Genome-wide inference of ancestral recombination graphs

Our Paper: Genome-wide inference of ancestral recombination graphs

As the title indicates, our paper is about the problem of inferring an “ancestral recombination graph,” or ARG, from sequence data. This is a topic that may strike many readers as impenetrably obscure and technical, so I will first try to explain, in plain language, what the ARG describes and why it has so much potential to be useful in many kinds of genetic analysis. Then, I will tell the story of how I and members of my research group have become increasingly fascinated by this problem over the years, how we have struggled with it, and how we finally achieved the conceptual breakthrough that is described in our paper. As will become evident, Matt Rasmussen, a former postdoc in the group and lead author of our paper, was central in this achievement.

What is the ARG?

The ARG is an elegantly simple yet superbly rich data structure that describes the complete evolutionary history of a collection of genetic sequences drawn from individuals in one or more populations. It was invented in the mid 1990s by the mathematicians Bob Griffiths and Paul Marjoram. The ARG captures essentially all evolutionary information relevant for genetic analysis of such sequences. Statisticians say that it fully defines the “correlation structure” of the sequences, meaning that it explains most similarities and differences among the sequences in terms of their patterns of shared ancestry.

The ARG is something like a family tree, only richer, because it not only defines the relationships among individuals, but it also traces the histories of specific segments of DNA sequences. For example, if you were to replace your family tree with an ARG, you could tell exactly which pieces of your genome came from your eccentric great grandmother and which pieces you share with your charming, intelligent, and handsome third cousin. [. . .]

The significance of recombinations and coalescences comes from the fact that these are the two ways in which lineages can join or split over time. The best way to understand them is to think about the behavior of lineages as one looks backward in time. The graph is typically laid out with time on the vertical axis, so that the bottom of the graph represents the present time and each node is assigned a height above this baseline indicating the time before the present at which the associated event occurred. Therefore, to look backward in time, we look upward in the graph. As we do so, we see that recombination events cause a single lineage to split into two ancestral lineages (representing the two sequence fragments that were joined together by the recombination in forward time), and coalescence events cause two lineages to join into one. Therefore, recombination nodes have one edge coming in and two going out, and coalescence nodes have two edges coming in and one going out. One way of thinking about it is that, given a fragment of modern DNA, recombinations have the effect of increasing its set of ancestors, while coalescences have the effect of decreasing its set of ancestors. [. . .]

It is worth emphasizing that this representation is very general. It can be used to describe the history of a particular gene of interest in individuals from a single well-defined population, or the history of whole genomes (with one ARG per chromosome) for individuals from many diverse populations. It can even be used to describe the histories of sequences from representatives of different species, such as humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. As long as the sequences in question are orthologous and collinear—meaning, essentially, that they are derived from a common ancestral sequence in the absence of duplication and rearrangement events—then the coalescence and recombination events defined by the ARG are sufficient for describing precisely how the sequences derive from their common ancestor, and, hence, how they are correlated with each other. [. . .]

The problem with trees on population genetic time scales, however, is that they change along the sequence, due to recombination. As noted above, the ARG precisely describes these trees and the way they change. Therefore, it enables tree-thinking with population genetic data.

Viewing population genetics in terms of the ARG can clarify one’s thinking about many problems of interest. For instance, the ARG makes it clear that divergence times for genetically isolated populations can be estimated by looking across the ARG for the most recent coalescences that cross population boundaries. Similarly, given an estimated divergence time, the rate of gene flow or migration between populations can be estimated, in a fairly straightforward manner, in terms of the rates of inter-population coalescence events across the ARG. Ancestral effective population sizes can be estimated from the density of coalescence events in the ARG over time. Signatures of natural selection, including hitchhiking and background selection, can be detected by various kinds of local distortion of the ARG. In general, the ARG provides a unifying framework for the field, and many challenging statistical problems in population genetics can properly be seen as problems of revealing relevant features of the ARG.

What would a reconstructed ARG mean in practical terms? First, I should be clear that we have no intension of actually drawing an ARG for dozens of complete human genome sequences. Such a drawing would be far too large and complex to be useful. Rather, the value of a reconstructed ARG is as a rich data structure that could be interrogated for many features of interest, such as local trees, recombination events, mutation ages, or regions of identity by descent. Because these features would be derived from a unified description of the evolutionary history of the sample, they would be guaranteed to be internally consistent, unlike ones based on simpler estimators. In this way, the ARG would be useful in many problems of interest in statistical genetics, ranging from demography inference (e.g., estimation of population divergence times or rates of gene flow between populations), to the detection of regions influenced by natural selection, to the detection of genotype/phenotype associations.

Why is it so difficult to find a good ARG?

In practice, most population geneticists do not work with ARGs, but instead work with surrogates such as principle components, site frequency spectra, and spectra of identity by descent. The reason people work with these simpler, lower-dimensional summaries of genetic data, of course, is that explicit ARG reconstruction is forbiddingly difficult. From a statistical and computational perspective, there are two major issues in reconstructing the ARG. First, the problem of searching all possible ARGs for one that best fits the data is computationally intractable, even in a restricted, parsimony-based formulation of the problem (it belongs to the class of problems computer scientists call “NP-hard”). Second, and perhaps more importantly, in most cases of interest there is simply not enough information in the data to reconstruct a single ARG with high confidence. Rather, in general, a large family of ARGs will be more or less equally compatible with observed sequences.

For these reasons, it would be misleading to suggest that there is any hope of producing a magical computer program that will allow the user to input a collection of sequences and obtain the true ARG for those sequences as output. Instead, we must consider many possible ARGs, weighting them in some way by their plausibility. In other words, we must consider a statistical distribution of ARGs given the data.

Because of the awkwardness of the space of ARGs (each ARG is a complex, combinatorial object, difficult to summarize in terms of low-dimensional features), we and others have come to the conclusion that the best way to get at these distributions is by making use of statistical sampling methods. In our case, we use an approach, called Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), that chooses samples that are guaranteed to be representative of the distribution of ARGs given the data and the model, provided the sampling program is run long enough. After collecting fairly large numbers of samples, we can make useful statements about general features of the ARG even if we have limited confidence in each individual sample. For example, the average of the times to most recent common ancestry (TMRCA) in the sampled ARGs at a particular position along the sequence can be used as an estimator of the true TMRCA at that position. We show that our methods can be used to summarize various useful features of this kind, including recombination and coalescence rates, and the ages of mutations that are polymorphic in the sample, as well as TMRCAs.

Genome-wide inference of ancestral recombination graphs
[. . .] The ability to perform explicit ARG inference on the scale of complete genomes opens up a wide range of possible applications, but the long running times required for these analyses and the unwieldy data structures they produce (large numbers of samples of ARGs) may be barriers to practical usefulness. One strategy for addressing this problem would be to precompute ARGs for data sets of particular interest and provide publicly available tools for data retrieval and visualization. For example, one could carefully analyze a particularly rich public data set, such as the highcoverage genome sequences currently being produced by the 1000 Genomes Project [85], and extract a modest number of samples (say, 1000) from a lengthy MCMC run. These samples could be stored in a database in a manner that allowed researchers to efficiently extract various features of interest, such as marginal genealogies, recombination events, regions of IBD, or times to most recent common ancestry. In this way, a single ARG sampling run could be used to enable a broad variety of downstream analyses. A related possibility would be to support on-the-fly “threading” of user-specified query sequences into precomputed ARGs. This operation would be analogous to local ancestry inference [47,70,71], but would reveal not only the population sources of query sequence segments, but also additional information about recombination events, coalescence times, approximate mutation ages, and other features. The same operation could be used to allow our sampling methods to scale to thousands of genomes: one could infer ARGs for, say, 100 genomes, then simply thread in hundreds more, without full MCMC sampling. Finally, precomputed ARG samples could also be used as the basis for various visualization tracks, perhaps including the tracks like the ones introduced in this paper, as well as complementary tracks describe features of the ARG such as population divergence times, migration rates, or mutation ages. In general, posterior samples of ARGs will be a rich resource for the interpretation of genetic data, but it will be critical to find efficient and effective ways to make these samples practically useful to the genomics community.

Anonymous said...

This is garbage. Assumes"2 lineages?" You are a joke.

n/a said...

For remedial population genetics go here.


Momoiro sora o   2011   Japan About the Pink Sky
About the Pink Sky Image Cover
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Director:Keiichi Kobayashi
Writer:Keiichi Kobayashi
IMDb Rating:7.3 (38 votes)
Awards:2 wins & 4 nominations
Duration:113 min
Keiichi Kobayashi  ...  (Director)
Keiichi Kobayashi  ...  (Writer)
Ai Ikeda  ...  Izumi
Ena Koshino  ...  Hasumi
Reiko Fujiwara  ...  Kaoru
Tsubasa Takayama  ...  Sato
Kyôko Narumi  ...
Comments: Fabulous. This is the kind of indie gem from Japan I long for. It's just high school girls being high school girls, with a decent little plot about what happens when one of the girls finds a wallet with a bunch of money in it and her friend discovers that the owner of the wallet is 'hot'. Dialog is sharp and the film doesn't go where you expect.

Summary: High school student Izumi Kawashima, whose daily routine is rating newspaper articles, finds a wallet containing a large sum of cash. Instead of returning the wallet to its owner, Izumi decides to lend a substantial portion of the money to a middle-aged male acquaintance. She eventually returns the wallet to its owner, a wealthy high-school boy named Koki, who notices the missing money, and as compensation, asks Izumi to do something for his friend - to create a newspaper that brings happiness to its reader.

Search: AmazonMRQERoviAsianmediawikiHanCinemaWikipediaMetacritic


Vladimir Putin reveals 'bedroom secrets' after not realising his microphone was still on

A TIRED Vladimir Putin complained in a private conversation about getting by on just four or five hours of sleep a night.

The Kremlin strongman and Russian president obviously feels he needs more rest, if this new insight into his life is anything to go by.

The rare glimpse into the 63-year-old Russian president's life behind his public persona came in an overheard conversation with Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko during a visit to Minsk, when he admitted to not going to bed until 3am.

The pair did not realise the microphones were already switched on before the start of a press conference.

Lukashenko asked Putin: "Is all ok?"

Putin replied: "It's ok. But I sleep very little. The day before yesterday I slept for four hours.

"And last night I slept for five hours....really little."

Vladimir Putin was caught complaining of 'little sleep'

Putin used his fingers to emphasise how many hours sleep he got.

Lukashenko replied: "Literally? That's very little, of course."

Putin - who prides himself on his macho image and peak fitness, regularly taking part in judo contests or playing ice hockey - continued: "I went to bed at 3 am and I had to wake up at 8 am."

Putin and KabaevaGETTY

Putin has denied rumours that he is in a relationship with Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva

Putin and Lukashenko agreed the relations between their two countries were the "most advanced" among ex-Soviet states, even though the Minsk president has lately sought to seek improved relations with the European Union.

Recent years have seen Putin on collision course with the West over Ukraine - and his seizure of the Crimea peninsula in the Black Sea - and Syria.

Western sanctions and low oil prices have led to severe economic problems for Russians.

Vladimir PutinGETTY

Putin has ruled Russia for the past 17 years

Former KGB spy Putin has ruled Russia either as president or prime minister for the past 17 years.

The Russian leader has not told his people any details about his private life since his divorce from former Kremlin first lady Lyudmila in 2014.

Unconfirmed rumours say his secret partner is glamorous Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 33, but both have previously denied a relationship.


Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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Public tours of the NIF site can be arranged through the LLNL Public Affairs Office.


Q&A: Jean-michel Othoniel

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A journey to beauty starting from the “Black Lotus”

French  installation artist Jean-Michel Othoniel who recently visited Korea is famous for his unique method of connecting glass marbles like a pearl necklace to create different installations. Over the last four years, he took part in a project that restored the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, which were damaged by typhoons. He also re-established himself as one of the best contemporary artists in France. Five years has passed since his last retrospective was held and the title of his private exhibition this time is "Black Lotus." For the first time, 10 of his new pieces, including glass marble installations of diverse lotus images and his silver canvas and blank ink drawings, are being shown at Kukje Gallery.

It has been years since you had a private exhibition in seoul. How do you feel about it?
For me, personally, this feels very important because it’s my first show in a gallery after Versailles. The lotus flowers I saw in Korea serve as the motif of this work. Also, I think the shows before were a bit crazy but this one is more sensual and sexy; it’s more controlled. Aesthetics played a more important role in previous shows, sensuality is most important in this one.

Your lotuses are in black, pink, gold, purple and more. Why did you name the exhibition "Black lotus"?
Flowers are important to my work and I am very interested in flowers and their meanings. I chose black because it’s the very opposite of white, the color of the lotus. The lotus is also associated with metamorphosis, as it changes forms during the day and night, so I wanted to emphasize the double meaning and tension that it has. To mix the opposites creates energy and a poetic image. The exhibit is named “Black Lotus” because it has more impact than something like Purple Lotus. I mean it sounds like a rock band. [laughs]

Your paintings take up a large portion of the exhibit. What kind of dynamic exists between the paintings and the space?
When I looked at the space, I knew I needed to have things on the walls because they are so bright. The paintings are the reflections or shadows of the sculptures on the wall and they give the pieces another dimension;
they expand the space. The paintings are a new step I discovered between the initial sketch and the making of the sculptures that express the forms in new ways. There is the contrast between fullness and emptiness in the
paintings, much like the sculptures, creating dialogue between them.

Did you have any theme in mind when you curated this exhibition?
The idea was to create a fantasy world in this gallery as a site-specific exhibition. The goal was to bring people into my world and allow them to slowly discover the meanings of the flowers and the shapes of the sculptures themselves.

can you give us some tips that will help us better enjoy the exhibition?
I think you have to almost be alone in the gallery, in silence. When it’s very full of light and when the beads are floating, it’s quite magical. The joy is still in the piece, like my previous works, but it’s joyful in a more serious way. Through this show I want to convey how it’s important to look at reality and enjoy life. It’s a serious message, but carries joy as well. —  Harry Jun(Design journalist)

NaN people listening


Intervention and Referral Services

Antheil Elementary School
When might a teacher request an I&RS review?
A teacher routinely differentiates instruction to address a child’s needs in the classroom. The teacher requests services of the I&RS Committee when a particular child continues to have difficulties despite these efforts.
What kind of needs are reviewed by the I&RS?
When a child experiences difficulties that effect his or her academic progress, or has exhibited behavior that interferes with learning, the teacher may request support from I&RS. Student difficulties may include problems responding to written or verbal information, organizing, focusing, and/or completing work without constant teacher intervention.
How does I&RS help a teacher and student?
I&RS supports the teachers and students by developing an intervention plan that may provide alternative strategies, programs, and/or assessments. The interventions are designed to support the student in achieving success within the regular education program.

How are parents informed?

The teacher discusses his or her concerns with the child’s parents prior to requesting an I&RS review. Once the teacher has requested an I&RS review for the child, the I&RS committee will meet to brainstorm ideas for an educational action plan. Following the I&RS committee meeting the classroom teacher will brief the parents with the results. The parents will then be invited to meet with the IR&S committee and the classroom teacher to provide input in the development of the action plan. When the action plan is complete the parents will receive a copy of the plan that has been developed.

What happens during an I&RS meeting with the teacher?

Following a teacher’s submission of an I&RS request to the Dean of Students, the teacher is invited to discuss the problem with the I&RS Committee at a meeting scheduled during the school day. At that time, the teacher describes the student and the challenge. He or she will identify both successful and unsuccessful strategies used, as well as current efforts. Alternative means of intervention and new approaches are suggested. A plan of action is developed specifying the goals, strategies to be used, and the individuals responsible for each action. A time line is established for implementing the plan and assessing its effectiveness.

How is follow-up provided?
The action plan is monitored by the classroom teacher and the I&RS Committee. At a time specified within the plan, the teacher meets with I&RS committee once again to report on its success. If the child’s needs are not being met by the initial plan, additional interventions may be suggested and modifications made to the plan.
Is this the same as referral for Special Education?  NO
I&RS recommends actions intended to help resolve the challenge identified to prevent referral to the Child Study Team. If the actions taken and resources used are not adequate and the problem still remains, the child’s needs may suggest referral to the Child Study Team. Parents will participate in the decision as to whether a Child Study Team evaluation will be done.

Who serves on the Antheil School’s I&RS Committee?

Permanent members of the Problem Solving Committee include the Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, School Nurse, Teachers, Early Intervention Specialist, and CST member.

2015-2016 members include:

Jennifer Whitner
 Assistant Principal
Michelle Conway
Early Intervention Specialists
Dana Caldwell
Michelle Dagenais
Nina Hartigan
Patty Yaple
Child Study Team Member
Debra Davis
Jen Drake
Kristina Valeri
Guidance Counselor
Matthew Catinella
Lynn Mittlesteadt

 How can I get additional information about Intervention and Referral Services?

 Please contact either your child’s teacher or Michelle Conway, Assistant Principal 609-538-9800 Ext. 4102 mconway@ewingboe.org.


Thursday, 16 June 2011

A new low from His Royal Higness

 The Mega Carbon Footprint Prince giving another of  his alarmist doomsday lectures

Is there nobody in the UK who is capable of  stopping the ecofundamentalist Prince Charles´s continuing his crazy climate change crusade. Now he has been attacking climate change "deniers" in a video speech in Australia - thus giving a helping hand to the embattled PM Julia Gillard, who also was one of the speakers.

THE heir apparent to the British throne has called on Australian business leaders to ensure climate change deniers aren't allowed to further delay action to tackle dangerous global warming.
The Prince of Wales delivered a 10-minute pre-recorded video address to the 12th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development today.

"All the evidence shows that we are living in an increasingly unstable world," Prince Charles told industry figures gathered in Canberra.

"And yet we continue to test it to destruction and to allow the deniers of human-induced climate change to prevent vital action being taken."

Read the entire article here

On the British Monarchy webpage the duties of  Prince Charles are explained in the following way:

3) Promoting and protecting national traditions, virtues and excellenceThis includes supporting Britain’s rural communities, promoting tolerance and greater understanding between faiths and communities, and highlighting achievements or issues that, without his support, might otherwise receive little exposure. In this regard, His Royal Highness often acts as a catalyst for facilitating debate and change through contacts with Government Ministers and other people of influence, and by giving speeches and writing articles.In doing so, he is always careful to remain separate from party political debate.

Climate change/Global warming is most certainly a highly political question both in Australia and elsewhere. That is why the prince is clearly in breach of his duty to "remain separate from party political debate". Neither do his alarmist rants "act as a catalyst for facilitating debate". Maybe it is time for a STOP PRINCE CHARLES movement in the UK?

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Reproduction T he Cell Theory The 4 main points of the cell theory are:  All living organisms are made of one or more cells  Cells are the basic unit.

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Presentation on theme: "Reproduction T he Cell Theory The 4 main points of the cell theory are:  All living organisms are made of one or more cells  Cells are the basic unit."— Presentation transcript:

2 Reproduction

3 T he Cell Theory The 4 main points of the cell theory are:  All living organisms are made of one or more cells  Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all organisms  All cells come from previously existing cells  Organisms are controlled by single cells working together

4 Animal Cells

5 Plant Cells

6 So what’s the difference? Plant cells – rigid cell wall which provides structure and support for the cell Plant cells – have chloroplasts that enable them to make their own food through photosynthesis

7 Organelles A typical cell has many organelles, specialized structures that perform specific functions in the cell Nucleus – the control center of the cell Nuclear Membrane – encloses the cells genetic material or DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Nucleolus – darker area within the nucleus that makes ribosome parts

8 Cell Organelles Continued… Ribosomes – small, cell structures involved in the making of proteins Cell Membrane – the membrane that holds all the cell contents together Cytoplasm – the gel-like substance within the cell that supports the structures of the cell

9 Cell Organelles Continued… Endoplasmic Reticulum – transports materials to different parts of the cell Mitochondrion – an oval-shaped organelle that makes energy for a cell to use. The power-house of the cell Golgi Body – packages and moves (secretes) waste out of a cell Vacuole – stores water, food, wastes and other materials in the cell Lysosome – breaks down food, wastes and worn- out cell parts

10 Cell Division Part One: Mitosis

11 In the nucleus In non-dividing cells, the genetic material is stored as thin DNA super coils called CHROMATIN When a cell divides, the chromatin will shorten and thicken into CHROMOSOMES One strand of a double stranded chromosome is called a CHROMATID

12 Draw a double stranded chromosome. Label chromosome, chromatid and centromere Chromosome Chromatid Centromere Chromatid

13 Mitosis MITOSIS: a process by which the nucleus of a cell divides while maintaining the chromosome number  One cell  two cells  New cells have identical genetic material (DNA) of the parent cell Four stages of division (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase - PMAT) plus a period of growth and metabolism called Interphase

14 The Cell Cycle

15 Phase One: Prophase Chromatin contracts and becomes visible (spaghetti). It is now called CHROMOSOMES Each is a double chromosome with a pair of SISTER chromatids which are joined to each other by a centromere Chromosomes begin to move towards the equator (center) of the cell Nuclear membrane disintegrates (breaks down) CENTRIOLES will form SPINDLE FIBERS that will attach to each centromere and move around the chromosomes

16 Prophase

17 Phase Two: Metaphase The centromeres of each chromosome line up along equator ( looks like praying hands) Centromeres divide so the doubled chromosomes become two identical single stranded sister chromatids Centrioles are now at the poles of the cell and are attached to each centromere by spindle fibers

18 Metaphase

19 Phase Three: Anaphase The spindle fibers begin to shorten and the chromosomes begin moving to opposite ends or poles of the cell (fingers) Each side gets one chromatid from each double stranded chromosome

20 Anaphase chromosomes

21 Phase Four: Telophase Begins when single stranded chromosomes reach the poles Chromosomes uncoil and turn into chromatin Nuclear membrane reappears Reverse of prophase Division of the cytoplasm or CYTOKINESIS is completed by pinching off in animals or by building a cell wall in plants

22 Telophase

23 Interphase Period between divisions Longest part of the cell cycle Cell is growing and metabolizing Nuclear membrane present Genetic information in the form of chromatin and cannot be seen with a microscope Before division each strand of DNA will replicate (copy) itself to become double stranded Near the end of interphase the DNA begins to condense (shorten)

24 Interphase

25 What’s the point of Mitosis? Mitosis creates identical copies of cells for:  1. growth  2. Repair/regeneration of damaged tissue  3. Asexual reproduction (animals) or vegetative reproduction (plants)

26 Asexual Reproduction Reproduction that involves only one parent; parent and offspring have identical genetics No special reproductive cells or organs used to create offspring Occurs through mitosis and cytokinesis Both single and multi-celled organisms, plants and simple animals can reproduce asexually In multi-cellular organisms, the offspring develop from undifferentiated, unspecialized cells from the parent Usually a rapid form of reproduction

27 Binary Fission Simplest form of asexual reproduction Parent divides into two approximately equal sized daughter cells Bacteria: circular chromosome attaches to plasma membrane then replicates, cell wall separates each copy Protozoa: eg. Amoeba become circular and use mitosis

28 Budding New individuals develop from small outgrowths of the parent (buds) May develop colonies (sponges) or break off to be individuals (hydra, yeast) Some organisms can both bud and reproduce sexually

29 Spores Specialized single cells that are released from the parent organism, germinate and grow by mitosis New cells differentiate to form a new organism Can reproduce quickly and in large quantities Often have thick protective coats Eg. Fungi, algae, protozoa

30 Regeneration The ability to regrow lost body parts Some animals can regrow entire new organisms from parts Ability to regenerate decreases as organisms increase complexity Even simple organisms that can regenerate entire organisms generally prefer to utilize a different method to reproduce

31 Vegetative reproduction MERISTEM: area on plant with unspecialized cells (cells that can become any kind of cell) that frequently divide using mitosis Meristematic cells can be found in the vegetative structures of a plant (roots, stems, leaves) Given proper treatment, meristem cells can reproduce mitoticlly then differentiate into new independent plants Structures include bulbs, corms, tubers, runners, rhizomes Can also be artificially propagated using cuttings, layerings or grafting

32 Bulb short underground stem with thickened storage leaves small new bulbs sprout from the old ones Eg. onions, tulips

33 Corm short underground stems with no fleshy leaves Eg. gladiolas, crocuses

34 Tuber enlarged part of an underground stem that contains stored food potatoes (eyes are tiny buds)

35 Runner AKA stolon is a stem that runs sideways and contains buds Eg. strawberry

36 Rhizome a stem that grows sideways under the ground ferns, irises

37 Cutting a stem, root or leaf cutting used to make a new plant

38 Layering part of a stem is bent and covered in soil once it roots the original can be cut off Eg. raspberries, roses

39 Grafting stem or bud removed from one plant and permanently joined to another plant Eg. grapes and many seedless fruits

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Don't you know how to open the Q3C file? We will help you.

File Extension Q3C

While searching for an answer to the question - How to open the Q3C file? - you probably found websites, which offer software that was able to open any file extension. Do not be fooled, there is no one program that will allow you to work with any file extension, including the Q3C file. Each program contains a different type of data and you need specialized software to properly work with the Q3C file. Here is a list of programs that are designed to work with the Q3C file - remember, these applications are able to open at most a few file extensions, they are designed to work with a specific data type.

File type Quick3DCover Project Format
Developer Nervepreserve

Programs that open the Q3C file

Common problems with the Q3C file

Q3C file is damaged

If after installing the program from a list, you still cannot open a file with the Q3C extension, the reason may be that the file is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the Q3C file you want to open

The Q3C file extension is not linked with the appropriate application

In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the Q3C file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your Q3C file. Choose one of them, or select the location on a disk where you installed one of the applications from our list. Windows should then open the Q3C file using the program installed earlier.

The entry for the Q3C file in the "Windows Registry" has been removed or damaged

The Q3C file is infected by a virus

There may be a situation when a computer virus passes itself off as the Q3C file. In this case, such a file will definitely not be opened. Download a good antivirus program and scan the Q3C file mentioned. If the antivirus application detects malicious data, it may signify that the Q3C file is infected.

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--- wordpress_id: 78 layout: post title: Just Say No (to the Big Redesign) tags: - development - refactoring - programming

wordpress_url: http://blog.kevfoo.com/index.php/2009/01/just-say-no-to-the-big-redesign/

In a post Robert Martin made last Friday, he described a pretty common scenario that companies and teams go through in an effort to bring peace and harmony to their codebase and restore order over all their components, known as the big redesign. Having just gone through this at work and having been on the "Tiger Team" that ported/rewrote our legacy application shell that was a muddled mix of C++/MFC and C#/WinForms, this post really resonated with me.

The moral of Uncle Bob's story is that the only way to clean up messes in your codebase is to do via incremental changes iteration by iteration and release by release. If I would have read this post six months ago, I might have argued that this is an overly simplistic take and that exceptional cases exist that make big redesigns necessary. Having just gone through a big redesign; however, I am confident that fixing your messes iteration by iteration is the only way to fix your codebase issues for the long term especially if your team is trying to develop with agile processes.

My redesign change of heart did not come because of a spectacular failure or the system ending up in a worse shape than before.  I like to think our sob story about how terrible our legacy codebase was made a pretty compelling case for a redesign (doesn't everyone?) but I'll spare you the back story. When it comes down to it, even the best reasons and intentions don't justify a full blown redesign.

Here is why in big bold letters:

You are not addressing the root causes

A codebase does not fall into disrepair over night. Having the Tiger Team do all the heavy lifting and making all the design decisions might solve the problem righthissecond but none of the problems that got you in this bind will have been addressed. Also, if the redesign is radical enough, you could actually be reducing your teams ability to manage and maintain your codebase even further. Choosing to solve your team's problems by delegating cleanup to a Tiger Team is the software management equivalent of giving a man a fish instead of teaching him how to fish.


Management Essays - Public Health

Published: Last Edited:

Public Health

By carrying out preventive medicine and communicable disease control, occupational health, food safety, and disaster response programs a good public health leader exercises a sense of responsibility. This is a good attribute of a public health leader who is able to relate well to the ground in respect to the above issues. By carrying out all the assigned duties and disseminating to the relevant staff within a public officer fulfill all the doubtful acts that responsibility is not being undertaken. A pubic health leader’s work ranges from diverse areas and in order to fulfill the required fields he or she had to assign various duties to his colleges. Without a good sense of responsibility, effective work performance will not be put in place which might end up putting the public at risk since poor service deliver y will be delivered .therefore a good public health leader should be one who is able to exercise effective responsibility in a senses that they are able to be judged according to how dissemination of what has been assigned to the m has occurred. A good public health leader should be able to establishes and maintain contact with medical treatment facility and local public health agencies to ensure an integrated public health program flows between all the sectors. The medical sector .without a continuous flow of events service delivery will be impossible which requires that a public health officer should resolve to having good communication skill that enable effective passage of information from one section to another.

Courageous As a public health leader, one must emulate courage in order to be decisive person. A good public health leader ought not to be afraid of failure since without this, he or she will not be able to function as a leader. One should have the courage to maintain their convictions or go with a gut instinct. A good public health leader should always admit that a mistake has been committed without hesitation showing how brave one is in the tackling of the environment.

This attribute will be able to ensure that a public health leader lays down corrective mechanism that are able to ascertain aspect which show that he or she is capable of undertaken the task in hand. This will involve showing of skill knowledge and the aptitude by the leader. A skillful public health leader carries out al the necessary task making his or her colleges follow due to extra ordinary character that he or she will display in managing a given scenario. Health issues art the most complex task that t \a leader might handle since this are real life situation that unless taken seriously into consideration, loss of life might occur. Therefore a public healthy leader should be able to tackle the hardest thing that surrounds the immediate environment since he or she has the necessary skill available. The skills can range from practical, mental and technical skills. A good public health leader should emulate good advisory skill which bears in mind on how advises will be given out on military public health issues, manning, and training. This is a fundamental aspect that requires great attention. Advising on critical issues requires that one has good counseling skill that enable him or her put into practice what is needed.

in the sense that even when carrying out various developments he or she will be able to initiates, nonstop and conduct preventive medicine and communicable disease control programs .being influential requires that one will be able to disseminate all that is required to all the colleges therefore boosting the morale of what is being done. Patience gives clear characteristics of a public health officer who will, be able to clarify all that is needed before acting upon them. For example when the employees are unable to clearly clarify or understand what is being talked about, the public health leader ought to verify it in details and make sure that all the tasks assigned to the are done according to the intended purposes. A good public health leader should embrace loyalty in that he or she should be able to perform mutually to the colleges what seems desirable by all since unless this is emulated ,the same will be fall him making progression in this sector top reduce by a large margin.

Having such attributes a public health leader will be able to change from one aspect to the other successfully ensuring that effective measures are put in place to minimize lost efforts. With these qualities a public health leader will be able to adapt to the immediate environment when fluctuations arise .this in reality entails a leader who has the intellectual capabilities of focusing on the prediction of what is to occur. Take an example where an outbreak of a specific epidemic occurs, flexibility of this situation will be determined by the leader. Being resilient will enable the leader to ensure that failure is an opportunity to expand to the real life scenario without fearing what might succumb to them but tackling it with ease with resilience, public health leaders should consider every failure as a step closer to the realization of their dreams.

A leader has to lay down good examples to others, taking a role model position .All servant’s employees and staff would like to emulate what they see that is positive and that doing this is the person in charge of their affairs. Public health officers should bear this quality such that what is perceived by them to be a right perspective still remains to be so by the other team players. By being a role model the public health officer embraces a sense of confidence which also is gained by the other team players and with this service delivery in highly enhanced. Tackling some issue in the public health sector requires great confidence in the interest of the public sefty.For example when some gaseous poisonous substances have spilled in the air, the public health sector has to make appropriate action in the determination of the root cause of this phenomena. To an ordinary person without skills, training and confidence, doing this task will be a great risk to life, however if one is trained, the confidence usually inspired by the trainer who in this case is the leader of the public health sector keeps them going.

A good public health leader should instigate buoyancy in others and be persistent in a crisis. Though this sector is a tough one to tackle leaders her should embrace one another and come together to solve the relevant problems that exist within the locality. Good listening skill should be developed since communication is a two way traffic, therefore leaders should try as much as possible to be good listeners. Through the devising of new ways and means of communicating a smooth flow of events will prevail therefore saving on other irrelevant costs that might occur. Management and leadership should go hand in hand in that though leaders are people are followed by other people through their own choice and managers have to be obeyed; these two disparities have to be merged in order to come up with a formidable action plane that will be able to facilitate smooth flow of events The public health leader has to have the capacity of embracing new talent and nature it. Sincerity and reliability are particularly significant for any good leader embracing realistic goals. By setting goals a good public health leader will be setting avenues that lead to the attainment of the goals. This targets when attained should be credible to the participants who took part in the achieving of results unlike praising the leader. The public health sector being the toughest areas to tackle should be reformed such that there is always the division of labor. This will enhance inventions and innovations which will give out the definition of development through the total commitment and support from the whole team.


Stuck = loss

Lift Boat Nicole EymardThe L/B Nicole Eymard (right) became stuck while servicing a well in the Gulf of Mexico.  The owner of the boat sued the contractor that hired the boat, in addition to the well owner, and both were found liable for charter fees while the vessel was unable to move.  The well owner obtained indemnity from the contractor because the contractor had agreed to indemnify it for imageclaims “based upon personal injury or death or property damage or loss.”  Unpaid charter fees are a “loss” within the meaning of that language, even without proof of damage to property.  Offshore Marine Contractors, LLC v. Palm Energy Offshore, LLC, No. 14-30059 (March 2, 2015).

Oil well blowout; no coverage for remediation costs.

Pioneer suffered an oil well blowout and paid millions to restore order.  It sued for reimbursement under its umbrella policy and the Fifth Circuit affirmed judgment for the insurer, based largely on the broad language of the relevant exclusions.  Pioneer Exploration LLC v. Steadfast Ins. Co., No. 13-30802 (Sept. 22, 2014).  Pioneer argued that the “owned, rented or occupied” exclusion did not apply to a mineral lease.  The Court disagreed, noting that the mineral lease gave Pioneer some control over surface land, and that the broad language of the exclusion reached activity associated with oil production (citing Aspen Ins. UK, Ltd. v. Dune Energy, Inc., No. 10-30335 (5th Cir. Nov. 8, 2010, unpublished)).  Further, noting that Louisiana law allowed debate as to whether an “owned property” exclusion reached remediation costs incurred to minimize liability to third parties, the Court found that this exclusion “specifically excludes containment costs” (reviewing Norfolk Southern Corp. v. California Union Ins., 859 So. 2d 167 (La. App. 2003)).”  Finally, as to another exclusion, the Court found that the insured could not meaningfully allocate expense “between controlling costs and plugging costs.”

Oil well lien: Can an owner be a contractor?

Drillers asserted a subcontractors’ lien on Debtors’ oil well.  Endeavor Energy Resources, L.P. v. Heritage Consolidated, L.L.C., No. 13-10969 (reviised Sept. 16, 2014). Debtors argued that when the general contractor acquired a 1% ownership interest in the lease, that interest related back to the time before Drillers began work, and voided any lien because a party cannot be both a contractor and an owner.

The Fifth Circuit rejected that argument and reversed the lower courts, finding that the Texas Supreme Court intended the relation-back doctrine in this context to expand the interest to which a valid lien can attach (applying Diversified Mortgage Investors v. Lloyd D. Blaylock General Contractor, Inc., 578 S.W.2d 794 (Tex. 1978)).  Noting that this interest was not acquired until after the Drillers had done their work, the Court observed that even an earlier acquisition would reach the same result: “If [GC] gained a 1% ownership interest in the lease at the time that Drillers performed their work, then Drillers may have gained an additional claim for contractors’ liens against [GC].  It would not, however, prevent Drillers from asserting separate subcontractors’ liens against [Debtors].”

Oil drilling, claims for waste, and Rule 12

Plaintiffs own and operate a mineral lease in the Gulf of Mexico; they allege that their neighbors drilled so as to deplete the value of their lease.  Specifically, they pleaded claims for “waste” and “unlawful drainage and trespass” under Louisiana law, as adopted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.  Breton Energy LLC v. Mariner Energy Resources Inc., No. 13-20307 (Aug. 12, 2014).   As to the waste claims, after a detailed review of the specific allegations and precedent, the Fifth Circuit found a cognizable waste claim pleaded against the defendant alleged to have perforated the relevant oil sands.  The Court affirmed, however, the dismissal of claims against the non-perforating defendants, finding “equivocat[ion]” in a key allegation that those defendants could have caused the Minerals Management Service to “take[] other steps to protect the correlative rights of adjacent lessees.”  The Court also rejected claims for drainage losses and trespass, describing the interplay of those claims with a waste claim under Louisiana law.

Return to Royalties

After recently reviewing the phrase “computed at the mouth of the well,” the Fifth Circuit returned to oil royalties in Potts v. Chesapeake Exploration LLC, No. 13-10601 (July 29, 2014).  The lease fixed the royalty as a percentage of “the market value at the point of sale,” and would be “free and clear of all costs and expenses related to the exploration, production and marketing of oil and gas production . . . ”  Since Chesapeake’s sales of gas occured at the wellhead, this language allowed it to deduct a reasonable post-production cost for delivering the gas from the wellhead under Heritage Resources, Inc. v. NationsBank, 939 S.W.2d 118 (Tex. 1996).  The Court said that its conclusion was not affected, under the terms of this lease, by the fact that Chesapeake sold to an affiliate.  The Court also rejected a procedural argument about whether Heritage was binding precedent after the Texas Supreme Court’s 4-4 vote on rehearing.

167 plaintiffs + 1 oil well = remand to state court.

The defendants in Rainbow Gun Club, Inc. v. Denbury Onshore, LLC removed to federal court under CAFA, arguing that the 167 plaintiffs’ claims based on mineral leases were a “mass action.”   No. 14-30514 (July 23, 2014).  The dispute centered on whether those claims, which alleged negligent operation of the relevant well, arose from “an event or occurrence in the State” within the meaning of that statute.  The Fifth Circuit concluded that the ordinary meaning of those terms, CAFA’s legislative history, and case law from other circuits supported the plaintiffs’ position that “the exclusion applies to a single event or occurrence, but the event or occurrence need not be constrained to a discrete moment in time.”  Drawing an analogy to the Deepwater Horizon accident, the Court also rejected an argument based on allegations of multiple acts of negligence, as such an incident “was the event that resulted from a number of individual negligent acts related to each other . . . .”  Accordingly, the Court affirmed the remand of the case to Louisiana state court.

Expensive royalties

Chesapeake’s lease obliged it to pay the Warrens a royalty based on “the amount realized by Lessee, computed at the mouth of the well.”  A lease addendum said the royalty “shall be free of all costs and expenses related to the exploration, production, and marketing . . . including, but not limited to, costs of compression, dehydration, treatment and transportation.”  Warren v. Chesapeake Exploration LLC, No. 13-10619 (July 16, 2014).

The addendum went on to say that “Lessor will, however, bear a proportionate part of all those expenses imposed upon Lessee by its gas sales contract to the extent incurred subsequent to those that are obligations of Lessee.”  The Warrens contended that this sentence defined certain shared expenses which should not have been deducted from the royalty.  The Fifth Circuit disagreed and affirmed the Rule 12 dismissal of their complaint, finding that the sentence only referred to “the cost of delivering marketable gas to a sales point other than the mouth of the well.”  (distinguishing Heritage Resources, Inc. v. NationsBank, 939 S.W.2d 118 (Tex. 1996)).

The Court reversed, however, as to another pair of plaintiffs with a different lease addendum.  Noting simply that it was different, the Court found that their claim should not have been dismissed, as “[i]t is not apparent from the face of the complaint or its attachments that they could not conceivably state a cause of action.”

Covenant, Run.

The lower courts agreed that the sale of a pipeline system from a bankruptcy estate was free and clear of an obligation to pay certain fees to “Newco.”  Newco Energy v. Energytec, Inc., No. 12-41162 (Dec. 31, 2013).  The Fifth Circuit reversed, finding that the obligations arose from a covenant that ran with the land.  First, the Court found that the lower courts’ reservation of the “free and clear” issue was sufficient to avoid section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, which would otherwise moot the appeal for failure to get a stay.  On the merits, the Court focused on “horizontal privity” between the parties at the time the covenant was created, expressing doubt that Texas in fact imposed such a requirement, but finding it satisfied in the conveyances here.  (discussing Wayne Harwell Props. v. Pan Am. Logistics Center, Inc., 945 S.W.2d 216, 218 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 1997, writ denied)).  The Court also concluded that the payment obligation ran with the land, as it related to transportation from the land and was secured by a lien on the entire pipeline.  (distinguishing El Paso Refinery, LP v. TRMI Holdings, Inc., 302 F.3d 343 (5th Cir. 2002)).

“Market price” of oil and gas does not include hedging

A Louisiana mineral lease provided that the lessee would pay the lessor “one-eighth (1/8) of the market value at the mouth of the well of the gas so sold . . . .”  Cimarex Energy v. Chastant, No. 13-30049 (Aug. 2, 2013, unpublished).  The lessor claimed that the payment obligations extended to the benefits of a hedging program operated by the lessee/producer.  The Fifth Circuit agreed with the district court that it did not: “[T]he mineral lease between Cimarex and Chastant does not require Cimarex to pay royalties on amounts generated through its separate financial activities.  The Court distinguished a case about royalties on take-or-pay payments, noting: “Take-or-pay is, for these purposes, an alternative to actual production, or effectively a minimum production for purposes of rights under the lease.  Hedging transactions do not serve that purpose.  They are supplements to production, not substitutes.”

Res judicata from arbitration

The parties arbitrated whether certain offshore oil dealings violated RICO.  Grynberg v. BP, PLC, No. 12-20291 (June 7, 2013, unpublished).  The arbitrator found that the claimant did not establish damage and dismissed that claim, noting that he lacked authority to determine whether any criminal violation of RICO occurred. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a subsequent RICO lawsuit on the grounds of res judicata, finding that the arbitrator’s ruling was on the merits and not jurisdictional.

One contract clause, three opinions.

An assignment of royalty interests for a continental shelf project had this “calculate or pay” clause:  “The overriding royalty interest assigned herein shall be calculated and paid in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as the landowner’s royalty under the Lease.”  The parties disputed whether the clause simply required calculation of royalties in the same way as the government’s royalty, or allowed suspension of the assigned payments during a period when the government’s royalty right was suspended. Total E&P USA, Inc. v. Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas, No. 11-30038 (revised June 20, 2013).  Applying Louisiana law, the majority found the clause ambiguous on that issue, and further reasoned that at the time of contracting, legal principles that eventually became settled and could resolve the ambiguity were not yet settled.  Noting that no cross-appeal was taken, the Court reversed a summary judgment and remanded for consideration of extrinsic evidence.   A succinct concurrence noted an additional reason for finding ambiguity based on the grammar of the clause.  A dissent took issue with the majority’s analysis of other contract provisions and applicable law, and would have affirmed summary judgment about interpretation but reversed as to reformation for mutual mistake.    Both the majority and dissent endorsed consideration of extrinsic evidence, for different reasons and purposes — a general topic which recurs with some regularity in the Court’s contract opinions.


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Risk assessment

Complaints policy

Complaints form

Conflict of interests statement and log

The name of the Society shall be The Chichester Singers, hereinafter referred to as the Choir.

The aims of the Choir shall be the study and practice of choral music and the public performance of such music.

The Members of the Choir shall be those who pay the annual subscription at the appropriate rates as shall be determined by the Committee, all subscriptions being payable in advance.

Membership of the Choir shall also be subject to a satisfactory audition by an auditioning panel, whose decision is final.   Auditions for new Members will be held each term, usually after the third rehearsal.   Re-auditioning of Members shall take place every three years, in order of rotation of voice parts.

Members shall provide copies of the music selected for study and rehearsal.

The management of the Choir shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of the following Officers:  Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, together with not fewer than five and not more than seven Committee Members, to be elected by and out of the Choir Members at the Annual General Meeting.

The Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall be elected by the Members at the Annual General Meeting and they shall remain in office until the end of the third Annual General Meeting next following their appointment.  If an Officer, for whatever reason, does not complete the three-year term, a successor shall be elected for the remainder of the term of three years.

An Officer may be re-elected subsequently for one further period of three years, after which time he/she shall not hold the same office, nor remain as a Committee Member, for at least one year.   Each period of three years shall start so that there is a vacancy for one Officer to be filled each year.    If, at the end of his/her term, a replacement for an Officer cannot be found, he/she may be co-opted to the post until a new Officer is elected.

Members of the Committee shall be elected to remain in office until the end of the third Annual General Meeting next following their appointment, after which time they shall cease to be on the Committee for at least one year, unless they are elected as an Officer.

The Choir’s Musical Director and Making Music representative shall automatically be ex-officio members of the Committee and shall not have the power to vote.

The Trustees of the Choir shall be the elected officers and members of the Committee.

All arrangements for concerts and other events, together with the control of finance, shall be in the hands of the Committee.

Meetings of the Committee shall be called by the Honorary Secretary giving at least seven days notice of the meeting.  All decisions taken at such meetings shall be effective, provided that the meeting is quorate.

A quorum of five elected Officers and Committee Members is required for each decision taken by the Committee.

Notices for all meetings shall include an Agenda of the principal items to be discussed.

If decisions are made at ad hoc meetings of the Committee called at notice shorter than seven days, and without a formal Agenda, then those decisions shall be subject to ratification at the next duly convened meeting.

The annual subscription shall be reviewed annually by the Committee.   Subscriptions are payable by 30th September, after which date those who have not paid will cease to be members.   Members joining during the year will pay their subscriptions pro rata.

Each Choir Member is expected to attend all rehearsals in order to maintain high standards of performance.   In the case of unavoidable absence, Members missing a significant number of rehearsals will participate in the concert only at the discretion of the Musical Director.

One or more banking accounts shall be opened in the name of the Choir and cheques shall be signed by any two of the Officers.

The Choir may receive donations, grants in aid or financial guarantees and shall have power to issue tickets for its concerts.

The income and property of the Choir shall be applied solely towards the Aims of the Choir.   No portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or by payments of a professional fee to any Member of the Choir, except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Choir.

The Choir’s money may not be applied, in any circumstances, for a purpose which is not charitable.

On the winding up of the Choir, any remaining assets shall be handed over to a charitable association having similar Aims.

The financial year shall end on the thirty first day of July each year.

The Hon. Treasurer shall keep detailed accounts of the Choir’s finances.

The financial accounts shall be audited or examined to the extent required by legislation or, if there is no such requirement, scrutinised by a person who is independent of the Committee, and then submitted to the Members at the Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting shall take place during the autumn term.

Members shall be invited to an Annual General Meeting on at least fourteen days’ notice being given by the Committee, for the purpose of receiving a report from the Committee, receiving and adopting the examined accounts, the appointment of an independent examiner for the following year, elections to fill any vacancies for officers and Committee members, and any other relevant business placed on the agenda by the Committee or by written request from a Member of which six days’ notice shall have been given to the Hon. Secretary.

A quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be thirty-five Members of the Choir.

An Extraordinary General Meeting, of which at least fourteen days’ notice in writing must be given to members, may be called for by the Committee or upon written request to the Hon. Secretary, signed by at least twelve Members of the Choir.

The notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting shall include an agenda specifying the items to be discussed at the meeting.

A quorum for any Extraordinary General Meeting shall be seventy Members of the Choir.

The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Members present at any Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting, subject to a minimum of seventy Members being present, provided that fourteen days’ notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all Members and provided that nothing therein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of the Choir ceasing to be a charity.   If accepted, the amendment will take immediate effect.

September 2007

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Become a Docent

 What is a docent?

Docents are volunteers with extensive training who play an important role in the education of our community by acting as teachers and interpreters throughout the zoo. Everything our docents do connects people to nature through unique learning experiences that engage thoughts and touch hearts.

What does a docent do?

  • Provide educational and hands-on opportunities at Discovery Stations
    around the zoo
  • Offer live animal encounters to guests
  • Provide interpretation of zoo animals near their habitat
  • Act as zoo guides
  • Act as ambassadors for the zoo at special events

How much time is required?

Docent activities are dictated by the needs of the zoo guests. Most of those
needs are met during warm weather months, but opportunities for all year
serving is also available.

Is there training required?

Yes. The docent experience is a learning experience. The initial training of
35 hours is provided by zoo staff during a one week orientation and training
phase. Docents are then offered continuing education classes throughout
the year.

Benefits of being a docent:

The docent experience is unlike any other volunteer experience. It involves
the rewards of learning new things about people, places, and animals. It also
provides the reward of teaching others to see the wonders of nature and
becoming part of the zoo scene. After providing 50 hours of docent service
to the zoo, a docent receives a free individual FOTZ membership.


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Turbo Sessions

Our coaches are keen to share with you why turbo training is such a valuable tool particularly in the winter.

Tony Jolly on Wattbikes

One of the biggest differences between those at the front of the race (any race) and those further back, is the ability to produce a relatively fast bike time, without overtaxing the body, so you can let loose on the run.  So what training should you do to improve your cycling.  Long rides, done at a steady pace for prolonged periods (2 hour plus, depending upon your intended race distance) will be the cornerstone for all, building the endurance to get round your chosen race distance.  Note many people try and do all their training in this one session, and often go too hard.

Once that box of getting round is ticked what else do you need to do to move you to the next level?  Very much like running it needs an additional harder session around that threshold pace.

Wattbikes make it possible to track your progress and tailor your training to your own abilities and really focus on sessions that will be perfect for you.  In the same way that using times in the pool or on the track aid progression, the same is true of using Power on the bike.  This doesn’t mean it’s just for the strong and powerful individuals, it’s really beneficial whatever your level.

Training with other people and with the advantage of accurate power feedback from the Wattbikes will definitely give you the platform to improve massively.  But what if you just can’t make these sessions?  We’d suggest getting hold of a turbo trainer, preferably one with some power measurement.  You want to be performing sessions once a week that work around that Threshold level (a pace you can hold for nearly an hour), it should feel hard 7-8 out of 10.  Build from 5 reps of 5 minutes with 2 minutes rest to 4 reps of 8 minutes with 90 second rest over a 8 week period.

 Paul Greenhalgh ...

What do I need to do my own turbo training?

At the risk of stating the obvious, you’ll need a turbo trainer and a bike.

A turbo can be purchased from around £100 to £150 new, although like with everything cycling related you can spend a veritable fortune. There are always used ones for sale on TriTalk, Timetriallingforum, ebay on the like, so have a look. The main thing I’d recommend is that it has different resistance levels, so you can do low cadence (riding up a hill) type efforts as well as faster spinning ones.

For those of you with only one bike, a good idea would be to have a spare cheap back wheel with a thick tyre that you only use on the turbo.

Even better, if you have the room at home, keep an old (seen better days) bike just for this. Anyone who has seen my turbo bike (a 15 year old rust bucket) can’t believe that I’m a serious cyclist, but thinking about it, you don’t want to be sweating all over your expensive carbon ride and wearing a groove in the headset from not steering it.

Nick Thomas, our Endurance Coach says…

Turbo training is the most time-effective form of bike training and is particularly useful during the winter months. To ensure you’re achieving the most from turbo training consider the following points:

Each session should have a specific aim

Are you developing strength, power, neuromuscular coordination or lactate tolerance? Each session aim will require a different session.

 Intensity (i.e. power and heart rate) must be specific and relevant

To achieve specific adaptations you need to work at the relevant intensities. Harder sessions require concentration and focus or adaptations will be minimal.

 Duration of each effort and recovery should be specific and relevant

If intervals are too long you’re unlikely to reach the required intensity. Recoveries also need to provide the appropriate amount of rest to enable you to reach the same intensity for subsequent intervals.

 Resistance and cadence should be specific and relevant

Strength work needs to target strength fibres at very high resistance so cadence will be low (50-60 rpm). This contrasts with neuromuscular/technique development work which would be done at a considerably higher cadence (100-120 rpm) with a lower resistance.

 Sessions should be periodised throughout the year

Depending on when you’re training there will be a different focus within your training plan. Don’t fall into the trap of completing the same 2-3 sessions all year round – there should always be progression.

 Something is better than nothing

You can achieve a great deal from a 40 min turbo session providing you achieve the above points. If you’re short of time a simple, well designed and logical turbo session will provide a very effective bike session.

So what does Paul Savage think about turbo training?

Many people associate turbo training with hard ‘threshold’ intervals but you can do your steady rides on the turbo trainer too – especially during the winter when the weather makes it unappealing/dangerous to go out on the road.

A 90-120 minute ‘steady state’ turbo session at 5/10 intensity provides great aerobic training and the constant pedalling means that your HR will stay elevated throughout.

Use the time to listen to a podcast such as ‘IM Talk’ or ‘Legends of Triathlon’ which will provide you with motivation and education about the sport of triathlon during your workout.


Mohan Mansigani

Mohan Mansigani is a finance director with extensive private equity experience who has played a key leadership role in establishing Casual Dining Group (previously known as Tragus) as a major UK restaurant business. He led the business through two private equity transactions including the £267m sale to Blackstone in 2007. He worked successfully with three CEOs and two Chairmen, contributing to growth in profits from £6m to £45m through a relentless focus on costs, operating efficiencies and growth. He also successfully helped establish the growth model for Costa Coffee in the UK.


Backpacking and Peakbagging

Useful Resources:
I can't really put my finger on why I started down the path where backpacking has taken me, but I can tell you this: As a child I spent many unstructured days in the woods near my boyhood home. I was exploratory by nature, and even today I push the limits of my exploration to learn more about our world left untouched.

My adventure has expanded to include more mountains, more distance, and most importantly more people. My family has grown to include my sons Colden and Marshall. Colden has accompanied me to the top of ten 4Kers. At the age of three, he has climbed mountains above 3500 feet. I am also supported by the the internet forums (VFTT, ADK Forum) and my friends, who put up with me despite the challenging routes I often choose.

Northeast Hiking

White Mountains
US High Points


How to effectively evaluate and proof a design

How to effectively evaluate and proof a design

When it comes to evaluating, reviewing and proofing a design, be careful whose opinion you get and most importantly how you get it.

It’s something we all do and many are required to do. If you answer to no one but yourself, you’re set! But odds are you do answer to someone.  It has to be perfect and it most likely needs some kind of approval. So you show it to your boss or your client, or make the rounds getting the opinions of your co-workers.

In some situations the opinion of the client, committee, your co-worker or girlfriend may actually do more harm than good. The simple reason is people look at things very different when they are proofing or evaluating something. For most people when you flip through a magazine you look at the ads very differently than if the ad was put in front of you for your evaluation. Same goes for browsing the web, driving down the street and walking through a store.

This is when all the “make the logo bigger” and second guessing happens. Even when the viewer is completely aware of this phenomenon, it is nearly impossible to avoid. In an attempt to over compensate, you often get the “I get it, but I don’t think other people will” and a great design can quickly be squashed in the evaluation process.

So what do you do?  Do you just always trust the designer?  Show it to everyone in the office and take a vote?

To designers I would say this: If you’re a good designer, you made your design choices for a reason. You’ve taken into consideration the demographics of your audience, the path the eye will take across your piece, the medium upon which the design will be implemented, the message it delivers and most importantly it just looks killer. However, it is your responsibility to properly communicate why you made the design choices you did and why you think they are the right choices. You were hopefully hired to offer your expertise, not just because you knew how to work Photoshop. At the same time you have to know when and how to get a good second opinion and when and how to give into ideas that are different than your own.

To clients, managers and bosses who are approving a design: Make sure you are working with a designer who you believe understands the goals of the project and whose expertise you value. Once you have reviewed the design and formed your own opinion, listen to the designer’s explanation of their design choices and with this info re-approach the piece in a new light.

With that said both the designer and client (or ultimate decision maker) often have a unique closeness to the project that in some cases requires a true outsider’s opinion. But when time is of the essence and a large test sample isn’t an option, what do you do?

Before making the rounds and getting the office vote consider these tips…

1. Don’t ask, “Which do you like best?”
A successful design communicates an idea. It doesn’t matter if someone “likes it” more than another. A pretty ad may look great but not communicate the desired message. Instead ask which one communicates “X-idea” clearer.

2. Don’t ask specifics such as “Do you like these colors? “
This is a personal preference and just because someone prefers blue to green doesn’t mean that is the right choice for your design.

3. Lay the design in front them. Don’t say anything. After a few moments pick it up. Then ask a couple questions such as:
“What is the single (or primary) message of this design?”
“What was the first thing you looked at?”
“What do you remember about the design?”

4. Watch the viewer’s eyes. Where do they look first?  How do their eyes move around the piece? Good design should guide the user so that upon a quick scan they get the main message without reading all of the copy.

5. If possible sleep on it. When things look different than you expected the most common reaction is “No, that’s not what I was thinking”.  Give it a day, it may grow on you. We all have an expectation of what it something will look like so it’s easy to have a negative impression. It’s important to trust your designers. You don’t want to say no to ad a concept that was better than what you were expecting just because it was different than what you were expecting. Instead ask yourself if it represents the brand and  communicates the message effectively.

5. If it’s a multi-page design, put the design on the table and let them pick it up. Watch how they browse through it.  Did they pick it up and open it in the middle?  Did they quickly skip through the first few pages? Did they browse front-to-back or back-to-front?  Did they spend more time on one page than another?

These are just a few ways to help get a valuable opinion on a design. We’d love to hear your ideas and more helpful ways to get a valuable and unbiased evaluation of a design.

Post your ideas in the comments…

  • KGeeve

    Nice post!

    One method I use to evaluate the layout of a design is to look at it from far away. Either from across the room or by zooming way out on the screen. Seeing the layout from a distance will give you a good feel for the balance of the piece.


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DNA methylation immune response

Sole Gatto, Miriam Gagliardi, Monica Franzese, Sylwia Leppert, Mariarosaria Papa, Marco Cammisa, Giacomo Grillo, Guillame Velasco, Claire Francastel, Shir Toubiana, Maurizio D'Esposito, Claudia Angelini, Maria R Matarazzo
Hypomorphic mutations in DNA-methyltransferase DNMT3B cause majority of the rare disorder Immunodeficiency, Centromere instability and Facial anomalies syndrome cases (ICF1). By unspecified mechanisms, mutant-DNMT3B interferes with lymphoid-specific pathways resulting in immune response defects. Interestingly, recent findings report that DNMT3B shapes intragenic CpG-methylation of highly-transcribed genes. However, how the DNMT3B-dependent epigenetic network modulates transcription and whether ICF1-specific mutations impair this process remains unknown...
March 9, 2017: Nucleic Acids Research
Allan Sheppard, Sherry Ngo, Xiaoling Li, Michael Boyne, Debbie Thompson, Anthony Pleasants, Peter Gluckman, Terrence Forrester
BACKGROUND: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in infants may present as one of two distinct syndromic forms: non-edematous (marasmus), with severe wasting and no nutritional edema; or edematous (kwashiorkor) with moderately severe wasting. These differences may be related to developmental changes prior to the exposure to SAM and phenotypic changes appear to persist into adulthood with differences between the two groups. We examined whether the different response to SAM and subsequent trajectories may be explained by developmentally-induced epigenetic differences...
March 8, 2017: EBioMedicine
Kun Chen, Juan Liu, Xuetao Cao
March 19, 2017: Journal of Autoimmunity
Sixto M Leal, Margaret L Gulley
March 18, 2017: Journal of Molecular Diagnostics: JMD
2017: Frontiers in Immunology
Paolo Vineis, Aristotelis Chatziioannou, Vincent T Cunliffe, James M Flanagan, Mark Hanson, Micheline Kirsch-Volders, Soterios Kyrtopoulos
Exposure to environmental stressors, toxicants, and nutrient deficiencies can affect DNA in several ways. Some exposures cause damage and alter the structure of DNA, but there is increasing evidence that the same or other environmental exposures, including those that occur during fetal development in utero, can cause epigenetic effects that modulate DNA function and gene expression. Some epigenetic changes to DNA that affect gene transcription are at least partially reversible (i.e., they can be enzymatically reversed after cessation of exposure to environmental agents), but some epigenetic modifications seem to persist, even for decades...
March 6, 2017: Cancer Immunology Research
Magdeldin Elgizouli, Chad Logan, Ruth Grychtol, Dietrich Rothenbacher, Alexandra Nieters, Andrea Heinzmann
BACKGROUND: Acute lower respiratory tract infection is the commonest disease affecting children under five worldwide. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is among the most common causative pathogens. Epidemiological data suggest an association between severe viral respiratory infections in infancy and increased incidence of childhood wheeze and asthma. DNA methylation is involved in immune cell differentiation and identity. It provides an avenue for environmental influences on the genome and therefore has potential as a marker for sustained effects of infectious insults...
March 3, 2017: BMC Pediatrics
Zijun Wang, Qianjin Lu, Zhihui Wang
Epigenetic modification is an additional regulator in immune responses as the genome-wide profiling somehow fails to explain the sophisticated mechanisms in autoimmune diseases. The effect of epigenetic modifications on adaptive immunity derives from their regulations to induce a permissive or negative gene expression. Epigenetic events, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs (miRNAs) are often found in T cell activation, differentiation and commitment which are the major parts in cellular immunity...
February 8, 2017: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
Alexandra Schäfer, Ralph S Baric
Coronaviruses (CoV) comprise a large group of emerging human and animal pathogens, including the highly pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) strains. The molecular mechanisms regulating emerging coronavirus pathogenesis are complex and include virus-host interactions associated with entry, replication, egress and innate immune control. Epigenetics research investigates the genetic and non-genetic factors that regulate phenotypic variation, usually caused by external and environmental factors that alter host expression patterns and performance without any change in the underlying genotype...
February 15, 2017: Pathogens
Yang Yang, Lei Chen, Jin Gu, Hanshuo Zhang, Jiapei Yuan, Qiuyu Lian, Guishuai Lv, Siqi Wang, Yang Wu, Yu-Cheng T Yang, Dongfang Wang, Yang Liu, Jing Tang, Guijuan Luo, Yang Li, Long Hu, Xinbao Sun, Dong Wang, Mingzhou Guo, Qiaoran Xi, Jianzhong Xi, Hongyang Wang, Michael Q Zhang, Zhi John Lu
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells often invade the portal venous system and subsequently develop into portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been associated with HCC, but a comprehensive analysis of their specific association with HCC metastasis has not been conducted. Here, by analysing 60 clinical samples' RNA-seq data from 20 HCC patients, we have identified and characterized 8,603 candidate lncRNAs. The expression patterns of 917 recurrently deregulated lncRNAs are correlated with clinical data in a TCGA cohort and published liver cancer data...
February 13, 2017: Nature Communications
Baidehi Basu, Joyeeta Chakraborty, Aditi Chandra, Atul Katarkar, Jadav Ritesh Kumar Baldevbhai, Debjit Dhar Chowdhury, Jay Gopal Ray, Keya Chaudhuri, Raghunath Chatterjee
BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the common malignancies in Southeast Asia. Epigenetic changes, mainly the altered DNA methylation, have been implicated in many cancers. Considering the varied environmental and genotoxic exposures among the Indian population, we conducted a genome-wide DNA methylation study on paired tumor and adjacent normal tissues of ten well-differentiated OSCC patients and validated in an additional 53 well-differentiated OSCC and adjacent normal samples...
2017: Clinical Epigenetics
Anne Beemelmanns, Olivia Roth
BACKGROUND: Phenotypic changes in response to environmental influences can persist from one generation into the next. In many systems parental parasite experience influences offspring immune responses, known as transgenerational immune priming (TGIP). TGIP in vertebrates is mainly maternal and short-term, supporting the adaptive immune system of the offspring during its maturation. However, if fathers and offspring have a close physical connection, evolution of additional paternal immune priming can be adaptive...
February 7, 2017: BMC Evolutionary Biology
Clare A Notley, Christine K Jordan, Jenny L McGovern, Mark A Brown, Michael R Ehrenstein
Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells (AC) is pivotal in preventing autoimmunity and is a potent immunosuppressive stimulus. However, activation of cells prior to apoptosis abolishes their immunoregulatory properties. Here we show using the antigen-induced model of arthritis that the degree of DNA methylation within AC confers their immunomodulatory plasticity. DNA isolated from resting and activated AC mimicked their respective immune effects. Demethylation of DNA abrogated the protective effect of AC whereas remethylation of AC DNA reversed the effects of activation and restored the ability to inhibit inflammation...
February 7, 2017: Scientific Reports
Cristina Leoni, Sara Montagner, Andrea Rinaldi, Francesco Bertoni, Sara Polletti, Chiara Balestrieri, Silvia Monticelli
DNA methylation and specifically the DNA methyltransferase enzyme DNMT3A are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of hematological diseases and in regulating the function of immune cells. Although altered DNA methylation patterns and mutations in DNMT3A correlate with mast cell proliferative disorders in humans, the role of DNA methylation in mast cell biology is not understood. By using mast cells lacking Dnmt3a, we found that this enzyme is involved in restraining mast cell responses to acute and chronic stimuli, both in vitro and in vivo...
Francisca Cifuentes-Zúñiga, Viviana Arroyo-Jousse, Gustavo Soto-Carrasco, Paola Casanello, Ricardo Uauy, Bernardo J Krause, José A Castro-Rodríguez
Obese women offspring have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases associated with an altered immune function. We aim to determine, in neonatal monocyte-derived macrophages, whether maternal obesity is associated with an altered expression and DNA methylation of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes, along with a higher pro-inflammatory response. Cord blood from newborns of obese (Ob) and lean (control) women were obtained at delivery. Monocytes were isolated and differentiated into macrophages, in which M1 (LPS/IFNγ) and M2 (IL-4) polarization were assayed...
February 4, 2017: Journal of Cellular Physiology
Mizuho Sakaki, Yukiko Ebihara, Kohji Okamura, Kazuhiko Nakabayashi, Arisa Igarashi, Kenji Matsumoto, Kenichiro Hata, Yoshiro Kobayashi, Kayoko Maehara
Cellular senescence is classified into two groups: replicative and premature senescence. Gene expression and epigenetic changes are reported to differ between these two groups and cell types. Normal human diploid fibroblast TIG-3 cells have often been used in cellular senescence research; however, their epigenetic profiles are still not fully understood. To elucidate how cellular senescence is epigenetically regulated in TIG-3 cells, we analyzed the gene expression and DNA methylation profiles of three types of senescent cells, namely, replicatively senescent, ras-induced senescent (RIS), and non-permissive temperature-induced senescent SVts8 cells, using gene expression and DNA methylation microarrays...
2017: PloS One
Hongjuan Zhao, Shoucheng Ning, Rosalie Nolley, Jan Scicinski, Bryan Oronsky, Susan J Knox, Donna M Peehl
BACKGROUND: RRx-001, a dinitroazetidine derivative, is a novel anticancer agent currently in phase II clinical trials. It mediates immunomodulatory effects either directly through polarization of tumor associated macrophages or indirectly through vascular normalization and increased T-lymphocyte infiltration. With multiple additional mechanisms of action including upregulation of oxidative stress, depletion of GSH and NADPH, anti-angiogenesis and epigenetic modulation, RRx-001 is being studied as a radio- and chemo-sensitizer to resensitize tumors to prior therapy and to prime tumors to respond to radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in combination therapy studies...
2017: Clinical Epigenetics
Tzu-Pin Lu, Nai-Chen Chuang, Chin-Yu Cheng, Cheng-An Hsu, Yi-Chih Wang, Yen-Hong Lin, Jen-Kuang Lee, Cho-Kai Wu, Juey-Jen Hwang, Lian-Yu Lin, Shih-Fan Sherri Yeh, Kuo-Liang Chien, Jyh-Ming Jimmy Juang
Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a disease characterized by abnormally dilated coronary arteries. The mechanism of CAE remains unclear, and its treatment is limited. Previous studies showed that risk factors for CAE are related to changes in DNA methylation. However, no systematic investigation of methylation profiles has been performed. Therefore, we compared methylation profiles between 12 CAE patients and 12 propensity-matched individuals with normal coronary arteries using microarrays (Illumina HumanMethylation450)...
January 31, 2017: Clinical Science (1979-)
March 2017: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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Study of Beelzebub's Tales

“The more these indignant righteous ‘souls’ shared their impressions with others, the greater their number gradually increased, so that everywhere in the ‘Zarooaries2 on the holy planet they thought and deliberated among themselves only about this.

“As it was related to me, they began to arrange meetings and conferences everywhere in Zarooaries, to try by collective effort to arrive at some decision, and after long deliberations and complicated what are called ‘ballots’ by the righteous souls of single Zarooaries as well as by different Zarooaries, the following resolution was ultimately almost unanimously carried:

“For almost a quarter of a year they only ‘judged back and forth’ about this unprecedented turmoil, and in each ‘Zarooary’ commissions and subcommissions of every kind again set to work to resolve such an extraordinary situation as had arisen.

2 Zarooaries on the holy planet correspond approximately to what on the planet Earth are called towns and villages.


SUB Social Stage

The Social Stage lounge includes a stage and DJ booth for organized student events such as karaoke, live music or other SFSS events.

When not scheduled, the lounge is the first welcoming space for students to relax and socialize when they come into the building from Convo Mall. The lounge also provides additional seating for the coffee shop located across the corridor. The north wall of the lounge will have oversize doors that can open to the outside north plaza in nice weather, creating an indoor / outdoor experience, and conceptually expanding the size of the lounge.


Movie Production Template

Let me explain how to create a Movie Production Template and how to use it:

First, I create a separate .eco file for the production. My main Notepad is called Scene by Scene. In it, I show a folder for each scene, each one named by scene # and then the script's slugline for that scene (i.e. "24: Ext. Highway - Night".

The TLI (Top Level Item) for each folder is a repetition of the folder name ... the 2nd level is a brief description of the scene (i.e. "They drive away from the restaurant"), so that when sub-items appear later, this parent item will make it obvious which Night Highway shot it's referring to.

The third (and further) levels are reserved for notes, questions, thoughts, reminders, etc., to be filled in later.

Under Format / Outline styles I create different styles for each level, so it reads more easily.

I then set up my Columns. The first one is Department, and refers to a Departments folder, the sub-folders of which refer to each department: production, transportation, camera, art, etc. For this column I generate a drop-down list with each department's name.

The next two columns are Set and Location. Again, each refers to folders, the sub-folders of which are all the various sets (Fred's House, Jane's office), and locations we'll actually be shooting (L.A., NY, Vancouver).

Sometimes I'll have a checkmark column for 2nd Unit, and another checkmark column for multiple cameras. And the final column is a number column, which I use just for scene numbers.

Now ... here's how I use all this. First, every scene gets its Set and Location chosen in the appropriate column.

Then, random notes get entered. If I think I want to have a techno crane in scene 4, I create an item under Scene 4 "Use Techno crane" and check off Camera and Production in the Dept. column.

If I want Fred's house to be painted red in Scene 78, I make that item and check off Art in the Dept. Column.

Then, I create separate notepads for Departments, Sets and Locations. So if I'm talking to the Production Designer, I open up the Departments Notepad, and under the Art Department folder are all the notes I've made in various scenes for the Art Dept.

If I'm talking to the Vancouver production manager, I go to the Locations notepad, and open up the Vancouver folder, and there are all the notes, questions, thoughts, etc., I have that apply to Vancouver.

If the company is discussing the plan for shooting at Fred's House, I open the Sets notepad, and look under the Fred's House folder for all the notes that apply to scenes in Fred's house.

It's an amazing organizing tool. But it doesn't stop there.

I'll also store links to images (location photos, research photos, story boards, set diagrams, etc.) under the appropriate scenes. So if we're scouting a location I open up the laptop, go to the Locations notepad, and can show everyone all the pertinent images for that particular location, simply by clicking on the links.

I'll also have a notepad called Schedule. This one requires some maintenance, but it's good to have. In the Scene by Scene notepad - the main one - I'll have yet another column: Schedule. The number I enter is the shooting day, followed by a decimal point and then another number. So the first thing scheduled to shoot on day 5 is numbered 5.1, the next is 5.2, etc. When the schedule is first set, all these numbers get entered. Since each day is its own folder, the Schedule notepad allows me to see each scene (and all its notes, images, etc.) grouped by the shooting schedule. Of course, since the schedule changes so constantly, and scenes get moved around, it takes some frequent attention to keep this one right. But again, when you're shooting, it's nice to have things grouped together that way.

And finally, I'll have Notepads not tied to the Scene-by-Scene notepad, that I use as outlines to manage information: Casting lists, research, crew lists, etc. For casting, I'll have a folder for each part, and then enter the names of the people we see for each role, and notes on their reading. I can have a checkmark or priority column to mark the ones I want to see for callbacks, or a notes column for brief remarks, such as availability or status. The great thing about Ecco for this kind of use is that it's so incredibly customizable. Whatever your needs are, you can pretty much twist it around to suit you.