The Mancunion

Britain's biggest student newspaper

The route to university has improved, and so must we

The updated cycle lanes are to be welcomed, but more caution must be taken by all travellers

As part of Manchester City Council’s billion-pound ‘Grow Project’, the majority of students’ route to the University has got a whole lot safer. But now we all need to know our place on the road or pavement, and stick to it. As many will have noticed (see, the never-ending roadworks) the project has had a focus on the cycle and bus lanes of Wilmslow and Oxford Road, one of the busiest public transport routes in Europe.

Due to this business, amongst other factors, the route can often be very dangerous to cyclists—as my mum will never let me forget. These changes are much needed, and so far we are seeing a great improvement, but there is still more to be done from all that use the roads either behind the wheel, in the saddle, or on foot.

The conflict between cyclists and drivers has really blossomed over the past ten years, as made clear by the hours of YouTube footage dedicated to disgruntled drivers and righteous riders; the new Mods vs Rockers, some might say.

Due to a combination of arrogance and ignorance, the two groups don not seem to be able to share the road harmoniously. With the introduction of these new cycle lanes, you may think the problem would now cease to exist.

Given such clear separation provided by bollards, kerbs, and bright green paint, the two groups are hardly sharing the road. However, the problem still remains, and pedestrians are adding to it, using the green strip as if it is their own VIP fast lane.

The council are doing their bit, but now it is our responsibility to recognise this and change our own habits. The easiest, and most common group to take issue with are the drivers. Though they are less likely to be reading this, it is still worth pointing out the issues.

Incidents have certainly reduced since the cycle lanes have been introduced, most likely due to the separation of bikes and cars. But at junctions, where the separation ends and the two are forced to cross paths, is where arrogance and ignorance collide.

Often the ignorance comes from the driver—though not always, of course. Now that the cycle lanes are more obvious than ever, the issue of being pushed up against the kerb is almost non-existent. However, it seems these clear boundaries have done nothing but encourage the mindset of the unaware driver.

The clear separation seems to encourage a vacuum of awareness to the left of the car just before making a lurching turn, and in doing so, cutting off the oncoming cyclist and forcing a dramatic escape. Occasionally, the cyclist is not so lucky and is sent flying from the bike into the severe pain of tarmac. This is far from the case with all drivers. In fact, I would like to praise the bus drivers, who always seem to have one eye on every inch of the road. But it still happens often enough to make an interruption-free journey through the Curry Mile a rarity.

As a cyclist myself, I know that we are far from innocent. Often, we act like the rules of the road don not apply to us. Clearly this does not do much for the harmony of road users. If a driver were to see a cyclist speeding through a set of lights when they have been waiting patiently for it to turn green, it will of course cause feelings of resentment.

Though it is often safer to set off before the cars do, drivers equate these actions to arrogance. It is effectively spitting on the sacred British past-time of queuing.

If we cyclists are looking to be treated with respect and with the same rights as all other road users, then we need to act that way. There are also a great number of occasions where cyclists are ignorant too, by failing to indicate or cycling at night without lights. It is small things like this that encourage a divide between the two parties.

The pavement walkers have never been an issue for us road-using cyclists. They have kept themselves to themselves and all was well. But since the advent of the protected cycle lanes, some have decided to venture off the safe haven of the pavement, stepping out into the bright lights of the green strips.

These paths seem to allow pedestrians to stroll past others as if they were on an airport conveyor belt. It seems like a wonderful solution to the problems of the pedestrian, but what a commotion it causes for cyclists.

Just as the driver might makes a rogue turning, cyclists are constantly aware of the pedestrians with their backs turned, teetering on the kerb, in case they make a break for it in their new ‘fast lane’. Once again, we are often forced to slam on the brakes, and squeeze past with a cautionary “Woah, watch out”, hoping that will stop them from doing it again.

The recent changes are such a positive step, but we must check ourselves before we wreck ourselves—or those around us.

  • I dont even have tourettes

    I prefer ‘f****** move you c***’ when on my bike and a pedestrian strays into the cycle lane. That said, ive also said words of that nature at cyclists who cross the pedestrian crossing in front of the tin can building when the lights are red. If the lights are red and all the other cars are stopped and waiting for the pedestrians to cross, please cyclists, do not run the red light and try to cycle through the maze of people crossing the road. I personally make it my priority to 1) swear at you and 2) walk into your bike, causing you to swerve and stop.

  • Ian P

    The Oxford Road Corridor plan intends to phase out cars from Whitworth Park to Grosvenor Street (as well as a section further north) during daylight hours, diverting them onto the parallel roads, so the people in cars/people on bikes friction will be avoided.

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"one of the more striking budget games weve encountered..." - slidetoplay.com

"In one word, simply addictive." - iphonefootprint.com

"...yet another interesting suggestion of how Apple’s touchscreens continue to inspire developers to come up with new gameplay ideas" - ilounge.com

Petri. Simple to play. Impossible to master.

The screen is filled with moving colors. Drag your finger to erase the color underneath. Double tap the screen to change the color to something else.

Try to make the screen whatever color is at the bottom.

You havent seen anything quite like it.


Nipaipo (二 十 八 歩) Kata

Nipaipo «Twenty Eight Steps»
The number of movements are fifty-four, and the time required is about one minute and twenty five seconds. This kata is practiced and is learned above Nidan.


Technical Report USC-SIPI-175

“Spectral Properties of Preconditioned Rational Toeplitz Matrices: The Nonsymmetric Case”

by Ta-Kang Ku and C.-C. Jay Kuo

April 1991

Various preconditioners for symmetric positive-definite (SPD) Toeplitz matrices in circulant matrix form have recently been proposed. The spectral properties of the preconditioned PSD Toeplitz matrices have also been studied. In this research, we apply Strang's preconditioner SN and our preconditioner KN to an N x N nonsymmetric (or nonhermitian) Toeplitz system TNx=b. For a large class of Toeplitz matrices, we prove that the singular values of SN-1TN and KN-1TN are clustered around unity except a fixed number independent of N. If TN is additionally generated by a rational function, we are able to characterize the eigenvalues of SN-1TN and KN-1TN directly. Let the eigenvalues of SN-1TN and KN-1TN be classified into the outliers and the clustered eigenvalues depending on whether they converge to 1 asymptotically. Then, the number of outliers depends on the order of the rational generating function, and the clustering radius is proportional to the magnitude of the last elements in the generating sequence used to construct the preconditioner. Numerical experiments are provided to illustrate our theoretical study.

To download the report in PDF format click here: USC-SIPI-175.pdf (1.8Mb)


Monday, May 18, 2015

Soviet Cruisers

In 1980, the Soviet Union completed construction of the first of four Kirov-class cruisers. Two more were completed by 1988; the fourth unit was not commissioned until 1998 due to a lack of funds for construction. Due in part to its size, Kirov is designated by some as a battle cruiser.

The hull measures 826 feet, 9 inches by 93 feet, 6 inches, displaces 25,860 tons when fully loaded, and is protected by an undisclosed type of armor. The ship relies on propulsion from nuclear-powered turbines that produce a maximum speed of 31 knots, which makes it the first Soviet nuclear-powered surface combatant. It is also sometimes defined as a battle cruiser because of its large array of weapons, as the Soviets desired a ship that would fulfill antiaircraft, ASW, and antiship duties. The majority of the missile systems are located in the forward section. Unlike the other cruisers of the Soviet era, some of these systems are equipped with reloading machinery. The Kirov mounts 12 SA-N-6 SAMs in a vertical launcher within the bow that can be reloaded by a magazine that contains 96 missiles. These can be fired at aircraft or missiles. It also carries one twin-tubed SS-N-14 ASW system with between 14 and 16 reloads. The bow section also contains a vertical launcher that holds 20 SSN- 19 SSM weapons, a descendent of the SS-N-3. Like its predecessors, the SS-N-19 can carry a conventional or nuclear warhead. Complementing these various missiles are two RBU-6000 ASW rocket launchers, 10 torpedo tubes for use against submarines and surface vessels, and one helicopter. The ship also carries two fully automated guns, 3.9-inch guns in the case of Kirov; the other vessels mount 5.1-inch guns. Finally, Kirov ships eight 30mm Gatling guns that resemble the Vulcan Phalanx for close defense against missiles and aircraft.

These cruisers and those built by NATO members reveal the extent to which the cruiser has evolved as a modern weapons system. In place of a relatively small but important set of roles that existed since the Age of Fighting Sail and became attached to the first cruisers of the nineteenth century, the newest ships are called upon to cover a myriad of tasks. This change was made possible by technological innovation that allowed for progressively more powerful and advanced weapons and sensory systems. In the later years of the Cold War, the roles of cruisers still included commerce protection and possibly reconnaissance through the use of radar and sonar, but the chief duties were antiaircraft and ASW defense. Both of these roles were important for task forces; the latter specifically was also vital due to the need in the nuclear age to protect against the launch of nuclear weapons by submarines. Surface warfare, in the case of cruisers that were armed offensively, also remained a key role. All of these roles remain important to the present day.

Despite large offensive and defensive capabilities, the Soviet and NATO missile cruisers built in the 1970s and 1980s were not tested in combat because the Cold War never produced a hot war between the superpowers and their allies. The extent of contact consisted primarily of projecting power in fleet exercises, where one superpower would closely monitor the activities of the other at sea.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Sturmovik Aces

Senior Lieutenant Anna Yegorova piloted 243 Il-2 missions and was decorated three times. One of these awards was the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union that she had received "posthumously" in late 1944, as she was presumed dead after being shot down. She managed to survive imprisonment in a German POW camp. Junior Lieutenant Ivan Grigorevich Drachenko, another Il-2 pilot, was reputedly one of only four men who were decorated as both Heroes of the Soviet Union and also won all three of the Orders of Glory.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Helmut Gröttrup

Helmut Gröttrup


Based on common injuries and problems, this course will take a practical look at anatomy as it relates to rope. Nerve injuries will be the major focus of this class, and students will see why those should of primary concern. Rope will never be without risk, but following this course, riggers and bottoms will understand better why some problems occur and how to mitigate them.  No previous medical or rope experience is needed, but having some suspension experience will increase the benefits of this class for students.

Logistics Information:

Format: Lecture
Skill: Beginner, Experience with rope is beneficial but not necessary
Student Equipment: Note pad and writing utensil
Venue Equipment: Projector Screen, white wall, or white sheet on a wall

Restraint Removal Tools Handout (PDF)


Among the neighboring lakes are Lake TrephiaOtherwise unknown. and the Cephissian Lake, which is also mentioned by the poet: "Who dwelt in Hyle, strongly intent upon wealth, on the shore of the Cephissian Lake."Hom. Il. 5.708 For he does not mean Lake Copais, as some think, but lake Hylice (accented on the last syllable like lyricé), which is named after the village near by that is called Hyle (accented like lyra and thyra), not Hyde, as some write, "who dwelt in Hyde." For Hyde is in Lydia, "below snowy Tmolus in the fertile land of Hyde,"Hom. Il. 20.385 whereas Hyle is in Boeotia; at any rate, the poet appends to the words, "on the shore of the Cephissian lake," the words, "and near him dwelt the rest of the Boeotians." For Lake Copais is large, and not in the territory of Thebes; whereas the other is small, and is filled from lake Copais through subterranean channels; and it is situated between Thebes and Anthedon. Homer, however, uses the word in the singular number, at one time making the first syllable long, as in the Catalogue, "and Hyle and Peteön,Hom. Il. 2.500 by poetic licence, and at another making it short, "who dwelt in Hyle," and "Tychius . . . , by far the best of leatherworkers, who had his home in Hyle."Hom. Il. 7.221 And certain critics are not correct in writing Hyde here, either; for Aias was not sending to fetch his shield from Lydia.


5 August 2016 - AMERICAN 'DOUGHBOYS'

G'day folks,

Ever heard of these? Doughboy was an informal term for a member of the United States Army or Marine Corps, especially used to refer to members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, but initially used in the Mexican-American War of 1846-48.

It’s unknown exactly how U.S. service members in World War I (1914-18) came to be dubbed doughboys—the term most typically was used to refer to troops deployed to Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Forces—but there are a variety of theories about the origins of the nickname. According to one explanation, the term dates back to the Mexican War of 1846-48, when American infantrymen made long treks over dusty terrain, giving them the appearance of being covered in flour, or dough.

As a variation of this account goes, the men were coated in the dust of adobe soil and as a result were called “adobes,” which morphed into “dobies” and, eventually, “doughboys.” Among other theories, according to “War Slang” by Paul Dickson the American journalist and lexicographer H.L. Mencken claimed the nickname could be traced to Continental Army soldiers who kept the piping on their uniforms white through the application of clay. When the troops got rained on the clay on their uniforms turned into “doughy blobs,” supposedly leading to the doughboy moniker.

However doughboy came into being, it was just one of the nicknames given to those who fought in the Great War. For example, “poilu” (“hairy one”) was a term for a French soldier, as a number of them had beards or mustaches, while a popular slang term for a British soldier was “Tommy,” an abbreviation of Tommy Atkins, a generic name (along the lines of John Doe) used on government forms.

America’s last World War I doughboy, Frank Buckles, died in 2011 in West Virginia at age 110. Buckles enlisted in the Army at age 16 in August 1917, four months after the U.S. entered the conflict, and drove military vehicles in France. One of 4.7 million Americans who served in the war. Buckles was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Clancy's comment: There ya go. I'd never heard of them before. Frank Buckles died at 110. Wow!

I'm ...


Episode #25: War Games

Listen to the latest episode exclusively on Saavn!

Video Game movie adaptations have never had much luck at the cinema. Is it truly something that cannot be properly adapted? Adding to the evidence is this year's Angry Birds and Warcraft: two game based movies that have uncannily similar storylines. We also discuss this year's E3 games expo and the future of gaming through VR. Pray for Assassin's Creed everyone!


Water Polo Terms Explained

From Eggbeater to Wet Throw, check out these weird water polo terms that you’ll need before you start playing.

An image of Water Polo Terms Explained

Water polo may appear a confusing game to the beginner with its many odd terms and phrases, but with this guide you'll be an expert in no time.

Advantage: a rule which allows the referee to play on, even if a foul has been committed, if continuing play would be to the benefit of the team which has had a player fouled.

Ball under: a foul called on a player who takes the ball underwater when an opponent is attempting to tackle them.

Brutality: dangerously rough play, such as elbowing or punching an opponent.

Corner throw: a throw used to restart play if a defender touched the ball last before it went out over the goal line.

Dry pass: a pass made so that the receiver can catch it before it hits the water.

Eggbeater: the leg kick used to tread water and lift players vertically out of the water.

Free throw: a method of restarting play after the ball crosses the sideline or after any foul that does not earn a penalty throw.

Goal throw: a throw by the water polo goalkeeper which is used to restart play if an attacking player was the last to touch the ball before it went out of play over the goal line.

Major foul: a foul serious enough that the offending player is sent to the exclusion area. Also known as an exclusion foul.

Neutral throw: a restart throw by a referee which gives each team an equal chance to reach the ball. This is used following a stoppage where neither team was solely to blame.

Ordinary foul: a foul by a player that, in most cases, leads to the referee awarding possession of the ball to the opposing team.

Penalty foul: a foul committed by a defending player within his 5m area that is judged to have prevented a goal from being scored. This leads to a penalty throw.

Penalty throw: a throw from the 5m line by a member of the attacking team – which can be defended only by the goalkeeper – after a penalty foul against a defender.

Stalling: refers to a team’s failure to shoot within 30 seconds. This leads to an ordinary foul being awarded to the opposing team.

Swim-off: a race for the ball in the centre of the field of play to start each period.

Wet pass: a pass from one water polo player to another, but designed to land in the water first.


11 de enero de 2016

Private actors in politics and policy-making: Trespassers producing norms?

Type: Workshop
Date: February 29, 2016
Location: Czech Republic
Subject Fields: Political Science, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Sociology, Law and Legal History
Workshop for young researchers, CEFRES Research area “Norms and transgressions”
Deadline for Submission: 29 February 2016.
Decision notification due: 14 March 2016.
Date & Place: 12 May 2016, at CEFRES on Národní 18, conference room on the 7th floor.
Organizers: Jana Vargovčíková (CEFRES & FF UK) and Kateřina Merklová (FF UK)
Please send your CV, paper title and a 500 words-long abstract to: jana.vargovcikova@cefres.cz.
The workshop will include among its discussants Hélène Michel (SAGE, Institut d´Études Politiques in Strasbourg) and Michael Smith (CERGE-EI, Czech Academy of Sciences).
For non-Czech participants, accommodation in Prague can be provided by the organizers.

Call for papers
Political activities of private actors have long since been an object of study in many disciplines of social sciences. In political science and sociology, the notion of “interest group” has served as a particular way of conceptualizing private actors when they try to influence public decision-making (Courty 2006; Grossman and Saurugger 2006). In the face of a growing diversity of entities undertaking such activities (e.g. individual companies, their associations, think-tanks, hybrid networks of companies and NGOs), some suggested that the definition of the term should be extended to encompass this variety of actors (Gray and Lowery 1996; Saurugger 2004) while others have highlighted the specificities of the role companies (Mclaughlin, Jordan, and Maloney 1993; Coen 1997; Hart 2008; Ciepley 2013; Landemore and Ferreras 2015) or lobbyists (Heinz et al. 1993; Kersh 2002; Michel 2005; Courty and Michel 2012) play as actors in politics. The distinction between the private and the public spheres, however, remains a common analytical ground to these works, even when they conclude by observing how the two interlock.
            In recent decades however, a body of literature has emerged that documents a growth in private actors’ involvement in politics and policy at multiple levels of government, which it relates to the changes in modes of governance towards more horizontality and flexibility in creating policy-making fora (Rhodes 1997; Héritier 2002; Hall and Biersteker 2002; Stone 2013; Peters 2009), but also to the state’s changing regulatory modes and capacities (Majone 1994; Lascoumes and Le Galès 2004; Lascoumes and Le Galès 2007).
            While some contend these developments testify to a “retreat of the state” (Strange 1996) or “hollowing out of the state” (Rhodes 1994), others consider that when outsourcing parts of their responsibilities, states are indeed keeping control over the process, and remain, in fine, agents of authority delegation and “accomplices” of the growing role of private actors (Wright 1994; Knill and Lehmkuhl 2002; Green 2013). Still, this rising part taken by private actors in politics and policy has to be read in the context of what has come to be labelled as a crisis of representation. As public authorities are striving to ground more firmly their legitimacy, they are opening windows of opportunity for actors still deprived of a formalized role in politics to negotiate their place in the public sphere.
            As the dichotomy underpinning most of this literature suggests, when private actors develop activities in order to influence the production of norms, they can be seen as transgressing borders between the private and the public sphere.
            Our workshop will focus on the management, the implications, and the meanings of such transgressions, both analytical and normative:
            (1) since norm-production and oversight have been key elements of the classical distinction between the public and private spheres at least from the formation of modern state, the very foundations of such distinction may be questioned with private actors’ increasing involvement in public decision-making.
            (2) the analytical distinction, however, cannot entirely be separated from a normative one, the private actors’ involvement sometimes leading to a transgression of norms of democratic decision-making founded on publicity, legitimacy, equality and accountability.
The ambivalence in the perceptions of their role also seems to be growing sharper: On the one hand, private actors are increasingly providing not only technical, but also legal and legislative expertise, be it via expert groups or through the outsourcing of legal work by parties and administrations. They are labelled as partners of public authorities in the Public-Private Partnership projects, as collaborators (Donahue and Zeckhauser 2006), stakeholders or become entrepreneurs of norm-creation themselves (Green 2013). In reaction to broader pressures for companies to take responsibility over their impacts on society and the environment, CSR strategies have become a common exercise for large firms. Growing out of the CSR concept, the notion of corporate citizenship appeared in managerial literature and debates on the purpose of multinational firms, and initiated claims of rights based on these new ways of legitimation (Champion and Gendron 2005; Gendron 2014).
            On the other hand, accounts multiplied of private actors’ involvement in financing political parties, of their seeking public procurement contracts through practices of clientelism or corruption, and of their growing investments in lobbying. After decades of reluctance, the criminal liability of companies has entered criminal codes of most European countries: today, companies, and not only “deviant” individuals working for them, can be accountable for white-collar crime (Lascoumes, 1997). Correspondingly, the “fight against corruption” has been institutionalized at both transnational and national levels (Favarel-Garrigues 2009). As contextual as perceptions of corruption might be (Heidenheimer and Johnston 2001; Lascoumes 2011), countless scandals and affairs related to corruption (Thompson 2000; Offenstadt et al. 2007; Rayner 2007; Blic and Lemieux 2005) have stirred public indignation in the recent decades.
            Our workshop will bring together junior researchers (advanced PhD students and post-docs in political science, law, sociology and economics) who seek to address the changing role of private actors in norm-production. We particularly welcome papers, empirical or theoretical, related to Central and Eastern European contexts.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to the following:
1. How do private actors manage these transgressions both internally (vis-à-vis their shareholders and employees), and externally (public communication, interactions with public actors)? How do they adapt their practices to the rules of the public sphere? How in turn do they transform these very rules?
2. What role do intermediaries such as consultants, lobbyists, lawyers or advisors play in managing the transgressions between the private and public spheres, both as analytical and as normative categories?
3. How do various public actors manage private actors’ transgressions in the political sphere?
4. What does the growing involvement of private actors in politics and policy mean for the very dichotomy of the public and private spheres and the associated dichotomy of public and private actors? How can we grasp the impact of such developments on our understanding of democratic governance?

The scientific committee will include Hélène Michel (SAGE, Institut d´Études Politiques de Strasbourg), Michael Smith (CERGE-EI, Czech Academy of Sciences), Ondřej Slačálek (Charles University in Prague) and Ondřej Císař (Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences).
For References and further information, please see the website of the workshop.
Contact Info:
Jana Vargovčíková

Charles University in Prague

Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense (cotutelle)

+420 224 921 400
Contact Email:


Essential Oils for Cleansing Your Space

I have a confession to make - I hate sage. It smells musty and I don't like the smoke so when it comes to energetically clearing my space I have been turning to essential oils.

energetic cleansing essential oils.jpg

Why cleanse your space?

We take on and absorb the energies around us so it's important to energetically cleanse our space to dissolve and release any negative energies, as they can affect your health and quality of life.

Using essential oils for cleansing

Diffusing essential oils is a great way to clear negative energy from your home or office space, and as the oils stay in the air for hours afterwards, you continue to experience their therapeutic properties.

With the right essential oils, a diffuser can also set a positive, safe space and reduce the accumulation of negative energy in the first place.

Below are my favourite oils for energetically cleansing your space - you can use a single oil or combine a couple to make a blend (which is what I usually tend to do).

Lemongrass - Lemongrass is a powerful energy cleanser. It supports us in releasing toxic energies and negative beliefs. It's antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties mean it's also great for maintaining a healthy air flow in your space.

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus clears negative psychic energies and toxic thoughts.

Cypress - Cypress is the oil of motion and flow so it helps to remove stagnant energy that may be keeping you feeling stuck, and promotes energetic flow.

Frankincense - Frankincense not only clears negative energy but it also invokes spiritual protection. Use Frankincense to help protect against negative energy in the first place. You can also apply topically by diluting with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil to protect your personal energy field.

Oregano - Oregano is the oil of humility and nonattachment. It removes blocks, clears negativity and breaks negative attachments.

Purify blend - A ready-made blend of citrus and fir oils, Purify is the Cleansing Blend. It's perfect for cleansing and purifying the air and dispelling negative energy.

Gemma Sands


Monday, September 17, 2012

billion tons of water were pumped from deep underground repositories in all regions of the world, according to a report

insatiable thirst of humanity

for freshwater is rising sea levels faster than the glaciers melt, according to a new study. The enormous impact of the growing world population need water in the sea level results in a comprehensive assessment of all the ways people use water.

billion tons of water were pumped from deep underground repositories in all parts of the world and channeled into the fields and tubes to keep food communities and water. The water then flows into the oceans, but much faster than the old aquifers are recharged by rain. Global tide can be increased even faster, but for the fact that artificial reservoirs were far, which has slowed the flow of storing large amounts of water on earth.

"The water pumped from deep wells is geologically old - no replacement and a transfer form in the ocean," said the sea level expert Professor Robert Nicholls, University of Southampton. "In the long term, although more concerned with the impact of climate change, but this work shows that although climate stabilization could still get the sea level due to our use of water. "He said that the sea level rise of 10 meters or more if everyone groundwater is pumped, but said removing every drop was unlikely because some aquifers hold water salty. Sea level is expected to rise from 30 to 100 cm by 2100, putting at risk many coasts, increasing the number of storm surges swamp cities.

The new research was conducted by Yadu Pokhrel, University of Tokyo, and published in the journal Nature Geoscience. "Our study is based on a model of state-of-the-art, we have extensively validated in our previous work," he said. "This suggests that groundwater is a major contributor to the rising level of observed sea. "Results of the team adapts perfectly to fill a void that scientists had identified between the sea level due observed by tide gauges and the contribution calculated from the melting ice.

The extent of groundwater use is as vast as it is untenable over the last half century, 18 billion tons of water was removed from the aquifer without replacement . In some parts of the world water reserves have been exhausted. Saudi Arabia, for example, was self-sufficient in wheat, which grows in the desert with water from deep aquifers, fossil. Now, many aquifers have dried up and most of the wheat is imported, all growth is expected to be completed in 2016. In northern India, the level of the water table is down 4 cm per year.

team also studied the effect of rising temperatures on other ways in which water is stored in the earth. They found that the drying of the soil and loss of snow adds nearly a tenth of a millimeter per year sea level rise.
Professor Jonathan Bamber of the University of Bristol, said washing large volumes of groundwater at sea was an important factor, but it seems to have accelerated over the past 50 years, despite the worldwide population more than twice the time. In contrast, melting icecaps and glaciers as a global temperature rise has accelerated over the past 20 years, said: "It is quite clear to me that this will be the dominant factor in the future."

Find best price for : --Aalto----Martin----Jonathan----Nature----Yadu----Robert--

Blog Archive


Megan M. Kiminki

(formerly Megan M. Bagley)

Graduate Student

Department of Astronomy / Steward Observatory
University of Arizona
A picture of teddy-bear cholla. Cactus in bloom in northwest Tucson. Hubble Space Telescope image of the HH 666 protostellar jet. Observing at the Magellan Telescopes. The Magellan telescopes in Chile. Saguaro in Sabino Canyon.

One of the final steps in reducing spectroscopic data is subtracting off the contribution from "sky" background, which includes:

  1. Airglow from the Earth's atmosphere (e.g., OH, O I, O2 line emission).
  2. Human-made light pollution.
  3. Emission from your target's immediate surroundings in space.
The latter is particularly problematic when your target lies in an H II region, where the low-density ionized gas produces many bright optical emission lines (Hα, Hβ, [N II], [S II], etc.).

Sky subtraction is (usually) relatively easy when observing with a slit spectrograph: you can extract the sky spectrum immediately adjacent to your target spectrum. Fiber-fed spectrographs, however, present a challenge, as the adjacent sky is not observed simultaneously.

Typically, in a multi-fiber instrument, a handful of fibers are pointed at blank sky, allowing the observer to construct an average sky emission spectrum. This method doesn't work well in regions of strong, spatially-variable nebular emission. Instead, observers will often take an additional sky exposure offset from the target pointing by 3-5". Unfortunately, this means doubling your observing time.

This is where Hectosky comes in. Hectosky is an interactive, IDL-based pipeline designed to:

  1. Correctly subtract nebular emission lines using fits to the nearest sky spectrum.
  2. Maximize signal-to-noise in the subtraction of airglow lines by using all available sky spectra.

Hectosky fits a set of common nebular emission lines in the closest sky spectrum, removing those emission lines much more effectively than when an average sky spectrum is subtracted:

Figure 4 from Kiminki et al. 2015

Above: Comparison of the result of subtracting an average sky spectrum (blue) with the result of subtracting sky emission with Hectosky (black). The original spectrum is shown in gray. (Figure from Kiminki et al. 2015.)

However, Hectosky uses an average sky spectrum for all other wavelengths, greatly increasing the signal-to-noise of the continuum and allowing you to use less of your limited telescope time taking sky spectra:

Figure 5 from Kiminki et al. 2015

Above: Comparison of the continuum signal-to-noise for two stars: subtracting the single closest sky spectrum (gray) versus Hectosky's use of an average sky spectrum (black). (Figure from Kiminki et al. 2015.)

Hectosky was specifically written for use on data taken with the Hectospec multi-fiber spectrograph—and particularly for data reduced with Juan Cabanela's E-SPECROAD pipeline—but the algorithm can be adapted to data from other instruments.

The Hectosky source code, along with complete instructions for installation and use, can be found in my Hectosky repository on GitHub.


We Took Here's What We Located And Apart Some Defeats Headphones

One of many most puzzling matter about Arduino for newbies is that you can find simply way too many alternatives with type components and diverse shapes, shades. The paper is aligned towards the copper-clad down board print side and heat and pressure are put on connect the toner image towards the board. I've also tried double-sided designs, employing a printout collapsed around the panel. First I tried pressing with a clothes iron with the heated plate underneath on top of the board. I had problems with the publication document on the top of the panel shearing aside: evidently I had been not using force equally across the board utilising the iron. Swish the the table around inside the etchant, alternating edges again and every now.

Feel it or not, itis also possible to design your personal tech just like the Raspberry Pi and it's really simpler than ever. There is a lot of PCB design software out there which allows for the straightforward layout and construction of technology that is such. It is possible to design your schematic using TinyCAD and formulate the circuit in VeeCAD Online PCB area out the components about the panel and heap directly in using a soldering iron. Function This beneficial macro brings to making exploration simpler focusing openings, once the PCB is designed to your satisfaction in Eagle.

I also tried demanding using a rolling-pin as before, flipping the board every secondor-so. I'd better chance in this manner but went from double-sided table before outcomes that are absolutely effective could be achieved by me. Combine the chemicals into the plastic box that you will do the etching in. Create merely etchant to protect the panel. Agitating the etchant regenerates the etchant by oxidizing ions and aids etch the table consistently. Take away the board when entirely etched and wash it to rinse the etchant off.


Opposition stand

The PP insists that the government has not said clearly enough that peace talks have ended.

"This march is a success for the many democrats who believe two things: that you can't negotiate with terrorists and that yes, we have to do away with them," said Angel Acebes, the PP's party chairman.

The PP, which groups conservatives as well as far-right factions, last month declined to join a separate anti-Eta protest organised by an Ecuadorian group.

The party argued that the organisers of that march, which drew tens of thousands to Madrid, tacitly supported talks with the outlawed group.

Eta attacks have claimed hundreds of lives in a four-decade campaign.

The group seeks a separate Basque homeland comprising parts of northern Spain and southern France.


Emergency Telephone Weekends: 01233 629 911

Home: Ashford Borough Council

Trees: Bat Protection and Licences

Careful consideration needs to be given if works are planned to trees that show evidence of bat habitation. As bats are a protected species by law, it is likely you will need to contact Natural England for guidance.

Extensive information is available using the links below which includes, most importantly, what you must not do:

Environmental Management:

Bat Protection, Surveys and Licences

Natural England:

Bats, Birds and Trees

Bat Conservation Trust:

Bat roosts

Furthermore, we would also need to know about any works to trees if they are protected or in a conservation area.
Check the following pages for further information and guidance:

Tree Preservation Orders

Trees in Conservation Areas

Note: Questions marked by * are mandatory


Watercolour lotus tattoo designs are widely preferred by tattoo lovers all around the world. Popular amongst both, men and women, lotus design is not only revered for its beauty, but also reflects a deeper spiritual meaning. The flower grows in muddy water, yet symbolises purity and harmony. As a tattoo design too, lotus stands for the same attributes in human nature and depicts the thoughts and attitude of the bearer.As said before, lotus flower is associated with different meanings in different cultures and religions.

Aside from the Victorian and contemporary meanings for the Lotus, there is a wealth of symbolism tying these flowers to Hinduism, Buddhism, and the ancient Egyptian’s religious practices. The ancient Egyptians used the plant extensively as a symbol in the paintings and carvings left on the walls of temples and tombs. Scholars believe the Egyptians viewed the Lotus as a symbol of rebirth because it appeared to sink at night and rise again in the morning. It is now known the plant simply loses old blooms and adds new ones on a daily cycle, but it is still a potent reminder of reincarnation and the mysteries of the afterlife. The priests and other religious leaders also brewed the flowers to make a tea with sedative and mild psychotropic effects, which heightened their sense for ritual work.

Buddhism Culture – According to Buddhist religion, lotus defines purity and piousness of the soul,Patience,Mysticism,Direct Spiritual Contact,Emptiness from Desire,Victory over Attachments,Enlightenment and the Bodhi State,Love and Compassion for All Things,Self-Awareness,Faithfulness During Spiritual Development,Rising Out of Suffering as the flower grows in a muddy area, yet maintains its purity. The belief is based on the fact that you will find a perfectly complete miniatures lotus plant within a seed, which implies that even a human being is born complete and yearns for perfection through his journey of life. Also, Buddhism has meanings for various colours of lotus flowers, as a red coloured lotus stands for the heart, which implies love and passion. Similarly, a pink lotus represents devotion towards the divine, while a blue one stands for learning and intelligence. A purple lotus defines mysticism, besides being a symbol of the eight fold path laid down by the religion, which is reflected through its eight petals. A white coloured lotus implies purity and peace, both at spiritual as well as intellectual level. The Buddhist mythology says that the Buddha was born from this pure flower and had white heart, which represented his pious soul. Just as a lotus sheds its flowers and seeds together, it signifies a noble soul which guides the other souls on the Earth along the path of Nirvana.

Egyptian Culture   The ancient Egyptian cultures sees lotus as a symbol of beginning of life and reincarnation, as the mythology of this culture narrates that origination of life on earth was marked by the blooming of this mystical flower from the sea.

Chinese Culture  The Chinese culture sees lotus as a flower with perfect beauty stands as a source of inspiration for poets and artists since times immemorial. Lotus is recognized as a symbol of pure feminine beauty and reflects marital harmony when talking about personal relationships.

Western Culture – The Western culture has a similar kind of reflection of this charming flower, because it denotes new beginning and rebirth as it is reflects divine conception. It also links lotus flower with the search of true meaning of life.

The Lotus meaning in Hinduism is a little different. As ideas were exchanged with Buddhists for thousands of years, Hindu religious leaders began to use the flower as a symbol of peace and eternity. White lotus flowers are usually seen under the feet of deities like Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Saraswati. Brahma, the ultimate creator, emerges from a Lotus as well. This sense of purity arises from the flower’s growing habit of rooting in mud and pushing up through the water to bloom.


Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton, (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". He was also named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.
In the mid-1960s Clapton left the Yardbirds to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop". Furthermore, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. For most of the 1970s Clapton's output bore the influence of the mellow style of J. J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which was featured on his Unplugged album.
Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE (Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace for services to music. In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers

Posted by ClassicRockA-Z

Source -  Wikipedia


A Look At Alternative Medicine And Conventional Medicine

Wolters Kluwer Health may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without your express consent. For various branches of natural medicine careers such as naturopathic medicine doctor, massage therapist, healing arts practitioner and energy healing practitioner, various alternative medicine schools offer diverse natural health courses so that one can get various educational permits for a career in the relevant professions.

While a patient with a cough would go to a traditional doctor and be advised to take a cough suppressant, for example, an alternative medicine practitioner might look into the underlying causes of the cough and help prevent it from coming back again.medicine

Alternative medicine for pets focuses on the pet's other aspects in life such as sleeping. Some success in precision medicine goes back to the ABO grouping for blood transfusions. Western medicine focuses on the human body as one single version that reflects the natural human response to disease and establishes certain fundamental criteria in the human body's reactions. The workload in engineering is above and beyond that seen in most other university programs; however, the workload is much, much greater in medicine than even engineering. Alternative medicine is a vastly evolving and growing industry among the medical and research community. I have finished basic sciences and have been studying for usmle step 1. It is pretty clear to me at this point that all my education in medicine thus far amounts to memorization. Tropical medicine deals with the prevention and treatment of tropical diseases.medicinemedicine

Medicine is complex, Medical care is an art and less of a science than what is believed in the current reductionist society, so tempered with the lust of prediction and probability. Successful candidates, who have completed all course requirements through one of many herbal medicine schools can go onto achieve varying levels of herbal medicine certifications. Those who are looking to acquire the doctor of naturopathy degree and want to commit for natural healing practices can apply to the natural medicine university for professional doctor of naturopathic medicine degree.

Today, what we know of as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has roots going back 5,000 years to Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine), Indian (Ayurvedic medicine) and similar healing traditions. Make sure family members or guests don't leave vitamins or medicine on nightstands which are easily accessible to children.


5 Things to include on your Campus Pocket Map

On any college or university campus, it's important to be able to carry a map of the campus around, or see it prominently displayed in an important area. But when creating or upgrading a campus map, it can be overwhelming to think about what details to include, and what details you should leave out. So what can make your map the most successful way finding tool for new students and their parents? Here's our guide of 5 things and considerations to include on your campus pocket map.

1.Visually plan your map with your goal. The first thing every map must have is a goal. That goal usually relates to knowing and targeting the right audience. Most communications directors and college admissions offices know that the majority of map users will be new prospective and new students and their parents that are visiting the campus for the first time. Therefore, the map should focus on providing and highlighting key features that are pertinent to this demographic. However, a map might want to highlight different features for grad students at a university, or new staff and faculty. As always, there can be multiple reasons or uses for your map, but it's best to start with the largest or main purpose when it comes to the basic design.

So, the first questions you should ask before you start designing your map include:

Who will be using your map? What features will be the most important to these users? What landmarks do students congregate around, no matter their status (new student or senior)?

These questions will help you direct your focus for your map.

2. Highlight larger departments and institutions first.

Now that you have a purpose and goal in mind, you can now focus on what design considerations you should take.

In general, it's best to err towards simplicity versus providing too much detail. Too many labels or keys can saturate the map and make it harder for students to find particular places, especially if they are in a rush. Therefore, emphasize buildings and important offices or institutions first--like the campus bookstore, dining hall locations, the library, and the gym--before getting to smaller offices that might not be on a student's priority.

For those small but important offices in larger buildings, having a special symbol to indicate its location can be immensely helpful to students. For example, maybe the class registration office doesn't have its own building, but is tucked away in an administration building: putting a symbol down on that building with a note to the side can help students avoid searching through a directory of numbers and names.

Also keep in mind how building directories can help students find their way. When designing your campus map, consider how they can work in tandem with building directories or maps. Knowing that there are supplemental guides, and how they look or work, can help you make an informative map that's not too busy. In addition, having temporary wayfinding signs placed strategically around large campuses can also help guide new students as they grow more familiar of the grounds.

3. Provide a parking guide.

Parking can be extremely important to a campus map, especially when a good portion of students live off campus and commute. A color parking code for registered students, visitors, and staff and faculty will help students quickly understand which lots are off-limits. Also include a note about registration, emphasizing how important preregistration is if students do not want tickets their first week. By addressing parking from the get go, you can minimize congestion.

4. Put your campus in context with the larger environment.

Your campus is not the only component that students are looking at when they are picking among colleges or universities. They are also questioning the type of environment the campus is connected to, and how it can support or hinder their social life or their career moves. Your campus map should also highlight these features as well, making the connection between life on and off campus visible.

For example, the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts has a special 5 College consortium, connecting the five major colleges and universities in the area through a simple bus system, cross-campus courses, and clubs and activities. If your college or campus has a special relationship with other colleges, it's important to highlight it in some way to boost image. Having a map that can prominently display the bus stops to these colleges helps students understand how integral off campus connections are, and can generate a great conversation about what this relationship means to campus life.

In addition, you don't have to build a large map that will also include landmarks outside the campus, but you could include wayfaring signs to larger monuments. For example, a campus like Georgia Tech is right in thicket of Atlanta's city scene, with large city landmarks like the Aquarium close to campus. An arrow pointing the direction to large landmarks can help a map user visualize where they are on campus in relation to the city, and helps them realize how integrated the campus is to the larger city. A small blurb on the side or back of the map that indicates nearby attractions can help emphasize that connection.

5. Provide connections to online material.

Print maps are a great way to introduce a prospective student or parent to the campus, but at the end of the day, it's important to make sure that the map works in tandem with your larger marketing strategy. That's why you should add a small section dedicated to your online persona, making it easy for students to take the map away and use it as a gate to your online pages. In addition to a list of social media handles for your admission office's Twitter, Facebook Page, Instagram and more, you can create special QR codes that will jump prospective students to a current student testimonials page, or even the application page for the college. If you already have a special social media campaign involving hashtags (such as #firstyearstudent or a tag related to a specific event) add it to your map! That way you map works in two distinct yet connected components of your communications office.

If you already have an online map that is fully detailed, you can also connect it to your print map with a link or search tag to direct students there. Overall, consider your map as a gateway to larger pages of information to help students get around and comfortable with your campus.

By following these 5 tips, you can help build a better campus map to direct new students with ease. For more help with designing or printing the perfect pocket campus map, contact us. We would love to help you take the next step.

January 01st, 2016
by Mark Minoff

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Review / ArmA II (PC)

As a word, realism is not exactly synonymous with fun and not often associated with the word entertaining when it comes to videogames. Often studios will compromise on realism to make the gameplay experience entertaining and playable. This is particularly true for games that revolve around war and combat. That doesn’t mean however that realism isn’t capable of producing some entertainment and that’s the case with ArmA II.

Developed by Bohemia Interactive, ArmA II is the sequel to ArmA, an IP that was long referred to as the spiritual successor to Bohemia’s Operation Flashpoint. The emphasis in the original ArmA was realism and that is still the case in ArmA II. What it is and isn’t doesn’t require any debate. You could almost call it a simulator as combat won’t be the only thing the player will be engaging it. Decision making is a huge element in the game and how the player goes about their mission will eventually decide how the conflict in a foreign country will unfold.

Welcome to Chernarus, Marine. A rebellion has rattled the stability of this former Soviet region and now a civil war between the pro-Western government of Chernarus and the people who seek to tear that government down is liable to rip the country apart. The U.S. is called in restore some order in the country and it’s up to you to literally determine who wins in this conflict, as your interaction with your fellow soldiers and the civilians of Chernarus will decide the outcome. The game does have multiple endings and it’s not just simply a matter of succeeding in the region or pulling out.

Chernarus is an impressive environment and Bohemia has paid attention to the details. If you’re in a more agricultural region of the country, prepare to encounter some farm animals. Cows and chickens are abundant. With 225 square kilometers of land, there’s little reason why it shouldn’t be crawling with detail.

The game offers a reasonable amount of freedom to play however you might want, however with such freedom comes an equal dollop of responsibility. Make no mistake, you aren’t just guided through every mission with obvious pathways. You’ll be dropped into open areas and though your objective will sometimes consist on merely moving to one spot on the map, you can approach that objective in any way possible, as long as you survive. Sure, there are various methods of engaging hostiles in a house, but the question the player has to ask is: “What is the safest?”. The opposition have already spotted you and are firing on your squad. One could go out into the open field and flank the house, but that would leave the player with little cover. The player could simply remain in wooded cover and assault the house by moving forward, but the player also has to take into consideration fellow squad members.

However, not only does the player have to worry about the objective and the people around them but also take into account their own condition. Spending too much time running towards your objective will cause fatigue and if you encountered rebels after enduring half a mile of running in all that equipment, your aim will sway as you regain breath.

Interaction plays a key role in how the player progresses. You will undoubtedly ask yourself many questions throughout the campaign. Do you call in an air strike that will take out an enemy platoon, even if it takes a village full civilians with it?  Winning the hearts and minds of civilians plays a crucial part in their cooperation towards U.S. forces. Treat them well and they will tell you vital information about the rebels. However, if you let yourself become a bit of a tyrant then they might decide to help the opposing forces. The one downside to this is that the model animations and voice acting aren’t convincing enough to build some emotional attachment with those who are crucial to the mission. Barring a few exceptions, characters seem a bit too robotic, especially considering the weight of the role-playing elements in the game.

Other factors of ArmA II include handling vehicles and controlling larger armies. Tanks, helicopters and planes are just some of the things the player will be using or commanding which will help add to the appreciation of ArmA’s open world environment. While you’re safely in an area far from the rebels, you could send in armor to clear out an area and then lead your squad in to take out anyone stragglers.

If the campaign is not your thing, there’s always the editor, which is an in-game tool that allows you to make your own scenarios. The editor allows players to create some situations that almost touch in terms of quality the campaign missions. Or if you’re just curious about what kind of mayhem you can reek, you could pit 100 units against 100 units and let battle commence!

One can’t emphasize enough that ArmA II is a realistic shooter and its role-playing elements make it a great, unique experience. Add the multiplayer and editor and ArmA II is a complete package. Granted, patience is recommended if this kind of gritty realism is something you don’t engage in too often. Other than that, Bohemia Interactive has created a game that will not only bring about an entertaining campaign but a long lasting multiplayer and the possibility of a strong community building around the player-made scenarios with the editor.

+ A strong attempt at a realistic wargame
+ Great attention to environmental detail
+ The editor allows for the creation of great scenarios

– Model animations and voice acting are weak
– Strange pacing in the campaign is apparent
– When the AI messes up, it really messes up


Power-down Mode for Micropower SRAMs

Question: What is automatic power-down mode?

When the chip is deselected (i.e. /CE de-asserted) and no inputs are toggling, the device powers itself down except for the internal memory array. This results in a lesser power dissipation in this mode. This mode is called power-down mode.


Friday, 4 March 2016

When Life is Stripped to the 'Bare Necessities', what are they?

I was scavenging through my house today looking for items I could give to a friend who is organising a container of relief goods to send to Fiji to help with their recovery after the recent cyclone. The brief is 'whatever you can spare. They have nothing.' What would I really be grateful for if I ever found myself in that situation? Besides the obvious -food, clothing and linen. Kitchen utensils? Absolutely. Pots. Sharp knives. Some odd things came out of my bathroom cupboards - like shower hats from hotel stays (could be used to cover food, carry water), a couple of brand new ordinary toothbrushes - (we both now have dentures). A pair of tweezers and a pair of scissors. Then I thought of the sewing box and all the odds and ends collected there over many years. Buttons, elastic, pins and needles and thread of course. How would you feel to be given a needle and thread so you could mend the only garment you might have been left with? Or dig out a splinter or even sew up a cut? Most households have a myriad of such items excess to actual requirements.
Please find a collection point near you and give whatever items useful for basic survival that you can spare.
Food and medications will be the first things Red Cross and the Relief Authorities will ship in but...
if you were like the folk in Fiji and suddenly found yourself with nothing, what item would you be most grateful for? What would become your greatest treasure?
I think mine might be a sharp knife.


Connor Meek, Candidate for President of City Council

In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received.

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation?

CM: I don't own a car.  I ride my bike often, and I occasionally ride the bus and the light rail.  Since I've been running for office I've been walking more often than not, as it's easier to talk to people.  The City certainly needs to improve it's public transit system.  We also need a more comprehensive network of protected bike lanes.  I often hear from people who would LOVE to go for a bike ride, but they're afraid of the traffic or afraid of being robbed.  The police need to do a better job of patrolling the parks and the bike paths.  To be fair, I have actually seen officers on the Gwynns Falls Trail several times in the past few months.  We also need to enforce our Share the Road law.  Impress the importance of that law on officers and instruct them to enforce it.  We need to do everything we can to get the residents on their bikes.  For the environment, for the budget, and for our health and sanity.

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore?

CM: These improvements will be key.  Not only will the city be healthier and safer due to a reduction in drivers and fitness benefits, but biking also helps you connect with your surrounding environment.  That's something many drivers are either intentionally or unintentionally avoiding.  When you roll up your windows and turn on the radio you're missing a lot of what's going on around you, and as a result, overlooking many of the city's most urgent issues.  Biking has made me more engaged.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupant vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets?

CM: That change in perception won't be easy to make in the short term.  But if done correctly, it will be incredibly easy to make in a generation.  It starts with education and access.  I'd like the City to offer free bicycling lessons to anyone interested, any age.  More support for organizations like Velocipede and responsible fundraising can help ensure that bicycles are available for children whose family's might not be able to provide them.  The more people we engage and the more bikes on the roads, the easier it will be to convince people that one lane for each is a fair compromise.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership?

CM: All city agencies need to be audited immediately.  And Department heads that are found incapable of allocating resources in a productive and transparent manner should be removed.

The percentage of people choosing to take public transit or ride a bike for transportation is increasing in Baltimore, while the percentage of residents without access to a vehicle is over 30%. How would you rate the city’s current investment in sustainable transportation solutions for its residents, and as council president what would you do to support increased investment?

CM: I would give the City a C+.  There are improvements being made.  And with the help of organizations like Bikemore the needs of cyclists are not being ignored, and the argument for more sustainable transportation solutions is an easy one to make.  I believe that cycling is the best mode of transportation.  As President of the City Council I would support any initiatives to get more people on bikes and less in cars.  The cost of protected bike lanes is well worth the reward.

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents?

CM: That's an interesting study.  We need reliable public transportation.  Many people leave for work much earlier than they'd need to if our buses ran on a more predictable schedule.  And riding a bike in this city is faster than taking the bus.  If we can encourage more riders and protect them from traffic and crime, we could all spend less time traveling and more time home with our families.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

CM: My candidacy is a quest for information and a greater understanding of our electoral process, which I've found to be quite bizarre and counter-intuitive.  I'd like to run a model campaign.  I want you to make your own decision.  I will not ask for your vote, and at this point I have not accepted a single campaign contribution.  I am interested in speaking with you about our City and I want to hear your ideas for the future.


‘Malicious Disruptions’ Threaten Financial System: Fed Official

A top Federal Reserve official warned on Tuesday of potential risks to financial stability from cyberattacks on the U.S. payments system and from a looming funding gap in public pensions.

‘Malicious Disruptions’ Threaten Financial System: Fed Official
Source: frbatlanta.org

Lockhart is the latest in a string of government officials and corporate executives who have warned of the potential danger of cyberattacks on the U.S. In October, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta warned that the U.S. faced the possibility of a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" from hackers who could dismantle the nation's power grid, transportation system, and financial and government networks.

In a speech to a conference in the German capital, the president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve, Dennis Lockhart, said that at a global level the span of vigilance needed to be extremely broad.

"Our radar should scan widely — beyond the most obvious sources of risk," said Lockhart, according to the text of his speech, arguing that markets viewed by some as too small to cause much trouble before the 2008 crisis had ended up posing systemic-scale problems.

Homing in on the issue of cyber security, he said the fragmented nature of the U.S. payments industry and its rapid evolution were creating many areas of vulnerability.

"A real financial stability concern, however, is the potential for malicious disruptions to the payments system in the form of broadly targeted cyberattacks," he said.

He argued that they should now probably be viewed "as a persistent threat with potential systemic implications."

Lockhart said Thursday that while he believed cyberattacks were unlikely to have as deep or long-lasting an impact on financial system stability as fiscal crises or bank runs, the potential attacks provided justification for collaborative attempts to take preventative measures.

Another growing concern is a potential funding gap in public pensions, Lockhart said, adding that this would more likely appear as a "gradually accreting threat to growth" than as a single event shock.

"As a financial stability consideration, the problem of pension underfunding is not likely to be the source of any immediate shock or trigger a broader systemic crisis," he said. "However, the situation needs to be monitored as public finance does contribute to financial and economic stability more broadly."


On 28 March 2017, the Federal Government released draft reform legislation to Australia’s insolvency laws to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and help reduce the stigma associated with business failure.

The reforms, known as ‘safe-harbour’ provisions propose changes to directors’ personal liability for insolvent trading under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act).

Currently, under section 588G of the Act, directors can be held personally liable for a debt incurred by a company that is insolvent, or becomes insolvent by incurring the debt, where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the company is or will become insolvent.

The ‘safe-harbour’ provisions

The proposed amendments to the Act will create a ‘safe harbour’ for company directors from this personal liability if the company is undertaking a financial restructure. They are intended to encourage honest company directors to remain in control of a financially distressed company and take reasonable steps to restructure and allow the company to trade out of its difficulties.

The proposed ‘safe-harbour’ provisions will provide a carve-out from personal liability where directors can prove that, at the time the company was insolvent, they took a course of action which was reasonably likely to lead to a better outcome for the company and the company’s creditors. A better outcome is one where the company and its creditors are better off than if the company had entered into external administration.

The amendments also provide an indicative and non-exhaustive list of factors to determine if the directors’ actions were reasonable and likely to lead to a better outcome, including whether the directors have:

  • taken steps to prevent misconduct by officers and employees of the company;
  • taken appropriate steps to ensure the company maintains appropriate financial records;
  • obtained appropriate advice;
  • kept themselves informed about the company’s financial position; and
  • been developing or implementing a plan to restructure the company to improve its financial position.

The amendments to the Act are intended only to apply to directors acting honestly to pursue a reasonable course of action. There are certain circumstances in which directors will not be able to rely on the ‘safe harbour’ provisions, including where the company has not:

  • provided for the entitlements (including superannuation) of its employees;
  • maintained its books and records (so they are available to a liquidator or administrator, if required); or
  • met all taxation reporting obligations.

Next steps

The provisions aim to strike a balance between protecting creditors and encouraging directors to actively engage and take reasonable risks to restructure a financially distressed company. To address the stigma often associated with corporate failures, the provisions seek to shift the cultural focus from the existence of insolvency to the behaviour of the directors in seeking restructure the company.

The proposed ‘safe harbour’ provisions are not intended to be a mechanism for a company to continue to trade past the point where it is viable. At that time, it is appropriate for the directors of the company to either make adjustments to their course of action or place the company into voluntary administration. Failure to do so may expose the directors to personal liability under the Act.

The proposed amendments are open for public submission until 24 April 2017 by email or post.


Coal Mine Information

Coal was the primary resource that gave Nanaimo its start in the 1800s. It was mined in various locations around Nanaimo from 1852 until the 1950's.

Coal is found in sedimentary rock along underground seams varying in depth and thickness. The process of removing coal from these seams created open spaces (or mine tunnels) which miners temporarily reinforced using timbers or other means. Once a seam of coal was removed and mining activity ceased, the remaining open space would be abandoned and allowed to collapse through a process called subsidence.

Subsidence involves material dropping from the ceiling of the open space onto the floor and, over a period of time, causes the location of the open space to shift upwards towards the surface. Subsidence can occur shortly after a mine is abandoned or it can take many years. The deeper the mine is, the lower the impact of subsidence on the surface; the shallower the mine, the greater the impact of subsidence on the surface.

In Nanaimo there are a few known incidents of subsidence caused by shallow mines. The recent remediation work on Pine Street is an example of an open space that was detected before it reached the surface. The attention the Pine Street remediation work generated has highlighted the issue of old coal mines in Nanaimo.

Questions and Answers:

The following questions and answers have been prepared to help residents of Nanaimo better understand how they may be affected.

1) What is subsidence?
a. Subsidence occurs when the ground slowly or suddenly lowers in elevation. It can be localized or spread over a larger area. The possibility of subsidence is a concern for the City of Nanaimo, and potentially, some residents.

2) What is the maximum amount of subsidence that could occur?
a. The coal seams ranged in thickness from one to several metres; however, the subsidence can be more or less than this amount. The actual subsidence that can occur is a complex function of how the coal was extracted, the size and orientation of the mine and the nature and amount of rock/soil between the mine and the ground surface.

3) What is being done about the risk of Coal Mine related subsidence in Nanaimo?
a. The City and the Ministry of Energy and Mines are working together to better identify the areas of the City with the greatest potential for subsidence. The intent is to produce a map showing the magnitude of ultimate settlement over areas that were mined. What is unknown and will remain unknown when the study is complete is the current status of the open spaces. Some mines will have collapsed and caused surface subsidence long ago; others have not but may do so in the future. Once the study is complete, the next step is to assess the information and decide if action is warranted.

4) Why is the City undertaking a risk assessment for subsidence?
a. With the open space that was discovered at Pine Street and Victoria Road it was apparent that adjacent open spaces could eventually reach the surface. Although there were no voids found that would suggest an immediate concern for the road; if nothing is done it could become an issue in the future.
b. The cost of remediating mine voids can be considerably lower if dealt with proactively. The risk assessment will help the City determine which areas are a concern for City roads and utilities and will help guide future decisions about how subsidence is dealt with.

5) How do I find out if my property is over a coal mine?
a. Property owners can arrange to meet with a staff member at the City's Service and Resource Centre building at 411 Dunsmuir Street. Alternatively, local book stores and the Nanaimo museum offer a range of information on the subject of coal mines.

6) I know my building is over a coal mine, what do I do?
a. Determining the risk for any individual building is a complex undertaking. If property owners wish to obtain information on the ground beneath their property, there are qualified local geotechnical engineers that will be able to provide assistance. It is not possible for City staff to tell property owners what the risks are.

7) I am interested in getting a building permit and my house is over a coal mine. What is required?
a. There may be a requirement for property owners to undertake a geotechnical investigation prior to building. It is best if property owners meet with City staff to discuss the requirements.

8) Who do I call if I notice something that concerns me?
a. If property owners see something that concerns them on a public road they can call the City of Nanaimo Public Works Emergencies 24hr number at 250-758-5222.
b. For mine related safety issues the Ministry of Energy and Mines can be contacted at 250-952-0732.

Coal Mine Presentation to Council

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A Temporary Utopia

At the end of summer 2015, our founders were at a festival that blew their mind. The fairy tale location, great atmosphere and awesome music made for an unforgettable experience. A temporary utopia, where everyone was enjoying themselves and living in the moment. But once they arrived at the bar, the drinks that were served didn’t align with the idyllic vibe. The choice was restricted to water, beer or sugary drinks with loads of chemicals in plastic cups and bottles.

They couldn’t understand that in a time where there are leave-no-trace festivals and so many other sustainable initiatives in the music scene and beyond, the served beverages were still from a different era. That realisation was the spark that led to the creation of REVEL.

Our beverages are Best served with music® and that’s exactly the kind of setting we intend for them to be enjoyed in. By providing healthy, natural and sustainable beverages you no longer need to compromise on taste or health benefits. Our favourite festivals take place in nature. That’s why all our choices regarding the manufacturing of our products are made with our planet in mind.

The dictionary definition of ‘revel’ is the following: ‘To enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing.’ And that’s exactly what our company ethos is all about.


Construction Materials //

Pavement Systems

An established industry advocate and widely known for inventing plate dowels, PNA Construction Technologies supports the success of your business. At PNA, we collaborate with you to establish and consistently exceed the performance criteria for your concrete flatwork with innovative systems. These proven systems including Strategic Reinforcement and Nominal Joint Design reliably mitigate your professional liability, optimize steel and deliver concrete flatwork that outperforms conventional expectations. When you ensure joint stability, joint protection and continuity of surface profile with PNA systems, you can achieve durable, safe and maintenance-free concrete slabs and pavement.


Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Decades presentation

As a group we had to create a presentation that educated our audience on our decade in an interesting, and engaging way.
our idea initially started because none of our group where particularly comfortable with speaking in front of a large group. Our idea therefore became to perform a silent movie. we decided that to make this movie most definately 1920s we had to incorporate certain obvious elements that keep it unique to this decade.
so we decided to evolve our movie around the Chrysler Building designed my architect William Van Allen in 1928. we also included flappers, Louis Armstrong Jazz.
to justify why we decided to act out our film instead of pre record it we decided to use the fact that the first 3D movie was shown in the mid 1920s. for this we cut out over 100 pairs of 3D glasses to give out to our audience
here our some pictures from our preparation week

Monday, 3 November 2008

Man Ray

Cecil Beaton

Born in 1904 in London and coming of age at the peak of the 20s, Cecil Beaton was in love with the worlds of high society, theater, and glamour. Beauty in his hands was transformed into elegance, fantasy, romance and charm.
His inspired amateurism led to a following among fashionable debutantes and eventually a full fledged career as the foremost fashion and portrait photographer of his day. He was so attuned to the changes of fashion that his career maintained its momentum for five decades

1920 Photography : Imogen Cunningham

Art Deco

Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939, affecting the decorative arts such as architectureinterior design, andindustrial design, as well as the visual arts such as fashionpainting, the graphic arts and film. This movement was, in a sense, an amalgam of many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including NeoclassicalConstructivismCubismModernismBauhausArt Nouveau, andFuturism. Its popularity peaked in Europe during the Roaring Twenties and continued strongly in the United States through the 1930s. Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was purely decorative. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, functional, and modern.

some more poetism...

1920 : Art & Design

The 1920s was an exciting time for the young generations. people lived for music, dancing, movies, and art.
during the 1920s there were alot of exciting, new and very revolutionary movements in art & design.


Saturday, 19 November 2016

Doom Bar.

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Over at Myth or Maxim...

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

What is Neo-Paganism?

Thursday, 5 May 2016

Trolls in folklore and mythology.

We have all encountered trolls in childhood fairy-tales and stories; they have a deep history in folklore and mythology as well as finding a new role in modern fantasy fiction, but are they comedy characters or symbols of a darker power?

A Troll is a type of ogre found primarily in Norse and Scandinavian mythology, generally larger than humans and invariably ugly, they are always very strong, but slow and not too bright, they are often said to have magical powers and they are sometimes depicted as being man-eaters. Trolls are dwellers of isolated mountains, rocks, and caves - the most famous troll of all, from ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ lives under a bridge - normally alone but they sometimes lived in small family groups usually consisting of either a mother and son or a father and daughter.

They always lived in dark places, either because they preferred night time or because they feared the daylight, some legends in Scandinavia tell that trolls would turn to stone if exposed to direct sunlight. There are many landmarks in Scandinavia are attributed to trolls, rock formations, natural statues and features in the landscape where trolls are said to have roamed.

These kinds of trolls were said to probably be descended from the 'Jotunn' of Norse mythology. The Jotunn were giant nature spirits and were the enemies of the gods, they kept out of the human world as much as possible. They were banished to remote hills, forests and mountains away from human settlements, where it is told they awaited the end of the world when they would have the chance to break free to do battle with the gods that shunned them.

In Iceland, trolls are seen a bit differently, they would often treat people well and return favours for favours, only becoming dangerous if cheated or harmed. Like the Scandinavian ones, Icelandic trolls lived in mountains, caves and cliffs, but they lived together in larger groups with more of a social basis, they were said to keep animals, farm their land and hunt as well as holding feasts, gatherings and celebrations. The trolls in Icelandic folklore were said to be very skilled at crafts and were seen more as a strange but valuable member of the world rather than something to be feared all the time.

The modern world thankfully has a place for these giants of old folklore. They are regular characters in role playing games, cartoons, films, computer games and science-fiction and also in fantasy fiction by authors such as J.R.R Tolkien and Terry Pratchett, Tolkien’s trolls holding a very similar, traditional description to the Norse legends, and the ones of the Discworld being more original and comical. Trolls have the ability as characters to be described as scary, evil, pathetic, funny or sweet depending on the situation; their future is looking quite secure.

Saturday, 30 April 2016

Over at Myth or Maxim....

The Myth or Maxim Chronicle Ed.5 is out and accessible through the website - Moon Myths and Cursed Items feature this issue....

Here's the link! LINK :)

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Catacombs and caves for storing the dead.

Many cultures have historically used catacombs to bury their dead, in fact people have been laying their dead to rest in caves since time began, although most are more closely associated with the early Christian church, the most famous being the catacombs of Rome and Paris which are open to the public, are vast and are historically important.

The reasons that people started using catacombs seem to be very practical. Because they are underground, the depth of catacombs usually ensures that the dead will be kept cool and that they won’t be disturbed by future developments or by natural occurrences such as flooding which can sadly affect graves on the surface. On a more practical level, storage deep underground also means that the bodies won’t contaminate the ground or water supply as they decay. Catacombs can also be expanded at that depth to accommodate the dead in the future; in fact many catacombs reveal signs of this with many new chambers and connecting tunnels being added on over the years giving a respectful resting place to important people.

The original Roman catacombs were designed as temporary holding facilities for the bodies of Christian martyrs, people who deserved the highest respect for the actions they took in life for their faith, and many catacombs are located beneath churches showing the significant link to the early Christian culture that promoted their use.

After the practice of using catacombs for religious figureheads, it became more common for them to also be used for generally important citizens, leaders and the wealthy. Many well-off families would have chambers to themselves allowing generations of the same family to be buried together in safety and relative opulence, some catacombs have notes about those buried within which can be very historically valuable today to learn about the practices and rituals used at the time. Undertakers of the age would take the dead to be stored in the chambers in coffins, shrouds, or urns in the case of cremation, depending on the wishes, wealth and family directions, they were also used for memorial ceremonies and funeral services if the person was to be laid to rest there, all of this could take place underground, privately and peacefully.

Today, catacombs are generally not used; surface crypts for family burials became more popular as has the use of cremation. There are rare occurrences however when ancient catacombs have been employed on a temporary based following a natural disaster or epidemic, in fact Exeter city council in the UK considered using their 19th century catacombs to store the bodies of Swine Flu victims as recently as 2009.


Saturday, February 15, 2014

Is Fracking Causing Earthquakes?

Between 1970 and 2000, there was an average of 20 earthquakes per year within the central and eastern United States. Between 2010 and 2013, there was an average of more than 100 earthquakes annually. A United States Geological Survey released last month summarizedresearch on man-made earthquakes conducted by one of the agency’s geophysicists:
So, the actual hydraulic fracturing process itself is not to blame in these cases; instead, it’s the injection of wastewater into deep wells that accompanies it.
Hydraulic fracturing produces a higher volume of wastewater than traditional drilling — as the name implies, drillers use millions of gallons of high-pressure water, sand and chemicals to break apart rock and release gas trapped in pockets in the earth. The wastewater generated is often contaminated with salt or poisonous chemicals, and environmental regulations bar drilling companies from allowing it to mix with drinking water; oftentimes, the most economical way for these companies to  dispose of it is to sequester it deep in the ground, below aquifers. Once there, it changes pressure underground and lubricates fault lines, with the potential effect of causing earthquakes.
In both Texas and Oklahoma, the number of earthquakes per year has increased ten-fold. And wells storing wastewater from fracking have also been linked to hundreds of earthquakes near Youngstown, Ohio.
Studies last year found that the largest quake ever recorded in Oklahoma — which was felt 800 miles away in Milwaukee, Wis., damaged 14 homes, injured two people and buckled a highway — could be linked to wastewater injection. Damage from the quake, which measured 5.6 on the Richter scale, “would be much worse if it were to happen in a more densely populated area,” the USGS wrote.
And as quakes increase in frequency, residents of Oklahoma and Texas are taking notice. More noticeable than the shaking, for many, is the noise these quakes make: a loud boom, like artillery fire.
In the Netherlands, where the Groningen gas field lies, quakes have also become more frequent, increasing from about 20 each year before 2011 to an average of one per week. Shell and Exxon Mobile, active in the gas field, set aside $130 million to strengthen buildings as the quakes increased in severity. But residents of the area worried that a 4-or-5 magnitude earthquake –the likelihood of which, experts warned, is increasing — would threaten the integrity of the country’s dikes, which protect the low-lying northern Netherlands.
Last month, the country’s government decided to scale back production of natural gas on the Groningen field, foregoing one billion euros a year by 2016, even as the country struggles to cope with the European Union’s deficit reduction targets.
But similar reductions in the US are unlikely. The oil and gas industry employs hundreds of thousands of people in both Texas and Oklahoma, and natural gas has become widely popular among electric utilities for its low cost.

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