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Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
If Your Time is short
For many questions on the expected length of the pandemic, it is simply too early to know.
Long-lasting immunity to COVID-19 is not likely because similar respiratory infections will only leave the body with short-lived immunity.
Experts think your pets are going to be okay!
You asked, we answered. Due to the widespread nature of the new coronavirus, readers are being bombarded with mixed messages.
Good information about seasonality, immunity and transmission is hard to come by, and a lot is not known about many of the epidemiological facts of COVID-19. So we tapped into our network of medical experts and to provide you with the most up-to-date, credible information on coronavirus.
While the seasonal flu tends to spike in winter and dwindle in spring, experts are skeptical this will happen with the novel coronavirus.
Basically, it’s too early to know. The new coronavirus only appeared in China at the end of 2019, and the World Health Organization said on March 5 that there’s not enough known about what the virus will do over the course of a season. As of now, health officials say there’s no reason to believe that the virus would behave differently in different temperatures.
Some have pointed to the summer ebb of the 2002-03 SARS epidemic as evidence COVID-19 will do the same. But according to Harvard epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch, the weather may have had little to do with it. "SARS didn’t die of natural causes," he wrote in a recent report. "It was killed by extremely intense public health interventions in mainland Chinese cities, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Canada and elsewhere."
Right now, health experts say that COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather. They recommend people adopt protective measures, regardless of climate.
It’s not clear if COVID-19 will leave those who recover from the disease immune to it in the future. On the positive side, the CDC says that patients who recovered from MERS-CoV, a similar 2012 disease, rarely were re-infected.
But Dr. Melissa Brown, a professor of microbiology/immunology at Northwestern, said that long-lasting immunity is not likely because similar respiratory infections will only leave the body with short-lived immunity. She explained that recovering from these diseases produces antibodies, which block the virus, for six months and T-cells, which attack infected cells, for six years.
Highly unlikely. There is no evidence to support that pets such as cats and dogs can get COVID-19 from humans, or that animals can transmit the virus, according to animal scientists and the World Health Organization.
In February, the pet dog of a coronavirus patient in Hong Kong tested positive for the virus, but the dog had a small number of virus particles present — what scientists call a "weak positive." The dog exhibited no signs of illness.
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine explains that the dog was in close contact with an infected human, who was likely shedding large quantities of the virus. "This led to the virus being in the dog’s nose," the organization said. "There is no indication that the dog is sick or showing any symptoms."
The World Organisation for Animal Health also says there’s no evidence that dogs play a role in the spread of the disease but stated that further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected.
"This has been circulating widely, but sadly is not true," Richard Watanabe, a professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California, told PolitiFact in an email. "The only way to test for COVID-19 right now is via laboratory testing."
Read this fact-check for more information.
Since the virus is so new, there are still a lot of unknowns.
What we do know is that people are thought to be most contagious early on in their infection, or when they are most symptomatic.
Those who are mildly sick are likely not infectious by about 10 days after they start experiencing symptoms, according to a new study from Germany on the spread of the disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued these interim guidelines for health professionals on when it’s okay to discontinue in-home and hospitalized isolation for people with the virus.
Children are still getting sick with COVID-19 and have the same symptoms; they are just having much milder cases.
A recent review found that children are just as likely as adults to contract COVID-19 despite having milder cases that lead to under-reporting of children’s cases. Children also may not be a main source of the disease spreading because the majority of infected children "reported thus far have a documented household contact, often showing symptoms before them."
No matter what, you should still make sure children aren’t displaying symptoms of the COVID-19 before they interact with more vulnerable groups, like the elderly or people with chronic diseases.
WHO press conference, COVID-19, March 5, 2020
Harvard School of Public Health, Seasonality of SARS-CoV-2: Will COVID-19 go away on its own in warmer weather?, Accessed March, 13, 2020
World Health Organization, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters, Accessed March 13, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, Feb. 21, 2020
World Health Organization, Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19), March 9, 2020
Science, Quarantine the cat? Disinfect the dog? The latest advice about the coronavirus and your pets, March 12, 2020
The World Organisation for Animal Health, Questions and Answers on the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Accessed March 13, 2020
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, CORONAVIRUS AND PETS: FAQS FOR OWNERS, March 5, 2020
PolitiFact, Says you can monitor yourself for COVID-19 with a breath test, March 13, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of In-Home Isolation for Patients with COVID-19, Feb. 16, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children, March 12, 2020
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Coronavirus Infections in Children Including COVID-19, March 12, 2020

domain: medical


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5 things I learned when making a daily drawing for 30 days
The end of 2017 was near, I usually do not make end-of-year lists, but I do have in mind a summary of the passing year and some expectations for the new one.
At Christmas, while gathering with the family, it came to my mind, almost in joke, to make 31 drawings of hearts the first 31 days of the year. I think that this idea of hearts came to me because of having a nice family moment.
I decided to do the challenge and kept the original idea, draw hearts. So, it arrived, January 1st and I started without thinking too much, without any particular purpose, but little by little I realized several benefits that this challenge was having to me, so I decided to share the experience:
5 things I learned:
1. It is a good mental exercise A daily project like this is an excellent exercise for the mind. It keeps you attentive by seeing things differently and collecting information to use later.
2. Create a sense of achievement and motivation Most days I tried to make the drawings in the morning as the first activity of the day. It turns out that achieving that small victory adds motivation to face the rest of the day.
3. Creativity is a process that must be exercised The ideas do not come alone, you must investigate what you want to generate. In this case I did not investigate, but I was very attentive to my surroundings, seeing situations and capturing ideas. A hand-drawing notebook helps the ideas not to fly away.
4. It serves to get amused Many times I start the day with a list of so many tasks in mind, that I can get stuck in that pattern. Making a space to perform a challenge like this helps a lot to get distracted and relax.
5. Do not force yourself to generate an idea Some days took me a little long, days without ideas. The first time it happened, I did not knew what to do, I began to draw by forcing it, in the end something came out and more than an achievement, it was a relief. The second time I went blank of ideas, I left it and went to do other things, an idea came a while later. It is important not to force yourself to generate an idea, it is better to go around and change the scene.
I had never done a challenge like this, I can say it was interesting and fun. Now I am left with a lot of drawings and ideas and with the security that more than a challenge, it was an learning.
The winners and Losers:
All the drawings:

domain: artistic


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It's that time of year again!!! BARTENDERS WEEKEND and Milagro tequila are back for the fun.This time we are taking the party to the sexy rooftop of the ANDAZ hotel. That's right get your bathing suits ready. We shall be hosting some delicious drinks, appetizers and music that will get you dancing. If you don't dance you can boogie! See you then familia.
This event is open to all registered attendees of Bartender's Weekend.
RSVP Requested: RSVP Now
Andaz San Diego
600 F St
San Diego, CA 92101

domain: entertainment


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06 Dec 2007
With the all new FIFA Street 3 Touch Screen control scheme you can control all aspects of your team’s performance from passing and shooting to more advanced moves like juggling, headers and bicycle kicks. Use the stylus and simple button controls to seamlessly combine moves together between players to execute rewarding combos – providing you...
15 May 2007
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground features deeper customization than ever before, including a Video Editor with full-featured editing tools and visual effects for creating “epic skate videos,” and a fully customizable online Skate Lounge where players can skate with friends in the ultimate pad. In addition, players will have the freedom to skate from...
22 Feb 2007
No further information is available at this time.
20 Feb 2007
Designed to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS, Tony Hawk's American SK8Land is the first 3D Tony Hawk game experience for a Nintendo handheld system. Featuring a unique cell-shaded art style, players must prove themselves to Tony Hawk and other legendary pros as they undertake hundreds of skating goals set in seven popular areas of Los...


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The world of wine is one that is continually evolving and progressing, perhaps more now than ever. To stay relevant and keep in touch with current trends, our staff is always looking for a balance of eclectic, popular and value wine varietals that will enhance your evening at Wilderness Ridge.
First and foremost, our goal is to offer something for everyone, from casual wines to celebratory champagnes, and we believe we now offer a bottle for every occasion.
A driving vision of ours was to offer a wider variety of wines, not simply by expanding our quantity, but by giving more consideration to the regions from which certain varietals come from. For instance, our selection of Pinot Noir features vineyards from all over the world: from Willamette Valley in Oregon to famous Californian regions such as the Russian River Valley. Santa Barbara & Los Carneros; from Burgandy, France to Central Otago, New Zealand, our diverse selection now offers the best that a variety of regions have to offer.
We hope you will enjoy the fruits or our labor and perhaps venture out into a new varietal or region that we now have to offer. As always, please ask if you have any questions and our staff will be happy to guide you in finding the perfect bottle for your occasion.

domain: geography


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Two years ago, before our family started spending time in “The Neighborhood“, I wrote a post called “What if they thought of the church?” The post was about some of the people that we already knew who lived in that government assisted housing development. I wondered out loud what would happen if the people in that neighborhood thought that the church cared enough to help them…
Last week, I published a short post called “Missional Christians in 360 AD“, commenting on the how Emperor Julian recognized that Christians took care of the poor and needy, even the poor and needy who were not Christians. Last Sunday evening, as I met together with some brothers and sisters to pray and discuss service opportunities, I thought about Emperor Julian again.
One of the ladies who meets with us on Sunday morning lives in government housing in our town. When we first met her, a man was living with her because he needed medical attention. He had been in the hospital, and when he was released, no one would take care of him, so she took him in. As I’ve gotten to know here, I’ve found that she is one of the most giving and caring persons that I know – even in the very difficult situation in which she finds herself.
A few weeks ago, another unit opened up in the government housing facility. They allowed the man to move out of her apartment, into the open apartment. However, he had nothing for his apartment – no furniture, no kitchen utensils, no dishes, etc. Nothing. Our friend asked her brothers and sisters in Christ for help. They responded by providing everything he needed plus more.
As we were discussing possible ministry opportunities last Sunday evening, I thought about this lady and her friend. What would happen if other people in the government housing facility heard about the generosity of the church? What would happen if they began to think about the church when they were in need? What would happen if they asked our friend if we would be willing to help them as well?
This may sound like a never-ending cycle of giving and giving and giving… perhaps to some people who would take advantage of our generosity.
But, would it not be amazing for people to begin turning to the church again when they were in need? I hope the church would be willing to trust God to provide for those needs.

domain: sociology


Not many people know about Cypress Creek in Bradenton, an attractive waterfront neighborhood of Manatee County that is located just 10 minutes away from Downtown. There are 90 single-family homes in Cypress Creek, and most of them enjoy a view of the Manatee River or of a lake located right in the middle of this residential development, which dates back to the early 1980s.
Cypress Creek is tucked away in a corner of Bradenton; specifically east of the Cypress Strand on the banks of the Manatee River south of Marsh Island. This gated neighborhood is concealed by palm trees and thick patches of native Florida forest. Cypress Creek was initially developed in the late 1980s to accommodate the needs of home buyers looking for generous lots where they could build spec homes while enjoying lots of privacy.
Even the coziest home at Cypress Creek will feature at least 2,000 square feet of interior space. One-acre lots are not uncommon; in fact, a ready-to-build lot was recently listed for $165K. Three-bedroom homes can be listed as low as $360K, but larger custom-built properties with extras such as circular driveways, studios, outdoor kitchens and others will command higher prices.
Although Cypress Creek is only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Bradenton, this neighborhood evokes a feeling of an island resort village. Some of the riverfront homes feature private dock space and a small pier; this is a major draw for homeowners who are active boaters since they can access the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico directly from their backyards.
Families who live in Cypress Creek appreciate the fact that school buses actually come inside the gates to pick up students. Another major family attraction is Tom Bennett Park, which is just south of the neighborhood. With golf courses located nearby and Bradenton Beach just 30 minutes away, Cypress Creek is one of the best residential communities of Manatee County.
Homes for Sale at Cypress Creek in Bradenton
- List View
- Map View
- Grid View
See all Cypress Creek Bradenton FL Homes for Sale.
(all data current as of 2/3/2023)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.


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Hello friends, it is Dorymar sharing an adorable project with the fun and fresh Boho Sunshine Collection. This collection has a stunning color palette, gorgeous patterns, and happy retro vibes that match with groovy graphics, perfect for documenting all your fun activities during your summer.
I created a fun cluster on the cover mixed with a few collection elements: a photo frame, stickers, bits and pieces, and enamel dots. Altogether, build a fun and happy cover.
I created a pocket with a few cards to add journaling and photos inside the cover. I decorated it all with bits and pieces and elements stickers. As a title, I used the big letters from the sticker book, and then for the finishing touches, I added enamel dots and adhesive brads.
I used a 12x12 patterned paper on the page on the right to create a fun Insert page with a pocket on the side. As inserts, I used the beautiful tags included in the tag sheet. I adore them! They are beneficial; you can use them as an insert, as an accent, as a base, as a flap, etc.
I created a flap with a top pocket on the back of the page. These gave me more space for photos and more room to play with the gorgeous elements of the collection. I adore all the groovy vibes in this collection.
I adore how easy it was to assemble everything because every piece and pattern matched perfectly! I combine many designs to create a few layers for my backgrounds, all the layers with the gorgeous elements of the collection looking AMAZING! I'm in love with the flowers and rainbows!
Filling the pocket pages with the beautiful cards included in the collection is so much fun.
Insert page with a front pocket filled with a few cards to add journaling and photos, decorated with fantastic collection elements. It always is an excellent interactive option for your album!
The journal bits and pieces pack has a lot of tags and postcards; they are perfect for adding journaling to create a beautiful decoration in your layouts. In my case, I used them in strategic places to highlight various areas of my project. Here you can see them as an accent but also as an insert.
The tags always make a particular highlight in my projects!
I hope you were inspired by my project today and will take a look at the awesome Boho Sunshine collection if you haven't yet! Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to come back again soon, for more inspiration!
Boho Sunshine Collection Kit
Boho Sunshine 6x8 Paper Pad
Boho Sunshine Decorative Brads
Boho Sunshine Bits and Pieces
Boho Sunshine Floral Bits and Pieces
Boho Sunshine Journal Bits and Pieces
Boho Sunshine Chipboard Frames
Boho Sunshine Sticker Book
Boho Sunshine Enamels Dots

domain: hobby


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Soybean – for high quality protein and oil
Soybean is a legume that grows in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates. The biggest soybean producers are the United States, Brazil, Argentina and China. Soybean is an important source of high quality protein and oil. With an average protein content of 40% and an oil content of 20%, soybean has the highest protein content of all food crops. Because of its high protein, oil and carbohydrate content soybean is very versatile crop. The oil produced from soybean is highly digestible and contain no cholesterol. Furthermore, Soybean cake, a by-product from the oil production, is used as a high-protein animal feed in many countries.
Potassium – for healthy, high yielding plants
Soybeans require large amounts of potassium, especially during the period of rapid vegetative growth. Potassium status has a major effect on both yield and quality of the crop:
- potassium is important for enzyme activation, osmotic turgor regulation and transport of assimilates, e.g. starch and sugar
- potassium is necessary for carbohydrate and protein metabolism which is essential for vegetative growth and for pod and seed formation
- an adequate potassium supply reduces preharvest pod shedding
- potassium promotes root nodulation (N-fixation from Rhizobium bacteria)
- plants which are sufficiently supplied with potassium lose less water per unit leaf area due to more efficient transpiration
- potassium has positive influences on seed quality by minimizing the number of shrivelled, shrunken, mouldy and off-colour beans
Magnesium and sulphur – for optimum yield and quality
Magnesium plays en essential role in soybean production but its importance is often overlooked in fertiliser plans
- soybean is a rapidly growing crop which needs sufficient amounts of magnesium in order to promote photosynthesis and protein formation
- magnesium is the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule which sustains healthy green leaves
- magnesium plays a crucial role for the translocation of starch from the leaves to the pods and grains
- magnesium is required in all energy consuming processes, e.g. protein and oil synthesis
- in acid soils, magnesium helps to alleviate root growth depression which may be caused by aluminium toxicity
- sulphur is required for the formation of protein and therefore also for the formation of nitrogen fixing nodules on soybean roots
- a reduced number of nodules results in inhibited N2 fixation, which limits yield formation, especially if no additional mineral N is applied
- the synthesis of oil and fats from carbohydrates is dependent not only on satisfactory magnesium status, but also an adequate supply of sulphur
- sulphur promotes oil formation and ease of extraction and is directly linked to the quality of harvested seeds
Boron and manganese - for maximum exploitation of the yield potential
Under less favourable soil conditions and intensive cultivation practices, the foliar application of boron and manganese helps to ensure consistently high yields. Both micro-nutrients have marked influences on productivity:
- boron is important for cell wall formation, water balance as well as synthesis of energy rich assimi-lates like sugar and starch
- boron deficient plants often show poor pod fill and consequently produce small, poor quality seed
- boron promotes N-fixation and ameliorates Aluminium toxicity
- managanese activates various enzymes and is therefore in many ways crucial for the plants`normal metabolism
- managanese is required for the formation of chlorophyll ,as well as for the transformation of nitrate into protein and the formation of amino acids
- managanese improves the disease tolerance of plants
Soybean takes up 30 kg K2O and 7 kg MgO per ton of grain produced of which 15-20 kg K2O and 4-5 kg MgO are removed with the harvested grain (equivalent to 25-33 kg MOP and 15.4-19.2 kg ESTA Kieserite respectively or 37.5-50 kg Korn-Kali). Under no-till conditions and when nutrient losses by leaching are negligible, K and Mg application can be adjusted based on removal and soil nutrient supply.
Under humid conditions and soils prone to leaching an application of 90 – 120 kg K2O (equivalent with 150-200 kg MOP or 225-300 kg Korn-Kali) and 20 – 25 kg MgO (equivalent to 77-96 kg ESTA Kieserite) are recommended to sustain high yields and to maintain soil K and Mg fertility levels.
Heavily depleted soils and soils which tend to fix K because of their clay content may require rates up to 180 kg K2O (equivalent with 300 kg MOP or 450 kg Korn-Kali) and 50 kg MgO (equivalent to 192.3 kg ESTA Kieserite).
The application of Mg in the form of ESTA Kieserite guarantees that the sulphur requirement of soybean is also satisfied, especially on tropical soils with poor organic matter content.
On heavily weathered soils prone to micronutrient deficiency or situations inducing B and Mn deficiency (heavy liming), a foliar application with micronutrients (EPSO Microtop or EPSO Combitop) is recommended.

domain: agronomy


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Glucerna Shake, Homemade Vanilla
- Glucerna Shake is specifically formulated to help you meet American Diabetes Association nutrition recommendations for protein, saturated and trans fats, and types of low-glycemic carbohydrates. They contain a unique blend of slowly digested carbohydrates clinically shown to help minimize blood sugar spikes. (from Abbott Nutrition)Claims
- Gluten Free
- Contains Soy
- Contains Milk Ingredients
Water, Corn Maltodextrin, Sodium & Calcium Caseinates, Sucromalt, Glycerine, Soy Protein Isolate, Fructose, High Oleic Safflower Oil. Less than 1% of: Canola Oil, Soy Oil, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Plant Sterol Esters, Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Soy Lecithin, Magnesium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Carrageenan, Acesulfame Potassium, Ferrous Sulfate, Sucralose, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Sulfate, Sucralose, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Chromium Picolinate, Manganese Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Phylloquinone, Cyanocobalamin, and Vitamin D3.
Contains milk and soy ingredients.
Like That? You'll Love This.
- Glucerna Shake, Creamy Strawberry6ct, 8oz ea$12.99/ea($4.33/PT)
- Ensure Shake - Milk Chocolate8oz bottles 6pk$11.99/ea($4.00/PT)
- Kellogg's Special K Protein Shake, Chocolate4ct, 10oz ea$8.99/ea($3.60/PT)
- Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake, Milk Chocolate6ct, 8oz ea$12.49/ea($4.16/PT)
- Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake, Vanilla6ct, 8oz ea$12.49/ea($4.16/PT)
- Kellogg's Special K Protein Shake, Vanilla4ct, 10oz ea$8.99/ea($3.60/PT)

domain: health


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Tiffany & Co Peretti Diamonds By The Yard 0.07ct 750 (Gold) 16"
Please select all options.
A wonderful .07ct Diamonds By the Yard Pendant by the Inimitable Elsa Peretti.
Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany & Co in 1974. To say that she revolutionised the jewellery world is an understatement. Take a look at her bone cuff design from the mid 1970s. It could have been designed today. Her smooth naturalistic designs are still as fresh today as they were 40 years ago.
Signed Peretti, Tiffany & Co 750.
Weight = 1.9g
Length = 16"
Comes with Pouch.


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The New York Times has just reported a hate-crime on the campus of Columbia Teacher’s College, where a faculty member found a noose swinging from her door. The entire article is reproduced below.
I think that teachers of the environmental humanities have a responsibility to articulate the history of political repression and terror tactics as a part of natural history. In the case of lynching, many cultural critics, historians, and political scientists have begun to connect the practice of lynching with the impossibility of pastoral retreat in traditional African American culture. The place of repose in the fields becomes the place of torture and murder. If anyone is looking for a place to start, or a reading to give to students, I recommend Daniel J. Martin, “Lynching Sites: Where Trauma and Pastoral Collide.” Coming into Contact. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2007.
Article begins here:
Hate-Crime Investigation at Columbia
A hangman’s noose was found hanging on the door of a black professor’s office at Columbia University Teacher’s College on Tuesday morning, prompting the police to start a hate-crime investigation.
Detectives with the New York Police Department’s hate-crime task force were investigating whether the noose, which was discovered on the fourth floor of the college at about 9:45 a.m., was put there by a rival professor or by a student who was angry over a dispute. Colleagues of the professor identified her as Madonna Constantine, 44, a prominent author, educator and psychologist.
Ms. Constantine is a professor of psychology and education at Columbia and has published several books on race relations, including “Addressing Racism” in 2006 and “Strategies for Building Multicultural Competence in Mental Health and Educational Settings” in 2007. Derald Wing Sue, one of her co-authors and a fellow professor at Columbia, said Ms. Constantine was devastated by the incident.
“She’s all right at this point with the support of colleagues, friends, students and family,” said Mr. Wing Sue, an adjunct professor at the school of social work. “But you can imagine the terrible impact that this has had on her.”
Ms. Constantine could not be reached at her office on Columbia’s campus this morning.
The discovery of the noose — a widely reviled symbol of black lynchings in the South and elsewhere — sparked outrage across the campus. Last night, about 150 students held a protest outside the Teachers College building at 525 West 120th Street, and organizers of the rally called for another protest and student walkout at 2 p.m. today. The news also ignited a chain of e-mail messages between students that described the incident as “Jena at Columbia,” referring to an incident in Jena, La., last year that prompted violence after three white high school students hung nooses under a tree where six black students had been sitting the day before.
In an e-mail message to students and faculty at the school, the president of Teachers College, Susan Furhman, said the incident was a “hateful act, which violates every Teachers College and societal norm.”
The president of Columbia, Lee C. Bollinger, also released a statement condemning what happened.
“This is an assault on African Americans and therefore it is an assault on every one of us,” he said. “I know I speak on behalf of every member of our communities in condemning this horrible action.”
The discovery of the noose comes in the wake of several incidents that have incited racial and political tensions at Columbia in recent months, including a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in September and the discovery of racist and threatening graffiti in a bathroom at the School of International and Public Affairs. Last fall, the campus drew media attention after a group of students stormed a stage to protest a speech by the head of a group that opposes illegal immigration.
Mr. Wing Sue, Ms. Constantine’s colleague, said students and faculty were at a loss to figure out who pinned the noose to the door.
“You speculate about all the possible reasons that could have instigated such a cruel and hateful act,” he said. “Is it a disgruntled student, is it a conflict with a colleague or staff, is it her work on racism that has pushed buttons on this matter?”
“This is something the police are investigating,” he added, “but to me it represents a major opportunity for Columbia to begin the process of dealing directly and honestly with race and racism. It’s a hot button issue that is representative of the larger community and society.”


Roqué’s first Friday films are back in 2022! For this first Friday in February, I premiere the inaugural episode of a series I have made called “Cultivating Creativity.” This collection of stories detail different practices designed to nurture creativity in my life. The first episode describes four basic rules that govern how I cultivate new ideas and fresh perspectives.
This series will be the first complete set of videos that I am presenting on my YouTube channel.
For more updates, original poetry, new photography, and my musings about creativity, please subscribe to my monthly email newsletter Pianissimo by clicking on this button below:
Thank you all for watching! More to come soon!


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Warnings (In effect)
Northumberland Strait - eastern half Issued 03:00 AM ADT 12 March 2014
'Gale' force winds of 34 to 47 knots are occurring or expected to occur in this marine area. Watch for updated statements. Please refer to the latest marine forecasts
for further details and continue to monitor the situation through Canadian Coast Guard radio or Weatheradio stations.
Northumberland Strait Issued 10:00 AM EDT 11 March 2014
Navigators in this marine area should be on the lookout for hazardous ice conditions and take necessary safety precautions. Please refer to the latest ice forecasts
for further details and continue to monitor the situation through Canadian Coast Guard radio stations.

domain: news


eduardo cesarWith one foot planted in the vanguard, and the other tied to the shackles of backwardness, Brazil is a surprising country. Speckled with “islands of excellence”, where technologically noble products are generated, it lives with schooling standards that are considered low, even if compared to its Latin American neighbors. Its scientific élite is the equal of the best in the world, while the majority of the school population lacks laboratories and personal computers in the public schools. The government finances the major part of investments intended for research and development (ReD), contrary to the world-wide trend in the developed countries or those with more dynamic economies, where companies are the preferential locus for innovation.
Permeated with contrasts, this is how the country emerges from the study entitled Indicators of Science, Technology e Innovation in São Paulo – 2001, produced by FAPESP. A work that maps out the various faces of the scientific/technological system in São Paulo and in Brazil, it shows that – despite all the contradictions – Brazil is advancing, innovating, and producing, albeit at a pace that is still slow for its needs and ambitions.
In the geography of Brazilian innovation, São Paulo enjoys a much more comfortable position, in comparison to the rest of the country, according to several of the indicators gathered by the book. It is the state that spends most on ReD, and it boasts the largest number of researchers and of intensive centers for technology, besides keeping at school practically the totality of children between 7 and 14 years old. Even so, as it will be seen, São Paulo’s technological project is still a work under construction.
For Francisco Romeu Landi, the presiding director of FAPESP’s Technical/Administrative Board and the coordinator of the study, the Indicators, with their concrete and exhaustively pored over information, help to build up a clearer picture of the current situation of schooling, research and technological production in the state and in the country. “It is an X-ray of the sector that can indicate trends and priorities for drawing up policies and for decision making”, he points out.
Brazil today occupies an intermediate position in the ranking of nations that invest in the production of knowledge: around US$ 6.5 billion of or 0.87% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This amount puts the country on a level with economies like those of Italy (1%), Spain (0.9%) and Hungary (0.7%), though it lags behind the most dynamic ones, such as the USA (2.7%) and South Korea (2.5%).
Of this expenditure – modest for a country that needs to evolve in the sector – over 65% comes from public coffers, in an inverse proportion to what is seen in developed countries, where companies account for roughly 60% of the funds. One of the signs of the low involvement of the business sector with technological research is that it absorbs a very low number of postgraduates, in particular doctors, something that contrasts with the situation of countries that were industrialized more recently, such as South Korea and Taiwan.
With regard to Brazil, São Paulo invests slightly more: between 1995 and 1998, the state spent about 1% of its GDP on research and development, in amounts that exceed those for Argentina, which has a very similar population and GDP. The average of the expenditure by the state of São Paulo in the same period (US$ 2.5 billion) corresponded to about 38% of the total national spending in 1999. Public and private investments in research can have a great economic and social impact. An example of this is the performance of São Paulo’s agriculture between 1948 and 1998, when gains in productivity of over 150% were recorded.
The indicators show that the figures for farm production value and land productivity in this period grew together with the development of new technologies, at the same time that the figures for the prices received by the farmers showed a declining trend. The expansion in the supply of farm products brought as a result a reduction in prices for the final consumer. From another point of view, and taking as a basis wages in the building industry, duly deflated, it can be seen that the purchasing power for food among lower income consumers increased 180% from 1980 to 1999.
The results suggest that the wages of a building worker in 1999 bought three times more food than in 1980. As to the business segment, the figures are controversial, and various surveys are still being made. Nevertheless, figures from the National Association of Research, Development and Engineering in Innovative Companies (Anpei in the Portuguese Acronym) indicate that companies from São Paulo had a share of 71% of the total expenditure in ReD by companies in the country.
Out of tune
In a world where scientific knowledge is increasingly incorporated into products – from the most simple, like those displayed on supermarket shelves, to the most sophisticated, such as telescopes that scan the universe – Brazil has multiple challenges to overcome. Among them, to get rid of the contrasts and lack of harmony that hamper the country’s development, such as the barriers that exist between a strong research sector and weak productionof technology. “It is enough to read the figures of the Indicators to realize that Brazilian companies need to invest about ten times morein ReD, something that is being done in economies similar to ours. Unless this happens, we will not be able to take off”, reckons FAPESP’s president, Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz.
One of the signs that knowledge doesnot perform a central role in the business strategy of Brazilian companies lies in the registration of patents. This is asensitive thermometer of the degree of technological evolution of a country, particularly because, over recent decades, it has been concentrated insophisticated sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals. According to the figures gathered for the Indicators, patents granted in Brazil to non-residents (in general, transnational companies) account for 85% of the total.
Besides being sparse (15%), Brazilian residents are represented by private individuals, in the majority of cases. This proves that the number of companies controlled by Brazilian capital that invest in technological knowledge is limited. As to the transnationals, their cutting edge research centers are located outside Brazil, though some of them do carry out experimental development work in the country.
The details of international trade also reflect the fragility of Brazil’s technological production. In 1989, the country’s balance of trade was over US$ 16 billion in the black, thanks to the surplus recorded from products with intermediate technological content. Ten years later, the pattern of international trade showed a different outline, above all as far as imports are concerned, which brought the balance of trade to a deficit of US$ 1.2 billion. The high technology products that used to account for a little less than 30% of total imports leapt to over 43%. The results achieved in the period, however, prove that the opening up of the economy carried out at the beginning of the 90’s contributed towards improving the capacity for generating innovation in the country.
Responsible for 50% of the national GDP, the state of São Paulo showed a more contrasted pattern of international trade, regarding imports: amounting to roughly US$ 8 billion in 1989, they exceeded the US$ 20 billion mark in 1999, with a greater concentration on high technology products, the share of which increased from 36% to roughly 50%.
It is visible, though, that the lack of robustness in the more “noble” sector of technological production has exacted its price, in the form of unbalance in trade. Brazilian exports of these products, which account today to about 5% of the total, are due mainly to the performance of the foreign sales of aircraft manufactured in São José dos Campos (SP).
Quality and competence
The aerospace complex set up in this region is a revealing example that Brazil has first class research ready to be transformed into products. The Indicators also mention the centers installed in Campinas (telecommunications and information technology) and São Carlos (optics and new materials), regions of São Paulo that are internationally recognized as center of excellence in the production of high technology. These centers – besides a few others set up in the country – are above all the result of a successful alliance between researchers and businessmen, both endowedwith great entrepreneurial strength.
To a large extent, this solid competence stems from the setting up of a public network of higher education and research (one of the pillars that support scientific/technological development) that is relatively recent in Brazil. It started to be put together at the beginning of last century, but it was only in the mid-Sixties that undergraduate andpostgraduate studies were linked together in a more organized manner, to make up today’s “powerful” system, as classified by Brito Cruz. In spite of the difficulties that it still faces, it is a mature apparatus, and well represented by several areas of knowledge, to the point of being a benchmark for other developing countries.
São Paulo holds a hegemonic position in Brazilian higher education. With around 23% of the country’s population aged between 18 and 24, the state tookup 32% of the enrollments in higher education in 1998. As to post-graduation, in thesame year about 32% of Brazil’s master’s degrees and almost 66% of its doctorates were awarded in the state. The other celebrated parameter for assessing quality, the number of scientific articles published abroad, has grown extraordinarily in the last few years. Indexed Brazilian publications on the databases of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), located in the USA, grew from 3,204 to 12,168 between 1985 and 1999.
Taking into account that the ISI’s databases grew 34% over this period, the Brazilian share almost tripled as a percentage of the database, having accounted for some 0.4% of the total of world-wide scientific literature in 1985 and 1.1% in 1999. However, about 50% of the indexed publications of the ISI’s databases in the period between 1981 and 1993 originated from just ten university campuses. In this ranking, the University of São Paulo (USP) stands out as the institution with the largest number of publications. Also prominent in São Paulo are the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the São Paulo State University (Unesp), whose contributions to the national scientific production have also been significant.
In 1999, the three institutions published, respectively, 3,033, 1,238 and 767 indexed articles, which represented 24.9%, 10.2% and 6.3% of the total of Brazilian publications. Among the federal institutions, the foremost were the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), which registered sharp growth in the number of publications on the ISI databases.
Basic network, a challenge
The extent and the quality of basic education (which covers the primary and secondary levels) are paramount conditions for the country to be able to respond to the challenges put forward by the new technologies, where the growing degree of complexity requires there to be, from the shop floor upwards, a trained and multi-task labor force. Therein lies the importance of including in the Indicators specific studies covering this school network. Besides the quantitative data, qualitative analyses of schools and their equipment are shown, and an assessment of school performance too, the latter based on studies by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
“The government has made big investments in basic education, and there have been several areas of progress. Access to schooling for the Brazilian population of between 7 and 14 years old now covers 95% of the children in this age group. But the country is still far away from the ideal level”, Landi warns.At the intermediate level, the state of São Paulo has the largest share, 28% of Brazilian enrollments, followed by Minas Gerais, with 10%, “a very worrying situation”, as Landi defines it. Even so, in the 90’s, the regional differences diminished, there was a fall in the illiteracy rateand in the repetition of school years, and an increase in the level of average schooling of the population and in the number of enrollments.
These gains, however, have not been sufficient for the education system in São Paulo and in Brazil as a whole to accept all those that seek it, particularly in intermediate schooling. As a result, only a portion of the population can take part in the country’s scientific and technological advances. Even in São Paulo, where the situation of education is one of the best in Brazil, a formidable effort will have to be made to turn the current picture around.
Overcoming the challenges outlined by the Indicators – in particular, those centered on the question of education and of the capacity of businesses to innovate – calls for lasting and long range proposals. Brazil has gained more ground in the scientific field, no longer an outsider in the world panorama, but from the technological point of view the situation is still critical. Having been thrust into a market where competition is fierce, the country not only needs to expand its investments in ReD, but also to do so in an intelligent and organized manner.
“The Indicators make it clear that we have already done some important things from the technological point of view, and that the country has the ability to develop solutions for its own problems’, Brito Cruz stresses. Repeating this recipe is a question that involves not only political aspects like financial resources and the choice of niches, but also hard work at a fast pace, because the rest of the world will not be waiting.Republish


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Businesses are People Too!
In recent years Oregon (State of) has talked about businesses like they are an Ebenezer Scrooge who only care about money and do not care about their employees. The elected official's attitude is that business is there just to be taxed and then taxed again. But I am here to tell you businesses are people to. People like Bob and I who invested their savings and then borrowed against all their assets to buy a business. Yes, we are entrepreneurs and want to be successful but there is nobody that cares more about their employees or their community than we do. We hope we have proved that over the years. This pandemic is even more painful for businesses when they are required to pay taxes (like the gross receipts tax CAT or the privilege tax) even when they are losing huge sums of money. Elected officials infer that it is only big businesses that pay these taxes. But that is just not the case. We do not consider Gresham Ford to be WalMart or even close.
So, when you shop, think about the people behind those businesses in our neighborhoods. The people that gave up their savings to cover other's wages and still need to pay their own mortgage and insurance. There are so many businesses right now that could use our help. The beauty salons, restaurants, retailers. And businesses that rely on other businesses like newspapers. Remember all the stores in historic downtown Gresham and all the retail stores in our LOCAL malls. When the time comes for you to spend your hard-earned dollars, please "Save Local Businesses". They make OUR community better and they are people (your neighbors) too!
You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts. Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.


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Kambi Group plc has announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with a subsidiary of Churchill Downs incorporated (CDI) that will see it become the sportsbook technology and services provider to CDI’s BetAmerica sports betting brand.
BetAmerica sportsbooks can currently be found in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Mississippi and Indiana.
The new deal will also position BetAmerica to leverage on its market
access to offer Kambi’s industry leading online and on-property sports wagering
experiences to new and existing players.
BetAmerica will utilize Kambi’s sports betting offering with its
integrated online gaming platform that will be powered by GAN’s U.S.-optimized
Kristian Nylen, Chief Executive Officer at Kambi, commented that it is a
pleasure for Kambi to be partnering with CDI and its BetAmerica Brand, which
has the potential to benefit from its market access and existing customer
Nylen also said he is certain that with the quality and experience they
possess, together with the BetAmerica leadership team, they will be able to
grow their businesses together as the U.S. sports betting and iGaming market
Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI, said that they believe
the transition to Kambi and GAN as their new technology providers will enable
their team to execute the rollout of BetAmerica sportsbooks and iGaming product
offering more efficiently as states move to legalize and implement regulations
permitting sports betting and iGaming in the coming years. He added that BetAmerica will benefit from
the proven excellence of these market-leading providers.

domain: economics


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But Hadley’s father and grandmother, the cornerstones of everything safe in her world, avoid her questions. If Hadley stays here, will she be giving her children the family they need, or putting their lives in danger?
The Grave Tender
Pub Date: 4/11/17
Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Women's Fiction
Amazon | B&N
The Grave Tender opens on a note of tension that underscores the full plot. Eliza Maxwell's psychological suspense novel explores the dark consequences of family secrets as a young woman comes home to face the past.
Hadley Dixon didn't have an ideal home life; her mother was mentally ill and her uncle was the town freak. This complex story gives insight on Hadley's childhood as she viewed it. Further in the story readers are privy to the reality of her childhood as secrets are uncovered and the truth comes to light. The secrets unearthed change everything she thought about her family including her grandmother and father, the two she loved the most.
The Grave Tender's unique narration and dark themes make this a story best read in one sitting. I couldn't take my eyes off the pages because of how quickly the story escalated. It's so easy to become absorbed in knowing the dark secrets that lie in Hadley's past. They affect so many of the characters in the story that you have to keep reading to see the full scope. The Grave Tender's thought-provoking conclusion will stay with you long after you've finished. This is a story I won't soon forget!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*


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Web3 game development has gained significant popularity in recent years, revolutionizing the gaming industry with its decentralized and blockchain-based approach. Australia has emerged as a hub for innovative Web3 game development companies, attracting both local and international players. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Web3 game development companies in Australia, highlighting their contributions to this evolving industry.
Introduction to Web3 Game Development
Web3 game development combines traditional gaming concepts with the power of blockchain technology. It enables players to truly own and trade in-game assets, creating a decentralized gaming ecosystem. With Australia’s thriving tech scene, several Web3 game development companies have emerged as leaders in this domain.
Suffescom Solutions Inc is a prominent Web3 game development company based in Australia. They specialize in creating immersive and engaging gaming experiences powered by blockchain technology. Their team of skilled developers and designers work closely with clients to deliver cutting-edge Web3 games that leverage the benefits of decentralization.
RisingMax is another leading Web3 game development company operating in Australia. They are known for their expertise in blockchain integration and the creation of unique gaming experiences. RisingMax combines innovative game mechanics with blockchain technology to offer players a truly decentralized gaming environment.
Best Web3 Development is a renowned name in the Australian game development industry. They have a dedicated team of professionals who excel in creating Web3 games with captivating narratives and seamless user experiences. Best Web3 Development focuses on leveraging blockchain technology to bring transparency and ownership to the gaming world.
Immutable is a trailblazer in Web3 game development, with a strong presence in Australia. They have developed a powerful gaming platform called Immutable X, which offers scalability and secure transactions for blockchain games. Immutable aims to revolutionize the gaming industry by enabling players to truly own their in-game assets and trade them freely.
Horizon State is a Web3 game development company based in Australia that specializes in gamified voting experiences. They utilize blockchain technology to ensure transparent and tamper-proof voting processes in various contexts, including gaming. Horizon State’s innovative approach has garnered recognition in both the gaming and political spheres.
Lucid Sight is a pioneering Web3 game development company known for its innovative use of blockchain technology in gaming. They have created successful blockchain-based games that offer players unique experiences and the ability to truly own their in-game assets. Lucid Sight’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of Web3 gaming has made them a prominent player in the industry.
Immutable X is a subsidiary of Immutable, focusing on scaling solutions for Web3 games. They provide a high-performance and low-cost infrastructure for game developers to build and deploy their blockchain-based games. Immutable X’s platform offers fast and secure transactions, enhancing the gaming experience for players.
Big Time Studios
Big Time Studios is a rising star in the Australian Web3 game development scene. They specialize in creating blockchain-based games that integrate play-to-earn mechanics, allowing players to earn real value through gameplay. With a strong emphasis on community-driven development, Big Time Studios aims to revolutionize the gaming industry with its innovative approach.
Power Ledger, while primarily known for its work in the energy sector, has also ventured into Web3 game development. They are leveraging blockchain technology to create gaming experiences that align with their mission of fostering sustainable and decentralized communities. Power Ledger’s foray into Web3 gaming showcases the diverse applications of blockchain technology.
Enjin is a globally recognized Web3 game development company with a significant presence in Australia. They have created a robust ecosystem that enables developers to integrate blockchain technology into their games seamlessly. Enjin’s platform offers features such as in-game asset management, item crafting, and trading, empowering game developers to create immersive Web3 experiences.
Australia boasts a vibrant Web3 game development landscape, with numerous companies pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the gaming industry. Suffescom Solutions Inc, RisingMax, Best Web3 Development, Immutable, Horizon State, Lucid Sight, Immutable X, Big Time Studios, Power Ledger, and Enjin are among the top Web3 game development companies making significant contributions to this emerging field. These companies are shaping the future of gaming by leveraging blockchain technology to create decentralized and immersive gaming experiences.

domain: game


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Cultivating herbs is a hobby everyone can take up. Develop the means for growing your herbs the best way and watch your garden fill with aromatic scents and colors.
Dill is a timeless herb that has been enjoyed by many as seasons come and go. You can enjoy its wonderful flavors dried, frozen fresh, or just get a kick out of its seeds. Dill is easy to harvest and works great on many dishes.
Chives is considered as a fine herb used for different French food. You can prolong the shelf life of your chives by freezing them.
One of the most fragrant of all herbs, lavender is also one of the simplest to harvest. Keep this aromatic herb fresh by being aware of the proper methods for harvesting lavender.

domain: food


Connecting People to Nature
The Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway is a project that works to connect open space lands across five counties in Northern Florida. It is run by the Florida Forever Program, a voluntary, state-run conservation program in the state of Florida.
Recognizing the importance of open space and land conservation, the citizens of Florida ratified a 1998 amendment on state funding for conservation purposes. The amendment allocates up to $300 million dollars per year to various Florida Forever activities, such as purchasing public lands in the form of parks, trails, forests and wildlife management areas.
These activities include purchasing public lands on the Florida Forever acquisition list, working farmlands and waterfronts, and conservation lands for water resource development. The funding also goes to the Department of Community Affairs, which helps local communities build their recreational spaces such as trails and corridors.
Through these actions, Florida Forever strives to conserve land in a strategic manner to protect and connect existing green space. One recent Florida Forever project, the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway, set out an ambitious plan to connect existing greenspace across five northern Florida counties. Part of this project focused on placing land adjacent to the Ocala National Forest into conservation easements. This plan will help to create an extensive wildlife corridor for the Florida Black Bear.


January 05, 2011 VOLUME: 2 ISSUE: 1
Troubleshooting FCC Catalyst Losses
Catalyst Loss Investigation Techniques and Practical Strategies
The correct approach to reducing FCC unit catalyst losses depends on the investigating technique, as there are various “types” of catalyst losses that can occur while the unit is in operation.
Catalyst losses were reported as an “issue” at 15% of the FCCUs recently surveyed. Many units will experience some form of catalyst containment-related situation during the course of a four-to-five year run between turnarounds. In anticipation of these concerns, the troubleshooting process should begin when the unit is operating normally (i.e., when the unit is not in trouble). This is the crucial time to collect good baseline data for future troubleshooting efforts, and should include:
- Heat and mass balance with coke calculation
- Regular e-cat and fines sample results
- Regenerator catalyst loss sample (ESP, scrubber water, TSS) with particle size distribution (PSD) and chemical analysis
- Slurry ash content with PSD and chemical analysis
- Pressure surveys
- Catalyst balances
- Accurate drawings of reactor/ regenerator equipment
- Radiotracer or gamma scans.
Catalyst Loss Estimation
Calculation of catalyst losses during normal operation should be conducted over several weeks or even months due to the “uncertainty” in this calculation. The data for these calculations are often cumbersome to obtain. The idea is not to target precise closure in this balance. Rather, look for an approximation of the steady state catalyst losses. If one part of the equation is difficult to obtain with reasonable accuracy, assume 100% closure and calculate this portion by difference.
An accurate catalyst loader with recorded data is preferable for performing a catalyst balance in addition to information on catalyst deliveries (on a dry basis). Changes in fresh catalyst hop per and regenerator catalyst levels (i.e., physical level change and bed density) should also be recorded.
Catalyst losses on the reactor side should include calculation of wt% ash (not vol% BS&W) and as-produced slurry product mass flow. Catalyst losses on the regenerator side should include the scrubber’s purge water wt% solids and rate and the ESP (or other dry recovery) in terms of total tons collected for disposal and opacity.
Serious Catalyst Losses
A unit shutdown is required if serious catalyst losses cannot be stopped quickly. Possible causes for these unsustainable losses include changes in catalyst bed level (Figure 1), severe cyclone failure and operational upsets.
The bed level should be estimated in absolute terms (i.e., height above reference point) using pressure survey data and/or level instrument reading.
Fluidized FCC catalyst behaves like any other fluid and generates a static pressure head. However, FCC catalyst does not have a “typical” fluidized density. The density (ρ) depends on the fluidization conditions, so the density needs to be measured inside the bed to calculate bed level:
ρbd = ΔPdt/hdt
Where ρbd is the regenerator bed density, ΔPdt is the pressure differential inside the bed over a known vertical distance hdt as illustrated in Figure 2. From the pressure recordings and levels shown in Figure 2, the bed density can then be calculated as:
ρbd = ((27.1 – 26.0)lb/in2 x 144)/5.19 ft = 30.5 lb/ft3.
The bed level is calculated with the following equation:
hbd = ΔPbd/ρbd
Where ΔPbd is the pressure differential across the bed , ρbd is the previously calculated regenerator bed density and
hbd is the catalyst height:
hbd = (27.1 – 25.0)lb/in2/(30.5 lb/ft3) = 10 ft.
The transport disengaging height (TDH) is the height above the regenerator bed where the catalyst density (entrainment) is constant. Catalyst entrainment is much higher below TDH as illustrated in Figure 3 (see page 3). TDH should terminate below the primary cyclone inlet in order to minimize catalyst entrainment and losses. TDH is calculated with the following equation:1
Log10TDH20 = Log1020.5 + 0.07(V – 3) TDH = TDH20 + 0.1(D – 20)
D = 32 ft, V = 2.8 ft/s. TDH = 21 ft.
Where D is regenerator diameter (ft.)
and V is superficial velocity (ft/s).
Catalyst levels inside the cyclone diplegs can be estimated from pressure survey data. Dipleg levels should terminate below the cyclone body. Action to take if cyclone dipleg levels are high include:
- Reduce air rate
- Increase pressure
- Lower bed level.
The level in the secondary dipleg can be estimated by the following equation:
L2 = (ΔPcyclones)/ρd2 + Ldiplegsubmerge2(ρbd/ρd2) ρd2 = 20 to 25 lb/ft3
ρbd = bed density.
The level in the primary dipleg can be calculated by a similar equation but typically the primary dipleg is not limiting.
In terms of bed level relative to the diplegs, certain criteria need to be con- sidered depending whether or not the diplegs are intended to be submerged:
- The diplegs should not be submerged if this was not intended in the design
- The diplegs should be properly submerged if they were intended to be submerged (i.e., too high submergence leads to high levels in cyclone dipleg and not submerged enough leads to gas flow up dipleg).
Cyclone failures or obstructions can occur due to poor fluidization around dipleg discharge; coke or refractory lodged in the top of the dipleg; contaminant deposits in the dipleg and mechanical failure during a thermal cycle. Contaminant deposits forming in the diplegs can completely block the dipleg until no catalyst can flow through the dipleg. Sources of contaminants include feed metals, purge water or contaminated fresh catalyst.
Manageable Catalyst Losses
Most FCCUs will have equal catalyst losses from the reactor and regenerator. Part of estimating the size of the problem is to ascertain if catalyst loss rate increased suddenly or if it has gradually drifted higher with time. Sudden increases can be due to operational changes or from recent equipment damage. Gradually increasing losses may be due to changes in catalyst physical properties or from a cyclone hole increasing in size over time. In the refining industry, acceptable FCC catalyst losses are less than 0.10 lb/bbl while elevated catalysts losses are higher than 0.15 lb/bbl. Higher catalyst usage can lead to higher catalyst losses. For example, catalyst usage at one refinery increased from about 0.40 lb/bbl (initially) to about 0.95 lb/bbl over 18 months of operation, leading to a corresponding increase in catalyst loss at about 0.05 lb/bbl (initially) to about 0.15 lb/bbl (after 18 months). The following is a “data checklist” for troubleshooting catalyst losses:
- E-cat data should include historical and current chemical and particle size analysis results
- ESP, scrubber purge water or third stage separator fines analysis should include historical and current chemical andPSD analysis
- Slurry analysis should include historical and current ash content and PSD with chemical analysis (if available),
- Past and present reactor/regenerator pressure surveys
- Catalyst balances performed over several weeks
- Radiotracer or gamma scans.
Flow meters on all distributors should be checked when investigating fines generation. A pressure survey of all dis- tributor inlets should also be performed along with calculation of distributor exit velocities. It should be noted that jet velocities greater than 300 ft/s can cause attrition. Fluidization taps should be checked for normal flow along with torch oil steam flow valves should be checked for leaks.
The fresh catalyst PSD should be checked so that less than 5% is in the 0 to 20 micron range and less than 20% is in the 0 to 40 micron range. PSD should be verified if PECAT is used. A sample should be sent to the refinery’s catalyst vendor. Manufacturing changes or catalyst reformulations should also be taken into consideration.
E-cat data combined with other observed changes, such as mechanical problems with cyclones (e.g., holes resulting from abrasion), can also provide clues to high catalyst/fines losses. A sharp along with slurry product flow rates confirmation of dry steam. In addition, increase in PSD over time (e.g., 162 operating days). Observation of coarser PSD (e.g., 90 μm at shut- down vs 75 μm at SOR) indicates loss of fines. Losses could also steadily increase if there is a hole in a cyclone or plenum that gets larger over time. If cyclone ΔP instrumentation is in operation, a downward ΔP trend indicates there is a cyclone problem resulting in loss of fines.
Erratic circulation is only one fluidization issue. Submerged diplegs are effectively blocked if the bed around them isn’t well fluidized. E-cat Umb/Umf should be monitored. APS and ABD affect Umb/Umf. Watch for signs of air maldistribution, including:
- Unusual temperature profile in the regenerator
- CO issues.Other potential issues include operating cyclones in the “danger zone” (i.e., 15-35 ft/s). This is often an issue during startup. High entrainment resonating from either abnormal superficial velocity or a damaged air distributor can choke a cyclone.
A thorough inspection at each turnaround is necessary to ensure proper flapper valve operation. The inspection should
include the following check list:
- Check the seating surface for proper seating and minimize gaps
- Check the counterweight and adjust
- Check the bushings and ensure clearances are within tolerances
- Check the pin for straightness and grooving and lap the pin as necessary
- All clearances and tolerances should be in accordance with the original manufacturing drawing.
Horizontal counterweight (CWT) valves do not allow catalyst and spalled refractory to slide off. Valves are not wide open during operation so a build-up of rubble can block the flow or cause the valve to stick open.In addition, erosion at the bottom of the dust hopper and top of the dipleg is frequently a problem. Additional refractory protection on outside of cyclones can prolong equipment life. Moreover, precise design and implementation of a refractory protection strategy is critical.
In view of all the previously discussed precursors leading to excessive catalyst losses through the FCC reactor and regenerator, an effective strategy depends on the specific source of the
trouble. In summary, gathering baseline data is critical when troubleshooting catalyst losses. Extreme losses are often the result of improper catalyst level control. E-cat data and SEM photos can provide clues to the problem’s origins. Fortunately, low cost options are available, such as when responding to recurring cyclone problem areas. n
Wilson, J., “Fluid Catalytic Cracking Technology and Operation,” Tulsa, OK: Penwell, 1997, pp. 188-189.
Editor’s note: This article is based on a presentation by Jeff Koebel at the 2010 NPRA Cat Cracking Conference: “Troubleshooting FCC Catalyst Losses” (CAT-10-105). Koebel is Sr. Technical Sales Manager at Grace Davison, Co- lumbia, Maryland, USA (jeff.koebel@ grace.com).
Economics of H2 Recovery from Off Gas
Hydrogen recovery from refinery off gas can be economically competitive depending on site-specific conditions and market factors.
Market factors can include the price of natural gas affecting the relative competitiveness of hydrogen production from steam methane reformers (SMR). Most refiners with ramped up hydrotreating and hydrocracking capacity rely on SMR hydrogen production for most of their increased hydrogen requirements. However, H2 recovery from off gas is becoming more compelling as many SMRs are already at maximum capacity.
Based on published papers available from technology licensors, technical considerations include H2 concentration in the off gas (e.g., richer H2 content streams require less compression), separation technology (e.g., membrane separation and pressure swing adsorption [PSA]) and gas stream pressure. High pressure gas streams with relatively high H2 content, such as purge gas from high pressure hydrotreaters, are generally good candidates for H2 recovery as they require less compression and are richer in H2. For better economics, such high H2 content streams should not be commingled with lower quality off gas prior to recovery.
In some cases, instead of off gas recovery system investments, the refinery off gas is fed to the SMR plant for steam reforming to H2. In addition, new high-activity reforming catalysts can increase hydrogen SMR production by as much as 15%. The increasing interest in substituting off gases for natural gas are to increase overall H2 availability. In addition, the heavier hydrocarbons in off gases will provide more moles of hydrogen product than natural gas.
For refinery off gases which have more than 35 to 45% hydrogen, the economics for recovering that hydrogen with a membrane or PSA become much more favorable.
Process Heater Efficiency Update
In basic terms fired process heaters, of which there are thousands in the refining industry, are used to effect a chemical reaction in the hydrocarbon feedstock through the application of heat. The majority of these units are fired with a gaseous fuel (e.g., natural gas and plant process gas). The units may range widely in size but all units are known to be controlled to various extents for emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), mainly NOx. The level of NOx emissions limits varies among refining regions, but the general trend is towards achieving less than 10 ppm NOx emis sions (< 10 ppm NOx). These NOx emissions reduction efforts coincide with improving combustion efficiency.
Many installed heaters are not equipped with combustion air preheaters for energy recovery from stack gases, resulting in a 7 to 10% energy consumption loss. This is primarily because the energy recovery technology was not judged cost effective at the time of construction for small and moderate duty process heaters. In the ensuing issues of Refinery Operations, discussions will be included on development of designs and components for an integrated process heater technology that may be applicable to retrofit of existing equipment, including low NOx burner development, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) design support, monitoring and measurement systems, and efficiency improvement strategies (e.g., oxygen enrichment).
Process heaters, furnaces and other fired heater applications account for most of the energy costs associated with running hydrocarbon processing plants, which is where most of the energy savings strategies are targeted. For example, continuous measurement of oxygen (O) and combustibles in the heater’s radiant section provides data for effective heater operation with significant benefits in energy savings, NOx reduction, product quality and throughput, tube life and safe heater operation. Variations in fuel values, higher operating temperatures and multiple burners complicate fired heater combustion optimization.
In an effort to monitor the cost savings realized by process heater efficiency improvement programs, combustibles and oxygen should be monitored. In addition, air-to-fuel ratio step testing, such as on crude heaters, vacuum heaters, and process heaters in general, can be part of the monitoring program.
Test devices used can include analyzers such as the AMETEK P-300 por table flue gas analyzer and a facility’s Honeywell TDC 3000 DCS to obtain required data. Parameters that could be monitored during heater air-to-fuel ratio step testing exercises include excess O2, CO, NO, excess air, process heater duty (firing rate) and stack temperature.
These step testing exercises usually involve a collaborative effort from various levels of refinery staff, along with the supplier of specialized instrumentation and associated services. For example, at one facility, personnel typically involved include an instrumentation technician, unit operator and control room operator.
Avoiding Over Conversion in Unit Operations
Maximizing cycles of conversion units such as hydrotreaters and hydrocrackers are being achieved by control of critical operating parameters. Plant optimization systems and DCS technology are prominently leveraged in newer facilities to facilitate control of critical parameters. Older facilities are also incorporating various layers of optimization systems for critical parameter. For example, at the NPRA Q&A, David Krenzke with Advanced Refining Technologies (ART), pointed out that refiners are maximizing ULSD unit cycle length by controlling the following operating parameters:1
- Hydrogen purity: For ULSD operations, ratios of hydrogen consumption to hydrogen-to-oil in excess of 5 to 6 provide greater stability and optimum catalyst performance
- Feed distillation: The feed end point has a significant impact on the required temperature to meet a product sulfur target. Increases in feed boiling point quickly in- crease the concentration of hard sulfur as well as increasing nitrogen and PNA levels. A high end point tail on the feed distillation will reduce the temperature span between SOR and EOR by requiring a higher WABT to produce the same product specifications, which in turn increases the deactivation rate as well as increasing hydrogen consumption
- Sulfur conversion: Over-conversion even by 1 or 2 ppm can significantly increase the catalyst deactivation rate. Higher temperatures to produce a lower product sulfur than needed increase coke deposition causing a higher rate of deactivation. Some refiners are using closed loop control with an on-line product sulfur analyzer to maintain on-spec product to prevent over-conversion
- Feed composition: Higher concentrations of cracked stocks (coker & LCO) increase the concentration of hard sulfur which requires higher temperatures to remove. Cracked stocks also increase the olefin and PNA concentrations in the feed resulting in an increase in hydrogen consumption, higher exotherms and lower outlet hydrogen partial pressure. The net effect is a shorter cycle length due to higher operating temperatures and an increase in deactivation rate.
1. Response by David Krenzke at the 2010 NPRA Q&A and Technology Forum, see conference Answer Book, Question #22, p. 74, “Maximization of ULSD unit catalyst life/ cycle length.” n
FCC Catalyst Multi-Loader Systems
As refiners add different types of additives to FCC operations, multi-loader systems are growing in importance. Different variations of multi-loader systems are available from catalyst suppliers. These multi-loaders are typically designed so that they are easy to move, such as Intercat’s Additive Inventory Management System (AIM System). This particular system can accommodate five different additives, including fresh catalyst, E-cat as well as other competitor’s catalyst formulations.
Multi-loaders are typically retrofitted to each particular FCC unit. However, obtaining permits for installation of these additive multi-loaders is an issue for some refiners, as the FCC unit is the focus of many of the environmental issues overwhelming refiners.
Valero Revamps and Startups
Valero Benicia refinery temporarily suspended normal operations in late December to conduct planned, preven- tative maintenance work that could not otherwise be done when the refinery is fully operational. According to informa- tion from Valero, the turnaround is ex- pected to last about 36 days, beginning in January and ending in February.
During the turnaround, the flue gas scrubber (FGS) unit, designed, reviewed and permitted as part of the larger project known as the Valero Improvement Project (VIP), will be “tied-in” to the processing units. This new unit will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SOx), and particulate matter (PM). The FGS project also includes equipment to heat crude oil more efficiently and produce steam without consuming additional fuel. In addition, obsolete equipment will be removed from service.
Maintenance work will be conducted around-the-clock. At peak times, approximately 3,000 skilled workers will be assigned to the turnaround, with up to 1,300 working during peak shifts.
The Valero Energy Aruba refinery will reach planned rates by the end of the month following the restart of pro- cess units on Jan. 2. The refinery recently completed months of extensive turnaround maintenance to facilitate its return to service; the plant was shuttered in July, 2009 owning to poor refining economics.
Also, the FCCU at Valero’s Ardmore, Oklahoma, refinery is at planned rates, the company said on January 3 following
the unplanned shutdown on December 28 to repair a leaky pipe.
JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. “Steadys”2011 Refining Capacity
Japan’s JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp, a unit of JX Holdings Inc said in late December that it restarted its 30,000 barrel per day (bpd) hydrocracking unit and a 16,000 bpd residue hydrodesul furization unit at its Muroran refinery in northern Japan at the end of December. The units had been shut since Dec. 20 due to a problem. According to a Dec. 27 report from Reuters, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp plans to refine 6.63 million kilolitres (1.35 million bpd) of crude oil in January for domestic con sumption, steady from a year earlier, a company executive said after the New Year weekend. That compared with 6.65 million kl refined in January 2010.
The January plan includes some refining to make up for a shortfall in December after unplanned shutdowns at some refineries, Tsutomu Sugimori, senior vice president in charge of retail fuel sales, told reporters.
The company estimated its December crude refining for the domestic market at 6.30 million kl, down 3% from a year earlier, below its target of 6.58 million kl after unplanned shutdowns of some refining units at plants in Muroran, Negishi and Kashima. “This year, oil refiners have curbed refining effectively to meet demand, which led to improved margins,” Sugimori said. “But we don’t know whether the domestic and export markets will be as good next year as this year.”
The company exported 490,000 kl of middle distillate and fuel oil in December, up 130,000 kl from a year ago, Sugimori said. The refining vol- umes do not include condensate but include crude processed at its 51% owned venture with Petrochina, Osaka International Refining Co, an export- oriented 115,000 bpd refinery. It plans no refinery maintenance in January. The company, a wholly owned down- stream oil subsidiary of JX Holdings Inc. has group crude refining capacity of 1,507,200 bpd.
Algiers Refinery Revamp Contract
Technip has been awarded a refinery refurbishment and revamping contract by Sonatrach for the Algerian company’s Algiers refinery. This lump sum turnkey contract, worth approximately US$908 million, will last 38 months and cover the execution of the complete scope of works, including the design, supply of equipment and bulk material, construction and start-up.
The revamp of the existing installation will enable refining capacity to be increased from 2.7 to 3.6 mil- lion tons per year, Technip said in a statement. The new units will allow the refinery to produce gasoline at specifications similar to those in force in Europe. The project will be carried out by Techip’s operating center in Paris. The project is part of Sonatrach’s vast program to renovate and refurbish the country’s oil refining installations.
Global Coking Capacity Increasing to 373 MMTPA by 2015
A report from Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com), “Global Refinery Coking Units: Market Analysis, Capacity Forecasts and Competitive Landscape to 2015,” indicates that global coking capacity is expected to increase from 291.1 MMTPA in 2009 to 373.2 MMTPA in 2015 at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 4.1%. Of the 82.1 MMTPA capacity increase, 66% will be from the world’s largest coking markets – the US, China and India. Together, these three markets will witness an increase of 53.8 MMTPA
in this period. Increasing domestic demand is the major driver for the capacity growth in these markets. In addition, India and China also plan to emerge as leading petroleum product exporters, which is also encouraging their investments in the coking industry.
The new report also notes that despite possessing the largest crude oil reserves, Middle East and Africa has limited presence in the global coking industry. Around half of the world’s oil reserves are located in this region. As of 2009, the region had a coking capacity of 7.1 MMTPA, accounting for less than 3% of global capacity. This is largely due to relatively low demand for cleaner products in the region. As the regional and national emission rules in this region are not stringent, low-quality petroleum products are consumed in the region. However, with most oil-producing countries planning to emerge as leading petroleum product exporters, the number of complex refineries in the region is increasing. By 2015, the Middle East and Africa coking capacity will more than double to 15.1 MMTPA.
HMEL Guru Gobind Singh Refinery Project
The HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) 9.0 MMTPA Guru Gobind Singh refinery project in Bathinda, Punjab will be a zero bottoms, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, high distillate yielding complex refinery that will be producing clean fuels and polypropylene by processing heavy, sour
and acidic crudes. The facility will include a captive power plant of 165 MW for refinery power and steam requirements. The refinery configuration has been developed after extensive linear programming, keeping the domestic and regional requirements in mind, the latest cost effective technologies available for generating required fuel specifications, and future changes. The configuration translates into one of the highest Nelson Indexes for the refinery amongst all the refineries in India. HMEL is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Mittal Energy Investment Pte Ltd, Singapore. n
Refinery Profitability: A Study in Contrast
Right before the Christmas break, I had lunch with some representatives of a major technology licensor that is significantly increasing its engineering staff and moving in to an ultra- modern campus in the Houston area to accommodate this influx of technical experts. Increases in staffing levels at their Asian offices are also in progress. With refined product demand in most parts of the world expected to remain at levels slightly above 2010 consumption, many technology suppliers are currently engaged in working with refiners on projects driven by shifting product requirements, efficiency improvements and environmental legislation. This bodes well for many of the major technology suppliers.
However, not all projects are the exclusive domain of the big engineering and technology suppliers. For example, the representative of a company specializing in cleaning process units prior to, or during a turnaround, has recently opened a new office in California to provide better service for the six refineries operating in the Los Angeles area. Another small but specialized engineer- ing firm that I met with in late December has been so busy with new work targeting crude unit revamps scheduled in 2011, that their staff only took a brief vacation during the Christmas holidays.
Nonetheless, while there are expected improvements in processing profits in 2011, the expected rebound
example, according to a report at the end of November from Bloomberg’s Singapore office, “the growth of refined product demand in China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, will slow to ‘half or less’ of the country’s gross domestic product rate [in 2011] as in- flation accelerates and the government discourages car usage.”
Other major concerns include statements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it will take action to roll out its own new regulations on greenhouse gases. A senior administration official recently told the Reuters news agency: The agency “has a huge role to play in continuing the work to move from where we are now to lower carbon emissions,” said the official, who did not want to be identified as the EPA policies are still being formed.
President Barack Obama, looking to take the lead in global talks on green- house gas emissions, has long warned that the EPA would take steps to reg- ulate emissions if Congress failed to pass a climate bill. The senior official stopped short of saying the EPA alone would achieve Obama’s goal of about 17% percent reductions in greenhouse gases by 2020 from 2005 levels.
The EPA is working to regulate greenhouse gases from “stationary sources” at refineries and other manufacturing facilities. In 2011, the EPA will require large power plants, manufacturers and oil refiners to get permits though details are unclear. The EPA will also require industrial sources to submit analyses on the so-called “best available technology” they could add to their plants to cut emissions under the existing Clean Air Act.
In today’s fragile economy, the Obama administration doesn’t seem to take into consideration that regulations from its bureaucrats will harm an industry trying to emerge from the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s, while the governments of other countries make efforts to help their sustain their manufacturing industry. For example, Japan has postponed its plans to introduce an emissions trading scheme (ETS) that would have gone into effect in 2013. This would have put Japanese refiners at a competitive in consumption of refined products will remain “fragile” in certain markets. For for releasing greenhouse gas emissions, disadvantage relative to other Asian refiners.
Regardless of these concerns and recent environmental disasters, such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a recent Wall Street Journal report puts global upstream investment in drilling and exploration at over half a trillion dollars in 2011 as some analysts expect oil prices to reach $100 per barrel in mid-2011. Surprisingly, much of this investment is coming from major oil companies rather than state-run monopolies, as was the trend over the past 10 years. Most of this investment is to replace dwindling reserves rather than meet increased demand. It therefore stands to reason that downstream investments will soon follow to accommodate increased processing complexity needed to upgrade these crudes with more complex “chemistry.” Rene Gonzalez, Editor
Copyright 2010 by Refinery Operations. Reproduction prohibited except for further use by the purchaser and expressly prohibited for resale. This information is obtained from the public domain and the intelligence of the staff of Refinery Operations. While every effort is taken to ensure accuracy, it cannot be guaranteed that this information has not been superseded. Refinery Operations cannot be held liable for the results of actions taken based upon this information.


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