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Big Bang as the beginning of time: science or myth?
di Gabriele Veneziano
Pubblicato il 10/12/2010Read time: 10 mins
Was there ever really a beginning of everything? Including time? One can hardly imagine a more existential question in the spirit of each human being. Philosophies and religions have approached this issue incessantly since man left traces of his own existence. We find the same questions being asked by the Greek philosophers just as well as by the religious leaders of the Middle Ages. To the question "What was God doing before creating the world?» St.Augustine replied «The question is meaningless because God, together with the world, also created time! ». And just over a century ago the French painter Paul Gauguin began the title of one of his famous pictures with the question: "D'où venons-nous?"
And what about science? After Hubble discovery of the red shift of light (i.e. towards low frequencies) coming from more distant galaxies, we know that the universe has been expanding for approximately 15 billion years. Galaxies are moving faster and faster away from each other the farther away they are from one another. Going back in time, and following the laws of physics (in particular those of Einstein's general theory of relativity) we arrive at a moment - the Big Bang - in which the entire universe as we can observe it today was concentrated in one single point. As a consequence, some physical measures such as density and temperature, would have been infinitely large at the moment of Big Bang. It is precisely the existence of these infinites that leads us to conclude that that moment (conventionally defined as t = 0) is insurmountable and that it makes no sense to speak of what was there before, just as it makes no sense to ask what lies north of the north pole. However, can we really trust the physical theories that lead us to this conclusion?
In fact, current physical theories have had a resounding success. The so-called standard model of elementary particles has been confirmed, so far without fail, by the many data collected at various particle accelerators located almost all over the world. On the other hand, also Einstein 's theory of general relativity obtained spectacular confirmations (bending of light, precession of Mercury perihelion, just to mention the most classic ones). There seems to be no reason to doubt the validity of these theories, at least within the framework in which the experiments have been carried out. As a result of all this, modern cosmology rests on a solid foundation at least until when it aims at describing the universe starting from a few billionths of a billionth of a second after the big bang. But what about the reliability of these theories if we want to go back in time even further, up to t = 0, up to the Big Bang itself?
Hardly disputable arguments tell us that even in the most optimistic case, between t = 0 and a short time (one Planck time, see below) after the big bang, the theory of general relativity alone can not describe the evolution of the Universe. This is due to the fact that the general relativity fails to take into account the other great achievement of twentieth century physics, quantum mechanics, which is known to dominate the microscopic phenomena, such as atomic or nuclear phenomena. In fact, without quantum mechanics, an atom would be a very unstable system: the electron, while turning around the proton in a hydrogen atom should radiate electromagnetic waves and thereby lose energy until it would «crash» into the nucleus ( the proton in this case). Quantum mechanics steps in, with the famous Heisenberg uncertainty principle, on the basis of which, in order to minimize the energy of the system, the electron must remain at a respectful distance from the proton, a distance known as the Bohr radius, which amounts to about 10-10 m, that is exactly the size of an atom.
Similarly, when considering the effects of quantum mechanics on gravity, a characteristic length scale is determined (or, dividing by the speed of light, a time scale) which is called the length (or time) of Planck, named after the famous physicist Max Planck who introduced this length at the beginning of the last century. Its value, 10-35 m (10-43 s) is much smaller than the Bohr radius, but in any case is not zero. There is a consensus that, beyond that length or time scale, it is no longer possible to trust the relativity of Einstein. The question is: what should we replace it with? Here comes a problem: while, as far as the non-gravitational interactions are concerned, we know how to make them compatible with quantum mechanics, any attempt to do the same thing with the gravitational force has failed miserably ... well with one exception.
Since the late sixties there is a new theory of elementary particles known as "string theory" in which all elementary particles correspond to different states of vibration of a single entity, a vibrating string (as if in a certain way, different particles corresponded to different musical notes). By applying the laws of quantum mechanics, this string, in analogy with the hydrogen atom, acquires an optimum length, which is said length of the string, an a priori new constant of Nature. In the sixties and early seventies version of the theory, this length was chosen to be the size of an atomic nucleus (10-15 m) while in the modern versions this becomes of the magnitude of the above-mentioned Planck length, in other words no less than twenty times smaller.
The small, but finite size of the quantum string means that some physical measures such as density and temperature, can not become infinitely large in contrast with the outcomes that would result from the general relativity. As every infinite thus disappears, the necessity for a beginning of time disappears as well, and we are brought back to the question which St. Augustine had so brilliantly avoided answering: what was there before? Currently, technical difficulties prevent us from answering this question accurately and safely, but two possible answers seem to emerge.
According to the first one, the universe started at a stage which can not be described in terms of the usual notions of space and time, a stage completely dominated by quantum mechanics. Space and time concepts would "emerge" at the end of this primordial stage. This is the choice that most closely matches the ideas (not based on strings) of Steven Hawking, who speaks of time becoming "Euclidean", in other words similar to a fourth spatial coordinate.
The second possibility, which seems even more appealing as it is based on certain symmetries of the string theory is that the universe had a "prehistory", which, in some ways, is the mirror image of its history. At this stage, called pre-Big Bang, the universe would suffer a kind of gravitational collapse in a still "classical" system (i.e. without any relevant quantum effects ) reaching the maximum values of density, temperature and curvature allowed by the theory of strings. At this point the universe would enter a quantum phase from which it would then emerge creating the universe and its history as we know it today. The Big Bang is thus replaced by a "Big Bounce". This could also explain the "initial" very finely tuned conditions that are used to explain the current universe and that, in the absence of an earlier stage, would need additional paradigms such as the one of cosmological inflation. In other variations of this scenario, the process of contraction and expansion repeats endlessly (cyclic universe).
This latter debate seems to go beyond the context of physics to get into that of metaphysics, as it would use concepts that are not experimentally verifiable. However, this is not the case: in fact, from the studies of the inflationary models we already know that the early universe evolution normally leaves observable traces up to this day. This happens due to a phenomenon known as 'freezing' of certain physical quantities during very long cosmological periods. Today, these quantities "thaw out" and, like a prehistoric animal buried in ice millions of years ago, they reveal what the universe was like at around (or even before) the big bang / bounce.
An example of such prehistoric traces is that of a stochastic background of gravitational waves with a typical frequency spectrum that could be revealed in today's operating interferometers (LIGO, VIRGO, ...) or one of their successors (LISA?). Another one, is the fact that the "pre-bang" phase could generate "seeds" for the galactic magnetic fields whose origin is otherwise very difficult to explain. Therefore the question: "Did time begin?» may one day be answered experimentally.


Help the patient in this Subway Surfers hand caring game because the injury is pretty severe and you will surely want all of the people that come into your office to get all better soon. Jack loves gardening and he works in the beautiful garden every day taking care of the plants and flowers. But gardening means getting our hands dirty and Jack doesn't minds digging in the ground, but he needs to take a better care of her hands. In this fun new Subway Surfer Hand Caring game you can be his doctor. You must give him a hand treatment.


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Maddie & Tae Set the Record Straight on "Sierra"
by Samantha Stephens 5/24/2016
Maddie & Tae are no strangers to telling it like it is, but let's be clear: They're not out to hurt anyone. Which is why the girls were a little distraught to learn that some thought the new single "Sierra" was a little … well … mean.
"We were like, 'No, that's not it. I don't think you're fully listening," the duo's Maddie Marlow said during a recent chat at CMT's offices in Nashville.
The song, which addresses a bully named Sierra, is more about empowering yourself in the face of adversity and a cautionary tale to the unkind.
"The whole purpose of the song is to tell others, 'Hey, there are going to be mean people. People that tell you you're ugly and you're not good enough and you're a loser just like this situation,'" Marlow added. "But you have to come out and look in the mirror every morning and say, 'You know what? I'm good enough.' I'm good enough for me and worthy enough for me, and that's what matters.'"
"It's really easy to put that off on someone else, too, saying 'I hope they grow up and I hope they learn their lesson," Tae Dye said. "But it's what you do about the situation, because you can't control what's going on over there. All you can control is what decision you make to be happy or sad or let it get to you. That's why we hope this song teaches people — or reminds people — to make that 'happy' decision."
Marlow summed it up with one very astute observation.
"At the end of the day, 'hurt' people hurt people," she said. "That happens all the time. Most broken people hurt others while they're broken."
Such wise girls.
And time truly does heal all wounds, even between Marlow and the person known as Sierra.
"We are friendly again," Marlow said. "We've reconciled and made up. I sent her a message and said, 'Heads up. This is the next single. Hope all is well, no hard feelings.' She sent back this super-nice message, 'We've grown up since then, I'm really excited for you.' Just a very sweet message. You just never know what someone is going through in his or her life.
"People can be going through some really tough things. I don't exactly know what her situation was. But having said that, it's no excuse to belittle others and treat others badly. So when that does happen to you, you have to wake up every morning and say 'I'm good enough for me.' We live our lives to please God and ourselves and our families, and that's all we really worry about. You have to take that negativity and let it build you and make you stronger."
That motto is one the girls still rely on to get them through down days.
"Both of us have had our own situations," Marlow said. "Even when we were together going to different writers and things, people would say, 'Oh, they're cute.' There's so much more we want to offer. There are so many doors that get closed and so many people that are ugly to you.
"Life is 90 percent choice and 10 percent what happens to you. You have to make that choice every day to be positive, but it is hard, let me tell you!" she said with a laugh.
Samantha Stephens
Samantha is a country radio insider with a deep love for the music and its stars. She can often be found on a red carpet or at a late-night guitar pull.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IS IT TIME TO QUIT?
With the fast-paced change, we're all now used to in the digital world, you have to keep your wits about you to stay aware of what's going on. That's one of the reasons why we like to do frequent summaries of recent developments.
INSTAGRAM COMES OUT FIGHTING IN THE LATEST ROUND WITH SNAPCHAT.
Facebook seems to be on a mission with Instagram. From the outside, it looks as if they're aiming to combine the highly effective and well-regarded business tools of Facebook with the hugely popular messaging capabilities of Snapchat to become the uber-social media.
It's latest move is to introduce live videos, disappearing messages and alerts if someone takes a screenshot. Sound familiar? It should do as they're core Snapchat and Facebook features. It's the merging of Facebook Live with the very point of what Snapchat offers.
With the rate at which Instagram is churning out new features, we're expecting InstaGlass to be a winner.
Oh, wait, talking of that….
Not a human in sight.
Maybe it's a sign of what's to come in the future of our High Street?!
In the wake of some criticism from Barack Obama about the threat to democracy posed by misinformation, Mark Zuckerberg came out promising new measures to tackle the level of fake news appearing in our feeds.
It's not the first time Facebook has faced this kind of criticism; it's been facing an ever increasing amount since it fired the human news team in Summer. Facebook has argued that they're constantly working to tackle this issue with the news feed algorithm already penalising clickbait, spam and scams so they're less likely to be seen.
Like Mark himself pointed out, it's likely to be quite an ongoing battle for Facebook to get the balance right between blocking fake news and drifting into censorship.
Kendall Jenner takes a break from Instagram, Kim Kardashian has stopped all social media completely since the robbery in Paris a few weeks ago and now Cal Newport (Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University) has published an essay in the New York Times arguing that social media is a waste of time. Not only that but also that social media reduces your ability to create anything of value.
"The foundation to achievement and fulfillment, almost without exception, requires that you hone a useful craft and then apply it to things that people care about. If you do that, the rest will work itself out, regardless of the size of your Instagram following."
Focus on quality - don't just make noise for the sake of it, add something meaningful to the conversation.
Stay safe online - sadly, Kim K found this out in a highly traumatic way.
When you're as famous as Kendall Jenner, taking a break doesn't harm your following - in fact, it'll probably generate enough publicity in itself that it'll fill the void your absence has left.
Want to talk through making the most of what social media can offer you? Get in touch, or tweet me @anthonyjohns0n to arrange a chat.


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How NFTs Can Catalyze Charities
by Shawn Du'Mmett
Charities mainly rely on donations to provide the funding they need to continue their work. But what if people could also donate and receive a unique NFT, such as a digital artwork or a collectible, that in turn could be traded on an open market?
This is the concept behind non-fungible token fundraising by charities. An NFT is an asset that has a unique identity and can be identified, stored, and transferred without using a central registry. Unlike traditional crypto assets, each NFT has its own identity, allowing it to be differentiated from every other NFT. This provides key benefits for both donors and beneficiaries of charitable giving.
One firm pioneering NFTs for charities is Next Earth, which recently hosted the first Initial Tile Offering, or ITO, in which virtual land NFTs were sold.
Indonesian student, Ghozali rakes over $1M trading his selfies as NFT
Gap establishes its NFT collection
NFT Market: US Congressmen launch digital pieces to raise Money
How to claim Looksrare NFT Airdrop?
What Donors Get Out of It
Donors can support charities more easily by receiving something of intrinsic value rather than just money: an NFT instead of cash or another donation form. Donors get something they want while supporting the cause: an NFT that represents something meaningful to them or their interests.
Donors may choose to hold onto their NFTs as a way of showing appreciation for a good cause while also benefiting from increased value over time – just like collectors do with physical artworks or sports cards.
Donors can also choose whether or not to sell their NFT at any point after making the donation. If they do decide to sell their NFT back into the secondary market, they will receive money from the sale which goes directly towards furthering their charitable mission.
What Charities Get Out of It
Charities also benefit via association with the growing NFT movement. NFTs are becoming increasingly popular with both donors and collectors, who view them as a new platform for creativity and expression. By accepting NFT-based contributions from donors, charities are joining an exclusive club that includes the world's most prominent artists, musicians and game developers.
For example, Next Earth raised $1.3 million in its first few weeks, and the community voted on the allocation of the 10% charitable contribution, determining that 57% of the allocation would be given to The Ocean Cleanup, and the remainder to Amazon Watch.
How Non-Fungible Tokens Work
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital files that contain information about ownership rights within a blockchain network like Ethereum. This unique identifier allows NFT creators to identify individual tokens, track their movement throughout the network, and prove their existence and ownership at any given time through cryptography.
Once created, these tokens can be traded among users. When people donate cryptocurrency to support a cause using non-fungible tokens instead of cash or another traditional means of giving, the tokens become fungible assets once they enter into the hands of the intended beneficiary(s).
The non-fungible nature of these tokens ensures donors get something unique back in return for their donation.
Non-fungible tokens are just one example of how blockchain technology is providing new ways for people around the world to give back and help make an impact on important issues facing society today.
Blockchain technology is changing how we think about trust and security online while creating opportunities for new forms of commerce and financial services that were previously unavailable.
Now imagine these same benefits being brought into daily life offline by leveraging blockchain technology as a tool for social good; Clearly, the future is bright for blockchain.
Shawn Du'Mmett
Former IT development and consultant, remote team and collaboration expert, PM, CCO, writer, dreamer, idealist looking to collaborate with global teams on a global teal/turquoise organisation. Shawn's dream is working together openly, to get what writers need and want, and to solve biggest global problems. He is building a collaboration system from the start that everyone can own and define, allowing them to work together, to decide how it works and to their highest ideals.
LinksDAO NFT prices spike as NBA star Stephen Curry purchases membership
AP launches NFT market for photographs on Polygon


The service team here at Sheaff Vehicles not only provide great service, but also strive to make it a great experience. Boasting 3 A grade technicians with over 70 years experience between them, including 13 years as specialist Ssangyong and LDV service agents, we take great pride in offering franchise dealership standards, at regular workshop prices.
With the latest diagnostic equipment, we carry out comprehensive servicing of all makes and models, including near new "In -Warranty" vehicles, using genuine parts as required.
Here at Sheaff's, we can create tailored plans to suit your servicing requirements, and we offer great deals to fleet operators and multi vehicle owners.
Grab a free, top quality coffee while you wait, and our all day, every day WoF inspection price of only $45 is sure to please. We also offer WoF's on all motorcycles, trailers, caravans, boats, horse floats and camper vans (up to 3.5T). And being a full workshop, if there is an issue identified in the inspection, big or small, we can often get it sorted right there and then, saving you further time and money.
If you think there is a problem with your car, don't panic, just head down to our modern and clean workshop and our trustworthy technicians will diagnose the fault, then provide a plan to get you back on the road again, fast and efficiently.
Not sure about what a service might cost, here at Sheaff Vehicles, we offer a fixed price service.
* Prices are based on max of 4L of oil, extra oil used will be charged for.
As an approved MTA Assured workshop, and past award winning dealership, you have total peace of mind that we operate to the highest standards, and we use top grade ELF lubricants which will ensure you get the correct grade oil and fluids in your pride and joy.
We are also an Autosure approved warranty repairer, and can provide WINZ Quotes if required.
For effective automotive repairs, servicing and WoF inspections in the greater Tauranga and Mount Maunganui area, there is no place better to go than Sheaff Vehicles.
To book in a for a service or WoF Click here.


Poolesville, MD, February 1, 2019 – Beautiful Home Services, LLC is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry's coveted Angie's List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie's List in 2018.
Angie's List Super Service Award 2018 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an "A" rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie's List and undergo additional screening.
Beautiful Home Services, LLC has been listed on Angie's List since 2007. This is 11th consecutive year Beautiful Home Services, LLC has received this honor.


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El mochuelo del Congo (Glaucidium sjostedti) es una especie de ave estrigiforme de la familia Strigidae nativa de África Central: Camerún, República Centroafricana, Congo, República Democrática del Congo, Guinea Ecuatorial, Gabón y Nigeria. Habita el bosque húmedo tropical.  No tiene subespecies reconocidas.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

sjostedti
Aves de África
Taxones descritos por Anton Reichenow
Animales descritos en 1893

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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MSF's Cone: "We Cannot Accept Any Criminalization of the Medical Act"
Humanitarian experts discussed the international community's response to the increased frequency and severity of attacks on healthcare infrastructure, transport, personnel, and patients in situations of armed conflict, at an IPI panel April 14, 2016. The discussion was especially timely, as the UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution on healthcare in armed conflict.
The resolution is sponsored by Egypt, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Uruguay. Rallying such a diverse group of states around the topic was no easy feat, said Román Oyarzun Marchesi, Permanent Representative of Spain to the UN. "Those of you that are familiar with the Council dynamics will probably agree with me if I call it a small miracle," he said. "So far we have made it work combining imagination, enthusiasm, and flexibility."
Encouraged by the Security Council's work on the subject, Jason Cone, Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières, USA, said he hoped that member states will seize this moment to make "public reaffirmations that health facilities must never be a target." He concluded this call to action to UN members saying, "We cannot accept any criminalization of the medical act."
He went on to illustrate the spike in violence against even healthcare workers, traditionally understood to be neutral and not legitimate targets. "During the month of October 2015 alone, an MSF trauma center in Kunduz, Afghanistan was bombed, killing 42 staff and patients," he said. "Twelve hospitals in Syria, including six supported by MSF, were attacked. And an MSF health center in Haydan, Yemen was destroyed."
"These incidents have a direct and indirect consequence on MSF's operational capacities and choices, and most importantly our ability to access and treat patients," he said, lamenting the "unacceptable" choice to cease providing health services as a result of attacks, thereby increasing a conflict's death toll by depriving many of life-saving medical care.
Stéphane Ojeda, Deputy Permanent Observer to the UN, International Committee of the Red Cross, provided some historical context about the protection of the medical mission—the oldest aspect of the laws of war.
"The protection of the wounded and sick has been at the heart of international humanitarian law (IHL) from the start," he said. This was the first protected category of the Geneva Conventions, he said, which constituted the norm of treating all sick and wounded, without discrimination or interference, as a keystone of civilized warfare.
Logically, it is impossible to protect the combatant without first protecting medical personnel, he said. "The IHL protection of the wounded and sick would be meaningless without its corollary protection of those taking care of the wounded and sick."
Ojeda proposed we improve respect for existing international humanitarian law. "We do not need new rules," he said. "What we need is a better implementation of the existing ones."
Cone shared concerns about basic protections of international law being overruled by domestic legislation, often written with counter-terrorism as its impetus. "We observe states pushing national counter-terrorism laws or domestic laws, which contradict and often overrule IHL provisions on the protection of the medical mission; we need to see public reaffirmations that health facilities must never be a target."
He called for improved transparency and accountability in the aftermath of attacks on healthcare facilities. At present, there is often little more than an internal review by the military of the perpetrator, he said. "Whenever an attack occurs, an impartial and independent mechanism should establish the facts," he said. "States should commit to upholding these standards of fact-finding measures."
Nata Menabde, Executive Director of the New York Office, World Health Organization (WHO), brought the perspective of the UN to the panel. She explained that a policy prescription must recognize there are both direct and indirect attacks on the healthcare infrastructure, transport, personnel, and patients.
Warfare tactics include obstructing access to health care services for ethnic or political minorities, and intimidating patients from seeking care. "These patients are shot in their beds, medical facilities are looted," she explained. "That is again, sometimes a part of warfare tactics, not happening by chance, but a tactic."
Patients are not the only ones intentionally targeted. She also highlighted the punishment of healthcare personnel for the performance of medical duties, such as attacks during the Ebola outbreak, and on polio vaccinators in Nigeria and Pakistan.
Drawing on the examples of current concerns in the field brought to light by her fellow panelists, she said the UN would aim to respond by improving data collection to enable the emergence of evidence-driven solutions. "WHO is committed to improve the standardization of data collection of attacks on healthcare in emergencies, and particularly to better understand consequences of those attacks longer term."
The event was co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Egypt, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Uruguay to the UN.
Els Debuf, IPI Senior Adviser for Humanitarian Affairs, moderated the conversation.


Noble Hospital is the first and largest multi specialty, tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of Pune City. Noble Hospital is synonymous to quality efficiency and comfort which has helped us to gain the reputation of most trusted and reliable health care service providers in the region. It almost a decade that Noble hospital has been serving the best to the community. Noble Hospital is leading tertiary care hospital with the team of World class Doctors and surgeons persistently offering their skills and experience in wide range of specialty. Noble brings together an exceptional team of doctors, clinical researchers, multidisciplinary investigation, and translating scientific advances more speedily into new ways of diagnosing and treating patients and preventing diseases.


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23rd Sep 2015
VauDe Power Lizard Review
Before starting on the review I have to say that I love the name. Power Lizard! Tents seem to have a long history of cool names. Perhaps it's a factor of them having fairly long life-spans and resulting in some great memories that manufacturers put some effort into naming them.
Over the years I've put up, carried and slept in a fairly large number of tents, but this is both the lightest and smallest that sleeps more than one person. It weighs in at just under 1Kg. That's actually lighter than a couple of our 1 person bivvy bags. It packs down to a pretty reasonable size and was our tent of choice alongside two bivv bags for some family (of four) wild camping in the South of France this summer.
On putting the tent up for the first time it is clear how VauDe have managed to make it weigh so little. The materials themselves are very, very light. The fabric of both the inner and the outer feels like silk, whilst the poles are about the diameter of a pencil and the pegs more like teeny meat skewers.
Putting it up wasn't immediately straightforward, but it was by no means difficult. There's a single long pole that arches across the tent to form the porch on one side. This clips into a reinforced eyelet at each end, but instead of having to be threaded through a sleeve of material, is fixed to the tent by a series of seven plastic clips. Each clip has a locking mechanism to stop them coming off or from sliding up or down the pole. It's important to get the clips in the right place before locking them - this is easily done by starting from one end and sliding each clip as far along the pole as the material allows. Once that's in place there are two short poles only around 40cm in length. One of these is fitted at each end of the tent by way of a short (5cm long) sleeve at the top, and a reinforced eyelet at the bottom. Each pole is then tensioned into an upright position by way of a two way guyline. There's a certain amount of tensioning needed between the two poles to get the thing pitched properly. The main arched pole is then naturally held in place by the tension between the two guy'd end poles. The tent is designed for bad weather so there are then a number of additional guy lines available to give the main pole some stability. Once you're satisfied with the external pitching there are a couple of neat little features inside. Firstly there's a narrow webbing strap that runs between the two end points of the arched pole. This not only stops the pole from being over or arched, but also provides a sliding anchor point for the edge of the inner tent. Open up the single zip in the porch and it's a simple matter to slide a plastic locking buckle along the strap to pull the inner tent taut and put it in its correct position. The inner tent is hung from the outer by means of a series of plastic rings and toggles as is usual in most tents. There's one final tensioning trick provided by means of an internal guy line that runs along the length of the arched pole through a series of loops. This guy line can be pulled tight and locked to stop virtually any lateral movement along the length of the pole. All in all it's a very robust tent and moves very little in wind.
Size wise there is space for two adults to sleep side by side, with a generous area at the foot end for kit - it's actually 2.3m long. I am 1.95m and usually sleep with one side of any tent pressed against my face, but ironically this little thing has more length than an of my others, with a clear 35cm for kit. There's a cute little hanging line in the roof of the inner to dry damp gear on. The inner has some large mesh sections, of a small enough gauge to stop midges getting in, which allows for plenty of breathing. I'd have liked to see a few more pockets available for storage of stuff overnight, but that's a minor complaint. The porch is big enough to store a little kit in, and to cook in if necessary (with the door open).
In use so far it has proved very good indeed. Very little wind movement, and it keeps the rain out whilst remaining breathable. Am loving it so far. Not only is it light, neat, and practical, it's already seen us on some great adventures so is feeding the memory banks nicely. Perfect for mountain marathons, trekking, and any other activity that requires moving fast and light, but be warned, the materials, which although highly rated, taped and sealed, are not going to last as long as something three or four times its weight so use it wisely if you get one.
Vital Statistics: It retails at £400. It weighs 1050g and has a pack size of 35cm by 14cm.
Camping archive
Type-2 Holidaying - Loch Hourn Sea Kayaking
- 2015 (7)


When the Bitcoin price began to rise in 2017, most investors sold their Bitcoin to enjoy the profit. However, one great lesson we learnt was that holding power is vital. Those who were patient enough, holding their coins till early 2018 made three times the profit when compared to those who sold it last year.
John Pfeffer (partner at Pfeffer capital) gave a long term prediction that Bitcoin will grow over 75 times. He feels that in the future, the value of Bitcoin will be around $700,000.
Tim Draper (a venture capitalist) has predicted that, in 3-4 years' time, Bitcoin will be valued at $250,000. It is very clear that, John's prediction is a bit optimistic or a little farfetched, Draper's prediction is quite realistic though.
John McAfee has predicted that by the end of 2018, Bitcoin will exceed $7,000. He also predicted that, by 2020 it will be worth over $1 million.
Last year, John McAfee was the same person who predicted that Bitcoin will exceed the $7,000 mark and at the end of the day, his predictions came true. McAfee once tweeted that his $1 million prediction for 2020 was made using the same model. Kenneth Rogoff (an ex IMF chief) has predicted that the value of Bitcoin will drop to $100 or lower since it is a bubble which is yet to burst.
JP Morgan chief, Tom Lee has made his own prediction that Bitcoin will exceed the $25,000 mark because he believes the crypto world will experience great growth. Llew Claasen has predicted that, one bitcoin will be valued at around $40,000. He noted the possibility of ups and downs coming in, but still maintains his point that Bitcoin will swim against the current and somehow meet his expectations.
One should note that Bitcoin is full of surprises and therefore you should invest whatever amount you can afford to lose. Being optimistic is great, but it is very important that all crypto investors should keep in mind that there's always a possibility of a downfall.


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'All I hear Tom Hardy do is grunt': Fans blast BBC for actors' 'incoherent mumbling' AGAIN in new drama Taboo
By Sam Tonkin For Mailonline
Published: 05:18 EST, 22 February 2017 | Updated: 05:40 EST, 22 February 2017
Fans have criticised Tom Hardy for ruining BBC series Taboo with his grunting and 'incoherent mumbling'.
In the latest controversy to hit the corporation's dramas, viewers complained that the 39-year-old star was impossible to follow as adventurer James Delaney.
Poldark, Happy Valley, Rillington Place and Jamaica Inn have also come under fire for similar poor sounds quality reasons.
Fans have criticised Tom Hardy for ruining BBC series Taboo with his grunting and 'incoherent mumbling'
In the latest controversy to hit the corporation's dramas, viewers complained that the 39-year-old star was impossible to follow as adventurer James Delaney
It is the second time in a month that Taboo fans have taken to Twitter to moan having done the same in January to say they needed subtitles because of the 'mumbling'.
The dark and grim storyline was met with praise by most fans, but the problems were too hard to ignore for some: 'Another poorly lit BBC drama full of mumbling, who'd have thought?', wrote one viewer on Twitter at the time.
Last Saturday's show then featured Hardy's bizarre snorts as he was tortured in the Tower of London.
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Jesse Helman wrote on Twitter: 'If you haven't seen Taboo it's basically a period piece where people ask Tom Hardy questions and he grunts.'
Meryl Davies said: 'Taboo ruined by incoherent mumbling. Could have been brilliant', while Thomas Worley blasted: 'I wish Tom Hardy would speak up a bit sometimes #Taboo.'
Glen Miller then added: '#Taboo, mumble, mumble, mumble. What the effing hell is going on?'
Another fan tweeted: 'Tom Hardy in Taboo; his voice is sexy even tho I can't understand a word he says without subs.'
Last year director general Tony Hall told executives to look into 'audibility' issues following complaints from fans of shows like Happy Valley, but it seems other shows have still been affected.
It's a problem they have been plagued with over the years with shows like Jamaica in 2014, War and Peace this January and November's Rillington Place all appearing to have the same issue.
Fans have continued to share their difficulties trying to understand what was going on in their favourite shows, even resorting to subtitles to follow the plots.
Originally the BBC said the sound quality in Happy Valley was due to the Yorkshire accents, but that comment angered those from West Yorkshire where the show was set, saying even they couldn't understand the show.
'Patronising rubbish,' said another. '[The BBC] can't even admit when they get it wrong. How on earth can we not understand the Yorkshire dialect?'
Earlier this year Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC TV Channels and iPlayer, told the Voice of the Listener and Viewer conference that they were going to do everything they could to prevent the problem again, including creating a new set of guidelines.
Back in 2013, Lord Hall said the corporation could look at how to stop actors 'muttering' in its TV dramas.
'I don't want to sound like a grumpy old man, but I also think muttering is something we could have a look at,' he said. 'Actors muttering can be testing - you find you have missed a line - you have to remember that you have an audience.'
Last year director general Tony Hall told executives to look into 'audibility' issues following complaints from fans of shows like Happy Valley (pictured)
Fans blast Taboo's Tom Hardy for 'incoherent mumbling'


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	validates :title, :presence => true

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class PageModule < ActiveRecord::Base
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MODULE_TYPE_PAGE = 1
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Aston Villa appoints new coach
Published By: Nimot Sulaimon
Aston Villa has confirmed the appointment of Unai Emery as the club's new head coach, following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
The former Arsenal manager returns to the English Premier League (EPL) after rebuilding his reputation with success at Villarreal.
He clinched Europa League glory in 2021 and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season.
Aston Villa, who stopped the rot with a 4-0 thrashing of Brentford on Sunday under first-team coach Aaron Danks, confirmed the Spaniard will take his position on Nov. 1.
He will therefore not be in the dugout for Saturday's trip to face Newcastle United.
Sweet revenge: Man. United thrash Villa in six-goal thriller in Carabao Cup
Emery ends 27-year wait for Premier League win over Man Utd at Villa Park
Aston Villa start life after Gerrard with big win against Brentford
It means Emery's first task will be back-to-back tests against Manchester United.
They will host Erik ten Hag's side in the Premier League on Nov. 6 before travelling to Old Trafford four days later in the EFL Cup.
Emery will then lead Aston Villa into a Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, the final game before the season pauses for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Aston Villa's win against Brentford, they're first in four Premier League matches, took the team to 15th in the table, three points above the relegation zone.
dpa/NAN
Tags: Aston Villa Steven Gerrard Unai Emery


You will Watch G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Season 1 Episode 47 online for free episodes with HQ / high quality. Stream cartoons G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Season 1 Episode 47 The Traitor (Part II) In order to prove himself in Cobra, Dusty must battle a Cobra soldier named Lt. Claymore in the Arena of Death with man-eating pirana. G.I. Joe revamp security and launch a full scale assault against their former comrade and Cobra to protect their armor treatment project. But when the Joes are captured by Cobra Commander to be subjects for his mind control gas, an unexpected twist of events proves that not all is what it seems.


text:
Photo: Mark McKeough
Hishuk ish tsawaak – Everything is Connected
Tofino is situated in the ha'houlthee (traditional territory) of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. Through mutual agreement and our common interests both communities agree to uphold the Nuu chah nulth principles of Hishuk ish tsawaak - everything is one and all is interconnected and lisaak - respect with caring. Please consider these principles as you enjoy the trails, parks and beaches.
To view or download a pdf. version of the Tofino Trail and Parks map please click here.
Multi-Use Path (MUP)
Tofino's Multi-Use Path winds its way along Pacific Rim Highway for approximately 6km. It has been a work in progress for the community of Tofino, with many volunteer hours put towards fundraising for its construction. The MUP has been over twenty years in the making, and all of the work has paid off, as the trail has become the most used recreation facility in Tofino. The path is not done yet; the goal is to eventually connect the MUP all the way to the National Park. The path is designed for a variety of users including cyclists, walkers, joggers and skate boarders. With a growing increase of users on the path every year, we hope the following tips will help make your MUP travels safe.
Tips for the MUP:
Keep dogs on a leash
Use a light a night
Watch for hidden driveways
Use your bell
Stay Right except to pass
No Motorized Scooters
Tonquin Trail and Connector
The Tonquin Trail
The Tonquin Trail is a moderate gravel trail which includes beautiful views of Clayoquot Sound. The trail begins at the Tofino Community Hall and meanders through old-growth forest to Tonquin Beach, Third Beach and Middle Beach. The trail is steep in sections and has a series of stairs. The trail network includes a closed loop trail and 3km of gravel walking trails. There is 800m of board walk and stairs that will take you from Tonquin Beach up to the end of Tonquin Beach Road. Along the trail are many points of interest and view platforms. Just past the exit for Tonquin Beach you will find a lookout that has stunning panoramic views of Templar Channel, Wickaninnish Island and is the wreck site of The Tonquin. Third Beach, at low tide provides a small, sandy picket of beach perfect for quiet reflection. Beyond Third Beach is Middle Beach. This section of the trail was completed in 2017 and crosses through the ha-houlthee (traditional territory) of Tla-o-qui-aht and provides ample opportunities to connect with the local ecosystem. This trail makes a lovely family outing for visitors and residents.
Please note that bathroom facilities are only located at the Community Hall and Tonquin Beach Road trail heads.
Tonquin Connector Trail
Not suitable for walkers, wheelchairs or bikes
Please do not remove any sea creatures, shells or driftwood - They are alive or provide shelters for many coastal creatures.
Keep dogs on leash and pick up after them
No campfires or camping at ANYTIME
Please 'Pack Out What You Pack In'
Facilities for Tonquin Trail are located at the Community Hall and Tonquin Beach Road trail heads.
Alcohol is not permitted on any of the beaches
All beaches are patrolled regularly by Bylaw
Tonquin Park and Trails are officially closed between 11pm and 6am
Parking for Tonquin Trail, Tonquin, Third and Middle Beaches, and the Industrial Connector is located at the Tofino Community Hall
Hishuk ish tsawaak – All is One and Everything is Connected.
Visiting Us!


text: export { default } from 'ember-flexberry-designer/controllers/fd-stage-edit-form/new';


text:
Life Acquinted
Broadcast The Lastest News
Frictional shows off five unsettling minutes of Amnesia: Rebirth gameplay
By marie-lakshmicom October 25, 2020 October 19, 2020
And talks improved fear and failure systems. We're only a few weeks away from the release of Frictional Games' latest horror opus, Amnesia: Rebirth, and the developer, while still being…
A closer look at PS5 ray tracing in Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
We're finally getting to see more of the launch wave of PlayStation 5 titles, with Insomniac revealing a first look at hardware accelerated ray tracing effects in Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered…
It's game over for Nintendo Switch hacker Gary Bowser
Two members of video game piracy group Team Xecuter are now in custody facing charges in a US court. Max Louarn, a 48-year old French national from Avignon, Yuanning Chen,…
Genshin Impact "biggest global launch of a Chinese game ever"
Genshin Impact has enjoyed the "biggest global launch of a Chinese game ever", according to analysts. The South China Morning Post reports the free-to-download anime-style adventure, which came out on…
Steve and Alex from Minecraft hit Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on 14th October
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gets Steve and Alex from Minecraft on 14th October. The announcement was made during a video deep-dive into the new DLC characters, below. In the video,…
It looks like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered will be announced on Monday
It looks like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered will be announced on Monday. A countdown on the official Need for Speed website is set to end early UK time…
Here's a photo of the PlayStation 5 in real-life
The PlayStation 5 comes out in just six weeks, and yet here I am looking with interest at a photo of Sony's next-gen console in real-life. A dozen Japanese YouTubers…
Kyle Allen fully participates in Wednesday's practice
Doctors suggest ways to reduce obstetrical complications in endometriosis patients
Amid tensions with China, India warns Amazon, Flipkart over country of origin rule


Posted on 06.01.2018 06.01.2018 by DONNETTA H.
Dissociative disorders and additionally remodeling symptoms are actually some team in reactive intellectual symptoms in whose major manifestation is certainly modified assert involving mind with lengthy periods of plus excessive dissociation, psychosomatic indications, in addition to terrible relationships amongst features regarding mindset, inside specific through consideration in order to mind, belief, experience, powerplant do the job, and additionally identity.
Many from all these situations ended up being classed as during your last simply because hysteria.
Dissociative disorders will be able to simply turn to psychosis, your so-called hysterical psychosis. Nothing like straight forward dissociation, which inturn is nepal guide iv safeguard system with typical mindsets, them contains your longer-lasting in addition to dissociative disturbance palpable consequence upon emotional health and wellness and additionally debilitating.
About 10% connected with the particular populace be affected dissociative defect, and something like 1% from society have some sort of many temperament syndrome.
Concerning 16% about psychiatric provider inmates (not outpatient) put up with through some dissociative disorder.
The wrinkles involving the actual sizes and shapes in all the dissociative conditions can be diffuse, as well as throughout nearly all sorts contain ram impairment, lower awareness or possibly presence cost and additionally all the change during engine capabilities.
Typical in order to all documents is normally that some people are able to get created quickly with impulse to help you mind tension and / or an important daily life disaster and also with result to be able to one thing similar from a new beyond stress, which this issue is long term.
The particular signs accomplish not necessarily be dependent with harmful drugs, a different psychosis or maybe pure it all depends does not work properly (brain affect, endocrine dysfunction, etc.). This tasks damaged are actually on most of scenarios relevant to help you identification along with the nation's disorders, and also equally creates additional compared with an array of disposition disorder.
Symptoms for dissociative issue happen to be often described as warning signs from somatic health conditions or maybe medicine use.
In respect to ICD-10, dissociative disorder is unable to often be defined before additional diseases and also pharmaceutical improper use include recently been ruled out. Any dissociative illness is normally usually any conclusion involving extreme tension or even strain.
These practical experience is without a doubt necessary regarding another person for you to get dissociative ailment diagnosed.
The most well known set in dissociative diseases will be many different temperament disorders (or divide personality), which will various imagine for you to possibly be the form for schizophrenia.
The dissociative disorders created simply by any subconscious strain and intractable lifespan difficulties usually is maintained certainly no a lot more compared to some sort of 7-day period, although will grown to be serious.
Somatic kind situations need even physical discomforts of which cannot possibly be spelled out through organically grown problems (fixed ideas), this type of while express regarding hypnotic trance, hypoesthesia, and even paralyses, along with portrays your person's option associated with the best way your problems occurs.
Unlike somatic sort disorders, any dissociative situations discomforts working personality involving law enforcement officers not contribute to almost any soreness and also this unique really are infrequently looking for phone to make sure you care regarding most of the real symptoms.
Any dissociative individual's indifference to help his or her possess actual disorders is discussed just by Freud simply because La belle indifférence.
Self-injury is definitely prevalent for the particular persons with dissociative issues, not to mention happens through around 20 and additionally 50% of all the conditions, dependent regarding that examination.
Self-injury is usually more common among the adult females when compared with adult males. One hypothesis is definitely that will planned self-harm runs simply because an working experience connected with trauma plus the identity together with all the aggressor; once the particular experience in strain is even a new usual indication with women.
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text:
Biblioteka Narodowa w Belgradzie (, NLS) – serbska biblioteka narodowa w Belgradzie założona w 1832 roku. Jest najstarszą instytucją kultury w kraju.

Historia
Biblioteka została założona w 1832 roku przez księgarza i wydawcę Gligorijea Vozarovića, który podarował bibliotece pierwsze książki. 28 lutego 1832 roku Dimitrije Davidović wysłał w tej sprawie list do księcia Miłosza I Obrenowića. Na pamiątkę tego wydarzenia w dniu tym od 2020 roku w Serbii jest obchodzony dzień Biblioteki Narodowej. Miłosz I Obrenowić w listopadzie nakazał,a by przekazywać jedną kopię każdej drukowanej książki do biblioteki. Przez pierwszy rok biblioteka funkcjonowała w budynku księgarni., a potem została przeniesiona do drukarni państwowej.

Podczas I wojny światowej podczas bombardowania budynek i część zbiorów zostało zniszczonych. To co pozostało przeniesiono z Belgradu do Niszu i Kragujevaca, część trafiło do Sofii. Podczas tej akcji cześć zbiorów bezpowrotnie zaginęła. W tym trzy najcenniejsze serbskie manuskrypty: Nikolsko jewandziele, Prizrenski prepis Duszanowog zakonika i Zbornik popa Dragola. Po wojnie w 1919 roku została wydana ustawa o Bibliotece Narodowej. Biblioteka stała się centralną biblioteką państwową i uzyskała prawo do egzemplarza obowiązkowego z Królestwa Serbów, Chorwatów i Słoweńców. Ponieważ budynek był zniszczony w 1920 roku kupiono budynek fabryki papierów wartościowych i tam po dwuletnim remoncie została otwarta biblioteka w 1922 roku.

Po II wojnie światowej
Bombardowanie podczas II wojny światowej całkowicie zniszczyło budynek i zbiory. Po wyzwoleniu Belgradu w 1944 roku rozpoczęła się odbudowa biblioteki. Biblioteka została otwarta 20 kwietnia 1947 roku w budynku dawnego hotelu. Decyzją Ministerstwa Edukacji do biblioteki przekazano zbiory z: Biblioteki Sądu (20709 tomów) Senatu, część biblioteki Zgromadzenia Narodowego i Bibliotekę Towarzystwa Świętego Sawy. Zakupiono również zbiory prywatne i otrzymano w formie darowizny biblioteki: etnologa Tihomira Đorđevicia i Milana Rakicia. W 1954 roku podjęto decyzję o budowie nowego budynku, którego projekt przygotowała Ivo Kurtović. Kamień węgielny został wmurowany 20 października 1966 roku. Został on otwarty 6 kwietnia 1973 roku. Budynek ma 24 tys. m². Ponieważ zbiory wciąż się powiększają 28 lutego 2020 podczas dnia Biblioteki Narodowej minister kultury i informacji Vladan Vukosavljević zapowiedział na 2023 rok oddanie nowych magazynów.

Zbiory
Katalog on-line biblioteki zawiera ponad 665 tys. rekordów bibliograficznych, reprezentujących zbiory różnych typów dokumentów. W zbiorach biblioteki w 2020 roku znajdowało się 6 mln woluminów.

Biblioteka posiada prawo otrzymywania egzemplarza obowiązkowego; nadaje również numery ISBN, ISSN, ISMN, ISAN i DOI.

W 2003 roku rozpoczęto digitalizację zbiorów biblioteki, tworząc Virtuelne biblioteke Srbije (VBS). Na początku 2012 roku biblioteka cyfrowa zawierała ponad 1,5 mln zdigitalizowanych dokumentów.

Przypisy

Serbia
Kultura w Belgradzie


text:
Whatsapp Telegram-plane Weixin
َAbout us
China powers up The world's most populous country gets serious about farm machinery
Like so much of China, the country's agriculture is in a state of transition. While some sectors of the industry are barreling full speed into mechanization, with impressive rates of technology adoption to match the latest in global production standards, the road to modernizing agricultural production isn't always a smooth one.
China is the world's second-largest economy and with 1.4 billion inhabitants, it is home to one-fifth of the global population — but the country has only nine per cent of the world's arable land, and seven per cent of its fresh water.
Since the 1980s, the country has been urbanizing with astonishing speed — building up its cities at a rate unrivalled in world history — with 60 per cent of the population expected to live in urban areas by 2020.
By comparison, 60 per cent of the country's population was considered rural only two decades ago.
Canadian farmers have some experience in this too, and they know that one of the impacts of urbanization is to make it much harder to find farm employees.
It's the same in China, where urbanization has led to a mass exodus of workers from the countryside. According to Statista.com, 44.8 per cent of China's population worked in agriculture in 2005. But that dropped to 28.3 per cent by 2015.
Suddenly, agriculture had an amazing opportunity to meet the food demands of a booming middle class, but also the challenge of how to produce that food with a shrinking labour force.
For the Chinese government, the answer to both lies with mechanization and land consolidation. In pursuit of its long-standing target of achieving 95 per cent self-sufficiency in food grains by 2020, this has resulted in the creation of large co-operative-style farms that work their own land allocations, as well as those of their members and of other farmers.
Unlike many Western countries where land ownership lies at the citizen level, it's the state that owns the land in China. Farmers can retain control of their land allocations themselves or they can transfer those rights to a co-operative and become employees of the co-op
The Beijing
Xingnongtianli Agricultural Machinery Co-operative near Beijing, for example, works approximately 2,000 hectares and provides agronomy, equipment repair and cropping services for over 2,000 farms. Farmers who join the co-op receive 1,200 Yuan Renminbi/MU per year (roughly $1,500 per acre). They also earn wages of 3,000 RMB/month ($585), and enjoy social insurance and paid leave.
More than 40,000 such co-operatives have formed in China since 2006, doing everything from producing crops and livestock to performing contract field work and providing agronomic training.
The Agricultural Industry
Mechanization Association, in turn, works to boost mechanization in the countryside by educating both co-ops and individual farmers in how agronomy and equipment can help increase yields and productivity.
The sheer size and geographic diversity of China makes that a challenging undertaking, though. In northern China, where farm sizes are larger, high-horsepower tractors and combines are widely used, but they're not appropriate in the southern regions of the country where farms and field sizes are much smaller.
It's important to keep in mind, too, that the average size of China's estimated 220 million farms remains at about one-sixth of an acre. Small farmers cling to old ways, so basic things can be hard to change, like corn cobs that are mechanically harvested but are still manually laid out to dry in the open air.
"Many farmers are not well educated, they are 50 to 60 years old, and are slow to adopt new techniques so it takes time," says Yang Lin, vice-president of the Agricultural Industry Mechanization Association.
This has slowed the pace of land reform, but there's no doubt mechanization is setting the course for agriculture's future in China.
Not only can bigger tracts of land be more easily worked with larger farm machinery, increasing yield and productivity, they also address the cost and availability of labour. That seems an almost counterintuitive challenge for a country with a labour force the size of China's, but it's a common lament in the countryside.
The Jianhu Lantian Agricultural Machinery Co-operative was established in 2007 near the city of Yancheng in Jiangsu Province north of Shanghai.
It includes 30,000 MU (2,000 ha) in its home county of Jianhu and another 18,000 MU (1,200 ha) in nearby Lugoutown County and is considered a technology leader in the region, investing in a fleet of modern machinery that includes 15 harvesters, 28 tractors and a UAV.
"I love the mechanization of agriculture and I love planting," says general manager Lan Jiasheng. "But lack of labour is a problem. With many adults going to the city, it is people aged 60-plus who are working on the land. Labour is hard to get and expensive."
So, if you want to import agricultural industry tools and machines from China to your country, it is better to consult Part Bonyan Joya (PBG)Trading Company in Iran, which is the only representative of Wuhan After-Time Technology Company in China.
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text:
The A.I. Age
Wall Street balks as American Airlines gives employees pay raises
Originally published April 27, 2017 at 3:45 pm Updated April 27, 2017 at 4:22 pm
At a time when American and other airlines are seeing higher costs for labor, fuel and maintenance while finding it difficult to raise airfares, American's goodwill gesture of a pay raise didn't sit well with investors.
Seattle Times staff
FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines is giving pay raises to its pilots and flight attendants, who have complained they are paid less that peers at other airlines. Wall Street isn't happy.
The raises come about two years before contract negotiations. Assuming they approve the increases, pilots and flight attendants will receive extra pay totaling close to $1 billion over three years.
At a time when American and other airlines are seeing higher costs for labor, fuel and maintenance while finding it difficult to raise airfares, this goodwill gesture didn't sit well with investors.
"This is frustrating. Labor is being paid first … again. Shareholders get leftovers," wrote Citi analyst Kevin Crissey in a note to clients. Investors showed their displeasure by sending American Airlines shares down 5.2 percent to $43.98 Thursday.
More earnings reports
Boeing sales dip as company says 'tough' cost-cutting will continue
Amazon's results top Wall Street's 1Q expectations
Nordstrom shares battered despite better than expected results, as other retailers report grim numbers
Microsoft's earnings beat analyst forecasts
Alaska Air's profit tumbles, partly from Virgin merger costs
Starbucks falls short of revenue forecast but earns record second-quarter profit
Airbus earnings cut in half by lingering problems on three plane programs
Rising costs hit the bottom lines of all the major airlines in the first quarter. American said Thursday that profit fell 67 percent. Earlier this month United said earnings plunged 69 percent and Delta reported a drop of 36 percent. Southwest, which also reported Thursday, said profit dropped 31 percent and its shares fell nearly 4 percent.
The higher expenses have alarmed investors because at the same time airlines have struggled to raise fares — although there recently have been signs that fares are heading higher after falling for about two years.
American said revenue for each seat flown one mile by the airline, a proxy for average fares, rose 2 percent in the first quarter and the company expects it to rise again in the second quarter. United, Delta and Southwest all predict an increase in the revenue measures, known as PRASM, for the current quarter.
Despite the improvement in revenue, much of the discussion on American's conference call with analysts Thursday centered on the decision to raise pay.
The union employees have been complaining loudly that they are paid less than their counterparts at Delta and United. Pilots now stand to get 8 percent more pay and flight attendants another 5 percent. American estimates the raises will cost the company $230 million this year and $350 million in 2018 and 2019.
CEO Doug Parker told analysts that the out-of-contract raises "might surprise or even dismay some of you because it adds costs to the airline."
Parker described the higher wages as a correction to years of "incredibly difficult times" for airline employees. He called the raises an investment in the company that will lead to better service by employees and, eventually, higher revenue. "This investment is going to make a difference in our service," Parker said on the call with analysts. "And as that happens all of you will be the beneficiaries."
Wall Street didn't seem to be buying it. Jamie Baker of Morgan Stanley downgraded American shares to "neutral" from "overweight," saying the pay decision "establishes a worrying precedent, in our view, both for American and the industry."
American reported net income of $234 million, or 46 cents a share, down from $700 million, or $1.14 per share a year earlier. Adjusted for one-time gains and costs, earnings were 61 cents per share, 4 cents better than the estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research.
The world's largest airline posted revenue of $9.62 billion in the period, up 2 percent and in line with Street forecasts. But the increase in costs was an even sharper 11 percent.
Information from Bloomberg News is included in this report. Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights using data from Zacks Investment Research.


Add 1 rep each minute, 2nd min, 2 OHS, 2 pull ups, 2 ring dips etc until reaching 10 minutes.
Post number of rounds and reps completed.
Doris, Workout 15.2 at CrossFit Mornington.
One week remaining for the CrossFit video contest, deadline: March 16, 2015.


06-10-18 What's In Your Hand?
09-16-18 What's So Special About This?
03-22-92 The Church: A Place For Programs?
04-26-92 Let Down? Look Up!
05-03-92 What Would Jesus Do?
07-05-92 Is The Yoke On You?
08-23-92 Have Ye Received The Spirit?
11-01-92 Paul: Guilty Or Not Guilty?
The Church: A Place For Programs?
Paul: Guilty Or Not Guilty?


text:
What is Apartheid? What is Jim Crow?
ABOUT THIS EXHIBITION
WHO IS MR. MANDELA
WHO IS MRS. PARKS
SHARED VALUES AND GOALS
MR. MANDELA'S MESSAGE FOR YOUTH
MRS. PARKS MESSAGE FOR YOUTH
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
ROSA AND RAYMOND PARKS INSTITUTE FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT
What is Apartheid?
In 1948 the minority white National party in South Africa introduced the system of apartheid by passing laws that controlled where the non-white majority population could live, work, trade, go to school, and even whom they could marry. This cruel, oppressive and unfair system was based on two false beliefs: people of different colour classification could not live together and white people are superior to non-white people. People classified as black, coloured and Indian were removed from the cities and placed in townships and rural areas with limited access to jobs and proper schools.
What is Jim Crow?
Jim Crow was a set of laws, rules, and social practices established after Reconstruction (end of the Civil War & the legal end of slavery), beginning in the 1877s and enforced into the mid-1960s. Jim Crow was rooted in anti-Black racism and the ideology of white supremacy, which violently reinforced the belief that whites were superior to blacks. Jim Crow laws, also known as "black codes," differed from state to state, and included the legal segregation of Blacks from whites in restaurants, transportation, cemeteries and other social gathering places, etc. Jim Crow became more prevalent with the occurrence of legal cases. The Supreme Court Case "Plessy vs. Ferguson" formally established a legal argument for "separate but equal." Brown v. Board of Education, put in motion the formal dismantling of Jim Crow laws. However, people in the U.S. still experience the impact and legacy of Jim Crow laws.


text:
Suzanne Ridgeway (born Suzanne Parsons; January 27, 1918May 6, 1996) was an American film actress who appeared in approximately 115 films between 1933 and 1959. She was most often credited as Suzanne Ridgway. Other billings included Suzy Marquette and Susan Ridgway.

Career
Born as Suzanne Parsons, Ridgeway is familiar to modern viewers as the tall, lanky brunette in several Three Stooges short subjects such as Rumpus in the Harem, A Missed Fortune, and A Merry Mix Up.  She was also in Outpost in Morocco (1949).

Death
Ridgeway died on May 6, 1996, in Burbank, California.

Selected filmography
 The Steel Lady (1953)
 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
 From Hell It Came (1957)

References

External links

1918 births
1996 deaths
20th-century American actresses
Actresses from California
American film actresses
People from Greater Los Angeles


On this page you will find the official Dragon1 Training Courses. These Training Courses are only offered by Accredited Training Organizations (ATO's).
The three basic Dragon1 Training Courses listed here prepare the candidate for the "Dragon1 Certified Architecture Professional" certificate. The Dragon1 EA Bridge Training prepares the candidate for the "Dragon1 Certified Architect" certificate.
The Dragon1 Foundation training prepares people who work with architecture products. It is a first introduction in Visual Enterprise Architecture based on Dragon1.
The Dragon1 Practitioner Training is offered to professionals, already involved in creating architecture products, but who expressed aspiration to extend their knowledge to improve their design capability.
This Dragon1 Professional training is offered to architecture professionals who are experienced in working with professional architecture products and want to take the next step in editing the architecture products themselves.
This Dragon1 EA Bridge Training is meant for architects that have been working for some years now in architecture and want to take the step to visual architecture.
Do you want to know more about Dragon1 training courses, please feel free to contact an ATO in your area or the Dragon1 Architecture Foundation via the contact form.


text:
package dynoapps.exchange_rates.alarm;

import android.provider.BaseColumns;

import java.io.Serializable;
import java.util.Comparator;

import androidx.room.ColumnInfo;
import androidx.room.Entity;
import androidx.room.PrimaryKey;
import dynoapps.exchange_rates.interfaces.ValueType;

/**
 * Created by erdemmac on 13/12/2016.
 */
@Entity(tableName = Alarm.TABLE_NAME)
public class Alarm implements Serializable {

    /**
     * The name of the Alarm table.
     */
    public static final String TABLE_NAME = "tables";

    /**
     * The name of the ID column.
     */
    public static final String COLUMN_ID = BaseColumns._ID;
    public static Comparator<Alarm> COMPARATOR = (first, second) -> {

        int i = compare(first.sourceType, second.sourceType);
        if (i != 0) return i;

        i = compare(first.rateType, second.rateType);
        if (i != 0) return i;

        i = compare(first.val, second.val);
        return i;

    };
    /**
     * The unique ID of the alarm.
     */
    @PrimaryKey(autoGenerate = true)
    @ColumnInfo(index = true, name = COLUMN_ID)
    public long id;
    @ColumnInfo(name = "value")
    public Float val;
    @ColumnInfo(name = "is_above")
    public boolean isAbove = false;
    @ColumnInfo(name = "is_enabled")
    public boolean isEnabled = true;
    /**
     * {@link dynoapps.exchange_rates.model.rates.IRate}
     */
    @ColumnInfo(name = "rate_type")
    public int rateType;
    /**
     * {@link dynoapps.exchange_rates.data.CurrencyType}
     */
    @ColumnInfo(name = "source_type")
    public int sourceType;
    /**
     * {@link dynoapps.exchange_rates.interfaces.ValueType}
     */
    public int value_type = ValueType.NONE;

    public static int getPushId(Alarm alarm) {
        return alarm.rateType * 100 + alarm.sourceType;
    }

    private static int compare(int x, int y) {
        return Integer.compare(x, y);
    }

    private static int compare(float x, float y) {
        return Float.compare(x, y);
    }
}


text:
Seventh Day Adventist Logo
This is an official website of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Learn More about Adventists.
North American Division Map
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NAD Brand Guidelines
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Stories & Commentaries
Adventist Community Services Supply Spiritual and Emotional Support After El Paso, Texas, Mass Shooting
American Red Cross approves team of credentialed, bilingual Adventist emotional and spiritual care providers to provide "listening ear."
August 7, 2019 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division
Shortly after a gunman fired on crowds in a Walmart and its parking lot in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, local Adventist Community Service Disaster Response (ACS DR) leader Marshall Gonzales reached out to W. Derrick Lea, North American Division (NAD) ACS DR director, to ascertain how ACS could be of help. Twenty-two people were killed and dozens injured in the Walmart shooting.
On Aug. 6, 2019, Lea met with American Red Cross and Emergency Management contacts overseeing the Family Assistance Center for the families affected by the horrific shootings in El Paso, Texas.
ACS DR is also poised to help as needed in Dayton, Ohio, following another mass shooting that transpired several hours after the El Paso shooting. In downtown Dayton, nine people were killed and 27 were injured when a gunman opened fire on a popular street early Sunday morning, Aug. 4.
After requests from the American Red Cross, a team of ACS bilingual, credentialed emotional and spiritual care providers were approved and vetted to assist and support the individuals and families experiencing trauma.
"Many of the families have lost individuals and need support, some of those receiving help were injured, and others did not even know if their family member was killed or injured at the Saturday shooting," explained Lea. "With this backdrop, some of those affected were experiencing great trauma and needed a listening ear. In addition to the Family Assistance Center, people were showing up in large numbers around the site of the shooting, where memorials were set up. Help was needed giving out water, food, and additional listening ears."
Spiritual care teams will likely be in place for seven to 10 days.
In addition, Andrew Mobley, an Adventist Community Services coordinator from the Allegheny West Conference, has reached out to the local leadership in Dayton, Ohio. And ACS DR spoke with representatives from Kettering Medical Center, which is close to Dayton. With hospital chaplains on hand to assist within the community, Mobley has a team on stand-by — if community needs deplete the chaplains.
ACS DR asks that members pray for the team as well as the families that are suffering after these sad events.
Mile High Academy and Local Community Join Together to Honor Student
Mile High Academy (MHA), local Denver, Colorado, churches, and the community have joined together as they honor the life of one of their students who passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.
Great Food, Unselfish Service, Genuine Care at the Pulse Café
Pulse Cafe and is a place that draws 600 to 800 patrons for Sunday brunch alone, each hungry soul coming to dine on vegan "chicken" and waffles, or breakfast burritos, or sweet corn tamales, and more, all made from as organic and as locally sourced produce as possible. This is evidence of a forward-thinking and sophisticated business plan, but Pulse's real mission is to use its service, menu, and other offerings to benefit the community. A restaurant as an institution to benefit the community? While this altruistic motivation may astound the general public, it should be a well-known method and standard operating procedure for any well-informed member of the Seventh-day Adventist community of believers. It certainly is for Lance Wilbur and his wife, Evita, managers of Pulse, and the owners, Ted Crooker and Keith Rehbein.
At Nativity Program, Special Needs Kids Share Their Talents
Twenty-nine children with special needs were the stars of the second annual Christmas nativity talent show in Auburn, Washington, in December 2019 — all because of one boy with a vision.
Kari Paulsen, Wife of Former World Church President Jan Paulsen, Dies at 85
Kari Paulsen, whose phone ministry of calling those who need encouragement was an integral part of her life, passed to her rest Jan. 10, 2020, in Oslo, Norway, at the age of 85. Jan, her husband and the past president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was at her side.
ADRA Canada Helps Coordinate Operation Home Safe After Log Jam Causes Flooding
During the week of Nov. 10, 2019, an ice jam downriver of the Bearskin Lake First Nation community caused the river and surrounding lakes to rapidly flood. The community declared a state of emergency and issued an order of evacuation for the 360 residents. ADRA Canada was requested by Bearskin Lake to join the emergency response efforts.
www.nadadventist.org is a part of the website domains of the Seventh-day Adventist world church.
Copyright © 2020, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
9705 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046-1565, USA 443-391-7200


text:
Metropolia Kasama – jedna z 2 metropolii kościoła rzymskokatolickiego w Zambii. Została ustanowiona 12 czerwca 1967.

Diecezje
 Archidiecezja Kasama
 Diecezja Mansa
 Diecezja Mpika

Metropolici
 Clemens P. Chabukasansha (1967-1973)
 Elias White Mutale (1973-1990)
 James Spaita (1990-2009)
 Ignatius Chama (od 2012)

Bibliografia

Religia w Kasamie (Zambia)
Metropolie rzymskokatolickie w Zambii


It was a day of firsts for Mexico's own Irving Perez as he became the first Mexican athlete to win the Huatulco World Cup on Sunday when he ran away from a massive field, with it clenching his first World Cup title.
The day of breakthroughs didn't stop there, as Germany's Maximilian Schwetz and Thomas Springer picked up their first World cup podiums with silver and bronze, respectively.
While Schwetz exited out of the one-lap 750m beach swim followed by Perez out front, it wasn't a line to line lead for the men, as the pair headed up a massive contingency of men into a congested first transition.
Despite the sizable hill on each of the four laps, it didn't lend itself to splintering the pack on the first turn around the bike course. While 2014 gold medallist and bronze medallists Luciano Taccone (ARG) and Aurelien Lescure moved their way to the front, other pre-race favourites such as Crisanto Grajales strategically stayed safely in the pack.
Lescure, who had the win in Huatulco wrapped up in 2014 until the final run meters when he faltered with heat exhaustion to see Taccone and Uccellari run past him, gunned it for a small break on the bike in the third lap.
But a breakaway wasn't in the cards for Lescure this year. After being sucked back into the pack, the winner was to be decided on the 2-lap 5km run. Uccellari and Gregory Billington (USA) made it out of T2 first, although no lead was to come of their speedy transition.
Instead, Perez powered away with the home crowd roaring him on after the first lap. Ten seconds behind him, Massimo De Ponti (ITA), Schwetz, Kevin Mcdowell (USA) and Manuel Huerta (PUR) ran shoulder to shoulder.
Perez maintained his pace on the second lap to score gold and steal a piece of history in the process. Further back, Schwetz was the first to drop the pack, a move that saw him score silver.
"I am so happy for this race because it was my first time winning here. I am so happy for the Mexican team, my coach, my family and the support from the people. The guys were very fast, but I tried to respond and attack in the second leg, I felt very good," said Perez.
Meanwhile Springer, who nearly secured a World Cup podium in Huatulco in 2008 but fell just short in fourth, decided not to let history repeat itself. Turning his speed up to turbo just in time, he ran past a crew of men for bronze.
Valentina Carvallo (CHI) captured her first World Cup title after scorching through a testing bike course that she followed up with blistering run at the Huatulco World Cup.


text:
Wilton Porter captures top place finishes in Under 25 Grand Prix at conclusion of Tryon Summer 1
CSI3* Tryon 2015
Wilton Porter and Delinquent JX pose with groom Monica Melero in their award presentation. Photo ©ManciniPhotos.
Wilton Porter of Bartonville, TX, dominated the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) today, piloting both of his mounts to finishes in the top three. Porter collected first place aboard Delinquent JX and third aboard Patriot, both owned by Sleepy P Ranch, LLC. Alise Oken of Charlotte, NC, and Kaid Du Ry placed second between both of Porter's rides.
Porter and Delinquent JX, a 2007 Scottish Sport Horse gelding, bested the class of 21 entries, capping the four-horse jump-off with a time of 40.394 seconds. As the last pair to return in the jump-off, Porter felt the pressure of riding a fast clear round after Oken blazed around the track aboard Kaid Du Ry, stopping the timers in 42.75 seconds.
"I'm feeling really good about today. Both of my horses were very solid in their rounds and I felt like I needed this after last night. It was, in a way, redemption for me because I didn't have the best rounds and wanted to prove to myself that I could get it done," said Porter.
Both horses take a similar ride according to Porter, who said both Delinquent JX and Patriot are very straightforward and two of the best in his string of upper level mounts.
"The plan didn't really change that much between the two of them on course and when I walked it, I thought it was a really fair test but there weren't that many clear trips, which surprised me," said Porter. "My strategy with Patriot in the jump-off, after seeing some of the rails come down, was to just go neat and clear and see if that would put the pressure on Alise, which she totally took in stride and answered, so I knew I needed to go for it on Delinquent."
Deliquent JX and Porter are a relatively new pair, partnered before the most recent 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. The pair has been consistent at the 1.40m and 1.50m level, but today was a real step forward in the pair's partnership for the future.
"This is our first major win together. He's eight years old and we got him in late 2014 from England from Simon Buckley and he's up and coming. We've tried to figure out where he would be most comfortable and he's really stepping up," said Porter. "We're hoping that he'll be a really solid Grand Prix horse or a great FEI speed horse."
As Porter continues to make his mark in the young rider standings, he will focus on improving and becoming more consistent with each ride. Showing a natural ability to perform and compete, the sky is the limit for one of the United State's up-and-coming talents.
"One of the most important things for me this summer is developing my team and maintaining consistency throughout the season," he commented. "I really want to work to move up in the new Under 25 ranking list that we have. I think I'm sixth right now, but I want to focus on that consistency and keep winning prize money to move up. That is definitely a huge goal right now."
The Sleepy P Ranch team will be based at TIEC for a majority of the summer season, where they have been since the Spring Series, which concluded on June 7. Porter has thoroughly enjoyed his time at TIEC and believes that the venue will bring great things to the sport in the near future.
"We've gotten to spend a lot of time (here), and I really love it. The ring space is incredible and really allows us to work our horses properly. The stabling is just amazing, and anything you could ever need is here," said Porter. "They've thought of everything, and it is really an amazing facility."
Final Results for $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix:
1. DELINQUENT JX, 2007 Scottish Sport Horse gelding by Darco x Summer Love WILTON PORTER, Sleepy P Ranch, LLC: 0/0/40.394
2. KAID DU RY, 1998 Selle Francais gelding by Brettt Saint Clair x Candy Des Champs ALISE OKEN, Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/42.75
3. PATRIOT, 2003 Holsteiner gelding by Colman x Harmonie XIV WILTON PORTER, Sleepy P Ranch, LLC: 0/0/46.436
4. BETTERTIMES, 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Londontimes VICTORIA COLVIN, Heritage Farm, Inc: 0/8/45.392
5. CABRAS, 2004 Holsteiner mare by Colman x Ostia IV NOEL FAUNTLEROY, Noel Fauntleroy: 4/77.129
6. PARK LANE, 2005 Scottish Sport Horse gelding by Pall Mall x Nistrea DAVID BLAKE, Pine Hollow Farm: 4/77.589
7. LUMIERE, 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Clay x Feodora VICTORIA COLVIN, Peacock Ridge, LLC: 4/78.213
8. ANABELLE 28, 2006 Belgian Sporthorse mare by Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Tabelle MEGHAN SHADER, Shader Sporthorses, LLC: 4/78.976
Source: Press release from Tryon International Equestrian Center.
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text:
News & Media $name
Shortcut to disaster
February 5, 1998 By Bruce Landsberg
The maintenance safety record of old airplanes is generally good. The technicians who keep old aircraft aloft generally do an outstanding job, and the statistics prove it. Over the past 15 years, the National Transportation Safety Board has identified maintenance as a probable cause in only about 19 percent of all accidents. However, there are occasional maintenance-related accidents, and they serve as a painful reminder as to why shortcuts cannot be tolerated in aircraft maintenance.
This is a delicate subject because pilots and owners understandably want to control costs and the use of substitute parts and practices is sometimes rationalized. After all, a hose clamp is a hose clamp, right? That, of course, depends on where the clamp is used. Fuel and exhaust systems must be handled with extreme care.
In-flight fires, fortunately, are relatively rare. In the last 15 years there have been 346 in-flight fires in all kinds of aircraft, which works out to an average of 23 per year. This presumably includes everything from cabin fires where a loose cigarette started things off to engine-compartment and fuel-tank conflagrations. The result was 68 fatal accidents, so it's not something to be taken lightly.
Last year a Piper Cherokee was returning from a spring fly-in with a flight instructor, two student pilots, and another passenger on board. The weather was good VFR, and a VFR flight plan was activated. An aeronautically qualified witness noted the aircraft flying very low to the ground — just above the treetops about three-quarters of a mile away. Other witnesses near the accident site heard the engine tone change pitch. The aircraft was observed at very low altitude "banking from side to side, with white smoke trailing from it." The white smoke turned to black, and one witness saw "orange flame coming from the left side of the engine compartment." The aircraft rolled to the left and struck the ground in a near-vertical dive. There were no survivors.
The pilot in command was a 23-year-old flight instructor who had accumulated 400 hours total time and had been flying for about two years. A student pilot in the left seat had received her student certificate 25 days before the accident and had logged about 11 hours of dual instruction. The toxicological tests were negative and carbon monoxide analysis was not performed because of a lack of specimens.
The airplane was found inverted in an open field with the nose approximately 70 degrees below the horizon. The engine appeared to have been running at the time of impact and was buried in the ground up to the accessory case, which is located on the rear of the engine. A post-impact fire destroyed the airplane.
Investigators noted that the lower left portion of the engine cowling, where it attaches to the fire wall, was located 10 feet from the engine and on the edge of the post-crash burn area. An 8- by 18-inch hole was burned through the cowling and adjacent to the hole was an area that showed no soot deposits. This is indicative of an extremely hot flame — greater than 700 degrees Farenheit. Bordering the hole in the cowling was another burn hole in the engine fire wall that measured 2 by 4 inches.
The lower left rubber engine mount was consumed by fire, while the other three mounts sustained minimal damage. Likewise, the left magneto had significantly more fire damage than the right. The handheld fire extinguisher in the cabin was severely burned and damaged. However, the plastic safety tie and seal were found broken and unburned — an indication that the extinguisher may have been used.
The fuel selector and mixture control positions could not be determined because of fire damage, so it is unknown whether the pilot attempted to shut off the fuel.
Of particular interest to the investigators were the exhaust clamps used to attach the muffler to the exhaust stacks. According to the Piper parts list, a special clamp with a pin on the inside is used to hold the muffler in place. The pin penetrates a hole in the muffler and in the exhaust stack to prevent the pipes from separating. The accident aircraft had the appropriate alignment holes in the pipes and the muffler, but automotive-type clamps without pins had been installed.
A 1972 FAA advisory circular states, "The exhaust system often operates at red-hot temperatures of 1,000 degrees or more; therefore, parts such as ignition leads, hoses, fuel lines, and flexible air ducts should be protected from radiation and convection heating by heat shields or adequate clearance." Fuel lines, which run in areas around the muffler and exhaust system, should have protective fire sleeves. According to the manufacturer, "The purpose of the fire sleeve is not to increase the temperature of a hose line but to protect the hose from direct fire long enough to allow appropriate action to be taken." The upper temperature limit of the fuel line increases from 300 degrees to 500 degrees with the use of the sleeve.
A fuel supply line that had a fire sleeve attached showed little discoloration or deformation, but a line leading to the cockpit fuel pressure gauge had no sleeve. According to the NTSB it showed "considerable deformation and exhibited a melting pattern consistent with high-velocity airflow." The implication is that the line was subjected to very high heat that occurred in flight when airflow, and presumably exhaust pressures, were high. Post-crash fire damage and melting would not normally show high-velocity airflow. This also implies that a properly attached fire sleeve might have delayed or prevented the fuel line failure.
The NTSB cited the probable cause as the improper installation of incorrect exhaust clamps by unknown persons, which led to an exhaust system disconnect and a subsequent in-flight engine compartment fire.
The Cherokee was built in 1975 and had flown approximately 7,050 hours. The aircraft tachometer showed only 10 hours of flight time since a routine annual inspection that had been conducted three days before the accident. The maintenance history was normal for a flight school airplane with the required 100-hour and annual inspections.
A year prior to the accident, during the previous annual inspection, the front muffler had been replaced along with other exhaust-system parts. It is possible that the wrong clamps were installed at that time. The exhaust system had to be disassembled and reassembled to complete that work. Several months later a top overhaul was performed that could have required the disassembly of the muffler system, so the clamps could also have been replaced then. After the 1995 annual, several 100-hour inspections were conducted by different mechanics, but no irregularities were noted in the log regarding the exhaust system.
It appears that one of the technicians, either out of ignorance or deliberately, substituted improper clamps, left off the fire sleeve, and returned the aircraft to service. This could have occurred because of parts unavailability or cost. According to another Cherokee owner, the approved clamps are about $30 apiece and can be very hard to find. In his case, he had to have the pin welded onto a clamp and approved. It was expensive and time-consuming. His inspection-authorized mechanic also confirmed that the proper clamps were essential.
The exhaust system is one of the most critical portions of the aircraft. Mufflers, pipes, flanges, gaskets, clamps, fire sleeves, and heat shields are designed to keep the system intact and the 1,000-degree Farenheit gases inside. The inspection-authorized mechanic who performed the final annual inspection just before the accident used a checklist to guide his work. This indexes 150 items to be approved, and each must be initialed as airworthy. He signed off on two critical elements in the engine group: "inspect exhaust stacks, gaskets, etc.," and "inspect mufflers and shrouds." This implies that the offending clamps and the missing fire sleeve were overlooked. FAA records showed that the IA technician was highly experienced and had no prior infractions.
According to one of the accident investigators, the approved clamps and the SAE "warm-type" clamps actually used do not look similar, and it seems likely that they should have been spotted. The automotive-type clamp is used in some warm-air aircraft applications, such as heater and fresh-air ducting, but never high-temperature applications like the exhaust system. It is also troubling that the clamps and missing fire sleeve were not identified during the several inspections prior to the last annual, assuming that the improper work was done the previous year. Missing flight-critical items once is bad enough, but to continually overlook such a potentially dangerous area implies an extensive breakdown in the maintenance management of this aircraft.
According to the FAA rules, the last mechanic to work on an aircraft is the one who takes the responsibility — even if he or she did not install the offending part. This explains why many technicians are particularly fussy about checking things — their certificates are literally on the line. A typical sanction is a 90-day suspension for the first offense.
There is a natural desire to save money. To some, a hose clamp is a hose clamp. As we've seen, it ain't necessarily so. To maintain an increasingly elderly fleet, everyone from pilot to technician should clearly understand that there are no safe maintenance shortcuts in critical systems. Compare the great risk to the relatively small savings.
See also the index of "Safety Pilot" articles, organized by subject. Bruce Landsberg is executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
Bruce Landsberg
Senior Safety Advisor
Go to Bruce Landsberg's Profile
Opinion/Spring-loaded to teardown
AOPA sends recommendations to FAA on proposed Grumman AD
The 10 hottest careers in aviation


text:
<readable><title>1402843760_d30f1dbf0f</title><content>
a dog trots through the grass .
A fluffy white dog is outside .
A white dog competing in an agility event .
A white dog lifts its paw as it stands on the grass near striped poles .
The small furry white dog is walking in the green grass .
</content></readable>