Cauvery Water Dispute – Essay

The river Cauvery starts from Brahmagir rangers of the Western Ghats in Coorg district of Karnataka and traverses through Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry to join the Bay of Bengal at Kaveripattnam. It is the life line of South India just like Ganga for North India. It is one of the seven sacred rivers of India and is known as Dakshina Ganga. Total length of Cauvery is about 800 Kim’s out of which it covers 380 Kim’s in Karnataka before reaching the Karnataka -Tamil Nadu border. The river forms a boundary between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu up to a distance of 64 Kim’s. Then it traverses a length of about 357 Kim’s in Tamil Nadu before joining the Bay of Bengal.

The Cauvery basin extends over 32,273 sq km(42.2%) of Karnataka,2886 kerela,43868 of Tamil Nadu and 148 of Pondicherry amounting to a total of 81, in all. In the year 1924 an agreement was arrived at by British ruled madras presidency on the one part and Mysore state ruled by maharaja of Mysore on the other for the utilization of water of river Cauvery. The 1924 agreement was followed up to the reorganization of states on linguistic basis after which Mysore state become Karnataka. Karnataka considers the 1924 agreement to be one sided imposed by an imperial government upon a vassal state. Hence in the year 1974 Karnataka put forward its claim that the 1924 agreement having completed its 50 years had lapsed and that the state was more bound by terms and provisions thereof.

To the claim of Karnataka the state of Tamil Nadu reacted adversely and hence the issue was referred to the supreme court of India. The Supreme Court directed the government of India to constitute a tribunal to settle the dispute. Accordingly Cauvery water dispute tribunal was constituted. In June 1991 the tribunal gave its interim order on the following lines:

  • Karnataka would release 205 thousand cubic feet of water of Tamil Nadu's Mettur reservoir in a year from June to May.
  • Water would be released in four equal installments.
  • Karnataka on its part will not increase its area under irrigation above 11.2 Lakh acres till the final settlement of the issue.
  • Tamil Nadu would release 6 thousand cubic meter feet of water for Pondicherry.

The order would remain operative till the final adjudication of the dispute.

Karnataka government in protest against the interim order moved an application to the tribunal in June, 1994 seeking modification to the interim order for releasing 205 Tmcft of water. It requested for reducing the quantum of flow and for modifying the manner of release of water as also for giving liberty to increase area under irrigation beyond 11.2 Lakh acres, in the Cauvery basin. Karnataka also emphasized that the interim order should be modified so to stipulate that Tamil Nadu should not increase its area under irrigation by Cauvery beyond the average of four years ending 1989-1990. So that existing utilization of water as envisaged in the order could be ensured.

Tamil Nadu, on its part, filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in July 1994 requesting for an interim directive to Karnataka government, for releasing Cauvery water. It was emphasized that there was enough water in the Cauvery basin which Karnataka could easily spare for Tamil Nadu where water is needed for its short term korowai crop.

Main problem between the two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu started with the fear of failure of south west monsoon in July-August 2002. In the opinion of experts the problem can be attributed to scanty rainfall during south-west and north monsoon. On September 3, 2002 the Supreme Court directed Karnataka government to release 1.25 tmcft into Mettur dam till the Cauvery river authority gave its verdict. Later the apex court ordered that Karnataka would continue to release 0.8 tmcft till November 7, 200, where after the release could be resumed in accordance with schedule drawn under the Cauvery dispute tribunal's interim order. On February 6, 2003 the Supreme Court directed Karnataka government to release 4500 cause of water at the Mettur dam till the Cauvery river authority headed by the prime minister look a decision at its meeting on February 10, 2003. As per the Supreme Court’s order the decision of prime minister on the release of water would be final.

Tamil Nadu pleaded before the Supreme Court that ever since the interim order had been passed by the Cauvery tribunal in June, 1991. Karnataka had never fully implemented the tribunal order and that whatever Tamil Nadu had received was only the surplus from the four reservoirs of Karnataka. it was also pointed out that while Karnataka was entitled to utilize 83 tmcft of water according to the distress sharing formula but it had utilize 115 tmcft more. As a result the entire Kuruvai crop on 11 Lakh acres was destroyed and standing samba crop on 5 Lakh acres was facing the same fate.

Karnataka on its part asserts that they have released more water than was stipulated in the interim order. They also pointed out that storage of the four reservoirs was hardly sufficient to meet the state's own drinking water requirement. However, as a gesture of good will they would release 1200 cusec water per day till the CRA took any decision.

Then the dispute goes on and there seems to be no solution in sight. Selfish motive and political consideration come in the way of proper decision. To find a solution acceptable to both the contesting states is very difficult. however it is the need of the hour that chief ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu adopt the policy of give and take, rise above the selfish motives of their respective states, give due consideration to the difficulties of each other and work in all earnestness for a viable and mutually beneficial formula for distress sharing. This is possible only on the basis of mutual understanding and constructive cooperation just like the decision taken by the chief minister of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to shun the path of confrontation and resolve the water sharing dispute. According them, "we have decided to hold a dialogue to sort out issues. Confrontation will only complicate problems and delay a solution ". They have decided to modernize the Tungabhadra canals.


Sociology(:) for the Rich

The Battle Between Carnival and Lent, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, 1559

From N+1:

It seems there’s no way out of sociology; nevertheless sociology cannot provide us with internal reasons for its ever-rising prestige. Surely we want to be able to say that the sociology of culture is valuable because it’s true or insightful. However, a culture that blithely accepts a sociological account of itself is one that appears to have foundered in the straits that have always bedeviled sociology: the attempt to negotiate the relations between structure and subject, or society and agent. How to account for human freedom and also the determining power of the social world? Can we no longer really provide good-faith reasons for our cultural preferences, reasons rooted in private and idiosyncratic experience but articulated in a common language, and therefore also capable of noncoerced, voluntary change?

In spite of the strenuous attempts by sociologists to preserve some autonomy for the acting subject — Bourdieu’s “habitus,” Latour’s “actor-network” theory — popularization has inevitably resulted in more weight being thrown on the structuring side of things, the network over the actor. The only quantum of freedom left then belongs to the sociologist himself. It is the sociologist who is uniquely qualified to provide explanations for us, which have to do with feelings of status or desire for recognition, sublimated self-interest. Ultimately, there can be no mixed motives, no swerving, no revisions, no “powerful attraction towards all that we conceive or fear or hope beyond ourselves,” as Shelley once tried to define love.

If a work succeeds with a sector of the elite, it must be because the author intended, somehow, to curry favor. The cultural sociologist’s tacit conventionalism and implicit cynicism are offered as an explanation of authorial choices. Only in this way can academic literary sociology preserve the ghost of individual shaping-power. In The World Republic of Letters, Pascale Casanova claims that Nabokov began to write in English because “he knew the difficult fate of all exiled and dominated writers who, in order to be able to exist literarily and to attain true creative autonomy — which is to say to avoid dependence on unsupervised translations — choose to become, in Rushdie’s phrase, translated men.” The masterly author is preserved; in its biographical rhetoric, this could be a sentence out of On Native Grounds. But society and subject are reversed: rather than interacting socially, the subject becomes an all-knowing manipulator of sociological categories — a sociologist himself. Casanova tips her hand by her association of “true creative autonomy” with control over one’s own literary reputation, as though there could be no other valid kind of creativity or autonomy. Of course Nabokov had good reasons for wanting to write in English — most of his original Russophone aristocratic audience had been murdered — but autonomy is not merely an expression of survival instincts, deployed without pathos, self-loathing, or regret. Not even university professors are as explicitly careerist as the author-ideal that literary sociology puts before us.

A culture that understands its artists only as producers for various niche markets may not need more than this. At this point, however, it’s reasonable to ask whether the diminishment of human “vanitas” and individual agency in the cultural sphere is really an oppositional project. In a 1980 interview with his protégé, Loïc Wacquant, Bourdieu depicted himself as an inheritor of a modernist avant-garde tendency to fight against self-congratulatory, complacent humanisms: “Schoenberg said one day that he composed music so that people could no longer write music. I write so that people, and first of all those people who are entitled to speak, spokespersons, can no longer produce . . . noise that has all the appearances of music.” At the time, and for a nation that considered Bernard-Henri Lévy an intellectual, Bourdieu’s vanguardist arrogance was needed. Thirty years later and across an ocean, however, the spokespeople most effectively diminished by Bourdieu’s influence turn out to be those already in the precarious position of having to articulate and transmit a language of aesthetic experience that could remain meaningful outside either a regime of status or a regime of productivity.

“Too Much Sociology”, The Editors, N+1


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Professional Development

Alliance for Collaborative Change in School Systems (ACCESS)

ACCESS worked in partnership with Northern California school districts to strengthen the capacity of schools to prepare students, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, for college.

ACCESS offered regularly scheduled, site-based mathematics professional development, coaching, and planning services for teachers and administrative staff, primarily at grades 6-12.  We also assisted in developing high-quality mathematics curricula and assessment materials. The program focused on increasing teachers' ability to teach a standards-based mathematics curriculum and enhancing their use of a wide range of instructional strategies and resources that address the academic learning needs of a diverse student group.

The program goal was to help students develop the motivation, mathematical knowledge, and problem-solving skills they need in order to become academically competitive and successfully prepare for four-year colleges and careers.  Additionally, ACCESS activities contributed to the knowledge base of effective teaching, learning, and assessment practices.

This program was developed primarily for grades 6-12.


: : : : : Settlers IV

The Settlers: Fourth Edition is a giant step forward in strategic community building! Create a thriving civilization, using all of your planning and tactical skills to defeat the evil god Morbus and his Dark Tribe followers.

Lead the Romans, the Vikings and the Mayans into a rich and diverse gameplay universe, each race offering colorful, detailed unique characters and over 50 buildings and professions. Your Settlers raise different farm animals, make and use different weapons, produce different alcoholic beverages and their priests even cast fantastic unique spells.

The objective of the game is to build up a colony in lush, varied scenarios featuring thriving mining, food, tool and weapon industries. You can then create enough soldiers to combat Morbus' Dark Tribe – but it should never be forgotten that your army's strength depends upon the size and appearance of your sprawling, richly detailed settlement!

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Tyrana played Settlers IV
Tyrana and 5 others own Settlers IV

This game was well made. You could go in 3 tribes and battle and protect your tribe.

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Harvard study provides best evidence yet that nuts may reduce risk of death | Heart and Vascular Health | Scoop.it

New research provides strongest evidence to date that eating nuts can reduce a person’s risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and a number of other causes.  The study, published Wednesday in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, involved more than 118,000 healthy volunteers and found that those who regularly consumed a one-ounce daily serving of walnuts, almonds, cashews, or other tree nuts had a 20% lower risk of dying from any cause during the three-decade long study compared to those who did not eat nuts. Nut eaters were 25 percent less likely to die from heart disease, 10 percent less likely to die from cancer, and 20 percent less likely to die from diabetes as well as lung diseases. The study found that nut eaters enjoyed longer lifespans even if they did not exercise, avoided fruits and vegetables, and were overweight. A decade ago, the Food and Drug Administration determined that there was enough evidence to announce to Americans that eating 1½ ounces of nuts each day “may reduce the risk of heart disease.”


Church Tower of Shandon

Positioned on a hill overlooking the River Lee, the Church Tower of Shandon (Old Fort) is possibly Cork's most famous landmark. The red sandstone and white limestone tower is crowned by a large, salmon-shaped weather vane. It was built in 1722, making it one of Cork's oldest buildings, and is still perfectly preserved. The Church of St Anne is famous for its bells, which inspired the song 'The Bells of Shandon', and also for its clock, which is referred to as 'the four-faced liar' because each of its four faces reads a different time. You can ring the famous bells on a visit to St Annes (they even provide a booklet of songs you can play) and view the internal workings of the clocks. The views of the city from the balcony of the bell tower are stunning. The staircase up to the top of the tower gets quite narrow which is a delight for some but perhaps shouldn't be attempted by the claustrophobic. The church itself is also a joy to explore for those who are interested, and the people who work there are very helpful and friendly. The church is located in the historical section of the city so a visit can be combined with a stroll through the charming old area, which has many other attractions.

Address: Church of St Anne Shandon, Church Street

Website: www.shandonbells.ie/index.html

Telephone: +353 21 450 5906

Opening times: June to September: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11.30am to 4.30pm. March to October: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11.30am to 4pm. November to February: Monday to Sunday 11am to 3pm.

Admission: €5 (adults), €4 (students and seniors), €2.50 (children between 5 and 16).


Egypt's Limited Military Options to Stop an Ethiopian Dam Project

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It varies depending on the dimensions of the dam, but dams can be and usually are very tough targets to destroy. In World War II the British proved that it could be done despite considerable difficulties and were the first to seriously develop the art of dam busting. The British used delayed-action bouncing bombs from Lancaster bombers, but fortunately for the Egyptians, advancements in weapons technology would enable them to target the Ethiopian dam in a less risky way. The best way for Egypt to knock out a standing dam is to use retarded and delayed-action bombs deployed from very low altitudes, or even better, delayed-action joint direct attack munitions deployed at medium altitude. The difficulty is that the bomb needs to be deployed at the very base of the dam, underwater, where the concussive effect and pressure wave is greatly amplified. Preferably more than one bomb would be deployed in this manner, and the force would be sufficient to breach the dam.

To avoid the hassle of hitting a standing dam and creating major flooding downstream in Sudan and even potentially Egypt, Cairo would probably prefer to hit it while it is under construction. But it also has to be careful not to hit the dam too early, because then Ethiopia may not be fully deterred from restarting the project.

Distance is a major obstacle for the Egyptian military option. Ethiopia is simply too far from Egypt, and since Egypt has not invested in any sort of aerial refueling capability, it is beyond the combat radius of all Egyptian aircraft staging from Egyptian airfields. The only consolation for Egypt is that the dam is very close to the Sudanese border. Access to Sudanese airfields would place some of Egypt's air force within range. However, operating from Sudanese territory could be politically complicated and would have international repercussions for Sudan along with Egypt. Sudan's proximity to Ethiopia would also leave it vulnerable to direct military retaliation.

Another option is the insertion of special operations forces into Sudan. From there, the forces could move across the border and either harass the construction of the dam or attempt to sabotage the structure under the guise of militants. This would allow Khartoum to realistically pledge that it had no idea there were "militants" there. The harassment tactic by special operations forces or militants would likely only delay the project, not arrest construction.

Special operations forces teams would face their own series of obstacles in trying to destroy the dam. Dams are critical infrastructure and routinely protected relatively well in most countries by dedicated military units. Ethiopia would be no exception, especially with all the contention already surrounding the project. So Egyptian special operations forces would need luck and skill to gain access to the dam successfully. There is also the problem that a small team of ground forces, no matter how elite, would likely be physically unable to carry enough ordnance to critically damage or destroy the dam.

Egypt does have military options, but distance will heavily constrain its ability to project the full force of its military. Any option Cairo chooses to exercise will be risky at best and will also come with severe international consequences.

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The driving distance from Fort Collins Airpark to Greeley, Colorado is:

30 miles / 48 km

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Driving distance from FTC to Greeley, CO

The total driving distance from FTC to Greeley, CO is 30 miles or 48 kilometers.

It ends in Greeley, Colorado.

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So, I started watching Defiance...

Syfy announced the new series this June an so, having not watched the first season for reasons, i decided to start watching it.

Episode one? A lot better than i was expecting. A bit shaky CGI and a whole bunch of tropey characters but the seemingly rich universe building covers a multitude of sins.

I love the Doctor; all doctors need to be issued with a massive sarcasm package when they swear the oath... all the best Doctors have a mean tongue.

I'm getting a massive Firefly vibe, although notably without the Whedon-esqe dialogue.

Overall though, pleasantly surprised and will going into episode two with positive thoughts! :p


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Weight Loss

Why people regain weight

obese _skinny_women.JPG

It’s a widely quoted statistic: 95 percent of people regain lost weight. Such a statistic makes you wonder if you should even bother with the workouts and the healthy eating. Before you turn your treadmill into a sanctuary for unfolded laundry and hang-dry only clothing, you should know a few facts about why people regain weight and exactly where that astonishing statistic originated.

In 1999, two doctors set out to determine if this discouraging fact was indeed a fact. Dr. Wena Ring and Dr. James O. Hill conducted an analysis of the National Weight Control Registry and quickly identified more 2,000 success stories of weight loss and maintenance. This surprising information spurred them to compile more detailed data and survey the successful dieters. They found that on average, most dieters maintained a loss of 67 pounds for five years and 12 to 14 percent maintained long-term losses of more than 100 pounds – proving that the 95 percent failure rate was poorly founded.

So if success isn’t so futile, then why do so many people regain lost weight?

The wrong mindset

The number one reason people regain weight is the diet mentality. The word “diet” earned its reputation as a four-letter word because it has become associated with a period of deprivation and what some would classify as torture. For many, “diet” means a set span of time during which you must exercise superhuman willpower to resist delicious temptation and overwhelming pains of hunger at the end of which you can finally reward yourself with junk food favorites.

Very few individuals perceive the concept that healthy eating is not finite – it’s a lifelong commitment. Fad diets don’t work, because you can’t sustain that way of eating forever.  Choose a healthy eating plan that incorporates whole, nutritionally balanced foods.

Lack of sleep

Studies have shown that fatigue associated with poor sleep habits leads to a higher BMI and increased cravings for junk food. To maintain your healthy physique, try to get seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.

When you get stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. In the right amounts, this hormone helps us function under pressure. But in the event of chronic stress, cortisol can kick into overdrive, stifling your metabolism and increasing cravings for fatty foods and starchy carbohydrates.

Reducing stress is difficult, especially if the stress is linked to situations that are difficult to change – such as a job you hate or financial pressures.  Practicing yoga, meditation or deep breathing techniques for just a few minutes each day can help you calm your body and keep excess pounds from stacking up.

Medical condition

Maintaining your weight loss means healthy habits have to become a way of life – and no one said it was easy. However, with the right mindset, support from your health care team and peers, as well as applying the right habits, you can ward off excess pounds for a lifetime and add to the statistics of success!


Figure 3: Effects of probenecid or U73122 on the GLP-1 secretion stimulated by WE or BGP-Pi in STC-1. After a 3 hr starvation in 10% FBS DMEM (low glucose), cells were treated with 0.2 % BSA DMEM (low glucose) containing (a) WE (water extract) or (b) BGP-bi in the absence or presence of probenecid or U73122 for 1 hr. All data were calculated as GLP-1 secretion per cell, and the secretion of vehicle-treated cells was taken as 1. Data are mean ± SD of 1~3 batches of experiments, with 1~3 for each treatment. * , ** , and *** denote significant difference compared to vehicle-treated cells analyzed by Student’s test with RCBD to adjust for the differences between separate experiments.


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Hylomorphism (Greek ὑλο- hylo-, "wood, matter" + -morphism < Greek μορφή, morphē, "form") is the philosophical theory, originating with Socrates, which conceptually identifies substance as matter and form. More exactly, substances are conceived as forms inhering in matter.

Medieval theologians, newly exposed to Aristotle's philosophy, applied hylomorphism to Christianity, such as to the transubstantiation of the Eucharist's bread and wine to the body and blood of Jesus. Theologians such as Duns Scotus developed Christian applications of hylomorphism.

Socrates clearly proposed the idea of ideal form in the Allegory of the cave, as recorded by Plato in The Republic. Aristotle -- rejecting the concept of ideal form -- substituted in its place his own idea of substantial and accidental forms.

The Stoics rejected the ideas of both Socrates and Aristotle, believing only in matter. They developed their own theory of categories, largely in order to avoid reference to incorporeal form. Their triumph over both the Academy and the Lyceum was very likely due to their rejection of the ideas of their predecessors.

Plotinus revived the idea of the ideal form in Neoplatonism. He understood matter to be empty space, or a pure possibility of being. The acceptance of Plotinus by Saint Augustine as the best of the pagan philosophers marks the introduction of hylomorphism into Christian thought. Subsequently, the Theology of Aristotle, a translation of Plotinus' Six Enneads into Arabic was essential to the work of Islamic philosophers. Thomas Aquinas' ideas, building on Islamic thought, introduced Aristotle's version of hylomorphism into Western thought.

With the fall of Scholasticism and the development of Modern philosophy hylomorphism has generally been ignored in favor of Atomism.

Matter and Form

Hylomorphism is the philosophical theory, originating with Plato, perhaps earlier, which theorizes that substance is composed of matter and form, which are not to be understood as any element, atom, part or particle. Substance is not a mixture, solution, colloid, amalgam, chemical or physical unity of matter and form. Instead the two are composed homogeneously together such that no matter exists without form or form without matter. Pure matter and pure form can never be perceived. They can only be comprehended by intellect, which is able to abstract, or "take away" the form from the matter and vice versa in the mind only.

There are no instances of matter and form in the world of modern physics and chemistry , only instances of substance. They cannot be studied by means of any instrument or experiment whatever , and therefore their existence is open to question, as modern science only believes what it can verify experimentally. Substance, however, can be verified experimentally. A close analogy to this epistemological position in physics is perhaps the nature of the electron, which explains properties of atoms, but cannot be experimentally verified (Heisenberg uncertainty principle) and therefore does not exist. Particle physicists view it as a probability function without being able to state what that means in physical reality .

Similarly the nature of matter and form cannot be explained . They have no nature. Instead they explain the overall characteristics of substance: multiplicity and change. An analogy in the physical world might be a colored light beam being formed from two primary colored light beams. Another is the location of an object in "space", which combines matter and space.

Two major views of the reality of matter and form were formulated by the ancients. In Platonic idealism or the theory of the ideas forms as seen in substance are not real, but are the projections of real forms, which exist in a world of forms, where man before he was born perceived and learned them. Someday man will awaken again and see the forms rather than the shadows. The shadows are formed from the projection of the forms onto space, which is real. It became Aristotelian matter. Aristotle held that matter and form are both real and exist where they are seen in substance. His view is therefore called Aristotelian realism.

The latter must appear paradoxical to modernists: matter and form do not exist apart from each other but only together. A substance is a unity and yet its matter and form are really distinct although they cannot by any means be separated, as they have a natural affinity for each other. Matter and form are not imaginary or concepts only, they really exist, but not with their own existence. The existence is that of the substance.

Due to the historical magnitude of its founders, hylomorphism was the western world's major world view. It became mediaeval because it was classical without lapse or other interruption. Certain problems concerning the relationship of existence to substance continued. These were solved finally by Saint Thomas Aquinas, often on that account termed the last of the ancient philosophers. His solutions became incorporated into the then Christian church as dogma. Subsequent to the schism between Catholicism and Protestantism the Catholics retained the dogma but the Protestants came to reject it to varying degrees and finally not to understand it at all.

According to Aristotle, each substance can be analyzed into two principles — matter and form. For example, a brass statue can be analyzed into brass (matter) and statue-shape (form). By itself, brass is potentially a statue; it becomes actually a statue when it gains the form of a statue. More generally, the matter of X is what X is made out of; by itself, the matter is potentially X. X is actually X because it has the form of X. The form of X is the shape or organization that makes it X.

The form of a thing gives that thing its nature. Totally unformed matter — "primary matter" — is pure potential without any actual properties; thus, it's only a concept and can't actually exist in the real world. The most basic forms are the forms of the elements. These forms organize primary matter into the four classical elements — earth, fire, air, and water. These elements are indivisible and the simplest things in existence. The elements are then organized by more complex forms into a multitude of things. For example, the forms of flesh and bone organize the elements into flesh and bones; the forms of various organs organize flesh and bones into various organs; and the form of humanity organizes various organs into a human being.

According to Aristotle, the "soul" of a living being is its form, its organization. A living being is a collection of matter that is organized so that its organization is self-sustaining. By defining "soul" as the organization of a living body, Aristotle denies the possibility of a soul that can survive the death of the body. At most, only the pure intellect, devoid of personality, can survive according to Aristotle's theory.

According to Aristotle, nature in inherently purposeful. Matter exists for the sake of form; potential exists to be actualized. Bricks, mortar, and beams exist for the sake of a house. The parts of the human body exist for the sake of the human body. Moreover, once a thing has fully gained its form, we can say that it ought to exercise the functions that its form gives it. For example, the form of a snake's body gives a snake the ability to slither, so a snake ought to slither. The farther a being deviates from its form, the less it succeeds in satisfying its purpose. Aristotle presents a teleological world — a world in which things have objective purposes. In particular, a thing's purpose is to fulfill the functions that its form gives it.

Hylomorphism as a non-mechanistic account of change

Hylomorphism can be seen as an alternative to mechanistic explanations of how change happens. A mechanistic worldview tries to explain all events in terms of a chain of prior causes (what Aristotle calls "efficient causes"), without any appeal to goals or purposes. According to this view, when we say that an acorn "pursues" the form of an oak tree, we're simply noting how matter arranged in one way (an acorn) will, due to prior causes, get rearranged into a different configuration (an oak tree). The form of an oak tree is a mere abstraction that's ultimately unnecessary to explain the growth of the acorn.

In contrast, according to hylomorphism, the term "oak tree" corresponds to an objective reality with causal powers. When an acorn grows into an oak tree, it's "striving" after the form of an oak tree. The meaning of the term "oak tree" exists as an objective goal that draws matter toward it.

Argument for hylomorphism as an account of change

Aristotle saw hylomorphism as the best way to explain change. By definition, change happens when one thing becomes another thing. But if one thing has "become" another thing, then those two things must have something in common. If an acorn and an oak tree have nothing in common, if no principle endures while the acorn disappears and the tree appears, then the acorn hasn't "become" the tree: rather, the acorn has simply vanished, and the tree has appeared out of nowhere. Because the acorn presumably does become the tree, the acorn and the tree must share an underlying principle that doesn't change: according to Aristotle, that's matter. At the same time, there must be something the acorn and tree don't have in common, a principle that drives the change: according to Aristotle, that's form. In Aristotle's system, change happens when matter loses one form and gains another.

Some modern philosophers, such as Patrick Suppes in Probabilistic Metaphysics, argue that hylomorphism offers a better conceptual framework for the Standard Model of particle physics than purely mechanistic versions of atomism.

The Unmoved Mover

According to Aristotle, in most beings, form needs matter as much as matter needs form. The form of humanity can't exist on its own; it needs to exist in particular human beings. However, Aristotle reasoned that there must be an ultimate source of all motion, and that it must be pure form. This being doesn't need matter because it isn't a particular instance of a form; rather, it is the ideal Form toward which all other beings strive. Thus, it's the "unmoved mover" of the universe: all beings achieve the degree of perfection that they achieve by striving after this being's perfection.

Many medieval Jewish, Christian, and Muslim theologians, particularly the Thomist theologians, applied Aristotelian notions of an Unmoved Mover to religious notions of God.

Medieval debate over hylomorphism

Medieval scholastic theologians generally accepted hylomorphism, but they didn't completely agree on how far to apply it. Specifically, they didn't agree about whether to apply hylomorphism to spiritual beings such as angels and human souls.

The human soul

According to Aristotle, a human's soul is his form. However, this seems to imply that the individual soul ceases to exist after death. In Aristotle's system, different human beings are different pieces of matter, but they share the same form — the form of humanity. There's no individual soul that survives death.

This posed a problem for the medieval Christian philosophers. Christian doctrine seemed to state that humans have individual souls that can continue to exist individually after death. Thus, medieval philosophers sympathetic toward Aristotle faced a dilemma. On one hand, they could accept Aristotle's definition of the soul as pure form, but at the expense of having to explain how the individual soul could survive death. On the other hand, they could define the soul as a substance made of both form and matter, but at the expense of contradicting Aristotle. Some medieval thinkers, such as Saint Thomas Aquinas, agreed with Aristotle that the soul is pure form. Others, such as Saint Bonaventure, argued that the human soul must consist of both form and matter: thus, it must contain some kind of "spiritual matter", but still be able to act upon the body's corporeal matter as its form.

Some medieval thinkers, such as Aquinas, argued that angels are pure form without matter. In Aristotle's system, different members of a species are different pieces of matter that share the same form. It follows that matter is what separates one member of a species from other members. If angels are pure form without matter, then they can't share a common form; if they did, then they would all be a single being. Thus, if angels are pure form, then each angel must be its own unique form, a species unto itself. The idea that each angel is a unique "species" or "genus" provided a convenient explanation for the Christian belief that fallen angels can't be saved: Christ could assume human nature to save all humans, but he couldn't likewise save fallen angels, for each angel has its own individual nature.

Others, such as Bonaventure, argued that angels, like everything else, must consist of both matter and form. Bonaventure knew of Aquinas's idea "that each angel constitutes a single species", but he thought that one should accept "so strange a theory" only if Scripture explicitly supported it or if logic absolutely demanded it. Unlike Aquinas, Bonaventure concluded that angels share a common angelic form. According to Aristotle, different individuals can have the same form only if they're different pieces of matter. Thus, according to Bonaventure, angels must contain "spiritual matter" as well as form.

A false dilemma?

Historian Etienne Gilson argues that Aquinas's and Bonaventure's positions don't necessarily contradict each other. Aquinas defines "matter" more or less as a physicist would: he identifies matter with corporeal matter. If "matter" means corporeality, then Aquinas is right to think that spiritual beings such as angels and souls can't contain matter.

However, Bonaventure defines matter more abstractly: for him, "matter" is the principle in each thing that makes it a particular thing: it's what makes an angel this particular angel, in contrast to the form, which is angelhood-in-general. In itself, Bonaventure's matter is neither corporeal nor spiritual: it becomes corporeal if joined with the form of a corporeal being, and spiritual if joined with the form of a spiritual being.

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Dealing with Multiple Criteria

This article deals with a recurrent themem in modelling: summarising data that meets multiple criteria. By Liam Bastick, director with SumProduct Pty Ltd.

I want to summarise the sales made by my business that meet various criteria (e.g. sales for a particular region for a particular product).  SUMIF only works with one criterion.  Due to end user requirements I don’t wish to use PivotTables: is there any way I can obtain the analysis by using a formula?

This is an example of conditional summing, i.e. where you wish to add numerical values provided they meet certain criteria.  For example, imagine you were reviewing the following data summary:

Example Dummy Database

The function SUMIF(range,criterion,sum_range) is ideal for summing data based on one criterion:

So, to find the sales for Business Unit 1 in the above example, we would type =SUMIF(F12:F21,1,H12:H21) (which is $1,000), or to find the total sales of Product X we might type =SUMIF(G12:G21,”X”,H12:H21) (which is $1,200) (note that the text must be in inverted commas).

This month’s problem can be expressed as follows, how would you find the total sales of Product Z in Business Unit 1 using a formula?  That’s two criteria and SUMIF will not work with multiple conditions.  Fortunately, there are several alternatives.  For once, I am going to stick with Excel 2003 and earlier because there is a SUMIFS function in Excel 2007 that resolves our query in seconds:

=SUMIFS(sum_range,criterion_range1,criterion1, criterion_range2,criterion2,…)

The issue here is that this function is new to Excel 2007 and is therefore not backwards compatible with earlier versions of Excel.  Hence I will consider other options instead.

It is often possible to cheat with SUMIF by making a ‘mega-criterion’ out of multiple criteria.  This works on joining criteria together usually by using the ampersand (‘&’) operator.

Let’s consider our example, slightly revised, from above.

Revised Dummy Database

A new column has been inserted (column H), with a formula combining the contents of columns F and G (e.g. the formula in cell H12 is =F12&G12).  Provided that all possible combinations are unique (i.e. no duplicates can be generated), a simple SUMIF can then be applied, e.g.

This is by far and away the simplest solution – if it works.  It can fall down though (in an other example, the concatenation ”111” might refer to Product 1 in Business Unit 11 or Product 11 in Business Unit 1).

Conditional Sum Wizard

This wizard is not part of the default Excel package: it is an ‘add-in’, i.e. a supplemental program that adds custom commands or features to Excel.  Therefore, unless previously included, this add-in needs to be loaded.  ALT+T+I (Tools -> Add-Ins) is the keystroke that works in all versions of Excel.

Add-Ins Dialog Box

Once loaded, to access it, shortcut keys will not work (ALT+T+C gives rise to a conflict with Tools -> Customize and possibly Tools -> COM Add-Ins).  In Excel 2003 and earlier versions, it can be located on the Tools dropdown menu, whereas in Excel 2007 it is in the final grouping, ‘Solutions’, of the ‘Formulas’ tab.

When activated, the user is prompted by a straightforward multi-step wizard, viz.

Step 1: Identify the Database (Including the Column Labels / Headers)

Step 2: Set the Conditions

Step 3: Insert the Formula

It is recommended that the second option is selected in Step 3, otherwise a formula is constructed containing hard code rather than cell references, giving rise to a ‘static’ rather than ‘dynamic’ formula.  Note that choosing this second option changes the number of steps from four to six.

Final Step(s): (Assumptions and) Output Location

The final three steps simply require where the inputs / outputs should go.

In the example above, you can expect to get a formula similar to the following:

The braces at the beginning and the end of the formula (‘{‘ and ‘}’) cannot be typed in: if the formula had been ‘manually’ generated, you would not press ENTER once the formula is written, but CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

This type of formula is known as an array formula.  Array formulae perform multiple calculations on one or more sets of values, and then return either a single result (as in this instance) or multiple results across a range of cells.

Array formulae can be memory intensive and slow down a workbook’s calculation time significantly.  The formulae are not always easy to follow, often exacerbated by the wizard using ‘nested’ functions (i.e. one inside another).  In fact, with a little practice, it is often possible to write simpler, more efficient array formulae without the wizard.

But it’s a great place to start!

DBASE Functions

Perhaps one of the lesser known families of Excel functions is the DBASE family, e.g. DSUM, DMAX, DMIN.  Working similarly to their ‘non-D’ counterparts, these functions interrogate a database in a reasonably transparent way.

The key function for our query is DSUM(range,field,criteria):

From our example above, the following could be a criteria table:

Example Criteria Table

Our formula in this case would be DSUM(F11:H21,3,F26:G27) (=$700).

More than one row can be used.  Criteria put in the same row are ‘AND’ criteria, so in our example above, to be summed, the Business Unit must be 1 AND the Product must be Z.

If more rows were added, each row is read as ‘OR’ criteria.  For example:

Another Example Criteria Table

Here, all sales are sold which relate to Business Unit 1 OR Product Z (=$2,600).

DBASE calculations are like ‘halfway houses’ between formulae and pivot tables (that do not refresh automatically if data / assumptions are changed).  Once mastered, they are fairly easy to construct and are quite transparent for users and developers alike.  Unlike SUMIF and the Conditional Sum Wizard, OR criteria can easily be selected too.

Their main drawback here is if multiple results are required.  The criteria tables needed may add significantly to the overall file size and confuse users as to which criteria table relates to which formula.

I must admit this is my favourite function in Excel (hence the company name).  For those who do not know it, SUMPRODUCT(array1*array2*…) appears quite humble upon first glance.  Consider the following sales report:

Example Sales Report

The sales in column H are simply the product of columns F and G, e.g. the formula in cell H12 is simply =F12*G12.  Then, to calculate the entire amount cell H19 sums column H.  This could all be performed much quicker using the following formula:

How does this help the cause?  It is all to do with the properties of TRUE and FALSE in Excel, namely:

In our earlier example (repeated below)

Example Dummy Database

Notice that SUMPRODUCT is not an array formula (i.e. you do not use CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER), but it is an array function, so again it can use a lot of memory making the calculation speed of the file slow down.

The following attached Excel file shows examples of all of the above solutions and may help you to choose which solution to use in which scenario.

If you have a query for this section, please feel free to drop Liam a line at or visit the website


Browsing Posts tagged Ecology

by Gregory McNamee

Leopard feeding on prey it dragged up into a tree, South Africa–© Ecoimages/Fotolia

Traditional hunters and human residents of ecosystems everywhere have given considerably more thought to the importance of those creatures and their moral equivalents—orcas and wolves here, dingoes and panthers there—and how humans can live with them. In 1927, when British biologist Charles Elton published his formulation of the food chain, he placed those large animals at the top of what he called the food chain, pointing to the flow of energy by which sun feeds grass feeds rabbit feeds fox.

Elton’s successors refer to these creatures as “apex predators.” Biostatisticians point to the fact that these creatures, at the top end of the chain, are few, in mathematical proportion to the animals that feed them: A million mayflies may go into the hundred trout that feed a single grizzly bear in a good bout of hunting.

Their relative fewness means that the apex predators carry a lot of weight, so to speak, in the workings of an ecosystem. Everywhere in the world, though, those apex predators have been supplanted by a single creature, Homo sapiens, and everywhere the world’s ecosystems are feeling the radical effects of this onset of what other scientists have come to call the Anthropocene: that time in which humans behave on the earth as if a geological force—or, worse, an extinction-causing asteroid. continue reading…

by John P. Rafferty

Other abnormalities occur during the animal’s development within the egg or the womb. Some abnormalities that occur during development produce deformed individuals. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including temperature, the mother’s nutrition, genetic recombination, and environmental pollutants; however, across all species deformities are uncommon.

Nevertheless, in some groups of animals, large numbers of individuals with deformities have emerged in recent decades. For decades, scientists and environmentalists have been interested in crossed-bill syndrome—a condition that occurs in some birds in which the upper and lower halves of the bill cannot close properly due to significant deformities. The interest stems in part from the stark changes in a bird’s appearance that are characteristic of the syndrome. Such changes can result in restrictions on how the animal obtains and eats food, and they may also affect how that individual interacts with other members of its species. As crossed bills and other beak deformities occur in a greater share of a bird population or across different species, scientists grow concerned that a change in the environment may be underway. continue reading…


Sushi Shooter

Sushi Shooter

10.000 - 50.000 download

Aggiungi questa applicazione ai tuoi elenchi

The source code for this project is hosted on github:

Original frozen bubble app source code:

Tags: bubble shooter source code, bubble shooter java source code, bubbles game java source code, shooting game source code, bubble shooter source, shooting game source, game source code, bubble shooter java code, bubble popper game source code, sushi shooter.

Modifiche recenti in questa versione

- various bug fixes and enhancements

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    by mattwilson1 il 01/07/2012


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Ecological Communities

Appalachian Oak Hickory Forest

Hemlock Northern Hardwood Forest

Successional northern hardwoods

A forest that occurs on sites that have been cleared or otherwise disturbed. Dominant trees are usually two or more of the following; red maple, white pine, white ash, gray birch, quaking aspen, big-tooth aspen, and, less frequently, sugar maple. Tree seedling and saplings may be of more shade tolerant species. Shrubs and ground cover species may be those of old-fields. In abandoned pasturelands apples and hawthorns may be present in the understory.

Beech-maple mesic forest

Shallow emergent marsh

 A marsh that is better drained than a deep emergent marsh; water depths may range from 15 cm to 1 m during flood stages, but the water level usually drops by mid to late summer and the substrate is exposed. Characteristic plants include bluejoint grass, reed canary grass, rice cutgrass, mannagrass, three-way sedge, bulrushes, sweetflag, wild iris, and water smartweed.

Sedge meadow

A wet meadow with permanently saturated and seasonally flooded organic soils in wetlands that receives mineral nutrients via groundwater or streams. There is usually little peat accumulation and floating mats are not formed. Sedge meadows typically occur along streams and near the inlet and outlets of lakes and ponds. The dominant species is a tussock-sedge, Carex stricta, usually with about 50% cover. Other characteristic herbs include sedges (C. lacustris and C. rostrata), bluejoint grass, sweetflag, spotted joe-pye weed, tall meadow rue, and bulrushes.

Rocky headwater stream

The aquatic community of a small to moderate sized rocky stream with a moderate to steep gradient. The cold water stream flows over eroded bedrock near the stream origin and contains alternating riffle and pool sections. These streams typically have mosses and algae present, but few larger rooted plants.


View the latest EBI news stories and important announcements...

Search The CSA
EC Number

Catalytic Site Atlas

CSA LITERATURE entry for 2his

E.C. nameendo-1,4-beta-xylanase
SpeciesCellulomonas fimi ()
E.C. Number (IntEnz)
CSA Homologues of 2hisThere are 144 Homologs
CSA Entries With UniProtID P07986
CSA Entries With EC Number
PDBe Entry 2his
PDBSum Entry 2his
MACiE Entry 2his

Literature Report

Introductionbeta-1,4-glycanase Cex from Cellulomonas fimi belongs to glucoside hydrolases family 10. It hydrolyses xylan and, to a lesser extent, carboxymethylcellulose and also a range of soluble aryl xylosides, xylobiosides, glucosides and cellobiosides. It hydrolyses the beta-glycosidic bond with retention of the anomeric configuration, i.e. it is a retaining glycosidase.
MechansimRetaining glycosidases uses a double-displacement mechanism in which a covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate is formed and hydrolysed in a general acid/base catalysed process through oxocarbenium ion-like transition states, or possibly through oxocarbenium ion intermediates. Cex uses Glu233 as a nucleophile to attack the anomeric carbon in forming the covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate whilst Glu127 acts as the general acid/base to protonate the glycosidic oxygen and activate a water molecule to hydrolyse the enzyme-substrate complex. Transition state stabilisation is achieved by a low barrier hydrogen bond between the sugar C2 hydroxyl group and the carbonyl carbon of the Glu233 carboxylate group.

Catalytic Sites for 2his

Annotated By Reference To The Literature - Site 1 (Perform Site Search)
ResidueChainNumberUniProtKB NumberFunctional PartFunctionTargetDescription
AlaA127168macie:sideChainIt protonates the oxygen atom of the glycosidic bond. It deprotonates and activates a water molecule to allow it to hydrolyse the covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate.

Literature References

Notes:Two EC codes, and are given to the enzyme as it has a range of substrates of which the major ones are xylan and cellulose. The numbering of the glutamate residue may be different in different papers. When the signal sequence is included in numbering, Glu233 and Glu127 are referred to as Glu274 and Glu168 respectively.
Tull D
Glutamic acid 274 is the nucleophile in the active site of a "retaining" exoglucanase from Cellulomonas fimi.
J Biol Chem 1991 266 15621-15625
PubMed: 1678739
Notenboom V
Insights into transition state stabilization of the beta-1,4-glycosidase Cex by covalent intermediate accumulation in active site mutants.
Nat Struct Biol 1998 5 812-818
PubMed: 9731776
MacLeod AM
The acid/base catalyst in the exoglucanase/xylanase from Cellulomonas fimi is glutamic acid 127: evidence from detailed kinetic studies of mutants.
Biochemistry 1994 33 6371-6376
PubMed: 7910761
Hubbard CA
Reversal of reserpine-induced catalepsy by selective D1 and D2 dopamine agonists.
Mov Disord 1993 8 473-478
PubMed: 7901761


What does SABO mean in spanish?

SABO is not a word in Spanish, could the spelling be incorrect? Perhaps it is not a Spanish word, but another language? AnswerParty!

More Info:

Spanish (español), also called Castilian (castellano About this sound listen ), is a Romance language that originated in Castile, a region of Spain. Approximately 406 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it second only to Mandarin in terms of its number of native speakers worldwide. It also has 60 million speakers as a second language, and 20 million students as a foreign language. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and is used as an official language by the European Union and Mercosur.

Spanish is a part of the Ibero-Romance group of languages, which evolved from several dialects of common Latin in Iberia after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century. It was first documented in central-northern Iberia in the ninth century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia. From its beginnings, Spanish vocabulary was influenced by its contact with Basque and by other related Ibero-Romance languages and later absorbed many Arabic words during the Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula. It also adopted many words from non-Iberian languages, particularly the Romance languages Occitan, French, Italian and Sardinian and increasingly from English in modern times, as well as adding its own new words. Spanish was taken to the colonies of the Spanish Empire in the sixteenth century, most notably to the Americas as well as territories in Africa, Oceania and the Philippines.[dead link]

The languages of Spain (Spanish: lenguas de España), or Spanish languages (Spanish: lenguas españolas or lenguas hispánicas), are the languages spoken or once spoken in Spain. Romance languages are the most widely spoken in Spain; of which Spanish, or Castilian, is the only language which has official status for the whole country. Various other languages have co-official or recognised status in specific territories, and a number of unofficial languages and dialects are spoken in certain localities.

Orthography Spelling Sabo

The languages of North America reflect not only that continent's indigenous peoples, but the European colonization as well. The most widely spoken languages in North America (which includes Central America and the Caribbean islands) are English, Spanish, French, Danish (almost entirely exclusive to Greenland alone), and, especially in the Caribbean, creole languages lexified by them.

North America is home to a large number of language families and some language isolates. In the Arctic north, the Eskimo–Aleut languages are spoken from Alaska to Greenland. This group includes the Aleut language of the Aleutian Islands, the Yupik languages of Alaska and the Russian Far East, and the Inuit languages of Alaska, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Greenland.

The languages of South America can be divided into four broad groups: the languages of the (in most cases, former) colonial powers; many indigenous languages, some of which enjoy co-official status alongside the colonial languages; and various pockets of other languages spoken by immigrant populations that have survived assimilation by the majority Languages.

Other Religion Belief Religion Belief

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4-Star OL Impressed with Tigers, Cavs

Scout Premium Content

R.J. Mattes has visited two ACC divisional showdowns the past two weeks. How did he enjoy his visit to Death Valley? How did the official visit to Virginia go this weekend? Which team is on deck? CUTigers.com has all the answers in this recruiting update.

OL R.J. Mattes Profile 4-star offensive lineman R.J. Mattes took an official visit to Virginia over the weekend. "I really enjoyed it a lot," he said. "I knew it was going to be a great atmosphere from the beginning. I hated the outcome of the game. They had lots of tailgaters. It was a great game. I...


Tagged: Saturn.

Cassini Sees Tropical Lakes on Saturn Moon

Where could the liquid for these lakes come from?  ”A likely supplier is an underground aquifer,” said Caitlin Griffith, the paper’s lead author and a Cassini team associate at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “In essence, Titan may have oases.”

"An aquifer could explain one of the puzzling questions about the existence of methane, which is continually depleted," Griffith said. "Methane is a progenitor of Titan’s organic chemistry, which likely produces interesting molecules like amino acids, the building blocks of life."

"We had thought that Titan simply had extensive dunes at the equator and lakes at the poles, but now we know that Titan is more complex than we previously thought," said Linda Spilker, the Cassini project scientist based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "Cassini still has multiple opportunities to fly by this moon going forward, so we can’t wait to see how the details of this story fill out."

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the mission for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The visual and infrared mapping spectrometer team is based at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

  11:58 am, by ookii

Saturn’s Moon Enceladus Spreads Its Influence

NASA-Chalk up one more feat for Saturn’s intriguing moon Enceladus. The small, dynamic moon spews out dramatic plumes of water vapor and ice — first seen by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft in 2005. It possesses simple organic particles and may house liquid water beneath its surface. Its geyser-like jets create a gigantic halo of ice, dust and gas around Enceladus that helps feed Saturn’s E ring. Now, thanks again to those icy jets, Enceladus is the only moon in our solar system known to influence substantially the chemical composition of its parent planet.

  11:33 am, by ookii 3

Saturn’s moons Titan and Rhea, June 11th, 2006.

06:37 pm, reblogged  by ookii 3160

'Ice volcano' identified on Saturn's moon Titan

BBC-Scientists think they now have the best evidence yet for an ice volcano on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn.

The Cassini probe has spotted a 1,500m-high mountain with a deep pit in it, and what looks like a flow of material on the surrounding surface.

The new feature, which has been dubbed “The Rose”, was seen with the probe’s radar and infrared instruments.

Titan has long been speculated to have cryovolcanoes but its hazy atmosphere makes all observations very difficult.

Researchers are now wondering how active this mountain might be, and what sort of lava it could spew.

"Much of Titan’s outer material is water-ice and ammonia, and so that’s certainly one possible material that could melt at low temperatures and flow on the surface," explained Dr Randy Kirk, a Cassini radar team-member from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

12:05 pm, by ookii

Iapetus moon’s mighty ridge stirs debate

BBC-The mountainous ridge that circles the equator on the Saturnian moon Iapetus is both weird and spectacular.

Discovered in 2004, the icy rim is as much as 20km high and runs fully 1,600km from end to end.

No explanation for its existence has yet won total support; it is a puzzle.

Dr Andrew Dombard and colleagues have now made a compelling case for the ridge being the remains of a huge ring of debris that once orbited Iapetus but which eventually fell on to the moon.

"In my opinion, the ridge at Iapetus, which sits right on the equator, is one of the most amazing features that we’ve seen in the Solar System," the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) scientist told BBC News.

"Imagine standing at the base of this ridge. You’d be confronted with a mountain of ice that is taller than the tallest mountain on Earth and nearly as tall as Olympus Mons on Mars, the biggest volcano in the Solar System.

"And it runs ram-rod straight off in either direction. You wouldn’t see it end; you’d just see the ridge disappear over the horizon."

Dr Dombard has been explaining his team’s thinking here in San Francisco at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, the world’s largest annual gathering of Earth and planetary scientists.

The ridge was first identified in images of the 1,400km-wide moon acquired by the Cassini probe in 2004.

Dr Dombard’s group proposes that Iapetus was hit very early in its evolution by another icy body, and that this impact threw an enormous quantity of debris into space.

The researchers argue that this material could then have come together to form a mini-moon or sub-satellite. They liken the situation to the one at dwarf planet Pluto which has a small moon called Charon that was also probably the result of a collision.

Earth’s own Moon was almost certainly made this way, too.

11:58 am, by ookii

Saturn’s moon Rhea has thin atmosphere

BBC-Rhea, the second biggest moon of Saturn, has an atmosphere of oxygen and carbon dioxide, scientists say.

It is incredibly thin, however. The density of O2, for example, is probably about five trillion times less dense than the oxygen that blankets Earth.

The presence of an exosphere, as it is more properly called, was confirmed by instruments on the Cassini probe which orbits the ringed planet and its moons.

The discovery is reported in the online version of Science magazine.

Oxygen exospheres have been seen at Jupiter’s moons Europa and Ganymede, but this is the first time such a detection has been made in the Saturnian system.

  10:52 am, by ookii

New Views of Saturn’s Aurora, Captured by Cassini

NASA-PASADENA, Calif. — A new movie and images showing Saturn’s shimmering aurora over a two-day period are helping scientists understand what drives some of the solar system’s most impressive light shows.

The new, false-color images and video are available online at: http://www.nasa.gov/cassini andhttp://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov.

  11:10 am, by ookii 1

A Closer Look at Daphnis

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has captured the closest images of Saturn’s moon Daphnis to date. In these raw images obtained on July 5, 2010, the moon can be seen orbiting in a rift known as the Keeler Gap in one of Saturn’s rings.

  12:25 pm, by ookii 1


This activity demonstrates how estimators may apply numeracy in their work. Submit an answer to find out how your skills measure up!

Many employment agreements require estimators to monitor their hours worked and submit an invoice when they complete the project.

If an estimator works 7.5 hours per day, 3 days per week, how many hours do they work per week?


Modernizing Your Steel Carport

The Benefits of Steel RV Carports

Looking for Carports for Sale? Consider These Crucial Factors Before Buying

Three Custom Carport Requirements

Navigating the Contract on Steel Carport

Dealer Login Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the names of the parts used to create my carport?

The illustration above shows all the parts that go into creating a vertical roof carport.  These components are the same for regular style carports and for boxed eve style carports with the exception of the hat channel.

What materials are used to make the structures?

What sizes are available for carports and garages?

For most of our carports and garages, the standard sizes are listed below. However, if these standard sizes are not suitable for you, please call us and we will try to accommodate your needs!

What are the frame dimensions for my carport/garage?

The exact dimensions of the frame are as follows:
If the carport is a 12'x21', the frame will be 12' outside to outside of the frame, and the length will be 20' end to end. If an 18'x31', the width will be 18' outside to outside, length 30' end to end and so forth. The extra foot of length comes from the standard 6" of roof overhang on each end of the structure.

What methods are used to anchor the carport and garages?

The majority of our installations are completed in 2-4 weeks! However some areas could possibly take up to 8-10 weeks depending on factors such as weather, work load, etc...

What are the tallest legs that can be ordered?

What preparation should be completed before my building is installed?

Why aren't the prices listed online?

Our authorized dealers have up to date price listings and prices do vary from state to state. Several factors govern why our prices vary from state to state. Shipping and freight from our distribution centers, construction requirements, which factor in snow load requirements in northern states, wind and anchoring system requirements in hurricane and tornado prone areas, are all factors that result in price variances from state to state.

Will ordering direct from Eagle Carports result in a lower price?

No! We will take your order but the price will not be any lower. We would prefer that you visit a partner/dealer that is local to your area. Our dealers have been the key to our sales success and we are very loyal to those dealers. Our price will not be less than the price they provide to you.

Why can't I order from Eagle Carports online?

First and foremost, we would prefer that you contact one of our professional dealers. They are equipped with the prices, photos, options, etc. to assist you in placing your order.

What is the height in the center of the building if I order a certain height leg?

The chart below will allow you to calculate this measurement. For example, if the carport / garage is a Standard Style Double unit, 20 feet wide with 7 feet legs, add 3' 0" to the 7 feet leg height for a total height of 10'.

Standard Style Double

Boxed Eave and Vertical Roof
12' 2' 6" 2' 0"
18' 3' 0" 2' 6"
20' 3' 0" 2' 6"
22' 3' 3" 2' 9"
24' 3' 6" 3' 0"
26' 4' 0" 3' 6"
28' 4' 3" 3' 9"
30' 4' 6" 4' 0"

If installing a garage door what leg height would I need?

If installing garage door centered on the end (width of building) the leg height can be the same height as the garage door. If installing two garage doors on the end (depending on width of building) the legs need to be 1 foot taller than the doors. If installing a garage door on the side (length of building) the legs need to be I foot taller than the door


How to Decorate Your Kids’ Shared Bedroom

There are many people that live in homes with small spaces and it is very common to see that their kids share bedrooms. When talking about shared bedrooms, it means that you would have to have two or more quantities of everything. From bed to dressers, each of the kids should have one of these bedroom furniture or items. When your kids share a bedroom, it is time to find creative solutions that will improve the décor of their room without having to compromise the space as well as your kids’ preferences or tastes. Here are valuable tips that can help you on how you can decorate your kids’ shared bedroom:

  • The first thing that you should do when decorating a shared bedroom is to redecorate it with a type of theme that all your children agree on. You can ask each of them for their preferences or taste and try to suggest to them a kind of theme that combines the kind of style they like.
  • To save space, you can either purchase a twin bed or a bunk bed. You can either decorate or dress these beds with similar beddings. However, if you choose to use beddings with different styles, make sure that they complement the overall décor or theme of the shared bedroom.
  • Matching furniture is the best option when decorating a shared bedroom. However, you have the option to add additional furniture that gives a fun vibe to the room such as bean bag chairs.
  • For storage, you can buy cubes or boxes that can be stacked. This not only serves as storage space for your kids’ belongings but at the same time helps save room space.
  • When it comes to the wall paint or design, as much as possible convince your kids to pick wallpapers or colors that coordinate with the theme of the room.
  • Since your kids are separate individuals, you can personalize each of their area based on their preferences and taste to give some kind of distinction.
  • If your kids want to have some privacy from each other, you can add hinged paneled screens. This allows you to divide the room without having to actually put in a dividing wall between them.

083014_0751_HowtoDecora3.jpgThe most important thing to put in mind when decorating the kids’ shared bedroom is to always ask for their tastes and preferences. You can also ask them to get involved in the room decorating and designing activity to better enable them to incorporate their own style and this makes them love their room.

The simple steps provided above are some of the creative decorating solutions that you can incorporate when decorating or designing the shared bedroom of your kids. Use your creativity but also make sure that each of your kids is able to enjoy their personal space. There are many online stores that you can visit for excellent bedroom products and furniture perfect for shared bedrooms. Visit one of them now and you will see that you have plenty of choices to select from.

6 Low-Care Plants for Your Garden

Developing a plant section is essential to having a garden that is low in maintenance. Some people think that plants just grow if you leave them in the garden, but this is wrong. There are plants that need to be fertilized, paved and mowed regularly like lawns.

If you want to choose low maintenance plants for the garden that you want to make, you need to ask people who are knowledgeable in this field to give you advice. Low maintenance plants will still depend on the climate and soil in your area, so it will still differ from place to place. This article aims to give you an idea about the top 6 low maintenance plants that you can choose for your garden.

This is a plant that is easy to take care of and is usually found in Australia. The Lomandra has strap like leaves that are narrow and has creamy flowers that grows on stems that are spiny. It grows up to 3 feet high and requires almost no maintenance once you get it growing. The new variety of Lomandra is called Tanika and it usually grows on any type of weather and can withstand heavy winter seasons. It remains green all throughout the year and are suited to all types of soil.

This is a very attractive plant with glossy leaves and beautiful pink, red and white flowers growing from the stems. Because they are very gorgeous, people think that they are high maintenance plants. The truth about Camellias is that once they are already established, they will continue to bloom for many years.

Nandina Domestica

Untitled2Nandina, as others call it, is evergreen in color and is a standing shrub with bamboo stems. It has a beautiful flora and usually have while flowers with red berries growing on it. These plants are mostly found in most places in Australia and is very tough to kill because it does not need much care to grow. These plants that boast a bamboo looking foliage can change its colors to orange and scarlet tones when as the cooler parts of the year approaches.

New Zealand flax

This plant has long leaves that are shaped like swords which differ in color according to their variety. Most of the varieties of New Zealand flax are tough and can go through winter season or any other harsh climates.

Bird of paradise plant

Untitled3This is yet another tough plant much like the New Zealand flax. Strelitzia as it sometimes called, has green-grey leaves that are shaped just like spoons. It also has elegant orange and blue flowers that are pleasing to the eyes and are the reason why they are called Bird of Paradise.

This is the best out of all the tough plants and are mostly found in Mediterranean regions. There are many varieties of this plant and the flowers can range from white to light pink to red. They can grow in sandy, salty, dry soil and will live through drought. The parts of the oleander, however, are told to have poison in them.


“Politics and public life flow in my veins. My great-grandfather was a freedom fighter who was imprisoned during the Independence struggle. My grandfather was a legislator during the K.C. Reddy government. My mother was a gram panchayat member and later member of the Byatarayanapura City Municipal Council. I am happy to be taking this proud tradition forward,” remarked Indira, who was elected Deputy Mayor on Wednesday.

A first

For the first time in the history of the city corporation, both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor belong to different parties. While Mayor B.S. Sathyanarayana is from the ruling BJP, Ms. Indira is from the Opposition Congress.

Speaking to reporters, the newly elected Deputy Mayor said that she would concentrate on the health and education. She said that she would also work towards ensuring that the city that had earned the moniker of Garbage City becomes Garden City once again. This, she said, could be achieved by solving the garbage problem and greening the city by planting more saplings and improving the parks.

Ms. Indira also said that she would work with the Mayor and fulfil all the duties of the Deputy Mayor, as per Section 61(3) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976.

She said that she would work towards tabling the Administrative Report before the council, which will help bring in transparency in the BBMP.

Keywords: BBMP polls

More In: Bangalore


The Apartments - Mastrapasqua Hall

Construction of four new residence halls was completed in summer 2002. The residence halls, known simply as "The Apartments" are three stories tall and have room to house 48 students, each with private rooms.

Each of the three floors in each unit are 6,000 square feet in size, for a total of 18,000 square feet per building.

Housing accommodations in the apartments include a living room, a 'mini-kitchen" featuring a microwave oven, sink, and refrigerator, four private bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Washer and dryer units are also included in each apartment.

There are four apartment units on each floor for a total of 12 four-person apartments per building. The exterior of the buildings are brick and are compatible with the classic turn-of-the-century architecture in some of the campus's historic buildings, including Welty-Craig, Virginia, and McCormick halls.

In 2003, the building known as apartment "A" was named Mastrapasqua Hall in honor of Dr. Frank Mastrapasqua, a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Mastrapasqua's daughter Mary is a graduate of Tusculum College.


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Realm & Empire

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Taking authentic reference points from a deeply rich and evocative British history and culture, Realm & Empire presents a new and unique men’s clothing collection.

Museums and history books, documents and memorabilia, historic buildings and landscapes, charismatic characters that shaped British history and our way of life today. Digging deep into the vaults to bring genuine historical images and designs that are thought provoking and relevant; but rest assured, this is a menswear collection that is as contemporary in its execution as it is nostalgic in its roots.

Historical influences are addressed with care and respect by a design team that is passionate about their origins and inspired to reuse all they uncover in a unique and current way.

Visual appeal is imperative always, but the human qualities of purpose, practicality, steadfastness and often eccentricity that have underpinned our country’s historic past and its triumphs are echoed in their clothing also. This can be through bold graphic design, or sometimes via a subtle suggestion within the garment’s cut, shape and finishing details. The quality and attention to detail is second to none and the result is undeniably modern.

Capturing the essence of our Great British history is what drives and defines the Realm & Empire creative team.


Music festival injury claims

Gigs and music festivals are popular with people of all ages and many people choose to go to several events every year so they can experience live acts in performance.

However, members of an audience do not always behave in the same way as they do in everyday life, and gig-goers should still be careful to avoid an injury.

The majority of incidents are either relatively minor, such as stolen or missing valuables, or are related to over-indulgence in drugs or alcohol by festival-goers. However some incidents can be attributable to wider organiser or venue-owner safety failings and, in such incidents.

Event organisers' have a duty of care to ensure they reduce the risk of an injury imposed on workers, musicians and ticket holders, during the initial construction and throughout the festival. To do this they must abide to the strict health and safety legal regulations.

Common injury types caused at a music festival

  • Falling objects - During construction, workers are significantly susceptible to a heavy scaffolding and other electrical equipment falling from the stage
  • Loss of hearing - Festival organisers must ensure they warn ticket holders and ensure all sound is kept to a safe level
  • Assault injuries - Glass bottles could be thrown or any weapons that could cause an injury

Common causes of festival injuries

  • Moshing - Pushing people into the area, or 'pit', in front of the stage, can often become violent, causing bruising, knocks to the head and, in some cases, it has been known to cause people to sustain whiplash injury.

How we can help you make a music festival injury claim

If you have been injured during a festival in an accident which wasn’t your fault, YouClaim can help you make a claim against those responsible.

When it comes to no win, no fee claims we are the experts and our fantastic success rate is testament to the fact that we are more than likely to able to help you too.


Room 1102 ARC 3615 Civic Center Blvd

Macrophage Activation Syndrome
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The Behrens lab mainly focuses on dendritic cell biology and their function in normal and pathologic immune responses. In particular, we have developed an interest in Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a set of molecules on dendritic cells that recognize pathogens via common molecular motifs and initiate inflammatory responses. Within this theme of dendritic cell/TLR biology, the lab has two major arms of research:

1) TLR signal transduction ? TLRs have classically been thought to signal cells to generate inflammatory responses via two major signaling conduits, the MyD88 and TRIF pathways. However, there are many modifying and regulatory pathways that intersect with these tow major TLR signaling cascades. We are interested in probing the role of tyrosine phosphorylation events, mediated by Syk and the adapter protein Slp-76 in modulating TLR function in dendritic cells and macrophages.

2) Macrophage Activation Syndrome ? MAS is a rare, but fatal complication of a number of rheumatic, oncologic, infectious, and genetic disorders. In particular, 10% of patients with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis will develop fulminant, life-threatening MAS. The syndrome consists of a ?sepsis-like? clinical picture, and the pathologic hallmark of the disease is the hemophagocytic macrophage. These are macrophages, typically found in the bone marrow, that are phagocytosing other live hematopoetic cells such as red blood cells, platelets, or leukocytes. The pathoetiology of MAS in poorly understood, but is thought to be in part due to excessive CD8+ T-cell/antigen presenting cell (APC) interaction, resulting in overwhelming inflammation. While the T-cell determinants of this pathologic interaction have been reasonably well characterized, the APC side has not. Which APC plays a role in the disease, what APC inflammatory mediators, and what signal transduction pathways are critical to disease all remain unanswered and are potential areas of therapeutic development. Furthermore, the physiologic role of the hemophagocyte remains debated. We have developed a novel model of MAS in the mouse that does not depend on a genetic mutation but rather on repeated TLR stimulation, replicating the inflammatory environment seen in the rheumatic diseases associated with MAS. We have identified a complex network of cytokines, including IFNg and IL-10, and cell types that contribute to disease. We are currently working our the regulatory mechanisms behind these cytokines and cells to both provide insight into the fundamental immunology of MAS and develop novel therapeutics. We are also using transcriptome analysis to investigate the function of hemophagocytes to better understand their role in MAS.

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2009– present)
MD, Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2002)
BA, Biology, The Johns Hopkins University (1997)
Selected Publications


Registed Nurses' Association of Ontario

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For the purpose of this document, Interprofessional is defined as:

Multiple health disciplines with diverse knowledge and skills who share an integrated set of goals and who utilize interdependent collaboration...

Gain knowledge in leadership practices that result in healthy outcomes for nurses, patients/clients, organizations and systems.

Gain an overview of the most compelling evidence about diversity; understanding it, accepting the differences it brings to work settings, and finally, to seeking and embracing diversity.


FIGURE 2.12 Interpretive line drawing from seismic reflection data. The upper crust where the Bagdad Reflection Sequence is observed has remained relatively intact throughout Tertiary deformation, limiting the location of significant deformation associated with detachments. From R. K. Litak and E. C. Hauser (1992), Bull. Geol. Soc. Am. 104, 1315-1325.

rifting, extensional events, thermal events, and volcanic activity. Therefore, detailed seismic studies of these features provide information not only on present characteristics but also on the geological and tectonic evolution of the continental crust.

Substantial amounts of new information are generated nearly continuously by the recording of earthquake-generated seismic signals on network and array stations. These data are being used to locate and study earthquake sources and to map crustal structure variations beneath the network of stations.

Higher-than-average velocities for seismic shear waves are observed in the upper mantle beneath continents to depths of at least 150 km. Though diminished in amplitude, the high velocities locally appear to extend down as far as 400 km, as in Canada's 2.7-billion-year-old Superior geological province. This evidence for continental roots suggests that the mineralogical constitution, and hence bulk chemical composition, of the upper mantle beneath ancient continental crust differs from that of the surrounding mantle. One explanation for the origin of this distinct mantle beneath continents is that it represents the residue left behind when partial melts were removed to form overlying crust. Melt removal leaves a residue that is less dense than the original material. Therefore, a melt-depleted mantle root could be buoyantly stable beneath a continent even though it might eventually cool to lower temperatures than the surrounding mantle. The presence of the anomalous mantle material may help to protect the overlying continental block from the effects of convection at greater depth. Indeed, old continental crust may owe its long survival in an otherwise very active and changing surface environment to the distinctive composition of its underlying mantle.

Direct samples of the subcontinental mantle reach the surface as fragments torn off conduit walls of certain types of explosive volcanic eruptions. Pressure- and temperature-dependent changes during eruption have left their signature in differences between certain minerals in these rocks. Recognition of the signatures allows the depth of origin and original temperature of these materials to be determined. Based on this type of information, a well-catalogued sample suite spanning a depth range to 200 km is available in many areas, particularly southern Africa. Results of the analyses of coexisting minerals in these xenoliths have provided estimates of temperature as a function of depth down to 150 to 200 km, giving a fossil geotherm for the date of the eruption, tens of hundreds of millions of years ago. This remarkable geophysical result from mineral analyses is a good example of the interdependence of different approaches to the earth sciences. Field and petrological studies identified the rocks as samples derived from the mantle, experimental calibrations and thermodynamic calculations defined the mineral compositions in terms of pressure and temperature, and refinement of the electron microprobe facilitated analyses of sufficient accuracy that the calibration could be applied to the rocks. These samples of subcontinental mantle are depleted of their easily meltable component but, curiously, are enriched in a number of trace elements that also would be expected to be depleted by melt removal. The pattern of trace element enrichment of subcontinental mantle mirrors that of the continental crust. This suggests that the subcontinental mantle may serve both as the ultimate source

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Several States Revving Up Their Speed Limits

Thirty-four states now have raised their rural interstate speed limits to at least 70 miles an hour, with Virginia being the latest.

According to GPS maker TomTom, the fastest drivers across the nation are found in Mississippi, where drivers on the interstate average 70.1 miles an hour.

The slowest drivers are in the District of Columbia, where speeds average 46.4 miles an hour.

As for states, Hawaii is the slowest with average speeds of 52.7 miles an hour.


"Until the mid-nineteenth century, most authors published their books at their own expense—Walt Whitman, for example, self-published (and typeset!) Leaves of Grass.

Self-publishing could change from stigma to bragging point—maybe we could change the term to “artisanal publishing” and foster the image of authors lovingly crafting their books with total control over the process.

What would you rather read: a mass-produced or artisanal book?”

Guy Kawasaki, in his book APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur


SX50 - A test and a question

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Augustin Man
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SX50 - A test and a question
4 months ago

Talking today about macro vs. macro zoom, I tried an empirical test with a rose in the shadow, striving as much as possible to get the same size. I let the camera to make the settings in P mode and here are the two SOOC images:

I understand the difference in POW, the flower in the first image covering much of the neighboring leaves; the difference in color, because the light was clearly different, in the first image the camera partially shadowing the object (the second image color is closer to the "reality" of my eyes). All in all, I like more the second image, but I'm more impressed by the first.

As expected the aperture was larger for the first image. However, the DOF seems shallower in the second image. Why?

Thank you very much for taking time to answer me,

 Augustin Man's gear list:Augustin Man's gear list
Olympus SP-810 UZ Nikon Coolpix P510 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
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Electra (Euripides)

Billy's Backyard
190 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Click for map and directions

A band of actors grapples with the nature of morality and sacrifice in Electra (Euripides), set in modern day Greece. Through the actions of The Chorus and the flow of the original score, a princess and her long lost brother are roused to kill their mother, a bloody event which ends in regret. There will be a festival to follow this 50 minute adaptation by Adrienne Kennedy, praising the gods for allowing the play to take place.

Visit the Electra (Euripides) website:


Simplification Draft Paper

Working Group on Guideline Simplification:

Purpose Statement

The Sentencing Commission, at its May meeting, identified comprehensive review of the federal guidelines system as a top agency priority. The Commission is well positioned to undertake this task, given the vast amounts of information available from the more than 225,000 cases sentenced under the guidelines during the past eight years, numerous appellate opinions issued on various guidelines issues, the growing body of academic literature and public comment, and the extensive empirical analysis of the guidelines conducted to date.

This purpose statement outlines the working group's proposed scope of inquiry and methodology.

The objective of the working group's comprehensive review of the guidelines is twofold: 1) to reduce the complexity of guideline application ("simplification"); and 2) to improve federal sentencing by working closely with the judiciary and others to refine the guidelines (revisiting the balance of judicial flexibility/discretion and the availability of alternative punishments). The group will comprehensively and aggressively assess each major section of the guidelines, critique application complexities, and develop options for Commission consideration. Complexity is viewed as the source of confusion and frustration in guideline application. Moreover, this confusion results in unreliable application and judicial resistance - two outcomes that undermine the effectiveness of the guidelines.

Guideline complexity derives, in part, from fundamental decisions made by the original Commission in its effort to meet the Sentencing Reform Act's twin goals of: 1) assuring that the purposes of sentencing are met (i.e., just punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation); and 2) providing certainty and fairness in meeting the purposes of sentencing while avoiding unwarranted disparities between similarly situated defendants (see 28 U.S.C. 991(b)(1)). To ensure that the ramifications of all options for change are clear, the group will highlight the broader policy implications of its proposals (e.g., its effect on proportionality or a judge's ability to individualize sentences).

The working group proposes the following strategy to assist commissioners in their deliberations on how they might simplify and improve the guidelines system. The group will prepare concise issue papers on major guideline topics to provide a foundation for Commission consideration of relevant issues and possible sentencing models. Each paper will:

review the history behind the original policy decision so as to ensure that the Commission is sensitive to the underlying principles and the impact of any revisions on these principles;

assess how the particular guideline is working (e.g., application complexities; frequency of use identified through monitoring data);

summarize information needs that might reasonably assist the Commission's decision making on the topic; and

outline broad options for refinement.

These papers will provide sound bases for commissioners, staff, and the public to understand the current guidelines and assess any proposals for change. The working group proposes to discuss each issue with commissioners in an informal working session to receive guidance as to which options to develop in more detail for public comment.

The group is currently drafting issue papers on the following topics:

1. Sentencing Reform Act (and subsequent sentencing legislation)

2. drafting process used by initial Commission; major changes since that time

3. real offense sentencing (Relevant Conduct)

4. criminal History

5. level of detail (specific offense characteristics)

6. chapter Three adjustments

7. departures/offender characteristics

8. sentencing table/sentencing ranges

9. availability of probation/split sentences (alternatives)

10. multiple counts

This methodology will enable staff to provide the Commission the full range of options for reviewing and revising the guidelines. In its review, the working group will examine how state guideline systems have addressed issues that judges and practitioners have found particularly complex in the federal system. In addition, the group will consult closely with judges and practitioners and solicit a wide variety of public comment from the Criminal Law Committee of the Judicial Conference, Practitioners' and Probation Officers' Advisory Groups, Department of Justice, Federal and Community Defenders, and others. Finally, the working group will analyze all responsible suggestions for guideline reform from outside individuals and groups.

The simplification process should be developmental and done with caution because significant changes may result in unforeseen anomalies. Therefore, it is important that as the simplification working group develops proposals it ensures that the proposals: 1) be consistent with the Sentencing Reform Act; 2) be sensitive to caselaw; and 3) be aware of the underlying premises that the previous Commission used in developing the guidelines. This caution will ensure that the guidelines are an evolving set of standards that change as information and experience buttresses the need for change.

The working group proposes the following timetable for completion of this project:

Phase I

Prepare issue papers on major guideline topics; discuss with commissioners at working sessions.

Time Frame: June-December 1995

Phase II

Develop and present a refined range of options to Commission for consideration and publication. Regional public hearings held during this phase.

Analyze public comment and revise models to produce guideline amendments. Present options to Commission together with impact analyses.

Time Frame: January-June 1996

Phase III

Publish proposals in Federal Register for comment. Field testing.

Time Frame: July-October 1996

Phase IV

Public hearings, Commission deliberations, fine-tuning of proposals, and submission to Congress.

Time Frame: November 1996-April 1997

United States Sentencing Commission


Britain Still Financing Jordan Army Despite Treaty Abrogation

Although the Kingdom of Jordan has, in effect terminated its alliance with Britain, the British Government is continuing to make substantial payments for the upkeep of the Jordan defense forces and for other Jordan “defense needs,” the House of Lords has been informed.

Payments for upkeep of the Jordan armed forces are on a month-to-month basis, the house was informed and have reached the total of 9,108,000 pounds for the current year. In addition, the British Government has given the Jordan Government a subsidy of 1,000,000 pounds this year for other defense needs.

Lord Reading, the Government spokesman in the House of Lords, explained that the Jordan Government “has not unilaterally denounced the treaty. It has only asked that there should be negotiations regarding abrogation of the treaty.”