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Don't blame us for Australia's climate management problem, lighting industry says
Repealing the carbon tax and attempting to halve its energy targets has landed Australia at the bottom of the Climate Change Performance index. Meanwhile, efficient lighting continues to reduce Australia's electricity usage.
Australia may have been labelled worst performer in the art of climate change management in the industrial world, but it's not all bad news. Several figures – numerical and human – emphasise that Australia's LED production and lamp regulation policies contribute positively to reducing CO2.
While the Abbott government is busy cutting the carbon tax and backtracking on its law-enshrined climate targets, the lighting industry has pioneered bans on inefficient lamps and cut electricity demand by almost 30 per cent in the process.
Lance Stewart, managing director of controls manufacturer Creative Lighting, insists that the lighting industry is a force of good in the fight against climate change: 'Don't go blaming the lighting industry. Our energy consumption is ever-decreasing thanks to LEDs and ever-smarter lighting control systems – ironically, many of which are made in Australia. Reliance on fossil fuels and devices for heating and cooling remain the main culprits.'
Adele Locke, president of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand, says huge energy savings are being made across the lighting industry: 'Through collaborative design, quality manufacturing and clients who focus on long term benefits over short term gains, the lighting industry can and does contribute greatly to the reduction of CO2 emissions in Australia.'
Role model for regulations
The Climate Change Performance Index, which ranked Australia at the very bottom of all industrialised countries for its efforts to manage climate change, says Australia's poor ranking is mainly due to the government scrapping a number of energy policies, as it promised in its election campaign.
Tony Abbott's government has removed a tax on carbon and is trying to halve its renewable energy target, which is already enshrined in law.
But although it is energy policy that sent Australia 21 positions down the ranks compared to last year, our policy on lighting has been a source of admiration in many other countries for some time.
Having phased out incandescent lamps in 2007, successive Australian governments have since embraced the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which set energy-efficiency standards for linear fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, transformers and converters of halogen lighting systems.
These regulations have reduced electricity demand by 10.5TWh between 2006 and 2013 – or 28 per cent of the total 37TWh reduction in that period.
Funding for lighting upgrades is also currently available in Australia, although that might change. Steve Cahill, CEO of Enlighten Australia, said: 'The news is not all bad. There has been solid growth in the availability of energy efficiency equipment upgrade funding.
'With seed funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, a group the Abbott government is trying to dismantle, funding from other lenders is leveraged to offer longer and more favourable terms with energy savings contributing to loan repayments.'
International name, or international shame?
With a growing LED production and ditto export, the energy savings produced by Australia's lighting industry affect CO2 reduction both here and abroad. Earlier this year, Bryan Douglas, chief executive of Lighting Council Australia, told Lux Review: 'Australia ranked seventh in the world as an export destination for LEDs last year, which is extraordinary considering our population is so small.'
He added: 'What's called LEDification is an incredibly important mega-trend. There's a lot of interest in LEDs, they are starting to become mainstream, where you are seeing them stocked by major hardware stores and supermarkets.'
Since the Climate Change Performance Index was published, Australia has committed $200 million from its foreign aid budget to the international Green Climate Fund.
But not everyone is impressed with the scale of this effort. Lance Stewart said: 'To put Australia's commitment to the Green Climate Fund into perspective, recently we had a severe weather event in Brisbane that caused over 500 million dollars damage and that was just one storm. Australia's giving a tenth of that amount over 4 years.'
Australia joins countries such as Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Iran in the 'very poor' end of the Climate Change Performance Index, while New Zealand managed to stay in the slightly better 'poor' grouping with a rank of 43, two positions lower than last year.
Denmark ranked highest this year, followed by Sweden and the UK.


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Q: How do I see that the sequence $\{\chi_{[n, n+1]}\} \to 0$ in probability? On $\mathbb{R}$, a sequence measurable functions $\{f_{n}\}$ converges to a measurable function $f$ in probability if for every $F \subseteq \mathbb{R}$ of finite measure and every $\eta > 0$, $$\lim_{n\to\infty} m(\{x \in F \mid |f_{n}(x)-f(x)|> \eta\})=0$$
How can I show that the sequence $\{\chi_{[n, n+1]}\} \to 0$ in probability?
I can show that the sequence doesn't converge in measure to $0$, but it's a bit tricky I believe to prove convergence in probability.

A: One way is to observe that $m(F)=\sum_{n \in \mathbb Z} m(F \cap [n,n+1))<\infty$ which implies that $m(F \cap [n,n+1)) \to 0$.
Note that $m(\{x \in F:|\chi_{[n,n+1]}-0|>\eta\} =m(F\cap [n,n+1])$ for any $\eta >0$.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Daily Content Archive as of Thursday, March 17, 2016
(as of Thursday, March 17, 2016)
Definition: (noun) A small, often temporary defensive fortification.
Synonyms: sconce
Usage: Great mounds had been heaped about the crest of the hill, making a huge redoubt of it.
The Aramaic Language
During the 12th century BCE, Aramaean nomads, the native speakers of Aramaic, began to settle in modern-day Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. As Aramaic grew in importance, it spread throughout the Fertile Crescent as a lingua franca, or common language, and settlers and missionaries later brought the Semitic language to parts of N Africa, Europe, Persia, India, and China. What 2004 film became a major box-office success despite the fact that most of its dialogue is spoken in ancient Aramaic?	More...
Veder Snaps Pulitzer Prize-Winning Burst of Joy (1973)
Taken at the end of the Vietnam War, Slava "Sal" Veder's Burst of Joy became a symbol of the widespread sentiment in America that the horrors of war were over and military families could begin the healing process. The photo captures the return home of Lt. Col. Robert Stirm, who had been shot down over North Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for over five years. It shows his children running to greet him on the tarmac, his daughter with open arms. Why was the reunion bittersweet?	More...
Art requires neither complaisance nor politeness; nothing but faith, faith and freedom.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)
St. Patrick's Day Parade (Savannah, Georgia) (2016)
This parade is one of the oldest and biggest parades in the US, held since 1824 in Savannah, Georgia, a city with a long Irish history. The first public procession was recorded in 1824, and public parades have been held ever since. Today, the parade, which follows a route through the city's historic district, comprises between 200 and 300 separate units, including family groups, commercial floats, high school bands, and military bands and marching units. The day begins with Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. More...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Boreal Action Project > Take Action > Events > Lake Winnipeg Free Tele-Seminar/Petition
Lake Winnipeg Free Tele-Seminar/Petition
By susanneboreal in East Side/New Posts, Events, Media, Recent News, Take Action, Updates · September 7, 2017 · No comments
Tags: east side of lake winnipeg, free seminar, Lake winnipeg, North Dakota diversion projects
September 20, 2017, 7pm LIVE
contact borealaction@gmail.com for login/registration details, or join us on Facebook at The Boreal Action Project/ see event listing. Available by phone or internet.
Canadians concerned about the health of Lake Winnipeg can sign onto this petition at: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1244 (detailed information in this post & available during the tele-seminar)
In this first of a series of FREE tele-seminars, Don Sullivan will speak to the state of Lake Winnipeg regarding blue/green algae blooms, what is causing it, how climate change will increase it, why more needs to be done, who should be doing something about it and the tie in to two North Dakota diversion project plans that threaten to transfer water from the Missouri River Basin into the Hudson Bay drainage Basin and that have the potential for adverse environmental impacts on both the Red and Souris Rivers and Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba.
Don Sullivan lives on the Eastside of Lake Winnipeg mere minutes from the Lake, is a former special advisor to the Government of Manitoba, A photographer who has published a coffee table book the Landscapes from Manidoo Abi, the former Director of the Boreal Forest Network and recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contribution to his community.
The call in details will be posted to this before the event. You can use a phone or join on the webcast. There will be a Q & A.
Cover photo by Don Sullivan.
FACTS ON LAKE WINNIPEG
THE LAKE WINNIPEG BASIN INTIATIVE
Lake Winnipeg is the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world and the sixth largest in Canada. Although Lake Winnipeg is located entirely within Manitoba, its vast (almost 1 million km2) basin is the second largest in Canada and encompasses parts of four provinces and four American states. The scale of the basin and the size of the lake make it a freshwater body of international significance.
The water quality in Lake Winnipeg has been deteriorating for several years and the chief concern is an increasing amount of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which are a food source for blue/green algae blooms n the lake. These nutrients originate mainly from agricultural runoff and municipal waste water and are carried into Lake Winnipeg by rivers and streams.
More than 50% of the nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg originates from beyond Manitoba's borders, and the Red River is the largest source.Approximately half of the phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg comes from the Red River, making it the largest source of phosphorus to the lake. On average, the Red River contributes approximately 7150 tonnes of phosphorus per year to Lake Winnipeg. A full half comes from the United States.
More concerning, though, is that algal blooms are evidence that the lake is in an advanced state of eutrophication due to high concentrations of nutrients. Eutrophication means that healthy freshwater has become so over-enriched with nutrients that algal blooms and other decaying organisms may eventually deprive the lake of its oxygen.
The Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (LWBI), started in 2008, aims to contribute to restoring the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg, reduce pollution from sources such as agriculture, industry and wastewater, and improve water quality for fisheries and recreation. 36 million dollars in Federal funding went the the LWBI from 2008 to 2017. In July of 2017 the Federal government announced a further commitment of an additional 25.7 million dollars to the LWBI (61.7 MILLION DOLLARS IN TOTAL FEDERAL MONEY COMMITTED TO THE LWBI)
The optimal nutrient reduction scenario for Lake Winnipeg based on scientific modelling would require a decrease of approximately 37% from current loading based on the most recent estimates of average annual phosphorus loads available.
The LWBI includes a focus on delivering nutrient reductions, and phosphorus reduction project. By their own estimates the LWBI funded projects achieved a less than 1% reduction in phosphate loading over an annual one year period.
Also the development of the State of the Lake Indicators and monitoring program for phosphates has been delayed due to a lack of capacity at the provincial.
Provincial nutrient objectives for Lake Winnipeg are based on scientific research, including the historical research conducted by Bunting et al. (2011) 34 which examined historical water quality conditions in Lake Winnipeg since the early 1800s. The authors recommended a 50% reduction in phosphorus influx to pre-1990 levels to avoid future toxic impacts.
This House of Commons petition calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Minister responsible for the administration of the Boundary Water Treaty, to refer two water diversion projects now underway in North Dakota for review to the International Joint Commission to ensure "…that the waters herein defined as boundary waters and waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other" as per the provision contained in Article IV of the Boundary Waters Treaty.
Canadians concerned about the health of Lake Winnipeg can sign onto the petition at: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1244
« Mother Earth Day 2017 Wraps Up
Epic 15th Mother Earth Day Walk 2018 »


Click here to Visit Kingdom College of Natural Health. Degrees offered in both human and animal natural health.
Click here to visit All Things Canid. This site is dedicated to both wild and domestic canines.
Click here to visit Dr. Patti Bartsch naturopathic website dedicated to horses.
Click here to visit Dr. Debra Venable-Ball's Website. This site has many articles pertaining to pure bred dogs.
Click here to visit the All Things Canid Blog.
While the American Society of Animal Naturopathy recommends the above listed websites, ASAN does not endorse any naturopathic treatments recommended in these websites.


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Ґундзі або Коо́рі-но-цука́са (, «повітовий», «повітовий голова») — назва посади голови повіту провінції і його повітового уряду в японській «правовій державі» 8 — 11 століття.

Уряд ґундзі складався з чиновників 4 рівнів: власне голови (大領, камі), заступника (少領, суке), радників (主政, дзьо) і помічників (主帳, сакан).

Голова ґундзі і члени його уряду призначалися центральним урядом з числа місцевої повітової знаті. Зазвичай, голови були представниками одного і того ж роду, як правило нащадки куні-но-міяцуко, які обіймали посаду спадково.

Адміністрація кокусі називалася ґунґа (郡衙).

Ґундзі були залежними від провінціалів кокусі і мали обов'язок збирати з сіл свого повіту податки на користь центрального уряду.

Джерела та література
 Рубель В. А. Японська цивілізація: традиційне суспільство і державність. — Київ: «Аквілон-Прес», 1997.

Період Нара
Період Хей'ан
Японські історичні терміни
Система ріцурьо

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Through the looking class
When I look in the mirror, I see more than a simple reflection of my outward appearance. Most of the time I see a 'me' that is more 'me' than yesterday. This is partly an effect of growing old. A few months back I was driving home when I stopped to let an old man and young woman cross the road. He was walking with a slight stoop, his face was pinched and his clothes had clearly seen better days; it was only when he had crossed that I recognised him as one of my best friends. He was on the wrong side of town at the wrong time of day but it was still a shock to realise that this battered old man was only 12 months my senior. Fuck! Is that what I look like?
But it's more than just old age that stares back at me. There's been a steady accretion of experiences, postures, and events which all combine to make me more 'me' than ever. Thirty years ago the 'me' that stared back from the mirror was more unformed. Less substantial maybe but also open, unshaped. A face that was (literally) not yet scarred. A face that was to-come. Today the lines on my face tell a story of where I've been, of who I've been, of who I've become. These calcifying layers put me in mind of a 1950s B-movie where the protagonist is gradually sheathed in some kind of hard carapace until the only thing moving is an eye which grimly blinks out an S-O-S like a human lighthouse. Actually I think I'm combining several different cinematic tropes here but you get the picture: as I've become more 'me', the conditions of possibility have necessarily become more constrained.
There's a link here, I think, to one of the problems of political organisation: how do you grow without becoming more like yourself? Of course this isn't necessarily a problem if you see revolution as a matter of aggregation, of marshalling our forces until we have the strength to overthrow our rulers. That's a typically Leninist top-down view, where the aim is precisely to grow, to become more like yourself, changing only in volume. Qualitative change (revolution) occurs through quantitative growth. We are nothing but must be everything and the way to do that is to build the party, recruit members, flex your muscles.
To be fair, this sort of approach makes lots of sense even if you're not a Leninist. Every group has to reach some sort of critical mass in order to do anything, and constructing a group identity is an inevitable part of this. It also defines a collectivity, ensuring that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. But there's a problem. Once the identity assumes a certain shape, it tends to become meaningful to a limited number of people; in the worst case it might only be visible to a tiny minority. In some cases this might be fine—a Cheese and Wine Appreciation Society, for instance, doesn't have to care about vegan teetotallers. But if you want to transform the world, and you see real change only coming from below, organisations with a skewed membership are problematic because they tend to end up with a skewed (or at least partial) outlook. If all you see around you are fresh-faced twenty-somethings, then you can easily end up thinking that's all the world is composed of. It's like the classic London bubble where "politics" amounts to talking heads prattling on to other talking heads about events in Westminster.
One way to deal with this is to think about the make-up of a group, the way that's it weighted in favour of certain types of people (and therefore more or less attractive to others). But that runs the risk of collapsing back into a very static idea of what constitutes identity. It might be more useful to come at it from the other direction, by taking seriously (Groucho) Marx's claim that "I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member." The collectivity of an organisation offers us a space to become more than the sum of our parts. In other words, part of the reason I want to join a club is precisely in order not to be me.
"I am nothing but I must be everything." That's definitely one strand of revolutionary politics. On the evening of Rosa Luxemburg's murder, she wrote: "Your 'order' is built on sand. Tomorrow the revolution will already 'raise itself with a rattle' and announce with fanfare, to your terror: I was, I am, I shall be!" This is class as something which just "is", and as something which has a historic role. Back in the late 1980s/early 1990s Class War operated mostly with just such an approach. But there's an equally important strand which looks at class as process, as something which happens. In the Preface to his seminal Making of the English Working Class E P Thompson is crystal-clear: "I do not see class as a 'structure' nor even as a 'category' but as something which in fact happens." Class happens. And in this sense, class is something which is always to-come. If we think about political organisations in this way, then we can flip Marx's assertion and start to ask different questions: rather than becoming everything, how do we (as an organisation) become nothing? How do we come to the end of ourselves as we are?
In politics, demands go from one body to another. "We" demand more pay, better resources, greater freedom. "They" demand tighter border controls, more armed police on the streets etc. When we make those demands, we often reinforce our identity as a social force. "We" become ever more workers, social democrats, trade unionists, activists etc. But "everything for everyone" is a very different sort of demand because it doesn't go in any specific direction. It isn't to anyone. And it isn't from anyone. In that respect, it might be one way to step through the mirror and address the perennial paradox of revolutionary transformation, summed up brilliantly by Kathi Weeks:
Can we want, and are we willing to create, a new world that would no longer be "our" world, a social form that would not produce subjects like us?
everything for everyone! • 2019
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According to which test methods and standards should new tests be performed?
When you perform new tests you have to follow the Test Method Regulation (Commission Regulation No 440/2008) or another method recognised by the European Commission or ECHA (Article 13(3) of REACH).
In REACH Annexes VII to X on standard information requirements, the use of various OECD test guidelines is required (e.g. OECD TG 414, 421 and 422).
Note that changes occurred in the Annexes VII and VIII requirements in 2016 for the following endpoints: skin and eye irritation, skin sensitisation and acute dermal toxicity, making non-animal testing the default.
Information may be generated using other methods (Article 13(3)) provided the conditions defined in Annex XI are met. These include amongst others that the result is sufficient for the purposes of classification and labelling and/or risk assessment, and that adequate and reliable documentation of the applied method is provided (see Annex XI for more information).
Furthermore, a specific requirement exists for ecotoxicological and toxicological tests: new tests have to be carried out in compliance with the principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) provided for in Directive 2004/10/EC, as no other international standard has so far been recognised as being equivalent. For physicochemical testing, it may be desirable but it is not mandatory to have tests performed according to the GLP standard.
Are there "other international test methods" recognised by the Commission or the ECHA and referred to in article 13(3) of REACH?
For the time being, no "other international test methods" within the meaning of Article 13(3) of the REACH Regulation have been recognised by the Commission or by ECHA.
Is there a list of GLP-certified testing laboratories?
Good laboratory practice (GLP) certification of laboratories is the responsibility of national authorities that administer the national monitoring programmes.
After you have identified the relevant GLP monitoring authority, you can consult this authority to find out the laboratories with GLP certification in the corresponding country.
Additionally, laboratories can be inspected by a GLP monitoring authority even if located in a country which has not joined the OECD mutual acceptance of data system. Information on these laboratories can be obtained from the GLP monitoring authority who has inspected them (see also Q&A 122 ).
Are reference books and databases regarded as reliable sources of substance data?
In general, there is the possibility to use data from reliable, scientifically accepted reference literature or databases, provided that the substance to be registered and the substance described in the reference are comparable with regard to homogeneity, impurities, particle size etc.
The documentation of similarity needs to be submitted in the registration dossier. References to literature or databases often use secondary data sources. When such data is used, the original source should be cited and checked by an expert.
Some useful reference books and data compilations containing peer reviewed data are listed under each endpoint in the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment, Chapters R.7 a, b, c: Endpoint specific guidance available on the ECHA website at: http://echa.europa.eu/guidance-documents/guidance-on-information-requirements-and-chemical-safety-assessment.
For some endpoints, these data from reference literature or databases may be used on their own to fulfil the information requirement. However, in general they will have to be combined to other pieces of evidence and submitted as part of a weight-of-evidence approach or read-across approach to support the justification proposed to adapt the requirement.
What is the OECD mutual acceptance of data (MAD) system?
The OECD decision on mutual acceptance of data (MAD) provides for data generated by testing of chemicals in an OECD member country in accordance with OECD test guidelines and OECD principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) to be accepted in other member countries for purposes related to the protection of human health and the environment.
Countries that are full adherents to the OECD MAD system.
Countries that are provisional adherents to the OECD MAD system.
Countries that are full adherents to the OECD MAD system will accept data from OECD member countries and other adhering countries generated under MAD conditions. In addition, non-clinical safety data developed in these countries must be accepted by the OECD and adhering countries.
Countries that are provisional adherents to the OECD MAD system need to accept data from OECD member countries and other adhering countries generated under MAD conditions. However, during the period of provisional adherence, GLP monitoring activities conducted by the GLP monitoring authority located in the country of the provisional adherence do not have to be accepted by the full members of the OECD MAD decision.
What studies does ECHA accept as GLP studies?
(from countries that are provisional adherents to the OECD MAD system and in which laboratories have been inspected jointly by the GLP monitoring authority concerned and by an OECD GLP monitoring authority.
The laboratory has been found to be operating in compliance with GLP principles.
Registrants who submit a proposal for testing in accordance with Annexes IX and X of REACH may waive 28-day studies if certain conditions are fulfilled. However, if there are no results for a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study because a testing proposal for a 90-day repeated dose toxicity test is made, it is not possible to derive a DNEL. Which interim risk management measures (RMM) could be recommended in this situation?
Where no or not enough hazard information on the substance is available, the registrant should demonstrate control of risks by minimizing the emission and/or exposure to the substance. In doing so, he can use a combination of containment and/or Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and/or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as interim RMM to protect workers from exposure. Due to the interim nature of the measures, PPE may play a more prominent role compared to what is suggested in table E.3-1 of the abovementioned Guidance.
The registrant may need to update his CSR and ES once he receives the result of the test proposal and is able to derive a DNEL (or identify that minimisation of emission/exposure is required if "no threshold" effects had been identified in the testing). This applies in particular if the interim measures had been based on PPE instead of containment or other engineering measures.
When a substance is classified only as an eye irritant, does a full risk characterisation as part of the chemical safety assessment (CSA) need to be carried out?
Not necessarily. The scope of the risk characterisation, that you have to carry out as part of the CSA, depends on the hazard profile of the substance. It has to address every hazard, not just those that lead to a classification (points 0.5 and 6 in Annex I to REACH).
Firstly, you have to consider each physical, health and environmental hazard identified, even if classification is not required. This includes collecting the predicted or derived no-effect levels or minimal effect levels (PNECs, DNELs or DMELs) if appropriate.
You should also consider the relevant timescales, environmental compartments, human populations, health effects, and routes of exposure.
DNELs for irritation/corrosion can only be derived if dose-response information is available. Therefore, for endpoints such as eye irritation where no DNEL can be derived, a more qualitative approach to assessing and controlling such risks is necessary. This may be the case where the pH led to the classification or where only QSAR data are available.
For information about this approach, see Chapters R.8 (Part E) and R.10 of the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment: http://echa.europa.eu/guidance-documents/guidance-on-information-requirements-and-chemical-safety-assessment.
If there are no other hazards, then it is sufficient to describe the measures which ensure that the risks to eyes are avoided or managed in the exposure scenarios (ESs). If there are other hazards identified, then your assessment should address these also.
The exposure assessment and the subsequent risk characterisation should cover all stages of the life cycle of the substance resulting from the substance's manufacture, and the identified uses.
What are the criteria for deciding if a substance is highly insoluble in water or poorly water soluble?
For aquatic toxicity testing (Section 9.1 Annexes VII and VIII), Column 2 adaptations include two complementary concepts related to solubility in water.
The concept of "highly insoluble in water" is associated with the likelihood for aquatic toxicity; consequently a general threshold cannot be established. The use of this concept for waiving aquatic toxicity testing requires substance-specific assessment.
In the waiving statement, registrants should justify that aquatic toxicity is unlikely to occur at the limit of the water solubility. This may require specific information, such as that obtained from transformation/dissolution studies or from the identifying the components of the water accommodated fraction (see the webinar presentation: Hints and Tips on Physicochemical, environmental and human health related endpoints - Aquatic Toxicity).
If registrants cannot demonstrate that aquatic toxicity is unlikely to occur, the substance should be considered as "poorly water soluble", not as "highly insoluble in water", and therefore long-term testing has to be considered.


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Wireless Text Messaging – FAQs
March 2, 2004 Peter DeHaan
By Brian Gilmore
Q: The three points of the initiative seem almost contradictory, why work on ways to secure PHI at the same time you are working to get approval for an exception from HHS?
A: The approval for an exception is uncertain. While we believe an exemption is a very valuable concession to seek from HHS, we know that we may not succeed. We also need to be able to comply with the Security Rule requirements regardless of the outcome of the HHS initiative since some telemessaging call centers use significant amounts of substantial PHI and need to be able to transmit it securely. Finally, we know that developing standards and software solutions will take time, while BAs are already contractually required to secure PHI for their clients. If we succeed in getting an HHS exception for insignificant PHI in the interim, then a substantial percentage of the industry will already be in compliance with their Business Associate Agreement (BAAs) while the standards and software solutions are being made ready.
Q: Is dialup TAP really secure?
A: The answer depends on how securely PHI must be protected. HHS recognizes that there are practical limits. While it may be technically possible to intercept unencrypted TAP modem dialup calls from a call center, we believe it is unlikely. HHS guidance suggests they already think the same way, permitting unencrypted dialup facsimile transmissions for example.
Q: So why the call for a RFC and a standard for certain software?
A: To make standardized development possible between all the carriers and their vendors, as well as all call centers and their vendors. There are so many stakeholders involved with so many competing interests that mayhem and mischief is inevitable. The last thing anyone wants to see is proprietary standards, closed networks, and expensive access to text messaging for all but a handful of select telemessaging firms. It is believed that costs will be lowest for all involved if certain open standards can be agreed upon and implemented by the stakeholders. Because some wireless carriers are not expected to adopt open standards, it will be necessary to create PC software to act as a wireless text messaging gateway between telemessaging systems and all the various carriers and their interfaces, proprietary or standardized.
This gateway system should be available as soon as possible for all legacy telemessaging systems. Telemessaging system vendors could build these capabilities into their systems or they could integrate an external system from another vendor. It is expected that telemessaging system vendors will eventually build compelling enhanced software applications that take advantage of the gateway concepts and eventually all telemessaging call centers will be incentivized to upgrade to newer systems to get those features.
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Up until recently, it was starkly minimal, fade-into-the-background shoes that were being hailed as a fashion status symbol.
But, skip to 2018 and an unlikely item that two decades ago would have been considered sartorial suicide is sweeping through the street style pack.
Throughout the '80s and '90s, this style of shoe was worn exclusively by dads and, as such, became pigeonholed as the epitome of uncool.
Now though, those very same chunky, bulbous and vaguely orthopaedic-looking trainers have become the must have cool-girl purchase of the year.
So much so, that everyone from Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, to Kaia Gerber, Kim Kardashian and Hailey Baldwin has adopted the thick-soled shoe.
But, exactly how did the dad trainer manage to shake off its tasteless reputation?
Like most trends, this one started on the catwalk where a love for all things '90s saw a return to golden-era sportswear and footwear that considered ugliness an aesthetic statement.
Take for instance Balenciaga's 'Triple-S' – which according to StyleBop were the fastest selling item of 2017 - Kanye West's 'Yeezy Runner' and Louis Vuitton's Archlight sneakers, all of which have taken over the runways and well-dressed feet of style stars of late.
According to one expert though, the dad shoe's rise to fame initially grew out the normcore trend with Adidas' Stan Smith – which was re-released in 2014 – the main catalyst for its popularity.
"Honest to God, what could be more of a dad shoe than the Stan Smith? I mean, my dad wore them," Elizabeth Semmelhack, a shoe historian and the senior curator of Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum told Cosmopolitan.
"Even though it was revived in fashion and is basically no longer considered a dad shoe, when it came back in a few years ago that was one of the few things that gave it its edginess."
Despite being super-comfy, Semmelhack adds that no one is really wearing them because of their practicality.
Instead, they're seen as the perfect antidote to fashion's seriousness and a way for women to make a powerful statement.
"The majority of people are wearing them in a kind of ironic way," she says.
"They're super themselves, super fashionable and beautiful, and then to have on these somewhat clunky shoes creates an edgy compare and contrast.
"Women's footwear is in a bit of an interesting moment, because the high heel is losing currency, and I do think, in part, it's related to the #MeToo movement.
Despite their unwavering popularity, not everyone is convinced and many have taken to social media to express their aversion to the ugly trainer trend.
"People will literally wear anything that's 'designer' them Balenciaga trainers are UGLY AF," one person wrote on Twitter.


Norton, which is a software developed and designed by Symantec Corporation that provides complete protection and internet security from various infected documents. Norton antivirus is the first choice in every respect because of its latest and incredible features. It is designed in such a way that it provides complete protection from deadly viruses and different malware programs. Along with the best services Norton also offers the best support. In case of an issue, all the arrangements are made by the Norton to help their customers in resolving their issue they are facing. The customers who are facing issue while using the Norton antivirus can call Norton phone number. They can go to the official website of Norton and search for the phone number for Norton antivirus and then contact Norton antivirus phone number to get in touch with a Norton specialist present at Norton phone support. If you could not reach the official Norton contact number, then you may also take the help of a 3rd-party Norton number.
This article is presented here to help the customers in avoiding contacting the Norton toll-free number. This article provides help for minor issues and information only and in case of serious trouble you are required to contact the Norton phone support by making a call at Norton phone number. The customers can go to the Norton official website, or they can also search for the phone number for Norton antivirus online to get in touch with a Norton specialist present at Norton contact number. We provided an alternate option to get the help you need through a third-party Norton number. If the customers do not want to contact the official Norton antivirus phone number, then they are suggested to get the help from a third-party Norton antivirus contact number. You can call our toll-free support number to get in with an independent third-party Norton 800 number. To avoid further issues regarding our toll-free number, you need to examine the terms and conditions of this website before using the toll-free number for reaching a third-party Norton toll free number.
This article is developed for those customers of Norton antivirus who don't want to call Norton 800 number for a minor issue due to lack of time. Here, some minor issues and information are developed here so that the Norton customers can get the necessary help here only and they don't need to contact Norton antivirus contact number. Using the troubleshooting steps provided here, get the information you need, and you don't even required to call Norton toll free number. However, critical troubles can occur anytime and in that case the customers need the help of Norton phone support by making a call at Norton phone number. The customers may also face trouble while contacting the official Norton contact number. In that situation, they need to take the help of a third-party Norton number.
If you are using an iPad or iPhone, then also the chances of getting infected from viruses and malware are high because the iPad or iPhone is also connected to the web and lots of work is done on the internet only. Norton is the perfect software package that can be used to protect your iOS device from getting infected. If you want to know the complete process of installation of Norton antivirus, then you may take the help of an expert present at the Norton 800 number. The customers need to go to the official website of Norton antivirus or search online for the phone number for Norton antivirus to get the procedure. After that, they just have to follow the method carefully after getting the method through Norton toll-free number. In case the customers encounter some trouble while following the method, then you can contact Norton antivirus phone number. You need to perform the method step by step before you wish to contact Norton antivirus contact number.
Log into your Norton account on your iOS gadget.
Enter your email address and the account's password when you see a prompt to log into your Norton account and then click on Sign In.
You will now reach the App store automatically.
Click Get and then click Install.
Click Open to install the Norton Mobile Security App when the download completes.
Examine the agreement of Norton license and then click Accept.
Click Continue present on the Subscription Required! Page.
Enter the email address and password of Norton account and then click on Sign In. To know more, you may contact Norton toll free number.
The procedure is finished, and the customers don't have to call Norton phone number. The method is presented here, and it helps the customers to escape calling the Norton toll free number. However, the issue might happen anytime, and in that situation, you may have to contact Norton antivirus phone number. The Norton technicians present at Norton phone support will help you through the Norton number. In case the customers could not be able to reach the official Norton 800 number, then you can try to contact a third-party Norton toll free number. You may search for a third-party phone number for Norton antivirus online and then contact Norton antivirus contact number to get the required information. Alternatively, you can also call the toll-free number on this website. It helps you to reach one of the best independent third-party Norton contact number that provides you a wide scope of support and services through their own Norton number. To avoid further issues, you need to see and agree to the terms and conditions provided on this website before calling the toll-free number and reaching a third-party Norton 800 number.
If you want to remove the Norton license from a computer that you no longer use, then you need to perform some steps. If you are finding for the steps, then call Norton phone number to get all the steps. There may be some reason due to which you could not contact Norton antivirus phone number. We want to tell the customers that the steps are discussed here also. The customers don't have to call Norton toll free number if they see the steps that are discussed below. The Norton license can be eliminated easily with the help these steps without even making a call at Norton antivirus contact number. However, critical issue may also occur anytime, in that case, the customers may have to contact Norton antivirus phone number to get the required support and help. You can go to the official website or search online for the phone number for Norton antivirus and then call Norton phone number to get in touch with a Norton specialist available at the Norton phone support. The customers are required to see the steps first before they use the Norton contact number.
After that, tap Delete Device.
Now tap Remove available in the confirmation of the Remove Device.
If you wish to install the Norton software on some other device, then tap Install on Another Device.
Perform the guidelines shown on the screen to download and then install the product.
The Norton license will now be removed from that computer. If it does not, you may take the help of Norton toll free number.
While following the procedure given above, if you stuck in some trouble, then get the help through Norton number. You can get the phone number for Norton antivirus on its official website, or you may also search online for the phone number for Norton antivirus. Once you get the Norton antivirus contact number, then you are free to call at Norton 800 number and tell your problem to the Norton specialist present at Norton phone support. The Norton specialist will give you the solution through the Norton toll-free number. However, following the steps will give you the option to escape contacting Norton phone number. The Norton contact number is available only when you find the above steps are of no use. There might be troubles while contacting the official Norton number and the third-party Norton antivirus phone number is also available 24/7. If you are not able to contact the official Norton antivirus contact number, then you are advised to get the help of a third-party Norton 800 number.


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Similarities and differences between the AT10 Luxury Genius Arena, AT10 Luxury Genius and ML10 Luxury padel rackets
At NOX, we like both padel and a proper spectacle, which is why we work with 2 of the sport's greatest players:
Miguel Lamperti is an institution on the international circuit. It's an authentic show every time he steps out on the court, and off the court too – he's one of the world's most loved players.
Agustín Tapia has revolutionised the sport. In a short time, he's consolidated himself as one of the best players in the world, and, on top of all of this, is considered by many as the complete player: he has talent, the spirit of sacrifice, imagination, technique, power… and it feels like the only way is up for him.
With the help of these two mavericks, we've developed the AT10 Luxury Genius, AT10 Luxury Genius Arena, and ML10 Luxury Bahía padel rackets, alongside other models.
After the avalanche of enquiries we've received asking about the differences between these three rackets, we thought we'd set out the characteristics of each one for you, alongside what they have in common and how they differ.
What do the AT10 Luxury Genius, AT10 Luxury Genius Arena and ML10 Luxury Bahía have in common?
RACKET CORE
The rubber is the same that you'll find on the iconic ML10 Pro Cup and gives the rackets an immediate feel that favours playability, being neither excessively rigid nor excessively soft. The HR3 rubber is the fruit of years of experience and tests, both on the court and in the lab, to arrive at a rubber density suitable for virtually any player, regardless of their level of play.
RACKET FRAME
We've designed a 100% carbon beam. Using the latest technologies, we've been able to add more material quantity, with up to 4 cm in the face of the racket to minimise potential fibre breakage that can occur when the face impacts with the ball. With this, we get greater durability both in the beam and for the racket in general, plus a great feeling of stability when playing strokes.
RACKET FACE
Both Miguel Lamperti and Agustín Tapia agreed in the blind tests carried out with their rackets that this was the material to go for. The 12K carbon fibre brings a touch of stability and durability to the racket, maintaining a balanced weight.
OVERGRIP SIZE
The three rackets have a longer handle length to facilitate their grip, and it's great for players playing two-handed shots.
What differences are there between the AT10 Luxury Genius, AT10 Luxury Genius Arena and ML10 Luxury Bahía?
ROUGH FINISH
In all three cases, the finish will help you add more effect or "slice" to your shots.
On one hand, both the ML10 Luxury Bahía and the AT10 Luxury Genius have a rough finish made from a pre-moulded plastic material in the shape of small hexagons. This type of finish is slightly less efficient than the silica sand finish, but has the advantage of not wearing over time.
On the other, we have the AT10 Luxury Genius Arena with a latest-generation finish made of a lightweight silica sand coating. This finish is super-efficient, particularly in situations where the ball is wet. However, unlike the pre-moulded roughness, the silica sand finish does wear off over time. How long it lasts will depend on your style of play and the number of matches you play a week.
SHAPE OR MOULD
These three padel rackets have a shape mid-way between teardrop and round, which is the main feature determining their perfect balance of power and control.
For the AT10 Luxury Genius and AT10 Luxury Genius Arena rackets, the balance is a little lower. This is thanks to Agustín Tapia, who asked us if we could make a racket that would help him in defensive shots with some extra handling ability. Whereas for the ML10 Luxury Bahía, the balance is a little higher, allowing you to get the most out of your racket when playing different types of smashes.
Model Face material Core material Balance Face finish
AT10 Luxury Genius Arena Carbon fibre 12K HR3 rubber Medium Silica sand
AT10 Luxury Genius Carbon fibre 12K HR3 rubber Medium Premoulded hexagonal
ML10 Luxury Bahía Carbon fibre 12K HR3 rubber Medium-High Premoulded hexagonal


Home / Health and Care / Can Yorkies Eat Oranges?
Establishing a healthy diet for a Yorkie is a must. As a small and very delicate dog it does require lots of attention and preliminary investigation of each taken food product in advance.
Fruits, as you know can serve a lot of good to Yorkie's organism. Most of them contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that are important for the healthy Yorkie's progress and development in life.
Yet, you need to know which fruit types are OK for the dog. The way you treat your dog with the certain fruit and the specific amount of it per day are also important factors for the fruit diet a Yorkie can have.
And when it comes to oranges, you need to know that yes, Yorkies can eat them.
Though, there are some specific things you need to have under consideration before feeding your dog with this citrus.
Is it fully allowed for a Yorkie to eat an orange?
Rule number one is to be 100% sure that the orange is fresh, washed thoroughly as citruses usually come with a lot of poison all over their peel and in a small quantity if this is your Yorkie's first treat with the fruit.
Make sure to peel off the fruit. Indeed, peels aren't toxic for dogs, but in most cases the origin of the orange cannot be certainly determined, so avoid any risks.
On the other side, give your dog one segment as a beginning and see how the Yorkie will react on it within 24 hours. If everything is fine it means your Yorkie can happily eat oranges daily.
According to the best world vets a big dog can eat up to 1 orange per day, while a small dog should be limited to a third part of it as a maximum.
Since Yorkies are some of the least dogs in the world, make sure not to exceed the amount of one third of an orange per day. Plus – it is better to give oranges between regular meal courses.
Treating your dog with an orange is also fine. Never give your Yorkie orange juice. Unlike whole fruit pieces orange juice can cause diarrheic conditions to dogs.
Why giving oranges to a Yorkie can be quite beneficial?
If you follow the rules from above orange consumption can be quite beneficial for your Yorkie's health condition.
As you know well oranges are rich in vitamin C. And dogs need it in big amount, too – especially for immune system boosting, which is an important task for you as a Yorkie puppy owner.
We do know how fragile and sickly these small canine fellows can be. Meanwhile, oranges are full of fibers and they are great for metabolism regulation.
Oranges protect your dog from high blood pressure, as well as from overweight if consumed in regular quantity. In addition to these, thanks to the rich amount of potassium, oranges keep your Yorkie healthy and away from flue or cough.
Can oranges be dangerous for a Yorkie?
If you don't follow the rules from above and you exceed the amount of oranges give to your puppy per day, it might get some serious health problems. The most common issue a Yorkie can have due to the big quantity of consumed oranges is digestive.
Meanwhile, since oranges are full of natural sugars, they can be a threat for diabetes and overweight. Veterinarians remind you that if you see any unusual behavior of your puppy after feeding it with oranges, visit a vet immediately.
Some Yorkies even might have citrus allergic reaction, so make sure to avoid any serious consequences. Yet, if everything as a recommendation by your vet is followed oranges can become your Yorkie's most favorite desert.
Oranges can cause a lot of digestive upset conditions to your Yorkie if not given in proper amount and time.
But if you are cautious and your dog does not reach to the fruit negatively, an orange might become a source of important vitamins and minerals that are important for the overall health condition and beneficial for the immune system and metabolism work.
So don't underestimate the orange as a part of your Yorkie's healthy diet.
Previous Do Yorkies Have Fur or Hair? And What is the Difference?
My yorkie likes Clementines. I only give her two pieces.


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Estate Regeneration Timeline E&C Regeneration Timeline Heygate Regeneration Timeline
The price of regeneration Viability Assessments Major Schemes Blog Archive The Southwark Clearances redefining social rent revolving doors new council homes
185 Park Street is a development by Delancey DV4, developers of the Elephant & Castle shopping centre and Tribeca Square. The development comprises 3 buildings ranging up to 19 storeys in height and providing 163 private residential units.
185 Park Street is located on the south bank of the river nestled between the Tate Modern and the Globe theatre.
To be policy compliant, the development would have needed to provide a minimum of 57 affordable housing units on-site, of which 40 social rented.
Despite the District Valuer concluding that the scheme could support affordable housing to the value of £30 million (para 88 of officer's report), the Council agreed that Delancey would instead provide an in-kind off-site contribution, in the form of the construction of 56 homes in Southwark Park road combined with an in-lieu payment of £6.5m.
What the officer's report doesn't say is that Delancey is construction the new 'affordable' homes for itself; that is the Council is selling it a nursing home on Southwark Park road, which Delancey will redevelop and then lease for a period of 50 years to a charity (United St Saviours). Nevertheless, Delancey remains the freehold owner of the site and building.
This Council report confirms that the site will be rented to the charity for 50 years. The report doesn't specify the terms of the lease; i.e. how much rent the charity will pay to Delancey. In any case, after the 50-year lease expires, Delancey will regain the freehold of the building entirely unencumbered by any tenure conditions or requirements.
Paragraph 3.2 of this Council report confirms that there will be no section 106 conditions securing the new nursing home accommodation as social rent or any other affordable housing tenure.
To summarise then, the off-site 'affordable' housing is not secured by any legal agreement; its affordability depends for the first 50 years entirely upon the terms on which it will be rented to United St Saviours charity. Thereafter there are no covenants setting out the terms upon which the accommodation should be used - effectively what was a council-owned nursing home will be 57 privately-owned residential units to be disposed of on whatever terms Delancey so decides.
Without knowing how much the existing nursing home site was sold to Delancey for and on what terms it will be rented to United St Saviours, it is difficult to say with certainty, but at this stage it is looking like another good deal for Delancey and another bad deal for Southwark.
Elephant Amenity Network • 2021 • 35percent.org


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St George's calls on shoppers to brave the shave for children's charities
3rd June 2016 2nd June 2016
Plucky retailers at St George's Shopping Centre in Preston will get together this month to have their heads shaved – and shopping centre bosses are calling on their public to show their support.
Daredevil staff from the centre's stores will 'brave the shave' in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and Derian House Children's Hospice in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the two causes.
The charity stunt is part of the One Great Day campaign which runs nationwide in June.
On Thursday 23 June eight members of the shopping centre team will join with retail staff from the centre to have their heads shaved – among those taking part is security officer Alison Goodreid, 49, from Blackpool, who has shoulder length hair.
And, shopping centre bosses are now calling on customers to take part in its One Great Shave as well.
Kind students from Preston's College barbering course will do the honours alongside staff from Supercuts and Mask Brow Bar, which are both based in the centre.
General manager at St George's Shopping Centre, Andrew Stringer, said: "Over the past few weeks we have asked every retailer in St George's to nominate at least one member of staff to take part and we have been blown away by the response.
"We want to raise as much money as possible for these two charities to allow them to continue and expand on the fantastic services they offer to families when they need them the most.
"We thought our One Great Shave would be the perfect opportunity to help raise these much needed funds and we are counting on people across the city to support us.
"I'll be joining in on the day too and would encourage people across the city to come and join me doing something unusual yet worthwhile for these charities."
For those who aren't daring enough to brave the shave there will also be a sponsored leg and back wax taking place on the day too – all in exchange for a donation.
The charity fun will kick off at 11am with entertainment throughout the day while participants have their heads shaved.
To find out more about St George's One Great Shave or to register your interest email lauraw@freshfield.com
To donate visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/onegreatshave
There is a suggested minimum sponsorship of £150 for those taking part in the head shave.
Bleep Secures Contract for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Strong April figures offer encouragement to manufacturing sector


The NECA Club x Alien exclusive figure is up for pre-order at the NECA store. The classic Kenner Tribute Purple Warrior is the perfect match for the 6-piece Kenner Tribute Diorama that club members received with Series 11 and Series 12 in 2017. This highly detailed figure measures over 9" tall and has over 30 points of articulation, including a bendable tail. Clam shell packaging. Available exclusively to members of NECA Club x Alien who have satisfied membership requirements.
Don't be like me, purchase this exclusive separately like the site says. Yeah, if you get more then one thing you'll pay more in shipping but you wont have other stuff waiting until this comes out later in Q3/Q4.
← Smuggler's Bounty Endor Box – Get Yours Today!


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NLRB Affords Employers Greater Leeway in Addressing Abusive Conduct By Employees
21 Jul NLRB Affords Employers Greater Leeway in Addressing Abusive Conduct By Employees
Posted at 14:46h in Labor Law	by	Admin
On July 21, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in General Motors LLC, established a new standard for determining whether employees have been lawfully disciplined or discharged when making abusive or offensive statements, including profane, racist, and sexually unacceptable remarks, while also engaged in protected activity. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects union and non-union employees who engage in protected, concerted activities, such as talking with co-workers about wages, hours and other working conditions, refusing to work in unsafe conditions, talking to the media about workplace problems, etc.
In General Motors LLC, the Board rejected the "setting-specific" standards that had been applied when an employee engaged in offensive or abusive conduct in the course of otherwise-protected activity. The Board will now apply the well-established Wright Line standard that requires an employer to prove it would have taken the same action even in the absence of the employee's protected activity. The Board noted that its new standard will eliminate the conflict between the NLRA and antidiscrimination laws and reduce the likelihood that employees who had been discharged for engaging in deeply offensive conduct will be reinstated.
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Country code: BJ
NFP: Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Worship
The main migration policy instruments in Benin:
1962/1970: Ratification of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
1979: ECOWAS Protocols on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment (1979, 1985, 1990)
1973: Ratification of the 1969 AU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
1986: Law No. 86-012 of 31 January 1986 on the regime for foreigners in the People's Republic of Benin
2004: Ratification of the 2000 Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants and the 2000 Protocol on Trafficking in Human Beings.
2006: Law No. 2006-04 on the conditions of displacement of minors and repression of child trafficking.
The main ministries in charge of migration affairs:
Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Worship: Emigration and immigration management; border management.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie and Beninese Abroad: relations with nationals abroad; dissemination of information; assistance to returning migrants; protection of nationals abroad.
Ministry of the Family: Fight against trafficking in human beings.
ICMPD et OIM (2016): Enquête sur les politiques migratoires en Afrique de l'Ouest. Deuxième édition. https://fmmwestafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fr-A_Survey_on_Migration_Policies_in_West_Africa_FR_SOFT2nd.pdf
Organisation Internationale pour les migrations (OIM 2011): Migration au Bénin: Profil National. http://publications.iom.int/books/migration-au-benin-profil-national-2011


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Full text of this article is only available in PDF format.
Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 2 article id 115 | 2011 | Research article
Add to selected articles
Marjut Turtiainen , Kauko Salo, Olli Saastamoinen
Variations of yield and utilisation of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and cowberries (V. vitis-idaea L.) in Finland
Turtiainen M., Salo K., Saastamoinen O. (2011). Variations of yield and utilisation of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and cowberries (V. vitis-idaea L.) in Finland. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 2 article id 115. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.115
So far, only rough estimates for the utilisation rates of wild berries in Finland have been available. One reason for this is that there has been a lack of empirical-knowledge-based studies concerning total yields of wild berries and their yield variations. This study had three aims: 1) total bilberry and cowberry yields of an average crop year were calibrated for different (abundant and poor) crop years using the inventory data on wild berries collected by the Finnish Forest Research Institute (1997–2008); 2) national utilisation rates of bilberries and cowberries were calculated for three different berry years 1997–1999; and 3) regional utilisation rates of these berry species were calculated for the year 1997. According to calculations, annual bilberry yields in Finland vary from 92 to 312 million kg. For cowberry, the range of variation in total berry yields is from 129 to 386 million kg. It was also found that approximately the same proportion of the total yield of bilberries (i.e. 5–6%) was collected between 1997 and 1999. Utilisation rates of cowberries were also quite constant varying from approximately 8% to nearly 10%. In 1997, bilberries and cowberries were utilised most intensively in the eastern parts of the country and in the Oulu-Kainuu region. The results of this present study describe the situation before the phenomenon of foreign pickers. It can be presumed that commercial wild berry picking by migrant collectors has so far affected both national and regional utilisation rates of wild berries.
bilberry; cowberry; total berry yield; yield variation; utilisation of wild berries
Turtiainen, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland ORCID ID: – E-mail marjut.turtiainen@uef.fi
Salo, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, Joensuu, Finland ORCID ID: –
Saastamoinen, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland ORCID ID: –
Received 21 July 2010 Accepted 21 March 2011 Published 31 December 2011
Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.115 | Download PDF
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Eyimofe wins Torino Film Festival's Achille Valdata award
By Jesutomi Akomolafe
01 December 2020 | 4:15 am
Nigerian feature film, Eyimofe (This is My Desire) has won the Achilles Valdosta Award at the just concluded Torino International Film Festival in Italy. The film, which had its world premiere at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, was screened on November 24, in the Torino 38 section of the renowned festival.
Named after the famed Italian film critic, the award is given to the best film in competition as decided by a jury of TorinoSette – La Stampa readers (one of the three major newspapers in Italy).
In giving Eyimofe the award, the jury made a special note of the film's interpretation of "the theme of emigration with an alternative slant, from the point of view of the migrant before he becomes one. In a sort of neorealism, the authors represent the difficult daily life of Lagos with dignity without falling into melodrama and compassion."
Meanwhile, Botox, a co-production between Iran and Canada, directed by Kaveh Mazaheri, was named the best feature at the festival. The film co-written by Mazaheri and Sepinud Najian also won the award for best screenplay.
The award for the best short film went to A Better You by Eamonn Murphy from Ireland, while The Last Hillbilly, by Diane Sara Bouzgarrou and Thomas Jenkoe from France was selected as best documentary.
The special jury award was given to Fernanda Valadez's Sin Senas Particulares, a co-production between Mexico and Spain while Mercedes Hernandez was named the best actress for her role in the film.
Conrad Mericoffer was named the best actor for his role in Camp de Maci from Romania. A line up of 133 films was presented during the festival. Extra Sauce, a short film co-produced by Iran and Germany, was also screened.
Established in 1982 by Prof. Gianni Rondolino, the Torino Film Festival is dedicated to innovative styles and new trends in cinema in Italy and abroad. Every year, TFF has established itself as a forum dedicated to supporting independent cinema, first and second works, documentaries and linguistic experimentation.
Throughout its history, the Torino Film Festival has had the honour of hosting international artists. However, the real objective of the festival is to discover and celebrate emerging directors.
This year's festival celebrates its 38th edition, following an unprecedented global pandemic that has reaffirmed the importance of artists, community and cinema storytelling.
Set in Lagos, Nigeria, Eyimofe is a two-chapter film that follows the stories of Mofe (Jude Akuwudike), a factory technician, and Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams), a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe will be a better life on foreign Shores.
The film is presented by GDN Studios, directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa Adeyemo. It was funded entirely in Nigeria, shot on 16mm and filmed across 48 locations in Lagos. Executive Producers include Maiden Alex Ibru, Toke Alex Ibru, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Kayode Akindele and Ifeoma Esiri.
Since its world premiere, the film has been selected for different international festivals, including Indie Lisboa International Film Festival in Portugal, BFI London Film Festival in the UK, Mostra Sao Paolo International Film Festival in Brazil, Cinecitta International Film Festival (CIFF) in the Netherlands, Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain, The Viennale in Austria, Sharjah Film Platform festival in UAE, Vancouver International Film Festival in Canada, AFI Film Festival in the USA, Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece, New Horizons International Film Festival in Poland and Torino Film Festival in Italy.
Now, with the recent festival selections in France and China, Eyimofe has been exposed to festival audiences in 15 countries – representing Nigeria everywhere it travels to.
For more information please visit: www.eyimofe.film / www.gdnstudios.ng
Achilles Valdata AwardArie EsiriChuko EsiriEyimofeGDN StudiosTorino Film Festival
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Best games of 2003 are calculated by overall game ratings and members "Top 2003 Games List". 2003 top games are calculated daily.
Synopsis: Play the much-loved N64 classic like never before! Like the original "Legend of Zelda's" Second Quest, this version of "Ocarina of Time" includes the Master Quest, which keeps the story the same but changes the game's puzzles dramatically.


VINCI companies pooled their expertise and operated in synergy to build the modern facility, which uses state-of-the-art waste recovery technologies.
VINCI is part of the IP13 joint venture (led by Suez Environnement subsidiary Sita) responsible for the major part of the design-build contract for the Ivry-Paris XIII waste recovery centre currently under construction. The comprehensive contract was signed in March 2015. The project, which has a value of €513 million for all VINCI business lines, will take just over 12 years to complete.
The energy from waste plant is being upgraded to handle large volumes of waste and generate electricity and heat.
Nearly a century after the end of hostilities in World War I, the pyrotechnic soil cleanup in eastern France is still ongoing and crucial to restoring a natural area.
The Seine-Aval treatment plant in the Yvelines department, which treats wastewater from the Greater Paris area (population 6 million), is Europe's largest.


So we have just finished the final stages of getting our beer into bottles for your drinking pleasure and drink where you want (within the law!) convenience.
Bottle label designs have been agreed on, content approved and label paper style decided on. The final part of the jigsaw of getting booked in to get our bottles filled with our beer, has now all been done.
From February 6th we will have Evolution Pilsner in 330ml and Uncle Monk's IPA in 500ml, then ready for February 12th we will have Blonde Rogue and Bitter Revival in 500ml.
As soon as we have them in the brewery they will be ready to order through our telesales and later down the line will be available on the online shop, so watch this space.


Appeal from the Superior Court No. 3AN-15-06925 CI of the State of Alaska, Third Judicial District, Anchorage, Eric A. Aarseth, Judge.
James N. Reeves, Holmes Weddle & Barcott, P.C., Anchorage, for Appellants.
Robert P. Owens, Assistant Municipal Attorney, and William D. Falsey, Municipal Attorney, Anchorage, for Appellee.
Owners of real property (Property Owners) appeal special assessments that the Anchorage Municipal Assembly levied on their lots to pay for recently constructed road, water, and sewer improvement projects benefiting the lots. The Property Owners claim that the special assessments improperly include nearly $ 1 million in costs from another municipal utility project unrelated to the improvements built for the benefit of their lots. They also claim that the special assessments exceed limits set by ordinance and that the assessed costs are disproportionate to the benefits provided by the improvements, violating municipal ordinance, charter, and state law.
We conclude that the Assembly's allocation of costs among these projects was supported by substantial evidence and that the ordinance limit the Property Owners rely on does not apply to these assessments. We also conclude that the Property Owners have not rebutted the presumption of correctness that attached to the Assembly's proportionality decisions. We therefore affirm the superior court's decision affirming the Assembly's special assessment determinations.
The present appeal concerns lots located in an Anchorage residential neighborhood called Turnagain Heights. This neighborhood was destroyed by the 1964 earthquake and remained undeveloped decades later. In 2002 some Turnagain Heights lot owners petitioned the Municipality of Anchorage to establish road, water, and sewer improvement districts. The Municipality produced cost estimates for the projects, and a majority of the property owners in the proposed improvement districts approved the estimates. The Assembly consequently enacted ordinances in 2004 creating three special assessment districts: a road improvement district (RID), a water improvement district (WID), and a sewer improvement district (referred to as a "lateral improvement district" or LID).
The Municipality hired an engineering consulting firm to do the design work for the three projects. Based on a geotechnical analysis of the area, the firm recommended that subdrains be incorporated in the projects' designs to remove groundwater and ensure soil stability during seismic activity. These subdrains were to be placed in "the sewer utility trenches[, ] ... the deepest utility trench[es] that [are] graded to drain." The proposed subdrainage system significantly increased the cost estimates for the RID, WID, and LID projects, and the Municipality issued revised estimates in 2006. A majority of the property owners in the improvement districts approved the revised estimates. The Assembly amended the 2004 ordinances accordingly.
The Municipality consolidated the RID, WID, and LID projects with an unrelated project by the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) to replace Pump Station 10, an aging sewer pump station in the area that had needed to be replaced for years. The contract manager for the RID, WID, LID, and Pump Station 10 projects characterized the Pump Station 10 project as "a basic infrastructure upgrade" that benefited users outside the improvement district area as well as within it. The Municipality believed consolidating the projects would "allow maximum cost and schedule efficiencies."
The Municipality created six work schedules for the consolidated projects, lettered A-F. Schedules A-C included all the work necessary for the Pump Station 10 project, as well as some work needed for the RID, WID, and LID projects. Schedules D-F included the balance of the work needed for the RID, WID, and LID projects. The Municipality invited contractors to submit a "base bid" comprising work identified in Schedules A-C and bid on "deductive alternates" comprising work identified in Schedules D-F. The Municipality divided the work and solicited bids in this manner so that the Pump Station 10 project could go forward without the improvement district projects in the event that none of the bids was compatible with the cost estimates that the district property owners had approved.
The Municipality received an acceptable bid for the entire contract (Schedules A-F), and all four projects were built. In November 2011 the Municipality submitted proposed resolutions to the Assembly to levy special assessments on the improvement district properties to pay for the completed work. The Assembly held a two-day public hearing, and in February 2012 it issued resolutions levying the assessments. The RID, WID, and LID assessments included not only costs from Schedules D-F but also some costs from Schedules A-C.
Some affected property owners - including most of the Property Owners in the present appeal-were unsatisfied with the assessments and the process afforded them by the Assembly; they filed an appeal in superior court. The superior court remanded the matter to the Assembly, ruling that the Assembly needed to conduct an adjudicatory hearing and decide disputed issues of fact in accordance with Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) Chapter 3.60.
A panel composed of three Assembly members conducted such a hearing over three days in December 2014. Following the hearing, the panel issued findings of fact and conclusions of law rejecting most of the aggrieved property owners' objections to the assessments. The Assembly approved the hearing panel's findings of fact and conclusions of law and issued new resolutions confirming and levying assessments on the improvement district property owners.
A group of property owners - the Property Owners - remained unsatisfied and filed a renewed appeal in superior court. The Property Owners argued, among other things, that "[a]ll items of work set forth on Schedules A-C were necessary components of [Pump Station] 10" and that it was thus "improper and unlawful [for the Assembly] to pass those costs to the improvement districts." The Property Owners also argued the assessments exceeded "120% of contract construction costs," in violation of AMC 19.30.040(A)(1). And they argued the special assessments were not proportional to the benefit conferred by the improvements. The superior court rejected all arguments; the Property Owners appeal to this court.
We review a municipal assembly's decision directly. We apply the substantial evidence standard of review to the assembly's findings of fact. "Substantial evidence is 'such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.' "
Interpretation of an ordinance or municipal charter provision presents a question of law. We generally review such questions using our independent judgment, adopting "the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason, and policy." But "when reviewing questions of law that involve the [Assembly's] expertise . . . [or] fundamental policy determinations," we apply the rational basis standard, deferring "to the [Assembly's] determination as long as it is supported by the facts and has a reasonable basis in law."
Our review of a municipal assembly's special assessment decision is also constrained by the "presumption of correctness." This presumption attaches whenever a municipal assembly acting in its legislative capacity levies special assessments. When the presumption has attached, we will reverse the assembly's decision "only upon proof of 'fraud or conduct so arbitrary as to be the equivalent of fraud, or [where a decision is] so manifestly arbitrary and unreasonable as to be palpably unjust and oppressive.' "
The Property Owners first claim that the Municipality improperly "shifted" about $ 1 million in costs from the installation of a subsurface drainage system needed by Pump Station 10 to the RID, WID, and LID projects. As a result, the Property Owners argue, "a small group of property owners" has been forced to "hold the bag for" expenses related to AWWU's maintenance of its sewer system - expenses that ordinarily would have been passed on to the utility's systemwide customer base.
As explained above, the Municipality divided the construction work for the RID, WID, LID, and Pump Station 10 projects into six different schedules: Schedules A-F. Schedules D-F included work necessary for the RID, WID, and LID projects but not for the Pump Station 10 project. The Municipality charged the expenses associated with Schedules D-F to the improvement districts and included them in the special assessments.
Schedules A-C included all the work needed for the Pump Station 10 project and some work needed for the RID, WID, and LID projects. The Municipality charged nearly $1 million in expenses associated with Schedules A-C to the improvement districts and thus included them in the special assessments. A significant portion of this nearly $1 million-namely, $834, 542 from Schedule B- resulted from construction of a subdrainage system. As explained above, the firm that designed the RID, WID, and LID projects recommended construction of this subdrainage system in order to remove groundwater and make the soil more stable in the event of an earthquake. Ensuring stability was essential because it was expected that the improvement districts would be developed for residential use.
Pump Station 10 also needed the subdrainage system. But the Assembly hearing panel heard testimony that a subdrainage system that served only Pump Station 10 would have been more limited than the shared system actually constructed. The projects' contract manager explained that "maintaining the stability" of the improvement districts was "more important than dewatering the pump station." The primary author of the geotechnical report for the projects further explained, "If a pump station slides down the hill, the consequences are far less than a lot of houses." The Municipality charged the vast majority of the expenses associated with constructing the subdrainage system to the RID project.
The hearing panel heard testimony on the accounting practices used to ensure that costs were properly allocated among the projects. In particular, AWWU's capital program manager testified that expenses for the different projects were "tracked separately" and that multiple individuals reviewed the pertinent records as the projects progressed. A proj ect administrator acknowledged discrepancies of around $ 10, 000 total in the accounting records. She testified that the errors had been corrected and that "the total project costs that were calculated and allocated [were] accurate."
The Assembly hearing panel found that the subdrainage system was "necessary" for the improvement district projects. The panel found that the Municipality "properly shifted approximately $1 million . . . back into the Special Improvement Districts so that [they] would pay for that part of the construction work essential to and directly benefiting the Improvement Districts." And the panel found that the Municipality "used proper accounting procedures to separately track the costs of each project individually, and that none of the costs for [Pump Station] 10 were improperly assessed against the property owner taxpayers." The Assembly approved these findings.
In arguing that the Municipality erroneously shifted about $ 1 million from the Pump Station 10 project to the improvement district projects, the Property Owners rely on Anchorage Municipal Charter section 9.02(e). This provision states: "An account or accounts for each special assessment district shall be created and kept separate from all other municipal accounts. Revenues collected within a special assessment district may be applied only to costs incurred with respect to that assessment district."
The Property Owners fail to show that the Municipality violated this provision. The Assembly hearing panel's findings set forth above establish that the Municipality complied with section 9.02(e) by maintaining separate accounts. The findings also establish that the Assembly complied with section 9.02(e) because the special assessments did not include any costs other than those "incurred with respect to the assessment district[s]." The Property Owners do not challenge these findings, let alone show that they are not supported by substantial evidence.
The Property Owners point to hearing panel testimony by an "engineer engaged by AWWU and the [Municipality]... that all of the items on Schedules A, B and C were necessary for Pump Station 10, regardless of whether the Improvement District[s] were built." But the Property Owners ignore contrary testimony that the subdrainage system included in Schedule B would have been more limited had the improvement districts not been built. In any case, the fact that items in Schedules A-C were required by the Pump Station 10 project is consistent with these items also being required by the RID, WID, and LID projects. Or to use the language of section 9.02(e), the mere fact that costs were "incurred with respect" to the Pump Station 10 project does not mean that the same costs were not also "incurred with respect to the assessment district[s]."
In the alternative, the Property Owners argue that even if the subdrainage system benefited the improvement district properties in addition to Pump Station 10, the Municipality failed to" 'fairly allocate' the costs" and improperly "forc[ed] the [improvement district properties] to pay for the entirety of them." However, the Property Owners do not cite any authority other than section 9.02(e). This provision does not impose a "fair allocation" requirement over and above its requirements that expenses be properly segregated and accounted for and that assessments "be applied only to costs incurred with respect to th[e] assessment district." To the extent the Charter and other sources of law do not fully dictate how expenses should be divided once the requirements of section 9.02(e) are satisfied - as they are in this case - such division is a policy matter that is legislative in nature. The Assembly may accordingly exercise its discretion in dividing the expenses within the bounds of the controlling law.
If the Property Owners could show that the Municipality or Assembly acted arbitrarily or with bias or malice in dividing the costs - and thus rebut the presumption of correctness - then perhaps it would be appropriate for this court to intervene. But the Property Owners fail to do so. We thus reject the Property Owners' claim that the Municipality did not properly divide the expenses among the RID, WID, LID, and Pump Station 10 projects.
3. The total cost of the improvement less the amount of any grant the municipality uses to defray the cost of the project.


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