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How is self improvement a doable act
How body-hugging and implanted systems are changing medicine and healthcare
Interaction between natural and artificial intelligence pp 75-88 | Cite as
- Michael Marschollek
- Klaus-Hendrik Wolf
Sensors and actuators in the personal living environment enable new health-related services. Due to the sheer volume of the data, it cannot be interpreted by humans alone. The interaction of patients and doctors with systems that influence people's health based on their analysis and the corresponding feedback poses new challenges for medicine and society. The present article presents several current examples from the fields of rehabilitation, nursing and clinical medicine and shows the possibilities and challenges of the interaction of such assistance systems in the context of the socio-technical systems in which they are embedded. In summary, he discusses the possible consequences of the interaction of the various unequal actors.
keywordsAssistive Health Technologies Telemedicine Health Care Ethics Artificial Intelligence Health Care
There is now a wide range of sensors and actuators in the personal living environment. These are available in both portable and spatial (ambience) Systems integrate and enable new health-related services. Such technical systems often work as embedded systems, continuously automated and without human interaction in the background - for example to measure physical activity or to recognize medical emergency situations. At the same time, new types of dialog interfaces increasingly allow technically less experienced users to interact with technical systems (Chatbot1Approach) and also enable new services, e.g. B. the support of cognitive performance through context-dependent presentation of information or the preclinical diagnosis support for patients. More and more methods of Artificial intelligence2,3 are used, so that there is increasing talk of intelligent machines.
The intelligent machines described represent new actors in the field of health services and supply medicine. The cooperation of these new actors with one another and with those already involved in the multidisciplinary work in the health sector leads to changes. Medicine and health care have been and are subject to constant change, not least due to the influence of new technology. Technologies such as the microscope, the electrocardiogram and examinations with X-rays and ultrasound have expanded the spectrum of medical diagnostics. The automated analysis of ECG signals has long been routine and relieves the doctor of time-consuming routine activities. Currently, the increasingly routine use of genome and proteome analyzes continues this development. In addition to the tools mentioned to support diagnostics, there are therapeutic tools such as B. pacemakers, hearing aids, cochlear implants and surgical robots, which significantly expand the spectrum of what is possible in medicine and, in the case of implants, become part of the body. The new tools compensate for functional deficits (e.g. pacemaker) and expand sensory (e.g. X-ray diagnostics), cognitive (e.g. EKG analysis) and motor (e.g. surgical robotics) capabilities. It is difficult to foresee how the continuously increasing possibilities for the interaction of increasingly ubiquitous existing and increasingly omniscient and intelligent-appearing and partially autonomous tools will change health care and medicine in the present and will profoundly influence it in the future.
To discuss this topic, this article first presents several current examples from the fields of rehabilitation, nursing and clinical medicine and shows the possibilities and challenges of the interaction of such assistance systems in the context of the socio-technical systems in which they are embedded.
The article first gives an overview of the health-related parameters that can be measured with sensors as well as common application scenarios in the field of non-clinical and clinical care. Starting with the application in diagnostics, through the therapeutic and combined use to knowledge-based systems, the arc of the scenarios spans. Using specific examples, the article shows the new forms of interaction between people and the new technologies, as well as the resulting changes. The article closes with a summarizing discussion of these aspects and gives an outlook on emerging possibilities and risks of the interaction of artificial and human intelligence in medicine.
2 Close-to-body and spatial sensors
Within the last decade there has been sales of portable devices (Wearables) increased sharply (estimate: 2 million in 2018), and in the last five years in particular more and more inexpensive devices (consumer market) have come onto the market that can not only perform simple activity measurements (e.g. step counts), but increasingly also medical parameters such as B. can record the heart rate permanently and without additional electrode belts. The sustainability of the use of such devices, which are currently often used in the wellness sector, has not been well studied. Hermsen et al. (2017) report on a study with 711 participants who were equipped with FitBit activity trackers (Hermsen et al. 2017). After 320 days, only 16% of the participants were still using the portable device. Such portable systems can often be connected to smartphones, so that with them or after the data has been transferred to the server, even large amounts of data can be processed quickly using complex algorithms.
Modern smartphones are ubiquitous and usually have more than 20 integrated sensors for position determination, motion detection, image capture, etc. At the same time, the storage capacity and computing power are so high that there are practically no restrictions in the usability for the evaluation of data. Mobile internet usage in Germany was 68% in 2018 and is increasing steadily (Initiative D21 2019). In 2018, more than 100,000 apps in the areas of health and wellness were already available in just one app store (Albrecht et al. 2018).
Based on their mobility, sensor systems can be roughly divided into mobile systems and spatial, stationary (ambient) systems (Koch et al. 2009). The mobile sensors are further divided into implanted and non-implanted systems. The latter are further subdivided into sensors that require direct contact with the body (primarily the skin) and those that are close to the body, e.g. B. carried in a pocket (e.g. smartphones). Using integrated electrodes or electrodes connected to portable devices, parameters such as electrical signals from the heart (EKG) or skin conductance can be recorded. Furthermore, the temperature, heat convection, body wall movements (ballisto- / seismocardiography), acoustic signals and also chemical / biochemical parameters can be recorded (example: continuous blood sugar measurement with a semi-invasive sensor system). In the broadest sense, mobile sensor devices also include the increasingly widespread devices for professional laboratory diagnostics (mobile point-of-care measuring devices and kits), which range from laboratory parameters (e.g. hemoglobin, inflammation parameters, liver values, electrolytes, kidney function values, etc.) to genetic tests can be used in a variety of ways.
Above all, spatial sensors allow the use of space and the movement of people within individual rooms, apartments, buildings and cities, but also vehicles. In addition, networked room-related sensors can record a wide range of health-related parameters, such as: B. the EKG via sensors integrated in seating or the heart rate via optical sensors.
In the following we show several application examples of how portable and space-related sensors record health-related variables and how they can contribute to solving health or medical problems through intelligent processing of the data.
2.1 Application example: motion detection in medical research
One of the longest established fields of application for sensors in medical research is the objective detection of body movements. This ranges from simple portable step counters, which can only provide aggregated data, to multi-sensory portable devices, which allow detailed gait and movement analyzes, to stationary multi-camera systems in gait laboratories. The researched questions are as broad as the technical approaches. With the widespread acceleration sensors, which are now also integrated in smart watches and phones, the number of steps can be recorded (at error rates (cf. Marschollek et al. 2008)) and the active energy consumption of the person examined can be estimated. By using several, synchronized sensor devices with gyroscopes to record the angular acceleration, the measurement of joint movements under everyday conditions, e.g. B. at work or during sports, possible. In the study Partial Knee Clinics Calliess et al. (2014) used a multi-sensor approach to show that differences in the movement sequence in patients with different knee prostheses occur primarily when descending stairs (Calliess et al. 2014). In addition, the effects of fatigue could be measured. Such measurements cannot be carried out under stationary laboratory conditions.
A major advantage of sensor-based movement measurements is their objectivity in contrast to the widespread survey method (RecallQuestionnaires) on individual physical activity. One’s own activity is often overestimated. For this reason, epidemiological studies have been using sensor devices for some time, e.g. B. already in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005/2006 and the UK biobank study with 100,000 subjects (Willetts et al. 2018). The availability of such extensive data on everyday activity now allows studies to be carried out on associations with other, e.g. B. genetic data on (Ferguson et al. 2018). Our own studies have shown that using a cluster method with movement data recorded exclusively by sensors, movement types can be identified that have significant differences in metabolic parameters or risk factors with regard to the risk of falling (Marschollek 2016).
The previous examples show how technical diagnostic systems penetrate everyday life and precisely for this reason can provide new and diagnostically relevant information. Diagnostics is not limited to institutions such as hospitals and medical practices. Citizens initially use systems from the expanded health market for convenience functions or for self-measurement with the aim of improving themselves in the area of physical fitness. They use the automated evaluations to control their training or to change their lifestyle towards more activity. The systems support this with appropriate motivation, among other things through playful elements, such as the achievement of set goals or the comparison with other people via social networks. In this application, the technical systems acquire a status that is comparable to that of a personal trainer and companion.
Increasingly more intelligent algorithms allow very individual control of the behavior of people. The value of the information collected for medical care cannot yet be specifically estimated. An automated early detection of health-relevant situations that can only be managed with the help of medical experts would be interesting and important. An exchange of the available data with them should then be easily possible and the experts should present the data that appear relevant to the situation at hand in a form that is easy to interpret. The event-related, individual configuration of existing technical devices and the addition of other diagnostically necessary components create a diagnostically effective living environment.
The interaction of the technical systems with their users and medical experts leads to completely new forms of care. Only when the data collected from the patients are combined with their health information and data from further diagnostic tests and are available to the experts for evaluation and assessment with the support of expert systems can the technical living environment be ideally instrumentalized or designed for recording health.
2.2 Application example: TeleReha
In addition to the previously shown use in diagnostics, the new technical systems can also be used in therapy. One field of application is the motor rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The possibilities of technical support in this area range from providing assistance to patients and therapists, e.g. B. in the selection of personal exercises through catalogs that allow intelligent searches, through the motivation and guidance of the patients in performing the prescribed exercises to robots that help patients with reduced mobility through precise training loads in relearning movement sequences.
The AGT rehab project (AGT =A.ssisting GhealthTTechnologies) has shown in recent years that equipping patients in their homes with appropriate hardware software systems enables better control of the independent exercise execution (Wolf et al. 2013). The participants in the voluntary studies use a computer system with a depth camera4that can recognize the implementation of physical therapy self-exercises. The technically guided training as well as the automated evaluation and feedback of the quantity and quality of the exercise execution by the computer allow the trainees to carry out all the therapeutically effective exercises more precisely and thus to avoid incorrect stress. The trainees report that the guided training with the system is helpful, not forgetting any exercises and performing the exercises correctly and completely. The participants perceive the feedback of the training successes to the supervising therapist as an additional motivation, and it gives them the secure feeling of being supervised during their home exercises. The aftercare with AGT-Reha is flexible in terms of time and can be carried out in your own premises, which means that AGT-Reha enables some patients to undertake the important, regular post-inpatient rehabilitation in the first place.
The therapeutic systems, of which AGT rehab is just one example, allow new forms of care in addition to the novel diagnostics described above. Through their interaction between patients and therapists, they expand and complement the otherwise direct relationship between human actors. They expand the care of the therapists as their teletherapeutic eyes and arms and thereby also give the trainees a good feeling of being cared for. The largely automated control of the quality and quantity of training should lead to more regular and correct training, which should increase its effectiveness. At the same time, they enable therapists to create new, more flexible working time models through asynchrony. The automated control of the training releases the therapists from routine parts of their work and enables them to concentrate on those aspects that promise increased effectiveness. The information gathered about the actual implementation of the training allows new, more objective insights into the reality of independent home therapy.
One risk of use is that the systems penetrate deeply into the privacy of the users. AGT Reha, for example, interprets video recordings of users in their private living environment. It also collects objective information about adherence5 of users. Even if AGT-Reha does not record the images and thus they never leave the user's apartment, it is easy to imagine misuse of such systems. This would permanently impair the relationship of trust between therapist and patient, which is essential for the treatment. It is also easy to imagine a use of the information about training quality and quantity, which could be disadvantageous for the patient. For example, the prescription of further therapies or the reimbursement of costs could be made dependent on the information.
2.3 Example of use: combination of modalities
While AGT rehab is a delimited system that patients bring into their private environment, the home environment itself, as mentioned above, can serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic space. If apartments are equipped with ambient sensors, these can be combined with other systems (including actuators) to e.g.B. to collect diagnostic information, to evaluate it algorithmically and to make decisions if necessary.
An example of the use of different modalities in real living environments is the detection of falls in apartments. Camera systems and microphones installed in the homes of a total of 28 elderly people at risk of falling recorded for eight weeks each as part of the work on the research network Design of age-appropriate living environments the activities of the people (Feldwieser et al. 2014). At the same time, portable sensor devices recorded the subjects' movements. Using specifically developed algorithms, a computer system installed in the apartment merged the sensor data, evaluated it autonomously and made the decision as to whether there was a fall or not.
This example shows how the personal living environment is changing into an active companion and actor in health care. The use of machine intelligence is particularly useful in the field of emergency detection in the event of such rare, often late recognized events that can have serious consequences for those affected. With built-in sensors, actuators and embedded systems, the apartment itself is becoming an actor in the healthcare sector. For example, it can recognize changes in the health of its residents, suggest suitable countermeasures, offer and arrange support services, recommend a visit to a doctor and, if desired, compile and transmit the data that led to the assessment. In an emergency, the intelligent apartment can recognize this, call for help and open the apartment door for those who come to help.
2.4 Example of use: Knowledge-based systems that are easy to use
Another field in which technical entities change the interface between humans and the healthcare system are dialog-based applications that allow users easy access to medical knowledge that is relevant to them in their current context. A prominent example is the smartphone app Ada, which interactively asks its users about symptoms in a text-based dialog, limits the number of possible diseases and uses the answers to calculate the probabilities of possible diseases. A knowledge-based system created and continuously maintained by experts works in the background. In addition to the available medical knowledge, feedback from users regarding the correctness of the assessment is also incorporated. A quote from the description of the app by the manufacturer on the Internet: "Ada was developed by more than 100 doctors and scientists and already knows over a thousand diseases with several billion combinations of symptoms - from a simple cold to rare diseases." (Appgefahren 2018) .
These types of applications, which enable users to do a kind of self-service and self-care in a medical context, represent a new form of health care. For a number of years now, the proportion of patients who use the Internet to find out about possible illnesses before visiting a doctor has increased. Compared to this form of preparation for (or decision-making about) a doctor's visit, intelligent applications such as Ada promise a much more realistic assessment of the current state of health and thus even more targeted, timely care. Ideally, such intelligent systems relieve both doctors and patients by helping to avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor and thus enabling more efficient and more precisely tailored care for patients who require the assistance of a doctor.
The knowledge-based system on which the application is based also offers AdaDX, an interface specifically developed for medical experts. Ronicke et al. (2019) report on the use for the diagnosis of rare diseases that are often overlooked and therefore often treated late. The authors argue that there are around 7000 rare diseases that are difficult to assess, even for experts with all combinations of symptoms. The application analyzes the case data and offers doctors diagnostic support by calculating the accuracy of the data for different diseases on the one hand, and their probabilities on the other.
Machine intelligence offers cognitive support in a very knowledge and data-intensive environment. The care of patients often takes place under enormous time and cost pressure, which leads to rare diseases being recognized too late. The final decision on the diagnosis remains with the doctor, especially with regard to the therapeutic consequences in each individual case. Here man and machine act synergistically. The doctors play an essential mediating role between the patients on the one hand and the human and machine experts, decision-makers and agents on the other.
In the MoCAB (Mobile Care Backup) project, machine intelligence takes on an advisory and support role in a very similar way for the relatives of people in need of care. A smartphone-based dialogue system works here (Chat bot) with family carers in order to record their specific information and support needs. An algorithm then decides which specific information relatives need in a certain situation and provides them with the corresponding knowledge modules (Wolff et al. 2018). Such systems can help close knowledge gaps and break down barriers between experts and laypeople.
3 Summary and Outlook
Several examples from the field of body-friendly and ambient medical technology systems have illustrated the possibilities and challenges of the interaction of living and non-living entities in the field of health care and medicine. The use of technical systems is also increasingly taking place outside the immediate medical environment and regardless of existing or suspected medical problems. They are increasingly penetrating the private environment of citizens and enabling new forms of health care. The increased capacity for self-care and self-sufficiency made possible and the targeted use of health services has the potential to make the health care system more effective and efficient in the future. As a result of their interaction with technology, patients receive greater responsibility and a better and more informed participation in their health status.
3.1 Ethical issues
In addition to the promising positive possibilities of the emerging technologies, in addition to the new forms of health care, there are also ethically questionable incentives and applications of the initially value-neutral technology. Information about the state of health is one of the most private and therefore most valuable information about an individual. The data collected about a person's behavior also allows deep insights into their private life. These can be used in the interests of the patient to improve the state of health, but improper use is also conceivable. In less free societies, this information can be used comparatively easily to monitor citizens.
Even with the intended uses of the technology, ethical questions arise with regard to the restriction of what is technically feasible. Some of the new technologies can also be used by healthy people. With regard to self-improvement or self-optimization, similar questions arise here as they exist in the context of improving physical and mental performance with drugs (doping). An emerging risk is that the technology shifts the norms that an individual can, should or should meet, thus increasing social expectations and the pressure on the individual. This standardization is contrary to individuality and autonomy that are fundamentally worth preserving. A social discourse about the acceptable limits of what is feasible is necessary here.
3.2 Changes in the interaction in medicine
Wherever intelligent systems are used, they will change the roles of the people who interact with them directly or indirectly. They deepen and expand the objective information about patients and enable them to better understand their health through automated and individualized feedback as well as direct dialogue and thus make them more informed participants in the health care system who can access health services more precisely. For the medical practitioners, this ideally makes their work easier. The health status of informed patients, about whom technical systems have collected, condensed and evaluated a lot of information, can be diagnosed more easily, more specifically and hopefully faster. Technical systems can, in turn, support physicians in this knowledge work, for example by providing context-related knowledge and pointing out the possible presence of rare diseases. Another question that arises from the construction of the technical systems and their decision-making is the question of the traceability of these decisions. The exact function of some systems, which, for example, achieve better results than human experts in the image-based diagnosis of skin cancer, can hardly be understood. Decision-making thus represents a black box. The question to be answered here is whether we are satisfied with the fact that the results of the black box are better, or whether it makes sense to demand that every decision is understood in detail by a person. The so-called responsible data science goes in that direction. On the other hand, it can be argued that experts are also a black box for laypeople and can often hardly explain their decision-making basis to him or her. After all, that plays Gut feeling, which is based on many years of experience and hardly explicable knowledge, also plays a role in decisions made by experts.
Given the current technical development, it is foreseeable that in certain areas of medicine, computer-based intelligent systems make a diagnosis more reliably than the majority of medical professionals. In this situation the question must be asked whether it is not immoral for these doctors to make a diagnosis without technical support.
A chatbot is a text-based dialogue system that allows natural language interaction with a technical system.
"[...] General term for applications in which machines acquire human-like abilities such as learning, judging or problem-solving." (Deutscher Bundestag 2018, p. 5).
From the proposal for the Dartmouth Conference 1956: “The study is to proceed on the basis of the conjecture that every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can in principle be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it. An attempt will be made to find how to make machines use language, form abstractions and concepts, solve kinds of problems now reserved for humans, and improve themselves. "(Wikipedia 2019).
In addition to the two-dimensional image, depth cameras record the distance between objects and the camera, thereby facilitating their automatic detection.
Adherence describes the extent to which a person's behavior is in accordance with the recommendations agreed with their therapist.
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Open Access This chapter is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.de), which permits use, copying, editing, distribution and reproduction in any medium and format. Provided you properly identify the original author (s) and source, include a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate whether changes have been made.
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Authors and Affiliations
- 1.Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics at the TU BraunschweigMedical Hochschule HannoverHannoverGermany
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Common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a reliable measure of early atherosclerosis - its accurate measurement can be used in the process of evaluating the presence and tracking the progression of disease. The aim of this study is to introduce a novel unsupervised Computer Aided Detection (CAD) algorithm that is able to identify and measure the IMT in 2D ultrasound carotid images. The developed technique relies on a suite of image processing algorithms that embeds a statistical model to identify the two interfaces that form the IMT without any user intervention. The proposed image segmentation scheme is based on a spatially continuous vascular model and consists of several steps including data preprocessing, edge filtering, model selection, edge reconstruction and data refinement. To conduct a quantitative evaluation each image was manually segmented by clinical experts and performance metrics between the segmentation results obtained by the proposed method and the ground truth data were calculated. The experimental results show that the proposed CAD system is robust in accurately estimating the IMT in ultrasound carotid data.


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International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesman Colonel Tom Collins said today that NATO troops are prepared to help the government effort, but he added that there "is no need to rush to action here."
Residents and officials suggest that hundreds of villagers have fled Musa Qala, in Helmand Province, to avoid being caught in potential fighting. Helmand Provincial Council member Abdul Zahir told the Institute for War and Peace Reporting that authorities, anticipating a flood of refugees from Musa Qala, have prepared shelter for approximately 1,500 families.
Musa Qala was the stage for a deal, reached in October, between local elders and regional officials that was intended to keep NATO and Afghan troops, along with Taliban fighters, well outside the district center.
But Taliban fighters stormed the local offices on February 1 after accusing international forces of reneging on a pledge not to conduct air raids, and insurgents have reportedly flown the Taliban flag in downtown Musa Qala ever since.
NATO and Afghan officials were reportedly following the Musa Qala deal closely in hopes that it might provide a model for curbing violence in other Afghan districts.
(IWPR.net, AP, Reuters)
The Afghan Insurgency
A U.S. military vehicle damaged by insurgents near Kandahar (epa)
HOMEGROWN OR IMPORTED? As attacks against Afghan and international forces continue relentlessly, RFE/RL hosted a briefing to discuss the nature of the Afghan insurgency. The discussion featured Marvin Weinbaum, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and RFE/RL Afghanistan analyst Amin Tarzi.
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Can’t afford to buy a house? Rental homes or apartments are too expensive? There are alternatives for people who wish to enjoy a nice home at an affordable price.
But first a little history.
During the 2007 to 2009 recession, countless homeowners nationwide were unable to prevent defaulting on their bank loans and eventually losing their houses through foreclosure.
Those homeowners were left scrambling to find cheaper living quarters, which often meant leaving their communities and taking their children out of hometown schools.
Their now bank-owned homes were up for grabs to the highest bidder.
Those with the cash were able to pick up some prime real estate for unbelievably low prices.
One home here in the city of Fenton, for example, sold for $135,000 in 2001, and $131,000 in 2002. In 2010, the foreclosed house and property was purchased for $36,000 cash.
Those days are over, however, and real estate prices are quickly bouncing back to where they were before the recession 10 years ago, once again leaving many families without options when it comes to affordable housing.
But there are options, affordable housing that is available without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality — through manufactured home living.
Fenton Oaks Manufactured Home Community is one of several like communities in the tri-county area. Tucked behind Merchants Gourmet Wine Shop, near the intersection of Owen and Jennings, are just over 200 houses in a neighborhood of young families, retirees, single professionals and more.
According to Park Manager Tammy Miller, there are many advantages to manufactured home living. At Fenton Oaks, for example, when purchasing a home, the combined monthly cost, which includes the $370 site rent, is usually significantly lower than most two-bedroom apartments in Fenton and the surrounding areas.
For that, buyers get much larger homes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Many feature walk-in closets and master suites. Some have large kitchens, dining rooms and laundry rooms. Depending on the model, many have living rooms and family rooms. Outside, there is yard space to enjoy, something pet owners especially like. There are contiguous sidewalks around the community for bike riding and long walks.
Then there are the shorter-term mortgages. “How many people can say their housing cost may be cut in half — 10 to 15 years after purchasing,” Miller asked. “With manufactured home ownership, you can pay off your home and then only have the monthly site rent and utilities to pay. Sometimes loans can be paid off in shorter terms and still cost less monthly than renting, maybe just in time to start helping a child pay for college or have the flexibility to enjoy traveling,” she said.
The only taxes a homeowner need pay is a small personal property tax annually if they have a deck or shed, for example. School taxes and traditional property taxes are covered in the site rent.
Fenton Oaks is walking distance from several shopping venues, many restaurants, and Silver Lake Park and Beach. Easy access to the highway (U.S. 23) makes commuting to and from work a breeze.
The advantages also include being able to live literally maintenance free.
If residents choose, Fenton Oaks will maintain the lawns year-round and shovel snow from the sidewalks right up to their door, for example
Fenton Oaks is in the Fenton schools district. Residents enjoy Fenton water while living in a quiet, upscale community, said Miller.
Living happily in Fenton Oaks
Patrick “Pat” DeGuise, 33, and his wife, Jennifer, 29, have lived in Fenton Oaks with their young son, Lucius, now 4 years old, since 2012. They started out renting from Fenton Oaks and are now homeowners in the community. The couple is self-employed from home.
Pat and Jennifer have always taken pride in their homes, when they were renters and now homeowners.
“We take pride in what we have and what we have accomplished together,” said Pat. “We work very hard for what we have as a family and work just as hard to maintain and keep everything in tip top shape.
“My philosophy on pride of ownership is that if you maintain and take good care of something it will last. Our homes have always been an investment, even the home we rented from Fenton Oaks.
“When we first rented in the fall of 2012, we never expected to purchase a home. After a few years of living here we started evaluating the possibility of purchasing a home here in the community,” said Pat.
“After living in the community for a few years, the location and ease of ownership really made us consider buying. One of our neighbors decided it was time to move closer to her daughter due to health concerns and she offered to sell us her house. The timing was spot on since our lease would be up within the next few months. So as of July 2015 we were owners of our home.”
Pat said the purchase process is very simple since the homes are registered at the Secretary of State’s office. We were lucky enough not to have to take out a loan to purchase the home.
“The city of Fenton is a great place to raise a family,” said Pat. “It is very safe, has good schools and quite a few parks and lakes to take the family to. Fenton Oak’s is a quiet and safe community, with very helpful office personnel. The wide sidewalks offer nice quiet walks in the evenings while watching the sunset over the trees.
“Fenton Oaks is a great place for a young family or someone looking to have more privacy and space that might be on a budget,” he said. “If you aren’t sure about living in a manufactured home community you should try renting. Fenton Oaks makes the process very simple.”
The myth about tornadoes
Contrary to some folks’ fears, tornadoes do not “seek out” trailer parks, mobile home parks or manufactured home communities.
These communities are built on flat land for obvious reasons, so when straight-line winds or tornadoes are in the forecast there is always that chance, but that chance exists everywhere when the weather is bad.
In Michigan, the manufactured homes are set on 48-inch piers and tied down to the piers. These homes are no more susceptible to wind damage than any stick-built home. Actually, they are said to be superior to stick-built homes in a flood as they are set at a minimum of 24 inches above grade.
During inclement weather events, Fenton Oaks residents are fortunate in that the city’s emergency warning siren is at the Speedway just a few hundred feet over the highway on the hill. In the event of a tornado warning, those who wish to leave their homes can seek shelter at Merchants, Walmart or at other, sturdy public nearby structures.
Other local manufactured home communities
Cider Mill Crossings
9900 Townsquare Blvd., Fenton
Phone: (810) 208-0662
East Bay MHC
3075 East Bay Drive, Fenton
Fenton Oaks MHC
16423 Jennings Rd., Fenton
13318 Dixie Hwy., Holly
Hawaiian Gardens Mobile Home Park
4261 Grange Hall Rd., Holly
16181 Lancaster Way, Holly
Lake Fenton MHC
11430 Harbor Cove, Fenton
Oak Hill Estates
16971 Sleepy Hollow Blvd., Holly
Shiawassee Shores Retirement Park
1515 W. Rolston Rd., Linden
Tyrone Woods MHC
8378 Hogan Road, Fenton

domain: economics


text:
Cee’s Foto Challenge is all about posting colours that start with the letter b. My contribution will take you through different provinces of Pakistan, in each picture.
Blue Grey water during sunset at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi (Sindh)
Blue Green water in Satpara Lake, Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan)
Brick Red walls of the Lahore Fort (Punjab)
“There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.”
– Edouard Manet
The collection in my corner.. or the
Corner in my collection?
Paperweight made of Clay
Handmade Clay Die
Ooh, Shiny!” has to be being surrounded by nature all day and all night.
Sajikot Waterfall, Abbottabad
Keeping the doctor away with these imported
apples from New Zealand.
Appetizer for today’s lunch – Trio of Fries (Fries with Kimchi sauce, truffle and mushroom sauce, and beef gravy with cheese curd)
Trio Of Fries at ARBOR Cafe & Patisserie
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter A – Needs to start with the Letters Ap
Living does not mean just going through each day as it comes.
breathe in the moment, listen to the noises, taste the adventure, and feel the textures – all around you.
Whether it is by savouring a Chocolate Coconut Donut..
Or by lazing around in the grass after a long day..
Just be certain that you are
Last summer, my siblings and I went on a trip to Pakistan’s northern areas (Gilgit, Baltistan).
The natural beauty we spotted took away our breath each time. Since the roads have been constructed by cutting down huge mountains and rocks – most of the rides were bumpy but nevertheless, extremely fun.
We spotted several
bridges along the way and keeping this week’s challenge in mind, I decided to share a few of them with you.
On the way to Skardu
En route to Upper Kachura Lake
Built by cutting down a mountain
Shangrila Resort, Skardu
A landslide delayed us for a while
I always prefer road trips over airplane flights; because to me experiencing nature, all kinds of rides and even road troubles – is all part of the adventure.
Little chirping sounds took me outside of the house early morning. Sitting peacefully on an
Epipremnum aureum (money plant), I discovered a perfectly built nest with recently hatched baby birds.
Usually it takes around 10 days for the birds to flee their nest, which means this is just the beginning of their journey; where ever it may be.
Best of luck little birdies. The world awaits you.

domain: geography


On 16 September 2019 at 04:14 CEST, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is expected to land at Stuttgart Airport. The airborne observatory is a joint project by the US space agency NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
The Kangerlussuaq Glacier is the largest glacier on the southeast coast of Greenland and flows into the fjord of the same name. The glacier front, which in the past was protected by an ice mélange – a mixture of sea ice and calved icebergs – is retreating at an increasing rate. The glacier calves approximately 24 cubic kilometres of ice into the ocean every year. This corresponds to about five percent of the amount of ice lost annually by the entire Greenland ice sheet. Using a time series of 150 TanDEM-X elevation models of the Kangerlugssuaq Glacier, scientists from Swansea University in the United Kingdom have measured the decrease in the glacier’s surface height.
The German High Altitude and Long Range (HALO) research aircraft will be exploring the atmosphere in the southern hemisphere and its impact on climate change during September and November 2019 as part of the SOUTHTRAC (Transport and Composition of the Southern Hemisphere UTLS) mission. The main objective of the first phase of the campaign is to investigate gravity waves at the southern tip of South America and over Antarctica.
Approach and landing are among the most labour-intensive flight phases. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has developed the Low Noise Augmentation System (LNAS) in order to support pilots as they perform the complex procedures required for a low-noise approach.
From 10 to 15 September 2019 at the IAA New Mobility World in Frankfurt, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will be exhibiting the prototype of its Urban Modular Vehicle (UMV) for the first time. This intelligent, modular electric city car brings together DLR research in the fields of automated and networked driving, propulsion technology, vehicle design and structure, energy management and chassis mechatronics. Further exhibits at the DLR stand (Hall 5, D04) will explain how automated driving can be tested using a high-tech test infrastructure and how mobility behaviour can be recorded quickly and efficiently using smartphones.
The prototype of an intelligent, modular electric urban car, infrastructure with high-tech sensors for testing automated and networked vehicles, and measuring mobility behaviour with smartphones – at IAA New Mobility World in Frankfurt, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) will be presenting forward-looking technologies and projects for tomorrow’s mobility.
The Crew Interactive Mobile CompaniON (CIMON) mobile astronaut assistant, which is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), returned to Earth on 27 August 2019. The SpaceX CRS-18 Dragon spacecraft carrying CIMON was undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 16:59 CEST; the capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 480 kilometres southwest of Los Angeles and was recovered at 22:21 CEST.
The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has traditionally attended the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS, Russia's national aerospace show, which takes place every two years in Zhukovsky, Moscow. This year the event will take place from 27 August to 1 September 2019 and will be DLR's eighth appearance.
Future food production in deserts and cold regions, as well as under the inhospitable conditions of future space missions to the Moon and Mars, is providing the stimulus for research in the Antarctic greenhouse project EDEN ISS, which is led by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR).
In the summer of 2018, the asteroid Ryugu, which measures only approximately 850 metres across, was visited by the Japanese Hayabusa2 spacecraft. On board was the 10-kilogram German-French Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) – a lander no bigger than a microwave oven and equipped with four instruments.
The EDRS-C satellite was successfully launched at 21:30 CEST on 6 August 2019. After receiving the first telemetry data, the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) took over operation of the satellite. Now that the first critical launch phase with several orbital manoeuvres has been completed EDRS-C can enter the test phase. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) project manager in charge is Mission Operations Director Ralf Faller.
Against the backdrop of climate change, the aviation industry is increasingly becoming the focus of debate in wider society. Innovations geared towards more environment-friendly air transport are becoming more prevalent.
Sand, dust and rocks of different colours cover extensive areas of the Terra Cimmeria highland region, one of the oldest landscapes on Mars. The variations in colour are due to differences in the mineralogy as well as the texture of the surface material and are typical of the ancient Mars highlands.
With the launch of the first EDRS-C communications satellite on 6 August 2019, a milestone has been reached for the EDRS system. EDRS is a globally unique network of geostationary relay satellites that can deliver data volumes of up to 1.8 gigabits per second to Earth with minimal delay using laser communications.
The final preparations for the launch of the EDRS-C satellite are currently underway at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen. The communications satellite is scheduled to lift off from the European Spaceport in French Guiana on 6 August 2019 and will be a core component of the European Data Relay System (EDRS) – the 'space data highway'.
A team from the University of Stuttgart won the German part of this year's NASA/DLR Design Challenge for their HyBird design on 1 August 2019. This year is the third in which the student competition has taken place, and was dedicated to connecting remote regions of the Earth with major metropolises.
The ESA BioRock space experiment was carried into orbit, bound for the International Space Station (ISS), on 25 July 2019 as part of the SpaceX CRS-18 mission. CRS-18 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 launcher.
In a globalised world, logistics and networking are becoming increasingly important. Airborne parcel deliveries are a key area of interest for the future, and have considerable potential in a number of applications. As part of the ALAADy (Automated Low Altitude Air Delivery) system and ALAADy Demonstrator projects, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is conducting research into automated, uncrewed air transport at low altitudes.
After many years of continued growth in global air traffic, with more and more flights, passengers and flight connections, a slowdown is now becoming apparent. The number of passenger aircraft movements worldwide increased by only 1.5 percent in June – from 3.3 million in June 2018 to just under 3.4 million in June of this year.
The Initial Services provided by the European satellite navigation system – Galileo – have been successfully restored. Galileo was affected by a technical incident related to its ground infrastructure. This event led to a temporary interruption of the globally available Galileo navigation and timing services, with the exception of the Galileo Search and Rescue Service. The Search and Rescue Service, which is used to locate and assist people in emergency situations, for example, at sea or in remote, mountainous areas, was not affected and remained operational. The navigation service impact was caused by a malfunction of some equipment in the Galileo control centres, which generate the system time and calculate orbit predictions; these data are used to produce the navigation messages. The disruption affected various elements at the control centres in Fucino (Italy) and at the DLR site in Oberpfaffenhofen.


text:
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text:
The search for a Victorian fisherman missing for more than four days will continue through the night after his kayak was found.
Junichi Yoshimura's distinct yellow kayak was found in Port Phillip Bay on Monday, more than 60km east of the Altona boat ramp where the 41-year-old's car was parked.
The Japanese national was believed to have left his Torquay home to go fishing early on Thursday but did not take a wetsuit or life jacket.
Colleagues raised the alarm after the baker failed to turn up for work on Friday, sparking an air and water search.
Authorities said Mr Yoshimura often went fishing but it was unclear which direction he had headed.
Water police will continue searching the bay throughout the night.
© AAP 2021


We thank Mr Abu Mansor for his letter (Wastage: Leaking pipe not fixed, Jan 13).
On receiving the feedback from Mr Mansor on Dec 15 last year, PUB service crew went to Pandan Avenue and Pandan Road to investigate on the same day.
However, the crew was unable to locate any pipe leak after checking all of PUB's pipes, valves and bulk meters in the vicinity. They tried contacting Mr Mansor several times to find out the precise location of the leak, but were unable to reach him.
On Jan 13, PUB contacted Mr Mansor, who provided additional information on the specific location of the leak. Our service crew went on site immediately and found the leaking service pipe belonging to a commercial building along Pandan Avenue.
PUB informed the building management to repair the leak and the leak was rectified on the same day. PUB has updated Mr Mansor on the completed repair works and thanks him for his feedback and assistance.
Under the Public Utilities (Water Supply) Regulations, owners of premises are responsible for the proper maintenance of their service pipes and to ensure that there are no leaks. Any pipe leaks should be repaired promptly.
We encourage members of the public to contact PUB's 24-hour call centre on 1800-CALL-PUB (1800-2255-782) to report any pipe leaks.
Water Supply (Network) Department
PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency


text:
St. Peter's Church in Metz
Descending from the Arsenal towards the river, you can see the oldest architectural structure in Lorraine, known as the Church of St. Peter (Église Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains). The late Romanesque building was built by the Gallo-Romans in the era of Theodosius, between 375 and 395 AD.
The masonry of the walls is made of hewn stones, several rows of which are connected for strength by two rows of thin, so-called "Roman" bricks. This technology in Ancient Rome was called Opus Vittatum, which literally means "ribbon work" and spread in the era of Maxentius and Constantine (4th century AD).
Initially, the building was part of a sports school for teenagers aged 12 to 16 years. Here they taught wrestling, gymnastics, running, long and high jumps, javelin and discus throwing. The training of future warriors also included training in good manners and discipline. Such schools were called Palesta (from the Greek word for "struggle") and, unlike state gymnasiums, were private and intended for the children of wealthy citizens.
Adjacent to the building is an arena for training fights and horse riding, surrounded by a colonnade with arched gates.
The Palaestra did not last long, in the 451st century Metz was taken by Atilla, the school was looted and burned. In the seventh century, the former "sports complex" was occupied by a female Benedictine monastery, and the building became a monastic church.
In the early period of the Holy Roman Empire, in the 10th-11th century, the nave was built,and in the 15th century the building received Gothic arches. In 1552, Metz was besieged by the troops of Charles V, as a result of which the city, like the whole of Lorraine, became part of France.During the fighting, the building was seriously damaged, and it was no longer used as a temple. In 1556, the construction of the fortress began, and the building served as a warehouse of army property until the 70s of the 20th century. In the 70s of the last century, the building fell into disrepair, and the question arose of demolishing the building. Archaeologists and scientists defended the ancient building, arguing that it is the only preserved architectural structure in the "Ottonian style", characteristic of the era of Otto I, the founder of the Holy Roman Empire. The building has been restored and is now used as a hall for exhibitions and concerts.
Below the former church is a garden named after Marsha P.Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, well-known American LGBT rights activists.

domain: history


The six Mercedes-AMG Black Series models deliver over 3,000 horsepower combined
Black Series models got progressively more insane over the years
Less than 2,500 Black Series models were built in 15 years
If one were so inclined to argue through the night, one could make the argument that Mercedes-AMG Black Series models are the most exclusive performance cars ever built.
Only passionate car nuts have really heard about Mercedes-AMG Black Series cars, and even then it’s hard to find a true experts on the limited run of insane AMG vehicles.
The latest model to roar to life, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, symbolizes everything about the Black Series. It has a massive wing, ridiculous horsepower, looks like it was meant for a racing circuit not the road, and it will be built in extremely limited quantities.
In actuality, the AMG GT Black Series is a far cry from past models. Previous Black Series models were much more subtle and you really needed to know your stuff to recognize one on the road. But it’s hard to argue that they were not all stunning, each and every one of them. And if you got your hands on one, it was a sound investment.
The Black Series line was born in 2006 when AMG decided they needed more exclusive, low-production models that would surpass what the public could buy in any old Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Here’s a look back at the 15 years of Black Series and the over 3,000 horsepower the mad scientists at AMG created.
Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG 55 Black Series – 120 Units
Based of off a limited run of SLK Tracksport models, the SLK 55 Black Series was introduced for track use as well, but it could be used on the wheel. It was powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine that delivered 400 horsepower.
The big change which would become a theme and distinctive element of the Black Series was that the SLK lost its removable hard top. The new carbon fiber fixed roof reduced the centre of gravity and improved handling as a result.
Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
The CLK 63 AMG Black Series was launched with a 6.2-litre V8 that produced 500 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Its design was strongly influenced by the CLK DTM car and a massive wing was its most distinctive feature.
700 units were built starting in 2008. The CLK 63 AMG Black Series came with adjustable coil-springs, a wide body kit with a widened front and rear track, and extra bracing in the back that sat where the rear seats would have been on lesser CLK cars.
Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series
Perhaps the most distinctive Black Series model, the SL 65 AMG Black Series even caught the eye of Alex Ovechkin who sold his a few years ago for more than he paid for it. The SL 65 AMG Black Series was the first model to feature a V12 engine and still the only Black Series with 12 cylinders. And not just any V12. It was a biturbo unit that delivered 661 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.
No wonder the SL 65 AMG Black Series is known for being unruly and difficult to control. It’s a car you need to respect if you can get your hands on one of the 350 units produced in 2009.
Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Black Series
As you probably imagined, this was and still is the most powerful C-Class ever built. It had a 6.3-litre V8 that produced 510 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque.
Like all Black Series models, it was wider, more aggressive, and immediately noticeable. It had a coil-over suspension and a composite braking system. Only 800 units were built.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
No more than 200 units of the SLS AMG Black Series made it to North America. Powered by a 6.3-litre V8 with 622 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque, the SLS AMG Black Series was inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car and looked like it as well.
It featured a 5.49 pound-per-horsepower ratio, making it ridiculously fast and nimble.
Which leaves us now with the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.
2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
It looks like a Black Series model and will go like an AMG Black Series model thanks to the most powerful V8 ever built by Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach. It sends 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch. It can reach 100 km/h (97 mph) in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).


text:
The post-pandemic real estate market is one characterized by a single factor; uncertainty. No one was expecting a pandemic like Covid-19, and so no one was prepared when it struck. 2020’s turbulent timeline shook the stable growths and predictions of the real estate market into a chaotic state of flux.
Amidst all this turbulence, some opportunities are ready to be grabbed by pioneering spirits. While inner-city neighborhoods have their links with social and economic problems, their prices have reflected another story entirely. Regularly having the highest year-over-year increase in house prices, inner-city homes offer their homeowners quite a lot.
History of Inner-City Homes
In the 1970s, inner-city neighborhoods, and housing, were often synonymous with economically poor and socially troubled areas. This association was stronger in the USA than Canada but the prevalence of the term spread here as well.
The reason for this social and economic downfall was simple; age. Inner-city areas were often the oldest parts of the city, built near or within the city’s center or downtown area. These old parts were overcrowded as the population began to boom during the early 1900s and then again during the 50s and 60s.
Inner-city areas also paid hosts to many industries at the beginning of a city’s development. These industries slowly died out or were moved away due to environmental concerns. As these industries were a major income source for inner-city residents, they were suddenly struck with economic hardships.
The more affluent residents moved out to more suburban areas, while those who could not relocate were relegated to be ignored by civil authorities.
The presence of old buildings, lack of industry and easy access to employment opportunities, and general disregard from public authorities lead to slow degradation and a culmination of social and economic problems in these neighborhoods.
To deal with such problems, governments started enacting urban renewal plans with all the necessary details. In Canada, the Neighborhood Improvement Program was started in 1973 and ran for a decade. Its objectives were simple; improve the inner-city neighborhoods by bettering their physical environment, amenities, and communities at large.
While the effects were not immediately seen, they can be clearly seen today. Inner-city areas have undergone an urban renaissance. Increased opportunities for work, modern amenities, inter-city connectivity, and gentrification, in general, have greatly influenced inner-city real estate.
Inner-City Home Amenities
An inner-city home will give you access to the best amenities in the city. Being right in the city’s downtown area means that not only you’ll have access to the best schools, parks, pubs, and restaurants, but that you will always be within walking distance to the hub of employment within the city’s center. Transit options like the subway, busses, and taxis mean that homeowners don’t even need to invest in a vehicle to enjoy all their community amenities
Inner-city neighborhoods present a new cultural and urban center to the city, from art galleries to recreational facilities to bustling condos and shopping strips. Easy commute to the workplace and back means less time wasted in traffic. You get the best public utilities and general neighborhood safety as well.
It’s for this urban renewal that inner-city homes cost nearly twice as much as metro area homes per square foot. Inner-city homes are highly valuable properties and often cost more than larger homes out in suburban areas
However, this all changed with the pandemic.
With the pandemic hitting the world hard, the real estate market was particularly affected. Many people lost their jobs, and so they lost the ability to purchase homes anytime soon as they had to dip into their savings funds to survive during unemployment. Prices started to drop slowly, and interest rates soon followed as the economy began to grind to a halt
People started moving out of urban areas in masses as soon as possible to cope up. While the urban exodus was already a phenomenon that Canadian cities were undergoing, the pandemic only hastened the process. Apartments and condos started to empty. Many young professionals saw this as the final straw in their decision to move to suburban neighborhoods.
The urban exodus hasn’t stopped yet, but it will start to slow down by the end of the year. As transactions started again, urban living will start seeing an increase by next year.
The Investment Opportunity
As prices and interest rates are relatively low currently, this makes now the best time to invest in inner-city homes. You might be wondering why it would be a good idea to buy a property where residents are actively leaving, and you’d be right in wondering. The answer to this question is simple, provided that you have enough funds, investing when the market is at a low point is the smart financial choice.
As markets start to stabilize and then start rising again to pre-pandemic levels, you will see a huge ROI in your property. Urban living is by no means ended just because of the pandemic. Not to mention, offices are shifting from huge commercial complexes to tinier, more modest premises in inner-city neighborhoods.
Inner city homes for sale in Calgary often start from 300,000 CAD, for example. A far cry from the prices in pre-pandemic times where prices of condos and even the interest rates on mortgages were much higher. Purchasing a home in Calgary now, for example, could end up saving you hundreds of thousands when factoring in reduced prices, discounts, and low-interest rates.
While the real estate market remains in flux, those pioneers who realize the opportunity it provides for great returns and bargains should consider looking into inner-city homes. The loss this pandemic has brought cannot be understated and it will take a long time to recover. At the end of the pandemic and the great turmoil that has followed it, this may be the dream chance many young professionals have been looking forward to—a chance to buy an affordable home in the city. A chance to fulfill their dreams.

domain: sociology


text:
monkeys learn to use brain-machine interface
k.p.collins at worldnet.att.net
Sat Oct 18 21:27:22 EST 2003
"Peter F" <fell_spamtrap_in at ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:TCQjb.164$7j6.7422 at nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
| "KP_PC" <k.p.collins at worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:Aldjb.179933$0v4.13810902 at bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
| > Now, I need to know what "C's" are :-]
| They are in the correct or otherwise abbreviation of these
| ozone-hole-drilling "CFCs". :-)
More information about the Neur-sci
Send comments to us at biosci-help [At] net.bio.net

domain: biology


text:
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- Sri Lanka's new president has replaced an ex-military with a civilian governor in the Tamil-controlled north in a sign of improving ties with the ethnic minority following the end of the civil war.
The Tamil-controlled provincial administration of the Northern Province has long accused the outgoing governor, retired Maj. Gen. G.A Chandrasiri, of preventing them from functioning freely and running a parallel local government.
President Maithripala Sirisena, who defeated a hard-line incumbent in January elections, announced the appointment of H.M.G.S. Palihakkara as a new governor on his website Wednesday.
Sri Lankan troops defeated Tamil separatist rebels in 2009 after a 25-year civil war, but the government has not fulfilled its promise for regional autonomy.

domain: politics


text:
Proposition 59 gives voters a chance to tell their own member of Congress to get big money out of politics and support an amendment to the United States Constitution to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Similar measures have passed in Colorado and Montana by three-to-one margins.
In the 2014 congressional elections, the candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives who spent the most money won 94% of the time. To get re-elected, politicians spend hours on the phone calling millionaires and corporate lobbyists to ask them for money. Is it any wonder, then, that if big donors want something different than what working families want, the politicians listen to the money almost every time?
It’s time voters started talking back. Proposition 59 would tell your member of Congress to take strong action immediately, by supporting a federal constitutional amendment and taking other steps to reduce the influence of big money in politics. This is how we can overturn misguided Supreme Court rulings such as Citizens United v. FEC that have said that unlimited campaign spending is a form of “free” speech and that corporations have the exact same constitutional rights as living and breathing people
Corporations play a vital role in our economy. But corporations aren’t people. They don’t vote, get sick, or need childcare. The Constitution was written to protect human beings, not corporations. The rights granted to corporations by the Supreme Court allow them to drown out the voices of real people – as voters, consumers and workers.
As the Sacramento Bee says:
“Of the state’s 55 representatives and senators, 34 have signed on to proposals for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton pledges to pursue a constitutional change if elected, and Republican Donald Trump has also been critical of the ruling. The good government groups backing Prop. 59 make a plausible case that grass-roots voter support is more powerful than just the Legislature’s – and that a resounding “yes” vote in a congressional district could persuade fence-sitting lawmakers to support repeal.”
Send a message
Prop 59 is an important step in making our voices heard. After the election, we will need to hold Congress accountable to the wishes of their constituents. Californians have used similar voter instruction ballot measures to win constitutional amendments that have made our republic more accountable. We can do it again.
For a full list of California Labor’s 2016 endorsements, visit our Endorsements page here.
This is the third installment of California Labor’s Top Props, a blog series on priority propositions for working Californians. Click here to see other posts in the series.


I don’t think the whole round trip latency is been measured. It wouldn’t make sense since Cubase knows the input and output latency and can compensate this accordingly. What is actually measured here is the delay that might be produced inside the curcuit of your outboard gear. Cubase can not see this additional latency as it is not reported to it.
Here is what i think happens if you ping your external fx.:
lets say your input and output latency of your interface is 6ms for each. lets also say your outboard gear doesn’t produce any latency by itself. Cubase sends a ping through the outboard device and according to the latency the drivers reports it will expect the ping back in 12 ms (6ms out, 6ms in). This latency Cubase can compensate because it knows it. But what if the outboard device will lets say have 3ms delay of its own. Cubase cant see this. It takes now 15ms to get back. Cubase knows that these addtional 3ms must come from the device. It should show you about 3ms delay compesation now.
or in other words. If your outboard doesn’t produce latency by itself, additional delay compensation will be 0.00 ms for your external fx. I would assume that pretty much any analog outboard gear will result in no further latency and therefore the result will be 0ms additional delay compensation.
I might be wrong here but this is the only thing that makes sense to me.


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Buy me food / Make me food / Be food
Month: April 2017
GRT Hotels – the GReaT escapade !
#KolkataAtTheCafe – An ode to the city of Joy !
Kinki – Modern Asian Kitchen and Molecular Bar
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domain: food


National Nuclear Energy Generating Company of Ukraine Energoatom and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the cooperation in modernization of turbine island tools of Ukrainian nuclear energy vegetation (NPPs) together with conducting research with having common conferences. The bilateral MOU covers cooperation between the 2 entities in rising of energy output, effectivity and security by modernizing the turbine island tools. It additionally goals at increasing cooperation in long-term service of put in tools at NPPs and introducing the up-to-date technical options and monetary options.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Yuri Nedashkovsky, President of the SE “NNEGC Energoatom”, and Goro Yanase, Vice President of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.
The signing of the Memorandum was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine and the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine.
“Energoatom congratulates the start of cooperation with the main world nuclear energy company – Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. We are satisfied that our joint work won’t solely assist us to extend the capability of Ukraine’s NPPs, however will present a further impetus to the event of home applied sciences for nuclear energy vegetation, “stated Yuriy Nedashkovsky, President of SE Energoatom.
Mr. Yanase, vice chairman of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, emphasised ” It is an honor to signal on MOU with “SE NNEGC Energoatom” one of many world main NPP operators. We are satisfied to determine the Win-Win relationship that Energoatom will obtain NPP modernization, rising capability and steady electrical energy provide, and Toshiba will broaden its nuclear tools provide enterprise in Ukraine nuclear fleet to contribute to Energoatom’s targets to attain”.
In order to prepare the implementation of the Memorandum, through the assembly, an settlement was reached on the formation of a Steering Committee, consisting of two co-chairmen (one consultant from all sides) and members of the committee. The members of the Steering Committee will coordinate all problems with cooperation underneath this memorandum, in addition to develop applicable business agreements, equivalent to an settlement for tools provide, primarily based on this cooperation. (Source and picture: Energoatom / Riuvne NPP, Ukraine)
The publish TOSHIBA AND ENERGOATOM TO MODERNIZE NUCLEAR PLANTS OF UKRAINE appeared first on Energy Global News.


Pecan Street Roadway
St. Elizabeths East - Pecan Street Roadway
The Phase 3 Pecan Street Roadway and Utilities is a design-bid-build (DBB) project to construct a new roadway to include utilities, a new outfall in the ravine to Suitland Parkway, new public system water services to existing St. Elizabeths hospital, and the demolition of the private elevated water storage tank. This project is currently in the pre-design phase.
Project 100% completed, roadway currently not open to public.


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Welcome to BeadService
Czech Glass Beads Preciosa Crystal Sterling Silver Findings Gold Filled Plated Findings
Trinity Brass Semi-Precious Beads Seed Beads Stringing Materials Thong
A huge collection of quality jewellery making supplies at low prices.
All Our Swarovski Crystal 4mm & 6mm Bicone Beads Have Been Reduced By 30%
Browse by Category
WHAT'S NEW? Semi-Precious/Beads/Findings
Shop for Beads, Jewellery Findings & Beading Supplies
Swarovski Crystal Semi-Precious Gemstone Czech Glass Peacock Beads
Sterling Silver Findings Gunmetal Findings Silver Plated Findings
Stringing Wire Suede Thong
Exceptional Value, Quality, Choice and Service
|BEAD SHOWS 2015|
|01 March Perth|
|21 March Sandown Park|
At Beadservice our goal is to bring you a 'one stop' shopping site containing a wide range of products for both the beginner and experienced beader. We have over 4,000 different items and this expands each week as we source new stock.
Many items can be bought in bulk quantites at discounted prices. If you can't find what you need get in touch as we might be able to order it.
Our service is second to none as our customers often tell us:-
"Everything is fabulous" Marina
"Thank you for such a brilliant service" Jane
"Delighted with the goods" Val
"They're really lovely good quality beads" Christine
Our other website beadservice.co.uk is still available
Check out decumi.co.uk for our range of illustrated aluminium cuff bracelets

domain: hobby


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07 Aug 2012
Can the Jets' improve their passing game in 2012? It really depends on Mark Sanchez, not Tim Tebow.
8 comments, Last at 15 Aug 2012, 2:49pm by chemical burn
Ben Roethlisberger's ability to perform under a heavy pass rush remains critical to Pittsburgh's offensive success.


fast & DURABLE
MOULDs YACHt DESIGn
IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY PROFESSIONAL SUPPLIER OF LASER CUT KITS
OF DIRECT FEMALE MOULDS - PLUGS - AND MANY OTHER STRUCTURES, FOR
Is the easier way to start the boat process building.
All moulds are strong and durable, designed for the infusion and pre-preg technology,
for many lamination up to 80 °C.
With this building concept
the Shipyard can be ready for the first laminations at the same time needed to build the male plug.
The delivery time is from 10 to max. 30
Like the direct female moulds
The plugs of superstructures, hull, deck, and any other part of the boat required, are made with the same precision and care of all the details.
With the same concept of the moulds,
mounting the interior furniture is easy and fast.
We can supply the full pre-cut kit, made with any kind and any thickness of wood chosen, ready to be assembled inside of the boat.
The Simulacrum is another great solution
for doing all the work, while the boat is under lamination.
Some of the Designer that we have Collaborated With
Bruce Farr – Judel / Vrolijk – Andrea Vallicelli – Umberto Felci – Nauta Design - Paolo Scanu – RobLadd – Massimo Paperini (DuckDesign) – Andrej Justin - Yankee Delta (Massimo Gregori) – Marco Lostuzzi – Doug Peterson – Reichel Pugh - Owen / Clarke Design – Bill Tripp - Matteo Polli - Davide Zerbinati - Umberto Petricich - Luigi Abati (Isonaval) - Giovanni Ceccarelli - Antony Lee - Javier Soto Acebal


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Cuckoo heard yesterday, seemed to be the other side of our valley, great sound, always worry they won't return. Checked nest boxes and found signs of use in 14 all together, including 3 with eggs. Eight eggs in nest 9( the old box I mentioned last time).
I think it's a great tit in there and blue tits in the other two with eggs. The above box has a different material, probably a pied flycatcher, although they normally have more leaves.
Growth now showing in the oak leaves, no sign on the ash, which means a good summer according to old sayings, oak before ash means a splash, not the soak of the other way round.


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Red Stripe Grandstand | Coma Bem (Eat Well!)
Brazil is known across the world for its beautiful people, its beaches, carnival, football and, of course, samba - the rhythm of the nation.
It's a nation that really has it all.
From metropolises buzzing with excitement underneath rising towers, to mystic rainforests and one of the most beautiful coastlines on this planet. This is a place with a lot of everything for everyone.
But there is one Brazilian trait that certainly does not get its due in the travel blogs and magazine columns - its food.
As the world descends on Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games, many foreigners will be getting their first real taste of Brazilian fare.
It has been said that you haven't truly lived until you've had a bellyful of the finest the country has to offer. For Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals, the experience shouldn't be too much of a culture shock, with many of the ingredients and methods resembling those you'll find in your local cookshop.
Beans, tropical fruits, cheese, meat. You'll find a lot of that in most Brazilian dishes.
There are a few that are sure to satisfy the appetite and feed the soul.
Moqueca can be confused quite easily for yet another fish stew, but its mix of colour and attitude - with a healthy serving of diced tomatoes, onions and Chinese parsley, peppers and coconut milk - this is one of the must-haves on any trip to Brazil.
Brigadeiros is the perfect option for anyone with a sweet tooth. The chocolate truffle variant is made by boiling condensed milk with cocoa powder, then stirring in butter and shaping the mix into balls before rolling in chocolate sprinkles. Simple and tasty.
Another interesting Brazilian offering is called acai. A product of the Amazon, the fruit is revered for its energy-boosting qualities and is still a favourite among indigenous tribes. It is often served as a sweet, frozen sorbet, mixed in juices. Be sure to try the acai beer, found in any local supermarket.
Feijoada is another Brazilian favourite. This is basically a black bean chili - a mix of various types of beef and sausage.
The offerings are plentiful and so are the servings, and as Brazil gets ready to feed the world, there is only one thing left to say: Coma bem! Eat well!


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Designed to produce a 3-D effect of height and depth, a Zen garden is planned with foreground and background to draw one's focus. More harmony is achieved by balancing different colors, sizes, and shapes of flora, so no one plant overwhelms. Trees and larger shrubbery placed at the rear of your garden offer privacy and a natural backdrop. More feng shui tips for your Zen garden?
Planting for your climate: Mosses, ground covers, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering blooms, shrubs, and focal point trees, in varied heights, colors, and textures, add lush vibrancy to your garden. Drought-resistant plants thrive in a Zen garden's sandy areas and are perfect for low-rainfall zones. Mosses and low-maintenance ground covers serve to soften straight lines, such as pre-existing walkways, and promote the flow of chi. Choose plants that will flourish in your region.
Nature's Rocks: Rocks give dimension to a Zen garden. They reflect permanence and respect for the passing of time, while adding energy and emotion to your landscape. Select unique rocks and stones, organizing them according to their special characteristics and sizes; place them where best suited for your garden's flow. Choose smooth, well-worn stones for added appeal.
Water Features: All elements have a purpose in a Zen garden. Water features such as pools, ponds and fountains offer yin energy and encourage beneficial chi. Garden lighting to highlight special areas balances that with yang (male) energy. You get the idea. Water elements can include natural facets already in your landscape, i.e. a pre-existing stream or pond, or may be added - either naturally or man-made. Sand and pebble formations can also be used to represent water: swirl sand with a rake or fingertips to create a rippling water effect - the swirls also promote the flow of chi in your garden. While sand areas are lovely, I prefer using them in tandem with actual water features for more dramatic appeal.
Paths and Walkways: Paths should never be straight, as chi energy is supposed to flow gently. A Zen garden craves meanderings and curves to soften straight lines and edging, because a curved path encourages chi to move more slowly and freely. If you already have straight paths, plant mosses to soften them; allow plants to grow over edges to help chi to circulate freely.
Bridges: Most of us have seen the stock photo print or done a jigsaw puzzle of the Zen garden with the small red bridge spanning across a pond of water lilies - or was it lotus flowers? Regardless, bridges add beauty and evoke emotion to any type of garden and are one of the architectural elements most often added to a Zen garden. Employ them to span a water feature, to connect different garden areas, and to offer access and views of your garden that would be unattainable otherwise.
Focal Points and Decorative Ornaments: These are other architectural features to enhance the atmosphere in your garden and create a sense of space. A hanging lantern, Buddha statuary, or mahogany woodwork add to the feel of a Zen garden. A well-placed, unique boulder partially embedded in the earth and a few solar yard lights to complement your special features will add beauty in a holistic way.

domain: artistic


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Breaking Benjamin vs. Starset – Cage Match
Breaking Benjamin are our first Cage Match victor of 2017, with "Never Again" taking the battle with Shinedown's "How Did You Love." Can the driving rocker keep the momentum going in their latest matchup? Let's see who they square off against.
Starset are ready to step up with their current single "Monster." It's a slow-burn rocker building in intensity as it reaches the chorus. "Monster" is the lead single off the band's new album Vessels and has been steadily climbing the charts in recent months.
It should be quite a battle. Let's listen to Breaking Benjamin's "Never Again" and Starset's "Monster" in the players provided below. Then let us know which song you want to see advance by voting in the poll provided.
(This Cage Match will run until Jan. 23 at 2PM ET. Fans can vote once per hour! So come back and vote often to make sure your favorite song wins!)
Breaking Benjamin, "Never Again"
Rules of Cage Match:
Fans can vote once per hour for their favorite song. If a song remains the reigning champ for five straight cage matches, it is retired to the Loudwire Cage Match Hall of Fame. With so many great songs out there, we have to give other bands a chance!

domain: entertainment


By Tara Moore
Christmas: From Sacred to Santa takes us on a trip from its historic origins to its smooth incarnation as a world advertisement occasion. alongside the best way we come across an enormous array of spiritual personages, fictional characters and mythic figures that experience develop into linked to its get together, from St Nicholas to the Magi, Scrooge and Krampus. Moore explores how the nice traditions corresponding to Christmas bushes, feasting and gift-giving emerged, in addition to how Christmas has been portrayed in tradition, from the literary works of Charles Dickens to the now annual bout of flicks and seasonal song – together with conventional carols and the most recent Christmas chart-topper.
Since Christmas isn't all merriment and video games, Moore additionally probes the strain among the sacred and the secular in the course of Christmas in addition to the cultural stigmas that experience traditionally observed the season. She considers Christmas in its worldwide context as a unifying but additionally divisive occasion, enchantingly and compellingly reintroducing us to the vacation we merely imagine we know.


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Atlas Shrugged Tops Amazon Classics List
by Jeremy Browning
Mar. 19, 2009 10:05
, a story about renewed interest in Atlas Shrugged
Earlier this year Ayn Rand’s prophetic novel Atlas Shrugged was selling at triple the rate it sold at in the beginning of 2008. Now the novel is soaring to even greater heights, and its trade paperback edition is currently in first place in the Classics category on Amazon.com's best-seller list for sales in the United States. The 50th anniversary mass-market paperback edition of Atlas Shrugged ranks as #2 and the trade paperback Centennial edition ranks as #3. For several weeks Atlas Shrugged has been holding steady in the top 10 best-sellers in the broader United States Literature and Fiction category, and as of the writing of this release, different editions of the novel stand at #3, #5 and #6 in Amazon’s ranking.
It makes perfect sense to me.
Edited Mar. 19, 2009 10:06


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Download Virtual DJ 7 Home For Free
MD5 Checksum: It lets you “mix” your songs, by playing two or more tracks at the same time, adjust their relative speed so that their tempo will match, apply effects like loops etc, and crossfade from one side to the other. It also lets you scratch your songs, set and recall cues, and all the other regular features DJs expect to find to be able to mix. It will let you organize your collection of tracks and group them easily in a DJ-friendly way, using filter to find the hot songs, or find compatible bpm or key, access your previous playlists, etc. And, using the millions of automatic reports Virtual DJ get every day from other Virtual DJ software users around the world, it will give you meaningful advices on which songs other DJs consider to go well after what you just played.
Virtual DJ Home
Publisher Description Click your way into being a DJ Have you ever dreamed about manipulating audio tracks to create kick-ass mixes and entertain hundreds of people? Imagine the crowd jumping to your beats and reveling in the psychedelic ambiance while you stand high as a god, taking everybody with you on your musical journey.
Do you aspire to that? Well then it’s time to take up practice. Before putting money aside for a deck and mixer though, you should probably check if you can even handle this kind of musical contraptions. In comes Virtual DJ 8. Sliders, dials and knobs If you never experimented being a DJ then you might become intimidated by the interface. It’s actually not that complicated. By the way, this piece is not catering to those thinking about migrating from Virtual DJ 7 to 8, nor to those that ponder on the benefits versus disadvantages against other DJ software out there.
This is intended for people who don’t have a clue about what is required to start practicing as a DJ, people like me. Now that I have deconspired myself, I must tell you that it’s not really that hard to make heads and tails of the interface and how you are supposed to use it.
It is somewhat like a sound editor, but since you will need to edit in real time, you need quick access to all of the controls. Hence, everything is on the screen at once. The bottom half of the interface concerns the audio files themselves. From there you can select which one you want to use and store them in a playlist of sorts. The top part consists mostly of mirrored controls.
There are two virtual vinyl decks with associated controls, while at the very top there is a mixed visual track and a beat detector. To begin doing anything you need to load songs by dragging them from the bottom to the desired deck.
Once loaded you can begin playing them. Clicking on the track will jump directly to that time and dragging over the disc will slowly roll the track forward or backward associated by the well known noise.
The vertical slider next to the disc controls the track speed, measured in beats per minute BPM. You can designate cue points to remember and setup a loop interval among other things. There is also a crossfader that is used to increase volume to one track while decreasing the volume on the other.
This does not do much with only one track. Loading a second one and playing them simultaneously will ramp up the possibilities however. Mixing tracks so that one seems to evolve to another means that you need to find a specific moment for starting a transition as well as synchronize their BPM so that you can maintain the rhythm. Finding compatible tracks and practicing this while trying some more interpolation stunts can be fun and could probably make you want to further explore this avenue.
Features Visual control for up to 6 decks Broadcast options peer to peer, radio server, podcast Local recording to mp3 Remote connection to VIrtual DJ on other devices Pros Clear interface, and great colours a great improvement over version 7 and especially over 6 Cons It somewhat requires you to work with two mouse cursors at the same time.
Conclusion Virtual DJ is a great tool for learning about mixing music and a t the same time a useful tool for seasoned DJ’s.
Interface Looks Like A Mess. The brand new concept offers more flexibility in terms of processing the track that is being mixed while playing another track for the possible adjustments. But a special care is to be taken while fixing this module. The browser in VirtualDJ 8. Side viewing the virtual folders is even simple to experience, while the lists like Karaoke, Automix, and side list are easily switchable. Although the v8 broadly keeps the old look but not in full, there are some vital additions like the dark color contrast, floating casement to access the several effects listed under the window. Version 8 also specializes in quickly applying the specific effect to a particular deck or a master output.
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