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American Express Platinum House Touches Down in Miami for Art Basel
For the second year in a row, American Express's roving Platinum House activation will land in South Florida for Art Basel Miami Beach—bringing with it more than a few glamorous guests.
by Nick Remsen, published on 12/03/2018
A conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda on theater, creativity, and the endless...
From December 6 until December 8, Platinum House—accessible only to American Express Platinum Card and Centurion Members—will open its doors at the tony 1 Hotel South Beach. The second Platinum House to appear in Miami, this year's programming is jam-packed with activities, from morning fitness classes to nighttime performances (or, since this is Miami, midday-cocktails).
Platinum House's daily scheduling will include a pop-up of The Wing, the New York City-founded networking and community space for women from Platinum Collective Member Audrey Gelman, in an area designated the "Little Cabana" lounge. And on December 7, writer and curator Kimberly Drew will host a panel called "Miami Art Mavens: A Conversation," a discussion of the influence and significance of women within Magic City's creative circles. (There's no admission charge, but space is limited—so arrive early. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis.)
Additionally, Equinox is hosting both barre and yoga classes each morning. These must be pre-booked—and, even if you're feeling a little foggy from the night before, there's extra incentive to burn off last night's festivities: Outdoor Voices' Tyler Haney will be giving all attendees a gift bag filled with the label's chic gear.
There's also an ongoing installation and performance presented by Platinum Collective Member and independent art curator Julia Kaganskiy and featuring the artist Sougwen Chung, as well as a pop-up shop of clothing by Together California, which was brought into the Platinum House fold by Platinum Collective Member Sarah Andelman of Just An Idea (formerly of the Paris boutique, Colette). Together California will also introduce a new collection while in Miami, all of its products made of ethically sourced materials in the U.S. Most importantly: proceeds from this retail component will benefit relief efforts for the recent California wildfires.
And, available throughout the Platinum House's duration, is the Platinum Heat: a bespoke beverage whipped up in partnership with Platinum Collective Members Bertha Gonzales Nieves of Casa Dragones, Viraj Puri of Gotham Greens, and Tobin Ludwig of Hella Cocktail Co.
Platinum House is also offering two special, ticketed events over its 3-day stint.
The first, on December 7, is a dinner curated and prepared by Global Dining Collection partner Michael Solomonov of renowned Philadelphia eatery Zahav. The Israeli restaurateur and recipient of the 2016 James Beard Foundation's Cookbook of the Year Award will cook up a unique meal, at $75 per seat, with all proceeds going towards Young Audiences Arts for Learning, the country's largest arts-in-education group. The network reaches more than 5 million children and youth every year, in more than 7,000 schools and community centers throughout the United States. The mission? To enable arts-integrated educational and social programs.
The headline event will occur on December 8: a concert by Platinum Creative Director Pharrell Williams on a private beach space in front of 1 Hotel. All fees from admission will go towards the Young Audiences Arts for Learning. So come on, get happy, and stop by one of the most dynamic and impressive Platinum Houses yet.
PLATINUM HOUSE AT THE 1 HOTEL SOUTH BEACH
1 Hotel South Beach, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts Property
2341 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL
Thursday, December 6th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday, December 7th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 8th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Learn more at amex.co/platinumhouse or follow #AmexPlatinum on social media.


In the late 60-ties my boss formulated a technical problem: "Try to find system solutions that are insensitive to variations in parameter or component values due to the statistical spread in manufacturing" he said. This means that he wanted the manufacturing yield maximized.
In the middle of the 60-ties, I worked at a Swedish telephone company with analysis and optimizations of signal processing systems. Formerly such systems consisted of interconnected components such as resistors, inductors and capacitors.
If we have only two components – each having a parameter value – the problem is very simple. Let the first parameter value be the shortest distance to the left edge of a picture (below) while the second value is the distance to the bottom edge. Then, if the interconnection is given, a point in the picture represents the system unambiguously.
Suppose now that all points inside a certain triangle (region of acceptability, marked by red edge) will meet all requirements according to the specification of the system, while all other points does not, and that the spread of parameter values is uniformly distributed over a circle (green). Then, if the circle touches the three sides of the triangle, the centre of the circle would be a perfect solution to the problem.
But if we have 10 or 100 parameters, then the number of possible parameter combinations becomes super-astronomical and the region of acceptability will not possibly be surveyed. I begun to think that the man was not all there.
The problem was almost forgotten until a system designer entered my room about half a year later. He wanted to maximize the manufacturing yield of his system that was able to meet all requirements according to the specification, but with a very poor yield.
Oh, dear! I would not like to get fired immediately. So, we wrote a computer program in a hurry, using a random number generator giving normally Gaussian distributed numbers. The system functions of each randomly chosen system were calculated and compared with the requirements. In this way we got a population (generation) of about 1000 systems from which a certain fraction of approved systems was selected. For the next generation the centre of gravity of the normal distribution was moved to the centre of gravity of the approved systems and this process was repeated for many generations.
This gave an almost religious experience. Here a mathematical theorem solved our problem without our knowledge and independently of the structure of the region of acceptability.
Our very simple process was similar to the evolution of natural systems in the sense that it worked with random variation and selection. Later, it turned out that evolution might as well make use of the theorem.
Next articleNatural human hormone as the next antidepressant?


Goldfinches are increasing around Fearnan, and are frequent garden visitors during the winter and spring especially if you provide niger seed in your bird feeders. I catch and ring many in my garden, whenever the wind is calm enough to allow a mist net to be erected.
On the 10th April 2014 I caught a Goldfinch bearing a strange ring and reported it to the British Trust for Ornithology, who run the ringing scheme. The Goldfinch had been ringed at Perry Court Farm, Kent, on the 20th December 2013 some 682 kms as the goldfinch flies from Fearnan. A fairly typical movement of some birds moving south for the winter months and then returning in the spring.
There will be a different type of migration on Saturday evening (21st Feb), as pudding lovers from near and far converge upon the village hall for the annual pudding-fest. It starts at 6pm and lasts until the last pudding has been eaten. There's live music and all you can eat for £7.00 (school-age children, half price). Tea and coffee provided but Bring Your Own Bottle and glasses.


SCOTT Naylor has told his Oldham RL players to stop worrying about Warrington and their Super League stars and, instead, to concentrate on getting their own game right.
"It's all about us," said the Roughyeds boss, speaking ahead of Saturday's sixth-round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup clash at Bower Fold, Stalybridge (3pm kick-off).
"If we concern ourselves too much with what Warrington will do or might do we could easily forget about what we should be doing and how we should be playing.
Looking forward to "a great day for the club", the former Challenge Cup winner hoped his players would enjoy the occasion and he hoped supporters would enjoy their brand of rugby.
He went on: "I would be disappointed if Oldham people didn't turn out in numbers to support a set of lads who deserve to have the backing of the town's rugby community.
"To win at Hull KR in the last round was phenomenal, but we've also come up a division and we've still won four of our six home games in the Championship.
Winger Jamel Chisholm, who has missed the last two games after suffering a rib injury at Hull KR, has been cleared to return to the side.
Liam Thompson also got a thumbs-up from the club's medical team after treatment on a dead leg.
rugby-league.com — a specialist web site — has placed Oldham's fifth-round win at Hull KR in the top five Challenge Cup shocks in the past 16 years.
Naylor won't finalise his team until later, but Joe Burke is cup-tied and fellow prop Jack Spencer (broken hand) is the latest addition to a casualty list which includes Craig Briscoe, Tom Ashton, Jon Ford and Danny Langtree.
Warrington have named a 19-man squad which shows only four changes from the squad that thumped Wigan Warriors 40-10 the other night.
Injury victims Matty Russell, Ryan Atkins, Jack Hughes and Ben Westwood miss out, to be replaced by Gene Ormsby (back from a loan spell at Huddersfield) and three young players, one of whom, Morgan Smith (18) will be given his debut at half-back.
Aussie Test ace Kurt Gidley heads a panel of big-name players, including Chris Hill, Stefan Ratchford and Fijian World Cup prop Ashton Sims.
Warrington (from): Clark, Cox, Currie, Evans, Gidley, Hill. Jullien, King, Lineham, Murray, Ormsby, Penny, Philbin, Ratchford, Ryan, Sims, Smith, Westerman, Wilde.
Labelling Roughyeds "an impressive side", coach Tony Smith said: "They're on a good run and they'll be full of confidence, but we've watched them five times and we have a fairly comprehensive idea of how they might play.
"Bower Fold is a small pitch and we need to remember that too.


Far better than TV or other media, free play helps young children think creatively, solve problems, and develop reasoning and motor skills. Kids who are encouraged to play learn how to entertain themselves.
Unstructured play is so important for brain development in the preschool years. It bolsters imagination, teaches decision-making skills, logic, relieves stress and improves self-confidence. Due to the technology-dependent nature of the world we live in, the AAP revised its guidelines in 2016.
If you choose to let your child watch TV or videos, you should limit screen time to two hours per day for children older than 2 years old. Have a strategy for managing use.
Try to stay off your phone when playing with your kids or at dinner time, etc.
When you don't have time to actively play with your child, you should encourage independent play or play with another adult nearby. For instance, you can give your child nesting cups to play with on the floor near you while you fix dinner.
You should keep a TV out of your child's bedroom. TV before bedtime can cause poor sleep habits and irregular sleep schedules, which can lead to mood, behavior and learning problems.
Keep an eye on your own media use. If you have the TV tuned to a program you want to watch while your child is in the room, both of you will be distracted from meaningful interaction.
Stack blocks or mix sand and water.
Make a fort out of pillows and blankets.
Read or act out stories.
Play with mixing spoons, cardboard boxes, pots and pans.
Play with your child. Help build the fort, have a tea party, play house.
Go outdoors. Nature encourages physical play. Go to a playground, show your child bugs and flowers, or go for a walk in the woods or around the block.
Join the conversation. Tell us what free play activities you like to do with your kids?
Play music and exercise. They think it is great and I get a few calories burned.


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Oxfam Trailwalker, Five Time Over
By Chris Southwood 4th Jul 2017
CHAFFING, HALLUCINATIONS, BLISTERS and bonding. The Oxfam Trailwalker is a suburbanite's Everest. One hundred kilometres of non-stop walking on tracks and trails; it's mundane enough to sound eminently achievable by the average punter (after all, it's just walking right?), but a bit of an adventure. That's certainly what I thought when I signed up for my first Trailwalker – a nice stroll, all in the name of raising money for a worthy charity.
But once you do the simple maths of distance-over-speed, the scope of the undertaking becomes a little more overwhelming. It's just walking, but it's 30 hours of the damn stuff. Stop and think about just how much you can do in 30 hours of living; you could catch a flight to Amsterdam via Heathrow; you could go to work and come home at least twice; you could drive to Cairns from Sydney; or maybe add a deck to your house. Or, alternatively, you could do nothing but walk without cease. Suddenly you start to understand both the allure and the terror of Trailwalker.
Completing five Trailwalkers gives you 'Legend' status, and from the first step, that was my goal. 30 or 40 Ibuprofen tablets and 500km later, Trailwalker has given me more great memories, life lessons, bonding experiences and ligament damage than I ever dreamed. Here are a few favourite moments.
2010: Team A Whole Box of Froth (What Do They Say About Pride?)
Not since the Mike Baird premiership has there been a greater fall from grace. I'd love to say that as a team of inexperienced but fit striders, we started our Trailwalker campaign with jauntiness or enthusiasm, but in truth it was arrogance, plain and simple. We'd scoffed at training, openly sneered at walking poles, and regarded foot taping as something for ballet dancers.
Please let me say this: If you were one of the walkers we jogged past on a climb in the opening stages, I beg your forgiveness, we were duly punished, I promise.
It only took 40km for the almighty hammer of humility to crush us like ants. What were these weird bubble things under the skin of our feet, and why did they feel like fire? And how come our kneecaps wanted to move in so many unconventional directions?
We experienced a Fukushima-like meltdown. Feet bled, toenails shed. It took us almost 30 minutes to shuffle across the 250m span of the Spit Bridge. The colour drained from the world. Somehow we all made it through, reduced to leaning on walking canes fashioned from tree branches, and spitting insults at fellow walkers who seemed to glide by like they were roller blading.
Not many of the injuries were permanent, and after three days in bed, it was agreed: we were doing it again.
We all like long walks on the beach … just not when you've already been strolling for 30-something hours. (Image: Chris Southwood)
2011: Team Cool (From China with Love)
My friend Kenny is a yes man. Present him any course action in a really enthusiastic tone and he'll agree to it. And so it was that Kenny found himself lining up for Trailwalker, despite having just literally stepped off the plane from China where for two years his feet had known nothing but suede loafers, and his main exercise was perusing a menu.
As he looked on, with a mounting expression of panic, at his fellow walkers strapping their feet and stretching, it was hard to envisage a less prepared human being.
Positivity will get you a long way in life, and about 60km in Trailwalker, apparently. That's when Kenny's hallucinations and incoherent mumbling started. By 70km, despite the temperature being well into the 20s and his body oozing sweat like a mushroom in a plastic bag, Kenny was too confused to master the task of removing his winter jacket.
The final indignity came at around 80km. With his knees failing him, Kenny crawled into a medical tent for some light remedial strapping. He emerged an hour later with his legs so encased in tape that Tutankhamen would've been impressed by the mummification. An excited chiropractic student had decided that if Ken's legs were physically bound so tight that his muscles were immobilised, further pain would be avoided.
Despite the latticework of tape shedding like a snakeskin over the next 5km, a cocktail of codeine and bullying got Kenny over the line, swearing never to do it again. He'd be back.
2013: Team Sexy Ken and the Mad Rooters (A Wet Spot)
Patty didn't deserve this to happen. He is a good guy, and I'd done this to him. His puppy dog eyes looked up at me with profound confusion, his fatigued brain not sure how to process the sudden slide in circumstances. He knew this was bad, but at 2am perhaps it was all a dream? Allow me to backtrack…
We'd come to perhaps the 10th creek crossing, and my patience had run out. 2013 was a wet one, and the trickling streams of previous years had swollen to quick running creeks, calf deep and frustratingly frequent. Keeping your feet dry is very important to avoid blistering like a potato fritter, so each creek meant removing boots and socks, a tentative shuffle through the dark water, then another five minutes of foot drying, before inevitably stumbling into the next creek about 30 seconds later.
I'd had enough of it, and so rather than de-booting, I convinced Patty we should strike out cross-country, in the dark, in search of a narrower point in the creek to cross. We found one, about 100m upstream, the black torrent running unnervingly fast and deep, through a steep funnel of mossy rocks.
One of these people will soon remove their underwear without stopping walking – mad skills. (Image: Chris Southwood)
Hesitation is death. I jumped out of sheer bloody frustration and somehow adhered to the rocks on the opposite bank. I turned to Patty. Our eyes locked across the gap, the noisy water forcing us to communicate with intense stares and wiggling eyebrows. He placed his feet on two lichen-covered domes, crouched like a panther, and leapt. Kind of.
In the crucial microsecond of propulsion, traction failed him, and with the open-mouthed grace of a dog launching off a jetty, Patty belly-flopped into the creek. His torso made the opposite bank, but all the important walking bits were now underwater.
After 15 seconds or so of frozen disbelief, we began to laugh with the hysteria of those who know all is lost, and we extracted Patty to go find our teammates, who had already dried off and were waiting for us. Sodden from the nipples down, Patty made it through the next 50km, into the waiting arms of his fiancé who forbade this stupidity ever again.
2015: Team Where's Sexy Ken? (Intimacy, Unwanted)
For the future employment prospects of all involved, names have been changed in this anecdote.
Going through an ordeal, like the Oxfam Trailwalker, really accelerates the rate of familiarisation with your teammates – you learn more about each other over the course of 24 hours than a year of honest conversation could ever reveal. This includes a lot you probably didn't need to know, like where they're sweaty or chaffed, or when they're going to poo next.
Rita is a pretty honest kind of woman to start off with, and 12 hours of walking with the prospect of 18 more to come can really strip away the frills of polite conversation. We'd been receiving fairly regular updates about the state of Rita's underwear for two hours. There was a chaffing issue developing, due to poor material selection, with sweaty irritation too. But once you're in a walking rhythm, the idea of stopping unless it's 100 per cent necessary is deflating – when you're stopped, the finish seems impossibly distant.
And so Rita had been verbally debating the necessity of dealing with the chaffing situation. Did it require cream? What to do about the undies? Should it be dealt with trailside or at the next checkpoint in a couple more hours? Then it struck her: there didn't need to be compromise.
Rita could solve this issue and keep the team momentum. On her request, I handed her a pair of scissors from the medical kit. Without breaking step, Rita's hands disappeared into her tights, the scissors flashing. A few moments, and a half dozen bow-legged strides later, she held aloft the offending underwear, like a tattered, sweaty battle standard. Glorious relief. But the crowning moment came later, when Rita emerged from a public toilet some 30km later, clasping a postage stamp sized piece of cloth that had escaped. Which gave us plenty to talk about for the next few hours, of course.
2016: Team Doing it for Troughman (Desperate Times)
After four years of horror stories, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find teammates for a fifth and final Trailwalker. Word had gotten around amongst my friends and the gig was up – promises that it'd be "a lot of fun" didn't fool anyone. Those up for the challenge had given it a go, got a little PTSD, and decided 'never again'.
Running out of options, with only two team members confirmed, I cast the net wide. Lewis was probably not the ideal recruit. Less than 12 months ago he'd he broken just about every bone and tendon in his ankle, and now a light game of social netball whilst wearing an ankle brace could render him lame for a week or more. But he was sufficiently naïve, and had a pair of comfy tennis shoes to walk in, so I lied to his face and told him he'd be fine.
Now with only three weeks till kick off, it was time to play a seriously high-risk card. Guilt tripping my wife into walking was easier than expected. She'd seen first-hand, as support crew many times over, the ashen dead-eyed walkers and their bloodied foot stumps. She must love me very much.
With 17 years of loving relationship on the line, getting her untrained feet through Oxfam was going to take every skerrick of walking knowledge, patience and blister pad I had. But first I had to buy her some shoes, and hide the elevation map from her.
In hindsight, a couple of walks around the neighbourhood probably wasn't enough to break in a new pair of hiking boots, and so it shouldn't have been a surprise when my wife's feet began to blister, bubbled like two unpricked sausages in a pan. The gradual deconstruction of Lewis's ankle was always a likely scenario too, and as his mood darkened, so did the skies as our walk entered its second night, after 34 hours on the trail.
The last goodbye was going to be the longest, but a lingering farewell to Trailwalker was fine by me.
Oxfam Trailwalker charity hiking sydney

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Handmade in Japan, mix of Thai Kozo and Sulphite Pulp and cooked with caustic soda and dried on stainless steel. Ideal for mounting and backing as well as woodblock printing. No sizing.
Sheet Size: 23" x 30"


Ben & Jerry's launched a new addition to its line of Fair Trade flavors from its Vermont headquarters yesterday, along with a contest that stretches across the globe.
Ben & Jerry's is asking its fans to create the company's next Fair Trade flavor in the "Do The World A Flavor" contest.
"Our commitment to Fair Trade just got an upgrade," says Chief Euphoria Officer Walt Freese.
"Chocolate Macadamia is a flavor-on-a-mission to raise awareness and demonstrate that companies can help promote economic justice for all when they buy Fair Trade ingredients for their products that certify that the growers and suppliers of the ingredients in their products are being fairly compensated for their labor. This is another proud step forward in our values-led sourcing program."
Chocolate Macadamia won't be the newest Fair Trade flavor for long. Fans can enter their own funky flavor ideas using the 'flavor generator' on the company's Web site until the contest ends on May 26, 2009. The expectations are high.
During the company's last national flavor contest, more than 14,000 suggestions were submitted in the first two weeks alone, with 40,000 entries submitted in total. At the close of the global contest in June a lucky winner from each of the seventeen participating countries selling Ben & Jerry's will be chosen to win a trip to the company's Fair Trade cocoa cooperative in the Dominican Republic.
On the trip, the grand prize winner and the winning flavor will be announced, and then appear on shelves as pints and in Scoop Shops in March 2010.
Every year Ben & Jerry's Flavor Gurus hit the road on their annual Dessert Tour in hot pursuit of the tastiest flavors around. Literally thousands of desserts are swirled and savored.
As Head Flavor Guru and creator of Ben & Jerry's classics like Phish Food and Wavy Gravy, Arnold Carbone says "Literally eating dozens of desserts a day is a challenge, but we're willing to make this grand sacrifice for the perfect new flavor."
It's not just top taste the gurus are searching for. They're just as committed to ensuring the farmers behind the ingredients get a fair price for their harvest. Through Fair Trade, growers are better able to support their families, reinvest in their land, and improve their communities. It's a tasty win-win that has helped to improve the lives of thousands of people around the world.


Just noticed that this is the same one from Malvern July 96!
We didn't take that many photos back then before digital. Shame, I'm sure I missed loads.
No way!!! That's my '64, Dylan in the blue here, pre slammed/IRS/ball joint/flames etc!!
Anyone else got some old pictures to put up?
Some more of use might be able to spot our buses from days gone bye!!
Yea that's my old 1960 British samba..... Now owned by Grant Jones. Bus has just undergone a full restoration and is looking awesome, should be at Victoria Farm/Stanford Hall. For a time it was also lime green when I hired it to a company called Trouble TV, anyone got a pic?
Yep. Deffo got a pic. I'll dig it out tonight.


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RoomThirteen - Where music rocks
Cardiff Calling Led Zeppelin
Find out more about Led Zeppelin here
Posted: Sun Dec 16 2007 by Simon Webb
The owners of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff are reportedly gunning for Led Zeppelin to play the Welsh venue, were they to follow last week's London show with a world tour in 2008.
WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) Chief Executive Roger Lewis, who is apparently a personal friend of the band's bassist John Paul Jones, is hopeful of securing another massive event for Wales.
He told Wales on Sunday: "We would love to welcome Led Zeppelin and we have already put out a request to Harvey Goldsmith. We have a good relationship with Harvey who also handles Bruce Springsteen, who is coming to the stadium. Initially Harvey said they were only going to do a one-off gig, but now they are considering a tour.
"The thing is, we are the only stadium in Britain with a retractable roof and we can guarantee a perfect event for 70,000 people. There's nowhere else in the country that can do that."
Last week, the NME reported the rumour that led Zep have Wembley Stadium on hold, were they to tour in 2008.
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Melody, William H.. "Satellite Communications". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 04 March 2015, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/satellite-communications. Accessed 19 January 2020.
Melody, W., Satellite Communications (2015). In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/satellite-communications
Melody, William H., "Satellite Communications". In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published December 03, 2012; Last Edited March 04, 2015. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/satellite-communications
Melody, William H.. The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Satellite Communications", Last Edited March 04, 2015, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/satellite-communications
Article by William H. Melody
Published Online December 3, 2012
Last Edited March 4, 2015
Characteristics A typical satellite consists of a number of repeaters (transponders), each of which provides a large-capacity communication channel. Each transponder has a receiver tuned to a frequency range that has been allocated for uplink communication signals from Earth to the satellite.
Placed on a geostationary orbit at 36 000 kilometres above the Earth, Artemis is ESA's most advanced sophisticated communications satellite (courtesy Canadian Space Agency).
In 1945 Arthur C. Clarke proposed that a man-made Earth SATELLITE could be used for communication by radio microwaves between distant locations on Earth. The satellite would be positioned in space at an altitude of about 35 790 km so that its speed of revolution around the Earth would be the same as the speed of the Earth's rotation. This synchronous satellite would always appear in the same place in the sky. It would be in geostationary orbit.
A typical satellite consists of a number of repeaters (transponders), each of which provides a large-capacity communication channel. Each transponder has a receiver tuned to a frequency range that has been allocated for uplink communication signals from Earth to the satellite. Following the receiver, each transponder consists of a frequency shifter to lower the received signals to a downlink frequency, a filter tuned to the frequency of the transponder and a power amplifier to transmit signals back to Earth.
The communication capacity of a satellite is determined by the number of transponder channels and the volume of communication that can be transmitted on each channel. Although this varies from one type of satellite to another, the most commonly used satellite in 1995 had 24 transponders. Each can carry a colour TV signal (or 6 digitally compressed TV signals) or at least 1200 telephone voice signals in one direction. Each new generation of satellites tends to have increased communication capability.
The transmitting and receiving stations on Earth (earth stations) range in size from sophisticated, expensive stations that send and receive all types of communication signals to relatively simple and less costly stations (dish-shaped TV antennas) used only to receive television signals. The size and cost of Earth stations depend upon the power built into the satellite, as well as the frequencies used. The stronger the signal from the satellite, the smaller and less costly the receiving station. Direct Broadcast Satellites are designed specifically to minimize size and cost.
Advantages and Limitations
Satellites have significant advantages over other modes of transmission such as cable and land-line microwave for certain kinds of communication. The cost of transmission is independent of geographical terrain or distance, as long as both sender and receiver are within line of sight of the satellite (about one-third of the Earth's surface). Communication links can be extended to remote areas that could not otherwise be reached.
Satellites are less costly for transmission over extremely long distances - especially for relatively small volumes of communication. A communication signal can be sent to any number of reception points simultaneously, making satellites ideal for television and other forms of point-to-multipoint communication. Satellites are also extremely flexible because the sending and receiving points can be changed on short notice to meet changes in demand.
Satellites are used for voice communication. They do introduce a greater delay than land-line transmission systems because of the delay (almost 0.3 second) required for the signal to travel to the satellite and return to Earth. Echoes of a speaker's voice are heard 0.6 second after speaking. Echo suppressors successfully cancel echoes of a speaker's voice which would otherwise by heard 0.6 second after speaking.
The earliest satellite communication experiments were sponsored by the US government. Under project SCORE (Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment), the first communication satellite was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on 18 December 1958 and worked for 13 days. Echo 1, launched 12 August 1960, was a passive satellite that simply reflected signals sent from ground transmitters back to Earth.
Telstar, launched 10 July 1962, was the first active satellite with a microwave receiver and transmitter. The first synchronous satellite, Syncom 1, was launched on 14 February 1963; it failed after a few days and was followed by a more successful version, Syncom 2, on July 26. During this period, the USSR also began a program of satellite experimentation, soon followed by Canada.
The US Congress passed the Communication Satellite Act in 1962, creating the Comsat Corporation with a monopoly on US international satellite communication. An International Satellite Organization (Intelsat) was created in August 1964 when 11 Western countries agreed to establish a global satellite communication system. By the early 1980s more than 100 countries were members of Intelsat. It had Earth stations in about 150 countries and had successfully launched 24 satellites. (Not all of these satellites continue to be used, since the average useful life of a communication satellite at that time was about 8-10 years. Typical satellite lifetimes are now in the 12- to 15-year range.)
Within the Soviet bloc, satellite communication is managed by an organization called Intersputnik. By 1980 the Soviets had launched 14 synchronous satellites (Stationar) and at least 75 Molniya satellites, placed in elliptical orbits to serve the far north, where synchronous satellites would be below the horizon.
Canadian Developments
On 29 September 1962 Canada's first satellite was launched into orbit by NASA, making Canada the third nation in space. Alouette 1 was designed and built by the Defence Research and Telecommunications Establishment (now part of the Canadian Space Agency), and was used for scientific experiments in the ionosphere.
From 1963 to 1969 Canada participated in a joint experimental program with the US called ISIS (International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies). A major objective of this program was to transfer the skills and knowledge developed by government scientists and technicians in the early phase of space communication activity to private industry. RCA Victor, DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT and Spar Aerospace Ltd were the major companies participating (see SPACE TECHNOLOGY).
By 1967 the prime Canadian objective of the satellite program had shifted from scientific experimentation to applications, with emphasis on domestic TELECOMMUNICATIONS and the monitoring of natural resources. In 1969 Parliament created Telesat Canada Corp to operate a domestic commercial satellite system. Anik A-1 was launched in November 1972, followed by Anik A-2 in April 1973, when Canada became the first country to employ satellites for domestic COMMUNICATIONS. A third satellite, Anik A-3, was launched in May 1975.
The Anik A system used satellites originally developed in the US for the Intelsat IV program. Two Canadian companies, Spar Aerospace and Northern Telecom, were subcontractors. Each satellite had 12 transponder channels in the 6/4 GHz band. Over 100 earth stations were installed across Canada.
An experimental communication satellite system, the Communications Technology Satellite, renamed Hermes, was developed parallel to the commercial system. The main objective was the opening up of the higher radio frequency 14/12 GHz band that had been allocated for the exclusive use of space communication services. However, the higher frequencies required new technical systems and components, and higher satellite power levels to compensate for the expected increase in signal attenuation, caused primarily by rainfall.
The development of new components and the increased weight made necessary by higher power levels meant that major expenditures would have to be incurred on an unproven satellite. Since private firms were unwilling to take these risks, the federal government undertook the project.
The Hermes program (1970-79) was a Canada-US collaborative effort: the Department of Communications was responsible for the design, construction and operation of the spacecraft; NASA provided the launching and other specialized space facilities, and developed a high-power transmitting tube. Use of the satellite was shared equally. The European Space Research Organization joined the program in 1972.
Hermes was launched on 17 January 1976, the most powerful communications satellite at that time and the first to operate in the 14/12 GHz band. The exclusive use of the frequency band and the higher power of the transponders made possible the use of parabolic (dish) antennas as small as 0.6 m in diameter, especially suited for direct broadcasting of television signals to homes. The Hermes program also included experiments in tele-health, tele-education, community communications, delivery of administrative services, and scientific applications.
In addition to experiments conducted over Canada and the US, Hermes was used to demonstrate direct broadcasting in Peru, Australia and Papua New Guinea. The latter 2 demonstrations were conducted after moving the satellite to a different orbital position over the Pacific. New components developed in government laboratories, such as Field Effect Transistor amplifiers, were subsequently transferred to private industry and are now commonplace in commercial satellites. Major Canadian contractors for Hermes included Spar Aerospace, RCA Ltd and SED Systems.
NASA launched Anik B for Telesat Canada in December 1978. It had 12 commercial radio frequency channels in the 6/4 GHz band and 4 experimental channels in the 14/12 GHz band. The experimental channels were leased to the Department of Communications for field trials continuing from the Hermes program. Anik C-3 was placed in orbit in November 1982 by the US space shuttle Columbia. It has 16 channels, operates in the 14/12 GHz band and represents a major step toward direct satellite broadcasting to small, rooftop receiving antenna dishes. A second satellite in the same series, Anik C-2, was launched in June 1983 and a third, Anik C-3, was launched in April 1985.
These new satellites will operate with 4 regional beams across Canada, producing television signals of sufficient strength that they can be received on smaller (1.2-1.8 m) rooftop receiving dishes. A fourth generation of satellites was then planned. Anik D-1 was launched on 26 August 1982, replacing the aging Anik A and B satellites. Anik D-2 was placed in orbit by the US space shuttle Discovery in November 1984. The next series of commercial communications satellites were the Anik Es. Anik E-2 was launched in April 1991 and Anik E-1 was launched in September 1991. The Anik E satellites are a high power dual band design with 24 channels in the 6/4 GHz band and 16 channels in the 14/12 GHz band. The Anik Es were deployed to replace both the Anik C and Anik D satellites.
With the completion of the Hermes program, government development activity has focused on the Remote Manipulator System or the CANADARM for use in the American Space Shuttle Program. The armlike device was designed to deploy and retrieve objects in space and would be carried in the US space shuttle cargo bay. The Canadian government funded the development of the SRMS by an industrial team led by Spar Aerospace Ltd. In return, NASA agreed to procure production systems for the shuttle fleet from Canada. The Canadarm was successfully tested for the first time in 1981 on the US space shuttle Columbia.
Satellites are increasingly being used for mobile communications. This is made difficult because of the problem of placing satellite microwave antennas on moving vehicles. The first commercial mobile satellite service was to ships at sea. The Marisat system was established in 1976, and the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) in 1979.
Canada, with several other countries including the US, France and Russia, participates in the COSPAS-SARSAT program, a search and rescue tracking system which uses satellite technology for locating aircraft and ships in distress.
MSAT, a new mobile communications satellite, was scheduled for launch in late 1995. This satellite, a twin of the one launched by the US in April 1995, is the most technologically advanced and most powerful ever built for commercial mobile communications. Built by Hughes and Spar for TMI Communications, one of the most critical features of the satellite is the fact that it will introduce mobile communications to areas, including remote rural locations in which this service has never before been available. Applications include mobile radio telephone and data service, aeronautical and maritime services, safety and distress services, position locationing and wide area paging.
In 1992, the Canadian government having achieved its objective of encouraging the introduction, development and use of satellites in the Canadian commercial telecommunications sector sold its majority ownership in Telesat to Alouette Telecommunications Inc, a consortium of private companies in the telecommunications industry. Telesat's legislated mandate remains to provide commercial fixed-satellite services to all parts of Canada, including the northern and remote areas, as well as to furnish satellite services between Canada and the US on a transborder basis. These services include the transmission and reception of telephone (voice), data, broadcasting and other areas of telecommunications traffic.
The successful launch in the early 1990s of Telesat's latest satellites, Anik E-1 and E-2, has ushered in a new era for Canadian satellite telecommunications. With these high-powered satellites, Canadians has gained access to the hundred television channel universe through direct-to-home satellite services. In addition, through the use of new satellite technologies (such as various digital compression techniques) Canadian consumers will have at their disposal a wide array of new business, information and entertainment services.
For the future, satellite telecommunications will continue to reduce geographic distances and barriers. Satellites will also continue to play a leading role as domestic industries and economies move towards global markets.
Department of Communications, Direct-to-Home Satellite Broadcasting for Canada (1983) and The Canadian Space Program: Five Year Plan C80181-84185 (1980); Science Council of Canada, A Space Program for Canada, Report No. 1 (1967).
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With the statewide issuance law now in effect, if the vital record you are trying to obtain fall within the below dates you can visit any Register of Deeds office in the state of Wisconsin.
Requestors must demonstrate direct & tangible interest in the record requested.
* Please note, due to the way our office obtains vital records, it may take up to 20 minutes to receive the copy of the vital record requested in person.
Copies of domestic partnership and termination of domestic partnership records filed in Marinette County.


We can not forget to visit Girona, go across the streets of the old quarter, discover forgotten legends, go throw the walls and being seduced by a rich and amazing heritage.
A visit that you can not miss it's the amazing views of Girona from the Angels sanctuary.
There are houses on the small streets around the Força street, that was the Jewish community on the medieval period. The live in the Aljama was concentrate around the synagogue, which had different sites. Today the memory of the old Jewish quarter can be known as Centre de Bonastruc ça Porta, held the Museum of Jewish History and the Nahmanides Institute.
The Cathedral is the result of several stiles (c.11th – 18th). The first Romanesque building (1038) preserves the cloister and part of the tower. The abscissae with girgola corresponds to a plan of a church with three naves, in the c.15th, was changed to the current single nave, the widest world of Gothic architecture. The museum has the famous Tapestry of Creation, (c.12th), the Beatus (c.10th) and a rich collection of medieval gold.
Built between the c.13th – 17th, looks fortified by its location outside the city walls. The interior where you can visit six remarkable early Christian tombs (fourth century) teacher Aloi, shows a vigorous Romanesque structure, on which he dresses the Gothic nave. Two towers embrace the baroque façade (c.17th), of which only ends a Gothic style.
The monastery of Sant Pere de Galligans.
Currently based in the Archaelogical Museum, the monumentality of the temple and the remarkable faculty iconographic interest, makes this whole twelfth century Benedicte one of the most remarkable examples of Catalan Romanesque architecture.
Although Muslim elements are present, is a Romanesque building s. XII inspired by the hot springs or public baths. The frigidarium, or cold water room, is the one with more interest. The Onyar Houses.
The view of the Onyar houses is one of the most genuine and spectacular images of Girona. Attached to the medieval wall that closed the city, were built at the end of the Middle Age.
It is one of the busiest places and more animated by its urban features and is one of the malls of the city. Since medieval ages, this space was already used as a market. As more paradoxical features, several architectural remains are testimony that the place is in use over the years.
The valley of Sant Daniel.
It is an area of great importance in plant which is accessed by Sant Daniel street. His shadow barns and sources have been sung by poets and painted by artists. In the valley there called the remarkable Romanesque monastery of Sant Daniel (c.11th-13th).
Located in the ancient monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, jewel of Catalan Romanesque architecture, it can meet the earliest history of man in the Girona area, from prehistoric to medieval times.
The collections of religious art – museum that showcases the Treasury reveal the beauty and magnificence of the cathedral's liturgical furnishings throughout its history and prove, not only the high level of the artists who made them, but also the wisdom of those who the sponsored.
- History Museum of the City.
They can enjoy a tour through the city, from prehistory to the present. We will approach the precise and fun to Girona's history and its protagonists.
- Museum of Jewish History.
Located in the place of the synagogue in the c.15th, the museum shows the historical trajectory of Catalan Jewish communities. Large panels and an important collection of medieval Hebrew tombstones invite visitors to immerse themselves in history and the Jewish past of Girona and Catalonia.
Since the Chinese shadows to the Lumière brothers' camera, there are many fascinating inventions, funny and poetic, now you can see in Girona at the Cinema Museum. One of the largest collections of Europe, an interactive tour, playful and fun, recommended for all audiences.


Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has told The Daily Star that he believes Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is unhappy with the club after missing out on Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman, who was a target for the Blues and leaders Manchester City signed for Liverpool in a £75m deal, a world record fee for a defender. There have been signs the Blues could use a solid centre-back this season, and Sky Sports pundit Thompson believes Conte will be unhappy with the club's failure to outbid the Reds for Van Dijk.
He said: "Antonio Conte needs strengthening in all areas of his team, with David Luiz out of favour. They are another side who were probably looking to entice Virgil van Dijk, so Conte will probably be questioning why Liverpool were able to outbid themselves with such an outlay and they may feel disappointed they missed out there."
Conte was in a similar situation during his final year at Juventus, where unhappiness over the club's transfer dealings led the Italian to resign at the end of the season.
Chelsea visit rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, now second in the table after four wins in five games but still trail leaders Manchester City by a whopping 14 points.


Our Medical-Academic real estate practice group specializes in the sale and leasing of Medical & Academic buildings in Boston, MA. This website will display the team's expertise and services. We need a custom Wordpress theme developed that we can manage. Site Features: Responsive, SEO / Search Engine Optimization, Parallax scrolling, interactive slider, carousel, pinned menu, search feature, news page (like a blog), filter/sorting systems, simple animations. The developer we choose should be available to fix issues with theme or make tweaks after the project is complete - pricing can be discussed. An in-house designer will work with developer on layout. Preliminary site map attached for reference. Thank you!


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Housing and Urban Development Department 15
Education Department 8
Treasury Department 4
Employee Benefits Security Administration 3
Internal Revenue Service 3
Agency for International Development 2
Homeland Security Department 2
Justice Department 2
Loan programs-health
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 and Pharmacy Benefit Manager Standards; Updates To State Innovation Waiver (Section 1332 Waiver) Implementing Regulations
by the Treasury Department and the Health and Human Services Department on 12/04/2020.
This proposed rule sets forth payment parameters and provisions related to the risk adjustment program; cost-sharing parameters and cost-sharing reductions; and user fees for Federally- facilitated Exchanges and State-based Exchanges on the Federal platform. It includes proposed changes related to special enrollment periods; Navigator program...
Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
by the Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 11/06/2020.
This interim final rule with request for comments (IFC) discusses CMS's implementation of section 3713 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which established Medicare Part B coverage and payment for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and its administration. This IFC implements requirements in the CARES...
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Section 232 Healthcare Facility Insurance Program-Updating Section 232 Program Regulations for Memory Care Residents
This final rule updates the requirements for the location of bathrooms in board and care and assisted living facilities insured under HUD's Section 232 program, which insures mortgage loans to facilitate the construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase, and refinancing of nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, board and care homes,...
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Section 232 Healthcare Facility Insurance Program-Memory Care Residents
HUD's Section 232 program insures mortgage loans to facilitate the construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase, and refinancing of nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, board and care homes, and assisted-living facilities. Through this rule, HUD proposes changes to update the requirements for the location of bathrooms in board and...
Financial Assistance Interior Regulation
by the Interior Department on 08/30/2019.
This final rule establishes the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR). The FAIR supplements the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), which was adopted by the Department of the Interior (DOI or Department) on December 19,...
This proposed rule would establish the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR). The FAIR supplements the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), which was adopted by the Department of the Interior (DOI or Department) on...
Program Regulations Superseded by Reauthorizations of the Perkins Act
by the Education Department on 03/04/2019.
The Secretary removes outdated and superseded regulations for eight programs in the State Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs and National Discretionary Programs of Vocational Education as authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990 (Perkins II). The eight programs are: The Career,...
Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program
On July 1, 2014, the HEAL Program was transferred from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the U.S. Department of Education (the Department). To reflect this transfer and to facilitate the servicing of all HEAL loans that are currently held by the Department, the Secretary adds the HEAL Program regulations to the...
Open Licensing Requirement for Competitive Grant Programs
In accordance with a directive from the memorandum entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2017 (Memorandum), the Secretary further delays until May 22, 2017, the effective date of the final regulations entitled Open Licensing Requirement for Competitive Grant Programs (Open Licensing),...
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act-Accountability and State Plans; Open Licensing Requirement for Competitive Grant Programs; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2017, the Department delays the effective dates of the following regulations until March 21, 2017: Elementary and Secondary Education Act of...
The Secretary amends the regulations of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in order to require, subject to certain categorical exceptions and case-by-case exceptions, that Department grantees awarded competitive grant funds openly license to the public copyrightable grant...
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017; Corrections
by the Health and Human Services Department on 08/11/2016.
This document corrects technical and typographical errors that appeared in the final rule published in the March 8, 2016 Federal Register (81 FR 12204 through 12352) entitled ``Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017.'' The effective date for the rule was May 9, 2016.
Federal Agency Final Regulations Implementing Executive Order 13559: Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
The Agencies publishing this final rule amend or establish their regulations to implement Executive Order 13279, as amended by Executive Order 13559. Executive Order 13279 established fundamental principles to guide the policies of Federal agencies regarding the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in programs that the...
Open Licensing Requirement for Direct Grant Programs
The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations regarding the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in order to require that all Department grantees awarded direct competitive grant funds openly license to the public all copyrightable intellectual property created with Department grant...
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Standardizing Method of Payment for FHA Insurance Claims
This final rule is a cost-savings measure to update HUD's regulations regarding the payment of FHA insurance claims in debentures. Section 520(a) of the National Housing Act grants the Secretary discretion to pay insurance claims in cash or debentures. Although some sections of HUD's regulations have provided mortgagees the option to elect...
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Updating Regulations Governing HUD Fees and the Financing of the Purchase and Installation of Fire Safety Equipment in FHA-Insured Healthcare Facilities
This rule updates HUD fees for multifamily housing and residential healthcare facilities, and updates and streamlines the Section 232 program regulations that govern the financing of the purchase and installation of fire safety equipment in insured healthcare facilities, which have not been substantially updated in over 20 years. This final rule...
This proposed rule is a cost-savings measure to update HUD's regulations regarding the payment of FHA insurance claims in debentures. Section 520(a) of the National Housing Act affords the Secretary discretion to pay insurance claims in cash or debentures. Although HUD has given mortgagees the option to elect payment of FHA insurance claims in...
FHA insures mortgage loans to facilitate the construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase, and refinancing of multifamily housing under the National Housing Act, and nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, board and care homes, and assisted-living facilities (collectively residential healthcare facilities) under section 232 of the...


Jobs Growth Sputtered In May, Report Signals : The Two-Way There was only a 38,000 increase in employment in May from April, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report — a widely watched indicator of labor market strength and a prelude to Friday's May jobs report from the Labor Department.
The line at a job fair last month in Linthicum, Md.
There was only a 38,000-increase in employment in May from April, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report — a widely watched indicator of labor market strength and something of a prelude to Friday's May jobs report from the Labor Department.
-- "Employment in the service-providing sector rose by 48,000, marking 17 consecutive months of employment gains while employment in the goods-producing sector fell 10,000 following six months of increases."
-- "Employment among large businesses, defined as those with 500 or more workers, decreased by 19,000, while employment among medium-size businesses, defined as those with between 50 and 499 workers, increased by 30,000. Employment for small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 workers, rose 27,000 in May."
Our friends at Planet Money make sense of the economic news here.


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Crazy Desktop To Snapchat Glasses: The Tech Marvels Of 2016
Tech innovations by Tesla, Apple, Google, and Amazon.
By Ivan Mehta
Lucas Jackson / Reuters
While 2016 has been getting a bad rap for controversies and tragedies, the year also saw some technological improvements that made us go, "wow!" Here is the list of some of the best tech of 2016.
Just a day before Apple's Macbook event, Microsoft held its own event. And, when no one was expecting, they dropped a desktop marvel called Microsoft Surface Studio. It has a beautiful 28-inch PixelSense display. This powerful desktop has support for multi-touch and a stylus as well.
Microsoft also released a fancy puck which you can stick on the display and it can act like another menu for your artistic needs. For instance, if you are painting and you rotate the puck, you can get a colour palette or brush-tool options switcher. It can also control the volume when you are playing something. Microsoft has clearly targeted designers whose only option was the iPad Pro which is not as powerful as the Surface Studio.
Amazon has been pretty innovative over the years, changing the way e-commerce works. It is public knowledge that the company is keen to introduce drones for deliveries of packages. Recently, it dropped a video of an amazing concept store. One where you have to go with your smartphone and sign into the Amazon account.
There are no queues for billing. You pick up whatever you like and everything will be added to your cart. The company is using special sensors on the package and around the store to add items to the user's cart and handle the hassle-free checkout. Who wouldn't like this?
Elon Musk is known as a modern-day wizard and he dropped this magic machine called Tesla 3 which is the company's most affordable electric car. The car can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds and it can run for almost 350 km on a single charge.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
The company has plans to bring the car to India as well. Recently, Telsa updated its autopilot mechanism to make it safer and better. The cost of the car is $35,000
Snap's spectacles
When Google glasses were introduced, they were seen as a marvel. But soon there were technical and moral issues around it. Snapchat's spectacles seem much funkier and casual in that sense. Launched in the US only, the product looks like a pair of regular sunglasses with a tiny camera on the side.
When the user touches the panel near the camera it lights up and starts recording the snap. It is synced with your phone over WiFi or Bluetooth and works both on Android and iOS. The glasses cost $129.99.
Yeah, it's not a gadget but how do you not include the biggest tech craze of the year in this list? The game that combines nostalgia, getting out of the house, mapping and AR technology took over the world in July. It became the most downloaded mobile game ever in a matter of weeks and a lot of people are still playing it.
AFP/Getty Images
Performers dressed as the Pokemon Go virtual reality game mascot Pikachu
Pokémon GO brought people out of their houses and made them connect with others in real life. There were some crazy stories and inspiring ones as well. The game recently launched in India and it has over 500 million downloads from Google Play store. Niantic, the company who made the game, has plans to make the game more immersive and longer-lasting.
Google Assistant and Google Home
People were not impressed by Siri, Cortana was not really available on mobile and Alexa was only available in limited countries. Enter Google Assistant. Announced at the company's developer conference, Google IO, it was later available in the chat app, Google Allo. When the search giant announced its Pixel phones, it said that Google Assistant will be built into it.
While the AI is in the early stage, the product already seems potentially better than Siri. Google is trying to put the Assistant into more hands so it can gather data and learn from it. It also announced that Google Home -- the competitor to Amazon Echo would have the Assistant as well. Google introduced the assistant in Hindi as well. It would be interesting to see how big this breakthrough in AI from Google would be.
The VR magic
Virtual Reality took massive steps this year. Oculus announced in January that it is opening up consumer pre-orders for the Rift for $599. Although shipping was delayed, the units got good reviews. In October, the company announced touch controllers for $199. The company's biggest competitor, HTC Vive, also released the consumer version at $799 in April. Sony also launched its PlayStation VR in October at $399.
Google announced Daydream VR at the Pixel event. It had already outlined the standard for its VR headset and the smartphones at Google IO. But in October, it showed off the Daydream VR view headset with a remote control. If distribution is handled well, it could give great VR experience to the masses without burning a hole in their pockets. Google began its VR venture with cardboard VR devices and it could build on its legacy of affordable VR.
Before you hurl abuses at this reviewer or at Apple for not producing a MacBook Pro that people wanted, I'd like to point out that this product made the list solely on its technological merits. With the touch bar, Apple did produce something that was unique even though the price of the device soared and as did people's outrage.
Many are liking the Macbook Pro's touch bar even though, with its pricing, it is not meant for everyone at the moment. The laptop doesn't have touchscreen like Microsoft's Surface. But you have to applaud Apple for trying out something new. Who knows, after a while, it might strike a chord with more people.
While this was the probably the most awe-inspiring tech of the year, I'd like to point out that India's space agency ISRO has done some marvelous work in 2016 which is more science than technology. It launched India's own GPS which is going to be functional soon. It also launched a satellite which helped the country in carrying out surgical strikes on Pakistan and it is planning to launch 83 more satellites for other countries to earn money. There are many expectations in 2017 from the tech industry and it surely going to be an exciting year.
Ivan Mehta Tech News Editor
MORE: alexa Allo amazon Android Apple Bluetooth elon musk google Google Assistant Google Home Google IO Head-mounted display India iOS ipad pro macbook MacBook Pro Microsoft Microsoft Surface pakistan Pokémon GO sony tech Tesla Model 3 wi-fi
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My family spent the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve in New Mexico, and though we did take a day to visit Santa Fe (which is where I picked up the coffee I reviewed from Iconik Coffee Roasters), the bulk of our time was spent in Albuquerque. A quick Yelp search and about 10 minutes in our rental car brought us to Prosum Roasters one morning. If you're a coffee drinker that's accustomed to swanky, modern cafes with Wi-Fi and plush, inviting seating, you'll probably feel a little out of place visiting a roastery, as these places tend to not be a place for folks to linger. But, I really enjoy visiting roasteries – assuming they're not busy, it's usually a chance to get to talk with people who are intimately involved with the coffee they sell, from the sourcing to the roasting and everything in between. Prosum is largely a wholesaler, and the space reflected that: giant roasting machine in the back, burlap sacks, lots of what I think of as pleasingly "organized clutter" – piles of paper, stacks of bags and ceramic cups, everything in its place yet conveying the sense that there is a lot going on. I felt right at home.
I had a nice chat with the person on duty (I believe his name was Jacob), and he mentioned that while he is heavily involved with the company operations, the company was started by and belongs to his girlfriend. Love that this is a female-owned business!! Prosum gives 10% of their company profits directly back to the communities from where their coffee comes from, and this helps to fund initiatives to improve specific things that are needed in each region. Jacob told me about the village of Kellensoo, Ethiopia, and how there is a project there to keep girls in school by teaching them how to make reusable feminine hygiene products, which will allow them to not miss school for a week every month and reduces the likelihood of them dropping out. So far, over 700 girls have been able to stay in school. You can read more about this here at the Prosum blog.
This Nicaraguan coffee was the last of its kind on the shelf on my visit. Jacob mentioned that the next time they'd be getting beans from this farm would be in May, so if it interests you, check back with them in late spring!
Whole bean: This had a beautifully even roast level – so consistent. The beans smelled of milk chocolate and a hint of lime zest.
V60: This was by far my favorite preparation for these particular beans. At the grind size I chose, It took about 2:55 to brew this, and lovely subtle notes of black tea, cream, cashew, and milk chocolate wafted out of the cup. Very tasty and satisfying!
French press: This tasted a bit of almonds and the papery skins around peanuts.
AeroPress: As a concentrate, it was drinkable but pretty strong with more notes of peanut skin. With a little extra water added, the coffee was quite smooth but nondescript to my palate – I wouldn't have been able to tell where this coffee was from just from taste.
Summary: I love that this coffee helps make the world a better place with every bag sold, and this particular Nicaraguan coffee was especially good brewed in a Hario V60. Hands down my favorite brewing method for these beans.
At the moment, Prosum doesn't appear to sell their beans via their website but they may in the future as they do have a link to an online store on their page. In the meantime, visit their roastery on Los Arboles Ave NE in Albuquerque in the morning hours, Mon-Fri if you want to pick up a bag for home.


Our Bitless Sidepull Bridle is the Best! Made with USA Authentic Biothane and Stainless Steele Hardware. The Browband and Noseband are double layered with your choice of same or contrasting colors. Extra jaw strap adds stability.


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Marc Upchurch
Marc A. Upchurch, CPA, CGMA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CLM
800 S. Gay Street, Ste. 2500
T: (865) 525-5134, Ext. 129
mupchurch@kramer-rayson.com
Marc Upchurch serves as the Executive Director at Kramer Rayson LLP. He has been in Business Management and Finance since 1983. Marc is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a Society of Human Resources Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and a Certified Legal Manager (CLM). Prior to joining Kramer Rayson, he held executive management positions ranging from Chief Financial Officer to President with various private companies for 10 years after spending 7 years in the general practice group at the Knoxville office of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1983 with a BS in Business Administration. Marc earned his CPA license in 1985, was certified as a CLM in 2003, a SPHR in 2011, a CGMA in 2012 and a SHRM-SCP in 2013.
Marc is a member of the Knoxville Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (KALA), Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Tennessee Valley Human Resources Association (TVHRA) and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Marc is active and has served in numerous capacities within the local and international associations of legal administrators, including two terms on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Legal Administrators. Marc currently serves as the Treasurer for the TVHRA and Secretary for the KALA. Marc serves as an elder at the Hardin Valley Church of Christ and has served on several local boards throughout his career.


Nowhere in the 85-page judgement is "copyright" or even "intellectual property" mentioned. However, in a state with so many media and software companies, the new ruling could affect whether a creator or a company gets to claim ownership as the original author of a work. In deciding if a worker is eligible for statutory employment protections, Dynamex replaced a complex multi-factor consideration with a simple three-part "ABC" test. Now, Californian companies are burdened with the requirement to prove that all three parts weigh against an employment relationship.
Is Taylor Swift getting a copycat Reputation?
March 25, 2018 by kelsey farishLeave a Comment on Is Taylor Swift getting a copycat Reputation?
Taylor Swift's latest music video, Delicate, has been criticised for its obvious similarities to a 2016 Kenzo perfume advert directed by Spike Jonze.
In the Kenzo advert, we see a young woman portrayed by actress and dancer Margaret Qualley at a posh black tie event in a hotel. Looking beautiful in an evening dress but nevertheless seemingly uncomfortable and bored, she quietly slips out of the ballroom to pensively roam the hallways of the hotel alone. What made the advert so memorable was that Qualley suddenly starts a wild and garish dance to an upbeat song. W Magazine lauded the advert as "one of the best perfume commercials of all time," and the Guardian called it "one of the most engaging ads" of the year.
Earlier this month, Taylor Swift released the video for Delicate, the latest single off of her sixth studio album, Reputation. Directed by Joseph Kahn, the video follows Swift as she walks through a glamourous hotel, increasingly fatigued with the attention of the press and her adoring fans. She eventually manages to escape through the corridors and, under the premise of being invisible, performs a bizarre dance routine through the hallways.
In addition to the plot – in which a bored young woman has a crazy dance party in a fancy hotel – the videos share a colour scheme, choreography, and camera angles. Although Taylor's dress is blue and Qualley's is green, both are deep jewel tones and cut a similar, sleeveless silhouette. Twitter users were quick to point out that even the facial expressions of the two women appeared to mirror each other.
To be fair, there are a few differences. Qualley's only audience remains the camera, while an "invisible" Swift can dance through crowds. Qualley wears heels, whereas Swift kicks hers off to dance barefoot. Qualley's performance ends by jumping through a massive logo for the perfume, whereas Swift's show ends in the rain with her meeting a mysterious person.
The Kenzo advert was a viral success because, as AdWeek explained, "the exuberantly choreographed video was less about technical innovation than about how it changes the way women are portrayed in marketing." Fans of Swift may therefore be somewhat unnerved that the international pop star, known for being a creative, self-made woman (see Taylor Swift: from saccharine songstress to fearless feminist) has chosen in this instance to be so heavily inspired by another artist's originality.
Despite claims that Swift's video is a "blatant rip off", a Kenzo representative told Dazed that they will not be making a comment on the matter. Accordingly, a lawsuit or formal complaint is unlikely. Taylor Swift's representation are yet to respond to the criticism.
Delicate is not the first video directed by Joseph Kahn to invite copyright controversy. His earlier project for Swift, Look What You Made Me Do, was compared by many to Beyoncé's Formation.
In my earlier post All the Stars and Constellations, I noted that inspiration is a common and important part of most creative processes. Even the most original ideas borrow from earlier art, expressions, and themes. The question in this instance concerns the grey area between inspiration and copyright infringement. While plagarism can be easy to spot, the Taylor Swift videos present more of a challenge. Remember, copyright law only protects specific expression of an idea, and not the idea itself.
Kenzo and Spike Jonze are unlikely to pursue legal action, because one cannot obtain intellectual property rights for a vibe or feel of a video – or even the "plot" of a woman dancing through a hotel. However, it's worth noting that this matter is already being heard in the court of public opinion, and the verdict doesn't seem to favour Swift.
March 11, 2018 March 12, 2018 by kelsey farishLeave a Comment on Project Gutenberg: the German edition?


This is not just another day! Today is a day of redemption for the people of God! It is time to put up or shut up!
Ruth 4:4b NIV - "If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line." "I will redeem it," he said.
wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
The redeemed become redeemers! God will use anybody!
3) Divine blessing is shared among the nations (Even the Moabite)!
Have you been redeemed by Jesus through faith?
Are you redeeming the time?
Jamey, I enjoyed your sermon so very much.
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text:
Agpaitic Rocks of the Nor… - Göteborgs universitet
Agpaitic Rocks of the Nor…
Agpaitic Rocks of the Norra Kärr Alkaline Complex: Chemistry, Origin, and Age of Eudialyte-hosted Zirconium and Rare-earth Element Ore
Licentiatsavhandling
Axel S.L. Sjöqvist
Datum för examination
Opponent at public defense
Michael A.W. Marks
Förlagsort
Institutionen för geovetenskaper
Norra Kärr alkaline complex, agpaitic rocks, eudialyte, rare-earth elements, geochronology, radiogenic isotope geochemistry
Berggrundsgeologi och petrologi, Geokemi
Agpaites are peralkaline nepheline syenites that are denominated by rock-forming complex silicate minerals such as eudialyte. The exotic mineralogy and chemistry of these rocks are not only interesting for research, but globally these rocks also have potential as polymetallic resources of elements such as zirconium, niobium, rare-earth elements, zinc, and uranium. The Norra Kärr alkaline complex is a small agpaitic intrusion in southern Sweden, which in recent years has become recognised as a major zirconium and rare-earth element resource. These rocks have been known for over a century, but have been researched sparingly with the modern petrologist's toolkit, including in situ analysis techniques and isotope geochemistry. This thesis work focuses on two aspects of Norra Kärr. Firstly, a systematic investigation of the major element composition of a large selection of eudi- alyte samples established an overview of eudialyte geochemistry. Analyses by SEM-EDS and EMP-WDS were compared. Eudialytes from different rock units cluster according to their Mn/(Fe+Mn) ratios, which distinguish- es three groups. Two of these groups, which are the most common types, are rich in rare-earth elements. This broad overview provides a necessary context for more detailed investigations of eudialyte's complex zoning. Secondly, the age of intrusion and magma source were not precisely determined before this work. We indirectly determined the age of magmatic emplacement by precisely dating the syn-magmatic alkali metasomatic alteration (fenitisation) of the hanging-wall granite. Here, the U–Pb geochronometer in reset and newly-formed zircon records the time of feni- tisation at 1.49 ± 0.01 Ga. Lu–Hf isotope systematics of these zircons and eudialyte from Norra Kärr support the petrographic link between fenitisation and the emplacement of Norra Kärr. Hf isotopes suggest a liquid line of descent from subcontinental lithospheric mantle, which has a significantly higher εHf signature than the Svecofennian and TIB crust.


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Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology is one of the best Deemed to be universities across Punjab region. Presently, it is recognized among the foremost privately managed engineering institutions of the country and the best of its kind in the north-western region of India. It was set up by the Late Lala Karam Chand Thapar of the Thapar Group of companies. different courses are provided for UG, PG and doctoral level. Check Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Courses. The Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology came into being as a consequence of the collaboration between East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), the Central Govt. and the PTET (Patiala Technical Education Trust) along with the then State of Patiala.
All the students who willing to appeared in Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Undergraduate Examination 2019 are informed that TIET UG and Postgraduate Time Table 2019 willing soon available on Official Website. All the students who will appear in TIET March 2019 Examination, they can access their TIET Undergraduate & Postgraduate Exam Time Table through bellow allocated official direct link.
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Admit cards 2019 Examinations for Undergraduate/ Postgraduate courses will begin shortly at the examination centres allotted by the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. The detailed Examination events/ exam dates/ Exam centre & Roll no shall be mentioned in the Exam Admit cards. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Summer 2019 Admit cards shall be anticipated through university website 2 weeks preceding to Exams.
The admit card for Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Examination 2019 is issued. The download process of admit card will be done in two-phase. Firstly, the admit card will be issued for those students who submitted their application form without the late fee. After that admit card will be issued for those students who submitted their application form against the late fee. The direct link will be made available here when the official body will start issuing admit card.
Applications will be invited by Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology from the capable Students for admission into different courses like UG, PG and PG Diploma courses for the academic session 2019. Interested and capable Students can apply as per given schedule. Students seeking admission to Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology for the academic year 2019 must fill the application form online as per given schedule. Applications will be available online. Fill the form completely as per given format and send the duly filled in application form along with necessary fee and necessary fee before the due date.


text:
Aralsjön (, "Aral-havet", från kazakiskans Арал теңізі/Aral tengisi - sjön med öarna) var en endorheisk saltsjö på Turanlåglandet i Centralasien. Den låg mellan Kazakstan i norr och Uzbekistan i söder. Den var tidigare den fjärde största insjön på jorden (68 000 kvadratkilometer år 1960). Den började krympa på 1960-talet och 1997 hade Aralsjön minskat till 10% av sin ursprungliga storlek och delades upp i fyra åtskilda sjöar. Med uttorkningen har salthalten under samma tid ökat från cirka 1,0 procent till över 10 procent.

I en pågående insats i Kazakstan för att rädda och fylla i Norra Aralsjön slutfördes ett dammprojekt år 2005; under 2008 hade vattennivån i Norra Aralsjön stigit med 12 meter jämfört med 2003. Salthalten har sjunkit och fisken återfinns igen i tillräckliga antal för att fisket ska vara livskraftigt. Det maximala djupet i Norra Aralsjön är 42 meter (från och med 2008).

Förre FN:s generalsekreterare Ban Ki-moon kallade krympningen av Aralsjön "en av planetens värsta miljökatastrofer". Regionens en gång så välmående fiskeindustri har ödelagts, vilket medfört arbetslöshet och ekonomiska svårigheter. Vattnet från den avledda floden Syr-Darja används för att bevattna cirka två miljoner hektar jordbruksmark i Ferganadalen. Aralsjöregionen är kraftigt förorenad, med åtföljande allvarliga folkhälsoproblem. UNESCO har lagt till historiska dokument om Aralsjön till sitt minne av världens register som en resurs för att studera miljötragedin.

Historia
Sjöns tillopp kommer från floderna Syr-Darja i nordost och Amu-Darja i sydväst. Aralsjön är endorheisk (har inga utflöden) och tillrinningen balanseras endast av avdunstning. Till följd av detta har sjöns nivå varierat avsevärt under tidernas gång. Under förhistorisk tid har nivån varit så hög att sjön haft utlopp i Kaspiska havet. Sedan 1800-talet har sjön tilldragit sig stort intresse och man har noga följt vattenståndet som uppvisar en kraftig årstidsvariation överlagrat på en sjunkande trend med avbrott för vissa återhämtningar.

Sjunkande vattennivåer
Fram till mitten av 1900-talet låg vattennivån ganska konstant. På 1960-talet började vattennivån att sjunka, under 60-talet med 20 cm per år, under 70-talet med 50–60 cm per år och under 80-talet med 80–90 cm per år, i takt med att mer och mer av tillflödenas vatten tagits i anspråk för konstbevattningsändamål. 1987 hade vattennivån sjunkit så mycket att sjön hade delats i två delar, den norra, Lilla Aralsjön och den södra, Stora Aralsjön. Sedan 1990-talet har vattennivån fortsatt sjunka, om än i något långsammare takt än tidigare.

Av Aralsjön återstod år 2007 endast fyra mindre, åtskilda sjöar: Lilla Aralsjön, Barsakelmes-sjön (en mindre saltsjö) och Stora Aralsjön som delats i två delar: den östra och västra delen. Dessa sjöar, har en sammanlagd yta som nu bara är bråkdelen av vad som ännu avbildas i relativt nyutgivna skolatlaser. Aralsjön hade nu till ytan minskat med 90 % (år 2007). År 2014 torkade den östra delen av Stora Aralsjön ut helt och istället bildades en saltöken, Aralkum.

På Google Maps syns tydligt att det södra tillflödet, Amu Darja-floden, idag är helt torrlagd i höjd med Aralsjöns forna södra strand.

I historisk tid har sjön varit både större och mindre än idag. Den djupt eroderade strömfåra som blottlades mellan södra sjöns två delar vittnar om detta. Vid åtminstone ett tidigare tillfälle har kanal- och bevattningsprojekt i de flacka länderna söder om Aralsjön varit anledning till uttorkning.

Ostrov Vozrozjdenija
Ostrov Vozrozjdenija är en halvö i sydvästra Aralsjön, som tidigare saknade landförbindelse. 1948 anlades ett laboratorium för biologiska vapen på ön, med tillhörande deponi. Öns största stad var Kantubek, med cirka 1 500 invånare, men Ostrov Vozrozjdenija har idag inga bofasta.

År 2002 fick Ostrov Vozrozjdenija landförbindelse och i samband med detta genomfördes en amerikansk rensningsexpedition till halvön, ledd av Brian Hayes från Pentagon. Projektet varade i tre månader och man hittade mellan 100 och 200 ton nedgrävda mjältbrandssporer.

Lösning

Föreslagna miljölösningar
Många olika lösningar på problemen har föreslagits under åren, varierande i genomförbarhet och kostnad, inklusive:

 Att förbättra kvaliteten på bevattningskanalerna
 Använda alternativa bomullsarter som kräver mindre vatten
 Främja ekonomisk utveckling utanför jordbruket i uppströmsländer
 Använda färre kemikalier på bomullen
 Odla andra grödor än bomull

I januari 1994 undertecknade Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tadzjikistan och Kirgizistan ett avtal om att utfästa 1% av sina budgetar för att hjälpa havet att återhämta sig.

Återställningsstrategier

Teknologi
Delvis finansierade av UNDP har implementeringar i Kazakstan, såsom laserutjämning och bevattningsoptimering med energieffektiv teknik, visat sig vara effektiv.

Norra Aralsjön restaureringsarbete
Arbete pågår för att delvis återställa norra Aralsjön. Bevattningsarbeten på Syr Darya har reparerats och förbättrats för att öka vattenflödet och i oktober 2003 tillkännagav den kazakiska regeringen en plan för att bygga Dike Kokaral, en betongdamm som skiljer de två halvorna av Aralsjön. Arbetet slutfördes i augusti 2005 och sedan dess har vattennivån i norra Aral stigit och dess salthalt minskat. Från 2006 har en viss återhämtning av havsnivån registrerats, snabbare än väntat. "Dammen har fått lilla Arals havsnivå att stiga snabbt till 38 m, från som lägst mindre än 30 m. En nivå på 42 m anses som livskraftig."

Den 15 juni 2021 meddelade Kazakstans centrala kommunikationstjänst att man planerar att plantera haloxylon på en miljon hektar av den dränerade botten av Aralsjön som en del av ansträngningarna att stoppa dammstormar i regionen. Andra insatser är att bygga ut havets vattenspegel.

Framtiden för södra Aralsjön
Södra Aralsjön, varav hälften ligger i Uzbekistan, övergavs åt sitt öde. Större delen av Uzbekistans del av Aralsjön är helt förminskad. Diskussioner har förts om att återskapa en kanal mellan den något förbättrade norra Aralsjön och den uttorkade södra Aralsjön, tillsammans med osäkra planer för återställande av våtmarker i hela regionen, men politisk vilja saknas.

Ekonomin runt sjön
1974 avgick den sista fiskebåten och 1982 upphörde det kommersiella fisket i Aralsjön helt. Då hade man redan grävt långa kanaler för att ens komma ut med fartygen. I Aralkum finns en skeppskyrkogård, där man kan beskåda de gamla fiskebåtarna. I fiskehamnstäderna, som Aral och Mo'ynoq blev arbetslösheten stor.

Bomullen, som odlas runt Amu-Darja och Syr-Darja, är en så kallad cash crop, det vill säga en viktig exportgröda som ger ett inflöde av utländsk valuta till länderna. Det är därför svårt att bryta denna odling, men olika försök görs för att minska vattenanvändningen. Olika projekt i Kirgizistan, stödda av DEZA, den schweiziska motsvarigheten till Sida, och delfinansierat av HIDOS, den nederländska motsvarigheten, syftar till att öka andelen ekologisk bomull i landet och regionen.

Vattnet från Amu-Darja och Syr-Darja används inte bara till bevattning, utan även till vattenkraft, framförallt i de övre delarna av loppen, det vill säga i Kirgizistan och Tadzjikistan.

Miljö- och hälsoproblem
Lenin och Bolsjevikregeringen bestämde år 1918 att Syr-Darja och Amu-Darja skulle användas till konstbevattning av odlingar för spannmål, meloner, bomull och ris. Genom dessa avledningar av tillflödet, särskilt för odlingarna av bomull och ris, har sjön krympt drastiskt. Sedan 1960 (då sjön var världens fjärde största) har ytan minskat med 90 procent, volymen med 85 procent och nivån har sjunkit med 19 meter.

I och med att Aralsjön är en saltsjö som saknar utlopp har den kraftiga minskningen av vattenmängd lett till att salthalten har ökat från 1 procent år 1960 till 9,2 procent år 2004. Den höga salthalten gjorde att nästan all fisk dog ut. Det kommersiella fisket minskade mellan 1960 och 1980 från 43430 ton till noll ton.

Antalet fiskarter i Aralsjön har historiskt varit lågt. Det fanns ett tjugotal arter, varav 10–12 stycken lämpade för fiske, vilket kan jämföras med närliggande Kaspiska havet med 130 olika arter. Under 1950- och 1960-talet inplanterades andra arter så att totala antalet uppgick till ca 30 arter. Under 1970-talet försvann alla ursprungliga sötvattensarter på grund av den ökade salthalten. I början av åttiotalet stoppades allt fiske helt. År 1990 återstod endast fem arter i Stora Aralsjön, sill (inplanterad från Östersjön), en plattfisk, prästfisk och två arter av smörbultsfiskar. Under 1990-talet försvann bägge smörbultsfiskarna och år 2001 fanns endast två arter kvar, prästfisk och flundra.

Ett samarbete mellan Danmark och Kazakstan har pågått sedan 1995 för att plantera in plattfisk från Kattegatt i den norra så kallade Lilla Aralsjön. Sjön är kraftigt förorenad av industriutsläpp och vapentester. Överskott av gödningsmedel från kringliggande jordbruk har också lett till stor övergödning.

Efter byggandet av Kokoral-dammen år 2005 har Lilla Aralsjön ökat i yta och volym. I och med detta har även salthalten i densamma sjunkit ner till 1,4 procent, inte långt från den nivå som var under början av 1900-talet. Detta har i sin tur lett till att sötvattensfiskar som gädda, abborre och karp, som under lång tid hade tagit tillflykt i Syr-Darja, har återkommit till sjön. År 2005 fiskades det upp 695 ton fisk, år 2008 hade fångsten ökat till 1500 ton och år 2014 ytterligare till 5595 ton fisk i Lilla Aralsjön. År 2016 hade fångsten ökat till  7106 ton och för år 2018 är fångstkvoten satt till 8200 ton fisk; detta var fortfarande långt under 60-talets fångstvolymer men ständigt ökande.

Aralsjöns tillbakagång påverkar även omkringliggande marker. När vattnet avdunstat ligger salt och lösa sediment kvar, som med vindens hjälp sprids över stora områden och gör marken mindre fruktsam. Varje hektar torrlagd sjöbotten avger cirka 1,5–6 ton saltdamm per år. Man har hittat vindburet salt från sjön ända borta i Vitryssland och Turkiet.

Människors hälsa
De stora mängderna salt, tungmetaller och rester av gödnings- och bekämpningsmedel som människorna runt Aralsjön får i sig via mat och dryck är dels ofta giftigt i sig och dels påverkar det immunförsvaret och gör människor känsligare för sjukdomar. 30 gånger fler fall av tyfoidfeber har rapporterats, barnadödligheten är en av världens högsta och sjukdomar som cancer, bronkit, artrit och njur- och leversjukdomar blir allt vanligare. Det finns städer där hälften av befolkningen helt enkelt gett sig av på grund av de höga gifthalterna och den allt sämre ekonomin. År 1997 hade 97 % av kvinnorna i Karakalpakstan anemi, vilket är fem gånger så många som i slutet av 1980-talet.. Orsaken är kraftigt förhöjda värden av mangan och zink i dricksvattnet.

Sjöar med liknande problem

 Tchadsjön
 Döda havet
 Salton Sea
 Sudd

Referenser

Externa länkar

Saltsjöar i Kazakstan
Saltsjöar i Uzbekistan
Aralsjöns avrinningsområde
Endorheiska sjöar

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia