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AS Covid-19 cases gain traction in Zimbabwe with infections nearing 1 000, health experts have warned that any let-up, including the holding of demonstrations could fuel the spread of the pandemic with possible deaths.
The grim warning from experts comes at a time when Covid-19 cases on Wednesday climbed to 885 after 98 new infections, including 47 local transmissions of the disease were recorded.
It also comes when opposition parties, in total disregard to the lockdown measures that were enacted to curb the spread of the pandemic — that has no known cure but can be prevented through observing social distancing, wearing face masks, and limiting public gatherings — are planning mass demonstrations on July 31.
Presently, Zimbabwe is under lockdown level 2, but the spread of the disease, especially in populous urban settings could require tougher measures for total containment, experts said.
The experts, who cited complacency as one of the major drivers of the increase in infections, said authorities should act to ensure that people do not mix and infect each other, something that is unavoidable during mass demonstrations.
World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr Alex Gasasira said the control of Covid-19 requires everyone’s contribution including adherence to measures and regulations that were put in place by the Government to curtail the spread of the global pandemic.
“Everybody else must continue to implement the prevention measures; physical distancing, hand washing, limiting movement to only that which is most essential. If we implement all these together, we should be able to limit the number of cases we are seeing in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Gasasira.
With noticeable laxity on the ground as Zimbabweans lose their guard against the flue-like disease, Dr Gasasira said there was need to “work harder” so that everybody is aware of their role in combating the pandemic.
“We need to build the capacity for timely detection, isolating anybody who might be infected and ensuring that the close contacts are identified and quarantined. That has been successful in some countries and that is the capacity we know is being built in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Gasasira.
On his part, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro warned against taking part in any high risky public gatherings that would endanger the health of participants regardless of political persuasion or grievances.
“We do not want people to crowd, it is dangerous. We know crowding makes the disease much easier to spread. People will greet each other, they may not necessarily observe social distancing so it might really be a danger in that cases might actually spike from that activity. We would really discourage such things because definitely the spreading of the virus will be quite enhanced,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Although Zimbabwe has recorded nine deaths, its neighbours like South Africa have been hit hardest, with authorities across the Limpopo preparing millions of graves in the wake of a rise in infections in that country. As such, Harare City Council director for Health Services and Public Health Specialist Dr Prosper Chonzi said in the absence of a cure or vaccine, the only instrument to combat Covid-19 was prevention.
Dr Chonzi said Zimbabwe’s health systems were generally weak and might not sustain huge numbers of cases requiring admission hence the need to maximise on the prevention aspect.
“People have relaxed. They think that the worst is over yet it is not yet over. Some are only putting on masks to pass through a checkpoint, some have even started throwing parties and all this could throw our cases to the wind.
“Yes, our fatality rate is low but our health systems are also weak and we cannot afford so many admissions. We should rely solely on prevention,” said Dr Chonzi.
He said while the country cannot continue to be in lockdown forever, opening up should be in phases to avoid a catastrophe.
Community Working Group on Health executive director and public health advocate Mr Itai Rusike described the surge in cases, both local transmissions and among returnees, as “deeply worrying”, especially considering that the country is easing the lockdown.
“Zimbabweans need to embrace the new normal and the Government should fully enforce the compulsory wearing of face masks, observing social distancing and continue practising high levels of personal hygiene, avoiding unnecessary travel and crowds,” he said.
Mr Rusike said until a vaccine is found, these measures remain critical in suppressing transmission of Covid-19.
On the other hand, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also urged member states to up the ante in the fight against the global pestilence after confirmed cases clambered to 512 039 in a very short space of time on the continent.
CDC head Dr John Nkengasong said in a virtual meeting yesterday that African countries need to scale up Covid-19 testing, in light of the bushfire-like spread of the pandemic in the region.
Although Zimbabwe has been gradually easing the lockdown, to allow for greater economic activities, authorities are conscious of the possible spike if containment measures as prescribed by WHO are not observed.
According to Statutory Instrument 72 that was passed on the advent of the global scourge in March, the Government could impose a curfew to curtail people’s movement if the number of coronavirus cases spikes.
Presently, only gatherings of less than 50 people are permissible under a raft of regulations that can also restrict traffic movement.
Under the regulations the Government can also order the destruction of buildings that are deemed to be contaminated by the deadly pandemic.

domain: medical


text:
Horse Reins BitRein horse bit
Keep snaffle bit correct
Did you ever see a coach on bridle foals who keep their reins in the practice area http://bit. ly/2Eo8yc6? Watch the tape as AQHA/NRCHA coach and judges Bozo Rogers shows us how to keep the reins on a bridle bit. As bridles http://bit. ly/2cpgfai exert force directly on the horse's corner of the mouth and do not exert any lever effect on the horse's mandible, a bridle should always be rode with two-handed.
The horse communicates with the horse by a straight move on one or the other reins, but never on both reins at the same moment. Turning to the right is started with a gentle push on the right reins and to the opposite side. While making the move directly, you must be sure to move the outer or opposite reins to the throat so that the horse can feel the downward thrust of this reins.
It will help to train the horse to reins. It is important that the opposite reins also become loose so that the pulling force of the opposite reins does not hinder the draw. Which is the best way to keep both reins at once to perform these manoeuvres? The best way for most of us to keep the reins http://bit. Ly/2EO8yc6, which are fastened to a bridle, is by traversing the reins and making a bay (bridge) over the horse's throat.
As a result, the right reins tails remain on the horse side and back for the reins. As Bozo says, this way is lawful at shows where horse can be rode in a bridle. It is also simple to move one or the other of your hands down to draw a straight reins.
Allow enough room between your arms to move each arm separately. They want to make sure that when you raise your right-handed to come into touch with your horse's face, your right-handed person is not compelled, not least because the distance between the reins is too small.
When the distance between the reins is too long, it is difficult to hold the reins properly. If you have too much room, you cannot move your hand down fast enough to draw and let go of the reins exactly. There is a good general principle of about 12-16 inch of room between reins for an grown-up on an intermediate horse.
In a small area, try to keep the reins no more than a few centimetres above the ridge and no more than one leg in front of and a few centimetres behind the bugle. It will be similar to riding with one hand when the horse is prepared to bend its back.
A different technique that is often used, says Bozo is to put one reins over his head and duplicate the other reins over himself to make an open-ended bladder or eye. Holding the reins over your throat, keep the twisted reins by the strap with both your fingers.
Allow enough room between the reins so that your fingers can work on their own. is one of the world's leading reinsetters.
He' s been making reins by handgrip for 42 years. You' ll notice a change in his reins and so will your horse. There' re no gray signs with a set of Dennis Moreland reins. Give us a call or send an e-mail to 817-312-5305 or send an e-mail to to speak to Dennis!

domain: hobby


text:
'Laced in your web' Choker
This spooky choker features a victorian inspired silver tone setting which embraces a faceted acrylic black jewel. Atop the jewel, a silver toned spider perches elegantly. The pendant connects to a detailed bail and hangs from a black velvet choker.
The overall length of the choker is 16 inches, this also includes a 5 inch chain extender so that the choker can be worn between 11-16 inches.
Materials include; Zinc alloy, silver plated copper, velvet and silver plated brass. This item is not made from sterling silver.
If you have any questions about this item, you are more than welcome to contact firstname.lastname@example.org

domain: design


text:
So, you think you want to engage in the push and pull in the NATSEC marketplace of ideas? As a reader here, I think you do.Now and then I get emails
Is sequestration killing aerospace and defense trade shows?
We started sensing a dropoff in military attendance at last January's AFCEA West military electronics show in San Diego. Exhibitors and attendees were pointing out the noticeable lack of uniforms on a generally listless exhibit floor.
Then came the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) winter show last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. There weren't enough Army helicopters and combat vehicles involved to warrant an outside static display, as had been the practice at that show for a long time. Attendance at that show also was light.
Now things seem like they're starting to snowball. This month officials of the Institute of Navigation (ION) in Manassas, Va., announced they're cancelling the organization's Joint Navigation Conference (JNC) that had been scheduled for June in Orlando, Fla.
Among the reasons for the ION show cancellation are sequestration-caused curtailment of travel for many active-duty and civilian military employees, prospects, possible furloughs for federal employees, and anticipated cuts in the U.S. defense budget, ION officials say.
Sequestration refers to automatic across-the-board cuts of nearly half a trillion dollars from the defense budget over the next 10 years. This is above and beyond anticipated defense cuts that would have taken place over the next several years even without sequestration." ... due to the DOD’s recent policies detailing actions to be taken to prepare for drastic budget cuts, the curtailment of travel, fallout from a scandal with GSA conferences this past year, the current sequestration, and possible furloughs for federal employees, it is no longer possible for ION to ensure the JNC will be able to maintain a high quality technical program and sufficient networking opportunities that makes the JNC so valuable to DOD/DHS employees and their supporting organizations," ION officials said in an announcement this month.
The organization still is planning for an ION show in 2014 in Orlando ... for the time being.
With sequestration, military personnel and employees often are prohibited from incurring the expenses of attending and traveling to trade shows until further notice. Employees are told they may attend, but they not only must pay their own expenses, but also must take vacation days or other personal leave time to do so.
How many federal employees are going to do that?
The next big test will be the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Expo next month in Washington. With the prohibition on travel expenses, and the requirement to take vacation to attend, I'm betting attendance there will be much lighter than usual.
No telling how sequestration-caused budget cuts will influence other future shows, such as the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) this summer in Washington, or the AUSA annual show this fall.
These are tough days if you're involved with the military, but perhaps even tougher days if you're involved in military trade shows.

domain: news


ROCKVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- The family of two missing Montgomery County toddlers pleads with Maryland state officials to issue an Amber alert in the case.
Derek Valcourt explains the family is now calling on the governor to intervene.
The family says they started asking for an Amber Alert when the kids first went missing three weeks ago---but they still feel it's not too late for an Amber alert to help.
"We started from day one asking for this," said Troy Turner.
Turner appeals to Governor Martin O'Malley in a letter, asking him to force an Amber alert in his increasingly desperate search to find his missing toddlers, three-year-old Sarah and two-year-old Jacob.
"The more ears and eyes we have out there on the streets and looking at the roads and everything, the more likely we are to get the tips and information that bring them home," said Turner.
It was three weeks ago that the children's mother, 27-year-old paranoid schizophrenic Catherine Hoggle, disappeared with the kids. Police found her days later, wandering the streets. She refuses to say what she did with the kids.
As police build a murder case against Hoggle, family members continue to search---confident the kids are still alive and they are frustrated Maryland State Police have denied their repeated requests to issue an Amber Alert.
For their part, state police say this case did not meet the limitations and restrictions required to generate an Amber Alert. For example, because the children were with their mother, there was no confirmed abduction as required under Amber Alert policy. Police say there was no known immediate danger to the children, since they were believed to be with their mother. Since police found Hoggle's car, there was no suspect vehicle information to broadcast.
But the children's father says Amber Alert exceptions have been made in other missing children's cases and should be made to help find his kids.
"We need someone to step in and intercede and get this done so we can get closer to finding my children and bringing them home," Turner said.
Despite their frustrations that Amber Alerts have not been issued, the family was extremely appreciative of the police investigation in the case.
The reward for the information leading to the children's safe return is now up to $25,000.
Other Local News:
for more features.


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Join friends every Monday afternoon for an hour and 15 minutes of crafty fun!
We will make all kinds of fabulous, hands-on crafts using cardboard, paint, glue, tape, pom poms, pipe cleaners and so much more!!! If you love to craft, this is the place for you! :) Each child will also receive a sketchbook and a T-shirt.
This is a DROP OFF class, hosted at a private residence in Yorba Linda. Upon signing up, you will receive an email with an online form to fill out and our exact location.
*Masks are OPTIONAL
8 Meetings: 9/17, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14
Missed Classes: No refunds for missed classes. No make-ups for missed classes. However, children will receive a paint or craft kit to do at home if they must miss a class.


|Publication number||US6973357 B2|
|Application number||US 10/442,134|
|Publication date||Dec 6, 2005|
|Filing date||May 21, 2003|
|Priority date||May 22, 2002|
|Also published as||DE50200285D1, EP1365297A1, EP1365297B1, US20030220703|
|Publication number||10442134, 442134, US 6973357 B2, US 6973357B2, US-B2-6973357, US6973357 B2, US6973357B2|
|Inventors||Hans-Dieter Humpert, Dieter Kleyer|
|Original Assignee||Siemens Aktiengesellschaft|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (14), Referenced by (2), Classifications (28), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on European patent application number EP 02011280.1 filed May 22, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In modern technical installations, a large number of method steps, such as complex control of a component in the technical installation, are normally performed by at least one automation system into which control code has been loaded for the purpose of automatically performing the desired function.
In the course of time, the field of automation technology has produced frequently arising objectives to be achieved which need to be dealt with using the automation systems in ever recurrent instances of application. For a large number of these objectives, functional modules produced from software code have been created as prototypes which can be used to achieve a particular type of objective, for example controlling an installation component using a PID controller.
In this case, the PID controller can be created as a predefined functional module which can be used for a large number of control tasks. To bring such a predefined functional module into line with a specific control task, it is necessary to supply the predefined functional module with current values for its prescribable parameters so that the specific control task can be performed using the predefined functional module. In the case of the PID controller, the minimum requirement is specification of the current values for the parameters of proportional gain, control time and integration time constant, for example.
In the case of known predefined functional modules, which are normally brought together in software libraries, classified according to particular objectives, it is very often necessary, for the purpose of performing a given task using the predefined functional module, to supply said functional module with a large number of current values for its parameters. By way of example, predefined complex PID-controller functional modules are available which require approximately 100 parameters to be prescribed.
The often very large number of prescribable parameters is explained by the fact that the predefined functional modules need to be suitable for achieving a wide variety of forms of an objective. Otherwise, it would make no sense to keep a predefined functional module in a software library. This is true since performing a specific task would in fact require creation of a new functional module in most cases, which would restrict the desired reusability of predefined functional modules in the extreme.
Known predefined functional modules generally comprise a plurality of subfunctions whose contribution to performing the given task can be stipulated by prescribing parameters.
Many automation tasks arising in practice allow the use of predefined functional modules, but only in some cases does performance of the given automation task require all of the subfunctions covered by the predefined functional module. When prescribing the parameters for the functional module, the subfunctions which are not required then need to be supplied with current parameter values such that, by way of example, they do not affect the results calculated by the subfunctions which are required. By way of example, logarithm modules are known which are used to calculate the logarithm for an applied input signal, this calculated value then being able to be multiplied by a factor in a second subfunction. If this second subfunction of the predefined logarithm module is now not needed, the second subfunction needs to be supplied with a current parameter value equal to 1, so that the second subfunction merely multiplies the logarithm of the input signal—which is calculated by the first subfunction—by the factor 1, which does not disturb the calculated value, as is desired. However, this requires that the multiplication parameter for the second subfunction be prescribed, with prescription of this parameter being unnecessary per se because the corresponding subfunction is not required.
The advantage of being able to reuse the predefined functional module is thus counterbalanced by the drawback of increased complexity for prescribing the parameters for the subfunctions when not all of the subfunctions of the predefined functional module are required for performing the automation task.
If, by way of example, the aforementioned predefined functional module of a PID controller is considered, the PID controller can naturally be used to control an installation component using a PI controller. In this case, however, it is necessary to ensure that that subfunction of the predefined PID controller which provides the D component of the PID controller is disabled by virtue of suitable prescription of current parameters, inter alia, so that the predefined PID controller can perform the desired function as a PI controller.
Just as in the case of the example of the logarithm module, the advantage of being able to reuse the predefined PID controller is counterbalanced by the drawback of great complexity for prescribing parameters for the PID controller when the PID controller is to be used just as a PI controller.
From these two relatively simple examples, it can already be seen that the use of predefined functional modules for performing an automation task affords the advantage that the software for performing the automation task does not need to be rewritten, but that the use of a predefined functional module for performing a specific automation task usually requires many more parameters to be prescribed than are actually required for performing the automation task.
Often, control functions, for example for power plants, are performed using graphical configuration tools. In this context, it is known practice to place graphical module symbols for the functional modules in a work area for the configuration tool and either to connect signal inputs and signal outputs on the module symbols to signal inputs and/or signal outputs on other module symbols, in particular, or to supply them with parameter values.
These module symbols which have been connected and/or have been supplied with parameters are used to form function diagrams which are translated, in a subsequent step using software code generators, in the software code which can be executed on automation systems. Some earlier configuration systems also work as interpreters, so that the graphical function diagrams are then a direct depiction of the automation system.
The graphical function diagrams can be based on various standards, such as IEC1131, IEC1499 or VGB.
As already mentioned, known predefined functional modules usually include a series of subfunctions which need to be supplied with parameters even if one or more subfunctions are not actually needed for performing a current automation task. Thus, the configuration of such predefined functional modules and hence also of the corresponding function diagrams, which often have a large number of predefined functional modules connected, is very complex. In addition, there is a very large memory space requirement in the programmable controllers on which the software code corresponding to the functional modules and/or function diagrams is to be executed.
Many users of automation systems require the simplest possible, reusable functional modules to be made available. However, this requirement has usually not been met to date on account of the fact that such simplified functional modules are no longer able to perform a large number of automation tasks. Any reusability of functional modules simplified in this manner would be too greatly restricted or at least would be confined to very limited instances of application. In addition, performance of complex automation tasks, in particular, would then require a wealth of predefined, simplified functional modules to be made available, which makes it virtually impossible for such very extensive software libraries to be kept comprehensible any longer.
An embodiment of the invention is therefore based on an object of specifying an improved method and an improved configuration system for producing an application-specific functional module from a predefined functional module. In particular, its intention is to ensure that the application-specific functional module to be produced is of high quality and has low susceptibility to error.
For the method, an embodiment of the invention achieves the object by use of a method for producing an application-specific functional module for an automation system from a predefined functional module, the predefined functional module comprising at least two subfunctions implemented by means of software code, having the following steps:
1. A block diagram graphically describing the predefined functional module is loaded into a data processing system, each subfunction having at least one associated representational block in the block diagram, and the representational blocks each comprising at least one signal input and/or at least one signal output which are supplied with prescribed parameters and/or which are connected to at least one signal input and/or signal output on another representational block by means of a connecting line.
2. Those representational blocks and/or connecting lines which are not needed for implementing a desired functionality of the application-specific functional module are provided with a respective marking in the block diagram, and
3. If output values supplied by the signal outputs of the marked representational blocks are not imperatively required by any of the unmarked representational blocks as input values for at least one of their respective signal inputs for the purpose of calculating a result value for at least one of their signal outputs, the programmable controller is loaded only with the software code for those subfunctions whose corresponding representational blocks are unmarked, and, if output values supplied by the signal outputs of the marked representational blocks are imperatively required by at least one of the unmarked representational blocks as input values for at least one of their respective signal inputs for the purpose of calculating a result value for at least one of their signal outputs, the programmable controller is loaded with the software code for those subfunctions whose corresponding representational blocks are unmarked and with the software code for those subfunctions whose corresponding representational blocks are marked and whose output values applied to their respective signal outputs are imperatively required by at least one of the unmarked representational blocks as input values for at least one of their respective signal inputs.
In this case, an embodiment of the invention is based on the consideration that an application-specific functional module can easily be produced from a predefined functional module if the starting point is a block diagram of the predefined functional module which graphically describes the predefined functional module and also its subfunctions. In this way, the subfunctions provided by the predefined functional modules and the relevance of the subfunctions to the automation task which is to be performed are particularly easily for the user to identify. The inventive method now provides a simple way for the user to identify those connections between the representational blocks, and those representational blocks, which are not needed for performing the present automation task, and to provide them with a marking. Such marked connections/connecting lines and/or representational blocks are then ignored when loading the corresponding software code into the automation system, provided that no unmarked representational block and/or connecting line imperatively requires a value which is made available by at least one of the marked elements.
This ensures, in particular, the quality of the application-specific functional module, particularly insofar as the user cannot inadvertently mask out software code for marked elements, which can lead to incorrect results calculated by the application-specific functional module. For this reason, the inventive method makes provision for only the software code which is required for performing the automation task to be loaded into the programmable controller, but for this also to include the software code for marked subfunctions if the value or values on at least one corresponding signal output are imperatively required as input values for at least one unmarked subfunction. In this regard, the inventive method involves an error/plausibility check being performed when the software code is loaded into the automation system.
In an extension of the inventive method, it is conceivable for a block diagram containing marked representational blocks and/or connecting lines to be loaded into the data processing system and then for the marking of subfunctions which are not needed to be accompanied by the removal of existing markings, so that an application-specific functional module (which in this case is regarded as being a predefined functional module) can be used to produce a further, new application-specific functional module, in line with an embodiment of the invention.
In a development of the inventive method, in a subsequent step, the marked elements are graphically masked out of the block diagram by means of the data processing system, so that the block diagram modified in this manner graphically represents the current embodiment of the application-specific functional module, particularly for documentation purposes. This graphical representation can then be printed and/or stored, for example.
In summary, it can be said that the inventive method provides enormous improvements, as compared with the prior art, both when creating an application-specific functional module and when the software code associated with the application-specific functional module is executed in a programmable controller: when creating the application-specific functional module, only the absolutely necessary subfunctions need to be supplied with parameters, and when the application-specific functional module is executed in a programmable controller, it is no longer necessary for the predefined functional module's full software code to be loaded, which results in a sometimes considerable lesser memory space requirement in the automation system and in a sometimes considerably increased execution speed.
For the configuration system, an embodiment of the invention achieves the object by use of a configuration system for producing an application-specific functional module for an automation system from a predefined functional module, the predefined functional module comprising at least two subfunctions implemented by means of software code, having
The details and explanations given in connection with the inventive method can be transferred in a similar manner to a configuration system in accordance with the an embodiment of invention and are therefore not repeated at this point.
The text below illustrates two exemplary embodiments of the invention in more detail.
In the drawings:
The block diagram B is loaded into the data processing system DV. The PID controller's predefined functional module graphically illustrated by way of the block diagram B comprises three subfunctions, namely a proportional amplifier P, an integrator I and a differentiator D, which are respectively visualized by a representational block in the block diagram B. These three subfunctions can be used to bring the signal output u of the PID controller into line with a desired time profile as a reaction to a control error signal provided in the form of a control error xd. This is done, in particular, by vitue of a suitable choice of parameters KP, TN, TV. In this case, the parameter KP is the “proportional gain factor” for the proportional amplifier P in the PID controller, the parameter TN is the previously settable control time for the integrator I in the PID controller, and the parameter TV is the prescribable timing advance for the differentiator in the PID controller. When using the PID controller's predefined functional module for a specific control task, at least the three said parameters need to be brought into line with the specific instance of application in order to achieve a desired response from the controller.
In many instances of application, a PI controller is sufficient to achieve a good control result, for example. If there is a desire to use a predefined functional module in the form of said PID controller in such an instance of application, then it is necessary to ensure that the differentiator D part does not affect the controller's output signal u. The output signal ud from the differentiator must therefore not be impressed on the controller's output signal u, or at least it must not alter the controller's output signal u.
In many cases, it is possible to ensure that the result of a subfunction in a predefined functional module does not affect the output signal from the functional module by virtue of a suitable choice of parameter(s) associated with the subfunction. However, it may also be necessary to deactivate at least one connecting line V connecting a signal input and/or signal output for the unwanted subfunction of a predefined functional module to a wanted subfunction in order to prevent the output signal from being undesirably affected by the unwanted subfunction.
In the present case, by way of example, it is not possible to eliminate the differentiator D part of the controller's output signal u completely just by virtue of a suitable choice of parameter TV.
A marking device ME included in the data processing system DV is used to provide the differentiator D with a marking M which, in this case, covers both the representational block for the differentiator D and its connecting lines V to the controller's signal input xd and to the controller's signal output u.
The software code SP, SI and SD, corresponding to the representational blocks for the proportional amplifier P, for the integrator I and for the differentiator D, respectively, can likewise be stored in the data processing system DV, for example, particularly in a software library.
A loading device L is used to read the software code SP and SI, corresponding to the proportional amplifier P and to the integrator I, respectively, into a memory MEM in the programmable controller AS. The software code SD, which corresponds to the marked differentiator D, including its possibly marked connecting lines V, is not read into the programmable controller AS in this case, since the present exemplary embodiment is intended to involve use of the PID controller's predefined functional module to produce an application-specific module for a PI controller, in which the differentiator D part is not necessary and is also not wanted.
Since, in the present case, the signal output uD of the differentiator D is not imperatively required by any unmarked representational block, that is to say neither by the proportional amplifier P nor by the integrator I, for the purpose of calculating the respective signal outputs uP and uI for said unmarked representational blocks, the differentiator D part can be masked out using the marking M, which means that just the software code corresponding to the unmarked representational blocks can be loaded into the memory MEM in the programmable controller AS by means of the loading device L. This prevents, in particular, unnecessary loading of software code which is not needed into the programmable controller AS, which means that firstly the memory MEM in the programmable controller AS is relieved of load and secondly the execution speed of the software code SP and SI corresponding to the application-specific functional module is improved. An output signal u′, which comprises the output signals uP and uI from the proportional amplifier P and from the integrator I, respectively, can now be used to control, by way of example, an installation component AK in a technical installation, with—as desired—an application-specific PI controller having been produced from the predefined functional module for the PID controller.
Consequently, it is now necessary to supply only the proportional gain factor KP and the control time TN, as parameters for the application-specific PI controller, with suitable values for performing the control task. The parameter TV additionally provided in the predefined functional module, is not required and does not need to be supplied with a value in the PI controller's application-specific functional module. Thus, both the complexity of configuration and the susceptibility to error when carrying out the control, owing to incorrect parameter values possibly being supplied, are reduced.
In the present case, the predefined functional module is a logarithm module which is used, in a first subfunction, to form the logarithm for a signal applied as input signal e and, in a second subfunction, to multiply this logarithmized value a′ as input signal e′ by a multiplication factor F in a multiplier MULT and to output it as an output signal a. One instance of application for such a predefined logarithm module is, by way of example, calculation of the attenuation in decibels dB from a signal amplitude provided as an absolute value. In this example, the first subfunction, formed by a logarithmizer LOG, could calculate the common logarithm of the signal amplitude provided as input signal e, and the second subfunction, provided by the multiplier MULT, multiplies the output signal a′ from the logarithmizer LOG by the factor F=20. The corresponding output signal a then corresponds to the attenuation of the signal amplitude expressed in decibels dB.
A user now wishing to produce a simple multiplier from the predefined logarithm module, represented by the block diagram B, as an application-specific functional module could now use a marking device ME included in the data processing system DV. This marking device is used to mark the representational block associated with the first subfunction of the logarithmizer LOG and the representational block's connecting lines V to its signal input e or signal input e′ on the multiplier MULT in order subsequently to use a loading device L to load the programmable controller AS just with that software code which corresponds to the second subfunction, namely to the multiplier MULT.
In the present exemplary embodiment, however, the output value from the logarithmizer LOG which is applied to the signal output a′ is imperatively required as an input value for the signal input e′ on the multiplier MULT. In other words, the result value for the first subfunction, connected upstream of the second subfunction, is urgently required for the second subfunction to work so that it can actually calculate a result as a value for its signal output a. In the exemplary embodiment in
In this way, a plausibility check is performed to determine whether the software code SLOG corresponding to the marked representational block can really be masked out and does not need to be loaded into the programmable controller AS. In the current example, if a user wishes to use the predefined functional module to deal with the objective, the software code SLOG corresponding to the logarithmizer LOG needs to be able to be read into the programmable controller AS together with the software code SMULT associated with the multiplier MULT, since otherwise the application-specific functional module produced would be incorrect.
If a user in the example in
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
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|U.S. Classification||700/87, 717/125, 700/18, 700/86, 715/734, 712/37, 712/36, 708/230, 717/105, 700/17, 715/965, 715/969, 715/763, 715/735, 715/762, 700/83, 326/38, 717/113, 717/109, 715/967|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10S715/965, Y10S715/967, Y10S715/969, G05B2219/23258, G05B19/0426, G05B2219/25067|
|May 21, 2003||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GERMANY
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUMPERT, HANS-DIETER;KLEYER, DIETER;REEL/FRAME:014099/0103
Effective date: 20030515
|May 7, 2009||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Mar 7, 2013||FPAY||Fee payment|
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Kriston Capps is a staff writer for CityLab covering housing, architecture, and politics. He previously worked as a senior editor for Architect magazine.
“Emotive lighting” for infrastructure is the big new thing. Is there a way to embrace LED spectacles without being tacky about it?
Nine bridges in New York will twinkle through the night by 2018. Thanks to thousands of LEDs, spans ranging from the Henry Hudson Bridge in Inwood to the Crossbay Veterans Memorial Bridge in the Rockaways will light up, to dazzling effect, every night—and with special effects for the Fourth of July, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and other color-coded events.
The nine bridges, the first phase of a $500-million overhaul for Metropolitan Transportation Authority–administered bridges and tunnels, will join the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center as New York structures that shine for the big moments. Imagine them all lit up blue and orange to celebrate a championship for the Mets or the Knicks. (Or some other, more likely color-oriented scenario.)
New York’s bridges in turn will join the ranks of hundreds of bridges worldwide that deploy emotive LED lighting to dazzle residents and draw tourists. The Big River Crossing in Memphis, the Leonard P. Zakim–Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, the Big Four Bridge in Louisville, and the Little Rock Bridges in Little Rock are a few in the U.S. that have embraced light shows over the last four years.
“I hear that one of the things that inspired [New York Governor Andrew Cuomo] was a visit to Philadelphia, and a bridge lighting down there,” says Jim Anderson, an executive for Philips Lighting. “I also wonder if they also saw some of the things that are happening around the world.”
London, too, is jumping on the dramatic-lighting bandwagon. On December 8, the Illuminated River Foundation will announce the winner in a design competition to light up 17 bridges across the Thames in central London. The six finalist teams include such art-world luminaries as Leo Villareal, Katharina Grosse, Glenn Ligon, and Cai Guo-Qiang as well as giants in architecture such as Adjaye Associates and Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
With New York and London on board, this trend isn’t going anywhere soon. As cities, counties, and states update outdated bridges, upgrading their lighting systems to LEDs is inevitable. With that move comes the opportunity to throw in some low-cost civic razzle-dazzle, says Anderson, who is the global market segment manager for bridges, monuments, and building façades at Philips. “If you develop the waterfront, bridges are usually right there, very visible,” he says. “They can help mark a city or brand a city. That’s what we’ve seen all over the world, and it seems to be picking up as well.”
Fancy LEDs at the scale of infrastructure are a new phenomenon. Philips Lighting, which is responsible for lighting installations for at least 100 bridges worldwide, acquired Color Kinetics, a Boston startup, in 2007, and with it several patents on mixing and dimming LEDs to create lighting. New advances in fiber optics and cloud-based monitoring make it possible to orchestrate complicated patterns across tens of thousands of LEDs—not just over a single waterway but across an entire city. To quickly change a city’s colors to those of le Tricolor after an attack in Paris, for example, or to celebrate a Pride parade.
Maybe the best-known U.S. bridge to deploy a fancy lighting scheme is the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Villareal, one of the world’s best-known illumination artists, designed the program for the 25,000-LED installation known as “Bay Lights,” which first opened in 2013.
Not everyone loved “Bay Lights.” The installation drew a tepid response from The San Francisco Chronicle when the system first debuted. Architecture critic John King questioned the substance and rigor of the project. King revisited that opinion in 2014, in part because the city was closing in on a plan to make the temporary light show a permanent fixture—and also because readers called him a killjoy.
King dug in his heels, complaining at the “awkwardness of treating the region’s most robust work of architectural engineering as … a canvas for the visual equivalent of background music.” To no avail: The Bay Bridge is now permanently lit by the patterned twinkling sequences of the Bay Lights.
“Originally, there was a fair amount of pushback from a number of people in the city about light in the city and creating some sort of gaudy lighting image,” Anderson says. “After Leo delivered that system, people didn’t want to take it down after two years. There was a lot of pushback from people. ‘You can’t take this down, this is San Francisco. This is high tech.’”
New York has yet to name a lighting designer or outline a contest for its two-phase upgrades. All told, it will involve 11 bridges total, including one bridge under construction, plus lighting in the Queens–Midtown Tunnel and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. In a press conference, Governor Cuomo announced some softer infrastructure touches, too, including a fabric “chainmail” draping for steel gantries, tunnel entrances, and parking garages.
New York has an opportunity to disappoint more than just architecture critics with its lighting decisions. Those probably won’t involve animatronic, fire-breathing dragons—like this bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam—but New Yorkers take their bridges seriously. Governor Cuomo describes “boldness” as one of the key characteristics of its forthcoming lighting program.
“You can do a sophisticated job for an area looking for a sophisticated look,” Anderson says.
Cities beyond New York can expect to see more of this coming down the pike. Not just the LEDs, but the profile-ization of civic infrastructure, with more and more structures lit up to celebrate religious holidays and sports championships or express solidarity over terror attacks. The meaning of all these once-special gestures may change once everyone is doing it.


Construction of senior secondary school building in Shimla
|Company||Government of Himachal Pradesh|
|Bid submission last date||Jul 20 2015|
Government of Himachal Pradesh, Public Works Department has floated an e- tender for the construction of senior secondary school building at Balag in Shimla. Tender includes construction of W.S & S.I etc. Approximate tender value is Rs.1.23 crore and the period of work is 540 days. The last date for tender submission is July 20 2015.
Contact: Executive Engineer, HP PWD Division, Theog.


text:
Sponge Coral & turquoise twist earrings
A lovely contrast in color - with a twist! These richly textured sponge coral pieces are the color of luscious ripe strawberries, complemented beautifully by soft blue-green, matte turquoise. They are suspended from a twisting 14k gold-filled wire in a design that will have your admirers curiously asking "how'd you get those earrings on?" It's simple! Just think of the wire as you would any post - insert from the front and keep moving the wire through until it falls just the way it shows in the mannequin photo. Playful design, lightweight (only 1.7 grams - about the weight of a Puffs tissue!) and incredible color. Approx. 1 1/2" long by 1/2" wide.

domain: artistic


text:
Coffee and tea consumption in relation to inflammation and basal glucose metabolism in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cross-sectional study
Nutrition Journal volume 10, Article number: 61 (2011)
Higher coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in cohort studies, but the physiological pathways through which coffee affects glucose metabolism are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between habitual coffee and tea consumption and glucose metabolism in a multi-ethnic Asian population and possible mediation by inflammation.
We cross-sectionally examined the association between coffee, green tea, black tea and Oolong tea consumption and glycemic (fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta, plasma HbA1c) and inflammatory (plasma adiponectin and C-reactive protein) markers in a multi-ethnic Asian population (N = 4139).
After adjusting for multiple confounders, we observed inverse associations between coffee and HOMA-IR (percent difference: - 8.8% for ≥ 3 cups/day versus rarely or never; P trend = 0.007), but no significant associations between coffee and inflammatory markers. Tea consumption was not associated with glycemic markers, but green tea was inversely associated with plasma C-reactive protein concentrations (percent difference: - 12.2% for ≥ 1 cup/day versus < 1 cup/week; P trend = 0.042).
These data provide additional evidence for a beneficial effect of habitual caffeinated coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity, and suggest that this effect is unlikely to be mediated by anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
The prevalence of Type-2 diabetes mellitus (Type-2 DM) is rising rapidly in Asian countries [1, 2], and identifying lifestyle measures to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent Type-2 DM in these populations is particularly important. Data from multiple prospective cohort studies , including results from Asian populations [4, 5], indicate that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of Type-2 DM. Results from several cross-sectional studies suggest that an association between coffee consumption and insulin sensitivity may contribute to this association [6, 7]. Because coffee is a rich source of anti-oxidants , and sub-clinical inflammation has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR)  coffee may improve insulin sensitivity by decreasing inflammation. Inflammatory markers including higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and lower adiponectin concentrations have been associated with insulin resistance [10, 11].
However, studies on coffee consumption and inflammatory outcomes have yielded inconsistent results. Coffee consumption was associated with lower plasma CRP concentrations in four cross-sectional studies [12–15], with higher CRP concentrations in a Greek population , and with no change in CRP concentrations in a small clinical study . Fewer studies have examined coffee consumption in relation to adiponectin concentrations. In cross-sectional studies in the U.S.  and Japan  coffee consumption was associated with higher adiponectin concentrations, whereas another study in Japan  observed no such association. In an intervention study, serum adiponectin concentration increased when participants consumed eight cups of coffee per day as compared to when they did not consume coffee . These studies did not distinguish between high-molecular weight and lower molecular weight adiponectin that may have different metabolic effects .
There is less consistent evidence on the association between tea consumption and risk of Type-2 DM . Data on the effects of tea in relation to glycemic parameters and inflammatory markers are inconclusive  and are mostly limited to green tea [23–26]. Since the putative bioactive compounds in tea vary by type, some of the discrepancies may be related to the type of tea consumed.
The main aim of this study was to evaluate consumption of coffee and three type of tea (black, green and Oolong) in relation to markers of inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and glycemia in a multi-ethnic population consisting of Chinese, Malays and Asian-Indians. We hypothesized that coffee and tea consumption are associated with lower IR and that this association can be partly explained by plasma adiponectin and CRP concentrations.
In this study we used cross-sectional data from the Singapore Prospective study-2 (SP2) cohort. This study conducted between 2003-2007, was a follow-up of persons participating in four previous Singaporean population-based studies: the Thyroid and Heart Study , the National Health Survey-1992 , National University of Singapore Heart Study  and the National Health Survey-1998  which were conducted between 1982 and 1998. These studies used a stratified random sampling method, disproportionate for ethnicity to increase representation of the minority Malay and Asian-Indian ethnic groups. The total participant pool derived from these studies consisted of 10,747 persons, of which 667 were not available (deceased, emigrated, errors in identity number recording) . For the SP2 study, an interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed during a home visit by 7744 participants, and 5163 of these participants attended a clinic visit. Data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics and medical history were collected during the interview and fasting blood samples were obtained during the clinic visit for measuring biochemical markers . For the present analyses, we only included people who attended the clinic visit (n = 5163). We excluded data from participants who reported pre-existing diabetes (n = 494), cardiovascular disease (n = 213) and current cancer (n = 56) or those for whom these data were missing (n = 76). We also excluded people who reported their race as 'other' (n = 3) and those who were pregnant (n = 2). Of the remaining 4417 people, 220 had an implausible energy intake (> 7000 or < 400 kcal/day, or who had an energy intake to energy expenditure ratio that fell in extreme 2.5 percentile range) and 35 people had reported changing their beverage intake in the month preceding the questionnaire. After excluding these people, 22 had missing covariate data. After these exclusions our final dataset comprised of 4139 participants. The study was approved by the Singapore General Hospital and the National University Hospital Institutional Review Boards.
Dietary intake data during the month preceding the interview was assessed using a semi-quantitative 169-item validated food frequency questionnaire that is used in the National Nutrition Surveys . Participants were asked to estimate their frequency of consuming each food group, based on a standard portion size specific for that food group. Participants could report consumption per day, per week or per month, or could report to never or rarely consume a food. Nutrient intakes were computed by the Health Promotion Board of Singapore, using their in-house database.
Data on coffee intake were obtained by asking participants about the habitual amount of coffee consumed. Participants could select one of seven responses ranging from 'never/rarely' to '10 or more cups per day', with 1 cup being defined as a "standard coffee-shop cup" of 215 ml. Similar questions were asked about green, Oolong and black tea. Coffee intake was grouped into four categories (never/rarely, < 1 cup/day, 1-2 cups/day and ≥ 3 cups per day) and tea intake into 3 categories (< 1 cup/week, 2-6 cups/wk, ≥ 1 cup per day) for data analyses to avoid categories with small numbers. The questionnaire also elicited information on the amount of sugar and the type and amount of milk/cream added to coffee and tea. Although data on type of coffee were not collected, decaffeinated coffee intake is very low in the Singapore population .
Assessment of covariates
Height was measured using a wall mounted measuring tape and weight was measured using a digital scale. BMI was computed as weight (kg) divided by height (m2). Physical activity level and smoking status was assessed from the questionnaire and alcohol intake was obtained from the FFQ. Total physical activity was assessed using a validated questionnaire on household, occupational, leisure-time and transport activity . Participants who used medications to lower cholesterol or triglycerides or increase HDL-C concentrations, or who reported having been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia were considered to have a history of dyslipidemia. Participants who used anti-hypertensive medication or reported having been diagnosed by a physician with hypertension were considered to have a history of hypertension.
Fasting plasma samples were analyzed for glucose using enzymatic methods (ADVIA 2400, Siemens, Germany). Fasting blood samples were used to measure HbA1c using high pressure liquid chromatography on a Biorad Variant II analyzer (Bio-rad laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). Fasting serum samples were analyzed for insulin, using micro-particle enzyme immunoassay (Abbott AXSYM, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL), for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, using an immunoturbidimetric assay (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland), and for total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Sekisui Medical Co Ltd, Japan). The intra and inter batch coefficent of variations percent were as follows; glucose (2.5, 6.6), insulin (4.0, 4.5), HbA1c (0.0-2.0, 0.85-1.54), total adiponectin (18.1, 15.9) HMW adiponectin (6.8, 18.3) and CRP (intraassay precision, 0.6%-1.3%; interassay precision, 2.3%-3.1%).
All response variables were transformed using natural logarithms to approximate normality. The means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then exponentiated to obtain geometric means and 95% CIs. Values for response variables that were more than four standard deviations from the mean were considered outliers and were excluded from the analyses. The HOMA-IR index was computed as fasting plasma glucose mmol/L × fasting serum insulin (mU/L)/22.5 and the HOMA-beta index was computed as 20 × fasting serum insulin (mU/L)/fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L -3.5) . Participant characteristics were compared across categories of coffee and tea using Kruskal-Wallis (for non-normally distributed continuous variables), analysis of variance (for normally distributed continuous variables) or the chi-squared test (for categorical variables). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed using HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta, plasma glucose, HbA1c, plasma insulin, CRP, total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin as dependant variables and coffee or tea as independent variables. Linear estimators were fitted using two multivariate models: Model 1:adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity Model 2: further adjusted for BMI (kg/m2), physical activity (kcal/week), education level, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, history of dyslipidemia, history of hypertension and dietary factors i.e. energy intake (kcal), fiber (per 1000 kcal), cholesterol (per 1000 kcal), PUFA (% energy), MUFA (% energy), SFA (% energy), coffee (for tea analyses) and tea (for coffee analyses). HOMA-beta, as a marker for beta cell function must be considered within the context of IR, because insulin sensitivity regulates insulin secretion . Models for HOMA-beta were therefore further adjusted for HOMA-IR. Residual plots and Cooks distance test (Cooks D < 1.0) was used to assess if there were influential points in the multivariate models . Influential points were not observed with a maximum Cooks Di of 0.03. For trend tests, the median number of cups of coffee or tea consumed in each coffee category or each tea category was treated as a continuous variable. We tested for interactions with overweight status by including multiplicative interaction terms in the model after adjusting for all potential confounders. To evaluate whether additions to coffee modified observed associations, stratified analyses were performed for groups of participants that reportedly added or did not add milk to coffee, and for those that reportedly added or did not add sugar to beverages excluding individuals who used the other type of coffee. Because strong correlations were noted between HOMA-IR and fasting insulin (rspearman = 0.98) and between total and HMW adiponectin (rspearman = 0.94), results are not presented for fasting insulin and total adiponectin. All data were analyzed using SPSS v11 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL). P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant
Coffee drinkers were more likely to be older, male, non-tea drinkers, alcohol consumers, cigarette smokers with higher physical activity, a lower education level, and less healthy dietary choices (Table 1 ). Most coffee drinkers consumed their coffee with milk/cream (71.4%) and sugar (63.0%) Characteristics of tea drinkers varied by type of tea consumed (Additional file 1 Table S1). Black tea and Oolong tea drinkers were more likely to be older, male and have higher BMI. Green tea consumers were more likely to be younger. Chinese were more likely to consume Oolong or green tea, and less likely to consume black tea than Indians or Malay. Black tea consumption was associated with less health conscious dietary intakes, and more physical activity. Oolong and green tea drinkers were more likely to consume alcohol. Regardless of tea type, tea drinkers were more likely to be highly educated and to have known hypertension.
Associations between coffee and glycemic and inflammatory markers
No associations between coffee and glycemic markers were noted in age, sex and ethnicity adjusted models (Table 2 ). However, after adjusting for BMI, coffee consumption was inversely associated with IR (P trend = 0.021), an association that remained after further adjustment for dietary covariates and history of hypertension and dyslipidemia (percent difference: - 8.8% for ≥ 3 cups per day versus rarely or never; P trend = 0.007). This association did not differ significantly by ethnicity (P interaction = 0.769) or overweight status (BMI < or ≥ 25 kg/m2) (P interaction = 0.374). Coffee consumption was not associated with plasma CRP and adiponectin in any of the models (Table 2). Consistent with this observation, the association between coffee consumption and HOMA-IR was not substantially weaker after further adjustment for inflammatory markers (percent difference = -7.7% for ≥ 3 cups/day versus rarely or never; P trend = 0.021) (Table 2). The association between coffee and IR was similar for coffee with added milk (percent difference = - 8.76% for ≥ 3 cups/day versus rarely or never; P trend = 0.0078) and coffee without added milk (percent difference = - 8.56%; P trend = 0.1943; P interaction = 0.9165) and for added sugar (percent difference = - 7.23%; P trend = 0.0452) and no added sugar (percent difference = - 12.21%; P trend = 0.007; P interaction = 0.6041).
Associations between tea and glycemic and inflammatory markers
Black, Oolong, and green tea consumption were not significantly associated with glycemic markers in fully adjusted models (Tables 3, 4 and 5 ). Tea consumption was not significantly associated with inflammatory markers in age, sex and ethnicity adjusted models. However after adjustment for other potential confounders, green tea consumption was significantly associated with lower CRP concentrations (percent difference: - 12.2% for ≥ 1 cup/day versus < 1 cup/week; P trend = 0.042) (Table 5). This association was not modified by BMI status (P interaction = 0.1032) or ethnicity (P interaction = 0.939). Few people consumed three or more cups of a given tea-type (N = 32, 71 and 98 for green, Oolong and black tea respectively), making it less meaningful to look at higher categories of tea intake. When we summed tea intake across the different types of tea, we found no significant associations between tea consumption and metabolic markers (Additional file 1 Table S2).
In this study, in a multi-ethnic Singaporean population, coffee consumption was inversely associated with IR independent of plasma CRP or adiponectin concentrations. This association appeared to be consistent for overweight and non-overweight participants and for Chinese, Malay, and Asian Indian participants. We also noted an inverse relationship between green tea and plasma CRP concentrations, but found no evidence for an association between tea consumption and basal glucose metabolism.
To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to examine the extent to which inflammatory markers such as CRP and adiponectin explain the association between coffee consumption and IR. Data from other clinical and cross-sectional studies suggest a beneficial effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity. However few studies have examined coffee in relation to insulin sensitivity  or inflammation [13, 15, 19, 20] in Asian populations and these studies were all conducted in Japan. These cross-sectional studies found inverse associations between coffee and serum CRP concentrations [13, 15], and either no association  or a direct association  with serum adiponectin concentrations. Both adiponectin and CRP have been associated with Type-2 DM risk [38, 39]. Adiponectin can also decrease IR, independent of its anti-inflammatory properties, via the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway .
Although we observed an inverse association between coffee consumption and IR, we found no significant associations between coffee intake and inflammatory markers and these markers did not explain the association between coffee and IR. These results suggest that the putative protective effect of coffee consumption against the development of Type-2 DM, which has been previously reported in Singapore Chinese , is at least partly mediated by its effects on IR. However, this inverse association between coffee consumption and IR is probably not mediated by anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, there are some caveats that are worth considering. First, although CRP is a well-established marker of systemic inflammation , it is possible that coffee alters other measures of inflammation that were not examined in this study. Second, the relatively low amounts of coffee consumed in this population, may have been insufficient to exert a biological effect on CRP and adiponectin. In a cross-sectional study of U.S. women, only consuming four or more cups of coffee per day, but not lower consumption, was associated with higher adiponectin concentrations . However, the literature on this topic is not consistent with a few other studies suggesting associations with concentrations of CRP and adiponectin at intakes as low as one cup per day [13, 19].
Apart from its anti-inflammatory effects, phenolic compounds in coffee have been postulated to affect glucose metabolism through various mechanisms including intestinal glucose absorption and incretin secretion , and reduction of hepatic triglyceride accumulation . Consistent with several intervention studies, no associations were noted between black or green tea, and fasting glycemic parameters in this investigation [23, 24, 26]. In contrast, a Japanese intervention study, noted reduced fasting plasma glucose and fructosamine concentrations in diabetic participants who consumed 1 L per day of Oolong tea for four weeks . The difference in diabetes status or amount of tea consumed may have contributed to the difference in results as compared with our study.
Tea consumption was not associated with adiponectin concentrations in our study. This is consistent with studies that showed no associations between green tea and plasma adiponectin concentration even at relatively high intake levels of four cups/day [19, 43], but contrasts with one randomized trial in which consumption of one L of Oolong tea per day increased adiponectin concentrations in 22 persons with coronary artery disease .
The inverse association between green tea and CRP is a finding that stands in contrast to several other studies which observed no such association [25, 43, 45, 46]. However, these studies were all clinical trials that examined either the acute  or short-term (4-8 weeks) [25, 43, 45] effects of green tea intake. A longer duration may be needed for the beneficial effects of green tea on CRP to be manifested. Interestingly, we found no associations between black tea and glycemic parameters or inflammatory markers. These findings were inconsistent with those of a prospective cohort study in Singaporean Chinese that found an inverse association between black tea consumption and Type-2 DM risk . It is possible that black tea alters post-prandial aspects of glucose metabolism, which were not examined in this study.
The large multi-ethnic study population and detailed assessments of potential confounders are strengths of this study. Because of the cross-sectional design, the sequence of events cannot be inferred from this study. However, we excluded people with known diseases who may have exhibited differential recall of lifestyle exposures or were on medications that may have obscured the effects of coffee or tea on the markers of interest. Also, measurement error in the assessment of lifestyle exposures is unavoidable and makes the possibility of residual confounding a concern. However, as coffee consumption was associated with less health-conscious lifestyle behaviors, it is less likely that un-measured confounders would weaken the inverse association between coffee and IR. Green tea intake was associated with some favorable lifestyle behaviors and higher education, and it is thus possible that green tea may have served as a proxy for an unmeasured or imperfectly measured beneficial exposure in this study.
These data suggest a beneficial effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity in Asians at modest levels of consumption. This association did not appear to be mediated by anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and other pathways should be considered for mechanistic studies.
Fasting plasma glucose
High molecular weight
Homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function
Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance
Singapore Prospective study-2 cohort Type-2 DM: Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
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The study was supported by the following grants: Biomedical Research Council (03/1/27/18/216), National Medical Research Council (0838/2004) and (NMRC/CSI/0002/2005). Study sponsors were not involved in data collection or manuscript preparation. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the Health Promotion Board, Singapore for use of their food frequency questionnaire and database for dietary analyses.
Tai E. Shyong. has served on advisory boards for Merck Sharp and Dohme (I.A.) Corp, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Astra Zeneca (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Bristol Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte Ltd., and has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Merck Sharp and Dohme (I.A.) Corp, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited and Unilever Colworth. The other authors declare no competing interests.
EST and JL designed the cohort study and directed its implementation. CHC and WX conducted the data analysis. SAR conducted the literature review, helped in data analysis and drafted the manuscript. NN helped in data cleaning and conducted technical review. KSC conceived of the research question and guided data analyses. RMVD guided data analyses and interpretation and led manuscript writing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Electronic supplementary material
Additional file 1: Additional Tables. Table S1: This table contains information on participant characteristics across categories of tea intake. Table S2: This table contains information on the associations between total tea consumption and metabolic markers. (PDF 188 KB)
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Cite this article
Rebello, S.A., Chen, C.H., Naidoo, N. et al. Coffee and tea consumption in relation to inflammation and basal glucose metabolism in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cross-sectional study. Nutr J 10, 61 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-61

domain: biology


The next phase of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is heralding a new era of possibilities for the healthcare insurance industry. Whether it’s to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experience or improve risk management, healthcare insurance executives are facing unprecedented opportunities through AI-driven solutions. In this article, we explore five pivotal areas where AI can generate the most value for healthcare insurance companies.
Streamlining Claims Processing with AI
The claims processing journey is a critical touchpoint that directly impacts customer satisfaction. AI offers a transformative approach to streamline this process by automating claim verification, assessment and settlement. A study conducted by PwC found that AI-powered claims processing could reduce claims costs by up to 20% and enhance processing speed by 60%.
Incorporating machine learning algorithms into claims assessment can analyze historical data to identify fraudulent claims accurately. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the insurance industry loses approximately $40 billion annually due to fraudulent claims. AI can play a significant role in curbing this loss through real-time fraud detection, saving both time and resources.
Predictive Analytics for Risk Assessment
AI-enabled predictive analytics is a game-changer in risk assessment, allowing insurance companies to make more informed underwriting decisions. By analyzing vast amounts of data, including medical history, lifestyle choices and demographic factors, AI algorithms can predict potential risks more accurately. According to a report by McKinsey, insurers that utilize predictive analytics have witnessed a 10-15% reduction in claims costs.
Furthermore, AI can assist in creating personalized insurance plans tailored to individual policyholders’ needs and risks. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also mitigates risks by aligning coverage with actual potential costs.
Enhancing Customer Experience with Virtual Assistants
AI-powered virtual assistants, commonly known as chatbots, are transforming customer interactions within the healthcare insurance sector. These intelligent bots provide real-time support to policyholders, answering queries, assisting with policy information and guiding customers through the claims process. A study by Gartner predicts that by 2023, 30% of all customer service interactions will be handled by AI.
Moreover, chatbots offer 24/7 accessibility, eliminating waiting times and enhancing customer satisfaction. The State of Arkansas’s employee benefits division improved their customer satisfaction by 90% after implementing a chatbot, according to a case study by Forrester.
Fraud Detection and Prevention
Similar to the broader healthcare industry, insurance companies face significant challenges related to fraud. AI algorithms can scrutinize vast datasets to identify patterns indicative of fraudulent activities. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, insurance fraud costs the industry nearly $80 billion annually.
AI’s ability to analyze diverse data sources, including medical records, social media and claims history, enables early detection of potential fraudulent claims. This not only safeguards the insurance company’s financial health but also ensures that genuine claims are processed more efficiently.
Personalized Premiums and Dynamic Pricing
Traditional insurance pricing models often rely on generalized risk assessment, leading to disparities between actual risks and premiums. AI-driven dynamic pricing offers a more accurate and personalized approach to setting premiums. By leveraging real-time data and predictive analytics, insurance companies can adjust premiums based on evolving risk factors.
According to a study by McKinsey, the dynamic pricing approach could lead to a potential 15-20% increase in profits for insurance companies. Policyholders benefit from more equitable pricing, while insurance companies reduce adverse selection and maintain a healthier risk pool.
Seizing the AI Advantage
AI will reshape the healthcare insurance landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities for industry executives to drive value across multiple dimensions. The potential is substantiated by robust statistics: the AI in the healthcare insurance market is projected to reach $14 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 41.2% from 2020 to 2025, according to MarketsandMarkets.
By harnessing AI’s capabilities, healthcare insurance companies can optimize claims processing, improve risk assessment accuracy, enhance customer experience, detect and prevent fraud and implement personalized pricing models. Embracing AI not only positions companies at the forefront of innovation but also empowers them to deliver superior services, increase profitability and contribute to a more resilient healthcare insurance ecosystem.
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Christmas Brussels sprouts
Don't serve Christmas dinner without our spruced up sprouts. Go on enjoy!
Brussels Sprouts, boiled
1 individual, steamed
3 tablespoon(s), level
Vinegar, All Types
1 tablespoon(s), apple cider
½ tablespoon(s), level
- Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5/190°C/375°F. Coat an 8 X 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place the Brussels sprouts at the bottom of a prepared pan. (Note: If you can't find fresh sprouts, use frozen ones that have been thawed; just decrease the cooking time below by about 10-15 minutes).
- Combine the maple syrup, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl; pour over the Brussels sprouts. Stir in the cranberries and bake, covered, until tender and bubbly, for about 30 minutes.

domain: food


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