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(-) Remove <label class='research-domain' title='Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry'>LS1 (7)</label> filter LS1 (7)
Project acronym ATMOPACS
Project Atmospheric Organic Particulate Matter, Air Quality and Climate Change Studies
Researcher (PI) Spyridon Pandis
Summary Despite its importance for human health and climate change organic aerosol (OA) remains one of the least understood aspects of atmospheric chemistry. We propose to develop an innovative new framework for the description of OA in chemical transport and climate models that will be able to overcome the challenges posed by the chemical complexity of OA while capturing its essential features. The objectives of ATMOPACS are: (i) The development of a new unified framework for the description of OA based on its two most important parameters: volatility and oxygen content. (ii) The development of measurement techniques for the volatility distribution and oxygen content distribution of OA. This will allow the experimental characterization of OA in this new "coordinate system". (iii) The study of the major OA processes (partitioning, chemical aging, hygroscopicity, CCN formation, nucleation) in this new framework combining lab and field measurements. (iv) The development and evaluation of the next generation of regional and global CTMs using the above framework. (v) The quantification of the importance of the various sources and formation pathways of OA in Europe and the world, of the sensitivity of OA to emission control strategies, and its role in the direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate. The proposed work involves a combination of laboratory measurements, field measurements including novel "atmospheric perturbation experiments", OA model development, and modelling in urban, regional, and global scales. Therefore, it will span the system scales starting from the nanoscale to the global. The modelling tools that will be developed will be made available to all other research groups.
Despite its importance for human health and climate change organic aerosol (OA) remains one of the least understood aspects of atmospheric chemistry. We propose to develop an innovative new framework for the description of OA in chemical transport and climate models that will be able to overcome the challenges posed by the chemical complexity of OA while capturing its essential features. The objectives of ATMOPACS are: (i) The development of a new unified framework for the description of OA based on its two most important parameters: volatility and oxygen content. (ii) The development of measurement techniques for the volatility distribution and oxygen content distribution of OA. This will allow the experimental characterization of OA in this new "coordinate system". (iii) The study of the major OA processes (partitioning, chemical aging, hygroscopicity, CCN formation, nucleation) in this new framework combining lab and field measurements. (iv) The development and evaluation of the next generation of regional and global CTMs using the above framework. (v) The quantification of the importance of the various sources and formation pathways of OA in Europe and the world, of the sensitivity of OA to emission control strategies, and its role in the direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate. The proposed work involves a combination of laboratory measurements, field measurements including novel "atmospheric perturbation experiments", OA model development, and modelling in urban, regional, and global scales. Therefore, it will span the system scales starting from the nanoscale to the global. The modelling tools that will be developed will be made available to all other research groups.
Project acronym BPT
Project BEYOND PLATE TECTONICS
Researcher (PI) Trond Helge Torsvik
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITETET I OSLO
Summary Plate tectonics characterises the complex and dynamic evolution of the outer shell of the Earth in terms of rigid plates. These tectonic plates overlie and interact with the Earth's mantle, which is slowly convecting owing to energy released by the decay of radioactive nuclides in the Earth's interior. Even though links between mantle convection and plate tectonics are becoming more evident, notably through subsurface tomographic images, advances in mineral physics and improved absolute plate motion reference frames, there is still no generally accepted mechanism that consistently explains plate tectonics and mantle convection in one framework. We will integrate plate tectonics into mantle dynamics and develop a theory that explains plate motions quantitatively and dynamically. This requires consistent and detailed reconstructions of plate motions through time (Objective 1). A new model of plate kinematics will be linked to the mantle with the aid of a new global reference frame based on moving hotspots and on palaeomagnetic data. The global reference frame will be corrected for true polar wander in order to develop a global plate motion reference frame with respect to the mantle back to Pangea (ca. 320 million years) and possibly Gondwana assembly (ca. 550 million years). The resulting plate reconstructions will constitute the input to subduction models that are meant to test the consistency between the reference frame and subduction histories. The final outcome will be a novel global subduction reference frame, to be used to unravel links between the surface and deep Earth (Objective 2).
Plate tectonics characterises the complex and dynamic evolution of the outer shell of the Earth in terms of rigid plates. These tectonic plates overlie and interact with the Earth's mantle, which is slowly convecting owing to energy released by the decay of radioactive nuclides in the Earth's interior. Even though links between mantle convection and plate tectonics are becoming more evident, notably through subsurface tomographic images, advances in mineral physics and improved absolute plate motion reference frames, there is still no generally accepted mechanism that consistently explains plate tectonics and mantle convection in one framework. We will integrate plate tectonics into mantle dynamics and develop a theory that explains plate motions quantitatively and dynamically. This requires consistent and detailed reconstructions of plate motions through time (Objective 1). A new model of plate kinematics will be linked to the mantle with the aid of a new global reference frame based on moving hotspots and on palaeomagnetic data. The global reference frame will be corrected for true polar wander in order to develop a global plate motion reference frame with respect to the mantle back to Pangea (ca. 320 million years) and possibly Gondwana assembly (ca. 550 million years). The resulting plate reconstructions will constitute the input to subduction models that are meant to test the consistency between the reference frame and subduction histories. The final outcome will be a novel global subduction reference frame, to be used to unravel links between the surface and deep Earth (Objective 2).
Project acronym C4T
Project Climate change across Cenozoic cooling steps reconstructed with clumped isotope thermometry
Researcher (PI) Anna Nele Meckler
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE10, ERC-2014-STG
Summary The Earth's climate system contains a highly complex interplay of numerous components, such as atmospheric greenhouse gases, ice sheets, and ocean circulation. Due to nonlinearities and feedbacks, changes to the system can result in rapid transitions to radically different climate states. In light of rising greenhouse gas levels there is an urgent need to better understand climate at such tipping points. Reconstructions of profound climate changes in the past provide crucial insight into our climate system and help to predict future changes. However, all proxies we use to reconstruct past climate depend on assumptions that are in addition increasingly uncertain back in time. A new kind of temperature proxy, the carbonate 'clumped isotope' thermometer, has great potential to overcome these obstacles. The proxy relies on thermodynamic principles, taking advantage of the temperature-dependence of the binding strength between different isotopes of carbon and oxygen, which makes it independent of other variables. Yet, widespread application of this technique in paleoceanography is currently prevented by the required large sample amounts, which are difficult to obtain from ocean sediments. If applied to the minute carbonate shells preserved in the sediments, this proxy would allow robust reconstructions of past temperatures in the surface and deep ocean, as well as global ice volume, far back in time. Here I propose to considerably decrease sample amount requirements of clumped isotope thermometry, building on recent successful modifications of the method and ideas for further analytical improvements. This will enable my group and me to thoroughly ground-truth the proxy for application in paleoceanography and for the first time apply it to aspects of past climate change across major climate transitions in the past, where clumped isotope thermometry can immediately contribute to solving long-standing first-order questions and allow for major progress in the field.
The Earth's climate system contains a highly complex interplay of numerous components, such as atmospheric greenhouse gases, ice sheets, and ocean circulation. Due to nonlinearities and feedbacks, changes to the system can result in rapid transitions to radically different climate states. In light of rising greenhouse gas levels there is an urgent need to better understand climate at such tipping points. Reconstructions of profound climate changes in the past provide crucial insight into our climate system and help to predict future changes. However, all proxies we use to reconstruct past climate depend on assumptions that are in addition increasingly uncertain back in time. A new kind of temperature proxy, the carbonate 'clumped isotope' thermometer, has great potential to overcome these obstacles. The proxy relies on thermodynamic principles, taking advantage of the temperature-dependence of the binding strength between different isotopes of carbon and oxygen, which makes it independent of other variables. Yet, widespread application of this technique in paleoceanography is currently prevented by the required large sample amounts, which are difficult to obtain from ocean sediments. If applied to the minute carbonate shells preserved in the sediments, this proxy would allow robust reconstructions of past temperatures in the surface and deep ocean, as well as global ice volume, far back in time. Here I propose to considerably decrease sample amount requirements of clumped isotope thermometry, building on recent successful modifications of the method and ideas for further analytical improvements. This will enable my group and me to thoroughly ground-truth the proxy for application in paleoceanography and for the first time apply it to aspects of past climate change across major climate transitions in the past, where clumped isotope thermometry can immediately contribute to solving long-standing first-order questions and allow for major progress in the field.
Project acronym Chap4Resp
Project Catching in action a novel bacterial chaperone for respiratory complexes
Researcher (PI) Irina Gutsche
Summary Cellular respiration provides energy to power essential processes of life. Respiratory complexes are macromolecular batteries coupling electron flow through a wire of metal clusters and cofactors with proton transfer across the inner membrane of mitochondria and bacteria. Waste products of these cellular factories are reactive oxygen species causing ageing and diseases. Assembly and maturation mechanisms of respiratory complexes remain enigmatic because of their membrane location, multisubunit composition and cofactor insertion. E. coli Complex I, one of the largest membrane proteins, composed of 14 conserved subunits with 9 Fe/S clusters and a flavin, is a minimal model for its 45-subunit human homologue. When proton pumping by respiratory complexes is affected, bacteria become resistant to antibiotics requiring proton gradient for uptake. Based on the latest genetic data, we realize that the huge E. coli macromolecular cage, the structure of which we recently solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), in conjunction with a novel protein cofactor, is a specific chaperone for Fe/S cluster biogenesis and assembly of respiratory complexes. This integrated multidisciplinary project combines cryoEM and other structural, biophysical and spectroscopic techniques, to uncover the functional mechanism of this emerging chaperone. The structural plasticity of the chaperone fuelled by ATP hydrolysis, and its interaction with Fe/S cluster biogenesis systems and the main respiratory complexes as a function of stresses, will be scrutinized to gain quasiatomic insights into the way the chaperone operates on its substrates. A novel technology for synergetic in situ investigation of protein complexes in the bacterial cytoplasm by optical imaging, state-of-the-art cryogenic correlative light and electron microscopy, and subtomogram analysis, will be developed and used to obtain snapshots of the chaperone-substrate interactions in the cellular context.
Cellular respiration provides energy to power essential processes of life. Respiratory complexes are macromolecular batteries coupling electron flow through a wire of metal clusters and cofactors with proton transfer across the inner membrane of mitochondria and bacteria. Waste products of these cellular factories are reactive oxygen species causing ageing and diseases. Assembly and maturation mechanisms of respiratory complexes remain enigmatic because of their membrane location, multisubunit composition and cofactor insertion. E. coli Complex I, one of the largest membrane proteins, composed of 14 conserved subunits with 9 Fe/S clusters and a flavin, is a minimal model for its 45-subunit human homologue. When proton pumping by respiratory complexes is affected, bacteria become resistant to antibiotics requiring proton gradient for uptake. Based on the latest genetic data, we realize that the huge E. coli macromolecular cage, the structure of which we recently solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), in conjunction with a novel protein cofactor, is a specific chaperone for Fe/S cluster biogenesis and assembly of respiratory complexes. This integrated multidisciplinary project combines cryoEM and other structural, biophysical and spectroscopic techniques, to uncover the functional mechanism of this emerging chaperone. The structural plasticity of the chaperone fuelled by ATP hydrolysis, and its interaction with Fe/S cluster biogenesis systems and the main respiratory complexes as a function of stresses, will be scrutinized to gain quasiatomic insights into the way the chaperone operates on its substrates. A novel technology for synergetic in situ investigation of protein complexes in the bacterial cytoplasm by optical imaging, state-of-the-art cryogenic correlative light and electron microscopy, and subtomogram analysis, will be developed and used to obtain snapshots of the chaperone-substrate interactions in the cellular context.
Project acronym COMTESSA
Project Camera Observation and Modelling of 4D Tracer Dispersion in the Atmosphere
Researcher (PI) Andreas Stohl
Host Institution (HI) NORSK INSTITUTT FOR LUFTFORSKNING STIFTELSE
Summary COMTESSA will push back the limits of our understanding of turbulence and plume dispersion in the atmosphere by bringing together full four-dimensional (space and time) observations of a (nearly) passive tracer (sulfur dioxide, SO2), with advanced data analysis and turbulence and dispersion modelling. Observations will be made with six cameras sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and three cameras sensitive to infrared (IR) radiation. The UV cameras will be built specifically for this project where high sensitivity and fast sampling is important. The accuracy of UV and IR retrievals will be improved by using a state-of-the art-3D radiative transfer model. Controlled puff and plume releases of SO2 will be made from a tower, which will be observed by all cameras, yielding multiple 2D images of SO2 integrated along the line of sight. The simultaneous observations will allow - for the first time - a tomographic reconstruction of the 3D tracer concentration distribution at high space (< 1 m) and time (>10 Hz) resolution. An optical flow code will be used to determine the eddy-resolved velocity vector field of the plume. Special turbulent phenomena (e.g. plume rise) will be studied using existing SO2 sources (e.g. smelters, power plants, volcanic fumaroles). Analysis of the novel campaign observations will deepen our understanding of turbulence and tracer dispersion in the atmosphere. For instance, for the first time we will be able to extensively measure the concentration probability density function (PDF) in a plume not only near the ground but also at high-er altitudes; quantify relative and absolute dispersion; estimate the value of the Richardson-Obukhov constant, etc. We will also use the data to evaluate state-of-the-art LES and Lagrangian dispersion models and revise their underlying parameterizations. COMTESSA's vision is that the project results will lead to large improvements of tracer transport in all atmospheric models.
COMTESSA will push back the limits of our understanding of turbulence and plume dispersion in the atmosphere by bringing together full four-dimensional (space and time) observations of a (nearly) passive tracer (sulfur dioxide, SO2), with advanced data analysis and turbulence and dispersion modelling. Observations will be made with six cameras sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and three cameras sensitive to infrared (IR) radiation. The UV cameras will be built specifically for this project where high sensitivity and fast sampling is important. The accuracy of UV and IR retrievals will be improved by using a state-of-the art-3D radiative transfer model. Controlled puff and plume releases of SO2 will be made from a tower, which will be observed by all cameras, yielding multiple 2D images of SO2 integrated along the line of sight. The simultaneous observations will allow - for the first time - a tomographic reconstruction of the 3D tracer concentration distribution at high space (< 1 m) and time (>10 Hz) resolution. An optical flow code will be used to determine the eddy-resolved velocity vector field of the plume. Special turbulent phenomena (e.g. plume rise) will be studied using existing SO2 sources (e.g. smelters, power plants, volcanic fumaroles). Analysis of the novel campaign observations will deepen our understanding of turbulence and tracer dispersion in the atmosphere. For instance, for the first time we will be able to extensively measure the concentration probability density function (PDF) in a plume not only near the ground but also at high-er altitudes; quantify relative and absolute dispersion; estimate the value of the Richardson-Obukhov constant, etc. We will also use the data to evaluate state-of-the-art LES and Lagrangian dispersion models and revise their underlying parameterizations. COMTESSA's vision is that the project results will lead to large improvements of tracer transport in all atmospheric models.
Project acronym D-END
Project Telomeres: from the DNA end replication problem to the control of cell proliferation
Researcher (PI) Maria Teresa Teixeira Fernandes Bernardo
Summary Linear chromosomes of eukaryotes end with telomeres that ensure their stability. Because of the inability of semi-conservative DNA replication machinery to fully replicate DNA ends, telomeres require dedicated mechanisms to be duplicated and their length is eroded at each cell division. For this reason, telomeres constitute molecular clocks that determine cell proliferation potential in eukaryotes. Strikingly, we have shown recently that it is the shortest telomere in the cell that determines the onset of replicative senescence. This project aims a complete and detailed dissection of the in vivo DNA-end replication problem and the deep understanding of its impact for cell division capability. Specifically my goals are (1) the determination of the exact structures that result from the replication of DNA extremities, (2) the examination of the activities operating at the shortest telomere that triggers replicative senescence and (3) the investigation of the correspondence between telomere molecular structure and cell proliferation state at individual cell scale. To achieve this, I will undertake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae original and innovative single-molecule and single-cell approaches, that, in combination with genome-wide screens and sophisticated cellular settings, will allow to track and challenge a specified telomere of defined length. I anticipate that this work will lead to an in-depth understanding of how telomeres are replicated and how they enable the control of cell proliferation in eukaryotic cells, a matter at the intersection of the fundamentals of molecular genetics, cell biology of aging and oncology.
Linear chromosomes of eukaryotes end with telomeres that ensure their stability. Because of the inability of semi-conservative DNA replication machinery to fully replicate DNA ends, telomeres require dedicated mechanisms to be duplicated and their length is eroded at each cell division. For this reason, telomeres constitute molecular clocks that determine cell proliferation potential in eukaryotes. Strikingly, we have shown recently that it is the shortest telomere in the cell that determines the onset of replicative senescence. This project aims a complete and detailed dissection of the in vivo DNA-end replication problem and the deep understanding of its impact for cell division capability. Specifically my goals are (1) the determination of the exact structures that result from the replication of DNA extremities, (2) the examination of the activities operating at the shortest telomere that triggers replicative senescence and (3) the investigation of the correspondence between telomere molecular structure and cell proliferation state at individual cell scale. To achieve this, I will undertake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae original and innovative single-molecule and single-cell approaches, that, in combination with genome-wide screens and sophisticated cellular settings, will allow to track and challenge a specified telomere of defined length. I anticipate that this work will lead to an in-depth understanding of how telomeres are replicated and how they enable the control of cell proliferation in eukaryotic cells, a matter at the intersection of the fundamentals of molecular genetics, cell biology of aging and oncology.
Project acronym DIME
Project Disequilibirum metamorphism of stressed lithosphere
Researcher (PI) Bjørn Jamtveit
Summary Most changes in mineralogy, density, and rheology of the Earth's lithosphere take place by metamorphism, whereby rocks evolve through interactions between minerals and fluids. These changes are coupled with a large range of geodynamic processes and they have first order effects on the global geochemical cycles of a large number of elements. In the presence of fluids, metamorphic reactions are fast compared to tectonically induced changes in pressure and temperature. Hence, during fluid-producing metamorphism, rocks evolve through near-equilibrium states. However, much of the Earth's lower and middle crust, and a significant fraction of the upper mantle do not contain free fluids. These parts of the lithosphere exist in a metastable state and are mechanically strong. When subject to changing temperature and pressure conditions at plate boundaries or elsewhere, these rocks do not react until exposed to externally derived fluids. Metamorphism of such rocks consumes fluids, and takes place far from equilibrium through a complex coupling between fluid migration, chemical reactions, and deformation processes. This disequilibrium metamorphism is characterized by fast reaction rates, release of large amounts of energy in the form of heat and work, and a strong coupling to far-field tectonic stress. Our overarching goal is to provide the first quantitative physics-based model of disequilibrium metamorphism that properly connects fluid-rock interactions at the micro and nano-meter scale to lithosphere scale stresses. This model will include quantification of the forces required to squeeze fluids out of grain-grain contacts for geologically relevant materials (Objective 1), a new experimentally based model describing how the progress of volatilization reactions depends on tectonic stress (Objective 2), and testing of this model by analyzing the kinetics of a natural serpentinization process through the Oman Ophiolite Drilling Project (Objective 3).
Most changes in mineralogy, density, and rheology of the Earth's lithosphere take place by metamorphism, whereby rocks evolve through interactions between minerals and fluids. These changes are coupled with a large range of geodynamic processes and they have first order effects on the global geochemical cycles of a large number of elements. In the presence of fluids, metamorphic reactions are fast compared to tectonically induced changes in pressure and temperature. Hence, during fluid-producing metamorphism, rocks evolve through near-equilibrium states. However, much of the Earth's lower and middle crust, and a significant fraction of the upper mantle do not contain free fluids. These parts of the lithosphere exist in a metastable state and are mechanically strong. When subject to changing temperature and pressure conditions at plate boundaries or elsewhere, these rocks do not react until exposed to externally derived fluids. Metamorphism of such rocks consumes fluids, and takes place far from equilibrium through a complex coupling between fluid migration, chemical reactions, and deformation processes. This disequilibrium metamorphism is characterized by fast reaction rates, release of large amounts of energy in the form of heat and work, and a strong coupling to far-field tectonic stress. Our overarching goal is to provide the first quantitative physics-based model of disequilibrium metamorphism that properly connects fluid-rock interactions at the micro and nano-meter scale to lithosphere scale stresses. This model will include quantification of the forces required to squeeze fluids out of grain-grain contacts for geologically relevant materials (Objective 1), a new experimentally based model describing how the progress of volatilization reactions depends on tectonic stress (Objective 2), and testing of this model by analyzing the kinetics of a natural serpentinization process through the Oman Ophiolite Drilling Project (Objective 3).
Project acronym DIvA
Project Chromatin function in DNA Double Strand breaks repair: Prime, repair and restore DSB Inducible via AsiSI
Researcher (PI) Gaelle LEGUBE
Summary "Among the types of damage, DNA Double Strands Breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious, as illustrated by the variety of human diseases associated with DSB repair defects. Repair of DSB into the chromatin context raises several questions that we aim to address in this proposal. Firstly, it is likely that the chromatin environment where a break occurs influences the choice of repair pathway. Since the different DSB repair mechanisms can lead to different "scar" on the genome, further studies are required to elucidate how chromatin structure regulates the targeting of DSB repair machineries. Secondly, DNA packaging into chromatin hinders detection and repair of DSBs and many chromatin modifications were recently identified as induced around DSBs to facilitate repair. However, a complete picture of the chromatin landscape set up at DSB, and more specifically the set of histone modifications associated with each repair pathway ("repair histone code") is still awaited. In addition, whether and how damaged chromosomes are reorganized within the nucleus is still unknown. Finally, once repair has been completed, the initial chromatin landscape must be faithfully restored in order to maintain epigenome stability and cell fate. Using an experimental system we recently developed (called DIvA for DSB Inducible via AsiSI), that allows the induction of multiple sequence-specific DSBs widespread across the genome, we propose to investigate these uncovered aspects of the relationship between chromatin and DSB repair. By high-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies, we will try (i) to understand the contribution of chromatin in the DSB repair pathway choice (PRIME), (ii) to describe more thoroughly the chromatin remodeling events and the spatial chromosomes reorganization, that occur concomitantly to DSB to promote adequate repair (REPAIR), and (iii) to elucidate the processes at work to restore epigenome integrity after DSB repair (RESTORE)."
"Among the types of damage, DNA Double Strands Breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious, as illustrated by the variety of human diseases associated with DSB repair defects. Repair of DSB into the chromatin context raises several questions that we aim to address in this proposal. Firstly, it is likely that the chromatin environment where a break occurs influences the choice of repair pathway. Since the different DSB repair mechanisms can lead to different "scar" on the genome, further studies are required to elucidate how chromatin structure regulates the targeting of DSB repair machineries. Secondly, DNA packaging into chromatin hinders detection and repair of DSBs and many chromatin modifications were recently identified as induced around DSBs to facilitate repair. However, a complete picture of the chromatin landscape set up at DSB, and more specifically the set of histone modifications associated with each repair pathway ("repair histone code") is still awaited. In addition, whether and how damaged chromosomes are reorganized within the nucleus is still unknown. Finally, once repair has been completed, the initial chromatin landscape must be faithfully restored in order to maintain epigenome stability and cell fate. Using an experimental system we recently developed (called DIvA for DSB Inducible via AsiSI), that allows the induction of multiple sequence-specific DSBs widespread across the genome, we propose to investigate these uncovered aspects of the relationship between chromatin and DSB repair. By high-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies, we will try (i) to understand the contribution of chromatin in the DSB repair pathway choice (PRIME), (ii) to describe more thoroughly the chromatin remodeling events and the spatial chromosomes reorganization, that occur concomitantly to DSB to promote adequate repair (REPAIR), and (iii) to elucidate the processes at work to restore epigenome integrity after DSB repair (RESTORE)."
Project acronym HYRAX
Project Rock Hyrax Middens and Climate Change in Southern Africa during the last 50,000 years
Researcher (PI) Brian Mc Kee Chase
Summary In stark contrast to the abundance of high quality palaeoenvironmental records obtained from the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, terrestrial palaeoenvironmental information from southern Africa's drylands comes from discontinuous deposits with poor absolute age control and ambiguous palaeoclimatic significance. Confronted with the possibility of future environmental and social disruption as a result of climate change, the need for reliable records from southern Africa has never been so acute. This project seeks to develop rock hyrax middens as novel palaeoenvironmental archives to investigate long-term climate change. Hyrax middens (fossilised accumulations of urine and faecal pellets) contain a range of palaeoenvironmental proxies, including fossil pollen and stable isotopes. As part of a pilot study, I have created new collection and sampling methodologies, establishing the proof of principle and showing that middens provide continuous sub-annual to multi-decadal multi-proxy records of environmental change spanning the last 50,000 years. This work has been exceptional in terms of its ability to elucidate long-term climate dynamics at the local scale, and I now intend to apply my techniques to studying environmental change across the whole of southern Africa, a climatically sensitive, but poorly understood region of the globe. Developing new sites, proxies and analytical techniques, HYRAX will provide the first opportunity to study rapid climate change events, the extent and phasing of major climatic phenomena, and the direction and potential impacts of future climate change.
In stark contrast to the abundance of high quality palaeoenvironmental records obtained from the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, terrestrial palaeoenvironmental information from southern Africa's drylands comes from discontinuous deposits with poor absolute age control and ambiguous palaeoclimatic significance. Confronted with the possibility of future environmental and social disruption as a result of climate change, the need for reliable records from southern Africa has never been so acute. This project seeks to develop rock hyrax middens as novel palaeoenvironmental archives to investigate long-term climate change. Hyrax middens (fossilised accumulations of urine and faecal pellets) contain a range of palaeoenvironmental proxies, including fossil pollen and stable isotopes. As part of a pilot study, I have created new collection and sampling methodologies, establishing the proof of principle and showing that middens provide continuous sub-annual to multi-decadal multi-proxy records of environmental change spanning the last 50,000 years. This work has been exceptional in terms of its ability to elucidate long-term climate dynamics at the local scale, and I now intend to apply my techniques to studying environmental change across the whole of southern Africa, a climatically sensitive, but poorly understood region of the globe. Developing new sites, proxies and analytical techniques, HYRAX will provide the first opportunity to study rapid climate change events, the extent and phasing of major climatic phenomena, and the direction and potential impacts of future climate change.


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The typo spelling Jilly with a G is all the newspapers own work!
Back in June 1977 I met the author Jilly Cooper when she presented me with a prize for English at my school. Here's a picture from the local paper of Jilly presenting me (that's me on the left with the long hair and Cheshire Cat grin!) with a self-assembly felt chess set!
I found this photo (from the 1977 local paper) when I was doing a spot of Spring cleaning and thought I'd share. It also set me thinking about the sometimes pleasantly odd serendipity of the way the wheel turns on occasion. Much like the lady herself, methinks – Jolly Sooper!
2 Responses to Jolly Sooper Jilly Cooper!
Brilliant!!! 🙂 Awesome! This makes me smile muchly!


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© 2018 - 2019 First Merchants Group
One Hartfield Boulevard Suite 102, East Windsor, CT 06088
First Merchant Group Principals
Charles Nirenberg (December 1923-November 2014)
Mr. Nirenberg was the co-founder of First Merchants Group and had been involved in real estate for almost 50 years. Prior to FMG, Charles was the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Dairy Mart Convenience Stores. He opened his first Dairy Mart store in 1958 and built it into the third largest publicly traded convenience store company in the country with over 1,200 stores and sales approaching $1 billion annually. He sold his interest in Dairy Marts in August 1995.
He was an active community member serving on the Boards of The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Johnson Memorial Hospital and Hillel International Board Of Governors. He was a past president of Beth El Temple Brotherhood and served on the Boards of the Jewish Nursing Home, Jewish Federation, and The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He was a decorated War Veteran, a Mason, a Shriner and holds an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University Of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Larry Nirenberg
Larry Nirenberg is the General Partner of First Merchants Group and has over 35 years experience in real estate acquisition, development, leasing, financing and management. Prior to joining First Merchants Group, Larry was the head of Leasing and Development for Samuels and Associates, a Boston-based Retail Management and Development company with over 4,000,000 square feet of property in the Northeast and the Midwest. He spent 12 years in corporate real estate for Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Dunkin' Donuts and Toys R Us.
Larry and his wife are members of the Advisory Council for the Child Psychiatry Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Visiting Committee for thoracic medicine at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He has served on the Development Board of Nuestra Comunidad, a non-profit CDC serving the needs of low-income families in the Roxbury and Dorchester sections of Boston and as a volunteer for the New England Organ Bank speaking in support of organ donation. Last, and certainly not least, he is a proud father and grandfather.
Gregg Sapere (June 1951-October 2009)
Gregg Sapere was a Partner of First Merchants Group responsible for the Development and Leasing activities of the company. He brought over 30 years of experience in real estate acquisition, development and sales to the partnership. Prior to joining First Merchants Group, Mr. Sapere was President of L&G Investment Group. His company was an exclusive agent for Blockbuster Video Stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts and developed several locations for CVS Pharmacy in Southern New England. Before the formation of L&G, Gregg was Director of Real Estate at Dairy Mart Convenience Stores for the northeast region, responsible for overseeing site acquisition and development, lease renewals and leasing/disposition of excess properties. Gregg began his real estate career with his own residential real estate company, Jamestown Real Estate, which he operated for ten years. Gregg was past President of the Wilbraham/Hampden Rotary Club, a Director of the Wilbraham Nature and Culture Center, and served on the finance committee of Grace Union Church of Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
One Hartfield Blvd, # 102

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A-PDF Creator is a PDF virtual printer for Windows that allows you to create PDF files easily. With A-PDF creator; everyone can create professional-quality PDF documents by simply selecting the "Print" command from virtually printer (A-PDF Creator) in any application.
Printer monitoring is indeed a lot of companies all over the world should invest in. But why is this so? Why is there an impendent need to monitor printing activity? Let us say that you operate a medium-sized enterprise and you have dozens of computers connected to several computer networks. With these many computers, your office would inevitably need a lot of working printers at hand, so many that keeping tabs as to printing activity would become fairly difficult it achieve. The task to printer monitor is not really hard if you have software to back you up. This is why you need to have print monitor software in your office.
1. Fast multi-job engine - It is able of running various jobs (printers) simultaneously.
2. Friendly interface, easy to operate - It is a familiar windows program without DOS command.
3. Support "Direct printing" and "Background printing" - "Send data directly to a printer" and "Background printing" modes are supported.
4. File cache - When printing multi-copies of a document, read and write operations of harddisk are reduced with the help of file cache.
PDFcamp(pdf writer) installs as a printer driver, making the creation of PDF documents as easy as printing. This gives users a simple way to share any type of Windows? document through the standard, universal PDF format. PDFcamp(pdf writer) answers the need of corporations and individuals for an easy to implement low-cost and rapid PDF creation solution.
Print your own very big posters and pass photos! Scan a picture and print it out very big. You don' t need a special printer! The program prints the posters on many pages and you can put them together with glue.
Print-To-Image Conversion Driver is an imaging and conversion software, it can help you to quickly and easily convert documents, spreadsheets, web pages, and other types of files into raster image files.


Grammars written for ANTLR v4; expectation that the grammars are free of actions.
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Commercial operators trust Pentair equipment and technologies to maintain the integrity of their water systems.
We understand that commercial operators of waterparks and theme parks must have equipment they can rely on and trust. With Pentair's innovative engineering, superior quality and durable equipment for pools and spas of all sizes of and scale, we are committed to delivering only the best products for maximum enjoyment.
Southern Methodist University in Dallas has a long tradition of swimming success. Their Perkins Natatorium was outdated and Brinkley Sargent Winginton Architects had just the plan. Their new stunning eight lane pool is powered by Pentair products. Learn more about this project and the Pentair products used here.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro doesn't have a competitive swim team, but a student-led referendum led the way for the creation of the Kaplan Center for Wellness. The center now features an energy efficient 25-by-25 foot pool with ADA-compliant beach entry both powered by Pentair. Learn more about how Pentair equipment made this possible.
Spring time is here! But, along with the flowers blooming, warm sunny weather and outdoor fun, comes Spring storms. We have four tips for cleaning your swimming pool after a storm.
We're here to help with any of your product inquiries.


There are a lot of misconceptions about insurances. Primarily there are two segments in the field which are known as life and non-life insurance. Those, who prefer to save the amount in the absence of the breadwinner of the family, what one gets is a life insurance. Primarily there is no value of life that can be determined, but still, there are some means with the help of which one can get the cost of life. For other insurance areas, there are ways to determine the loss due to some unfortunate incidents. The first thing about life insurance is that a permanent life insurance which is bought and valid only after death. If the wholesome amount must be obtained, then the person should be dead. Unknowingly, people think that for small accidents the money will be refunded. It is a one-time investment that is done as a protection to the life.
There are vast varieties of insurance policies, and people get confused on choosing them. To buy insurance policy online, one must look at all the features and then step into buying the life insurance. Insurance policies normally offer returns on a regular basis. Always monitor the insurance policies because there are a lot of fake policy managers who force to apply for insurance and later cheat. The amount that is deductible every month/year is very important. Check the network of hospitals that come under the insurance. If the target is only on well-reputed hospitals and not the mediate ones, do not look for investing in the insurance. It can be a network of hospitals, or it can give an option of reimbursing the money spent on hospitals.
To compare insurance plans like regular and term plans is like comparing both the eyes. The cost of insurance plays a vital role. In all the types of insurance policies, the most wanted are for the corporate professionals. They tend to work day and night and travel without the knowledge and end up with accidents. To avoid this, corporate plans for insurance are implemented, where every employee has a compulsion of investing on insurance no matter if the person has a personal insurance or not. Hence, the ground check will all be done by the company, and one can easily invest on insurances. Still, there will be options for the employee to choose the best option by giving a couple of insurance policy plans. To select the insurance policy, one should be aware of the policy plans – advantages and disadvantages. It is essential for every person hence protecting the lives of human is the work of the insurance companies. In case if the person is posed to death, then the whole money will be refunded to the family or nominee whom the person has opted. This way we are aware of what is good and bad from insurance companies. To apply for insurance, one needs to know few technical terms as well.


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Q: How to wait until adgroup created in Adwords script I am creating video adgroups in Adwords script using campaign.newVideoAdGroupBuilder().build(). I want to publish my newly created adgroup details to my database records, but didn't find a proper way to wait and insert.
Below is my code
function adgroup_create(campaign, params){
  var videoAdGroup =
    campaign.newVideoAdGroupBuilder()
    .withAdGroupType(params["adgroup_type"])
    .withName(params["name"])
    .withStatus(params["status"])
    .withCpv(params["cpv"])
    .build()
    .getResult();
  return videoAdGroup;

}

var adgroup = adgroup_create(campaign, params)
//Here I want to get created adgroup_id and insert in my db
Logger.log(adgroup); // showing undefined

I tried using Utilites.sleep(100) but same I am not able to get the ID and its executing next lines and getting errors.
How to wait until the adgroup is created and to proceed next.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Medical: MedicalConspiracies- Is Any Story Evil Enough?
MedicalConspiracies- Is Any Story Evil Enough?
When the the bodies of two young girls were found and linked directly to Dutroux, the coverup was started by the police immediately.
The local townsfolk rioted in the streets in a massive demonstration and forced the story into the mainstream press for a while. Dutroux did time and was minimally punished when he should have been executed, as should have the other perps.
There have been rumors from good inside sources that naked young children were turned loose and tracked and then murdered at special hunting lodges of the rich by super-elite pedophiles, who hold very high positions in government, the judiciary, law enforcement, business and society.


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Cray exascale computer to modernize aging nuclear weapon stockpile The U.
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NHL Canadian Corner – April 24, 2015
by Lyle Richardson | Apr 24, 2015 | 4 comments
Canucks avoid elimination against Flames, Oilers to hire Peter Chiarelli and more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
THE PROVINCE/CALGARY HERALD: Goals by Nick Bonino and Daniel Sedin, along with a 20-save effort from Ryan Miller, lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames, staving off elimination and forcing Game Six in Calgary. The Canucks dominated much of this game, peppering Flames netminder Jonas Hiller with over 40 shots.
Vancouver's Daniel Sedin scores the game-winning goal against the Calgary Flames.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Not to detract from the Canucks well-earned victory, but after the Flames took the early lead they seemed to go into a defensive shell instead of pressing the attack as they've done in previous games in this series.
MONTREAL GAZETTE/OTTAWA SUN: The Montreal Canadiens hope to get their sputtering power play rolling in Game Five against the Ottawa Senators, whose starting goalie Craig Anderson is back in fine form after spending most of the past two months sidelined by injury or backing up Andrew Hammond.
EDMONTON SUN: The Oilers are expected to introduce former Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli as their new head of hockey operations.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Wouldn't be surprised if current president of hockey ops Kevin Lowe retires or is shuffled into a different role within the organization. Chiarelli's hiring is a significant shift away from the old boys' network which has dominated how the Oilers have been run in recent years.
WINNIPEG SUN: Eight Winnipeg Jets players, including team captain Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Mathieu Perreault and Adam Pardy, played through injuries or attempted to do so during their recent playoff series against Anaheim.
TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis reflects on his time with the club, defending his decisions to re-sign Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel to long-term extensions.
Rob	on April 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Lyle, do you see Chiarelli keeping MacTavish or will he bring in his own guy to be GM? Everyone knows there will be sweeping changes to the scouting department this summer but will head office moves continue?
Lyle Richardson	on April 24, 2015 at 3:10 pm
We'll have to wait and see, Rob. Best guess is he gives MacTavish another year to see what he can do.
matt	on April 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm
oilers will be a totally different team next season … look at what PC did in Boston in short time period
and he has no what you would call aged veterans he cant trade away
a goaltender and a couple character players and you wont recognize them next year
any chance claude Julien follows him to the oil patch like most he has an out of his contract im sure
Jeff Noel	on April 24, 2015 at 2:13 pm
Sens are going to drag the Habs back to Ottawa with them and pound on them some more.
Go Sen Go!!!!!


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Category: poworgnv
VMEC offers new 'Green Generalist Online' training
admin poworgnv January 1, 2021
The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has teamed up with Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program to offer Green Generalist Online training, an interactive and educational online course that provides awareness of the key environmental issues facing companies and ways to redesign their business practices using environmentally friendly techniques. The Green Generalist Online workshop is appropriate for the entire workforce and all business sectors.Green Generalist Online has seven sections, seven tests, and three interactive simulations. It takes up to four hours to complete. The cost is $175 per person using a special 'Discount Code' available through the VMEC website. A Green Generalist Certificate is also available from Purdue TAP upon course completion. Registration is possible through the VMEC website at www.vmec.org(link is external) or www.vmec.org/online-courses(link is external).According to VMEC Director and CEO Bob Zider, 'Wherever possible, it's important that manufacturers continue to reduce and manage their energy and raw material use, reduce waste by-products of production, and integrate environmental best practices into company operations and product development. Investing in training, technologies, production methods and business processes that create resource and cost savings is essential to maximize competitive advantage and market share.' The new Green Generalist Online training complements a full-day Principles of Green 101 workshop that VMEC introduced last year and is now periodically offered around Vermont. At a reasonable cost, the shorter Green Generalist Online course developed by Purdue University provides students with flexibility to learn on their schedule and at their pace, with 24/7 accessibility from any computer location having internet access. To learn more about the Green Generalist Online workshop, visit www.vmec.org(link is external) or call VMEC at 802-728-1432. About VMECVMEC's primary mission since 1995 has been "To improve manufacturing in Vermont and strengthen the global competitiveness of the state's smaller manufacturers." This is done through confidential consulting, one-on-one coaching and public/onsite workshops to help Vermont's manufacturers increase their productivity, improve their manufacturing and business processes, reduce costs, identify and adopt innovative new growth strategies, and improve their competitiveness. 3.25.2011 read more
2 Long Island Hearings Set in NY Probe of Utilities' Nor'easter Response
admin poworgnv December 18, 2020
Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York New York State officials investigating utilities' preparedness after four nor'easters last month—some of which left people without power for days—have scheduled two public hearings on Long Island to discuss the issue.The state Department of Public Service (DPS) invites the public to make statements 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 16 at the Nassau County Legislature in Mineola and 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 at the Suffolk County Legislature in Smithtown."As part of this investigation, we will determine what went right, and what went wrong, and take action accordingly," said DPS CEO John B. Rhodes. "Utilities must follow their utility response plans and failure to do so can result in financial penalties to shareholders."The hearings are two of 20 that will be held statewide as a part of an investigation into all seven major electric utilities across New York.The state wants to hear how members of the public were affected, if they think they received timely, accurate and adequate information from their utility before, during and after the outage, and their overall impression to the response. Investigators also invite recommendations on how the response can be improved.PSEG Long Island defended its performance."We are proud of our storm preparation and response during the March nor'easters, and extremely proud of our PSEG Long Island crews, customer service and support personnel who worked around the clock in challenging conditions to safely and quickly restore power to our customers," the utility said in a statement. "We will continue to offer our full support and complete cooperation to this important investigation and look forward to the findings."The Nassau legislature is located at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Building, 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola. The Suffolk legislature is located at the William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Smithtown.Individuals will be called to speak after completing a request card. Each public statement hearing will remain open for a minimum of one hour and will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard, officials said.Those who cannot attend can provide comments to the department on its website at dps.ny.gov, by clicking on "Search," and entering "18-00618" in the select "search by case number" field. In the open case, access the screen to enter comments by clicking on "Post Comments" box located at the top of the page. The public may submit comments via e-mail to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov. Comments may also be mailed or delivered to Secretary Burgess at the New York State Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. The public may also call the Department's Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. Comments submitted are requested by Tuesday, May 22. Comments should refer to "Matter 18-00618" and/or the "March 2018 Winter Storms Investigation." read more
Ontario Teachers-led group snaps up real estate consultancy DTZ
admin poworgnv September 29, 2020
OTPP, which as of year-end 2013 had CAD139bn (€94.4bn) of net investments, has a 22% allocation to real estate.Investments are made through the plan's Cadillac Fairview subsidiary, which has a North American portfolio of more than CAD23bn.In the UK, OTPP has invested in the country's HS1 high-speed rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel.Private equity firms PAG Asia and TPG, meanwhile, have both previously invested in the real estate sector.TPG has closer ties to Canadian institutional money, having worked with Ivanhoe Cambridge, the real estate arm of the Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.The firm, which has invested in real estate since 2009, has also run separate accounts for New Jersey's state pension fund.It has recently targeted distressed property in Europe.PAG's Real Estate division manages opportunity and core-plus property funds in Japan and China and across Asia-Pacific.The firm has made both direct and indirect investments in opportunistic, value-added and core-plus real estate.DTZ's strength in Asia has been noted in previous years by observers, making it an attractive proposition to those looking to increase exposure to the Asia-Pacific region. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, TPG Capital and PAG Asia have agreed a AUD1.2bn (€832m) cash offer to buy property advisory company DTZ.DTZ's current owner, Australian services firm UGL, said it expected the deal to close in September, resulting in DTZ to change ownership three times in as many years.Prior to going into administration in 2011, DTZ was 52% owned by Saint Georges Participations, controlled by the French Mathy family.UGL managing director and chief executive Richard Leupen said the decision to sell DTZ was due to diverging operational and strategic priorities and financial requirements. read more
CTCI to deliver pin piles for Changfang & Xidao offshore wind farm
"To facilitate the transportation of PPs from Kaohsiung Port to the project site off Changhua, CTCI MAC has set up CTCI MAC Ta-Lin Shop in Nansing Free Trade Zone in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan", CTCI stated in a press release. Boskalis and Hwa Chi Construction Co, through a joint venture, are in charge of the transport and installation of the jacket foundations and accompanying pin piles. CIP acquired the Changfang and Xidao wind farm, located off the coast of Changhua County, in 2017. The following year, the project obtained grid allocation. Production will start by August and the pin piles will be delivered in batches in July 2021. Meanwhile, CTCI MAC already begun preparations for the project. The company said it has been sourcing subcomponents and preparing machines and tools since February. The project will feature 62 MHI Vestas 9.5 MW wind turbines, scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2024. CTCI MAC, a subsidiary of Taiwanese engineering services provider CTCI, has secured a contract with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to supply pin piles for the Changfang and Xidao offshore wind farm. The developer reached financial close on the 589 MW offshore wind farm at the end of February. A year ago, CTCI entered the offshore wind market through a contract with wpd. Under the contract signed in April 2019, CTCI will deliver transition pieces (TPs) for the Yunlin offshore wind farm. The company will deliver 186 pin piles for the wind farm's 62 jacket foundations. So far, this is the largest number of pin piles a single contractor in Taiwan will manufacture, according to CTCI. read more
764 statewide COVID-19 cases reported
Statewide — The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has reported that 764 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday. A total of 102,243 Indiana residents have tested positive for the coronavirus. To date, 1,164,141 individual tests have been reported to ISDH at an 8.8% positive rate and 13 new deaths were reported for a total of 3,186 Hoosier deaths. Dearborn County has a total of 597 cases and 28 deaths reported (up 1 new case), Decatur County has a total of 433 positive cases and 38 deaths (no change), Franklin County has 283 positive cases and 25 deaths (no change), and Ripley County has 259 positive cases and 8 deaths (up 3 new cases). Locally, this is an increase of 4 new positive cases.
Ferdinand welcomes Moyes chat
Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in the United hotseat in the summer of 2013 but lasted just eight months in the post. Ferdinand has not spoken to Moyes since but asked if he would like to, the former England centre-back told CNN World Sport: "Yes, of course. I've got nothing against him as a person. "As I said, I'm saying that he's a gentleman, a great man. As I said, I've never had any bad words to say about him at all in that respect as a person." United won the Barclays Premier League in Ferguson's final season in charge but then slumped to seventh last term and failed to qualify for the Champions League. New manager Louis van Gaal has since overseen a £150million facelift in the hope of pushing United back up the league. But even though such a spending spree has been deemed necessary, Ferdinand resents suggestions that Ferguson allowed the squad to grow stale. He said: "I don't understand how people can say (that). You've got some great players throughout the squad. You win the league by 11 points. You've got to be a top team to do that. "So he goes and then it all falls apart? So that's his fault? How can people say that? Ferdinand has been critical of Moyes' methods at Old Trafford in his imminent autobiography. The 35-year-old, who is now at QPR, said Moyes' approach last season unintentionally created a "negative vibe" and some of United's play under the Scot was "embarrassing". "I don't think the buck stops with Sir Alex Ferguson at all. I think you leave and you win a trophy. There's not many better ways to go out than that." Ferdinand left United when his contract expired and he was released at the end of last season. Asked if he was frustrated about how it ended, he said: "Yes. But you can't keep looking back and thinking like that. "I think, yes, I've had thoughts like that but at the same time it's been really nice to see a lot of the young lads getting their opportunities." Press Association Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said he would welcome the chance to speak to ex-manager David Moyes. read more
Tropical system near the Bahamas increases to 60% chance of development
The National Hurricane Center is reporting that area of low pressure that is currently moving through the Central Bahamas now has a 60% chance of development which could lead to the formation of a tropical depression.The system is moving west-northwestward at around 15 mph and is expected to stay off of the east coast of Florida, however, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds with the possibility of isolated flooding Monday night through Tuesday. This weather report is brought to you by Newman Windows and Doors: Simply the best in Hurricane Coverage and Code Red Roofers. The roofers that respond.Get up to the moment Hurricane information by visiting our Storm Central page here:Storm Central
Men's basketball: Wisconsin knocks off Minnesota, earns 10th straight win
The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team extended its win-streak to 10 games and is off to the best start in school history, as it defeated Minnesota 63-53 Saturday at the Kohl Center.The Badgers (25-2, 13-1 Big Ten) were victorious with senior forward Frank Kaminsky leading the way once again. The National Player of the Year candidate finished with 21 points on 9-13 shooting, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 36 minutes of play.For the first time in awhile, Wisconsin was held in check to start the game. Minnesota (16-12 overall, 5-10) prevented UW from jumping out to a hot start, which the Badgers have become accustomed to doing as of late.The Badgers and Gophers continually traded baskets to start the game, as UW was unable to build a lead greater than three points for the first nine minutes of the first half.Kaminsky led the way to start the game, scoring 12 points on 5-6 shooting in the first 10 minutes of the first half.Wisconsin had built their lead to seven points when Kaminsky exited the game for the first time with 9:28 remaining.With the All-American out of the game, UW struggled to take care of the ball and allowed Minnesota to crawl back into the game. Over the course of the next 2:34, the Gophers trimmed the Badger lead down from seven to one.At that point, Kaminsky checked back in and, despite the senior not scoring for the remainder of the period, Wisconsin finished the first half strong, going into the locker room with a 35-27 lead."It was just one of those games where we got the lead and never looked back and tried to grind it out," Kaminsky said.Sophomore guard Bronson Koenig joined Kaminsky as the only two Badgers to score in double figures in the first half, recording 10 points on 3-6 shooting from the field and 2-4 from three-point range.Despite the first-half performances by Kaminsky and Koenig, the highlight of the first 20 minutes was when redshirt senior guard Josh Gasser hit a layup in the post with 1:15 remaining.That layup gave Gasser 1,000 points for his Wisconsin career and made him the 41st Badger to reach that milestone."It's great," Gasser said. "In a month or two when the season is over and I look back at everything that's gone on, I'll be proud if it. But right now, we got bigger fish to fry."Gasser joined Michael Finley as the only two players from Wisconsin to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists in their careers.In the second half, the Badgers never wavered, as they held a double-digit lead throughout the frame and only saw the lead get to single digits once with 1:37 remaining in the game. But by that time, the game was well out of reach for Minnesota."Wisconsin does a great job of not beating themselves by not fouling and not turning the ball over," Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino said.Over the course of the entire 40 minutes Sunday, the Badgers committed just seven fouls, with no player committing more than two, and limited Minnesota to just one free throw attempt, which they missed."When you are a coach you get frustrated with fouls and turnovers," Pitino said. "They don't do it, and that is why they win."Defensively, Wisconsin put in one of their best performances of the season. They forced Minnesota into 11 turnovers and blocked nine Minnesota shots.A big reason as to why Wisconsin was able to be so successful defensively was its efforts in not letting Minnesota guard Andre Hollins have a significant impact on the game.Hollins, who came into the game as the Gopher's leading scorer, was limited to just two points on 1-8 shooting with Gasser on him for the majority of the afternoon."I felt extremely prepared with what he was going to do and what Minnesota was going to do offensively," Gasser said. "Especially in the first half, I felt like I was one step ahead of what was coming. It's tough. It's not an easy task. Because I felt locked in."Minnesota's leading scorers were Nate Mason, DeAndre Mathieu and Carlos Morris, who each finished with 11 points.For Wisconsin, Koenig finished with a career-high 17 points on 4-10 shooting and sophomore forward Nigel Hayes recorded nine points and seven rebounds.Junior forward Sam Dekker struggled from the field, scoring just five points on 1-8 shooting, but he did record three blocks.As a team, Wisconsin shot 23-49 (47 percent) from the field and 10-25 (40 percent) from behind the arc.With the end of the regular season in sight, Wisconsin now faces their toughest stretch yet, having road games against Maryland and Ohio State and the final home game against Michigan State over the course of the next two weeks.The Badgers will see this tough stretch as a final tune-up before they enter postseason play."It'll be a good test for us," Kaminsky said. "We are excited for the challenge and we will do whatever we can to come out on top."Wisconsin will travel Tuesday to College Park where they will take on Maryland for the first and only time this season. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. read more
Musa, Ighalo, Akinwunmi Emerge Pitch Award Winners
admin poworgnv September 8, 2020
The award ceremony which held after the International Friendly between the Super Eagles and the Warriors of Zimbabwe was attended by Seyi Akinwunmi First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ahmed Fresh, NFF Board member, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr. Olayinka Adeleke, State Police Commissioner, Coach, technical crew and members of the Super Eagles.Speaking at the ceremony, Seyi Akinwunmi who represented the NFF President, commended the organizers of the awards stressing that putting an award together required a lot of effort. He reiterated the support of the Federation for the Pitch Awards.Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards expressed appreciation of the organizers to the Federation and the Delta State Government. He said the organizers remained committed to giving Nigerians a transparent and credible awards.'We will continue to do what is right because we believe our players need to be motivated by a transparent and credible reward system which will see then earn the respect of everyone in the football community,' Philips said.The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, the First Vice President of the NFF and Chairman Lagos FA last night joined Amaju Pinnick and Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah as winners of the prestigious Sam Okwaraji Award.The NFF President had won the previous two editions. Oil giant, Aiteo Group retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award. Enugu Rangers Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote won the Coach of the Year award while his team carted home the Club of the Year award. Nigeria's national women team, Super Falcons were voted the Best National Team.I n the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Goal.com emerged the maiden winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Online). Other winners are Johnny Edwards of Complete Sports who was named Football Journalist of the Year (Print), Mozez Praiz of SuperSport won the Football Journalist of the Year (TV) and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Radio). Super Eagles Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram Super Eagles striker and Al Nassr sensation, Ahmed Musa and Super Falcons player Francisca Ordega both won the top prizes of King and Queen of the Pitch last night at the 6th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.In the Defender of the Year category, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese starved off competition from fellow teammates Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo.In the Goalkeeper's category, Anorthosis Famagusta goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho beat last year's winner, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Enyimba International goalie Theophilus Afelokhai to win the prize for the first time. Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi retained the Midfielder of the Year award and Odion Ighalo the Shanghai Shenhua forward was voted the Striker of the Year. read more
Stevanovic gathers his Stars in Kenya
admin poworgnv August 28, 2020
Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic would commence preparations for the weekend's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Monday when the team starts training.With the qualifiers heading into the third round of games in Group I, the Black Stars, joint-top of the group, have set up base in Kenya ahead of fixture in Congo on Sunday, March 27.Ghana, on four points have a better goal difference ahead of Sudan from their opening two games while Congo are just a point behind in the group.A five-day training camp in Kenya has been arranged as the Black Stars aim to claim the three points in Brazzaville to enhance their chances of reaching the finals in the competition to be staged by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.Stevanovic last week announced his 24-man squad for the Congo game and the friendly with England, two days later.However, the qualifier is the top priority as it's been described as crucial by Ghana Football Association Vice President Fred Pappoe. Pappoe, who also chairs the management board of the senior side insists that the Congo fixture would impact in Ghana's qualification hopes."The match against Congo is a competitive match and we are treating it as such," Pappoe said."It is a crucial match for us and the handlers are one 100 percent concentrated. The players also know about the importance of this match. We have absolute belief that they will be totally focused," he added.Ghana SquadGoalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Blackpool, England), Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak, Ghana) Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana) Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England) Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium) David Addy (Academica Coimbra, Portugal) Jonathan Mensah (Granada, Spain) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany) John Mensah (Sunderland, England) Lee Addy (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Schalke 04, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios, Greece) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Sulley Muntari (Sunderland, England) Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain) Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan, Italy) Andre Ayew (Marseille, France) Opoku Agyemang (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia)Attackers: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland, England) Prince Tagoe (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia) Dominic Adiyiah (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia) Nathaniel Asamoah (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)Source: Ghanafa.org read more
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FILM Melbourne: Oil Rocks: City Above the Sea | 18 June
Dado Film Society @ Robin Boyd House | Walsh Street | 18 June | 7pm.
Oil Rocks: City Above the Sea
2009, Dir. Marc Wolfensberger , 52 mins, Russian/Azerbaijani/French with English subtitles
Guest Speaker: Peter Raisbeck
Behind this enigmatic name lies the world's first and largest offshore oil town ever built – Neft Daşları, aka "Oil Rocks", commissioned by Stalin in 1949. Still in operation today, about 100km off the coast of Azerbaijan, this vast and sprawling web of oil platforms is connected by a conflagration of steel trestle bridges, pipes and tanks, and various commercial and community buildings.
Sixty-five years after its inception, more than half of the infrastructure at Oil Rocks has been reclaimed by the Caspian Sea. Yet the inhabitants here display pride not only in their environment, but also their profession. The area is still the closely guarded secret it was in Soviet times so few foreigners gain access.
This is the first time a western film crew has been allowed to take a rare look into the world of the oil workers, a community of several thousand people who spend weeks at a time on shift at sea. Combining black-and-white archives from the Soviet era with modern footage, the film reveals a timeless place and its amazing inhabitants.
Trailer HERE
Image above © Thin Line Production
Dr. Peter Raisbeck is a Senior Lecturer and leader of the Master of Architecture Program at the University of Melbourne. His research interests reflect his diverse experiences but he is nonetheless focused on the points of convergence between global finance, construction management and architectural design and practice. He has published locally and internationally on a broad range of topics from PPPs and building procurement methods to living quarters in Antarctica, marine cities and utopian architectures.


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Hire JORDIN SPARKS. Save Time. Book Using Our #1 Services.
Jordin Sparks may be available for your next special event!
– Hire Jordin Sparks –
This Is My Now
S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Style: Contemporary Pop/Rock, Pop, Pop Idol, Teen Pop
Decades Active: 00's, 10's, 20's
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Season 6 (2007), Winner
of "American Idol".
Roster: Pop Idol
aka: Jordin Sparks-Thomas
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Jordin Sparks-Thomas (born December 22, 1989) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of American Idol at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history.
Her self-titled debut studio album, released later that year, was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold more than two million copies worldwide.
The album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles "Tattoo" and "No Air"; the latter, a collaboration with Chris Brown, is currently the third highest-selling single by any American Idol contestant, selling more than three million digital copies in the United States. The song earned Sparks her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
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Jordin Sparks also appeared with Alice Cooper in his 2004 Christmas show and toured with Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith in 2006.
Since her win in 2007, Jordin Sparks has returned to Idol six times. She performed twice on the seventh season of American Idol, once on the Idol Gives Back results show singing "No Air" with Chris Brown and again with "One Step at a Time" on May 21, 2008, for the finale. She performed "Battlefield" on the May 13, 2009, episode of American Idol.
Jordin Sparks released her self-titled debut studio album on November 20, 2007, which debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200. To date, it has sold more than a million copies in the U.S. and was certified platinum by the RIAA. "No Air", a duet with Chris Brown, was released as the second single from the album in February 2008. In support of the album, Sparks opened for Alicia Keys on the North America leg of her As I Am Tour, starting on April 19, 2008.
Her second studio album, Battlefield, was released in the United States on July 21. In support of the album, Sparks opened for The Jonas Brothers on the North America leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009, starting on June 20, 2009. She also opened for Britney Spears on the second leg of her Circus Tour in North America, beginning on August 24, 2009. Sparks served as a replacement for Ciara.
Jordin Sparks recorded the duet, "Art of Love", with Australian artist Guy Sebastian for his fifth studio album, Like It Like That.
In 2010, she was featured on the Big Time Rush song "Count on You", and the show with the same name, "Big Time Sparks" which aired on June 18.
In January 2011, it was reported that Jordin Sparks and John Legend were working on songs in the studio together.
In 2011, Sparks served as an opening act for the NKOTBSB summer tour.
On February 29, 2012, Sparks's boyfriend Jason Derulo took to Twitter announcing the official remix of his single "It Girl" featuring Sparks. There was a video released with the remix, which showed home videos, of Derulo and Sparks together as well as pictures.
Jordin Sparks performed on VH1 Divas 2012 with fellow singers Miley Cyrus, Kelly Rowland and Ciara. The show premiered on December 16, 2012. Sparks joined singers Ledisi and Melanie Fiona in a tribute to Whitney Houston.
Here is a list of some of the awards and accolades Jordin Sparks has received:
2007: American Idol winner (Season 6)
2008: Billboard Music Award for Female Artist of the Year
2009: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist
2010: Grammy Award for Best New Artist (nominated)
2013: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song (nominated)
BET Award for Best New Artist (2008)
Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal
Performance for "No Air" (2009) (nominated)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist (2008)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist (2009) (nominated)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song (2009) for "No Air" (nominated)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video (2009) for "No Air" (nominated)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song (2011) for "I Am Woman" (nominated)
In addition to these awards, Sparks has also received numerous other nominations and recognition for her work in the music industry, including several American Music Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
Jordin Sparks has also received numerous accolades for her philanthropic efforts, including the Starlight Children's Foundation's Shining Star Award (2008) and the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award (2009).
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There is a lot you take for granted when you can walk, and showering is one of them. Most people wake up in the morning, throw their legs over the bed, stand up and jump into a quick shower. Front to end probably 20 minutes. On the other hand, if you can't walk anymore – like me – following a severe spinal cord injury, throwing your legs over the bed and hopping in a quick shower is a distant memory. Everything takes time, everything. In fact, spinal cord injuries rob you not only of your mobility but most importantly and exhaustively, your time. My showers are no longer 20 minutes but take almost 3 and half hours to complete. I need 100% assistance with all of it. No joke, it's a process.
I am not looking for sympathy for the daily obstacles that I must overcome – one being a clean quad. More importantly, I want to portray the full picture of my showering adventures all over the country and world because, let's face it, not every shower is equipped for a paralyzed person like myself and there is a lot of humor to be found in these experiences. I love to travel and getting out on the road is one of my favorite pastimes and hobbies. Yet my first and foremost question about every air B&B, VRBO or hotel room reservation is… "What kind of shower do you have?" It's a make or break decision on my accommodation reservations.
I cannot stand or walk and therefore require special showering equipment so as to be properly cleaned i.e. a shower commode chair which basically looks like a rolling office chair, specially padded for skin protection and providing a fairly large hole in the saddle area to accommodate for bowel programs and washing of the girly bits. Because I cannot step over a tub anymore, the roll–in shower option is crucial although hard to find. Further, the entrance into a shower must be wide enough to accommodate my shower chair and I must have a handheld shower faucet so as to reach underneath. Lots to consider now that things have changed, things I never considered before when I was walking. All of the things I took for granted.
Being that I have become quite the MacGyver and creative engineer since my injury, my caregivers and I have come up with interesting solutions to these basic yet incredibly important challenges while traveling. I learned that while I was in Maui Hawaii without an accessible shower option, that I could be showered in a small baby pool on my sundeck with my caregiver dumping jugs of hot water over my head and thrown under me as if I was an elephant in the zoo being washed by a zookeeper.
I can also laugh about the many times I have taken outdoor showers in what I like to affectionately call Freddy Krueger's basement shower in a hot, muggy and humid South Carolina vacation destination where my family congregates every summer. Because my third-floor bedroom does not have an accessible shower, I descend three floors in an indoor elevator… in my shower chair… naked… with a white sheet draped over me for… dignity. The "shower" is no larger than my refrigerator and luckily this year had a running water system, yet in previous years a lawn hose provided the running water and the source of my bathing. The hose, attached to a clawfoot tub on the third floor, was thrown out the bathroom window snaking around the air conditioning vent down to my decrepit and unfinished shower receptacle in the carport area. My 78-year-old mother would sit precariously on the edge of the tub holding the connector of the hose to the tub faucet with all of her arthritic might while relaying information via shoddy cell phone service to my niece standing down below outside of our outdoor shower box declaring "hotter hotter"… "colder colder". It is times like this I resonate with animals at the zoo being rinsed off with a lawn hose, yet another part of me doesn't care as a shower on a hot, muggy and buggy South Carolina day is bar none the most refreshing experience ever. Sometimes you just have to get over it, laugh and enjoy the ride.