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Mechanisms promoting higher growth rate in arctic than in temperate shorebirds
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- Schekkerman, H., Tulp, I., Piersma, T. et al. Oecologia (2003) 134: 332. doi:10.1007/s00442-002-1124-0
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We compared prefledging growth, energy expenditure, and time budgets in the arctic-breeding red knot (Calidris canutus) to those in temperate shorebirds, to investigate how arctic chicks achieve a high growth rate despite energetic difficulties associated with precocial development in a cold climate. Growth rate of knot chicks was very high compared to other, mainly temperate, shorebirds of their size, but strongly correlated with weather-induced and seasonal variation in availability of invertebrate prey. Red knot chicks sought less parental brooding and foraged more at the same mass and temperature than chicks of three temperate shorebird species studied in The Netherlands. Fast growth and high muscular activity in the cold tundra environment led to high energy expenditure, as measured using doubly labelled water: total metabolised energy over the 18-day prefledging period was 89% above an allometric prediction, and among the highest values reported for birds. A comparative simulation model based on our observations and data for temperate shorebird chicks showed that several factors combine to enable red knots to meet these high energy requirements: (1) the greater cold-hardiness of red knot chicks increases time available for foraging; (2) their fast growth further shortens the period in which chicks depend on brooding; and (3) the 24-h daylight increases potential foraging time, though knots apparently did not make full use of this. These mechanisms buffer the loss of foraging time due to increased need for brooding at arctic temperatures, but not enough to satisfy the high energy requirements without invoking (4) a higher foraging intake rate as an explanation. Since surface-active arthropods were not more abundant in our arctic study site than in a temperate grassland, this may be due to easier detection or capture of prey in the tundra. The model also suggested that the cold-hardiness of red knot chicks is critical in allowing them sufficient feeding time during the first week of life. Chicks hatched just after the peak of prey abundance in mid-July, but their food requirements were maximal at older ages, when arthropods were already declining. Snow cover early in the season prevented a better temporal match between chick energy requirements and food availability, and this may enforce selection for rapid growth.
KeywordsCalidris canutusEnergy expenditurePrecocial chicksTime budgetTundra arthropods
Compared to temperate and tropical environments, arctic regions present two main problems to warm-blooded animals: the cold climate imposes high thermoregulatory costs, which must be matched by food intake, and a short period of increased food availability sets a narrow window for reproduction in many species (e.g. Chernov 1985; Carey 1986). The selective force thus exerted on arctic animals includes morphological, physiological and behavioural characteristics. With respect to reproduction, developmental mode and growth rate of offspring are traits likely to be affected by this selection, as they affect both time and amount of energy required.
Many species of shorebirds (Charadrii), especially within the Scolopacidae (sandpipers, snipes and allies), breed in the boreal and arctic climate zones (Piersma et al. 1996). They have precocial young that forage for themselves from hatching onwards, leading to high muscular activity and prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions. This ontogenetic mode should lead to a high energy expenditure (Schekkerman and Visser 2001), especially in the cold and shelter-poor arctic tundra (Norton 1973). Thus, arctic shorebird chicks may need more food to achieve growth than young birds at temperate latitudes and also more than parent-fed chicks in the Arctic. At the same time, small shorebird chicks are not yet homeothermic at low ambient temperatures (Chappell 1980; Beintema and Visser 1989a; Visser and Ricklefs 1993; Visser 1998), hence a cold climate increases their need for parental brooding, and shortens potential feeding time. At first sight therefore, self-feeding precociality seems to be a mode of development not agreeing well with the arctic environment. Nevertheless, shorebirds constitute a large proportion of arctic tundra bird communities (Chernov 1985; Boertmann et al. 1991; Troy 1996), and arctic species show the highest growth rates among shorebirds (Beintema and Visser 1989a; Schekkerman et al. 1998a, 1998b), so the thermal difficulties must be offset in some way. It has been suggested that compared to lower latitudes, insect food is more abundant in the arctic summer (e.g. Lack 1968; Salomonsen 1972; Andreev 1999), while the continuous summer daylight provides extra feeding time (Karplus 1952; Lack 1954). To make full use of this, chicks could have developed thermal adaptations to reduce the need for brooding at low temperatures (e.g. Koskimies and Lahti 1964; Chappell 1980). To date, no study has evaluated these hypotheses in an integrated way.
We studied prefledging energy expenditure and time budgets of red knot Calidris canutus chicks in the Siberian Arctic, to test whether they are indeed energetically expensive. The red knot is one of the most northerly breeding shorebirds, confined to arctic tundra and polar desert (Piersma and Davidson 1992; Tomkovich and Soloviev 1996), yet shows one of the fastest growth rates found in this group. We compare energy expenditure and time budgets of knot chicks and the abundance of their invertebrate prey with those of temperate shorebirds in grasslands in The Netherlands (Schekkerman 1997; Schekkerman and Visser 2001), and use a simulation model based on the comparative data to evaluate the three hypothetical mechanisms for enabling red knots to grow so fast despite the energetic challenge posed by their environment.
Materials and methods
We studied breeding red knots at Cape Sterlegov on the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia (75°25′N, 89°08′E) from 10 June to 12 August 1994 (Tulp et al. 1998). The study area consisted of 12 km2 of arctic tundra (sensu Chernov 1985) bordering the Kara Sea, between 0 and 50 m a.s.l. Vegetation was dominated by mosses and lichens with a considerable proportion of bare ground in the form of clay medallions or 'frost boils', and with a denser cover of grasses and sedges in moister parts. Some scattered stone ridges and rocky outcrops were present. Several small marshes and streams drained the area.
Red knot growth and behaviour
Fourteen Red knot nests and 25 broods were found by flushing incubating birds from underfoot or by rope-dragging, and by traversing the study area intensively after hatching started. Any chicks encountered were ringed, and most accompanying adults (males) were trapped and individually colour-ringed. Two adult males, one captured on the nest and the other on 1-day-old chicks, were fitted with a radio transmitter (Holohil, Canada, type BD-2, 1.8 g) glued to feather bases on the lower back (Warnock and Warnock 1993). The transmitters were used to relocate broods for doubly labelled water experiments (see below) and behavioural observations. One tagged male lost its chicks to predators after a week, but the other fledged two young.
Throughout the prefledging period, chicks were recaptured whenever possible to record their growth (103 recaptures of 37 chicks from 13 broods). Weights were determined with spring balances, accurate to 0.1–1 g. Body mass growth was described by a logistic curve. Because the exact age of many chicks was unknown as they had already left the nest when first encountered, the logistic growth rate parameter was estimated from mass increments of chicks captured at least twice (Schoener and Schoener 1978; Ricklefs 1983), using non-linear regression. Hatchling mass was measured in the field, and the asymptote was fixed at 120 g, the mean mass of first-year red knots wintering in West Africa (Wymenga et al. 1992).
To analyse environmental effects on growth rate, mass increments were used of chicks at least a day old and captured twice at intervals of 1−5 days (mean 1.7 days, SD=1.23, n=87). To make growth rates at different ages comparable, observed mass increments were divided by those predicted from the logistic equation at the given starting mass and recapture interval. These indices were regressed on average temperature and food availability during the interval. By treating chick and brood as random variables in linear mixed models (Byrk and Raudenbusch 1992), we took into account that the data represent three nested error levels (multiple observations on several chicks from the same brood). The program MLN (Institute of Education 1995) was used for model fitting. To avoid bias due to possible effects of doubly labelled water trials on growth rate, mass increments during such measurements were excluded.
Time budget observations were made on three different broods for a total of 62.6 h, covering all hours of the day and chick ages 0–13 days. Observations were made from 100–300 m distance, using a telescope. Behaviour of the male and chicks was recorded every minute, distinguishing between brooding, foraging, and other behaviours (including rest, preening, walking, and alarm). Broods formed the recording unit, as the alternation between brooding and foraging was highly synchronised among broodmates. The dependence of the proportion of time that chicks were brooded on chick age and temperature was analysed by logistic regression. Observations lasting longer than 3 h were divided into sampling units of 1.5–3 (mean 2.3) h, to standardise lengths and get an appropriate mean value for temperature, which often changed significantly over a few hours.
Measurements of daily energy expenditure (DEE, kJ/day) of free-living chicks were made using the doubly labelled water (DLW) method (Lifson and McClintock 1966; Speakman 1997). Captured chicks were injected subcutaneously in the ventral region with 0.15–0.50 ml of DLW consisting of 32% D2O and 68% H218O. They were kept warm in a bag or box for an equilibration period of 0.75–1 h and structural measurements and weight were recorded. Four to six 10–15 μl blood samples were then collected from veins in the leg or wing, into glass capillary tubes, which were flame-sealed within minutes. Chicks were released into the field and recaptured after 19.0–25.6 h (mean 23.3 h, SD=1.5, n=15) when a second set of blood samples and measurements was taken. In three chicks, additional blood samples were collected before injection with DLW to measure background isotope levels. Since broods roamed widely over the tundra and were often difficult to relocate, most DLW measurements were taken on chicks of the radio-tagged males. A few measurements were made on chicks of non-tagged males. At most three measurements were taken on (2) individual chicks, separated by 3- to 6-day intervals.
Total daily metabolised energy (ME) was calculated by adding energy deposited into new tissue (Etis) to DEE in case the animal gained weight over the measurement period, and set equal to DEE if no weight gain occurred. Etis was estimated as the increment of the product of body mass and energy density. The latter was taken as ED (kJ/g)=4.38+3.21 M/Mad (M=chick body mass, g, Mad=adult mass, 120 g), based on carcass analysis of chicks of northern lapwing and black-tailed godwit (Schekkerman and Visser 2001). Dependence of DEE and ME on body mass, growth rate and weather was analysed by fitting linear mixed models, containing chick and brood as random variables, to the log-transformed data.
Weather and arthropod abundance
Three-hourly observations of air temperature (Ta,°C), wind speed and cloud cover were obtained from a weather station 7 km from our study site. From 3 July onwards, operative temperature (Te,°C) was automatically recorded every 5 minutes, using a blackened copper sphere (Ø 4 cm) placed 10 cm above the ground. Te integrates air temperature and solar radiation (but not the cooling effect of wind) and provides a better description of the thermal environment than air temperature alone (Walsberg and Weathers 1986). Daily means of Te were linearly related to mean Ta at the weather station: Te=1.23Ta+1.96 (R2=0.82, F1,34=156.6, P<0.001). Occurrence of rain and snowfall was recorded daily.
Abundance of surface-active arthropods which constitute the food of red knot chicks was measured in five modified pitfall traps placed at 20 m intervals in moderately dry nanopolygonal tundra (i.e. the habitat where most of the broods were encountered). Traps consisted of white plastic jars (Ø 10 cm, 13.5 cm deep), filled with 1–2 cm of water and a drop of detergent to break the surface tension. Two crossed mesh screens of 40×50 cm, topped with a plastic funnel opening into a transparent jar, were placed over the pitfalls. In addition to surface-active animals, this structure caught low-flying invertebrates which hit the screens and crawled either downwards into the pitfall or upwards into the jar. Compared to ordinary pitfalls, the modified traps caught more small Chironomid midges and Linyphiid spiders but similar numbers of other groups (Tulp et al. 1998). Arthropods were collected daily between 2200 hours and 2400 hours, and preserved in 4% formalin. They were later identified to family or (sub)order (Hymenoptera, Collembola) and body length was measured (to nearest 0.5 mm if ≤5 mm; to 1 mm if larger). Dry weights were estimated from group-specific length-weight relationships (Rogers et al. 1977; Schekkerman, unpublished). Arthropod abundance data were log-transformed before analysis. Because mites (Acari) and springtails (Collembola) are too small to be important prey for chicks, they were not taken into account in most analyses.
Comparison with temperate shorebird chicks
Data on red knots (growing from 13.7 g at hatching to 108 g at fledging in 18 days) were compared with those for three temperate-breeding wader species, northern lapwing (growing from 17.5 to 142 g in 23 days), black-tailed godwit (28.6 to 201 g in 25 days) and common redshank Tringa totanus (15.6 to 109 g in 23 days), studied in grassland reserves in The Netherlands using similar methods. DLW measurements of energy expenditure of lapwing and godwit chicks were made at Baarn (52°12′N, 05°19′E) in 1993–1995 (Schekkerman and Visser 2001). Time budget observations were made from hides in 0.4–0.8 ha enclosures surrounded by a low fence which allowed the free-living adults, but not their chicks, to freely leave and enter. Observations were made in Flevoland (52°24′N, 5°40′E) in 1981 and 1984 (Beintema and Visser 1989a) and at Baarn in 1992–1995 (Schekkerman 1997), and totalled 992 h for godwits, 644 h for lapwing and 44 h for redshank (10, 10 and 2 broods respectively). Dependence of brooding percentages on chick mass or age and weather variables was analysed using logistic regression, in the same way as in red knots. Te was measured with the same equipment at Baarn as in Siberia; temperatures measured in Flevoland were converted to Te using regression models incorporating air temperature, time of day and solar radiation, based on data from Baarn.
Abundance of surface-active arthropods was measured in a grassland reserve at Baarn between 3 May and 7 June 1994 (i.e. the period in which most chicks are present), using the same type and number of modified pitfall traps as in Taimyr, and identical methods of collection, identification and analysis.
Weather and arthropod availability
Upon our arrival on 11 June, the tundra was still 98% snow-covered. Average air temperature remained below 0°C until 18 June. After 19 June (90%), snow cover declined rapidly to 50% on 21 June and 10% on 26 June. Mean daily air temperature (Ta±SD) was −0.7±3.1°C (range −4.9–4.4) in the arrival period of red knots (10–22 June), 4.5±4.4°C (range 0.9–14.2) during incubation (23 June−13 July) and 0.9±1.8°C (range 0.9–7.1) during chick-rearing (14 July−10 Aug). Mean operative temperature (Te) in the latter period was 2.8±2.8°C (range 0.2–10.1), and mist, drizzle or rain occurred on many days. Daily average wind speed was mostly between 3 and 7 m/s, with peaks up to 8–10 m/s.
Diptera were the most abundant arthropod group caught in the modified pitfall traps at Cape Sterlegov (60% of total number), followed by Araneae (23%), Hymenoptera (12%) and Coleoptera (5%). Daily total number and dry mass were strongly correlated (log-transformed data, 3 July−10 August, r34=0.95, P<0.001), and biomass was further used as an index of arthropod availability.
Red knot breeding phenology and growth
Red knots were present in the study area upon our arrival (11 June), but new migrants arrived until at least 19 June. Most of the 14 nests (12 4-egg, two 3-egg clutches) found in the intensive study area were depredated by an Arctic Fox Alopex lagopus, but 11 additional broods were later found within its borders (estimated density ≤2 breeding pairs/km2), and 14 outside it. Based on direct observations, flotation of eggs and biometrics of young, eggs hatched between 14 and 28 July. The median hatching date was 17 July, corresponding to a first-egg date of 22 June (4 days laying, 20–21 days incubation). Incubation was shared between sexes but females deserted at hatching, and joined into small flocks, which disappeared 1 or 2 weeks later. Males attended the chicks alone, until a few days after fledging. Westward migration occurred in late July and early August, and most red knots, including juveniles, had left the area by 10 August.
The mean mass of hatchlings still in the nest was 13.7±0.5 g (n=8). Chicks fledged when 17–20 days old, weighing 87–114 g at last capture. Body mass growth in relation to age (t, days) was best described as M(g)=120/(1+8.23 e−0.24 t) (SE of rate parameter KL=0.03, R2=0.93, n=103 intervals from 37 chicks in 13 broods, mass range 13−107 g). Conversion of KL to the Gompertz' growth rate parameter (Ricklefs 1983) yields KG=0.163, which is 1.9 times the value predicted for a 120 g shorebird by Beintema and Visser (1989b). Hence, red knots are very fast growing shorebirds.
Of 62.6 observation hours, red knot chicks were brooded by the parent during 39%. In chicks older than 8–9 days, brooding was observed only rarely. Of the remaining time, chicks spent 98% foraging (other behaviours slightly underestimated as preening, resting and alarm events lasting <1 min were not recorded). Brooding was thus the key determinant of feeding time for young chicks.
Logistic regression analysis of the proportion of time that red knot Calidris canutus chicks were brooded by a parent (B), in relation to body mass, temperature, time of day and wind speed. Results are given for forward stepwise inclusion of significant variables. Two-way interactions were also tested, but not significant (all P>0.13). 'Night' was defined as the period 2200–0400 hours. Coefficients are for logit(B)=ln(B/(1−B))
Variables in model
Change in df
Change in deviance
Chick mass (g)
Wind speed (m/s)
Logistic regression parameters for proportion of time being brooded (B) in chicks of three shorebird species studied in temperate grasslands (The Netherlands). All observations were made in daylight as chicks were inactive at night (c. 2200–0600 hours). Rainfall was set to 1 if rain fell during ≥10% of the time (too few wet observations were made to include this variable for red knots). Coefficients are given for logit(B)=ln(B/(1−B)). All coefficients were significant at P<0.05, except that for rain in common redshank (X21=3.5, P=0.06)
Fifteen DLW experiments were completed on 10 chicks from 5 broods. During 12 of these the chicks gained mass at an average rate of 5.3 g/day (SE=0.3), or a growth index of 0.82 (SE=0.05) compared to the average growth curve. The slower growth of DLW-injected chicks is explained by measurements being made on days with relatively low food availability: the average growth index predicted from arthropod abundance on trial days was 0.81. Three chicks lost 3.0–4.1 g/day during DLW trials (average growth index =−0.63, SE=0.13); this was more than predicted from arthropod availability (−0.06).
Daily metabolised energy (ME, kJ/day; DEE plus energy deposited into tissues (Etis) if the chick gained mass) was related to body mass as log(ME)=0.837+0.916 log(M) (SEB0=0.130, SEB1=0.073, Χ21=36.7, P<0.001; Fig. 5). In contrast to DEE, there was no significant effect of temperature on ME in addition to that of mass (Χ21=0.01, P=0.92); apparently the increase in DEE at low Te was compensated by reduced growth (lower Etis). Wind speed (P=0.14), rainfall (P=0.69), arthropod activity (P=0.75) or growth rate (P=0.76) did not affect ME either.
Total energy requirements of a red knot chick fledging at Cape Sterlegov were estimated by summing daily estimates of ME over the 18-day fledging period. At each age, mass predicted from the average growth curve and mean Te over the period of chicks' presence (2.8°C) were inserted into the regression equation relating DEE to mass and Te. Predicted mass and growth rate were also used to estimate Etis, which was added to DEE to obtain ME. ME increased at a decelerating rate from 65 kJ/day at hatching to 494 kJ/day at fledging (108 g). Total ME over this period amounted to 5,285 kJ, of which 14% was made up by Etis and the remaining 86% by DEE, including basal metabolism and costs of thermoregulation, activity, and biochemical synthesis.
High energy requirements in arctic-breeding shorebirds
ME of red knot chicks exceeded an allometric prediction of 'maximum' ME based on various birds and mammals under energy-demanding conditions (Kirkwood 1983), in 14 out of 15 cases (Fig. 5). Weathers (1992) reviewed prefledging energy requirements in 30 bird species, and derived a predictive equation for total metabolised energy (TME) over the prefledging period. The largest (absolute) difference between observed and predicted values in Weathers's (1992) sample was 40%, while our value for knots is 89% above the prediction.
Two factors likely to contribute to these high energy requirements are the red knots' precocial lifestyle and the cold climate. The studies reviewed by Weathers (1992) included mostly temperate-breeding birds with parent-fed young. Self-feeding chicks exhibit high muscular activity, which should increase energy expenditure compared to parent-fed nestlings in any climate. In temperate-breeding black-tailed godwits and northern lapwings, TME was 28% and 45% higher than Weathers' (1992) prediction (Schekkerman and Visser 2001). That mass-corrected DEE was yet c. 80% higher in knots is most probably accounted for by the much lower temperature in the Arctic. The largest differences between observed and expected TME found by Weathers (1992) occurred in the arctic-breeding dunlin (+40%, Norton 1970) and arctic tern Sterna paradisaea (+35%, Klaassen et al. 1989). Subsequent measurements on American golden plover Pluvialis dominica (+52%, Visser et al., unpublished data), black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (+35%, Gabrielsen et al. 1992), little auk Alle alle (+35%, Konarzewski et al. 1993) and Wilson's storm-petrel (+148%, Obst and Nagy 1993), also revealed high TME in polar environments.
Fast growth in the Arctic, why and how?
In addition to elevating energy requirements, low temperatures increase a shorebird chick's need for parental brooding, thereby reducing time available for foraging (Chappell 1980; Beintema and Visser 1989a; Visser and Ricklefs 1993). In response, arctic-breeding shorebirds might have evolved a lower growth rate which reduces the chicks' daily energy requirements (Lack 1968; Ricklefs 1984;Klaassen et al. 1992), but in fact they show the opposite: arctic-breeding shorebirds tend to have higher growth rates than temperate species (Beintema and Visser 1989a; Schekkerman et al. 1998a; this study). An ultimate explanation for this is that the length of the season suitable for growth is short in the Arctic, constrained at the start by snow melt and at the end by declining temperature or food availability (e.g. Holmes 1966a, 1966b, 1972; Carey 1986; see below). In addition, fast growth itself may help chicks to overcome the energetic difficulties, because size is an important thermal characteristic of animals (Visser 1998). At the proximate level, the fast growth shows that there must be factors compensating for the thermal difficulties faced by arctic chicks. Below, we explore the applicability to the red knot's case of three (not mutually exclusive) mechanisms that have been proposed.
The continuous arctic summer daylight does not impose an inactive period on visual foragers, and this would allow chicks to increase their daily energy intake and hence growth rate compared to lower latitudes (Karplus 1952; Lack 1954; Kvist and Lindström 2000). Red knots, however, did not take full advantage of this: chicks were brooded more between 2200 hours and 0400 hours than during other times, irrespective of temperature. Although the sun never set until early August, light levels were noticeably lower 'at night', and activity and harvestability of arthropods may have been reduced. Alternatively, young knots may need more sleep than can be accommodated into daytime brooding bouts, and may have taken extra resting time 'at night'. Adult birds of 12 species observed in arctic summer conditions slept 3.7 h per day on average (Amlaner and Ball 1983). Compared to a 8-h dark period in spring in The Netherlands, this would still allow for a 27% increase in feeding time. Growing animals like young knots may need more sleep, but how much is unclear.
Arctic chicks may have evolved structural or metabolic adaptations that reduce the need for parental brooding and thus increase foraging time (Chappell 1980). Indeed, red knots were brooded less than chicks of three temperate shorebird species at the same mass and temperature, and they became thermally independent earlier. This agrees with the finding that hatchlings of ducks with a northern breeding distribution are cold-hardier than those of more southern species (Koskimies and Lahti 1964). Increased cold-hardiness may be achieved in three ways: (1) arctic chicks may be better isolated, e.g. have thicker down; (2) they may tolerate lower body temperatures than temperate chicks (Norton 1973; West and Norton 1975; Chappell 1980); and (3) they may be able to elevate metabolic rate higher above basal level under cold stress. The latter two mechanisms might be facilitated by a reduced risk of infection and disease in arctic compared to temperate environments, allowing arctic chicks to compromise immunodefence for increased metabolic performance (Piersma 1997).
We cannot distinguish between these mechanisms on the basis of our data. The few literature data on operational body temperatures in shorebirds do not support hypothesis 2. Chicks of three arctic Calidris sandpipersgave distress calls and became sluggish at a core temperature of c. 30°C (Norton 1973), while chicks of the temperate common redshank voluntarily tolerated 27°C, and common snipe Gallinago gallinago cooled down to 24−26°C without signs of distress (Myhre and Steen 1979). Subtropical crowned plover Vanellus coronatus chicks also voluntarily operated at body temperatures down to 30°C (Brown and Downs 2002). Evidence for mechanisms 1 and 3 was found in young eiders Somateria mollissima (Koskimies and Lahti 1964; Steen et al. 1989). Mechanism 3 would contribute to the chicks' high energy expenditure, so that the gain in feeding time will be partly offset by a concomitant increase in energy requirements.
Alternative to increased foraging time, energy intake rate during foraging might be higher in the summer tundra than in temperate environments (Lack 1968; MacLean and Pitelka 1971; Salomonsen 1972; Andreev 1999). Our pitfall samples revealed a lower rather than a higher mean daily biomass of surface-active arthropods at Cape Sterlegov than in a temperate meadow. Because arthropod abundance and activity may vary between years as well as between sites, this finding cannot be generalised, but red knots at Cape Sterlegov did not experience a higher abundance of food than Dutch shorebird chicks in 1994. However, they might still have achieved a higher intake rate, if prey were more easily detected or captured. This could be a result of the simpler structure of the tundra vegetation, compared to a temperate grassland sward, or of a larger proportion of slow-moving or wingless arthropods at high latitudes (cf. Chernov 1985).
Comparative simulation model
To explore the relative importance of the explanations discussed above, we constructed a comparative model in which the (metabolisable) energy intake rate during foraging, required to meet the daily demands for maintenance and growth, was simulated on the basis of our measurements of ME and foraging time, for red knots at Cape Sterlegov and for common redshank in The Netherlands. Redshank are similar in adult mass (109 g) to knot (120 g), but grow more slowly. If the simulated intake rate of knots exceeds that of redshank, better feeding conditions must be invoked to explain the fast growth of arctic knot chicks; if not the higher metabolism can be met solely by an increase in foraging time. By changing values for temperature, daylength, growth rate and cold-hardiness, we also explored which factors are most important in maximising feeding time in the Arctic. We considered that without a dark period of forced inactivity, sleep requirements may reduce foraging time unless they can be fitted within brooding bouts. Equations and assumptions of the model are detailed in the Appendix.
If a redshank chick were to live at 3°C under a temperate daylength of 16 h, its total FT over 18 days would be reduced to 46% of that at 15°C (Fig. 6). With continuous daylight and 6 h/day of sleep at 3°C (i.e. after an imaginary translocation to the arctic), the redshank's FT would be 61% of that in The Netherlands. Assigning a knot's growth rate to this chick increases FT (to 82%), because it is larger than a redshank at each age and thus requires less brooding. Finally, the larger cold-hardiness of a knot increases FT to 102%. The effects of growth rate and cold-hardiness partly substitute each other: when a redshank chick at 3°C and an 18-h day is given knot cold-hardiness, FT increases from 61% to 95%, and increasing growth rate only adds a further 7%.
We conclude from this simulation that red knot chicks can grow up successfully in the arctic because of a combination of factors. Cold-hardiness and growth rate are important factors compensating for feeding time lost due to low temperatures. Continuous daylight also contributes, but how much depends strongly on the unknown time needed for sleep. The resulting total feeding time differs little between red knots and common redshanks in their natural environment. However, because knots expend more energy, a higher foraging intake rate must still be invoked to fully explain their fast growth. Since we trapped fewer rather than more surface-active invertebrates in our arctic study area than in a temperate grassland, this seems more likely due to a greater harvestability (easier detection or capture) of invertebrates in the tundra than to a difference in abundance.
Fast growth and increased cold-hardiness, if achieved by a higher peak metabolism, contribute to the high energy requirements of red knots. Although these traits therefore have costs as well as benefits, the cold-hardiness of knots seems essential for survival during early life, when feeding time is constrained by the need for parental brooding. If translocated to the Arctic, redshank chicks up to 5–6 days old would need an excessively high intake rate, unlikely to be achieved in the field (Fig. 7). Assigning knot growth rate to such a chick shortens this critical period by a few days, but does not eliminate it. Lipid stores of neonate shorebird chicks allow for no more than c. 1 day of survival at peak metabolic rate (Visser and Ricklefs 1995). Only introducing the greater cold-hardiness of young red knots reduces RI to feasible levels throughout.
Effects of weather, food availability and breeding phenology on growth rate
Despite their high overall growth rate, red knot chicks did at times run into energetic problems, indicated by the strong relationship between growth rate and weather. Three non-exclusive mechanisms may underlie this. (1) At low temperatures young chicks were brooded more, and thus had less time available for foraging. However, weather also affected growth rate of older, thermally independent chicks. (2) DEE but not ME increased with falling temperature, indicating that on cold days energy is allocated to thermoregulation at the expense of tissue formation. (3) Low temperature and precipitation strongly reduced the activity of surface-dwelling invertebrates. Though we did not measure intake rate directly, it is likely that this represents a reduction in prey availability for chicks: on cold days invertebrates were hardly visible on the tundra surface (cf. Holmes 1966a). Our finding that trapped arthropod biomass predicted chick growth rate better than weather variables suggests that food availability was the most important factor, and was adequately described by the pitfall samples.
The strong relationship between chick growth rate and arthropod availability points to the importance of timing reproduction so that the chicks can make full use of the summer peak in insect abundance (e.g. Hurd and Pitelka 1954; Holmes 1966a, 1966b; Nettleship 1974). The median hatching date of red knots in our study fell 6 days after the observed peak date of arthropod availability, though only 1 day after the predicted seasonal maximum corrected for temperature effects. However, the simulation model showed that required intake rate is higher for chicks older than 10 days than for newly hatched young (Fig. 7), hence peaked at a time when food availability was already declining. The seasonal curve for arthropod availability dropped below 5 mg.day−1.trap−1, a level below which growth rate declined seriously, on 28 July (Fig. 1), a week before chicks born on the median hatching date fledged. Near the median fledging date, the predicted growth rate index dropped below 50%. Unless older chicks exploit additional food sources unavailable to young ones (but we did not see them, for example, probe for buried larvae), red knots might therefore increase their offspring's growth rate and survival by laying earlier. In 1994, however, they could hardly have done so, because only 10% and 50% of the tundra had become snow-free on the earliest and median laying dates respectively. Clutches can only be initiated after suitable nest sites have become exposed, and shorebird nests in small snow-free patches incur high predation risk (Byrkjedal 1980). Similar constraints on fitting laying date to the seasonal peak in food availability for the young were reported for arctic-breeding geese (Sedinger and Raveling 1986; Lepage et al. 1998; Madsen et al. 1998). Such a mismatch will contribute to selection for a strategy of maximising growth rate at the expense of high energy requirements. While this strategy may be common in arctic birds (Klaassen and Drent 1991; see Fortin et al. 2000 for another precocial example), in the small and extremely northerly breeding red knot the energetic consequences show up particularly clearly.
Petra de Goeij, Jan van de Kam and Joop Jukema provided indispensable help during fieldwork, with further assistance from Hans Dekkers and Valeri Bozun. Berthe Verstappen (CIO) skilfully performed the isotope analyses. The project was financed by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), Stichting Plancius, Lund University, and c. 80 individual private benefactors. Logistic help was provided by the Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Animal Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, staff of the Great Arctic Reserve, and by Gerard Boere, Bernard Spaans, Bart Ebbinge and Gerard Müskens. The manuscript benefited from comments by Bruno Ens, Rudi Drent, Arie Spaans, and Eric Stienen. This is NIOZ-publication 3599.


text:
A new study reveals a surprising way that sites such as Instagram and Pinterest can ruin your meal: looking at too many photos of food can make eating less enjoyable, researchers said.
Researchers from Brigham Young University in Utah claim that a friend's obsession with posting meals on Instagram or Pinterest can spoil your appetite "by making you feel like you've already experienced eating that food," the researchers wrote.
"In a way, you're becoming tired of that taste without even eating the food," said study coauthor and marketing professor Ryan Elder. "It's sensory boredom -- you've kind of moved on. You don't want that taste experience anymore."
The researchers recruited 232 subjects to view and rate photographs of food. In one experiment, half of the participants viewed 60 pictures of sweet treats, such as cake and chocolates, while the other half looked at 60 pictures of salty snacks, such as chips, pretzels, and fries. After rating each picture based on how appetizing that food appeared, participants finished the experiment by eating peanuts and then rating how much they enjoyed the snack.
Subjects who had viewed the salty foods ended up enjoying the peanuts less, even though they had never looked at photos of peanuts, just at other salty foods, while the same effect didn't occur among those who had viewed the images of sweets.
"If you want to enjoy your food consumption experience, avoid looking at too many pictures of food," said coauthor Jeff Larson, also a marketing professor. "Even I felt a little sick to my stomach during the study after looking at all the sweet pictures we had."
Then again, Larson adds that if you have a weakness for a certain unhealthy food and want to prevent yourself from eating too much of it, you may want to look at more pictures of that food.
"You do have to look at a decent number of pictures to get these effects," Elder added. "It's not like if you look at something two or three times you'll get that satiated effect."

domain: food


Performance testing involves assessing the battery cell, module or pack’s functionality and performance characteristics under various operating conditions. Acculon conducts tests to measure parameters such as energy capacity, voltage output, power delivery, efficiency, cycle life, and charge/discharge behavior under a wide range of vocational conditions. Performance testing ensures that the battery pack meets the specified performance requirements outlined by the client.
Safety testing focuses on evaluating the battery cell, module or pack’s safety features and performance to mitigate potential risks. Acculon works with specialized certifying labs to conduct tests to assess overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, short circuit protection, thermal management, and resistance to abuse conditions. Safety testing helps identify any safety vulnerabilities and ensures that the battery cell, module, or pack complies with safety standards and regulations.
Environmental testing involves subjecting the battery module or pack to simulated environmental conditions to assess its durability, reliability, and performance under different temperature, humidity, vibration, and shock scenarios. Acculon conducts these tests to ensure that the battery pack can withstand and operate reliably in the intended application environment.
Through comprehensive testing, our engineers can evaluate factors such as capacity, cycle life, thermal management, and safety protocols to optimize battery pack design. Furthermore, testing allows for iterative improvements and validation of new technologies, reducing risks and accelerating the development of more efficient and durable battery packs, essential for advancing electrification and the transition to sustainable energy sources.
Robust testing is paramount in analyzing the true potential and performance of an energy storage system, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and safety.
Testing and certification informs compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards. Acculon ensures that the battery module or pack designs meet the requirements set by organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and other applicable standards. Compliance testing verifies that the battery cell, module, or pack adheres to safety, performance, and environmental regulations.
Acculon generates comprehensive documentation and test reports that capture the details of the testing procedures, results, and observations. These documents serve as evidence of the battery cell, module, BMS or pack’s performance and compliance. They are crucial for obtaining certifications, demonstrating due diligence, and providing confidence to customers, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders.
Acculon collaborates with accredited certification bodies to obtain the necessary certifications for the battery module or pack. This typically involves submitting the test reports and documentation, undergoing an audit, and meeting the specific requirements of the certification process. Certifications, such as UL certification, CE marking, and other relevant certifications, provide assurance to customers that the battery module, BMS or pack meets safety and quality standards.
Beyond initial testing and certification, Acculon can also offer ongoing compliance monitoring services. This involves staying updated with evolving regulations, standards, and industry requirements, ensuring that the battery module and pack design remains compliant over its lifecycle. Acculon can assist in periodic retesting, updates, or modifications to maintain compliance as regulations change.


text:
Illusion from Disney, or How to turn a military factory in the provincial townPictolic
At pearl Harbor the Japanese taught the U.S. military a serious lesson that forced them to reconsider their attitude to disguise military facilities. But an aircraft factory, whose area of several thousand square meters, it is not the team's dugout and to hide it, you need to break down. To solve the problem helped the Walt Disney Studio that created the project non-existent "flat" cities.
An excellent example of camouflage was an aircraft factory in Seattle. Artists of the Studio "Disney" has done extensive work, making hundreds of sketches and drawings that were in an atmosphere of secrecy implemented by builders.
The Americans had something to hide from the enemy
On the roofs of the shops there were streets with houses, trees and cars, road signs, fences and even people. Close proximity to all that looked stupid and inexpressive — houses and cars were almost flat, the vegetation is fake and rough, and the actors, representing the citizens — are few and unconvincing.
It looked like fake cars and houses near
But looked completely different a town on the roof of the cab combat aircraft. The American pilots who were in the know about new stratagem amazed at how the great military enterprise in a matter of days disappeared from the face of the earth.
Hard to believe that this plant can be hidden from air reconnaissance of the enemy
After completion of the pilots flying over the object seen here is a charming town
The city's carefully drawn by disney artists, it is not useful to the Americans, the Japanese pilots did not penetrate inland. After some time, futile designs, require costly maintenance, disassembled, but left many archival photos.
The guys that create the scenery, want a standing ovation
Carefree inhabitants of N city, off the map
Even now, looking at aerial footage, it's hard to believe that under the cottages, gardens and roads hides a powerful military company with more than 30 thousand employees.
Even harder to accept the illusion, when you look closely at ugly low carton depicting the vehicles and primitive models of houses. Indeed, Walt Disney was able to find great professionals!

domain: artistic


text:
Divided by the Binnenalster (inner Alster lake) and the Kleine Alster canal, the Altstadt (Old Town) and Neustadt (New Town) form the heart of Hamburg’s Innenstadt (inner city). Stretching from Hauptbahnhof to Hamburg’s town hall and down to the canals of the Speicherstadt and the Elbe, the Altstadt was heavily bombed during World War II (as was the Neustadt). Much of its splendor was restored during the postwar
reconstruction of the city. Sprinkled between its office blocks and modern department stores are a number of majestic churches, handsome museums, and stately government buildings.
To the west of the Altstadt, and bordered by the Aussenalster (outer Alster) to the north and the Elbe to the south, lies the Neustadt. The area dates back to the 17th century, when a second wall was built to protect the city during the Thirty Years' War. The Neustadt these days is more or less indistinguishable from its older neighbor. Similarly blessed with a number of stunning buildings, including those that line the pretty lakeside promenade of Jungfernsteig, the Neustadt is also famed many great stores.

domain: travel


text:
Written 25th August 2023 by Martha Odysseos
Non-statutory inquiriesNon-statutory inquiries are commissioned by a Government Minister and do not take place under the authority of an Act of Parliament. There are three forms of non-statutory public inquiries; non-statutory ad hoc inquiries, inquires by a committee of the Privy Council and Royal Commissions. The main ‘benefit’ of non-statutory inquires is the fact that witnesses and documents in the inquiry are entirely voluntary. The procedure is therefore arguably more flexible and less formal and adversarial when compared to a statutory inquiry. Non statutory inquiries can also hear evidence in private which is necessary when the issues being considered are of a sensitive nature. The three different types of non-statutory inquiries are explained below:
1. Non-statutory ad hoc inquiriesNon-statutory ad hoc inquiries can be held in private or public. They are not bound by the procedural rules that a statutory inquiry would be bound by. They do not have the power to compel witnesses to attend nor to compel anyone to produce documents. Non-statutory ad hoc inquiries rely on voluntary cooperation. They are often used when public bodies are under investigation. One of the most recent announcements of a non-statutory inquiry was following the death of Sarah Everard. The government announced this inquiry to examine both the murderer’s previous behaviour and to look at any specific issues raised including wider issues across policing such as vetting, professional standards and discipline and workplace behaviour. When this announcement was made the government stated that the inquiry may be converted to a statutory inquiry if needed.
2. Committees of Privy CounsellorsA committee of Privy Counsellors inquiry is another form of non-statutory inquiry. Its chair and panel are Privy Counsellors who can be briefed about sensitive matters. Such inquiries are usually held for matters involving the military.
3. Royal CommissionsRoyal Commissions are another form of non-statutory inquiries established by Government initiative. These inquiries also lack the statutory powers to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents. These are extremely rare and there has been no new Royal Commissions in the last two decades. A Royal Commission on the Criminal Justice System was announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech however to date no progress has been made.
Statutory public inquiriesStatutory public inquiries are normally held under the statutory provisions of the Inquires Act 2005. There is little guidance on what procedures an inquiry should adopt and the chair of an inquiry has discretion as to what procedure they should follow. Subject to any restrictions imposed, there is a general right of public access to inquiry proceedings and information. The main difference from a non-statutory inquiry is that statutory inquiries benefit from legal power which gives the chair the powers to require the production of evidence and the attendance of witnesses. A person will be guilty of an offence if they fail without reasonable excuse to provide evidence or produce documents as requested by the chair under section 21 of the Inquiry Act 2005. This imminent threat of legal proceedings will in most cases ensure that witnesses provide the required evidence to the inquiry and attend to give evidence when required.
How can Olliers help me at a public inquiry?Whether you’re a witness, core participant or professionally involved in an inquiry, the experienced team at Olliers is perfectly placed to guide you through what is always a complex and challenging process. Our lawyers have acted in some of the most high profile public inquiries of recent times including the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the Brook House Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). We can help with:
- whether to apply to be an ‘core participant’ in the inquiry
- witness summonses
- the provision of witness statements
- challenging decisions made by the independent chair
- instructing expert advocates to appear at court for you
- how to protect your interests if you are concerned about giving evidence
- advice about press coverage and the public nature of giving evidence at an inquiry
- how to deal with other investigations such as those of the police, the IOPC or the Care Quality Commission
Olliers public inquiry cases
- Representation of two core participants during the Manchester Arena Inquiry
- Representation of a client in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse – Residential Schools following receipt of Rule 13 warning letter
- Representation of a number of key witness during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), including advice during the police interviews before the inquiry and attendance at the inquiry itself
- Representation of a number of key witnesses in the Brook House Public Inquiry
Article written by Martha Odysseos
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Martha joined the firm in April 2021 after completing an internship at Olliers in the summer of 2020. She was initially a part of the Litigation Support team before starting her training contract in September 2021.

domain: law


text:
The focal point of any outdoor area is the grill. Lynx Professional Gas Grills not only some of the most beautifully crafted appliances but, they are manufactured in the US and are available in built-in or on a freestanding cart units. There are 5 sizes to choose : L27, L30, L36, L42 and L54 along with various burner combinations including all cast ceramic burners, ceramic and trident and all trident burners at no additional cost.
These grills have 25,000 BTU's per burner and reach searing hot temperatures. Lynx has one of the most impressive warranties in the market. Lifetime warranty on important parts including burners and cooking grates. Beautiful Blue LED lights and a sleek design, these grills are engineered to last.
The Lynx Exclusive Cast Ceramic Burner is made of durable Cordiarite Ceramic that is structurally optimal for thermal shock resistance. This is the only burner on the marketplace where there is No Port Hole Cleaning Required. The Indirect combustion ports are concealed from drippings.The gas ports will never clog thus always allowing for clean and unobstructed combustion.
This burner self cleans when it is on by vaporizing drippings.This keeps the radiating properties of the burner from inhibiting its delivery of consistent heat.
This Burner burns hotter, more even and more consistent than any burner on the market! The Pre-refracting ceramic distributes intense heat before reaching it even reaches the briquettes, resulting in even and radiating heat across cooking surface. Ceramic burns much hotter and refracts more efficiently than any metal (think Ceramic Kamado Grills) and yet cools faster.
Lynx is committed to incorporating the same high standards used for commercial restaurant kitchen products — quality materials, fine craftsmanship and innovation — into their collection of luxury outdoor kitchen products and accessories for the consumer.
Before you purchase your Lynx Grill read our Infographic on the Top 3 Luxury Grill Comparison
We have been a Lynx Authorized Dealer for Both Grills and Service since the Brand was introduced over 18 years ago!
No one knows the history of these grills better than us, their quality has stood the test of time! Should you need parts including burners, prosear, briquette trays or ignition? we are here to help troubleshoot every Lynx Grill from the current to original LBQ models.

domain: design


text:
BEDFORD — Developers of Market and Main, which previously pitched the idea of adding 290 apartments to the retail complex, have scaled back their conceptual design to 200 apartments.
Phase One of the reconstruction of the former Macy’s site on South River Rd. is now complete.
The first phase of the Market and Main project is taking shape at the former Macy’s site in Bedford, where TFMoran has designed the large, mixed-use development for Encore Retail, headquartered in Dallas.
The national food store chain Trader Joe's has announce plans to open its third New Hampshire location, this one in the mixed-use development currently being built at the former site of Macy’s in Bedford.

domain: economics


text:
This has been such a great season for squash and pumpkins! Such a bountiful harvest requires expanding the repertoire, and branching out for variety.
I like butter (lots), salt, pepper, garlic-onion-leek-shallots, and plenty of sage and thyme to season my main-course winter squash or pumpkin dishes, although many recipes call for ingredients that turn these vegetables into veritable dessert dishes: brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, and seasonings such as cinnamon that belong in a spice cookie!
Squashes and pumpkins are good sources of vitamins A and C. They are also high in carotenes, like other yellow and orange foods, and antioxidants. These nutrients are collectively known to be good for eye health. Seeds of winter squash and pumpkin are a nutritional powerhouse, but that is another column.
Winter squashes are effectively utilized as intercrop scavenger plants to remediate contaminated soils. Based on their ability to take up whatever the soil holds, maybe organically grown ones are best.
Most of us have our favorite way to make a pumpkin pie, and many turn to “the can” for timesaving and simplicity. But do you know that using a slow cooker to process makes an easy substitute for pumpkin from a can? After the initial preparation, the resulting purée is used exactly the same way, but with the harvest from your own garden, or a nearby field.
Clean the surface and place the whole squash or pumpkin in the cooker casserole. Cover with the lid and turn on to low setting. Test with knife after six to eight hours; if it pierces easily, let it cool, and then peel, seed, and purée. Can in jars, or freeze in bags or containers. Use as for “the can” in recipes such as the following cornbread.
(“Country Wisdom & Know-How,” Storey Books)
1 egg, beaten
1 c. cooked squash purée
¾ c. cornmeal
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
½ c. frozen or fresh kernel corn
¼ c. oil
Beat egg lightly, then beat into the purée. Add the other ingredients and mix lightly. Pour thick batter into well-buttered cast iron skillet (8 inches across). Dot with butter, bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
(“The Silver Palate Cookbook,” Workman Publishing)
4 Tbsp. sweet butter
2 c. finely chopped onions
4-5 tsp. curry powder
3 c. chicken stock
2 medium-size butternut squash (about 3 lbs. altogether)
2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 c. apple juice
salt & pepper to taste
1 shredded unpeeled Granny Smith apple (garnish)
Melt the butter in a pot. Add chopped onions and curry powder and cook, covered, over low heat until onions are tender, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile peel the squash with a vegetable peeler, seed, and chop the flesh.
When onions are tender, pour in the stock, add squash and apples, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until squash and apples are very tender, about 25 minutes.
Pour the soup through a strainer, reserving liquid, and transfer the solids to the bowl of a food processor or food mill, reserving 1-2 cups of the solids. Add one cup of the cooking liquid and process until smooth. Return pureéd soup to the pot, and add apple juice and additional cooking liquid, about 2 cups, until the soup is of the desired consistency.
Add the reserved solids and season to taste with salt and pepper, simmer briefly to heat through, and serve immediately, garnished with shredded apple.
John Thorne’s Pumpkin Tian
(“More Home Cooking,” Laurie Colwin, Harper Perennial).
Serves 4. 2 big butternuts or 4 smaller delicatas: peel, seed, and cut into 1-inch chunks. Shake the chunks in a bag of flour, shake off the excess flour, and put them into an oiled or buttered shallow baking dish. Scatter the squash with about ⅓ cup of good Parmesan; 1 large garlic clove, minced; and pepper to taste. Drizzle the tian with ¼ to ⅓ cup best olive oil, and put it into a preheated 400°F oven. Bake the tian for 30 to 40 minutes.
In the garden
The largest of the self-sown lamb’s lettuce is approaching usable size in this cooler, sunny weather. I like to let the flowering plants go to seed in spring. If allowed to self-sow, they produce a cost-free, gourmet, cold-hardy winter salad. The taste is slightly mealy and delicate; it pairs well as a base for the classic marinated beet salad with whipped goat cheese (New York Times, August 23).
Walking around one’s garden, one spots things that have gone awry over the course of the season. Dieback in viburnums seems to be a part of these multistemmed shrubs’ growth habit. I spotted a long branch about three-quarters of an inch thick on a Viburnum carlesii, with only brown, crisped leaves — obviously something unwell and unsightly. Once I started to prune it off, the entire large stem it had sprung from came loose from the base. It would be more upsetting without the understanding: This is something viburnums do.
While we do much corrective pruning starting now, the winds have been doing the upper-air pruning we cannot reach. Many limbs and branchlets have been shedding, some bare and really dead, and some with leaves still attached. Scouting around for them and adding them onto the pile is part of fall garden cleanup.
It is not too soon to put up physical barriers for deer protection, but it is good to be aware of how falling leaves may collect in or on top of barriers and pull them over later on, especially with additional snow or ice.
Digging and dividing perennials is one of those fall tasks that become real workouts but yield big dividends, with more and healthier plants, and better flowering.


KAITAI, with over 20 years experience, is one of the professional Cast Steel Globe Valve manufacturers and suppliers in China. All of our good Cast Steel Globe Valve are made by professionals using advanced equipment.
Meet design ANSI B16.5, B16.34, B16.10,B16.25 (for NPS≤24), MSS SP-44(for NPS>24), API-600
Straight and Y patteren body design
OS & Y,outside screw and yoke
Yoke intergral with bonnet
Rising stem and handwheel
Loose disc,choice of plug or ball
Renewable seat ring or Body seat ring
Impact handwheel for 10" & above
Flanged or buttwelding ends
Normal Size: 2"~20"
Connection: Flanges,RTJ Flange,Butt Weld,Groove
Material:Carbon Steel, Forged Steel
Carbon Steel: ASTM A105, ASTM A216 WCB, ASTM A217 WC6, ASTM A217 WC9, ASTM A217 C5, ASTM A217 C12, ASTM A217 C12A
Stainless Steel: ASTM A351 CF8, ASTM A351 CF8M, ASTM A351 CF3, ASTM A351 CF3M, ASTM A351 CM8, ASTM A890 GR4A, ASTM A890
Operate: Handwheel, Wormgear, Gearbox, Penumatic Actuator, Electric Actuator, Hydraulic Actuator.
Steel Globe Design: API 600 / BS1873
Steel Valves: ASME B16.34
Face to Face according to: ASME B16.10
Flanges Ends according to: ASME B16.5
Butt Welding Ends according to: ASME B16.25
Inspection and Testing according to: API 598 / API 6D


text:
Adam Lambert sighting
‘American Idol’ Adam Lambert celebrates his boyfriend’s birthday at Mr. Black at Bardot nightclub in Los Angeles, California, on Monday.
http://malecelebnews.com/2011/03/31/adam-lambert-sighting/http://malecelebnews.com/wp-content/images//var/www/vhosts/mostbeautifulman.com/httpdocs/news/wp-content/images/2011/03/adam-lambert-sauli-kosinen-bardot-03302011-07.jpghttp://malecelebnews.com/wp-content/images//var/www/vhosts/mostbeautifulman.com/httpdocs/news/wp-content/images/2011/03/adam-lambert-sauli-kosinen-bardot-03302011-07.jpg* Musicians* SightingsAdam Lambert
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'American Idol' Adam Lambert celebrates his boyfriend's birthday at Mr. Black at Bardot nightclub in Los Angeles, California, on Monday. He's 29.[email protected]AdministratorMale Celeb News

domain: entertainment


text:
- grandad nicol's fish and chips limited
GRANDAD NICOL'S FISH AND CHIPS LIMITED 09569423
Registered Office Address
Private limited company
April 30, 2015
NICOL, Hope Victoria
Grandad Nicol's Fish And Chips Limited (09569423) is an active private limited company incorporated on April 30, 2015 with one officer. The business operates in one market sector, namely dormant company. The company's registered office address is 30 Westgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AS, United Kingdom.
Be notified by email when new businesses register in your area, or anywhere in the country.
Other Companies Nearby
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Let us know.


text:
FRANCE 24 English published this video item, entitled “Ethiopia’s conflict: Eritrean refugees under attack in Tigray war • FRANCE 24 English” – below is their description.
In a fresh sign of the humanitarian #crisis unfolding in #Ethiopia as violence spirals, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Tuesday it was concerned about 24,000 #Eritrean #refugees in two camps in the Tigray region, saying they were cut off from aid and could run out of food and drinking water. Fighting between armed groups has escalated in and around the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps, and two refugees have been killed this month, UNHCR said.FRANCE 24 English YouTube Channel
Got a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.

domain: sociology


KTCL Recruitment 2021 Notification: Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), Goa has published a notification for recruitment to the post of Conductor on daily wages on ktclgoa.com. Interested people can attend interview on 17 August 2021.
- Date of Birth - 17 August 2021
- Time of Interview - 10:30 AM
- Venue - Head Office, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited, Corner wing, ParaisoDe-Goa, Alto Porvorim Bardez-Goa
KTCL Vacancy Details
Conductors - 30 Posts. (On Daily Wages)
- General -17
- O.B.C -08
- S.T -03
- P.D -02
Eligibility Criteria for KTCL Conductor Posts
- S.S.C or equivalent.
- Conductor License and Badge issued by Directorate of Transport.
KTCL Conductor Age Limit:
How to Apply for KTCL Conductor Recruitment 2021 ?
Eligible and interested candidates can appear for walk in interview on along with their applications to the post and self-attested copies of relevant documents such as Educational qualification, Birth Certificate, License & Badge, 15 years Residence Certificate issued by Competent authority, Employment Registration Card, etc. at the Head Office, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited, Corner wing, ParaisoDe-Goa, Alto Porvorim Bardez-Goa on 17 August 2021 from 10.30 am onwards


Wilson Joel, widely known as "Music Magnate", is a self-taught music producer, director, composer, audio engineer, songwriter, voice/talent coach, multi-instrumentalist, and media entrepreneur. He has had a significant impact on the music and production industry through his innovative approach and by working with talented artists and creators.
With over two decades of global professional experience, Joel has successfully directed concerts like "The Experience Lagos." He is actively involved in the industry with active memberships spanning GRAMMYS' Recording Academy and a national associate member of the EMMYS' Television Academy.
He has also collaborated with Sony Music and Universal Music in South Africa where he is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing.
Throughout his career, he has written, produced, mixed, and mastered numerous hit tracks; collaborating with renowned artists in Africa, Europe, the United States of America, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, independent producers, and others since 2008. Joel's exceptional works, showcased on various platforms, have garnered direct admiration from over 40,000,000 enthusiasts.
Additionally, he serves as the Creative Head of Doxology Music Entertainment LLC, based in Maryland, USA.
Joel is deeply committed to fostering creative growth, ensuring fair participation of music stakeholders, combating exploitative practices against artists, and providing talent management. These endeavors are close to his heart, starting in Nigeria and extending to other African countries, as well as now expanding to North America and beyond.


text:
To meet the challenges of the twenty–first century we need more and better forms of creativity in ways of knowing, ways of acting in the world and ways of being. These Jung supplies in his buried feminism and incipient transdisciplinarity. This talk on Jung’s radicalism includes connecting it to Susan’s new work writing mystery novels. By deploying Jungian techniques to explore the spontaneity of the archetypal psyche, the stories discover key patterns and myths that in–form today’s collective fears and traumas. Such acts of Jungian arts–based research are research, as is all art that collaborates with the collective unconscious in its making and/or reception. Jung knew this in demonstrating the prophetic and revelatory nature of creativity. Historical assessments of Jung might conclude he was a conservative with revolutionary ideas given his social shortcomings and radical approach to cultural symbolism. Historical assessments are no longer enough since they imply a singular vision, exactly the kind of vision that Jung disavowed when diagnosing modernity as chronically sick because of a psyche split from all that is designated ‘other’ to rational consciousness. Susan’s talk will excavate the radical, feminist and transdisciplinarity
hidden depths in his work in order to support a revised social justice worldview. One of many possibilities from this C. G. Jung is JABR expressed in the mysteries in the mysteries that find the climate emergency framed through alchemy and the myths of the Holy Grail.

domain: library


Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced on Friday it is suspending flight operations in Cotabato due to the pending completion of asphalt
overlay repairs at the runway of Awang Airport.
The CEB management decided to suspend operations at the airport, saying some repairs need to be completed on the runway for the safety of air travelers before it can resume flights.
The following flights will not operate until further notice:
• 5J 885 and 886 Manila – Cotabato – Manila
• 5J 887 and 888 Manila – Cotabato – Manila
Passengers booked on these flights will be rerouted to and from Davao International Airport. Additionally, the airline will operate several
recovery flights between Manila and Davao from August 19 to 23, as well as a Davao-Manila flight on August 21.
CEB offers flight rebooking and rerouting, travel fund storage, and refund options through its Manage Booking portal.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and will provide updates as needed,” the airline stated.
Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines made a statement, saying it is hastening the ongoing expansion and repair
works at Cotabato Airport to meet its August deadline set by the Department of Transportation.
The construction of the airport’s passenger terminal building (PTB) was one of the topics discussed by CAAP Director General Manuel
Antonio Tamayo and DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista when they visited the airport and met the officials of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Airport Authority.
The P45.5-million expansion project which is expected to be finished by August 30, 2023, covers the civil, architectural, mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing works.
Once completed, the airport’s capacity will be increased, accommodating 360 passengers at any given time, compared to its previous capacity of 250 passengers. The expansion will alleviate congestion and provide a more comfortable environment for travelers.
The repairs and expansion at Cotabato Airport are in line with CAAP and DOTr’s commitment to meet the highest safety standards in its airports, delivering a safe, secure, and comfortable airport experience.


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Unscrewed Theater has been bringing the funny to Tucson (and the WORLD without online shows) since 2014. We are a 501(c)(3) and 100% volunteer run - from the folks that sell you tickets, to the improvisors on stage to the person typing this ad.
We're expanding our social media and marketing efforts and need help with our weekly Mailchimp newsletter. Both creating the newsletter and massaging the database.
We'll provide the graphics, info, and you get to let your creative juices flow! You’ll work closely with the Executive Director, Web Director, Creative Director, and Ops Manager keeping us in the Tucson Spotlight! Graphic art experience makes you our hero!
Unscrewed Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching, performing, and producing all forms of live improvisational theater in Tucson, AZ. www.UnscrewedTheater.org
About Unscrewed Theater
4500 E. Speedway Blvd, #39, Tucson, AZ 85712, US
Unscrewed Theater is dedicated to teaching and showcasing the art of improvisational theater as well as other unique forms of live entertainment. We foster a safe and supportive atmosphere in which artists can grow and explore their talent. We provide a venue to showcase these talents as to enrich our community through the arts.
Unscrewed Theater, Tucson’s Home for Improv Comedy, needs your help!
We’re a volunteer-led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization - bringing the funny to Tucson (and the world!) since 2014. It takes a village to keep this theater running - and we can use all the help we can get. We made it through COVID by offering FREE ONLINE shows, but our doors are once again WIDE open for in person shows. But we're still making the world laugh, every week - because you can still Live Stream ALL our shows!
If you think you could help, we’d LOVE to have you. Full time. Part time. Any time.
Extra bonus points for volunteers includes earning credits for our Improv Classes! Think you could perform like us? We bet you could, too. Our classes will show you how.
Check out our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube, and Tiktok for more fun and details!
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
October 3, 2022
- Basic Computer Skills
- Database Administration
- Internet Research
- Copy Writing / Copy Editing
- Verbal / Written Communication
- Sales Marketing
- Must be at least 18
- A few hours a week.


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Bring beach vibes to any land-locked home with this seashell pedestal candle holder. Pair it with any tropical-inspired candle to create your own fragrant oasis. From Homeworx by Harry Slatkin.
- Resin base with felt bottom
- Matte white finish
- For use with four-wick candle, not included
- Measures approximately 9"Diam x 3-1/2"H


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What are the MRI findings of active Crohns disease?
Bowel wall thickening with increased T2-weighted signal intensity indicating acute edema (best appreciated on fat-suppressed images), ulcers characterized by linear, high signal intensity protrusions into the bowel wall (best appreciated on T2-weighted images), and mesenteric edema which is seen as increased T2-weighted signal intensity within the mesenteric fat. On diffusion-weighted images (DWI), restricted diffusion may be seen due to acute inflammatory cellular infiltration within the bowel wall. Additional findings in the bowel seen on both MRI and CT include mucosal fold thickening and hyperenhancement, the “target” sign, and the “comb” sign. The presence of fistulas, sinus tracts, and abscesses is helpful to suggest this diagnosis on either MRI or CT (see Figure 27-10 ). MRI is generally superior to CT for detection and delineation of perianal fistulas and sinus tracts, given its superior soft tissue contrast resolution.

domain: literature


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Staten Island-born LAYA, who describes herself as a "funky character from NYC" is probably best known for her authentic and risk-taking approach to music, art and personal style.
Last year, she released her debut EP Um, Hello, sending shock waves through the R&B community and the larger music world. Taking inspiration from Destiny’s Child, Brandy, Aaliyah and Missy Elliott, the multimedia artist has a knack for bringing nostalgic sounds and aesthetics into the present with her fresh vision and style.
While she's known to most as a singer, she's also a bit of a DIY queen. Whether it’s directing a video, creating a prop, vision-boarding an outfit or creating a set from scratch, the fast-ascending artist does it all with flair.
This year, LAYA took NYFW by storm and chronicled her week in the only ways she knows how — with elegance, pizazz and absolute hilarity. Check out her NYFW diary, below.
Converse x Human Nature Presentation
I have arrived, honey! This was my first night out for Fashion Week and I wanted to step out in a good ol’ "Who's that girl?"
This night was crazy special to me. I was in a room with so many of my favorite people in fashion and entertainment. Then came out Azealia Banks (who I love) with a surprise performance that she absolutely bodied! I screamed at the top of my lungs in ghetto.
I LOVE my cigarette earrings! You can always find me incorporating them into my looks.
This was such a vibe not only because the show was bomb AF, but I got to watch it with my girls TiaCorine and Bktherula! I love moments like this. They're so cool.
When I was a kid my dad had a big poster of a comic book character named Shi on the wall. She had black hair and a white painted face with red lipstick. That image always stayed with me. I had brought this look to life a few times before and couldn’t wait to pull it out for Fashion Week.
Moose Knuckles NYFW Preview Party
I had fun styling my Moose Knuckles outfit. I paired the two-piece number with some black ostrich feathered sleeves and black feathery stripper shoes (I love a stripper shoe!). They absolutely loved my look! This was the last night of fashion week, and I was proud of all the looks I put together for the week. Yep, that’s right I styled myself and did my own hair and makeup all week! First one down, so many more to go!
Photos courtesy of LAYA


Samsung made a comeback in the budget smartphone segment with the launch of the Galaxy M10 and the Galaxy M20 earlier this year. The brand aims to gain back the market share that it lost to the likes of ASUS, Honor, Realme, and Xiaomi in the entry-level and mid-range segment with its Galaxy M series smartphones. The company has now taken one more step in the same direction with the launch of the Galaxy M30. This new smartphone sits above the M10 and the M20. It costs INR 14,990 for the base variant and INR 16,990 for the top-end variant. Looking at the specifications, the Galaxy M30 offers almost everything that you would want from a smartphone at this price. Let us have a look if it performs as good as it looks on paper.
[P_REVIEW post_id=150100 visual=’full’]
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy M30: What’s In The Box?
- Samsung Galaxy M30
- 15W Charger
- USB Type-C Cable
- SIM Ejector Tool
Samsung Galaxy M30 Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy M30 has a plastic body, but the device still feels solid in the hand – just like a smartphone that features a metal body. The back panel is also made out of plastic, and initially, I thought that it would get scratched pretty quickly. However, to my surprise, the back panel resisted scratches very well. I used the Galaxy M30 without a protective case during my week-long review period, and the back panel survived with only a couple of minor scratches, which I think is totally acceptable. If you use a case, I am sure that the Galaxy M30 will stay scratchless as long as you have it.
The Galaxy M30 is slim and lightweight in spite of packing a massive, 5000mAh battery, making the device comfortable to hold. The device fits snugly into the palm due to tapered edges and rounded corners. The buttons and ports are also placed ergonomically, making it easier to reach them. Thanks to this user-friendly design, the Galaxy M30 is easier to hold even for longer periods. Looks-wise, the Galaxy M30 isn’t the most attractive in its segment, but it looks pretty good especially because of its sleek design and a gradient color pattern on the back.
Although the build quality and design of the Galaxy M30 are pretty good, they are still no match compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro. The Xiaomi phone has better build quality, and it feels more premium in the hand due to the glass back panel. In my opinion, Samsung could have worked harder on the design and build quality of the Galaxy M30.
Samsung Galaxy M30 Display Performance
While most other smartphones in the price range come with an IPS LCD screens, the Galaxy M30 features a Super AMOLED screen, giving it a huge edge over its competitors. The screen itself a 6.4-inch unit with Full HD+ resolution. The display features the same bezel-less design with a U-shaped notch that we saw on the Galaxy M20, due to which, the device looks modern. Moreover, the screen comes with Gorilla Glass 3 for impact resistance.
Coming to the quality, the display offers a good amount of brightness, and the visibility under direct sunlight is superb. The colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the viewing angles are excellent. There is no doubt that the Galaxy M30 has one of the best displays in its price range.
Samsung Galaxy M30 Camera Image & Video Quality
The Galaxy M30 is the first smartphone at this end of the market to offer a triple-camera setup. First is a 13MP camera with a conventional field of view, second is a 5MP ultra-wide camera, and third is a 5MP depth-sensor. The 13MP sensor has a decent f/1.9 aperture, whereas, the remaining two cameras have an f/2.2 aperture.
Images captured with the 13MP camera in daylight conditions are bright and detailed. The dynamic range is excellent, and therefore, pictures taken in tricky lighting conditions come out very well. Unlike most other smartphones nowadays, the camera of the M30 does not boost colors, and thus the images may not seem very attractive. That being said, the colors are not dull. They are close to what you see in reality. In my opinion, the daylight image quality is on par with what you get from other similarly priced smartphones like the Realme 3, and the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2.
Things take quite a turn when it comes to lowlight conditions. A lot of noise creeps in, and the amount of detail is below average. The dynamic range goes for a toss due which many details are left out. There is also a decent amount of lens flare, which make photos look ugly. The only upside is that the images are bright. Now, most smartphones (except the Redmi Note 7 Pro, with its Night Mode enabled) at this price range suffer from these issues, and therefore, there isn’t much room for complaining.
The Galaxy M30 can also capture portrait images, courtesy of the 5MP depth-sensor. The portrait mode has a pretty good edge-detection, and therefore, the images feature an impressive background blur effect. The portrait mode, however, is not very useful in low light conditions, as the camera struggles to detect edges of subjects accurately.
Coming to the ultra-wide camera, it comes handy in many day-to-day situations. Pictures taken in daylight have an acceptable amount of details as well as brightness. The dynamic range is pretty good. The colors appear to be slightly dull, but not too far from reality. Overall, you can capture some decent shots in daylight. The ultra-wide camera, however, is utterly useless when it comes to low light conditions, as the images neither have enough amount of brightness nor details. They also suffer from high noise levels.
Moving on to the selfie camera, it is a 16MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture. This camera totally impressed me, as it captures bright, detailed, and vibrant selfies in daylight as well as low light. In my opinion, the Galaxy M30 has one of the best selfie cameras in its price range.
Samsung Galaxy M30 Performance
The Galaxy M30 uses the new Exynos 7904 SoC, which has two Cortex-A73 cores for demanding applications, and six Cortex-A53 cores for lighter tasks. For graphics, the chipset uses Mali-G71 MP2 GPU.
The Galaxy M30 has a significant performance bump compared to the older budget offerings from the brand. However, it still feels slightly sluggish as opposed to its competitors. Moreover, the performance is inconsistent. Sometimes the device feels quick, and sometimes it feels horribly slow. The Galaxy M30 also lags behind in the graphics section. The device is suitable only for lite games. The graphics-intensive games like PUBG and Modern Combat 5 stutter significantly on this device. If you are very keen on having fast performance, or if you game a lot on your smartphone, the Galaxy M30 shouldn’t be on your list. That being said, average users will find the Galaxy M30 decently fast.
Coming to the software, the Galaxy M30 has Android 8.1 Oreo operating system. The OS is customized with Samsung’s Experience UI. This customization from Samsung offers a ton of added functionalities, and the UI looks modern, polished, and beautiful. In my opinion, the Galaxy M30 has one of the best software experiences in the price range.
Samsung Galaxy M30 Battery Life
One of the highlights of the Galaxy M30 is that the device comes with a massive, 5000mAh battery. As a result, the device offers an excellent battery backup. In my usage, the Galaxy M30 usually lasted about 32 to 35 hours with 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time. This is on par with other smartphones equipped with similar battery capacity. If you are someone who needs a long battery backup, the Galaxy M30 will definitely fulfill your needs.
What’s even better is that the Galaxy M30 features 15W fast charging. Therefore, the device, in spite of a 5000mAh battery, charges from zero to hundred percent in just 2 hours and 50 minutes. Moreover, the device has a USB Type-C port, which makes plugging and unplugging the charging cable more convenient.
Galaxy M30 Connectivity, Audio, and Fingerprint Scanner Performance
The Galaxy M30 features dual-SIM connectivity with dual-4G and dual-VoLTE. Unlike most other smartphones in the market, which feature a hybrid SIM slot, the Galaxy M30 has a dedicated slot for two SIM cards and a micro SD card – this is an essential feature for Indian consumers, and it gives the M30 an edge over its competitors.
The Galaxy M30 has excellent network reception, the earpiece, and microphone work as they should, and therefore, people on either side of the call can hear properly. The smartphone has dual-band Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, making sure that it offers fast data transfer speeds. There is also Bluetooth v5.0 for future-proof connectivity. And as mentioned earlier, there is a USB Type-C port.
The Galaxy M30 has a bottom-mounted loudspeaker. It has a decently high volume level, but the sound quality isn’t all that great. You don’t get enough bass (whatever is possible in smartphones), and moreover, there is a slight distortion when you crank up the volume levels. On the contrary, the sound quality from the 3.5mm headphone jack is excellent. It offers more than enough volume level and a balanced audio output (for a smartphone of this price).
The Galaxy M30 comes with a rear-mounted fingerprinted scanner, and it is one of the fastest fingerprint scanners I have ever used on a smartphone. Even the fingerprint registration process is blazing fast – it takes just two to three swipes over the scanner to get your fingerprint registered.
Should You Buy The Samsung Galaxy M30?
After using the Galaxy M30 for a week, I have to say, Samsung has finally made an impressive, affordable smartphone. This new device has a class-leading display, one of the best battery lives, and up-to-date connectivity options. The camera performance might not be the best in the segment, but it is for sure satisfactory. The device is noticeably slower than its competitors, but in my opinion, it is fast enough for most users out there. The only real drawback is that the device lacks behind in gaming performance. However, if you aren’t a gamer, this thing shouldn’t bother you much. All in all, the Galaxy M30 is a great smartphone.
That being said, the Galaxy M30 in spite of having so many positives, is not as good as the newly launched Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro. The Xiaomi phone beats the Galaxy M30 in almost every aspect expect battery life. If you want the best smartphone at this end of the market, you should definitely go with the Redmi Note 7 Pro. However, if for some reason you don’t want to buy it or if you hate ad-filled MIUI software,the Galaxy M30 should be your next choice.
Be sure to check out our comparison video review of the Galaxy M30, Galaxy A30, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro below.
Samsung Galaxy M30₹14,990
Design and Build Quality7.5/10
Value For Money7.5/10
What Is Good?
- Super AMOLED display is a great feature for the price
- Ultra-wide camera comes handy
- Excellent front-facing camera
- Feature-packed, modern-looking UI
- Exceptional battery backup
- Up to date connectivity options
What Is Bad?
- Rear camera could have been better
- Sluggish performance at times
- Poor gaming performance


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FILM CRITICS have been spending a fair amount of time lately marveling at the trajectory of directors like Taika Waititi and Ryan Coogler, who started off making modest, personal films—Waititi with What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Coogler with Fruitvale Station and Creed—before getting tapped by Marvel to helm superhero blockbusters. (Waititi is helming the next Thor, while Coogler will be behind Black Panther.) As strange as those transitions might seem, the precedent for indie auteurs jumping into the mainstream was already set by directors like Penelope Spheeris.
Long before the now-70-year-old filmmaker took the reins of big-ticket Hollywood comedies like Wayne’s World, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Black Sheep, she was known for much grittier fare. After making her own short films and helping her friend Albert Brooks produce short segments for the early years of Saturday Night Live—and his big screen directorial debut Real Life—Spheeris broke into the popular consciousness via her 1981 documentary The Decline of Western Civilization.
A snapshot of the early LA punk scene, the film continues to have an immediate appeal thanks to thrilling performance footage that features seminal acts like Black Flag, the Germs, and X when they were in their prime. But the most affecting moments come from the interviews Spheeris conducted with punk fans and catching the musicians in their unguarded moments offstage. Cynicism, desperation, and disaffection drew both artists and audiences together into a strange, extended family that helped replace the often broken homes they left behind.
Through the ’80s, much of Spheeris’ work followed a similar thread as she revealed the often-ugly underbelly of her native Los Angeles. But as with the first Decline film, there was a note of tenderness to even the most lurid of stories, like The Boys Next Door, her 1985 good-kids-gone-bad picture co-starring Charlie Sheen. Her empathy for the plight of the young people in her films always shines through.
The movies where that understanding beams the brightest are the two cult favorites screening this weekend at the Hollywood: 1983’s Suburbia and 1987’s Dudes. The former is particularly heartbreaking. The film centers on a group of young punks (played primarily by non-actors), all of whom left dysfunctional households to squat together in an abandoned house on the outskirts of Los Angeles County. There’s plenty of drama to be found as the kids square off against a couple of gun-toting rednecks and piss off the stodgy suburbanites around them. It’s the moments of camaraderie and shared pain, though, that rescue Suburbia from being pure exploitation.
Dudes is a more curious case: The punks vs. rednecks dynamic is still central to the film, but it’s worked into Spheeris’ attempt to make a modern-day revenge western à la The Searchers. Yet in spite of its truly bizarre dream sequences and the weird romance that blooms between the spiky-haired Grant (a post-Pretty in Pink Jon Cryer) and a divorcée who runs a service station (Catherine Mary Stewart), the film provides one of the more honest depictions of male friendship.
The three young men that set off for California—Grant, Biscuit (Daniel Roebuck), and Milo (Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea)—find a bond in their outsider status and their devotion to punk rock. It makes a strange amount of sense that when Milo is gunned down by a bunch of hicks in the desert, his two buddies risk their own lives to avenge him.
It’s little wonder, then, why Spheeris would find herself handpicked by Mike Myers to shepherd Wayne and Garth to the big screen, or working to adapt The Little Rascals, another gang of ragtag youths who join together in defiance of adult indifference. Even though her career has taken her down some weird avenues, Spheeris has never veered from her personal path.
Dudes and Suburbia screen as part of the Hollywood’s “Wyrd War’s Punk Rock Summer Bummer” event. Dudes (screening Thurs Aug 25) will be followed by Spheeris’ short films and a panel discussion with Spheeris, screenwriter Randall Jahnson, and producer Miguel Tejada-Flores. Suburbia (Fri Aug 26) will be preceded by Spheeris’ short films and an introduction by Spheeris.


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Why Are You So Sensitive?
4pm US PDT | 7pm US EDT
9am AU AEST
And yet in your quiet moments, you do start to wonder…
“What is it about ME, my body, my nature…?”
“Why do things affect me more than other people?”
“Why do I not have the same kind of strength and resilience that others have?”
“Why does my sensitivity get in the way of what I want from my life? Why does it always seem to hurt me?”
“Why am I the way that I am?”
Then there's the other side of the spectrum...
The one where you hear the words “sensitivity is your superpower!” everywhere from well-intentioned sources, without ever fully knowing what it means…
You long to believe it’s true – to claim your sensitivity and to wield it confidently in your life, but you still have no idea where it comes from or how it’s even helpful to you.
I know how you feel, because I’ve been where you are…I’ve agonized over the same questions, wrestled with the same demons, searched for the answers for years on my own…
Until finally I began my quest – my very own hero’s journey – to unravel the roots of my sensitivity, so I could feel safe, sensitive and empowered in the modern world (a world not always designed to be supportive of highly sensitive people)…
Like any good hero story, what makes a hero unique isn’t just the power they yield…
It’s their origin story.
In the Hero’s Journey, the hero cannot fully use or control their power until they understand where it came from and why they have it…
This crucial understanding then prepares them for the difficult part of their journey and their ultimate victory.
The same could be said for you, dear one!
It’s not enough just to know that your sensitivity is a gift that holds great power….
It’s about knowing where it comes from. Why it was born in you. How it charted it’s path. Where it’s leading you next.
It’s about going on a profound journey of self-discovery – your very own hero’s journey!
Will you take the journey with me and accept me as your loving guide?
- Approximately 90 minutes inside a sacred, safe group container with Myree where you will feel supported and guided to understand your divine, sensitive gift.
- A [live] grounding meditation that will take you on a healing journey to help you feel comfortable and ready to receive insights and wisdom around sensitivity.
- A profound and unique teaching on sensitivity where you will begin to finally understand WHY you are so sensitive… and how knowing this can allow you to reclaim the power of your gift.
- Create a map of your own sacred sensitivity with a beautiful handout that will guide you on how to best honor and nourish your sensitive nature so you can thrive within our chaotic world.
- A [live] Q&A session where you will get the chance to ask Myree your questions around sensitivity and gain the clarity you’re looking for.
- A recording of the Masterclass if you aren’t able to make it to the live event
While each sensitive’s path is unique and no two sensitivity maps are the same, there are 7 common sources of your sensitivity that will help you make sense of your journey! Once you discover and map which one put you on your path, the adventure truly begins. Are you ready to discover yours?
Soul Guide, Transformational Therapist, Gifted Healer and Awakening Expert
Myree is a global leader in redefining how HSPs and empaths are understood, revealing the crucial role sensitives play in our human ecosystem and supporting her fellow sensitives to step into this role.
In healing practice since 1999, Myree has a Master’s degree in Process-Oriented Psychology, a diploma in professional counseling in Australia, and is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor. Myree is also a graduate of Mythic Way from the Kairos Centre for Soul-Centered Psychotherapy.
Myree is known for her unique approach that dances between the tangible and the mystical. Her professional training as a mental health counselor and therapist takes a trauma-informed approach for using her innate spiritual gifts that guide her clients and students through leadership coaching and their own spiritual awakening journeys.
“I have been aware of my own spiritual gifts and profound sensitivity since childhood but hid these parts of myself for many years. Now, I am dedicated to helping others claim their spiritual gifts, elevate as soulful leaders and befriend their awakening experiences within a strong foundation of knowledge and self-awareness. Your sensitivity is a beautiful gift. Are you ready to explore its roots?”
“We live in times where sensitivity is an essential tool for navigating life; one we can reclaim, be proud of and lead from.
We can rediscover it as our most precious gift to ourselves and a powerful offering to the world.” – Myree Morsi


AmiSight 1/17: Let’s Hope Bill Gates Has This One Right
A recent Inc. article summarized a twitter q@a with Bill Gates, who predicts that after the current Omnicron Wave – Covid will become more like the flu – and the world can return to some sense of normalcy. Several past pandemics have transitioned to endemic status, including the 1918 influenza and the swine flu pandemic of 2009. So I am counting on Gates being right !!!
How about you?