Oil prices could surge to all-time highs if the U.S. imposes economic sanctions against Saudi Arabia, according to an opinion piece written by the general manager of Saudi Arabia-based Al Arabiya television.
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International benchmark Brent crude traded at around $81.43 Monday morning, up around 1.2 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $72.12, slightly more than 1 percent higher.


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Matupás are floating vegetation islands found in floodplain lakes of the central Brazilian Amazon. They form initially from the agglomeration of aquatic vegetation, and through time can accumulate a substrate of organic matter sufficient to grow forest patches of several hectares in area and up to 12 m in height. There is little published information on matupás despite their singular characteristics and importance to local fauna and people. In this study we document the traditional ecological knowledge of riverine populations who live near and interact with matupás. We expected that their knowledge, acquired through long term observations and use in different stages of the matupá life cycle, could help clarify various aspects about the ecology and natural history of these islands that field biologists may not have had the opportunity to observe. Research was carried out in five riverine communities of the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Brazil). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 inhabitants in order to register local understandings of how matupás are formed, biotic/abiotic factors related to their occurrence, the plants and animals that occur on them, their ecological relevance, and local uses. Local people elucidated several little-known aspects about matupá ecology, especially regarding the importance of seasonal dynamics of high/low water for matupás formation and the relevance of these islands for fish populations. Soil from matupás is especially fertile and is frequently gathered for use in vegetable gardens. In some cases, crops are planted directly onto matupás, representing an incipient agricultural experiment that was previously undocumented in the Amazon. Matupás are also considered a strategic habitat for fishing, mainly for arapaima (Arapaima gigas). The systematic study of traditional ecological knowledge proved to be an important tool for understanding this little-known Amazonian landscape.
Citation: de Freitas CT, Shepard GH Jr, Piedade MTF (2015) The Floating Forest: Traditional Knowledge and Use of Matupá Vegetation Islands by Riverine Peoples of the Central Amazon. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0122542. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0122542
Academic Editor: Bruno Hérault, Cirad, FRANCE
Received: June 18, 2014; Accepted: February 20, 2015; Published: April 2, 2015
Copyright: © 2015 de Freitas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Funding: CTF received financial and logistical support from the Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá (http://www.mamiraua.org.br/) and also financial support from the National Geographic Society (Grant Number 9159-12; http://www.nationalgeographic.com/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Matupá is a local term in the Brazilian Amazon for free-floating islands of vegetation growing on blocks of soil that can be as much as 3 m thick, in sizes ranging from a few square meters to several hectares, and supporting a variety of plant communities from aquatic herbs to shrubs and trees [1,2] (Fig 1). They are found in várzea lakes distributed along the floodplains of white-water river systems rich in nutrients and sediments . Matupás are formed through a series of natural successional stages beginning with the agglomeration of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, and the consequent accumulation of organic substrate where free-standing herbs, shrubs and even trees can later grow [1,2]. Larger, thicker matupás with substantial vegetation are sturdy enough for people to walk on.
A—Aerial view of matupás floating on a lake; B—Matupá seen from afar, corresponding to the lowest stratum and lighter in color than the forest in the background; C—Matupá seen up close, representing all vegetation in the image; D—CTF on the matupá surface during field work. Photos: A—Florian Wittmann; B-C—Carolina Freitas; D—Divino Áquila Araújo.
Despite anecdotal references in scientific literature to matupás as nesting ground for caimans [4,5] and shelter for manatees , there is exceedingly little published information on their ecological characteristics and relevance. Most of what is currently known about matupás is found in just two scientific publications, both concerning flooded environments generally [1,2]. Nonetheless, during exploratory research in the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSA; central Brazilian Amazon), we realized that local people made use of matupás both for fishing and agriculture, and appeared to have detailed knowledge about the ecology of these floating forest islands.
Traditional ecological knowledge (see Berkes ) can provide insights for studying ecological systems that are important to the livelihoods of local populations [8–15]. Such knowledge accumulates from generation to generation through daily interactions with the environment  and can be especially useful for understanding ecological processes that occur at temporal or spatial scales not easily observed by conventional scientific research .
Studies of traditional ecological knowledge first emerged within the fields of ethnobotany and ethnobiology, eventually developing into an independent field called ethnoecology [17,18]. Recently, landscape ethnoecology has emerged as a multidisciplinary paradigm for understanding traditional knowledge of the environment at broad spatial and temporal scales . In Amazonia, studies have demonstrated the scientific relevance of traditional landscape ecological knowledge. For example, Shepard et al.  document habitat classification strategies of the Matsigenka people of Peru, which combine vegetative and geomorphological characters, and suggest how this knowledge could be applied to the interpretation of satellite imagery [16,20]. In a similar but independent study, Fleck and Harder  document habitat classification among the Matses people in northeastern Peru; although linguistically and culturally unrelated to the Matsigenka, their classification system likewise combines biotic and abiotic aspects. Moreover, Matses habitat classification accurately predicts vegetation structure, palm species composition and occurrence of small mammals as measured in quantitative studies . Abraão et al.  compared the ethnoecological classification system of the Baniwa people in the northwest Amazon with botanical surveys and satellite imagery and concluded that indigenous knowledge is an efficient shortcut to assessing habitat diversity .
Studies of landscape ethnoecology have shown that local understandings about the environment accurately reflect biotic (e.g. indicator species, forest structure, successional stages) and abiotic factors (e.g. flooding regimes, topography, soil typology) that are significant in local peoples’ relationships with habitats and resources [13,14,16,20,21]. In these aspects, traditional knowledge accurately reflects ecological processes and thus can contribute to scientific studies about the environment at local and regional scales. Yet local knowledge about the environment is also intricately entwined with traditional values, cosmology, spirituality and history, in contrast with scientific worldviews [22–24].
Drawing on these various methodological and theoretical advances, we expected that traditional people living near matupás could help us better understand the ecology of these poorly studied floating islands, especially regarding those aspects that require long-term field observation. By conducting interviews with traditional people of the RDSA, we sought to obtain information about how matupás are formed; what conditions contribute to their occurrence in some places but not others; what plants and animals occur on them; and what uses, ecological function and other significance or importance they have in local peoples’ eyes.
The study was carried out within the 2.313.000 ha Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Amanã—RDSA; S 02°42', W 64°39') in the central Brazilian Amazon (Fig 2). The reserve, created in 1998, is located along the middle Solimões (Amazon) River near the mouth of the Japurá in Amazonas State. Most of the reserve consists of upland (terra firme) forests, but there are also large areas subject to seasonal flooding averaging 10 m difference between minimum and maximum river water level .
Upper left: RDSA within Brazil and Amazonas state; lower left: detail of the study region within the reserve; right: LANDSAT 5 image showing the five study communities (blue circles) and the 10 matupás inventoried (yellow triangles); red line indicates reserve border. Adapted from images conceded by USGS Global Visualization Viewer.
The reserve is inhabited by about 4000 people living in 26 communities concentrated in the western part of the reserve, mainly along the várzea floodplain connected to the Solimões basin by streams and canals. Their economy is based on agriculture, fishing, subsistence hunting, timber extraction and Brazil nut (Bertholettia excelsa) gathering. Agriculture is the predominant source of income in the upland terra firme communities while fishing predominates in the seasonally flooded várzea communities .
Data Collection and Analysis: Interviews
Research on traditional knowledge about matupás was carried out in the communities of Santo Estevão, Vila Nova, Bom Socorro, Nova Jerusalém and Várzea Alegre, all of them located in a várzea region in the southwestern portion of the RDSA (Fig 2), and engaged mostly in fishing and agriculture. These communities have between 5 and 30 families, consisting of riverine people or “caboclos” of mixed indigenous, Afro-Brazilian and European ancestry without a marked indigenous ethnic identification .
The study communities were chosen after exploratory research in the RDSA, during which we asked local people in several communities where we could find matupás. After identifying and visiting regions where matupás were most common, we chose five communities from which we could most conveniently carry out floristic inventories (see S1 Information for inventories methods). In each study community, we interviewed all adult community members present who agreed to participate. Unfortunately, an extreme flooding event displaced families in some communities and we were unable to conduct interviews with as many people as originally hoped.
We conducted semi-structured interviews  in June 2012 with 45 different inhabitants: 32 men and 13 women. The average age of interview subjects was 50 years, with a range of 18 to 78 years old. A total of 35 interview sessions were carried out, of which 28 were with individuals and 7 were with groups of two to three people, usually married couples or members of the same household that were near each other at the moment of the interview. To avoid pseudoreplication, we always consider the total number of interview events (not people interviewed) in the interviews analyses.
All interviews were conducted using the same guideline, covering various aspects including the local definition and classification of matupás, their process of formation, the biotic and abiotic factors related to their occurrence, their botanical and faunal composition, ecological relevance, local uses and other significance (see guideline used in S1 Metadata). One part of the interview included a free-listing activity  in which people were asked to name all plants known to exist on matupás. For this activity, subjects were asked about plants known to exist on “matupás in formation” and on “mature matupás”. We chose these two categories based on ongoing interviews and a consensus of local observations regarding the phytophysiognomy distinctive phases during matupá formation.
All interviews were recorded with the subject’s consent and later transcribed, compiled and compared (see secondary data extracted from interviews in S1 Dataset). Especially evocative phrases and comments were transcribed verbatim and are included throughout the text to illustrate local people’s concepts, maintaining their anonymity.
Data from the free-listing exercise were used to calculate the index of cognitive salience  for each plant species said to occur on matupás. This index represents the prominence of each plant to local observers across all interviews. The cognitive salience index (S) combines the frequency of citation of a given item (F) with its mean position across all lists (mP): S = F/(N*mP), where N is the total number of free-list interviews. S varies between 0 and 1, with higher values suggesting greater cognitive salience of a given item during the process of remembering and listing. Plant names mentioned only once were excluded from the analysis.
The cognitive salience index for each woody plant species was compared with results from floristic inventories carried out in October 2012 on 10 matupás located in the study area (Fig 2; see S1 Information for methodological details of inventories). To allow this comparison we used the Importance Value Index (IVI) of the plants inventoried. IVI represents the prominence of each species across all inventories, being calculated by the sum of relative density, relative frequency and relative dominance (basal area) of each species in the inventoried plots . Since in some cases a single local name can refer to more than one botanical species, the IVI was calculated for each species or group of species according to the local name.
The State Center for Protected Areas (Centro Estadual de Unidades de Conservação—CEUC) of the Amazonas State Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development (Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Amazonas—SDS), responsible for the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, approved our research project (permit 049/2011) conforming to Brazilian legislation involving scientific research in Protected Areas. The field study did not involve endangered or protected species.
The Human Subjects Research Ethics Committee (Comitê de Ética em Pesquisas com Seres Humanos—CEP) of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute (Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá—IDSM) approved our research protocols (permit 003/2012) conforming to Brazilian legislation involving access to traditional knowledge about biodiversity. In each study community we carried out an initial meeting, explaining our research goals and methods and inviting the families’ voluntary participation in the study. The five communities accepted our research project and all participants signed an Informed Consent Form. At the end of the study, we presented research analyses and results in further meetings with the communities and responded to their questions and observations.
Results and Discussion
The concept of matupá
Although the term “matupá” is not well known in the scientific literature nor even among researchers in Amazonia, we found a clear, shared understanding among local people in the study region as to what the term signifies. Matupás were described consistently as floating islands found on lakes, consisting of a thick layer of “soil” (terra) covered with dense vegetation. One of those interviewed stated: “The matupá is a forest that floats on the water,” while another said: “In my view, the matupá is water-land [terra fluvial]; on top of that water-land rests a forest.” The majority of those interviewed (89%) emphasized the presence of consolidated soil substrate as the necessary condition for floating vegetation to be categorized as a matupá. In this sense, a sharp distinction is made by local people between floating mats of aquatic vegetation and true matupás: the former have no soil substrate, so it is possible to ride over them in a canoe; matupás, by contrast, have a firm, earth-like structure and in many cases are solid enough to walk on. Interview subjects also stated that true matupás harbor a much greater diversity of species than floating mats, including shrubs and trees. This local definition of matupá is very similar to that presented in the available scientific literature, which describes matupás as floating islands with a thick substrate supporting a variety of plant communities from aquatic herbs to shrubs and trees [1,2].
Interview results showed striking similarities in peoples’ descriptions of the formation and development of matupás. Most local people interviewed (89%) cited agglomerations of aquatic or semi-aquatic grasses on lakes, especially piri (Panicum polygonatum Schrad.) and membeca (Paspalum repens P.J.Bergius), as the starting point for matupá formation. A majority (71%) pointed out that floating blocks of grasses become inundated with water currents during the flood season and thus “sit down” or “submerge” (sentam), sinking to the bottom and dying. During the dry season these blocks of “rotten grasses” (capins podres) float back to the surface, providing a substrate of partially decomposed organic matter on which diverse plant species start establishing themselves, initiating a gradual process of succession that can culminate in the growth of trees several years later. The process of “submerging” (sentar) and “floating” (boiar) of grass blocks often repeats itself several times over the course of successive rainy and dry seasons, marking an essential part in the formation of matupás: “It dies, it lives, dies, lives. And when you think it’s gone, there it is again, fully formed.”
These local observations suggest that matupá formation involves not only natural vegetative succession, as described by Junk  and Junk and Piedade , but also a crucial early phase determined by seasonal flood dynamics that may be essential to the formation of the matupá substrate, though never before mentioned in the literature. The “sink/float” cycle described by local people should acts as a kind of trampoline, accelerating the otherwise much slower process described by Junk  and Junk and Piedade  involving agglomeration of aquatic plants and gradual accumulation of sediments and organic material that can last many years. Instead, according to local observations, blocks of semi-rotten grass that sink and float can develop an organic substrate in a matter of months, readily allowing secondary colonization. Furthermore, this “trampoline” might contribute to a greater probability of matupá formation by reducing exposure of the still unformed matupá to disturbances caused by the instability of water conditions throughout the years.
Environmental conditions and occurrence
Almost all of those interviewed (94%) highlighted the crucial factor of river currents in limiting the formation and occurrence of matupás. Strong currents disrupt the noted processes that contribute to matupá formation. For this reason, matupás are found mostly in lakes, especially those with limited exposure to river currents during the flood season. Some people (40%) noted that matupás usually form along the edges of lakes or slow-moving backwaters (locally known as areas of ressaca) where the current is weak. After this period of consolidation and formation in calm waters, matupás may be pushed by wind or currents to other areas of the lake without fragmenting.
A majority of those interviewed (71%) affirmed that matupás occur only in what they call “black water” lakes. According to scientific classifications, however, the lakes studied would not be considered black water systems because of the seasonal flooding by white waters of the Solimões and Japurá rivers. This contradiction owes to different criteria used in local and scientific categories for classifying river systems. The scientific system considers physical and chemical properties and the origin of the water  while local people focus on the color itself. When white (i.e., muddy, sediment-laden, non-acidic) waters enter a lake with relatively calm currents, the sediments tend to settle and the water takes on a darker coloration, approximating (visually) that of sediment-free black waters. Thus, what local people call “black water lakes” in this region in fact contain white waters with chemical properties (sediments, higher fertility, higher pH; see ) appropriate for the proliferation of aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species that are crucial to matupá formation. Indeed, matupás are found only in the southwestern part of the reserve, corresponding to the várzea region which receives yearly influx of white waters from the Solimões and Japurá rivers.
Water depth is another environmental factor noted in about half of interviews (49%): matupás do not occur in lakes that become completely dry and exposed during the dry season. If a matupá settles to the bottom of a dry lake bed or river bank, the plants take root and the vegetation becomes fixed so that when the water rises the matupá “drowns”. Local people say this does not tend to happen with fully developed matupás, because there is always some water under them. This may owe to the fact that to arrive at such an advanced successional stage, a matupá has to be in a lake that does not dry up. However in some interviews (17%) people noted independently the capacity of the matupá to “retain” or “safeguard” (segurar) water in a lake. Thus, large matupás may act as a kind of sponge retaining water such that, even if the lake were to dry out during an extreme drought, the matupá substrate retains a layer of water between itself and the lake bottom.
Biotic aspects of matupás: flora
The cognitive salience index of each plant cited in interviews was calculated separately for the stages of “matupá in formation” and “mature matupá”. The majority of those interviewed (57%) cited only woody plants for mature matupás, with the exception of the arborescent aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott) which though technically an herbaceous plant, can grow up to 6 meters in height. The tendency to associate herbaceous plants with matupás in formation and woody plants with mature matupás probably owes to the complete transformation in phytophysiognomy these islands undergo during succession and development. In their early stages, matupás are loosely structured mats of herbaceous plants, while in later stages they resemble small forests, with many shrubs and trees on a solid surface. Nonetheless when asked in interviews, after the free-listing exercise was over, if there were also herbs on mature matupás many people stated that some herbaceous plants remain.
For the matupá in formation, piri (Panicum polygonatum) had the highest cognitive salience index (S = 0.54; Table 1), followed by capim navalha (Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Britton; S = 0.23; Table 1) and membeca (Paspalum repens; S = 0.19; Table 1). The other plants cited had a cognitive salience index smaller than 0.13 (Table 1). For the mature matupá, lacre (Vismia spp.) was the plant with the highest cognitive salience index (S = 0.36; Table 2), followed by açaí (Euterpe precatoria Mart.; S = 0.29; Table 2), aninga (Montrichardia linifera; S = 0.25; Table 2), apuí (referring to both Ficus spp. and Clusia spp.; S = 0.16; Table 2) and embaúba (Cecropia spp.; S = 0.16; Table 2). Other plants cited had a cognitive salience index lower than 0.09 (Table 2).
The three most salient woody plants mentioned in interviews (lacre, açaí and apuí) were also the most prominent species in the floristic inventories (Table 2; see also S1 Table for details about all species registered in the inventories). Embaúba was not registered as often in our floristic inventories but is mentioned by Junk  and Junk and Piedade  in their observations of common tree species on matupás. Munguba (Pseudobombax munguba (Mart. & Zucc.) Dugand) and caxinguba (Ficus maxima Mill.) were more salient in the interviews than tachi (Triplaris surinamensis Cham.), even though the latter was more prominent in inventories (Table 2). However the former two species (munguba, caxinguba) were present in more matupás inventoried than the latter (S1 Table), suggesting that local perceptions of plant salience are based on holistic assessments, including not only the local abundance but also the frequency of occurrence of each plant in multiple examples of the same habitat.
Biotic aspects of matupás: fauna
The people of Amanã consider matupás to be places harboring many animal species, both on top of the vegetation island as well as in the water immediately around and below. The most frequently mentioned animals were caimans (Caiman crocodilus and Melanosuchus niger); yellow-headed side-neck turtle (Podocnemis unifilis); Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis); fish, especially arapaima (Arapaima gigas) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum); capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris); jaguar and puma (Panthera onca, Puma concolor); snakes; birds, especially the wattled jacana (Jacana jacana), hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) and horned screamer (Anhima cornuta); and insects (Table 3).
There is very little information in the scientific literature about the use of matupás by animal species. In a review of the Amazonian manatee, Pereira  mentions that this species shows a high preference for matupás as an ecological zone providing shelter. Hoogmoed  and Villamarín et al.  have mentioned the use of matupás as nesting grounds by C. crocodilus and M. niger, respectively. Villamarín et al.  suggest that caimans use matupás for nesting because the eggs are protected from flooding, as the mature islands remain always afloat. Additional studies on the use of matupás by animal species are necessary and could provide important information about the relationship between this special habitat and the local fauna.
Ecological importance of matupás
When questioned about the ecological significance of matupás, all of those interviewed (100%) argued that these floating islands are important for aquatic life, especially for large fish species like arapaima (pirarucu), tambaqui and the Amazonian manatee (note that local people classify the manatee, an aquatic mammal, within the category of “large fish”; ). Lakes with matupás are said to harbor larger populations of these species than lakes without matupás. One of those interviewed, for example, noted: “The matupá is the house of the fish. A lake with lots of matupás is a lake that concentrates lots of fish.” Another stated:
The matupá is part of preservation. You can see that if a lake doesn’t have a matupá, the fish leave right away. When there’s a matupá, the fish stay there. So matupás are really important. There is no other place with so many fish as where there are matupás.
Local people attributed the greater abundance of fish and other aquatic animals to the matupá’s functioning as a kind of “safe house” (abrigo), attracting and sustaining animal populations and providing them with protection, food and more stable temperatures. Some (26%) see matupás as contributing indirectly to fish abundance by creating cover and protecting them from excessive fishing.
Although aquatic vegetation mats are recognized as providing shelter, food and nesting grounds for many fish species [33–35], the current scientific literature contains no specific reference to the ecological importance of fully formed matupás for fish populations. Nevertheless, with their thick layer of partially decomposed organic matter, matupás must provide natural cover and good shelter for fish. Matupás also appear to create micro-habitats near the water surface and contribute plentiful biological material to nourish diverse species.
In some interviews (34%) local people highlighted the importance of matupás in providing shelter and nesting grounds for other aquatic animals, especially caimans, turtles and birds. As noted above, this fact was registered for caiman species by Hoogmoed  and Villamarín et al. .
The relevance of matupás for plant species, providing a fertile substrate for germination and growth, was also cited in a few interviews (9%). In others (17%) people noted a role for the matupá in conserving the water of the lake, including stories about lakes that dried up after a matupá was removed. These observations are associated with the idea of the matupá acting as a kind of “sponge,” discussed above.
Importance of matupás for riverine populations: local uses
In 89% of the interviews, inhabitants of RDSA pointed out the value of soil from matupás as a source of fertilizer. They stated that matupá soil provides excellent natural fertilizer for onion (Allium cepa L.), chives (Allium fistulosum L.), peppers (Capsicum sp.) and other spices grown mostly in raised beds by local people. One woman noted emphatically:
Ah! I always use matupá, the vegetables come up so pretty… My husband’s sister-in-law made a little garden over there and used only matupá. Go have a look to see how pretty her peppers are! So beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful. Only with matupá!
Matupá soil is gathered in the dry season, usually taken from matupás that are still in the early process of formation. As lake levels drop during the dry season these incipient matupás, that already have a layer of organic matter but no large plants, often “land” (ficar em terra) which is to say, settle along the lake margin and begin to dry out. These “dead” matupás are the ones most often used by the people as fertilizer. For some people getting to matupás during the dry season can be difficult, but those who have access use them frequently, if not exclusively, to fertilize their vegetables and spices.
Junk  had noted the potential use of matupás as an effective and practical fertilizer. Noda et al.  carried out a series of experiments to test the fertilizing potential of matupá compared to other natural fertilizers on plantations of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.), and concluded that matupá is more effective than all other natural fertilizers tested including chicken manure and compost from fruit and vegetable remains. Although such dry blocks are sometimes involved in matupá formation (see above), the amount of soil extracted is minimal compared to the number of blocks of rotten grass that float to the surface during the dry season. With current levels and means of extraction, local use of matupá soil for fertilizer does not appear to endanger the persistence or formation of matupás in the region.
Six people interviewed (17%) claimed to have planted crops directly onto matupás, a phenomenon that has never been mentioned in the scientific literature. These six people stated that they had planted on the same kind of dried-out, “dead” matupás that are commonly used for gathering garden fertilizer. According to them, crops planted include maize (Zea mays L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and/or bur cucumber (‘maxixe’; Cucumis anguria L.). Interviewees also mentioned the names of three other local inhabitants who had planted crops on matupás in the past, but these people were no longer in the region to be interviewed. Upon consulting researchers working in other regions of Brazilian Amazon, a few similar cases of agricultural production on matupás were registered for example in the Piagaçu-Purus Sustainable Development Reserve (José Rabello Neto, personal communication) and in Barrerinha municipality (Maria N.F. da Silva, personal communication). However, both in Amanã and in these other regions, all such cases seemed to be the result of experimentation by a few individuals rather than a consistent or widespread agricultural strategy.
The cultivation on “dead” matupás located on the lake shore involves a serious risk of flooding, limiting more widespread use, because even though the seasonal flood cycle in the region is highly predictable , the lakes where matupás occur are vulnerable to sudden flash-floods (repiquetes). Heavy rain storms can also cause water levels to rise especially in smaller lakes. On the other hand, fully formed, floating matupás are not typically used for agriculture because local people say that these matupás would have to be cleared and burned to support crops; since they have a plentiful supply of more easily accessible terra firme forests for agriculture, they do not use matupás in this way.
In 60% of the interviews people pointed out the importance of matupás for fishing. As noted above, matupás are thought to support a greater abundance of aquatic life than in lakes without matupás. Matupás are also considered a strategic place for fishing, especially for the highly valued arapaima (Arapaima gigas). Fishermen claim that arapaima often hides under the matupá and comes up for air—the species breathes atmospheric oxygen—in protected holes within the island. Some of those interviewed (14%) stated that the arapaima itself creates these holes by clearing away substrate during the early stages of matupá formation, and then maintains the opening as the matupá thickens and matures. Somewhat analogous to Inuit hunters who wait by holes in the ice to harpoon seals, local fisherman clear a trail to air holes in the matupá to harpoon the arapaima when it comes up to breathe. Although only one of those interviewed claimed to have done so personally, 18 others mentioned cases of fisherman they knew who had hunted arapaima on matupás in the past. With the fairly recent prohibition of arapaima capture in the absence of formalized management plans [39,40], local people appear somewhat reticent about discussing this activity.
Some people (23%) mentioned gathering turtle and caiman eggs, considered local delicacies, on matupás. This activity appears to be more opportunistic than systematic, with people stopping occasionally to gather eggs on a matupá where they observe a nest from a distance.
Matupás and cosmology: the legend of the Giant Anaconda
During interviews and other research activities, many people noted the association of matupás with the legendary cobra grande or “Giant Anaconda”, a widespread element of Amazonian folklore that has been related in some accounts to various natural phenomena [41–43]. Local people consider the Giant Anaconda to be the “mother of the lakes” or the “mother of the waters,” an important being who acts as a guardian of aquatic life and water itself. For them, the Giant Anaconda is no legend but rather a real and terrifying creature, a gigantic anaconda-like snake that can make the surface of the lake tremble, echo with explosive percussions and unleash severe thunderstorms. As one person stated: “She brings thunderstorms. Anytime there is a strong thunderstorm, it’s because that snake has floated to the surface somewhere nearby.”
In 51% of the interviews, people stated that the matupá is a place used by the Giant Anaconda for shelter. People often refer to the matupá as the “house of the Giant Anaconda,” and some (14%) claimed that this creature is essential to the very formation of matupás. One person stated: “We think the Snake’s got a magnet to make the matupá grow where she lives.” Another said:
Matupás only form where there’s a Snake: that’s its mother. If there is no mother, no matupá can form… If the mother dies, the matupá is finished. It’s not just any snake, it has to be the Giant Anaconda. They say it’s not true, but it is. It exists.
Some (11%) claimed that the Giant Anaconda ensures that matupás never fully dry out. Only when the Giant Anaconda leaves the lake does the matupá dry up and the lake empty out. The bigger the matupá, the higher the probability a Giant Anaconda lives under it, and hence the greater sense of fear and respect towards that matupá:
That’s the place where she stays, it’s her house, that’s why she makes the matupá. My grandfather told me this. He said that where there’s a Snake, there’s a matupá that grows really big, because that’s her house.
Though belief in the Giant Anaconda is not universal among inhabitants of the region, it is certainly widespread and even dominant in local tradition. Denial of the Giant Anaconda is found more in the younger generations, some of whom state that the Giant Anaconda is an “old people’s tale”. And yet the tradition is so deeply ingrained that even those who claim not to believe in the legend show the same sense of timidity and respect towards matupás, often steering clear of them or of lakes where large matupás are present.
Thus, matupás have a cosmological importance beyond their direct and indirect value to local people. The association of matupás with the Giant Anaconda may contribute to the conservation of these islands and associated fauna and flora, since local people respect and somewhat fear larger matupás and avoid visiting them due to the presence of this mythical creature.
Riverine people in Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve have detailed knowledge about the matupás and value them for practical purposes, especially agriculture and fishing. These people elucidated certain aspects about matupá ecology that had not yet been mentioned in the scientific literature, especially about the formation process of matupás and the importance of these islands for fish populations. Indeed, some of the information obtained in interviews would have taken years of field observation to be detected by researchers. A growing number of studies have documented local and indigenous knowledge about the environment and pointed out its scientific value, but there remain serious barriers of communication, appreciation and respect among mainstream biologists towards traditional ecological knowledge [9,12]. Our study contributes to these efforts by verifying certain local observations about matupá composition, successional dynamics and ecological functions, while also pointing out aspects so far overlooked in the scientific literature and suggesting avenues for further research. Yet local beliefs associating matupás with the legend of the Giant Anaconda reinforce the way traditional conceptions of landscape are inextricably linked with cosmology and cultural values that go beyond practical concerns. Landscape ethnoecology brings traditional knowledge into dialog with scientific understandings, providing novel observations, complementary perspectives and alternative views on the relationship between humans and the environment.
S1 Dataset. Secondary data extracted from 35 interviews conducted with inhabitants of the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Amazonas, Brazil).
S1 Information. Methods of floristic inventories conducted in 10 matupás located in and around the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Amazonas, Brazil).
S1 Metadata. Guideline used to conduct interviews with inhabitants of the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Amazonas, Brazil).
S1 Table. Number of individuals, number of matupás where the species occurred, relative density, relative frequency, relative dominance and Importance Value Index (IVI) of each woody species registered in the 10 matupás inventoried in and around the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (Amazonas, Brazil).
The authors would like to thank the residents of RDSA for their hospitality, and the interviewees for sharing their knowledge with us; Divino Áquila Araújo for assistance and logistical support in all field stages; Helder Espírito Santo, Marina Vieira, Flávia Santoro, Nivaldo Peroni, Jansen Zuanon, Florian Wittmann, Rodrigo Cámara-Leret, Rhett Harrison and two anonymous reviewers for suggestions to improve earlier versions of this manuscript; Jefferson Ferreira, Eliane Neves, Marcelo dos Santos Junior and Maria Antonia Falcão for help with maps.
Conceived and designed the experiments: CTF GHS MTFP. Performed the experiments: CTF. Analyzed the data: CTF. Wrote the paper: CTF GHS MTFP.
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Junk WJ, Piedade MTF. Plant life in the floodplain with special reference to herbaceous plants. In: Junk WJ, editor. The central Amazon floodplain: ecology of a pulsating system. Berlin/Heidelberg/New York: Springer, Ecological Studies, Vol 126; 1997. pp. 147–185.
- 3. Junk W, Piedade MTF, Schöngart J, Wittmann F. A classification of major natural habitats of Amazonian white-water river floodplains (várzea). Wetl Ecol Manag. 2012;20: 461–475.
Hoogmoed MS. The herpetofauna of floating meadows. In: Ouboter PE, editor. The freshwater ecosystems of Suriname. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, Monographiae Biologicae, Vol 70; 1993. pp. 199–213.
- 5. Villamarín F, Marioni B, Thorbjarnarson JB, Nelson BW, Botero-Arias R, Magnusson WE. Conservation and management implications of nest-site selection of the sympatric crocodilians Melanosuchus niger and Caiman crocodilus in Central Amazonia, Brazil. Biol Conserv. 2011;144: 913–919.
- 6. Pereira MN. O peixe-boi da Amazônia. Boletim do Ministério da Agricultura. 1944;33(5): 21–95.
Berkes F. Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Perspective. In: Inglis JT, editor. Traditional Ecological Knowledge—concepts and cases. Ottawa: International Program on Traditional Ecological Knowledge; 1993. pp. 1–9.
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- 9. Huntington HP. Using traditional ecological knowledge in science: methods and applications. Ecol Appl. 2000;10: 1270–1274.
- 10. Shepard GH Jr, Yu DW, Lizarralde M, Italiano M. Rainforest habitat classification among the Matsigenka of the Peruvian Amazon. J Ethnobiol. 2001;21: 1–38.
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- 13. Halme KJ, Bodmer RE. Correspondence between scientic and traditional ecological knowledge: rain forest classification by the non-indigenous ribereños in Peruvian Amazonia. Biodivers Conserv. 2007;16: 1785–1801.
- 14. Abraão MB, Nelson BW, Baniwa JC, Yu DW, Shepard GH Jr. Ethnobotanical ground-truthing: indigenous knowledge, floristic inventories and satellite imagery in the upper Rio Negro, Brazil. J Biogeogr. 2008;35: 2237–2248. pmid:19106582
- 15. Brook RK, McLachlan SM. Trends and prospects for local knowledge in ecological and conservation research and monitoring. Biodivers Conserv. 2008;17: 3501–3512.
Shepard GH Jr, Yu DW, Nelson BW, Lizarralde M, Italiano M. Ethnobotanical ground-truthing and forest diversity in the western Amazon. In: Carlson TJS, Mafii L, editors. Ethnobotany and Conservation of Biocultural Diversity. New York: The New York Botanical Garden, Advances in Economic Botany, Vol 15; 2004. pp. 133–171.
- 17. Posey DA, Frechione J, Eddins J. Ethnoecology as Applied Anthropology in Amazonian Development. Hum Organ. 1984;43: 95–107.
- 18. Toledo VM. What Is Ethnoecology? Origins, Scope, and Implications of a Rising Discipline. Etnoecológica. 1992;1(1): 5–21. pmid:514041
Johnson LM, Hunn ES. Landscape Ethnoecology: Concepts of Biotic and Physical Space. 1st ed. New York: Beghahn Books; 2010.
- 20. Shepard GH Jr, Yu DW. Verificación etnobotánica de imagenes de satélite: La intersección de conocimientos tradicionales y cientificos. Debate Agrario. 2001;33: 19–24.
- 21. Fleck DW, Harder JD. Matses Indian rainforest habitat classification and mammalian diversity in Amazonian Peru. J Ethnobiol. 2000;20: 1–36.
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- 24. Ingold T. Rethinking the animate, re-animating thought. Ethnos. 2006;71(1): 9–20.
IDSM. Amanã: Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável. 2014 Apr 1 [cited 11 June 2014]. In: Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá [Internet]. Tefé: IDSM 2014 -. [about 2 screens]. Available: http://mamiraua.org.br/reservas/amana.
Parker EP. A negleted human resource in Amazonia: The Amazon caboclo. In: Posey DA, Balée W, editors. Resource Management in Amazonia: Indigenous and Folk Strategies. New York: The New York Botanical Garden, Advances in Economic Botany, Vol 7; 1989. pp. 249–259.
Bernard HR. Research Methods in Anthropology: qualitative and quantitative approaches. 4th ed. London: Altamira Press; 1994.
Borgatti SP. Elicitation methods for cultural domain analysis. In: Schensul JJ, Le Compte MD, editors. The Ethnographer’s toolkit. Walnut Creek: Altamira Press, Vol 3; 1998.
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- 30. Curtis JT, McIntosh RP. The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological charaters. Ecology. 1951;31(3): 476–496.
- 31. Junk W, Piedade MTF, Schöngart J, Cohn-Haft M, Adeney JM, Wittmann F. A classification of major naturally-occurring Amazonian lowland wetlands. Wetlands. 2011;31(4): 623–640.
Ugarte JC. Etnoconocimiento, uso y conservación del manatí amazónico (Trichechus inunguis) en la Reserva de Desarrollo Sostenible Amanã, Brasil. M.Sc. Thesis, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. 2009. Available: http://www.lamolina.edu.pe/Postgrado/conrecnatural/Investigacion/Investigacion.html
Petr T. Interactions between fish and aquatic macrophytes in inland waters: a review. 1st ed. Toowoomba: FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 396; 2000.
- 34. Sánchez-Botero JI, Araújo-Lima CA. As macrófitas aquáticas como berçário para a ictiofauna da várzea do rio Amazonas. Acta Amaz. 2001;31(3): 437–448.
- 35. Agostinho AA, Thomaz SM, Gomes LC, Baltar SL. Influence of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea on fish assemblage of the Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil). Aquat Ecol. 2007;41: 611–619.
Junk WJ. Macrófitas aquáticas nas várzeas da Amazônia e possibilidades de seu uso na agropecuária. 1st ed. Manaus: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; 1977.
- 37. Noda H, Junk WJ, Pahlen AVD. Emprego de macrófitas aquáticas (“matupá”) como fonte de matéria orgânica na cultura de feijão-de-asa (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), em Manaus. Acta Amaz. 1978;8: 107–109.
- 38. Junk WJ, Bayley PB, Sparks RE. The flood pulse concept in river-floodplain systems. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. 1989;106: 110–127.
Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis. Instrução normativa n° 34 (June 18, 2004). In: Diário Oficial da União, n° 118 (June 22, 2004), Section 1, p. 74–75.
Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis. Instrução normativa n° 1 (June 1, 2005). In: Diário Oficial da União, no 107 (June 7, 2005), Section 1, p. 47.
Galvão E. Santos e visagens: um estudo da vida religiosa de Itá, Amazonas. 1st ed. São Paulo: Companhia Editora Nacional; 1955.
Cascudo LC. Dicionário do folclore brasileiro. 10th ed. São Paulo: Editora Global; 2001.
Monteiro MY. Crendices & superstições: roteiro do folclore amazônico. 1st ed. Manaus: Editora Cultura; 2006.

domain: geography


text:
Custom Stamps Week went really well last year so I’m doing it again with Mint Maker Studio (the new name for Serious Stamp!). Here’s all the info so you can be prepared.
What’s Custom Stamps Week?
My shop only stocks a small range of my characters as as polymer stamps but in Custom Stamps Week you can order any of my characters as a one-off stamp as well as personalised address stamps and other limited time offers.
How does it work?
For one week only, I will have special product listings for various stamps. You order as usual and I create a mockup of your stamp to approve. At the end of the week, I send all the designs to Mint Maker Studio who make all the stamps and then I post them out to you.
What can I order?
This time there will be a few new and exciting stamp options!
- Small round character stamps (£6.50) – similar to the ones in my shop but you can request ANY of my characters.
- Large address stamps (£16) – these can be personalised with any combination of text and character e.g. your address or your name.
- Happy Mail collection (£16) – I’ve created 2 special mail-themed stamps that will only be available during this week.
- New character stamps (£6.50) – I’ll also be adding some new characters to my shop range if you want to combine shipping.
- (Prices were originally shown without shipping, sorry!)
When’s it happening?
Custom Stamps Week 2 will start this Friday 15th March and end on Saturday 23rd March. All stamps should be shipped by mid April. I’ll post again on Friday with all the ordering details and new stamp designs.

domain: artistic


- "That was a hell of a thing!"
- ―Fred Kwan, after his first flight into space
Tech Sergeant Chen is the chief technician and engineer of the NSEA-Protector. He generally works in the engine room where he maintains the beryllium sphere that powers the ship, leading his own crew of technicians, but is in charge of maintenance and repairs for the entire ship.
Chen also works in the ship's teleportation room and controls the digital conveyer, which allows him to digitize a human being and teleport him/her from the surface of a planet and into the ship during emergencies.
In the sequel series, Galaxy Quest: The Journey Continues, Fred Kwan reprises his role as Tech Sergeant Chen.


more than 14 days ago
Are you looking for the next exciting step in your career? Are you looking to join an established and well-known Global Technology company, in South Africa, within their industry division? This could be the position for you!
Our client is looking to employ an experienced candidate to increase the profitability of its market share of their product line and service, as well as to maintain the existing client base. You will report to the Vice President, of Service Sales Africa.
Develop and implement a strategy, to increase product sales & services to decision-makers, in the raw materials, steel and related industries, through a relationship-based approach.
Identify opportunities to increase the market share.
Maintain a visible and active presence in the market to facilitate the development of new business relationships, and maintain existing clients.
Consult with clients on appropriate products to utilise.
Proactively promote and sell new product developments.
Develop long-term relationships with key clients.
Research and analyse the market to understand key drivers.
Provide first-line product technical support to customers
Conduct product application audits at customer facilities.
Provide basic technical training to clients where required.
Degree/Diploma in mechanical mining engineering.
Five years of experience in the mechanical field, in the mining & metals handling, Power transmission industry (Conveyors, Mills, Crushers, Pumps, Compressors etc.), and specific in-depth experience on high-speed gearboxes, and their application in industry.
Sound experience in selling, negotiating and concluding commercial service agreements/contracts.


text:
The Church of St. James the Less has continued to do reasonably well financially through August 30, 2015, in terms of the operating budget for the year-to-date. As was the case in my last report, we are at or close to budget in almost all categories of income and expense except for a handful of exceptions. The single most significant savings through August 30 is in the budget line for rector expense. That savings, of course, is mostly attributable to our not having a rector for some six weeks this year. On the other hand, there have been some unanticipated maintenance expenses, which will adversely affect our expense budget. Most notable among these was the recent need for temporary “emergency” repairs to the flooring in the transept area of the church.
We are approximately 9% behind our budget on the receipt of pledges for the year, and this is somewhat troublesome in that our budget had assumed slow pledge activity in the summer months, but receipts were even slower than anticipated. As we approach the fall and winter months, always a period of uncertainty in church finances, it would be very helpful for church members to fulfill their pledges, and, indeed, to contribute even more generously.
One particular happy note, the nursery school is doing very well with all places fully subscribed, and we have children from several new families in the school this year.
Our endowment, now under management by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, did poorly in August with a negative return for the month of 5.06%. However, that compares favorably to the S+P 500 Index, which was down 6.03% for the month. We have withdrawn $170,000 from the endowment for operating expenses through August 30, which is on budget for the year.
As I have mentioned previously, detailed financial reports are filed with the minutes of Vestry meetings each month, and parishioners may receive these minutes by emailing the Clerk of the Vestry, Wilder Howland or calling 914-960-2614.

domain: finance


text: If you are a bride in search of the perfect statement dress, look no further! “Abigail,” by Intuzuri is a showstopper with her ruched bodice and large rosettes. She is constructed out of tulle and taffeta and has a sweetheart neckline. With a chapel train, she will cascade down an aisle and make for timeless photography. She does not need a long description…”Abigail” is a gown who can speak for herself.

domain: design


text:
Hey everyone, welcome to our recipe page, If you’re looking for recipes idea to cook today, look no further! We provide you only the perfect Homemade Pancakes. recipe here. We also have wide variety of recipes to try.
Before you jump to Homemade Pancakes. recipe, you may want to read this short interesting healthy tips about Nutritious Power Snacks.
Healthy and balanced eating encourages a feeling of wellness. We tend to feel way less gross whenever we increase our consumption of wholesome foods and lower our consumption of processed foods. Eating more fresh vegetables helps you feel much better than eating a slice of pizza. This is usually a problem, however, when it comes to eating between goodies. You can spend hours at the supermarket searching for the perfect snack foods to make you feel healthy. Here are a handful of healthy snacks which you can use when you need a fast pick me up.
Have a shot at eating almonds if you do not are afflicted by nut allergies. Almonds are often considered a super food because they’re packed full of ingredients that help boost our vitality while keeping us healthy. These nuts contain lots of vitamins E, B2, and manganese. Almonds, like turkey, contain the enzyme tryptophan that may often make you sleepy. But whenever you eat almonds, you won’t feel like you need to sleep a while. Rather they will merely help your muscles and digestive tract relax while also helping you feel less frustrated. Almonds often give a general increased sense of well-being.
There are lots of healthy treats you can choose that never involve a lot of preparation or searching. Being healthy doesnt really need to be a battle-if you let it, it can be quite simple.
We hope you got insight from reading it, now let’s go back to homemade pancakes. recipe. You can have homemade pancakes. using 7 ingredients and 6 steps. Here is how you achieve it.
The ingredients needed to prepare Homemade Pancakes.:
- Take of Plain/All Purpose Flour.
- Take of Salt.
- Provide of Sugar.
- Get of Baking Powder.
- You need of Free-Range Eggs.
- Take of Butter.
- Get of Milk.
Instructions to make Homemade Pancakes.:
- Preheat oven to 200?C and line a flat oven tray with baking paper. This is just to keep your cooked pancakes warm whilst cooking the rest of the mixture..
- In a medium bowl, whisk together salt, sugar, flour and baking powder. Separately whisk egg, butter and milk together. Create a well in the centre and add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture; whisk until just moistened (do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine)..
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Brush pan with butter or cooking spray..
- To make smaller pancakes, place circle the size of a 50 cent piece. For larger sized pancakes try a circle the size of a jar lid..
- Cook the pancakes evenly on both sides, flipping them when the edges begin to dry and bubble towards the centre of the pancake. Try flipping with one quick flip for perfect pancakes. If unsure, carefully lift a little edge of the pancake without folding to see if golden brown..
- Now to serve warm with the topping of your choice eg. butter, sugar, maypole syrup, banana or whipped cream. Enjoy!.
These pancakes are flavorful, light, fluffy, and the perfect avenue to plenty of syrup and fresh berries. Plus tips for getting perfect pancakes every time. I look forward to Pancake Sunday all week long! This easy to make recipe for homemade pancake mix is the solution for the "weekend worn-outs" Once you know how to make your own pancake mix, you will never buy the packaged kind again! These pancakes are not too thick or too thin.
If you find this Homemade Pancakes. recipe useful please share it to your friends or family, thank you and good luck.

domain: food


text:
Over the last few days we have been doing quite a lot of mounting work on the boat.
(1) We soon realised the transom prepared for mounting the sterndrive was too thick.
So we decided that we had to grind it to reduce the thickness locally so that the mounting plate would fit.
The boat before and after having the sterndrive mounted.
(2) We carried out a trial with the engine (without the hybrid module) being lifted into the engine compartment and onto the stringers in order to make sure the engine fits snugly on them.
Next step was to mark the footprint of the engine taking into account the auxiliary engine parts to be assembled later on. After feeling quite confident that they were all fine, we took the engine out again.
(3) The engine cooling system, which comprises of the cooling water inlet, sea cock and filter, was mounted.
(4) We mounted the engine compartment sound and heat insulation and then the steering cylinder, hydraulic pump & oil reservoir for the hydraulic trim unit.
(5) One of the two bilge pumps with flow switch.
(6) We fitted the additional air inlet for the engine.
(7) We mounted 2 x 12V battery boxes (one starter battery and auxiliary) on marine plywood vanished with marine epoxy resin.
(8) One of the two ozone friendly and non-powder automatic fire extinguisher.
(9) Pick-up for the 2nd bilge pump (however it's not in final position) and the 2 flow switches (one is magnetic and one is electronic) for the 2nd bilge pump. They will fit into the bilge pump control and alarm system.
(10) The 2nd high capacity bilge pump.
(11) We prepared space for the main traction battery with marine plywood.
(12) We mounted the steering wheel and other cockpit items.
(13) Last of all we mounted the boat horn.
(14) Some more parts for the hybrid module awaiting inspection and assembly.
That’s mainly it for the week!
*Our crowdfunding has been up and running on Indiegogo. We still need a lot of funding to complete this exciting work & get the boat ready for demonstration in Venice this summer. Please consider donating at www.indiegogo.com/projects/project-venice & helping us spread the word.


OCZ Technology Launches Next Generation Z-Drive R2 PCI-Express Solid State Drive
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and flash-based storage as an alternative to hard disk drives (HDDs), announces the Company's plan to enter mass production of the Z-Drive R2 Solid State Drive (SSD) Series, the second rendition of the original Z-Drive family. The Z-Drive R2 builds on the existing solution but provides greater performance and design flexibility due to the implementation of a series of optimized NAND modules.
"Our 4th generation PCIe SSD, the Z-Drive R2, tackles the performance challenges facing enterprise IT professionals head-on" said Ryan Petersen, CEO of the OCZ Technology Group. "The Z-Drive R2 is a total solution that delivers exceptional performance over a wide of range of applications due to its superior sequential performance, making it a winner in both high IOP and high-throughput environments. In addition, it is the only bootable and field serviceable PCIe SSD option on the market today, and due to an innovative interchangeable module design, it enables low cost field upgradability and capacity increases giving storage architects unprecedented flexibility."
The innovative Z-Drive R2 SSD maximizes bandwidth by taking the SATA bottleneck out of the equation and utilizes the speed advantages of the PCI-Express interface. Unlike competing solutions, the Z-Drive family is bootable and with 8 PCI-E lanes and an eight-way1 RAID 0 configuration, the R2 delivers performance ideal for enterprise applications that are limited by HDD technology. What also makes the R2 especially exceptional is the use of interchangeable modules in the place of permanent, surface-mounted NAND; this unique feature-set is designed to make the Z-Drive field-serviceable and field-upgradeable.
Addressing the emerging performance demands of storage area networks (SANs), workstations, and servers, the Z-Drive R2 creates new possibilities in enterprise data management. The R2 delivers extremely fast transfer rates up to 1.4 GB/s, while offering enhanced reliability and durability compared to mechanical hard drives.
Promoting greater productivity for a broad range of applications spanning across virtualization, caching, and high-end storage, the Z-Drive R2 can also provide cost savings when considering the total cost of ownership (TCO) versus complex and hard to maintain HDD infrastructures. With capacities ranging from 256GB to 2TB, the R2 makes SSDs a viable alternative to large, power-consuming hard drive arrays. Furthermore, OCZ offers customization options for OEM clients that may require tailored hardware or firmware solutions for their business.
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text:
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domain: economics


text:
What needs to be done for fish, poultry, and dairy farmers
The issue of food and nutrition security has come to the fore in Bangladesh as the agricultural production systems have been seriously disrupted by the on-going coronavirus crisis.
In this context, an expert discussion was held on the impact of corona affecting important sub-sectors of commercial agriculture, such as fisheries, poultry, and dairy production, and marketing, and what steps can be taken to address it.
This article summarizes the discussion and offers suggestions:
The production of fish, meat, eggs, and milk is already under threat as the supply chain and marketing system is severely disrupted. The timely initiative of the government to provide emergency assistance to the dairy-poultry-fisheries sector in the incentive package is highly commendable.
It is hoped that the incentives will be properly implemented under the supervision of the Department of Livestock Services and the Department of Fisheries under the leadership of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in collaboration with the private sector actors.
Fish farmers are facing financial loss as they cannot sell enough fish due to the disruption of communication and marketing systems which might worsen if the present deadlock prolongs.
In this case, the fish farmers are advised to keep their cultured fish in the pond for some more time. For this, it is necessary to maintain a supply of inputs (fingerlings, fish feeds, fertilizers) at fair prices to compensate the farmers. The provision of subsidy on fish feeds and low-interest loan facilities to fish farmers can also be considered.
The Department of Fisheries may take steps to organize transportation, marketing assistance, and advice so that farmers can sell fish, albeit on a limited scale.
At the same time, the entrepreneurs who export processed fish can buy fish from farmers and take more initiatives to process it. This processed fish can be marketed in the country and abroad.
The potential shortage of fish production is likely to create a huge demand for fish worldwide. Bangladesh has natural advantages for and demonstrated success in aquaculture practices. Our fish exporters can come forward to take advantage of this situation. The export incentive package can be extended to this.
Many fishermen of marginalized communities are unable to fish in rivers and seas due to restrictions on movement. It is very important to bring these fishermen under government food assistance and safety net programs.
At the moment, the marketing of milk produced by thousands of small- scale dairy farms is a big problem. As milk is a perishable commodity, it is necessary to make arrangements for its preservation through processing as much as possible.
The possible means of milk processing are as follows: (a) provisions of cheap cream separators can be made available to the farmers so that they can make and store ghee, butter, etc. on the farm themselves;
(b) dairy farmers can be motivated to use the traditional technologies used by the ghosh, gowala, and moira in making ghee and butter;
(c) technology and investment support can be provided to the large milk and dairy companies in the country to produce as many dairy products as possible from the milk produced by the farmers (eg powdered milk, ghee, butter, etc.).
Since it is not possible to sell all the milk produced due to the disrupted market system, farmers may be advised to feed the calves, especially female calves, adequate milk (usually 2-3 liters per day).
The heifers will then grow quickly and achieve fertility earlier than usual. In this way, the farmers will be able to make up for the loss by gaining dairy cows at the fastest time. This scientific information can be widely disseminated among dairy farmers.
The poultry sector is already at risk of bird flu. In corona conditions, it may become more pronounced. Although the government has already approved the import of the H9-N2 vaccine, it is awaiting the necessary approval for its use at the farm level.
It is necessary to expedite the use of the H9-N2 vaccine at the farm level immediately. In addition, other poultry vaccines, including the previously approved H5-N1 vaccine, need to be supplied at the farm level as well.
Department of Livestock Services can initiate and facilitate coordination amongst the dairy farmers and the big industries in the poultry-dairy sector. This will result in devising effective ways about how the transport, storage, and processing infrastructures of the industries can be utilized for the benefits of the farmers in this sector.
The established veterinary clinics in universities and elsewhere can start telemedicine centers for providing online veterinary services to livestock farmers. The telemedicine hospital service offered by the veterinary professors of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh is a notable example.
Like rice and other essential food items, eggs, milk, fish, and meat can be considered for inclusion in the government’s regular safety net as well as the current food distribution programs. The local volunteers and social institutions can come forward to help package and distribute these perishable items.
Traders and companies in the dairy-poultry-fisheries sector may be advised to make maximum use of their own transport and delivery facilities to ensure the uninterrupted movement of products. BRTC transport services can also be utilized through the coordination of concerned government authorities.
M A Sattar Mandal is an Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The discussants from BAU included Prof Sachchidananda Das Chowdhury (Poultry Science), Prof M A Wahab (Fisheries), Prof Md Rafiqul Islam (Pathology), Prof Emdadul Haque Chowdhury (Pathology), Prof Muhammad Mahfuzul Haque (Fisheries), Prof Harunur Rashid (Fisheries), Prof Md Saidur Rahman (Agricultural Economics), Dr Mohammad Mohiuddin (Animal Nutrition).

domain: news


text: Within the walls of The Library, a members only BDSM club, anything goes. It’s a dark oasis for every Dom and sub to discover their happily ever after. Screams of pleasure and pain echo through the walls every night, but beneath each cry lies a confession. Unrequited love, cravings of domination by more than just one, even the desire for someone of the same sex. Each member learns, to find their forever, they must unearth the strength to reveal…everything.

domain: library


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09 November 2010
In Glasgow, at the end of the nineteenth century an influential group of artists coalesced. Because of an economic boom in the city many contributions were made in the fields of architecture, decorative arts and fine arts. Glasgow’s location on the Clyde River brought ships from Japan exposing the art community to Eastern design which was mixed with Celtic motifs and Modernist forms. At the forefront were The Four or Spook School comprised of Charles Rennie Mackinosh, Frances MacDonald, Frances and Herbert MacNair. MacDonald (1865–1933) was wife to Mackintosh and sister of Francis. Although her husband is more remembered by art historians, she is known for many works including the gesso panel, The May Queen. The Four went on to impact the Glasgow Boys and Glasgow Girls. Glasgow Girl, Bessie MacNicol (1869-1904) painted Glasgow Boy, E. A. Hornel (1864-1933). MacNicol who was regarded as the most important woman artist in Glasgow at the beginning of the twentieth century, depicted Hornel in his studio against a Japanese scroll. The later Scottish Colourists were based out of Edinburg but continued the Glasgow tradition, which they combined with their exposure to the French Impressionists and Fauvists. Colourist Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883-1937) specialized in vivid impressionistic portraits of elegant women, as in his oil painting Black Hat, Miss Don Wauchope.


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Upper blepharoplasty clinic in Santa Barbara, CA today
May 16, 2021
Cosmetic eyelid surgery clinic in Santa Barbara? Anesthesia is regulated. In case you are experiencing normal anesthesia you will likely be made to relax, and in case you’re simply utilizing a neighborhood analgesic the territory will be desensitized. Following the normal wrinkles of the upper eyelid, upper blepharoplasty incisions are made such that any subsequent scar will be covered. Excess skin is evacuated. It is through this upper blepharoplasty incision the remainder of the surgery can be completed. A piece of orbital septum is extracted from the part of the entire upper eyelid. It definitely will permit your plastic surgeon to gain access to the excess fat cushions that rest simply beneath. The upper eyelid is reorganized via deliberately expelling fat (or including it now and again) from various regions in and around the eyesight.
Botox doesn’t actually erase wrinkles. Since Botox is, of course, a treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, I initially figured a few injections would pull these unwanted imperfections right off my face. But as it turns out, for most patients, Botox is more preventative than restorative. Its active ingredient “freezes” facial muscles to keep you from contracting them in ways that deepen lines and wrinkles. “Any line that is present at rest, whether it is an etched in frown line, or a deep wrinkle, is not going to disappear with Botox. Botox is not an iron,” says medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatologist Dr. Estee Williams, MD. Therefore, the earlier you get Botox, the more preventative its effects — hence the trend of getting Botox as early as your 20s.
What are the benefits of this tumescent technique? This technique offers some benefits over older liposuction techniques, avoid the use of sedative drugs or general anesthesia, changing this for local anesthesia instead, and reducing the risk of bleeding even after the procedure due to the epinephrin application directly into the subcutaneous fat that will be removed. When was this technique developed? This tumescent technique was developed in 1985 by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, a dermatologist in California, and published two years later in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. The first liposuction technique was developed in the late 70’s in Europe and could only be performed under general anesthesia, and blood loss was an issue. This led to Dr. Klein developing this technique where the downtime is minimal, there is no need for general surgery, and blood loss is kept to the minimum.
Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most common and transformative plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Sheffield of SB Aesthetics is a specialist employing all of the latest techniques with the idea of creating a natural looking result. The popularity of this procedure for most patients is relatively simple to explain. The nose is what defines a person’s symmetrical facial appearance thus creating balance. By refining this profile, the harmony of a person’s facial features is altered for the better. The size of the nose is a common complaint and this surgery will address that issue. The shape of the bridge or tip can be changed as well. The nostril span is narrowed and the angle between the upper lip and nose is corrected.
Lip enhancement covers a wide range of procedures that bring about a restoration of the natural curves of the lips or helps to accent an already existing curve. This aesthetic procedure also covers enhancement of the Cupid’s bow. Aside from enhancing the symmetric of the lip, this procedure also caters to individuals who may want a stronger definition, perhaps a more defined vermilion border. The lip enhancement procedure can be of help to individuals whose gums become visible when they smile or those with uneven lips. This procedure can be temporary or permanent depending on the procedure. For temporary lip enhancement, patients would need repeated treatments. This cosmetic procedure tends to be carried out more on the upper lip than the lower lip. To determine the best approach to employ, an experienced plastic surgeon will consider your entire face, not only your lips. A good enhancement procedure will blend with your natural look and not stand out, thus overpowering your face. See more information at https://sbaesthetics.com/upper-blepharoplasty/.
Physical Examination – A physical exam is conducted including facial features, the inside and outside of your nose and also any necessary blood test and laboratory tests. Photographs – To document your transformation, you’ll have multiple photos taken of your face and nose from different angles. Open Discussion – During your consultation, being open and honest about your reasons for getting the surgery will help the surgeon understand exactly what you are looking for. Consultations are also held to help individuals attain realistic expectations on the outcome of the procedure.
For those considering this treatment, it is important you have proper knowledge of the attendant risks and benefits of the available procedures. Lip fillers have the advantage of being temporal and less invasive. This way, the patient can know how their lips will appear after treatment before they opt for a more permanent procedure. Below are some of the other reasons why lip fillers are a better choice; It creates a faster result. In one or two weeks following the lip injections, the swelling or bruising will have disappeared allowing you to see how your lips will look for the next few months. It is apt for people who are not sure of how much augmentation they want It is the best alternative to surgery.
The skin may have a slightly warm feeling and a red appearance, but it is nothing that cannot be hidden by makeup (although most patients are not going to want to hide their newfound glow). The skin experiences a number of immediate benefits, such as a smoother appearance, tightening, brightening, increased lift, and added clarity. These results are cumulative, so patients who go often are rewarded with a better look. The majority of aestheticians suggest receiving a medical facial once every 30 days but it can be tough to fit these appointments into our schedules. In these instances, quarterly treatments are very beneficial, as well. At the very least, patients should receive these facials whenever they have free time because they are proven to provide a helpful boost to our skincare routines.
Lines on neck. Your neck also can be a casualty of aging. It is common for lines to develop around the neck horizontally. Botox is a tool that can be used to minimize these lines. Sun damage, the decrease of collagen and elastin, in addition to the decreasing in strength of the underlying platysma muscle can cause horizontal neck lines which are also known as the necklace lines. Botox injections to this area are used above and below and along the length of the lines. It is common practice to be conservative for neck line injections so as to not affect the patient’s ability to swallow so the injections are given in multiple applications.
Very often patients come to see me to fix the external part of their nose. They either don’t like their nose because they have a very bulbous tip or they have a bump. To correct these problems, the nose is going to be reduced in size, and therefore there will be less space inside for the patient to breathe properly. Your doctor probably examined you and saw that you had a deviated septum, which means that part of the mid-line partition of the internal part of the nose is pushed over to one side. In addition, sometimes there are structures called turbinates, which are enlarged. The structures must be addressed at the time of surgery.
A mini facelift, or short scar facelift, is the most common facelift procedure performed today, and is designed to remove the visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck region. This procedure in known by a number of names, such as the mini lift, limited incision facelift, short scar facelift, s-lift or baby boomer lift. Patients in their forties and fifties are the top candidates for this procedure who are seeking a moderate enhancement without the need for a full facelift. This is an appropriate alternative cosmetic procedure for patients with signs of lower face aging such as sagging jowls, drooping skin in the chin and neck area and excess skin around the lower region of the face. Using short incisions around the ears this procedure restores and defines the chin by trimming excess tissue and skillfully tightening the remaining skin creating a refreshed look. Dr. Sheffield is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who can create a more your youthful appearance which can enhance the patient’s natural beauty and boost self-confidence. Discover even more details on https://sbaesthetics.com/.

domain: medical


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Recycle old t-shirts into red, white, and blue boondoggle key chains! Have you ever made t-shirt yarn? Just cut strips of old t-shirts and pull the ends. They twist into tubes of soft yarn. It’s easy to make and easy to use. And practically free!
How To Make July 4th Boondoggles
Materials For Red And White Boondoggle
2 old t-shirts: 1 red and 1 white
1 key chain ring and hook
aluminum floral wire, 12 gauge
Steps To Make The Red And White Boondoggle
1. Bend the wire into a star. When you get back to the beginning of the star, bend a loop in one end and slide the other end though the loop. Then fold that end back to lock the ends together.
2. Cut a strip out of a t-shirt from the neck to the bottom about the width of your thumb. Pull the ends of the strip and the t-shirt piece will curl into “t-shirt yarn.” Make 2 strips of red and 2 strips of white.
3. Fold each strip in half and make a hoop-knot (see how below) onto the key chain ring.
4. Hold the 2 center strips (one will be red and one will be white) straight down. These will stay in the center the whole time. Take the left strip and lay it over the center strips in the shape of the number 4. Take the right strip and lay it over the tail of the 4-shape, then poke it under the center crisscross and back out through the opening in the 4-shape. Pull the ends and slide the knot up on the center strips. Repeat making the 4-shape on the other side.
5. Go back and forth making the 4-shapes on each side 7 times. Slide the star from step one onto 1 strip, then make one more 4-shape. Tie the ends in the back and trim.
What’s a hoop-knot? To make a hoop-knot, fold a piece of yarn in half. Pinch a U-shape at the folded end. Bend the U-shape over the ring and slide the other ends through the U. Pull tight. It’s also called a cow hitch! Moo!


It has been an extremely successful summer for the Gunners so far and the £118 million they have spent is the highest of any Premier League club.
The additions of Fabio Viera, Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus and the recalling of Saliba after his loan spell has breathed new life into the club and helped them complete a flawless pre-season that included a 4-0 thumping of Premier League rivals Chelsea and a 6-0 thrashing of Sevilla.
Palace have had a quieter summer than their London neighbours in terms of transfer activity, but the addition of England keeper Sam Johnstone on a free looks to be a smart bit of business.
Both sides will be looking to improve on their respective finishes from last season, with Arsenal hoping this is the year that they will secure Champions League football.
The Gunners will also be keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s opening game, when they were beaten 2-0 by London rivals Brentford.
Here is everything you need to know about Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
Is Crystal Palace Vs Arsenal On TV? Channel And Live Stream
For UK viewers, the game will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with pre-match coverage beginning from 6:30PM
Those with a Sky subscription can also stream it on any device using the Sky Go app.
Crystal Palace Vs Arsenal Kick Off Time
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal will kick off at 8pm BST, and will take place at Selhurst park.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy


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West Nile Virus
DefinitionWest Nile virus (WNV) is an infection that is most commonly spread by a mosquito bite. In rare cases, WNV can lead to serious complications, or death.This infection is found worldwide. In the United States, it tends to occur during late summer and early fall.
CausesWest Nile is caused by a virus. The virus is passed through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can also be passed through a blood transfusion with infected blood, but this is rare.
Risk FactorsThe greatest risk factors for WNV are spending time in areas where mosquitoes are present and not using insect repellent. The risk of complications with WNV is highest in people:
- Over 50 years old
- With a weakened immune system
|Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.|
SymptomsMost people with WNV have no symptoms. About 20% of the people who become infected with WNV develop flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fever and chills
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Eye inflammation— conjunctivitis
- High fever
- Stiff neck
- Vision loss
- Severe muscle weakness
DiagnosisIn addition to taking your medical history and doing a physical exam, your doctor will ask you:
- What kind of symptoms you are experiencing
- Where you have been living or traveling to
- Whether you have been exposed to mosquitoes
TreatmentTreatment for WNV focuses on supportive care. Depending on your symptoms your doctor may recommend:
- Pain relievers
- Antiemetics to reduce nausea and vomiting
- Breathing support— mechanical ventilation
- Medication to control seizures
- Medication to decrease brain swelling
PreventionThe best preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites. Prevention steps include:
- Avoid outdoor activities at dawn or dusk.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors.
- Use an insect repellent with DEET.
- Repair screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
- Use proper mosquito netting at night. Look for netting treated with insecticide.
- Remove standing water to prevent mosquito breeding. Empty items like bird baths and gutters around your house.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Library of Medicine
West Nile virus infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated February 1, 2013. Accessed May 21, 2013.
West Nile virus: What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html. Updated September 12, 2012. Accessed May 21, 2013.
10/1/2013 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed : Reimer LJ, Thomsen EK, et al. Insecticidal bed nets and filariasis transmission in Papua New Guinea. N Eng J Med. 2013;369(8):745-753.
- Reviewer: David L. Horn, MD, FACP
- Review Date: 12/2014
- Update Date: 12/20/2014
Many medical groups felt that early exposure to certain foods like peanuts increased a child's risk of developing food allergies. However, newer research including this trial suggest that early exposure may actually decrease the risk of developing food allergies.
Breastfeeding May Decrease the Risk of Childhood Obesity
Tonsillectomy May Reduce Number of Sore Throat Days in Children
Research Review Finds Little Support for Nearly Half of Medical Talk Show Recommendations


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These scrummy chocolate brownies with Rum and Raisin have been baked from the finest of ingredients in the heart of Somerset. Bite into the amazing soft center of delicious rich chocolate, a wonderful treat for yourself or a perfect chocolate gift for a loved one.
- Handmade from dark chocolate
- Box contains four chocolate brownies
- Shelf life: 2 weeks (if you can resist)
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Can be frozen
- Weight: 250g
- Box Dimensions Approx : 18cm x 13.5cm x 4cm
Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (milk), butter (milk), emulsifier (soya lecithin), white chocolate (milk), wheat flour, salt, sugar, eggs, rum and raisins. For allergies see items in bold.
Caution baked in a kitchen where nuts are used.
Cooking Instructions: Can be heated and enjoyed with ice cream or cream
Storage Store in a cool and dry place. Once opened consume within 3 days.


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Man charged in New Year's shooting on Norfield
Zanesville Times Recorder
ZANESVILLE - A Zanesville man has been charged after shooting a family member on New Year's Day.
Justin O. Alcantar, 26, was charged with two counts of felonious assault, felonies of the second-degree.
According to Sheriff Matt Lutz, at 7:15 a.m., Jan. 1, deputies responded to a 911 call of a shooting at 6980 Norfield Road.
Upon arrival, they found the victim with two gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Genesis Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Alcantar, who has been identified as the victim's step-nephew, was taken into custody at scene without incident and transported to the sheriff’s office for questioning.
He was later transported to the jail, and ultimately charged with the two felonies.

domain: law


text:
Tuning Your Social Security Benefit
When should you take your Social Security benefit?
Have A Question About This Topic?
The true cost of raising a child may be far more than you expect.
When do you need a will? The answer is easy: Right Now.
This video discusses issues related to your retirement accounts when you move on from your job.


Man arrested after van hits wall
A 43-year-old Pembroke man was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, after a van crashed at 2am yesterday along Harbour Road, Paget.
According to police, the van, which was extensively damaged, struck a wall near the junction with Lovers Lane.
Meanwhile, witnesses are aiding police investigating the first road death of 2013, in which 51-year-old Andrew Penniston lost his life.
The fatal crash occurred just after midnight on Sunday, at the junction of Barkers Hill with North Shore Road, Devonshire.
Other witnesses, or anyone with information on Mr Pennistons whereabouts earlier that night, are asked to contact Pc Roger Fox at 247-1157.
Police also reported ten arrests for outstanding warrants over the weekend, plus a total of four for suspected impaired driving.
Plans to block Tom Moore’s jungle
The Color Purple will leave you speechless
Music maestro and father-of-nine dies
Gaston veering to the east
Trott’s efforts in vain for West Ham
Drug trial: Brown gave different addresses
Budding journalists learn ropes at Gazette
Parties hit by turbulence ahead of election
Canada-bound travellers require entry visa
Success is oats so simple for Joanna
Pair vying for model and designer titles
Toast and Gosling’s show the right spirit
Government admits $65.9m budget deficit
Call for bottle deposit system
Honouring ‘master conductor’ Frederick Wade
Take Our Poll


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Need more help?
If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
- Call your physician, health provider or clergy
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like combat, assault or disaster. The number of veterans dealing with PTSD is staggering.
By some estimates, one in five vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms of PTSD or major depression. Sadly many of these service members don't seek treatment because they fear it will harm their careers. Untreated, PTSD and depression can lead to cascading problems, such as drug use, marital problems, unemployment and even suicide.
Veterans don't have to go it alone — Veterans Affairs (VA) has resources to help service members and their families. The VA website has information about coping with PTSD. There's also a hotline veterans can call for help: 1-800-273-8255.
So for veterans and anyone else suffering with PTSD or depression — take care of yourself and seek help if you need it. The resources are out there.
Please keep sharing your experiences dealing with PTSD, including the tactics that have helped you cope.
Join the discussion at #Stress.
Nov. 22, 2011

domain: sociology


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Food and Beverages Served or Sold in Educational and Healthcare Institutions and Other Public Sector Bodies
Food and beverages sold in educational and healthcare institutions and other public sector bodies may be exempt from the GST and QST. This is the case, for example, of food and beverages:
- prepared for students in elementary and secondary schools and served in a cafeteria or during extra-curricular activities organized by the school
- to patients and residents of healthcare institutions
- by a public sector body in a place where recreational activities are held for underprivileged or disabled persons
- to the elderly, disabled or underprivileged persons in their place of residence under a program established to provide prepared food and beverages
- by a public sector body under a program to relieve poverty, suffering or distress, except food and beverages sold as part of a fund-raising activity
In colleges and universities, the meals served to students by restaurants and cafeterias are exempt from tax if they are under a plan providing at least 10 meals per week for at least one month.
Some food and beverages sold in educational and healthcare institutions and other public sector bodies are taxable. Examples include the following:
- food and beverages sold through vending machines, other than those that accept a coin of $0.25 or less per transaction
- beverages, potato chips and other similar snacks sold to students in elementary or secondary schools and served in the school cafeteria or during extra-curricular activities organized by the school
- food and beverages served at receptions, private meetings and other special events taking place in educational institutions
- food and beverages sold in cafeterias operated in hospitals and in public sector buildings (for example, in government office buildings)
- confections and snack foods
- carbonated beverages, alcoholic beverages and fruit-flavoured or fruit-juice beverages containing less than 25% natural fruit juice
For more information, see the brochure The QST and the GST/HST: How They Apply to Foods and Beverages (IN-216-V).


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From: Winnipeg, MB
You are going to have to adjust your command switches. Here are mine...I played with a slow map for many years before getting tired of it and doing a bunch of experimenting. I am on a laptop. Its lightning fast now.
"C:\Matrix Games\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe" -px1920 -py1080 -deepColor –altFont -SingleCpuOrders -dd_sw -w
Right click on the icon for WitP-AE that you use to start the game, Select Properties and paste in the Target field. There are a lot of different options but these work for me.
The Game Icon is a bit of an issue because the game installation automatically puts an icon for WITP-AE on your desktop but it does NOT start the game - it points to Autorun.exe which opens a menu (Game, Editor, Manual or Updates). Putting switches in this shortcut will do nothing. Find the game executable War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe in your game install directory, right click on it and choose "Create Shortcut". Drag or copy the shortcut it creates to your desktop and add the switches.
You may have to tinker with them a bit - because of hardware differences, different switches may be required. See the Tech Section for descriptions of the switches and experiment. You can't break the computer or the game doing this - if your switch change doesn't work, change it back and try something else.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

domain: game