|Publication number||US5233710 A|
|Application number||US 07/995,067|
|Publication date||Aug 10, 1993|
|Filing date||Dec 22, 1992|
|Priority date||Dec 22, 1992|
|Publication number||07995067, 995067, US 5233710 A, US 5233710A, US-A-5233710, US5233710 A, US5233710A|
|Original Assignee||Yves Duquesne|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (21), Referenced by (22), Classifications (16), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present invention relates to a collapsible child restrainer for a child's resting surface.
To provide resting or sleeping surfaces for infants or children, restraining walls or barriers are required to prevent the infant or child from moving off the surface. In the case of a crib, a small bed is provided with bars or netting surrounding the small bed to prevent falling off. For larger children, side rails or barriers can be attached to regular beds to prevent falling out.
There is a need for a practical child restrainer which is convenient and easy to use for day-to-day purposes. There is also a need for a child restrainer which can be easily transported and set up on any bed or resting surface for use when travelling with a child either long distance or within the same city just to visit friends.
In the prior art, a number of restrainers have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,514 describes an easily transportable utility pad for infants and toddlers which includes a filled, flexible, rectangular fabric tube surrounding an interior space for the infant. U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,524 describes a suitcase-style portable knock-down crib comprised of a single flat sheet of foldable material having an integrally formed rectangular base with side walls flexibly attached to the base. U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,808 describes an infant restrainer for placing on a bed which has a base and side walls associated with the base which are erected at opposite sides of the base to provide barriers against movement by the child. U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,546 describes a modular barrier and restraint for children or infants having several interchangeable panels which are interchangeable to provide different configurations including a four-walled rectangular configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,734 describes a sheet including four tubular pockets in which relatively soft yet form-retaining inserts are removably fitted to define a bumper area enclosing a sleeping or rest area within the confines of a crib, or on a bed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,471 describes a safety pad which can be used to prevent a baby from rolling off a supporting surface while feeding or washing the baby which comprises a padded sheet having sides and end extensions which are folded and interconnected to form lateral and end restraining means to define a rectangular resting area.
It has been found that the prior art collapsible child restrainers are not very easily or conveniently set up and collapsed for every day use. The prior art restrainers are either not very easy to transport from one place to another, or they are not easily set up and collapsed. And most importantly, the prior art restrainers are not easily adapted to be used for an infant restrainer in the configuration of a crib as well as to lateral restrainers of a greater length for one or both sides of a small child between the ages of 18 months to 4 years old.
The invention provides a collapsible child restrainer for a child's resting surface comprising a base panel having a bottom surface for resting on the child's resting surface, a vertical panel for providing a child restraining wall, collapsible means for connecting the vertical panel rigidly to the base panel with the vertical panel extending vertically with respect to the base panel and with the vertical panel being lowered and substantially parallel to the base panel, and connection means for connecting the vertical panel to a corresponding vertical panel of another restrainer at an angle of 90° whereby a rectangular resting area can be delimited by a plurality of the child restraining walls on the child's resting surface, and the resting surface can be made substantially level by collapsing the plurality of child restraining walls.
The collapsible child restrainer according to the invention may be connected to other similar restrainers for forming a rectangular crib area on a bed or the like, and also may be placed in line to provide a lateral restraining wall for preventing a small child from rolling out of a bed. Since the vertical panel is connected to the base panel using collapsible means, the vertical panels can be lowered so that the child's resting surface can be covered with sheets or blankets to make the bed without having to remove the restrainer from the resting surface. Alternatively, when the restrainer is used as part of a plurality of restrainers to form a crib area, the vertical panels can be lowered in order to give easier access to the child resting on the crib area, when for example the child needs changing or special attention.
Preferably, the connection means may comprise a bottom rectangular sheet having four sides, one of the sides being adapted to connect along its length to a length of the base panel, the other three of the sides being adapted to connect along their lengths to base panels of other restrainers, the bottom sheet thereby being able to interconnect four restrainers in a square or rectangular configuration. The restrainer may also further comprise an adjustable clamp bracket having an upper horizontal stem for engaging the base panel, an adjustable vertical stem connected to the upper horizontal stem and to a bottom horizontal stem, the bottom stem for engaging a mattress underside. In this way, the restrainer may be held on the resting surface by means of the adjustable clamp bracket without relying on the connection means when the restrainer is used as part of a lateral restraining barrier. The connection means may also comprise a strip of flexible material connected to a rear side of the vertical panel for connecting to the corresponding vertical panel. In this way, ends of the vertical panels of the plurality of restrainers forming the rectangular resting area may be interconnected by strips of flexible material. The connection means may also comprise a sheet of flexible material connected to and extending from an end of the base panel and means for fastening the sheet material to a corresponding flexible material sheet extending from a corresponding base panel of another restrainer, whereby the flexible sheet and the corresponding flexible sheet may be fastened together with the vertical panel and the corresponding vertical panel at an angle of 90°.
In its preferred form, the collapsible means may comprise a sloped panel extending between an outer edge of the base panel and an upper edge of the vertical panel. In this preferred form, the collapsible means may further comprise a hinge for connecting the sloped panel to the vertical panel and means for releasably fastening a bottom edge of the sloped panel to the outer edge of the base panel. The base panel may be provided with a groove along the base panels outer edge for receiving the lower edge of the sloped panel, and the attachment means may comprise strips of flexible material connectable by means of hook-and-loop type fasteners (e.g. Velcro (TM) brand) between the sloped panel and the base panel. The undersurfaces of the base panel and the bottom sheet may be made of a non-slip material.
The invention will be better understood by way of the following nonlimiting description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of four collapsible child restrainers and a bottom rectangular sheet above the restrainers with one of the restrainers separated from the other three;
FIG. 2 shows two restrainer units about to be connected in line with one another with the adjustable clamp brackets being connected to the base panels of each restrainer;
FIG. 3 shows four collapsible child restrainers connected in a rectangular configuration for forming a crib area with two of the collapsible child restrainers having the vertical panels lowered to gain straight access from the side of the bed to the rectangular resting area;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of four collapsible child restrainers made up of two linear pairs interconnected by the bottom rectangular sheet for forming two lateral child restraining barriers on a regular mattress;
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the collapsible child restrainer as fitted on top of a mattress; and
FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the collapsible child restrainer in the same set up as in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible child restrainer (10) according to the preferred embodiment comprises a vertical panel (12) for providing a child restraining wall which is articulated to a base panel (14) having a rubberized non-slip bottom surface for resting on a mattress or the like. A sloped panel (16) is articulated to the top of the vertical panel (12) for holding the vertical panel with respect to the base panel (14) at a right angle. Four restrainers (10) are shown in FIG. 1 and the restrainers (10) are interconnected in three ways.
First, a bottom sheet (20) provided with a soft upper surface and a rubberized nonslip bottom surface is provided with hook-and-loop type fasteners (commonly known by the trade mark VELCRO) around its perimeter. Complementary strips of Velcro fasteners (18) extend from the base panels (14) for attaching to bottom sheet (20) in such a way that all four retainers (10) may be held together in rectangular formation due to their connection to bottom sheet (20). Since the bottom sheet (20) is connected to the base panel (14) near the vertical panel (12), it is impossible for the infant resting on sheet (20) to place a hand or foot under the restrainer (10) in order to avoid that the infant could possibly lift the restrainer or be hurt when an adult puts weight on the restrainer with the limb caught under it.
Secondly, a sheet of flexible material such as nylon or cotton fabric (22) extends from one end of vertical panels (12) and is provided with a Velcro strip (24) on its inside surface in order to engage a complementary Velcro strip (24') on the vertical panel (12) of the same restrainer (10). The corresponding vertical panel is provided with a guide loop (25) for receiving the fabric strip (22), such that the fabric strip can be fed through the loop (25) and fastened back on the vertical panel. This keeps the vertical panels (12) interlocked. It is also worth noting that the strip of fabric (22) can be folded back and kept out of the way when not used to connect the vertical panels together.
Thirdly, similar fabric strips (26) project from one end of the base panels (14) and are provided with a Velcro fastener (28) and two complementary Velcro fastener strips (30) in order that the projecting strips (26) may be fastened to a first guide loop (29) or a second guide loop (31). Strips (26) have a right angle triangle shape in order to be foldable about a first fold line diagonally when connected in the rectangular configuration shown in FIG. 1, with the strips (26) passing through the first guide loops (29). However, in the linear configuration of FIG. 2 the strips (26) connect the restrainers (10) in a linear fashion with the strips passing through second loops (31) of other ends of the base panels (14). Similarly, the strip (22) also connects the vertical panels (12) together in the linear configuration. The combination of strips (22) and (26) provides for a good connection between two restrainers (10) without being complicated to use and expensive to manufacture.
Although the fasteners used in the preferred embodiment are of the hook and loop type (Velcro), it could also be possible to use snaps, clips or other suitable fasteners.
With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6 details of the construction and attachment of the child restrainer (10) according to the preferred embodiment will be given. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the sloped panel (16) is articulated to the vertical panel (12) by virtue of a fabric hinge (62), although other hinge means could equally be suitable. A foam filled fabric cushion (58) covers the vertical panel (12) and wraps around to also cover most of the sloped panel (16). The vertical panel (12) is articulated to base panel (14) using a similar fabric hinge (64). The sloped panel (16) fits into a longitudinal groove in member (60) which provides support against the vertical panel (12) being pushed outwardly by the child. A strip of fabric (32) attached to base panel (14) wraps around and is provided with Velcro fasteners on its inside in order to engage a Velcro fastener (34) provided on the outside of sloped panel (16) in order to secure the sloped panel inside member (60).
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the restrainer (10) may be held in place on mattress (66) using an adjustable clamp bracket (40). The adjustable clamp bracket (40) has an upper horizontal stem (42) for engaging the base panel (14) by sliding into a rectangular tube member (56). Bracket (40) has a bottom horizontal stem (44) which is to be slid between mattress (66) and box spring (68). An adjustable vertical stem comprising an outer tube (48) and an inner member (46) along with a spring loaded release means button (50) connected to a pawl or other engaging member, allows the adjustable vertical stem to be lengthened and shortened by engaging a complementary surface on the inner member (46). With the adjustable vertical stem fully expanded, bottom horizontal stem (44) is slid between the mattress and the box spring and the upper vertical stem (42) slid into member (56) of base (14). At that point, the entire restrainer (10) is pushed down onto the mattress surface as the spring loaded pawl (50) slides over teeth angled to prevent expansion of the adjustable vertical stem until button (50) is pressed. With the clamp bracket (40) secured around mattress (66) and inserted in member (56), the restrainer (10) can be securely held in place.
As shown in FIG. 3, four restrainers (10) are placed in a rectangular configuration on a mattress (66) to form a crib area with one restrainer near the edge of the bed. In this way, one or more of the sloped panel (16) can be brought down, and the corresponding vertical panel (12) is made to rest horizontally over the base panel (14) with the sloped panel (16) over the side of the bed or lying flat on the bed as the case may be. The connection means connecting the base panels together remain intact and the crib configuration and assembly is for the most part unaltered. Since the sloped panel (16) and the vertical panels (12) are padded, an infant from 0 to 6 months may be comfortably placed anywhere on the bed once the vertical panels are lowered without any discomfort. Furthermore, with the vertical panels lowered not only can the resting surface still be used for the infant with the guardian present to care for the infant (e.g. diaper changing) but also the restrainers (10) and resting surface can be covered with ordinary bedding in order to make the bed without having to remove the restrainers (10).
As shown in FIG. 4, the four restrainers (10) can be arranged in two lateral pairs in order to define lateral bumpers to prevent a small child from 18 months to 4 years from rolling out of bed while sleeping. The bottom rectangular sheet (20) can be placed centrally in order to keep the pairs of restrainers (10) properly spaced and held in position, and fastening strips (22) and (26) can be used to keep the two restrainers (10) forming each linear pair well interconnected. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the adjustable clamp brackets (40) can be used to hold the restrainers (10) in place on the mattress without even needing the bottom rectangular sheet (20) between the linear pairs of restrainers (10). In this way, ordinary bedding such as a regular fitted sheet can be placed on the mattress (66), and the restrainers can be placed on the mattress as shown in FIG. 4 without the rectangular sheet (20), and the child can have a comfortable resting area with side bumpers (58, 12) to prevent rolling out of bed. If the mattress and box spring are placed against a lateral wall, then only two restrainers (10) would be required to prevent the child from rolling out of bed. When the morning comes and it is time to make the bed, sloped panels (16) are lowered over the side of the bed and the blankets and bed coverings can be placed over the restrainers to make an even looking made up bed without having to remove the restrainers (10) from the bed.
Of course, it is important that the clamp brackets (40) hold the base panels (14) on the mattress (66) in such a position that hinge (62) is located on mattress (66) at a distance from its side edge which is just slightly less than the distance between hinge (62) and hinge (64) so that sloped panel (16) hangs over the side of mattress (66) covering the adjustable vertical stems of brackets (40). Hinge (64) is a fabric hinge which can be folded along with cushion (58) such that vertical panel (12) rests on top of sloped panel (16) (itself resting on base panel (14)) to provide a convenient compact arrangement for storage or transportation. Of course, if this were not the case it would be possible to fold the vertical panel (12) forwardly causing hinge (64) to completely close its angle for making the restrainer (10) rest flat on the mattress (66).
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US2565988 *||Mar 31, 1948||Aug 28, 1951||Price Lillian Premo||Crib forming structure for combination with beds or the like|
|US2665433 *||May 5, 1951||Jan 12, 1954||Alvin L Weidt||Infant's crib|
|US2667647 *||Oct 17, 1950||Feb 2, 1954||Reggiani George J||Collapsible and portable crib attachment|
|US3218037 *||Nov 13, 1962||Nov 16, 1965||Miller Wrapping & Sealing Mach||Portable bed|
|US3221349 *||Dec 9, 1963||Dec 7, 1965||George S Bradley||Mattress depressor|
|US3261034 *||Oct 26, 1964||Jul 19, 1966||George S Bradley||Mattress depressor and auxiliary means|
|US3708808 *||Mar 30, 1971||Jan 9, 1973||Irby J||Infant restrainer|
|US3763506 *||Mar 2, 1971||Oct 9, 1973||P Szego||Inflatable crib|
|US3844471 *||Aug 23, 1972||Oct 29, 1974||H Hind||Support means|
|US4003098 *||Nov 10, 1975||Jan 18, 1977||Leonard Fink||Inflatable crib|
|US4178645 *||Dec 29, 1977||Dec 18, 1979||Cosme Peter A||Safety bed|
|US4233699 *||Dec 4, 1978||Nov 18, 1980||Amato Michael G||Portable security wall|
|US4771492 *||Feb 25, 1987||Sep 20, 1988||Paine Donald A||Trip bar for hospital bed crib side|
|US4788726 *||Oct 28, 1987||Dec 6, 1988||Gold, Inc.||Portable infant protective pad|
|US4833743 *||Aug 15, 1988||May 30, 1989||The Quaker Oats Company||Bed safety side rail|
|US4873734 *||Jul 1, 1988||Oct 17, 1989||Pollard Dianne J||Bumper sheet|
|US5038430 *||Mar 22, 1990||Aug 13, 1991||Invacare Corporation||Attaching means for bed cross brace|
|US5076546 *||May 7, 1990||Dec 31, 1991||Henry Winsome A||Modular barrier and restraint for children or infants|
|US5103514 *||Nov 29, 1991||Apr 14, 1992||Leach Jamie S||Utility pad for infants and toddlers|
|US5115524 *||Oct 5, 1990||May 26, 1992||Antosko H B||Folding crib mode from cardboard material|
|CA1235253A *||Jul 10, 1984||Apr 19, 1988||Kurtenbach Len||Inflatable container for a small child|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US5379469 *||Sep 27, 1993||Jan 10, 1995||Millis; Sandra S.||Infant crib|
|US5528785 *||Oct 18, 1994||Jun 25, 1996||Petrus; Tami L.||Attachable couch-cushion confining device for infants|
|US6370715||Sep 28, 1999||Apr 16, 2002||Farah Delight Morton||Portable infant bed|
|US6536502||Jun 5, 2001||Mar 25, 2003||First Years Inc., The||Adjustable width child safety barrier|
|US6549140||Feb 12, 2001||Apr 15, 2003||Thomas J. Koessler||Infant protective bed|
|US6618878||Aug 29, 2002||Sep 16, 2003||Mccoy, Jr Burrell||Jesus manger baby sleep protector|
|US6957464||Aug 27, 2004||Oct 25, 2005||Springs Industries, Inc.||Crib bumper|
|US7178792||Apr 19, 2002||Feb 20, 2007||The First Years Inc.||Child safety barriers|
|US7444694||Oct 7, 2005||Nov 4, 2008||The First Years Inc.||Infant sleep positioner|
|US7743442||Feb 25, 2009||Jun 29, 2010||The Incredibeds Llc||System and method for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed|
|US7810181||Oct 28, 2008||Oct 12, 2010||The First Years Inc.||Infant sleep positioner|
|US9179783 *||Nov 28, 2011||Nov 10, 2015||Snell R&D, Llc||Bed bug protection device|
|US9226585||Mar 11, 2014||Jan 5, 2016||Michele S. Bright||Infant rails for a couch|
|US20080052821 *||Sep 5, 2006||Mar 6, 2008||Farah Morton||Infant bed for co-sleeping|
|US20090044335 *||Oct 28, 2008||Feb 19, 2009||Brewin Joseph F||Infant sleep positioner|
|US20090211024 *||Feb 25, 2009||Aug 27, 2009||Jeremy Maloney||System and method for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed|
|US20100186169 *||Jan 25, 2010||Jul 29, 2010||Cudaby, Inc.||Modular Baby Safety System for On-Furniture Deployment|
|US20110162147 *||Jul 7, 2011||Carolyn Jo Gatzke||Cushioning bolsters for a crib or bed|
|US20120137433 *||Nov 28, 2011||Jun 7, 2012||Snell R&D, Llc||Bed bug protection device|
|USRE40754||Nov 17, 2003||Jun 23, 2009||Morton Farah D||Portable infant bed|
|EP3017727A4 *||Jul 11, 2013||Jun 22, 2016||Yoshimichi Hashiba||Cushion for co-sleeping|
|WO2009108663A2 *||Feb 25, 2009||Sep 3, 2009||Jeremy Maloney||System and method for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed|
|U.S. Classification||5/424, 5/426, 5/93.2, 5/99.1, 5/427|
|International Classification||A47D7/04, A47D5/00, A47D15/00|
|Cooperative Classification||A47D15/008, A47D5/00, A47D7/04, A47D13/066|
|European Classification||A47D5/00, A47D7/04, A47D15/00F4, A47D13/06D|
|Dec 22, 1992||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: YVES DUQUESNE, CANADA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BERNARD, LOUISE;REEL/FRAME:006373/0369
Effective date: 19921219
|Mar 18, 1997||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Aug 10, 1997||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Oct 21, 1997||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 19970813


text:
DIY plaited bracelet bracelet diy diy crafts do it yourself diy art diy tips diy ideas diy plaited bracelet More fun bracelts. What I never thought of was adding my Medical Alert to them. Genous and so much prettier.
Beaded Safety Pin Bracelets- this would be a good Gee Stuart & project! We can drink wine & make jewelry, LOL! All you need is some elastic, safety pins, and beads (try not to go too big on beads, smaller ones tend to work better for this).

domain: design


So F1 2010, what is it going to look like? What teams, what circuits? I've heard rumours that the House of Commons is ready to start an F1 team and claim it on expenses... 2009 TEAMS: Brawn Red Bull Toyota McLaren Renault BMW Ferrari Williams Toro Rosso Force India To make up the 13 teams we need 8 teams to add to Brawn-Merc, McLaren-Merc, FI-Merc, Williams-Merc & BMW (If all these teams pull out Merc & BMW will be only engines surviving, and Williams-BMW? Doubt it?) So who will be the eight teams and how many engines will Merc need to build?


Hundreds of you have submitted very thoughtful questions for me through Facebook, Twitter and my blog. Here is my response to the question: When countries acquire nuclear weapons, don't they become more emboldened on the world stage?
Nuclear weapons don’t create some kind of magical change of geopolitical position. Do they provide you with some additional sense of immunity and power? Probably they do because it becomes unlikely that the United States is going to invade. But in the case of Pakistan, there was no such guarantee with regards to what India’s actions were going to be.
Does anyone really thing that North Korea or Pakistan are regarded as fearsome adversaries, countries to emulate, countries with great influence in the councils of the world? No. They are regarded as basket cases - failed states that are dangerous largely because they are unstable and are run by irresponsible governments that are willing to do destabilizing things in their region. The result is they are more watched, cordoned off and contained then ever before.
If you acquire nuclear weapons as part of a broader modernization of your society as in the cases of China and India, that’s one thing. If you’re basically a dysfunctional state in which nothing is working and you by hook or by crook manage to produce a few crude nuclear weapons without effective delivery systems, which is the case in North Korea, that's quite another. Having nuclear weapons doesn't turn North Korea into some kind of arbiter of power politics in Northeast Asia. North Korea remains the dysfunctional basket case that it was. As with Pakistan, the great fear about North Korea is that the country will implode. That’s sort of power in that everybody pays attention to you but it’s not really the kind of power nations are looking for.
Here is my response to the question: Should Israel admit to having nuclear weapons?
Israel has gained a great deal by not having a declared nuclear weapons program even though everybody knows they have a very robust one. They have “second-strike capability," which is important in the jargon of nuclear deterrence. It means that even if somebody were to attack Israel with nuclear weapons, Israel could carry out a second strike and respond because some of its nuclear weapons are on submarines. Thus, it would never make sense to attack Israel because you would never be able to prevent that retaliatory response.
If there were to be credible evidence that a country like Iran had nuclear weapons - and I think we’re a long way off from that - it might well make sense for Israel to remind the world publicly that it does have nuclear weapons and that it does have the survivable second-strike capacity. It would be sending a signal to Iran saying, “Don’t even think about using them on us because we can nuke you back and we could nuke you back even if your weapons destroyed Israel.” It is this logic that makes the Iranians understand they would be destroyed and would deter them just as it deterred the Soviets, Mao, the Pakistanis and the North Koreans.


text:
The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table, a subcommittee of the American Library Association, announced earlier this week their annual “Best Graphic Novels” lists — one aimed at children aged 5-12, and the other aimed at adults.
The ALA has released a list aimed at teens for years, and last year they added one for adults. This is the first year they’ve created a list aimed specifically at kids under 12. Both lists aim “to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.”
“Launching a new, carefully curated list of the best comics for children would have been a daunting task even during the best of times – and we have certainly not been in those over the last two years,” said Matthew Noe, president of The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table. “But thanks to the expertise, attention and passion of this year’s committee, we can now present to you GNCRT’s addition to the recognition of children’s comics: our inaugural Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List! There’s a comic here for every reader, from PreK to Grade 6, and in the Top 10 alone we’ve got witchcraft, friendly animals and a story of finding the courage to be one’s true self that will leave even adult readers teary-eyed.”
The selection committees for both lists include GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and their use in adult programming and services.
Here’s the top 10 list for kids:
Arlo & Pips series. Written by Elise Gravel. Art by Elise Gravel.
- King of the Birds, Vol. 1. 2020. HarperAlley, $7.99 (9780062982223).
- Join the Crow Crowd, Vol. 2. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062394231).
The Golden Hour. Written by Niki Smith. Art by Niki Smith. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780316540339).
Just Roll with It. Written by Lee Durfey-Lavoie. Art by Veronica Agarwal. 2021. Random House Graphic, $20.99 (9781984897008).
The Magic Fish. Written by Trung Le Nguyen. Art by Trung Le Nguyen. 2020. Random House Graphic, $23.99 (9781984851598).
Measuring Up. Written by Lily LaMotte. Art by Ann Xu. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062973863).
Pawcasso. Written by Remy Lai. Art by Remy Lai. 2021. Holt Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9781250774484).
Salt Magic. Written by Hope Larson. Art by Rebecca Mock. 2021. Holiday House, $21.99 (9780823446209).
Twins. Written by Varian Johnson. Art by Shannon Wright. 2020. Scholastic, $24.99 (9781338236170).
Unsolved Case Files series. Written by Tom Sullivan. Art by Tom Sullivan.
- Escape at 10,000 Feet,Vol. 1. 2021. Harper Collins, $12.99 (9780062991515).
- Jailbreak from Alcatraz, Vol. 2. 2021. Harper Collins, $12.99 (9780062991560).
The Witches of Brooklyn series. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse.
- The Witches of Brooklyn, Vol. 1. 2020. Penguin Random House, $20.99 (9780593119273).
- The Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?, Vol. 2. 2021. Penguin Random House, $20.99 (9780593125441).
You can see all the graphic novels chosen by the round table on the ALA website.
And here’s the top 10 list for adults:
Ballad for Sophie
Filipe Melo, Juan Cavia, Gabriela Soares; 2021 – Top Shelf Productions
$24.99, ISBN 9781603094986
Department of Truth, Vol 1: The End Of The World
James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds; 2020 – Image Comics
$9.99, ISBN 9781534318335
Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1
Brian Herbert, Adapted by Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson, Art by Raúl Allén, and Patricia Martín; 2020 – Abrams Comic Arts
$24.99, ISBN 9781419731501
N. K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell; 2021 – DC Comics
29.99, ISBN 9781779512055
The Good Asian, Volume 1
Pornsak Pichetshote, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Lee Loughridge, Dave Johnson; 2021 – Image Comics
$14.99, ISBN 9781534320949
Julie Dachez, Mademoiselle Caroline; 2020 – Oni Press
$19.99 ISBN 9781620107669
My Alcoholic Escape from Reality
Nagata Kabi, Translated by Jocelyne Allen, Adapted by Lianne Sentar; 2021 – Seven Seas
$14.99, ISBN 9781645059998
Norse Mythology, Vol. 1
Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russel, Jerry Ordway, Mike Mignola, Jill Thompson, David Rubin, Dave Stewart, Lovern Kindzierski; 2021 – Dark Horse
$29.99, ISBN 9781506718743
Run: Book One
John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, Nate Powell; 2021 – Abrams Books
$24.99, ISBN 9781419730696
Lee Lai; 2021 – Fantagraphics
$24.99, ISBN 9781683964261
You can find the full list of titles on the ALA website.

domain: library


text:
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EC number: 701-173-1
CAS number: -
Generally, diisocyanates are known to hydrolyze readily in water to yield a carbamic acid intermediate, which decarboxylates to produce CO2 and an amine; the latter immediately reacts with more diisocyanate to yield a di-substituted urea as primary reaction product [Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry]. Because the MDI substances are di-isocyanates, a nearly improbable and simultaneous hydrolysis of both isocyanate groups is necessary to form the diamine (e.g., Methylenedianiline; MDA), a minor hydrolysis product. The kinetically- and probability-favored urea formation reactions of this nature result in formation of polyurea solids which have high molecular weight, and are insoluble and non-reactive in the environment. Furthermore, and to a much lesser degree, also Mono-ureas of MDI (both NCO- and Amino-ended) are formed. This reaction dominates the environmental fate of diisocyanates, and therefore also impacts the hazardous properties of these substances as tested in the laboratory, and as observed in the environment. Approximated amounts in which the hydrolysis products of the MDI category members are occurring are:
Mono-urea of MDI (both NCO- and Amino-ended); Methylenedianiline (MDA)
Details on the behavior of the substances of the methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) category in the aquatic environment are described in the Category Justification Document included in Section 13. Consequently, separate PBT assessments are provided for the following, relevant hydrolysis products:
2. Mono-ureas of MDI (both NCO- and Amino-ended)
3. Methylenedianiline (MDA)
No such assessment is performed for CO2, which is a naturally occurring gas. A PBT assessment is not required for those type of substances under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH).
As demonstrated by the individual assessments of the hydrolysis products of the MDI category provided in the subsections under the PBT section, none of these reaction products is considered a PBT / vPvB substance. Therefore, also the substances of the MDI category are not PBT / vPvB.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
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domain: chemistry


text:
For a whole weekend’s worth of workout and entertainment, the British Mountaineering Council plans to conduct an outdoor Rock Climbing Event for the whole weekend of July 26 at The Showroom located in Triton Road in the center of Lincoln City.
This event is a chance to have a weekend’s worth of workout while encountering real rocks on an outdoor setting. The event offers a course of skills, only requiring basic skill at the onset.
For only a small price, a weekend will be guaranteed to be full of fun while learning a selection and several techniques.
The event will start promptly at 9 in the morning.

domain: news


text:
The MP High Court recently affirmed its own decision of deciding a plea even though the petitioner was absent and opining that it is not mandatory to follow provisions of CPC in proceedings under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution. As per the Bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal it was not the legislature’s intent to
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domain: law


text:
a catman, man.
that's what i did yesterday.
and i made it extra complicated.
i had four separate spotted cat deity reference pictures to work from,
and i mixed them all together in a too-many-lines forearm zapper.
i'm into it.
we're working on a large project,
and each of these pieces gets a little baby bit more intricate with the lines and designs.
i like that.
if you need some, come get some, because i have some.
AMPERSAND TATTOO is just such a good place to get creative, neighbors.
i feel it when i walk in, and i let it flow all dang day long.
i'm not comfortable in every environment,
but i'm definitely nestled right at home in my expert avocado-colored den of dopeness.
that's where it all really happens,
and that's where i've been drawing daruma and triceratops for our future freshness.
this is it, and that's that;
never quiet, never soft.....

domain: artistic


text:
It was kind of sad to watch the Kanye West / Taylor Swift thing at the VMA's. I wonder how much of it was the alcohol talking. Should Kanye be held accountable for his actions under the influence? Should Kanye be absolved of responsibility? Could Kanye be forced to seek help for addictions?
Then again, watching the train wrecks can be a little bit of fun, in a morbid sort of way. I hope that people won't die as a result of the train wrecks.
Hopefully, the social faux pas(es) will be the only damage that gets done.

domain: entertainment


text:
US Dollar Recovery in 2011 at a Tipping Point – DJIA Trend Critical
Fundamental Forecast for the US Dollar: Bullish
- US Consumer Price Index inflation rises, Retail Sales robust in December
- US Dollar Index posts its largest single-day decline in 2011
- Sudden shift in FX Options sentiment suggests USD could falter versus Euro
The US Dollar fell sharply against the Euro on a sudden improvement in Euro Zone sovereign debt markets, but a sharp late-week reversal suggests USD bulls have not yet given up the fight. We have long argued that the month of January is often pivotal in setting the stage for medium term trends, and the fact that the Euro/US Dollar pair was unable to close above its earlier highs bodes well for the Greenback. A relatively empty week of economic event risks leaves volatility expectations considerably lower through the short-term. Yet traders should watch whether the US Dollar is able to hold its lows against the Euro and set the stage for continued reversal through the coming months.
Little foreseeable event risk leaves the Greenback at the whims of broader market flows and developments in ongoing Euro Zone fiscal crises. Possible exceptions include mid-week Housing Starts and Existing Home Sales reports, but it would likely take a substantial surprise in either direction to force important moves in the US currency. One potential market-mover may come from a non-traditional source: the Chinese government will release initial estimates of Q4, 2010 GDP growth on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
The Asian titan has defied a broader global economic slowdown and continued to grow at impressive double-digit rates, but markets will likely need to see similarly robust expansion into the final quarter of the year. Any significant disappointments could especially affect the Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollars—forcing them lower against their US namesake.
The month of January is often critical in determining trends for the following 11 months of the year, and the fact that the Euro/US Dollar is essentially unchanged through the first two weeks leaves medium term trends in the balance. The determining factor may come down to whether the US S&P 500 and broader risk sentiment can continue to improve into the New Year. We have made little secret of the fact that we believe the Dow Jones Industrial Average and broader ‘risk’ may see a substantial correction following robust gains. Yet any attempts at betting on such weakness have done quite poorly through continued rallies. It will be critical to watch the trajectory of ‘risk’ and its effects on the US Dollar through the final weeks of January. – DR
How far do you think the dollar will rally? Discuss the dollar’s future in the DailyFX Forum.
For more timely FX market analysis, take advantage of the DailyFX Real Time News service.

domain: finance


Old Pinery Water Distribution System JAKEngineering Water Treatment Design Pipe Design Andrew Gwynn Jasmyn Harper Kyle Sumsion • The water will be treated by the system before being stored in the tank. • Two different water treatment options were considered, UV and RO. • Because of the remote location of the camp a monitor will also be set up that records and sends periodic updates about the water treatment and current conditions of the water. • The final design of the treatment system consists of a UV water treatment and monitor that sends periodic updates about the treatment of the water. Task • The existing water distribution system at the Old Pinery Camp has failed and needs to be re-designed. • The tank size needs to be increased so that the camp has sufficient water to last throughout the summer. • The piping will be changed from PVC to Polyethylene. • A new water treatment system will be installed so that the water can be treated before it is stored. Cost Analysis Tank Design/Analysis • Two different manufacturers were considered for the tank design, Darco and Xerxes. A cost analysis of both designs showed that Darco was a better option. • UV was also a much better option with regards to price than RO. • Both comparisons can be seen in the following tables: • Calculated the total length of pipe needed for the system based off of AutoCAD drawings that were provided by the church. • Used Bernoulli’s equation along with Darcy-Weisbach to calculate the losses and velocities in each segment of pipe. • Analyzed a total of four variations of pipe sizing to determine which design was optimal and would result in the necessary flowrates and pressures at the various water spouts. • The final design consisted of 6” polyethylene piping for the upper section, 4” polyethylene piping for the sections after the pipe change, and one small segment of 3” pipe just before the pipe change. • Per Utah State standards, camps must have 20 gallons of water/person/day along with 10 gallons/person/day in storage. • It was assumed that only 200 people would be in the camp at any given time. • Based off of the demands and the streamflow data that was available it was concluded that 50,000 gallons was needed as storage to start the summer. • The final design consisted of two 25,000 gallon tanks that could be placed side by side.


text:
French and Italian firms were named as the worst culprits for paying bribes in low-income countries.
TI said its survey showed that efforts to introduce anti-corruption laws had yet to slow the problem.
"It is hypocritical that OECD-based companies continue to bribe across the globe, while their governments pay lip-service to enforcing the law," said TI chief executive David Nussbaum.
"The enforcement record on international anti-bribery laws makes for short and disheartening reading."French and Itlaina firms pay bribes back home in France and Italy too so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to discover that they do the same abroad. This is news about as surprisng as the Pope admitting that he is a Catholic.
A European Union court has rejected a claim for damages from a journalist who says he has been persecuted by the EU anti-fraud office, Olaf.
Hans-Martin Tillack was arrested by Belgian police and his files were seized after he exposed wrongdoing at the EU statistics agency, Eurostat.
He claimed damages from the European Commission, arguing that Olaf had triggered the Belgian police action.
But the court said there was no "causal link" between Olaf and his arrest.Or, in other words, we managed to bury the papertrail well enough that he couldn't prove it. Neener Neener Neener
Imports of leather shoes from China and Vietnam to Europe will continue to face steep punitive tariffs, under a deal reached by EU governments on Wednesday.
In future, imports from China will face tariffs of 16.5%, and imports from Vietnam will face a 10% levy.
The agreement is a triumph for Italy, which claims that unfair competition from manufacturers in both countries is driving its own shoe producers out of business.
But retailers have responded angrily, and claim that consumers will end up paying more for their footwear.It seems that EU consumers - being disorganized - have far less clout and lobbying influence than manufacturers.
Employers have welcomed a European Court of Justice ruling which they say will allow companies to continue to reward workers for long service.
The court rejected an appeal by health and safety inspector Bernadette Cadman that it was wrong to pay more to male staff who had been in the post longer.
Ms Cadman said that because women were more likely to have breaks from work, this amounted to sex discrimination.
But the court has left leeway to appeal in certain individual circumstances.
However in its general ruling the court said experience was an acceptable way of setting somebody's pay.But you just have to love the final comment:
The president of the European Women Lawyers' Association, Leena Linnainmaa, said that the situation could only be more equal if men were encouraged to take paternity leave.
"The fact that women take maternity leave is a great burden on their careers," she told the Times.*Following the "Pride of lions" and "Murder of crows" I think a "Theft of politicians" is pretty accurate - at least in Europe, in the US perhaps a "Legover of pols" would be more accurate given recent news.


Draught recording dynamometer
Draught recording dynamometer by Richard Clyburns, complete with land wheels, attachment link. With this, the strain was measured by the compression of a spiral spring an traced on a roll of paper. The divisions marked on the paper were spaced at gradually increasing distances apart to compensate for the increasing diameter of the take-up spool as the work progressed. The take-up spool was directly driven by the land wheels and a pencil actuated by the dynamometer traversed across the paper to an extent proportional tot he load transmitted: thus a record of both distance covered, and loading was obtained.
A dynamometer is an instrument for determining the force required for the work done, which in the case of the plough was measured by the strain upon the draught chain. To achieve this, the dynamometer was made a link in the draught chain and subjected to the necessary tension.
The use of the dynamometer resulted in greater precision in the comparison of draught under the same soil conditions, and was extremely useful in determining the relative merits of the ploughs at the many trials held during the 19th century. The first dynamometer appears to have been invented about 1770 by Mr. Samuel More, the Secretary to the Society of Arts. It was used in the ploughing trials help by the Society in 1773.


Hello to whomever may be reading this, for whatever reason.
I have been a Rider season-ticket holder for the past few years and sit on the east side of Mosaic Stadium where some of the loudest and craziest fans come to cheer on the Green and White. I have sat in other areas of the stadium before and there is nothing like being on the east side right by the Maxtron in the old University section. You will always find most of the section standing and screaming when there is something to scream about. It is not quiet and it is never dull.
Anyway, I will be blogging throughout the season from a fan perspective. Good plays, parties and people may be a part of this and I may, from time to time, have something to say about what the Leader-Post sports guys, Darrell Davis and Rob Vanstone, are saying about Saskatchewan’s (or should I say Canada’s) favourite CFL team.
Let’s hope the changes in the offseason equal more wins and a home playoff game. (I am not ready to talk about a trip to the big game.)


text:
Political campaigning in America has come a long way. In the first American elections, candidates engaged in door-to-door canvassing and newspaper ads. These are still effective tactics for candidates, but campaigns today have a new development to leverage: digital political campaigning tools. These tools (like Impactive) have helped campaigns effectively organize volunteers and conduct quick, impactful outreach to voters.
Here’s an overview of the impact that campaigning tools can make, and why these tools will be increasingly important in the future:
In the years leading up to 2020, digital campaigning tools were developing quickly and already in use. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for campaigns to mobilize supporters and voters online. Traditional canvassing and in-person events were out of the question, and campaigns and organizations were reimagining mobilization strategies. The general use of digital tools to reach supporters skyrocketed in the past year, including political campaigning tools.
Mauree Turner’s campaign for the Oklahoma House of Representatives is one example of a digital-first campaign strategy. The Turner campaign’s original plan was to knock on doors and host in-person events. Using Impactive, Turner’s campaign reached over 10,000 voters by adopting digital tactics like peer-to-peer and friend-to-friend texting. The end result was successful: Mauree Turner became the first publicly non-binary elected official in the United States and the first Muslim member of the Oklahoma Legislature.
Even before the pandemic, texting friends and family to engage in collective action was a popular and extremely effective tactic to reach voters. In fact, Columbia Data Science Institute found that friend-to-friend texting by Impactive users had an 8 percentage point effect in getting voters to cast ballots in the 2018 midterm elections. This means that friend-to-friend texting can be as impactful as door-to-door canvassing, and campaigns should continue to leverage these digital approaches alongside traditional tactics.
Regardless of ongoing changes in modern political campaigning, texting remains an evergreen tactic to reach supporters and voters. In both the 2018 and 2020 elections, Tech for Campaigns found that texting programs positively impacted voter turnout. Texting also increases accessibility to volunteer opportunities for supporters who are disabled or don’t have ready access to transportation to reach event sites. With political campaigning tools, volunteers can reach hundreds of eligible voters from the comfort of their homes.
Political campaigning tools can also offer the advantage of recorded, standardized data. Tools like Impactive allow volunteers to easily log the outcomes of conversations within a texting session. Administrators can quickly understand the effectiveness of their texting programs and download data reports for broader learnings about their campaigning strategy. In the fast-paced nature of the political world, campaigns need to respond quickly to various situations with the most effective strategy, and easy access to data is a must.
So, what should campaigns look for in their search for political campaigning tools? Here are a few questions that organizers can consider:
The best political campaigning tools, like Impactive, meet all of these needs.
Digital organizing tactics in 2020 expanded campaigns’ abilities to scale successfully, proving that these tools won’t be going anywhere. To stay effective in the constantly changing political landscape, adopt digital campaigning tools for a robust organizing strategy.

domain: sociology


text: [it is impossible not to be cut into pieces by this song. after 20 years still devastating.] <-- This is the exact way I feel about this song. It's hard for me not to get teary-eyed even now whilst listening to it. I share some of the accepted ideas on why this was written(Heroin addiction), so I will till the day I die have a place in my heart for this melancholy masterpiece.


Finance minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver his maiden Medium Term Budget Policy Statement tomorrow afternoon. The nation will be anxious about a possible fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and any further adjusted lockdown restrictions. There is a strong political push to lock in additional welfare spending to support South Africa’s citizens who are still reeling from the devastating effects of Covid-19. Portfolio Manager at Denker Capital, Madalet Sessions, South African Federation of Trade Unions Secretary General, Zwelinzima Vavi and Economic Justice Programme Manager at the Alternative Information & Development Centre. , Dominic Brown share their exepctations.
Tune into Newzroom Afrika, DSTV channel 405 for more details.


text:
Much of what happens in our lives is not what we planned, not what we expected, and certainly not what we would have chosen.
At a young age, Jaci Velasquez’s singing career rocketed to stardom, and her marriage thrived—then both suddenly crashed. Losing her reputation, her record label, and even some of her most-treasured relationships, Jaci began a long, healing journey from thinking of herself not as a Christian music darling or a broken young woman but as a beloved child of God. Today, her renewed faith carries her through a resurrected career, the adventures of a second marriage, and the ups-and-downs of being a mother of a child who has autism.
When God Rescripts Your Life is Jaci’s exploration of the lessons she’s learned living a story full of mistakes and grace, rejection and contentment, worldly success and spiritual rest. Drawing on lessons from biblical characters such as Aaron, Joseph, and Paul, as well as from illustrations from her own life, Jaci reminds us how God loves to rewrite pain and weakness into a glorious tale of redemption. The most difficult parts of life don’t need to be removed; they need to be rescripted.


text:
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The Volt can go 40 miles on battery power and another 310 thanks to an auxiliary gas engine, which kicked in smoothly as I floored it up a hill during a recent test drive. The Leaf is—even cooler—completely electric, with a range of about 100 miles. In 2011, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Mercedes-Benz plan to introduce their own tailpipe-free models. GE has ordered up thousands for its sales force, and the federal government has set a target for 1 million electric vehicles by 2015. (A good step, even considering the 246 million or so gas vehicles already on the road.)
Are we finally ready after years of false starts? Despite widespread public jitters, the experts I polled said yes. Herewith, eight e-car worries not to spin your wheels over.
Our grid can't handle the added burden
While electric cars do use a great deal of juice, utilities have been working behind the scenes for years to make sure the cars don't fry the grid. Blackouts are "extremely unlikely," notes Simon Mui, a scientist who studies clean vehicles and fuels for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Advanced charging technology will help distribute power loads more evenly, and many home charging stations will operate only during off-peak hours—which is more efficient and usually cheaper. "Smart chargers," slated to hit the market in 2011, will decide when to charge based on the time and distance you commute, local rates, and electricity demand in your neighborhood.
My utility bill will skyrocket
Yep, you'll spend more on amperage, but your savings on gas will more than cover it. If you drive a battery-only car 12,000 miles a year at going power rates, you'll pay an extra $27 or so per month for electricity, but save about $97 on gas. Some utilities offer special rates during off-peak hours—in California, you might pay as little as $13 a month (roughly half-price) to charge up at night. The one drawback of cheaper fuel is, well, cheaper driving, which some experts worry will lure commuters away from public transit, carpools, and bikes.
Coal-burning utilities mean electric cars will make emissions worse
Hardly. Even in predominantly coal-burning regions, an electric car releases 35 to 60 percent less CO2 than a comparable conventional car, according to industry think tank Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). In areas with an ecofriendly power mix, the emissions are up to 75 percent lower. EPRI transportation expert Mark Duvall points out that "as the grid gets cleaner—which it almost certainly will—electric cars will get cleaner, too." Bonus: Unlike gas, which is refined largely from imported petroleum, electricity flows from domestic sources.
Electric cars already flopped once, so why should I believe they'll succeed?
Climate worries, obviously, have gained traction since the 1990s, but the main reason to believe in a comeback is economic. Perhaps you've noticed that Detroit seems, uh, a little leaner than it was during the Clinton years. To compete with foreign automakers in places with high gas prices and tougher climate regs—think Europe and California—the industry needs to roll out efficient models. "Automakers see this as a necessity," says Mui. Technology has really improved, too; old-school e-car batteries, famous for exploding and generally sucking, have joined your wallet chains and Crash Test Dummies albums in '90s heaven.
Government rebates on electric cars favor the rich
To ease sticker shock (the Volt starts at $40,280; the Leaf, $32,780), the feds are offering a tax credit of up to $7,500 to the first 200,000 buyers of each model. If you still can't afford one, there's a consolation prize: As Mui points out, the reductions in emissions and pollution will benefit everyone. Plus, prices are sure to come down. The very first iPods, you may recall, set you back more than $400.
Electric cars handle like roller skates
I'm not the savviest driver, but I thought the Volt felt pretty much like a regular mid-size. Car and Driver writes that it "drives surprisingly well, with a reassuringly steady suspension." The Leaf gets dinged for its short range, but its transmission works so smoothly in stop-and-go traffic "that we started rationalizing our range concerns."
Lithium-ion auto batteries are as crappy as lithium-ion laptop batteries
Now here's something that might be worth fretting about. Although battery technology is light-years beyond where it was back when GM was peddling EV1s, it's far from perfect. Lithium-ion cells are sluggish in cold weather—and cranking the heat, AC, or stereo will reduce your range. More worrisome: No one can predict how long they'll last. "There will be degradation of the battery over its lifetime," says EPRI's Duvall. "But we don't know exactly how much." The good news: Recent breakthroughs in battery technology promise faster charging and greater reliability. In the meantime, both Volt and Leaf come with eight-year battery warranties.
I'll run out of juice in the sticks
This is only an issue for fully electric cars, and as long as you're within range of a socket, you'll make do. A full charge takes about 10 hours using a standard outlet, or half as long with a home 220-volt station that'll run you about $2,000. Meanwhile, the federal government plans to spend $115 million to help cities set up 15,000 pay-as-you-go chargers in public places. Electric vehicles "do require a lot of planning, but not as much as you might think," says Mark Vaughn, an AutoWeek editor who blogged last summer about his trial run with Mitsubishi's i MiEV—comparable to the Leaf. When Vaughn showed up at a hotel with a low battery, he told me, a kitchen employee offered to snake an extension cord out to the parking lot. "You really learn as much about people as you do about amps and volts and things like that."


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In the mid-1960s anthropologist Edward T Hall introduced the concept of proxemics – the study of set measurable differences between people who are interacting. Drawing a blank? OK, does the term personal space ring a bell? It’s been ringing loud and clear in my mind for the past year and the din has reached an alarm level. I long for wide open spaces! Dr. Hall’s studies showed that people have set distances for various interactions. These distances vary by culture and to some degree by gender, but within a culture are understood on an unspoken level. You are comfortable getting close to someone with whom you are interacting on an intimate level – 6 to 18 inches are nothing between close friends. You’ll tolerate friends and family members within a foot and a half to two and a half. Among acquaintances that comfortable distance stretches out to at least 4 feet and as much as 12 feet. Naturally the distance increases as the relationship decreases – most of us feel more comfortable if strangers keep back. Not surprisingly Americans have a larger personal space than many other cultures. I know during my trips to China and Peru I felt crowded – probably because everyone stands so much closer to you in public. They breathe down your neck while waiting in line and pack way more people in an elevator than the manufacture deems appropriate.
Being crowded is not healthy. Crowding is linked with physical and social pathologies, illness and crime. One academic study of students living 3 to a 2 person room (Karlin et al 1978) showed that in overcrowded conditions participants were less likely to complete all the study tasks and reported higher anxiety and poorer mood. Once they were relocated to less crowded conditions their results improved.
Studies indicate that crowding is associated with increases in blood pressure and increased secretion of stress hormones, in the short term, at least. In the longer term, the picture is not as clear. And that gives me hope – all will be well (or better) once we have more space.
We are crowded in our interior space, that goes without saying, both because there just isn’t that much space inside our trailer and because there isn’t adequate storage space so for instance pots and pans are stacked on one burner, clean dishes stay in the dish drainer and the bath tub holds bags of trash, laundry, and recycling. Few tasks can be done without rearranging something. During the week while the kids are at school there’s a bit of a respite – except this week is fall break and the kids are home and the walls are closing in on us.
We are especially crowded in our exterior space – the neighboring RVs are well within the space we’d normally allow acquaintances. But they are strangers and I’d much rather they all took a step (or two) back! I noticed something one day as I walked the dogs down the row of RVs – every one of them had their blinds down, or curtains pulled. We do the same, and keep the windows closed as well. Why open the blinds when your view is of someone else’s window? Just think how awkward it would be if they also opened their blinds!
In addition to studying the effects of crowds, researchers have scrutinized the effects of people’s surroundings. I’ve read several of these studies – some heavily laden with statements like “Recent advances in the neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which makes use of the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals from the brain, enable the identification of the neural centers related with the brain function.” After reading that one twice I can say the gist of it is that views of nature aroused feelings of wakeful relaxation in the participants whereas urban views made study participants feel suffocated.
Another study concluded that:
Views of nature enhance the interest and concentration, and also reduce the fatigue and stress in our daily life. These findings suggested that natural environments not only lead to psychological stability such as a calm mood, but also to help in reducing stress. When people look at the natural scenic views, physiological indices such as heart rate, blood pressure, and so on, tend to normalize. Therefore, living in a nature-friendly environment acts as naturopathy and is a primer for crime prevention and improvements in self-control.
There’s a reason for the real estate axiom “Location, location, location”! We’re here for awhile – until the school year is over at which time, if I haven’t found that ‘real’ job, we will probably move to the Midwest where we have family. If I have a real job – and the children’s museum director told me she would like to hire me once their new museum is built (next summer) we will probably be here longer. In that case I hope we’ll have more spacious living conditions inside! I still browse through the craigslist ads – I think we could achieve wakeful relaxation in something this size: (craigslist posting for a travel trailer with 4 bunk beds – now deleted/sold).
And until then, I think maybe we’ll hit the beach today!

domain: psychology


Recent media reports about the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approving Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Space Agency and Special Operations Division are most welcome. After much procrastination, we have finally nominated organizations to deal with contemporary and emerging threats.
Even though the new threats have the potential to overtake conventional ones, the planned organizations are much watered-down versions of original recommendations, with typical Indian twists. Kargil Review Committee (KRC) recommended setting up of new joint functional commands, in keeping with contemporary global organizations, akin to existing training and maintenance commands.
The recommendations were endorsed by the Group of Ministers (GOM). Almost a decade later, they were re-validated by Naresh Chandra Task Force (NCTF). Recently, they were part of the Shekatkar Committee report. The fact that it took two decades to get sanctions reflects poorly on our decision-making process.
We may question George Tanham’s observation on India lacking ‘strategic culture’, but can we dispute that we resist evolution of structures to formulate strategy?
It is hoped that while giving an indigenous ‘jugaad’ format of agencies for space and cyberspace, due consultation will be carried out with relevant stakeholders. It will be pragmatic to study comparable models and upgrade our organization to desired levels of integrated commands. Organizations should include civilian experts on contractual basis to cater for infusion of contemporary expertise and periodic weeding out of ‘burn out syndrome’ cases, an occupational hazard with the nerd community.
In our ‘bureaucratese’, unfortunately, every new accretion is viewed from a turf-centric prism, therefore, these organizations are to be headed by Major Generals. Installing an Army Commander at the apex will give it the required ‘heft’, autonomy and strategic orientation. Otherwise, proposed organizations will get bogged down in tactical issues, which should remain in appropriate domains.
These agencies should be given financial and decision making autonomy like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). They should have the freedom to interface with appropriate agencies in their domains. This is an opportune moment to link the initiative with piloting of joint commands balancing out over all Army Commander appointments.
Special operations division is intended to integrate Special Forces (SF) of the Army, Air Force – Garuds and Naval- MARCOS. The recent experience suggests that SF have to invariably operate with National Security Guard (NSG), as seen in Pathankot and Mumbai.
There have been issues concerning inter-operability and command and control. It will be worthwhile to co-opt operational elements of NSG to give the proposed organization, urban counterterrorism capabilities, making it a holistic self-contained one with requisite combat support, aviation, logistics and maintenance elements.
Initially, the quantum of forces, ‘prima-facie’ may not justify it being headed by an Army Commander, yet response will invariably be strategic domain and may entail an out of area contingency, like Operation ‘Cactus’ in Maldives. Such operations have a follow-up stabilization phase with bias on civic affairs entailing interface with political structures. Model to emulate is ‘top-down’ activation of Strategic Forces and Andaman and Nicobar Commands, which initially started with limited assets.
These changes have been accompanied by other measures like reforms in Defence Planning Committee (DPC), Strategic Policy Group (SPG) and setting up of captive think-tank, Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies (CCCS).
While they are welcome, they appear to be too little, too late, since they are coming in the last year of the Government’s term.
The overall feeling is that the government, which came to power, riding expectations of complete revamping of security structures, is belatedly trying to tick a few checkboxes.
It is even more baffling that the most awaited step of institutionalization of the Chief Of Defence Staff (CDS) has been deferred once again, along with silence on integrated Theatre Commands. This is despite bipartisan support reflected through KRC and GOM during Vajpayee regime, NCTF during Manmohan era and Shekatkar Committee in current regime.
The government came up with DPC in April with NSA at the helm, in addition to National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Its comprehensive mandate includes preparation of National Security Strategy, Capability Development Plan, Defence Diplomacy issues and improving Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem.
Informed opinion is that while three versions of draft National Security Strategy have been analysed, only very selective aspects may be disseminated. It appears that the government wants to leverage ambiguity to keep potential adversaries guessing.
This approach seems to be continuation of personal opinion of the erstwhile RM, indicating preference for switch to ambiguity in nuclear strategy through ‘flexible response’, replacing time tested ‘massive retaliation’ strategy. Mandatory caution is in order, transparency and predictability are essential for in-house planning and working through chain of command. It is also desirable for deterrence in nuclear dimension. Too much ambiguity may confuse enemy but also breeds internal chaos, disjointed planning and incoherent responses.
SPG has been brought under NSA, thereby making him ‘de-facto’ single point interface between political, bureaucratic and security hierarchies, reflecting ‘whole of government’ approach. Skeptics may question such concentration of power but more importantly, new structure, needs to be given ‘de-jure’ validity through amendment of ‘Transaction of Business Rules’. Some hackles have also been raised on unprecedented influx of police officers, particularly with intelligence background in these bodies. While Intelligence has great virtues, yet ‘Neetivani’ opines, “Ati Sarvatra Garhitam!!” meaning “anything in excess, is bad everywhere”.


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Copper silicon supported on carbon nanotube for hydrogen evolution reaction
Kapur, Bimaljit Singh
Date of Issue2016
School of Materials Science and Engineering
The switch to platinum-free catalysis used in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has attracted significant attention over the years as a cost effective approach beneficial for hydrogen production. In this study, amine and carboxylic functionalised carbon nanotubes (FCNTS) were compared when doped with copper. They were synthesized by first coating with silicon dioxide (SiO2). This was when core-shell nanowires were introduced and acted as the substrate for the further growth of uniform copper silicon (Cu3Si) nanoneedles. The obtained functionalised CNTs were compared based on their capabilities in exhibiting positive catalytic activity in HER mechanism. After carrying out numerous characterization techniques, it showed that cu-carboxylic CNTs exhibited higher catalytic activities in terms of yielding better onset potentials as compared to undoped carbon nanotubes, which saw an improvement of up to 0.8V to a recorded -0.24V. Additionally this included better cycling performances and having consistent electrochemical stability. These superior characteristics may be attributed to the electronegativity of oxygen that is present in cu-carboxylic CNTs, which has a significantly larger electronegative value allowing for the increase in the hydrogen production compared to nitrogen that is present in cu-amine CNTs.
Final Year Project (FYP)
Nanyang Technological University


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What Needs To Happen For Joe Mauer To Be A Twin In 2019?
Image courtesy of Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsEntering 2019, Mauer will be going into his age 36 season with what will at best be a slightly above average bat and good defense. The problem is he is limited to playing first base, and there are plenty of quality bats at first to go around. Additionally, first base is a position that is very limited in the upside a quality defensive player can bring. This will make it very easy for "Falvine" to replace Mauer with a quality player after his contract expires.
I am sure most Twins fans, myself included, would like to see Joe Mauer play out the rest of his career in a Twins uniform. So, the question is, what will it take for that to happen?
Joe Mauer Repeats His 2017 Season
Mauer’s turnaround last season was a big part of the Twins improved level of play. A big reason for his success was his strikeout rate falling to 13.9%, the lowest it has been since 2012. Mauer also had by far his best defensive season since moving to first base. This resulted in a 2.3 fWAR season from the one-time MVP, twice as much as he put up in 2015 and 2016 combined.
If Mauer can repeat his success again in 2018, he will still be a viable MLB option a first going into 2019. However, if he shows some regression, and returns to his previous form, it would be tough for Joe to even get an MLB contract next winter.
Logan Morrison’s Option Doesn’t Get Picked Up
Perhaps the surprise of the Twins offseason was inking Logan Morrison to a one year and $6.5 million contract, with a vesting option for a second year if he reaches 500 plate appearances this season. If this option gets picked up, it will take up one of the two potential spots that Joe Mauer could fill as a member of the 2019 Minnesota Twins.
Additionally, bringing back Mauer to team up with Morrison as the first base/DH duo would still leave the Twins with the double lefty problem that currently exists. The front office was willing to make this work given the fact that Morrison is otherwise a steal at $6.5 million. Going into next offseason, there might be a few right-handed hitting options at first that might be more appealing to the Twins.
Brent Rooker Isn’t MLB Ready for The Start of 2019
Even though Brent Rooker was drafted as an outfielder and did see roughly 75% of his playing time last season in left, many believe that he will eventually break through with the Twins as either a first baseman or a designated hitter. The biggest reasons for this are his large 6’3” frame profiling better at first along with the crowded young outfield that the Twins already possess.
If Rooker continues to tear up minor league pitching, the 23-year-old will fly up through the Twins system and could even push for a spot in 2018. Rooker also brings the element of a right-handed power bat that the Twins will need in 2019, especially if they lose Brian Dozier to free agency.
Miguel Sano Can Stay at Third Base
One of the biggest question marks that the Twins need to answer this season is the long-term ability for Miguel Sano to stay at third base. If Sano can somehow play an adequate third base (given both the titanium rod in his leg and the lack of ability he has shown in the past) it would be a near miracle.
If Sano shows that he will be unable to stick at third, the most logical move would be to either first base or DH. This would create an even bigger logjam for Mauer to remain with the team given that Sano is under team control through at least the 2021 season.
Joe Mauer Takes a Hometown Discount
There is no question that the St. Paul native, who has known only one city for his growing up years and entire major league life, would love to finish out his career in Minnesota. In fact, it is hard to think of many players in the history of major league baseball who had more of a reason to take a hometown discount than Joe Mauer.
That being said, I am not Joe Mauer, so therefore I can not definitively say whether or not he will be willing to take a hometown discount, and if so how much of one. That will be something that Joe will need to consider before he decides on his future next winter.
As great as it would be for Joe Mauer to play out his career in Minnesota, it is hard to see that happening without at least three or four of these things happening. Given that the Twins would love to see Morrison play well enough to earn his option for 2019, and for Rooker to force their hand as soon as possible, it will be a catch-22 for Twins fans who wish for Mauer to stay. Hopefully, if 2018 is Joe’s last with the Twins, it will be because of how Morrison and Rooker play this season, and not because of how he plays.
- Blake, Cory Engelhardt, nclahammer and 2 others like this


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BY MICHAEL PUFFER REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
WATERBURY — For the first time in years, students heading back to city schools Monday will be allowed to wear denim pants.
Any students who act up will be less prone to an automatic suspension and more likely to see tutoring, counseling or some other form of assistance. Math and reading lessons will begin to be more aligned to national standards. And, in most elementary schools, the experiment of a reading academy separating students by ability has been abandoned in favor of more traditional models.
A new discipline code. A slight change to the dress code. The abandonment of the once-lauded "literacy academy."
Waterbury school leaders have made significant changes in recent months, but the biggest impacts are yet to come, under education reforms pushed by city and state educational leaders.
As one of the state's 30 lowest-performing school districts, Waterbury is in line to receive extra state scrutiny and financial assistance this year. As an "alliance district," Waterbury will get $4.4. million to push education reform. While state officials have been cooperating on the development of those plans, the official application has not yet been approved, and the money has not been released.
School Superintendent Kathleen Ouellette has already won local approval to beef up the central office, creating, among other positions, four new "instructional leadership directors," to oversee schools clustered by ability.
That will cost $1.5 million, an expense school officials have written into their application for Alliance District funding.
The district is currently interviewing for the ILD and other positions created under the new leadership structure. Ouellette hopes to have these filled before October, which will allow her to start clustering schools and announcing measures to be taken at each.
Planning is already under way, but Ouellette said she needs funding before unveiling specifics.
"We want to move as aggressively as we can," Ouellette said.
Other initiatives included in Waterbury's Alliance District application include:
* Preschool programs added to four additional elementary schools, creating up to 140 openings for 4-year-old students. Officials are already trying to find space inside the schools. Some programs might be placed in areas outside existing school buildings. The cost is placed at $737,904.
* A new reading strategy and reassigning existing reading staff to clearly defined roles. This would move the expense for a number of existing reading staff from existing revenue sources to the new state funding. There would be additional professional development. The cost is placed at $1 million.
* A new alternative education night school for students more than 15 years of age. This would include a focus on job training in fields like nursing assistant or child care. The program might handle as many as 120 children, and would be housed in the downtown Enlightenment School. That would be a significant expansion for a district that last year had space for 247 students in alternative education. The cost is $1 million.
* A new Student Success Plan Coordinator job. This part-time position would oversee efforts to create individualized plans for every student entering middle school.
These plans aim to ensure students graduate ready for college or work. The position comes with a $29,998 cost.
* Part-time computer lab proctors at every high school, allowing for online courses. These could help students gain or make up credits. The plan is to use $26,575 in Alliance funding and another $22,025 in Title I funds.
The overall budget for key school reforms, including sources outside the new state grant, comes to $5.6 million.
Other initiatives outside the alliance district funding include: aligning lessons to national standards, strengthening literacy programs up through third grade, hiring additional math coaches, new student support centers and increasing parent engagement.
Ouellette said reform will be an inclusive process, involving educators and families.
"Change can be challenging and difficult at times, but we want the partnership to move together through the reform," Ouellette said.
School staff will begin laying groundwork this year for further reforms, including new teacher and administrator evaluations, partially tied to student performance. These are slated to begin in the 2013-2014 school year.
School staff have been busy preparing for Monday's opening. Many teachers arrive early to set up their rooms, and all attend training sessions.
Teachers at Duggan Elementary School on Friday said they had spent the past few days learning about the new discipline code, along with the national standards for math and reading that will be applied in Waterbury classrooms this year. Despite all of the changes coming, Duggan teachers interviewed Friday don't see it as a burden.
"There are always changes. That's part of our job," said first-grade teacher Dina Sanzari.
"It's challenging, but you have to look at what's best for the students."


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UCS Urges APHIS to Enable States to Respond Rapibly to Urgent Invasive Species Problems
UCS Urges APHIS to Enable States to Respond Rapibly to Urgent Invasive Species Problems
UCS comments on APHIS’s proposal to amend domestic quarantine regulations for states.
June 5, 2006
Regulatory Analysis & Development
USDA PPD, APHIS Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
Docket No. APHIS 2005—103
Dear Mr. Writer:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your proposal to amend domestic quarantine regulations for states to make “special needs requests.” We are pleased that you are detailing this authority, provided by the Plant Protection Act of 2000.
We support a process that is transparent, straightforward, and enables states and other jurisdictions to respond rapidly to urgent invasive species problems. Each of these features is essential. Because a number of states have already asked the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to recognize their special needs—and had their requests denied—it is important that USDA provide this guidance as soon as possible.
We submit the following recommendations on behalf of the Union of Concerned Scientists. UCS is a science-based membership group, with more than 200,000 members, supporters, and activists. We are the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world.
Our comments, on pages 2-4, are listed in the order in which related topics appear in your proposal. Each topic is important, and we ask that you address them all. However, we rank them in priority order here, with the most significant first:
complying with Executive Order 13112;
setting criteria for a science-based, pathway approach;
the information required to support—and approve—applications;
the need for speedier action on requests, including interim steps;
the role of states and their political subdivisions;
determining presence of a pest within a state; and
defining “special needs.”
Also, we support, and incorporate by reference, public comments submitted by The Nature Conservancy, the International Center for Technology Assessment, and Defenders of Wildlife.
Supplementary information. Complying with Executive Order 13112
We find that this Executive Order applies and think it should be addressed in the supplementary information. As you know, this Executive Order requires federal agencies to take steps to ensure that their own actions do not contribute to the spread of invasive species:
“Sec. 2.(a)(3) [Each federal agency…shall…] not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species in the United States or elsewhere unless, pursuant to guidelines that it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determination that the benefits of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with the actions.”
To our knowledge, APHIS has denied 100 percent of the special need requests submitted by states since passage of the Plant Protection Act. At least in the understanding of the states involved, APHIS’ actions left them more vulnerable to the spread of a serious pest and also made them subject to lawsuits, because they had enacted their own measures simultaneously with their requests to APHIS. These states’ increased vulnerability to Sudden Oak Death would seem to violate the requirements of federal agencies under Executive Order 13112. We are not aware, for example, that APHIS made an explicit determination that the benefits of its actions outweighed their “potential harm” for these states, nor that APHIS took steps to minimize the risks associated with its denials.
Sec.301.1-2(a). The role of states and their political subdivisions
We appreciate that APHIS stipulates that political subdivisions of states can generate requests. However, there is no requirement in the Plant Protection Act that such requests be submitted through the state nor have official sign-off of state officials. Since many special needs will be based on highly local conditions, we fear that this proposed rule could leave important resources and areas unprotected due to political, not scientific, differences between jurisdictions. The Nature Conservancy, in its comments, has provided you with suggestions for correcting this.
Sec.301.1-2(a)(1) through (4). Setting criteria for a science-based, pathway approach
In Sec.401.1, APHIS states that the regulations regard:
“…prohibitions or restrictions on the movement in interstate commerce of articles, means of conveyance, plants, plant products, biological control organisms…or noxious weeds.”
However, the proposed rules neglect each of the underlined areas, addressing only biological control organisms, noxious weeds, and plant pests. Many scientists and other experts now advocate a pathway-based, not a species-based, approach. See, for example, the highly regarded position paper, written by leading scientists for the Ecological Society of America, “Biological Invasions: Recommendations for U.S. Policy and Management,” released in 2006.
We recommend strongly that APHIS provide specific criteria by which special need requests can be made and approved regarding this broader list. Without doing so, APHIS risks violating its own requirement to use a science-based approach. Also, the Agency risks perpetuating an out-of-date approach, known to have limited effectiveness.
Sec.301.1-2(a)(1). Determining presence of a pest within a state
Please see comments by the International Center for Technology Assessment, with which we agree.
Sec. 301.1-2(a)(3). The information required to support—and approve—applications
The information that those making special need requests must supply should be limited to what is necessary, sufficient—and available. For example, our detailed research in several states shows that there is virtually no economic information of the kind APHIS proposes to require for a special needs request. We suggest that APHIS ask for such economic information, when available, but not make it an absolute requirement.
Nor should the information required exceed what can be known, scientifically; be stronger than the requirements of international standards; or be outside the capacity of “small entities” to produce. Note that “small entities,” as defined by the Small Business Administration, includes both small organizations and also small government agencies, as well as small businesses. All should be able to comply with the information required of a special needs request.
In many instances, it will be difficult to show that a certain species “would harm or injure the environment and/or cause economic harm to industries…” Thus, APHIS should take this opportunity to grapple with something that the Government Accountability Office, the former Office of Technology Assessment, and others have been urging for years: that APHIS stipulate a specific level of protection that it aims to meet, especially when dealing with a considerable amount of uncertainty. We recommend that the final rules specify: 1) at least a rough standard of protection, and also 2) that applications can show “harm or likelihood of harm”; and 3) that harm to public, plant, animal, or wildlife health be included in definitions of potential harms, as they are routinely elsewhere.
States and other jurisdictions are not likely to submit special needs requests unless their situation is serious enough to warrant the significant amount of time and resources such an application requires. Thus, we expect that, in most cases, APHIS will be justified in approving requests. APHIS should be bolstering state efforts as much as possible, especially in light of the Government Accountability Office’s recent report about federal failures (Homeland Security: Management and Coordination Problems Increase the Vulnerability of U.S. Agriculture to Foreign Pests and Disease, GAO May 2006). We recommend that APHIS review its proposal in light of this expectation, rather than assuming all requests will deserve to be denied.
When the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 was passed, it offered federal cost sharing to states for implementing newly authorized “aquatic nuisance species management plans,” provided they requested and received federal approval for these plans. In order to help states gain approval, a model plan was drafted and made widely available, ensuring that approval would be straightforward. Thus, state officials knew what content was required and could prepare plans with some assurance that their efforts would be successful. We recommend that APHIS use a similar process, especially because states and political subdivisions cannot afford to expend significant resources without a similar assurance of approval. That is, APHIS should provide states with a concrete example of a special needs request that meets the minimum requirements for approval.
Sec.301.1-2(a)(4). Defining “special need”
The term “special need” is not defined by the Plant Protection Act. Thus we find APHIS’ attempt to list several acceptable types of needs helpful and we would not want these narrowed. We recommend that your final rules include a specific definition, along with an even broader array of examples. We suggest that you specify explicitly that economic and institutional factors can be included along with geographic, ecological, biological, and historical ones. For example, you might list: “a state’s lack of capacity for rapid response and control; the ability/inability to eradicate or control a particular pest; recent state budget deficits; status of recovery from natural disasters; a location’s status as a major port”; etc.
Sec.301.1-3. The need for speedier action on requests, including interim steps.
This is a crucial part of the APHIS rules. Unfortunately, the current approach is inadequate—the proposal allows far too long for what is, essentially, a response to a state or local emergency. Please review comments submitted by The Nature Conservancy and the International Center for Technology Assessment for detailed suggestion on implementing interim rules. We support this approach.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on your proposal. We look forward to your final rules and hope they incorporate our recommendations and those of our colleagues. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
Phyllis N. Windle, Ph.D.

domain: politics