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Bionic body parts: what's already here (eyes!) and what's coming soon
By Susannah Locke Nov 4, 2014, 3:10pm EST
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It may soon become commonplace to see people with robotic exoskeletons or bionic eyes.
Scientific research into bionic human parts has advanced impressively in recent years, driven by improvements in computer science, shrinking electronic components, and a growing understanding of the nervous system.
THE MILITARY WANTS TO MAKE HUMANS BIGGER, BETTER, STRONGER
Some of these devices are simply meant to help people regain normal functions — like eye implants that provide sight for the blind.
But other researchers, particularly those interested in military technology, are looking for ways to make humans bigger, better, and stronger.
Here's a look at five of the most intriguing areas of research into bionic humans:
1) Exoskeletons to help people walk
Claire Lomas, who is paralyzed and walks with a ReWalk suit, finishes the London Marathon in 2012, 16 days after it began. (Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images)
External skeletons are something that crustaceans and insects have naturally. And now researchers are working on exoskeletons for humans, too. Some devices are meant to enhance the strength of people who have been weakened from paralysis or old age. But the military is also looking at exoskeletons to make people stronger.
In June of 2014, the FDA approved the first exoskeleton for medical use: ReWalk. The system consists of motorized leg braces that someone tells to walk, stand up, or sit down using a remote control. The person also wears a backpack housing ReWalk's power supply and computer. The device is specifically approved for people with lower-body paralysis.
Other notable medical exoskeletons include the Ekso Bionics' Ekso, which is approved for use in physical therapy and rehab, and the HAL series by Japanese company Cyberdyne.
The military has also been a big player in this field. Ekso Bionics previously developed the hydraulic powered HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier), which Lockheed Martin is now developing for military and industrial uses. Lockheed's website describes the HULC as something that could help military personnel carry up to 200 pounds of heavy combat gear for extended periods of time without fatigue. And Raytheon also has a suit: the XOS.
Several other programs having also been developing strength suits for military use, including US Special Operations Command's TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit), which seeks "an advanced infantry uniform that promises to provide superhuman strength with greater ballistic protection," according to a US Army statement. And Darpa's Warrior Web program has the goal of a soft, pliable supersuit.
2) Bionic eyes that give sight to the blind
(Second Sight)
There are many researchers working on bionic eyes, but Second Sight's Argus II implant became the first FDA-approved bionic eye in 2013. And it actually does give sight to the blind — it's approved for people with retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that affects more than 2 million people around the world.
The Argus II involves a 60-electrode array that gets implanted in the eye in order to restore its function. A camera mounted on a pair of glasses records visual information about the world. This info then gets parsed by a small video-processing unit. Then this information gets wirelessly transferred to the electrode-array implant, which activates neurons in the back of the eye and sends messages to the brain.
So far, the resolution is limited, and it definitely doesn't bring people anywhere near 20/20 vision. But it provides enough grayscale resolution to let people see the outline of a doorway, the movement of a person or large object, or the lines on a crosswalk. Some have even been able to identify letters of the alphabet that are a few centimeters tall.
Second Sight is currently working to bring the technology to even more people. They announced in September that they'll be starting trials for blind patients with age-related macular degeneration, which affects 20 to 25 million people worldwide.
And if this seems totally nuts to you, keep in mind that bionic ears — cochlear implants — are already worn by some 300,000 people.
3) Robot limbs that can be controlled by the mind
A paralyzed woman told this robot arm to give her some coffee, just by thinking it. (BrainGate.org)
One of the most impressive pieces of bionics research has been the BrainGate project, which uses brain implants in people with paralysis to allow them to physically interact with the world.
The implant has 96 electrodes that read signals from the brain. And with intensive and long training, some patients have been able to use the system to do some impressive things.
In a study published in Nature in 2006, researchers showed that a patient could use the system to move a computer cursor, open simulated email, and operate a television. And in 2012, they followed up with another paper and showed that two people used the system to instruct a robot hand to pick things up. One patient who had the implant for five years was even able to use the robotic hand to drink coffee. The project still continues today, and researchers are currently recruiting for even more trials.
4) Prosthetic limbs that feel like part of your body
The i-Limb Ultra Revolution can be controlled with an iPhone. (Touch Bionics)
Prosthetic limbs have existed for some time — but now they're getting smarter.
For example, Touch Bionics' i-Limb Ultra, a prosthetic hand with motorized joints, can smartly shape itself to an object someone is trying to grasp or read muscle signals from the skin of someone's upper arm to take on a pre-programmed configuration.
More promising still, researchers are now working on experimental bionic limbs that can communicate more intuitively with people's bodies. This can involve sensors on the skin or even sensors implanted into the body, such as the IMES muscle sensors being used with experimental prosthetics on real people. "I still close what I think is my hand," James Sides told Popular Science. "I open my hand, and rotate it up and down; I close my fingers and the hand closes. It's exactly as if I still had a hand."
Another possibility is to interface with implants that attach directly to people's nerves and brains.
The next step beyond that is getting feedback from the limb back to the person so that people can feel these prosthetics. This research is still in early stages, but people have seen that having a feel for what's actually going on can improve dexterity.
5) Deep-brain stimulation to treat brain ailments
Illustration of an actual deep-brain stimulation device currently on the market. (Medtronic)
The brain sends signals using both chemicals and electricity. And for decades the main way to intervene and fix brain problems was through the chemical side — through drugs.
But recently that has begun to change. Some people now receive implants in their brains that give off electrical currents to simulate their brain cells. Think of it as a pacemaker for the brain.
This technique is called deep-brain stimulation. And it's already FDA-approved for treating Parkinson's disease and a movement disorder called dystonia. Medtronic's deep-brain stimulation system, for example, has been implanted in some 110,000 people. The technique has also been tested in people for psychiatric illnesses, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe depression.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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CEO's Letter: That Which Unites Us
In November, we held the 2021 People in Healthcare Summit in Houston and, once again, it was a very successful live event (see page 47 for our editorial coverage). We had more than 30 CHROs in attendance as well as a host of other senior-level executives from the talent acquisition and learning and development parts of internal HR. We also hosted a healthcare industry CHRO of the Year Award program—congratulations again to the winners.
At the summit, we closely examined the issues present in the healthcare industry. As humans and as executives, we often retreat to our provincial corners and say "our problems are unique" or "other industries' experience does not apply to our problems." I am here to tell that, for the most part, that is just not true.
Yes, every organization has different personalities in leadership, different executive visions, and a unique history. But, we have mostly the same problems. How do I keep my employees safe while trying to provide a productive environment and manage performance? How do I deal with labor shortages? How do I address diversity? How do I make sure our culture is inclusive to all so that everyone feels respected and appreciated? Specific nuances aside, we all have these problems.
For example, safety concerns always existed. During COVID, we have just challenged our ability to react to a crisis level threat of this magnitude and category. Actually, a large part of what I learned at the 2021 People in Healthcare Summit is how similar the solutions were across all industries. If you do not think the challenges faced in healthcare are the same as other industries, you would be wrong. And, that is a problem in HR and other management professions. We are too provincial at times.
The healthcare industry can learn a lot from the technology industry about being hard-nosed and competitive in the approach to talent acquisition. The technology industry can learn a lot about getting people to feel motivated by corporate mission from the life science industry. All corporations can learn a lot about empathetic work cultures from the nonprofit sector. But, like the herd pre-hominid primates who lived in caves, we tend to want to hang out with "our own."
I hope we begin to see other HR executives as "our own" not just by industry verticals. I recommend attending events that are not focused on industry or even going to conferences that are about unrelated industries so you can learn their best practices. How others approach issues and what the vendor community in those verticals can do may apply to your own organization. Cross-pollination of ideas and best practices is critical to new ideas and new innovation.
SharedXpertise Media, LLC, the parent company of HRO Today, has just completed a very successful year. We had a number of virtual events, but we were able to return to live events successfully with a lot of safety precautions! Our engagement with our digital media products and research set new records and we had significant growth with our CHRO affinity group, C-TEN. We hope our content and the networking opportunities we offered helped you do your jobs a bit better and contributed to your approach in a trying year.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers, partners, and members, and wish you a very Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2021 and we look forward to being an even better version of ourselves in 2022!
Editor's Note: Finding Solutions
HRO Today Association Update: A Year of Growth
Editor's Note: Looking to 2022
Tackling the Talent Shortage: A Two-Part Podcast Series | Presented by Korn Ferry
CEO's Letter: To Jab or Not to…Fire?


Austin Chamber Case Study | Screamer Co.
The Austin Chamber has been a true advocate for the city: building a stronger community, giving a voice to business leaders, and working diligently toward solving Austin's biggest challenges. If an issue is important to Austin and its citizens, the Chamber is involved in some capacity. This type of diverse activity provides multiple opportunities for Austin's business leaders to network, learn about technology, connect to talent/services, and grow their businesses. In addition, the Chamber's Economic Development team manages inbound leads from a multitude of companies wanting to relocate to Austin and take advantage of the city and state's pro-business culture.
While the Austin Chamber's diverse services and programs provided opportunities for business leaders, they had also created internal and external brand confusion. The brand was so fragmented that when members, business leaders, staff, the executive team, and the board were surveyed they all had different ideas of what the Chamber stood for.
Additionally, the Chamber had no system of qualifying inbound leads or prospecting for outbound ones. Leadership needed to focus resources on qualified leads and establish an effective outbound strategy.
To bring clarity to the Austin Chamber brand, we took their team through our JumpStart branding process to organize and narrow stakeholders' thoughts into a single, succinct message. This provided them with a brand strategy that resulted in clearer communication, a new positioning statement, and concise talking points for board members and staff. To help ensure consistency in the new message platform, Q&A flashcards were distributed to all staff and board members.
For the new economic development lead generation platform, we used best customer profiling methodologies to identify key characteristics of companies most likely to relocate to Austin. We also developed a program to score and rank inbound leads so the economic development team knew what companies to pursue and how to message them. These initiatives gave their team a leg-up on courting prospects to relocate to Austin.


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Announcements and Call for Papers
About Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering
search filter All ContentAll JournalsJ. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng.
Citation Year Citation Volume Citation Issue No Citation Page
Research-Article (77)
Ocean Engineering (54)
Research Papers (37)
Ocean Engineering (168)
Waves (101)
Flow (Dynamics) (31)
Seas (22)
Fluids (19)
Computer simulation (18)
Pressure (18)
Focused Plunging Breaking Waves Impact on Pile Group in Finite Water Depth
Ting Cui, Arun Kamath, Weizhi Wang, Lihao Yuan, Duanfeng Han, Hans Bihs
Journal: Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering
Article Type: Research Papers
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. June 2022, 144(3): 031202.
Paper No: OMAE-21-1101
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4053126
Published Online: December 27, 2021
Accuracy estimation of wave loading on cylinders in a pile group under different impact scenarios is essential for both the structural safety and cost of coastal and offshore structures. Differing from the interaction of waves with a single cylinder, less attention has been paid to pile groups under different arrangements. Numerical simulations of interactions between plunging breaking waves and pile group in finite water depth are performed using the two-phase flow model in REEF3D, an open-source computational fluid dynamics program to investigate the wave loads and flow kinematics characteristics. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation with the two equation k − ω turbulence model is adopted to resolve the numerical wave tank. The model is validated by comparing the numerical wave forces and free surface elevation with measurements from experiments. The computational results show fairly good agreement with experimental data. Four cases are simulated with different relative distances, numbers of cylinders, and arrangements. Results show that the wave forces on cylinders in the pile group are effected by the relative distance between cylinders. The staggered arrangement has a significant influence on the wave forces on the first and second cylinder. The interaction inside a pile group mostly happens between the neighboring cylinders. These interactions are also effected by the relative distance and the numbers of the neighboring cylinders.
Topics: Cylinders, Waves, Wave forces, Water
Forecasting Current Velocity and Profile in a Strait Water Using Warped Gaussian Process
Kai Wei, Xiang Liao, Shunquan Qin
Ocean current forecast is vital for developing tidal energy and construction of offshore structures in the strait waters. This paper developed a short-term ocean current forecasting approach, which consists of the measured data preprocessing, kernel function selection, and data forecasting using the warped Gaussian process (WGP). A preprocessing using the wavelet thresholding method was proposed to enhance the quality of the measured raw data. The theory of WGP and the commonly used kernel functions were briefly introduced. The sliding time window and one-step ahead strategies were employed to increase the accuracy of predictions. Observations collected during an ocean current measurement campaign executed in a strait water on the coast of the East China Sea were used as an example data set. The current velocity and profile were forecasted and validated using the example data set as an illustration of the framework of the developed approach. The effects of window length, kernel function, and time interval on the WGP forecasting efficiency and precision were investigated. The forecasting performance of the developed WGP model was discussed by comparing it with the standard Gaussian process prediction (GP) model. The current profile with a 95% confidence interval was also predicted by the developed WGP model at a certain point. The validation shows that the developed model is efficient in the short-term ocean current forecast.
Topics: Ocean currents, Water
Wave Elevation for an Array of Columns Under Wave–Current Interactions
Gao Song, Teng Bin
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. April 2022, 144(2): 021201.
Published Online: November 12, 2021
A wave and current diffraction model is developed based on the potential flow theory and a high-order boundary element method with the successful treatment of singular and nearly singular integrals. The wave–current diffraction from four mounted cylindrical columns are computed, and the free surface wave elevations among the columns are investigated. The influences of the current speed, wave direction, and column spacing on the wave elevation are examined. Ultimately, the presence of a current has a significant influence on the magnitude, spatial location, and occurrence frequency of the maximum wave elevation.
Topics: Waves
Shape Effect of Polymetallic Nodules on Suction Forces and Flow Field During Seabed Hydraulic Collection
Guocheng Zhao, Haining Lu, Longfei Xiao, Jingchao Hu
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. February 2022, 144(1): 011204.
Published Online: September 15, 2021
Turbulent suction pipe flow around a near-wall ellipsoid nodule, as basic research of polymetallic nodule hydraulic collection, is investigated numerically and experimentally in this paper. Seven ellipsoids with axe ratios (a/b) ranging from 1 to 2 are considered as nodule models to reveal the shape effect on the characteristics of suction forces and suction flow field. Methods of particle image velocimetry (PIV) and dye tracing were used to visualize the suction flow field. The results indicate that (1) the suction force coefficient increases with a/b and its growth rate decreases with the ratio of bottom clearance to semi-thickness of the ellipsoid (h/c); (2) the weak vortex shedding in suction flow results in small-amplitude fluctuations of time-history suction forces; and (3) the detached eddy simulation (DES) method based on shear stress transport (SST) model is validated to be accurate and feasible for predicting the suction forces and suction flow field. It is expected to provide references for the design of nodule pick-up devices and to help us further understand the mechanism of hydraulic collection.
Topics: Flow (Dynamics), Suction
Energy Content Characterization of Water Waves Using Linear and Nonlinear Spectral Analysis
Ali Mohtat, Solomon C. Yim, Alfred R. Osborne
The survivability, safe operation, and design of marine vehicles and wave energy converters are highly dependent on accurate characterization and estimation of the energy content of the ocean wave field. In this study, analytical solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLS) using periodic inverse scattering transformation (IST) and its associated Riemann spectrum are used to obtain the nonlinear wave modes (eigen functions of the nonlinear equation consisting of multiple phase-locked harmonic components). These nonlinear wave modes are used in two approaches to develop a more accurate definition of the energy content. First, in an ad hoc approach, the amplitudes of the nonlinear wave modes are used with a linear energy calculation resulting in a semi-linear energy estimate. Next, a novel, mathematically exact definition of the energy content taking into account the nonlinear effects up to fifth order is introduced in combination with the nonlinear wave modes, the exact energy content of the wave field is computed. Experimental results and numerical simulations were used to compute and analyze the linear, ad hoc, and exact energy contents of the wave field, using both linear and nonlinear spectra. The ratio of the ad hoc and exact energy estimates to the linear energy content was computed to examine the effect of nonlinearity on the energy content. In general, an increasing energy ratio was observed for increasing nonlinearity of the wave field, with larger contributions from higher-order harmonic terms. It was confirmed that the significant increase in nonlinear energy content with respect to its linear counterpart is due to the increase in the number of nonlinear phase-locked (bound wave) modes. 2
Topics: Waves, Nonlinear waves, Computation, Electromagnetic scattering, Radiation scattering, Scattering (Physics)
A Wave Prediction Framework Based on Machine Learning and the Third Generation Wave Model
Shuai Liu, Xinshu Zhang
Published Online: July 16, 2021
To predict the evolution of wave spectrum in the real ocean, a machine learning framework is developed by training a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network on a physics-based third-generation wave model (Simulating WAve Nearshore (SWAN)). Considering the realistic ocean waves are usually mixtures of windsea and swells, the wave spectrum is partitioned using a watershed algorithm, such that the windsea and swells are analyzed and predicted separately. Four parameters are selected to capture the wave spectrum of each system, including the significant wave height H s , peaked wave period T p , mean propagation direction θ m , and directional spreading width σ θ . The results demonstrate that the LSTM neural network can achieve accurate prediction of wave condition, the mean absolute error percentage (MAEPs) of 1-h prediction is less than 5.9%, 3.3%, 3.5%, and 3.3% for H s , T p , θ m , and σ θ , respectively, and accurate prediction of wave spectra is achieved. Even for the 10-h prediction, satisfactory results are obtained, e.g., the MAEP of H s is less than 15.5%. The effects of output size (i.e., prediction duration), input data size (i.e., number of delays), as well as different combinations of input features on predictions of wave conditions are examined.
Topics: Waves, Machine learning, Significant wave heights, Simulation
Scattering of Flexural Gravity Waves by a Pair of Submerged Vertical Porous Barriers Located Above a Porous Sea-Bed
Ayan Chanda, Swaroop Nandan Bora
Published Online: July 1, 2021
An analytical study is presented here to investigate the scattering of oblique flexural gravity waves by a pair of totally submerged vertically placed porous barriers, located at some distance from each other, for a homogenous fluid flowing over a porous sea-bed. A thin ice-sheet, replacing the usual free surface, is considered as the upper surface where it is treated as a thin elastic plate by following Euler–Bernoulli beam equation. The complete analytical solution, under the assumption of small-amplitude theory and structural response, is acquired by employing eigenfunction expansion and least square method for the problem of flexural gravity waves interacting with the submerged porous barriers. Subsequently, computation for the reflection and transmission coefficients, energy loss and wave forces are carried out and discussed for different parameter values corresponding to the ice-sheet, porous sea-bed, and porous barriers. This study establishes that the oscillatory behavior exhibited by the reflection of the waves. It further shows that when the inertial effect of the porous-effect parameter of the barriers is increased, the minima in wave reflection occur. The vertical porous barriers are found to dissipate a significant portion of the wave energy when an increase in the inertial effect of the porous barriers is affected. The hydrodynamic force on the barriers also follows an oscillatory pattern, and it increases when the length of the barrier is increased. Furthermore, wave transmission decreases significantly due to the energy dissipation by the porous sea-bed. It is demonstrated that corresponding to various structural parameters, almost no reflection and full transmission take place for an impermeable sea-bed and also when only real porosity parameter of the porous sea-bed is considered. The effect of the ice-sheet on the propagation of the flexural waves is also examined by obtaining a number of results for variation of various parameters. Variation in the elastic parameter of the floating ice-sheet is observed to command a considerable influence when the wave impinges upon the submerged vertical porous barriers.
Topics: Energy dissipation, Gravity (Force), Ice, Porosity, Reflectance, Scattering (Physics), Seabed, Waves, Reflection, Fluids
Relation Between Cyclone Evolution and Fetch Associated With Extreme Wave Events in the South Atlantic Ocean
C. B. Gramcianinov, R. M. Campos, R. de Camargo, C. Guedes Soares
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. December 2021, 143(6): 061202.
Published Online: May 25, 2021
The goal of this work is to investigate the fetch patterns and configurations associated with extratropical cyclones that promote extreme wave events in the western portion of the South Atlantic Ocean. Cyclones are identified and tracked using an objective algorithm and linked to winter extreme Hs events in 10 years of ERA5. The results show the occurrence of 10.7 ± 3.2 winter storms associated with extreme waves within the domain. The cyclone size and intensity show that extreme waves occurring within the domain are mainly related to the intensification stage of the cyclones in the region. There is no relevant difference between mean wind and wave direction during the event, being the SW/W directions dominant. The analysis of the fetch evolution during the lifecycle of the cyclones associated with the most extreme events showed that the surface winds present their maximum usually 10 h–24 h before the maximum Hs. Although large fetches develop along the continental shelf, usually within the cold sector of the cyclone, the Hs max are located northwestward from the cyclone's center, in the downwind end of the fetch. At the end of the event, the extreme region detaches from the cyclone fetch while still propagating northeastward. At this stage, the swell waves are dominant, with a large peak period and wave age.
Topics: Waves, South Atlantic Ocean
Marine Climate Projections Toward the End of the Twenty-First Century in the North Atlantic
M. Bernardino, M. Gonçalves, C. Guedes Soares
Published Online: April 19, 2021
An improved understanding of the present and future marine climatology is necessary for numerous activities, such as the operation of offshore structures, optimization of ship routes, and evaluation of wave energy resources. To produce global wave information, the WAVEWATCH III wave model was forced with wind and ice-cover data from an RCP8.5 EC-Earth system integration for two 30-year time slices. The first covering the periods from 1980 to 2009 represents the present climate, and the second, covering the periods from 2070 to 2099, represents the climate at the end of the twenty-first century. Descriptive empirical statistics of wind and wave parameters are obtained for different 30-year time slices, for the North Atlantic Ocean. Regarding wind, magnitude and direction will be used. For wave, significant wave height of the total sea, mean wave period, peak period, mean wave direction, and energy will be investigated. Changes from present to future climate are evaluated, regarding both mean and extreme events. Maps of these empirical statistics are presented. The long-term monthly joint distribution of significant wave heights and peak periods is generated. Changes from present to future climate are assessed, comparing the empirical statistics between time slices.
Topics: Climate, North Atlantic Ocean, Waves, Wind, Wave energy, Simulation, Statistics
On the Accuracy of an Analytical Solution to Model Wave-Induced Loads on an Underwater Vehicle in Real-Time
Joseph T. Klamo, Travis M. Turner, Colin Y. Cool, Kathryn I. Yeager, Young W. Kwon
Published Online: March 16, 2021
The accuracy of an existing analytical solution for modeling the linear, first-order wave-induced loads on a fully submerged body is investigated. The accuracy is assessed for the situation where the underlying theoretical assumptions are met, and the sensitivity of the accuracy to these assumptions is also explored. The accuracy was quantified by comparing the analytical solutions to experimental measurements from a tow tank with wave generation capability. The assessment showed that when all the assumptions are met, the heave and surge forces are predicted quite accurately but the pitch moment is overpredicted. The results also showed that the deeply submerged assumption is met as long as the body does not cause a disruption of the passing wave on the free surface. The slenderness and end face curvature assumptions are also quite relaxed and the curvature assumption only affects the pitch moment accuracy. The most stringent assumption appears to be the body-of-revolution assumption which can cause all three loads to be predicted poorly. The analytical solution appears to be accurate over a large parameter space and could be incorporated as a wave disturbance model into a virtual environment used to develop control and autonomy of unmanned underwater vehicles.
Topics: Geometry, Stress, Surges, Wavelength, Waves
Anisotropy of Reynolds Stress Tensor in Combined Wave–Current Flow
Santosh Kumar Singh, Pankaj Kumar Raushan, Pankaj Kumar, Koustuv Debnath
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. October 2021, 143(5): 051202.
This study examines the turbulent stress anisotropy tensor based on the Lumley triangle technique and eigenvalues in wave–current combined flows. The invariant functions are also presented at a different vertical location from the bed to comprehend the level of anisotropy in the combined flow. The spectral variation of the ratio of momentum flux to the turbulent kinetic energy is examined and discussed in comparison to the canonical value. The combined wave–current data display spectral variation considerably smaller than the canonical value (≈ 0.3) through the spectral frequencies domain. To characterize the behaviors of eddies in the wave–current turbulent flow, the Taylor and Kolmogorov length and time scales were analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, to enumerate the degree of organization of complex eddy motions in the combined flow, the normalized Shannon entropy is also evaluated using a discrete probability distribution.
Topics: Anisotropy, Flow (Dynamics), Turbulence, Waves, Entropy, Stress tensors, Kinetic energy
A Numerical Study on the Evolution of Random Seas With the Occurrence of Rogue Waves
Zhuowei Zhou, Ningchuan Zhang, Guoxing Huang
Numerous numerical and experimental investigations show that rogue waves present much larger probabilities of occurrence than predicted by the linear random wave model, i.e., Gaussian distributed waves. The deviation from normal statistical events excites a continuous concern about rogue wave research. In this study, rogue waves under long-crested and narrow-banded wave trains are checked using the high-order spectral (HOS)-NST model. The JONSWAP wave spectra with random phases are selected as the initial state of the incoming wave trains. Different values of spectral parameters are chosen to reproduce different random sea states with different Benjamin–Feir index (BFI). Numerical results are compared with the classical experimental study and show good agreements. Statistical properties of rogue waves are recounted again within the analysis of exceedance distribution function (EDF) of wave heights and wave crests. Spectral changes are examined, and the monotonic increases with BFI are stressed. However, no bifurcations are observed for BFI near 1. For large BFI, quasi-resonance interactions dominate the wave nonlinearities, and the resulted dynamic excess kurtosis involves initially monotonic enhancement along with space, peaking at around 20–30 wavelengths, but stays at stably high-level values. The quasi-steady-state of dynamic excess kurtosis after full interaction of wave nonlinearities in time and space demonstrates a continuous emergence of rogue waves much more frequent than normality. The changes of excess kurtosis along x are complicated where BFI near 1 and the occurrence of rogue waves might be enhanced even for BFI slightly inferior to 1.
Topics: Waves, Spectra (Spectroscopy), Resonance, Seas
Parametric Wave Spectrum Model for Typhoon-Generated Waves Based on Field Measurements in Nearshore Strait Water
Kai Wei, Hasan Imani, Shunquan Qin
Published Online: February 12, 2021
The stochastic waves generated by storm landfalls usually determine the design and safety of coastal and offshore structures in typhoon regions. This study developed a parametric wave spectrum model for typhoon-generated stochastic waves that considers the variation in the wave spectrum due to the temporal variation in the typhoon. A field measurement campaign was conducted in nearshore strait water on the east coast of China to measure the wave data for two landfall typhoons: Soudelor and Dujuan. The measured wave data were filtered through a preprocessing framework. The parametric wave spectrum model was then developed based on the measured wave spectra for different stages of the typhoon. The main conclusions include the following: (1) 78% of the measured wave spectra at the example site under a typhoon are double-peaked, and approximately 15% are single-peaked; (2) the parametric model with either the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) or Ochi-Hubble (OH) kernel function is effective in defining the typhoon-generated wave spectra; and (3) the critical parameters of the developed model for typhoon-generated waves are site-specific and depend on the temporal variation of the typhoon.
Topics: Waves, Water
Relation Between Atmospheric Circulation Patterns in the North Atlantic and the Sea States in the Iberian Peninsula
Cláudia Lucas, Mariana Bernardino, C. Guedes Soares
Published Online: February 8, 2021
A statistical analysis of significant wave height (H s ) in a location offshore Portugal continental coast, Leixões, is performed. The spectral and parametric information of sea states at this point used in this analysis was obtained from a 21-year hindcast simulation using the spectral wave model simulating wave nearshore (SWAN) forced by wind fields produced by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model forced by the ERA-Interim reanalysis. The modeling of the climatic variability of directional spectra provides information of the shape of the expected directional spectra in the various sea states at these locations, i.e., how the spectral parameters and their probability of occurrence change in the regions studied. The occurrences of spectral classes are estimated, and for each class, the variability of the spectral parameters is described by means of joint distributions. The classification of the different sea states provides important information about the wave conditions present in the target areas. A relation between the sea states and the Lamb weather types (WTs) as well as a methodology for classifying atmospheric circulation patterns is presented in this study. The results of this study provide a description of the wave climate through demonstration of the interaction between sea states and weather patterns and relating different circulation patterns to different sea states. This study provides useful information on the wave conditions that can be utilized in the design of ocean engineering structures as well as in the assessment of the operability and safety of shipping and renewable energy devices.
Topics: Seas, Spectra (Spectroscopy), Waves, Statistical analysis, North Atlantic Ocean, Shapes, Significant wave heights, Modeling
Analytical Solution for Froude–Krylov Force of Triangulated Geometry in Linear Waves
Rex Kuan-Shuo Liu, Tsung-Yueh Lin
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. August 2021, 143(4): 041204.
Published Online: January 12, 2021
For wave exciting load on offshore structures, Froude–Kyrlov (FK) force is easier to evaluate than diffracting force. But current nonlinear FK models suffer low computational speed. Conventionally, FK force is calculated by performing Gaussian quadrature (GQ) on each surface mesh, and the choice of the mesh size is important in order to resolve wave characteristics both in the propagation and depth directions. Therefore, either by limiting the size of a surface mesh under one-tenth of the wavelength or increasing the order of GQ, numerical errors can be minimized. For the purpose of relieving the above restriction, the analytical integration of the dynamic pressure field in the time domain over a triangular mesh is derived to avoid the mesh-dependent errors and to improve computational efficiency. It will be shown that the solution of integration obtained in time domain can be cast in the frequency domain under linearized free surface conditions. Validation includes the analytical solution to a cuboid at head sea and numerical solutions to a catamaran by commercial software. The results show excellent agreement for general wave conditions and prominence at very high-frequency range. In terms of computational efficiency, we compared the execution time against GQ with different orders and showed the analytical method is significantly faster. The limitation of this method is in very long waves or for degenerated panels, which are specifically addressed by line integration.
Topics: Pressure, Seas, Waves, Geometry, Wavelength, Errors
Motion Planning, Guidance, and Control System for Autonomous Surface Vessel
M. A. Hinostroza, Haitong Xu, C. Guedes Soares
This paper presents a motion planning, guidance, and control system for an autonomous surface vessel in a practical maritime environment. The motion planning algorithm is based on the angle-guidance fast-marching square method (AFMS), and the guidance system is based on the line-of-sight (LOS) trajectory tracking algorithm. To validate the motion planning algorithm, numerical simulations were carried out to compute the optimal path in a static environment including various obstacles. The guidance and control system were tested with an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) tracking a pre-established trajectory including static obstacles. The autonomous surface vehicle is a self-propelled scaled ship model of 2.5 m equipped with sensors and actuators, inertial measurement unit (IMU), global positioning system (GPS), propulsion direct current (DC) motors, and wireless communication. From the experiments and numerical simulations, a good agreement was found.
Topics: Algorithms, Computer simulation, Control systems, Path planning, Ships, Trajectories (Physics), Unmanned surface vehicles, Simulation, Sensors, Actuators
A Detailed Description of Flow-Deck Interaction in Consecutive Green Water Events
Jassiel V. Hernández-Fontes, Edgar Mendoza, Irving D. Hernández, Rodolfo Silva
This paper gives a detailed description of the main hydrodynamic characteristics of different types of green water events occurring on a fixed structure in a series of experiments. High-speed video, at 250 fps, was used to capture the flow details from regular waves produced inside a wave flume. The green water events were classified according to their type and the results of the evaluation from the apparent and effective interaction features. The air cavities in the plunging-dam-break (PDB)-type events were almost spherical for longer waves. PDB with large, elliptical cavities, and hammer-fist (HF)-type events occurred with steeper waves. The highest wave front and bow run-up velocities were found in PDB and HF events, respectively. The size of the cavities in PDB events increases and becomes more elliptical for higher bow run-up velocities. The results of these experiments show that not all events can be treated in the same way as the dam-break (DB)-type events when designing structures or implementing models, as not all interactions with the deck happen when the shipping water crosses the bow edge.
Topics: Water, Waves
A Theoretical Model for Ship–Wave Impact Generated Sea Spray
Shafiul Mintu, David Molyneux, Bruce Colbourne
Spray generated by ships traveling in cold oceans often leads to topside icing, which can be dangerous to vessels. Estimation of the spray flux is a first step in predicting icing accumulation. The amount of spray water, the duration of exposure to the spray, and the frequency at which the spray is generated are all important parameters in estimating the spray flux. Most existing spray flux formulae are based on field observations from small fishing vessels. They consider meteorological and oceanographic parameters but neglect the vessel behavior. Ship heave and pitch motions, together with ship speed, determine the frequency of spray events. Thus, the existing formulae are not generally applicable to different sizes and types of vessels. This paper develops simple methods to quantify spray properties in terms that can be applied to vessels of any size or type. Formulae to estimate water content and spray duration are derived based on principles of energy conservation and dimensional analysis. To estimate spray frequency considering ship motions, a theoretical model is proposed. The model inputs are restricted to ship's principal particulars, operating conditions, and environmental conditions. Wave-induced motions are estimated using semi-empirical analytical expressions. A novel spray threshold is developed to separate deck wetness frequency from spray frequency. Spray flux estimates are validated against full-scale field measurements available in the open literature with reasonable agreement.
Topics: Ships, Sprays, Waves, Water, Vessels
A Hybrid Method for Predicting Ship Maneuverability in Regular Waves
Tianlong Mei, Yi Liu, Manasés Tello Ruiz, Evert Lataire, Marc Vantorre, Changyuan Chen, Zaojian Zou
Traditionally, ship maneuvering is analyzed under calm water condition. In a more realistic scenario, such as a ship sailing in waves, the importance of taking the wave effects into account should be stressed. In this context, this paper proposes a hybrid method for predicting ship maneuverability in regular waves by combining a potential flow theory based panel method and a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-based computational fluid dynamics method. The mean wave drift forces are evaluated by applying a three-dimensional time-domain higher-order Rankine panel method, which takes the effects of ship's forward speed and lateral speed into consideration. The hull-related hydrodynamic derivatives in the equations of ship maneuvering motion are determined by using a RANS solver based on the double-body model. Then, the two-time scale method is applied to predict ship maneuvering in regular waves by integrating the seakeeping model in a three degrees-of-freedom MMG model for ship maneuvering motion. The numerical results of a laterally drifting S175 container ship, including the wave-induced motions, wave drift forces, and turning trajectories in regular waves, are presented and compared with the available experimental data in literature. The results show that the proposed hybrid method can be used for qualitatively predicting ship maneuvering behavior in regular waves.
Topics: Ships, Waves, Hull
Identifying Higher-Order Interactions in Wave Time-Series
Kevin Ewans, Marios Christou, Suzana Ilic, Philip Jonathan
Reliable design and reanalysis of coastal and offshore structures require, among other things, characterization of extreme crest elevation corresponding to long return periods. Extreme crests typically correspond to focused wave events enhanced by wave–wave interactions of different orders—third-order, four-wave interactions dominating in deep water (Janssen, P. A. E. M., 2003, "Nonlinear Four-Wave Interactions and Freak Waves," J. Phys. Oceanogr., 33(4), pp. 863–884). Higher-order spectral (HOS) analysis can be used to identify wave–wave interactions in time-series of water surface elevation; trispectral analysis is needed to detect third-order, four-wave interactions. Four-wave interactions between Fourier components can involve interactions of the type where f 1 + f 2 + f 3 = f 4 and where f 1 + f 2 = f 3 + f 4 , resulting in two definitions of the trispectrum—the T- and V-trispectrum (with corresponding tricoherences), respectively. It is shown that the T-tricoherence is capable of detecting phase-locked four-wave interactions of the type f 4 = f 1 + f 2 + f 3 when these are simulated with simple sinusoids, but such interactions were not detected in HOS model simulations and field data. It is also found that high V-tricoherence levels are detected at frequencies at which four-wave interactions of the type f 1 + f 2 = f 3 + f 4 are expected, but these may simply indicate combinations of independent pairs of Fourier components that happen to satisfy the frequency relationship. Preliminary analysis shows that using a cumulant-based trispectrum (Kravtchenko-Berejnoi, V., Lefeuvre, F., Krasnosel'skikh, V. V., and Lagoutte, D., 1995, "On the Use of Tricoherent Analysis to Detect Nonlinear Wave–Wave Interactions," Signal Process., 42(3), pp. 291–309) may improve identification of wave–wave interactions. These results highlight that caution needs to be exercised in interpreting trispectra in terms of specific four-wave interactions occurring in sea states and further research is needed to establish whether this is in fact possible in practice.
Topics: Signals, Time series, Waves
Rights and Permission


text:
Effect of the Coalition Victory On NFP Salary Packaging
While the Coalition's election victory has removed Labor's proposed changes to the statutory formula for FBT car leasing arrangements there are some new Fringe Benefit Tax changes that Public Benefit Institution (PBI) employees need to be up to speed on, according to NSW-based salary packaging expert Bob Millikin.
Staff Reporter | 12 September 2013 at 10:09 am
There are a number of pending Fringe Benefit Tax and other tax changes that will affect employees in the Not for Profit sector from 2014.
As the Medicare Levy is rising from 1.5 per cent to 2.0 per cent from July 1, 2014, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has announced the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) will also rise from 46.5 per cent to 47.0 per cent from April 1, 2014.
This FBT rate increase will result in a drop in the FBT exempt "packageable" amounts in the $30,000 grossed-up FBT amount, due to the gross-up factors being increased. The "grossed-up value" of the benefit is the amount that an employee would have received in their gross salary (taxed at the highest marginal rate of income tax plus medicare levy) in order to pay for the individual benefit after tax dollars.
Whilst these higher gross-up amounts have not yet been released by the ATO, by using the ATO calculation formulae, the formulae changes should be:
Type one FBT, where the employer claims a GST credit, for example Novated car leases, 2.0647 increased to 2.0802.
Type two FBT, where the employer has no GST claim, for example a mortgage payment reimbursement, or associate car lease 1.8692 increased to 1.8868.
The annual pre grossed-up amounts reduce from $14,529.96 down to $14,421.69 for type one items.
The annual pre grossed-up amounts reduce from $16,049.65 down to $15,899.94 for type two items.
Whilst the FBT exempt packageable amounts will reduce, so will the after tax salary sacrifice cost, due to the higher Medicare Levy saving and the pre-tax salary sacrifices.
Not for Profits need to be considering whether a novated lease or a an associate lease works better in their salary packaging considerations.
An associated lease is structured where the employee's spouse or partner (the associate) leases a car to the employer and uses the lease rentals received from the employees salary sacrifice to part out the car loan (if any).
The car running costs are also salary sacrificed.
The associate leased car can already exist no matter how old the car is or it can be a replacement vehicle.
The car can be owned at the end of the associate lease contract, but in any event, there is no requirement for car finance at all as the car be purchased for cash.
A novated lease allows the lessor to claim the car GST and the running costs are salary sacrificed net of GST.
The outgoing cash flow is thus minimised. The novated lease structure is the only option where the employee does not have a spouse or partner.
The novated lease structure has a residual value to be paid at the lease's expiry. For example at the end of a 36-month lease on a $30,000 car the amount payable is $14,064 including GST.
Both novated leases and associate leases are very concessionally treated for Fringe Benefits Tax.
A $30,000 value, non-business use car with a $14,000 lease and running costs per year has the FBT assessment on 20 per cent of the $30,000 car value and is $6000 and not $14,000.
Employees need to obtain advice as to whether a novated lease or an associate lease will provide the best salary sacrifice outcome.
About the author: Bob Millikin is an Orange based salary package expert, and is the owner of Salary Packaging Gurus. His website can be found at www.salarypackaginggurus.com.au
Tags : Abbott, Analysis, analysis article, Bob Millikin, Coalition Government, Federal Government, Fringe Benefit Tax, Labor, not-for-profit, public benefit institution, tax benefits for not for profits,
Anonymous* says:
Hello, My wife and I are shareholder and director respectively of a family company of 8 members. As part of our contract with the local shire council, we have to live on site to conduct business as maintenance contractors / accommodation providers. Are we, as a company, liable for the payment of fringe benefits tax on the residence, provided by the council. Also, does a portion of or whole of the power, water etc paid for by our company, as part of our contractual agreement with the local council, attract fringe benefits tax for the part used by us as contractors living 'on-site'. Thank you for your help, Best Regards


It's been a hot minute since we've done any Star Wars Black Series Galleries but today we are getting back in the mix with a look at the first Deluxe figure – General Grievous. The Deluxe line are a size above normal, requiring a different price point and allowing some new larger characters to be done (I'm looking at you Zeb). This is also a "Fan Channel" exclusive, meaning he won't be popping up in Target or Wal-Mart for now. D1 Grievous comes with 4 lightsabers, 2 blue and 2 green, a cape with pouches for the saber hilts, and » Continue Reading.
The post Star Wars Black Series Deluxe General Grievous Gallery appeared first on The Toyark – News.
Exclusive Marvel Select Figures Restock & Clearance Sale!


I always try to be flexible and accommodating but sometimes it is necessary to protect myself, for this reason please read and accept my Terms & Conditions to make sure there are no misunderstandings and the production can run smoothly.
This preferential rate does not include kit hire but is contingent on my kit being hired along with me. Shooting kit is an additional £250-£450 depending on what's required (see kit list). Should you wish to hire me without kit then please ask me for a 'filming only' quote.
Between midnight and 3am there is an additional attendance supplement of £25 per hour or part thereof.
After 3am there is an additional attendance supplement of £75 per hour or part thereof.
Up to 2 hours travel time is included (up to 1 hour travel each way), beyond this travel time is charged at £25 an hour or part thereof (up to 4 additional hours). Beyond 4 additional hours, travel time will be charged as a travel day. Fuel expenses are £0.50 a mile (where applicable). Travel times are based on actual travel times (not clear road estimates).
Travel days are £200 per day (based on up to 8 hours total travel time). For more details about when travel days are required please see below. Where accommodation is required this must strictly be one room per person (no shared rooms or shared accommodation). Expenses are at cost and per diems apply when filming away (£30 per day).
Attendance beyond 16 hours, or after midnight must be by prior agreement.
Payment Terms are 14 days.
Insurance/DBS – I have £10million public liability cover. I have an up to date DBS certificate.
Enquiries/Pencils/Bookings – When enquiring about my availability I do request that you provide some basic information about what the job would entail – where it is, rough times, and a rough idea of kit required (eg 4K, multiple cameras, gimbal etc). This is so I can indicate my suitability, availability, whether an assistant would be required, whether travel days would be required, and ensure it wouldn't pose a risk to me or my kit.
I welcome all enquiries and am happy to indicate my availability for any dates, as it stands at the time of the enquiry (and indicate if we have other enquiries for the same date). Upon request I can put pencils in my diary to indicate an enquiry, however I do not consider pencils to be reservations or obligations under any circumstances. Where I do pencil a date I will do my best to keep you informed if my availability changes. Where I have multiple enquiries about the same date, and more than one client wishes to book the same date, it is usually a case of whoever books first (not who enquired first), though I reserve the right to give preference to enquiries based on other factors such as the length of the job, where the job is, suitability etc. Dates will only be held once confirmed booked.
Deposits are required for new clients and non UK-based clients prior to filming.
Expenses – Expenses incurred during the period of my employment (including travelling to and from work) will be passed on to the client, these include but are not limited to taxis, transfers, flight tickets, subsistence, parking, road tolls, congestions charges, central London Tcharges, ULEZ charges (applicable 24 hours a day/7 days a week) and fuel (charged at £0.50 per mile). Where there are high expenses incurred on a job these may be billed separately after the job and are required to be paid immediately.
Equipment Hire – As per BECTU terms and conditions 'equipment hire fees must, at least, reflect the cost of ownership, maintenance, transport and depreciation of equipment, and should be agreed separately from hourly rates'. My shooting kit packages range from £250 to £450 per day depending on what's required. I can offer a wide range of kit packages and quote upon request, but where only general kit guidance has been given I will choose a package that I feel best suits the brief and charge accordingly. Alternatively you can build your own kit package, but this must be agreed in advance by me. Kit hire rates are per day.
Equipment Security – My first priority when bringing my own kit is ensuring this kit is safe and secure, no filming or setup will take place until I am satisfied my kit is safe and secure. My kit is worth tens of thousands of pounds and my insurance cover will only cover kit that is kept safe and secure, within line of sight, or with someone who is responsible for looking after it, or locked away where only I have access. Therefore it is essential security is considered ahead of time, and if need be someone is added to the crew to look after kit. This is of particular concern when filming in public areas.
Call Time – Please let me know the call time (along with location, kit requirements and any special considerations) at least 24 hours before the intended call time – this is so I can organise equipment and ensure I am able to attend at the required time.
Attendance Time – This is the number of consecutive hours from the time I arrive, to the time I leave. This cannot be paused or any unused attendance time carried over to later or another day. Attendance time includes, but is not limited to, filming, time travelling between venues, time spent setting up/packing down, recces, location visits, and also reasonable refreshment time where appropriate. Beyond 12 hours attendance must be agreed in advance. Attendance after midnight (where required) must also be agreed in advance.
Assistant – For jobs where a lot of kit is required (more than can be practically carried by one person) and/or there are multiple locations I will need an assistant. Depending on the complexity of what's required, this may just be a runner to help carry/move kit, but for more complex shoots this may be a focus puller, camera assistant etc. I can advise on requirements on a job by job basis. I may sometimes be able to provide an assistant depending on their availability and job requirements.
Sound – I am a Director of Photography – I can handle basic audio recording (where it is one subject and one feed into camera) but for anything more involved than this you should source a separate sound recordist/boom operator as appropriate. I have a number of sound recordists that I can recommend.
Equipment Drop Off – Even when filming with minimum equipment I still travel with a lot of support kit as standard, therefore I require a place to drop off kit as close as possible to where I are filming (and parking where appropriate). If I am not able to drop off/pick up kit close to where I am filming then additional attendance time will likely be required.
Equipment at Location – It is often underestimated how much kit I have and how much access I need to this kit at all times. I require a safe area to keep my primary filming kit which is secure and not accessible to the public. This area should be dry, not prone to condensation, smoke, steam, dust or other particulates that may damage my equipment etc, and it should be as close as possible to where I am filming. It should be an area of at least 4m2 solely for my usage). Often at event builds they provide me a cover (much like they do for the sound/lighting desks). At other filming locations a small room just off set is put aside for camera dept. If this standby area is small I may require an additional area (further from set) for storing empty cases etc. If there is limited space to setup/pack down and store kit then additional attendance time will likely be required, and it may slow down filming progress.
Travel Days – Typically travel days are required where the job is more than a 2.5 hour drive from my home, or 150 miles from my home, or it is an early start or late finish. Usually a travel day will be required for the day before, and the day after the job, with 2 nights' accommodation provided – though this will depend on a number of factors (please ask before booking if in any doubt about whether a job will require travel days, and ensure these are booked in with me to avoid potential clashes with other bookings). Travel Days are charged at £200 per day (based on up to 8 hours total travel time). Where longer travel days are required additional charges will apply, please ask for details.
On travel days where I am making my own travel arrangements I am free to travel at whatever time best suits me, and I am not precluded from taking other work on travel days. The purpose of the travel day before a job is only to ensure I am in the place where I need to be the night before the job begins. Should you require me to be somewhere at a certain time (for example for a meeting or recce etc) then this will be considered a working day. Where travel days require flights/trains to be booked for me, these bookings should be made in consultation with me so I can travel at a reasonable time. Where flights/trains for travel days are booked unreasonably early (requiring me to be at the airport/station before 6am) or late (arriving at the final destination after 11pm) this will be charged at double the usual travel day rate. NB – Please remember flights require travellers to be at the airport 2 hours prior to flight time, so for example a 6am flight would require travellers to be at the airport for 4am, and as this would consequently be charged at double the travel day rate.
Idle Days – Should the job be on location and require staying away from home, any days when I am not required to work will be classed as 'idle' days and charged at £200 per day (this is my special rate since BECTU advises rest days should be charged at the full 8 hour rate). NOTE – an 'idle' day is not a work day – should any recces/prep/pre-light/strike/meetings etc be scheduled then this will be classed as a work day.
Baggage When Travelling Abroad (Hold Luggage Requirements) – It is always recommended to check with me before booking flights. It is always best to pre-book excess baggage ahead of arriving at the airport since paying for extra bags/weight at the airport can be at least three times more expensive. Note – it is important to check the total amount of weight booked rather than just booking extra hold bags since the hold bag allowance can vary between 20kg and 32kg per bag. It is much better to have a higher maximum weight allowance than I may need than the other way round – I would therefore suggest each bag booked is booked up to the maximum weight allowance of 32kg. Every job is a bit different, so if you would like me to give you a more accurate idea of how much hold luggage weight allowance is required then I can do so on a per job basis after discussions with the Director on what kit will be required.
Baggage When Travelling Abroad (Hand Luggage Requirements) – It is always recommended to check with me before booking flights. I carry all my most delicate and expensive camera equipment in my hand luggage, therefore it is vital I are able to fly with this on my person in the overhead cabin lockers. Do be aware that some airlines now have a cut off on hand luggage items into the cabin. Ryanair, for example, will only accept the first 90 large cabin bags measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20cm while EasyJet gives overhead locker space to those purchasing priority boarding (Speedy Boarding) and on a first-come-first served basis. Therefore it is vital to be at the airport early, to board early, and where there is the option to purchase priority boarding it is vital this is purchased as this is the only way I can guarantee having my hand luggage in the overhead lockers, otherwise if there is no room then it has to go in the hold – and lenses and camera equipment can't travel in the hold (especially since at the point of boarding they will not be packed for hold travel). EasyJet offers 'Speedy Boarding' which is an upgrade at the time of booking and guarantees overhead cabin space so when flying with EasyJet this is essential. Speedy Boarding also means I get 2 carry-on bags which means I can bring more lenses etc on the job. The best way to get speedy boarding is to buy a 'EasyJet Plus Card', or to choose seats in the exit rows which will then offer 'Speedy Boarding' as an upgrade (about £10 per person). Please check with the airline at the time of booking if hand luggage is limited and if there is the option to guarantee acceptance or priority boarding then ensure this option is purchased. In summary please ensure the bag size allowed is no smaller than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (as this is the size of my hand luggage), and please ensure there is no weight limit on hand luggage (my hand luggage typically weighs about 20kg). Usually I are also able to take a second smaller laptop bag on board which is very much appreciated.
Rushes Transfer – I offer to copy the rushes personally, back them up on my system and post out a hard drive (see below) but should you wish to copy the rushes yourself on set or have a third party do so on set then this is at your own risk and I take no responsibility for missing/corrupted files. Media cards may not be taken away as they will be required for other jobs. NOTE: If you do bring your own drive to copy rushes 'on set' then I recommend you bring a fast portable bus powered hard drive that is SSD or RAID – no other drives can be considered 'fast' since all will top out at 130MB/s. Whether the drive is USB3 or Thunderbolt makes no difference since the protocol is never the bottleneck, it's always the drive speed.
Media/Rushes Delivery – Should you require me to send you the rushes I can copy all the rushes onto a hard drive and post this out to you. The cost of this service is £10 and this will be added to my invoice. The drive must be returned to me within 7 days. The hard drive is only intended for transferring the rushes and should not be used as a work drive. I need drives for posting out to clients and where drives aren't returned to me on time (within 7 days) I will often need to buy a replacement. When posting the hard drive back please use adequate protection (double jiffy bag) and use a posting method that provides at least £100 cover per hard drive for loss or damage (Royal Mail recorded delivery does not provide this level of cover so if using Royal Mail then please use Special Delivery). Should you require the hard drive more quickly then please let me know prior to filming so I can ensure I have a hard drive available so I can dispatch more quickly. I can also offer expedited delivery options (invoiced at cost) for next day delivery before 12, Saturday delivery, or same day courier delivery. Should expedited delivery be required this needs to be requested and agreed in advance.
Lasers – I are unable to film where lasers are being used under any circumstances (a result of previous very high repair bills caused by laser damage).
Half Day Rates – I rarely accept half day bookings as will often have standard day enquiries for the same date. Where I do accept a half day booking this is limited to up to 4 hours attendance and is charged at £300 (kit not included). Please note this only applies to bookings that are requested as half day bookings in advance, not standard day bookings that happen to be less than 4 hours attendance. Should additional time be required beyond 4 hours attendance on a half day booking then it no longer qualifies as a half day and the day will be charged as a standard filming day as outlined above. Kit charges apply depending on what is required.
Multiple Day Bookings – Where a job is more than one day, there should be at least 10 hours off between working days. Exceptions may be requested but additional charges will apply.
Cancellations – I do my best to be flexible for all clients but bookings cancelled less than 48 hours prior to filming are charged at £500 per day. Where an assistant has been booked through me and cancelled this is charged at £200 per day.


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Seahawks.NET - The Voice of the 12th Man! • View topic - Official mockdraft contest thread.
Re: Official mockdraft contest thread.
There were rules? I don't read rules so gud.
I got my picks in before the draft started. Who needs deadlines?
Well... if this fun contest is going to be legit, any submissions or changes after Noon - PST - on April 24th (day before the draft as the original post states), should be automatically dismissed. That was stated WEEKS ahead of time. (See original post) The thing about the draft is it becomes much clearer hours leading up to the draft. It's easy to listen to everything get clearer hours leading up to the draft. That's what made this tough is the deadline. I see many who have edits today. I would have loved to go in and make changes after that stated Deadline, but did not due to the upfront understanding of parameters. Since I live on the east coast... I stated my last edit time within the parameters b/c my last edit time is recorded in EST.
I have no idea of how I'm fairing (and this draft went haywire with all the trades). So, not lobbying for myself here. Just stating that rules are rules. If the rules mattered not... why did some of us even bother?
Hell yea!!! I nailed the first 2 picks!!!! (and didnt get a single one right after that).
Let me know when a winner is announced. I will PM them to make arrangements to get the tickets sent to them, either e-mail or snail mail of the paper copy.
Good idea. Honor system delegation. I later noticed mine were submitted after the time deadline. Thus, 0 points.
kigenzun wrote: Good idea. Honor system delegation. I later noticed mine were submitted after the time deadline. Thus, 0 points.
My expectation is that Scott will tally the results and verify the winner met his stated rules. Once he tells me who won, then I will make arrangements with the winner once the season tickets are delivered to me from the Seahawks. It is better this way, so there are no misunderstandings. Doesn't hurt to know your own score but Scott is running this so we need his final judgement.
That way I don't have conflicting PMs asking me who won. I don't know all the zany rules Scott came up with so cannot help you.
I did not win, nor come close. I just wanted to say thanks to the ballers who offered prizes....fun draft all around!
I will have results Monday. I have no intention of staring at my computer today. Anyone who submitted after the deadline may get bragging rights, but nothing else. I know i sure as hell wanted to change my draft when I got news of who the Chiefs were taking, but could not. Sorry if you were on the wrong side of that deadline. If you were here last year, you know why the deadline exists.
Once again, thanks Doc for the prize of prizes.
As per the rules in the OP, all mocks submitted by noon the day before the draft, the winner is Team of the Century with 5 spot on picks and two bonus points for getting Hawks player selections. A couple of you (hasselbeck, 875) did better in late submittals as per your last edit timestamp, but rules is rules. Any of you going by J's cut off thread are SOL, you didn't know anything about his unofficial cutoff before you posted, so going by it afterwards is bogus. The OP said noon, Wednesday. Last year we went right up til draft time, and a verbatim mock from Rick Gosselin kind of made a mockery of our mocks. Thus, the rules. Mocks the day of rely more on inside info leaking than anything else.
Team of the century, post me your addrss and I will get you your card. I can't speak for Diags, but I am sure a PM to him will get you tickets. Good job. Start saving for your plane tickets, dude.
To all applicants, thanks for playing, and this was the toughest draft yet to forecast. I noticed many of us were a spot off on damn near everything.
Thanks Scott for running this. TOTC, PM me your snail mail address and an e-mail address. I will mail you the tickets once I get them. I rather not have to use the Will Call to send you the tickets but if that is your preference, I will use your e-mail address to automate that. As mentioned, I am leaning toward the Rams as the game, but starting to think Jaguars (hee hee .. I am a jerk!). I think the tickets show up around Aug 1st or so.
EDIT: Oops, just saw that TOTC is traveling. We can talk if you were thinking Rams.
Thanks Scottee and doc, for putting it on and for offering the awesome prizes.
Thanks to Scottemojo and drdiags. I certainly didn't expect to win and I'm very appreciative. I don't think I'll be bragging as it was actually quite humbling to try to put all the names together. I started to over think it before the deadline and changed one pick I shouldn't have before the deadline - Jarvis Jones to Pitt - b/c there was talk of their interest in a DB. I almost didn't enter (and nearly deleted my entry) because I was thinking there would be too many trades and difficult to project the entire first round of other teams. I was just more interested in prospects that could be on the Seahawks radar. So, I'm most satisfied about getting 3 of those correct (Ty Powell, Jared Smith, Christine Michael). I loved watching Texas A&M last season - mostly for Manziel, but Christine Michael also got my attention. I wasn't thinking RB for Seattle until after they released Leon Washington. I was thinking they could be looking at backs like Michael or Latavius Murray (who played at nearby UCF and was drafted by the Raiders.) Probably as most of you, I figured Michael might be in play after seeing that tweet of his interest in the Hawks. That was enough suspicion for me to at least list him in the 20. I didn't see links between either T. Powell or J. Smith and the Hawks - but, listed them since they would be intriguing players that could be good fits for the Seahawks.
Anyway... I've got two boys who have never been to CenturyLink Field, to a Seahawks game, nor to any NFL game for that matter. They've only been out to a few Buccaneers practices. But, they are definitely Seahawks fans! It's awesome to see 2 of my kids beginning to share my lifelong passion for this team. It would be quite a trip and I hope to get another ticket near those seats to be able to take both of them to whichever Seahawks game it ends up being at CenturyLink Field for their very first NFL game experience!


More than 500 pharmacies in the city say low drug reimbursements put their business in jeopardy.
Nearly 500 neighborhood pharmacies in the city are considering cutting hours or staff this year because of financial concerns, according to a recent survey.
Small pharmacies are being "choked" by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) that control how much they get reimbursed for drugs purchased by customers through insurance plans. Acting as a middleman between insurers and pharmacies, PBMs charge insurers and pay the pharmacy, rather than the insurer paying the pharmacy directly. But the price the pharmacy gets from the PBM can be less than what it originally paid for the drug, according to multiple pharmacists.
"The pharmacy is the only business where you actually lose money when you give out a product," said Keith Lewis, the supervising pharmacist and owner of the 79th Street Pharmacy on the Upper West Side.
According to a survey of 532 pharmacies, conducted by the New York City Pharmacists Society in early January, 99 percent are concerned that PBM practices will jeopardize their business in 2019, 70 percent had already reduced store hours or laid off employees in 2018 because of the PBMs and 92 percent were considering making cuts this year, a spokesman for the NYC Pharmacists Society said.
The contracts that PBMs have with insurers are private, so pharmacists don't know how much the insurer pays for drugs or how much the PBMs are pocketing.
When the pharmacists ask the PBM why the payment they receive doesn't cover the cost of the drug, they don't get answers, Legakis said.
"You call them up and it's a wild goose chase," he said.
The pharmacists worry that if nothing changes, the unique relationships community pharmacies build with customers will be lost.
Lewis and Mazzamuto described similar relationships with customers and said they chose this business to help people.
"Folks look to the community pharmacy to address many of their health care needs and we feel that's in jeopardy," Mazzamuto said.


Would you like to be a part of a great team?
Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of people on the autism spectrum? Autism Hampshire are always grateful for enthusiastic and committed volunteers. There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities available; from our buddy scheme, hosting life skill sessions, helping support people on day trips to helping in our Fundraising Department.
Volunteering is fun, rewarding and a great opportunity to meet new people, be more involved with your community and make a real difference. You can also develop your existing skills and gain new ones. Volunteering is also a great way of enhancing your CV and we can even provide a reference to a future employer.
Not necessarily - we value pro bono work and utilising expert skills but we do also value support from people who are just will and able to get stuck in.
How much time will I need to give up?
It depends on the opportunity you are volunteering for. Hours are flexible to suit your lifestyle, although we would ask for a regular commitment and the suggested hours are stated in the more detailed role descriptions.
It depends on the opportunity you are volunteering for, but most work is likely to be done in the Fundraising Office in Whiteley, Fareham. Sometimes you may be able to work from home or from any number of locations across the local area.
We will reimburse all reasonable out of pocket expenses. All volunteers are asked to do is keep expenses to a minimum and to supply receipts. Our expense procedure will be explained as part of your induction.
Are you stuck for something to do in between your studies ? Or looking for work experience?


New Delhi, Jan 7 : The Rohit Shetty directorial 'Simmba' has earned Rs 190.64 crore at the box office across the country, trade sources said on Monday.
Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan starrer 'Simmba' earned Rs 17.49 crore on Sunday, pushing its grand total to Rs 190.64 crore.
'Simmba refuses to slow down and is nearing Rs 200 crore mark. The movie emerged as the third highest grosser of 2018, after 'Sanju' and 'Padmaavat',' the sources said.
'Simmba' is Ranveer's fourth film and Rohit Shetty's eighth film to cross Rs 100 crore mark. 'Golmaal Again', which was Rohit Shetty's 2017's release, collected over Rs 200 crore.
'Simmba' is an action film directed by Rohit Shetty and written by Yunus Sajawal and Sajid-Farhad. A spin-off of the 'Singham' franchise, the film is produced by Shetty under his banner Rohit Shetty Picturez and Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta under the banner Dharma Productions.
It stars Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan and Sonu Sood, with Ajay Devgan reprising his role of 'Bajirao Singham'.
The film follows Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao, a corrupt police officer hailing from the same town as Singham, who is forced to lead a more righteous path after tragedy strikes those near him.


The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering is addressing the problem of poor relationships between university researchers and industry by linking PhD students with mentors outside academe.
A new flagship initiative connecting industry leaders and young researchers in a mentoring partnership is on offer in every state and territory for the first time this year.
PhD student mentees in the NSW MedTech-Pharma program of the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) connected with some dynamic individuals over breakfast last November at Meet the Entrepreneur.
At RMIT University last month, four IMNIS mentees in Victoria's MedTech-Pharma program left their comfort zone and pitched their research to a panel of outstanding industry leaders at the IMNIS Pitchfest!
The Academy has elected 25 new Fellows for 2017, including key business leaders and academics, prominent commercial innovators, professional and business leaders and respected public sector figures. Two IMNIS champions are among the esteemed leaders recognised – congratulations to all!
ATSE's Industry Mentoring Network in STEM expands!
After a highly successful launch in Victoria on June 15, the past two months have seen a significant expansion of the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) with a range of programs launching in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
The Industry Network in STEM (IMNIS) is a prestigious initiative of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) that works with the Fellows of the Academy and other industry leaders to exclusively mentor PhD students in STEM.
Minister Philip Dalidakis opened Victoria's IMNIS MedTech-Pharma program which has 64 industry leaders mentoring 64 PhD students from four Universities: La Trobe University, RMIT University, Monash University and The University of Melbourne.
IMNIS, the national mentoring program connecting researchers and industry mentors, has appointed an Expert Advisory Panel of senior business and academic leaders to advise on implementation of the scheme.
Executive Director of ATSE's Industry Mentoring Network in STEM, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, paints a picture of Australia's science and innovation future – one that requires a major cultural shift.
The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) has appointed Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea as the inaugural Executive Director of the Academy's Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) program.
IMNIS, the Academy's PhD student mentoring scheme, has taken out the award for the Best Higher Education and Training Collaboration 2016 at the Business/Higher Education Round Table national awards.
The Academy's PhD student mentoring scheme has been approved to receive a grant of $200,000 over two years from the MTPConnect Project Fund Program to extend its activities.


Having just written some ASP.NET WebAPI controllers I then needed to accomplish the task of creating Unit Tests for them. The tests would need to accomplish model validation via DataAnnotation and Json.NET attributes, authentication for all HTTP methods except GET (did I mention IIS was involved here) and in the process exercise an underlying SQL data layer (see UNIT TESTING USING LOCALDB). I also wanted to write as few Unit Tests as possible and limit mocking but still exercise the whole pipeline.
Write the unit tests using code similar to what I would be using in Production code. This requirement meant I could not use some of the alternate methods for testing Controllers by using a Controller context or special code to make sure DataAnnotation validation was occurring.
The end result eventually boiled down primarily to a single method which makes use of an in memory HttpServer, a reference to the static WebApiConfig class from the Web project containing the controllers and some code to add Basic Auth as needed to the request. The only configuration necessary in the Unit Test app.config was the <system.web><authentication/></system.web> information necessary to enable authentication and the <connectionString/> section for access to the LocalDB database used in the Unit Tests.
// The WebApiConfig class is from the Web project being tested.
// TestInitialize should have cleared the database.


Meets FDA and USDA requirements for incidental food contact. Fortified with high load carrying solid lubricants, it lubricates and protects bearings, gears and other moving parts exposed to high temperatures up to 475ºF and wash downs. The unique dispersion of FDA authorized PTFE provides additional lubricity especially where a thin film of lubricant is desirable. Never-Seez White Food Grade with PTFE is virtually odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is a "multi-purpose" lubricant for varied services within a food handling plant.


Museums at Night is an annual event where you can see a range of the country's varied museums in a different light.
Always wanted to explore a museum after dark? Now's your chance with the Museums at Night festival (25-27 October). While it ramps up for the weekend-long festival in October, the 'lates' events have proved so popular that it now lists after-hours events that are on during the rest of the year too. Visit the website to see what else is coming up in the near future. Meanwhile, check out our pick of the festival events on offer below and do something different this autumn.
See some of the world's common and not so common animals from a different perspective at the Big Draw, where you're encouraged to draw in unusual proportions, from tiny whales to oversized insects. You'll be led by an artist, so bring a sketchbook and let the museum's collections and a glass of wine from the bar inspire you to get creative. Ages 18+.
Try some animal artwork at the Cambridge Museum of Zoology.
Bring a torch and wrap up warm for a unique and immersive event at Bletchley Park. Travel back to 1944, when typewriters clacked and the sound of footsteps accompanied the carrying of important information up and down the corridors of this historic location. Following drinks and cake in the visitor centre, you will be taken on a night-time tour as a new recruit, to see what the residents got up to in this world of espionage and secret codes, with some surprises thrown in. You'll also get a chance to explore the museum after the tour. Open to all ages.
Experience Bletchley Park after dark, recreating the lives of 1940s codebreakers.
Take your young dragon hunters on an after-dark dragon hunt mission to find Blaze and his dragon friends – as well as a precious dragon egg that is missing somewhere in the museum… With more tiny glow-in-the-dark dragons to seek out, make sure you bring a torch for this free, family-friendly event. Open to all ages.
Join a dragon hunt at the West Berkshire Museum, at this family event.
On this Observatory Open Evening that coincides with Museums at Night, take a look at the moon, stars and planets through some of the country's biggest telescopes, not usually available to the public. Views of the night sky are dependent on the weather, so check the forecast before you go, but if clouds gather then there will be a planetarium-style talk instead. Wear warm clothing and bring a red-light torch if you have one (also available in the on-site shop). The event is drop-in. Ages 7+.
Look for a meteor shower at the Observatory Science Centre in Hailsham.
Especially for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, this BSL (British Sign Language) guided tour will take visitors on a fascinating journey around the Royal Air Force Museum's First World War in the Air exhibition. There will be a chance to view First World War artefacts and try on clothing from the museum's handling collection. Open to all ages.
The British Sign Language guides will explain the WW1 history of the Royal Air Force.
Often described by visitors as a hidden gem, nestled in the historic City of London, take an opportunity to explore Dr Johnson's House by twilight. The 300-year-old townhouse was home to writer Samuel Johnson in the eighteenth century and is where he compiled his Dictionary of the English Language. It maintains many original features and includes restored interiors, a research library and an exhibition on Johnson. This Museums at Night event allows you to enjoy all four floors of the charming house after hours, with wine. Open to all ages.
Explore the house where Dr. Samuel Johnson compiled his Dictionary of the English Language.
In the midst of today's renewed focus on women's rights, go down a time warp at the London Transport Museum to the 1980s, an era of sharp contrasts between popular culture and politics that has had a huge impact on modern society. Through talks, tours and workshops, relive the protests, pop music and power-plays that emerged from this tumultuous decade - and see what women were wearing while forging new paths. You can also learn about London Docklands' past, before it was forever changed by the opening of the Docklands Light Railway in 1987. Ages 18+.
Travel back to the 1980s as the London Transport Museum investigates the history of women's rights.
Experience an evening like no other with a Tudor treasure hunt that includes solving puzzles while exploring this impressive palace after dark. There will be talks by the palace's curator, hilarious history, live music in the Great Hall and the chance to get your photo taken in period costume - you might need the glass of mead first. Ages 16+.
Enjoy a Tudor treasure hunt at the Fulham Palace.
Great timing for Halloween, this ghost tour for grown-ups takes place at the National Justice Museum – supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in the UK. Walk the eerie halls of this historic building, where in the past people were condemned, imprisoned and executed. Ages 16+.
You may have never been to Gretna Green (people only tend to go there for one reason) but as a place where people have been running to for a quick marriage since 1754, it has a rich history that makes it worth a visit. At this interactive and theatrical event, learn about some of the famous people who have eloped there over the years, hear stories never told before, and see telegrams from parents desperate to stop their children from making a terrible mistake… Said to be performed over the blacksmith's anvil, you can also witness the re-enactment of an 'anvil wedding', followed by whisky tasting in the Love Conservatory. Open to all ages.
Delve into the history of the haunted Wesley family home and discover a story of eighteenth-century exorcism with this talk from a Methodist historian in the oldest Methodist building in the world. At the New Room museum you can also explore other eighteenth-century events and issues, many that are still relevant to life in Bristol today. Ages 18+.
Explore the history of the New Room, and John Wesley's family home, at the event in Bristol.
If you've never been to a silent disco, you're seriously missing out. Take this opportunity to attend one at the National Railway Museum, along with a preview of its Future Engineers programme. Get your groove on to a DJ set, try out Object Speed Dating (where you help the museum choose which stories should take centre stage), make your own necklace in the 3D printing workshop and dance the night away to live music from Rap Science and Sonic Pi. Ages 18+.
The Brontë Parsonage Museum was once the home of the Brontë family, including most notably Charlotte and Emily, authors of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. In the picturesque village of Haworth, it's turning the lights down low this October for a darker look inside the historic house. A renowned storyteller will weave dark takes from around the world, while village residents will chill audiences with local ghost stories and superstitions. After 5.30, local residents go free. Open to all ages.


text:
January 15, 2022 by Team AMZ Pro
So far, 10,000 digital wallets – tools that allow people to store their cryptocurrencies – have been connected to the Quartz platform, though Ubisoft only minted 3,000 NFTs in its first batch, Mr Pouard said. That indicated an appetite for more NFTs in the future, he said.
A guide to cryptocurrency
Map 1 of 7
A glossary. Cryptocurrencies have gone from a curiosity to a viable investment, making them almost impossible to ignore. If you're struggling with the terminology, let's help:
Bitcoin. A Bitcoin is a digital token that can be sent electronically from one user to another, anywhere in the world. Bitcoin is also the name of the payment network on which this type of digital currency is stored and moved.
Blockchain. A blockchain is a database that is maintained jointly and that reliably stores digital information. The original blockchain was the database on which all Bitcoin transactions were stored, but non-currency based companies and governments are also trying to use blockchain technology to store their data.
Coin base. Coinbase, the first major cryptocurrency company to list its shares on a US stock exchange, is a platform that allows people and companies to buy and sell various digital currencies, including Bitcoin, for a transaction fee.
Crypto financing. The development of cryptocurrencies spawned a parallel universe of alternative financial services, known as Decentralized Finance or DeFi, which allowed cryptocurrencies to move into the traditional banking area, including lending and borrowing.
Ubisoft ultimately plans to reduce sales of future NFTs, Mr. Pouard. "We are moving from a business model that focuses only on one game, to a business model that focuses on an ecosystem where each player can be a stakeholder," he said.
Zynga, to be acquired by Take-Two, hired Mr. Wolf, a veteran of the gaming industry, to lead a crypto effort in November. The goal was to create new games on the blockchain, making it easy for players to acquire, own and sell NFTs, Mr Wolf said. He gave few details on how the effort would work, including whether the NFTs could be transferred between Zynga games.
"We are still developing all that," he said.
Other gaming companies have waded into NFTs, repeating how crypto can generate new wealth for users. This month, Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda wrote in an open letter that creating blockchain games would allow players to make money. That would be "an important strategic theme" for the company, he said.
But as the number of NFT messages from game studios piled up, players became more and more annoyed. After users rebelled against Sega Sammy's crypto plans, one of its executives said at a management meeting last month: "If perceived as simple money making, I would like to make a decision not to proceed." (The effort continues.)
Other gaming companies have come out against crypto. Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox, told Axios in November that some games centered on making money through NFTs seemed "exploitative" and he would avoid putting them in the Xbox Store. Microsoft declined to comment.
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