text:
Record pokie spending
GAMBLERS in the Fraser Coast have splurged record amounts on gaming machines on the way to notching up their largest quarterly total since figures were made available online in 2009.
From May to August, pokie players in the region poured more than $17.5 million into devices locally - equating to more than $1.60 a second or $143,545 each day - meaning about $30 has been spent since you started reading this article.
Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation figures show a spike in pokie takings about the time tax returns are funded to bank accounts every year.
Uniting Care community educator Rick Whittle agreed there was a trend and said research revealed this period of the year was consistently the most prolific for spending on gaming machines.
"We've dissected it over the years and tend to find that August is the big time and that could be attributed to tax rebates, also with the farmers getting their returns," Mr Whittle said.
"We've been trying to mull it over for many years and so too have the major governing bodies in gambling and no one has a definitive answer in relation to that one."
Mr Whittle also admitted that based on recent figures, it could be assumed that anti pokie marketing was failing to change gambling habits.
He said the Wide Bay region was known to house a high number of Queensland's gaming machines in relation to its population and this was a reflection of local spending behaviour.

domain: economics


text:
Under the Microscope: ‘Micro IVF’
MDs Debate Effectiveness of ‘Micro IVF,’ also referred to as ‘Mini IVF’ or ‘Minimal Stimulation IVF’ at FertilityTies.com
Micro IVF can be described as taking only oral fertility medications with or without minimal use of injectable gonadotropins when going through In Vitro fertilization. The process then proceeds in similar fashion to conventional IVF with egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer. This new protocol is said to not only cut down on costs, but to diminish risks of multiple births.
Following are the opinions expressed by Reproductive Endocrinologists at FertilityTies.com, http://www.fertilityties.com/post/show/what-is-micro-ivf-also-known-as-mini-ivf-2. (It should be noted that FertilityTies does not promote specific fertility treatment but provides information from all sides so members can be informed):
“IVF over the past twenty years has evolved and been optimized from a point where pregnancy rates were at best quoted to be 10% back then to about 50% today. We have become better with stimulation protocols and techniques over this time period. Nevertheless, this success has unintended consequences including the possibility of embryo overproduction and multiple births.
Minimal Stimulation IVF is currently being touted as a solution for this, and we all hope that it soon will be. However, we lack sufficient data from clinical trials to support its use. In one of the better trials to date from Pelinck et al (
More data needs to become available to truly assess the success of this protocol for different types of patients.”
“Micro IVF is a great way to assist patients with achieving their goal of having a single baby while minimizing their risk of complications such as multiple pregnancy, hyper-stimulation syndrome or producing financial hardship. Its lower cost and risk should outweigh diminished pregnancy rate which for young high responders and older poor responders will be minimal. The reason these groups would see a minimal decrease in success is that the younger high responders have a higher implantation rate per embryo and do not need as many embryos to produce the healthy one that will result in a baby. The older poor responders do not make extra embryos with aggressive stimulation and have nothing to gain by adding gonadotropins in a conventional IVF cycle.”
Founder & Medical Director of Red Rock Fertility in
“My biggest fear is that this procedure will be misused by couples and patients who require conventional IVF, but because of the economy they opt for the lower price and subsequently, the lower chance of success. It worries me that in order to try to save money, patients may fall for a ‘gimmick’ and use up funds that could have gone towards a real chance at success.”
For more information about “Micro IVF” and the debate surrounding the new protocol, visit www.FertilityTies.com. Those interested in attending FertilityTies’

domain: literature


text:
Located in the commercial center of Istanbul, the 3-star Valide Sisli Hotel offers individual rooms. The unique hotel represents Ottoman architecture in Istanbul.
Istanbul Congress Center, Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre and Cevahir Mall are about 10 minutes' walk away. The property is set within 6 km distance from Istanbul city center.
Shoppers will find shopping centers, commercial centers and trendy shops within a few minutes of the hotel.
Guests will find themselves a 5-minute stroll from Sisli subway station. A 20-minute drive will take you to Ataturk airport.
Valide Sisli Hotel provides guestrooms appointed with free Wi-Fi, a minibar, climate control, a dressing area and a private safe. All bathrooms come with a bathtub, a shower and free toiletries.
Eat & Drink
The restaurant menu features Turkish dishes. The venue is set next to a metro station and just 250 meters from Lasagrada Brasserie and Adana Ocakbasi.
Along with currency exchange, a baggage storage and a designated smoking area there are a business center, a meeting room and a photocopier available on the premises.
Valide Sisli Hotel is a child-friendly hotel offering babysitting and cots.
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
private parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation might be needed) at EUR 10 per day.

domain: travel


A baby has been born through a new technique which "reawakens" the ovaries of women who experienced very early menopause.
Doctors in the U.S. and Japan developed the technique to take out the ovaries, activate them in the laboratory and re-implant fragments of ovarian tissue. The technique has resulted in a baby being born, with another on the way, and has been described as a "potential game-changer".
The 27 women involved in the research became infertile around the age of 30 due to "primary ovarian insufficiency", which affects one in 100 women who essentially run out of eggs too young, leading to an early menopause.
Professor Aaron Hsueh, from Stanford, tells the BBC, "It has to be improved to figure out the best way to do it, but we estimate it could help 25 to 30% of the women. We think it could help in two other forms of infertility. Cancer survivors after chemotherapy or radiotherapy; if there's any follicles left there's a chance this will help. And also women aged 40 to 45 with an irregular menstrual cycle."


text:
Boys’ standing falls as girls win favor
A growing number of parents are eschewing tradition and attempting to ensure that their second child is female. Li Na and Shuang Rui report for China Features at Xinhua News Agency.
LiuMinlayonthe bed quietly, looking at her newborn second son. Despite her joy, she felt a sense of loss — because she had failed to have a daughter.
Four years ago, the 31-year-old Beijing resident gave birth to her first son. To care for him, Liu resigned her job in the legal department of an insurance company, sacrificing an annual salary of 200,000 yuan ($29,500).
When the “one-child policy” was phased out last year, Liu and her husband decided to have another child. They had another boy. “Although having a second child made life more difficult and increased the pressure on us, we still want to have a daughter,” she said.
While her “obsession” with having a daughter is “a challenge to my parents’ ‘patriarchal ideology’”, she is more concerned about the pressures of modern life: “InBeijing, the averagehome can cost from 5 million to 10 million yuan. I worry about the cost of education, marriage and homes formy sons in the future.”
Liu was born in Ding’an county, Hainan, China’s southernmost province, in 1985. She was the family’s fourth daughter. Her infant name was Zhao Di, meaning “bringing a younger brother”, which she was given because “my parents especially wanted a son (next time around)”.
When she was 2, her family had a fifth child — a boy. “When my brother was born, my family invited all our relatives and neighbors to a feast. We lit firecrackers all day,” she recalled. “In the traditional view of people in my hometown, only boys can keep the family line alive.”
Because Liu’s parent had more children than was allowed under the family-planning policy, they were fined heavily. “We lived in straitened circumstances. Sometimes, my sistersandI only ateone bowl of porridge a day,” she said.
In the late 1970s, in a bid to slow population growth in line with the provision of State resources, the one-child policy was strictly implemented, mostly among the urban population. The move was established as a basic State policy in 1982, and finally became law in 2001, with the promulgation of The Population and Family Planning Law of the People’s Republic of China.
However, in a largely agrarian society, many families were still influenced by the tradition of carrying on the family line and raising sons to provide for their parents in old age. Many families lost everything after being fined for having more children than stipulated by the policy.
The problem has been exacerbated by a rapid decline in the gender ratio at birth. In 1982, it was 107 boys to 100 girls, while by 2004 it had declined to 121.18 per 100 girls. Last year, the number was 113.51 boys to 100 girls— still well off the optimal figure of 103 to 107— according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The gender imbalance has resulted in a glut of single men of marriageable age in some regions, especially povertystricken rural areas. At the beginning of the year, it was reported that the lack of suitable women in the central province of Henan was driving unprecedented frenzied bidding for brides with “betrothal gifts”.
About eight years ago, bridegrooms spent 10,000 yuan on gifts for the bride’s family, according to a cadre in the province. Now they are paying 10 times that figure. Families toil formany years just to buy a home, and the money for betrothal gifts, feasts and home appliances is borrowed from every possible friend or relative.
“Getting married means a burdensome debt, which is heavier for families with several boys,” the cadre said. The rising cost of raising children means both rural and urban families now hope for a daughter if they already have a son.
“Instead of sticking to the tradition of ‘the more sons, the more blessings’, most people ofmy generation are content to have a son and a daughter, if possible,” said Wang You, from Liulin village, in Henan’s Gushi county. He and his wife already have a son and they have discussed the idea of having a daughter.
Conversely, Xuan Xuan, 28, and her husband are hoping for a son. They already have a 2-year-old daughter. For her second conception, the traditional therapist researched folk prescriptions on the internet, and has replaced her husband’s favorite fizzy drinks with soda water, which, she believes, can regulate the body’s acid and alkaline environment and improve the chances of conceiving a boy.
“If the second baby is a girl, I’ll still give birth to her as long as she is healthy,” she said. “But before that, we should try what we can.”
That was not the case for architect Wang Yuan, when he and his 3-year-old son accompanied his wife to a private hospital in Beijing for her six-month prenatal check.
A month into the pregnancy, Wang sent a sample of his wife’s blood to a lab in Hong Kong, which said their second child will be a girl. “If it were a boy, I don’t think we would keep it,” Wang’s wife said. “As our society has become more egalitarian, men and women enjoy the same education and job opportunities.”
In 2003, the Family Planning Commission, the Ministry of Health and the State Food and Drug Administration jointly issued The Provisions on Banning Identifying the Gender of a Fetus for Any Nonmedical Need and Artificial Termination of Pregnancy Due to Preference of Gender, which effectively banned abortions based on the gender of the fetus.
But today, many parents want to know the gender of their unborn baby.
The doctor who conducted the check on Wang’s wife said many parents who visit private hospitals for prenatal checks had managed to learn the gender of their baby through various channels: “In some cases, the baby’s gender is not as hoped, but most parents still chose to keep the child rather than abort it.”
In 2014, authorities in parts of Henan and in Jiangsu province launched a crackdown on the identification of the gender of unborn children and abortions conducted for nonmedical reasons.
The move was intended to rebalance birth.
Authorities stipulated that parents with permission to have two children, but who aborted a child because of gender preference would have their permission revoked.
In February, a maternity website visited by 10 million people asked in a survey: “Would you choose an abortion if the gender of your fetus was not what you wanted?”
More than 90 percent of 1,000 mothers who responded replied, “I would accept whatever comes to me”.
However, for many grandparents the gender ratio at living in rural areas and small towns, a grandson is still more welcome than a granddaughter.
Liu Min’s mother-in-law has left her home in a small county in Hunan province to look after her newborn grandson in the capital.
“It’s quite hard to raise a boy nowadays”, she said doubtfully, but she was unable to conceal her pride and joy when she held the boy. China Features is a feature department of Xinhua News Agency, which writes indepth stories for overseas readers.
A nurse changes babies’ clothing at a hospital in Xiangyang city, Hubei province, in February. Many of the newborns are their parents’ second child.
A girl shares a fun moment with her father and her brother in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province.
A boy reaches out to touch the face of his younger sister in Wuhan, Hubei province.

domain: news


text:
While our hopes for Yuengling ice cream were crushed earlier this year, the beer ice cream dream is still alive and well at Exit Strategy, who know “no one likes warm beer.” Launched in 2013, Exit Strategy is the brainchild of Lisa Smith and Grafton Kent. Based in Savannah, Georgia, the company originally started with the plan to primarily sell wholesale. However, the popularity of their craft beer custards enabled them to open a retail location this month. Not only do they carry custard flavors like Chocolate Stout, Caramel Porter, and Belgian Triple, but Grapefruit IPA and Peach Sangria are also in the works.
Lisa, who started Exit Strategy as a way to decompress after long days at work as a pharmacist, has found her background particularly helpful in crafting the frozen treats. By keeping the alcohol content low, they are able to keep the boozy flavor while making a smoother finished product that is less likely to suffer from freezer burn. We’d like a prescription, please! Not all of us have the benefit of nearly year-round warm weather, but we think you can eat ice cream no matter the season–especially if it’s made with beer. While we’d love to order a truckload of Exit Strategy’s creamy creations, for now we’ll just have to settle for making our own. Lisa and Grafton recommend using a frozen custard style ice cream for your base and to take risks with your choice of beer—although they suggest porters and stouts.
Make your own Guinness Ice Cream:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups evaporated milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup Guinness Stout
In a heavy saucepan whisk together the water and the cornstarch and simmer the mixture over moderate heat, whisking, for 2 minutes. Add the milks, the salt, and the sugar, heat the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved, and remove the pan from the heat. Let the mixture cool completely, stir in the Guinness, and freeze the mixture in an ice-cream freezer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For an easier way to get your fix, there’s always the beer float. Just put several scoops of your preferred ice cream—vanilla is the easiest, but don’t be afraid to be adventurous. Try caramel-fudge, coffee, chocolate, or even sorbet—and top with beer.
Some recommended combinations:
- Guinness + coffee ice cream
- Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout + vanilla ice cream
- Berlinerweiss + raspberry sorbet

domain: food


text:
Doha – Qatar’s Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited announced the signing of definitive transaction agreements for the proposed merger of their respective telecommunications businesses in Indonesia, PT Indosat Tbk (Indosat Ooredoo) and PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (H3I).
This landmark telecoms merger transaction is valued approximately US$6bn, according to a press release issued by Ooredoo Group. The merged company will be named PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Tbk (Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison).
The merger of Indosat Ooredoo and H3I will bring together two highly complementary businesses to create a larger, commercially stronger and more competitive world-class digital telecoms and Internet company.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will be the second largest mobile telecoms company in Indonesia, with an estimated annual revenue of approximately US$3bn.
Ooredoo Group currently has a controlling 65 per cent shareholding in Indosat Ooredoo through Ooredoo Asia, a wholly-owned holding company. The merger of Indosat and H3I will result in CK Hutchison receiving newly issued shares in Indosat Ooredoo amounting to 21.8 per cent and PT Tiga Telekomunikasi Indonesia amounting to 10.8 per cent of the merged Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison business.
Concurrent with the merger, CK Hutchison will acquire a 50 per cent shareholding in Ooredoo Asia by exchanging its 21.8 per cent shareholdings in Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison for a 33.3 per cent stake in Ooredoo Asia, and will acquire an additional 16.7 per cent stake from Ooredoo Group for a cash consideration of US$387mn.
Following these transactions, both parties will each own 50 per cent of Ooredoo Asia, to be renamed Ooredoo Hutchison Asia, which will retain a controlling 65.6 per cent ownership stake in the merged company.
Upon closing of the transactions, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will be jointly controlled by Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison and will remain listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange.

domain: finance


text:
How much money does a person working in Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment make in Bangladesh?
54,384 BDT per month
Average Monthly Salary
A person working in Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment in Bangladesh typically earns around 54,384 BDT per month.
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.
Salaries differ drasticly between different Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment jobs. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Salaries for specific jobs
|3D Artist||51,293 BDT|
|3D Designer||51,989 BDT|
|3D Generalist||48,410 BDT|
|3D Visualization Specialist||50,199 BDT|
|Acrobatic Rigger||45,168 BDT|
|Associate Media Director||61,569 BDT|
|Associate Producer||72,632 BDT|
|Broadcast Associate||42,351 BDT|
|Broadcast News Analyst||50,939 BDT|
|Broadcast Technician||35,784 BDT|
|Broadcasting Journalist||58,719 BDT|
|Broadcasting Presenter||68,150 BDT|
|Camera Equipment Repairer||38,301 BDT|
|Cartoonist / Animator||49,321 BDT|
|CAS Engineer||55,412 BDT|
|Censorship Executive||65,858 BDT|
|Communications Manager||75,975 BDT|
|Dance Director||51,491 BDT|
|Director of Photography||60,407 BDT|
|Disc Jockey||40,768 BDT|
|Editorial Assistant||41,204 BDT|
|Events Manager||54,845 BDT|
|Graphic Designer||35,523 BDT|
|Instructional Designer||46,364 BDT|
|Makeup Artist||43,927 BDT|
|Media Design Manager||82,972 BDT|
|Media Equipment Operator||37,494 BDT|
|Media Operations Manager||70,746 BDT|
|Media Producer||59,438 BDT|
|Media Product Development Manager||81,415 BDT|
|Media Program Director||83,324 BDT|
|Media Relations Manager||82,031 BDT|
|Media Sales Manager||85,246 BDT|
|Movement and Dance Coordinator||55,802 BDT|
|Multimedia Coordinator||49,404 BDT|
|Multimedia Designer||44,379 BDT|
|Music Consultant||47,791 BDT|
|News Associate||47,795 BDT|
|News Reporter||66,612 BDT|
|Product Designer||45,870 BDT|
|Production Artist||47,913 BDT|
|Production Assistant||44,418 BDT|
|Production Director||74,295 BDT|
|Production Technician||35,304 BDT|
|Program Researcher||60,929 BDT|
|Promotion Coordinator||45,308 BDT|
|Sound Engineer||51,816 BDT|
|Stage Technician||39,447 BDT|
|Sub Editor||44,554 BDT|
|Television Executive Producer||90,830 BDT|
|Transmission Engineer||48,907 BDT|
|Video Editor||44,139 BDT|
|Video Producer||54,412 BDT|
|Visual Designer||47,317 BDT|
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment Jobs Salary Distribution in Bangladesh
Abount These Figures: Salary Range, Median and Percentiles
The Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment salaries in Bangladesh range between 35,377 BDT per month (minimum salary) to 91,971 BDT per month (maximum salary).
The median salary is 56,560 BDT per month, which means that half (50%) of people working in Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment are earning less than 56,560 BDT while the other half are earning more than 56,560 BDT. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of people working in Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment are earning less than 41,372 BDT while 75% of them are earning more than 41,372 BDT. Also from the diagram, 75% of people working in Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment are earning less than 80,206 BDT while 25% are earning more than 80,206 BDT.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary? What should you be looking at?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plently of room for improvement. If your wage is in between the average and median, then things can be a bit confusing. We have written a guide to explain all the different senarios. How to compare your salary
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment Salary Forecast and Trend in Bangladesh
How do Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment salaries change over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary in recent years.
|Average Salary 2016|| = |
|Average Salary 2017|| +4% |
|Average Salary 2018|| +4% |
|Average Salary 2019|| +4% |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment salaries in Bangladesh are rising in the year 2019 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2019 are 4% higher than those of 2018. The trend suggests a slow yet continous increase in pay in 2020 and future years. These numbers differ slightly from industry to another.
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment Hourly Average Wage in Bangladesh
314 BDT per hour
Average Hourly Wage
The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Bangladesh for Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment is 314 BDT. This means that the average person in Bangladesh earns approximatly 314 BDT for every worked hour.
Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one working hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximation and they are considered to the be the standard.
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment VS Other Jobs
We compared Bangladesh salaries for Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment and All Jobs and we found that Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment salaries are 5% less than those of All Jobs.
Salary Comparison By City
|Coxs Bazar||52,178 BDT|
|St. Martin||48,896 BDT|
51333 - 3


text:
Temper tantrum turns into golden opportunity
What started as a funny text between family members may soon be worth $50,000.
Tunica native Kate Taylor Battle and an image of her nephew, Beau Battle of Tunica, are in the final three in Excedrin’s national “What’s Your Headache Contest.” They were selected from thousands of entries and hope they will be the winners when voting ends on May 22.
Battle says she was browsing social media site Facebook one day when she saw an ad for the contest.
New Strangers Rest is rising from the ruins Today there are only...
Brazilian Dance to perform at televised gospel awards show Local nonprofit dance...
More acres planted in state’s major row crops than in 2013 MISSISSIPPI STATE...
Assessed value of property down slightly Tunica County Tax...
Board to terminate Tunica Arena lease A lengthy – and...


text:
House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) slammed the Obama administration’s decision to temporarily postpone Obamacare’s employer mandate in a closed-door meeting with Republicans on Tuesday, calling it “indefensible,” and discussed options for a legislative response in the House.
“Is it fair for the president of the United States to give American businesses an exemption from his health-care law’s mandates, without giving the same exemption to the rest of America? Hell no, it’s not fair,” Boehner told GOP members, referring to the law’s individual mandate, which remains on track to take effect in 2014.
The speaker also discussed the possible actions the House could take legislatively, according to a source in the room. For example, Boehner raised the idea of voting on a one-year delay of the employer mandate – precisely what the administration has decided to enact unilaterally — followed by a vote on a one-year delay of the law’s individual mandate, which Democrats would presumably oppose. Doing so would get Democrats on record and highlight the “indefensible” nature of the administration’s decision.
“We should be thinking about giving the rest of America the same exemption that Obama last week gave businesses,” Boehner said. Delaying the individual mandate in addition to the employer mandate, he argued, “would be removing another leg from the rickety stool that’s propping Obamacare up.”
Holding a vote on the employer mandate delay could also serve to highlight the question of whether or not President Obama has the authority to impose the delay without congressional approval, which has not yet received a definitive answer. In a letter to Obama on Tuesday, Boehner and other House leaders asked the White House to explain the legality of its decision, among other things. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) has also asked the Congressional Budget Office to evaluate the economic impact of the president’s decision to delay such a central provision of his signature law.

domain: politics


James Mann is a leading car and motorcycle photographer, with more than 20 years of experience shooting for publications, the motor industry, and businesses around the world. His work has appeared on the covers of more than 50 books and has provided stunning visuals for numerous magazines, including Classic and Sports Car, CAR magazine, Forza, The Sunday Times, and Automobile magazine. He was chosen to photograph the British Auto Legends stamps for the Royal Mail. His advertising clients include Aston Martin, BMW, and Toyota.
Jesse Alexander started photographing cars soon after WWII covering the European circuit for Fomula One, Le Mans,Taga Florio and the Mille Miglia. His work has been admired by a generation of motorsport and photography fans alike. In 2015 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award - International Automobile Media Competition.


text:
Articles can be viewed online without a subscription.
Invited Expert Review
Genetic Engineering of Energy Crops: A Strategy for Biofuel Production in ChinaFree Access
Article first published online: 25 JAN 2011
© 2011 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
Volume 53, Issue 2, pages 143–150, February 2011
How to Cite
Xie, G. and Peng, L. (2011), Genetic Engineering of Energy Crops: A Strategy for Biofuel Production in China. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 53: 143–150. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2010.01022.x
- Issue published online: 25 JAN 2011
- Article first published online: 25 JAN 2011
- Accepted manuscript online: 16 DEC 2010 06:26AM EST
- Received 20 Aug. 2010 Accepted 5 Dec. 2010
Biomass utilization is increasingly considered as a practical way for sustainable energy supply and long-term environment care around the world. In concerns with food security in China, starch or sugar-based bioethanol and edible-oil-derived biodiesel are harshly restricted for large scale production. However, conversion of lignocellulosic residues from food crops is a potential alternative. Because of its recalcitrance, current biomass process is unacceptably expensive, but genetic breeding of energy crops is a promising solution. To meet the need, energy crops are defined with a high yield for both food and biofuel purposes. In this review, main grasses (rice, wheat, maize, sorghum and miscanthus) are evaluated for high biomass production, the principles are discussed on modification of plant cell walls that lead to efficient biomass degradation and conversion, and the related biotechnologies are proposed in terms of energy crop selection.

domain: agronomy


INSPECTORS have raised the alarm over government plans to scrap routine checks on mentally-ill patients at Ashworth high-security hospital on Merseyside.
The Mental Health Act Commission, which is losing its inspection role under the plans, warned that checks would only take place "where there is cause for concern" under a looming shake-up of mental health law.
The commission pointed to a recent court case, which found Ashworth's policy of seclusion was unlawful, as evidence of the need for more regular inspections.
In the summer, the Court of Appeal ruled against Ashworth in a case brought by Colonel Munjaz, a patient secluded on four occasions for between four and 20 days at a time. The court found that seclusion violated a patient's human rights if used improperly and concluded that Ashworth's policy was in breach of the code of practice.
Furthermore, the Commission insists Ashworth - and Britain's two other high-security hospitals, Broadmoor and Rampton - continue to hold people unnecessarily.
It highlighted the detention of "patients with reduced mobility and frail, elderly patients, many of whom have needed ground-floor accommodation because they are unable to use stairs".
Now a new Commission for Health-care Audit and Inspection (Chai) will replace the existing Commission, under the forthcoming Mental Health Bill.
At first, the government proposed that visits should be scrapped altogether, but has now accepted that Chai should visit patients "where there is cause for concern about their care".
Chris Heginbotham, the commission's chief executive, said: "Detained patients are the only patients in the NHS subject to compulsion. We believe that visiting them is very important as a way of ensuring the lawfulness of their detention and of protecting their rights."
Over a period of two years, the Commission visited every hospital in England and Wales at least three times, carrying out 19,000 interviews.
The number of people detained for hospital treatment under the 1983 Men-tal Health Act has risen over the past decade to around 13,500 at any one time.
A report three years ago estimated that up to one third of 1,600 patients at Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton did not need such a high level of security and called for their transfer.
All women patients are due to be moved out of Ashworth, but the Commission said it feared some would simply be transferred to Rampton, which would be unable to cope.


text:
Interior designers design and furnish the interiors of residential and commercial properties or buildings. The designer uses colors, textures, furniture and light to create a living space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Interior Designers Typical Duties
- The designer is responsible for studying the interior and formulating a plan or proposal to achieve the clients desired result
- Interior designers are also required to keep a financial budget and to draw up estimates for the clients
- Interior designers are required to keep abreast of new trends and developments in design
- Any subcontracting work done by painters, renovators etc, must be managed by the designer
- Designers are required to render their ideas by either mock ups or drawings to effectively communicate their ideas
Interior designing is largely a creative occupation but the requirements for good financial control and management remain vital to succeed in this field. Interior designers must be great communicators and must also have a love for working with people.
Interior designing can be studied at numerous higher learning institutions across South Africa. Learners have an option of either studying a Bachelors degree in Arts degree specializing in Interior Design or a three year diploma in Interior designing.
Interior Designers can expect a salary between R60 000 and R220 000 per year. This is only an estimate as designers can be paid large salaries depending on their reputation in the market.

domain: artistic


text:
The comprehensive physical and mental change that a woman has to go through during and after pregnancy is certainly worrisome for the majority of pregnant mothers. More than anything else, pregnant mothers are likely to get worried about their physical transformation. They know that nothing is more difficult than giving a perfect shape to the body again after delivering a baby. Most of the women are more likely to feel stressed because they think that they would not be able to attain a perfect body shape again. Whether it is keeping your body healthy or attaining a perfect body shape after delivering a baby, we all would agree with the fact that nothing is more important than ensuring effective postnatal care for the new mother. It would certainly help them on so many levels because coping with the physical and emotional changes after child birth is certainly one of the most difficult tasks for all new mothers. If you think that postnatal care only plays effective role in improving the physical health of a new mother, then you must know that besides physical health, postnatal care also ensures improved internal and mental health.
Therefore, we can say that right after delivering the baby all new mothers should look forward to getting postnatal fitness. It would certainly play a substantial role in helping pregnant women to gain better health in the best possible manners. Therefore, we can say that nothing is more important for women than paying attention to getting postnatal care after delivering the baby. You might have to change your routine and make some changes in your overall lifestyle; however, you must know that all these efforts would end up offering you something great and worthwhile that is your good health.
The majority of women think that their body can heal on its own after pregnancy. It might be true in some cases, but the fact of the matter is that not all women are likely to heal and cope with the changes of pregnancy. Therefore, we can say that there are countless reasons to consider postnatal care after pregnancy.
You might not believe but it is a fact that postnatal care that includes post rehab personal training can play a substantial role in making motherhood easier for you to a great extent. From helping your body to recover faster to reducing symptoms of depression; we would agree with the fact that postnatal care can help women on so many levels.

domain: medical


text:
On Tuesday, students from the school revealed that they found documents related to the agreement in a dumpster behind an administration building on campus.
A university vice president told ABC News that she believes a version of the agreement made public by university students Tuesday may have been stolen.
"We believe, and campus police are investigating, that someone broke into my office and stole the document from my recycling bin," Susana Gajic-Bruyea said in an email to ABC News.
The attorney general's office pledged to get to the bottom of the situation, saying its expanded inquiry will seek to determine whether the university foundation, which has assets of more than $20 million, is spending its money to benefit the campus, as it promises donors, the university and the public.
"We are taking this action to make sure that the money raised goes toward the intended educational purposes and not a dollar is wasted or misspent," Brown said. "Prudent financial stewardship is crucial at a time in which universities face vastly decreased funding and increased student fees."


About 117 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Monterey Park will get a pay raise, thanks to the action of the City Council at Wednesday night’s (11-14-17) meeting.
Tom Cody, Human Resources manager, reported that the employee group made up mostly of clerical and administrative personnel will get a 3% pay raise retroactive to last July, and then another 3% pay raise in July 2018.
He said it was the first pay raise the group has received since 2011.The contract also included increased city contributions to the medical, dental and vision plans. Longevity pay was also increased.
City council previously approved new wage and benefits agreements with several other city unions.


text:
Located in the heart of Hermosa Beach, this small business began with a passion for art and knack for perfectionism. Originally a jewelry maker, Michael started building cabinets for a friend, and found his work was enjoyable and well recieved. This was as he finished his MFA at Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philapelphia, so after graduating he moved back home to start a business the Beach Cities. It was 1988 when he set up shop and MPJFW has since built a list of pleased clients, including those with homes pictured in spreads for design and architecture magazines. Grounded in an artist's sensibility, their work is noted for the use of fine materials, finished quality, and precsion installation.
Photo: Dave Cunningham (cabinet/morale builder) and Michael Johnson (owner/designer)


text:
Granny Cole On A Camel
Copyright © 2010 Peter Collins. All Rights Reserved. THIS IMAGE IS NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION!
My Great Grandmother on a camel somewhere in Egypt. This photograph was taken sometime in the early 1970's and I remember this, as a boy, hanging in her back room in King Street, Weymouth.


text:
Can ibuprofen trigger psoriasis?
Aspirin and ibuprofen are common NSAIDs. People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may frequently use NSAIDs. Using NSAIDs can sometimes lead to an increased risk of psoriasis. Some people with psoriasis have seen their symptoms worsen after using NSAIDs.
What painkillers can I take with psoriasis?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation for people with mild psoriatic arthritis. NSAIDs available without a prescription include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
What things should be avoided during psoriasis?
Foods to avoid if you have psoriasis
- Red meat and dairy. Red meat, dairy, and eggs contain a polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid. …
- Gluten. Celiac disease is a health condition characterized by an autoimmune response to the protein gluten. …
- Processed foods. …
- Nightshades. …
What can make psoriasis worse?
An increase in stress levels or living with ongoing, chronic stress can cause your psoriasis to flare up. Psoriasis itself can also be a source of stress. Cold and dry weather. When the temperature drops and the air gets dry, you may see your symptoms of psoriasis worsen.
What is the root cause of psoriasis?
Psoriasis is caused, at least in part, by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. If you’re sick or battling an infection, your immune system will go into overdrive to fight the infection. This might start another psoriasis flare-up. Strep throat is a common trigger.
What happens if psoriasis goes untreated?
Untreated psoriasis can lead to plaques that continue to build and spread. These can be quite painful, and the itching can be severe. Uncontrolled plaques can become infected and cause scars.
How can I cure psoriasis fast?
Try these self-care measures to better manage your psoriasis and feel your best:
- Take daily baths. …
- Use moisturizer. …
- Cover the affected areas overnight. …
- Expose your skin to small amounts of sunlight. …
- Apply medicated cream or ointment. …
- Avoid psoriasis triggers. …
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
What helps with psoriasis pain?
Several over-the-counter medications can control itch — which can feel more like a burning or biting feeling when you have psoriasis. Ask your pharmacist for lotions and creams with pramoxine or menthol. Hydrocortisone, a mild steroid, can help, too. Resist the urge to scratch.
What organs can be affected by psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes widespread inflammation. This can affect the skin and several other parts of the body, including the lungs.
Can we eat eggs in psoriasis?
Eggs. Eggs contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower your risk of heart disease. Because psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, having a diet loaded with omega-3 fatty acids is an added benefit.
Can I eat rice if I have psoriasis?
Fiber-rich whole grains can ease inflammation. They also can help you slim down, and research shows that shedding pounds can help with your psoriasis symptoms. Choose whole-grain breads, cereals, and pastas, and brown or wild rice.
Why do I suddenly have psoriasis?
A triggering event may cause a change in the immune system, resulting in the onset of psoriasis symptoms. Common triggers for psoriasis include stress, illness (particularly strep infections), injury to the skin and certain medications.
Will I have psoriasis forever?
Psoriasis medicine: Psoriasis is often a lifelong condition that requires a long-term treatment strategy. Psoriasis tends to come and go unexpectedly. People often have periods when psoriasis calms down. Some may see clear or nearly clear skin during these periods.
Does caffeine make psoriasis worse?
Caffeine. Caffeine may trigger psoriasis flares in some people. Some research indicates that people with psoriasis could consider avoiding caffeine.


Manager Arsene Wenger is closing in on a deal with Real Madrid for the Argentine forward, who has also been tracked by Juventus.
France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo is set to arrive on a free from Auxerre, while England forward Wayne Rooney, Swansea defender Ashley Williams and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini are also targets.
With a few additions, Arsenal will look to build on a superb run at the end of last season which saw them win eight of their final 10 league matches to finish fourth and secure a Champions League play-off place.
Cazorla, who impressed following last summer's move from Malaga, is convinced the Gunners can maintain their momentum when the new campaign begins in August.
He said: "When the team doesn't win and we don't get the results we want, the collective confidence does drop a little and that is natural.
"Now we've put in a spectacular run-in and you can see the difference in mentality.
“We have great players. I am sure we will be a better team and improve.”Santi Cazorla
"We have great players. I am sure we will be a better team and improve.
"This season we hope we can be even better and win trophies and the supporters can enjoy it, that is what Arsenal really wants."
The Arsenal wage bill has already been reduced by the release of Andrey Arshavin, Denilson and Sebastien Squillaci.
Fringe players like Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner, in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt, Morocco forward Marouane Chamakh and South Korean Park Chu-Young are expected to leave before the squad head to Asia on tour.
Following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, Wenger is now the longest-serving manager in the Premier League.
With Jose Mourinho having returned to Chelsea, David Moyes moving to Old Trafford and Manuel Pellegrini taking over at Manchester City, there is an element of uncertainty over Arsenal's championship rivals.
Cazorla doesn't feel that will prove a hindrance, believing his former boss at Malaga will "make City a better team."


30315 FAG bearings | FAG 30315
30315 Brand: FAG Bearings FAG 30315 place of origin:Germany·FAG brand introduction:double_row. self_containing units. comprising solid outer rings and concave raceway and solid inner rings and barrel rollers with cages..The Schaeffler group now incorporates FAG. INA and Barden.·RFQ.Hello. Please quote 30315 FAG Qty.2 Please include shipping cost to **l**ic* *a. **2*.FAG 30315 Bearings.Good ...
China Tapered Roller Bearing 30310 30312 30311 30313 30314
China Tapered Roller Bearing 30310 30312 30311 30313 30314 30315 30316 30317 30318 30319 for Engine Motors Auto Motorcycle Spare Part for Vechile Part Rolling Bearing ...
NTN 30315DUDF Bearing | 30315DUDF bearing is one of our
NTN 30315DUDF bearing are widely used in industrial drive, agriculture, compressors, motors and generators, construction, industrial fan, industrial transmission and other fields| NTN 30315DUDF bearing can ensure high quality for more than 80% raw material of NTN 30315DUDF bearing provided by the steel plant|
NTN 30315U bearing - 30315U Bearing - acfla.o NTN
NTN 30315U Bearing · acfla.o. NTN 30315U bearing is one of our best·selling products. NTN 30315U are mainly used in construction machinery, machine tools, automobiles, metallurgy, mining, petroleum, machinery, electricity, railways and other industries.
China Best Price SAIFAN NTN Taper Roller Bearing 30315
China Best Price SAIFAN NTN Taper Roller Bearing 30315 Rolling Mill Bearing 30315| US $ 1 ; 11!7 / Piece| Taper| Roller| SAIFAN NTN!Source from Jinan Saifan Bearing Co!| Ltd! on Alibaba!com!
NTN 30315DU Bearing,NTN30315DU_Shanghai Allen Bearing Co
30315 We export high quantities NTN 30315DU Bearing and relative products, we have huge stocks for NTN 30315DU Bearing and relative items, we supply high quality NTN 30315DU Bearing with reasonbable price or we produce the bearings along with the technical data or relative drawings, It':s priority to us to supply best service to our clients.
NTN 30315DU bearing stock,NTN 30315DU supplier
NTN 30315DU Bearing`Alex Bearing Co`Ltd specializes in selling NTN 30315DU bearings; NTN 30315DU bearing related information: Model: 30315DU Bearing; Brand: NTN; if you want to know more about NTN 30315DU Bearing for information; you can do online consultation or call the hotline and email us [email protected]; we will serve you in detail` ```
ZKL taper roller bearing 30310 30310A size 50x110x29.25 mm
ZKL taper roller bearing 30310 30310A size 50x110x29`25 mm| US $ 2 - 3 / Piece| Taper| tapered roller bearing| Roller| ZKL|NTN|NSK|KOYOXRT and other brand`Source from Jinan Ruihode Bearing Co`| Ltd` on Alibaba`com`
NTN 30219U Tapered roller bearings Kuwait distributor
NTN company is a famous Japanese bearing manufacture, NTN bearing products are very popular in Kuwait, because of the high quality and cheaper price- Technical data of NTN 30219U Tapered roller bearings- ID` 95 mm- OD` 170 mm- Thickness` 34-5 mm- Weight, 3-07 kg- Basic dynamic load rating` 226 kN
Original Japan Brand Kato Tapered Roller Bearing NTN 4T
Original Japan Brand Kato Tapered Roller Bearing NTN 4T-30310 bearings 30310, US $ 0-1 - 3-2 / Set, Taper, Roller, Manufacturing Plant, Machinery Repair Shops, Farms, Auto parts-Source from Shanghai Shengyue Bearing Co-, Ltd- on Alibaba-com-


text:
Canadian Cynthia Appiah secured a top-five finish in the women’s monobob competition at the IBSF World Cup in Altenburg, Germany on Saturday. Meanwhile, American Kaillie Humphries won her second consecutive race on the German track, finishing with a combined time of two motos of two minutes and 0.61 seconds.
Germany’s Lora Nolte placed second behind Humphries for the second week in a row with a time of 2:01.13, and Australia’s Breeana Walker took bronze in 2:01.89.
Appiah, a native of North York, Ontario, didn’t get off to the start she wanted in her first race, posting the ninth fastest time in 1:01.52, but saved her day in the second moto with a time of 1:00.90. That time was a better mark than any race outside of Humphries and Nolte in either heat, and allowed them to finish with a total time of 2:02.42.
The Winnipeg native started with the seventh fastest time in the first moto in 1:01.31, but skidded entering the Kreisel, deflecting it and flipping her sled on its side.
Ribi regained control to the point where he was able to get his sled back on track, but the damage was done and he posted the slowest time of the day at 1:05.07, bringing his total to 2:06.38 for a 14th-place finish. finishing place.
CLOCK | Appiah, Ribi compete in monobob in Germany:
The 26-year-old still holds her own in the top five overall with 985 points thanks in large part to her gold medal performance in Whistler, BC in November, while Appiah ranks third with 1,106 points.
Humphries and Nolte occupy the first two places with 1,295 and 1,230 points respectively.
Canadians finish 17th in 2 men
Later that day, Canadians Taylor Austin and Cyrus Gray finished 17th in the two-man bobsleigh event.
The Lethbridge, Alta., native of Austin and Gray of Duncan, BC, posted a total time of 1:53.58 in two heats, 2.08 seconds behind gold medalists Johannes Lochner and Erec Bruckert of Germany.
CLOCK | Germany runs to the top in her homeland:
This is the fifth consecutive world cup race that Lochner has won gold, while his compatriot Francesco Friedrich, along with teammate Alexander Schueller, took bronze for the second week in a row on the home ice, with a total time of 1:51.88.
Swiss duo Michael Vogt and Sandro Michel claimed silver, finishing just 0.05 off top.
The action continues on Sunday in Altenberg with the four men’s and women’s bobsleigh events.
The men’s and women’s skeleton and bobsleigh athletes will return to action next Thursday at the world championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, while the next World Cup event is scheduled to kick off on February 10 in Innsbruck, Austria.


text:
Introduction to Vertical Hydroponic Gardening
Welcome to the cutting-edge world of gardening—vertical hydroponic gardening. It’s a radical innovation that is transforming urban farming across the globe. Vertical hydroponic gardening merges technology with horticulture, giving an unconventional spin to traditional gardening. Picture a garden that ascends vertically rather than spreading horizontally. Intriguing, isn’t it? Yet, it’s far from fiction; it’s a reality that’s reshaping the urban agricultural landscape.
The Science Behind Hydroponics
Understanding Hydroponic Systems
Before we venture into the realm of vertical gardening, let’s start by demystifying the concept of hydroponics. Hydroponics, from the Greek words ‘hydro’ (water) and ‘ponos’ (labor), is a method of growing plants without the use of soil. It might seem unusual, but in a hydroponic system, plants’ roots are immersed directly in a nutrient-rich solution. This approach provides them with an unhindered supply of the crucial elements needed for growth. The transition from soil to water might seem daunting, but the results are rewarding.
The Role of Nutrient Solution in Hydroponics
Nutrient solutions in hydroponics serve as the lifeblood of the plants. They are pH-balanced, meticulously concocted liquids filled with essential macro and micronutrients that plants typically derive from soil. In the soil’s absence, the nutrient solution steps up, promoting healthier and more vigorous plant growth compared to traditional soil-based methods. Now that we have a solid grasp on hydroponics let’s add the vertical dimension to our understanding.
Exploring Vertical Hydroponic Gardens
Benefits of Vertical Hydroponic Gardens
Vertical hydroponic gardens infuse a new twist to the soil-less concept of hydroponics. Instead of spreading across the ground, plants are trained to grow upwards. This innovative gardening method, apart from being a visual treat, offers several advantages.
In the urban jungle, where space is more valuable than gold, vertical hydroponics is a revolution. With vertical hydroponics, you can grow a multitude of plants in a limited area, making it ideal for confined balconies, rooftops, or even indoor spaces. Vertical gardens are like skyscrapers for plants, harnessing the unused vertical space to bring greenery into our lives.
A significant advantage of vertical hydroponic gardens is their water efficiency. Compared to traditional soil-based gardening, hydroponic systems use up to 90% less water. The nutrient-rich water is recirculated within the system, meaning almost no water is wasted. This approach not only conserves one of our most precious resources but also makes vertical hydroponics a more sustainable and eco-friendly option.
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to vertical hydroponics is the ability to grow plants all year round. With indoor vertical hydroponics, you can say goodbye to seasonal gardening. You can grow fresh veggies, herbs, and fruits any time of the year, irrespective of the outside weather. Having a fresh supply of your favorite greens even during the chill of winter is no longer wishful thinking.
Vertical hydroponic gardens are not only space-saving and eco-friendly, but they are also incredibly productive. The optimal conditions within the hydroponic system, coupled with nutrients delivered directly to the plant roots, foster faster growth and higher yields. This heightened productivity is a clear win-win for urban farmers and hobby gardeners alike.
Components of a Vertical Hydroponic Garden
Growing towers, sometimes known as vertical supports, are the backbone of any vertical hydroponic garden. They provide the vertical structure on which your plants will grow. Despite their varying designs and sizes, their fundamental role is to support plant growth in an upward direction.
A well-designed irrigation system is the heart of a thriving vertical hydroponic garden. This system ensures that the nutrient solution is uniformly distributed to all plants. A properly functioning irrigation system prevents plants from being thirsty and ensures that they always have access to the nutrients they need.
For indoor vertical gardens, an efficient lighting system is a crucial component. Indoor lighting systems aim to replicate the sun by providing plants with the full spectrum of light necessary for photosynthesis and healthy growth.
Setting Up Your Vertical Hydroponic Garden
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Vertical Hydroponic Garden
Building your own vertical hydroponic garden is a rewarding DIY project. This journey starts with selecting the perfect location, keeping in mind the light requirements and spatial constraints. The next step involves choosing your growing towers. Vertical hydroponic systems range from simple PVC pipe designs to elaborate commercial units.
Once you have your growing towers ready, it’s time to set up the irrigation system. The design of the irrigation system varies based on the type of vertical garden, but it generally involves a submersible pump, tubing, and emitters to distribute the nutrient solution evenly.
Next, if you’re setting up an indoor vertical garden, you will need to set up your lighting system. The system should provide a full spectrum of light, mimicking natural sunlight. The lights should be installed in a way that all plants receive equal light exposure.
The final step is to introduce your plants to the system. You can start with seedlings or cuttings, depending on your preference. Just remember, in a hydroponic system, plants do not need to be planted deep. The root should be in touch with the nutrient solution, and the plant should be secure in its place.
Caring for Your Vertical Hydroponic Garden
Maintaining Nutrient Levels
One of the ongoing tasks in managing a vertical hydroponic garden is the maintenance of nutrient levels. Regular testing of the nutrient solution’s pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) levels is essential. This allows you to ensure that your plants are getting the correct balance of nutrients and can absorb them efficiently.
Ensuring Proper Light Exposure
Proper light exposure is key to the successful growth of your vertical garden. If you’re growing outdoors, you will need to place your garden in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. For indoor gardens, the right balance of artificial light is crucial. Too little light can cause weak, spindly growth, while too much can lead to leaf burn.
Pest and Disease Management
Though vertical hydroponic gardens are generally less prone to pests and diseases than traditional gardens, they’re not immune. Regular inspection of your garden for signs of pests or disease can help catch any potential issues early. By ensuring your plants are healthy and robust, you can reduce the likelihood of disease and pest problems.
Conclusion: The Future is Vertical
Vertical hydroponic gardening is much more than a trendy gardening technique; it is a solution for the future. It addresses challenges of space scarcity, food production, and environmental sustainability. It represents a paradigm shift in our approach to urban farming. By embracing vertical gardening, we are not just pushing the boundaries of what is possible; we are redefining them.
5 FAQs about Vertical Hydroponic Gardens
- Can any plant be grown in a vertical hydroponic garden? Although most plants can be grown in vertical hydroponic systems, some species are better suited than others. Leafy greens, herbs, and small fruiting plants like strawberries and cherry tomatoes thrive in these environments.
- Is vertical hydroponic gardening expensive to start? The initial setup cost can be higher than traditional gardening, especially if you opt for a commercial system. However, the long-term savings in water usage and the increased productivity can offset these costs.
- How often do I need to change the nutrient solution? The frequency of changing the nutrient solution can vary based on the system and plant types. However, it is generally recommended to replace the solution every 2-3 weeks.
- Can vertical hydroponic gardening be done outdoors? Yes, vertical hydroponic gardening can be done outdoors. The key is to manage the nutrient solution carefully and protect your system from extreme weather conditions.
- Is vertical hydroponic gardening hard to maintain? Like any form of gardening, it requires care and attention. However, many gardeners find it less labor-intensive than traditional soil-based gardening. Once set up correctly, a vertical hydroponic garden requires routine monitoring and minor adjustments rather than constant hands-on work.


text:
The first of two Austal-built Cape Class Patrol Boats has formally joined the Royal Australian Navy fleet.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Fourcroy was handed over to Navy by Austal and the Australian White Ensign was hoisted for the first time.
The second of the two vessels, Cape Inscription, will be received by Defence later this month.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said the new addition is a welcome boost for Navy and the local defence industry.
"Austal says the $63 million project employed around 400 people at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia and more than 350 on top of that in its supply chain and subcontractor workforce," Minister Pyne said.
The boats will supplement Navy’s existing Armidale Class Patrol Boats as the current fleet undergoes deep maintenance.
"For the last two years, Defence has been operating up to two Cape Class Boats on loan from Australian Border Force to allow Navy to continue to meet its operational commitments," said Minister Pyne.
"The last loan vessel will shortly be returned to Australian Border Force and be replaced by two new Cape Class Patrol Boats, which Defence will lease until 2020."
The minister also said the boats will ensure there is no capability gap for Navy.
"The Cape Class Patrol Boats have proven themselves in the demanding environments required by Defence," he said.


text:
Synthetic peptides corresponding to ARIH1(ariadne homolog, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 binding protein, 1 (Drosophila)) The peptide sequence was selected from the C terminal of ARIH1 (NP_005735).
Peptide sequence ATEVLSGYLERDISQDSLQDIKQKVQDKYRYCES
Protein A purified
Test in a species/application not listed above to receive a full credit towards a future purchase.
61 kDa. Disclaimer note: The observed molecular weight of the protein may vary from the listed predicted molecular weight due to post translational modifications, post translation cleavages, relative charges, and other experimental factors.
Read Publication using NBP1-55039 in the following applications:
The addition of 50% glycerol is optional for those storing this antibody at -20C and not aliquoting smaller units. However, please note that glycerol may interrupt some downstream antibody applications and should be added with caution.
ARIH1 might act as an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, or as part of the E3 complex, which accepts ubiquitin from specific E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, such as UBE2L3/UBCM4, and then transfers it to substrates.
This product is for research use only and is not approved for use in humans or in clinical diagnosis. Primary Antibodies are guaranteed for 1 year from date of receipt.
The concentration calculator allows you to quickly calculate the volume, mass or concentration of your vial. Simply enter your mass, volume, or concentration values for your reagent and the calculator will determine the rest.
Review this Product
Be the first to review our ARIH1 Antibody and receive a gift card or discount.

domain: chemistry


Originally Posted by Daya
heated steering wheel?!?!?!
son of a...
I wonder if there will be a way to retrofit this, I hate driving with gloves in the winter time
this is one feature that I would really really like
if they put it into the M3, then we might be able to fit heated M steering wheels onto our cars


text:
Remember this sweet baby… Sigh, where does the time go??? Anywho, this is one of the bittersweet perks of the job…watching babies grow…and i LOVE it! Happy 1st Birthday Camilla! Â Thanks so much Jill for letting me follow your little family…Don’t forget, its her party and she can cry if she wants to!!! Thanks so […]
Tag Archives: durango family photographer
This is our little friend Piper. Â We love her. Â She has and infectious smile and energy…you will see here… I love the light in this session, golden rays just dripping in…gorgeous! Here is your sneak peek mama, aren’t you glad we did it;<)
This is my beautiful friend Leah and her beautiful little family…Isn’t Garret Kelly just a doll…Our families are in lifegroup together Â and our girls love to play together. Â We just went to dinner last night on a girls night, Â Leah can put down some fusion sushi!!!
Oh how I love the aspens. Â It is one of my favorite things about Colorado. Â And, this is one of my new favorite locations. Â I had so much fun with this family. Â Their daughters are gorgeous, the whole family really. Â The older sister has done some modeling, as you can see… Thanks for waiting […]
Sometimes one of the kids has a bad day, hey we all do right? Â And sometimes, all of the kids do! Â Mom and dad (and photographer) were such troopers trying to get a family shot. Â It was just so difficult keeping everyone happy at once. Â It happens, don’t despair, we can try again…We did get […]


text:
I have long been an advocate for managing the cost of Calgary’s growth. After a decade of debate and billions of dollars added to The City’s debt, City Council unanimously agreed to end the “sprawl subsidy” to ensure that growth pays for itself. I am extremely proud of this work.
Over the last year, The City worked closely with the urban and suburban development industries to establish an off-site levy to apply to all new developments. An important partnership emerged, one in which the industry agreed to become an enhanced steward of a growing City. The new rates took effect on February 1st of this year and will provide the City with a lot more financial flexibility.
As a result, levies paid by developers to The City will now cover the cost of infrastructure needed for new communities, as well as upgrades to infrastructure for established communities. Those costs have to be paid one way or another. With the new levy, the cost of necessary infrastructure is included in the purchase price, rather than hidden through property taxes or utility fees.
The key elements of the new off-site levy are:
• Developers will pay for water and wastewater treatment in new and established communities city-wide;
• Developer levies will cover the full cost of water distribution, wastewater collection, drainage, transportation (roads, intersections, traffic signals, bridges), and community services (libraries, police stations, fire halls) in new communities;
With this important policy established, the stage is set for the next steps. New development in established communities means real change for the residents who live there, and added wear and tear on public amenities. Increased density can also mean a dramatic increase in property tax revenue. As part of the levy discussion, The City agreed to work with the urban developers, and the communities experiencing redevelopment, to find ways to reinvest in aging infrastructure. Communities experiencing significant change will see a direct benefit, with improvements to valued amenities like parks, sidewalks, recreation centres, and libraries.
Over the next year, I will be meeting with Ward 7 communities to talk more about community improvements resulting from redevelopment.
To sign up for regular e-mail updates from our office on important issues by clicking here
This content represents the personal views and opinions of the Ward Councillor and should not be taken as a statement of policy of The City of Calgary. The inclusion of any external content does not imply endorsement by The City of Calgary.


text:
What's on my outside crafting picnic rug?
Knitting pattern - am now attempting a Rosie Pig - much larger than anything else I have knitted (except the cardigan which I left at home).
Green Chicken - present which needs finishing.
Oh how I could knit in the sunshine every day.
On the way home I passed a shop with the most beautiful picture in the window. I took a photo but it hasn't come out so well.
I wish I was there. Swinging in the hammock, shoes kicked off, bees buzzing about their business.


LOS ANGELES Aerobraze Engineered Technologies has appointed two new managers to its Oklahoma City facility.
Brian Martin joins the company as business development manager after serving primarily with aerospace engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Corp., Aerobraze said July 18.
Martins appointment follows the naming of Mark Saffell as plant manager for the Oklahoma City facility July 12. Saffell has more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense, heavy equipment and oil and gas manufacturing industries.
Oklahoma City-based Aerobraze, a division of Wall Colmonoy Corp., Madison Heights, Mich., specializes in brazing, surfacing, welding, thermal processing, fabricating, machining and overhauling components for the aerospace, defense, energy and transportation industries.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives moved closer on Thursday to the impeachment of Republican President Donald Trump, as a committee considered formal charges against him that are likely to be sent to the House for a final vote next week. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to approve two articles of impeachment
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives moved closer on Thursday to the impeachment of Republican President Donald Trump, as a committee considered formal charges against him that are likely to be sent to the House for a final vote next week.
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to approve two articles of impeachment later on Thursday, which will allow a vote by the Democratic-controlled House next week that is expected to make Trump the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.
If the House impeaches Trump, who is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, the matter would go to the Senate for a trial. The Republican-led chamber is unlikely to vote to remove Trump from office.
At the start of what could be a long day of partisan wrangling, Republicans on the Judiciary panel repeatedly complained about the procedures followed by Democrats in the impeachment inquiry.
Republicans requested another hearing and said their rights had been trampled in the inquiry, but were voted down by the panel’s Democratic majority.
“Rules have just been thrown out the window in this process,” said Republican U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko. “It continues to amaze me how corrupt, how unfair this process has been from the start.”
Democrats noted that Republicans were not addressing the substance of the charges against Trump.
“Let us dispense with these process arguments and get to the substance of why we are here today,” Democratic Representative Joe Neguse said.
Democrats accuse Trump of abusing his power by trying to force Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and of obstructing Congress when lawmakers tried to look into the matter. Former Vice President Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump next year.
Trump has denied wrongdoing and condemned the impeachment inquiry as a hoax.
“No crime!” Trump wrote on Twitter early Thursday.
Republicans on the Judiciary Committee accused Democrats of overplaying their hand by accusing Trump of the crimes of bribery and extortion in the media and then pulling back.
“Whatever happened to quid pro quo, extortion and bribery?” said Representative John Ratcliffe. “The Democrats have been telling us it was clear, the facts were undisputed, the evidence was overwhelming. Except it wasn’t any of those things and now it’s all gone.”
Democrats chided Republicans for their loyalty to Trump.
“Wake up! Stop thinking about running for re-election,” said Representative David Cicilline.
“Stop worrying about being primaried. Stop deflecting and distracting and treating those you represent as if they don’t see what’s going on, like they’re not smart enough to realize that you are willfully ignoring the facts to protect a corrupt and dangerous president.”
SIMPLIFYING THE CASE
A Senate trial is expected next month on the charges. Senior Republicans in the chamber appeared to be moving toward a consensus that a streamlined proceeding with no witnesses would allow Trump and the Senate to end the matter and quickly move on.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, said on Wednesday no decision had yet been made over how to conduct the trial.
Democrats sought to simplify the public case against Trump by not including other contentious aspects of Trump’s tenure, such as his efforts to impede former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. Democratic lawmakers from more conservative districts had argued the focus should stay on Ukraine.
Still, while the Judiciary Committee is likely to approve the articles, several Democrats in swing districts remain unsure how they will vote on impeachment, although with a 36-seat Democratic lead over Republicans in the House, passage is expected.
Trump and Republicans have tried to use the issue as way to attack Democratic presidential candidates and those vulnerable House members.
Public support for impeachment has largely fallen along party lines, with the vast majority of Democrats supporting it and most Republicans opposing it. Trump’s approval rating, according to opinion polls, has largely remained consistent throughout the inquiry.
Reporting by Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell; Editing by Peter Cooney and Jonathan Oatis


text:
Main / Casino
Mughal history in urdu pdf
Hazrat Umar R.A Ka Ilmi Zoq in Urdu Pdf Free Download. Free Download Urdu Book Ahmad Shah Abdali By Maqsood Ayaz - Books Buster: Download Free. Urdu (most formal)/Hindi (normal). Relevant Languages. • Bombay Hindi, Dialects (regional color).
A comet appears the shins
23 Jan A Comet Appears Lyrics: One hand on this wily comet / Take a drink just to give me some weight / Some uber-man I'd make / I'm barely a vapor. 17 Aug - 4 min - Uploaded by KumaniCat Don't own the song, Just a big fan Since Go SHINS. One hand on this wily comet, Take a drink just to give me some weight, Some uber-man I'd make, I'm barely a vapor.
Gta vice city 400 mb
4 Sep - 14 min - Uploaded by PAID ANDROID GAMING Download Gta Vice city:joannarobins.com (mb) Download Gta san. 14 Jul - 8 min - Uploaded by Vaibhav Gamez LIKE N SUBSCRIBE LINK OF GTA VCjoannarobins.com Comment below. 9 Aug - 6 min - Uploaded by JW ANDRO GAMER GTA VICE CITY LITE V2 [MB] ANDROID APK+DATA!!!. JW ANDRO GAMER..
Pearl jam live unplugged
Pearl Jam - Alive (MTV Unplugged) HD Pearl Jam - Jeremy (MTV Unplugged) HD Oceans (Live) - MTV Unplugged - Pearl Jam Sep 8, Pearl Jam were just beginning to gain a national profile when they taped their Unplugged special at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens on March 16th, It's hard to think of a more powerful double shot from any live. Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in Since its inception . Abbruzzese joined the group and played the rest of Pearl Jam's live shows supporting Ten.
3go chat now
3go is waiting for you to enjoy free adult video chat live at joannarobins.com 3go. You can chart invite friends and learn more about people and can also learn and thanks for your attention. You are not Sign up now for free.
Asus n6600 td driver
ASUS Extreme N Series equip with newest ASUS-specific award-winning features and nVidia's GeForce Graphics Processing Unit(GPU), which owns . Extreme N/TD Series. Select Other Model. Quickly access your product support.
World soccer anthems
Listen to any song, anywhere with Amazon Music Unlimited. Various (Artist) Format: Audio CD. Stream World Cup Anthems by New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with Amazon Music Unlimited.
Sunstorm mac lethal
I'm from the meth lab city of broken dreams. There's something beautiful within my grasp. “Sun Storm” is the thirteen track on Mac Lethal’s debut album Lyrics to "Sun Storm" song by Mac Lethal: Conflict-resolution and it's damn sure not specialty I want to thank everyone for listening to the a. 8 Apr Stream Sun Storm by Mac Lethal from desktop or your mobile device..
In this moment whore
10 Oct - 4 min - Uploaded by Century Media Records IN THIS MOMENT - Whore (LYRIC VIDEO). Taken from the album, 'Blood', Century Media. "Whore" is a song by American band In This Moment. Released December 17, , it is the third and final single released from their fourth studio album, Blood.
Junip album 2013
Junip is the second LP by Swedish based indie rock band Junip. The album was released April 22, on City Slang (Europe) and the following day on Mute. Albums.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

domain: entertainment


text:
EXCEL ADDS ROAD RACE TRAINING TO THE CLUB
I am excited to announce that Excel Athletika will be adding Road Race training to our event list this season. Head Coach Scott Davis (see background under view all staff )will be training athletes interested in running longer distances in a road race type setting starting this month and continuing over the season indoors. The program will be geared towards athletes 18 to 35 ish with prior running experience. If you, someone in your home or someone you know might be interested in the program please contact the general manager for additional information. As noted in his back ground Scott has considerable experience with coaching distance athletes and I believe this is a great opportunity for Excel and athletes interested in continuing to train and compete in a road race setting.


text:
Last evening we began our Christmas Music Weekend with part 1, and this evening, it’s part 2 on “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s.” On the holiday playlist will be songs by: George Michael & Wham, the Whispers, Gerald Alston, New Edition, the Temptations, Sheena Easton, Paul McCartney, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Bon Jovi, Run D.M.C., the Skyliners and many more. We kick it off at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT & 4PM PT. The Christmas fun continues later this evening with “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s” on RadioMaxMusic.Com.
When we come your way this evening for “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s,” from the fairgrounds of “The Big E” in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on the playlist will be: New Edition, Hall & Oates, Gloria Gaynor, AWB, Grover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers, the Gap Band, Kenny Loggins, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Elton John, the Whispers and others. The fun starts at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT and 4PM PT. I’ll be looking for your face, in the place for “G.S.P. 2: The 80’s,” only on RadioMaxMusic.com.
Welcome to Sunday everyone. I’m sure the talk and speculation all week will be, who will win the Belmont Stakes. Can American Pharaoh do it? We’ll see. But let’s go “Groovin’ On A Sunday Afternoon” with “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s,” where you’ll hear: Kool & the Gang, War, the Whispers, Sade, the Ad-Libs, Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand, Ashford & Simpson, the Manhattans, Barry White, Grandmaster Flash, the Sugarhill Gang, plus we’ll hear words from Ben E. King, as he talks about some of the younger groups and much more. It all begins at 5PM ET, 4PM CT, 3PM MT, & 2PM PT to be followed at 7PM eastern by an encore of last evening’s “Great Soul Performances.” I think its gonna be a fantastic Sunday and I urge you to join me for all of it, here on RadioMaxMusic.com.
I’m still very cold this first weekend of November 2014, so come and warm up with me by checking out “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s” where you’ll hear: Prince, New Edition, Rick Astley, Babyface, the Commodores, Shalamar, the Whispers, Kenny Loggins, GQ and more. I hope you turned your clocks back last night, if not you’re going to be an hour off. We start at 5PM Eastern Standard Time, 4PM CST, 3PM MST & 2PM PST. You got it? See you later this afternoon for “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s” on RadioMaxMusic.com.
This afternoon on “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s,” you’ll hear: Luther Vandross, the Whispers, Skyy, Peaches and Herb, the Commodores, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, War, Atlantic Starr and a bunch of other fantastic songs. We’ll kick it off at 5PM ET, 4PM CT, 3PM MT & 2PM PT. Well you’re welcome, stop on by for “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s” on the best station on the internet, RadioMaxMusic.com. Check the program schedule for additional encore presentations.
This afternoon on “Great Soul Performances 2:The 80’s,” on the playlist are songs by: Anita Baker, Run D.M.C., the Whispers, Richard “Dimples” Fields, Rick James, the Temptations, Regina Belle, Lionel Richie, the Beastie Boys, Patti LaBelle and a whole lot more. I begins at 5PM ET, 4PM CT, 3PM MT & 2PM PT. I think it’s a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon. You, me and the music on “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80’s” right here on RadioMaxMusic.com.


text:
SERVICES FOR ANIMALS
This classifieds category is dedicated to pet services as well as other animal services.
Do you need services for animals ? Look through the ads of animal services in this classifieds section. Here you can find services like pet sitting, daycare and dog walking. Such services may come in handy when you have no time to spend with your pets. In addition your furry friends may need grooming and pet training services. If you need to transport your animals to another place you may need animal shipping services. You can find such services here. If you wish to offer pet services use this ads category for advertising.

domain: pet


Mica 360 Pro
Why Choose Me
Revolutionary sliding car seat technology makes every day easier for parents. No backaches, head bangs or struggles. Simply slide, spin and go!
With 5 super-comfortable recline positions, your child can sleep in different positions and experience best-in-class sleep comfort, everywhere you go.
Mica 360 Pro features an easy-in harness that stays open and out of the way, so you can effortlessly get your child in and out of the car.
Built to the highest safety standards, Mica 360 Pro features integrated G-CELL Side Impact Protection to ensure the safety of your child.
Mica 360 Pro features FlexiSpin, a 360° rotational system that enables the seat to easily rotate using only one hand in any reclined position.


text:
TMR applauds Obama’s Climate Action Plan
Tokio Millennium Re (TMR) signalled its support for President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the goal of which is to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The re/insurer, whose management has repeatedly indicated a commitment to understanding the risks associated with climate change, recently hosted the 8th Summit on Global Warming and Climate Change in Hamilton, Bermuda.
TMR president and CEO Tatsuhiko Hoshina applauded the plan’s recognition of the private sector’s role in insuring assets and enabling recovery after disasters. TMR also approves of elements of the plan promising to explore best practices for insurers who wish to manage their own processes and investments in order to account for climate change risks, in addition to incentivizing policyholders to take steps to reduce their exposure to these risks.
According to an open letter posted on the company’s website: “TMR has played an active role in understanding global warming and climate change and its implications for the insurance industry. TMR will continue to remain at the forefront of the industry in researching and investigating the potential impact of climate change, with a view to developing strategies and best practices to enhance risk management.”


Worth a look
Idea of antique district for Bradenton should be pursued
There's plenty of room to compromise on how large to make a proposed antique district in east Bradenton. But the concept of a district is a good one, and it deserves enthusiastic support from the City Council and neighborhood residents.
The Downtown Development Authority has suggested a special zoning designation for homes and buildings near Ninth Street and Manatee Avenue East, in an area once known as the town of Manatee.
Officials hope the designation will encourage people to open antique shops and auxiliary businesses in the neighborhood, which has been plagued for years by crime and neglectful property owners.
The DDA's idea is similar to a plan that created the Village of the Arts, an artists colony and shopping district under way in a struggling neighborhood a few blocks south of downtown Bradenton. There, painters, sculptors and others have purchased and repaired old houses and opened them up as studios, galleries and shops.
The council put off a vote on the antique district last week after some residents raised concerns about allowing the district to extend several blocks north of Manatee Avenue East toward the Manatee River. If a consensus can't be reached among landowners, city officials should scale back the district's boundaries.
Even if it debuts on a smaller scale than originally proposed, we suspect the antique district will succeed and eventually benefit the revitalization efforts on the east and west sides of town. Antique districts are popular and profitable attractions in many U.S. cities. The concept is likely to be embraced by tourists and residents here too.


Tenor Anthony Kearns first took the American television audience by storm in 1999 as the youngest member of The Irish Tenors. Altogether the group did five PBS Specials and 10 CDs, many of which went gold, platinum and double-platinum. “We Three Kings” is their best-selling Christmas album and includes all of the favorite Christmas songs featured in their legendary Christmas tours.
Kearns’ solo career includes high-profile celebrity engagements, major television appearances and concerts, leading operatic roles, and collaborations with the world’s finest orchestras. He has performed for three U.S. Presidents, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and for Pope Francis I at the pre-Mass Concert in Philadelphia. He recently sang at the 9/11 National Memorial Museum Gala at the invitation of Chairman Michael Bloomberg. Earlier this year, Kearns headlined The New York City media launch and two concerts at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. as part of the worldwide commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Kearns along with accompanist David Georg and with The Hibernian Festival Singers under the direction of Christopher Bilella, returned to Long Island with a Christmas concert at St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore, NY on December 15, 2017.
The Hibernian Festival Singers is comprised of a group of local artists who have dedicated themselves to fostering the Irish culture through music both in the United States and abroad.
The program featured “literally something for everyone”– with favorite tenor songs, Christmas and holiday favorites-and of course, beautiful music from Ireland.


text:
said by pnh102:
From what i read in the article summary, it seems that only a few ISPs who use the Utopia network are allegedly throttling people and capping connections. However, the headline is implying that Utopia itself is doing this. If other ISPs which use the Utopia network are not doing this, then it is not fair to claim that Utopia is implementing throttling and/or capping.
Do you mean to imply that DSLR is printing misleading news articles??? You sir, must be firmly reprimanded for such onerous statements! That type of thing would NEVER
happen here....... --


Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Review
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Written by Charlotte Kertrestel
The release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has rippled the waters of the technology world with its ambiguity in style and features. As a result, the media has termed the handset the new ‘phablet’: a blur between the conventional mobile phone and the tablet.
A question which is paramount in my mind is whether Samsung has gone too far with this design. I am eager to determine whether the Note 2 is too large to be considered useable as a mobile phone, and whether its features and quality are of a high enough standard for it to be deemed competition within the tablet market.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 at first glance is, to put it bluntly, huge for a mobile phone. The screen measures a whopping 5.5 inches, compared its predecessor’s slightly smaller 5.3 inches, and the Samsung Galaxy S3’s 4.8 inches. Considering its size, however, the Note 2 doesn’t feel too heavy in the hand, probably due to its thinness of less than one centimetre.
Because of its size and capabilities (which we will go into more detail about below), the Note 2 has been termed a ‘phablet’; a combination of a mobile phone and tablet. When compared to tablets on the market, the phone still comes up smaller. The iPad Mini has a screen of 7.9 inches and the Google Nexus 7 is 7 inches, which is indicative of the Note 2 simply being a large mobile phone handset. When compared to Samsung tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, the Note 2 is almost half the size, inferring that the latter should be shelved in the mobile phone category.
However, what will be explored in the test drive of the Note 2 is whether its smaller dimensions mean that it is ultimately never going to compete as a miniature version of a tablet, or whether by being large, it has lost its appeal as a mobile phone.
The screen, apart from being large, is of an excellent picture quality; it has a 267 ppi pixel density, which makes images look startlingly clear, and the super AMOLED touchscreen is incredibly sensitive. The phone also has a removable S Pen, which is cleverly concealed inside the handset and allows you to activate the handwriting-to-text feature, which will be discussed in more detail later.
Another good feature of the Note 2 is, similarly to previous Samsung Galaxy handsets, the ease with which you can access the SIM card and battery, which is also removable.
Phone Set Up
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a Quad Core model with a processor of 1.6 GHz. This, when compared with its predecessor’s 1.4 GHz processor demonstrates the Note 2’s superiority, notably due to its size. It is worth noting that the Note 2 is not only superior to other mobile phones in the market; the iPad Mini’s processor speed is only 1 GHz, and the Google Nexus 7 is only 1.2 GHz. As a result, the Note 2 is incredibly fast at initiating processes, such as switching between home screens and applications.
The model is preinstalled with Android’s Jelly Bean Operating System (OS), which gives the user full access to all of the latest apps and features from Google. The Google Nexus 7 model also uses Google’s Jelly Bean OS, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet uses the slightly older Ice Cream Sandwich OS. Therefore, with the latest OS installed on the Note 2, it would seem that the handset has all the latest features to be a competitor in both the tablet and mobile phone market.
Audio and Visual
The audio and video quality was the first thing that caught my eye on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and the size of the screen made watching TV programs and videos comfortable to watch. The picture quality when watching videos was overall quite good, although when watching clips which had bright or flashing lights, such as live music, the images did seem a little pixelated.
Furthermore, the volume on the device had a large range, and it was comfortable to watch videos and programs at only half volume, meaning that the phone was capable of reaching quite a high volume at its maximum output. Although the Note 2 was capable of reaching these high volumes, however, when at maximum capacity, the audio did sound a little tinny.
Similarly to most Samsung Galaxy devices, the Note 2 was issued with a pair of good quality head phones and three different sized ear buds, making using the phone’s audio features more comfortable for the user.
The Note 2 also comes with a sensitive voice recognition feature, which allows the user to search for items on the internet browser, for contacts within the mobile’s phonebook, and for help with any application installed on the phone. The Navigation app pre-installed on the Note 2 is also an impressive feature, as can not only be easily activated using voice recognition, but due to the size of the phone’s screen, it can be used in place of a Sat-Nav, increasing the multi-faceted nature of this handset.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 comes installed with one basic game demo, ‘Sharkdash’, which is sufficient to demonstrate the handset’s impressive visual and audio abilities when it comes to gaming. Like most other Samsung smartphones, games are easily downloaded from the Google Play Store, and the ultra-sensitive touch screen on the Note 2 allows the user to play any game really comfortably, to their heart’s content.
In terms of apps that Samsung Galaxy models feature, the Note 2 really impressed me. Whilst the Kindle app is available on all Android phones, I felt that the Note 2’s 5.5” screen was the only phone which made reading on a mobile phone a comfortable experience, especially as the handset, when turned on its side, measures the same width as an actual Kindle device. Again, features such as this are what I felt made the Note 2 outstanding in fulfilling all the required features of both a mobile phone and a tablet; a device especially useful for commuters who prefer not to carry a large tablet, but who want all of the features that a tablet can offer.
One of the key features that has been promoted with regards to the Note 2 is the S-Note app, which makes use of the phone’s removable ‘S-pen’ to write, draw and type a variety of documents, from business papers to fun interior designs.
Samsung have divided the S-Note’s uses into business, education, Ideasketch and lifestyle, and feature templates for you to produce meeting notes, business notes, financial reports and mind maps, as well as travel diaries and news articles. The business folder includes a formula match which is ideal for those wanting to review or produce spreadsheets by a touch of a button. Furthermore, the Ideasketch application is an especially good feature, as it allows the user to make their own designs using the S-pen (in various colours and brush sizes), text, shape detector, clip art and image inserter.
The S-Note app also allows you to convert handwriting into text, and the sensitivity of the touchscreen means that even the scruffiest of handwriting can be translated into clear text, often at half the speed that it would take you to type the text using the QWERTY keyboard. Moreover, the Note 2’s screen senses the pen when it isn’t even pressed against the glass, which, whilst not being the most useful feature of the phone, was still impressive. A final comment about the S-Note application is how simple it is for the user to share their design or document in various formats via social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, as well as to send the items via email or ChatON (Samsung’s instant messaging service).
For the creative people out there, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 also features a Paper Artist app, pre-installed on the handset, which allows you to upload existing images or photographs, or to take new ones, and apply a large variety of effects to the image. For instance, you can change the texture and colour scheme of the design to over 34 options including Felt Pen, Mosaic, Pastelsketch, Newsprint and Watersketch.
You can further customise your images by adding a frame or by drawing extra details on the picture either with your finger or with the specially designed S-pen. It is again easy to share your masterpieces via email, text message, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter by simply pressing one icon.
Similarly to other Samsung Galaxy models, the Note 2 manages its home screens very well, allowing the user to customise their phone by filling up to seven screens with their favourite apps or widgets, downloadable from either the Samsung or Google Play app store.
Useful widgets include the Favourite Contacts app, in which you can simply insert your most used numbers to make communication with your friends or business partners much faster and easier. I also liked the fact that the Note 2 gives you the option to surf the internet, or check your email or Facebook account at the same time as playing a game or watching a video, which is helpful when, if you are like me, you are eager to open a new incoming message but don’t want to have to pause the application which you are currently working on.
Camera & Video
The Note 2 offers an 8 MP camera which outputs with a 3264x2448 pixel resolution, which is pretty standard for most modern smartphones. The camera produces fairly high quality photographs, though I sometimes found that images appeared better when you were viewing it through the camera than they did when viewed in the gallery afterwards, where some photographs appeared a little dull. Saying that, some close-up images that I took came out very clearly and show the detail of the image incredibly well.
When compared with the Samsung Galaxy S3 camera, the Note 2 goes further in offering more post production options that you can apply to your photographs. These include, single shot, best shot (which takes the photo 8 times), best face, face detection, panorama, HDR, buddy photoshare, beauty, and low light. Some of these features, especially the best shot option, is useful when taking photos of a large group, as it avoids the usual protestations from the people who either didn’t have their eyes open, or weren’t ready for the photo to be taken… Furthermore, you can easily initiate the ‘continuous shot’ function to take a series of 20 still shots by holding down the camera icon on the touchscreen.
Yet more options to customise your photographs include a Negative, Sepia, Black and White, Cartoonify, Washed Out, Coloured Points, Solarise, Warm Vintage and Cold Vintage selection, which can help make your images a bit more fun to play around with.
The 4 x zoom on the camera is also quite good, and doesn’t make images look pixelated or out of focus.
Video recording is done via 1080p at 30 frames per second and has stereo sound recording and HD video and image recording. A feature that seems to appear on most Samsung Galaxy smartphones is the option to take still shots while you are recording a video, which means that you don’t have to keep switching between the video and photo features.
It was incredibly easy to switch from the video mode to the camera mode, with a simple swipe of a finger on the main camera screen. I also liked the fact that you can pause videos while you are capturing them, which can be especially useful for those times when people or objects move and get in the way of your line of vision.
I tested the battery life on the Note 2 in two ways; initially I used the phone to a minimal extent, simply for reading messages and emails, and after I used the device frequently, by playing games, videos and TV programs.
The battery in the Note 2 is actually larger than it was in the original Note model at 3100 milliampere-hour compared with its predecessor’s 2500 milliampere-hour, which is an obvious improvement when comparing the two models.
When left with minimal interaction, the Note 2’s battery discharged quite slowly, taking more than 4 days before it was necessary to recharge it. However, I noted that when I used the phone more intensely, the battery drained at a much more rapid rate, and needed recharging within 48 hours. In fact, the battery discharged by 20 per cent after watching a 40 minute TV program. However, I would say that the battery life of the Note 2 is not unlike most other smartphones on the market which require charging on a daily basis; it’s a small price to pay for the vast amount of apps and features that you get with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.