protocols requiring accurate control of the reaction conditions and several protection/deprotection steps. This is avoided using a biocatalyzed approach, as it has been shown exploiting once again the well-known efficiency, selectivity and versatility of CAL-B (Novozyme 435) . As in the previous examples, the mixed esters from the first esterification step can be used as acylating agents in the second esterification step. Scheme 3 shows the synthesis of the hybrid compounds 17 and 18, obtained by linking together a steroid (cortisone, 14) and an alkaloid (colchicoside, 15; thiocolchicoside, 16). Worth of notice the use, among others, of activated esters of dithio-dicarboxylic acids, in 18.
More recently Kren and coworkers have synthesized hybrid dimeric antioxidants 23–25 based on the conjugation of an acylated sylibin derivative (19) with L-ascorbic acid (20), tyrosol (21) and trolox alcohol (22) (Scheme 4) . These compounds proved to have excellent electron donor, antiradical, antioxidant as well as cytoprotective abilities.
Moreover, in a different research area, studying the supramolecular behavior of bolaamphiphile molecules, it has been reported that polyhydroxylated compounds linked via a dicarboxylic chain (like the symmetric vitamin C-based bolaamphiphile 26, L,L) give origin to regular structures . The previously described biocatalyzed approach allowed the synthesis of an asymmetric dimer combining L-ascorbic acid and D-isoascorbic acid (27, L,D), which behaved significantly differently in terms of supramolecular structure when compared to the symmetric dimers 26 (L,L) and 28 (D,D) (Figure 5) .
More recently, Gross and coworkers have described the synthesis of “sweet silicones” by Novozyme 435-catalyzed formation of ester bonds between organosilicon carboxylic diacids and the primary OH’s of 1-O-alkyl glucopyranosides .
The interest in the biocatalyzed synthesis of polyester started at the very beginning of the use of lipases in organic solvents. In 1984 Okumura et al.  produced oligomers of several dicarboxylic acids (C6 to C14) in combination with several diols (C2 and C3). Since then the use of lipase-catalyzed preparation of polymers has grow very much and has been reviewed many times (see for example Zang et al. , Kobayashi and Makino , Gross et al. ). Nowadays lipases are not only used to achieve simple polycondensation reactions, but are exploited due to their chemo-, stereo- and enantioselectivity. In addition, they are seen as environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polymerization methods .
Binns et al. summarized the attempts to scale up synthesis of polyesters by enzyme catalyzed polycondensation of adipic acid and hexane-1,6-diol in a very well-worth reading article . They discussed the very slow progress in achieving high molecular weight polymers and concluded that removal of the leaving group, water, to draw the equilibrium towards polymerization, and the reversal nature of lipase catalysis are two main obstacles. Others have pointed out the latter also . Often a two-step procedure has been used, an initial polymerization to achieve oligomers followed by a second step at higher temperature and/or lower pressure. The synthesis of oligomers and short telechelics (oligomers with functionalized ends) avoids much of the problems and afford better reaction rates.
Yang et al. polymerized ethyl glycolate with diethyl sebacate and 1,4-butandiol. For this, they used CAL-B in a two step synthesis, started at a low vacuum and then increased the vacuum to drive the reaction to completion . The dicarboxylic acid and the diol were employed in equal molar amounts, while the amount of ethyl glycolate was varied. Polymers with a high molecular weight (12–18000 Dalton) were obtained (Figure 6). Nano particles of the polymer were used for a controlled slow release of the drug doxorubicin (29) trapped in this material.
Bhatia et al. used Novozyme 435 to make polymers from functionalized pentofuranose derivatives (i.e, 30) and PEG-600 dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester . The obtained polymers formed supramolecular aggregates with diameters between 120 and 250 nm, which were able to encapsulate Nile red (31) that was used as a model of a drug compound (Figure 7).
Copolymers containing disulfide groups in the main chain were synthesized from 3,3´-dithiodipropionic acid dimethyl ester in combination with pentadecalactone and 1,4-butandiol (Figure 8) . When MeO-PEG-OH was used as chain terminator amphiphilic copolymers were formed. The hydrophobicity of the polymer could easily be changed by the content of the lactone. The copolymers had low toxicity and formed aggregates that could be used as nano-containers of drugs. Reduction of the disulfides caused swelling of the aggregates and fast release of incorporated drugs.
An early attempt to use dicarboxylic acids with an additional functional group was done by Wallace and Morrow . They used the activated 2,2,2-trichloroethyl diester of (±)-3,4-epoxyadipic acid. The stereoselectivity of porcine pancreatic lipase discriminated between the two enantiomers and afforded the chiral (−)-polyester with molecular weight of 7900 Dalton (Figure 9).
Yang et al. compared the polymerization of glycerol and a diacid derivative of oleic acid catalyzed by dibutyltin oxide and Novozyme 435 (Figure 10) . Dibutyltin oxide catalysis resulted in cross-linking and gel formation. This was not observed by enzyme catalysis, presumably due to steric hindrance which may be imposed by the active site of the enzyme.
Symmetrical long-chain (C18, C20 and C26) unsaturated or epoxidized dicarboxylic acids were polycondensated with 1,3-propanediol or 1,4-butanediol using CAL-B . At high temperature (70 °C) a number of polyester combinations could be synthesized. Propandiol afforded polymers with rather moderate molecular weights (2000–3000 Dalton), while with butandiol polyesters with higher molecular weights (8000–12000 Dalton) were obtained. Interestingly, the polymers carried functional groups in the chain that could be used for further modifications.
For polymer synthesis involving environmentally benign chemicals the building blocks succinic acid, itaconic acid (34, Figure 11) and butanediol are very attractive. The methylene group in itaconic acid is interesting as a handle for second polymerization or derivatization, but causes steric and reactivity problems in lipase catalysis. Anyhow, Jiang et al. were able to synthesize polyesters with a mix of the two acids used as dimethyl esters. The yield was acceptable if the reaction was run in diphenyl ether and the ratio of itaconate did not exceed 30% . The authors discussed the consequences of the low reactivity of itaconic acid in relation to polymer growth. Another dicarboxylic acid carrying an additional functional group is malic acid (35, Figure 11). Yao et al. used (L)-malic acid and adipic acid in different ratios to be polymerized with 1,8-octanediol in a reaction catalyzed by CAL-B . The yield depended on the choice of organic solvent, with isooctane being the best one. Using 10% of enzyme by weight compared to total amount of monomers, molecular sieves to trap the produced water and working at 70 °C, high molecular weight polymers were isolated after 48 h. This was a good example, showing that the selectivity of the lipase-driven polymerization using only the primary alcohols of the diol, and not the secondary hydroxy group of malic acid.
A few years earlier Kato et al. showed that both enantiomers of dimethyl 2-mercaptosuccinate and 1,6-hexanediol were polymerized by CAL-B, while other lipases failed to give long polymers . In the same article the authors showed that only the (L)-enantiomer of dimethyl malate afforded polymers. A racemate of malate esters gave only short polymers; showing nicely that efficient polymerization of diacids can only be achieved with carboxylic groups of similar reactivity. The poly(hexanediol-2-mercaptosuccinate) could be oxidized by air in DMSO to form a cross-linked insoluble material (Figure 12). In a subsequent paper, the same laboratory prepared different mercaptosuccinate polymers with several diols. In addition they showed that the material cross-linked by air oxidation could be reversibly reduced by tributylphosphine to recover the reduced soluble polymer .
In a recent review, Khan et al. summarized the synthesis of polymers based on C-5-substituted isophthalates (36, Figure 13) and diols . Using hydroxy or amine groups at C-5 afforded polymers, which could be further modified by chemical means. The synthesized products can find a wide range of applications such as drug/gene delivery systems, flame retardant materials, conducting polymers, controlled release systems, diagnostic agents, and polymeric electrolytes for nano-crystalline solar cells.
Curcumin (37) was converted to a diester using ethyl α-bromoacetate. The formed diester was copolymerized with PEG using CAL-B (Figure 14). The final product was an effective activator of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) several times better than the free curcumin . The curcumin diester was used in a second polymer synthesis with carbinol (hydroxy) terminated polydimethylsiloxane catalyzed by CAL-B . The curcumin moiety retained its fluorescence properties without quenching in thin films prepared from the polymer. Films exposed to low concentrations of vapors of the explosives DNT and TNT absorbed the explosives and the fluorescence was quenched. Therefore, it was proposed that the films can be used as sensors for these explosives.
Frampton et al. synthesised a polyester from the dimethyl ester of 1,3-bis(3-carboxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane and 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (Figure 15) using CAL-B. They obtained the polymers as colorless viscous liquids after evaporation of ether used to extract the polymer from the enzyme beads .
The use of diols with additional reactive groups opens up the possibility to synthesize a number of functionalized polymers. For instance, Müller and Frey used 3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane in different blends with 1,8-octanediol and sebacic acid to get polymers with a varied content of oxetane groups (Figure 16). Oxetane is a very acid sensitive moiety, but the mild conditions for enzyme catalysis afforded nice polymers. The obtained polymers could be cross-linked by UV light in the presence of the solid photoinitiator Iracure 270 to form hard films .
Several poly(amine-co-ester)s were synthesized directly from dicarboxylic acid diesters and N-alkyl- or N-phenyldiethanolamines. High molecular weights polymers were obtained in a two step procedure catalyzed by CAL-B . Specifically, the obtained polymers from sebacic acid (Figure 17, x = 7) and N-methyl- or N-ethyldiethanolamine proved to form good nanometer-sized complexes with DNA, useful for efficient DNA delivery in gene therapy.
Mexiletine (38) was incorporated into amphiphilic poly(amine-co-ester)s through a two-step lipase catalyzed procedure. Firstly, racemic mexiletine was used in a biocatalyzed kinetic resolution to form the amide with pure (R)-amide with methyl 3-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)propanoate. The formed diol was mixed with an equal molar amount of divinyl sebacate and lipase as a catalyst, after some time methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) was added to react with the remaining vinyl carboxylates to give an amphiphilic polymer. This product self-assembled into nanometer-scale-sized particles in water and could be used for drug delivery (Figure 18) .
A few years earlier the same authors used the same principle to synthesize amphiphilic mPEG-block-poly(profenamide-co-ester) copolymers that self-assembled in water and could be used for drug release . As a follow up the same laboratory used triethanolamine and different dimethyl esters of linear dicarboxylic acids to synthesize hyperbranched polymers. With a very high load of CAL-B (20% weight compared to triethanolamine), a long incubation time at 85 °C, and 1–2 mmHg pressure the hyperbranched polymers were isolated .
Several high molecular weight poly(amide-co-ester)s were prepared in a three-step procedure. Significantly high molecular weights were achieved by first reacting pentadecalactone with equal molar amounts of linear diamines. The formed amides, containing one terminal hydroxy and one terminal amino moiety, were further reacted with diethyl sebacate to form high molecular weight poly(amide-co-ester)s with a repetitive pattern of amide and ester bonds (Figure 19) .
The problem of high molecular weights in lipase-catalyzed polyamide synthesis using dicarboxylic acids and diamines has been discussed in several articles. The slow catalytic rate and the insolubility of the formed polymers are two main obstacles. The rate problem was addressed by Poulhès et al. who used an α-oxy diacid derivative (Figure 20), obtaining higher reaction rates, but, unfortunately, lower molecular weights . The observed rate enhancement was presumably an effect of transition state stabilization for the nitrogen inversion in the presence of an oxygen atom in the proximity of the forming amide bond .
Several authors have discussed the difficulty of obtaining high molecular weight polyesters by lipase catalysis. This problem can be circumvented by the synthesis of telechelics, oligomers with functional ends. The synthesis of oligomers avoids the precipitation of polymers during the synthesis. The functional ends of the telechelics can be used in a second step for polymerisation or crosslinking without the lipase. By exploiting the substrate selectivity of lipases it is possible to obtain well-defined telechelics in a one-pot, or even one-step reaction.
In 1997 Uyama et al. were the first to produce telechelic polyesters from the monomers divinyl sebacate and 12-dodecanolide by lipase PF catalysis. By using 2–3% of the divinyl ester a mixture of telechelic polyesters carrying carboxylic acid ends was achieved . The mixture was probably a result of uncontrolled water content in the incubation. Eriksson et al. used CAL-B to obtain well-defined telechelics in a one-pot polycondensation. The backbone of the telechelics was built from ethylene glycol and divinyl adipate. Specific degrees of polymerisation (4, 8 and 13) were reached by terminating the process with the addition of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Well-defined telechelics with more than 90% methacrylate ends were used directly in film formation, without any other purification than filtering off the immobilized lipase (Figure 21). The telechelics were either homopolymerized or polymerized in combination with a tetrathiol cross-linker to form strong films under UV irradiation .
In a similar approach the same research group synthesized the telechelic tetraallyl ether-poly(butylene adipate) (Figure 22). Each telechelic molecule carried four allyl ether groups, which allowed extensive crosslinking using thiolene chemistry with dithiols or tetrathiols .
Through a combination of lipase-catalyzed condensation and ring-opening polymerisation oligomers of pentadecalactone and adipic acid were terminated by glycidol (Figure 23). By changing the stoichiometry of the building blocks, telechelics of different controlled molecular weights could be obtained, which readily polymerized to form films after filtering off the enzyme. The properties of the films depended on the fraction of pentadecalactone and crosslinking density .
In this short review it has been discussed the synthetic potential of dicarboxylic esters in biocatalyzed reactions. Literature examples related to polyesters are significantly more numerous. Nevertheless, as it has been shown in the initial paragraphs, this methodology allows also the facile synthesis of hybrid derivatives of natural compounds with modified physical–chemical properties (i.e., increased water solubility, different supramolecular behavior) and with possible synergic biological activities.


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First things first, tonight. Let’s get this past weekend behind us with both the Nationwide, soon to be Xfinity, or X-lax, or X Racing, whatever. I watched that race from Richmond Friday night and have to say it was one of the most boring races I have ever watched and not because Kyle Busch led every lap and virtually ran away from the field on each restart. It was simply not what I had come to expect from a short track, much less from Richmond. The Richmond facility is usually known for putting on a good show but the Friday night event was not one of those. I already had my finger on the "tv off" button of the remote when Kyle came off turn four heading for the checkers. The instant the checkers waved, my television was off. I had absolutely no desire to see his post race celebration, especially after watching the total ass he has made of himself the past three or four weeks when losing, virtually every time through his own errors. Hope he feels good that he was able to take that race Friday night. Congratulations, cry baby Busch, guess you didn’t need the Kleenex this time.
Now, fast forward to Saturday night and the Cup race. This time it was my favorite, Brad Kesolowski virtually stinking up the show. Other than 17 laps that Kevin Harvick was able to lead, Bad Brad led the entire race and really had no competition, even with the well-timed debris cautions which magically seemed to appear just as Danica needed them. No accusing here, just saying it sure worked in her favor. Anyway, with that win, his fourth of the season, Brad was able to put himself in the number one spot for this upcoming Chase for the next ten races. I was discussing the lack of good racing with several of my racing friends today (Sunday) and we all agreed that with commercials thrown in every 12 to 20 laps, it was difficult to tell whether or not there was really good racing going on. One of my friends, in attendance at the track,(not the guy who climbed the fence) said there was a lot of three and four wide racing back in the pack. I guess the only time we really got to see that was when Brad was coming up on lapped traffic and had to battle through those roadblocks.
Now, at last, we are here. We are about to start The Chase this coming Sunday at Chicagoland. That race, and the two after it, will determine which 12 drivers will advance to the next stage. I am not even going to try to use the terminology NASCAR is using to describe this deal. And we thought WE had the Goat Rodeo!!! Anyway, I will be watching, not to see who does what in The Chase, but just to see the racing. I think I have reached the point that it really doesn’t matter to me which driver NASCAR decides to crown the Champion because it is never going to mean what it did before the first implementation of The Chase.
NASCAR, I do have a suggestion for you about your commercials for that Chase. If "epic" is the only word your spokesman can come up with to describe the event, then you best invest in a good Thesaurus. The only "Epic Battle" that comes to mind when used by NASCAR is the one from the Shrek video game my granddaughter used to force me to play with her every time she was here for a sleepover as a little kid. The deep voice of the game would intone that it was time for an "Epic Battle". For NASCAR to describe this convoluted Chase debacle as an "epic battle" gives me a good laugh, nothing more. Oh, and the part about the drivers carrying "the hopes and dreams of the nation on their shoulders", come on!!!! You’re dreaming NASCAR. You can’t get folks in the stands, your television ratings are lower than the approval rating of Congress and you think this 16 to 12, to 8 to 4 is going to capture an audience. Whomever came up with that has been mixing the NOSE-Picking Energy with the "spinergy" 5 hour. Please give those of us who continue to watch, few though we are, credit for a little intelligence.
Now please allow me to go to a very special part of tonight’s Legendtorial. When I was at the J.B. Day event in June, both Harvey Tollison and Joe Cawley asked me to attend the next meeting of the Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society as they prepared for the upcoming 11th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 12th, this coming Friday night. I did go to that meeting, not knowing how I could possibly contribute to a group that has been doing such an outstanding job of recognizing those folks important to the history of the sport in the Augusta area. I did know that Augusta holds a very special place in my heart for several reasons.
First up was the fact that the track was close to home, back in the day, just an hour and 45 minutes down Highway U.S. 1 from Columbia. We made the trip down for almost all the Grand National races. But I especially remember the great build up for the Augusta 510, the race scheduled to be run on the three-mile, 21 turn road course on November 17, 1963. Of all the races I had been able to attend, from the quarter-mile dirt tracks to the 2.5 mile Daytona track, I had not had the privilege of seeing a race on a road course. My friends and I were absolutely counting down the hours until we could make that trip down Highway 1 on Sunday morning for the race.
I clearly remember loading up the family car, a black and white 1956 Plymouth Station wagon, with the ice chest, drinks and sandwiches, and my brother Richard, and friends Sam McClary and Jeff Lever made the drive. We had our "Petty Fan Club" flags a-flapping and put one in the wire of the infield fence as soon as we established our parking place on the expansive infield. There was no doubt in our minds that Richard Petty was going to win that day.
The 510 miles was actually scrapped when lap speeds clearly showed they could not complete that distance before dark. Instead, the race was to conclude at 5:00 p.m. by the clock, and the leader at that point was to be the winner. Fred Lorenzen started on the pole but lasted only 11 laps before his Ford suffered engine failure. Other drivers led, but it was Richard Petty staying out front and pulling away for 42 laps before a gear in his Plymouth failed and he limped into the garage area. Marvin Panch took over when Petty parked his Plymouth but Pancho lasted only a few laps before he joined Petty behind the wall. It was then that Fireball Roberts took over and led the last 11 laps to win, becoming the only NASCAR driver at the time to have won twice on a roadcourse track. This would be the last victory for the Fireball as he would suffer what turned out to be fatal injuries in the 1964 World 600. In fact, of the top seven finishers, only Ned Jarrett would be left alive at the end of the 1964 season as Fireball, Joe Weatherly, Dave McDonald, Billy Wade, Jimmy Pardue and Larry Thomas would all be killed in accidents, Thomas being the only one not to occur on a race track.
The Augusta 510 was the ONLY NASCAR event to ever be staged on that track, although there were a couple of sports car events. As I reported in a Forum Post from last year, the footprint of the track is still there and some of the area actually remains paved, though cracked and potholed, and I actually drove around it.
My other special memory of Augusta, this time the half-mile high banked track, was the second race I drove. I had driven my first race on Thursday, August 21, 1969, at Columbia Speedway. Through the kindness of Herbert Corley, I was able to use a trailer to get my Plymouth to Augusta for the Saturday night race on August 23rd. Finished second in the second heat race which gave me outside second row starting position. When the green waved in the feature, the cars on the front row got together slightly and went low leaving the outside high groove open coming out of turn two. I just mashed the gas and went into turn three leading. I actually led seven laps before a fast ’56 Chevy went by me.
This past Saturday, I left Columbia in bright sunshine at 9:00 a.m. heading for Augusta for the final meeting of AIRPS before this weekend’s festivities. About 30 miles from home, I was enveloped in a thick fog that lasted about 20 miles before coming out into a gray and misty rain. That was the scene as I entered the Diamond Lakes Park in Augusta. I was early by 30 minutes so I got out of my car and walked over to the monument erected there to honor the drivers of the Augusta tracks. As I stood there and took in the names on the list for that road course race, my mind whirled in memories of such drivers as Tiny Lund, Curtis Crider, Frank Warren, Wendell Scott, Johnny Allen, Neil Castles, Larry Frank, G.C. Spencer, Roy Tyner, Jack Smith, and Bobby Johns along with the other names making up the 36 car field that day.
I walked over to what was pit road for that race and looked down both ways. As I stood there in the silence, interrupted only by a Mustang that was exercising its engine down the nearby road, it was as though a time machine had transported me back 51 years and I could see that number 22 Ford flashing by heading for the win.
These memories are the reason I will be in Augusta this Friday night as James Bozeman, Robert Hoffman, Bill Oswald, Richard Luther, Jimmy Martin and Fred Lorenzen are all honored by induction into the AIRPS Hall of Fame. To some of you listening tonight, some of those names may not be familiar. It is for that reason that I am dedicated to doing what I can to see that the pioneers of this sport are not forgotten in the modern-day world that seems to have forgotten how to honor the past. Those things are important to me, and obviously important to a number of folks in Augusta.
The banquet Friday night starts at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $20.00 for some fine food and the ceremony. Tickets are limited so if you want to attend, please e-mail me asap (give them the e-mail Bopper) so I can try to hold a ticket in your name. Saturday, at the old track, we are expecting between 70 to 80 race cars and upwards of 100 drivers from the area to appear. Saturday is all free and there will be an autograph session with all those drivers available to sign autographs. No wrist bands and no limit on items you want autographed, just be there. This is going to be a great time for all so I hope to see many of you at least on Saturday.

domain: sports


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Pee pads are a great help for dealing with canines in different situations and ages. For instance, they are perfect for house training a puppy or to deal with a senior dog who needs to “go” frequently. Once you have decided to get wee wee pads for your pup, you must know about their different types. This is important because the selection of the right product can be quite helpful while training.
Washable Potty Pads for Dogs
Many owners prefer to buy disposable pee pads because they are convenient to use. Simply place a pad at a suitable spot, and you can start training your pet to use it. You won’t need to clean them because these pads need to be replaced when they are full.
On the other hand, some people opt to purchase washable pads that can be used multiple times. These eco-friendly alternatives are also ideal for those dog parents who want a cost-efficient solution. Most of these pads can be cleaned easily because they are machine-washable. The following are some of the best washable dog pee pads that you can buy.
Reusable Pee Pad by SincoPet
These super-absorbing pet pads have 4 different layers to ensure utility and comfort. The top layer is made from a 100% polyester surface that provides ultimate comfort to your canine companion. The layer beneath that is responsible for the absorption of the liquid.
It is followed by a waterproof layer that prevents the wee wee from damaging the floor. The last layer of this dog pad is made from an anti-slip material to keep it in place. According to SincoPet, these training pads can hold up to 30 accidents before they will require washing.
These reusable pads are machine washable and can withstand moderate chewing from your pup. Other than indoor potty training, they are also suitable for outdoor use. Their extra-large size makes them suitable for all dog breeds, ranging from Chihuahuas to Great Danes.
Washable Dog Pee Pads by Pet Parents
These premium training pads are made from a specialized fabric that absorbs the urine quickly. Similarly, it can hold more liquid per square inch than any other option in the market. Consequently, these anti-tracking pee pads prevent your pooch from bringing his/her mess with them once they are done.
These puppy pads have excellent washing durability that makes them quite economical than disposable alternatives. The fact that these pads come in a pack of 2 keeps you covered in all situations. Likewise, they are available in a variety of different sizes to accommodate all dog breeds.
You can use these comfortable whelping pads for multiple purposes. In addition to housetraining, they can be used for protecting crates and lining pet carriers during travel. On top of all these features, this product is backed by a 2-year warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee.
Washable Dog Potty Pads by rocket & rex
These puppy pee pads make an ideal alternative for absorbing canine waste and minimizing odor. The quick-drying material is free from harmful chemicals and protects the floor and carpets of your home from tracking. In addition to that, these environment-friendly pads can help you save a lot of money in comparison to disposable ones.
This product contains 4 super-absorbent layers that are made from a certified material to ensure the safety of your pet. These top-quality pads continue to serve their purpose wash after wash. For this reason, you don’t have to worry about the durability of these pads, especially when you are away.
The bone print design of these washable pads encourages your pup to use them. This natural attraction will be quite helpful while you are training your dog. To ensure complete customer satisfaction, rocket & rex offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on this product.
Large Washable Puppy Pad by Simple Solution
Do you want a reliable alternative to disposal training pads? If your answer is YES, this is exactly the product that you need. These washable dog pee pads can hold 10 times more liquid than average pads. Additionally, you won’t have to spend again and again on them because they are reusable. This means that it’s a one-time investment that may continue to perform throughout the training phase.
These large wee wee pads are suitable for all dog breeds. Likewise, their heavy-duty absorbent core doesn’t allow any mess to contaminate the floors or furniture of your home. The slip-resistant bottom also proves quite handy as it prevents the urine from spilling. Lastly, the soft and durable fabric is completely comfortable for your pup that encourages him/her to use these pads.
Washable Wee Wee Pads for Dogs by KOOLTAIL
This training pad is ideal for those dog owners who are seeking a washable pee pad. The large size of this product makes it suitable for canines of all sizes. Whether you own a young puppy of a small breed or an adult dog of a large breed, KOOLTAIL has got you covered.
These 4-layered potty pads provide excellent absorbency and odor control. The top-most layer is made from non-toxic polyester fabric to ensure comfort. The 2nd layer consists of an ultra-absorbent material that holds most of the moisture. Similarly, the third layer is responsible for neutralizing odor and preventing leakage.
This is a really convenient product for busy dog parents because it comes in a pack of 2. Therefore, you always have a pad on hand while the other is in washing.
Please keep in mind that we may receive a small commission when you click our links and make purchases and as an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

domain: pet


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Designs come in a zipped file and insides is a folder with each of the following formtas- pes, vip, dst, hus, jef, xxx, vp3, and exp formats. If you need to contact me, my email is findmeonFBplease [!at] yahoo.com! Emailing directly is usually faster than contacting through etsy! I have hundreds more designs available than listed on etsy, so please email if you are looking for something specific or just want to see everything I've made! You can download your design instantly after payment. If you have any trouble please email me! More design are available on my website bows and clothes period com (no spaces!) or you can email me!
This is done entirely in the hoop, no extra sewing required! This is made for the 5x7 hoop and has velcro on his paws so he stays together. The finished size measures 7 inches tall and 4 1/2 inches wide when laying flat and 4 3/4 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches wide and deep when velcroed together in a sitting position to hold an egg.

domain: design


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Auckland New Zealand Best Western Hotel
Nothing says anything about classic Kiwi holidays like a caravan, but if you don't celebrate Christmas this year, New Zealanders will be forced to live in caravans. There are a lot of high quality motorhome parts and accessories to buy in New Zealand, and there is a wide range of caravan accessories to buy in the New Zealand market. Now leading New Zealand motorhome and caravan manufacturer Ci Motorhome has launched a new series for the legendary Oxford Caravan. This is the latest in a long line of new products from one of the world's largest automakers.
Nearby you will find a wide range of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and restaurants in the city centre. You can fly to New Zealand via Auckland Airport (AKL) or take a bus from there. Auckland International Airport can also be reached directly from any of the major airports.
Albany Lodge is located in Albany, in the heart of the city centre, west of Westfield Auckland City Centre. It includes a wide range of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and restaurants and is located in a variety of locations in and around the CBD. It is also just a short walk from Auckland International Airport (AKL) and you will also find it atop a hill on the east side of Auckland's CBD.
Auckland has a huge harbour and peaceful islands, making it a great blend of city and nature, and the pristine coastline is considered by many to be one of the best views of New Zealand's pristine rainforests, and is just a short walk from Auckland International Airport. The Eden University Auckland Sky Tower is the tallest building in Auckland. Its observation tower marks the centre of downtown Auckland and is surrounded by award-winning restaurants and hotels.
Pullman Melbourne Swanston is the perfect destination for work and play, and the Art Deco architecture of the 1930s is intact. As Auckland is in a shopping area, this hostel is a great place to stay without paying a hotel booking fee. You will certainly consider this hotel to be one of the best Western hotels in New Zealand for your next stay.
Northridge Country Lodge Northridge is located in Waitakere, and Auckland city centre is only 20 minutes away by car or bus. Just a few minutes drive from the motorway, West Auckland uses the Greenheith Bridge to drive to the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 8-10 minutes. Albany Oak Motel is a road trip, so you can turn back anytime to drive back downtown or even further north to North Auckland. This lodge in Albany is located near Albany and is a great destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of the New Zealand capital.
Auckland Intl is only 8 - 6 miles by car or bus from the city centre, and Auckland Intrbe 8.6 miles by bus or car from Auckland Airport.
Australian Business Traveller has reviewed a recent stay and with 229 rooms there is also a 2-star hotel, a 3-star hotel and a 4-star hotel. The average room rate at Auckland Intl Hotel in New Zealand is $118, but this is usually what is considered a similarly rated 4 star hotel in the US and Canada.
By booking your hotel directly with IHG (r), you have access to the affordable rates offered at the nearby Crowne Plaza Auckland. Reward Club points to book an exciting getaway to New Zealand for just $1,000 per night or $2,500 per month for a four-night stay.
Sunny Home Apartments can accommodate up to 6 guests and are equipped with entertainment, cable and flat screen TV. This is a comfortable accommodation with a sun deck, a shared lounge and a large garden. The property is located in the heart of Auckland, New Zealand, just a short drive from the city centre. The lodge is located in a rural setting and is one of the most popular hotels in Auckland and the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
You can reach us at 64 - 9520 - 5509 or contact the motel directly to find vacancies and book accommodations. You can rent a car at the Auckland Airport Rental Desk for an average of $57 per day at any of the Auckland Airport Rental Desks. The average expected journey from Auckland Intl. The New Zealand capital is 17 minutes away, which is the average journey time from New York City to London and London to Sydney. Choose from many of our New NZ motels and get the best deals on hotels, restaurants, accommodation and travel services in Auckland intl and beyond.
In Auckland Intl., motorhomes, motorhomes and rental cars can be rented. Holiday Park Brokers New Zealand is a specialist holiday park broker that helps you buy and sell ready-made holiday parks, cottages, campsites and resorts. Contact a New Zealand estate agent who can help you find the home of your dreams in New Zealand.

domain: geography


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Alma Laprida is an Argentinian artist specialising in Electroacoustic, experimental and field recordings.
I know very little about this artist except what is written on her Facebook page –
As you may know, I try to spotlight the SoundCloud pages of artists. Many but not all, only have their SoundCloud pages as their web presence, especially new or under the radar artists and so this is another means to give a bit of a boost and shine a light on their music. I am also posting tracks from the artist on Twitter and Facebook throughout the week as an Introducing strand.
This weeks’ artist is Buffys I know very little about her except the Soundcloud page description is Budding Composer. I like the eclecticism and hope she will continue to write and record in the future.
Feminatronic has been putting together playlists for some time on different platforms. At first, I used the 8Track format but with the recent changes on that platform, I found that I couldn’t continue to put together the eclectic and wideranging playlists any more. Unfortunately, I had to close that account.
Over the past weeks I have been replicating and creating new playlists directly on Soundcloud. I post these each Monday on Twitter and Facebook, where they are pinned for the week. Here is this weeks playlist inspired by a message I received from the artist Alma Laprida, who provided me with a great list of South American electronic musicians. There is a rich heritage of electronic music creation in that part of the world and this is the first part of my exploration. More to come soon.
Due to technical stupidness ( probably on my behalf) Here is the show –
Jessica Tucker (1989, USA), aka FETTER, is an Amsterdam-based multimedia artist, musician, and producer. With her intimate and layered vocal/electronic music, together with her surreal and playfully strange animation videos and poetry, Tucker’s work expresses a kind of optimistic melancholy. In her recent installation work she deals with themes such as narcissism, insecurity, and the concept of ‘maintaining potential.’ In the past Tucker has also explored through sound, video, installation, and performance, topics such as the paradoxical simultaneity of presence and absence in distanced forms of self-expression, the vulnerability and power of the voice, and the human tendency to conceptualize ‘self’ in terms of abstract spatial relations.


[youtube id=”zi7VSZ1ZCkE”] CherriÂ V’s “Leave Me Be” is re-arranged by Hannah V into a simpler version and given a video. Hannah V’s piano leads the new arrangement and she is joined by musicians on the bass and percussion. “Leave Me Be” is from Cherri’s forthcoming Brown Eyed Soul debut album.
[youtube id=”dAMD7IZ4-so”] British songstress Cherri V has released a lyric video for her latest single “Things You Do.” She is preparing to release her debut album Brown Eyed Soul at the beginning of 2018. “Things You Do” is the third single to come out from the album following “Without You”
Cherri V coined the term “Athazagoraphobia” to describe the feeling of not wanting to be ignored or forgotten. She owns up to a desire for the spotlight like any other ambitious artist on the Athazagoraphobia EP which is her third one. The London singer has previously worked with Jessie J,


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Nava Raipur: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the party is facing several challenges, which it can meet but what is needed is unity, discipline and determination.
In his concluding remarks at the party’s 85th plenary session here, Kharge said the session may be ending but it heralds the beginning of a “new Congress”.
“Today, we have many challenges before us, but none that the Congress cannot deal with. What is needed is unity, discipline and determination. Our strength lies in the strength of the party,” he said.
“Our conduct at the national level will have an impact on crores of party colleagues at every level,” the Congress chief added.
Noting that many things change with time, he said people’s aspirations and expectations change, new challenges emerge, but new ways are also found out.
“That is why it is said that the path of politics and social work never ends. We just have to keep going. Many of our generations have been walking on this path and will continue to do so in the future,” he said.
Will keep questions about Adani, says Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the party will keep asking questions about Gautam Adani till the truth comes out, as he flayed BJP leaders for coming out in support of the industrialist in Parliament.
He also said the party should formulate a new plan to carry forward the “tapasya ” undertaken through the Bharat Jodo Yatra and that he along with the entire country will participate in it, indicating another such initiative.
Launching a strong attack on the government on the Adani issue, he charged that Adani was working against the country by cornering the entire wealth.
“When we asked in Parliament what is the prime minister’s relation with Adani our entire speech is expunged. We will ask in Parliament thousands of times till the truth of Adani ji is out, we will not stop,” he said at the 85th plenary session of the Congress here amid applause.
“I want to tell Adani that his company is ‘hurting’ the country and is ‘snatching the entire infrastructure of country,” the former Congress president charged.
“The battle for the country’s freedom was against one company as it had taken away all wealth and ports etc.,” he said.
“History is being repeated. This is work against the country and if that happens the entire Congress party will stand against it,” he said.
He also said that the party will continue to ask questions on the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani.

domain: news


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This upscale restaurant occupies most of the beautifully appointed establishment near Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, but the main attraction is located in the back of the building at the luxurious piano bar.
This classically decorated and candle-lit bar offers a relaxed and romantic atmosphere, the perfect place to unwind with one of the more than 100 martinis, cosmopolitans and other specialty drinks on the bar menu.
Martini's Piano Bar is a popular spot for happy hour, when martinis are only $5 and other discounts are available on beer, wine, well drinks and select appetizers. Live, softly played piano music is performed nightly to set a calming mood.
Martini's is also a great pre- and post-dinner hangout. Featuring fresh local seafood and prime cuts of beef prepared with a classic Italian twist, Martini's restaurant is one of the top-rated choices on the Grand Strand. But the martini is the centerpiece at Martini's, and these chilled concoctions are designed for those with discriminating and adventurous tastes. The martini is no longer limited to just vodka or gin, vermouth and olives.
Martini's also gets creative with its martini menu, serving them every way from spicy – the Cajun Martini with Absolut Peppar Vodka, a drop of vermouth and jalapeno-stuffed olives – to sweet – the French Martini with Vodka, Chamborde and pineapple juice.
A wide selection of dessert martinis offer something even more tempting to your sweet tooth, like the new Birthday Cake Martinis, the Snickers Bar Martini and the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini. It's like holding a taste party in your mouth. Martini's also offers a broad array of cosmopolitans, including the traditional variety as well as flavored options, such as orange, blueberry and grape. An extensive wine list and beer selection makes sure everyone is happy. Be sure to check out Martini Mondays for discounted martinis and other drinks, including cocktails, cordials, coffees and cold beers.
Happy hour is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, but the party atmosphere goes on all night. Martini's opens at 4:30 p.m. daily with the restaurant closing at 10 p.m. and the piano bar staying open until midnight. The diverse crowds include locals, tourists, golfers and martini-lovers from all walks of life.
Located at 98 Highway 17 South in North Myrtle Beach, Martini's accepts dinner reservations by calling 843-249-1134. For more information, visit the website at www.martinisfinedining.com.

domain: food


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Thessaloniki Family Friendly beaches
Location: 80 km east of Thessaloniki
Description: Asprovalta is a popular tourist resort on the east of Thessaloniki. Although it is quite remoted from the town due to the big distance, it is close to other beautiful places, like Halkidiki and Kavala.
Location: 20 km south of Thessaloniki
Description: Agia Triada is a long, organized beach on the south of Thessaloniki. It is frequently connected to the city centre and has many hotels in the area.
Location: 25 km south of Thessaloniki
Description: Epanomi is a well organised beach to the south of Thessaloniki. It is found between the town and the lovely beach resorts of Halkidiki.
Location: 17 km south of Thessaloniki
Description: This is a beautiful tourist seaside town south of Thessaloniki. Its beach is organized and has vivid nightlife, attracting many locals and tourists. Perea is the closest beach to the airport of Thessaloniki.
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All leaders and soldiers have specific duties and responsibilities concerning protection of the environment. Not all leaders are required to be environmental experts; however, they must be aware of and responsive to environmental compliance and prevention issues. Environmental stewardship is an inherent responsibility of national service for all Army personnel. This appendix provides an overview of responsibilities and duties necessary to build a foundation of basic environmental awareness. Throughout are references to material for further reading. Research these other documents to obtain a complete explanation of legal and ethical responsibilities. All training and operations must be closely coordinated with the installation's environmental office and environmental attorney to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements.
|SECTION I — ARMY ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS|
C-01. The Army's environmental vision states: "The Army will be a national leader in environmental and natural resource stewardship for present and future generations as an integral part of our mission". To achieve this vision, the Army's environmental strategy places a high priority on sustained compliance with all environmental laws; takes into account the restoration of previously contaminated sites; focuses on pollution prevention; and accounts for the conservation and preservation of natural resources.
C-02. The Army environmental ethic calls for the chain of command to establish and support a stewardship climate which supports compliance, obeying the law; prevention, the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle; conservation, control and protection of natural resources; and restoration, the cleanup of contaminated areas. This ethic requires realistic, effective training — based on identification of the environmental realities and implementation of adequate protective measures. This ethic views our training areas as valuable multi-use resources that will lose their intrinsic training and health and welfare value unless they are properly managed and protected from excessive wear and tear.
C-03. All Army personnel should become familiar with these policy statements; they are established so that our natural environment will be available for present and future generations. Complete information regarding these polices can be obtained in Section II of The Field Artillery Guide to Environmental Considerations.
|SECTION II — FA BATTALION ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS|
C-04. A FA battalion is a highly effective, lethal combat force that requires large areas of land for training. The vehicles, weapons, ammunition, materials, and types of operations required for effective training can present a threat to our environment unless they are employed prudently and in consideration of environmental preservation. This section will identify and address the various preventive measures that can be utilized in order to decrease possible environmental damage while allowing realistic training.
C-05. Key field environmental considerations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Wheeled and tracked combat vehicles should stay on established roads, trails, firing points, and firebreaks, unless conducting specific cross-country maneuver exercises. Additionally, confine pivot turns and neutral steers to the middle of the roadway.
Follow land contours rather than driving up and down hills or along creeks.
In order to minimize siltation of streams; use bridges or low water crossings when crossing permanent streams. If crossing through a stream becomes necessary, then do so by the most direct route (90-degree angle).
Establish refueling and maintenance areas away from wetlands, drainage areas, and near or over water sources.
Federal law prohibits the removal of artifacts from federal property. Do not excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on a military reservation.
Avoid and mark off-limit areas for known archaeological sites during military training exercises. Penalties can be up to $250,000 for knowingly disturbing a site.
Be aware of and avoid nesting, bedding, and habitats of all species of birds and animals. Mark as off-limits, designated threatened or endangered species areas.
Use camouflage netting instead of live vegetation.
When planning training activities, conform to installation and community noise-abatement regulations. Identify and mark the off-limit boundaries.
Open fires, such as burning of garbage, refuse, and rubbish are not allowed on range areas. For burning excess powder increments (cannon units), use only designated powder burn sites.
Conform to field sanitation and medical standards when using soakage pits for wash water, liquid kitchen wastes, and grease traps per FM 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation.
Establish field satellite-accumulation site and procedures.
Police field locations and establish field trash-collection point and procedures. Remove materials packed into training areas on departure from the training areas.
When the training exercise is complete, repair any field damage such as ruts from vehicles, foxholes, and other emplacements.
Conduct all training with a concern for conservation and future use of range training areas.
C-06. The point at which munitions are considered wastes is a matter of law and regulation for the area where the installation is located. The summary below is a generic review of requirements of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Munitions Rule that has been adopted in many states. Since rules and guidelines vary based on location, units should consult with the local installation's environmental program and legal staff concerning possible munitions waste.
Munitions and ordnance are not considered wastes when used for their intended purpose. Intended use includes:
Use in training activities, including training in the proper destruction of unused propellant bags/increments or other munitions (this includes the burning of excess propellant bags/increments that occurs during live-fire FA cannon training);
Use in research, development, testing, and evaluation of munitions, weapons, or weapons systems;
Recovery, collection, and on-range destruction of unexploded ordnance and munitions fragments during range clearance activities;
Unused munitions or components are being repaired, reused, recycled, reclaimed, disassembled, reconfigured, or otherwise subject to materials recovery activities.
Unused munitions are considered waste when:
Abandoned by being disposed of, burned, detonated (except during intended use), incinerated, or treated prior to disposal; or
Removed from storage for the purpose of being disposed of, burned, or incinerated, or treated prior to disposal; or
Deteriorated or damage to the point it cannot be put into serviceable condition and cannot be recycled or used for other purposes; or
Declared a waste by authorized military personnel.
Used or fired munitions are considered waste when:
Transported off range for purposes of storage, reclamation, treatment, disposal, or treatment prior to disposal; or
Recovered, collected, and then disposed of by burial or landfilling either on or off range; or
Fired off-range and not promptly rendered safe and/or retrieved.
C-07. The RCRA is the framework for managing hazardous waste and has established standards for identifying, classifying, and storing of these wastes. RCRA regulations require those involved in managing hazardous substances to be properly trained, and the training to be properly documented. Units needing to transport hazardous substances should contact their installation environmental officer and/or DRMO to ensure compliance with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
C-08. Key hazardous material and hazardous waste environmental considerations include, but are not limited to, the following items:
Personnel dealing with hazardous materials must be trained in proper handling, containment, cleanup, and reporting procedures.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) must be on file, and made available to all personnel regarding hazardous material.
Hazardous waste containers must be kept closed when not in use, free of rust and leaks, and stored separately from incompatible wastes.
Incompatible wastes must never be transported on the same vehicle.
Never allow the accumulation of more than 55 gallons of a hazardous waste, or 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste, at the satellite accumulation point. (A satellite accumulation area is generally the designated area or point of generation of a hazardous waste, which will store the waste until it is sent out for processing.) Process all hazardous waste in a timely manner (label the accumulation point with the date of the accumulation to ensure the time limit is not exceeded).
Calcium hydroxide, a by-product formed from using the hydrogen generator set (AN/TMQ-3), is an environmental hazard. Conform to installation policy when storing, handling, and disposing of this waste.
Methanol and methanol in water is used with the hydrogen generator (AN/TMQ-42); both are hazardous materials due to flammability and toxicity. Conform to installation policy when storing, handling, and disposing of this waste.
Bore cleaner waste (cannon units). Is a chlorinated hydrocarbon product used? If so, how is the waste disposed?
Battery electrolyte (acid) from damaged batteries should be drained and disposed of through turn-in via installation policy and maintenance TSOP. Refer to TB 43-0134, Battery Disposition and Disposal, for complete procedures regarding battery handling and disposal.
Ensure all Department of Transportation (DOT) and hazardous waste transportation requirements are met prior to transporting hazardous material or hazardous waste on public highways.
Check with local environmental office for transportation procedures within the installation boundary.
For more information on storing and handling of hazardous materials refer to TM 38-410, Storage and Handling of Hazardous Materials.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
C-09. A MSDS is a summary of information on a given chemical identifying material, health and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions. A MSDS describes the hazards of a material and provides information on how the material can be safely handled, used, and stored. Insist on receiving a copy of a MSDS when receiving a hazardous chemical from supply, and retain it for when or if you turn in the material. Periodically review each MSDS pertaining to your unit. This will assure a quick response when identifying symptoms and handling emergencies.
C-10. Unfortunately, there is no specified format for a MSDS, and it doesn't contain all known data of a chemical, but there are typical components. These are outlined in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200. Use the following information as a guide toward what to expect on most MSDS forms.
Table C-1. Material Safety Data Sheet
|Section 1 - General Information||Manufacturers' name and address.
Trade or common name of product.
|Section 2 - Hazardous Components||National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and/or Chemical Abstract System Number.
Chemical name and percentage.
|Section 3 - Physical Properties||Boiling point, freezing point, water solubility.
Appearance and odor under normal conditions.
|Section 4 - Fire & Explosion Hazard||Fire-fighting equipment.
Any unusual fire and explosion hazards.
|Section 5 - Health Hazard||Routes of entry into the body.
Emergency and first aid procedures.
|Section 6 - Reactivity Data||Conditions to avoid. Incompatibility with other materials.|
|Section 8 - Control Measures||Recommended respiratory and ventilation.
Personal protective equipment, if needed.
|Section 9 - Special Precautions||Handling and storing precautions.|
|Section 10 - Transportation||Applicable regulations. Hazards class and required labeling.|
C-11. The BMO acts as the hazardous material/ hazardous waste (HM/HW) spill coordinator. He/she ensures the accountability, proper storage, and disposal of all HM/HW, and ensures that HM/HW spills are immediately contained and reported. Additionally, the BMO reports nonfunctional/inoperative treatment/collection facilities (such as oil/grease interceptors, floor drains, or catch basins) to the installation environmental office through the unit environmental compliance officer (ECO).
C-12. Key maintenance environmental considerations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Motor maintenance areas require TSOPs and close monitoring. Maintenance operations are continuous sources of minor pollution to storm drainage systems due to the constant threat of a spill of fuel or oil. TSOPs for prevention or cleanup of spills should be posted in motor maintenance areas, and should be understood by all personnel involved in maintenance activities.
Refueling operation TSOPs should address practices to minimize spills.
Implement preventive maintenance on all heavy equipment to ensure petroleum products will not be released from the belly pan.
Ensure pollutants are not discharged into storm or washrack drains or poured on the ground or along fence lines. Some common pollutants are oil, solvents, soap, diesel, gasoline, battery acid, chemicals, waste antifreeze, paint, and grease.
Parts containing asbestos, such as brake shoes, clutch plates, and equipment insulation, should be removed, collected, and disposed according to installation policy.
The least hazardous or preferably, non-hazardous material to perform a function should be used, unless previous research of options clearly indicates otherwise. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) produces a manual, Environmental Products, to assist in this process.
Do not mix fuel, oil, or antifreeze together. This is considered a mixed waste.
C-13. The supply sergeant is required to have a complete inventory of HM/HW generated by the unit. He/she must also know what chemicals the unit requires, where and how they are stored, how much hazardous waste is generated, and necessary spill response procedures. The supply sergeant should coordinate with the unit S3 or ECO to ensure this information is incorporated into the unit TSOP.
C-14. Key supply environmental considerations include, but are not limited to, the following items:
Requisition only supplies needed and authorized, avoid excessive stockpiling of materials.
Maintain an accurate inventory in unit TSOP of hazardous waste used by the generating unit. This listing should include waste by volume, type, generating process, and location.
Use of used oil tanks for disposal of solvents, antifreeze, or other HM/HW is against regulation. Storage of hazardous material must be in clearly marked DOT-approved containers.
Actively support a unit-recycling program.
Ensure tires and batteries are properly turned in for recycling.
Ensure used batteries are turned in on a one-for-one basis.
C-15. Generally, only persons specifically trained to respond to a spill should handle unit spills. However, all personnel must, at a minimum, report the spill, and be aware of the following four basic steps to spill response:
Protect yourself. Use personal protective equipment specified in the MSDS.
Stop the flow. This may be as simple as placing the container upright or closing a valve.
Contain the spill. Place absorbent material around the spill, and protect drains and ditches.
Report the spill. Notify supervisor, and other key personnel. Also, notify applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulatory agencies if the amount of spilled material exceeds reportable quantities specified by the regulators.
C-16. Each unit is responsible for the cleanup of their own spills, as long as no personnel are put in danger. After the above four steps are completed, take the necessary steps to cleanup the spill. Information on cleanup procedures can be found on the MSDS, and unit TSOP. Also, the unit must contact installation environmental staff for guidance. Turn in the spilled material and absorbent to the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO), or another designated point if a DRMO is not available. Also, ensure there are adequate spill supplies on-hand for future use.
C-17. Key spill prevention, response, and cleanup considerations include, but are not limited to, the following items:
A spill prevention and response section must be included in the unit TSOP outlining installation spill plan requirements. Unit spill contingency procedures for spills of oil, fuel, or other hazardous materials or wastes must comply with response and reporting requirements of local, state, and federal environmental regulatory agencies.
Each unit must maintain a spill cleanup kit near any satellite-accumulation area, or where a potential for spill exists. The kit must contain, at a minimum, absorbent material, shovel, brooms, gloves, and appropriate containers. Units that have a potential for release or spill that may impact streams must also maintain booms for containment.
Drip pans must be used under vehicles and equipment where spills are likely to occur.
All topsoil contaminated with oil must be removed, properly disposed, and replaced by the unit. While awaiting disposal, keep the excavated soil covered to prevent runoff in case of rain.
|SECTION III — REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS|
C-18. Military facilities are subject to federal, state, local, and host nation environmental laws. When the requirements differ, the most stringent law applies. Ignorance of environmental laws is not an excuse for non-compliance, and it will not protect commanders, soldiers, or the military services from civil and criminal liability. Figure C-1 lists the federal and military laws and regulations that are frequently encountered by Army personnel; however, it is not inclusive of all requirements.
Figure C-1. Environmental Laws and Regulations
C-19. Additionally, environmental law varies with differing countries, states, and cities. What is legal in one area may be illegal in another. Commanders and trainers should consult with their installation environmental office to ensure they are knowledgeable of local regulations and policies.
C-20. Army units outside the United States that are not subject to federal environmental regulations decreed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should comply with the final governing standards of the host nation. In areas where a host nation has minimal or no environmental laws and regulations, comply with the Overseas Environmental Baseline Guidance Document provided by the Department of Defense, AR 200-1, Environmental Protection and Enhancement, and AR 200-2, Environmental Effects of Army Actions.
C-21. Commanders must be aware of, and comply with requirements for environmental training. This training may be at the awareness level for all personnel or at a more specialized level designed for specific personnel. The installation environmental and safety offices can best assist in determining your training requirements and who to contact for additional information. Table C-2 is provided as a reference of possible training requirements for the FA battalion.
|NOTE: The depth or level of training will vary between target audiences. For example, K and E will need in-depth training, while A will only require broad overviews. The letters K, E, N, or A denotes target audience, and are listed below:|
|Knowledge||Personnel who administer, implement, or comply with contents of regulations such as program manager and technicians in the environmental field. Also includes organizations that need in-depth knowledge of the environmental laws/regulations/programs, such as staff judge advocates.|
|Executors||All personnel who supervise or actually handle responsibilities dealing with environmental programs, to include ECOs, technicians, and workers. Also includes unit personnel required to execute responsibilities with environmental ramifications as part of their mission.|
|Need to Know||Personnel who may encounter environmental issues as part of their mission. This may include personnel within the following activities: engineers; designers; emergency personnel; safety; reserve components; first-line supervisors; crew chiefs; NCO's; and various unit personnel as identified by the installation environmental office and their supervisors|
|Awareness||Public affairs offices, reserve components, other unit personnel.|
|Training Topic||Regulatory Reference||K||E||N||A|
|Hazardous Materials/Waste Compliance Training||29 CFR 1200; 40 CFR 262.34, 264.16, 265.16; 49 CFR 172||*||*||*||*|
|Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER) for Installation Restoration (IR)||29 CFR 1910.120||*||*|
|HAZWOPER for Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities||29 CFR 1910.120||*||*|
|Emergency Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents/Hazardous Material Technician||29 CFR 1910.120||*||*||*|
|National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)||NEPA of 1969||*||*|
|National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)||36 CFR part 800, 36 CFR part 63, NHPA of 1966||*||*|
|Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA)||43 CFR 7.7 (4) ARPA of 1979||*|
|Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)||NAGPRA of 1990||*|
|EPCRA/Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA)||EPCRA/SARA 1986 Title 3, Executive Order 12856||*||*||*||*|
|Lead Based Paint||Lead Based Paint Exposure Reduction Act of 1992, 24 CFR 35||*||*||*||*|
|Asbestos||40 CFR part 763, 40 CFR 61 part M||*||*||*||*|
|Endangered Species Act (ESA)||ESA 1973 as amended, 50 CFR par 402||*||*|
|Clean Water Act (CWA)||CWA S 311||*||*||*|
|Storm Water Pollution Prevention Planning||CWA S 319||*||*||*|
|Chloroflourocarbon (CFC)/Halon Refrigerants||EO 11051, 40 CFR 82.40, 40 CFR 282, 58 FR 92 (p. 28660)||*||*||*|
|Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)||FIFRA of 1972, 40 CFR 265.16, SARA of 1986||*|
|Solid Waste Management||40 CFR 240-257/RCRA Subtitle D||*||*|
|Underground Storage Tanks||40 CFR part 280, RCRA Subtitle I||*|
|National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)||CWA of 1990, 40 CFR 122-129||*||*||*|
|Confined Space Entry||29 CFR 1910.146||*||*||*||*|
|Occupational Respiratory Protection||29 CFR 1926.58, 29 CFR 1910.134||*||*|
|Occupational Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens||29 CFR 1910.1030||*||*||*||*|
|Storm Water Compliance||40 CFR 122-129, WPCA S 319||*||*|
|Hazard Communication Standard||29 CFR 1910.1200||*||*||*||*|
|Department of Transportation||49 CFR172.704||*||*||*||*|
C-22. It is the unit commander's duty to appoint an ECO and a Hazardous Waste Coordinator; the same person can serve in both positions, per AR 200-1. These appointments are made to ensure that environmental compliance occurs at the unit level. Appointed personnel:
Should receive formal training and act as an advisor on environmental regulatory compliance during training, operations, and logistics functions.
Will be the commander's eyes and ears for environmental matters, as the Safety Officer/NCO is for safety matters.
Should function as the liaison between the unit and higher headquarters regarding environmental matters such as training requirements, equipment, or supplies that unit personnel need.
Should inspect HM/HW accumulation sites, and ensures that soldiers handling these materials are properly trained.
Ensure the unit's TSOP covers environmental considerations, conservation, natural resources, pollution prevention, HM/HW, and spill procedures.
Support the Army's pollution prevention/recycling program.
Report hazardous material and waste spills immediately.
Conduct environmental self-assessments or internal environmental compliance assessments.
Meet with installation environmental points of contact periodically to remain updated on any regulatory changes.
|SECTION IV — ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT|
C-23. Leaders at all levels are required to make timely and appropriate decisions regarding the environment. Failure to do so may negatively impact the training environment, which could then lead to personal liability of individuals directly involved, the chain of command, and the US Army. All leaders must properly manage, assess, and reduce environmental risks.
C-24. Risk management is a five-step process designed to provide leaders a methodology for the identification, assessment, control, and evaluation of environmental risks. The following is a summary of these steps from FM 20-400, Military Environmental Protection, and FM 100-14, Risk Management. Refer to these manuals for detailed information.
STEP 1. IDENTIFY HAZARDS
C-25. Environmental hazards include all activities that may pollute, create negative noise-related effects, degrade archeological/cultural resources, or negatively affect threatened or endangered species habitats. A listing of common environmental hazards is located in Table C-3.
|MEDIA AREA||COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS|
|Air||Equipment exhaust, convoy dust, range fires, open-air burning, pyrotechnics, smoke pots/grenades, part-washer emissions, paint emissions, air-conditioner or refrigeration CFCs, HM/HW release, pesticides, other toxic industrial chemicals or material.|
|Archeological and cultural||Maneuvering and digging in sensitive areas, disturbing or removing artifacts, demolition/munitions effects, HM/HW spills.|
|Noise||Low-flying aircraft (helicopters), demolition/munitions effects, nighttime operations, operations near post/camp boundaries and civilian populations, vehicle convoys/maneuvers, large-scale exercises.|
|Threatened and/or endangered species||Maneuvering in sensitive areas, demolition/munitions effects, especially during breeding seasons, disturbing habitat or individual species, HM/HW spills or releases, poor field sanitation, improper cutting of vegetation, damage to coral reefs,|
|Soil (terrain)||Over use of maneuver areas, demolition/munitions effects, range fires, poor field sanitation, poor maneuver-damage control, erosion, troop construction effect, refueling operations, HM/HW spills, maneuver in ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands and tundra, industrial waste runoff, pesticide accumulation in soil, vegetation, and terrestrial organisms.|
|Water||Refueling operations near water sources, HM/HW spills, erosion and unchecked drainage, amphibious/water-crossing operations, troop construction effects, poor field sanitation, washing vehicles at unapproved sites.|
STEP 2. ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS TO DETERMINE RISK
C-26. A risk assessment is a tool used for evaluating the most pressing or most hazardous potential environmental damage. It considers two factors; probability, how often a hazard is likely to occur; and severity, the effect in degrees a hazard will have on personnel, equipment, environment, and mission. Unit leaders should conduct risk assessments before conducting any training, operations, or logistical activities that are not addressed in the TSOP, or when conditions differ significantly from the TSOP. Complete information on environmental risk assessments can be obtained from FM 20-400.
STEP 3. DEVELOP CONTROLS AND MAKE A DECISION
C-27. This step is designed to reduce the probability or severity of each hazard, which in turn lowers the overall risk. Control types fall in the categories of educational, physical, or avoidance. Table C-4 outlines examples of environmental controls.
|CONTROL TYPE||ENVIRONMENTAL-RELATED EXAMPLES|
STEP 4. IMPLEMENT CONTROLS
C-28. Leaders must inform subordinates of risk-control measures, state how each control must be implemented, and assign responsibilities. They must also ensure these controls are in place prior to the operation. This is accomplished by using the before, during, and after checklists and the environmental risk-assessment process. Examples of checklists can be obtained from TC 5-400, Unit Leaders' Handbook for Environmental Stewardship, or from the Field Artillery environmental handbook referenced in Section I, in order to determine the environmental considerations that may effect battalion training and operations.
STEP 5. SUPERVISE AND EVALUATE
C-29. Leaders should monitor controls to ensure effectiveness and whether controls require modification. They should ensure the after action review process includes an evaluation of environmental-related hazards, controls, soldier performance, and leader supervision.
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