PIT deviation for fast and accurate measure of HLB
HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) is a critical parameter used to characterize surfactants.
The historical practical method still in use has major drawbacks: operator dependent as it relies on a visual assessment, room temperature dependent, not accurate, as values are given ±1 and time consuming: at least 1 day for 1 HLB measurement.
A new method (PIT-deviation) has been developed in our R&D laboratory to overcome these drawbacks.
A new method to gain time and accuracy
It relies on the concept of Phase Inversion Temperature (PIT) introduced by Shinoda et al. in 1967. The continuous phase of a direct emulsion is water, whereas it is oil for reverse emulsion. As conductivity is nil in oil and not in water, a sudden drop in conductivity indicates an inversion of phase of the emulsion.
For practical purpose, NaCl brine is used as aqueous phase to have higher values of conductivity and n-octane as oily phase to enable measures around room temperature avoiding crystallization and evaporation. While increasing the temperature, the conformation of the ethoxylated surfactant changes (change in packing parameter), leading to an inversion of the emulsion which can be evaluated by the drop in conductivity. This is the Phase Inversion Temperature.
When introducing a second surfactant to the system, it settles at the interface of the emulsion next to the first one and the global packing parameter changes, hence the emulsion organization. This induces a deviation in the PIT value which is proportional to the mass fraction of the surfactant. Depending on the nature of the surfactant the slope can be positive (eg Sodium lauryl sulfate), nil (eg Tefose® 1500) or negative (eg Emullium® mellifera).
Using a range of surfactants, a correlation (r²=0.99) could be established between the HLB using the conventional method and the new PIT-deviation method.
The main advantages of this PIT-deviation method are:
- Automated method with the use of an in-house designed software
- Rapidity: 3 hours (vs 1 day for conventional method)
- Accuracy of the method as it is non-operator dependent
A (generous) slice of scientific background
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids. They are constituted of an hydrophilic part and an hydrophobic part.
Surfactants with strong affinity for water form a direct emulsion (oil-in-water, O/W), whereas surfactants with strong affinity for oil form a reverse emulsion (water in oil, W/O).
The surfactant spatial conformation depends on the chemistry of both parts and is characterized by the packing parameter. Note that the packing parameter is not a constant and is affected by the temperature, the solvent, the ionic strength, etc.
The spatial conformation (i.e. the packing parameter, PP) of the surfactant at the interface of the two liquids orientates the emulsion organization:
- PP<1: O/W emulsion
- PP ≈ 1: bi-continuous phase
- P>1: W/O emulsion
To characterize surfactants, the concept of Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance (HLB) was first developed in 1946 by Griffin et al. Equations were established to calculate the HLB from characteristics of the surfactant such as molar mass of the hydrophilic part, molar mass, saponification value and acid value of the acid. Davies et al. (1957) proposed an extended equation for complex surfactant, taking into account constants for each substitution group. However, both methods lead to different values and for more sophisticated surfactants the equations could not be employed.
Therefore, a practical method was developed to measure HLB using two reference surfactants for which both equations lead to similar values: Tween 80 (HLBTween80 ≈ 15) and Span 80 (HLBSpan80 ≈ 4) and knowing that the HLB of a mixture of surfactants is proportional to the mass of each surfactant:
First, a range of emulsions is prepared in standardized conditions, using 20% paraffin oil, 75% water and 5% of a mixture of Span:Tween at specific ratios (100:0, 82:18, …, 0:100). The stability of the emulsion is observed. When no or limited creaming is observed it corresponds to the HLBrequired, 10 in these conditions.
Then, the same protocol is used with an unknown surfactant to determine its HLB. If the surfactant has an affinity for water, it will be mixed with Tween 80. If it is for oil, it will be mixed with Span 80. In the case of Tefose® 1500 below, its HLB is evaluated with Tween 80.
Using the above equation and knowing the relative proportion of Tefose® 1500 and Tween 80 used for the stable emulsion C, the HLB of Tefose® 1500 can be deduced:
Although this practical method has been used for decades to determine HLB, there are some major drawbacks due to the facts that it is:
- operator dependent as it relies on a visual assessment
- room temperature dependent
- not accurate, as values are given ±1
- time consuming: at least 1 day for 1 HLB measurement


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Posted by Danni Tamburro in All Danni 24/7 on September 22, 2016
So here we are! I’m finally starting this blog! I’ve talked about doing this for quite some time and I’m EXCITED! Oh by the way…I’m sure you already know this but on the off chance you’ve stumbled upon this post randomly, let me tell you a little about myself… Hi! I’m Danni Tamburro. I’m a […]
I had a blast meeting the iconic Linda Gray at a benefit for The Actor’s Fund. She is as down to earth and fabulous as everyone claims. They did a screening of her indie film, WALLY’S WILL – amazing!!! Mark that one off the bucket list….

domain: artistic


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LONDON – It's October 1968, and the Soviet Union has just landed cosmonauts on the moon. Warsaw Pact troops are massing on the Austrian border, and a nuclear showdown looms between East and West.
This scenario never happened – except in planning exercises by British civil servants, who meticulously rehearsed how they would govern Britain in the days before and after World War III. The details are included in the “War Book,” a secret Cold War manual declassified this month for the first time.
The book, which featured the doomsday scenario in a 1970 version, is a step-by-step guide for dealing with a crisis, from the first stages of conflict to “R hour,” the designation for the release of all of Britain's nuclear weapons.
“It's a manual of how to go to war,” said William Spencer, a military history specialist at Britain's National Archives.
“It's a technical manual in a way, for the people who needed to know,” he added. “But it could be seen as a horrific document for some people.”
Britain became a nuclear power in 1952, and politicians were under no illusions about the devastating effects of nuclear war. A 1955 report estimated that a Soviet attack with hydrogen bombs would kill 12 million people instantly.
So every two years during much of the Cold War, British civil servants participated in a dry run for the end of the world, practicing how they would do everything from cracking down on subversives to evacuating art treasures from London.
The exercises, played out over weeks, included daily mock news briefings from intelligence chiefs. Senior civil servants played the prime minister and Cabinet, deciding how to respond.
The 1968 exercise, revealed in the newly released manual, imagined Soviets landing on the moon as tensions mounted along the Iron Curtain. Day by day, the crisis escalated: Soviet troops invaded Austria, West Germany, Finland, Turkey, Greece and Italy, eventually invading “Danish islands.” Britons got more and more nervous – first writing letters to newspapers, then staying home from work, stocking up on food and buying supplies to build bomb shelters.
In calm, bureaucratic language – loaded with code words to render the book meaningless to those not in the know – the document describes how as the crisis worsened, civil servants would introduce censorship, evacuate all but the sickest patients from hospitals and eventually be sent to one of 12 underground bunkers scattered around the country.
Britain was to be governed from those bunkers after a nuclear attack, with officials exercising powers of martial law over the remaining population.
Peter Hennessy, a historian who has studied the book and pushed for its release, said it provided a glimpse into “one of the darker bits of the British secret state in the Cold War.”
The government no longer plans for war with the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991, but it still keeps a “War Book” and rehearses for disasters such as a major terrorist attack.
A Cabinet Office spokesman would give no details of current plans, saying only that there are “lots of contingency plans to deal with lots of different crises we face today.”

domain: library


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Beach and Sunset in Mazunte Magic Town and Punta Cometa
The natural paradise that Puerto Escondido offers to you, you can admire from the moment of your arrival, whetherever you arrive by plane or by land, you will always have the opportunity to admire the natural beauties that surround the beautiful Oaxacan Coast, from the view of the South Sierra Madre, as well as the view of the Pacific Ocean, enjoy an interesting Tour to visit the Magical Town of Mazunte, as well as enjoy an unparalleled sunset in the exotic place of Punta Cometa where will take you, your friends from your Travel Agency Excursiones Turisticas de Valfred, from the firts moment you arrive to Puerto Escondido, we will visit you in your hotel to give you all the detailed and professional information to explore these beautiful places in this part of Mexico, and enjoy the best Tour of your life, discovering in detail how live the life local people in this paradise place, described by Licecend Tour Guides specialized in the subject.Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this productStop At:
Valfred Excursiones Turisticas, Boulevard Benito Juarez local 4 Fraccionamiento Rinconada, Puerto Escondido 71983 Mexico
In this Excursion of 7 hours we can go by car or minivan, depends how many people we have to the Magic Village of Mazunte, we can get some launch if you wish (food is not included) can we stay in the beach and then we can go to Punta Cometa to watch the best sun set, after this we return to Puerto Escondido.
Duration: 1 hourStop At:
Playa Mazunte, Mazunte Mexico
This is a nice Magic Town, the only one in Oaxaca Coast, very intresting like the Real Mexico.
Duration: 2 hours
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Infant seats available"
"Children must be accompanied by an adult"
"Dress code is formal"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers"
"Face masks required for travelers in public areas"
"Face masks required for guides in public areas"
"Face masks provided for travelers"
"Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff"
"Social distancing enforced throughout experience"
"Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas"
"Gear/equipment sanitized between use"
"Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized"
"Guides required to regularly wash hands"
"Regular temperature checks for staff"
"Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival"
"Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms"
"Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons"
"We having at hand all the health and safety protocol that the Mexican government requires of us, such as sanitizing pumps, thermometers, oximeters, antibacterial gel, gloves, alcohol, masks, face masks, glasses, sanitizing mats, acrylics for desks, for vehicles and more, and remember 35 Experiences."
Horário de Início:
Duração: 7 Hours
Ponto de partida:
Traveler pickup is offered
We can pickup every one any place that is inside of the tourist destination of Puerto Escondido Oaxaca Mexico.Ports
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

domain: geography


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The riding stables of Vered Hagalil are one of the first stables in the country with a longstanding tradition of horse riding trips. The coaches are certified, professional & friendly. They lead the riding trips in a wide range of paths.
A boutique winery located in Ramot Naftali. The grapes, cabernet sauvignon and merlot are picked from self- growing areas in a unique vineyard in Kadesh Valley. Shiraz is picked from a nearby vineyard in small amounts from blending.
- +972 (0)4-6849074
Grandpa Haviv oil press is the only one in the country in which the millstones are combined with the modern manufacture process for high quality of the oil. At place there is a factory shop. +972 (0)52-8061144
Amram Winery– Ramot Nephtali
- +972 (0)4-6940039
A country and pastoral atmosphere envelops the boutique winery of the Azolai family who live in Moshav Ramot Naphtali. The cellar stores a range of winery wines and family photos that document the wine preparation process. +972 (0)50-5222901
Adir Winery and Milk
- +972 (0)4-6991039
Adir Winery and Milk visitors’ center is located in Dalton industrial park. The center overlooks the impressing Galilean scenery and the family vineyards and is located in a comfortable and accessible area.
Kurlander Farm in Moshav Beit Hillel, on the banks of river Hatsbany, invites you to a memorable experience in a state of the art dairy farm and visitor center. The Kurlender farm also produces organic olive that can be purchased at place. +972 (0)52-4585058
The joint creation of the Golan Heights winery and Kibbutz Yaron, merges the unique characteristics of the Upper Galilee Mountains and the expertise of the Golan Heights wineries in manufacturing quality wines.
Michelle Winery- Shar Yeshuv
- +972 (0)50-5369796
A boutique winery located in Shar Yeshuv. The grapes are brought from chosen vineyards in Upper Galilee. The grapes are good and the most high quality in Israel so that the wine will be the best possible.
- +972 (0)4-6822325
In the heart of the Galilee mountains above beautiful rows of vineyards there is a pomegranate orchard and in it Rimon Winery that produces wines from pomegranate. The winery produces a prestigious, elegant and unique.
- +972 (0)4-6987683
Dalton Winery is located at the top of Galilee, a mountainous area full of greenery. This area is considered to be an excellent area grape growing. The winery’s visitor center offers a variety of meals rich in meat and dairy with advance reservation.


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Aegina sits in the Saronic Gulf, almost within sight of the Greek capital of Athens, so Aegina relatively easy for the independent traveller to reach.
Regular daily ferries, to and from the Athens port of Piraeus, also make this a good island base for those planning to tour the cultural sites of Athens.
Regular ferries to other Saronic Gulf islands also help to make Aegina a relatively good base for island hopping in this part of the world.
Roads are generally good, in the north of the island at least, and an island bus service operates to the main Aegina island resorts.
Taxis are plentiful and, as the island is not large, they can make for a reasonably priced alternative to hiring a car.
Walkers will find plenty of marked trails, especially to the more popular attractions. Walking guides are available at local bookshops.
Aegina has no airport, so most holiday visitors fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) on the mainland and catch a bus to the port of Piraeus to board one of the daily ferries to Aegina.
Athens International, officially Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is about 27 kilometres east of Athens and has more than 50 shops, 14 restaurants and an excellent Archaeological and Antiquities Museum.
There is parking for 4,800 cars, and the E96 shuttle bus service runs 24 hours to the ferry port at Piraeus. The bus stop is outside the arrivals hall, and you must buy a ticket before boarding.
The E96 operates every 15 to 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes through the night. It stops several times on the way, so it's not ultra-fast with a journey time of 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
The taxi rank is next to Door 3 of the arrivals hall and there are always plenty of taxis. Journey times depend on traffic and can be 30 to 50 minutes.
Aegina lies in the middle of the Saronic Gulf near the main Athens port of Piraeus. Visitors usually fly to Athens International airport, catch the E96 shuttle bus or take a taxi to Piraeus.
Ferries depart for Aegina regularly during the summer, less often in the winter. Hydrofoils (Flying Dolphins) are plentiful(around 16-a-day) and take approximately 40 minutes, ferries about twice that time.
The main ferry companies are Hellenic Seaways (nine ferries daily from 7.30 am; Nova Ferries (8 am and 2 pm) and the Aegean Flying Dolphins (hourly from 6 am).
Anes Ferries operates a daily round-trip ferry from Piraeus to Aegina.
There are ferry links to the three main ports on Aegina – Souvala, Agia Marina and Aegina Town with connections from Aegina port to the other Saronic islands of Angistri, Hydra, Poros and Spetses.
Saronic Ferries run sevices from Piraeus to Aegina, Agistri, Methana and Poros.
There are further ferry links to the Peloponnese (Epidaurus, Hermioni, Porto Cheli, Tolo, Isthmia, Nafplion) and Attica. Some of the connections are seasonal.
Spetses, Hydra, Poros, and Methana have year-round ferry links but Piraeus can be a better bet for other islands out of season.
A comprehensive list of daily sailings is posted outside the Port Authority office in the harbour and officials, not unreasonably, get a little tetchy with tourists who then press for more information.
Aegina has a good road network in the north of the island, less so in the south which is more mountainous and with fewer resorts. Aegina town has several car and bike rental offices directly opposite the port and more are based in Agia Marina.
Buses and bus services
Aegina island has good bus services run by the Aegina Bus Company. The main bus terminus is located in Aegina Town in the square near the harbour with three bus routes on offer.
Services in the north are Aegina Town – Kipseli – Vathi – Souvala – Nagia; to the south: Aegina Town – Marathonas – Perdika; and east are Aegina Town – Agios Nektarios – Agia Marina. Destinations are in Greek so learn a little Greek to cope. Aegina bus timetables are available here. Bus tickets are sold at the bus station or on the bus and single tickets cost around €2.
Aegina taxis and car hire
Most taxis gather at the harbour in Aegina Town to meet the ferries as they come in. You can also dial for a taxi – Aegina – 022635; Agia Marina – 032107; Kipseli – 0328873; Megasos – 071313; Souvala – 343606.
Aegina is an excellent island for walkers with trails right across the island, some taking in the most exciting sights – notably the trail from Agia Marina to Souvala via Paleahora and a circular walk from Agia Marina to Aphaia, Mesagros, Agios Ioannis and back to Agia Marina. Many walks are detailed in 'A Walking Guide to Aegina' by Gerald Thompson available at island bookshops. There is also a good Road Editions map for those who want to trek further afield.
The island is roughly triangular in shape, about 15 kilometres from east to west and 10 kilometres north to south, with an area of approximately 87 sq km.
The northern and western areas consist of stony but very fertile plains, most of which is well cultivated to produce good crops of grain, vines, almonds, olives and figs and the island's most notable crop – pistachio nuts.
The southern part of the island is volcanic with a rugged and mountainous terrain. The landscape is rocky and mostly barren, and with a high point at the extinct volcano of Mount Oros (531 metres). A ridge extends northwards from Mount Ornos with narrow fertile valleys on either side, many planted as vineyards.
Located in the sheltered Argo Saronic Gulf, Aegina enjoys the much the same climate as Athens. Summers are hot, sunny and virtually cloudless from June to August. Spring and autumn are cooler and the showers that fall in April and October are far less frequent in May and September. June sees temperatures rise from 21 to 25°C and they often hit 30°C in August. Winters on Aegina are relatively dry with most rain in November. Winters are relatively mild at an average 8°C.
Aegina has a plentiful supply of good holiday accommodation, mostly catering for Athenians who arrive every weekend and for the package holiday visitors who usually head for the busy east coast resort of Agia Marina.
You should book ahead if you plan a weekend visit during high season when most hotels are booked solid with Athenians escaping the heat and smog of the capital. Room owners often gather at the quayside to snare ferry passengers as they disembark and you take pot luck over standards.
Many hotels are closed from November to March, especially in Agia Marina where accommodation is aimed squarely at the package holiday market. Some hotels in Aegina Town offer significant discounts for mid-week visitors and for guests who plan to stay longer than a week, so it is always worth haggling.
Budget travellers will find no campsites or youth hostels on Aegina but there is a good choice of cheap and cheerful rooms to rent in Aegina Town and at the picturesque fishing village of Perdika to the south-west.
Agia Marina is awash with modern hotels and apartment complexes aimed at package tour guest and many have excellent sports and leisure facilities.
|Size||85 sq km|
|Season||Apr – Nov|
|Time (GMT)||+2 hrs|


Bad Idea, Buffoons, Cry Baby, Hysteria, Internet/Communication, Just Wrong, Liberal Idiocy, Politics
Shifra on December 16, 2018
On December 14, 2017, “net neutrality” was repealed. The head of the FCC, Ajit Pai, received death threats for his approval of this move, and MSM news outlets and Democrats (but I repeat myself) screamed that “the internet as we know it would end.” As usual, they overplayed their hand with hysterical, overwrought drama rather than trying to persuade the public why Obama’s net neutrality rules should remain in place. Now, one year later: U.S. Internet Speeds are Skyrocketing Via Daily Caller. You might not have noticed it, but the internet as we knew it ended a year ago today, at least according to the predictive powers-that-be at CNN and other media organizations. That’s because on Dec. 14, 2017, the...
Shifra on December 9, 2018
Bravo to NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo for putting a stop to the absurd attempts by activists to remove the iconic Christopher Columbus statue at Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. Via NY Post. The monument honoring Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle — which survived an attempt to have it removed — will now be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service last month added the 126-year-old, 76-foot statue near Central Park to its list of protected landmarks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday in a statement. “The Columbus Monument is revered by the Italian-American community in New York and stands as a tribute to the ways our state has welcomed immigrants from around the globe,” Cuomo said…. Mayor Bill...
Shifra on December 6, 2018
Tree in Durham’s Memorial Park No decorating a Christmas tree or placing a Chanukah menorah on public land. But a “winter carnival,” and changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day are no problem? Ok, got it. Via Western Journal. The Durham, New Hampshire, Human Rights Commission has recommended that the town cease its annual Christmas tree lighting tradition on public land out of concern it promotes the Christian faith at the exclusion of others. The commission was established by the town council for the purpose of eliminating “prejudice and discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, age, sex, sexual orientation, (and) gender identity,” among a multitude of other categories of people. The issue of...
Shifra on December 4, 2018
Cal State San Marcos tuition and fees for out-of-state undergrads were $19,533 for the 2017 – 2018 school year. Money well spent…if you’re majoring in Vegetable Victimology. Via Daily Wire. According to The College Fix, Cal State San Marcos held a so-called “Whiteness Forum” last Thursday where a variety of topics pertaining to America’s systemic racism was discussed. The two-hour event featured more than a dozen poster board projects critiquing various aspects of society. On top of lambasting the NFL and white women for perpetuating racism, the cartoon where talking vegetables perform biblical stories for children somehow found its way into the discussion, with speakers alleging it portrays racial stereotypes…. A female student who worked on the forum told The...
Shifra on December 3, 2018
I think it’s pronounced woh-mixen. Or something. Via Daily Mail. University students are refusing to use the words ‘woman’ and ‘women’ because they have been deemed ‘offensive’ and include the word ‘man’. Instead, members of the female sex are being referred to as ‘womxn’ by students at both Goldsmiths, University of London and Kings College London. At Goldsmiths, the Students Union has ceased to use the words women and woman in its publications, since ‘womxn’ has been deemed more ‘inclusive’ of all students, including those who identify as transgender…. Rejection of the word ‘woman’ dates back to the Seventies when the word ‘womyn’ was adopted by feminists to delete the word ‘man’…. However, ‘womyn’ was controversial because it was seen...
Shifra on November 20, 2018
Not. Kidding. Oh wait…not. kidding. This university is probably thrilled with the poems of e.e. cummings, who wrote mostly in lower case letters. Via Yahoo. Lecturers have been banned from using capital letters when assigning work to students because it might upset them. Staff at Leeds Trinity’s journalism department have been told writing to students using capital letters could ‘scare them into failure’ and instead suggested using a ‘friendly tone’ and avoiding the use of negative language. Critics have since slammed the memo, saying it is just aiding to the ‘snowflake’ generation being overindulged throughout their education – following incidents in Manchester and Kent. The memo said: ‘Despite our best attempts to explain assessment tasks, any lack of clarity can...
Shifra on November 15, 2018
Remember the U.N. warning last month, that we have only twelve years left before even a half degree of “global warming” will increase risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people ? Yeah, no Via IBD. Global Warming: Everyone makes mistakes, but some mistakes are bigger than others. That’s the case with a recent study based on a climate model that claimed the oceans had retained 60% more warming than previously thought. It made headlines around the world with its alarming conclusion. The study itself, by no fewer than ten authors, made sweeping claims. The authors wrote that the study held “implications for policy-relevant measurements of the Earth response to climate change, such as...
Shifra on November 14, 2018
The CEO of the Democratic National Committee should consult with another Dem “financial genius,” Alexandria Ocsio-Cortez, who, when asked the same question, responded, “Just pay for it.” Via Daily Wire. Seema Nanda, CEO of the Democratic National Committee, was asked on Tuesday how the Democrats intend to pay for a multi-trillion dollar government-run single-payer health care system. She had no idea…. “There has been some analysis of, third-party analysis of a Medicare for all program, what it would be like, how much it might cost is a big issue,” the interviewer said. “It would be very expensive, so, if this is going to be a winning issue for Democrats in 2020, how do you answer the question of how are...
Shifra on November 13, 2018
Occupying Nancy Pelosi’s office for “climate change” ? Ocasio-Cortez is going to have a rude awakening if she thinks stunts like this are going to win her friends in the House of Representatives. And if she really wants to do something about climate change, why doesn’t she get her little posse to join the two week fast in New Jersey? Just a suggestion. Via Daily Caller. A group of young environmental activists occupied House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office with a list of demands, including one that Democrats support what they’re calling a “Green New Deal.” Activists began their “sit in” at Pelosi’s Capitol Hill office on Tuesday morning, wearing matching t-shirts and holding yellow signs with slogans such as,...
Shifra on November 1, 2018
Ben & Jerry’s is donating $25,000 to the Women’s March, whose leaders, noted Jew-haters Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, are associated with the vicious racist and anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. And that’s perfectly fine with Ben & Jerry’s, because it’s just “a point of view different from our own.” But President Trump and everyone who voted for him are somehow directly responsible for the Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting? Ok, got it. Via Free Beacon. Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont-based ice cream maker, on Tuesday unveiled a new flavor in support of groups that are fighting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including the Women’s March, despite its leaders’ ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. “Today we launch Pecan Resist! This flavor...
Shifra on October 22, 2018
Army? Caravan? How about the “M” word? Fox News headline: Via Daily Caller. The Associated Press on Sunday changed a headline after a backlash from liberals furious at the AP for describing a caravan of illegal immigrants heading towards the United States as an “army of migrants.” “A ragged, growing army of migrants resumes march toward US,” read the original headline on the AP story. The AP later changed the headline to replace the word “army” with “caravan.” Though the AP has used the word “army” to refer to large groups of people besides migrants — including nurses and political activists — many on the political left criticized the wire service for its original headline. “This is not only incorrect,...
Tammy on October 20, 2018
If this is true, the tide may be shifting. Mobs can only be pushed back when regular citizens have had a enough. Let’s hope we see this more often. Via Fox News. A small group of angry diners confronted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at a restaurant Friday night, but were met with calls from other customers to leave the Kentucky Republican alone. Video obtained by TMZ shows at least one diner berating McConnell on issues such as Social Security at a restaurant in Louisville. The video starts with him yelling at McConnell and arguing with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao — to whom McConnell is married. The outlet reported that four men first confronted McConnell. “Oh yeah, why don’t you...
Shifra on October 16, 2018
So, when St. Lawrence University gave Senator Susan Collins an honorary degree last year in recognition of her lack of support for GOP attempts to repeal Obamacare, this “had nothing to do with partisan politics.” But now that Collins voted for Justice Kavanaugh, these academics want the honorary degree revoked, but this too has nothing to do with partisan politics? Ok, got it. Via CBS News. Alumni and faculty at the alma mater of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, are calling on university officials to rescind an honorary degree awarded to her as punishment for voting to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh earlier this month. More than 1,800 alumni and dozens of faculty at St. Lawrence University are sending letters...
Shifra on September 20, 2018
Did these academics all get Ph.D.’s in Stupid ? Have they never heard of Venezuela? As reported in Business Insider, in 2017, Venezuela’s economy was 35% smaller than it was in 2013 in terms of gross domestic product and 40% lower in GDP per capita terms. Now, people are starving, medicine is scarce, and classrooms are nearly empty as their crippling economic crisis that has left many families unable to afford supplies or provide their children with enough food to focus on schoolwork. But: “Wealth Distribution”… Or something. Via Daily Caller. More than 200 academics signed onto a public letter calling on governments to eschew economic growth in order to plan for a “post-growth economy” based on wealth redistribution. “For...
Tammy on September 19, 2018
In case you missed it or would like to see it again, here is Tuesday night’s Hannity segment about the Democrats’ purely political hatchet job on Judge Kavanaugh. This is not a search for the truth, it’s the search for destruction.


Mon, 31 January 2022
Do you ever look at your teen and wonder, who is this person? Your child is on the path to adulthood, and they are bound to do some confounding things along the way. If you’re parenting a teen, this episode of the podcast is for you. We’re talking about keeping your bond with your child strong, while being the parent your teen needs.
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby


text:
A header, as defined, is information placed at the top (head) of a document or site. On this page, there are two kinds of headers that are set up. The first is the blue banner with the BYU logo, websites title, and search bar. The second is the navigation links "Home", "Standards and Policies" etc. This tutorial will talk about both and how to set them up on a new site.
The banner on each site is fairly standard across most BYU websites. The BYU logo needs to be included in the top left and a search bar is recommended on the right for easy navigation of the page. To set them up correctly on the site go to the Sites & Settings under Admin in the hamburger menu on the left.
Here you can select the logo, and set up the Navigation Title. The navigation title is what will be neighboring the logo. On this site, we have "Websites" to the right of the BYU logo and when clicked, will take a user back to the main page of the site.
To set up the title, in the dropdown menu under Navigational Title, there is either Text Title or Logo Title.
Text Title: This will create text that is clickable, just like what is on this site.
Logo Title: Logo title is a clickable logo instead of text.
Then, choose to set the Main Title, and below that, type the text that will appear next to the BYU logo.
Finally, choose a link type to make the text clickable.
Internal Link: This type of link will choose a page already built on Brightspot and link it to that site. An internal link will load faster than an external, so if possible, choose an internal link.
External Link: An external link will be an outside link from a page on the internet.
(To see a video on this visit the Edit Header Navigation tutorial)
Page Navigation content is used to define the links in the header navigation bar and in the footer. Each Page Navigation item has a title and a list of links. These links aren't automatically updated in any way (like when you create a page or a section). A site editor specifies exactly what links appear in the navigation.
Update existing header navigation
- Use the search field at the top of the editor page to search for your header navigation.
- It will usually appear if you search for 'nav'.
- If you can't find your navigation with a text search, you could change the filter in the left sidebar from All Content Types to Page Navigation
- Click on the Page Navigation you want to edit, and the edit page will open.
- Edit the Items. These are the links that appear in the navigation bar.
- Click Publish.
To add an item to navigation
- Click the + Add below the existing Items.
- Choose Simple Navigation Item in the dropdown.
- In the module that opens, scroll down to the Link heading, then to the Item heading below that.
- Click the space that says Required or the magnifying glass to open a search window.
- Choose the page or other content this navigation item should link to.
- If needed, edit the Text.
To remove an item from navigation
- Click the red minus button (—) to the right of an item to remove it.
- A pink background will appear on the item and its text will disappear, indicating that you have removed it. This item will be completely removed as soon as you publish or save.
- If you made a mistake and do not want to remove the item, click the plus button (+) that has appeared in place of the minus button, and the item will be restored.
Adding the Header
1. Go to your Sites & Settings under Admin in the hamburger menu on the left.
2. In Page Defaults, scroll down till you reach Navigation.
3. In the first dropdown menu, make sure that select is chosen. After which, in the second dropdown menu you can select your new header navigation item you just created.
4. Click on Save at the bottom.
Congrats! This header will be saved across all pages of your site.
If you would like a custom header for a certain page on your site, that is also possible through overrides on the page.
1. Go to the page you would like to add a different header to.
2. At the top menu, select Overrides.
3. Scroll down to Header and then Navigation.
4. Select the navigation item that you created.

domain: design


By Bishop Gerald Kicanas
One in a series
(Editor’s Note: Bishop Gerald Kicanas (right) of Tucson, Ariz., vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is on a trip to Lebanon, his ancestral homeland, and to Israel and the Palestinian territories, where he will attend an international meeting of bishops in support of the church in the Holy Land. He has agreed to be a guest blogger for us during the trip.)
DAY THREE: Jan. 7, 2010
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Today was planned to be focused on learning more about the life of the Catholic Church in Lebanon as well as the place of interfaith dialogue in this land so rich with diverse expressions of faith.
* * *
We left rather early for Harissa to meet with the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia. Traffic in Beirut is not unlike traffic in Tucson or most cities, a nightmare. Congested streets coupled with very aggressive drivers make for quite an adventure. Horns bark as cars cut in and out seeking to get an inch up on another car in order to turn into a lane or make a U-turn from anywhere at any time. We had an experienced driver who seemed to delight in the battle. Honk and move is the strategy. Pedestrians beware.
The nunciature was moved during the war from central Beirut to Harissa, which is located outside the city in the suburban area. We drove along the ever-present turquoise blue sea glimmering in the early morning sun. Mark pointed out to us the Armenian compound as we passed and the Maronite and Greek Orthodox Centers high up on the mountain. Like Tucson, Beirut has its mountains on which many homes and structures have been built. However in the city there is little open space or gardens. The city and its environ are dense with homes and businesses.
We climbed the road leading to the nunciature and entered a beautiful garden space. A religious woman greeted us with a warm welcome in several languages and escorted us in for a brief wait until the nuncio, Archbishop Caccia entered. He is a very young man, new to Lebanon. His family is from Milan and he served in the diplomatic corps in Tanzania and in the Secretariat of State in the Vatican before being named to this challenging and complex responsibility. He was ordained by Pope Benedict XVI as archbishop in September and arrived in Beirut in October.
He said — at times depending on whom he is talking to — that he tells people he has only been in Beirut for a very short time, just a few months, and, at other times, that he has been here a year since he arrived in Beirut in 2009 and it is now 2010.
Despite his recent arrival, he showed an in-depth grasp of the situation both politically and religiously. Upon his arrival he took the initiative to visit individually with each of the religious leaders of the various rites and faiths, not a small task but a gesture very well received by all.
He has carefully analyzed the political struggles within the country and hoped that the new unity government would realize the peace people desperately want. He described what we have heard often on this visit, that Lebanon has to be seen as part of a regional solution. The outside influences on Lebanon are significant and what happens in any part of the Arab world affects other parts as well.
This may be why situations like what happened today in the shooting of Coptic Christians coming out of a church in Egypt cause such panic, fear and concern among Lebanese. They fear that any violence can trigger larger conflict.
* * *
He explained that there are many forces at play in Lebanon whether one is talking of Saudi Arabia or Iran or Iraq or Syria or Egypt. Their influence continues to affect what happens politically in Lebanon.
He spoke of the various rites that make up the Catholic Church of Lebanon including the Maronite, the largest, the Melkite and the Syriac Catholics as well as the Armenians. He commented on the other Christian Churches especially the Greek Orthodox Church and some of the evangelical groups. Then there are the various Muslim groups from the Sunnis to the Shiites to the Druze to the Alawhits. Each of these communities has its own history, culture and perspective, making this small country very complex.
He spoke of the upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Middle East that Pope Benedict has called for this October. While called on short notice with little time to do the extensive preliminary work necessary, he has great hopes for the synod.
I was grateful for his comprehensive and helpful analysis of the situation. Clearly he is a man who, in a short time, has learned much by listening attentively to the community he has been sent to work with. Our Holy Father will be well served by his service.
* * *
Thanks to the work of Bishop Gregory Mansour, Maronite bishop of Brooklyn and a good friend, we were invited to visit with Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, the Lebanon-based Maronite patriarch. I had thought it would be a brief personal visit with him and a few other bishops of the area, but when we arrived at the Maronite compound we were met by a number of media carrying cameras. I was greeted by His Beatitude and led into a hall where the entire Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon had gathered along with priests and women religious.
We sat at tables as the TV cameras and photographers were given time to take their pictures. Then they were asked to leave and we sat down for a dialogue. Cardinal Sfeir opened the session with a gracious welcome to me and my collaborators and the expression of his hope that we would learn about the struggles of the Catholic Church in Lebanon and be able to bring this home to the United States Bishops.
While my mother spoke Arabic, my sisters and I never learned the language, I regret. I know just a few words from my family growing up, some words of which are not repeatable in public. It would have been great to have learned some Arabic since much of our dialogue was in Arabic. Msgr. Camille Zaidan, director general of the Maronite Center for Research, was my translator, which was immensely helpful as you can imagine.
Bishop Roland Abou Jaoudeh was chair of the meeting, which was attended by His Beatitude Ignatius (Joseph) Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church, whom I had known when he was in the U.S. conference, and His Beatitude Nerses Petros of the Armenian Church. His Beatitude Gregory III, the Melkite patriarch, was not able to attend but was represented. I was impressed to see the bishops from all the areas of Lebanon present. The nuncio also attended.
I quickly learned that this was not just an informal chat but would involve a question-and-answer period as well as comments from me.
When called upon, I began by sharing some of my ethnic background. I explained that my grandparents were all born in Lebanon, some in Beirut and some in Zahleh. I shared with them my relatives, comments about the great river in Zahleh which I imagined was a beautiful flowing river but which I learned in my first visit to Lebanon is, like the rivers of Tucson, mostly dry. This got a hearty laugh.
I told them that my mother was Greek Orthodox, my father for some reason was Latin-rite. Many relatives were Maronite. My sister and I were baptized and confirmed Melkite. My family was almost as religiously diverse as Lebanon.
Then we got down to business. Bishop Roland spoke of the internal and external challenges to the Catholic Church in Lebanon.
Internally the war has deeply affected the Christian presence in Lebanon: massacres, displacement, exodus towards the city, emigration. He spoke of the Palestinian refugee situation and the difficult situation of the camps. He expressed concern about the arsenal of Hezbollah that even outweighs by far that of the Lebanese army and security forces. It used to be that 52 percent of Lebanon was Christian, but now less than 35 percent because so many have left to go to the United States, Australia, Europe and the Gulf countries.
Education presents challenges especially in a multireligious, politically and economically unstable as well as morally weakened country. There are, at times, Christian internal divisions and quarreling and diminishing Christian political and economic influence.
Externally there are concerns about the appropriation of land in large quantities by people outside the country. So many youth are leaving the country. Fundamentalism and extremism are significant issues in the country and in the region.
They expressed concern about Western policies regarding Israel and Middle East oil which rarely take into consideration the needs and concerns of the Christian communities and their future. They expressed concern about the lack of understanding of Christian churches in the West to the plight of Christians in the Middle East.
They fear that what has happened to Iraqi Christians might portent their future.
* * *
As the question-and-answer period began, several bishops spoke passionately about the need for the church in the United States and the bishops in particular to better understand the challenges of Christians in the Middle East. They need us to show solidarity not only by words but by actions. They are trying their best to respond to the needs of their people. They strive to treat their Muslim brothers respectfully and seek reciprocity but look to the United States to help resolve the regional challenges they face.
One bishop suggested that there be a structure by which the U.S. bishops’ conference and the patriarchs and bishops in Lebanon can continue to explore ways of working together.
Bishop Roland explained the many initiatives that the Catholic Church in Lebanon has taken to face these challenges, but the bishops strongly feel that the bishops of western countries with many Christians need to help their people understand the plight and struggles of Christians in the Middle East and encourage them to help.
Patriarch Sfeir concluded by quoting from Romans 5: 3-6, “Knowing that affliction produces endurance and endurance proven character, and proven character hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” — a powerful summary of what we heard and what the Catholic Church in the Middle East lives out today.
I assured the patriarchs and bishops of Lebanon of the warm regard felt by our conference president, Cardinal Francis George, who has visited Lebanon, and of all the bishops in the United States. I suggested that we continue to explore ways to better strengthen our solidarity in working for the well-being of Christians in Lebanon and throughout the region through our Committee on International Justice and Peace, and through the work of Catholic Relief Services we would continue to explore ways to better strengthen our solidarity in working for the well being of Christians and all in the region.
We finished the morning by gathering in a huge dining room where Patriarch Sfeir presided over a marvelous multicourse meal, another example of Lebanese hospitality.
* * *
We returned to Beirut where we met with two Iraqi families who have fled their country and came to Lebanon. Sonja and Isabelle, whom we met yesterday and who work for the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center, welcomed us to their center. They explained the circumstances of the families we would be meeting.
While we were talking a young boy of 7 named Sivon came into the office. He was Iraqi and Caritas had used his picture in one of their brochures. Since then he comes every day to the office after school where he has become like one of the staff. He looked at us strangers and quickly warmed up, showing that he knew some English. He sat next to me and counted from one to 10 and showed he knew the names of the days starting with Sunday. He stumbled on Friday but quickly recovered. When we had trouble understanding his first name he wrote it down for us to see how it is spelled. He wanted us badly to visit his family but since the staff had not arranged for that visit they felt it better not to surprise his family.
* * *
We went to visit the two families. The first was a family of nine. As you enter their humble home you see a picture of St. George and the Dragon on the wall. The father is a person with disability. The family fled Iraq and came to Lebanon just two months ago. Clearly the situation in Iraq remains terribly problematic. They lived in a village near Mosul. They are Chaldean Catholic. They live in a small, congested meager apartment where they pay about $200 a month. His sister and two nephews were killed in Iraq. His son brought out their pictures for us to see. The father broke down talking about their frightful experience. They are hoping to be given refugee status and to be resettled. The Christians in his area are under great threat. They fear for their lives. Some of the family remains in Iraq. This is another example of the breakdown in family that is taking place for refugee families.
The family welcomed us to their home and in typical Arab hospitality brought out some food and drink. They are hopeful to be resettled. I could only think of the great struggle being faced by Iraqi families in the United States. In Tucson when I met with Iraqi families they are desperate because of the lack of work and resources. The U.S. government provides only limited help which in these serious economic times with significant unemployment is totally inadequate to meet their needs. The U.S. government needs to do more for these families resettled in the United States. This was the point of the letter which a number of influential people in Tucson wrote to our legislators calling for more aid. Without that, families like the one we visited can only look forward to even more difficulties as they are resettled.
As we were about to leave I asked if the family would welcome a blessing. The father immediately said yes and bowed his head. He and the children prayed with me and after he grabbed my hand and kissed it. His faith was obvious.
* * *
The second family was a mother and her three sons. She came to Lebanon some months ago. Her daughter went off to church before they fled to Lebanon and disappeared, kidnapped. She fears for her daughter’s safety. She was told that her daughter’s body had been found and she used all her resources to bring her and her three sons back to Iraq to find her daughter. It turned out it was not her daughter and so they returned to Lebanon awaiting resettlement.
The family of four live in a one-room apartment for which they pay $250 a month. They are hoping to find a bigger place. Clearly landlords are making big money on very inadequate shelter for these families.
She broke down thinking of her daughter and wondering what had happened to her. What tragic situations the war has created for so many simple people just trying to live and raise their families.
Again we prayed together and they received a blessing with the deep faith that has held them together through terribly troubled times.
I could only marvel at the work of the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center staff who hear these tragic stories day after day and who show these families such compassion and care trying to assist them and move their cases along through a mind boggling bureaucracy. Bill expressed our admiration to them for their difficult and terribly important work.
* * *
The day ended with a meeting with religious leaders who are part of the Islamic Christian National Dialogue Committee formed in 1993 to encourage relationships among the various faiths in Lebanon. Emir Hares Chehab is the general secretary and the members are chosen by their religious leader to take part.
Lebanon can be a laboratory for interfaith dialogue and that was obvious as all the key religious leaders gathered for this evening where we shared dinner and dialogue. Mohammad Sammak, a Sunni Muslim, shares the role of general secretary of the committee. It was so encouraging to see the regard and respect those around the table have for one another.
It was mentioned that what is needed is to get this dialogue down to the local level, where people from different faiths still view one another with suspicion.
It was a delightful evening. I sat next to Archbishop Paul Boulos Matar, archbishop of Beirut, and across from the Greek Orthodox archbishop, who was delighted to know my mother had been Greek Orthodox. The apostolic nuncio also participated, showing his respect for these leaders of the various faiths.
The dinner was hosted by St. Joseph University, the Jesuit university which is part of the many institutions of higher education in Lebanon.
The day was full of images and messages that were very moving and challenging.


text:
Economic Collapse, Coups, and Dutch Disease: Venezuela’s Political Crisis Explained
Theo Brandt, ‘22
Nobody really knows who is president of Venezuela. In May 2018, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela “won” a fraudulent election in which most opposition candidates were either barred from running, forced into exile, or boycotted the race. Even after the race, the Lima Group (a coalition of 12 Latin American nations plus Canada formed in 2017 which pledged to peacefully bring democracy to Venezuela. How they planned to do that without including Venezuela in their organization is a mystery.) didn’t accept the results of the election. Venezuela’s legislature also refused to accept the results of the election. After being sworn in as President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó declared the results of the election illegitimate and enacted Article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution which states that if there is no legitimate, functioning president, the leader of the legislature (Juan Guaidó) takes over as interim president. Elections are supposed to take place thirty days after the President of the National Assembly becomes President of the Republic. But Maduro hasn’t stepped down and his officials are still in office. President Trump official recognized Guaidó as President of Venezuela via Twitter, and a slew of Latin American nations including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile as well as the Organization of American States did the same. Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, and Turkey have all said that it was a coup against Maduro. How did such a crisis come to be? Why are so many countries rushing to pick sides?
To understand the current crisis, it is important to understand that Venezuela is a petrostate. This means that most of the income is from oil and that this causes widespread corruption. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, an American think tank, Venezuela is an archetypal petrostate as 50% of its GDP is from oil. Its focus on the oil sector has sucked the diversity out of the economy, a process known as Dutch Disease. Paradoxically, the country’s incredibly large oil reserves are toxic to the economy of the nation. This is because oil, which was discovered in Venezuela in 1922, predates democratic political structures. Venezuela’s first stable democratic government began in 1958. By 1935, 90% of the country’s exports were oil, and the Hydrocarbons Law of 1943, which stated that foreign oil companies had to give half of their revenue to the government, caused the budget to grow sixfold in five years. By the time the country turned democratic, oil was in its DNA and none of the country’s heads of state tried to diversify the economy. This wasn’t apparently problematic until the 1980s, after Venezuela was a founding member of OPEC (1960), quadrupled its oil prices adding $10 billion dollars to the budget in two years during the 1973 OPEC embargo, and nationalized oil in 1976. Because of the prosperity prosperity, $100 billion had been embezzled between 1972 and 1997.
Oil prices fell in the 1980s, causing inflation in the country. In 1989, President Carlos Andrés Pérez asked for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, provoking deadly riots. In 1992, Hugo Chávez, then a general, attempted a coup. Maduro, an ambitious union leader at the time who was keen on entering politics, met Chávez in 1993 after tirelessly attempting to help him gain his freedom. Chávez was democratically elected in 1998 to the presidency and spent a great deal of money on imported household goods--which were in shortage due to his mismanagement of the economy--during election years (2006 and 2012). This was another time of apparent prosperity. According to Javier Corrales, a professor of political science at Amherst College, Venezuela funded political groups throughout Latin America during Chávez’s and Maduro’s leadership. Furthermore, Chávez’s opposition, an ununited coalition of smaller parties, was unpopular in Venezuela and abroad after the 2006 elections. Chávez became more authoritarian, passing a constitutional reform in 2009 abolishing term limits. In the light of this constitutional crisis, Guaidó entered politics and joined the Popular Will party, founded by his mentor Leopoldo López. At this time, the Venezuelan opposition improved its image. They networked with other countries (often through secret meetings) and took more democratic stances. The price of oil dropped in 2014, a year after Maduro took over the presidency after Chávez’s death. The price of oil went from $100 in 2014 to $30 per barrel in early 2016 (Council on Foreign Relations). Maduro’s regime with hyperinflation and protests. Normally, a country in this situation could go to the IMF, but as Venezuela left the IMF in 2007, that was not an option. According to a 2015 report by Columbia University’s Center for Global Energy Policy, Venezuela would need to sell $170 per barrel. The report also predicted massive debt, hyperinflation, political turmoil, and the opposition coming to power in the legislature. All four of these predictions have come true.
Meanwhile, Guaidó’s mentor had been banned from politics and put in house arrest after protesting Maduor in 2014. Guaidó joined the National Assembly in 2015. That year, President Obama passed Executive Order 13692, declaring Venezuela in a state of emergency and calling for sanctions on culpable politicians, effectively fueling the opposition. This delegitimized Maduro in the eyes of the international community and the political opposition was instrumental at using this to make themselves more appealing and gain support from abroad. Maduro’s response to the economic unrest has been political oppression. Because the National Assembly opposed him, he made the National Constituent Assembly in 2017 and filled it with his supporters. That year, the opposition’s international efforts had paid off and the Lima Group was founded specifically to fix the crisis in Venezuela. While the opposition lost the May 2018 elections–they were rigged–47 countries refused to accept the results. Guaidó, in particular, travelled abroad visiting the Organization of American States in Washington D.C., Colombia, and Brazil. On January 4th of this year, a day before Guaidó took power, these countries refused to accept Maduro as the legitimate ruler.
The international community’s rush to support a particular leader is lethal. Russia and China’s support of Maduro is dangerous because Maduro’s election wasn’t democratic. But it is equally dangerous for the U.S. and the Lima Group to immediately support Guaidó, because he wasn’t democratically elected, either. Constitutionally, he is only the interim president and new elections should take place thirty days after removal of the president. By declaring Guaidó president, the international community ignored the Venezuelan constitution.

domain: news


INVASION OF THE GIANT RATS
Giant rodents are about to take over New Jersey!
And even if the Garden State might not look any different, it has some officials worried about the ugly, 20-pound nutria which have made their way here from points south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The furry rodent is widely considered one of the most damaging creatures to marshland ecosystems – which, of course, would make New Jersey the critter’s spiritual home.
“I spotted it in Lower Alloway Township, Oct. 29,” state Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Andrew Burnett told The Star-Ledger of Newark.
“The animal was swimming across Alloway Creek approximately 150 feet from my position.”
For decades, the nutria have slowly made their way up the Eastern Sseaboard. It was first recorded in large numbers in Delaware and Maryland in the 1980s
And now, the first has been spotted in Jersey.
“It’s a very large rodent,” said Leonard Douglen, executive director of the New Jersey Pest Management Association.
“As long as we don’t allow the population to grow, we can eradicate them no matter how big they are.”
The rodents – which measure as long as 24 inches from nose to tail – can kill an ecosystem by evicting current tenants like waterfowl, crabs and fish.
Douglen said that if the nutria invade New Jersey in large numbers, he and other pest-control warriors will have to take them out, one at a time.
“We’d probably trap them, wherever there are sightings. We’d have to set traps in those areas,” he told The Post last night.
“Just because a new species comes around doesn’t mean you reinvent the wheel.”
The nutria, as big as most dogs and resembling a beaver, has an average life span of about four years in the wild.
The South American rodent, with its fine fur, was once bred for their pelts in the late 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century.
As nutria farms popped up in the South and Gulf Coast regions, so did feral populations of the big, ugly rodents.
The most fierce battles against the nutria have been waged on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where state officials want to protect their precious Chesapeake Bay.
The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland has been ground zero of the war against the nutria, which has devoured about 7,000 acres of salt marsh in the past half-century.
Saved Stories – None


- Poly Crepe
- Normal Wash, Don’t deep dry in direct sunlight.
- Long length Kashmiri Kaftan with Ari Embroidered Flowers.
- Wear it as a kaftan cover up for the beach, around the house or for casual outings
- Fabric : Poly Crepe
- SIZE : Free Size.Length: 50/52 inch,Chest 56 inch.
- Hand wash with care, Line Dry in shade.


|Publication number||US5934763 A|
|Application number||US 08/776,155|
|Publication date||Aug 10, 1999|
|Filing date||Jul 25, 1995|
|Priority date||Jul 25, 1994|
|Also published as||DE69513981D1, DE69513981T2, EP0772531A1, EP0772531B1, WO1996003288A1|
|Publication number||08776155, 776155, PCT/1995/884, PCT/SE/1995/000884, PCT/SE/1995/00884, PCT/SE/95/000884, PCT/SE/95/00884, PCT/SE1995/000884, PCT/SE1995/00884, PCT/SE1995000884, PCT/SE199500884, PCT/SE95/000884, PCT/SE95/00884, PCT/SE95000884, PCT/SE9500884, US 5934763 A, US 5934763A, US-A-5934763, US5934763 A, US5934763A|
|Inventors||Bo Conradsson, Ake Conradsson|
|Original Assignee||Industriverktyg Ab|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (13), Classifications (18), Legal Events (7)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present invention concerns partly a method for mounting of a tubular-shaped bearing in a hub part of a wheel, the bearing having an elongated cylindrical casing part, which is shaped to be radially supported by axially separated, annular arranged support members in the wheel's hub part, and partly a wheel comprising a wheel body with a hub part, which contains a cylindrical, tubular-shaped bearing.
During the manufacturing of wheels for cars, light freight vehicles and the like, for example wheels for shopping trolleys which are normally found in shops and supermarkets, various separate sub-operations are required for the manufacturing of the wheel body itself, the molding and the fastening of a tread as well as the mounting and the attachment of wheel bearings.
A general purpose of the present invention is to achieve a simplification in, and a reduction of the cost of, manufacturing such a wheel.
In its broadest sense, this is achieved according to the invention by axially fixing the bearing in the hub part by introducing an elastic plastic material, via at least one axial opening in at least one of the annular support members, into a space defined by the casing part and an inner wall surface of the hub part between the axially separated support members. An annular flange element can also be shaped around the casing part axially outside the annular support members. In this way an extremely good axial fixing of the bearing is achieved.
Preferably, the wheel body in this method has two complimentary wheel halves and a tubular-shaped bearing placed in a hub part jointly formed by the wheel halves, where the bearing has an elongated cylindrical casing part with parts shaped to be radially supported by axially separated, annular support members arranged in the wheel's hub part, wherein the method comprises the steps of jointly fixing the wheel's hub part by axially-fixing the bearing in the hub part by means of an elastic plastic material, which is introduced, via at least one axial opening in at least one of the annular support members, into a space defined by the casing part and an inner wall surface of the hub part between the axially separated support members, and preferably simultaneously die casting around the outer periphery of the wheel halves an annular tread holding the wheel halves' peripheries together.
Preferably, the molding of the tread and the attachment of the bearing is accomplished with the same kind of material. The moldings material used can be made of an elastic plastic material, such as an elastomer, which can be a synthetic rubber, for example polyurethane rubber or the like.
The wheel according to the invention is characterized in that the hub part comprises axially separated, annular arranged support members having at least one opening and engaging radially a casing part of the bearing, and that the bearing is axially fixed in the hub part by a die cast, elastic plastic material in a space defined by the casing part and an inner wall surface of the hub part.
Further details and features of the invention will become evident below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheel composed of two wheel halves having a tubular bearing placed therein;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of one wheel half seen from the outside;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the wheel half from FIG. 2 seen from the inside;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a molding tool in which two complimentary, identical wheel halves are placed with a tubular bearing mounted in the hub section; and
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the tubular-bearing of the wheel.
FIG. 1 shows a wheel generally denoted 10, which is made of two preferably identical, complimentary wheel halves 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and a single tubular-shaped bearing 14 in the hub section of the wheel 10. The wheel halves 12 have a disc shaped radial part 16 with an outer peripheral part 18 and an inner hub part 20 and are preferably formed of a thermosetting plastic or another material which is shape stable after being formed. Each hub part 20 comprises a cylindrical inner wall surface 22 with radial support flanges 23 (FIG. 3) and an annular support member situated axially externally thereof for radial support of the tubular bearing 14. In the shown embodiment, the annular support member has the shape of a ring 24 extending radially inwardly relative to the cylindrical inner wall surface 22 and in which a number of recesses 26 are distributed around the circumference, thereby forming a number of annular arranged radial support bosses 24' for the tubular bearing 14. The peripheral part 18 of each wheel half 12 has a circumferential groove 28 which forms an anchoring groove for a tread 30 (FIG. 4), such as is more closely described below.
As shown in FIG. 5, the type of bearing 14, which is used in the wheel 10 according to the invention, is a tubular-shaped roller bearing, which comprises an outer, elongated cylindrical bearing casing 32 having two outer bearing races 34 situated at the ends, and an inner cylindrical bearing casing 36 having inner bearing races 38 at the ends, a respective row of ball shaped bearing bodies 40 being disposed in between the outer and inner bearing races 32, 38. The outer diameter (at 34) of the outer bearing casing 32 substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the annular support members 24, 24' of the wheel hub.
During the manufacture of a wheel 10 according to the invention the wheel halves 12 are first die cast in a separate mold (not shown) wherein, for example, a thermosetting plastic is used so that the wheel halves 12 will become light, strong and shape stable. Then, two wheel halves 12 are laid mirror inverted towards each other in a molding tool generally denoted 42 (see FIG. 4) which comprises two mold halves 44, 46. A tubular bearing 14 is held centrally placed in the hub jointly formed by the wheel halves 12 by means of a fixture 48, so that the bearing's outer bearing races 34 are held in a position opposite to the radial support members 24, 24' in the wheel hub. In a subsequent operation a die casting material 60 is injected into a mold cavity defined by the wheel's peripheral part 18 and the mold halves 44, 46 to form a tread 30 joining the wheel halves 12, and into a space 50 defined by the inner wall surface 22 in the hub part 20 and the outside of the outer casing part 32 of the bearing 14, via cuts or axial openings 26 in the ring-shaped support member 24.
Simultaneously, ring flanges 52 are also formed axially outside the support bosses 24', as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 thereby forming flanges 52 and the axial bearing attachment in space 50 at the same time with the same material. The injection of the molding material for the molding of the tread and the axial bearing attachment takes place at circumferentially separated spots both for the molding of the tread 30 and for the bearing attachment, as is shown by nozzles 54 and 56 respectively in FIG. 4.
During the assembly of wheel halves 12 in the molding tool 42 the radial support bosses 24' of the wheel halves 12 can be so displaced in the circumferential direction relative to each other that the support bosses 24' in one wheel half axially confront an axial opening 26 in the other wheel half, such as indicated in FIG. 4. In this manner the strength of the axial attachment of the bearing 14 in the hub 20 can be improved by means of the cast material.
An elastic plastic material, for example an elastomer such as polyurethane rubber or similar material, is preferably used as the molding material for the tread 30 and the axial bearing attachment. The molding of tread 30 and the axial bearing attachment is preferably performed at the same time and with the same material. It is however possible within the scope of the invention to use different materials for the tread 30 and the bearing attachment and to perform the molding of these at different times, even if this is a less satisfactory alternative. It is likewise possible that instead of using hollow complimentary wheel halves 12 to use a single solid wheel body.
By means of the method according to the invention it is therefore possible during the manufacture of a wheel in the one and same operation to form on the one hand a tread, which joins together the wheel's two wheel halves, and on the other hand to fix an elongated cylindrical tubular bearing in the wheel hub with the one and same elastic material.
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US2955884 *||Oct 10, 1955||Oct 11, 1960||Clinton Millman||Anti-friction bearing units|
|US3227000 *||Nov 20, 1961||Jan 4, 1966||Gits Jules Paul||Molded articles and methods of making same|
|US3578812 *||Mar 3, 1969||May 18, 1971||Arundale Mfg Inc||Support wheel and method of making same|
|US3894776 *||Apr 16, 1973||Jul 15, 1975||Pemco Kalamazoo||Wheel construction|
|US3990136 *||Oct 6, 1975||Nov 9, 1976||Wada Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha (Wada Seiko Co., Ltd.)||Method for producing revolving parts|
|US4072373 *||Sep 16, 1976||Feb 7, 1978||Pemco-Kalamazoo, Inc.||Wheel construction|
|US4295256 *||Oct 5, 1979||Oct 20, 1981||Pascal Robert A||Molded heavy duty wheel|
|US4818034 *||Dec 28, 1987||Apr 4, 1989||Unarco Industries, Inc.||Shock absorbing wheel|
|EP0368480A1 *||Oct 11, 1989||May 16, 1990||E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company||Vehicle wheel|
|GB1177294A *||Title not available|
|GB1240377A *||Title not available|
|GB1603178A *||Title not available|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US6513984||Jul 26, 2001||Feb 4, 2003||Trw Inc.||Steering column with bearings|
|US6520597 *||Jun 3, 1999||Feb 18, 2003||Floyd F. Markling||Blow molded wheel with axle retainer|
|US6752471 *||May 13, 2002||Jun 22, 2004||Ben M. Hsia||Stroller wheel structure|
|US6896335||Oct 10, 2002||May 24, 2005||Poly-Flex, Inc.||Blow molded wheel with axle retainer|
|US6913324||Oct 10, 2002||Jul 5, 2005||Poly-Flex, Inc.||Blow molded wheel with axle retainer|
|US7125012 *||Mar 12, 2004||Oct 24, 2006||Gregory James Newell||Rotatable feed wheel for sheet converting machine|
|US8037911 *||Sep 4, 2008||Oct 18, 2011||Geo Plastics||Wheel including tread coupled to rim|
|US8689845||Sep 28, 2011||Apr 8, 2014||Geo Plastics||Wheel including tread|
|US20030085611 *||Oct 10, 2002||May 8, 2003||Markling Floyd F.||Blow molded wheel with axle retainer|
|US20040070262 *||Oct 10, 2002||Apr 15, 2004||Markling Floyd F.||Blow molded wheel with axle retainer|
|US20050200070 *||Mar 12, 2004||Sep 15, 2005||Newell Gregory J.||Rotatable feed wheel for sheet converting machine|
|US20100052412 *||Mar 4, 2010||Geo Plastics||Wheel including tread|
|WO2001083239A1 *||May 2, 2001||Nov 8, 2001||Tente Castors Sa (Proprietary) Limited||Trolley whel|
|U.S. Classification||301/64.701, 301/105.1, 264/274|
|International Classification||B29C70/74, B29C45/14, B29C70/84, B60B5/02|
|Cooperative Classification||B29C45/14491, F16C19/184, B29L2031/32, B29C70/84, F16C35/067, B60B5/02, B29C70/74|
|European Classification||B29C45/14G3, B29C70/84, B29C70/74, B60B5/02|
|Jul 1, 1997||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: INDUSTRIVERKTYG AB, SWEDEN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CONRADSSON, BO;CONRADSSON, AKE;REEL/FRAME:008583/0083
Effective date: 19970224
|Feb 10, 2003||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Feb 26, 2003||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Jan 16, 2007||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|Mar 14, 2011||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Aug 10, 2011||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Sep 27, 2011||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20110810


text:
DNR officials made emergency appeals to the governor's office, the state Office of Emergency Services and the Pendleton County Office of Emergency Services. The appeals worked.
"We were looking for a generator with enough capacity to power the pumps, and we were trying to get in contact with people who could get a power-company crew out there," Taylor said.
In the meantime, Alt and his crew were trying to save as many trout as possible by replenishing the hatchery's water using small gasoline-powered pumps.
Word travels fast in small communities, and during the crisis Alt got a visit from a neighbor, Dennis Waggy, who offered the use of two home-sized generators.
Taylor called the crews' and the neighbor's actions "heroic."
"Our folks worked all night long and into the morning just trying to keep a bunch of trout alive, and the neighbor came over and offered the use of his own generators," Taylor said. "It's amazing -- but that's West Virginians for you."
A replacement generator was on its way to Reeds Creek by midmorning, but by then trout were already beginning to die. Taylor said fast action by Mon Power electrical crews saved the day.
"We were trying to get the generator moved to the hatchery when we discovered that the power company had come out and had gotten the electrical service restored," he said. "It took the crews less than an hour to get it turned back on."
Taylor estimated that 200 to 300 fish had already perished by 11 a.m. when power was reestablished, but added that the total could have been much, much higher.
"We could very easily have lost them all, from very young trout to large 'brood stock' trout," he said. "If we'd lost that many fish, it would have had a dramatic impact on trout stockings this fall and next spring."
Reach John McCoy at johnmc...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1231.


Wenger, maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife, founded in 1893, has been one of the Swiss Army's only two official suppliers for over 100 years. The Swiss symbol is a label of true quality. SwissGear products are innovative and versatile, and crafted for home, travel, and outdoor activities.
Bluetooth Adapted Streaming
The Roverbeats Unify uses updated wireless technology to adapt audio systems with bluetooth capability. This small, compact device enables devices and stereo audio systems to be wirelessly controlled with bluetooth 4.0 and EDR (Enhanced Data Rating). It features A2DP and AVRC profile functionality to stream high quality audio from a media source and is designed to provide a standard interface to control TVs, stereo audio equipment and other A/V devices.
Recharge and Resume
The Unify is the first bluetooth receiver to have a 200mAh battery, allowing it to provide up to 10 hours of continuous quality music playback for car systems, home theaters, smartphones, and tablets. With a quick recharge time of only 2 hours, it's easy to recharge and resume the music.
With NFC capability, the Unify can quickly connect with any other NFC enabled device in the matter of seconds. It's also created with the versatility to easily adapt via A/V, RCA, and 3.5mm jack input. It's quick to set up and extends wireless control to up to 33 feet (10 meters).
Wireless Range: 33ft. (10 meters)
Bluetooth Version: 4.0 + EDR, Class 2
Profiles?A2DP / AVRCP
Battery?Lithium, 3.7V 200mAh
Input Port: Micro USB
Power Input: 5V 1A DC
Output Port: 3.5mm audio
Dimensions: 1.88 x 0.94 inches
1 x Etekcity Bluetooth Receiver
1 x 5V 1A DC Power Adapter
1 x Micro USB Power Cable
1 x 3.5mm to 2RCA Cable
1 x 3.5mm Audio Cable
1 x Instruction Manual
Product Description: Mpow Muze Touch Bluetooth headphones features a touch-controlled interface which adds a truly intuitive advanced control system to control your music. It is re-engineered to sound better, be more comfortable and easier to take with you. Put them on, and suddenly everything changes. Your music is deep, powerful and balanced, and so quiet that every note sounds clearer. Even air travel becomes enjoyable, as engine roar gently fades away. Main Features: Unique touchpad control design, operate it just like your iPhone, iPod, iPad, works with Apple products Android phones seamlessly, easy to adjust volume, go to Next, PRE etc
Listen to all your favorite music with a high-quality, crystal clear connection with Bluetooth 4.0 technology.
Music has a profound effect on how we experience life. A great song can get us pumped for the big game, or help us fall in love under the stars. And now, thanks to the Keedox Mini Wireless Bluetooth Adapter, you can enjoy each of your favorite songs wirelessly in your car, at home or on the go, all through the power of Bluetooth 4.0.
The Keedox Mini Wireless Bluetooth Adapter offers higher quality sound, a more stable connection, and a superior battery life so you never lose music when you need it most. This is your chance to have universal listening no matter where you happen to be in the world. Featuring automatic pairing and switching, as well as near universal compatibility, you will never need another Bluetooth adapter.
Each Keedox Mini Wireless Bluetooth Adapter comes standard a micro USB charging cable, as well as the following features:
*Bluetooth V4.0 with CSR Chipset
*Frequency Range: 2.4GHz
*Superior sound quality reaches up to 10 meters
*Charge time is 1.5 hours
*Play time lasts up to 10 hours
What's in the box
1x Keedox Mini Bluetooth 4.0 Receiver
1x 3.5mm Metal Audio Adapter
1x 3.5mm Audio Cable
1x USB Cable
1x User Guide
This Etekcity portable Digital Multimeter is a practical tool for electricians, hobbyists, and general household use. It is easy to operate and features many different functions for measuring AC & DC voltage, DC current, and resistance, as well as continuity, transistor, and diode testing. It can be used to diagnose, assemble, and repair circuitry and wiring. Other features include a low battery indicator, easy-to-read backlit LCD, data hold, and overload protection.
Max.display: 1999, 3 1/2 digits
Range selection: Manual ranging
Polarity: Auto polarization
Overload display: Only figure "1" on the display
DC voltage: 200mV ±(0.8%+15), 2000mV ±(0.5%+15), 20/200/500V ±(0.8%+15)
AC voltage: 200V ±(2.0%+10), 500V ±(2.0%+15)
DC current: 200?A/2000?A/20mA ±(1.8%+10), 200mA ±(2%+10), 10A ±(5%+10)
Resistance: 200? ±(2.0%+10), 2/20/200k? ±(1.5%+10), 2M?±(2%+10)
Diode test: Yes
Continuity test: Yes
Dimensions: 5.31 x 2.76 x 1.38 inches
Weight: 5.64oz(test leads & batteries included)
Power: 1 x 9V 6F22
1 x Etekcity MU600 Digital Multimeter
1 x Instruction Manual(English)
1 x Set of test leads
1 x 9V 6F22 Battery
Mr. Beams MB333 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell, White, 3-Pack
Nest Learning Thermostat
Instant Pot is the next generation Electric Pressure Cooker designed by Canadians specifically for North American consumers. It speeds up cooking by 2~6 times using up to 70% less energy, and, above all, produces nutritious healthy food in a convenient and consistent fashion.
Instant Pot IP-LUX60 is a 6-in-1 programmable cooker combining the functions of a pressure cooker, saute/browning, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and warmer. The latest 3rd Generation technology with an embedded microprocessor greatly improve cooking result, maintain consistence and enhance safety. Your favorite dishes are within the reach of pressing a button with 10 built-in programs and 3 adjustable modes. 3 temperatures in Saute for browning or thickening, and 3 temperatures in Slow Cook to complete the tasks of a common slow cooker. It also works as a perfect porridge maker allowing you wake up with a fresh made porridge.
Instant Pot cuts the cooking time and energy consumption by up to 70%. It also preserves the nutrition and flavors in natural ingredients. Instant Pot produces almost no noise nor steam, and is truly a kitchen-friendly appliance. The stainless steel inner pot leaves no health concerns of non-stick coating residual. The brushed stainless steel exterior is finger print proof.
Instant Pot is the must-have cooking appliance in your fast-paced, health-oriented and green-conscious life style.
Instructions, Recipe and Cooking time table in English, Spanish, French and Chinese are included.
Taryana Bear Claw Meat Handler Fork
Bear Claw is the Perfect tool for Handling, Carving, Lifting, Shredding , and Pulling all kind of Meats. This tool is also very effective for Tossing Salads and assisting in Cutting Melons. This product is FDA Approved, and is BPA-Free.
• This tool can be used to turn the meat around, to catch pieces of meat, and to avoid hands burning during BBQ process;
• In a matter of minutes, you can pull a pork and shred a meat; When shredding use one claw to hold the meat and the other to shred;
• You can quickly shred vegetables and salad vegetables too;
• Handles everything from full-size hams to family-size turkeys;
• Different applications from Grilling and BBQ to Kitchen
• Can be cleaned in a dishwasher;
• Package include one pair of meat claws + gift box + 1 year manufacturer warranty;
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: We ensure the quality and functionality of the Bear Claw Meat Handler and to back this up, users can get a refund or a replacement within 30 days of their purchase if they don't like the product.
Shipping from Amazon Canada Warehouse, managed by Amazon Canada Team.
Click the Add to Cart button to Order Now while stocks lasts.
About T.I.T. Taryana:
T.I.T. Taryana is a Canadian owned company and our local team members have passion for providing best quality products to our customers and delivering the highest quality of customer service possible. All Taryana Kitchen Products come with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.


LONDON, England, 4 Jan. 2006. The U.K. Ministry of Defence has awarded four new contracts to help inform decisions on which technologies will be used for the Army's next generation of armoured fighting vehicles, the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES).
The contracts are managed by Atkins, the FRES Systems House, Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Drayson announced today. Winners include BAE Systems, Thales UK, and Lockheed Martin UK.
The Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) will provide the British Army with a family of medium-weight, network-enabled, air-deployable armoured vehicles to meet up to 16 battlespace roles. FRES will be the central pillar of a capable and highly deployable medium force which will be able to project power rapidly world-wide, complementing the UK's existing heavy and light forces. Current estimates indicate a potential requirement of over 3,500 vehicles.
BAE Systems have been awarded two contracts. The first is for a Chassis Concept Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP). This work will demonstrate the readiness of an alternative electric drive technology, and explain the challenges of applying this technology across the range of FRES roles.
The BAE Systems Chassis Concept TDP will build on work done on the successful Swedish SEP programme. SEP is a family of modular vehicles, utilising emerging technology and allowing different role modules to be configured with either a wheeled or tracked chassis. The purpose of the TDP is to examine the ability of the electric drive system, developed for SEP to meet the requirements of some or all of the envisaged FRES roles.
The second BAE Systems contract will look at potential light bridging concepts based on two designs; a stretched version of current technology and a new design using hybrid materials.
The BAE Systems Gap Crossing approach is based upon the company's world-beating bridging technology and light bridging concepts. Supported by QinetiQ, the TDP will focus on a new light-weight assault bridge based on 2 designs: a stretched version of current technology and a new design using hybrid materials. Both designs aim to provide better bridge packaging for air transportability together with fast under-armour deployment, recovery and re-deployment.
In the third contract, Thales UK, teamed with Boeing, has been selected to lead the Integrated Survivability (IS) programme. This project will define Integrated Survivability concepts for the full range of FRES roles.
The fourth contract has been awarded to Lockheed Martin UK, which has been awarded a contract to determine the principles for integrating an Electric Armour TDP into FRES.
Electric Armour is a type of electric force-field that can defend armored vehicles from rocket propelled grenade (RPG) strikes. It was created by researchers at the U.K. Ministry of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
When danger threatens, an outer skin of metal plates can rapidly be electrified to several thousand volts. When hit by an RPG or other shaped charge warhead, the incoming copper jet has to pass through the electrified layers, where it has to endure the passage of many thousands of amperes of current.
A recently demonstrated system mounted on an armoured troop carrier consisted of bulletproof metal plating, insulation, power distribution lines, and storage capacitors. The system weighs a mere couple of tonnes, but had a protective effect equal to carrying an extra 10-20 tonnes of steel armour. For more information, see www.dstl.gov.uk/pr/press/pr2002/01-07-02.htm.
"The four TDPs placed by Atkins, along with others already awarded, will help ensure we get the right technology in these new vehicles that will be at the centre of the Army's future capability," said Lord Drayson. For more information, see www.mod.uk/dpa/IPT/FRES.
By Ben Ames, Senior Editor


text:
Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is the place to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
JUMP TO FORUMS ↓
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
What does it mean to Be More Dog?
Find out in Be More Dog: Learning to Live in the Now by Tripawds founders Rene and Jim. Learn life lessons learned from their Chief Fun Officer Jerry G. Dawg! Get the book and find fun gifts in the Be More Dog Bookstore.
James is a black miniature poodle. He used to compete in flyball and agility and is passionate about swimming. His front left leg was amputated on Aug. 4, 2010.
11 August 2010
31 October 2012 6:23 pm
Search User Posts:
James the poodle had his left front leg amputated due to osteosarcoma on Aug. 4, 2010. He is currently doing chemo.

domain: pet


Small and Compact
Nimble RV temperature sensors are battery powered wireless temperature monitoring devices. The sensors are small, compact and can be fitted anywhere inside an RV/Car.
Get alerted. Not alarmed
The safety of your loved ones is important to us as it is for you. Nimble temperature sensors are fitted with temperature precision sensors that can calculate the surrounding temperature up to ±2°F. With a built-in cellular network, the devices can alert you through a text message/email when the temperature reaches the threshold limit.
Backup Battery Life
With a built-in battery, the device will keep sending temperature data and alerts you when the temperature exceeds the permissible level.
Monitor on the go
Monitor pet’s environment temperature on the go. Right from your mobile phone


text:
Author: Ali Smith
Publisher: Anchor Books
Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
This was a reread for me this year. I had almost forgotten how brilliant this book is, and it is not just about the word-games or the wordplay that Smith uses to her advantage. It is also not about the latent humour that springs itself on you every five pages or so. It is about the writing. The hard-to-contain, the kind of writing that is not limited only to words, the kind of writing that makes you sit up and want to devour the book in one sitting. Autumn for me, is that kind of a book. The book that I will reread perhaps once more before this year ends.
Autumn by Ali Smith is the first in a quartet. The season quartet as it is called. Autumn is the season of mists, of melancholy, of trees shedding leaves, of changing colours, of perhaps to see clearly, and make peace with the fact that life isn’t stationary. Autumn by Ali Smith is all of this and more. It is called “the Brexit novel”, but to me it is so much more. A lot more. Autumn is about friendship, love, art, identity, forgetfulness, ageing, of how much the world means to us, and how much we perhaps leave behind.
It is essentially the story of Elisabeth, and her next-door neighbour Daniel Gluck, about 70 years her senior. The friendship that started when she was but a little girl, who is now a woman in her early 30s, and he is centenarian. She goes to meet him at the home for the aged. She reads to him. Constantly reading to him. There is a lot of back and forth between the present and the past in the book, which worked for me through and through. Elisabeth and Daniel’s relationship is charted through the years, of what he teaches her about art, beauty, and the nature of living. Of how she takes it all in. Of the unspoken beauty of friendship, that doesn’t come with any condition of age or time or wisdom. It just is.
Autumn is energetic, brimming with wordplay, there is so much to it – the layers just keep peeling – perhaps also with every reread. It is also the story of Christine Keeler, of the Profumo fame, and how art plays a role in all of it. It is the story of how we function as humans. Ali Smith’s writing is perfect as far as I am concerned. No phrase or sentence is out of place, or not needed. Everything makes sense and sometimes nothing does. But that’s the beauty of her writing. You read. You pause. You savour what she serves, and you right back for a reread. I for one, cannot wait to now read Winter.

domain: literature


Since the 1980s, personal computers have been moving into our lives (and taking over?).
Operating systems became a necessity to manage both hardware and software, as well as provide us with easy-to-use graphical interfaces.
But where did they come from? To answer that question, I worked up a brief history of the three most prominent players in the game.
A (Very) Brief History of Windows
In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen started a company called Microsoft, which in 1981 released the MS‑DOS operating system.
The first graphical user interface (GUI) Microsoft product, Windows 1.0, was released in 1985.
Over the course of the next 15 years, Windows 2.0, Windows/386, Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Windows 95 and Windows 98 were all released, still based on the original MS-DOS, but with improved GUI features with each release.
Next on the scene was Windows XP (in 2001), followed by Windows Vista (in 2006), Windows 7 (in 2009) and Windows 8 (in 2012).
The next version, Windows 10, is scheduled for release in mid-2015.
In 2014, Windows 7 held about 58% of the PC operating system market share, while Microsoft as a whole held about 91.02%.
A (Very) Brief History of Linux
The Linux core, or “kernel”, was developed in 1991 by a Finnish computer science student named Linus Torvalds.
It was based on an operating system called Minix (which was a mini version of Unix).
In late 1992, the Linux kernel was released under the GNU General Public License as an open source (free) operating system.
In 1996, a penguin named “Tux” became the official Linux mascot.
Today there are thousands of contributors developing Linux kernel, with Linus Torvalds acting as coordinator and supervisor.
There are hundreds of Linux distributions (packages of software based on the original kernel) available.
In 2014, Linux held about 1.5% of the PC operating system market share.
A (Very) Brief History of OS X
Often confused with MAC (which is actually a computer and not an operating system), OS X is the name of an operating system first released in 1999 by Apple Inc., to run on Macintosh computers.
Of note, is the fact that OS X is pronounced “oh es ten”, as the X stands for the roman numeral ten.
OS X follows the 1996 Apple release of MAC OS, preceded by System in 1964.
In 2014, OS X held about 7.28% of the PC operating system market share.
Operating systems have been around much longer than I have!
As I have no experience with OS X, my focus will be on both Windows (currently version 7) and Linux (Fedora with KDE).
Next week I’ll be talking about why I use both, somewhat interchangeably.


text:
NASHVILLE – At least one conference has been cut short and another cancelled after an outbreak of norovirus at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.
Jenny Kite is a spokeswoman for Astellas Pharma US, which had a conference last week at the 2,882-room hotel. She said in an email that more than 350 employees or their family members “experienced symptoms consistent with norovirus.” The company cancelled the remaining meetings because of the illnesses.
A Lilly Diabetes spokesman said in an email that his company cancelled meetings scheduled at the hotel this week out of concern for employee safety.
Metro Public Health Department spokesman Brian Todd said three cases of norovirus are confirmed. Other samples are being tested. The department is working to determine how people were sickened.


Teledyne Hastings Instruments has released the HVG-2020A series of vacuum gauges.
The HVG-2020A a media-isolated, gas composition independent, piezoresistive instrument that provides accurate pressure measurement throughout the rough vacuum region.
It has an optional color touchscreen display which provides several different views, or modes of operation, for the user including a graphical “pressure versus time” mode, process control set point mode, bar graph mode, and a simple pressure and temperature display.
A wide variety of analog output signals may be selected (0-1 VDC, 0-5 VDC, 0-10 VDC, 0-20 mA, and 4-20 mA).
Unlike thermal based vacuum gauges, the HVG-2020A directly measures the pressure in the system. It does not infer the pressure by measuring the thermal conductivity of the gas. This means that the readings do not depend on the type of gas being used.
Hampton, Virginia-based Teledyne Hastings Instruments is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and produces a complete line of instruments for precise measurement and control of vacuum, pressure and gas flow.