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COVID 19 INFORMATION UPDATED 2 JUNE
Following the relaxation of lockdown rules our branch is now open. Services and opening times are modified and subject to change: please call or click here for more information
Welcome to the Purbeck part of Lynwood Veterinary Group. We have two branches; our main branch is close to Wareham train station on Sandford Lane, and a smaller branch on the Ulwell Road in Swanage.
We aim to provide our clients and their animals with a caring and professional veterinary service.
We have ample car parking at both sites allowing easy access to the surgeries. We are a purely companion animal practice.
The Purbeck veterinary surgeons travel between the two sites providing choice and continuity of care for the clients that we serve.
How to find us

domain: pet


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Like many of the other responses, I don't use the meal plans. I've been simply tracking my own nutrition and reviewing the daily reports to see if I need to make any adjustments on where my calories are coming-from.
Don't make it too hard or you'll stop trying. Use it your way.
Just use a daily appt. calendar booklet, or wall calendar, or even buy a cute notebook and write it down, simple. I take mine to the dietitian, so it's easy for her to see it. Keep it simple. You can save the notebooks for future reference, as you get older, you may be surprised by how you change your attitudes about what foods you eat as time goes by.
8/9/14 9:56 A
I'd agree-- turn off the meal plans, and enter your own food choices. You can set up "favorites" for the things you eat often, and that makes entering it faster.
8/9/14 6:17 A
Fitness Minutes: (109,663)
8/9/14 1:19 A
Probably the key thing is to confirm that you are having an adequate intake of balanced nutrition.
i just use my own meal plan that works and track it
8/8/14 1:11 P
If you click on any food in the meal plan, a list of substitutions will come up. Hopefully that will help, but if you have a lot of dietary restrictions, I agree you might want to consider turning off the meal plan and just tracking your own food. If you do that, you'll still be able to see how you're doing relative to your recommended calorie and nutrient ranges.
Fitness Minutes: (14,483)
1,156 8/8/14 12:39 P
I am having problems too.
Fitness Minutes: (18,343)
4,287 8/8/14 12:38 P
I don't use the Spark menus. Turned that function off. I make my own meal plans.
8/8/14 12:33 P
Eat what you like,,, that is what most of us here do!
8/8/14 11:56 A
Sure it will work for you... eat what you want.. just adjust the portion... and exercise oh yeah plan... plan and plan again
8/8/14 11:31 A
Are you using the Spark Menus?
I turned off the Spark Menus and track my own food. I only looked at them to give me ideas. Other than that I don't use them at all.
I hope that this helps
Fitness Minutes: (0)
8/8/14 11:26 A
I don't eat dairy...I drink rice or almond milk...I do eat some fish but no other meats. I don't do soy or most breads, per say. There are no substitutes on my daily choices? Is this even going to work for me?
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domain: food


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Hello folks, apologies for being slow to update during the season. Now that I’m back home and basking in the summer heat, I wanted to take a minute to go over one of the critical objectives that we embarked upon this past season – the Field Sublimation device!
First, allow me to explain the rationale behind the system. The overall goal of the project at summit is to characterize the production and retention of cosmogenic in-situ 14C through the firn column. To put that more simply, we’re trying to find out how much 14C is produced by nuclear reactions from cosmic rays in the upper part of the ice sheet, as well as how much actually comes to be trapped in the air bubbles as opposed to just diffusing out of the firn matrix. We’ve already discussed the large-volume Ice melting system in another blog post, but one big limitation to highlight of that system is that it can only characterize the 14CO and 14CH4 content in the Ice – not 14CO2. This is because melting of ice can lead to extra CO2 production from carbonate dust present in the ice (especially significant in Greenland – less so in Antarctica). So with only the Melter, we’re left with an incomplete picture of 14C production as 14CO2 is a major contribution of the overall 14C content. By sublimating the, ice we skip the liquid phase during the extraction and prevent the aqueous carbonate equilibrium reactions from producing extra CO2. We’re able to do this by keeping the Ice below the ‘Triple-Point’ on the water phase diagram, enabling the conversion directly from Ice -> vapor just by keeping the Ice cold and under vacuum.
Other laboratories have attempted to measure 14CO2 by dry extraction methods, however since the cosmogenic 14C is produced within the ice matrix itself (not just the air bubbles), results suggest that dry extraction methods fail to liberate all of the in-situ CO2 leading to inconsistent results.
Great, so we need to sublimate the Ice if we want to extract 14CO2. Then why on earth would we bring our system to the field – isn’t it easier to build a complicated extraction system in a laboratory with stable temperatures and electricity not provided by generators?
Well, the reason for that is two-fold. First, we want to sample the firn column to determine the amount of in-situ 14C that is retained through to bubble close off. Firn samples are known to trap bubbles over time following drilling and shipment back home. This would lead to atmospheric air being trapped (which is high in 14CO2) and mistakenly part of our sample. Thus for the firn samples we plan to collect – the only option is to extract the 14CO2 in the field immediately after drilling. Additionally, once an Ice sample is drilled, it is subjected to intense 14C production at the surface of the ice sheet at a high altitude, high-latitude location like Summit (and even more at higher altitude during the airplane shipment back home). Thus, there would be significant post-coring production of 14CO2 that would need to be accounted for and subtracted out. That being said – we still did collect some Ice samples in the field for the purpose of testing this effect. I plan on running them in Rochester during the months to come in order to see how my field results compare; however to get the best data, we aimed to sublimate each sample with hours or a few days of being drilled.
OK, so with the justification and science explained, let’s get into what a typical sampling day for me would entail in the field. Just after waking up, I would sleepily crawl out of my tent to head into Plan Q to check on the system from the overnight evacuation (while also hoping that my generator did not run out of fuel overnight). After performing a few checks, I head to breakfast while setting up a test to test for any leaks of ambient air that could contaminate my sample. Technically there is always a leak of ambient air in any vacuum line, however it is a matter of whether or not the amount is significant in terms of the analytes being measured. During the course of the sublimation, I need to make sure that the leak rate into the vessel and surrounding lines was less than ~1×10-5 sccm (standard cc’s/min) to avoid trapping any significant amount of extraneous CO2. To think of it another way, that equates to a cube of air 6mm on each side (roughly the size of a corn kernel) entering the vessel every hour – that’s not very much air!
Once the system passed all the morning tests, I was ready to load my sample for the day into our large glass sublimation vessel above. The design of this system allows for an Ice sample to be loaded onto a chilled pedestal from below. There is then an array of IR lamps that irradiate the sample while it is under vacuum. Then above the Ice sample, we designed a built-in ‘moat’ of Ethanol chilled with a probe chiller. The moat serves to re-condense the bulk of the water vapor right away, allowing the gases and 14C to travel through the rest of the vacuum line and minimizing the amount of water vapor co-transferred. This glass vessel is rather cumbersome and difficult to work around, but amazingly it worked well for the season and only suffered one breakage (luckily we had a spare made). Thanks to Allen Scientific Glass for making this rather complicated device for us.
Loading the Ice into the vessel is a delicate process that takes two people to perform. By the time I was well rehearsed in the procedure, I was able to minimize the time that the vessel was open (and subjected to ambient CO2) down to ~5 minutes. Once the Ice was in the vessel and the flange assembled, we begin by evacuating the ambient air out of the vessel. This is a key part of the procedure that takes ~45 minutes allowing for a few flushes of CO2-free air to make absolutely sure that any ambient CO2 (including that which I breathe into the poorly ventilated building) is not collected during the extraction. We also begin to sublimate a small amount of Ice off of the surface to ‘pre-clean’ it from any CO2 that may have adsorbed onto it. CO2 is known to be a very “sticky” gas, meaning it readily adsorbs onto surfaces – making it a pain-in-the-neck for all scientists trying to measure it!
Following the evacuation it’s time to sublimate the Ice! I set the lamps to ~25% power and monitor them over the course of the day. The amount of time it takes to sublimate a sample depends on the CO2 concentration, sample mass and geometry. In general for fully closed Ice, I can sublimate a 1.5Kg sample for ~7 hrs to extract ~20μg of CO2 that will be sent to ANSTO for graphitization and measurement by AMS. The lamp voltage is adjusted from a pair of Rheostats mounted on the device. Generator power is fairly inconsistent and unstable, so I would have to monitor and adjust the power based on my readings of the pressure inside of the vessel. Too little lamp power and I’m not sublimating enough Ice, too much and the vapor pressure increases to an extent that I may end up pushing the system above the triple point and melting it slightly – neither are desirable scenarios.
The rest of the system is rather simple in comparison to the vessel. Downstream of the vessel sits a pair of glass traps that are chilled to -90 in an Ethanol bath to condense any excess water vapor that is not trapped by the moat in the main vessel. It is imperative to remove as much water as possible beyond this point, since water vapor behaves similarly to CO2 in our vacuum system and it is possible to mistakenly identify water as CO2 during a pressure reading in the manometer.
Following the water trap is a small loop trap held under liquid nitrogen to trap the CO2 during the extraction. At liquid nitrogen temperature (-196C), CO2 will freeze under vacuum while allowing the bulk Air (mostly N2 and O2, some noble gases as well) to pass through unaffected. Other trace species (Eg. N2O) will also freeze at this temperature, however their concentration is generally too small to be significant. Following the CO2 loop trap is one final glass trap, this time containing ~3g of molecular sieves that are also held under liquid nitrogen during the extraction process. When cold, the molecular sieves will adsorb the majority of gases they are exposed to, save those with small molecular diameters (Eg. Ne, He). This allows us to trap the remaining air that is released from the Ice during the extraction process. This is needed in order for us to measure the concentration of CO2 we collect. Additionally, the mole Sieves serve as a ‘pump’ – creating an area of low pressure that drives diffusion of the gases out of the sublimation vessel downstream towards the CO2 trap. While it is not that strong of a ‘pump’ – over the ~7 hour extraction time it is certainly sufficient to get the majority of gases out of the vessel.
The only part of the line left to explain are a series of manometers for measuring the pressure of the bulk Air collected on the sieves as well as the pure CO2 that is distilled from the liquid nitrogen trap. Once all the measurements are made, the CO2 is manipulated into one side of the line where I flameseal it into a sealed glass ampoule. This part is a bit nerve-wracking, however with plenty of practice it becomes fairly routine. I’m proud to say that I have never botched a flameseal on a real sample (either here or on the 14CH4 extraction line back home) – though that says nothing about how many failed while I was practicing. The glass vials will eventually be shipped halfway around the world to Australia to be measured for 14C on the AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometer).
I hope that gives everyone an informative view of what I did up in Greenland this past season. Once we get some results from this system I’ll be sure to share it on the blog!

domain: chemistry


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As part of the 2015-16 Budget, the Government committed to introducing a regulatory framework to facilitate crowd-sourced equity funding in Australia. On 3 December 2015, the Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer MP introduced the Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Bill 2015 to Parliament. The framework will commence within six months of the legislation receiving Royal Assent.
The Government has also announced a suite of measures in the National Innovation and Science Agenda. The crowd-sourced funding framework the Government has introduced is intended to make it easier and less expensive for small businesses, including start-ups, to raise equity from the general public while ensuring adequate investor protection.
The crowd-sourced funding framework will also be given effect through associated regulations. The Government is now seeking feedback from stakeholders on the Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Regulation 2015 and its explanatory material.
The exposure draft regulation sets out the required contents of the CSF offer document, investor's risk acknowledgment and the risk warning. It also sets out additional detail to support intermediaries to carry out gatekeeper obligations.

domain: law


The list of star athletes who have suffered season-ending injuries recently in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is already too long. Ricky Rubio, Trevor Mbakwe, Scott Baker, Adrian Peterson ... and, briefly, it looked as if Seimone Augustus might be added.
A day of celebration for the Lynx on Sunday nearly turned somber when Augustus flew into the courtside chairs at Target Center late in the third quarter of the home team's 105-83 rout of Phoenix.
The top of the black metal folding chair Augustus struck with her midsection didn't budge -- those front-row chairs are attached to each other. Nor did Augustus move for several minutes.
Augustus, the WNBA Finals MVP last season, remained bent over and on her knees in obvious pain. But this potential team-changing injury has a happy ending.
"I tried to do a little razzle-dazzle and lost the ball," Augustus said, describing what happened. "From that point, I just tried to save the ball and ran into the back of the chair and just bruised my ribs. I will be fine."
Augustus said she plans to play in the Lynx's next game Tuesday at New York. "I am pretty tough," she said.
Augustus was slowly led off the court by a Lynx trainer. She returned to the bench four minutes into the fourth quarter to watch the ending.
"I didn't see [the collision]," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. "Last I saw [Seimone] was trying to make ESPN's top 10 on the highlights. So I didn't see what happened after that."
Augustus, despite playing a little less than 24 minutes, led the ultra-balanced Lynx with 19 points. Six Lynx players scored in double figures, tying a club record; their bench outscored the Mercury's 40-8.
The matchup of the league's highest-scoring team, Phoenix, and the defending WNBA champions attracted a announced crowd of 12,611, a record for a Lynx season opener. Many came early to see the team receive its championships rings.
Charde Houston and Alexis Hornbuckle, two former Lynx players traded to Phoenix in the offseason, also got rings.
Houston, a deep Lynx reserve a year ago, started in place of injured Diana Taurasi and, for the first quarter, did quite an impersonation of the league's leading scorer the past four seasons.
With Taurasi (hip flexor) limited to being a cheerleader, Houston made three of four shots from behind the arc and had 11 points in the quarter, which ended tied 20-20. Houston finished with a career-high five threes and a game-high 24 points -- two shy of tying another career best. The most points she scored last season was nine.
"Whether it was Charde or anybody else, defensively we had some challenges," Reeve said. "We weren't very good individually on our one-on-one."
On offense, in contrast, the Lynx set franchise records for most field goals (44) and points in the paint (58) in a game and shot 57.1 percent, tying the second-best mark for accuracy in their 14-year history.
Playing the Mercury is always fun, Augustus said, adding: "People want to see offense, and they create that. They make us get out and play offense and have a fast-tempo game, and that's what the fans want to see."
Phoenix coach Corey Gaines didn't like what he saw from the Lynx, but it was all too familiar.
"They shot the ball well, rebounded the ball well," Gaines said. "They['re] together, like they were last year."
2012 SEASON OPENER LYNX 105, PHOENIX 83
Up next: 6 p.m. Tuesday at New York No TV (106.1-FM)


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UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima has urged countries including Uganda to protect women’s rights to protect their health.
She further calls on leaders to fight all forms of gender-based violence if women and girls are to be protected against HIV/AIDS.
The Ugandan politician–turned–international Aid worker in a message to mark International Women’s Day says the world is way off track to meet the gender, equality, and HIV targets that are part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March each year.
The United Nations designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment.

domain: sociology


Bogotá has the world’s most dangerous transport system for women. A 2015 poll of female commuters revealed that women in Colombia’s capital felt unsafe, particularly at night, and complained of regular harassment and groping when travelling.
Bogotá relies on a bus service, TransMilenio, which is frequently overcrowded, resulting in delays and cramped journeys. Six commuters share every square metre; in Sweden, just two share the same amount of space. In 2004 and 2008 there were protests and strikes by passengers. In 2012, rioters destroyed five bus stations due to anger over overcrowding and high fares.
When it comes to public transport, negative reviews are all city authorities have to work with when trying to understand the way their city works for women. Transport systems such as Bogota’s affect the way women traverse their cities. Knowing that you are likely to be crammed into a crowded bus or carriage, or get dropped off at an unlit bus stop, makes women everywhere divert the routes they travel, and reconsider travelling at all.
“When we went into this, we knew intuitively that gender played a role in the way that people move”
“What we don’t measure, we don’t work on. We haven’t measured women,” said Melinda Gates in an interview with Bloomberg in February 2017. While there isn’t enough information on just what effect our current transport systems have on the way women move around cities, the lack of data differentiated by gender is a general problem. The Gates Foundation has pledged $80 million over three years to eradicate the “gender data gap”.
Santiago’s gender data laboratory
Now, Santiago, Chile will test the feasibility of collecting female-specific transport data. The city will work with a data collaborative made up of GovLab, UNICEF, Universidad del Desarrollo/Telefónica R&D Center, ISI Foundation, and DigitalGlobe to use mobile phone data and high-definition satellite imagery to map the journeys of the city’s female residents.
As in Colombia, sexual harassment is prevalent when women traverse public places in Chile: five out of ten women reported sexual harassment on the street in 2015. Over 2018, the project team will collect and analyse data in Santiago to figure out how women and girls use the city, and in which ways they differ from men.
“What we don’t measure, we don’t work on. We haven’t measured women”
“When we went into this, we knew intuitively that gender played a role in the way that people move,” said Natalia Adler, a policy manager for UNICEF and one of the project’s leaders. “If I ask women, ‘Would you walk in this street if it’s too dark or too isolated? If you see a bunch of construction workers down the street, would you cross the road?’ We all know that that happens. Until now we haven’t had the data to confirm that.”
The project team will use aggregated and anonymised mobile phone call data provided by the network provider Telefónica to understand how women and girls in Santiago travel through the city. This will be combined with official government data on population, transport, crime, and socioeconomic indicators and satellite imagery data from DigitalGlobe, in order to better understand if gender influences mobility patterns and how transport options can be made more inclusive.
“The choice of Santiago is partly due to the connection with the mobile connection provider,” said Daniela Paolotti, a data scientist at the ISI Foundation, a global research lab focusing on statistics and data science. “It’s also because Santiago is a city which has developed a lot in recent years. It has a very good coverage of public transport, but also it has very good coverage of public census data.”
“The places where you have the possibility to disaggregate by gender aren’t very many, and anytime there is that possibility to do it, people will do it,” said Paolotti. “It’s definitely a field in which there are many, many questions. The lack of data is just now starting to be taken into account.”
Transforming data into real change
The project won $100,000 in funding from Data 2x in September, an organisation devoted to closing the gender data gap and finding new ways to collect gender-specific data.The collaborative will collect and analyse data until the end of 2018, and provide policy recommendations to authorities in Santiago.
“We’re not just looking at it from a research perspective alone, that’s why we have to bring in government officials,” said Adler. “Especially in this case, we’ll be trying to target municipal officials and a lot of people from transportation institutions, so that we can try to link whatever insights that come from this research to things that they’ll benefit from.”
Finding links to people in power has been difficult up until now. National elections are currently underway in Chile, and finding the opportunity to connect with people in a busy and uncertain situation has been difficult.
“If we can show the value of this kind of analysis for one city like Santiago, we might have the chance to extend the project to other cities”
“We want to make sure that we put together some kind of advisory board, especially from government, to accompany the data analysis that we are doing so that it can be informed and also inform the process and response itself,” said Adler. “I don’t think the advocacy will be that hard, because there are a lot of savings that can come out of this research.”
Building a gender data movement
By engaging multiple different groups, public and private, around one project, the team has succeeded in pooling the data they need to see how women use the city – and the reasons behind these patterns. Perhaps most importantly, they are showing other governments that such analysis is possible.
“If we can show the value of this kind of analysis for one city like Santiago, we might have the chance to extend the project to other cities,” said Michele Tizzoni of the ISI Foundation.
Painting an accurate picture of the ways in which women and girls move across cities is essential to improving conditions in urban areas across the world, not just in South America. For schemes to expand, and policies to be built, there has to be evidence that such an approach can work.
(Picture credit: Flickr/Francisco Orsorio)


The Mechanics and Evolution of Escalators
An escalator is a mechanical device designed for vertical transportation within buildings. It consists of a continuously moving staircase that carries passengers between different levels, such as floors in a shopping mall, airport, or transit station. The steps are mounted on a looped chain, and they move in a diagonal fashion, allowing passengers to ascend or descend without the need for stairs. Escalators are equipped with safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and handrail sensors, to ensure passenger safety. They provide an efficient and accessible means of moving people, making them a vital component of modern urban infrastructure.
The Mechanics Behind Escalators
Escalators have become an integral part of modern urban life, seamlessly ferrying millions of people every day in malls, airports, train stations, and office buildings. These moving staircases, with their seemingly simple yet intricate design, have revolutionized the way we navigate multi-level spaces.
The Mechanics Behind Escalators
The operation of an escalator relies on a series of complex mechanical components working together in harmony. Understanding these intricacies sheds light on the engineering marvel that makes an escalator function seamlessly.
1. The Step Chain System
At the heart of every escalator is the step chain system. This system consists of a continuous loop of individual metal steps that are interconnected. The steps are mounted on two parallel chains, one at the top and one at the bottom of the escalator. These chains circulate in opposite directions, creating a perpetual motion.
The arrangement of the steps is crucial for the smooth operation of the escalator. Each step is carefully designed with a slight incline, allowing passengers to ascend or descend comfortably. The steps are evenly spaced to maintain a consistent rhythm, ensuring a steady flow of foot traffic.
2. The Drive Mechanism
The drive mechanism is the powerhouse that propels the step chain system. It encompasses several critical components:
- Electric Motor:
- At the core of the drive mechanism is an electric motor. This motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, providing the force necessary to move the escalator. The motor's power is tailored to the specific requirements of the escalator, taking into account factors like weight capacity and incline.
- Connected to the electric motor is a gearbox, which serves as a transmission system. It regulates the speed and torque of the motor, translating its rotational energy into the linear motion required to drive the escalator.
- Gears play a pivotal role in transmitting power within the escalator's drive mechanism. They mesh together, allowing the motor's rotational energy to be transferred efficiently to the step chain system.
3. Safety Features
Safety is paramount in escalator design. Numerous features and mechanisms are incorporated to prevent accidents and malfunctions. Some of the key safety components include:
- Emergency Stop Buttons:
- These are strategically located along the length of the escalator, allowing passengers and operators to quickly halt its motion in case of an emergency.
- Handrails with Speed Sensors:
- Handrails are equipped with sensors that monitor the speed of the escalator. If the speed deviates from the prescribed range, it triggers an alert or automatically slows down the escalator to maintain safe operation.
- Sensors and Switches:
- Various sensors and switches are positioned throughout the escalator to monitor critical aspects of its operation. These sensors detect anomalies, such as irregular step movement or excessive load, and can initiate safety protocols to prevent accidents.
The Evolution of Escalators: Technological Advancements
The evolution of escalators has been marked by significant technological advancements that have not only improved their efficiency and safety but also expanded their versatility in various settings.
1. Variable Speed Drives
Early escalators operated at a fixed speed, which could be limiting in certain situations. However, advancements in technology led to the development of variable speed drives. These sophisticated systems allow for precise control over the speed of the escalator.
Variable speed drives are achieved through the integration of advanced control systems and electronics. This enables escalators to adapt to changing conditions, such as traffic flow patterns or specific user requirements. As a result, escalators equipped with variable speed drives can operate more efficiently, consuming less energy during periods of low usage and optimizing performance during peak hours.
2. Reversible Escalators
In densely populated urban environments, efficient traffic flow is crucial. Traditional escalators were designed to operate in a single direction, necessitating the installation of separate escalators for upward and downward travel. However, the innovation of reversible escalators revolutionized this paradigm.
Reversible escalators are equipped with mechanisms that allow them to change direction based on the flow of foot traffic. This adaptability is particularly valuable in high-traffic areas where optimizing the use of available space is essential. By dynamically adjusting the direction of travel, reversible escalators enhance the efficiency of transportation systems in busy environments.
3. Energy Efficiency Measures
As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical concern, escalator manufacturers have focused on implementing energy-saving technologies. One notable advancement in this area is the development of regenerative drives.
Regenerative drives harness the energy generated during the descent of the escalator. Instead of dissipating this energy as heat, regenerative drives convert it back into electrical power, which can be utilized elsewhere in the building or fed back into the electrical grid. This innovation significantly reduces the overall power consumption of escalators, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to operate.
4. Integration of Smart Technologies
The integration of smart technologies is another significant advancement in escalator design. Sensors, cameras, and advanced monitoring systems are now incorporated into escalator infrastructure to enhance safety and performance.
These smart technologies can detect anomalies or irregularities in escalator operation in real time. For example, they can identify obstructions on the steps, monitor handrail speed, and provide immediate alerts in the event of a malfunction. Additionally, data collected from these sensors can be analyzed to optimize maintenance schedules and improve overall system reliability.
Maintaining and Servicing Escalators
Regular maintenance and servicing are essential to ensure the smooth operation, safety, and longevity of escalators. Skilled technicians play a crucial role in conducting routine inspections, identifying potential issues, and performing necessary repairs.
1. Routine Inspections
Routine inspections are the foundation of escalator maintenance. These examinations are conducted at regular intervals to assess the condition of various components and identify any signs of wear, damage, or malfunction. Inspections cover critical areas such as:
- Step Chains and Tracks: Technicians check for wear and tear on the step chains and tracks. Any misalignment or damage can lead to uneven step movement.
- Handrails: The condition of handrails is evaluated, ensuring they are properly aligned, free from tears, and moving at the correct speed.
- Drive System: The drive mechanism, including the motor, gearbox, and gears, is inspected for signs of wear or damage. Lubrication levels are also checked and replenished if necessary.
- Safety Features: Emergency stop buttons, sensors, and switches are tested to ensure they are functioning correctly.
2. Lubrication and Cleaning
Proper lubrication is vital for the smooth operation of escalators. Lubricants are applied to moving parts such as chains, gears, and bearings to reduce friction and prevent premature wear. Additionally, regular cleaning is essential to remove dirt, debris, and foreign objects that can interfere with the escalator's operation.
3. Component Replacement and Repairs
Over time, certain components may become worn or damaged and require replacement. This can include steps, handrails, bearings, and electrical components. Skilled technicians are trained to identify and replace these parts to maintain the escalator's performance.
4. Safety Checks and Testing
Ensuring the safety of passengers is a top priority in escalator maintenance. Technicians conduct thorough safety checks to verify that all safety features are functioning correctly. This includes testing emergency stop buttons, handrail sensors, and other safety mechanisms.
5. Modern Diagnostic Systems
Many modern escalators are equipped with advanced diagnostic systems that use sensors and software to monitor the escalator's performance in real time. These systems can detect potential issues before they escalate into major problems, allowing for proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
6. Adherence to Regulations and Standards
Escalator maintenance must adhere to industry regulations and safety standards set by authorities. Technicians are trained to follow these guidelines to ensure compliance and the highest level of safety for passengers.
7. Scheduled Maintenance Plans
Establishing a comprehensive maintenance schedule is crucial for the long-term reliability of escalators. This includes regular inspections, lubrication, and component replacements based on the manufacturer's recommendations and usage patterns.
Challenges Facing Escalators and Future Trends in Urban Mobility
As escalators continue to be an integral part of modern urban infrastructure, they face a range of challenges, from maintenance and safety concerns to environmental impact. Additionally, ongoing technological advancements are shaping the future of escalator design and operation.
Challenges in Escalator Technology and Usage
1. Maintenance and Reliability:
- Escalators are subjected to continuous use in high-traffic areas. This heavy demand necessitates regular maintenance and servicing to ensure optimal performance and safety. Finding efficient ways to conduct maintenance without disrupting normal operation is an ongoing challenge.
2. Safety and Security:
- Ensuring the safety of passengers is of paramount importance. Escalators must be equipped with robust safety features and undergo rigorous testing to prevent accidents and malfunctions.
3. Energy Consumption:
- Escalators can be energy-intensive, especially in large public spaces. Efforts to improve energy efficiency and explore alternative power sources are crucial for reducing their environmental impact.
4. Environmental Impact:
- The materials used in escalator construction and the energy required for operation contribute to their environmental footprint. Sustainable materials and energy-saving technologies are being explored to mitigate these impacts.
Future Trends in Escalator Design and Urban Mobility
1. Smart Technologies and IoT Integration:
- The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies allows for real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics. Smart sensors and predictive analytics can identify potential issues before they occur, enhancing safety and efficiency.
2. Sustainable Materials and Energy Efficiency:
- Escalator manufacturers are increasingly turning to eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies. This includes the use of recycled materials, regenerative drives, and LED lighting to reduce environmental impact.
3. Integration with Public Transportation Hubs:
- Escalators are a crucial component of public transportation systems, and their integration with bus and train stations is essential for seamless mobility. Future designs may prioritize easy accessibility and connectivity within transportation hubs.
4. Vertical Transportation Innovation:
- As cities continue to grow vertically, innovative designs for vertical transportation become more critical. This may involve the development of new types of escalators, such as inclined or spiral models, to efficiently move people between different levels.
5. Advanced Safety Features:
- Continued advancements in safety technology will focus on improving passenger protection. This could include enhanced handrail sensors, obstacle detection systems, and more sophisticated emergency stop mechanisms.
6. Customizable User Experiences:
- Future escalators may offer customizable experiences, such as adjustable speeds or the ability to play informative or entertaining content during the ride.
What is the difference between elevator and escalator
Elevators and escalators are both types of vertical transportation systems used in buildings to move people between different floors. However, they operate on different principles and serve distinct purposes.
- Movement Mechanism:
- Elevator: Elevators operate on a vertical movement principle. They consist of a car that moves up and down along a fixed track or shaft, allowing passengers to travel between floors.
- Escalator: Escalators, on the other hand, operate on an inclined plane. They consist of a continuous loop of steps that move in a diagonal fashion, allowing passengers to ascend or descend between different levels.
- Direction of Travel:
- Elevator: Elevators can move both vertically up and down. They are designed to transport passengers between different floors within a building.
- Escalator: Escalators are designed for continuous movement along an inclined path. They are typically used for shorter distances and are well-suited for moving large numbers of people efficiently.
- Capacity and Usage:
- Elevator: Elevators are capable of carrying a relatively small number of passengers at a time, depending on their size and capacity. They are commonly used in high-rise buildings and structures with multiple floors.
- Escalator: Escalators are designed to handle a larger volume of people over shorter distances. They are often found in areas with high foot traffic, such as shopping malls, airports, and transit stations.
- Design and Layout:
- Elevator: Elevators have a closed cabin or car with doors that open and close, providing a secure enclosure for passengers during travel.
- Escalator: Escalators have open steps that continuously move in a loop. There are handrails on both sides to provide support to passengers while they move.
- Purpose and Function:
- Elevator: Elevators are primarily used for transportation between different floors within a building, making them essential for accessibility in multi-story structures.
- Escalator: Escalators are designed to move people efficiently over inclined distances. They are commonly used to facilitate pedestrian flow in busy public spaces.
- Safety Features:
- Elevator: Elevators are equipped with various safety features, including emergency stop buttons, sensors, and safety interlocks to ensure passenger safety during operation.
- Escalator: Escalators also have safety features, including emergency stop buttons, handrail sensors, and safety switches to prevent accidents and malfunctions.
- Energy Consumption:
- Elevator: Elevators can be energy-intensive, especially in high-rise buildings. However, advancements in elevator technology have led to the development of more energy-efficient systems.
- Escalator: Escalators consume less energy compared to elevators, making them a more energy-efficient option for short to medium vertical distances.
What is the main purpose of the escalator
The main purpose of an escalator is to efficiently move a large number of people between different levels of a building, such as floors in a shopping mall, airport, transit station, or office building. Escalators provide a convenient and continuous means of vertical transportation, allowing passengers to ascend or descend without the need for stairs or elevators.
Key purposes of escalators include:
- Facilitating Pedestrian Flow: Escalators are designed to streamline the movement of pedestrians in areas with high foot traffic. They help to distribute people efficiently, reducing congestion and allowing for a smoother flow of individuals.
- Accessibility: Escalators provide an accessible means of moving between different levels for people with mobility challenges or those carrying heavy items. They offer an alternative to stairs, making buildings more inclusive and accommodating to a wider range of individuals.
- Efficiency in Short to Medium Distances: While elevators are well-suited for moving between numerous floors in tall buildings, escalators excel at covering shorter to medium distances. They are particularly effective in areas where the vertical separation is not extensive but still requires a convenient mode of transportation.
- Operational Continuity: Escalators can operate continuously during business hours, ensuring that passengers can use them at any time without waiting for an elevator. This continuous operation is especially important in high-traffic areas like shopping centers and transportation hubs.
- Space Efficiency: Escalators take up less floor space compared to elevators, making them a practical choice in areas where maximizing usable space is important. They can be installed in relatively narrow spaces, optimizing the layout of a building.
- Safety: Escalators are equipped with various safety features, such as emergency stop buttons, handrail sensors, and safety switches. These features are designed to prevent accidents and malfunctions, ensuring the safety of passengers.
How many steps are in escalator
The number of steps on an escalator can vary depending on the specific design and manufacturer. Standard escalators typically have around 24 to 30 steps in a complete loop. However, this number can be higher or lower depending on factors like the length and incline of the escalator.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of escalator
Advantages of Escalators:
1. Efficient Vertical Transportation:
- Escalators efficiently move large volumes of people between different levels of a building, making them a crucial component of urban infrastructure.
2. Continuous Operation:
- Escalators can operate continuously during business hours, ensuring accessibility for passengers without the need to wait for an elevator.
3. Accessibility and Inclusivity:
- Escalators provide an accessible means of vertical transportation for individuals with mobility challenges, as well as those carrying heavy items.
4. Space Efficiency:
- Escalators take up less floor space compared to elevators, making them a practical choice in areas where space optimization is important.
5. Safety Features:
- Escalators are equipped with various safety features, including emergency stop buttons, handrail sensors, and safety switches, to ensure the safety of passengers.
6. Facilitates Pedestrian Flow:
- Escalators streamline the movement of pedestrians in areas with high foot traffic, reducing congestion and allowing for a smoother flow of individuals.
7. Low Energy Consumption:
- Escalators consume less energy compared to elevators, especially for short to medium distances, making them a more energy-efficient option.
8. Customizable User Experience:
- Some modern escalators offer adjustable speeds or the ability to play informative or entertaining content during the ride, enhancing the passenger experience.
Disadvantages of Escalators:
1. Limited Vertical Distance:
- Escalators are most effective for short to medium vertical distances. For very tall buildings, elevators are typically more suitable.
2. Maintenance Requirements:
- Escalators require regular maintenance and servicing to ensure optimal performance, which can be resource-intensive.
3. Initial Cost and Installation:
- The initial cost of purchasing and installing an escalator can be significant, especially when compared to traditional staircases.
4. Potential for Accidents:
- While safety features are in place, escalators can still pose risks if passengers do not follow safety guidelines or if malfunctions occur.
5. Environmental Impact:
- The materials used in escalator construction and their energy consumption contribute to their environmental footprint. Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable escalator technologies.
6. Inefficiency for High Vertical Travel:
- For very tall buildings with numerous floors, elevators are a more efficient means of transportation, as escalators are better suited for shorter distances.
Escalators represent a remarkable fusion of engineering ingenuity and practicality. From their humble beginnings in the late 19th century to the sophisticated systems we encounter today, they have played a pivotal role in shaping the way we navigate vertical spaces. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative developments in the field of escalator design, further enhancing their efficiency, safety, and sustainability. As a testament to human innovation, escalators remain a symbol of progress in the realm of urban transportation.
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Everyone deserves to feel special, and special feels different to everyone.
That’s why we cater to every Heroe’s needs by sending compatible matches on unique dating experiences that have purpose and momentum before they even happen.
We believe that life is an Adventure that should be full of meeting new people and enjoying new experiences. We're here to be the best ally we can on everyone's journey.
We believe that united we stand and divided we fall. We aim to empower the Individual, the Business, and the Charity to become a Heroe in their own right and, as a result, create a Community that we better understand and Respect.
We believe that each Individual Heroe, Business Heroe, and Charity Heroe should have a genuine and meaningful experience. We’re here to act with Authenticity ourselves to help all Heroes succeed.
We believe that we each have a responsibility to act honestly and responsibly in the pursuit of Adventure.
We believe that without Respect to one another, we have nothing. We strive to provide a safe and empathetic space with zero judgment to support our network of Heroes.


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According to the IOC and the Australian Olympic team, two time Olympian Thomas Fraser Holmes has been banned for two years of competition for missing three performance-enhancing drug tests in the past six months.
The sport of swimming is one of the most competitive in the world, with athletes looking for every edge and advantage possible to break records and reach the Olympic podium. US athlete Michael Phelps isn’t looking like he is going to return again this upcoming Summer Olympics, and that opens up the field to get a crack at gold – opportunities that didn’t exist when Michael was competing as he took home golden almost every single event.
A lawyer for Fraser Holmes reports that he is going to contest and appeal the van that has been imposed by the FINA and the IOC. The lawyer suggests that Fraser Holmes has a clean record without any positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs, and that his suspension simply because he missed multiple tests is not valid.
Three strikes and you’re out
Understanding that he had already missed two other performance-enhancing drug tests, Fraser Holmes reported to his third drug test – his second “makeup test” – 10 minutes after he was supposed to arrive, and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency said that this constituted missing out on the test completely.
The test conductor that was to meet with Fraser Holmes did report him as arriving late, but because of the strict rules and regulations regarding this kind of testing – and even though the swimmer himself said that he was simply running late because of having dinner at his mother’s home for her birthday – the test wasn’t able to be administered.
Being the third consecutive miss, Fraser Holmes “struck out” with the Olympic authorities and it’s likely that this is going to end up being the most costly 10 minutes of this Olympic athlete’s life.
Everyone knows the rules
While the attorney for this Olympic swimmer is going to prepare an argument that goes toe to toe against the Australian anti-doping commission and the IOC, the truth of the matter is all Olympic athletes – including this swimmer – understand the “rules of the road” when it comes to testing for performance-enhancing drugs.
All Australian swimmers are required to provide an hour-long timeslot over a block of time three months long where they are able to be tested by FINA, the IOC, and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. Missing a single test counts as a single strike, and if you miss three tests in a 12 month block of time a two-year ban is imposed.
Fraser Holmes was aware of this testing schedule, had made the hour block available to the testing agencies on three different occasions, but wasn’t able to fulfill his obligations and never move forward with a successful test. Whether or not this was because of doping going on behind the scenes or simply because the swimmer wasn’t able to meet his obligations is unknown, and we will likely never know – simply because none of the tests were ever administered.
At the same time, this banned will have no impact on the swimming team for Australia that is going to compete at the World Championship Games. The swimmer had already opted out of these trials to help better position him for another Olympic run (the third of his life, but because of these missed tests it looks like he is going to be left on the sidelines when the Summer Olympics roll around in 2020.
The appeals process is already set up to conclude by the end of the fall, and Fraser Holmes continues to train as though he will be allowed to compete again in the Olympics.

domain: sports


Apple has Won a Patent for an advanced version of Spatial Audio Reproduction based on Head-to-Torso Orientation for Future HMD+
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to aspects of advanced audio systems used to render spatial audio primarily in headphones and Apple’s future Mixed Reality Headset based on Head-to-Torso Orientation. Though over time, Apple’s advanced Spatial Audio may be available to working with AirPods with Macs, an iPhone and more.
Headphones can reproduce a spatial audio signal communicated by a device to simulate a soundscape around the user. An effective spatial sound reproduction can recreate sounds such that the user perceives the sound as coming from a location within the soundscape external to the user's head, just as the user would experience the sound if encountered in the real world.
When a sound travels to a listener from a surrounding environment in the real world, the sound propagates along a direct path, e.g., through air to the listener's ear canal entrance, and along one or more indirect paths, e.g., by reflecting and diffracting around the listener's head or shoulders. As the sound travels along the indirect paths, artifacts can be introduced into the acoustic signal that the ear canal entrance receives. User-specific artifacts can be incorporated into binaural audio by signal processing algorithms that use spatial audio filters. For example, a head-related transfer function (HRTF) describes how a sound located somewhere in space, relative to a listener's body, is filtered, e.g., reflected or diffracted around the listener's head, torso, and outer ear, before entering their auditory system. The HRTF-described cues allow the auditory system to determine where in space a sound is coming from.
To implement accurate spatial audio reproduction, a virtual audio system can use the HRTF to create the illusion that sound is coming from somewhere in space. More particularly, an HRTF-related audio filter can be applied to an audio input signal to shape the signal in such a way that reproduction of the shaped signal realistically simulates a sound traveling to the user from the relative location at which the HRTF was measured. Accordingly, a listener can use simple stereo headphones to create the illusion of a sound source somewhere in a listening environment by applying the binaural audio filter to the audio input signal.
Existing virtual audio rendering systems are required to know the user's head orientation relative to the virtual sound source in order to select an appropriate head-related transfer function (HRTF). Typically, the HRTF is defined and measured as having a dependence on an azimuth angle, elevation angle, and sometimes a distance between the virtual sound source and the user's head.
Definitions of the HRTF dataset up until now do not encapsulate the dimension related to the orientation of the rest of the body relative to the user's head. More particularly, changes away from a nominal forward-facing head-to-torso orientation are not accounted for when using a HRTF dataset; the torso is assumed to rotate and move with the head. In this way, a user that turns their head to the right while keeping his torso stationary, e.g., facing forward, will have the unsettling experience of hearing sound as though they turned their torso to the right concurrently with his head.
In other words, the virtual audio rendering systems do not differentiate between cases when the head and torso are moved separately and cases when the head and torso are moved together. This disregard for head-to-torso orientations by existing virtual audio rendering systems results in spatial audio renderings that do not accurately reproduce the effects that the torso orientation has on sound sources in real life.
Apple’s granted patent covers a media system and a method of using the media system to accurately reproduce virtual audio taking into account a user's head orientation relative to the user's torso.
The media system includes one or more processors configured to determine a head-to-source orientation and a head-to-torso orientation. The head-to-source orientation can be a relative position and/or orientation between a head of a user and a sound source. The relative orientation can be determined from head tracking data generated by a head tracking device, such as a head mounted device having inertial measurement units.
The head-to-torso orientation can be a relative position and/or orientation between the head of the user and a torso of the user. The relative orientation can be directly measured, e.g., by one or more sensors of the head tracking device or a companion device. Alternatively, the relative orientation can be inferred based only on the head tracking data generated by the head tracking device.
Estimation of the head-to-torso orientation based on the head tracking data can include determining that the torso moves toward alignment with the head when the head orientation data meets a head movement condition.
For example, the torso may move when the head moves. Alternatively, the torso may move when the head has moved and then stopped moving at a new orientation.
In an aspect, the torso may move when the head moves in a particular pattern. In any case, the movement of the torso can be related to the head movement, e.g., numerically through an average or median of head tracking data, or in some other manner, e.g., by moving the torso according to a particular pattern that corresponds to the pattern detected for the head movement.
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 below is a pictorial view of a user positioned relative to a sound source in a soundscape; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of reproducing spatial audio based on a head-to-torso orientation.
Apple’s patent FIG. 4 below is a pictorial view of a head of a user moving relative to a sound source in a soundscape; FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a head above torso mesh generation used to simulate a head-related transfer function for various combinations of head-to-source and head-to-torso orientations.
For more details, review Apple's granted patent 11,375,333.
Apple was also granted patent 11,375,306 today titled “Headphones with increased back volume” that generally relates to various headphone features. More particularly, the various features help improve the overall user experience by incorporating an array of sensors and new mechanical features into the headphones. For more details, review Apple’s granted patent here.


Religion in a Secular World - The Divided State of America
Next week on our program we'll discuss the influence faith-based organizations have on secular society. As these groups step in to provide key public services, what are the implications for the 60% of San Franciscans who do not identify as religious? Are non-believers being left in the cold? Join my co-host Joseph Pace to discuss these issues and more next Monday evening at 7PM on City Visions, here on local public radio KALW.
John Nelson - Professor and Chair of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco
Michael Pappas - Executive Director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council
Larry Hicok - Director of the Atheist Advocates of San Francisco


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Ontario reports 3,630 people are hospitalized with COVID on Thursday, although just over half were initially admitted due to complications from the virus.
The Ontario government recently released data this week that differentiates people admitted to hospital with COVID-related illness and accidental admissions.
Of the 3,630 people hospitalized with COVID-19, or 182 more than yesterday, about 54% were admitted because of the virus, while about 46% were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for COVID-19.
The province also reported hospitalizations, there are 500 people in intensive care units, down 5 from the previous day. About 82% of people in intensive care were admitted because of COVID, while about 18% were admitted for other reasons.
Ontario’s Top Doctor Stresses COVID Vaccines for Children 5-11 Years of Age Safe and Effective
Hospitalizations for people with COVID in Ontario have reached an all-time high, from 2,279 reported last Thursday.
For vaccination status among hospitalizations, 698 were unvaccinated, 179 were partially vaccinated, and 1,894 were fully vaccinated. For intensive care unit patients, 165 were unvaccinated while 15 were partially vaccinated and 181 were fully vaccinated. This dataset will grow and improve over time, officials noted.
Compared to the population, while the majority of Ontarians are vaccinated, those who are not vaccinated are still much more likely to land in hospital or intensive care than those who are vaccinated, according to the COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Table of Ontario.
COVID cases in Ontario, deaths, vaccinations, recoveries, tests
Meanwhile, Ontario also reported 9,909 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, although this is an underestimate of the true widespread transmission of the virus due to recent testing restrictions. The provincial total of cases now stands at 915,940.
Of the 9,909 new cases recorded, the data showed that 1,336 were unvaccinated people, 303 were partially vaccinated, 7,753 were fully vaccinated. For 517 people, the vaccination status was unknown.
‘Damage of a different order’: Seawall’s future after storm unclear, Vancouver official says
COVID-19: Halifax woman tests positive while on vacation in Cuba, calls quarantine “failed experiment”
The death toll in the province rose to 10,480, as 35 more virus-related deaths were added over the past month.
There are a total of 783,214 recoveries, which represents about 83% of known cases. Solved cases increased by 19,816 from the previous day.
‘We’re not going down this path,’ Ontario premier says of unvaccinated tax
For vaccinations, among the population aged 12 and over, 88.6 percent are fully vaccinated. Coverage for the first dose is 91.2 percent. The third dose of vaccination is 40 percent – more than 5.1 million Ontarians have received a booster shot.
For young children aged 5 to 11, first dose coverage is 47.9%, of which 4.7% are now fully immunized.
The province administered 164,160 doses on the last day.
The government said 58,831 tests were processed in the past 24 hours. The test positivity rate is 21.4%. There are 79,521 tests currently under investigation.
Cases, Deaths and Outbreaks in Ontario Long-Term Care Homes
According to the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care, 3,884 deaths have been reported among residents and patients of long-term care homes in Ontario, an increase of 9 deaths since the previous day. A total of thirteen virus-related deaths have been reported among staff.
There are currently 311 outbreaks in the outbreaks, 21 more than the day before.
The ministry also said there are currently 1,905 active cases among long-term care residents and 3,609 active cases among staff – up 166 and 355, respectively, on the last day.
– With files from Ryan Rocca
See the link »
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

domain: medical


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New York (CNN) -- A Rutgers University student apparently committed suicide after an internet broadcast showed him in a sexual encounter, New Jersey authorities said.
Two other Rutgers students have been charged with invasion of privacy after they allegedly placed a camera in 18-year-old Tyler Clementi's dorm room without his knowledge and then broadcast Clementi's sexual… Continue
Bill O'Reilly recently went in on Kim Kardashian for her "gross" pictures for Elle magazine with 16 year old pop star Justin Bieber.
Kim's not exactly making doing herself any favors with comments she made on Lopez Tonight regarding the controversy. She doesn't see anything wrong with the pics, and even admitted there could be more to her relationship with Bieber if he was… Continue
MySpace Music and HP today announced a special performance by Big Boi- one half of multi-platinum, five time Grammy Award- winning supergroup Outkast on Wednesday, August 18 at Sobe Live in Miami, FL. The performance is part of HP's Summer Music Campaign to promote better sounding music. Big Boi comments “I’ve always been about keeping music good & funky, so partnering with HP and Myspace on this music campaign… Continue
Added by vivaspace on August 15, 2010 at 4:14pm —
Many people have speculated as to why Montana Fishburne decided to forgo the traditional route to fame by choosing a porn career over acting or singing. Especially given the fact that her father, Laurence is so well known and respected in the Hollywood community.
She lost her virginity at age 16, and that's when the light went on for… Continue
This is not the way to get your career as a superstar started.
Yeah, Laurence Fishburne's daughter, Montana did a couple of porn films, big deal. We still love Kim Kardashian after she did hers and tolerate Paris Hilton to an extent, so I'm cutting her some slack on that.
But how in the hell do you leave the club with ashy a** knees? I doubt she… Continue
"Tyga is looking like a pedophile though....and he on cash money a.k.a. rape-a-lot records. N**** youre an embrassment!!! This n**** looking like a younger confused metrosexual R Kelly right now. n**** kill yourself you can't handle a real woman…"
Ditch will perform at the 626 Showcase concert festival this Saturday ( October 25th 2014) at Crazyhorse Nightclub in West Covina, California. The event will be a late daytime and into the night time concert event with vendors, red carpet and media coverage. Ditch's special guest performance is sponsored by HG Apparel.…See More

domain: entertainment


text:
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domain: artistic


text:
Working in communities across London to fight poverty, social inequity and injustice
Our innovative London-based charity has been tackling poverty, social inequity, and social injustice since 1889. We provide a range of services that are designed to improve peoples lives as well as transform society through research and social action.
Founded in 1889, Cambridge House is part of the international Settlement Movement. Our roots lie in radical change, in a desire to tackle poverty, social inequity and injustice in the communities we serve.
Find out more…
Find out more about our services and programmes
We currently reach over 3,000 frontline service users in 30 local authorities in and around London.
Cambridge House News
We are recruiting a Housing Solicitor/Case Worker and an employment and Discrimination Solicitor (maternity cover) to join the Law Centre reporting to Head of Service.
Deadline: Friday 5 April
We are currently recruiting for an Independent Advocate (Multi-disciplinary) to join the team reporting to the Head of Service.
We are currently recruiting for two Team Leaders to join the Safer Renting Team reporting to the Deputy Head of Service.
Deadline: Sunday 3 March.


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I always have a million carrots in my fridge. Dinner, dessert, lunch, side dishes, snacks, even breakfast--carrots tend to play a starring roll in my cooking. Here are 17 ways to get more of one of the world's most nutritious veggies ...
****1. Steam them, mash them, then add to marinara sauce (no one will know they're there!)
Grate and add to muffins.
Make low-fat carrot cake.
Grate and add to stir fries and fried rice dishes (fried rice with lots of veggies + carrots is what I had for dinner last night!).
Make a classic carrot-raisin salad.
Make a cooling carrot "raita"--plain yogurt, mint, spices ... mmmmm.
Add to veggie sushi. Carrot + avocado is a favorite in my house.
Make a decadent side dish: brown-sugar-glazed carrots (but use agave nectar, and use just a drizzle).
Dip in hummus (but you already do that).
Add them to banana bread (here's some inspiration, though not particularly low-cal).
Make carrot pickles.
Steam them, and mash them into mashed potatoes.
Put them in turkey meatloaf (no, I'm not stuck in 1983--but I do love turkey meatloaf!).
Juice them with apples and limes.
What's your favorite thing to do with our favorite veggie?


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New health data zooms in on disparities among Brooklyn areas
In Brooklyn’s impoverished Brownsville neighborhood, the average person can expect to live to 74, just over 3 out of 10 adults are obese and 8 of every 1,000 newborns don’t make it to their first birthday.
Things are different in the borough’s upscale Park Slope and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods: life expectancy tops 80, just over 1 out of 10 adults is obese and about 2 of every 1,000 infants die.
These snapshots capture the disparate state of health in the nation’s biggest city, as measured by new community health profiles officials planned to start releasing Wednesday. They zoom in on a city that can boast overall life expectancy above the national average, but where it can vary by more than 11 years between one community and another (it tops 85 among residents of lower Manhattan’s financial district).
“We know, in aggregate, that New York City is getting healthier and healthier,” city Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said in a telephone interview. “But these 59 community health profiles let us know that there’s a huge amount of variability in the health of neighborhoods.”
The reports update nine-year-old, neighborhood-level data used by policymakers, community activists and researchers, though changes in the way communities were defined complicate comparisons to the 2006 profiles.
In addition to comparing such things as hospitalization rates for strokes and asthma, the new reports include broader measures of community well-being — such as housing quality, incarceration rates, school absenteeism and even the square footage devoted to supermarkets.
In part, that’s because a moldy, crumbling apartment could factor in respiratory problems or injuries, and the prevalence of supermarkets can reflect the availability of fresh produce. But health officials also wanted to underscore that “there are features of neighborhoods that have a bearing on the health of their residents,” Bassett said.
“The health of a neighborhood doesn’t just rely on the decisions an individual makes, but on the resources that are available to them in that neighborhood,” and officials wanted to spur conversation about how communities can promote health, she said.
Profiles of Brooklyn communities are set to be released Wednesday, with others to follow in the coming weeks. As a sampling, the Brownsville and Park Slope/Carroll Gardens reports illustrate both stark differences and important similarities.
Brownsville has about twice the teen birth rate, three times the poverty rate, nearly four times the rate of adult psychiatric hospitalizations, and over five times the rates of new HIV infections and assault-related hospitalizations that Park Slope has. But Brownsville also has more supermarket space, on a per-capita basis.
Yet in both communities, the top killers are the same: heart disease and cancer, by far.
And in both, people feel pretty well. More than 80 percent rate their health as “good,” ”very good,” or even “excellent.”
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domain: news


[LinuxBIOS] [RFC] Use Linux MTD framework for SPI flash?
c-d.hailfinger.devel.2006 at gmx.net
Fri Jul 27 00:49:10 CEST 2007
While thinking about adding SPI support to flashrom, I came across the
directory linux/drivers/mtd/maps/ in a recent kernel tree and found
drivers for flash on
* Nvidia CK804
* AMD 76X
* Intel ICHx
Should we try to use the Linux MTD framework before hacking flashrom?
If so, can somebody test? My machines either run too old kernels
(production router) or the chipset doesn't appear in the list.
More information about the coreboot


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The following is an FYI. Given that we are just 25 minutes away, SPN is sharing the following notification from the Westshore RCMP. The incident occurred one week ago, and this information was released today.
If you spot the vehicle or have any information for the RCMP, please call the number provided.
Police investigate possible attempted abduction
2015-11-25 09:24 PST
File # 2015-17041
West Shore RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is currently investigating a case of an attempted possible child abduction that occurred on November 18, 2015 in Langford.
At around 2:50 pm that day, a 10 year old female elementary school student was walking on Rainville Rd when a suspicious man, driving a white panel van approached her, asking her to get in the van. The student was able to run away quickly and advise her family. Police were subsequently notified.[sam id=”15″ codes=”true”]The suspect is described as:
- Caucasian male
- 30 years old
- Black greasy hair
- Navy blue shirt
- Grey/black skate shoes with white soles
- Grey jeans jeans
The vehicle is described as:
- White older panel van with no side or rear windows
- Dirty with scratches on the side
- Garbage in the passenger side wheel well.
We are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this van or suspect in that area, states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the West Shore RCMP Detachment.
While no other cases were reported, we encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to police right away.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Cst. Alex Bérubé
Media Relations Officer
West Shore RCMP
698 Atkins Avenue, Victoria, BC V9B 3A4


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Front Yard Decorating Ideas
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domain: design


University confirms armed robbery on campus (with video)
Troy University officials have released preliminary information about an armed robbery on campus early Sunday morning.
A student was confronted on University Avenue next to the Math and Science Complex about 1:21 a.m., according to information released by the university. Students, faculty and staff received an e-mail alerting them to the incident and reminding them to be vigilant in light of this, and the two sexual assaults last Monday at Hunters Mountain Mobile Estates. Anyone with information regarding the robbery should call 670-3215 during the day and 670-1999 after hours.
The school held a news conference in conjunction with city and campus police at 2:30 to provide more information.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE.
The Student Government Association is hosting a Town Hall meeting for students at Sartain Hall at 4:30 today to discuss safety.


By MIKE WILLIAMS
Back in September of 2011, this writer had the honor of interviewing Joel Hicks for a series of articles we called “Catching Up With… .”
We reprint it this week to provide some insight into who Joel Hicks was, his thoughts on retirement and Cougar football.
It’s been nearly ten years since Joel Hicks coached the Pulaski County Cougars. But every year, when August rolls around, he still gets that urge to break out the pads and helmets and begin practice for yet another season of high school football.
“Every August I still get that urge to coach, yes sir,” Hicks said. “I even schedule my vacation to go in August. It gets me away from everything. I don’t think an August ever passes that I don’t think about it really. I look back now it’s been almost ten years. It’s just flown by.”
Hicks stepped down from the head coaching job following a 5-5 season in 2002.
The five wins that season gave him 301 for his 36-year career as a head coach in West Virginia and Virginia, with 209 of his victories coming at Pulaski County.
His Cougars won 15 district titles and six regional crowns.
That final 2002 season was exactly 10 years removed from 1992 – arguably the greatest season for Pulaski County football. It was that year Hicks’ Cougars brought home the state championship following a 35-20 win in Richmond over Thomas Dale High School.
“Thinking now,” said Hicks, “I could have coached longer, health-wise. What was happening to me was I was starting to lose sleep. I couldn’t sleep. It was starting to be a stressful thing. I was so competitive. For my health it was probably better that I quit. But there’s no question I miss it (coaching). I could have done it. Sometimes I even get the urge to. I’d like to not do practice, then go out and coach on Friday night,” Hicks said with a laugh.
Returning to coaching actually was a possibility last summer. Head coach and one of Hicks’ former Cougars, Jack Turner, had resigned just weeks before pre-season practice was set to begin. Pulaski County had been hit by Virginia High School League sanctions, and Cougar football was in a state of disarray.
With so little time left before the start of practice for the 2010 season, the possibility of Hicks’ stepping in to coach the team on an interim basis at least was mentioned.
“Dr. (Robert) Becker (School Superintendent) called me and that was mentioned,” Hicks stated. “But I agreed it would probably be better not to go in that direction. It was very attractive and I appreciated even being considered,” Hicks said.
“If they hadn’t found the right guy I probably would have done it, if it had come down to they needed me to do that. But we (Hicks and Becker) both felt ‘let’s find somebody who’d want to be there and do it,”’ Hicks said.
So what’s Hicks’ take on his former players – Turner and present coach Todd Jones – who have taken over the Cougar football program since his retirement?
“They are both great people. They both have Pulaski County at their heart. Todd is a great guy, good for the kids. Pulaski County means more to Jack than anything. I wish them both well,” Hicks said.
Have they consulted with him about football?
“Oh, yeah they’ve both talked to me, but when I walked away I walked away,” said Hicks. “I’ve not watched one minute of practice. Since the day I walked out I’ve not been to one practice. I don’t think you can be hanging around. I don’t think it’s the thing to do. I just think that when you leave you ought to leave. That makes me better friends with them. I don’t want to be where I can second-guess them or look over their shoulders or say something that someone misquotes and hurt their feelings. I wouldn’t do that for the world. When I walked out of there I walked out. I did scout the first year for Jack, but I’m more interested now in how to hit that fairway wood than I am about how to block,” Hicks said with a big smile.
And speaking of the fairway, Hicks has a new passion in retirement. Golf.
“Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays I play golf. That golf has got me. I have discovered golf,” Hicks said with emphasis and a grin.
“I’m not great at it, that’s for sure. We have about 12 guys I play with, sometimes 16 even. We play down at the River Course. It takes four and a half hours to five hours to play a round of golf. I get up, take my dog for a walk, and then hit that golf course.”
He notes that, even in winter, if the temperature rises above 40 degrees, he’ll be playing golf.
Golf joins another of his favorite past-times – running and marathons.
“On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I run,” Hicks explained. “I run a lot. I’m still running as much as I ever did,” noting the runs are made – rain or shine.
Each day he runs he has a different routine. Tuesday is speed work, Thursday is a tempo run, while Saturday is a long-distance run.
“Whatever the next race is I’ll kind of run that race on Thursdays,” Hicks explained. “I won’t run as fast a pace as I’m going to try to run it on race day.”
On Saturday, Hicks and a half-dozen other guys will meet at Bisset Park in Radford for distance work.
“We stay in about half-marathon shape and that will be our long distance day. We’ll run a minimum of 10 miles, up to 14. That’s every Saturday,” Hicks said, adding that by staying in half-marathon shape, it takes less time and work to get completely ready to run the upcoming marathon.
“I don’t have to start from rock-bottom,” he said.
Hicks recently competed in marathons in Louisville, Kentucky, Galax and Charleston, W.Va. He set course records in his age group in both the Louisville and Galax runs, although he hesitated to mention the records for fear it sounded like bragging. Hicks doesn’t brag about his accomplishments.
Last Saturday Hicks and the other runners braved heat and humidity in the West Virginia capitol of Charleston for a 15-mile marathon. Hicks finished third in his age group.
“On Friday it was 101-degrees in Charleston. I got up Saturday morning early to run and at 7:30 in the morning it was 75-degrees and 97 percent humidity,” Hicks said. The Charleston run featured a steep hill at the beginning of its course, dubbed “Capitol Punishment Hill.”
“That just about go me. It was brutal,” Hicks said. “It wasn’t as much fun as some of those other races.”
Next on his race schedule is a half-marathon in Beckley, W.Va. around the first of October, and a half-marathon on Oct. 24 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“The course there is level and the temperatures are nice. That will be a lot more fun,” Hicks said.
Outside of golf and running, Hicks still teaches. He is one of the many local retired teachers who commit to working 30 days a year as a substitute teacher in order to keep their insurance.
Hicks likes getting back to school and seeing the teachers, plus it helps fill his winter days.
Aside from golf, running and substitute teaching there is family.
His son T.J. lives and works in Newport Beach, Calif.
“I don’t get to see him as much. He has two little boys. He was 42 before he had any children. I didn’t think he was going to have any,” Hicks said. The two boys are 1- and 2-years-old.
“Amy lives in Charleston, W.Va. where she works for Progressive Insurance. They’re both doing real well,” Hicks said.
And of course there’s his wife, Melinda.
“Melinda is still putting up with me. Bless her heart,” Hicks said.
Hicks has been quoted as saying, “If it hadn’t been for Melinda, I would have probably ended up in a pool hall in Richwood, W.Va.”
Hicks points to the opportunity to coach his son in a state high school all-star game one summer as probably his proudest moment as a football coach.
“I’ve got a lot of good memories. All the district wins and the state championship. But I still go back to that game personally because of my son,” Hicks said.
Which Cougar team was his best?
“We had won the state title (in 1992 vs. Thomas Dale). That next year we had a lot of people back and we went undefeated, but got beat in the state final by Anandale,” Hicks recalled.
“The best team didn’t win the state championship,” he said bluntly. “We got upset in the state championship game, but it was such a miserable day. Minus-40 degrees with the windchill. We had lost (star running back) Eric Webb. We lost him against Indians River the week before.
“We best the best team in the state in Indian River up here,” Hicks said.
“Anandale wasn’t the best team, but on that day they beat us. I just didn’t think there was much football played in that championship game. The wind was blowing so bad. They caught a touchdown pass … the ball was 20 yards outside the field, but the wind took it right back into that guy’s hands,” Hicks recalled.
That 1993 team lost to Anandale 14-7 and finished the season with a 13-1 record, including a 24-7 win over Indian River.
“That was probably one of my better teams,” Hicks stated.
While he still goes to games, Hicks prefers watching the Cougars play away from Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium.
“It’s still hard for me to go to games. You watch those kids go down those (Dobson Stadium) steps … oh man, it’s tough,” he said.
What does the future hold?
“I’ll die right here in Pulaski County,” Hicks said emphatically. “I’ll run, play golf and just try to enjoy life here – what I have left of it. I’ll just run til the end of the highway.”


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Being a caregiver today is extremely challenging. Time constraints, continuous interruptions, information overload and the need to coordinate the care team can contribute to the challenge. Physicians and nurses want to provide perfect care in a timely manner, but even with the best electronic health record (EHR), gaps in quality care remain. Why is this? As humans, we have a limited capacity in short-term memory to consume, remember, process, correlate information and make a decision before we reach cognitive overload.
The EHR has certainly helped – organizations can build order sets that prompt physicians to remember key elements of care, provide clinical reminders that identify potential adverse events, and use graphs and innovative user interfaces to help correlate information. Yet we still have a long way to go before we and our patients can be assured of high-quality, safe and cost-effective care every single time.
A big portion of the remaining gap is in the management of clinical processes – the collection of time-based and interrelated tasks for addressing a specific problem. For many elements of patient care, there are core processes that are essential to follow:
- Quality bundles, such as a bundle to address ventilator-acquired pneumonia
- Acute event management, such as a myocardial infarction
- Rapid follow-up and intervention when there are important changes in patient condition, such as when a new lab result indicates a significant change.
Managing the Process of Care
The EHR today offers limited functionality for managing and communicating the process of care to the care team. This is especially true when caregivers are not logged into the EHR or viewing a patient’s record. Providers now can help address this gap by setting up novel visual communication tools that:
- Mine the selected data in real-time from the EHR and other systems
- Apply advanced analytical capabilities to evaluate time or event-based care processes
- Present the state of the processes so caregivers can review the status of care
- Prompt the caregiver and care team to complete key tasks, even when the caregiver is not logged into the EHR.
By means of a large screen on the wall of the unit, caregivers can see at a glance “what are the most important things I need to do right now” according to the organization’s priorities and protocols.
A quality monitoring solution can help caregivers with task-based complex care bundles. This example depicts a ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle with the current status (green, yellow, red) for compliance with associated quality metrics. The Summary column shows other bundles assigned to the patient, since the white board rotates among bundles.
Providing Visual Care Cues
Other complex industries such as telecommunication centers, power plants and factories use real-time visual displays to constantly assimilate and analyze information generated from operations. The visual communication tools are used to drive extremely high levels of reliability and execution of processes in those industries. A unit in a hospital is no less complex. To successfully implement visual communication tools in healthcare, organizations need to support and enhance the work process of caregivers. The care team spends a large portion of their time creating data in the EHR of their patient interactions. The value of a point-of-care visual communication tool is in surfacing and making the EHR data visible so all the care team can share it at a glance and act on it immediately, if necessary.
To decide what is most important to display, organizations should use retrospective analytics. Identifying the highest-value opportunities will help them avoid overwhelming caregivers with too much information.
An electronic white board can be used to make selected EHR and operational data visible to the care team in a shared view. The example above shows visual cues for the data against the hospital floor plan. A hospital can use a board to show important information such as results availability, orders for completion, fall risk, medication due, allergies and bed availability.
Maximize Operations and Care
With pressures from reform and declining Medicare reimbursement, it‘s more important than ever for organizations to find ways to improve financial performance and quality. By maximizing patient throughput and capacity, organizations can eliminate inefficiencies, waste and inadequacies in care delivery while improving revenue. Streamlining throughput means they can provide better care to more patients more efficiently. Visually connecting the care team assists them in maximizing productivity and the quality of care.
Visual communication and real-time analytics are powerful tools for organizations to augment and tap the value that resides in their EHR. These tools not only help an organization improve care delivery, but also “give back” to caregivers by helping them better manage their cognitive burden. And if patient interactive feedback is included in the visual care process, caregivers are better able to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Five Keys to Providing Visual Care Cues
There are five keys to successfully implementing visual communication tools in healthcare:
- Present information for rapid assimilation: Information is organized and displayed so that, at a glance, caregivers can quickly identify and synthesize information as they move throughout their day on the unit.
- Eliminate additional work for caregivers: The visual communication tools should mine and visually surface data that is being generated over the course of care. Having data available at a glance without having to log in reduces the need to access EHR data via a PC.
- Prevent information overload: Only the most important processes should be targeted for visual communication tools.
- Engage the entire care team: Visual communication tools should be deployed in a manner that engages the entire care team and drives shared accountability for patient care processes.
- Access clinical content: Healthcare processes are complex, with many exceptions to the standard path. The tool should provide continuously updated industry-standard content that can be accessed so it works “out of the box” with the most current clinical evidence.


BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese banks saw a surge in mobile payments last year, official data showed Monday.
Banking institutions handled 203 trillion yuan (32 trillion U.S. dollars) in mobile payments in 2017, up 28.8 percent, according to the People's Bank of China (PBOC).
A total of 37.6 billion payments were made through mobile banking services in the period, an increase of 46.1 percent, the PBOC said.
China's mobile payment sector has seen rapid development, driven by improved Internet infrastructure, increased use of mobile phones and innovation of financial services.
In 2017, bank card transactions in China rose 2.7 percent to 762 trillion yuan, while the number of bank cards in use went up 9.3 percent to 6.7 billion by the end of 2017, according to the PBOC.


text:
Hawzah News Agency (Kabul, Afghanistan) - Farhad Tavakkoli added that the people of Herat organized a sit-ins and protests in front of the governor-general's office to demand an investigation into the incidents, which was answered positively.
Tavakkoli was a representative of Ayatollah Hakim and a politically and religiously active scholar.
In past, Sheik Abdulvahed Saberi and Yuonos Alavi were assassinated; the killers have not been identified.
The President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani condemned killing of known religious scholars and called it unforgivable crime.
Ghani said that such killings are not acceptable in any religions, ordering the security authority of Herat to investigate the incident and arrest the criminals.


text:
This time of year, there appear to be ants all over. Ants are usually thought about one of the good bugs, however the decision is still out for some garden enthusiasts.
Ants do not normally trigger issues in the garden by themselves and they won’t consume or harm your plants.
Ants can be beneficial pollinators and they consume the bad bugs that do damage to your plants.
They can likewise be useful to the soil.
They help aerate the soil with their tunneling, and break down organic matter.
But there are a few things they can do to trigger issues in the garden.
Ants can bring mealybugs, aphids and other sap drawing pests to plants, and secure these insects from predators. The ants will feed off of the sweet bi-product produced when sap drawing bugs feed upon plants. If you have ants, check to make certain the plants they regular aren’t plagued with sap sucking bugs.
When ant populations get very large, their tunneling can damage or damage a plants root system. I’ve heard that fire ants are a major nuisance to garden enthusiasts too, but luckily we do not have those here in Minnesota.
The most significant concern I have with the ants in my gardens are the ant hills that pop up in between my ornamental pavers.
But those are only frustrating to look at and aren’t causing damage.
I do not eliminate ants in my gardens, so far they have not proven to be a problem (knock on wood).
If you have a significant infestation, you may find yourself reaching for the pesticide. But if you can, keep away from using pesticides since the poison will kill all bugs– great and bad.
You absolutely want to keep the good bugs in your garden!
Instead try pouring vinegar, soapy water or boiling water on the ant hill to eliminate the ants. You might likewise try drowning the nest with water, which will probably motivate them to move.
So what do you believe, are ants good friends or opponents in your garden?

domain: agronomy


text:
If masks have become inevitable after Covid-19, publishing has had to adopt another way for survival: the celebrity writer. And, Jugal Hansraj is the latest to join the bandwagon. The boy who has never quite grown up in the mind of the Hindi movie buff—to remain frozen in time as the good-looking boy with big green eyes, from Masoom (1982)—has written, befittingly, his book for children.
There were more than a few rejections. “Tougher than writing is getting someone to like your work and publish it,” he says, over a Zoom chat—his eyes still the same—on a socially distanced holiday. Hansraj moved from Mumbai to the US a few years ago.
Out next year, The Coward and the Sword, is not Hansraj’s first attempt at writing. In 2017, he wrote Cross Connection: The Big Circus Adventure for young children. “Since I was a child, I was a voracious reader. At about six or seven, I became a librarian in school so that I could read books. I think writing happens organically and it was a natural progression,” says Hansraj.
His new book, however, is deeper—more reflective—a tale of true courage. Written after his son was born and inspired by a quote from Nichiren Buddhism, it is certainly more personal. “My son is almost three,” he says, “I am reading toddler books for him. I really hope he becomes a reader.”
The book is about being brave and finding answers that lie within. “I took my time with it,” says Hansraj, “There were six months when I stopped writing because I didn’t know how to end it. I was stuck. So, I waited, and ruminated (over it).”
The Coward and the Sword will be published next year by HarperCollins India.

domain: literature


text:
Spiritfarer - Nintendo Switch
Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying. Enjoy beautifully hand-drawn art and animation as ferrymaster to the deceased. Build aboat to explore the world, care for your spirit friends, and guide them across mystical seas to finally release them into the afterlife.
This IS the version of the game for the Nintendo Switch. There are also versions for the Xbox One and Playstation 4 as well, just in case you didn't know.