Covid-19 has shone what big data and a high level of technology can do. Countries deployed these things. China tapped into big data, machine learning and other digital tools as the virus spread through the nation in order to track and contain the outbreak.
Note: This column originally appeared in The Manila Times on June 2, 2020.
Politicians or anyone who has been involved in a political campaign actually do contact tracing. They do house to house. They know where their voters are and where the support of the opposition is. They build databases of voters and understand the math when it comes to putting together their vote base and capturing the undecided and even that of the support of their opponent. So, it is surprising that with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, local government units (LGUs) are unable to determine where the vulnerable populations and where those with physical challenges are.
Now that the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) has shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ), the lead in the battle against Covid-19 shifts to the local governments at the level of the barangay (village). The problem with this effort is that there is no mandatory position for a data analyst for the province or the city. It is often lodged with the planning or the health department. For some, it remains in the archaic mold of electronic data processing — certainly a thing of the past because today it is all about networked platforms.
One cannot do contact tracing independent of appreciating how data is managed. Under the GCQ, contact tracing becomes the weapon to contain the spread. The idea being, one limits the contact of people infected. Doing so, transmission and spread is limited and isolation and quarantine become the behavioral redefinition to battle the virus. Contact tracing is manually done just like in campaigns. Comparing the contact list with the data base of the LGU, gives one the strategic sense of visualizing risks and dealing with it.
Data is the controling factor today. With data, one can crunch to gain actionable information and with that, decision making is made easier since the obvious stands out. The problem with data, though, is that one needs to recognize the kind before one can use it to extract insights. Dirty data sets one to erroneous conclusions, interpretations and inferences. Good data can bring one too many conclusions that can aid in solving problems or identifying solutions and options. Others can build scenario and enhance horizon planning.
Data science is an “interdisciplinary field focused on extracting knowledge from data sets, which are typically large (see big data). The field encompasses analysis, preparing data for analysis and presenting findings to inform high-level decisions in an organization. As such, it incorporates skills from computer science, mathematics, statistics, information visualization, graphic design and business.” Turing Awardee Jim Gray imagined data science as a “fourth paradigm” of science (empirical, theoretical, computational and, now, data-driven). He said “everything about science is changing because of the impact of information technology and the data deluge.” The deluge is staggering, that is why without a uniform coding book and protocols, analytics will vary from one to another and this leads to confusion for a public not trained in appreciating data.
Data deluge is one major problem we have today. Some would often use the phrase garbage in, garbage out or GIGO. True to a certain degree since whatever is inputted and analyzed influences the outcome. But data management entails quality data and not just picking data from a veritable dump and using it to suit one’s agenda. The poor quality of data has to be taken into consideration and this is not even at the coding level.
But poorly written source text certainly makes the job of any analyst harder. From GIGO, attempts have been made to consider QIGO, or quality in, garbage out. You put quality data and you throw garbage out. The ideal would have been QIQO, or quality in, quality out.
QIQO is a phrase that refers to the fact that the value of the inputs usually influences the value of the output. Quality in, quality out is a more optimistic take on the concept of garbage in, garbage out. In practice, it means that as long as the data going into an application or analytical model is good, the resulting work done by the application or model will be accurate.
Take the case of data dump on Covid-19; one has to clean the data at any point in time. You cannot just copy and paste. There is no coding book agreed upon. Consequently, hope it can be posted real time. Given 5,000 data points, after cleaning, one can be down to 1,686 clean data sets that can be used for analysis. No real time there. Different protocols since the Department of Health (DoH) has not defined its coding protocol thereby coming out with different results.
Coding is an analytical process in which data are categorized to facilitate analysis. One purpose of coding is “to transform the data into a form suitable for computer-aided analysis. This categorization of information is an important step, for example, in preparing data for computer processing with statistical software. Prior to coding, an annotation scheme is defined. It consists of codes or tags. During coding, coders manually add codes into data where required features are identified. The coding scheme ensures that the codes are added consistently across the data set and allows for verification of previously tagged data.” Some studies will employ “multiple coders working independently on the same data.”
This also “minimizes the chance of errors from coding and is believed to increase the reliability of data.”
Looking at the problem of DoH is essentially looking at how government data is being made and used. Just like the use of the ZIP code in the country which could have been used early on and made coding a lot easier.
The ZIP code is used by the Philippine Postal Corp., or PhilPost, to simplify the distribution of mail. While its function is similar to the ZIP codes used in the United States, its form and usage are quite different. The use of ZIP codes in the Philippines is not mandatory; however it is highly recommended by the PhilPost. Unlike US ZIP codes though, our code is a four-digit number representing two things: in Metro Manila, a barangay within a city or city district (as in the case for Manila); and outside Metro Manila, a municipality or city. Usually, more than one code is issued for areas within Metro Manila; provincial areas are issued one code for each municipality and city, with some rare exceptions such as Dasmariñas in Cavite, which has three ZIP codes (4114, 4115, and 4126); Los Baños in Laguna, which has two ZIP codes (4030 and 4031 for the University of the Philippines Los Baños); and Angeles, which has two ZIP codes (2009 and 2024 for Barangay Balibago). We should revisit this and make its use mandatory. And then we build things properly in terms of spatial data.
Covid-19 has shone what big data and a high level of technology can do. Countries deployed these things. China tapped into big data, machine learning and other digital tools as the virus spread through the nation in order to track and contain the outbreak. The lessons learned there have continued to spread across the world as other countries fight the spread of the virus and use digital technology to develop real-time forecasts and arm healthcare professionals and government decision makers with intel they can use to predict the impact of the coronavirus. QIQA leads to actionable information and that makes decision making better as countries fight with a phantom virus.BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS


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Gluten-free and Paleo fried chicken tenders are coated in a grain-free almond flour crust, pan-fried, and then served with a homemade honey mustard sauce. These Paleo chicken tenders are an adult and kid-approved healthy chicken recipe!
Unhealthy Fried Chicken vs. Paleo Fried Chicken
Why are fried chicken tenders SOOOO good?
This past Sunday I had fried chicken three different times while eating out.
I kid you not.
But after each time of having it, I felt crummy!
I knew deep down that the restaurant was not frying the chicken in healthy oil and there was no way it was gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, or Paleo fried chicken.
Paleo Chicken Tenders – Ready in Under 30 minutes!
One of the misconceptions with homemade fried chicken strips is that they take a long time to make.
When in reality, it takes just as long to find your keys, get in your car, drive to the nearest drive-thru, wait in line, drive back home, and finally sit at the dinner table.
What I love so much about these Paleo fried chicken tenders is that they are literally on the table in under 30 minutes… prep time and all!
If You Have Time… Refrigerate!
When I make these gluten-free fried chicken tenders I like to refrigerate them overnight before frying up the next day.
I find the coating sticks A LOT better when they have been refrigerated for at least 2 hours.
However, if you’re in a rush, go ahead and whip up these chicken strips the same day!
Honey Mustard Sauce – Fried Chicken’s Perfect Match!
Have you ever made a homemade honey mustard sauce?
It only takes 2 ingredients and pairs perfectly with these paleo chicken tenders!
I bet you can guess what those 2 ingredients are, too!
For the mustard, I tend to use a Dijon mustard, but feel free to use a regular yellow mustard or spicy mustard.
And for the honey, I have used both local honey as well as this non-local organic honey and they both work great!
How Can You Evolve these Paleo Fried Chicken Tenders?
While these chicken strips are already gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and Paleo, there are a few tweaks you can make to the recipe:
- Feel free to swap out the tapioca starch for arrowroot starch or cornstarch. (Cornstarch will not be Paleo!)
- Not feeling the spice? You can decrease the amount of paprika and pepper if you have an overly picky eater.
- As mentioned previously, you can use Dijon, spicy, or regular yellow mustard for the honey mustard sauce.
Paleo Fried Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce | Gluten Free
Gluten-free and Paleo fried chicken tenders are coated in a grain-free almond flour crust, pan-fried, and then served with a homemade honey mustard sauce. These Paleo fried chicken tenders are an adult and kid-approved healthy chicken recipe!
- 1 lb. chicken tenders
- 3 Tbsp. tapioca starch
- 1 egg whisked
- 2 tsp. almond milk
- 2/3 cup almond flour blanched
- ¾ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. paprika
- 2 Tbsp. ghee butter or coconut oil
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
In a shallow bowl place tapioca starch.
In a second shallow bowl whisk together egg and milk.
In a third shallow bowl combine almond flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk to combine.
Take a chicken tender and coat it in tapioca starch, dip it in the milk/egg mixture, and coat it with the almond flour crust mixture. Repeat with the remaining chicken tenders.
In a large skillet over medium heat place 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil. Lay chicken tenders in a single layer in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil and flip chicken tenders. Cover skillet with a lid and continue cooking over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, or until tenders reach 165°F.
In a medium-sized bowl combine honey and mustard. Whisk to combine.
Serve two chicken tenders per person with honey mustard dipping sauce and enjoy!
*Nutrition facts are an estimate based on some coating ingredients not being fully used.

domain: food


Together we can create a City that's more responsive, more effective, and more caring. Our City is a great place to live but we can make it even better by focusing on safer routes to schools, a clean environment, a responsive government, and efficient spending. Among my priorities are:
- Safe Routes to Schools: Being a kid should not be dangerous, and parents should have confidence to let their kids walk and bike to school. We must ensure that kids have safe routes to bike and walk to and from school and other activities.
- Better Neighborhood Traffic Calming: There are many traffic-calming tools available to the City, some more effective than those currently used. The City should use a data-driven approach to select the right traffic calming solution for each location where it's requested.
- Sligo Creek Cleanup: Continue the Sligo Creek cleanup and restoration. Animals and humans should be able to use the creek without concern about falling ill from pollution.
- Fix 911 System: Residents along the New Hampshire Avenue corridor continue to have their 911 calls incorrectly routed to PG County. This life-or-death issue has not been adequately addressed and should be. When our Ward 2 residents call 911, they should get to the right location and get fast emergency services. Seconds count!
- Improve Government Responsiveness: Ensure city personnel respond quickly and appropriately to concerns of affected residents.
- Focus City Spending on Appropriate Items: Ensure the City budget meets the needs of citizens without creating undo tax burdens on people who cannot afford it. Review City programs to ensure they remain effective.
- Environmental Sustainability: Ensure our local environment is protected by focusing environmental protection efforts on issues that most directly impact our residents like clean air, clean water, and healthy habitats.
- Expand Mail-In Voting to Expand Voter Participation & Control Costs: The right to vote is most robust when everyone has easy access to voting including working class and minority voters. An Oregon-like vote-by-mail system increases voter turnout and voter diversity. It also makes it easier for current voters to vote.
- Ensure City Policies Support Racial & Economic Diversity: While our city has a large minority population, that diversity largely exists outside Ward 2. Our longtime Ward 2 African American residents are leaving due in large part to constantly increasing property taxes. We need to explore ways of maintaining our racial and economic diversity within the Ward and the City.
- Improve Takoma Junction: Ensure viability of the TPSS Co-op, ensure that traffic flows more effectively through Takoma Junction, and ensure better bus, bike, and pedestrian access to the Junction.


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FRANKLIN, IN, June 11, 2019 (Daily Journal) – Students at Franklin schools used the STOPit app more than 100 times to report conflict and suspicious activity in the final two months of the school year.
Two reports came from the district’s five elementary schools. The other 102 came from Custer Baker Intermediate School and Franklin Community High School, which had 36 reports each, and Franklin Community Middle School, which had 30 reports, Operations Director Jeff Sewell said in an email.
The app is the first of its kind at Franklin schools, which hope to encourage students to report misconduct using the shield of anonymity. Details about the types of activity reported, such as suspected drug use or bullying, were not available.
“I think we’re getting more reports overall. We’re getting some reports we wouldn’t have otherwise gotten because people have the option to submit anonymously,” Sewell said. “In some cases, students leave their name and are willing to talk.”
Using the app, students can share text, photos or videos and communicate with school administrators without having their identities released.
Other Johnson County school districts have their own reporting systems. Center Grove schools uses a service called Safe Schools Alert. Using the system, students can report their concerns anonymously through text, email, phone or online, according to the district’s website. Edinburgh Schools has what they call a Bully Buster Box, where students can submit bullying incidents, Superintendent Doug Arnold said.
Clark-Pleasant schools has a link on its website where people can report anonymous tips. It also has a space where users can attach files, such as images, to accompany their reports. Indian Creek schools also has a link on its website, called a bullying report form, but requires the name of the person reporting the incident.
Most of the reports on the STOPit app have been about intrapersonal conflict that has not reached the stage of bullying, Sewell said.
“We don’t very frequently have alleged bullying so much as ‘so and so was mean to me,’ or ‘someone said a bad thing about me’ or spread a rumor. Some of that kind of stuff is more a conflict between peers than systemic and regular repeated harassment,” Sewell said.
“We try to adhere to the state guidelines for what constitutes bullying. Mean behaviors happen all the time, it doesn’t mean someone is being bullied, but if the same behavior is done over and over, it’s just one of the ways that becomes bullying.”
When there is conflict between students, staff will sit down with students and try to resolve the issue after hearing what both students have to say, he said.
In cases of sexual harassment or assault, more serious action is immediately required. In those cases, Franklin schools will report the incident to the Department of Child Services, which would give information to law enforcement. The school would also contact the victim’s parents and ensure the victim is protected and away from the student who committed the actions, Sewell said.
Some reports involve vaping either tobacco or marijuana, which can lead to school discipline and legal action. The main purpose of the system, however, is to make sure students are helped to correct their behavior rather than punished, Sewell said.
“How do we help you get into positive relationship practices and conflict resolution to set yourself up to be successful? In a lot of these cases other sources of stress in their lives or in their home lives are causing harmful behavior, we have to be aware of all those factors,” Sewell said.
“We always hold kids out of line accountable, but not to be penalized so much as to prevent them from growing beyond that. There will be consequences, but let’s make them effective in helping students grow.”

domain: news


text:
Title: Beyond Obamacare
Location: ArtRage Gallery at 505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse
Description: The how and why behind the Single Payer Imperative
What are the choices for our health care system beyond Obamacare?
Andy Coates, MD is president of Physicians for a National Health Program, teaches at Albany Medical College and practices internal medicine and palliative medicine in upstate NY.
Howie Hawkins will moderate.
Start Time: 19:00
End Time: 20:45

domain: medical


text:
Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in the health and care staffing scotland bill as amended at stage 2 the billi the committee submits this report to the parliament under rule 979 of the standing orders this government bill was introduced on 23 may 2018 the lead committee is the health and sport committee. Health and care staffing scotland bill as amended at stage 2 an act of the scottish parliament to make provision about staffing by the national health service and by providers of care services p art 1 g uiding principles for staffing 5 1 guiding principles for health and care staffing. This document relates to the public health etc scotland bill as amended at stage 2 sp bill 3a choice of procedure 15 regulations made under this procedure will be subject to affirmative procedure in the scottish parliament it is considered that given the wide ranging nature of the power to make. Health and care staffing scotland bill stage 3 previous debate all scottish parliament debates on 2 may 2019 for dealing with amendments members should have the bill as amended at stage 2 the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The scottish government introduced the health and care staffingscotland bill in the parliament on 23 may 2018 it proposes a basis for appropriate and safe staffing across all health and social care settings underpinned by a set of guiding principles its purpose is to place the use of existing staff planning methods in health settings on a statutory footingthis briefing considers the
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1. Register Trial Account.
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domain: politics


text:
In the heart of Old Town, a stylish nest overlooking buildings and alleys.
Welcome to Bluebird House in the Old Town of Rhodes. The house has its own exclusive access to a quiet street in the old quarter turkish. Spread over two floors connected by a comfortable, traditional wooden staircase. A large kitchen where prepare breakfast or dinner by candlelight and a modern bathroom with large shower design, occupy the ground floor, while a double bedroom, quiet and bright, is located on the upper floor, all furnished with traditional taste and little touches of modern style. Due to its location the house is cool and airy however, in case of need, you may use a very good air conditioning system. The house is equipped with kitchen utensils, sheets and towels. Cleaning and change of linen included. Free Wifi connection always on.
You have not found a place on the dates you want? Try something else? Look at my other properties.
Servicios y zonas comunes
The house has its own exclusive access and comfortable. To get there just a short stroll in the Old City.
Atención a los huéspedes
You can consult us for any need, we live around the corner.
Otros aspectos destacables
In your home you will find a welcome gift a bottle of fine wine greek, a selection of Greek recipes and a guide on the best restaurants on the island.

domain: design


text:
Sarazanmai Official Manga Anthology Graphic Novel Volume 01
Seven Seas Entertainment
A collection of over a dozen short stories for the hit anime by Kunihiko Ikuhara! After accidentally breaking a statue of a mythical kappa, junior high students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappa themselves as punishment by Keppi, prince of the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi has a task for the boys if they want their bodies back: work for him to hunt down zombie kappa born of twisted human desires. Even scarier though? They're going to have to expose their own deepest fears and desires to each other to do so!

domain: literature


|Publication number||USRE36658 E|
|Application number||US 08/912,797|
|Publication date||Apr 18, 2000|
|Filing date||Aug 18, 1997|
|Priority date||Jun 29, 1988|
|Publication number||08912797, 912797, US RE36658 E, US RE36658E, US-E-RE36658, USRE36658 E, USRE36658E|
|Original Assignee||Measurement Technology International|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (18), Referenced by (1), Classifications (8)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
.Iadd.This reissue application is a continuation of the reissue application No. 08/210,805 filed Mar. 18, 1994, now abandoned which is a RE of No. 07/212,955 filed Jun. 29, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,794. .Iaddend.
The present invention relates generally to devices for measuring volumetric fluid flow and more specifically to a travelling wave flow meter having a thin flexible membrane whose flexing movement is operative to permit passage of fluid in travelling waves.
There are known various types of flow meter which utilize a member which vibrates or undulates as fluid flows therepast. Fluid flow rates can be determined from the frequency of vibration or rate of undulation, which is generally proportional to the rate of fluid flow.
An early form of fluid meter having an undulating spring confined in a fluid flow chamber and a mechanical counter for indicating the amount of fluid flowing therethrough is described in U.S. Pat. No 398,013 (Welker). A more recent travelling wave flow meter, utilizing an undulating membrane formed of piezoelectric material which generates electrical signals as a function of the rate of undulation is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,358,954 and 4,409,830 (both to de Jong).
The flow meter disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. Patents to de Jong is, however, limited in use to measurement of noncompressible fluids, such as liquids. If used for compressible fluids, such as gases, under a relatively high flow rate, the membrane would be liable to give rise to stretching thereof across a fluid flow path with which it is associated, so as to block fluid flow therealong.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide for the measurement of a wide range of compressible and noncompressible fluid flows, a positive displacement quantum fluid flow meter which overcomes disadvantages of the prior art.
There is provided, therefore, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a fluid flow meter comprising a housing having a pair of fluid ports and defining therebetween a fluid flow path; a flexible membrane defining a pair of opposing faces and being mounted in the fluid flow path such that the pair of faces simultaneously define with the housing fluid impermeable seals at two or more different locations along the flow path, the membrane being operative to flex so as to permit passage therepast of discrete quanta of fluid, each having a known volume; apparatus for generating electrical signals corresponding to flexure of the membrane; and monitoring apparatus for receiving the electrical signals and thereby determining a fluid flow rate along the flow path.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the membrane further defines a pair of edges lying in respective planes substantially parallel to the direction of fluid flow and the fluid flow path has a uniform cross-sectional configuration along part of its length, the fluid impermeable seals being defined therealong.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the part of the flow path length having a uniform cross-sectional configuration has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration and is defined by first and second pairs of parallel walls, the membrane being disposed therebetween such that the respective planes in which the membrane edges lie are aligned substantially parallel to the first pair of walls.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fluid impermeable seals are defined at three or more locations along the flow path.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the membrane edges are spaced from the first pair of walls by substantially a fluid boundary layer thickness.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the membrane has a rectangular configuration and is oriented such that its longitudinal axis lies parallel to the direction of flow.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the membrane is operative to permit passage of discrete quanta of fluid by flexure in wavelike fashion, there also being provided apparatus for assisting the wavelike flexure of the membrane.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the housing is configured to permit deposition of debris from the fluid at a location upstream of the membrane but downstream of an adjacent fluid port.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the membrane comprises a layer of piezoelectric material.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for generating comprises first and second electrical contacts mounted, respectively, onto a surface of the membrane and in association with the monitoring apparatus and such that an electrical signal is generated upon release of a single quantum of fluid.
According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the flexible membrane comprises magnetized material and the apparatus for generating comprises a magnetic head operative to generate an electrical signal upon sensing proximity of the membrane thereto.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the monitoring apparatus includes apparatus for identifying electrical signals generated by flexure of the membrane upon release therefrom of a single quantum of fluid.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the monitoring apparatus also includes apparatus for determining the rate of fluid flow based upon electrical signals received over a measured period of time.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the monitoring apparatus also comprises apparatus for storing a predetermined value of volume for a single quantum of fluid flow, apparatus for calculating a fluid flow rate corresponding to a number of electrical signals received over a measured period of time, apparatus for comparing the predetermined value for the single quantum with a value of volume corresponding to the flow delivery characteristics of the meter at the first rate of flow, apparatus for adjusting the predetermined value to the value of volume corresponding to the flow delivery characteristics and apparatus for repeatedly adjusting the predetermined value of volume of a single quantum of fluid so as to obtain an increasingly more accurate value of flow.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the fluid flow path has an arched configuration along its length.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a quantum fluid invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the flow meter of FIG. 1, taken along line 2--2 therein;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of a portion of the cross-section shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of a portion of the cross-section shown in FIG. 4, constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional illustration of a portion of a piezoelectric member useful in the flow meter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing a construction according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing a construction according to a further embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 shows a piezoelectric member similar to that shown in FIG. 7 but wherein the ends thereof are thickened;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional partial view of spring mounts for guide blocks shown in FIG. 8 to 10;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of an end portion of the piezoelectric member shown in FIG. 3 and showing mounting details thereof;
FIG. 14 is a cut away illustration of a portion of a side wall of the housing of the flow meter shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C show three successive stages in the transport of discrete fluid quanta across the flow meter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a fluid flow meter similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but having arched walls;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustration of electronic apparatus associated with a fluid flow meter of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustration showing a telemetering system, useful in conjunction with a fluid flow meter of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustration showing an alternative telemetering system, useful in conjunction with a fluid flow meter of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustration showing a further alternative telemetering system, useful in conjunction with a fluid flow meter of the present invention;
FIG. 21 shows a multiplexed telemetering system, useful in conjunction with a fluid flow meter of the present invention;
FIG. 22 shows a partial side-section of a fluid flow meter, constructed and operative with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 23 shows a partial side-section of a fluid flow meter, constructed and operative with a further alternative embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 24 is a top view of a piezoelectric member, constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a positive displacement fluid flow meter, referenced generally 10, having a housing 12 defining a fluid flow chamber 14 (FIG. 2) and first and second ends 16 and 20, having respective first and second fluid ports 18 and 22.
Although in the shown embodiment, fluid ports 18 and 22 function respectively as an inlet and outlet, it will be appreciated from the ensuing description that the internal arrangement of flow meter 10 is such that fluid flow may take place in any chosen direction and with the flow meter at any preferred orientation.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, flow meter 10 is used for metering the flow of compressible fluids, such as gas. .[.As, however.]. .Iadd.However.Iaddend., as the flow meter of the present invention may also be used for the metering of noncompressible fluids such as oil or water, the flow of `fluid` is described herein throughout except where not applicable.
According to the shown embodiment, housing 12 includes a first end receiving chamber 26 for receiving fluid flow from inlet 18 prior to the fluid passing through flow chamber 14. Chamber 26 permits any debris and, in the case of gas flow, moisture, to be deposited therein prior to flow through flow chamber 14. There is also provided a second end chamber 27, similar to first end chamber 26, for receiving therein any deposition of debris and moisture in a case of flow in a direction opposite to that indicated.
According to the present invention, discrete quanta of fluid, each having a known volume, are permitted to pass across a membrane 35 and volumetric flow may be determined according to the number of such quanta passing across the membrane. This is described in greater detail below. Although membrane 35 is positioned such that in a non-flow situation edges 33 thereof are very close to sidewalls 29, typically in the order of magnitude of several scores of microns, such that leakage of any fluid therepast is prevented, it is preferable in a flow situation, that the gap between the membrane edges and the sidewalls be reduced.
With reference additionally to FIGS. 4 and 5, flow chamber 14 is, therefore, provided with a pair of preferably rigid first sidewalls 30 and a pair of non-rigid second sidewalls 29 fabricated of a flexible elastomer, such as rubber. As fluid passes across membrane 35, pressure inside flow chamber 14 drops and the flexible, second sidewalls 29 tend, therefore, to move slightly inwards so as to reduce the gap between edges 33 of the membrane and sidewalls 29 to a fluid boundary layer thickness. Due to the high resistance to flow along the gap, leakage is, therefore, substantially prevented. The inward movement of sidewalls 29 is further facilitated by spaces 31 provided adjacent to edges 33 of membrane 35.
Referring briefly to FIG. 6, it has been found that when second sidewalls are not made from a flexible material. fluid leakage may be substantially prevented by providing them with a roughened surface 32 (also shown in FIG. 3).
With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 14, sidewalls 30 are preferably coated with a thin layer 34 of an antistatic and hydrophobic material such as carbonated polyethylene. Layer 34 prevents the build-up of static electricity in the flow chamber and condensation of moisture on the sidewalls which might otherwise interfere with the flexing of membrane 35. As will be appreciated from the description below, the unimpeded flexing action of membrane 35 is important to maintain. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sidewalls may be made entirely from an antistatic and hydrophobic material.
With particular reference to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-section of a portion of membrane 35. According to the shown embodiment, membrane 35 is piezoelectric and comprises a thin layer 36 of piezoelectric material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride and metallized surrounding layers, referenced 38 and 42.
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, membrane 35 is piezoelectric but, as distinct from the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the layer 36 of piezoelectric material is overlaid, on either or both faces thereof, by discrete metallized strips 44, each having electrical connections 45 to a pulse detector unit 66 (FIG. 17). As the membrane flexes, as shown and described below in conjunction with FIGS. 15A to 15C, it is thus possible to determine the speed of wave propagation along the flow chamber which can be used by microcontroller 70 (FIG. 17) to further `correct` the calculated volume of each quanta of fluid.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, membrane 35 has a substantially vertical position within flow chamber 14. This avoids possible unsymmetrical functioning of the membrane due to the effects of gravity.
As shown in FIG. 2, membrane 35 is preferably longer than the length of flow chamber 14 in which it is positioned. This ensures that membrane 35 takes up a wavelike position and that flat sides 42 of the membrane are in constant engagement with sidewalls 30 of the flow chamber, preferably, at at least three locations.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 13, it is seen that membrane 35 is, according to a preferred embodiment, secured at ends 51 thereof about rods 52. Each rod 52 is in turn secured to a fixed rod 54 by means of a spring 53 contained within a housing 56. This type of mounting, it will be appreciated, permits limited longitudinal movement of the membrane within flow chamber 14.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 8, rounded guide blocks 48 are provided so as to induce instability of membrane 35, it being noted that as each quantum of fluid passes thereacross, a very rapid change of position by flexure of membrane 35 is required. Provision of the guide blocks is an important feature as they assist in switching of the membrane from one position to another under a very low input of kinetic energy, such as occurs in gas flows. The range of positions taken up by membrane 35 upon flexure are described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C.
Referring briefly to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternative embodiment of guide blocks 48 in which each of the guide blocks also has an additional layer of rubber.
With reference to FIG. 10, there are provided fluid permeable guide extensions 60 that are attached to guide blocks 48 and constitute extensions of curved surfaces 49 thereof. Referring additionally to FIGS. 15A to 15C, it is seen that although membrane 35 generally does not move along the length of the flow chamber, as the discrete quanta of fluid pass through the flow meter, causing the membrane to undulate, points of contact between the membrane and the flow chamber walls `travel` in the direction of fluid flow, the membrane moving by flexure from a first position just prior to release of a quantum of fluid, to a second position just after release of the quantum.
Guide extensions .Iadd.60 .Iaddend.are made, for example, from wire mesh. While not interfering, therefore, with the fluid flow, they have configurations similar to the membrane in either of its two respective positions taken up just before and after release of a quantum of fluid. As the points of contact between the membrane and the chamber walls, which are coincident with the maximum points of curvature of the membrane, move along the flow chamber towards an end thereof, they leave side walls 30 and mount guide extensions 60. Extensions 60 induce a degree of instability that causes, under a relatively low kinetic energy input, a relatively fast change of position of the membrane between the positions taken up thereby just before and after release of a quantum of fluid.
Although, as stated, membrane 35 generally does not move along flow chamber 14, a certain amount of relative motion does occur between the membrane and sidewalls 30 of the flow chamber. It is, therefore, important that inward-facing surfaces 37 of sidewalls 30 are very smooth.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as stated, membrane 35 is made from piezoelectric material. According to an alternative embodiment, however, as shown in FIG. 10, membrane 35 is not made from a piezoelectric material but instead has mounted on it a pair of electrical contacts 61, each .Iadd.of .Iaddend.which is alternately brought into contact with a corresponding one of a pair of electrical contacts 63 mounted onto guide extensions 60.
It will be appreciated that as each quantum of fluid passes through flow chamber 14 and as membrane 35 switches from one position to the other, an electrical pulse is generated by contact of one of contacts 61 with a corresponding contact 63.
This embodiment has a particular advantage over a piezoelectric membrane as a discrete pulse is generated each time membrane 35 moves so as to release a quantum of fluid. When a piezoelectric membrane is used, however, every movement thereof generates electrical signals, a change in position of the membrane being indicated simply by an increase in intensity of the signals.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention only a single one of each of electrical contacts 61 and 63 is provided, a single pulse thus being generated as every alternate quantum of fluid is passed. It will also be appreciated that contacts 61 and 63 may be incorporated into other embodiments of the invention, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In yet a further alternative embodiment of the invention, electrical contacts 63 may be provided independently of guide blocks 48.
Referring now to FIG. 22, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention in which membrane 35 comprises a magnetic tape. Incorporated into sidewalls 30 are, preferably, a pair of magnetic heads 39. As the points of contact between the membrane and sidewalls 30 travel along the flow chamber, typically just as a quantum of fluid is released, a point of contact of membrane 35 with one of the sidewalls moves across an adjacent head 39, thereby generating an electrical pulse. According to the shown embodiment a signal is generated as every quantum of fluid is released while, according to an alternative embodiment, a single magnetic head may be provided so as to indicate release of alternate quanta of fluid.
Referring now to FIG. 23, in the shown embodiment, as with the embodiment of FIG. 22, membrane 35 comprises a magnetic tape. According to the shown embodiment, however, magnetic head 39 is embedded into second sidewall 30 of the flow chamber, and is operative to engage a face 41 of membrane 35 as it passes in contact therewith.
According to the shown embodiment, the membrane includes a plurality of magnetic bands provided thereon at a known frequency, such as 5 KHz. As face 41 passes in contact with head 39, processing apparatus 43 associated therewith is operative to sense not only passage of a portion of the membrane across the head, but it is also operative to sense the frequency at which the magnetic bands pass, and thus to determine the speed at which the fluid is passing.
Referring to FIG. 11, membrane 35 is shown with thickened ends 46 which may also include additional layers 65 of piezoelectric material. The thickened end and the additional layers of material serve to reduce the possibility of failure of the membrane due to fatigue stresses. According to an alternative embodiment, membrane 35 may have different cross-sectional thickness along the entire length thereof or along selected portions thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, guide blocks 48 are not rigidly positioned but are preferably secured by springs 58 to sidewalls 30 of the flow chamber.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 15A to 15C, in which there are shown successive stages of fluid flow through the flow meter of the invention. Initially, a first quantum of fluid passes into the flow chamber and exerts a force on the membrane until it is forced to change position. At this stage, the first quantum, referenced 62a, becomes entrapped between the wall of the flow chamber, the membrane and two points of contact, referenced 67, between the membrane and the flow chamber wall.
As the point of contact nearest an inlet 69 is being established, a second quantum of fluid, referenced 62b, enters the chamber and also exerts a force on the membrane, travelling downstream until eventually it too becomes entrapped.
A third quantum of fluid, referenced 62c, enters the flow chamber and also exerts a force on the membrane. The points of contact continue to travel downstream until the membrane moves by flexure from one position to another, thereby releasing the first quantum of fluid and generating an electrical pulse.
It has been found that when the membrane is in touching engagement with the flow chamber walls at at least three locations, possible distortion of the membrane and consequent blockage of the flow chamber, such as might otherwise result from a high rate of flow, is prevented.
Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown a flow chamber constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The flow chamber, referenced 55, comprises a pair of curved walls 64a and 64b. The curvature of chamber 55 results in instability in the positions taken up by the membrane, which, as described above, is desirable. Although quanta of fluid flowing alongside the outer wall 64a will be larger than those flowing alongside inner wall 64b, the quantity of flow can be determined by taking an average of the two different-sized quanta.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 17, there is shown an electrical connection 47 to a metallized layer of piezoelectric membrane 35 for carrying to a pulse detector unit 66 (FIG. 17) electrical signals generated by movement of the membrane. According to an embodiment of the invention wherein membrane 35 is not piezoelectric but electrical contacts are used instead, electrical connection 47 is connected to the electrical contacts.
When a piezoelectric membrane is used, the pulse detector unit preferably includes signal processing electronic circuitry that is operative to recognize a particular shape of a pulse or an electrical signal corresponding to flexure of the membrane at the time of release of a quantum of fluid from outlet 22 of the fluid flow meter. It will be appreciated that it is important to be able to distinguish such pulses from background signals that are constantly being generated by the membrane.
A value for the volume of each quantum of fluid is either preset or predetermined and stored in a memory 68 of a microprocessor 70, such that each signal received represents the flow of a reference volume of fluid through the flow meter. The microprocessor preferably also has a display 72 and a serial communication port 74.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, by using the preset value for each quantum and according to electrical signals received, the microprocessor is operative to calculate the flow rate. By using flow delivery data, as are typically contained in a look-up table and by comparing the preset quantum value with a quantum value in the table corresponding the calculated flow rate, the microprocessor is operative to alter the preset quantum value to a different value. By repeating these steps of calculating and comparing, in iterative fashion, the microprocessor is operative to reach a "true" quantum value and, hence, a true flow value.
Also, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, pressure and temperature sensors, respectively referenced 108 and 110 (FIG. 17), are mounted in the flow chamber and are effective to continuously provide to the microprocessor pressure and temperature readings. The microprocessor also calculates any necessary adjustment of the preset value for the volume of each quantity of fluid, according to the pressure and temperature data received.
The pressure and temperature readings may also be used by microcontroller 70 to provide an alarm indication when the temperature rises to a dangerously high level, which may indicate fire or where the pressure drops below a predetermined threshold value, which may serve as an indication of leakage in the system.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, multiple flow meters may be provided to accommodate a very large fluid flow, with the flow pulse signals being directed to a central microcontroller for determination of the overall fluid flow rate.
Reference is now made to FIG. 18, wherein there is shown, in block diagram form, centralized data collection apparatus utilizing the flow meter of the present invention. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dialer 78, which permits communication between the flow meter and a domestic telephone line 8!, is operative to automatically dial a data center 106 and to send thereto information pertaining to fluid flow as measured by the meter.
A timer 76 may also be provided to trigger dialer 78 at a given interval, such as once a month and preferably at a time when the telephone line is unlikely to be in use. The dialer is also preferably operative to continue dialing from the time it is triggered by timer 76, until it manages to get through to data center 106 and pass the required information. In the event that the connection is broken while the information is being passed, dialer 78 is operative to redial, if necessary repeatedly, until the information is successfully passed.
Referring now to FIG. 19, communication between the flow meter and a mini-terminal 86 may be provided by means of a first receiver-transmitter 82 linked to the flow meter and a second receiver-transmitter 84 associated with the mini-terminal. The mini-terminal may also be equipped with a memory bank 88 and a display panel 90. Local networks of an optically-isolated unit 92 may be provided through a connector 94 to a mini-terminal 96, as shown in FIG. 20.
Referring to FIG. 21, fluid meters 10, which, according to a preferred embodiment are gas flow meters, may be connected with a remote data center 106 by means of a modem 104. This permits not only regular sending of flow information from the gas meters to the data center, but it also permits data center initiated scanning of the gas meters.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove. The scope of the invention is, rather, limited solely by the claims, which follow:
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US398013 *||May 3, 1888||Feb 19, 1889||Liquid or gas meter|
|US3015953 *||Jun 12, 1957||Jan 9, 1962||Illinois Testing Laboratories||Magnetic air velocity transducer|
|US3175399 *||Apr 19, 1962||Mar 30, 1965||Honeywell Inc||Fluid flow measuring apparatus|
|US3792204 *||Dec 3, 1971||Feb 12, 1974||Kureha Chemical Ind Co Ltd||Acoustic transducer using a piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride resin film as the oscillator|
|US3824855 *||Jan 14, 1972||Jul 23, 1974||Heckle M||Method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of fluids such as gases or liquids|
|US3867839 *||Sep 25, 1973||Feb 25, 1975||Fischer & Porter Co||Vortex-type flowmeter having strain gauge sensor in an elastic suspension|
|US3888120 *||Apr 26, 1973||Jun 10, 1975||Fischer & Porter Co||Vortex type flowmeter with strain gauge sensor|
|US3948098 *||Apr 24, 1974||Apr 6, 1976||The Foxboro Company||Vortex flow meter transmitter including piezo-electric sensor|
|US4141246 *||Jul 18, 1977||Feb 27, 1979||Randolph Ellwood A||Primary flow sensing device|
|US4358954 *||Nov 24, 1980||Nov 16, 1982||Sperry Corporation||Traveling wave flow meter|
|US4409830 *||Jun 1, 1981||Oct 18, 1983||Sperry Corporation||Wave velocity detecting schemes for traveling wave flow meter|
|US4577510 *||Sep 6, 1984||Mar 25, 1986||The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force||Dynamic polymer pressure transducer with temperature compensation|
|US4578613 *||Jan 24, 1980||Mar 25, 1986||U.S. Philips Corporation||Diaphragm comprising at least one foil of a piezoelectric polymer material|
|US4594890 *||Mar 27, 1984||Jun 17, 1986||Baker Jr Hugh M||Fluid flow measuring device|
|JPS595917A *||Title not available|
|JPS633245A *||Title not available|
|JPS5940118A *||Title not available|
|SU901823A1 *||Title not available|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US20070151350 *||Jan 26, 2004||Jul 5, 2007||Fisherj-Rosemount Systems, Inc.||Measuring fluid volumes in a container using pressure|
|U.S. Classification||73/269, 73/861.21|
|International Classification||G01F1/54, G01F3/00|
|Cooperative Classification||G01F3/20, G01F1/54|
|European Classification||G01F3/20, G01F1/54|


Preventing and managing conflicts with lynx, bobcats and cougars
What to do if you encounter lynx, bobcats and cougars — which are extremely shy and rarely seen by humans — and how to prevent conflicts.
If you encounter a lynx, bobcat or cougar
- Never approach the animal, especially if it’s near a kill or with young.
- Never offer it food.
- Do not run, a cat's instinct is to chase.
- If you’re with others, stay together and act as a group.
- Face the animal and talk firmly while slowly backing away.
- Always leave the animal an escape route.
- Do not crouch down or try to hide, instead try to appear larger.
- Do not take your eyes off the animal or turn your back.
- If the animal does not flee, be more assertive by shouting, waving your arms and throwing anything available.
How to make a property uninviting
Eliminate sources of food
- Do not put meat, fish or other attractive foods in your composter.
- Frequently wash garbage cans, recycling containers and their lids with a strong-smelling disinfectant.
- Do not leave garbage cans outside overnight.
- Secure garbage lids, clean up spilled garbage and do not leave garbage around a campsite or cottage.
- Empty the grease trap from barbecues.
- Feed pets indoors.
How to avoid conflicts
- Consider motion-sensing lights to light all walkways around your home.
- Watch for signs of animal activity such as tracks, claw marks and droppings.
- Make noise as you travel through the woods — talk, sing, carry a radio.
- Travel in groups.
- If hiking alone, tell someone where you plan to go and what time you expect to return.
- Keep dogs leashed so they do not provoke attacks by wild animals.
How to protect livestock
- Where possible, bring your livestock into barns or sheds at night.
- Use guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs.
- If livestock has been killed by predators, you may be eligible for compensation through the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.
- If preventative measures have failed, landowners may humanely kill a lynx or bobcat that is damaging or about to damage their property.
- If you use a firearm, you must follow certain regulations and local bylaws.
- Landowners can hire an agent, including a trapper, to act on their behalf.
Updated: June 02, 2021
Published: July 17, 2014


The mayor and city council races in Rancho Cucamonga are some of the more difficult endorsements we have had to make this year. The city is generally fairly well-managed, but there are some issues of concern. This has resulted in somewhat of a split endorsement, as we favor incumbent Diane Williams for City Council and challengers Jim Moffatt for mayor and Victor Muñiz for council.
The current council deserves credit for helping steer the city clear of many of the financial pitfalls that have plagued other cities in the region and the state, and while Mayor Dennis Michael has had a long and distinguished career in the Fire Department and on the council, we feel a fresh perspective would help to address some troublesome areas.
In addition to problems with landscape maintenance district funding, the fact that three of the five council seats are held by long-time fire employees – Mayor Michael formerly served as fire chief, Mayor Pro Tem Sam Spagnolo is a retired fire chief, and former fire union president and Councilman Bill Alexander is a retired fire captain for the city of Ontario – gives us pause.
A number of the challengers charge that this is providing the firefighters undue influence over council decisions. They ask why the city needs more than two dozen fire captains, the vast majority of whom earn between $150,000 and $210,000 a year, for just six fire stations, and why it spent a whopping $1.5 million on a firetruck.
The latter example reminds us of an August 2013 episode of “Stossel” on the Fox News Channel, in which an assistant fire chief for a private/nonprofit fire department in Georgia related to host John Stossel a story about how incredulous he was that a fire chief for a public agency spent $500,000 for a firetruck with features such as air ride seats. The nonprofit department typically spends about $250,000 for a similar vehicle, he said.
Challengers contend that the city has rubberstamped trash contracts that repeatedly raised rates and has been heavy-handed in dealing with situations such as locking the bathrooms at Heritage Park during negotiations with equestrians to pay more for maintenance costs and the aggressive handling of minor code enforcement violations involving a property owner bound to a wheelchair.
Jim Moffatt, owner and operator of the Red Hill Coffee Shop since 1976, would be a welcome addition to the council as mayor due to his small business perspective and commitment to fiscal responsibility and reining in the high compensation levels of some city employees. “It’s easy to spend somebody else’s money and ask for more taxes,” Mr. Moffatt told us. “We have to bring honesty and salary controls” to the council.
We endorse Victor Muñiz for the council due to his wealth of both public- and private-sector experience. Mr. Muñiz has owned a construction, demolition and hazardous materials removal business and served as deputy chief of CalOSHA, where he managed a $44 million budget and a staff of approximately 400 for the California Department of Industrial Relations. “I do know how to budget, and I do know how to manage,” he asserted, adding, “There’s a need for change.”
Diane Williams has served on the council since 1990 and has been a champion for establishing and improving city operations of the library. She says she is proud to be a fiscal conservative, is eager to attract businesses to the city and is open to welcoming a variety of housing developments to meet the varied need of current and would-be residents.
Diane Williams would represent a source of fiscal prudence and stability for the council while Jim Moffatt and Victor Muñiz would offer new perspectives that might be more willing to address high employee compensation and issues concerning Rancho Cucamonga’s business climate and code enforcement, so we encourage residents to support them Tuesday.


Berlin wants to spend a lot of money to avoid further mishaps in the repeat election and the announced payment of 240 euros for election workers is already having an effect. Many people have already registered for February 12, said Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) on Monday at a special meeting of the Interior Committee. Many inquiries were received every day, not only from Berlin, but also from all over Germany.
State returning officer Stephan Bröchler said that 26,000 people had currently applied to be helpers. One of the twelve districts has already stated that enough election workers have already signed up. The tax-free 240 euros would certainly contribute to this, said Bröchler. Previously there had been an expense allowance of 60 euros. For officials and employees of the country there should even be up to three days off as compensation for their work as election workers, said Spranger.
In 2021, the Senate had promised election workers early corona vaccinations. As a result, helpers signed up and got vaccinated – but “a not inconsiderable part” canceled their helper assignment shortly before the election, said Bröchler. Therefore, this time the increased payment should only be paid out after the polling stations have closed.
You are also prepared for water damage
Up to 43,000 poll workers are to be deployed. That would be significantly more than in the breakdown election in September 2021, although this time only the House of Representatives and the district assemblies and not the Bundestag should also be elected.
Bröchler announced that there should be more voting booths in the polling stations, more laptops, cell phones and significantly more printed ballot papers than voters actually expected. The ballot papers are transported earlier, the boxes are better checked and documented, there are contacts with the fire brigade in emergencies and people are also prepared for water damage. In many citizen registration offices, state employees are already so busy with the preparations that normal tasks can no longer be processed, Spranger said.
Bröchler called the organization of the repeat election to the House of Representatives on February 12 a “Herculean task”. The period of 90 days for preparation is “very short”, otherwise you have a year to do it. The task now is to ensure that the repeat elections function smoothly and that elections “become a celebration of democracy again”. It’s also about Berlin’s reputation, said Spranger.
In the special session of the Interior Committee, Interior Senator Spranger also announced that Berlin would request OSCE election observers for the repeat elections to the House of Representatives and the twelve Berlin district assemblies.
Berlin’s Constitutional Court ruled last week that the election to the House of Representatives had to be repeated in its entirety due to many mishaps. (dpa/Tsp)
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text:
This is COMPLETE official OEM full workshop service repair manual containing easy-to-read text sections with top quality diagrams and instructions includes:
Detailed sub-steps expand on repair procedure information,
Notes cautions and warnings throughout each chapter pinpoint critical information,
Numbered instructions guide you through every repair procedure step by step,
Bold figure number help you quickly match illustrations with instructions,
Detailed illustrations, drawings and photos guide you through every procedure,
Enlarged inset helps you identify and examine parts in detail,
Numbered table of contents is easy to use so that you can find the information you need it fastly,
Troubleshooting and electrical service procedures are combined with detailed wiring diagrams for ease of use and to makes it easy to repair problems with your car’s electrical system!
You may watch this video showing you the contents, after go below the video to download!

domain: library


text:
Two journalists were hospitalized after being attacked by gunmen in northern Afghanistan in the fourth attack on journalists in the country in less than three weeks.
Mohammad Ibrahim Hashemi, 22, the news editor of Adib Radio in Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital of Baghlan province, was in a coma after the Feb. 4 attack, according to the New York Times. His brother Mohammad Musa Hashemi, Adib's station operator, was also beaten the paper said, citing Mohammad Musa Hashemi and local police.
One of the attackers, a man named Qayum, had been detained by the provincial police. No clear motive has yet been identified, however, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Musa told the Times he believed the Taliban were behind the attack and that he and his brother had been threatened to leave their jobs or be killed.
Violence in Afghanistan has been on the rise over the past year, forcing the Obama administration to re-examine plans to cut U.S. forces in the country from 9,800 to 5,500 by next year. The Taliban occupy more of the country than at any time since the U.S. invaded the country following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, ABC News said, citing a report from the U.S.'s Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction
The violence has included a recent spate of attacks on journalists. On Feb. 1, Yahya Jawahari, a journalist in the northern province of Balk, was attacked in his home by unknown assailants. They entered Jawahari's house, beat him up, vandalized his house and then left, according to Khaama Press, an Afghan news site.
On Jan. 29, Mohammad Zubair Khaksar, a government reporter in the eastern province of Nangarhar, was killed on his way home by a group of armed men, and on Jan. 20, seven staffers from broadcaster ToloTV were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack, and eight people from the militant Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were arrested afterwards.
In response to the violence, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree Jan. 31 reaffirming the government's commitment to the protection of journalists and in the investigations into the killing of journalists, Tolo News reported. However a report published in August from the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee said that the majority of threats and violence against journalists in the country during the first half of 2015 came from the government itself.


text:
You’re limitless in the Land of Eclectics.
Hello you! My name is Dawnshaeé and I would like to formally welcome you to the Land of Eclectics. I am a lifestyle blogger based out of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Each day I tap into a different level of myself and I utilize self-expression in a variety of forms to display that. From my outfits, to my hair, to different art forms. As a budding eclectic, i was always confused as to why I could pull from so many sources and why I struggled so much with the thought of confinement. Once I introduced myself to the Land of Eclectics, I became limitless and free. Hopefully, my platform and presence brings relatable experiences, inspiration, and the power to unlock a few unknowns.

domain: artistic


text:
The Knicks improved to 4-0 this season without Joakim Noah, and for the second straight game jumped out to an early lead with Kyle O'Quinn as the replacement starting center.
"We'll see when that happens," the coach said Friday after the Knicks toppled Minnesota, 118-114, after building a 16-point lead in the first quarter. "Right now we're happy we won the game."
Noah has struggled when in the lineup this season, proving less proficient offensively than his backups O'Quinn and Willy Hernangomez. On Friday, O'Quinn went off for 20 points and 13 rebounds while outplaying Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points, eight rebounds). Raise your hand if you thought that was going to happen?
"(O'Quinn) stepped up big time, the last couple of games he stepped up big time without (Noah)," Carmelo Anthony said. "He's definitely filling those shoes really well."
O'Quinn, a Queens native, seems rejuvenated after struggling last season with the Knicks.
"His conditioning has improved. He gets up and down the court better," Hornacek said. "He is quicker in the action."
Starting shooting guard Courtney Lee also sat Friday because of a sprained ankle. Justin Holiday filled in with 13 points and seven boards.
"I'm making progression. It feels a lot better than it did when I initially twisted it," said Lee, who suffered the injury Wednesday and did not rule out returning Sunday against Sacramento (although that seems unlikely). "I don't know what they graded it, but it was definitely painful…I wasn't able to walk when I first got hurt, but I was able to move around (Friday), was able to get a couple of shots up."
WHAT UP, KUZ?
Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine was on the court Friday, but Knicks reserve Mindaugas Kuzminskas unleashed the jam of the night when he flushed one directly over Minnesota center Cole Aldrich.
Kuzminskas, a rookie who finished with four points, had a running start and powered through Aldrich's block attempt.
"That's something I have to get used to because the guys here are so athletic," said Kuzminskas, a 26-year-old Lithuanian who played his early pro career overseas. "So other games I was driving, I was usually finishing too weak. Now I'm working with coaches on my drives to finish strong. I hope that's not the last drive like this."


text:
Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components both have great mechanical properties, including high stiffness and strength while being lightweight. Comparing a battery container made of CFRP to one made of aluminium or steel, for instance, can result in weight savings of up to 40%.
The Global EV battery housing Glass-Reinforced Nylon market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
For a Korean line of electric vehicles, Lanxess developed a battery module housing made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP). (EVs). The business used its Durethan BKV30FN04 material, developed in collaboration with car parts expert INFAC, to create the battery housing.
Lanxess claims that fibre-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) is flame-retardant, halogen-free, and sufficiently processable to permit the incorporation of the intricate functions necessary for housing components. According to reports, it also features high-voltage insulation and keeps its stiffness and strength even when it comes into contact with an electrolyte or cooling media.
Engineering plastics from Lanxess are also appropriate for parts like battery covers, high-voltage connectors, cable brackets, battery cell cooling system pipes, and hydrogen fuel cell car components like hydrogen storage containers.
For the battery enclosure, LANXESS’s Durethan BKV30FN04 was used to meet the exacting mechanical and chemical property standards for the newest EV components. Excellent electrical and flame-retardant characteristics define the halogen-free, flame-resistant, and glass-fibre strengthened polyamide 6 (PA6).
The material is very processable and allows for the integration of complicated functions needed for housing components, resulting in fewer pieces, an easier assembly process, and lighter weight.
The success of LANXESS Durethan’s battery housing mass production highlights the company’s prowess in electric vehicle batteries, where science and safety are of the utmost importance. The EV and battery industries will benefit greatly from the high performance plastics they produce.
© Copyright 2017-2023. Mobility Foresights. All Rights Reserved.

domain: chemistry


text:
Or . . . What Would the Environment Be Like Without Trial Lawyers?
This is another in my “what would life be like without trial lawyers?” (and jury trials) series. Glad everyone is enjoying it.
More than 50 million people in the United States live with unhealthy air. Even after the Congress passed the Clean Air Act, corporations continue to pollute the air we breathe with chemical and carcinogenic poisons ranging from arsenic to zinc. In the face of weak federal enforcement, regardless of administration, it’s been trial lawyers who’ve led the fight, seeking justice against all the odds for communities such as the cancer ridden town of Globeville, poisoned by the cadmium-spewing smelter that rose above it for 100 years.
For decades, corporations handling waste disposal and hazardous materials have targeted low income communities as locations for processing plants, dumps and landfills. State and federal agencies were of no help, routinely allowing permits for sites in economically vulnerable communities without any oversight. Trial lawyers have worked on behalf of targeted communities, such as Camden, New Jersey, which was forced to accept an industrial plant producing over a million tons of hazardous waste a year in a neighborhood already marked by fifteen (15) contaminated sites. Trial attorneys were successful on behalf of the City of Camden and continue to stand up on behalf of many other similar communities.
Incidences such as the Exxon Valdez disaster and BP’s Deep Water Horizon debacle have poured billions of gallons of oil into water ways worldwide. Trial lawyers worked for two decades to force Exxon to clean up it’s mess and have worked to hold BP accountable for it’s negligence in the environmental and economic disasters it caused.
Did the government do that? Did the companies police themselves? Of course not. Corporations never voluntarily admit wrongdoing. They have to be forced, by trial lawyers and juries, to do so, not by arbitrators, not by agencies, not by alternative dispute resolution.
As many as 49 million Americans have water supplies that contain unacceptable levels of arsenic, radioactive substances, and coliform bacteria. Trial lawyers were the first to take action in the 1970’s, holding Velsicol Corp. accountable from contaminating drinking water in Tennessee with 300,000 barrels of chemical waste. While federal agencies pursue only 3% of the more than 23,000 companies that violate federal law by contaminating rivers, streams and ground water sources, it continues to be trial lawyers who offer the best protection of America’s water supply.
US Corporations produce more than 25 billion pounds of hazardous waste every year. Nearly half a billion pounds of that hazardous waste is so toxic that it will not breakdown in the environment ever. In cases such as that of Love Canal, Hooker Chemical Corporation dumped 20,000 chemical waste in an unlined canal and then sold the land to the local school board, endangering children. Time and again, it has been trial lawyers who have worked to stop corporations from dumping toxic waste and to hold them accountable for the injuries they’ve caused.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that corporations and their political allies – who don’t live in the communities they poison – care. Trial lawyers do. And we help juries care.

domain: law


text:
Bulgaria, a country rich in history and culture, offers a charming cafe scene that caters to both locals and tourists seeking a delightful coffee experience. From historic cities to picturesque towns, Bulgarian cafes are a perfect blend of traditional flavors and contemporary charm. Join us as we explore the top five cafes in Bulgaria, where exceptional coffee blends and Bulgarian hospitality await.
Fabrika Daga – Sofia:
- In the heart of Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia, Fabrika Daga is a hidden gem that beckons coffee enthusiasts with its aromatic blends and cozy ambiance. This specialty coffee shop sources its beans from local producers, ensuring a taste of Bulgaria’s unique coffee heritage. Whether you prefer a classic espresso or a velvety cappuccino, the expert baristas at Fabrika Daga take pride in their craft, creating a memorable coffee experience. The cafe’s trendy and artistic interior adds to the overall charm, making it a favorite spot for creative minds and coffee aficionados alike.
Kuker Coffee – Plovdiv:
- Nestled in the enchanting city of Plovdiv, Kuker Coffee is a must-visit for those seeking a taste of Bulgarian traditions in their coffee. Inspired by the vibrant Bulgarian folklore character, Kuker, this coffeehouse offers a captivating blend of coffee and culture. Patrons can enjoy a variety of coffee drinks while surrounded by stunning traditional decor, immersing themselves in the spirit of Bulgaria. Don’t miss the chance to try their signature “Kuker Coffee,” a fusion of rich coffee, brandy, and spices that pays homage to the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Mr. Baba – Veliko Tarnovo:
- In the picturesque town of Veliko Tarnovo, Mr. Baba is a charming coffee spot that delights visitors with its nostalgic charm and captivating views. Located on a terrace overlooking the old town, this cafe offers a serene setting to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Mr. Baba’s coffee menu features a variety of blends, including local favorites, allowing patrons to savor the essence of Bulgarian coffee culture. The cafe’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere makes it the perfect place to unwind and take in the beauty of Veliko Tarnovo.
Café Shtastlivetsa – Bansko:
- In the scenic mountain town of Bansko, Café Shtastlivetsa captures the essence of Bulgarian hospitality and rich flavors. This charming cafe, housed in a historic building, offers a cozy ambiance that is reminiscent of a traditional Bulgarian home. Their coffee selection is carefully curated, showcasing the best of Bulgarian beans and specialty blends. Pair your coffee with one of their mouthwatering pastries or desserts, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a delightful culinary journey through Bulgaria’s traditional flavors.
Caffe Art – Varna:
- On the beautiful Black Sea coast, Caffe Art in Varna is a delightful oasis for coffee enthusiasts seeking a coastal escape. The cafe’s modern and chic interior provides a refreshing ambiance to enjoy a cup of expertly crafted coffee. Caffe Art offers a diverse coffee menu, featuring blends that highlight the richness of Bulgarian coffee beans. The sea view from the outdoor terrace adds a touch of serenity to your coffee experience, making it an ideal spot to relax and savor the flavors of Bulgaria’s coastal charm.
Bulgaria’s cafe culture is a celebration of traditional flavors, warm hospitality, and a delightful blend of contemporary charm. From the vibrant capital of Sofia to the picturesque towns of Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Bansko, and Varna, each cafe on this list offers a unique and memorable coffee experience. Whether you’re indulging in a cup of coffee amidst historic decor, savoring a traditional Bulgarian blend with a sea view, or immersing yourself in the cultural heritage of Kuker, these top five cafes in Bulgaria promise an enriching journey through the heart of this captivating Balkan country. So, the next time you find yourself exploring Bulgaria’s charming streets and captivating landscapes, be sure to venture into these cafes, where the love for coffee and the soul of Bulgaria come together to create cherished memories.


First, photos from TMZ confirmed the 2 musicians dining collectively in Los Angeles. They had been even noticed sharing a steamy kiss on the sidewalk exterior the restaurant. BTW, this wasn’t the primary time Billie and Jesse had been seen together. During a date at Los Angeles’ Crossroads Kitchen on Oct. 13, they have been additionally noticed kissing, per People. Fans of Billie Eilish will already know that she is presently courting The Neighbourhood lead singer Jesse Rutherford. The 21-year-old and the 31-year-old first met in 2017 when Billie was simply 15 and Jesse was 26.
The language I used was hurtful and irresponsible and I perceive how offensive those phrases are,” he wrote in June 2021. “Whether it was a lyric, a quote or just me being dumb, it doesn’t matter. Some social media users are convinced that Eminem and Billie Eilish are courting and have been in a relationship. At the occasion, the duo made a comfortable https://hookupranker.com/wapa-review/ entry wrapped in a big Gucci blanket. During the photograph session, they dropped the blanket to unveil their matching pajama-inspired outfits.
Designer Simone Rocha mentioned of the look, “I was impressed by Billie herself, her talent, her world, and her highly effective femininity.” Billie, nevertheless, bucked the pattern with her gothic gown, pairing the look with a hand-beaded jet crystal cluster, tulle gloves and stockings. Her ensemble on the evening comprised a lace-bustier minidress, which was adorned with silver elaborations, and sheer overlay with a press release high neck, with matching embellished gloves.
Therefore, she needs to explore more males to search out one who wouldn’t take her as a right. She also added that she has seen celebs disclosing their relationships to the public, which do not even final a 12 months. Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell is a new-generation American singer who came to fame after ‘Ocean Eyes.’ She is just 20 years old but made a outstanding appearance among the many youthful era of music lovers.
They seemed as happy as ever in Sept. 2021 on a stroll by way of the Big Apple and in Jan. 2022 when they visited South Africa collectively. They were collectively for 10 extra months till they referred to as it quits for good. A source informed PEOPLE in May that the pair had been separated “for a while” and that Minka was taking it well.
Together, they were elected “2019’s most 2019 couple” by GQ Magazine. However, multiple sources claimed the couple had split after six years of relationship in November 2021. Nearly one year later, the breakup was confirmed by Devon in September 2022 on the Call Her Daddy podcast. In 2015, the Met, Vogue and Anna Wintour set in place a strict “no-selfie” rule on the annual Costume Institute gala, stating that the use of phones for photography and social media was not permitted contained in the occasion.
Billie eilish wore a beautiful black lace corset costume at the 2023 met gala
Degenerate” has been relationship the “Bad Guy” songstress since earlier this 12 months, however they weren’t seen publicly until April, when Page Six revealed exclusive photos of the couple cozying up to one another in Santa Barbara, Calif. However, her rumored boyfriend for the 12 months is Matthew Tyler Vorce. Neither of them have confirmed their relationship formally but have been seen collectively many instances.
Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, overlaying pop culture, magnificence, life, and well being. When she’s not busy watching the newest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the right gown, or jogging together with her pup. Sam is an assistant editor at Seventeen, overlaying pop culture, superstar news, well being, and sweetness. When she is not draping her cheeks in blush, you possibly can most likely discover her live-tweeting awards reveals or making SwiftToks.
Billie eilish announces happier than ever world tour for 2022
And most of the time, this resulted in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Since then, Support + Feed has continued to provide the younger people of My Friend’s Place with vegan options, most lately from Sage Plant-Based Bistro and Brewery, a vegan restaurant chain with places throughout Southern California. The gala will function a plant-based, family type dinner with wine pairings provided by Vegan Wines. Events, the food menu will function spicy vodka penne pasta; seared polenta topped with sweet potato and a medley of tomatoes, kale, onions, and sweet peas; smoky, three-bean stew; and grilled cauliflower served with tofu tapenade. Strawberry rhubarb galettes, flourless chocolate cake, and lemon cupcakes round out the dessert menu. And, thanks largely to the nonprofit’s partnership with Support + Feed, My Friend’s Place is now making plant-based meals readily available to unhoused youth.
However, just some days after the rumors, he hit sixty five,000 followers on the platform. The 39-year-old keeps a comparatively low profile and although a lot of his prior courting life is understood publicly, he still prefers to be relatively private. At this time, Trevor is reportedly single, per Parade, nevertheless, he might be in a dedicated relationship and has not come out with it publicly. During a 2019 interview on the Howard Stern Show, the TV character explained why he likes to stay out of the tabloids. When Howard Stern requested him where he meets ladies, Trevor noted that he meets them “in all places.” He also declared he’s “not opposed” to getting married, nevertheless, he “doesn’t know” if it’s going to occur.


BMW Concept X5 eDrive hybrid set for Frankfurt motor showThu, 22 Aug 2013
BMW is on a roll when it comes to electric-car technology, and the German automaker will be showing a new X5, dubbed the BMW Concept X5 eDrive, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few weeks. The concept uses a four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology coupled with a 95-hp electric motor. This hybrid powerplant is coupled with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.
BMW says that this gas electric hybrid is able to travel up to 19 miles solely on electric power, reaching speeds of up to 75 mph. The high-voltage battery is hidden in a crash-safe position just under the load area in the back of the SUV. The concept offers a choice of three driving modes: an intelligent hybrid drive option for a balance between sportiness and efficiency, a pure-electric mode, or an economy "Save Battery" mode which will maintain the current battery charge level.
The concept SUV can travel on an electric motor for up to 19 miles.
BMW says that the BMW Concept X5 eDrive is able to achieve fuel efficiency of 74.3 miles per imperial gallon or 89.2 miles per U.S. gallon in the EU cycle. And even though this is still very much a concept vehicle, we wouldn't be too surprised if a production version is revealed a few months down the road.
By Jay Ramey