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The center is focused on developing new solar cells and solar lighting. "Lighting uses a lot of energy in buildings," he says. "We want to come up with new lighting sources." Baldo wrote the proposal for the center to the Department of Energy in August of 2008 but thought he had no chance of getting the millions of dollars he and his colleagues at MIT, Harvard and Brookhaven needed to fund the center. When the Stimulus plan was started they were more hopeful - but only slightly. "There was heavy competition for this grant," he says. In August of 2009, Baldo found out that they would get $19 million dollars to launch the center. MIT kicked in another million dollars. The five-year award will also support up to 42 students. "I was very happy," says Baldo. "We can get a lot According to Baldo, the center is working on controlling how energy moves. "If a molecule absorbs light, it generates excitons, which are tiny little packets of energy and are the key to how solar cells work," he says. "We don't understand a lot about them now but the key is to learn how to control excitons." Baldo calls the center a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to tackle these energy issues and try to reduce energy use in lighting and generate lower cost solar electricity. He notes that the stimulus plan's investment in his center and similar ones across the state can have a "transformational impact" on renewable energy and energy efficiency. "There wouldn't be a center without the stimulus funding," he says.

The center is focused on developing new solar cells and solar lighting. "Lighting uses a lot of energy in buildings," he says. "We want to come up with new lighting sources." Baldo wrote the proposal for the center to the Department of Energy in August of 2008 but thought he had no chance of getting the millions of dollars he and his colleagues at MIT, Harvard and Brookhaven needed to fund the cen

Streetlights, Signing and Striping The Transportation Department maintains more than 38,000 streetlights, but not all streetlights in Mesa are maintained by the City of Mesa. There are several areas in the City where the lights are maintained by private property owners or by Salt River - apartment complexes - private parking lots - gated communities - private property - areas that have a Mesa mailing address but are on County islands, such as: - Dreamland Villa - Leisure World - Thunder Mountain - Special Improvement Districts that created agreements with Maricopa County prior to annexation into the City, such - Apache Wells - Desert Sands - Arizona Skies - Golden Hills - Fountain of the Sun - Twin Knolls For a City of Mesa streetlight, it normally takes our crews up to 4 weeks to repair. Some circumstances, such as stolen wire, a loss of power, or vehicle damage could delay the repair further. To report outages or fo more information on renting lighting for private property, contact Salt River Project at 602-236-8888. Streetlight Repairs and Facts Energy Efficient LED Streetlights The City of Mesa is using energy efficient LED streetlighting on several new projects in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, while still providing quality lighting. LED lighting has a longer life (up to 15 years), is less expensive to maintain, and uses roughly 40% less energy than traditional streetlights. LED streetlights are being used in several residential neighborhoods and will be installed in the Eastmark Community, along Southern Avenue in the Fiesta District and in Downtown Mesa along the light rail extension as construction progresses on these projects. City of Mesa streetlights are NOT numbered. The two digit numbers on the light fixture tell the Technician the wattage of the lamp: 10 =100 watts, 15= 150 watts, 40 = 400 watts, etc. This is why we ask you to provide a precise location or address when reporting an outage. If the streetlight does have a five-digit number on the pole, it is maintained by the Salt River Project (602-236-8465) and not the City of Mesa. High-pressure sodium lamps have an expected lifespan of five to six years but must warm up for a few minutes to produce full luminance. Failing lamps draw excessive electric current and will shutdown until they cool off and can restart again. This off/on pattern is called Cycling. As the lamp gets older the "on" time shortens until it is off most of the time. Day-Burning Lamp or Circuit A photocell is a light-sensing switch on top of the luminaire that turns the light on at dusk and off at dawn. The photocell may be connected to a lighting control cabinet and turn on multiple lights hooked in to the circuit. When a photocell is damaged, the light or lights will remain on during the day. Operation of the lights during the day not only wastes energy but also shortens the lifespan of the lamp and its components. Multiple outages typically occur when several adjacent streetlights are out. This may result from a failure in the lighting control cabinet or in the underground wires. Circuit outages are treated as high priority because of the large areas Knock Downs, Vandalism, Exposed Wires Last year 73 streetlights were damaged by vehicles requiring full replacement or major repairs. In addition, 108,019 feet of copper wire were stolen, 148 poles were replaced due to rust damage, and vandals broke out numerous streetlight lenses with pellet and paintball guns. Please report any vandalism to the Mesa Police Department. Always stay clear of a pole that has been hit, is moving excessively, has loose components that are hanging down, or has any exposed wires. The Transportation Department fabricates, installs, repairs and maintains the traffic control and street name signs in Mesa. There are nearly 60,000 of these signs located throughout the City. The destruction or theft of traffic signs is a tremendous safety hazard. Some signs are essential for public safety and are handled as emergencies and replaced within 24 hours. These would include Stop, Yield, Do-Not-Enter, One Way, Detour, many Warning signs and School signs. The Transportation Department is responsible for installing and maintaining traffic pavement markings in the City of Mesa. An example is the yellow lines that separate traffic that flows in opposite directions. The City paints more than 1,700 miles of lines per year along with crosswalks, stop bars, symbols 300 E. 6th St. Mesa, AZ 85201 City of Mesa PO Box 1466 Mesa, AZ 85211 Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Closed Fridays & Holidays 480.644.2262 (after hours)

Streetlights, Signing and Striping The Transportation Department maintains more than 38,000 streetlights, but not all streetlights in Mesa are maintained by the City of Mesa. There are several areas in the City where the lights are maintained by private property owners or by Salt River - apartment complexes - private parking lots - gated communities - private property - areas that have a Mesa mail

Take our Survey Building HomeMission StatementHours of OperationEthics PolicyAppointmentsInspection RoutesOnline ServicesFormsBuilding Permitting GuideFAQFee Guide effective October 15, 2012 Building Permit Exemptions The City of Miami Beach Building Department was established in 1925. The City had its own Building Code until the 1950’s when the City adopted the South Florida Building Code. The modern construction boom began in the 1970s and the State of Florida started mandating statewide building codes. The first law required all municipalities and counties to adopt and enforce one of the four state-recognized model codes known as the “state minimum building codes.” During the early 1990s a series of natural disasters, together with the increasing complexity of building construction regulation in vastly changed markets, led to a comprehensive review of the state building code system. The study revealed that building code adoption and enforcement was inconsistent throughout the state and those local codes thought to be the strongest proved inadequate when tested by major hurricane events. The consequences of the building codes system failure were devastation to lives and economies and a statewide property insurance crisis. The response was a reform of the state building construction regulatory system that placed emphasis on uniformity and accountability. The 1998 Florida Legislature amended Chapter 553, Florida Statutes, and Building Construction Standards, to create a single state building code that is enforced by local governments. As of March 1, 2002, the Florida Building Code supersedes all local building codes. The Florida Building Code was developed and maintained by the Florida Building Commission. It is updated every three years and may be amended annually to incorporate interpretations and clarifications. The main goal of the Miami Beach Building Department is to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of the City’s residents and visitors by ensuring compliance with the Florida Building Code. The Department is lead by the Building Department Director, Assistant Director of Operations/Building Official and Assistant Director of Support Services. The Department is divided into two divisions; support services and operations. The Building Department Support Services Division consists of an Assistant Director of Support Services that supervises the functional areas of the Support Services Division including Permitting, Engineering, Records, Call Center, Special Master and Administration Services. The Building Department Operations Division consists of an Assistant Director of Operations / Building Official that supervises the daily operation of the Operations Division including Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Inspection Services, Structural, Violations and Elevator sections. The Operations Division is responsible for the enforcement and compliance of the Florida Building Code through the performance of plan review and field inspections in a thorough, competent and professional manner.

Take our Survey Building HomeMission StatementHours of OperationEthics PolicyAppointmentsInspection RoutesOnline ServicesFormsBuilding Permitting GuideFAQFee Guide effective October 15, 2012 Building Permit Exemptions The City of Miami Beach Building Department was established in 1925. The City had its own Building Code until the 1950’s when the City adopted the South Florida Building Code. The mo

ICOADS) SST data and improved statistical methods that allow stable reconstruction using sparse data. This monthly analysis begins January 1854, but because of sparse data the analyzed signal is heavily damped before 1880. Afterwards the strength of the signal is more consistent over time. The ERSST analysis will be updated as new data become available. Currently, the ERSST version 2 (ERSST.v2) is available. ERSST.v2 is an improved extended reconstruction. In the reconstruction the high-frequency SST anomalies are reconstructed by fitting to a set of spatial modes. Compared to the earlier reconstruction, version 1 (v1), the improved reconstruction better resolves variations in weak-variance regions. It also uses sea-ice concentrations to improve the high-latitude SST analysis, a modified historical bias correction for the 1939-1941 period, and it includes an improved error estimate.readme file Monthly SST and error data are available via Monthly SST and error data You can now plot and extract the data using the LAS server. Smith, T.M., and R.W. Reynolds, 2003: Extended Reconstruction of Global Sea Surface Temperatures Based on COADS Data (1854-1997). Journal of Climate, 16, 1495-1510.

ICOADS) SST data and improved statistical methods that allow stable reconstruction using sparse data. This monthly analysis begins January 1854, but because of sparse data the analyzed signal is heavily damped before 1880. Afterwards the strength of the signal is more consistent over time. The ERSST analysis will be updated as new data become available. Currently, the ERSST version 2 (ERSST.v2) is

Jonathan Fink (2007) Along with the time and economic support that the fellowship will provide, I value very much the sense of encouragement that comes with the award. The writing process can be isolating, and there is value, of course, in the singular nature of artistic work. But working individually on artistic endeavors can make a writer feel separated from community at times and from literature's fundamental ability to engage a reader or audience. To receive the NEA Fellowship is, for me, an affirmation of the cultural and communal nature of art and I hope to do my best to create poetry that honors the communal nature of art through the poetry's accessibility, lyricism, and conviction. Excerpt from "Conflagration and Wage: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, 1911" -- The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory caught fire in New York City on March 25, 1911. 146 workers perished. The majority of the victims were young women who had immigrated to America. Poor working conditions in the factory, insufficient escape methods, and the negligence of the building's owners exacerbated the tragedy. The collective outrage after the fire led to heightened support for labor unions as well as significant labor reform. (sections 1 & 2 from 18 --ed.) The arrival of a dream is never as a seed. Instead, the vision comes full form. It stirs the way a dog will startle in his sleep and bark at air, at shadows. Rising from her bed, a woman dresses in the dark. Her brother and her father snort in sleep. Their snores, she thinks, are like the sounds of engines sputtering. She steps into her dress and draws it up and over what she wears to bed before she lets the sleeping gown release and fall about her feet. She learned to dress with men around her long before she started work. The dream that came to her, that brought her here, was not a dream of silence, but of words-- a language she had never known, the names like chimes. Surrounded by the snores of men, the woman heats a cup of coffee on the stove, then carves a peach in darkness, lifting pieces from the blunt side of the blade to mouth. 2. The First Day A father leads his daughter to the door. She's wrapped her thimble, scissors, and a loaf of bread in newspaper, then slid two needles carefully into her coat's lapel. When asked, in coming years, what she remembers most, she says the doorknob's porcelain, its coldness, white as bone. The street's just wide enough for wagons passing side by side. Her father stands across the street. He lifts his hand as if to call her back, then pauses, holds his fingers to his mouth. The door is slow to close behind her, latching as she climbs the flight of stairs. She moves her hands along the metal of the upper door until she finds its handle. Light extends around the frame the way the moon, when passing in eclipse, will form a ring of fire. And then, at once, a whirring sound like insects fills the air. The room is thick with garments, bolts of cloth, and everywhere she looks no eyes meet hers. National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20506 Jonathan Fink was born in Lubbock, TX in 1975. He received his BA from Trinity University and his MFA from Syracuse University. He received the 2006 Editors' Prize in Poetry from The Missouri Review, and his poems have appeared in Poetry, New England Review, TriQuarterly, Slate, The Southern Review, Southwest Review and Virginia Quarterly Review, among other journals. From 2003-2006 he was the Creative Writing Fellow in Poetry at Emory University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of West Florida and the editor of Panhandler (www.uwf.edu/panhandler). Photo courtesy of the author

Jonathan Fink (2007) Along with the time and economic support that the fellowship will provide, I value very much the sense of encouragement that comes with the award. The writing process can be isolating, and there is value, of course, in the singular nature of artistic work. But working individually on artistic endeavors can make a writer feel separated from community at times and from literatur

Constable depicted this subject many times. In his 1813 sketchbook he made three drawings of the cottage – one from the same point of view, and two from the opposite direction. Two years later, around 1815, he made this drawing in a sketchbook that was subsequently broken up. And he made two paintings of the scene, including A cottage in a cornfield c.1816–17 . He wrote to Maria Bicknell on 27 August 1815: ‘I live almost wholly in the feilds and see nobody but the harvest men. The weather has been uncommonly fine though we have had some very high winds that have disconcerted the foliage a great deal’ (Beckett II, p. 149). Leslie Parris and Ian Fleming-Williams observed that 1815 was a year of good weather andabundant corn harvests, which may also have influenced Constable’s choice of subject (Tate 1991, p. 421)

Constable depicted this subject many times. In his 1813 sketchbook he made three drawings of the cottage – one from the same point of view, and two from the opposite direction. Two years later, around 1815, he made this drawing in a sketchbook that was subsequently broken up. And he made two paintings of the scene, including A cottage in a cornfield c.1816–17 . He wrote to Maria Bicknell on 27 Aug

October 29, 2008 Recognizing more than 37 years of dedication, NOAA’s National Weather Service has named Pocatello, Idaho, resident Dick Clothier as a 2008 recipient of the agency’s Thomas Jefferson Award for outstanding service in the Cooperative Observer Program. The award is the agency’s most prestigious, and only six are presented this year to deserving cooperative weather observers from around the country. Susan Nelson, cooperative observer program manager at the National Weather Service western region headquarters in Salt Lake City, and Rick Dittmann meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service forecast office in Pocatello, presented the award at 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 28 during a ceremony at the Pocatello office. Clothier began recording weather and climate observations at Pocatello in February 1971. During his tenure, Clothier provided uninterrupted observations and recorded daily precipitation and temperature data, as well as critical storm spotter information. Clothier is also the recipient of the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program second highest award, the John Campanius Holm Award, which he received in 2001. Clothier’s flawless and informative observations have been instrumental in providing the National Weather Service with critical weather information. The National Weather Service’s Cooperative Observer Program has given scientists and researchers continuous observational data since the program’s inception more than a century ago. Today, some 11,700 volunteer observers participate in the nationwide program to provide daily reports on temperature, precipitation and other weather factors such as snow depth, river levels and soil temperature. Weather records retain their importance as time goes by. Long and continuous records provide an accurate picture of a locale’s normal weather, and give climatologists and others a basis for predicting future trends. These data are invaluable for scientists studying floods, droughts and heat and cold waves. At the end of each month, observers mail their records to the National Climatic Data Center for publication in “Climatological Data” or “Hourly Precipitation Data.” The first extensive network of cooperative stations was set up in the 1890s as a result of an 1890 act of Congress that established the U.S. Weather Bureau. Many of the stations have even longer histories. John Campanius Holm’s weather records, taken without benefit of instruments in 1644 and 1645, were the earliest known recorded observations in the United States. Many historic figures have also maintained weather records, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson maintained an almost unbroken record of weather observations between 1776 and 1816, and Washington took weather observations just a few days before he died. The Jefferson and Holm awards are named for these weather observation pioneers. NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

October 29, 2008 Recognizing more than 37 years of dedication, NOAA’s National Weather Service has named Pocatello, Idaho, resident Dick Clothier as a 2008 recipient of the agency’s Thomas Jefferson Award for outstanding service in the Cooperative Observer Program. The award is the agency’s most prestigious, and only six are presented this year to deserving cooperative weather observers from aroun

Wind energy has the potential to provide 10 to 15 percent of the world’s future energy, according to Paul Dimotakis, chief technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Once windmills are installed, wind can be converted to electricity inexpensively. But not everyone likes wind farms. The giant collection of whirling blades mars scenic views and can kill birds and bats, particularly if located in a high-traffic flyway. To minimize these risks, one solution may be to place wind farms in the ocean. Wind tends to blow stronger over the ocean than over land. The ocean presents a smooth surface over which wind can glide without interruption, while hills, mountains, and forests tend to slow or channel wind over land. But, as any sailor could tell you, wind over the ocean isn’t consistent. In some places, the air is still, while in others, the wind blows fiercely. To identify potential wind farm locations, NASA scientists Tim Liu, Wenqing Tang, and Xiaosu Xie, all at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, mapped out average wind intensity over the ocean between 2000 and 2007. They created their maps from data collected by NASA’s Quick Scatterometer (QuickSCAT), which measures wind speed and direction over the world’s oceans. The satellite sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. The scientists averaged QuikSCAT’s measured wind speeds by season, and then calculated the wind power density, the amount of energy that could be derived from a wind turbine in a given location. Their maps for the winter and summer seasons are shown here. Wind strength is influenced by seasonal patterns, land-ocean interactions, land topography, and ocean temperatures. All of these interactions are evident in this pair of images. Areas of high wind power density, where winds are strongest, are purple, while low power density regions are light blue and white. The largest patterns shown in the images are seasonal patterns. In December, January, and February, winter storms fuel strong winds in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. In June, July, and August, winter reigns in the Southern Hemisphere, and the pattern is reversed. The Asian monsoon also controls the seasonal distribution of wind. In June, July, and August, strong winds gust across the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. From December to February, the monsoon winds blow over the East China Sea. Finally, the trade winds trace their way across the tropics, stronger in the winter than in the summer. In places where the land and the ocean interact to generate strong winds, the wind power density is more consistent. Winds accelerate as they deflect around a bit of land sticking into the ocean. This feature is most obvious off the southern tip of South America, which has high wind potential in both summer and winter. The effect occurs in other locations, such as off Tasmania, New Zealand, and northern California, and is easiest to see in the summer when seasonal winds are calmer. The spot of brilliant purple in an otherwise calm ocean off the Pacific coast of Central America in December, January, and February is an example of strong winds created by the topography of the land. In Central America, as in other places, mountains channel the wind, creating a natural wind tunnel that sends strong gusts over the ocean. The final wind pattern shown in this image is the wind created by the ocean itself. Warm ocean currents naturally warm the air above them. When ocean currents carry warm water into an area of cool water, or vice versa, the temperature difference in the air generates wind. The clearest example in these images is the Gulf Stream, which snakes up the east coast of the United States and east over the North Atlantic. In both winter and summer, winds are stronger over the Gulf Stream than the surrounding ocean.

Wind energy has the potential to provide 10 to 15 percent of the world’s future energy, according to Paul Dimotakis, chief technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Once windmills are installed, wind can be converted to electricity inexpensively. But not everyone likes wind farms. The giant collection of whirling blades mars scenic views and can kill birds and bats, particularly if located

- INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - VISITOR CENTER Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, AK Fish and Wildlife Service Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge is, at 1.637 million acres, about the size of the state of Delaware. It sits atop the Arctic Circle, with approximately a third of the refuge above that meridian and two-thirds below. The refuge is a prime example of Alaska's boreal ecosystem, which is dominated by black and white spruce with some white birch and poplars. The region's typically short, hot summers give rise to numerous thunderstorms and lightning strikes. This results in a continuous cycle of burn and recovery. Natural wildfires create diverse habitats with different plant species, and levels of maturity within each species. The resulting mosaic of habitat types supports a variety of wildlife. The refuge's migratory fish, chinook, chum and coho salmon, as well as sheefish, are creatures of extremes. Its Sheefish make the longest spawning journey of any of their species' population on record, while Kanuti's salmon travel more than 1000 miles up the Yukon before entering the Koyukuk River system to spawn. Refuge waters support twelve other fish species, including arctic grayling and northern pike. Protecting breeding habitat for migratory birds is central to the mission of Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Nearly 130 species of birds spend part or all of the year on refuge lands. With the loss of wetlands in regions outside of Alaska, the importance of Kanuti as a nesting area for birds is likely to increase. The refuge's boreal forest is home to 37 species of mammals, including brown and black bears, several wolf packs, moose, wolverine, beavers, muskrats, marten and mink. Caribou from the Western Arctic and Ray Mountain herds occasionally winter on Kanuti, as well. Address:101 12th Ave. Directions:Most visitors to the refuge come through the community of Bettles, which lies 150 air miles northwest of Fairbanks. From Bettles, air charters are available for drop-offs at lakes, rivers and gravel bars. Visitors can then access the refuge on foot or by boat. Keep in mind, however, that this is a very wet area with no developed foot trails, and that many of the refuge's upland areas are not ideal for hiking. In winter, the refuge can be reached from the Dalton Highway using non-motorized transportation such as skis or dog teams. Snow machine access is also authorized for traditional activities; contact the refuge office for more information.

- INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - VISITOR CENTER Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, AK Fish and Wildlife Service Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge is, at 1.637 million acres, about the size of the state of Delaware. It sits atop the Arctic Circle, with approximately a third of the refuge above that meridian and two-thirds below. The refuge is a prime example of Alaska's boreal ecosystem, which is dominated by

Your identity can be stolen when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars. The Rocklin Police Department Investigations Unit has assembled information from various sources and put it into the format of a flyer that you can use as a guide in case your identity has been stolen. Swindles and confidence games have been with us since man first put pen to papyrus. With the advent of the computer age, swindles have become highly sophisticated, universal and continuous. The Rocklin Police Department's Investigations Unit is constantly finding new scams being forwarded to local residents. Currently, bogus letters supposedly from banks or individuals about unclaimed funds top the list of scams. Often these letters play upon your sympathies for people from third world countries or seem plausible requests for help. But, beware! These are scams by people trying to get your money or to gain access to your bank account or credit card information. Do not respond to them, do not send money, and above all, do not give out any personal information. Just remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! If you are the victim of a scam, please contact the Police Department at 916.625.5400. Here are sample emails that are extremely suspicious: Sample Email #1 RE: TRANSFER OF US$22,000,000 INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT I am MICHEAL XXXX, Telex/Money transfer Director of Nigeria apex Bank (Central Bank Of Nigeria). Since my assumption of office on appointment by the present Democratic Government, I have been able to ream the image of this Nation by offsetting most over due contract sums owed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to foreign contractors in the past years. On the process of these payments, I discovered through investigation that my predecessor attempted to move out the above-mentioned sum outside Nigeria but was unable as he was removed out of office unaware. Now, I have concluded all necessary arrangements for the smooth transfer of the money to your account on trust. Contacting you on this issue became imperative owing to recommendations through an acceptance of your good integrity and trustworthiness as I came across in your particulars through a Foreigner who described you as an honest man. The fund originated from the balance of an over-invoiced sum of which the principal sum had been paid to foreign company that executed the contract some years ago. This fund has been floating in a suspense account with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)for a long period of time and I as the Director of Telex/Money Transfer Department of CBN in the course of my duty discovered this fund and decided to transfer it outside Nigeria through a trustworthy partner who will share the fund with me on 30% to 70% basis. Therefore, what is required from you is to forward in your confidential bank particulars where this fund will be transferred. As you will have 30% of the 22million US dollars after a successful transfer into your account abroad, part of my 70% will be used on importation of valuable goods and purchasing of cars through you in Nigeria. Note: that this transaction is risk free and will be concluded within 14 working days and the money be remitted into your account. Please contact me on this e-mail address(email@example.com.]. Also send me your telephone/fax numbers if you have. Also include your street address. Please if you are interested in this proposal, as well as if not, do not hesitate to let me know in time. Thanks in advance for a mutual and fruitful business association. Sample Email #2 DEPOSIT YOUR CREDIT CARD BALANCE WITH 20% DISCOUNT By East Payment Team We are glad to inform you, that in May all our clients have an amazing chance to use our new service. Why amazing? Because we are going to give you an amazing discount. Now you can easy deposit your credit card by Western Union transaction if you have indebtedness on credit. And we'll add to your transaction 20% of its face value. Transaction amount must be not more then credit indebtedness. Simply e-mail us your information - your credit card number, ssn number and how much you want to deposit => Receive our acknowledgement and instruction => Just relax => Receive our 100% transaction on your credit card => Pay for this transaction only 80% of its value by Western Union system >=< For example, if you pay us 8000$ (80%) - we'll put on your credit card balance 10000 (100%). But we pay you first and in the next day of our transaction you pay us. The minimal sum of our payment: 2000$. It is a special offer, which works only in April - May (for our first clients). Hurry and receive the amazing discount. Send your confirmation letter with your full name, credit card number and ssn number and any questions to: info@????.com Contact the Police Department at 916.625.5400.

Your identity can be stolen when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of

Governing for Racial Equity Conference Thank you to everyone who attended the Governing for Racial Equity Conference held December 13 and 14 at Seattle University. Workshop materials have been made available by some presenters and can be found below, along with the original descriptions for the workshops. For more information contact Brenda Anibarro at Brenda.Anibarro@Seattle.gov or by phone at (206) 684-4514. Thursday, December 13th Van Jones on Governing for Racial Equity - Windows Media File Piggott Auditorium, Seattle University Friday, Dec 14th Plenary Panel: Elected Officials - Seattle Channel video Featuring: Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Bellevue City Councilmember Claudia Balducci, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos. Pigott Auditorium, Seattle University GRE Opening Remarks Julie Nelson and Glenn Harris - Presentation - Acrobat PDF A Focus on Healthy Equity: Strategies and tools from Seattle/King County to promote community health Matías Valenzuela, Kirsten Wysen and Martha Zuñiga Despite King County’s relatively good average health measures, the region has some of the greatest inequities among urban counties. The federally-funded Communities Putting to Work program addressed the inequities in obesity and tobacco use in King County. Public Health - Seattle & King County along with over 55 organizations tackled local health inequities using a multi-step process, with community engagement playing a key role. Learn tools and best practices to integrate equity into daily public health practice, including planning, policy development, granting and staffing, as well as community engagement and mobilization. Elliott Bronstein, Benita Horn and Sonia Palma Can we communicate change by changing how we communicate? How can we create more effective narratives to talk about race and racism? This workshop will show how each of us can use our own story and focus our personal message to advance our work on racial equity. Note from the Presenters: The PowerPoint presentation and “Tips” sheet have been revised thanks to thoughtful suggestions from participants in this workshop on 12/13/12. In addition, the PowerPoint includes more detailed instructions for one of the exercises. An Introduction to Racial Equity Assessment Tools Terry Keleher, Darlene Flynn, and Gloria Albetta How do you analyze and assess your policies, programs and budget decisions for institutional racism? Learn about racial equity impact assessment tools developed by Seattle, King County and jurisdictions across the United States, what these jurisdictions have accomplished with them and how a racial equity impact assessment tool can benefit your agency and its work. Quantifying Community-Scale Progress on Equity: How comprehensive and rigorous is the STAR Community Rating System? The STAR Community Rating System is the nation’s first voluntary framework for evaluating, quantifying and improving livability and sustainability of U.S. communities. Several Puget Sound communities (Seattle, Tacoma and King County) have signed on to pilot test this system, which credits participating jurisdictions for ensuring equitable access to foundational community assets and demonstrating progress on environmental justice, civil and human rights, civic engagement and social and cultural diversity. The Politics of Race: Using power for institutional change Julie Nelson, Dante James, Judith Mowry Successfully using power and navigating politics is absolutely essential if we are to eliminate racial inequities. But how do we even define power? What about politics? This workshop will provide definitions and strategies for using power and politics to address racial equity. Be ready for candid discussion about the challenges and opportunities. Building Bridges: Standing together for LGBTQ and racial equity Sonia Palma, Chris Peguero, Preston Hampton and Tracey Rowland Moderated by Jacque Larrainzar In 2012 SEqual, the City of Seattle’s LGBTQ employee group, started a conversation with the City’s race and ethnicity based affinity groups. These conversations culminated in a collaborative effort to host a series of Building Bridges conversations about gender, sexual orientation, race and equity. This hands-on workshop will focus on the lessons learned by its organizers and how this process can be replicated in other cities to advance a racial equity agenda that supports LGBTQ and gender equity. Inclusive Outreach and Public Engagement: Are you making the grade? Michael Davis and Heidi K. Schillinger Are you looking to further integrate racial equity into your public engagement efforts? Would you like some additional tools to talk about inclusive outreach and public engagement with your colleagues? Participate in an experiential activity that helps us evaluate our engagement efforts through a racial equity lens. Equitable Development: Government and philanthropy partnerships Ryan Curren and Judy de Barros This interactive workshop will explore the strategies to achieving equitable development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Equitable development is a pattern of change in neighborhoods where low-income and communities of color can access the economic opportunities derived from public and private investments that aim to stimulate growth and new development. This pattern of development lies at the intersection of “smart growth” policies and meeting the needs of historically underserved communities. It directly addresses the history of inequities in the urban U.S development pattern and the ongoing impacts in our communities. To achieve this, those affected by poverty, communities of color, and historically marginalized communities must have leadership and influence in decision making processes, planning and policy-making. Academic and Government Partnerships in Action: Seattle University Youth Initiative John Forsyth, Kent Koth, Rachael Steward, Senait Gebregiorgis and Greg Imel Moderated by Maria Ursua What does a strong academic and government partnership for racial equity look like in practice? The Seattle University Youth Initiative unites Seattle University and the wider community to improve the academic achievement of low-income youth living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood while strengthening the education of Seattle University students and expanding professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. Learn about this exciting model of campus-community engagement. Eliminating Racial Inequity: Are we making a difference? How can we measure impact? Lori Villarosa, Julie Nelson, Nina Narelle and Jen Lleras If data are needed to make a case for injustice and to show progress, then how can we measure progress in achieving racial equity? Choosing the accurate and realistic indicators and markers of success are critical parts of data collection. So, how do community leaders, advocates and decision makers know when real progress toward racial justice is being made? There is an increasing demand in communities and institutions across the country for evaluation tools that help to establish appropriate success indicators and assess progress towards achieving racial equity. Which racial justice assessment issues have been most important to government and to community organizing groups on the ground? This session will engage evaluators and other community leaders in robust discussions and exchanges about a variety of racial equity assessment strategies and social justice success markers. Tailored Racial Equity Tools: Community development, information technology and health David Keyes Nora Liu and Ngozi Oleru. Moderated by Chenelle Love How do you take a racial equity tool and tailor it to your specific line of business? Hear about some models being used in the fields of information technology, health and neighborhood planning. Learn about their accomplishments and lessons learned tailoring a racial equity tool. Training and infrastructure to create change Darlene Flynn, Paula Harris-White and Joseph Wahl There are numerous factors that exemplify successful change initiatives. This workshop will examine approaches for increasing organizational capacity to create, promote and apply pro-equity skills and tools in order to imbed change that addresses racial inequity. Achieving Workforce Equity Darwyn Anderson, Juan Cotto, Mary Rosenthal and Greg Gardner Moderated by Felecia Caldwell How can employers achieve workforce equity that reflects the actual racial representation of their communities? Historically employers have used federally required EEO reports to assess workforce equity. Unfortunately, because these reports group together a wide range of different job titles, they often fail to identify areas where actions are warranted. Learn strategies employers are taking to achieve true racial representation and racial equity in the workforce. Addressing Racial Inequity within the Criminal Justice System Chief John Diaz, Justice Charles Z. Smith, Theresa Sparks, Leesa Manion, Maurice Ward and Sandy Mullins Moderated by Dustin Washington Racial inequities in the criminal justice system continue to create inequitable outcomes for African American, Latino and other communities of color. Key parts of the criminal justice system, such as police departments, corrections, and juvenile justice, are working in a variety of ways to address this reality. Join us for a conversation with local and regional leaders who are taking steps to eliminate racial inequity and hear about the opportunities and challenges of working for racial equity. Human Rights, Civil Rights and Racial Equity: A networking session with the Western Region of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies Hosted by Julie Nelson The International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) is an organization of governmental civil and human rights agencies from across the country. IAOHRA’s goals are to enhance human rights practices and to promote civil and human rights across the country and around the world. IAOHRA has provided leadership in the development and enforcement of needed statutes and ordinances to safeguard the human and civil rights of all people. This informal networking session will be an opportunity to share opportunities and challenges from your own jurisdiction and to learn from other jurisdictions and about IAOHRA’s work. Making Racial Equity Tools Effective Terry Keleher, Glenn Harris and Carrie Cihak Once you are using a racial equity tool, how do you make it effective? Learn how to navigate the politics behind toolkits. Join us for a system-wide conversation covering working with leadership, setting outcomes, tracking progress and staying accountable. Race: the Power of an Illusion: An introduction to Seattle’s basic racial equity training Jacque Larrainzar and Elliott Bronstein This video and facilitated discussion is the "basic RSJI training" for all City of Seattle employees. The training uses the three-part PBS video series about race, power and privilege to examine historical and present-day causes of racial disparities. This “train the trainer” workshop will give you an overview of the training model the City of Seattle is using and how to apply it in your organization. Data + Measurement: Using data for inclusion and measuring participation of community Bernie Matsuno, Kathy Hsieh and Dawn Schellenberg Moderated by Darryl Smith Are you trying to use racially equitable outreach strategies but are unsure of their success? Do you wonder if you truly are making a difference with your public engagement efforts? This workshop will bring together a panel from arts, transit and neighborhoods to facilitate a shared discussion about lessons learned on how to measure community participation, where data fits in and how to be sure you are on the road to racially inclusive outreach and engagement. Transforming Organizations - Internalizing Racial Equity Many organizations are founded on the values of fairness and equity, yet it is hard to change a system while trying to succeed in it at the same time. In this highly participatory session, we will assess our current institutional policies, practices, and cultural norms using a new tool, Transforming Organizational Culture Assessment Tool. We will discuss the ways, consciously and unconsciously, that we perpetuate racism and white culture in and through our organizations. We'll uncover catalyzing strategies and actions to resist and interrupt these dynamics and make progress that reflects racial justice values.

Governing for Racial Equity Conference Thank you to everyone who attended the Governing for Racial Equity Conference held December 13 and 14 at Seattle University. Workshop materials have been made available by some presenters and can be found below, along with the original descriptions for the workshops. For more information contact Brenda Anibarro at Brenda.Anibarro@Seattle.gov or by phone at (2

Infiltration Reduction Pilot The goal of this pilot project is to test a new method of sealing the sewer pipes and to reduce or eliminate the amount of groundwater that enters the sewer lines through cracks, separated connections, etc., a process called “infiltration.” This project involves 88 Broadview homes in the area from NW 130th to NW 132nd Streets, from 8th to 12th Avenues NW (see map). The area has approximately 15000 linear feet of sewer lines; 5000 feet of main sewer lines under the streets and 10000 feet of side sewers - pipes that connect each home to the main sewer line. Dec. 22 - Early actions underway for Broadview Sewer and Stormwater Improvements Bravo, a contractor for Seattle Public Utilities, will be working in the Broadview neighborhood during January and February 2012 sealing sewer maintenance holes (MHs) to reduce both leakage out of and stormwater seeping into the MHs. Bravo will be working on 4th Avenue and in the area from 12th Avenue to 8th Avenue between 130th and 125th Streets. They will be using the Sanipor flood grouting technology to seal the MHs. At least 70 MHs will be sealed through this process. Prior to initiating the work Bravo will inspect the MHs and note if any structural repairs will be required, such as bringing them to grade, replacing covers, or installing standard MHs. This work will be completed for the MHs that need it prior to grouting. We do not anticipate that any of this work will cause an interruption of sewer service. Please contact Jim Johnson, Lead Project Engineer, at 684-5829 if you have any questions regarding this work. More information on the Broadview Sewer and Stormwater Improvements Project will be announced in first quarter of 2012 and will be posted here as it becomes available. How it was done SPU hired a consultant, Bravo Environmental, to perform a camera inspection of the sewer pipes from the inside, both main sewer lines and residential side sewers. They installed cleanouts in those side sewer lines that didn’t already have them. If side sewer lines needed to be repaired, SPU is doing that at no cost to the homeowner. Once those repairs are completed, the new grouting method will be tested to seal cracks in the lines. The grouting was implemented with a two-part, non-toxic chemical process and was completed in sections, from one manhole to another. At each manhole, the lines were temporarily blocked (for no more than one day) and then the chemicals applied. Afterwards, the system will be monitored to see how effective the resealing has been. If successful, the process may be repeated elsewhere in the Broadview area.

Infiltration Reduction Pilot The goal of this pilot project is to test a new method of sealing the sewer pipes and to reduce or eliminate the amount of groundwater that enters the sewer lines through cracks, separated connections, etc., a process called “infiltration.” This project involves 88 Broadview homes in the area from NW 130th to NW 132nd Streets, from 8th to 12th Avenues NW (see map). The

Complaints about schools It is the responsibility of individual schools to respond to complaints about the school. You can get a copy of your school's complaints procedure from the school office. Many concerns can be resolved quickly with good-will, often by making early contact with the class teacher or Head of Year. If this is not possible, or the teacher is unable to resolve the concern, the parent, carer or pupil should contact the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher. The person who receives the complaint should attempt to work with the family to resolve the complaint informally. This may - Mediation and conciliation - Explaining policies or decisions - Helping the pupil to express their views to another person - Review of educational provision - Review of support services Most complaints will be dealt with in this way. If the pupil, parent or carer are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal investigation, they may wish to make a formal complaint. This should be done in writing to the Head Teacher. If the complaint is about the Head Teacher, or if the problem is not resolved, the matter should be referred to the Chair of Governors of the school. The school and its governors have a duty in law to act properly and investigate complaints impartially. Once investigations are complete the person making the complaint should receive a written response from the school. If pupils, parents or carers are not satisfied with the response they can refer the complaint to a review committee of governors, known as the complaints committee. If the school are unable to resolve your complaint, you can refer the complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman. PO Box 4771 Telephone: 0845 602 1983 or 0300 061 More information is available on the Local Government Ombudsman If you would like advice about making a complaint about a school, you can contact a Children's Complaints Officer. Last Updated on 10/4/2011

Complaints about schools It is the responsibility of individual schools to respond to complaints about the school. You can get a copy of your school's complaints procedure from the school office. Many concerns can be resolved quickly with good-will, often by making early contact with the class teacher or Head of Year. If this is not possible, or the teacher is unable to resolve the concern, the pa

Social Security Administration Kicks 65th Anniversary Celebration at Hyde Park, New York Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will hold a celebration of the 65th anniversary of Social Security at Hyde Park, New York on Saturday, August 5, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. Hyde Park is the home of President Franklin Roosevelt, the architect of the Social Security program. President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. "President Roosevelt considered the Social Security program to be the cornerstone of his Presidency," commented Commissioner Apfel. "And the FDR library and museum, where some of the most important documents surrounding the creation of Social Security are housed, is a fitting place to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Social Security." President Roosevelt envisioned Social Security as a program that would eliminate the blight of poverty from the lives of elderly Americans and allow them to maintain their dignity and independence. Today it is clear that Social Security has met President Roosevelt's goal and become the most successful domestic program in our nation's history. More than 150 million workers are protected by Social Security, and more than 44 million people receive retirement, survivors and disability benefits from Social Security. Social Security benefits are essential to the economic security of today's older Americans. Only 11 percent of America's senior citizens live in poverty; without Social Security, it would be nearly half. The annual cost-of-living adjustment ensures that seniors will have an inflation-proof benefit that they can count on for as long as they live. In addition, one-in-three Social Security beneficiaries is not a retiree but a disabled worker, the dependent family member of a disabled worker or the survivor of a deceased worker. Over the years, Social Security has become America's number one family protection plan. Social Security is an economic compact among generations. Today's workers are paying for the benefits that their parents and grandparents receive. We must all work together to ensure that today's workers and their families will be able to depend on Social Security throughout the 21st Century. In the words of President Bill Clinton, "Social Security reflects some of our deepest values the duties we owe to our parents, the duties we owe to each other when we're differently situated in life, the duties we owe to our children and grandchildren. Indeed, it reflects our determination to move forward across generations and across income divides in our country, as one America." "As we commemorate the 65th anniversary of Social Security, we celebrate more than a milestone in time," stated Commissioner Apfel. "We celebrate a program that has brought peace of mind and financial security to generations of Americans. We celebrate the vision and courage of President Roosevelt whose legacy lives on everyday through this important program. Social Security is a part of the fabric of American Society. Let us celebrate its accomplishments and ensure its continued success for future generations of Americans." of most SSA press releases, as well as other Social Security information are available at SSAs Internet site, Social Security Online, at http://www.ssa.gov. Also look there for information on subscribing to SSAs free electronic newsletter, Social Security e-news. SSA Press Office 4-H-9 West High Rise 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235 410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973

Social Security Administration Kicks 65th Anniversary Celebration at Hyde Park, New York Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will hold a celebration of the 65th anniversary of Social Security at Hyde Park, New York on Saturday, August 5, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. Hyde Park is the home of President Franklin Roosevelt, the archite

The U.S. Government condemns trafficking in persons and remains firmly committed to fighting this scourge and protecting victims who fall prey to traffickers. Our commitment to eradicate trafficking includes: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 In December 2003 Congress passed and President Bush signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which enhanced the State Department's reporting of government efforts to combat modern-day slavery by: The PROTECT Act Another law was enacted in 2003 to give U.S. authorities better tools to combat international sex tourism and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, as well as domestic federal offenses of child abuse, child kidnapping, and child torture. In April 2003, the PROTECT Act (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003) was passed by the Congress and signed into law by President Bush. The Act serves as a historic milestone for protecting children while severely punishing those who victimize young people. Of particular note, the PROTECT Act allows law enforcement officers to prosecute Americans who travel abroad and sexually abuse minors, without having to prove prior intent to commit illicit crimes. The law also strengthens the punishment of child sex tourists. If convicted, child sex tourists now face up to 30 years imprisonment, an increase from the previous maximum of 15 years. The PROTECT Act made several other changes to the law with a focus on protecting children from sexual predators, including: extending the statute of limitations for federal crimes involving the abduction or physical or sexual abuse of a child for the lifetime of the child; expanding the potential reach of federal sex trafficking prosecutions by extending federal jurisdiction to crimes committed in foreign commerce; establishing parallel penalty enhancements for the production of child pornography overseas; and, criminalizing actions to arrange or facilitate the travel of child sex tourists. Other U.S. Government efforts and mechanisms to combat trafficking in persons include the annual Trafficking in Persons report; the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; and, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the U.S. Department of State. The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ("TIP Office") The State Department's "TIP Office" is mandated to: combat and eradicate human trafficking by focusing worldwide attention on the international slave trade; assisting countries to eliminate trafficking; promoting regional and bilateral cooperation; supporting service providers and NGOs active in trafficking prevention and victim protection efforts. The TIP office also assists foreign governments in drafting or strengthening anti-trafficking lawsand funds law enforcement and victim assistance training to foreign governments to ensure traffickers are fully investigated and prosecuted to final conviction. The TIP Office supported more than 240 anti-trafficking programs in over 75 countries in fiscal year 2003. The types of assistance include the following: economic alternative programs for vulnerable groups; education programs; training for government officials and medical personnel; development or improvement of anti-trafficking laws; provision of equipment for law enforcement; establishment or renovation of shelters, crisis centers, or safe houses for victims; support for voluntary and humane return and reintegration assistance for victims; and support for psychological, legal, medical and counseling services for victims provided by NGOs, international organizations and governments. Other U.S. Agency Activities The TVPA also mandates that federally-funded or administered benefits and services, such as cash assistance, medical care, food stamps, and housing, be made available for certain non-citizen trafficking victims. During 2003, trafficking victims in the U.S. received information from federal authorities about the rights and protections available to them. The Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security have been implementing this mandate. Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Bureau (ICE), the Diplomatic Security Service, as well as other federal officials who encounter trafficking victims hand out a brochure describing a trafficking victim's rights and the protections available to him or her. ICE also operates a hotline for victims and non-governmental organizations to communicate directly with the ICE victim-witness assistance program. The ICE hotline number is 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Alternatively, the U.S. Department of Justice's Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force hotline is 1-888-428-7581. In 2003, ICE provided its 25 field offices funds to purchase items to help assist trafficking victims. Funding was used for car seats to safely transport minor children of trafficking victims, clothing, personal hygiene items, bags for personal belongings, cots for children, and other needed items. ICE retrofitted 25 cars with tinted glass so that investigators and victim-witness coordinators could transport victims, including trafficking victims, with confidentiality. ICE coordinated with its New York office to provide nationwide translation services for victims of trafficking in ICE investigations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides certification and eligibility letters for victims that allow them to access most benefits and services comparable to the assistance provided to refugees. In March 2004, a HHS-sponsored hotline for victims of trafficking, run by an NGO, was activated. The number is: 1-888-373-7888. In fiscal year 2003, HHS issued $3.48 million to 15 organizations to help victims of trafficking with a range of services, including temporary housing, independent living skills, cultural orientation, and transportation needs, and for educational programs and legal assistance. In fiscal year 2003, HHS provided 151 certifications and benefits eligibility letters, of which 145 were certification letters to adults and six were eligibility letters to child trafficking victims. Over 200 trafficking victims rescued in the Kil Soo Lee case are provided services by a HHS grantee. The case, prosecuted between 2001 and 2004, is the largest U.S. trafficking case to date, and involved Vietnamese and Chinese nationals trafficked to American Samoa. The Department of Justice also met immediate needs of victims of trafficking in persons through witness assistance programs and services provided by the grantees of the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). In January 2003, the OVC awarded 12 grants totaling more than $9.5 million to non-governmental organizations for the purpose of providing trafficking victims with comprehensive or specialized services, and to provide these grantees with training and technical assistance for program support. Grantee organizations must provide comprehensive services, including immediate housing. Victims of trafficking often need legal assistance with immigration and other matters. Since the passage of the TVPA, the Legal Services Corporation must make available legal assistance to trafficking victims. The Legal Services Corporation is a private, non-profit corporation established by Congress which funds legal aid programs around the nation to help indigent Americans gain equal access to the civil justice system. The Legal Services Corporation grantees assisted a total of 81 victims nationwide during fiscal year 2003. There are two immigration benefits available through the TVPA to trafficking victims who meet certain eligibility requirements. Victims may be authorized "continued presence" to temporarily remain in the United States if federal law enforcement determines they are potential witnesses to trafficking. Victims may also petition the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services within the Department of Homeland Security to receive "T visas," which are available to victims who have complied with reasonable requests for assistance to investigate or prosecute acts of trafficking. Victims who receive T non-immigrant status may remain in the United States for three years, and can then apply for permanent residency. As of September 30, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security had granted an estimated 374 continued presence requests. For trafficking victims that request repatriation, U.S. Government personnel assist in the repatriation process by liaising with foreign governments to facilitate the victim's return and to try to ensure that the victim is not trafficked again. Investigations and Prosecutions of Traffickers Human trafficking cases are among the most labor- and time-intensive matters undertaken by the Department of Justice. They often involve language barriers, multiple investigating agencies, overseas investigations, and in many cases, severe sexual or physical trauma to victims and witnesses, requiring the expertise of various professionals including rape counselors, psychiatrists, physicians, and child interview specialists. As of April 2004, the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division had 153 open trafficking investigations - twice as many as compared with three years earlier. Over one-half of these investigations were initiated as a result of the "Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force Complaint Line," 1-888-428-7581, established in February 2000. In fiscal years 2001 through 2003, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and US Attorneys Offices initiated prosecutions of 110 traffickers, nearly a three-fold increase compared to the previous three fiscal years. In fiscal years 2001 through 2003, the Department of Justice secured 77 convictions and guilty pleas, a 50 percent increase over the previous three years. In United States v. Kil Soo Lee, the largest trafficking prosecution ever brought by the Department of Justice, the Civil Rights Division led a long and difficult investigation resulting in a 22-count indictment against five defendants charged with subjecting workers to involuntary servitude in a garment factory in American Samoa. The indictment, filed in federal court in Hawaii, charged that the defendants transported more than 200 Vietnamese and Chinese nationals, mostly young women, to work as sewing machine operators in a Daewoosa garment factory. The victims, some of whom were held for up to two years, were forced to work through extreme food deprivation, beatings, and physical restraint. The victims were held in barracks on a guarded company compound, and were threatened with confiscation of their passports, deportation, economic bankruptcy, severe economic hardship to family members, false arrest, and personal injury. One victim had an eye gouged out by a defendant who struck her with a jagged pipe in order to punish her for refusing to comply with the defendants' orders. On August 31, 2001 two of the five defendants entered guilty pleas to conspiracy for their involvement in the scheme. On February 21, 2003, a jury convicted Lee, the factory owner and ringleader, on nearly all counts. Sentencing will occur in June 2004. The other two defendants, his subordinates, were acquitted. In April, 2002, 270 Vietnamese and Chinese workers who labored in the Daewoosa garment factory on American Samoa won an important legal victory. The High Court of American Samoa ordered the factory and two Vietnamese government-owned labor agencies to pay $3.5 million to the workers. Other cases are highlighted in the annual Department of Justice report. International Grant Activity The ideal way to combat trafficking is to prevent the victimization of people in the first place. Because the United States is a destination country for trafficked people, prevention activities in which the U.S. Government engages abroad are particularly important. Through the Department of State, the Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Government offers a substantial amount of international assistance to help prevent trafficking in persons, and for improving the treatment of victims and the prosecution of traffickers abroad. In FY 2003, the U.S. Government supported approximately 190 anti-trafficking programs totaling $72.2 million, and benefiting over 92 countries, up from 118 programs in 55 countries in fiscal year 2001. The Government of the United States has invested $147.5 million on anti-trafficking efforts over the last two fiscal years. The U.S. Government's international anti-trafficking efforts run the gamut from small projects to large multi-million-dollar programs to develop comprehensive regional and national strategies to combat the worst forms of child labor. Based on U.S. Government findings over many years of international development work, assistance that has a positive impact on anti-trafficking efforts include: development or improvement of anti-trafficking laws; provision of equipment for law enforcement; economic alternative programs for vulnerable groups; education programs addressing both the supply and demand sides of trafficking in persons; training for government officials and medical personnel; anti-corruption measures; establishment or renovation of shelters, crisis centers, or safe-houses for victims; support for voluntary and humane return and reintegration assistance for victims; and support for psychological, legal, medical and counseling services for victims provided by NGOs, international organizations and governments. Report on the Worst Forms of Child Labor The Department of Labor also publishes an annual report, mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000, on efforts governments are taking to meet their international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, including the trafficking of children for exploitative labor and commercial sexual exploitation. The Trade and Development Act (TDA) provides that efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor count as an important eligibility criterion for countries that are recipients of trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The TDA Report released in 2003 chronicled the incidence of the worst forms of child labor, and government efforts to combat it, in over 140 countries and territories. The U.S. Government also engages internationally through cooperation with countries that support the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which supplements the UN Convention Against Transnational and Organized Crime, adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2000; the United States signed the Convention and Protocol in December 2000 and the President has submitted them to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification. Three other international instruments that address the sale of and trafficking in children have also been adopted - International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (which the United States ratified in February 1999), the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (which the United States ratified in December 2002), and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (which the United States ratified in December 2002). The Department of Labor works with the ILO to bring international attention to countries' obligations under ILO Convention 150, the Abolition of Forced Labor, as well. Training of NGOs Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)have been vital to the U.S. Government's efforts to identify and help trafficking victims as well as to prosecute trafficking cases. The U.S. Government engages in extensive outreach to NGOs, which are often the first point of contact with trafficking victims. These contacts foster good relations with groups that receive and shelter trafficking victims and are often in a position to encourage victims to come forward and report abuse. Additionally, in those situations in which law enforcement is actively involved in liberating victims from servitude, some NGOs can provide safe houses for the victims. U.S. Government personnel have been working closely with NGOs across the country to train service providers on the provisions of the TVPA, as amended. Through such training, federal prosecutors, Federal Bureau of Investigation and ICE agents, immigration officials and Health and Human Services' personnel have forged strong relationships with NGOs, learned about potential new cases, acquired NGO assistance in procuring refuge and support for trafficking victims, educated non-governmental organizations on the requirements for identifying a victim of a severe form of trafficking, and trained service providers on the roles they can play to contribute toward the success of a trafficking investigation and prosecution. The Department of Labor (DOL) also supports programs through the International Organization's International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor as well as through non-governmental and faith-based organizations that address child trafficking in 20 countries around the world, either as the central focus of the project or as a component of a broader project. These projects rescue children from trafficking and exploitative work situations and provide them with rehabilitation services and educational opportunities. Programs funded under DOL's Child Labor Education Initiative promote school attendance and provide educational opportunities for victims of child trafficking and children at risk of being trafficked. In the United States, DOL's Employment and Training Administration also assists victims with job training regardless of immigration status. This training includes job search assistance, career counseling, and occupational skills training. Senior Policy Operating Group on Trafficking in Persons In February 2002, pursuant to the TVPA, President George W. Bush established a Cabinet-level Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The Task Force is chaired by the Secretary of State and includes the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Task Force's responsibilities include coordination and implementation of the Administration's anti-trafficking activities. In February 2003, the Congress passed and the President signed legislation creating the Senior Policy Operating Group on Trafficking in Persons (SPOG), chaired by the Director of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The purpose of the SPOG is to bring together senior policy officials from the Task Force member agencies. This year the SPOG was responsible for a number of inter-agency policy developments including:

The U.S. Government condemns trafficking in persons and remains firmly committed to fighting this scourge and protecting victims who fall prey to traffickers. Our commitment to eradicate trafficking includes: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 In December 2003 Congress passed and President Bush signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which enhanced th

The Sediment Transport Instrumentation Facility at USGS Woods Hole Field Center maintains and deploys oceanographic instrumentation for the study of coastal and ocean circulation and sediment transport. This site is designed to provide information on federal interagency and cooperative developments related to coastal sand and gravel resources and management issues along the Atlantic continental margin. A geologic and oceanographic study of the waters and Continental Shelf of Gulf of the Farallones adjacent to the San Francisco Bay region. The results of the study provide a scientific basis to evaluate and monitor human impact on the marine environment. By measuring the current and historical growth rates of coral skeletons, and using field experiments, we intend to find out whether rising atmospheric CO2 and rising sea levels will cause coral reefs to erode and cease to function. Topics in Coastal and Marine Sciences provides background science materials, definitions, and links to give a common context for users from a variety of backgrounds. Coastal erosion was chosen as the first topic.

The Sediment Transport Instrumentation Facility at USGS Woods Hole Field Center maintains and deploys oceanographic instrumentation for the study of coastal and ocean circulation and sediment transport. This site is designed to provide information on federal interagency and cooperative developments related to coastal sand and gravel resources and management issues along the Atlantic continental ma

National profiles on children's health and environment: Assessing readiness for improving environmental health protection systems for children The children's environmental health profiles are narrative assessments of the situation of children's environmental health in a given country. They are primarily based upon input from governmental, international, and non-governmental organizations, including professional organizations, academia and the private sector. These groups are convened through a series of multi-stakeholder meetings to discuss responses to a set of questions provided in the format on a variety of topics related to children's health and the environment. Important input may also come from the review of publications and reports, input from experts in areas related to children’s health, and observation of the settings where children spend most of their time. The National Profiles on Children's Health and the Environment are qualitative and descriptive. They complement quantitative efforts to assess children’s environmental health through the use of information collection and indicators reporting. A profile is owned by the country that develops it and is often a country's first written document on the status of children's environmental health. It assesses government and national capabilities and interest to explicitly target improved policies and protection of children from environmental hazards. An initial national profile is intended to be the first of a series of periodic assessments that will allow a country to evaluate progress made and lessons learned, successes and challenges, and overall, to identify key concerns and design actions and interventions so that children are protected and supported as they strive to reach their full potential.

National profiles on children's health and environment: Assessing readiness for improving environmental health protection systems for children The children's environmental health profiles are narrative assessments of the situation of children's environmental health in a given country. They are primarily based upon input from governmental, international, and non-governmental organizations, includin

DOE Enhances Management of Energy Savings Performance Contracts U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi has directed enhancements to the Department's use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to accelerate energy savings and carbon reduction at DOE facilities. These administrative reforms will improve results and support appropriate oversight for this large and growing sector. ESPCs allow federal agencies to make payments over time for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on federal facilities installed by an Energy Services Company (ESCO). The federal government pays for the improvements from the resulting energy cost savings. When the contract term is complete, the recurring energy and cost savings from these improvements accrue to the agency. Assistant Secretary Zoi's action follows a strategic review of the ESPC program led by DOE's Office of Internal Review at the request of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. As part of this review, cross-functional program assessment teams visited nine fully operational ESPC projects within DOE to identify lessons learned and suggest program enhancements. The results of the review are being incorporated into several specific changes that enhance risk management and improve internal processes. While these reforms will help lower the risks on behalf of the government, they should not delay current implementation of current or future delivery orders associated with current contracts. Specific objectives of the announced reform effort include: - Reducing the time to design and award ESPC projects using "fast-track" procedures for projects within a certain scope; - Increasing the amount of direct price-based competition between ESCOs to improve taxpayer value; - Establishing a full "life of contract" audit function to ensure all promised savings are being realized and that all parties fulfill their contractual obligations; - Seeking ways to reduce the borrowing expenses associated with these projects; - Clarifying procedures for risk apportionment associated with potential energy cost fluctuations; - Increasing focus on reduced carbon emissions. From the late 1990's to July, 2009, more than 460 ESPC projects have been initiated by 19 different federal agencies in 47 states with a combined value of $5.7 billion. These projects have resulted in savings of more than 18 trillion Btu annually—equivalent to the energy used by a city of more than 500,000 people or avoiding the carbon emissions of nearly one million cars for one year. On July 17, 2009, Assistant Secretary Zoi signed a memo directing these ESPC management reforms (PDF 244 KB). A text version of the memo is below: MEMORANDUM FOR: RITA WELLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FIELD OPERATIONS FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FROM: CATHY ZOI ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SUBJECT: Implementing Reforms for Department of Energy's (DOE's) use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) Following the review of the ESPC program led by the DOE Office of Internal Review, I am directing FEMP, in concert with Golden Field Office, to complete a series of program and contract management reforms within the next 100 calendar days. It is my intention that these reforms enhance the already significant contributions that ESPC's make to energy savings within DOE and across the Federal Government, and establish DOE as a model for other agencies to follow, control energy price risk, and maximize the long-term value of DOE's ESPC projects to the American taxpayer. Specifically, changes should be implemented which result in the following (responsible program element and key milestone date is identified for each action): - Consistent with the terms of the contracts, reduce the time it takes to design and award ESPC projects including use of "fast-track" procedures. - Develop a process in coordination with the Golden Field Office whereby DOE ESPCs that contain only Energy and Water efficiency measures with only a limited amount of renewable power generation (e.g., without lengthy site assessment analysis requirements) will award within 18 months from the completion of the Site Data Package. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Develop a process whereby DOE ESPCs that include renewables requiring lengthier site assessments (such as a wind or major solar project) will be held to the 18month standard, starting with the completion of the renewable, and any associated environmental reviews as part of the Site Data Package. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Pilot test new processes at two DOE sites, review findings and finalize process with revisions by February, 2010. (FEMP, 02/02/10) - Require all DOE ESPC new starts comply with the expedited process not later than March 31, 2010. (FEMP, 2/29/10) - Consistent with the terms of the contracts, increase the amount of direct price-based competition between ESCO's to reduce taxpayer costs. - Develop a process to ensure that all of the ESCOs that have been awarded DOE ESPC contracts be made aware of each proposed task order and are encouraged to submit a Proposal/Preliminary Assessment. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Develop detailed proposal requirements to ensure that ESCOs provide enough information to enable a direct price-based comparison relating to projected ECM costs and ESCO mark ups. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Design a program to provide enhanced support to DOE sites in the review of the price related components of the ESCO proposals, including an evaluation of proposed financing costs. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Consistent with the terms of the contracts, enhance contract management practices and oversight for individual projects. - Strengthen DOE training by designing a curriculum that supports all revised processes, (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Update the DOE ESPC Review Board procedures to account for the findings of the DOE Office of Internal Review. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Require annual refresher training for all contracting personnel responsible for the development and oversight of DOE ESPC projects. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Ensure Golden Field Office (GFO) review of all DOE contracts prior to award, and also in conjunction with all DOE review boards. (GFO, 7/15/09). - Ensure that complete records are kept and updated annually regarding contract "custody" across all DOE ESPC projects. (GFO, 9/25/09) - Establish a full "life of contract" audit function to ensure promised savings are being realized and that all parties are fulfilling their contractual obligations. - Ensure that all DOE personnel responsible for key functions relating to the oversight of each DOE ESPC contract are identified and maintained in a database. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Ensure that these individuals are contacted on an annual basis to identify any changes in personnel that may require training or related support necessary to ensure competent contract oversight. All new personnel involved in these contracts will be required to take FEMP training in these contracts. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Ensure that all DOE sites within the performance period are reviewed, on site, at least once every three years. Any sites where significant issues are identified will require a follow-up on-site visit, the following year. (GFO, 9/25/09) - Ensure that all DOE sites utilize the services of the FEMP project facilitator throughout the project development, project acceptance, and first year M&V evaluation. (FEMP, 7/15/09) - Issue procedures to ensure all DOE sites will utilize the FEMP life of contract support services to ensure contract compliance and DOE staff readiness for contract oversight. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Seek ways to reduce the borrowing expenses associated with these projects. - Issue procedures requiring all ESCOs developing DOE projects to evaluate at least 4 competitive financing bids and to provide the DOE CO copies of the financing bids as well as the basis for their selection. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Provide services to assist the sites with the review of the ESCOs evaluation and selection of financing. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Initiate a process to review the financing process to determine what legislative or programmatic changes would be beneficial to achieve improved financing rates for the ESPC program. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Clarify procedures for the sharing of risks associated with energy cost fluctuations. - Develop DOE policy guidance relating to responsibilities associated with energy cost fluctuation risk over the term of the contract. (FEMP, 9/25/09) - Increase focus on reduced carbon emissions. - Issue guidance relating to areas that should be addressed by sites in their Site Data Packages to maximize the reductions of carbon emissions. (FEMP 9/25/09) - Include carbon emission reduction impacts in its ESPC data collection process. (FEMP 9/25/09) Progress updates are to be provided to the DAS for Energy Efficiency within the next 30 days, and status should be reviewed by the PDAS at the 50-day timeframe and by me at the conclusion of the 100-day period. I am prepared as SAO to ensure that outputs of this effort are implemented across all DOE Program Offices.

DOE Enhances Management of Energy Savings Performance Contracts U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi has directed enhancements to the Department's use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to accelerate energy savings and carbon reduction at DOE facilities. These administrative reforms will improve results and support ap

Areas of Ames Ingenuity: Entry Systems About entry systems Entry Systems are the complete package of heat shields, parachutes, software, and other articles needed for a vehicle to successfully transition from space to operations in the atmosphere of a planet or land on the planet’s surface. Because of the extreme heat of entering an atmosphere from space, the outside of a vehicle can reach temperatures of 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if the spacecraft survives this intense heat, it must then be able to "fly" at hyper velocity speeds and eventually slow down to land. All of this requires very specialized hardware. Every NASA launched spacecraft that has entered another planet's atmosphere or landed on another planet as well as every NASA launched vehicle that has returned from space to land on Earth has been directly or indirectly enabled by the entry systems work at Ames. The Ames Entry Systems & Technology Division has been a part of developing and testing every NASA human rated entry system to date. Iconic vehicles such as Apollo and the Space Shuttle, as well as the pioneering vehicles such as Mercury and Gemini, at the birth of our country's space age, have all been touched by Ames scientists. Ames’ contributions continue today helping with the success of Mars Science Laboratory and into the future with plans for near asteroid missions. Ames entry systems capabilities include: – provides integrated modeling, simulation and testing capabilities for aerothermodynamics, hypersonic and high enthalpy fluid dynamics, shock layer radiation, and aerodynamic configuration design. – operates hyper-velocity ground testing facilities, each providing unique atmospheric high-speed flight conditions, essential for technology development and flight system validation. Thermal Protection Materials – develops new and improves existing thermal protection materials. Ames Also develops methods and techniques for characterizing materials, as well as analyzing and designing models required to understand material behaviors to predict and guide thermal protection system development. Entry System and Vehicle development – performs and coordinates system level integration for existing and future atmospheric entry vehicles. Ames' primary role is to apply technologies and capabilities to analyze, design, develop, test, evaluate, manufacture, certify and operate atmospheric entry vehicles and systems. Ames also provides: - Systems analysis, system engineering, aero/thermal database construction, and low speed aerodynamics analysis to couple with the development of next generation heat shield technologies. - Fundamental modeling and simulation for exploring and understanding the underlying physics governing hypersonic flows required for computer code development to be used for the prediction of gas-phase radiation analysis. - Engineering systems for developing the structural and mechanical designs for deployable aeroshells in collaboration with cutting edge transformable heat shield technologies. - Supercomputing facilities to perform massively parallel calculations on thousands of CPU cores for structural response modeling and aeorothermal environments determination. Featured example: Mars Science Laboratory How did Ames help take the edge off of Curiosity's "seven minutes of terror"? (Click to view more) NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft with the Curiosity rover arrived at Mars on Aug. 5, 2012. Curiosity, carrying laboratory instruments to analyze samples of rocks, soil and atmosphere, is now investigating whether Mars has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life. The Entry Science Division at NASA Ames Research Center contributed to the successful MSL Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) success in several ways. - PICA: Researchers invented the unique thermal protection system consisting of tiles made of Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) that the MSL spacecraft will use to safely reach the surface of the Red Planet. - Arc Jet testing: The MSL heat shield was tested at Ames’ Arc Jet Complex, which reproduces heating and pressure conditions similar to those experienced by spacecraft during atmospheric re-entry. - MEDLI: The Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrument (MEDLI) contains multiple sophisticated temperature sensors to measure atmospheric conditions and performance of the capsule's heat shield. Featured example: Hypersonic entry, descent and landing What do you use to predict conditions of entering another planet's atmosphere? (Click to view more) Radiative heating can be a significant portion of the total heat flow to a vehicle surface, particularly at high velocities or for large vehicles. Radiative heating is caused by an entry vehicle colliding with the molecules in the atmosphere. When these gasses become so energized that they begin to emit light (or, more specifically, electromagnetic radiation, because ultraviolet and infrared rays are also produced) the radiation is sufficiently intense to heat the vehicle. In the shock tube, which measures radiative heating, a planetary gas mixture is accelerated to speeds of up to 50 times the speed of sound in order to simulate planetary (re)entry conditions. At these speeds the gas may reach temperatures of 20,000K (35,000F) and will radiate at similar magnitudes to real conditions. This radiation is measured using sensors tuned to pick up ultraviolet through the mid-infrared waves in a vacuu, giving data that is resolved as a function of position in the shock and wavelength (see image). This work is performed at Ames’ Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) , which is the only facility of its kind. Predictions of radiative heating are performed by the NEQAIR (Non-equilibrium Air) code, a computer program which takes the composition and temperature of the gas to produce a simulated spectrum of the radiation produced. NEQAIR can predict radiative heating for all relevant atmospheres found in our solar system, including Earth, Mars, Venus, Titan and the gas giant planets. The NEQAIR code has been validated against a multitude of EAST facility experiments and generally compares favorably to the experimental results. Featured example: Orion Who do you call to design a new heat shield? (Click to view more) In April of 2011 the baseline Orion heat shield design was cancelled due to manufacturing risks associated with the remaining process and material development challenges. TS personnel were sent to Denver for extended TDY to work in-line tasks with Lockheed Martin (LM) to find a solution for the heat shield. In the first four months TS personnel and the LM Orion HS stress team completed a trade study on four heat shield architectures. Specific tasks involved a preliminary sizing of each design for use in mass and risk estimates, understanding the thermally induced loads into the system, and the implications to the thermal protection system. In August 2011 the stress team supported the down select to the new heat shield carrier structure. The down select resulted in a classical skin stringer design with a solid carbon cyanate ester outer skin and titanium stringers. The team continued to work in Denver with LM focusing efforts on the new heat shield design. Tasks included stringer design trade studies, laminate springback predictions for the heat shield, material property test development, and the development and implementation of a methodology to size the stringers, laminate skin and fasteners. These tasks were in direct support of the LM drawing release in early 2012. The Orion heat shield is currently being assembled at Lockheed Martin and TS personnel continue to support ground handling operations, Q-notes, the heat shield proof test, and other various heat shield tasks. Featured example: SpaceX Dragon What NASA Ames materials and expertise were applied to SpaceX's Dragon capsule? (Click to view more) The Entry Systems and Technology (TS) Division has a collaborative agreement with SpaceX under the commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program through a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement. It is funded by the COTS program as a means of privatizing space cargo and crew transportation. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has delivered cargo – and will later deliver crew – to the International Space Station. The TS Division’s involvement with the development of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ranges from aerothermal simulation to thermal structural analysis. Using the award-winning DPLR tool developed within the TS Division, CFD simulations have predicted the trajectory and aerothermal heating expected for the Dragon capsule upon re-entry. With Dragon’s entry conditions established, SpaceX has utilized the TS Division’s arc-jet facilities for its thermal protection system design and testing. The design and material properties of the heatshield for Dragon were heavily influenced by contributions from TS, with SpaceX developing and implementing its own PICA-X variant of the Division’s patented PICA thermal protection material. The relationship between SpaceX and Ames has been mutually beneficial, and will continue for the foreseeable future.

Areas of Ames Ingenuity: Entry Systems About entry systems Entry Systems are the complete package of heat shields, parachutes, software, and other articles needed for a vehicle to successfully transition from space to operations in the atmosphere of a planet or land on the planet’s surface. Because of the extreme heat of entering an atmosphere from space, the outside of a vehicle can reach tempera

Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) - Who is eligible to apply for Project SERV funds? - What is an "eligible event"? - What events are not eligible for funding? - What activities are eligible for funding under Project SERV? - What activities are not eligible for funding under Project SERV? - To whom may services be provided. - May LEAs or HEIs be eligible for funding if a crisis or incident happened off campus? - Can project SERV funds be used to fund violence prevention programs such as after-school programs, mentoring programs, anger management, or skills building management? - What type of grants are available under Project SERV? - What is the scope of an Immediate Services Grant? - What is the scope of the Extended Services Grant? - May funding be requested for both Immediate Services and Extended Services Grants Programs? - If an applicant's needs exceed $50,000 for Immediate Services grants, may additional funds be requested? - Can an LEA or HEI apply for funding under the Extended Services Grant if an award was not made under the Immediate Services portion of Project SERV? - The guidelines state that repairs of minor damages are an allowable cost under the Extended Services grant but not under the Immediate Services grant. Why aren’t repairs allowed under the Immediate Services grant? How is “minor damage” defined? - How are applications submitted? - Under what circumstances may the Department deny funding of an application? - How long will it take to receive funding? - What assurances must an LEA or HEI provide the Department? 1. Who is eligible to apply for Project SERV funds? Local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) are eligible to apply for Project SERV if (1) their learning environment has been disrupted as a direct result of a violent or traumatic event (see answer to question 2 below for a discussion of “eligible event”), and (2) responding to the crisis poses an undue financial hardship. Charter Schools that are considered LEAs under State law may directly apply for funding for Project SERV. Consistent with State and local procurement procedures, LEAs and IHEs may provide services directly and enter into contracts with other providers for necessary services. LEAs and IHEs may not subgrant funds received through Project SERV.TOP 2. What is an "eligible event"? Many types of events have the potential to seriously disrupt the learning environment. Further, events that appear similar do not always affect the learning environment in the same way. These facts make it difficult to determine in advance all the types of events which would be eligible for services. Any traumatic or violent event, that disrupted teaching and learning, is eligible for services under Project SERV if the LEA or IHE is able to: (1) demonstrate the traumatic effect on the learning environment including how the event has disrupted teaching and learning; and (2) demonstrate that the needed services cannot be adequately provided with existing resources in a comprehensive and timely manner, and that the provision of services and assistance will result in an undue financial hardship on the LEA or IHE. Generally, eligible events are those events that occur outside of the normal routine of school operations. The following are some examples of potentially eligible events. Other serious events not listed here also may be eligible. - shootings or other serious violent incidents in schools, such as stabbings - suicides of students, faculty members and/or staff - hate crimes committed against students, faculty members and/or staff - homicide of students, faculty members, and/or staff off cam 3. What events are not eligible for funding? Many types events may have the potential to disrupt the learning environment, yet are not considered eligible for funding under Project SERV. The following are examples of incidents that are not considered eligible for funding: - presidentially declared disasters - actions taken by school boards, administrators or other school officials as part of their normal educational administrational function 4. What activities are eligible for funding under Project SERV? Project SERV will fund costs that are reasonable, necessary, and essential for services activities that are intended to restore a sense of safety and security, help the victims/students stabilize their lives, and assist LEAs and IHEs in managing the practical problems created by the traumatic event. Project SERV funds are available to supplement, not replace, resources provided for these purposes by other Federal, State, local and private agencies and organizations. Examples of allowable services and activities are: - Technical assistance on developing an appropriate recovery plan for addressing student needs and assessing the Federal, State, and local resources available to the LEA, IHE, and community to carry out this response. - Mental health assessments, referrals, and services related to the traumatic event (with the goal of restoring victims/survivors to their pre-incident levels of functioning) - Overtime for teachers, counselors, law enforcement and security officers, and other staff - Substitute teachers and other staff as necessary - Emergency transportation such as expenses incurred during evacuation - Transportation and other costs to operate school at an alternative site - Repairs of minor damage caused by the traumatic event (Extended Services Grants only) - Temporary security measures such as non-permanent metal detectors and additional security guards and security cameras This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Applications to fund other services will be considered if the proposed activities are not among the list of services and activities that may not be funded (see response to FAQ Question 5); and are necessary to restore the learning environment. 5. What activities are not eligible for funding under Project SERV? Project SERV funds may not be used for the following types of services and activities: - Any activity for which other resources, such as, insurance claims and reimbursements, capital improvement funds and disaster assistance for which payment will be received by another agency such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), or other Federal, State, local, or private agencies or organizations. - Repairs of minor damage caused by the violent or traumatic event [Immediate Services Grants only] - Permanent security measures such as stationary metal detectors or permanent security cameras - claims recoverable under insurance coverage, including Medicaid reimbursements for related services to students, staff, and their families - Payments of fines assessed upon the LEA or IHE, employees, and/or members of employees' or students' families - Payment of settlements assessed against the LEA or IHE, employees and/or members of employees' or students' families in civil court actions - Payment of legal fees or loss of wages due to court appearances incurred by the LEA or IHE, employees and/or members of employees' or students' families - Costs for hospitalization, treatment of physical injuries, rehabilitation, or prescription costs - Payment for public relations consultants or other media activities - Services of existing County/public/private non-profit mental health agency staff whose role is to respond to emergency mental health needs of children - Mental health services for persons other than students, faculty, other school personnel, and members of their immediate families - Universal mental health screenings - Emergency management services, such as development of emergency management plans, conducting vulnerability assessments, etc. 6. To whom may services be provided. Services may be provided to students, teachers, and school staff, and to immediate family members of students, teachers, and staff. Services may be provided to individuals directly affected by a traumatic crisis or event, such as those who are personally victimized or injured by a crime or disaster; those who witness a violent event; or those whose family members are victimized, injured, or killed. Services may also be provided to those who are not directly injured or victimized but who are indirectly affected, for example, by attending or working in a school where a traumatic event or natural disaster has occurred. NOTE: Counseling services for school staff may only be requested if those services are not covered by the insurance policy provided by the school district.TOP 7. May LEAs or HEIs be eligible for funding if a crisis or incident happened off campus? Yes, the determining factor in eligibility for funding is that the crisis disrupted the learning environment. Incidents that occur off-campus, such as accidents and shootings of students that take place in the community, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, can have an impact on the learning environment, and therefore are potentially an “eligible event” under which an LEA or IHE may apply for funding.TOP 8. Can project SERV funds be used to fund violence prevention programs such as after-school programs, mentoring programs, anger management, or skills building management? Project SERV funds are to be used to restore the learning environment by addressing the disruptive effects of a traumatic crisis or event. Although an LEA may understandably wish to respond to such a crisis by initiating or strengthening prevention activities, Project SERV funds may not be used for such activities.TOP 9. What type of grants are available under Project SERV? LEAs and IHEs may apply for two types of assistance under Project SERV—Immediate Services Grants and Extended Services Grants. Each requires a separate application. LEAs and IHEs are not required to apply for, or have received, an Immediate Services Grant to be eligible for funding under Extended Services. LEAs and IHEs that wish to apply for both Immediate Services and Extended Services Grants must submit a separate application for each.TOP 10. What is the scope of an Immediate Services Grant? Project SERV can provide immediate assistance to a LEA or IHE to enable it to reopen or keep open a school disrupted by a traumatic event, and to begin the recovery process necessary for teaching and learning to continue. These funds are intended to serve the short-term needs of a LEA or IHE. Immediate Service grants are typically awarded shortly after an incident occurs and are designed to cover acute needs related to restoring the learning environment. Immediate Services grants under Project SERV generally are limited to a maximum of $50,000 and a project period of 6 months.TOP 11. What is the scope of the Extended Services Grant? Project SERV also provides for the longer-term needs of an LEA or IHE. Extended Services grants generally may provide a maximum of $250,000* over a period of up to 18 months to help maintain safety and security in an affected school and to help students, teachers, school staff and family members recover from the traumatic event. *Amount can be waived.TOP 12. May funding be requested for both Immediate Services and Extended Services Grants Programs? Yes. LEAs and IHEs may apply for both Immediate Services funding and Extended Services funding; however, a separate application must be submitted for each. ED may request clarification or information on submitted applications in order to make a determination about funding.TOP 13. If an applicant's needs exceed $50,000 for Immediate Services grants, may additional funds be requested? No. Generally ED will provide a maximum of $50,000 per incident in Immediate Services funds. The LEA may apply for an Extended Services grant to cover needs above those covered by the Immediate Services grant.TOP 14. Can an LEA or HEI apply for funding under the Extended Services Grant if an award was not made under the Immediate Services portion of Project SERV? Yes. Eligibility for an Extended Services grant does not require having previously received an Immediate Services grant.TOP 15. The guidelines state that repairs of minor damages are an allowable cost under the Extended Services grant but not under the Immediate Services grant. Why aren’t repairs allowed under the Immediate Services grant? How is “minor damage” defined? Repairs of minor damage are not eligible under Immediate Services grants because in order to consider funding requests for such repairs, the Department would need more detailed information than can be provided by the LEA or IHE in the abbreviated Immediate Services grant application, and reviewing such requests could delay the initial, rapid response to the crisis. “Minor repairs” is synonymous with “minor remodeling” which is defined as minor alterations in a previously completed building, such as repairs of broken glass or broken doors.TOP 16. How are applications submitted? To help expedite the review process, applications for Immediate Services and Extended Services grants should be sent via email to Sara Strizzi at firstname.lastname@example.org . LEAs applying for funding must also ensure that the application is coordinated and shared with the State Education Agency.TOP 17. Under what circumstances may the Department deny funding of an application? All Project SERV grants are at the discretion of the Secretary and subject to the availability of funds. The Secretary may deny funding, even to a high scoring project, if the project is not consistent with the goals and purpose of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA), or does not further national needs related to the SDFSCA. Examples of additional circumstances under which ED may deny a request for funding under Project SERV are: if the applicant fails to document the need for Federal funds; if the applicant is not an LEA or IHE; if the application is incomplete; if the purposes for which funding is being sought are inconsistent with the statutory authority for the use of these funds; if funding is unavailable; or if the proposed activities are unallowable under the non-regulatory guidance for the program.TOP 18. How long will it take to receive funding? Funds for Immediate Services grants will usually be made within five (15) business days or less of receipt of a complete application. Extended Services grants will usually be made within 30 – 60 days of receipt of a complete application.TOP 19. What assurances must an LEA or HEI provide the Department? There are several assurances that an LEA must submit as part of the application package, such as: - Non-Construction Programs Assurances (SF 424B) - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL).

Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) - Who is eligible to apply for Project SERV funds? - What is an "eligible event"? - What events are not eligible for funding? - What activities are eligible for funding under Project SERV? - What activities are not eligible for funding under Project SERV? - To whom may services be provided. - May LEAs or HEIs be eligible for funding if a crisis

By Letitia Coyne Posted November 22, 2012 Support the author of this article by liking it on Facebook! For the first time in weeks I had a whole blog post written and edited days before deadline. The trouble is it was very angry, negative, and whiney, so I decided to cut it and go with the main thrust of what I wanted to say without all the biiiaaatching. The moral of my story was that people generally have short memories, but they will remember for as long as they live how you made them feel. Causing someone to feel worthless, or to feel they were an important asset in your life, can be done with as little as a few moments of your time, but it will form the impression of you they carry on with forever. I hope that doesn’t sound too corny. It could. You’ll recall the climax of ‘There’s Something about Mary’, when Ted realizes that it isn’t something about Mary herself that is so extraordinary, it is how good she makes people ordinarily shunned by society feel about themselves. Then he cries a lot and snot runs down his face, but by then the point is made. I thought: what a shame it is that we so often trade friendships for networks, these days. From there I went on to think about other very basic and very true truisms, full of truthful truthiness. Since nothing positive is ever accomplished through negativity, I gathered some of my favourite literary truths, spoken by greats, and listed them here for you to consider. Some of these truths are contradictory, which is in the nature of truth itself. Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become. C. S. Lewis Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. C. S. Lewis The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself. If literature isn’t everything, it’s not worth a single hour of someone’s trouble. Every man’s memory is his private literature. The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe It is the nature of the artist to mind excessively what is said about him. Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others. The atmosphere of orthodoxy is always damaging to prose, and above all it is completely ruinous to the novel, the most anarchical of all forms of literature. Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. Gilbert K. Chesterton Literature transmits incontrovertible condensed experience… from generation to generation. In this way literature becomes the living memory of a nation. The sole substitute for an experience which we have not ourselves lived through is art and literature. The web, then, or the pattern, a web at once sensuous and logical, an elegant and pregnant texture: that is style, that is the foundation of the art of literature. Robert Louis Stevenson The force of the advertising word and image dwarfs the power of other literature in the 20th century. Daniel J. Boorstin Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead. There is only one school of literature – that of talent. Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill. In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others. Be excellent to each other. Bill and Ted Last word: I am in the process of unpublishing. It is the new black this season; you’ll see it everywhere soon. I’ll tell you about it another time. P.S: Cameron Diaz might not actually have been consulted at all on any point regarding the nature of fame. All content released under a Creative Commons license unless otherwise noted.

By Letitia Coyne Posted November 22, 2012 Support the author of this article by liking it on Facebook! For the first time in weeks I had a whole blog post written and edited days before deadline. The trouble is it was very angry, negative, and whiney, so I decided to cut it and go with the main thrust of what I wanted to say without all the biiiaaatching. The moral of my story was that people gene

Arizona Department of Transportation |October 24, 2002| As all Traffic Engineers, we at ADOT Traffic Group understand the need for and support increased safety specifications and guidelines for physically challenged and physically impaired public. But we are concerned that the draft guidelines as written and proposed will have a considerable and severe impact on our budget and operational capacity, that would make it extremely challenging for us to comply with all the demands mandated. Here are some points of concern that we have : 1- The change of signal timing to use 3 feet/second. We use 4 feet/second. Re-timing signals will be a considerable costly change, not to mention the negative impact on coordination and other phase timings. 2- Proposing audible and vibrating indications on all signed pedestrian crossings (those that have a walk or such indication). This would be a significant strain on our budget in order to comply with it. In addition to the installation of the equipment, maintenance and training of personnel to maintain the equipment, will be a continuing drain on our very limited resources. 3- Restrictions on pull boxes in the ramps may require additional conduit. This also will be an additional drain on very limited resources. 4- Although we have a minimal amount of roundabouts on State right of way, the concept of signalized roundabouts is somewhat defeating to the purpose of roundabouts. index previous comment next comment

Arizona Department of Transportation |October 24, 2002| As all Traffic Engineers, we at ADOT Traffic Group understand the need for and support increased safety specifications and guidelines for physically challenged and physically impaired public. But we are concerned that the draft guidelines as written and proposed will have a considerable and severe impact on our budget and operational capacity

Through USAID-funded Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management Project, 13 local stove makers in Badakhshan and Bamiyan provinces were equipped and trained to manufacture fuel-efficient stoves. Women in Band-e-Amir cook on a fuel ---efficient stove. Fuel wood is central to daily life in Afghanistan because it is used to cook and heat houses throughout the country. But the over-harvesting of wood is a threat to Afghan livelihoods and the environment because it can lead to deforestation and soil erosion. The “tandoor”, a traditional open-cylinder clay oven used in most households, contributes to the excessive and wasteful use of fuel wood and its consequent over-harvesting. Not only is the tandoor inefficient but it emits a lot of smoke, which is a serious health hazard. With USAID support, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has introduced a new, fuel-efficient stove that has a proven dewelding. The stove was initially piloted in Wakhan and Band-e Amir to demonstrate that the technology was appropriate and acceptable in Afghanistan. Thirteen local tinsmiths were trained in Badakhshan and Bamiyan provinces to manufacture the stoves locally. In addition, 920 women have received training in the installation and use of these stoves in 29 villages in the Wakhan and Band-e Amir areas. “We hope that the adoption of this stove will not only cut the demand for fuel wood but also improve family health,” – said the Chairman of Band-e Amir Community Association. After the first 2200 stoves are made and distributed in 73 villages in Wakhan and Band-e Amir, the stove-makers will be able to cater to demand throughout Afghanistan. Fuel-Efficient Stoves Save Forest

Through USAID-funded Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management Project, 13 local stove makers in Badakhshan and Bamiyan provinces were equipped and trained to manufacture fuel-efficient stoves. Women in Band-e-Amir cook on a fuel ---efficient stove. Fuel wood is central to daily life in Afghanistan because it is used to cook and heat houses throughout the country. But the over-har

Carbon Estates is a Web-based energy efficiency benchmarking and virtual simulation tool designed specifically for the built environment. It enables users to save money, reduce carbon, and comply with Carbon Reduction Commitment, a mandatory government scheme in the United Kingdom that is responsible for abating carbon emissions from buildings. The system incorporates asset and operational building data and gives users a total picture of how an estate is performing. The simulation and forecasting functionality enables users to implement carbon- and energy-saving projects in a virtual environment to accurately model improvements and optimize spending in a risk-free environment. Energy Benchmarking; Retrofitting Simulation; Energy Management; Carbon Management Methodology: Dutch methodology NEN 2916:1998 (Energy Performance of Non-Residential Buildings) and/or methodology Some basic training is advised. Configured to display information an easily digestible format with dashboarded information. Fewer than 100 in the United Kingdom and United States Energy managers, facilities managers, asset managers, CFOs, CEOs, FDs Information required: Asset data - Operational data - .csv, .xls, .mdb, and other forms accepted. Data input by CADmeleon. Energy benchmarking information and financial information is provided in graphical tables and numerical tables. Hosted as a SaaS solutions (Software as a Service) and is based online, compatible with most Web browsers. Carbon Estates is designed specifically to help deal with the energy planning strategy for existing buildings, assisting with carbon abatement through retrofit scenarios. The tool features a virtual retrofit simulation, a Smart ROI tool that helps users calculate costs in real terms for retrofit programs and features asset versus operational data for benchmarking (such as building EQ) and allows for fairer benchmarking. Carbon Estates is not an environmental reporting tool and its niche is the built environment. 00 44 1259 211 456 Carbon Estates is available now. Contact us to obtain a log. Costs are traditionally computed per square meter and are available on a contract. For further information about prices and contract terms, contact CADmeleon.

Carbon Estates is a Web-based energy efficiency benchmarking and virtual simulation tool designed specifically for the built environment. It enables users to save money, reduce carbon, and comply with Carbon Reduction Commitment, a mandatory government scheme in the United Kingdom that is responsible for abating carbon emissions from buildings. The system incorporates asset and operational buildin

Two Weeks for Half a Budget: Worth the Wait? Almost two weeks ago, the Legislature met the requirements of voter-approved Proposition 25, which prevents the forfeiture of pay for lawmakers if a budget is approved on a simple majority vote. When voters approved Proposition 25, they did so under the impression that the Legislature would be required to pass a truly balanced budget in order to still collect their paychecks. However, a court ruling declared that the Legislature can determine itself whether a budget is balanced, regardless of whether it is in reality. The main budget bill, along with six other measures, sat on the Governor's desk for 12 days. However, almost two dozen bills in total were required to fully enact the $91.3 billion state budget. While the Governor and Democrat leaders spent almost two weeks negotiating behind closed doors on the full budget package, California Budget Fact Check asks: was the delay worth the wait? Instead of reversing the Governor's harmful trigger cuts which aim 99 percent of reductions at our classrooms, the Democrats' largest budget sticking points focused on increased welfare spending. An analysis by California Budget Fact Check found that this year's budget: Welfare recipients protected: Governor Brown proposed ending the exemption from welfare-to-work requirement by requiring recipients to take job training classes. Getting people back to work not only saves taxpayers but helps to grow our economy. The proposal adopted exempts welfare recipients from the work requirement for the next two years. Democrats adopted some reforms but unfortunately they will not affect welfare recipient eligibility until 2014. Additionally, the proposal mandates that 20% of recipients shall be exempted from the new requirements. Shifts Healthy Families to Medi-Cal at a higher cost for taxpayers: The proposal eliminates the cost-effective and successful Healthy Families health care program by shifting more than 880,000 children from Healthy Families to Medi-Cal. By doing this, the state will save $13 million but will also lose more than nine times that amount by not being able to draw down $154 million in federal funding. Healthy Families has low administrative costs ($50 per client) and is overseen by just 600 workers in a private firm. Medi-Cal employs 27,000 government workers to determine eligibility, at a cost of $395 per recipient. Plays politics with the initiative process: SB 1039 moves the Governor's tax initiative up to the top of the ballot even though the Governor's initiative qualified tenth. This would separate the Governor's tax initiative from competing tax proposals. In addition, if the Governor's tax initiative fails, the trigger cuts - 99 percent of which are aimed at education - would still be pulled, even if the other major tax increase initiative which sends money directly to schools passes. Makes it easier for dangerous felons to be let out of jail early: The Governor's public safety realignment scheme is worsened by reducing parolee accountability. In addition, the majority-vote budget paves the way for early release by ending the practice of bail monitoring. Many female inmates will likely be granted early release and felons caught carrying a hidden explosive device will no longer serve their sentence in state prison. The proposal also shortchanges public safety realignment funding for non-urban counties, in order to give more money to urban areas. Instead of allocating funding based on the costs to house state inmates in county jails, this bill will prioritize funding for counties that focus on diversion programs. Sheriffs in the counties that lose funding will have no choice but to grant early release. Protects public employee unions: The proposal requires public employees do work that is currently being done by private employees including preventing the University of California from contracting out with private firms and rejects Governor Brown's pension reform plan. Relies on Passage of an $8.5 Billion Tax Increase Would Hurt Small Businesses: The Democrat budget relies on voter approval of an $8.5 billion tax increase that is far from certain. It would raise California's highest Personal Income Tax rate by up to 30%, which if enacted would be 21% higher than the next nearest state, raising concerns about California's ability to compete for high-paying jobs. Two-thirds of businesses - more than 2.7 million small business owners - file their taxes under the personal income tax system, and could be affected by this tax hike. Click here to read past issues of "Budget Fact Check."

Two Weeks for Half a Budget: Worth the Wait? Almost two weeks ago, the Legislature met the requirements of voter-approved Proposition 25, which prevents the forfeiture of pay for lawmakers if a budget is approved on a simple majority vote. When voters approved Proposition 25, they did so under the impression that the Legislature would be required to pass a truly balanced budget in order to still c

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only 1.2 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE The use of mobile computing devices has become more and more common as such devices have become more and more affordable and powerful. With increases in throughput speed and decreases in device size, wireless multimedia streaming to battery powered mobile devices has become widespread. However, the battery power has not kept up with the advances in technology and has not increased so rapidly. This deficiency in battery power provides motivation for development of more energy efficient multimedia streaming methods and procedures. As such, an adaptive delivery mechanism is proposed to take into account the various drains on battery life and adjust rates appropriately when the battery is low. This paper proposes a Power Save-based Adaptive Multimedia Delivery Mechanism (PS-AMy) which makes a seamless multimedia adaptation based on the current energy level and packet loss, in order to enable the multimedia streaming to last longer while maintaining acceptable user-perceived quality levels. The proposed mechanism is evaluated by simulation using Network Simulator (NS-2). McMullin, D., Trestian, R., Muntean, G.: Power save-based adaptive multimedia delivery mechanism. 9th. IT & T Conference, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, 22nd.-23rd October, 2009.

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only 1.2 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE The use of mobile computing devices has become more and more common as such devices have become more and more affordable and powerful. With increases in throughput speed and decreases in device size, wireless multimedia streaming to battery powered mobile devices has become wide

The City of Atlanta is successfully restoring the Edgewood neighborhood to its former beauty while incorporating green building design through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The goal of the program is to stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. Now, with the assistance of NSP, Edgewood is in the midst of a community makeover. Atlanta chose to invest in the Edgewood community by developing the Retreat at Edgewood. The Retreat at Edgewood sits on the former site of Edgewood Housing Apartments that was vacant for two years before it was demolished in 2008. The Edgewood neighborhood is predominantly a residential community that is close in proximity to the downtown area, conveniently located near Interstate 20 and accessible to MARTA transportation lines. As the community gentrifies, property values are rising, making quality affordable housing rare. Often, affordable homes are built as high rises, however, the new affordable community in Edgewood consists of 100 stacked flats and townhouses which blend with the overall family style residential neighborhood. The spacious one, two and three bedroom apartment homes are LEED for Homes certified at the Silver level and include: Energy Star certified dishwashers, washers and dryers; eco-friendly carpet throughout the units; ceramic tile in the kitchens, bathrooms and entryways; and low-flow water sensors for toilets and faucets. The homes are also structured to allow solar panels to be added later. Several homes are barrier free with zero step entrances. Others are accessible for mobility impaired and audio/visual impaired people. The City of Atlanta, developers, and partners worked and continue to work closely with the community by keeping them involved with the design of this project. Nikel is a Presidential Management Fellow in HUD’s Atlanta Regional Office.

The City of Atlanta is successfully restoring the Edgewood neighborhood to its former beauty while incorporating green building design through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The goal of the program is to stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. Now, with the assistance of NSP, Edgewood is in the midst of a community makeover. Atlanta chose to inv

Award provides funding for trilateral exchanges between Canada, Mexico, and U.S. sister cities over the summer of 2011 and 2012. Washington, DC: Sister Cities International is the recipient of a U.S. Department of State award to administer the Youth Ambassador’s Program: North America. This program will bring high school students and educators from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico together for a three-week exchange during the summer of 2011 and 2012. Cities were chosen based on existing trilateral relationships with their North American partners. Each summer, three U.S. cities will be chosen to host the U.S.-based exchange. 2011 cities will be Phoenix, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ; and Mesa, AZ. Their Canadian sister cities are Calgary, Alberta; Burnaby, BC; and Kingston, Ontario respectively. 2012 participating cities will be Modesto, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Culver City, CA. Their Canadian sister cities are Vernon, BC; Vancouver, BC; and Lethbridge, Alberta respectively. Harold Pereverseff, President of the Lethbridge Twinning Society in Lethbridge, Alberta has been recruited by Sister Cities International as the country coordinator for Canada. His responsibilities entail networking with the various participant cities in Canada and to assist in the selection of students that will be referred to Sister Cities for final approval along with monitoring and reporting of the recruitment and travel plans for the selected students/chaperones. Harold will be working to strengthen the institutional partnerships between Sister Cities International and the various Canadian twinning organizations. Harold Pereverseff – 403-381-0038 Cell: 403-330-6119 e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org The Youth Ambassadors Program: North America This grant award is an extension of an exchange program of the U.S. Department of State that illustrates the U.S. policy priority of engaging youth across North America. As a way of continuing the conversation of cooperation and mutual understanding across the continent and the hemisphere, this program will include high school students and adults who work with youth. The educational program will focus on poverty and the environment, showing local and national examples of how cities and countries are working to alleviate the negative effects of both issues. Students will spend time in their U.S. sister cities and Washington, D.C., participating in small group workshops, cultural activities, and homestays. All participants will be tasked with identifying the poverty and environmental issues in their community and implementing an outreach project to address one of these issues once they return home. About Sister Cities International Sister Cities International facilitates nearly 2,000 partnerships in 136 counties on six continents between 600 communities in the Unites States with similar municipalities abroad. Sister Cities International represent citizen diplomats who work tirelessly to promote the organizations’ mission of creating world peace and cultural understanding through economic and sustainable development programs, youth and education projects, arts and culture, as well as humanitarian assistance. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, professional, and sports exchange programs. ECA exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries. Alumni of ECA exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 51 Nobel Laureates and more than 340 current or former heads of state and government. More information on their programs can be found at http://exchanges.state.gov/. MEDIA CONTACT: Jennelle Root, 202.347.863 x4003. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org. Facebook: Sister Cities International. Twitter: @SisterCityIntl.

Award provides funding for trilateral exchanges between Canada, Mexico, and U.S. sister cities over the summer of 2011 and 2012. Washington, DC: Sister Cities International is the recipient of a U.S. Department of State award to administer the Youth Ambassador’s Program: North America. This program will bring high school students and educators from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico together for a three

Injuries and illnesses in goods producing and service producing industries in 2000 December 26, 2001 The incidence rate for injuries and illnesses in goods-producing industries fell once again this past year, from 8.9 per 100 full-time equivalent workers in 1999 to 8.6 in 2000. The incidence rate in service-producing industries also continued a downward trend, from 5.3 per 100 full-time workers in 1999 to 5.1 in 2000. The incidence rate in goods-producing industries has declined 23 percent since 1995, while the rate in the services-producing industries has dropped 24 percent. Among goods-producing industries, manufacturing had the highest incidence rate in 2000—9.0 cases per 100 full-time workers. Within the service-producing sector, the highest incidence rate was reported for transportation and public utilities—6.9 cases per 100 full-time workers—followed by wholesale and retail trade at 5.9 cases per 100 workers. The BLS Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities Program produced these data. Find more information on occupational injuries and illnesses in 2000 in "Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2000," news release USDL 01-472. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Editor's Desk, Injuries and illnesses in goods producing and service producing industries in 2000 on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2001/dec/wk4/art01.htm (visited May 21, 2013). Spotlight on Statistics: Productivity This edition of Spotlight on Statistics examines labor productivity trends from 2000 through 2010 for selected industries and sectors within the nonfarm business sector of the U.S. economy. Read more »

Injuries and illnesses in goods producing and service producing industries in 2000 December 26, 2001 The incidence rate for injuries and illnesses in goods-producing industries fell once again this past year, from 8.9 per 100 full-time equivalent workers in 1999 to 8.6 in 2000. The incidence rate in service-producing industries also continued a downward trend, from 5.3 per 100 full-time workers in

Welcome to the ELL database for innovative projects in language teaching and learning. This database contains projects that have received the European Language Label since 1999 (for the pilot phase 1998-99, please refer to "The European Label: catalogue of projects 1998-99"). The database aims to inspire practitioners, stakeholders and policymakers by presenting "best practices" in the field of language teaching and learning. The European Language Label is awarded to local, regional, and national projects that have found creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate students, make the best use of available resources to diversify the languages on offer, and other innovative initiatives. You can search the database according to a number of different criteria: ■ Year of the award ■ Projects by country ■ Educational sector(s) ■ Pedagogical theme(s) ■ Target language(s) of the projects You can also combine up to all of these criteria to conduct a more focused search. Your query will generate a list of the projects and individuals that have been awarded Labels – just click on the names to learn more (contact details, etc.). Enjoy your search! Label of the day... | Deutsch-Wagen-Tour (DWT) is a programme promoting German culture and language throughout Poland. The novelty of the idea lies in various unconventional language activities. DWT teachers use original professional materials and educational aids that take into consideration participants’ different age and language knowledge. Pupils also learn about German culture and lifestyle. With five colourful Deutschwagens equipped with modern teaching aids teachers reached the most distant educational institutions in various parts of Poland. During the first year of project implementation DWT teachers visited 700 educational institutions (preschools, schools, higher education institutions and educational centres) and more than 50,000 participants attended the activities. A part of the project is a website developed in two languages (Polish and German) where among other things you can find informati Click here for more details

Welcome to the ELL database for innovative projects in language teaching and learning. This database contains projects that have received the European Language Label since 1999 (for the pilot phase 1998-99, please refer to "The European Label: catalogue of projects 1998-99"). The database aims to inspire practitioners, stakeholders and policymakers by presenting "best practices" in the field of la

Periodisko izdevumu katalogs Ņemiet vērā, ka dažas publikācijas var būt pieejamas tikai angļu, franču un vācu valodā. Social Agenda 23 - European Year 2010: Fighting against poverty and social exclusion (03/05/2010) Catalog N. : KE-AF-09-023-EN-C Issue 23 of Social Agenda focuses on the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion and on the efforts deployed to address this issue across the EU. It also takes a look at women in corporate Europe and examines the reasons why they are still underrepresented in high-level positions. And last but not least, the April edition introduces the magazine’s new layout and graphic design. It is available in English, French and German.

Periodisko izdevumu katalogs Ņemiet vērā, ka dažas publikācijas var būt pieejamas tikai angļu, franču un vācu valodā. Social Agenda 23 - European Year 2010: Fighting against poverty and social exclusion (03/05/2010) Catalog N. : KE-AF-09-023-EN-C Issue 23 of Social Agenda focuses on the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion and on the efforts deployed to address this issue

Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Staff EPA Division: Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division EPA Branch: Microbial Exposure Research Branch My diverse research background encompasses various aspects of analytical, natural products, medicinal, synthetic organic chemistry (peptide & DNA) and the application of the experience in the chemical and bio-medical areas including development of environmental-friendly synthetic manipulations using microwave technology. Presently, my research involves working on rapid detection methods for recreational waters (lakes, fresh as well as marine waters) using real time PCR, DNA cloning and novel techniques in detecting live/dead fecal indicators in waste water, evaluating panel of newer assays to detect micro-organisms potentially originating from human fecal sources and to characterize the fecal pollution and associated human health risks based on index of relative indicator abundances thereby establishing a correlation between recreational water quality and swimming associated illness rates among the beach goers. - Ph.D. Natural Product Chemistry, 1979, Delhi University, India - M.S. Organic Chemistry, 1975, Delhi University, India - B.S. Chemistry (Honors)1973, Delhi University, India - March, 2002 – present Microbiologist, U.S. EPA, NERL. - 2000 – 2002 ORISE Research Fellow, U.S. EPA, NERL. - 1996 – 2000 Senior Peptide Chemist, Sigma-Genosys Biotechnology, Inc. - 1988 – 1994 Research Assistant Professor, Center for Biotechnology, Baylor College of Medicine. - 1985 – 1986 Research Associate, University of Tennessee. - 1981 – 1982 Visiting Scientist, The Robert Robinson Laboratory, Liverpool, U.K. - 1979 – 1981 Research Officer, University College of North Wales, Bangor, U.K. - 1978 – 1979 NORAD Fellow, Norwegian Institute of Technology, Norway. - 1975 – 1977 Research Fellow, Delhi University Select Awards and Honors: - Third Place Award for a Poster in U.S. EPA Science Forum, 2006 - NORAD Fellowship, Norwegian Government, Oslo Norway, 1977 – 1979 - Research Fellowship, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (C.S.I.R), Government of India. 1973 – 1975 - USEPA STAA Award, Level 1, 2010 - USEPA STAA Award, Level 1, 2010 - SUBE Fellow, University of Puerto Rico, 1989–1992 - M. Varma, R. Field, M. Stinson, B. Rukovets, L. Wymer and R. Haugland :Quantitative analyses of total and propidium monoazide resistant fecal indicator bacteria target sequences in wastewater by real-time PCR, Water Research, special issue 43,19,4790-4801(2009). - Varma, M., J.D. Hester, F.W. Schaefer, III, M.W. Ware and H.D.A. Lindquist. 2003: Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis Using a Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay, Journal of Microbiological Methods 53:27–36 - Richard A Haugland; Manju Varma; Mano Sivaganesan; Catherine Kelty; Lindsay Peed and Orin C Shanks :Evaluation of genetic markers from the 16S rRNA gene V2 region for use in quantitative detection of selected Bacteroidales species and human fecal waste by real time PCR ,Systematic and Applied Microbiology 33 348-357(2010) - Shanks, O.C., C. Kelty, M. Sivaganesan, M. Varma, and R.A. Haugland: Quantitative PCR for genetic markers of human fecal pollution, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75, 17, 5507-5513(2009). - Mano Sivaganesan, Shawn Siefring, Manju Varma, Richard A Haugland and Orin C Shanks: A Bayesian method for calculating real-time quantitative PCR calibration curves using absolute plasmid DNA standards, BMC Bioinformatics 9:120 (2008) Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division National Exposure Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 27 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Cincinnati, OH 45268 Fax: 513-487-2512 or 513-569-7170

Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Staff EPA Division: Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division EPA Branch: Microbial Exposure Research Branch My diverse research background encompasses various aspects of analytical, natural products, medicinal, synthetic organic chemistry (peptide & DNA) and the application of the experience in the chemical and bio-medical

China’s Cotton Supply and Demand: Issues and Impact on the World Market by Stephen MacDonald Outlook No. (CWS-07I-01) 20 pp, November 2007 USDA has developed a new approach for estimating cotton consumption in China based on textile import and export data, supplementing the traditional methodology that uses yarn production data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics. This analysis suggests USDA’s historical estimates of China’s cotton consumption are reasonable and USDA’s August 2007 forecast may be conservative. These insights into the amount of cotton consumed by China’s textile mills, combined with data on China’s cotton exports and imports, suggest there may be problems with the official estimates of China’s cotton production. Uncertainties regarding the level of production and consumption of cotton in China mean that the potential remains for unexpected changes in China’s cotton import demand that could destabilize world commodity markets despite increased global communication. These unexpected changes highlight China’s impact on world cotton markets and the lack of transparency in China’s intervention in its domestic cotton markets and official cotton stock accumulation. Keywords: cotton, China, textiles, trade, consumer demand, statistics In this publication... Need help with PDFs?

China’s Cotton Supply and Demand: Issues and Impact on the World Market by Stephen MacDonald Outlook No. (CWS-07I-01) 20 pp, November 2007 USDA has developed a new approach for estimating cotton consumption in China based on textile import and export data, supplementing the traditional methodology that uses yarn production data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics. This analysis suggests USD

The Montana Sikes Act is a habitat enhancement program, created to enhance habitat for those animals which are hunted, fished and trapped on public land. The Sikes Act of 1974(Public Law 92-452) authorized the States (Montana Dept. Fish, Wildlife and Parks)(FWP) in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service(FS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management(BLM) to enhance fish and wildlife habitat on Public Lands. Habitat enhancement projects come from proposals submittted by Forest Service, BLM and FWP biologists. An advisory committee reviews projects and recommends funding. Examples of projects are burning conifers to maintain grassland habitats; weed control on big game winter range; removing barriers to fish movements, and enhancement of wetland and riparian habitats.

The Montana Sikes Act is a habitat enhancement program, created to enhance habitat for those animals which are hunted, fished and trapped on public land. The Sikes Act of 1974(Public Law 92-452) authorized the States (Montana Dept. Fish, Wildlife and Parks)(FWP) in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service(FS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management(BLM) to enhance fish and wildlife habitat on Publi

News & Policies > For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary February 26, 2004 Statement on Libya Statement by the Press Secretary Over the course of the last two months, Libya has taken significant steps in implementing its commitment to disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction programs in Libya, as well as the missile systems to deliver them, and to welcome experts from the U.S., UK, and relevant international organizations to assist in this effort. Libya has permitted the elimination of critical materials related to its nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile capability, including weapons-related documentation, uranium hexafluoride (UF6), missile guidance systems, and centrifuges. It has opened its sites to IAEA and OPCW personnel, provided excellent support to US and UK experts, and begun the process of destroying chemical weapons munitions. Libya's disclosures have also shed light on the international network of proliferators, who are intent on subverting nonproliferation regimes, regardless of the consequences. American efforts with Libya since December 19 have made our country safer and the world more peaceful. While more remains to be done, Libya's actions have been serious, credible, and consistent with Colonel Qadhafi's public declaration that Libya seeks to play a role in "building a new world free from WMD and from all forms of terrorism." The President has made clear that Libya's decision to renounce these programs voluntarily would open the path to better relations with the United States. In recognition of Libya's concrete steps to repudiate WMD and to build the foundation for Libya's economic growth and reintegration with the international community, the United States will take the following steps to encourage Libya to continue on this path: As Libya continues to take steps that will lead to the complete dismantling of its WMD and MTCR-class missiles programs and adheres to its renunciation of terrorism, the United States will continuously evaluate the range of bilateral sanctions that remain in place relating to Libya. The United States will approach relations with Libya on a careful, step-by-step basis. We have made clear that progress in our bilateral relationship will depend upon continued, good faith implementation by Libya of its own public commitments on WMD, missiles, and terrorism. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns will continue his dialogue with Libyan officials to review the next phase in American-Libyan relations. # # #

News & Policies > For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary February 26, 2004 Statement on Libya Statement by the Press Secretary Over the course of the last two months, Libya has taken significant steps in implementing its commitment to disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction programs in Libya, as well as the missile systems to deliver them, and to welcome experts from th

News & Policies > For Immediate Release February 2, 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Finalizes Report Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive Office of the President The United States joined 112 other nations in finalizing and approving a landmark climate change science report today in Paris, France. Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acted to finalize its contribution to the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report. The Fourth Assessment Report, consisting of three Working Group contributions and a Synthesis Report, will be released in the fall. The Working Group I portion of the Assessment Report released today represents a comprehensive assessment of the most recent state of knowledge of the physical science of climate change. A Summary for Policymakers, which is a condensed summary of the Working Group I assessment was approved on a line-by line basis by the participating nations over this past week and released in Paris today. The last IPCC assessment of the physical science aspects of climate change was issued in 2001. "This Summary for Policymakers captures and summarizes the current state of climate science research and will serve as a valuable source of information for policymakers," said Dr. Sharon Hays, the leader of the U.S. delegation at the meeting and Associate Director/Deputy Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "It reflects the sizeable and robust body of knowledge regarding the physical science of climate change, including the finding that the Earth is warming and that human activities have very likely caused most of the warming of the last 50 years." The United States has played a leading role in advancing climate science and observations. Since 2001, the President has devoted nearly $29 billion to climate-related science, technology, international assistance, and incentive programs. Since 2002, the President has spent nearly $9 billion on climate science research -leading the world with unparalleled financial commitment. These investments have played a key role in enabling the research results summarized in the IPCC Working Group I report. The U.S. delegation to the Working Group I meeting included climate science experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of State. The delegation's participation in the meeting followed significant U.S. involvement in the generation of the report, as numerous U.S. climate scientists were involved in its drafting and expert review. In addition, a NOAA climate expert, Dr. Susan Solomon, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado served as co-chair of Working Group I. The IPCC was established under the auspices of the United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to periodically undertake comprehensive and objective assessments of scientific and technical aspects of climate change. The first IPCC Assessment Report was completed in 1990, the second in 1995, and the third in 2001. Today's Working Group I summary represents the first of the current series of three reports, and is focused on the physical science basis of climate change. IPCC's Working Group II meets in Brussels in April to issue a Summary for Policy Makers on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability issues. Working Group III will meet in Bangkok in May to consider a summary report on technical aspects of climate change actions. IPCC reports are drafted and reviewed by several hundred scientists who are leading experts in their fields from around the world, and contain extensive scientific and technical information and analysis. The drafts go through both expert and government reviews. U.S. government scientists led the U.S. review of the draft, and provided an opportunity through the Federal Register for citizens in the United States to provide expert comments in preparation for this review. # # #

News & Policies > For Immediate Release February 2, 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Finalizes Report Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive Office of the President The United States joined 112 other nations in finalizing and approving a landmark climate change science report today in Paris, France. Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ac

Reviewed August 2008 What is the official name of the PRNP gene? The official name of this gene is “prion protein.” PRNP is the gene's official symbol. The PRNP gene is also known by other names, listed below. Read more about gene names and symbols on the About page. What is the normal function of the PRNP gene? The PRNP gene provides instructions for making a protein called the prion protein (PrP), which is active in the brain and several other tissues. Although the precise function of PrP is unknown, it is probably involved in the transport of charged copper atoms (copper ions) into cells. Researchers have also proposed roles for PrP in cell signaling, cell protection, and the formation of synapses, which are the junctions between nerve cells (neurons) where cell-to-cell communication occurs. Different forms of PrP have been identified in the nervous system. The usual cellular form is often called PrPC. Does the PRNP gene share characteristics with other genes? The PRNP gene belongs to a family of genes called CD (CD molecules). A gene family is a group of genes that share important characteristics. Classifying individual genes into families helps researchers describe how genes are related to each other. For more information, see What are gene families? in the Handbook. How are changes in the PRNP gene related to health conditions? Huntington disease-like syndrome - caused by mutations in the PRNP gene A particular type of mutation in the PRNP gene has been found to cause signs and symptoms that resemble those of Huntington disease, including uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability. This condition, which has been described in a single family, is known as Huntington disease-like 1 (HDL1). The PRNP mutation associated with HDL1 involves a segment of DNA called an octapeptide repeat. This segment provides instructions for making eight protein building blocks (amino acids) that are linked to form a protein fragment called a peptide. The octapeptide repeat is normally repeated five times in the PRNP gene. In people with HDL1, this segment is repeated eleven or thirteen times. An increase in the size of the octapeptide repeat leads to the production of an abnormally long version of PrP. It is unclear how the abnormal protein damages and ultimately destroys neurons, leading to the characteristic features of HDL1. This disorder appears to be a prion disease similar to classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (see below). prion disease - caused by mutations in the PRNP gene More than 30 mutations in the PRNP gene have been identified in people with familial prion diseases, including classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, and fatal insomnia. Mutations in this gene have also been found in affected individuals without a family history of prion disease. Some PRNP mutations change single amino acids in PrP. Other mutations insert additional amino acids into the protein or result in an atypically short version of the protein. These changes alter the structure of PrP, leading to the production of an abnormal protein known as PrPSc from one copy of the PRNP gene. In a process that is not fully understood, PrPSc can promote the transformation of the normal prion protein, PrPC, into more PrPSc. The abnormal protein builds up in the brain, forming clumps that damage or destroy neurons. The loss of these cells creates microscopic sponge-like holes in the brain, which leads to the mental and behavioral features of prion diseases. Researchers have identified several common variations (polymorphisms) in the PRNP gene that change an amino acid in PrP. These polymorphisms do not cause prion diseases, but may affect a person's risk of developing these disorders. Studies have focused on the effects of a polymorphism at position 129 of PrP, which may have either the amino acid methionine (Met) or the amino acid valine (Val). (This polymorphism is written as Met129Val or M129V.) The risk of developing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other prion diseases may depend in part on whether the individual has inherited the same polymorphism at position 129 from both parents. This polymorphism may also contribute to the disease's age of onset and the course of signs and symptoms. Wilson disease - course of condition modified by normal variations in the PRNP gene The Met129Val polymorphism appears to delay the onset of Wilson disease, an inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body. Wilson disease is caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, but research studies suggest that symptoms of Wilson disease begin several years later in people who have methionine (instead of valine) at position 129 in the PrP protein. Other research findings indicate that the Met129Val polymorphism may also affect the type of symptoms that develop in people with Wilson disease. Methionine, instead of valine, at PrP position 129 appears to be associated with an increased occurrence of symptoms that affect the nervous system, particularly tremors. Larger studies are needed, however, before the effects of the Met129Val polymorphism on Wilson disease can be established. - other disorders - associated with the PRNP gene The Met129Val polymorphism in the PRNP gene has been associated with a form of dementia called primary progressive aphasia. This condition involves a gradual loss of language function, including reading, writing, and speaking, beginning in middle age. As the disorder progresses, it affects other brain functions as well. The Met129Val variation also has been associated with differences in performance on long-term memory tasks among healthy young adults. Where is the PRNP gene located? Cytogenetic Location: 20p13 Molecular Location on chromosome 20: base pairs 4,666,796 to 4,682,233 The PRNP gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 20 at position 13. More precisely, the PRNP gene is located from base pair 4,666,796 to base pair 4,682,233 on chromosome 20. See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook. Where can I find additional information about PRNP? You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about PRNP helpful. You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers. What other names do people use for the PRNP gene or gene products? - CD230 antigen - prion protein (p27-30) (Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, Gerstmann-Strausler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia) - prion protein (p27-30) (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Gerstmann-Strausler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia) Where can I find general information about genes? The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language. These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful. What glossary definitions help with understanding PRNP? The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.

Reviewed August 2008 What is the official name of the PRNP gene? The official name of this gene is “prion protein.” PRNP is the gene's official symbol. The PRNP gene is also known by other names, listed below. Read more about gene names and symbols on the About page. What is the normal function of the PRNP gene? The PRNP gene provides instructions for making a protein called the prion protein (PrP

Imagine the Universe! Satellites Welcome to the Satellite Showcase. This area of our site is filled with facts about and images from the many have contributed to our understanding of the Structure and Evolution of our Universe. Every month or two, we will highlight a different mission here in our "Satellite Showcase". This will allow us to put a specific satellite on special display. You'll find in-depth information about the satellite's mission, experiment packages, and scientific results.

Imagine the Universe! Satellites Welcome to the Satellite Showcase. This area of our site is filled with facts about and images from the many have contributed to our understanding of the Structure and Evolution of our Universe. Every month or two, we will highlight a different mission here in our "Satellite Showcase". This will allow us to put a specific satellite on special display. You'll find i

Why is the rate of suicide above the New England average rate? Maine’s suicide rate consistently ranks above the average for the New England States. It should be noted, however, that the New England states consistently rank lower than the nation as a whole. Annual fluctuations in the number of suicides, especially in states with lower populations, dramatically affects suicide rates. It is believed that the rural nature of the state, the perception that helping resources are not readily available and the easy accessibility to lethal means, especially firearms, all contribute to higher rates of suicide in Maine and other rural states. How does Maine’s suicide rate rank nationally? In 2008, the most current data available, Maine ranked 20th with a rate of 15.4 per 100,000, which is higher than the national rate of 13.7 per 100,000. |Year||National Rate||Maine Rate||Maine Rank| Why is the suicide rate higher in rural areas? According to available national data, rural areas in the US experience higher suicide rates than urban areas. The rate of depression does not appear to be higher, nor are suicide attempts more prevalent. One possible explanation might be that people are more likely to die from their attempts because of their remoteness from emergency medical care. Also, household gun ownership is more prevalent in rural households and firearms have a higher fatality rate than other methods, leaving little to no opportunity for rescue. Studies that have examined the link between household gun ownership and suicide rates, even when controlling for other factors related to suicide, have found a relationship between gun availability and suicide rates. Easy access to guns is only one factor and further research is necessary to fully understand both the risk and protective factors for suicide in each state. (Harvard School of Public Health, August 2005) See www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/index.html for more information. What is the Maine Suicide Prevention Program? The Maine Suicide Prevention Program (MSPP) is a collaboration among state agency leaders and staff and community service providers, schools and suicide survivors. The program is housed within and led by staff of the Maine Injury Prevention Program in the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. The MSPP provides resources such as a statewide crisis hotline and information resource center, mobile crisis outreach, training and education programs, and resource materials for suicide prevention and early intervention activities. Crisis services provide a variety of services including: telephone consultation, telephone support and referral, assessments, stabilization services, and crisis stabilization residential services. The toll free statewide crisis number (1-888-568-1112) is answered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day by trained clinicians. Program goals are to: - Provide leadership and coordination that guides suicide prevention among Maine citizens - Promote access to suicide prevention and intervention services in health care settings across the state - Implement effective suicide prevention initiatives within public and private organizations - Promote professional competency in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention - Support a culture of help seeking for people in need in Maine Who should be involved in suicide prevention? Whose responsibility is it? MSPP believes that suicide prevention is up to all of us! It is especially important that everyone who works with children and adults knows the early warning signs of suicidal behavior, how to intervene and when and how to access help. What is the Federal Government doing? The Federal Government supports efforts to implement the “National Strategy for Suicide Prevention” updated in 2012 by the U.S. Surgeon General. To read the National Strategy For Suicide Prevention go to: http://www.samhs.gov/prevention/ or for more information on suicide prevention, visit the nationally funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center at www.sprc.org. What should everyone know about youth suicide? Talking about suicide does NOT cause suicide. There are almost always some warning signs of suicide. Anyone can learn to intervene in suicidal behavior; and MANY suicides CAN be prevented when warning signs are recognized and people get the help and support they need. Removing lethal means (i.e. guns, ropes, pills & poisons etc.) from the presence of a suicidal individual is an important prevention strategy. For more information, visit: www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/index.html What causes suicide? Suicidal behavior is one of the most complicated of human behaviors. This question cannot be answered briefly. There is no research that shows that a particular set of risk factors can accurately predict the likelihood of imminent danger of suicide for a specific individual. It is fair to say that suicidal people are experiencing varying degrees of external stress, internal conflicts and biological dysfunction and these factors together contribute to their state of mind. Depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, and substance abuse all contribute to the possibility of suicide, but they do not cause suicide. The exact reasons behind an individual suicide often remain a mystery though it is very helpful to know the warning signs and to get help for people showing these signs. How do you know if someone is suicidal? The best way to know whether or not someone is suicidal is to ASK! Whether or not you know the warning signs of suicide, if for ANY reason you think someone might be suicidal, it is perfectly OK to ask. You will not cause suicide by asking and you may very well save a life. Suicidal individuals are in a lot of pain, and the very fact that someone has noticed, has expressed concern and asked about suicide, can provide the relief and time needed to explore other options and get help. How do you get a suicidal individual to talk? - Take ALL talk/hints of suicide seriously - LISTEN with concern, caring and respect - Ask directly about suicidal thoughts and plans - Do not judge, lecture, discount or criticize - Offer hope in any way possible - Never keep suicidal behavior a secret even if the person asks you to - Assist in finding help and support - Do not leave a suicidal person alone; be sure that firearms, pills, rope are not available - Call mental health professional, or crisis services and for children and youth, contact parents and another adult trusted by the child if/when indicated What are the warning signs of suicide? - Talk of suicide, death - Neglect of appearance, hygiene - Dropping out of activities - Isolating self from friends, family - Feeling life is meaningless, feeling unloved - Hopelessness, helplessness increases - Perceived burdensomeness - Refuses help, feels beyond help - Puts life in order-may make a will - Picks a fight, argues - Gives away favorite possessions - Verbal clues (see below) - Sudden improvement in mood, behavior after being down or withdrawn* *It is important to note that most suicidal people, no matter what their age, usually suffer from some degree of depression. In many people, the depression may be undiagnosed until a crisis occurs. Depression may leave a person feeling drained, “too tired” to carry out a suicide plan of action. When the depression begins to lift and you notice a sudden improvement, be warned that this could be a very dangerous time. Three months following a period of depression is a critical time of suicidal risk. The person has the energy to act, and may even appear cheerful and at peace with the world. How can people help prevent a suicide? - Encourage the person to talk about his/her feelings - Stay calm and listen - Take all threats seriously - Be accepting, DO NOT judge or lecture - Let the person know you care - Ask about suicidal thoughts - Ask if he/she has a plan - Never promise secrecy-tell someone who can provide needed help - Get help - Stay with the person until help is arranged Are Maine schools doing enough to prevent youth suicide? The school role in suicide prevention and crisis intervention is a limited one, but school staff members play a crucial role in identifying and helping at-risk youth to access services. All Maine school administrators have received guidelines for development of school procedures. Using these guidelines to develop school protocols to respond to suicidal behavior prepares school staff to be better prepared to prevent suicide and intervene effectively in a crisis situation. Most Maine schools have sent key people to the MSPP Gatekeeper Training. Sending key school staff to be trained is a really important step to learn the basics of youth suicide prevention. The one-day Gatekeeper training teaches risk factors, warning signs and, most importantly, how to recognize and respond to a suicidal youth. Training in how to conduct suicide prevention awareness education, Lifelines student lessons and other training programs are also available from the MSPP. What should schools do to prevent suicide? The MSPP recommends that schools integrate suicide prevention by: - Developing procedures to follow to prevent youth suicide or to intervene in a suicide crisis - Developing formal agreements between the school and local crisis service providers - Sending several key staff to Gatekeeper training - Offering ongoing awareness education for ALL school staff members - Providing education and resources for parents and other community members - Integrating student lessons that build help-seeking skills for all students within their Comprehensive School Health Education curriculum - Providing or linking to services for youth at high risk Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Maine’s young people and the 10th leading cause of death among Mainers of all ages. Suicide claims more lives of young people than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. For every homicide in Maine, there are seven suicides. Suicide deaths, though very tragic, are the tip of the iceberg. Suicidal behavior among youth is thought to be far higher than in adult populations. It is estimated that there are 25 to 100 suicide attempts by adolescents and young adults for every youth suicide.

Why is the rate of suicide above the New England average rate? Maine’s suicide rate consistently ranks above the average for the New England States. It should be noted, however, that the New England states consistently rank lower than the nation as a whole. Annual fluctuations in the number of suicides, especially in states with lower populations, dramatically affects suicide rates. It is believed

Section 1. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the following meanings:— “Bank”, a savings bank, co-operative bank or trust company incorporated as such in the commonwealth. “Board”, the board of trustees in a savings bank, the board of directors in a co-operative bank and the board of directors in a trust company. “Commissioner”, the commissioner of banks. “Federally-chartered bank”, a national bank association, a federal savings and loan association, a federal savings bank or a federal credit union authorized to do business in the commonwealth.

Section 1. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the following meanings:— “Bank”, a savings bank, co-operative bank or trust company incorporated as such in the commonwealth. “Board”, the board of trustees in a savings bank, the board of directors in a co-operative bank and the board of directors in a trust company. “Commissioner”, the commissioner

Understanding Documents for Genealogy and Local History Date of publication: February 2013 Publisher: The History Press Genealogists and local historians have probably seen every birth, marriage, death and census record available, and are adept at using the internet for research. However, once they have learnt everything they can from them, the next step is reading and understanding older documents. These can be hard to find (not many are online), are often written in challenging handwriting and use legal and other unfamiliar terms. Some will be in Latin, antiquated English or Scots. Readers need to be able to understand the nature and intent of a range of documents as well as the palaeography (the handwriting) and orthography (the ‘shape’ of the contents). Documents covered include wills, testaments, contracts, indentures, charters, land records, personal letters, official records, Church records and others, mainly from the period 1560 to 1800. Also covered are dates, numbers, calendars, measurements and money, abbreviations, transcription conventions, letter-forms and glossaries, and it includes a Latin primer.

Understanding Documents for Genealogy and Local History Date of publication: February 2013 Publisher: The History Press Genealogists and local historians have probably seen every birth, marriage, death and census record available, and are adept at using the internet for research. However, once they have learnt everything they can from them, the next step is reading and understanding older document

Time for replacement For many people, the words "thermometer" and "mercury" are practically synonymous. That association is unfortunate: Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and every thermometer that contains it is a potential environmental threat. In the 21st century, however, that is a risk that no one needs to take, and a worldwide effort is underway to deploy substitute devices in consumer, professional, and industrial applications. Replacement is easy. (For information on safe disposal, click here.) Digital thermometry technologies are plentiful, versatile, and generally superior to modern variations on the mercury-in-glass design invented by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1714. Many of these digital devices [see options at Selecting an Alternative, top right] have wider effective temperature ranges, and nearly all of them equilibrate about 10 times faster than Hg devices. (The element mercury's symbol, Hg, comes from hydrargyrum, a Greek-Latin word meaning "liquid silver.") Their accuracy typically equals or exceeds that of mercury instruments. NIST began an active mercury-reduction campaign in 2007, and stopped calibrating Hg thermometers entirely on March 1, 2011. A full range of thermometric calibration services continues for non-mercury devices. Mercury is not a standard Today, there is no scientific or metrological reason to employ mercury thermometers for any application.That may come as a surprise. Fahrenheit chose mercury because it gave more precise readings over a wider range than the alcohol mix he used in his first thermometer. And now, three centuries later, many people assume that Hg thermometers must be the ultimate benchmark for temperature because the specifications for some procedures and processes in commerce and industry still refer to mercury analog instruments. Professional groups and standards organizations, however, are rewriting their specs to reflect the global phase-out of Hg thermometers. In the process, they are often getting better data. Hg units are typically less accurate than their digital counterparts. Indeed, the authoritative worldwide standard – the International Temperature Scale, last revised in 1990 and known as ITS-90 – makes no mention of mercury thermometers for measurement. In fact, the only defining instrument specified in ITS-90 for the range of temperatures from -259.35 oC to 961.78 oC is the platinum resistance thermometer, a solid-state, digital device. (See more about ITS-90 here.) Numerous government entities are encouraging or mandating alternatives. In early 2012, for example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a new rule providing flexibility in replacing mercury-containing industrial thermometers while remaining in full compliance with EPA regulations. The high cost of remediation There are also practical reasons to avoid mercury thermometers, including the considerable financial and administrative burdens they can impose in the case of a spill or other accident. Laws and regulations regarding mercury disposal and remediation vary from place to place (for a representative list, click here), and most are quite exacting. Clean-up costs in the thousands -- or even tens of thousands -- of dollars are not uncommon. In addition, numerous organizations including NIST, NIH, CDC, EPA, ASTM International, the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Organization (NEWMOA) and the related 15-member Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC), and others are involved in mercury reduction and phase-out campaigns. In 2013 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP Hg) is expected to adopt the International Treaty on Hg, which calls for eventual elimination of Hg products. The resources featured on this and connected pages can help users make intelligent and informed decisions about replacing Hg thermometers, acquiring the right kind of digital thermometer for a specific application, ensuring that the devices meet the latest standards, and disposing of mercury. NIST Training Events Selecting and Using Alternative Thermometers Any mention or image of commercial products within NIST web pages is for information only; it does not imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST. For questions about information on this website, click here.

Time for replacement For many people, the words "thermometer" and "mercury" are practically synonymous. That association is unfortunate: Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and every thermometer that contains it is a potential environmental threat. In the 21st century, however, that is a risk that no one needs to take, and a worldwide effort is underway to deploy substitute devices in consumer, profes

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) delivered the following closing statement on the floor of the House during the 36-hour debate on Iraq. 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held captives, Johnson finally left Hanoi on February 12, 1973 and returned home to Texas on February 17, this week on Monday, Johnson spent the anniversary of his release pleading with a House panel to accept his amendment to support and fully fund the troops for the 36 hours of debate on the troop escalation in Iraq. Johnson’s floor statement “You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot “I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things. “I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War. “Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi. “I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of “While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days…. “As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs. “I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity. “But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back. “Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future. “From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly… “And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home. “We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home “We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all. “So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt. “We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground. captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse. “We must never, ever let that “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless “Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way “Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections. “There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success. resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy. “The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way. “Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us. “Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn “We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful. “God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.”

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) delivered the following closing statement on the floor of the House during the 36-hour debate on Iraq. 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held ca

A Total Eclipse of the Sun -- on the Moon! |Tweet|A Total Eclipse of the Sun-- on the Moon! On January 9th sky watchers across some parts of Earth will enjoy a total lunar eclipse. But what would they see if they lived, instead, on the Moon? January 8, 2001 -- Tuesday night there will be a dramatic hour-long total eclipse of the Sun. Glowing tendrils of the solar corona will fill the sky and the planet Mercury will appear as a blazing -1st magnitude star less than 8 degrees from the blocked-out Sun. It surely sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime sight, but don't bother packing your bags for a last-minute trip to catch the show. The path of totality is 384 thousand kilometers away -- on the Moon! Solar eclipses on the Moon happen when our planet lies directly between the Moon and the Sun. As the full Moon glides into Earth's shadow, the blinding disk of the Sun temporarily vanishes and the Sun's faint corona emerges -- much like a solar eclipse on Earth. This image (above) captured by a coronagraph on board the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows what a solar eclipse might look like from the perspective of a Moon-dweller. The coronagraph blocks the Sun's blinding glare using an opaque disk 1.85-degrees across -- that's three and a half times wider than the Sun and, coincidentally, almost exactly the size of our planet viewed from the Moon. The Sun's inner corona is hidden from view in this picture, but the billowing outer corona is striking. Sign up for EXPRESS SCIENCE NEWS delivery Unlike solar eclipses on Earth, which last just a few minutes and trace a narrow path of totality across our planet, solar eclipses on the Moon are widespread and long-lasting. Tomorrow night, for example, the entire Moon will be immersed in Earth's shadow for more than an hour. Fortunately, the Moon's solar eclipse on Jan. 9th is not a total loss for Earth-bound sky watchers. That's because a solar eclipse on the Moon is also a lunar eclipse here on Earth! Residents of Africa, Europe, and Asia can watch our planet's shadow creep across the face of the Moon after nightfall on Tuesday. [Lunar eclipse viewing tips are available courtesy of Sky & Telescope. See also the NASA/GSFC press release.] Earth's shadow has a conical shape with two parts: The umbra (on the inside) is very dark and the penumbra (on the outside) is weaker. The Moon will first enter the penumbra at 17:43 UT and then the umbra an hour later. By 19:49 UT, the Moon will be completely inside the boundaries of the umbral shadow. The total lunar eclipse will persist for 62 minutes after that. "You might think that the Moon would be completely dark at totality, but it's not," says George Lebo, a professor of astronomy at the University of Florida. "Our planet's atmosphere refracts sunlight into the umbral shadow, so even at maximum eclipse the Moon is weakly illuminated." How the eclipsed Moon looks depends on how much dust and clouds are present in Earth's atmosphere. Total eclipses tend to be very dark after major volcanic eruptions, which expel large quantities of ash into the atmosphere. During the total lunar eclipse of December 1992, for example, volcanic dust from Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines rendered the Moon nearly invisible. Experienced eclipse-watchers expect this Tuesday's full Moon to take on a bright coppery hue during the hour-long total phase. Sky watchers in eastern North America can catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse shortly after sunset on Tuesday, but only as the event is nearing its end. The Moon will be heading out of Earth's faint penumbral shadow at 5 pm Eastern Standard Time. By 6 o'clock the eclipse will be over. Tuesday's show will mark last total lunar eclipse until May 16, 2003. It seems unlikely that anyone will be on the Moon three years hence to see the corresponding solar eclipse. But one day, perhaps, lunar colonists will don pressure suits and stride out of their space domes to enjoy a sight that Earth-bound eclipse chasers will surely envy: an hour-long total eclipse of the Sun. Until then we can still see the Earth's shadow envelop the Moon from time to time and imagine what the view must be like...looking back from up there. Tune in to SpaceWeather.com later this week for photos of the January 9th lunar eclipse. Editor's Note: Solar eclipses on Earth are notable because the Moon and the Sun are almost exactly the same apparent size: 0.5 degrees as viewed from our planet. (The Sun is really 400 times larger than the Moon, but it's also 400 times farther away.) This coincidence leads to dazzling phenomena like Baily's Beads and the Diamond Ring effect that eclipse watchers on the Moon would miss. On the other hand, Moon-based observers could see something that their Earth-based cousins could not: the sight of our planet's dark disk surrounded by a thin ring of red sunlight refracting through Earth's atmosphere. "In effect," notes reader Paul Norris, "they would be bathed by the combined light of every sunset across the whole of Earth!" More information about the Jan. 9, 2001 eclipse - courtesy of Fred Espenak at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |The Science and Technology Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sponsors the Science@NASA web sites. The mission of Science@NASA is to help the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilities.| |For lesson plans and educational activities related to breaking science news, please visit Thursday's Classroom|| Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips Curator: Bryan Walls Media Relations: Steve Roy Responsible NASA official: John M. Horack

A Total Eclipse of the Sun -- on the Moon! |Tweet|A Total Eclipse of the Sun-- on the Moon! On January 9th sky watchers across some parts of Earth will enjoy a total lunar eclipse. But what would they see if they lived, instead, on the Moon? January 8, 2001 -- Tuesday night there will be a dramatic hour-long total eclipse of the Sun. Glowing tendrils of the solar corona will fill the sky and the p

NASAs challenging and exciting missions provide unique opportunities for engaging and educating the public. Air travel, space flight, the exploration of the unknown, and the discovery of new, mysterious, and beautiful things are all endeavors that hold an intrinsic fascination for people around the world. And the benefitsto NASA, the Nation, and the worldof engaging students and the public in our scientific and engineering adventures cannot be overstated. By stimulating peoples imaginations and creativity and by meaningfully communicating the significance of our discoveries and developments to them, we can help to improve the scientific and technological literacy of our society and draw new students into careers in science and engineering. |Previous Page | Home | Contents | Next page|

NASAs challenging and exciting missions provide unique opportunities for engaging and educating the public. Air travel, space flight, the exploration of the unknown, and the discovery of new, mysterious, and beautiful things are all endeavors that hold an intrinsic fascination for people around the world. And the benefitsto NASA, the Nation, and the worldof engaging students and the public in our

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), created this Web site to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. NIDA enlisted the help of teens in developing the site to ensure that the content addresses appropriate questions and timely concerns. Recognizing that teens want to be treated as equals, NIDA scientists were careful not to preach about the dangers of drug use. Rather, the site delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body so that kids will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions. Elements such as animated illustrations, quizzes, and games are used throughout the site to clarify concepts, test the visitor's knowledge, and make learning fun through interaction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), created this Web site to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. NIDA enlisted the help of teens in developing the site to ensure that the content addresses appropriate questions and timely concerns. Recognizing that teens wan

Makers of Federation. Sir Edmund Barton. By SIR LITTLETON E. GROOM. AS one looks back over the earlier days of the Federal Parlia- ment the men who took the leading part in laying the foundations of the Commonwealth structure loom larger, and are seen in truer perspective. Their work was es- sentially constructive, and, for its suc- cessful accomplishment, there was need of vision, as well as judgment. The fact that the main work they did remains as fundamental is sufficient proof that the foundations were well and truly laid. One of the men who loomed largest in the first Federal Par- liament was the Right Hon. Sir Ed- mund Barton. With a fine presence he looked, and was, a noble head to the Legislative Chamber. He had oc- cupied a number of exalted positions with marked ability and achieved a high reputation as an orator before the Federal Parliament came into be- ing. His speeches gave evidence of culture obtained through his education at the University of Sydney. He was proud of his election, as a young man, to represent the Sydney University in 1879, and was also justifiably proud of his appointment in 1883 to the office of Speaker of the Legislative Assem- bly of New South Wales at the age of 34. As a foremost advocate of the Federal union, leader of the Federal Convention, 1897-98, and leader of the delegates to England in connection with the Constitution Bill, he had manifest- ed the highest qualifications—qualifi- cations which fitted him so admirably to be the first Leader of the House of Representatives. HIS qualities of mind and heart made him pre-eminent in this re- gard. He was conspicuously fair- minded, and possessed a high sense of honour. In the conflicts in the House he was dignified, calm, unperturbed, and unruffled in temper. He showed a fine balance. His speeches at times savoured more of judicial utterances than partisan advocacy. He spoke on the higher plane. His debating power was well revealed in the White Aus- tralia debate that took place in Sep- tember, 1901, on the Immigration Re- striction Bill, the dispute ranging around the education test as opposed to direct exclusion. On September 26, 1901, in this de- bate he made a most effective reply in favour of the Government's pro- posal. One of the finest and most characteristic of his speeches in Par- liament was that made on the Judici- ary Bill on June 11, 1903. It reached a very high mark of oratory at a time when the speeches delivered in the House of Representatives were dis- tinguished by extraordinary care in preparation and forcefulness in de- livery—when men of great experience from all the States put forth their best in their desire to establish Aus- tralian reputations. This speech recalled to members' minds those notable addresses delivered by him, prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth, on platform, in Con- vention, and in Parliament, when he revealed his complete grasp of the Federal problem, his extensive knowledge of constitutions and consti- tutional principles, and his construc- tive statesmanship. As Minister of State. WHEN interviewed as a Minister re- garding matters of an administra- tive character he dealt with them as a judge sitting in Chambers, evinc- ing a desire to do absolute justice. He was anxious that each State of the Commonwealth should be fairly dealt with. To use his own words, he loved the Constitution and emphasised that of all constitutions it was essentially a people's constitution. This had par- ticular reference to the method of its adoption. His personal charm attracted men of all parties to him. As Sir William MacMillan said of him, "there was one characteristic of Sir Edmund Barton which I always recognised, and that was his generous nature and his ex- treme magnanimity. Not altogether by his genius, by his great ability, or by his political experience did he bind together the men who loyally sur- rounded him, but by a personal mag- netism and a personal affection which went far beyond the ordinary political The speech delivered by Sir Edmund on the Judiciary Bill left a very pro- found impression on members, and at the time when that Bill was assented to the feeling of affection was so warm and the esteem for him so high among the members of the House that there was a general desire on their part that he should accept the office of Chief Justice. His own attitude was characteristic; he would not ac- cept it if one who was better fitted for the position than he would take it. The state of his health actuated him to retire from the position of Prime Minister. He remarked at the time that his medical adviser had writ- ten to congratulate him. Smiling, he added that he had replied to Dr. Bird that it was fitting that a "bird" should congratulate a "beak"; and in reference to the regret he had ex- pressed that he (Sir Edmund) could not occupy both the positions of Prime Minister and Justice of the High Court, he had answered that one could not be in two places at the same time unless one was a bird. High Court Judge QN Septembei 23 Sir Edmund made his last appearance in the House. The House had been discussing a mo- tion moved by him in reference to the Federal capital, and just before the House rose on the Wednesday it had adopted a motion as amended, that a conference take place between the two Houses to select a capital site, the idea being to take an exhaustive ballot as to the most suitable sites specified in the report of the Royal Commission. Sir Edmund was in charge of the busi- ness all through the day, and his last words had reference to the order of business of the House. On the fol- lowing day, September 24, Mr. Deakin made the announcement in the House of the resignation of Sir Edmund Barton, and that the duty had been cast upon him of forming an admin- istration, that Sir Samuel Griffith had accepted the office of Chief Justice, and that Sir Edmund Barton and Senator O'Connor had been offered the positions of Justices of the High Court. Sir William MacMillan and the Right Hon. C. C. Kingston at once paid high tributes to Sir Edmund, and Mr. Allan M'Lean (Victoria) declared "no one would have been better pleased than I to have seen the late Prime Minister Chief Justice." Sir Edmund was now to take fare- well from the loyal friends with whom he had so closely co-operated in mak- ing Australia the nation, and to leave the men in Parliament who had been privileged to follow his lead and had become so closely attached to him. He had in his speeches referred to the three branches—the Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary—of the Commonwealth. He had held office in the Executive, led the House of Rep- resentatives, and was now to enter On October 6 he was sworn in as a Justice of the High Court, in Mel- bourne, on the occasion of the open- ing of the court. It was a memorable scene, the ceremony that took place in the Banco Court. There was a large attendance, and members of the Bar of the several States joined the new Attorney-General, the Hon. J. G. Drake, in congratulations to the newly appointed Justices. In the gallery were many of Sir Edmund's old and dear friends. The Governor-General (Lord Tennyson) and Lady Tennyson sat in the gallery over the clock; Mr. Deakin, Sir John Forrest, and Mr. Austin Chapman were there also. Sir Edmund was obviously deeply affected. In his reply he said: "My mind is as full of misgivings as that of my learned brother who has just spoken. If we had not confidence in each other, probably the greatness of our task would be, instead of disquieting, almost appalling; but I can speak at any rate for two members of this Bench for the services they can render; but speaking for myself I humbly hope that I may be in some degree enabled to range myself with them in the con- duct of the work of this court. I find it hard to say any more. There are recollections of the past, not only in the court, but elsewhere, which crowd thickly upon me. There is a severance of ties which is to me pain- ful, and which would be well nigh intolerable, if one were not sure that where one leaves friends behind it may be granted to one to maintain in full vigour the good opinion that was so pleasant, and so supporting in the past." The proceedings over, Sir Edmund entered upon a long judicial career. At its close by death on January 7, 1920, he left the record of one who had made valuable contributions in the interpretation of the Constitution and of the laws of the Commonwealth and States, and who had upheld the highest traditions of his judicial office. He had fulfilled the words of the oath that each Justice had sworn on the assumption of office—"I do swear that I will well and truly serve my Sove- reign Lord the King in the position of Justice of the High Court of Aus- tralia, and I will do right to all man- ner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill will." It is interesting to note that the first application to be made to the High Court was made by Mr. Isaacs, K.C., who, after the opening of the court, rose to inquire when their Honours would hear a summons for directions in the action of Bond v. the King.

Makers of Federation. Sir Edmund Barton. By SIR LITTLETON E. GROOM. AS one looks back over the earlier days of the Federal Parlia- ment the men who took the leading part in laying the foundations of the Commonwealth structure loom larger, and are seen in truer perspective. Their work was es- sentially constructive, and, for its suc- cessful accomplishment, there was need of vision, as well as judg

The formidable mountain system of the Alps stretches across much of central Europe, with seven countries claiming portions of the mountains within their borders: Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia. The glacial landscape of the Bernese Alps, located in southwestern Switzerland, is well illustrated by this astronaut photograph. An astronaut took this picture by looking north-northwest while the International Space Station was over the Mediterranean Sea between Corsica and Italy. This oblique viewing angle imparts a sense of perspective to the image. This type of viewing angle complements nadir,or downward-viewing, imagery of the region. Three of the higher peaks of the central Alps are visible: Jungfrau at 4,158 meters (13,642 feet); Moench at 4,089 meters (13,415 feet); and Eiger at 3,970 meters (13,025 feet). To the east and south of the Jungfrau is the Aletsch Glacier, clearly marked by dark medial moraines extending along the glacier’s length parallel to the valley axis. The medial moraines are formed from rock and soil debris collected along the sides of three mountain glaciers located near the Jungfrau and Moench peaks. As these flowing ice masses merge to form the Aletsch Glacier, the debris accumulates in the middle of the glacier and is carried along the flow direction. Lake Brienz to the northwest results from the actions of both glacial ice and the flowing waters of the Aare and Lütschine rivers, and has a maximum depth of 261 meters (856 feet). The lake has a particularly fragile ecosystem, as demonstrated by the almost total collapse of the whitefish population in 1999. Possible causes for the collapse include increased water turbidity associated with upstream hydropower plant operations, and reduction of phosphorus—a key nutrient for lake algae, and a basic element of the local food web—due to water quality changes.

The formidable mountain system of the Alps stretches across much of central Europe, with seven countries claiming portions of the mountains within their borders: Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia. The glacial landscape of the Bernese Alps, located in southwestern Switzerland, is well illustrated by this astronaut photograph. An astronaut took this picture by

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled a public meeting for March 9 in Stanwood to discuss future recreation use and a proposed estuary restoration project on the Leque Island portion of the Skagit Wildlife Area. Leque Island, which is between Stanwood and Camano Island in Snohomish County, is part of the Stillaguamish River estuary and provides important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species, including chinook salmon, waterfowl and herons. The area is also popular for recreational activities such as wildlife viewing and pheasant and waterfowl hunting. Lora Leschner, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, said access to the property has become an issue because of the recent increase in vehicular traffic on State Route 532, which runs through the property. The March 9th meeting will be in the cafeteria of Stanwood Middle School, at 9405 271st St. NW, from 7-9:30 p.m. More information is available by calling (425) 775-1311.

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled a public meeting for March 9 in Stanwood to discuss future recreation use and a proposed estuary restoration project on the Leque Island portion of the Skagit Wildlife Area. Leque Island, which is between Stanwood and Camano Island in Snohomish County, is part of the Stillaguamish River estuary and provides important hab

Search by typing in words or phrases, eg chilled food - You can use the Advanced Search to narrow your search to particular sections of the website. - You can also identify a phrase using double quotation marks, eg "chilled food". This limits your results to where that exact phrase appears rather than including where the words in the phrase appear separately. - A search for chilled food, for example, will look for documents containing all the words in the phrase first, ie documents that contain both chilled and food. - If there are no documents that contain all the words you have entered, then documents that contain one of more of the search words are displayed. If this occurs, the following message appears: 'There were no documents that contained all of the words in your query. These results contain some of the words' - Where there are documents containing all words, you are also given the option (at the bottom of the last page of results) to show documents that contain only some of the words: 'Expand your search to see results that contain some of your words' - You can also search for related words by putting an asterisk on the end of a search word. For example, a search for fish* will return results, where available, for fish, fisheries, fishery, fishing, etc. - The more words you put in, the more precise your search. However, be aware that you also limit the number of results by doing this and so may not see results that would be useful to you. - It makes no difference whether you use upper or lower case letters. - Search suggestions are displayed at the top and bottom of each page and underneath many search results. You can click on these to perform a search on that term: Search Phrase: chilled food Search Suggestions: temperature control | food safety regulations | ... - Click on page numbers, Previous/Next to navigate through the search results returned. - If a spelling isn't recognised, an alternative may be suggested: Search Phrase: cooffee Did you mean: coffee - If any of the results are on a different Food Standards Agency website to the one you are searching on, then this is reflected in the results. - You can use the Back button on your browser to return to the list of search results after looking at a particular result. - Results that do not go to standard web (html) pages are indicated with icons, eg a pdf is indicated with

Search by typing in words or phrases, eg chilled food - You can use the Advanced Search to narrow your search to particular sections of the website. - You can also identify a phrase using double quotation marks, eg "chilled food". This limits your results to where that exact phrase appears rather than including where the words in the phrase appear separately. - A search for chilled food, for examp

Anti Corruption Day is an initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Development Program. The campaign aims to support a positive and pro-active stance against corruption and is proudly supported by the Australian Federal Police. Fighting corruption is a global concern as corruption is found in both rich and poor countries with evidence proving that it hurts poor people disproportionately. It contributes to instability, poverty and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure. Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the media and citizens around the world are joining forces to fight this crime. International Anti Corruption Day is held annually on 9 December and reflects the opportunity to focus on how corruption hinders efforts to achieve the internationally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals. In addition to this, corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, distorts markets, erodes quality of life and allows organised crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish. Here’s what you can do to help say NO to corruption.

Anti Corruption Day is an initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Development Program. The campaign aims to support a positive and pro-active stance against corruption and is proudly supported by the Australian Federal Police. Fighting corruption is a global concern as corruption is found in both rich and poor countries with evidence proving that it hurts

AGO Opinion 06016 Whether The University of Nebraska Is a "School" For Purposes of The Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act. (December 21, 2006) SUBJECT: Whether The University of Nebraska Is a “School” For Purposes of The Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act REQUESTED BY: James B. Milliken, President University of Nebraska WRITTEN BY: Jon Bruning, Attorney General Charles E. Lowe, Assistant Attorney General In a letter dated December 1, 2006, you have asked this office for its opinion “as to whether the University is a ‘school’ as that word is used in § 69 2441” of the Nebraska statutes. Section 69-2441 is part of the Concealed Handgun Permit Act (“Act”) which was enacted by the Nebraska Legislature at its last session. 2006 Neb. Laws LB 454. The Act is now codified at Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2427 through 69-2447. In your letter you indicate that the University of Nebraska has a policy of prohibiting the carrying of firearms on its property which it intends to continue after the Act goes into effect on January 1, 2007. Your concern is that, if the University is not considered to be a “school” within the meaning of § 69-2441, then the University will be compelled to post numerous signs banning concealed handguns, something it would rather not do. Overview of Act and Exceptions The Act generally sets up a system whereby qualified individuals who have met certain training requirements may obtain permits allowing them to carry concealed handguns. Such permits are “valid throughout the state” (§ 69 2436(1)); and, with certain exceptions, “[a] permitholder may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in Nebraska.” § 69-2441(1)(a). There are, however, in § 69-2441(1)(a) a number of exceptions to the general statement that permitholders may carry concealed handguns “anywhere in Nebraska.” These exceptions list places and events where permitholders are not permitted to carry concealed handguns at all. Among those places where permitholders may not carry concealed handguns is any “school, school grounds, school-owned vehicle, or school-sponsored activity or athletic event.” Another exception contained in § 69-2441(1)(a) is any “place or premises where the person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or employer in control of the property has prohibited permitholders from carrying concealed handguns into or onto the place or premises.” The statute goes on to provide that any such person, entity or employer must post signs notifying the public of the ban on concealed handguns on the premises if the premises are open to the public. § 69-2441(2). There is no statutory requirement that persons or entities in control of other places specifically listed as exceptions in § 69 2441(1)(a) post conspicuous notice that concealed handguns are banned. Accordingly, if the University is deemed to be a “school” under the Act, permitholders will automatically, by law, be prohibited from carrying concealed handguns onto its property. On the other hand, if the University is not deemed to be a “school” under the Act, it will have to post “conspicuous notice” of its policy prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns in or on the premises. Although we have found no reported Nebraska case enunciating it, there appears to exist a legal rule to the effect that “[w]hen used in a statute or contract, ‘school’ usually does not include universities, business colleges, or other institutions of higher education unless the intent to include such institutions is clearly indicated.” 68 Am.Jur.2d, Schools § 1 (2006) (citing Pike v. State Board of Land Com’rs, 19 Idaho 268, 113 P. 447 (1911), and State v. Seattle Elec. Co., 71 Wash. 213, 128 P. 220 (1912)). General application of this rule is supported by the fact that elementary and secondary education in the “schools” is governed, controlled and financed in ways far different than education at the post-secondary level. For example, the state has an obligation to provide “free instruction in the common schools of the state.” Neb. Const. art. VII, § 1. It has no such obligation when it comes to post-secondary education. Moreover, the statutes governing generally the existence and operation of elementary and secondary schools are completely different than and distinguished from the statutes governing generally the existence and operation of colleges and universities. Compare, Chapter 79 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes with Chapter 85. Therefore, the rule of statutory construction that requires a clear indication of intent before the term “schools” will be deemed to include colleges and universities is applicable in the present context. In determining whether the Legislature has clearly indicated an intent that an institution of higher learning such as the University be deemed a “school” under § 69-2441(1)(a) we start with the well-established principle that [i]n discerning the meaning of a statute, a court must determine and give effect to the purpose and intent of the Legislature as ascertained from the entire language of the statute considered in its plain, ordinary, and popular sense. It is the court’s duty to discover, if possible, the Legislature’s intent from the language of the statute itself. Japp v. Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 271 Neb. 968, 973, 716 N.W.2d 707, 711 (2006). Applying the rule that statutory use of the word “school” does not usually include institutions of higher learning and the foregoing principle regarding how the intent of the Legislature is ascertained to your question, it appears to us that the University does not fall within the definition of a “school” as that word is used in § 69-2441(1)(a). Neither that statute nor any other part of the Act contains a clear indication that the Legislature intended the word “school” to include universities and colleges. Indeed, there is clear indication in § 69-2441(1)(a) itself that the Legislature did not mean to include colleges and universities within the meaning of “school.” One of the exceptions in that statute states that permitholders may not carry concealed handguns at any “professional, semiprofessional, or collegiate athletic event.” (Emphasis supplied). The very next listed exception is for a “school, school grounds, school-owned vehicle, or school-sponsored activity or athletic event.” (Emphasis supplied.) Thus it appears that the statute draws a distinction between “schools,” on the one hand, and colleges and universities, on the other. Otherwise it would not have been necessary to list “collegiate athletic event(s)” separately, as they would necessarily have been included within “school-sponsored . . . athletic event(s)” if colleges were deemed to fall within the meaning of “schools” for purposes of the statute. Moreover, having deliberately chosen to use the word “collegiate” in making an exception for “collegiate” athletic events, the Legislature made no other exceptions for events or premises of colleges or universities. In other words, the statute seems to (1) make a distinction between a “school” and a “college or university;” (2) extend a broad exception for “schools,” including “school-sponsored athletic events;” and (3) provide no exception for colleges and universities except for their athletic events. We recognize that in its “plain, ordinary, and popular sense” the term “school” standing alone may be said to encompass colleges and universities. Indeed, the dictionary definition of the noun “school” includes “a college or university.” Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary (Deluxe 2nd Ed. 1983) at 1621. Nonetheless, because in the drafting of statutes the word “school” is deemed not to include colleges and universities unless there is clear intent to the contrary and because the “entire language” of § 69-2441(1)(a) does not show such contrary intent and, in fact, suggests just the opposite, we do not believe that the common dictionary definition of “school” as including colleges and universities applies to the exception in the Act barring the carrying of concealed handguns on the premises of any “school.” We also note that the Legislature itself, in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-101(2) (2003) has defined “school” to mean “a school under the jurisdiction of a school board authorized by Chapter 79.” The “school board(s) authorized by Chapter 79” are those which have control over elementary and secondary public schools in their districts. See, e.g., Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-501 (2003). While this definition is said to be only for purposes of Chapter 79, it still evinces a legislative understanding that the word “school” used in a statute does not automatically include institutions of higher learning. There are two arguments against the conclusion that the University is not a “school” for purposes of the Act which could be made. First, it is of note that the rule that statutory use of the word “school” does not include universities and colleges applies only in the “usual” situation. For example, when legislation deals with the financing, governance, operation, etc. of educational systems or institutions, it makes sense to distinguish between elementary and secondary schools with compelled attendance and post-secondary educational entities. Here, however, the Legislature was not dealing with educational issues. Rather, it was permitting and regulating the carrying of concealed handguns “throughout the state.” It could be said that, by banning the carrying of concealed handguns in any “school,” the Legislature meant to protect the students, faculty and staff at any educational institution in the state, including colleges and universities, from any dangers that might be posed by such activity. Therefore, it could be argued that this is not the “usual” situation in which the use of the word “school” is presumed not to include colleges and universities. This argument, however, founders on the fact that in § 69-2441(1)(a) the Legislature exhibited an understanding of the differences between a college and a “school” by separating “collegiate athletic event(s)” from “school-sponsored . . . athletic event(s).” It is difficult to ignore the rule that the word “school” in a statute does not usually include colleges and universities when the statute itself clearly indicates that the Legislature intended to distinguish between the two. The second argument that could be made in support of a conclusion that the word “school” in § 69-2441(1)(a) includes the University is based on the fact that Senator Jeanne Combs, the primary sponsor of the Act in the Legislature, in answer to a question during floor debate on the bill, indicated it was her intent that the word “school” be construed “very liberally to include all types of educational enterprises, not just public school districts.” Senator Combs also agreed that “school” should be interpreted to include “Creighton University or other public . . . private universities.” Floor Debate on LB 454, 99th Neb. Leg., 2nd Sess. 7835 (Jan. 11, 2006). Thus, the legislative history of the Act shows an intent on the part of the sponsoring legislator to include post-secondary educational institutions within the definition of “school” for purposes of the exemption. The problem with this argument is that “[i]f the language of a statute is clear, the words of such statute are the end of any judicial inquiry regarding its meaning.” Morgensen v. Board of Supervisors, 268 Neb. 26, 30, 679 N.W.2d 413, 417 (2004). It is only “when a statutory term is reasonably considered ambiguous” that “a court may examine the legislative history of the act in question to ascertain the intent of the Legislature.” Id. For reasons discussed above, we do not believe that the term “school,” as used in § 69-2441(1)(a), is ambiguous such that reference can be made to legislative history. Because of the general rule that use of the word “school” in statutes does not usually include colleges and universities and because the Legislature, within the body of § 69 2441(1)(a) itself, distinguished between colleges, on the one hand, and schools, on the other, there appears to be no ambiguity. There is nothing in the statute indicating any intent on the part of the Legislature as a whole to include colleges and universities within the meaning of the term “school,” notwithstanding Senator Combs’ subjective statements of her personal intent. Therefore, the legislative history cannot be used to read something into the word “school,” as used in the statute, that is not there. Finally, it should be kept in mind that § 69-2443(1) of the Act makes it a misdemeanor crime for any permitholder to carry a concealed handgun where such is prohibited by § 69-2441(1)(a). “A fundamental principle of statutory construction requires that penal statutes be strictly construed.” State v. Baker, 264 Neb. 867, 871, 652 N.W.2d 612, 616 (2002). Accordingly, if notice of the ban is not posted and a permitholder is prosecuted for carrying a concealed weapon on University property, the court, in that context, might well construe the exception for any “school” narrowly and conclude that it does not encompass colleges and universities. While penal statutes are also to be “given a sensible construction in the context of the object sought to be accomplished, the evils and mischiefs sought to be remedied, and the purpose sought to be served,” State v. Aguilar, 268 Neb. 411, 418, 683 N.W.2d 349, 355 (2004), such a “sensible construction” would consider that the overall purpose and object of the Act was to grant permits to carry concealed handguns and to allow permitholders to carry such weapons “anywhere in Nebraska” except where an express statutory exemption bans the carrying of concealed handguns. In other words, a “sensible construction” of § 69-2441(1)(a) does not lead to the conclusion that, in light of the overall purpose of the Act, the “school” exemption includes colleges and universities. As discussed above, there are some arguments that can be made to support a conclusion that the University is a “school” within the meaning of § 69 2441(1)(a). Nonetheless, in light of the rule that the word “school” in a statue is generally not interpreted to include colleges and universities, the other general rules of statutory interpretation set forth herein and the fact that the statute distinguishes between “collegiate athletic events” and “school-sponsored . . . athletic events,” we think the better argument is that the University is not to be deemed a “school” under the Act. Accordingly, it is our opinion that the University is not a “school” as that word is used in § 69-2441(1)(a). Charles E. Lowe Assistant Attorney General Attorney General 17-195-21

AGO Opinion 06016 Whether The University of Nebraska Is a "School" For Purposes of The Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act. (December 21, 2006) SUBJECT: Whether The University of Nebraska Is a “School” For Purposes of The Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act REQUESTED BY: James B. Milliken, President University of Nebraska WRITTEN BY: Jon Bruning, Attorney General Charles E. Lowe, Assistant Att

National Archives Directive 1701 September 1, 1999 Loans of Holdings in NARA's Physical and Legal Custody - Purpose of this directive - Authority for this directive - Definition of terms as used in this directive - Holdings that are not covered by this directive - What procedures must be followed before transporting holdings from a NARA facility? - When is a loan considered overdue? - What action can NARA take to recover holdings that are overdue? - Reporting overdue loans to the Archivist - Who is authorized to receive a loan of original holdings? - When is it appropriate to provide original holdings to the originator? - When is it inappropriate to provide original holdings to the originator? - What if a loan request is denied? - If copies are provided, what are the costs? - What is the normal loan period for loans to originators? - What is the normal extension time and who approves requests for loan period extensions? - How are loans documented and tracked? - Processing returned loans - What if the loan is returned in damaged condition or with holdings missing? - Who can request a loan of original holdings? - Procedures for processing a loan - Tracking or reporting overdue loans - Who is authorized to receive a loan of original holdings for an exhibit? - How are requests for legislative holdings handled? - How are requests for holdings from other NARA units processed? - What are the tracking and documentation methods for exhibit loans? - Who is authorized to approve and deny loans? - When is it appropriate to lend original holdings for an exhibit? - When is it inappropriate to lend original holdings for an exhibit? - What is the maximum loan period? - How are requests for renewals handled? - What are procedures for denying a loan request? - What are the loan review procedures for non-NARA borrowers? - What are procedures for processing returned loans? - What if holdings are missing or damaged? - Other guidance for exhibit loans 1701.1 Purpose of this directive This directive establishes policy for loans of holdings (as defined in par. 1701.3a). a. The Archivist is responsible for the custody, use, and withdrawal of records transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in accordance with 44 U.S.C. 2107 note sec. 3(2), 2108, 2109, 2111 note sec. 101(b)(2), 2112(c), 2118, and 2203(f)(1); E.O. 12667; and 36 CFR 1228.198. b. The Archivist delegates the authority to loan NARA holdings to the Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries (NL), the Assistant Archivist for Records Services - Washington, DC (NW), and the Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services (NR). a. Holdings - means (1) records as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3301 ("includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, machine readable materials, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics"), historical materials as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2101(2), including artifacts, artwork, and other museum holdings (primarily in the Presidential libraries), Nixon Presidential historical materials as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2111 note sec. 101(b)(2), assassination records as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2107 note sec. 3(2), and Presidential records as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2201(2) that are in the physical and legal custody of NARA; (2) Supreme Court records that have been deposited in NARA's physical custody; and (3) the records of Congress that have been deposited in NARA's physical custody under 44 U.S.C. 2118; and records of the Architect of the Capitol. (See par. 1701.4 for holdings that are not covered by this directive.) b. Loan - means temporary removal of holdings from NARA's physical custody to Federal agencies and courts, the Supreme Court, and Congress for official business; to the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative; or to NARA and non-NARA organizations for exhibit purposes. (The removal of holdings for other than loan purposes is described in NARA 1702.) c. Custodial unit - means a NARA unit responsible for holdings -- - Life-Cycle Control Units (LICONS) of the Office of Records Services - Washington, DC;. - Presidential Materials Staff (NLMS) in Washington, DC and the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff; - Presidential libraries and projects; and - Archival operations units of regional records services facilities (or facility directors in regional records services facilities where there is no archival operations unit). a. Not in NARA's legal custody, even if the holdings are scheduled as permanent but not yet in NARA's legal custody (pre-archives). b. Transferred to public or educational institutions or associations in accordance with 44 U.S.C. 2107(3) (see 36 CFR 1228.70 thru 1228.78). c. In NARA's physical custody under a deposit agreement or in courtesy storage (e.g., NLMS). (However, holdings of the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court are covered by this directive and explained in part 3.) d. Accessioned electronic holdings in the custody of the Electronic and Special Media Records Services Division (NWME). In consultation with (if necessary) the Space and Security Management Division (NAS) (for loan-related security matters) and Preservation Programs (NWT), the following units review and approve or deny loan requests for holdings: a. The custodial unit; b. Public Programs (NWE); or c. The Initial Processing/Declassification Division (NWMD), with LICON concurrence. a. In accordance with NARA 1702, determine the appropriate method of transportation and make the necessary arrangements. b. Inform the borrower (1) Of the method of shipment (specified in loan agreement for exhibit loans); (2) Of the date on which the loan will be shipped and its expected arrival date or the date that the borrower can pick up the loan; (3) Of any special transportation arrangements if the loan will be picked up by the borrower; (4) Of the need to inspect the packaging upon arrival to ensure that it has not been abused, to sign for the shipment, and to inform NARA of its arrival; (5) To notify the NARA sending unit or the NWE registrar of the delivery and the condition of the packaging and the holdings if either shows any signs of tampering or damage; and (6) To verify the condition of the holdings and document changes. 1701.7 When is a loan considered overdue? A loan is overdue if the holdings are not returned to NARA by the established due date. The due date may be extended with the written consent of all relevant parties. a. If the loan is overdue, the custodial unit or NWE notifies the borrower to either request an extension, provide the current status of the loan, or promptly return the holdings. (Notification by telephone or email is acceptable but all actions must be documented in writing.) b. If the holdings are not returned within 2 weeks, the custodial unit head contacts the borrower to determine the reason for delay. c. If after the second contact, the holdings are not returned, the custodial unit head creates a dossier containing a memorandum explaining the circumstances, a copy of NA Form 14014, a written summary of any verbal contacts, copies of all relevant correspondence and email exchanges, and any other pertinent documentation. d. NL and NW custodial units send the dossier to NL and NW, respectively. Heads of NR custodial units send the dossier to NR, through the appropriate regional administrator. e. NL, NR, or NW immediately consults with the General Counsel (NGC). f. NL, NR, or NW (working with the custodial unit and NGC) make recommendations to the Archivist for further action. g. The appropriate custodial unit maintains a dossier of decisions and actions taken. 1701.9 Reporting overdue loans to the Archivist On a quarterly basis, NL, NR, and NW must report to the Archivist all loans that are 3 months or more overdue. The report must be submitted within 45 days after the end of each quarter and include: a. Borrower's name; b. Description of holdings; c. Record group number or collection; d. Quantity of holdings (boxes, cubic feet, etc); e. Loan date; f. Due date (date that the loan was to be returned to NARA); and g. A narrative and documentation of steps that the custodial unit has taken to recover the loan. Originating Federal agencies or successors in function; courts; and the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative may borrow their own original holdings for use outside a NARA facility. However, this practice is discouraged and we should offer copies or facsimiles whenever possible. Loans of original holdings should be limited to instances of demonstrated need and are subject to conditions that exempt from loan any holdings of high intrinsic value or in need of preservation action (in accordance with specified exceptions in par. 1701.13). (For information concerning holdings of the Congress or Supreme Court, see part 3.) a. Approves loan requests for holdings in their custody. b. Maintains documentation regarding attempts to retrieve overdue loans and uses NA Form 14014, National Archives and Records Administration Loan Receipt. c. Establishes internal operating procedures (as defined in NARA 111, NARA Internal Directives System) for handling loans. a. The originating Federal agency or successor in function, court, or the Supreme Court; or the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative can request their own original holdings. b. Federal agencies that obtain approval from the agency that created the records (or its successor) may also request a loan. a. If the request is not for an exhibit (see part 4 for exhibit loans), provide original holdings only when: (1) The custodial unit (not the requester) determines that the requester's need for original holdings is sufficient, based on the following: (a) They cannot fulfill their purpose in any other way; (b) A copy or certified copy of the holdings cannot be used; (c) They cannot meet required needs by using the holdings in a NARA facility; or (d) The volume of holdings requested is so large that the custodial unit determines it to be impractical to copy and the request meets other applicable requirements of this paragraph. (In this case, the requester should visit the facility.) (2) The holdings are in suitable physical condition; and (3) The holdings are not of high intrinsic value or the Archivist has approved an exception in writing. (Criteria for assessing the intrinsic value of archival materials are delineated in Staff Information Paper (SIP) 21, Intrinsic Value in Archival Material.) b. The request is in accordance with the appropriate statutory authority or governing deed of gift. a. Is from a requester with an overdue loan; b. Does not meet the requirements outlined in par. 1701.13. c. Is from a Federal agency to enable the agency to answer routine reference inquiries from other agencies or the public (see 36 CFR 1228.198(b)(2)). a. Specifies the reasons for the denial; b. States the conditions under which copies can be provided; and c. Suggests that the requester visit the NARA facility. d. Informs the requester of the of the right to appeal, in writing, to the appropriate office head as specified in subpars. (1) through (3). (1) Assistant Archivist for Records Services - Washington, DC (NW), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. (2) Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services (NR), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. (3) Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries (NL), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 1701.16 If copies are provided, what are the costs? Provide up to 100 pages at no cost to the requester. Additional copies must be charged in accordance with the current fee schedule, with the exception of the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative. a. Normally, loan extensions should not exceed 90 days from the original due date. The custodial unit can grant an extension up to a total loan period of 90 days, after ensuring that the conditions that permitted the initial loan continue to prevail. Borrowers are responsible for any recovery or repair costs involved for damaged holdings, if documented by the custodial unit (see 1701.21a). b. NL, NR, or NW must approve extensions for longer than 90 days. a. Prepares an NA Form 14014 to document and send the loan; b. Ensures that the proper method of shipment is used and that the custodial unit head signs the NA Form 14014; c. Ensures that the borrower signs the NA Form 14014 when the loan is picked up or sends the form with the loan and asks the borrower to sign and immediately return it to the custodial unit; d. Files a copy of the NA Form 14014 for tracking purposes; and e. Reviews the file monthly to identify loans that are 2 weeks overdue and follows the procedures in par. 1701.8. a. Ensure that all holdings have been returned and packaging is undamaged. If any holdings are missing or damaged, follow the procedures in par. 1701.21. b. Remove the copy of NA Form 14014 from the file, and ensure that a copy is signed by the custodial unit head (or representative) to indicate that the holdings have been returned. (1) Immediately documents the nature of damage; (2) Informs the borrower of the damage; (3) Informs the borrower that future loan privileges will be jeopardized unless action is taken to eliminate the risk of damage to the holdings; (4) Refers damaged holdings to a preservation laboratory for examination and treatment, if necessary (see subpar. b); and (5) Notifies NAS. c. If the holdings are missing, the custodial unit should attempt to ascertain the status of missing holdings and notify NAS. The holdings of the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court may be returned to the originating entity for use outside of a NARA facility. a. Holdings of the U.S. Congress - (1) The Director, Center for Legislative Archives (NWL) ensures that a loan of U.S. Congress holdings is properly documented and returned on the established due date. (2) NWL maintains a record of individual senators, representatives, and staff members authorized to borrow holdings. b. Holdings of the Supreme Court - (1) The Director, Textual Archives Services Division (NWCTB) ensures that a loan of Supreme Court holdings is properly documented and returned on the established due date. (2) NWCTB maintains a record of Court staff authorized to borrow holdings. a. Holdings of the U.S. Senate - NARA normally lends U.S. Senate holdings to only the committee that originated the holdings, a successor committee, or the Secretary of the Senate. Senate Rule XXVI, 10(a), permits access to Senate committee holdings by a senator who is not a member of the committee. In those cases, NWL arranges the loan through the Secretary of the Senate and the parent committee. b. Holdings of the U.S. House of Representatives - Only the Clerk of the House of Representatives may borrow House holdings. c. Holdings of the Supreme Court - Only authorized employees of the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court may borrow Supreme Court holdings. a. Whenever possible, NWL or NWCTB should obtain written permission from the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House, or the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court (as appropriate) before lending holdings to the Congress or the Supreme Court. This written request may be an email or a letter faxed to the lending custodial unit. When the need for holdings is so urgent that there is no time for a written request before lending the holdings, NWL or NWCTB must obtain a written request within 48 hours after the holdings are loaned. b. NWL or NWCTB prepares an NA Form 14014 to document the loan. c. NWL or NWCTB ensures that the borrower signs the NA Form 14014 and files a copy of the form in the appropriate tracking file. a. NWL contacts the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House; NWCTB contacts the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court to verify that the loan needs to be extended. b. For holdings that have been on loan for more than 30 days, NWL notifies the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and individual Senate committee chairmen; and NWCTB contacts the Clerk of the Supreme Court about any holdings that have not been returned. c. NWL and NWCTB reports to NW a list of holdings that are overdue for more than 7 months. Include the loan number, record group, date of the loan, the organization (committee) or person (Secretary of Clerk) who borrowed the holdings, and the due date. NARA's holdings may be loaned to qualified institutions for the purpose of informing and educating the public about NARA and its holdings, the national experience, or to foster ready access to essential evidence, while ensuring their continued availability for the future. a. In NW, NWE manages the exhibit loan program in coordination with NWT and NW custodial units. b. In NL and NR, the custodial units are responsible for exhibit loans of holdings in their custody. c. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE may consult with NAS, as necessary (1) On loan-related security matters; (2) To request assistance for site inspections; and (3) To request assistance for courier trips if coordination with law enforcement agencies is necessary. d. The custodial unit must notify NAS, in advance, of a loan involving holdings of high intrinsic value, great sensitivity, known threats, etc. a. NARA units and non-NARA museums, archives, historical societies and other institutions that meet NARA's loan requirements (see ADMIN. 201, app. 13A, NARA Exhibition Standards for Archival Materials, and NISO Draft Standard for Environmental Conditions for Exhibiting Library and Archival Materials) and of its exhibition serves to increase public awareness of NARA and its holdings, rights of citizens, actions of Federal officials, or the national experience; or b. The President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative. 1701.30 How are requests for legislative holdings handled? If legislative holdings are requested, NWE coordinates with NWL to obtain permission from the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate (through the Senate Historian) before approving the loan. a. The requester should submit a written loan request to the NL or NR custodial unit, or to NWE at least 90 days in advance. b. An up-to-date American Association of Museums (AAM) Standard Facilities Report (less than 5 years old) must be on file with the lending unit. c. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE make a preliminary review of the loan request and advises the requesting unit what loan requirements are most likely (e.g., staff courier, crating, fine arts shipper, conservator to install, matting/framing, etc.). d. Other procedures are the same as for non-NARA requests. a. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE charges out holdings, executes the loan agreement, and arranges for necessary conservation treatment, photography, packing/shipping, and documentation (reference service slips, loan agreement, receipts, condition reports, bills of lading, and loans tracking system). b. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE monitors all outstanding loans and arranges with the borrower for their return to NARA in accordance with terms of the loan agreement. c. NL and NR custodial units, and NWE report overdue loans to NW, NL, or NR. NL, NR, and NW report to the Archivist all loans that are 3 months or more overdue (see par. 1701.9). d. If there are security concerns, consult NAS. a. NW - NWE (with concurrence from NWT and NW custodial units) b. NL - Directors of Presidential libraries c. NR - Custodial unit heads a. Provide original holdings for an exhibit if (1) The holdings are in a condition to withstand the normal strains associated with packing, transit, and exhibition or can be prepared in appropriate housings to withstand the same; (2) The exhibition has an educational purpose or otherwise serves to increase public awareness of NARA and its holdings, rights of citizens, actions of Federal officials, or the national experience. (3) Requested by the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative. b. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE verifies that the requesting institution complies with NARA's security, environmental, and other requirements for exhibition of holdings (see ADMIN. 201, app. 13A) and may consult with NAS for security inspections. a. That are too fragile to withstand normal strains of packing, shipping, and exhibition. b. If the item has been recently or extensively exhibited (although items may still be in good condition, NARA is required to limit cumulative lifetime light exposure). c. In consultation with NWT and NAS (as necessary), the NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE ascertains that the requesting institution is unable to comply with NARA's security, environmental, and other loan requirements (see ADMIN. 201, app. 13A). (Individual custodial units may have additional requirements.) d. Unless the borrower has staff trained in the handling and care of holdings and who will be available to monitor the exhibition on a daily basis. e. If the loan would disrupt NARA ongoing operations or conflict with NARA priorities or projects. f. For exhibits that are scheduled for less than one month, unless the exhibit is for a NARA-sponsored event. However, display periods of less than one month for individual documents may still be recommended for conservation reasons. g. To individuals, with the exception of the President, Vice President, former Presidents or Vice Presidents or donors, or their designated representative. h. If the exhibition is not open to the general public; or i. To institutions that engage in practices that violate anti-discrimination laws. j. If the holdings requested are subject to access restrictions mandated by statute or donor. 1701.36 What is the maximum loan period? The maximum loan period is 12 months. Shorter periods are recommended for light sensitive and chemically unstable media, such as hand-colored documents, textiles, certain photographic processes, etc. 1701.37 How are requests for renewals handled? For preservation and accountability reasons, long-term loans are discouraged. NWE, in consultation with NWT and custodial units, or NL or NR custodial unit heads should review loans annually and may renew a loan, depending on the condition of the holdings and at their.discretion. Renewals cannot be approved to allow actual exhibit time to exceed 12 months or shorter periods when recommended for conservation reasons. 1701.38 What are procedures for denying a loan request? NWE, in consultation with NWT and the NW custodial unit head, or the NL or NR custodial unit head, prepares a written denial explaining the reasons for the decision. In the letter, facsimiles may be offered as a substitution, but only if the requester will bear the expense of preparation and shipping. a. The borrower should submit a written request to the NL or NR custodial unit, or to NWE at least 120 days in advance of the anticipated effective date of the loan. An up-to-date AAM Standard Facilities Report (less than five years old) must be submitted or be on file. b. In consultation with NAS and NWT (if necessary), the NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE, determines if the borrower meets NARA's loan requirements (see ADMIN. 201, app. 13A) and whether the loan is appropriate and feasible. c. Before shipping, the borrower must insure the loan under an all-risk, fine arts policy, provide a certificate of insurance based on the fair market value of the loan items, and sign a NARA Outgoing Loan Agreement. The insurance requirement may be waived for Federal and State Government borrowers who are prohibited by law from purchasing insurance on Government property. d. In consultation with NWT (as appropriate), the NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE, and NAS (if the shipment meets the criteria in NARA 1702, par. 1702.6 must approve all shipping arrangements in advance. e. All loan costs are the responsibility of the borrower. a. Return transportation is coordinated with the borrowing institution, in accordance with loan agreement requirements. b. Upon return, it is immediately verified that all loan items have been returned and their condition inspected. c. The NL or NR custodial unit, or NWE representative signs the receipt form and sends a copy to the borrower. d. Loan items are returned to permanent storage. 1701.41 What if holdings are missing or damaged? If packaging is damaged or holdings are missing or damaged, NWE (in consultation with NWT and the custodial unit), or the NL or NR custodial unit, follows the procedures in par. 1701.21. Resolution will be handled on a case-by-case basis. a. For additional guidance, consult office-level internal operating procedures or other standard operating procedures. ADMIN. 201, appendix 13A includes NARA's technical standards (circa 1984) for loan of archival materials (i.e., environmental and security requirements). The National Institute of Standards Organizations is in the process of publishing a new standard for exhibition of archival materials that addresses temperature and humidity, lighting, exhibit length, and construction materials for exhibition cases. b. Also see The New Museum Registration Methods, edited by Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore, American Association of Museums, 1998, A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections, 2nd edition, by Marie Malaro, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998, Art in Transit: Studies in the Transport of Paintings, ed. by Marion F. Mecklenberg, National Gallery of Art, 1991, Museum Security and Protection, ed. by David Liston, ICOM and the International Committee on Museum Security, 1993, and The Museum Environment, by Gary Thomson, Butterworth-Heinmann, second edition, 1986.

National Archives Directive 1701 September 1, 1999 Loans of Holdings in NARA's Physical and Legal Custody - Purpose of this directive - Authority for this directive - Definition of terms as used in this directive - Holdings that are not covered by this directive - What procedures must be followed before transporting holdings from a NARA facility? - When is a loan considered overdue? - What action

The Arctic Sketches of Russell W. Porter By Mary C. Ryan |"Eskimo Girl" A watercolor by Russell Williams Porter, done at Umanak, Greenland, 1896. (NARA, Papers of Russell W. Porter, 1893-1949 [XRWP])| One of the most exciting aspects of historical research is coming face to face with tangible evidence of past lives. Though sitting in a research room, one is transported to a different time and place, sharing the excitement, hardships, and hopes of journeys long past. Such an experience occurs in the study of the papers of Russell Williams Porter (1871-1949), one of several turn-of-the-century explorers who ventured into the alien regions above the Arctic Circle in a quest to reach the North Pole. Porter made the trip six times between 1894 and 1903 and left an impressive collection of paintings, drawings, notebooks, journals, and correspondence. One can appreciate Porter's sketches and paintings on many levels: as skillful and beautiful representations of the peoples and lands of the North; as documentation of episodes from the journeys; and, when one realizes that many of the sketches were drawn in subzero temperatures, as testament to the stamina of the expedition members. The Papers of Russell Williams Porter, 1893-1949, are found among the National Archives Collection of Donated Materials. From 1968 to 1982, collections of federal records and private papers relating to U.S. activity in the polar regions were grouped in the Center for Polar Archives in the National Archives. Today the donated materials are preserved in the Archives II Textual Reference Branch in College Park, Maryland. Approximately 140 collections document Arctic and Antarctic explorations from the late nineteenth century through the 1960s. They contain correspondence, notebooks, diaries, scientific reports, photographs, newspaper clippings and other printed material, charts and maps, sound recordings, films, drawings, paintings, and artifacts. |Over the course of six Arctic expeditions, Russell Porter sketched his fellow explorers and recorded daily life in camp. (NARA, Papers of Russell W. Porter, 1893-1949 [XRWP])| Russell Porter's papers were donated to the National Archives and Records Service in 1974 by his daughter, Caroline Porter Kier. This portfolio features only a few of the sketches and watercolors in the collection. In addition to the many artworks, the Porter Papers contain diaries, correspondence, notebooks, photographs, and memorabilia. There is also a manuscript and typescript, with ninety-four pencil drawings, of his memoir, "Arctic Fever," which was published in 1976 under the title The Arctic Diary of Russell Williams Porter. The title Porter gave his memoir aptly describes how intensely he felt the lure of the North. In his introduction he reflected, "there are plenty of fellows, perhaps to their sorrow, who well know the insidious disease, who enter the great white spaces year after year, only to return to civilization beaten and discouraged. . . . The call, in my own case, came suddenly, kept on calling for twelve years, and then as suddenly ceased. . . . My arctic goddess has given me many thrills, many heartbreaks, many crushing defeats, few favors."(1) |The America, October 25, 1901. (NARA, Papers of Russell W. Porter, 1893-1949 [XRWP])| The sudden call came to him one evening in the fall of 1892. While an architecture student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Porter attended a lecture by famed Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary and was captivated: "I could see nothing but the pictures Peary threw upon the screen."(2) He immediately contacted Peary, but the explorer turned him down after receiving a letter from Mrs. Porter imploring him not to take her son to the Arctic. Porter soon got a second chance, though, in 1894. That summer he joined an excursion led by Frederick Cook to Greenland and crossed the Arctic Circle for the first time. Although the trip was cut short when the steamer Miranda had to be abandoned, Porter knew he would be back: "Those fugitive glimpses of the shimmering ice cap far back in the interior of that continental island, that week with the natives when the door to the North was barely opened before it was closed, the haunting melodies of the Eskimos accompanied by scuffing feet over a sand floor, the nights without darkness all served only to raise the fever to a higher pitch and a stronger determination to go farther and to see more."(3) |Articles published in Prologue do not necessarily represent the views of NARA or of any other agency of the United States Government.|

The Arctic Sketches of Russell W. Porter By Mary C. Ryan |"Eskimo Girl" A watercolor by Russell Williams Porter, done at Umanak, Greenland, 1896. (NARA, Papers of Russell W. Porter, 1893-1949 [XRWP])| One of the most exciting aspects of historical research is coming face to face with tangible evidence of past lives. Though sitting in a research room, one is transported to a different time and plac

As encouraged by animal agriculture stakeholders, a National Stakeholder Workshop sponsored by CSREES and ARS was held to show progress toward implementation of the six Food Animal Integrated Research (FAIR) 2002 goals and corresponding objectives developed in 1999 by the Animal Agriculture Coalition and the Federation of Animal Science Societies. The workshop provided the opportunity for National Program Leaders/Directors to meet with stakeholders, customers, and partners to assess progress by the two agencies and provide a forum for making recommendations to USDA to enhance implementation. Stakeholder input is critical to ensure that the research and education portfolio remains relevant and addresses changing needs of animal agriculture. Background: "FAIR 2002 is the outcome of the second national conclave to establish consensus on animal agriculture research and education priorities for the 21st century. More than 250 leading animal scientists, farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, animal welfare proponents, commodity group representatives, government staff, rural advocates, and agribusiness and food service representatives gathered to determine the most pressing research and education needs of the animal industry. The science behind animal agriculture affects America’s international trade balance, our environment, our neighbors, local economies, and us as individuals. Competitive farmers and ranchers with the right knowledge and tools can ensure that livestock, dairy, and poultry enterprises thrive; consumers get safe and nutritious food; and wildlife benefit from improved animal health and enhanced environmental stewardship. Food animals fare better in the care of knowledgeable producers and processors, and communities reap financial rewards from food-processing industries. Gains such as these require public investments in research and education that, in turn, fuel the creation of industries and export profits that sustain communities and rural economies across the country. Keeping that edge will require a clear vision for the future and a strategic plan for research investments to attain the next generation of innovations." Food Animal Integrated Research for 2002 (FAIR 2002) Goals Strengthen Global Competitiveness: Develop the systems needed to keep American animal agriculture competitive to the global market. Enhance Human Nutrition: Improve animal food products to help people live better, longer. Protect Animal Health: Develop strategies and technologies to prevent, diagnose and treat animal diseases. Improve Food Safety: Safeguard public health and reduce the risk of food-borne diseases. Ensure Environmental Quality: Devise animal production and processing systems that sustain or improve the environment. Promote Animal Well-Being: Enhance animal well-being throughout the food-production cycle.

As encouraged by animal agriculture stakeholders, a National Stakeholder Workshop sponsored by CSREES and ARS was held to show progress toward implementation of the six Food Animal Integrated Research (FAIR) 2002 goals and corresponding objectives developed in 1999 by the Animal Agriculture Coalition and the Federation of Animal Science Societies. The workshop provided the opportunity for National

Development Assessment Panel Meetings What is a Development Assessment Panel? A Development Assessment Panel (DAP) is an independent decision-making body made up of technical experts and elected local government representatives. The role of a DAP is to determine certain development applications in place of the local authority. DAPs are a State Government initiative and are mandatory in Western Australia. DAPs are only decision-making bodies. Cambridge is still responsible for the assessment of the application and undertaking any community consultation required. What applications are decided at DAP meeting? Development applications where the estimated cost of the development is equal to or more than $7 million will be referred to a DAP meeting. There is also the opportunity to choose to have a development application referred to a DAP meeting where the estimated cost of the development is between $3 million and $7 million. Note: applications for a single house or fewer than ten grouped or multiple dwellings are excluded from being referred to a DAP meeting. Metro West Joint Development Assessment Panel Cambridge belongs to the Metro West Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) together with Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove, Subiaco and Vincent. Members on the Metro West JDAP are: Presiding Member, Ms Megan Bartle Deputy Presiding Member, Mr Clayton Higham Third Specialist, Mr Malcolm MacKay Cambridge Council Elected Members DAP Local Member, Mayor Simon Withers DAP Local Member, Cr Corinne MacRae Alternate Local Member, Cr Rod Bradley Alternate Local Member, Cr Otto Pelczar DAP meetings are open to the public, so any interested person can attend. People invited to give a presentation may address the DAP during the meeting. These include the applicant and anyone who may have made a submission on the application during public advertising. A request in writing is required to the DAP Secretariat at least 72 hours before the DAP meeting for anyone wishing to present at the meeting. Requests, made with the below form, are to be emailed to the DAP Secretariat email@example.com. DAP Presentation Request Form Further information on DAPs If you would like more information visit the Department of Planning's DAP's website. The website provides a 'one-stop-shop' to help applicants and the community understand the DAP process and provides information on meetings, application fees and forms and relevant DAP documents. Town of Cambridge DAP Applications See a list of current and past JDAP applications. To view current applications for JDAP consideration visit Metro West JDAP - Current Applications To view past applications considered by JDAP visit Metro West JDAP - Agenda/Minutes Archive Last Updated: 11/03/2013

Development Assessment Panel Meetings What is a Development Assessment Panel? A Development Assessment Panel (DAP) is an independent decision-making body made up of technical experts and elected local government representatives. The role of a DAP is to determine certain development applications in place of the local authority. DAPs are a State Government initiative and are mandatory in Western Aus

See the 2010 TREATMENT GUIDELINES for the most recent treatment information. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 2.7 million persons are chronically infected (204). Although HCV is not efficiently transmitted sexually, persons at risk for infection through injection-drug use might seek care in STD treatment facilities, HIV counseling and testing facilities, correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, and other public health settings where STD and HIV prevention and control services are available. Persons newly infected with HCV typically are either asymptomatic or have a mild clinical illness. HCV RNA can be detected in blood within 1–3 weeks after exposure. The average time from exposure to antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) seroconversion is 8–9 weeks, and anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure. Chronic HCV infection develops in 60%–85% of HCV-infected persons; 60%–70% of chronically infected persons have evidence of active liver disease. The majority of infected persons might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. However, infected persons serve as a source of transmission to others and are at risk for CLD or other HCV-related chronic diseases for decades after infection. HCV is most efficiently transmitted through large or repeated percutaneous exposure to infected blood (e.g., through transfusion of blood from unscreened donors or through use of injecting drugs), although less efficient, occupational, perinatal, and sexual exposures also can result in transmission of HCV. The role of sexual activity in the transmission of HCV has been controversial. Case-control studies have reported an association between acquiring HCV infection and exposure to a sex contact with HCV infection or exposure to multiple sex partners. Surveillance data also indicate that 15%–20% of persons reported with acute HCV infection have a history of sexual exposure in the absence of other risk factors (204,208). Case reports of acute HCV infection among HIV-positive MSM who deny injecting-drug use have indicated that this occurrence is frequently associated with other STDs (e.g., syphilis) (209,210). In contrast, a low prevalence (average: 1.5%) of HCV infection has been demonstrated in studies of long-term spouses of patients with chronic HCV infection who had no other risk factors for infection, and multiple published studies have demonstrated the prevalence of HCV infection among MSM who have not reported a history of injecting-drug use to be no higher than that of heterosexuals (211–213). Because sexual transmission of bloodborne viruses is more efficient among homosexual men compared with heterosexual men and women, the reason that HCV infection rates are not substantially higher among MSM compared with heterosexuals is unclear. Overall, these findings indicate that sexual transmission of HCV is possible but inefficient. Additional data are needed to determine whether sexual transmission of HCV might be increased in the context of HIV infection or other STDs. Anti-HCV testing is recommended for routine screening of asymptomatic persons based on their risk for infection or based on a recognized exposure (see Hepatitis C, Prevention). For such persons, testing for HCV infection should include the use of an FDA-cleared test for antibody to HCV (i.e., immunoassay, EIA, or enhanced chemiluminescence assay and, if recommended, a supplemental antibody test) (214). Persons counseled and tested for HCV infection and determined to be anti-HCV positive should be evaluated (by referral or consultation, if appropriate) for presence of active infection, presence or development of CLD, and for possible treatment. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to detect HCV RNA may be used to confirm the diagnosis of current HCV infection, and an elevated alanine aminotrans-ferase (ALT) level is biochemical evidence of CLD. Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Because of advances in the field of antiviral therapy for acute and chronic hepatitis C, clinicians should consult with specialists knowledgeable about management of hepatitis C infection. No vaccine for hepatitis C is available, and prophylaxis with immune globulin is not effective in preventing HCV infection after exposure. Reducing the burden of HCV infection and disease in the United States requires implementation of both primary and secondary prevention activities (208). Primary prevention reduces or eliminates HCV transmission; secondary prevention activities reduce liver and other chronic diseases in HCV-infected persons by identifying them and providing appropriate medical management and antiviral therapy, if appropriate. Persons seeking care in STD clinics or other primary-care settings should be screened to identify those who should be offered HCV counseling and testing. In STD clinics and other settings that serve large numbers of persons at high risk for bloodborne infections (e.g., correctional settings), the major risk factor for which to screen for HCV infection is injection of illegal drugs. In addition, for clinical management issues, all persons with HIV infection should also be offered HCV counseling and testing. Other risk factors for which routine HCV testing is recommended include persons - who had a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July 1992, - who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987, - who have been on long-term dialysis, and - those with signs and symptoms of liver disease (e.g., abnormal ALT). Persons who test positive for anti-HCV (see Diagnosis and Treatment) should be provided information regarding 1) how to protect their liver from further harm, 2) how to prevent transmission to others, and 3) the need for medical evaluation for CLD and possible treatment. - To protect their liver from further harm, HCV-positive persons should be advised to avoid alcohol and taking any new medicines (including OTC and herbals) without checking with their doctor. - To reduce the risk for transmission to others, HCV-positive persons should be advised to 1) not donate blood, body organs, other tissue, or semen; 2) not share any personal items that might have blood on them (e.g., toothbrushes and razors); and 3) cover cuts and sores on the skin to keep from spreading infectious blood or secretions. HCV-positive persons with one long-term, steady sex partner do not need to change their sexual practices. They should discuss the low but present risk for transmission with their partner and discuss the need for counseling and testing. HCV-positive women do not need to avoid pregnancy or breastfeeding. - HCV-positive persons should be evaluated (by referral or consultation, if appropriate) for presence of development of CLD, including assessment of liver function tests, assessment for severity of liver disease and possible treatment, and determination of the need for hepatitis A and B vaccination. Persons who test negative for anti-HCV who had an exposure previously should be reassured that they are not infected. Regardless of test results, persons who use or inject illegal drugs should be counseled to - stop using and injecting drugs; - enter and complete substance abuse treatment, including relapse prevention; - take the following steps to reduce personal and public health risks, if they continue to inject drugs: - never reuse or share syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment; - use only syringes obtained from a reliable source (e.g., pharmacies); - use a new, sterile syringe to prepare and inject drugs; - if possible, use sterile water to prepare drugs; otherwise, use clean water from a reliable source (e.g., fresh tap water); - use a new or disinfected container (“cooker”) and a new filter (“cotton”) to prepare drugs; - clean the injection site before injection with a new alcohol swab; - safely dispose of syringes after one use; and - get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. No PEP has been demonstrated to be effective against HCV. Testing to determine whether HCV infection has developed is recommended for health-care workers after percutaneous or permucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood and for children born to HCV-positive women. Routine testing for HCV infection is not recommended for all pregnant women. Pregnant women with a known risk factor for HCV infection should be offered counseling and testing. Patients should be advised that approximately five of every 100 infants born to HCV-infected woman become infected. This infection occurs predominantly during or near delivery, and no treatment or delivery method is known to decrease this risk. The risk is increased by the presence of maternal HCV viremia at delivery and also is greater (2–3 times) if the woman is coinfected with HIV. Breastfeeding does not appear to transmit HCV, although HCV-positive mothers should consider abstaining from breastfeeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding. Infants born to HCV-positive mothers should be tested for HCV infection and, if positive, evaluated for the presence of CLD. Because of the high prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection and because of critical clinical management issues for coinfected persons, all HIV-infected persons should be tested for HCV. Because a small percentage of coinfected persons fail to acquire HCV antibodies, HCV RNA should be tested in HIV-positive persons with unexplained liver disease who are anti-HCV negative. The course of liver disease is more rapid in HIV/HCV coinfected persons, and the risk for cirrhosis is nearly that in persons with HCV infection alone. Treatment of HCV in coinfected persons might improve tolerance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection because of the increased risk for hepatotoxicity from HAART with HCV infection. However, anti-HCV treatment in coinfected persons is still investigational, and based on ongoing clinical trials, more data are needed to determine the best regimens.

See the 2010 TREATMENT GUIDELINES for the most recent treatment information. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 2.7 million persons are chronically infected (204). Although HCV is not efficiently transmitted sexually, persons at risk for infection through injection-drug use might seek care in STD treatment facilitie

Cheshire East Libraries are holding a wide range of events to celebrate adult learning. You could try a new craft, brush up your IT skills or learn a few words of French or Italian. You can watch demonstrations, listen to talks, take a local history tour, enjoy an Indian head massage and more... Visit the libraries' pages to find out what's on near you. Cans Legal Information explains English, Welsh & Scottish legislation. Access Cans for accurate and up-to-date legal information on British and European law. Cans provides a summary of social legislation and can help you to know your rights, deal with money worries, find out about benefit entitlements, answer questions about discrimination or disability, and understand employment rights or social housing law. Relevant and updated daily, this is a complete legal resource for anyone with a question about the rights and responsibilities associated with living, working or engaging in life in Britain. We are looking for volunteers to help children to complete the 2013 summer reading challenge, Creepy House. You need to be over 16 and able to spare 25 hours over the summer. Visit our Volunteering page for further details of the role and how to apply. Deadline for applications is 31st May 2013. Joining the library opens up a vast world of knowledge, entertainment, culture and information. Once you become a member you may borrow up to 20 items! It's free to join - just pop into your local library (all you need is one form of ID with your name and address) or join online. You don't need to live in Cheshire to join, but you must have a UK address. You'll also have access to a range of online services and resources in both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester libraries. When you use Your Library Online you can...

Cheshire East Libraries are holding a wide range of events to celebrate adult learning. You could try a new craft, brush up your IT skills or learn a few words of French or Italian. You can watch demonstrations, listen to talks, take a local history tour, enjoy an Indian head massage and more... Visit the libraries' pages to find out what's on near you. Cans Legal Information explains English, Wel

Posted on October 04, 2012 12:59 PM The State of Illinois participates in the truck PrePass program, which allows transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to bypass weigh stations, port-of-entry facilities, and agricultural interdiction facilities. The PrePass program pre-screens commercial vehicle credentials and drivers’ safety records. Pre-screened commercial vehicles are then allowed to bypass facilities through the use of an automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system. The commercial vehicles credentials are regularly verified with state and federal agencies to ensure commercial vehicles abide the bypass criteria established by the member states and adhere to safety standards. The PrePass program offers participants, both commercial vehicle drivers and member states, many benefits. Commercial vehicles bypassing facilities save drivers’ time, fuel, and operating costs. It also reduces congestion around facilities and allows law enforcement officials to focus on noncompliant commercial vehicles. The PrePass program also has the potential to make areas around facilities safer for drivers through fewer vehicle weaving movements and merging points. Commercial carriers that participate in the program pay system deployment and maintenance costs through monthly fees. The program is provided at no cost to the state and without a long-term commitment. The State of Illinois currently operates six weigh and motion (WIM) stations in the CMAP region. The WIM stations are located in the southern part of the region on I-55, I-80, and I-57. It is estimated that the PrePass program has saved 516,250 driving hours, 2.4 million gallons of fuel, and reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 5,472 metric tons since the programs deployment.

Posted on October 04, 2012 12:59 PM The State of Illinois participates in the truck PrePass program, which allows transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to bypass weigh stations, port-of-entry facilities, and agricultural interdiction facilities. The PrePass program pre-screens commercial vehicle credentials and drivers’ safety records. Pre-screened commercial vehicles are then allowed to bypass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, July 1, 2009 CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Commerce Secretary Locke Highlights Recovery Act Initiative to Bring Broadband, Jobs to Urban and Rural America Visit Follows Vice President Biden’s Announcement of $4 Billion in Recovery Act Loans and Grants to Increase Broadband Access and Adoption Commerce Secretary Gary Locke addressed the importance of increasing broadband service and adoption—especially in U.S. urban areas—to stimulate job creation and economic growth today at the Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Locke’s visit followed Vice President Biden’s announcement earlier today of the availability of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to unserved and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure. Locke was joined today by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher. “Too many communities across America are stuck with a 20th Century information infrastructure that leaves them ill-equipped to compete in a global, 21st Century economy,” Locke said. “This initiative will reach the last frontiers of America’s information landscape, and the investments we make in places like Cleveland – will spur innovation and pave the way for private capital to follow.” Earlier today, Locke joined Vice President Biden, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and FCC Chair Julius Genakowski at a high school in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, the first stop on the administration’s National Rural Tour. The Recovery Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to accelerate broadband deployment in areas of the country that have been without the high-speed infrastructure. Of that funding, NTIA will use $4.7 billion to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas in the United States, expand public computer center capacity and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. RUS will invest $2.5 billion to facilitate broadband deployment in rural communities. “Expanding broadband access to underserved communities is an issue of equality and fairness,” Locke added. “Having access to the Internet’s economic, health and educational benefits should be as much of a fundamental American right as attending a quality school or feeling safe when you walk down the street.” NTIA and RUS will be accepting applications for loans, grants and loan/grant combinations to be awarded under a single application form. This collaborative approach will ensure that the agencies' activities are complementary and integrated, make the best use of taxpayer funds and make it easier for applicants to apply for funding. This is the first of three rounds of funding the Agriculture and Commerce Departments will provide. Vice President Biden also announced today that Commerce and USDA officials will host public workshops in July to share information about the funding availabilities and the application process. Forums will be held in Boston, Mass.; Charleston, W.Va.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Lonoke, Ark.; Birmingham, Ala.; Billings, Mont.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Los Angeles, Calif. The complete details of this Notice of Funding Availability are available at http://www.broadbandusa.gov. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief and protect those in greatest need.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, July 1, 2009 CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Commerce Secretary Locke Highlights Recovery Act Initiative to Bring Broadband, Jobs to Urban and Rural America Visit Follows Vice President Biden’s Announcement of $4 Billion in Recovery Act Loans and Grants to Increase Broadband Access and Adoption Commerce Secretary Gary Locke addressed the importance of increasing b

Model Local Recycling Laws Local Solid Waste Management Planning NYS Recycling Mandate Municipalities in New York State are required to enact local recycling laws under General Municipal Law § 120-aa ("GML § 120-aa"). All municipalities in the state adopt a local law or ordinance, by no later than September 1, 1992, requiring that solid waste be separated into recyclable, reusable or other components. New York State Source Separation/Recycling Law (GML 120-aa) Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reusable materials. 1. The legislature hereby finds that it is in the public interest, in order to further the purposes of the state policy on solid waste management articulated in section 27-0106 of the environmental conservation law, for a municipality to adopt a local law or ordinance to require the source separation and segregation of recyclable or reusable materials from solid waste. 2. a. Pursuant to the authority of this section, no later than September first, nineteen hundred ninety-two, a municipality shall adopt such a local law or ordinance to require that solid waste which has been left for collection or which is delivered by the generator of such waste to a solid waste management facility, shall be separated into recyclable, reusable or other components for which economic markets for alternate uses exist. For purposes of this section, the term "economic markets" refers to instances in which the full avoided costs of proper collection, transportation and disposal of source separated materials are equal to or greater than the cost of collection, transportation and sale of said material less the amount received from the sale of said material. b. For purposes of this section, "components" shall include paper, glass, metals, plastics, garden and yard waste, and may include other elements of solid waste. c. Prior to exercising the authority of this section to enact such a local law or ordinance, the municipality shall hold a public hearing relating to its proposed provisions and shall give due consideration to existing source separation, recycling and other resource recovery activities in the area, to the adequacy of markets for separated materials, and to any additional effort and expense to be incurred by residents in meeting the proposed separation requirements. The authority provided in this section shall be in addition to and without limitation upon the authority vested in municipalities under any other statute. d. In fulfillment of the provisions of this section a municipality may use public lands or buildings or private lands or buildings, open to the public, upon written consent of the owner, as a recycling center or depot for the storage of recyclable materials. The office of general services and any other agency, authority or commission holding title to lands or buildings in the name of the people of the state shall fully cooperate with any person acting under the authority of this section to establish a recycling program, provided that such use is not inconsistent with the principle purpose of such lands or buildings, subject to local zoning restrictions. Model Local Laws and Ordinances Every municipality in the State is required to have a solid waste law that requires recycling. A municipality can either enact it's own law or participate in another municipality's law, such as a Town subject to a law passed at the County level. Below are a number of links to local laws enacted by municipalities around the State who have active recycling and solid waste management systems. Broome County (PDF) (145 kB) Franklin County (PDF) (1.2 mB) Town of Islip, Suffolk County (PDF) (871 kB) Monroe County (PDF) (550 kB) New York City (PDF) (1.9 mB) Oneida and Herkimer Counties (PDF) (942 kB) Onondaga County (PDF) (297 kB) Oswego County (PDF) (154 kB) Westchester County (PDF) (1.1 mB)

Model Local Recycling Laws Local Solid Waste Management Planning NYS Recycling Mandate Municipalities in New York State are required to enact local recycling laws under General Municipal Law § 120-aa ("GML § 120-aa"). All municipalities in the state adopt a local law or ordinance, by no later than September 1, 1992, requiring that solid waste be separated into recyclable, reusable or other compone

The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Army conducted the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile Seeker Characterization Flight (SCF) test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., today at 6:55 a.m. Preliminary test data indicate the test was successful. Objectives included the collection of data and analyses of the system/missile capability to detect, track, and close with the target, the PAC-3 missile seeker data in a flight environment, and the missile closed-loop homing guidance performance in flight. While not a specific objective of the SCF, the PAC-3 missile intercepted the HERA reentry vehicle target. The PAC-3 missile is a high velocity, hit-to-kill missile and is the next-generation PATRIOT missile being developed to provide increased defense capability against advanced theater ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hostile aircraft. The first two PAC-3 missions consisted of missiles with special instrumentation packages in place of the seeker and the missions were structured to verify critical systems and missile performance prior to conducting target intercept flight tests. This SCF mission is the first flight test of a PAC-3 missile with a seeker. The remaining PAC-3 missions will consist of 16 PAC-3 missiles intercepting different classes of targets. Lockheed Martin Vought Systems, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor responsible for missile development. The seeker is produced by Boeing North America, Duluth, Ga.

The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Army conducted the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile Seeker Characterization Flight (SCF) test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., today at 6:55 a.m. Preliminary test data indicate the test was successful. Objectives included the collection of data and analyses of the system/missile capability to detect, track, and close with the

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail - Site Contact: Park Manager, (540) 984-3030, firstname.lastname@example.org - Site Access: Daily, sunrise-sunset; admission free - Visit Website Site MFR12: Shenandoah County Park Elevation: 780 ft. Shenandoah County Park consists of 65.5 acres of mixed woods and fields hosting numerous woodland birds. Search for indigo bunting, American robin, chipping sparrow and fish crow along the edges of the wooded areas. Once inside the forest, listen for the familiar sounds of Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blue jay, northern cardinal, and eastern towhee. Careful inspection of the mixed deciduous forest should yield several less obvious finds such as white bird's nest fungus, minute cones filled with small white spores resembling eggs in a bird's nest. The neighboring fields host eastern tiger swallowtails and red-banded hairstreaks. Common whitetail dragonflies should also be spotted cruising past. From Elizabeth Furnace, return to Rt. 678 and continue north 4.0 miles to SR 55. Turn left on SR 55 and follow it for 5.2 miles to US 11 South. Continue on US 11 South for 6.7 miles to Shenandoah County Park on the left. To return to the interstate, return to US 11 North. Turn right onto US 11 and follow it to Rt. 651 and I-81. Follow I-81 South to Exit #269 to begin the Daughter of the Stars Loop or to Exit #264 to begin the Lost Shoe Loop.

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail - Site Contact: Park Manager, (540) 984-3030, firstname.lastname@example.org - Site Access: Daily, sunrise-sunset; admission free - Visit Website Site MFR12: Shenandoah County Park Elevation: 780 ft. Shenandoah County Park consists of 65.5 acres of mixed woods and fields hosting numerous woodland birds. Search for indigo bunting, American robin, chipping sparrow

The International Cooperative Programs Office (ICPO) in the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) advances the vital mission of securing the nation through international collaborative research partnerships. The ICPO provides the strategic framework to establish, facilitate, and implement effective international partnerships that support homeland security research, development, testing, and evaluation. The Office catalyzes the S&T’s connectivity among the international science and technology community, DHS operational components, and the homeland security research enterprise. The ICPO works to match U.S. entities engaged in homeland security research with foreign counterparts so that they may partner in cooperative research activities. Specifically: - Coordinating with partner nations, the Department, and other federal agencies to identify viable areas for cooperation and partnering opportunities. - Engaging international partners to participate in the Department Centers of Excellence program and encouraging U.S. institutions to partner with academic institutions abroad. - Conducting an international research grant program that requires recipients to include at least one U.S. and one foreign entity. - Developing strategic priorities with the Department’s Office of International Affairs and other federal agencies in support of the homeland security mission. The International Cooperative Programs Office is headed by the ICPO Director. The Director keeps the Under Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary, Chief of Staff, Directors of Homeland Security Enterprise and First Responders, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, Acquisition Support and Operations Analysis, Research and Development Partnerships, and division heads informed of significant international developments and opportunities for leverage and coordination. The International Cooperative Programs Office was established in accordance with Title 6 U.S. Code Section 195c (“Promoting antiterrorism through international cooperation program”). The ICPO facilitates the planning, development, and implementation of international cooperative activity to address the strategic priorities the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to or with foreign public or private entities, governmental organizations, businesses, federally funded research and development centers, and universities. The DHS S&T Directorate is soliciting applications for international research projects aligned with the mission and requirements of the directorate. These projects should be designed to augment and complement, through international research and collaboration, the depth and breadth of homeland security science and technology research. Specifically, the S&T Directorate seeks proposals that will contribute to homeland security science and technology, including but not limited to: - Evaluation of novel tools or approaches to confronting homeland security challenges. - Basic research to provide data, understandings, or models that support S&T efforts or policy decisions. - S&T and operations research evaluations to support revolutionary improvements in the Department’s mission and its component agencies’ operations. Information on grant opportunities is posted to www.grants.gov. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate Building 410, Mail Stop #0209 245 Murray Drive Washington, D.C. 20528

The International Cooperative Programs Office (ICPO) in the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) advances the vital mission of securing the nation through international collaborative research partnerships. The ICPO provides the strategic framework to establish, facilitate, and implement effective international partnerships that support homeland security research, development, testing, and

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is a system for classifying all occupations in the economy including private, public, and military occupations. SOC is the foundation of the O-NET system and is used by all federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The SOC coding structure classifies all occupations into 23 major groups. Within these major groups are 97 minor groups, 461 broad occupations, and 840 detailed occupations. The SOC system replaces all occupational classification systems previously used by federal statistical agencies. In order to view these publications, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available at no charge from the Adobe

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is a system for classifying all occupations in the economy including private, public, and military occupations. SOC is the foundation of the O-NET system and is used by all federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The SOC coding structure cla

| For Immediate Release Contact: Charles Pyle Director of Communications Virginia Educators Honored for Technology Leadership The Virginia Department of Education honored eight outstanding educators with the Education Technology Leadership Award for their advocacy and use of educational technology in the commonwealth’s public schools. The awards were presented during the department’s Educational Technology Leadership Conference held December 5-7 in Roanoke. “These individuals have demonstrated a shared vision and leadership in helping local school divisions to effectively use technology to support teaching, learning, and school administration and management,” said Assistant Superintendent for Technology Lan Neugent. The Education Technology Leadership Award, presented annually, acknowledges outstanding school division leadership in education technology planning and implementation. Division superintendents in each of the department’s eight study regions select individuals for the award. Recipients are chosen because of their success in helping school divisions improve teaching and learning through the use of instructional media and technology. The 2005 winners are: - Jerry Canada, school board for Roanoke County public schools, Region Six - Danny Dixon, technology director for Scott County public schools, Region Seven - Thomas DeWeerd, director of secondary education for Goochland County public schools, Region One - Mitzi Fehl, technology integration specialist for Poquoson public schools, Region Two - Dan Hopper, technology coordinator for King George County public schools, Region Three - Maribeth Luftglass, assistant superintendent and chief information officer for Fairfax County public schools, Region Four - Harley Miles, supervisor for assessment and technical services for Charlottesville City public schools, Region Five - Bobby Waddell, director of technology and assessment for Prince Edward County public schools, Region Eight Scott County’s Dixon was also recognized as the state award winner. In addition, the Virginia Educational Technology Advisory Committee (VETAC), which advises the Virginia Board of Education on educational technology, presented its 2005 VETAC Leadership Award to Zahrl Schoeny, an associate professor of administrative technologies at the University of Virginia.

| For Immediate Release Contact: Charles Pyle Director of Communications Virginia Educators Honored for Technology Leadership The Virginia Department of Education honored eight outstanding educators with the Education Technology Leadership Award for their advocacy and use of educational technology in the commonwealth’s public schools. The awards were presented during the department’s Educational T

Look up appraiser(s) (by name, county, or accreditation Appraisers - check your accreditation status Statute requires that any person who values real property for taxation purposes, including those who act as assistants or deputies to a county assessor, be accredited with the Department of Revenue. An appraiser gains accreditation by meeting all of the following requirements: - Has at least one year of experience in transactions involving real property, in appraisal of real property, or in assessment of real property, or at least one year of experience in the combination of the three. - Has knowledge in repair and remodeling of buildings and improvement of land, and in the significance of locality and area to the value of real property. - Knows the standards for appraising property set forth by the Department of Revenue. - Meets other minimum requirements specified by the Department of Revenue. Once an appraiser gains accreditation, they must renew it by application every two years. The renewal must include 15 hours of continuing education (three of these hours may include courses that would be considered "of interest" to the assessor's Courses that are attended by the appraisers must first be approved by the Department, and must be related to real property appraising.

Look up appraiser(s) (by name, county, or accreditation Appraisers - check your accreditation status Statute requires that any person who values real property for taxation purposes, including those who act as assistants or deputies to a county assessor, be accredited with the Department of Revenue. An appraiser gains accreditation by meeting all of the following requirements: - Has at least one ye

- Local Assistance Home - DLA Sitemap - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise - Inactive Projects - Local Assistance Contacts - Other Links - PE Phase > 10 Years - Program Information - Project Delivery Report - Recovery Act - Reports and Databases - Training Programs - Update Notification Safe Routes to School Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program Guidelines The SR2S Program Guidelines and Application Form for Cycle 10 are available from the links below. Applications are due on Friday, March 30, 2012 and should be submitted to the attention of your Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineer. Applications received or postmarked after March 30 will not be accepted. The SR2S application has been designed to allow for the export of information to a database. It must be completed on a computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0 or later. You may download Adobe Reader X for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. - SR2S Guidelines [pdf] - SR2S Application Form [pdf] - Detailed Engineers Estimate [xls] - Non-Infrastructure Activity Worksheet [doc] - SR2S Application Rubrics [pdf] If you have any questions concerning the SR2S Program Guidelines or Application Form, please call or email your District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE). This page last updated on December 20, 2011.

- Local Assistance Home - DLA Sitemap - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise - Inactive Projects - Local Assistance Contacts - Other Links - PE Phase > 10 Years - Program Information - Project Delivery Report - Recovery Act - Reports and Databases - Training Programs - Update Notification Safe Routes to School Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program Guidelines The SR2S Program Guidelines and Application

Distribution of marine species Published (reviewed and quality assured) Justification for indicator selection Changes in the distribution of organisms are one of the key indicators of marine climate change impacts. Distribution maps from the North-east Atlantic are used as one part of this indicator to demonstrate large-scale changes at the decadal scale. The second part of this indicator describes the ratio between a warm-water species (Calanus helgolandicus) and a cold-water species (Calanus finmarchicus) in the North Sea on an annual basis. In the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the introduction of warm and tropical alien species from the Red Sea has been exacerbated by observed warming, leading to a 150 % increase in the annual mean rate of species entry after 1998. Changes in marine plankton can trigger further effects on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. For example, increases in the surface temperature of the North Sea in recent decades have triggered establishment of warm-water swimming crabs, which in turn allowed establishment of colonies of lesser black-backed gulls in Belgium and northern France, with expected follow-on impacts on terrestrial ecosystems through their fertilisation of terrestrial soils. - IPCC, 2007. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007; M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson (eds); Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. - Calanus ratio in the North Sea - Annual mean number of Calanus per sample - Ratio [dimensionless] - Number of Calanus [dimensionless] Policy context and targets In April 2009 the European Commission presented a White Paper on the framework for adaptation policies and measures to reduce the European Union's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The White Paper stresses the need to improve the knowledge base and to mainstream adaptation into existing and new EU policies. The European Commission will be publishing an EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013. A number of Member States have already taken action, and several have prepared national adaptation plans. The European Commission and the European Environment Agency have developed the European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT, http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/) to share knowledge on observed and projected climate change and its impacts on environmental and social systems and on human health; on relevant research; on EU, national and subnational adaptation strategies and plans; and on adaptation case studies. No targets have been specified. Related policy documents Climate-ADAPT: Mainstreaming adaptation in EU sector policies Overview of EU sector policies in which mainstreaming of adaptation to climate change is ongoing or explored Climate-ADAPT: National adaptation strategies Overview of activities of EEA member countries in preparing, developing and implementing adaptation strategies DG Climate Action: What is the EU doing about climate change? Activities of the EU regarding climate change (both mitigation and adaptation) White paper - Adapting to climate change: towards a European framework for action EU framework for adaptation to climate change, leading to a comprehensive EU adaptation strategy by 2013 Key policy question How is climate change affecting the regional distribution of marine organisms in European seas? Methodology for indicator calculation Data from the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) on Calanus abundance in the central North Sea 1958–2009 is used for the indicator. The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey is the longest running, large-scale marine biological survey in the world. The CPR is a near-surface (10 m) plankton sampler voluntarily towed each month behind merchant ships on their normal routes of passage. Methods of analysis for, 400 phyto and zooplankton taxa have remained almost unchanged since 1958. Methodology for gap filling - Warner and Hays (1994): Sampling by the continuous plankton recorder survey Progress in Oceanography , Volume 34, Issues 2–3 , 1994, Pages 237–256 EEA data references - No datasets have been specified here. External data references Data sources in latest figures Data sets uncertainty In general, changes related to the physical and chemical marine environment are better documented than biological changes because links between cause and effect are better understood and often time series of observations are longer. The longest available records of plankton are from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) are some 60 years long. It is a sampler that is towed behind many different merchant vessels, along fixed shipping routes. Sampling was started in the North Sea in the 1950s and today a network covering the entire north Atlantic has been established. No other plankton time series of equivalent length and geographical coverage exist for the European regional seas, although many new initiatives investigating species distributions and their changes in Europe’s seas are now emerging. Further information on uncertainties is provided in Section 1.7 of the EEA report on Climate change, impacts, and vulnerability in Europe 2012 (http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/climate-impacts-and-vulnerability-2012/) No uncertainty has been specified Short term work Work specified here requires to be completed within 1 year from now. Long term work Work specified here will require more than 1 year (from now) to be completed. Responsibility and ownership EEA Contact InfoTrine Christiansen Typology: Descriptive indicator (Type A – What is happening to the environment and to humans?)

Distribution of marine species Published (reviewed and quality assured) Justification for indicator selection Changes in the distribution of organisms are one of the key indicators of marine climate change impacts. Distribution maps from the North-east Atlantic are used as one part of this indicator to demonstrate large-scale changes at the decadal scale. The second part of this indicator describe

In the early morning of 4 June 1996, at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport, the countdown for the maiden flight of Ariane-5 proceeded smoothly until 7 minutes before main engine start (H0 7 min; Fig. 1). At this point the launch was put on hold because the strict visibility criteria for a launch were not met at the opening of the launch window (08 h 35 min local time). Figure 1. The Ariane-501 launcher on the new pad at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (Photo. CSG for ESA/CNES) As had been forecast by the local meteorological station, visibility conditions quickly improved and the ignition sequence was initiated at H0 = 09h 33min 59s local time (= 12 h 33 min 59s UT). Ignition of the Vulcain engine and the two solid boosters was nominal, as was the ensuing lift-off (Fig. 2). The vehicle performed a nominal flight trajectory until approximately H0+37 s, but shortly thereafter suddenly veered off course, broke up, and exploded. Figure 2. Lift-off of Ariane flight 501; the hot jet from one of the booster flame trenches is visible in this view (Photo. CSG for ESA/CNES) Preliminary investigation of the flight data showed: The origin of the failure was rapidly narrowed down to the Flight Control System, and more particularly, to the Inertial Reference Systems, which obviously ceased to function almost simultaneously at around H0+36.7 s. The self-destruction of the launcher occurred near the launch pad, at an altitude of approximately 4000 m. All of the launcher and satellite debris therefore fell back to ground east of the launch pad, scattering over an area of approximately 12 km². Recovery of material proved difficult, since this area is nearly all mangrove swamp or savannah. Nevertheless, it was possible to retrieve the two Inertial Reference Systems. Of particular interest was the one which had worked in active mode and stopped functioning last, and for which, therefore, certain information was not available in the telemetry data (provision for transmission to ground of this information was confined to whichever of the two units might fail first). The results of the examination of this unit were very helpful in the analysis of the failure sequence. An independent Inquiry Board was set up in the days following the incident, and in its conclusions one can read: The failure of Ariane-501 was caused by the complete loss of guidance and attitude information 37 s after start of the main engine ignition sequence (30 s after lift-off). This loss of information was due to specification and design errors in the software of the Inertial Reference System. The fourteen Recommendations of the Inquiry Board are listed in the accompanying panel. A comprehensive, so-called 'level-1' assessment of the detailed telemetry data acquired during the forty seconds of flight has been carried out. Few anomalies other than that which proved fatal have been observed and they do not call for important changes to the launcher's design. Two main points are being studied - aerodynamic coupling and the blow-back of jet streams on ignition - and both are discussed in detail in the following survey of each system. The two booster stages operated normally for 37 s. The observed pressure laws in the two boosters were, in particular, highly symmetrical. The following anomalies could, however, be noted: Main cryogenic stage The main stage and Vulcain engine functioned satisfactorily until 38 s into the flight. The ignition sequence was nominal and pressurisation of the liquid-oxygen (LOX) and liquid-hydrogen (LH²) tanks was in line with predictions. The only significant anomaly was increasing pressure fluctuations inside the servo-actuators from H0+20 s onwards. The likely cause is 'buffeting', a coupling between the aerodynamic forces and the aft structure of the launcher, which affected the Vulcain engine's servo-actuators. With the explosion of the launcher, it did not, however, prove possible to obtain a complete picture of this coupling, which is by nature transient. Subsequent tests have confirmed this physical phenomenon and show that there would be no divergence even in extreme cases. Vehicle Equipment Bay (VEB) The VEB functioned normally, apart from the failure of the two Inertial Reference Systems and inversion of the membrane between the VEB and SPELTRA (multiple-payload-carrying structure) when the VEB compartment depressurised too quickly. A simple corrective measure has since been implemented in the ventings of the upper part of the launcher. Upper stage - fairing - SPELTRA - payload There is no anomaly to report here, the flight being of such short duration that these elements were not put to a representative in-flight test. The electrical system functioned satisfactorily overall, with only small anomalies being detected in the launcher-to-ground telemetry links at lift- off. Ground-to-launcher interface - lift-off - The various umbilical connectors performed nominally and were released correctly. Launcher wobble (about the vertical trajectory at lift-off) was very slight; the wind was also very light, at approximately 1.5 m/s. There was an acceleration deficit as the launcher left the platform - 4.4 m/s rather than the expected 5.3 m/s - which persisted until about H0+26 s. Thus, after 30 s of flight, the launcher's altitude was 100 m below the nominal figure and its velocity was Mach 0.53 rather than the predicted 0.56. These figures were, however, still within specification. On engine ignition, overfilling with water of the booster flame trenches caused a blowback of the jet streams from the solid boosters, creating some minor damage to hardware (water is injected into the flame trenches shortly before lift-off to reduce the acoustic noise level to which the launcher is subjected). A simple modification has been devised, which is to delay the moment of water injection thereby reducing the volume at the bottom of the flame trenches, which on flight 501 partially blocked the flow of booster gases. Until failure of the Inertial Reference Systems at about 36.7 s, flight control performed nominally. As soon as a specified velocity was reached at 25.7 s, the guidance function was activated and flight control reacted nominally taking into account the slight under- performance of the launcher. Aerothermodynamics - depressurisation - air Contamination inside the fairing was about 3 mg/m² at about 37 s (specification is 2 mg/m²); it can be assumed, based on Ariane-1 measurements, that this contamination would be eliminated once a vacuum had been created in the fairing. The recorded blast wave over-pressure slightly exceeded specification for the fairing and the booster pallets. External acoustic noise values were slightly higher than expected at lift-off (when they are at their maximum), but were lower than expected when at an altitude of 50 m. Values at the Main Stage tail structure were as expected. Internal acoustic noise values were lower than expected and below the interface specification for the SPELTRA structure and Vehicle Equipment Bay. For the fairing, certain internal measurements in the 31 and 63 Hz octaves were slightly above specification. No signs of POGO effect (resonance caused by propellant flow through the feed lines) were measured at the Main Stage. As the Upper Stage had not started its propulsive phase, absence of the POGO phenomenon there could not be confirmed. Vibration levels on the stages were low, the only exception being the Vulcain engine gimbal where the specification was exceeded but was still acceptable at system level. The payload interface complied with the specification but the vibration levels recorded were 70 to 100 Hz higher than expected. The mathematical models will therefore have to be re-adjusted. One item that was fully qualified after the very unfortunate explosion of the launcher was the safety system, as well as its forecasts and computing models (debris impact zone, cloud dispersion model, absence of air toxicity beyond the safety limits). Explosion of the launcher at 4000 m altitude is one of the most hazardous scenarios imaginable as far as ground impact and hazardous cloud pattern are concerned. In accordance with the French and international regulations applicable to industrial installations, a very detailed risk and impact analysis had been performed during the design, construction and testing phases of the Ariane-5 facilities at the Guiana Space Centre. An environmental measurement plan had already been implemented at each of the seven full-size booster test firings performed between 1993 and 1995. With the results of these measurements, the real impact on the natural environment (atmosphere, fauna, flora and water courses) could be determined, and the mathematical models of combustion-cloud dispersion and chemical fallout could be adjusted. The combustion gases from the solid boosters during Ariane-5's atmospheric flight include 21%(by mass) hydrochloric acid, 34% aluminium oxide, and 28% carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The Vulcain engine of the cryogenic main stage practically ejects only water vapour. During the measurements of the natural state of the environment close to the Kourou facilities prior to each test, it was confirmed that, as elsewhere in the Amazonian ecosystem, the aluminium-oxide content in the ground and natural waters (between 4% and 35%), and the water acidity (PH values between 4 and 6), are particularly high. For Ariane flight 501, more than 100 sensors were installed around the launch pad and as far afield as the towns of Kourou (15 km to the southeast) and Sinnamary (25 km to the northwest). They analysed both the air (mainly for hydrochloric acid) and the water (inside the pad's flame trenches and in the rivers). The results show that the hydrochloric-acid and aluminium-oxide fallout occurred within a 500 m radius of the launch pad. No gaseous pollution at ground level was detected by any of the measuring instruments outside the launch area. The cloud produced by the explosion and the plume of exhaust gases immediately moved parallel to the coast, and were monitored by helicopters until three hours after the accident, by which time they were several kilometres off the coast and dissipating gradually. On the ground, several types of gases were monitored: the lift-off cloud, some still-burning solid-propellant fragments from the boosters, and the vaporisation of launcher and spacecraft propellants. These gases rose and headed towards the sea, at an altitude of more than 1000 m (Fig. 3). Figure 3. The cloud produced by the explosion and the plume of exhaust gases immediately moved away, parallel to the coast, and were monitored by helicopters until three hours after the accident. By this time, they were several kilometres offshore and dissipating gradually. (Source: CNES/CSG) The so-called 'Internal Operations Plan' (a legally-imposed and periodically rehearsed safety plan) was initiated immediately after the launcher's explosion. Among other procedures, it triggered a computer-aided estimation of the exact debris fallout zone by the Flight Safety Team, taking into account the launcher's position and velocity at the time of the explosion, as well as the wind pattern, which varies with altitude. Some hours after the explosion, fragment-locating operations started. The whole of the affected area was systematically photographed and mapped. The positions of all items were fixed using the GPS system and were found to be well within the pre- computed impact zone. The heaviest fragments had landed in the savannah and marshland between 1 and 2 km east of the launch pad. Lighter pieces had 'flown' for some minutes and landed further away, influenced by the mainly northwesterly wind, but did not represent a hazard (Fig. 4). Some of the solid-propellant fragments continued to burn on the ground, causing very localised savannah fires. The vegetation affected is recovering rapidly and no impact on the indigenous fauna has been detected, confirming similar observations made after the static firings of the boosters. Figure 4. The fragment fallout zone shown on this drawing was well within the Flight Safety Team's estimated area. The dotted lines represent the trajectories followed by the heaviest fragments (Source: CNES/CSG) Fragment-recovery operations were started immediately thereafter and involved almost one hundred people (safety engineers and technicians, firemen, security guards, and legionnaires) over a period of several weeks. Helicopters and special amphibious vehicles were deployed. Priority was given to recovering first those parts relevant to the failure investigation, including the two inertial reference units and the onboard computers. Carefully respecting the safety rules (avoiding explosion, fire or release of hazardous materials), the majority of the more accessible items, including the solid- propellant fragments, were also recovered as quickly as possible. Most elements of the four Cluster satellites were also recovered (Fig. 5) and returned to ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL) for inspection, but unfortunately none were still flightworthy. Figure 5. Recovery work in progress at the impact site of one of the Cluster spacecraft (Photo: CSG) The main findings of the Inquiry Board show that the 501 flight failure was due to design faults in the software embedded in the Inertial Reference System (SRI): These anomalies had not been brought to light by all of the various programme tests and reviews, which had otherwise proved effective. The ground/flight mode interface had been inadequately identified. Furthermore, testing at equipment and system levels had been insufficiently representative. However, the overall Ariane-5 architecture is not called into question. All of the Inquiry Board's recommendations have been transformed into a plan of action comprising over 40 detailed items, classified according to the various firms and hardware items concerned. The plan's main thrust's are: Detailed actions prompted by the Inquiry Board's findings are summarised in the accompanying panel. Additional actions to those prompted by the Inquiry Board's findings are also being taken: All these actions must be completed before flight 502 in order to guarantee a successful outcome with maximum confidence. System qualification environment (functional simulation facility) Improvement of overall coordination relating to software Improved assessment of flight data The Inquiry Board advocated (Recommendation No. 14) a more transparent organisation, closer engineering cooperation, and clear-cut authority and responsibility among the partners in the Ariane-5 Programme. In the past, hardware equipment was considered as a whole and treated as single Configuration Controlled Item. Thus, the embedded software was not studied in the same detail and showed up only in the functional specifications which the hardware equipment was required to meet. The detailed design and functional impact on other pieces of software elsewhere in the vehicle was insufficiently known. It was therefore decided to formally establish the role of 'Software Architect', a responsibility that has since been discharged by the Industrial Architect, given the need to understand properly how the software functions both in the electrical/computing-system environment and in the launcher-system environment. A revised Management Specification (A5-SM-0-10, industrial organisation) has been issued to strengthen the Industrial Architect's role regarding embedded software. The Industrial Architect is now involved in the reviews held at various points in the development of each software-containing component, and approves, as does CNES, its definition and qualification plan. The software programmes embedded in the hardware equipment will also be considered as Configuration Controlled Items and, as such, the Industrial Architect is required to: The project reviews - Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review and Qualification Board - also draw on outside software experts. For the already developed Ariane-5 onboard software, the post- 501 plan of action has foreseen exhaustive verification in the form of qualification reviews (after registering all software flight-domain limitations, failure modes and information likely to flow through the communication bus between the equipment and the onboard computers) in order to gain a better understanding of all possible system functioning modes. The Industrial Architect also has overall responsibility for the Electrical and Software System (SEL), and in particular: An exhaustive verification, involving all of the launcher's constituent hardware, of the applicability and actual application of the general system specifications has been undertaken, in order to check that no system aspect has been overlooked in developing this hardware. The Qualification Board was given the mandate to set up specialised audit groups to study any aspect it considered critical. Each audit group is headed by a member of the Qualification Board, and draws on outside experts in the area concerned. This approach has the dual advantage of drawing together the necessary expertise and judging, in depth, the suitability of the work done and the validity of programme documentation issued. As far as the aforementioned action plan is concerned, significant progress has already been made in four primary domains: More or less independent of the flight-501 failure, further qualification is required for a number of improvements which, for schedule or other development-constraint reasons, could not be built into the 501 vehicle and are thus being introduced for the first time on flight 502. The main improvements involve: The flight-502 Vulcain engine, with the improved hydrogen turbopump, was delivered in November 1996, and integration of the Main Stage was well underway at the time of writing (mid- December). Mid-March 1997 will be the key date for delivery to the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) of the remaining flight-502 hardware, including: The Flight-Readiness Review will take place on 18 and 19 March, with the launch campaign planned to begin at CSG on 7 April. The Launcher Countdown Rehearsal will take place on 21 May, to be followed by the Launch-Readiness Review on 4 and 5 July 1997. The Ariane-502 launch date is closely linked to the calendar of the flight programme modifications, their development and, most importantly, their validation tests. Analysis of this workload is still in progress and the launch date will only be confirmed on satisfactory completion of the validation testing, but the objectives set in mid-December 1996 included a target launch date of 8 July. Since flight 501 did not validate the GTO mission, it has been decided to use flight 502 to qualify the launcher's nominal mission, namely a dual launch into GTO. This means that flight of the Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator (ARD), which cannot be launched with a standard GTO mission since it requires a specific 'en-route jettison manoeuvre' at the end of the main-stage burn, has to be postponed until flight 503. The 502 passengers will therefore be the AMSAT- P3D radio-amateur satellite and two technology-demonstration mockups. The APEX (Ariane Payload EXperiments) configuration inside the upper part of the vehicle is shown in Figure 6. The upper mockup weighs 2000 kg and includes a 350 kg payload known as 'TEAMSAT,' which is composed of five experiments proposed by various European Universities and coordinated by ESTEC: Figure 6. The planned Ariane-502 payload configuration In the lower position inside the SPELTRA, the 550 kg AMSAT-P3D satellite (Fig. 7) will be mated to the lower mockup, weighing 1800 kg. The satellite and a Special Bearing Structure (SBS) have both been developed by the international AMSAT organisation. The SBS has been designed to carry a larger payload on its top, thereby creating a generic launcher-to-spacecraft interface adapter and separation system for payloads in the 500 to 1000 kg class as secondary passengers, but it will not be used for this purpose on Ariane-502. Figure 7. The AMSAT-P3D international radio-amateur satellite undergoing final preparations in Orlando, Florida (Photo: L. Mulvehill/CQ VHF Magazine) AMSAT-P3D's main mission objectives are to: In order to achieve the above objectives, AMSAT-P3D's final orbit will have a perigee of 4000 km, an apogee of approximately 50 000 km, and an inclination of 60 deg. Since two successful test flights are necessary to demonstrate full qualification of Ariane-5, flight 503 will also form part of the qualification process. The planned payloads are the Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator (ARD) mentioned above, a technology-demonstration capsule for a future European manned space transport vehicle, and a commercial payload. The 503 launch is expected to take place approximately five months after flight 502, to allow sufficient time for a full evaluation of the 502 flight data, for the launcher's shipment to French Guiana, and for the launch campaign itself. AMSAT is a worldwide group of radio-amateurs who share an active interest in building, launching, and then communicating with each other using non-commercial radio-amateur satellites. Since its initial founding in the USA more than 25 years ago, AMSAT has predominantly used volunteer labour and donated resources to design, construct and, with the assistance of government and commercial space agencies, successfully launch over two dozen radio-amateur communications satellites into Earth orbit. The AMSAT-P3D programme is managed by AMSAT-DL (Germany), whilst the integration and testing work is being performed by AMSAT-NA (USA). Groups in these two countries are providing the spacecraft and mission design, platform structure, and much of the spacecraft's equipment. Other hardware items (mainly transmitters and receivers) are being provided by radio-amateur groups in over a dozen countries on five continents, forming a unique international team of volunteers who make a remarkable contribution to the advancement of space communications, space education and the space sciences.

In the early morning of 4 June 1996, at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport, the countdown for the maiden flight of Ariane-5 proceeded smoothly until 7 minutes before main engine start (H0 7 min; Fig. 1). At this point the launch was put on hold because the strict visibility criteria for a launch were not met at the opening of the launch window (08 h 35 min local time). Figure 1. The Arian

Note: the following information is provided as a guide only. People should contact Centrelink International Services on 131 673 for specific information relating to their circumstances. - When Did The Agreement Start? - What Does The Agreement Say? - What Does The Agreement Do? - What Payments Does The Agreement Cover? - What Are the Main Features of the Agreement? - Where and How Are Claims Made? - When Does Payment Start? - How Are Agreement Pensions and Benefits Paid? - What Documents Do I Need To Make a Claim? - What are the Important Things to Know About the Australian Social Security System? - Examples for Residents of Australia - Examples for Residents of Spain - How Do I Find Out More? The Agreement is a formal treaty. See the Social Security Agreement between Australia and Spain. What does the agreement do? The main purpose of the Agreement is to assist people who move between Australia and Spain to get a pension from each country so that both Australia and Spain share the long-term social security coverage for that person. The Agreement: - Provides for the grant of pension by one country even though a person is living in the other; - Allows for the transfer of pensions between countries; and - Allows people to add together periods of working life residence in Australia and periods of contributions in Spain to meet qualifying periods to obtain a pension from one or both countries. The social security payments covered by the Agreement are as follows: - age pension; - disability support pension (previously invalid pension); - wife pension (no new grants since 30 June 1995); - carer payment (previously carers' pension); and - pensions payable to widows - bereavement allowance - widow B pension (no new grants since 20 March 1997) - parenting payment (single) (previously sole parent pension) - benefits for temporary incapacity for work in cases of common illness, maternity or non-industrial accident; - invalidity benefit; - old age benefit; - death and survivors' benefits; and - unemployment benefit. To qualify for an Australian pension a person needs to have a minimum period of residence in Australia. For example, a person needs to have 10 years Australian residence to claim an Australian Age Pension. Australian legislation also requires a person to be an Australian resident and in Australia to claim a pension. Under the Agreement, Spanish insurance periods (periods of contributions) are treated by Australia as periods of residence in Australia. The Agreement also permits a person who resides in Spain to claim a pension from Australia even though he or she may no longer be an Australian resident. Spanish legislation requires minimum insurance periods to qualify for benefits. Under the Agreement, periods of working life residence in Australia are treated as insurance periods in Spain. These deemed periods do not affect the amount of pension which is based only on the relevant periods in each country. Where and how are claims made? People living in Australia can lodge claims for Spanish and Australian pensions with any Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Centrelink will supply all the necessary claim forms. People living in Spain can lodge claims for Australian and Spanish benefits with their local office of the Spanish Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS). When does payment start? In Australia's case, this is from the first day a person qualifies for payment after lodgement of a claim. Claims for Age Pension may be lodged up to 3 months in advance of reaching Age Pension age. If a person lodges their claim after they reach Age Pension age, then payment would generally not be backdated. How are agreement pensions and benefits paid? When You Live in Australia Australian pensions are paid by Centrelink. Payments are usually made into a person's nominated bank account every two weeks. Spain pays its own pensions and benefits through the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS). People who get a pension from both countries, will get two separate payments – one from Australia and one from Spain. Temporarily Absent From Australia People who get an Australian pension, and travel to Spain, or another country, for less than 12 months, will continue to have their pension paid into their nominated bank account in Australia every two weeks subject to ongoing qualification. Permanently Absent From Australia People who get an Australian pension, and leave Australia permanently, or for more than 12 months, will be paid their pension by cheque every 4 weeks to their overseas address. Cheques paid to customers in Spain are in US dollars. What documents do I need to make a claim? To make a claim a person needs to complete a claim form and provide documents to show identity, date of birth, marriage etc. The most helpful documents are: - birth certificates and passports (including expired and foreign passports) and naturalisation/citizenship papers; - marriage certificate(s); - birth certificates for any dependent children; - death certificates or divorce papers if applicable; - any documents proving periods of residence in Australia; - any documents proving periods of contribution and/or residence in Spain; - any documents which could be useful, for example, bank statements, proof of rent or home ownership, Taxation Notice of Assessment. All claimants for Australian Agreement pensions need to meet the other conditions (eg age limits, income and assets tests) required for that pension under Australia's social security laws. Australian pensions are means-tested. For information about the current income and assets test limits, visit the Centrelink site. The Age Pension age for men is 65. The Age Pension age for women is gradually being increased to 65 – see Age Pension benefit information for details of Age Pension ages for women. Australian working life residence is the period of Australian residence between age 16 and Age Pension age. How much Australian pension will I get if I am paid under this agreement? Australian pensions for people who are outside Australia are calculated differently to pensions for those who are inside Australia. Australian pension for a person living in Australia When a person living in Australia is granted a pension under the Agreement (because of lack of qualifying residence), the person receives the normal means-tested pension less the amount of any Spanish benefit they also receive. The Spanish benefit is 'topped up' to the rate of Australian pension they would get if they did not receive any Spanish benefit. Once a person qualifies for an Australian pension in his or her own right (without needing the Agreement) any Spanish benefit is treated as income in the normal way. Australian pension for a person not living in Australia The rate of Australian pension payable outside Australia is affected by two things: - length of Australian residence during working life; and - the amount of income or assets in excess of specified limits. Australian pensions paid overseas are paid at a proportional rate reflecting the person's working life residence in Australia. A person with 25 years residence during 'working life' (between 16 and Age Pension age) can be paid a full basic means-tested pension. A person with less than 25 years Australian working life residence, has his or her rate worked out on a proportional basis. For example, a person with 20 years working life residence would receive 20/25ths (or 80%) of the basic means-tested pension rate; a person with 12 years working life residence would receive 12/25ths (or 48%). The income and assets test also apply, so that a person with 25 years of working life residence in Australia could still receive only a part pension if their income or assets exceeded the threshold limits. For more information about the current income and assets limits, visit the Centrelink Website. Under the Agreement, when a pension is paid overseas at a proportional rate, only the same proportion of any contributory Spanish pension received is counted as income for the income test. This also applies to pensions granted without the assistance of the Agreement. Non-contributory Spanish pensions (generally only paid in Spain) are disregarded totally from the Australian income test. Residents of Australia Following are some examples of how the Agreement assists people living in Australia: Mr Gracia is aged 65 and has lived in Australia for 6 years. Before moving to Australia he lived in Spain and paid contributions to the Spanish social insurance system for 35 years. He now wishes to claim an Australian Pension. - Without the Agreement He cannot get an Australian Age Pension because he has not lived in Australia for more than 10 years. - With the Agreement Mr Garcia can add his 6 years as an Australian resident to his 35 years of contributions in Spain so that he meets the minimum 10 years Australian residence required to qualify for an Australian Age Pension. Also, Centrelink would assist him in claiming any Spanish pension he may be entitled to. Mr Gonzales has lived in Australia for 2 years and is now 65 years old. He has also lived in Spain for 4 years and contributed to the social insurance system while there. He wishes to claim an Australian age pension. Mr Gonzales would not qualify for an Australian age pension because, even if he does add his periods of contributions in Spain to his period of Australian residency, he still will not have at least 10 years of Australian residence he needs to qualify for an age pension. Residents of Spain Following are some examples of how the Agreement assists people living in Spain: Mr Mateos is aged 65 and has lived in Australia for 20 years during his working life. He is now living in Spain and is already receiving a Spanish benefit. He left Australia before reaching Age Pension age. - Without the Agreement Although he has more than 10 years required for Australian Age Pension, he would not qualify for payment as he is not an Australian resident and in Australia. - With the Agreement The Agreement's lodgement provisions allow Mr Mateos to claim an Australian pension even though he is a resident of Spain. His rate of Australian pension would be proportionalised; 20/25ths of the basic means-tested rate would be paid. The same proportion of Spanish pension (excluding any non-contributory benefits) would be counted as income. The Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social would assist him in claiming an Australian pension. Mr Gomez is aged 65 living in Spain. He has 16 years of contributions to the Spanish social insurance system. He has also lived in Australia for 9 months. - Without the Agreement Mr Gomez would be entitled to a Spanish pension only. No Australian pension could be paid because he is not an Australian resident and in Australia. - With the Agreement No change. Mr Gomez would still receive a Spanish pension, but would not be entitled to an Australian pension because under the Agreement the minimum period of Australian working life residence is one year (of which at least six months must be continuous). How do I find out more? - For more information, please contact FaHCSIA International Branch. - For information on claim procedures and payments, please contact Centrelink International Services. - For information on Spanish benefits (in Spanish). This page is current at 7 April 2000 and has been prepared by: Department of Family and Community Services (now Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)

Note: the following information is provided as a guide only. People should contact Centrelink International Services on 131 673 for specific information relating to their circumstances. - When Did The Agreement Start? - What Does The Agreement Say? - What Does The Agreement Do? - What Payments Does The Agreement Cover? - What Are the Main Features of the Agreement? - Where and How Are Claims Made?

After the founding of the Republic of China, it had strengthened the administration over Tibet on the basis of the established practices of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and also specially set up the corresponding government organs of administration over Tibet. On July 19, 1912, the Central Government decided to set up the Bureau for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs (renamed later as the Yuan for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs). It was clearly stipulated that the Bureau was directly under the leadership of the Premier. All the matters relevant to the Mongolian and the Tibet regions should be handled by the Bureau (or Yuan) or transmitted to the Premier for making final decisions. After the founding of the Nationalist Government in Nanjing, the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs was set up to take charge of the administrative affairs in the Mongolian and the Tibet regions as well as the other ethnic areas in 1929 so as to further strengthen the administration over the Tibet region. After the founding of the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs, it handled the matters of establishing three Tibetan Affairs offices in Nanjing, Beiping and Xikang(Khams) and of appropriating expenses for them submitted by the general representative of Tibet in Nanjing Kunchok Jungnas in 1930. The Commission also examined and approved the selection of the directors, deputy directors of the three Offices as well as the proposed organizational outlines of the Offices. Afterwards, in view of the Tibet regional conditions, the Commission formulated three statutes successively: On January 8, 1934, the Commission made public the Measures on the Respects-paying to the Central Government by the Representatives of the Dalai and the Panchen. There were seven articles in the Measures. It stipulated that the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Erdeni should in turn send a representative to Nanjing to report the situation of administration of Tibet every year. The representative should bring with him the certificate of appointment and rank or title as well as his curriculum vitae to report for duty to the Commission at the designated date every year. It also stipulated in explicit terms that the representative would pay homage to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, call on the Chairman of the Executive Yuan, have an audience with the President of the Nationalist Government, report the border administration to the Central Government. The Central Government would announce the administrative policy and other matters. On February 10, 1936, the Measures on Rewards and Punishments for the Lamas were published. There were twenty-five articles in it. The requirements and the ranks of promotion for the rewarded or punished Lamas were all specifically stipulated. On September 24, 1938, the Commission issued the Measures on the Reincarnation of the Lamas. There were thirteen articles in total. It clearly stipulated that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas, the Panchen Erdenis, Jetsun Dampa Hutuktus and the reincarnation of the Hutuktus, Nomihans and Panditas in various places ager their demise should be reported to the highest administrative organ in the locality and transmit to the Commission for the record. After the discovery of the reincarnate soul boy, it should first report to the highest administrative organ in the locality and then convey it to the Commission for investigation and check, then conducting lot-drawing respectively... etc. In addition, the demise of the thirteenth Dalai Lama, the ninth Panchen Lama and paying religious tribute and offering condolences to them; the search for the reincarnate soul boys; the enthronement and title-granting to the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Erdeni and other high-rankiqg monk officials; the examination and approval of Rating and Takdra as Tibetan regents as well as the appointment, removal arid rewards to the Tibetan officials, clerical and secular, etc., all the above-mentioned matters were specifically held responsible for and handled by the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs. Since the founding of the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs up to 1949, it had all along carried out its duty. The contact and connections with the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs had never interrupted relating to the affairs between the Tibetan local government and the Central Government. It may be asked that if Tibet were "an independent country" at that time, then, how were the expenses of any country's diplomatic organs on earth obliged to apply for appropriation and borne by the resident country? Moreover, according to international practice, the inter-state affairs were represented and handled usually through diplomatic channels, but the important matters of the Tibet region were handled through the Commission for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs, not by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Was that the acceptable normal way to carry on contacts between "an independent country" and another sovereign state? Past events remain fresh in people's memory, Just as Francis Bacon, the British philosopher in the sixteenth century, said: "Histories make men wise," as we look back the values contained in the above-mentioned historical facts, we are convinced that through the review of the above-mentioned historical facts, the readers would be able to reach new consensus with us; that is, with the lapse of history, the close ties and the compatriotic affection between the Tibet region and the Central Government as well as the Tibetan people and the people in the interior of the motherland established for several hundred years could only be the longer, the stronger and the more consolidated. They could by no means be suddenly severed by the development of certain historical event or the outbreak of social transformations, even to the extent of all gone, nothing left.

After the founding of the Republic of China, it had strengthened the administration over Tibet on the basis of the established practices of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and also specially set up the corresponding government organs of administration over Tibet. On July 19, 1912, the Central Government decided to set up the Bureau for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs (renamed later as the Yuan for

Family Friendly Events this Summer at Nestucca Bay Come visit and explore Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Family friendly summer programs have started and will continue through September. All programs are free and open to the public; they will include history talks, plant walks, and other interesting wonders of the refuge. The current schedule follows: Monday, August 6, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Berries and Beyond: Walk Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge with Lee Sliman; Refuge volunteer and self-described plant geek. Together with Lee you will walk refuge trails and identify many plants regularly eaten by Native Americans as well as pioneers and contemporary outdoor enthusiasts. Safety and protocol for tasting wild plants will be discussed. Don’t miss this opportunity both to advance your awareness of coastal vegetation and expand your knowledge of Native wild edibles! The program will start in the first, or lower, parking lot. Thursday, August 23, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m., Wildlife Refuge Paddle Trip: Come out for a guided evening paddle along the Little Nestucca River. We will start at the Tillamook county boat launch on Meda Loop and will paddle west along the Nestucca Bay NWR turning around at the Cannery Hill Point on the Bay. Refuge volunteer Lee Sliman will join the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership for this guided paddle and will talk about the natural history and mission of the Refuge. This is a great opportunity to get a sea level view of eagles, ducks, herons, kingfishers and other wildlife that are often present on this water trail. Meet at the Meda Loop County Boat Ramp at 4:00 p.m. Participants must supply their own boats, paddles and Personal Flotation Devices. Monday, August 27, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., The Making of a Meadow: The grasslands of Nestucca Bay NWR may look withered now but they are on the brink of restoration. Plant experts have begun work to restore the area to native grassland and prairie habitat. Many changes will occur over the next five years. Join refuge volunteer Lee Sliman on a walk as she showcases the first steps of this restoration and explains what you can expect to see in the future. The program will start at the second, or upper, parking lot. Saturday, September 1, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Color Walk: An enjoyable outing for kids and adults at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will make his/her own unique color chart from a large box of crayons. Then everyone will join Refuge Volunteer Lee Sliman for a colorful nature walk along the Pacific View Trail. During the walk everyone will try to spot a plant or animal that showcases the colors on their charts. A plant color BINGO of sorts! The program will start in the first, or lower, parking lot. Sunday, September 9, 5:30 p.m. – dusk, Nature Journaling: Anyone can be a Naturalist! A Naturalist is simply a student of nature. Most of the well-known naturalists started out collecting bits and pieces of their wild experiences as well as documenting their observations through notes and sketches. Nature Journals have no set format. Dress comfortably and bring something to take notes on or with. We will share ideas about supplies and portability. Bring your cameras, binoculars and hand lens if you have them; a limited number of these items will be available for the group to share. Join Refuge Volunteer Lee Sliman on a meander around Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge as she marks a new phase in her life by beginning her own nature journal. The program will start in the first, or lower, parking lot. Sunday, September 30, 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Art in the Refuge: Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge welcomes artists of all skill levels and media to come on out and work in the wild. A support shelter will be set up with water and miscellaneous support supplies for artists. Plant & wildlife ID books, art folios and both media and technique-oriented publications will also be on hand. Access to running water and a sink for media cleanup will be available. Artists may choose to join impromptu group reviews throughout the day. Bring your own art supplies and plan to be portable. All art will take place on trails and road edges. Check in at the lower parking lot at any time on the 30th. Nestucca Bay NWR is located on the west side of Highway 101 approximately six miles south of Pacific City. To visit the refuge turn west off Highway 101 onto Christensen Road and proceed a half-mile to the first parking lot. The refuge has a volunteer living onsite to answer questions for visitors and to maintain the grounds. To obtain the up-to-date event schedule for the refuge please visit our website events page at http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/calendar/index.cfm, as changes can occur. For more information about each event please contact Lee Sliman at 503-812-6392. Posted by the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff at 12:37 PM in Category: Nestucca Bay NWR directly to this article.

Family Friendly Events this Summer at Nestucca Bay Come visit and explore Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Family friendly summer programs have started and will continue through September. All programs are free and open to the public; they will include history talks, plant walks, and other interesting wonders of the refuge. The current schedule follows: Monday, August 6, 5:30 – 7:30

DES MOINES — Six school districts have been selected to receive up to $38,000 in reimbursement as a match for a new school bus to replace the oldest school buses still in regular use. These six school districts will also receive full reimbursement for retrofits to reduce diesel emissions on bus engines older than 2004 models in their fleets. One other school district has been selected to receive full reimbursement for retrofits only. A total of $280,359 will be awarded. The community school districts receiving the bus and retrofit funding are: Albert City-Truesdale in Buena Vista County, East Union in Union County, North Iowa in Winnebago County, Rock Valley in Sioux County, West Harrison in Harrison County and Westwood in Woodbury County. One community school district receiving retrofits-only funding is Sibley-Ocheyedan in Osceola County. Funding is provided by the Iowa DNR through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Diesel Campaign. School Administrators of Iowa is handling administration of the grant on behalf of the DNR. The Bus Emissions Education Program (BEEP) has assisted with grant publicity and other roles. Judging was based primarily on the strength of each school district’s idling reduction policy, the age and use of the bus to be replaced, efforts each school district makes to reduce air pollution, and efforts made to teach programs and develop curriculum for air quality, mobile source pollution and its effect on the earth’s atmosphere. Diesel engines are rugged, well-built engines and have a long useful life. Model bus engines 2010 or newer and certified by the EPA reduce diesel exhaust emissions by 95 percent compared to pre-1994 engines. The EPA has determined that retrofits of diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and closed crankcase ventilation systems (CCVs), together on pre-2004 school bus engines, reduce particulates by 25 to 33 percent, hydrocarbons by 42 to 52 percent, and carbon monoxide by 13 to 40 percent depending upon the selected product and bus performance. DOCs reduce the amount of pollution emitted out of the bus exhaust system. CCVs reduce the amount of pollution in a bus cabin, which enters from the engine and builds as the children enter and exit the bus. These two technologies together reduce the most diesel emissions per dollar than other types of diesel retrofits. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe 1.5 times the air volume for their size compared to adults. Diesel engine emissions are responsible for hospital admissions, asthma attacks and other respiratory symptoms, and lost school and work days. Additionally it causes visibility reduction and is a potent greenhouse agent involved in climate change. BEEP is a collaborative effort to reduce childhood exposure to harmful diesel exhaust. Its objective is to reduce emissions in school bus fleets. The partners include the School Administrators of Iowa, the Iowa Association of School Boards, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association. More information about this grant and BEEP is available at:

DES MOINES — Six school districts have been selected to receive up to $38,000 in reimbursement as a match for a new school bus to replace the oldest school buses still in regular use. These six school districts will also receive full reimbursement for retrofits to reduce diesel emissions on bus engines older than 2004 models in their fleets. One other school district has been selected to receive f

< Return To Hearing The Honorable Patrick Leahy United States Senator Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy I thank Senator Cardin for chairing today's hearing. Navigating the judicial system without representation can be a daunting, and sometimes insurmountable challenge. Yet many Americans find themselves in this position due to the inability to afford representation. Today's hearing will highlight the efforts being made by the Legal Services Corporation ("LSC") to close this gap and ensure that more low income Americans have access to adequate legal representation. When I was in law school, my wife Marcelle and I had the opportunity to have lunch with Justice Hugo Black. It was one of the most memorable experiences during my time in law school, and during a discussion of the Sixth Amendment I recall that Justice Black said it was an obvious truth that anyone who was too poor to be represented by counsel could not be assured a fair trial. Of course, the Supreme Court's unanimous 1963 decision in Gideon v. Wainwright protects this fundamental principle in the criminal context. During his confirmation hearings, I asked Chief Justice John Roberts whether he thought that Gideon's principle should apply with respect to other constitutional rights. What I was getting at was the idea that the same principle embodied in Gideon applies in the civil context as well, and that without legal representation it can be very difficult to secure the rights that the Constitution gives to all Americans. And while there is no civil analog to Gideon, the work that the Legal Services Corporation and other organizations do to provide legal assistance to the poor promotes this same basic fairness in the civil judicial process. The LSC and the many organizations it funds work to ensure that the least fortunate among us are able to have their voices heard in civil court, and, in turn, their rights protected. This is a laudable goal, and when more Americans have legal representation in civil matters, the integrity of the legal system is supported and maintained. It should concern all Americans when justice is not done due to an individual's inability to afford counsel. In Vermont, LSC has provided legal assistance to many low income people in matters including housing, consumer finance, and family law. Staff with the Legal Services Law Line of Vermont closed over 2,400 cases in 2007. In a State as small as Vermont, this is a significant accomplishment. Due to funding through the LSC, many Vermonters who might otherwise not have been able to afford representation found themselves with able counsel as they sought redress in the courts. Along with addressing the justice gap, I recognize that today's hearing will raise issues related to the LSC's corporate governance and oversight of its grantees. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), in two reports, identified areas where the Corporation needs to improve. By all accounts, the LSC has taken rapid steps in response to these reports, and openly acknowledges the need to squarely address issues of concern that may undermine its mission. And so I commend the LSC for appearing today, and being prepared to directly address the concerns of some members of the Judiciary Committee. Positive change can emerge much more easily when difficult or embarrassing circumstances are addressed openly and directly. Rather than try to hide or obscure the issues the GAO has identified, the LSC has stepped up and faced these problems with action and with a desire to correct them. Consistent with the principles in the Supreme Court's Gideon decision, I believe it is sound Federal policy to provide Federal funds to help those in need of assistance in the legal process. Doing so promotes integrity in the judicial system, and protects the rights of less fortunate Americans who might otherwise be on their own. The work done by LSC has helped many Americans access their judicial systems in a meaningful way, and I look forward to hearing about this good work, and the ways in which the LSC is striving to improve and build upon its past successes for the future. # # # # #

< Return To Hearing The Honorable Patrick Leahy United States Senator Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy I thank Senator Cardin for chairing today's hearing. Navigating the judicial system without representation can be a daunting, and sometimes insurmountable challenge. Yet many Americans find themselves in this position due to the inability to afford representation. Today's hearing will highlight

ESTABLISHING COMPLETE HAZARD INVENTORIES If you are to protect your employees from workplace hazards you first must understand just what those hazards are. Are you sure you know all of the potential hazards generally associated with your type of business and your specific working conditions? A means of systematically identifying all workplace hazards would be useful. OSHA's Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines address such an inventory. The Guidelines recommend: - Periodic, comprehensive safety, industrial hygiene and health surveys: - Change analysis of the potential hazards in new facilities, equipment, materials and processes; and - Routine hazard analysis, such as job hazard analysis, process hazard analysis or phase hazard analysis. These three major actions -- comprehensive surveys, change analysis, and routine hazard analysis -- form the basis from which good hazard prevention and control can develop. After hazards are recognized and controls are put in place, additional worksite analysis tools can help ensure that the controls stay in place and that other hazards do not appear. For detailed discussions of these additional tools, such as inspections, employee reports of hazards, accident and incident investigations, and accident pattern analysis, you should refer to other chapters. But first you need to understand the existing and potential hazards in your workplace. Who Should Do the Survey? While safety inspections often are done by employees at the site, OSHA believes that comprehensive surveys ideally should be performed by people who can bring to your workplace fresh vision and extensive knowledge of safety, health, or industrial hygiene. Because there are few professional consultants equipped to do comprehensive surveys in all three areas, the best approach is to use a team consisting of three separate specialists: a safety professional, an industrial hygienist, and an occupational health professional. The occupational health professional can be a physician or a registered nurse with specialized training and experience in occupational health. He/she can assist the safety or industrial hygiene professional or can do a separate health survey, depending on the circumstances of your site. For the selection criteria for occupational health professionals, see Chapter 10. For small businesses, safety and industrial hygiene experts usually can be found in the OSHA-funded, State-run consultation service. Occupational health professionals sometimes can be found at local clinics and hospitals, or may be no farther away than the plant nurse. Many workers' compensation carriers and other insurance companies offer expert services to help their clients evaluate safety and health hazards. Numerous private consultants provide a variety of safety and health expert services. Larger businesses may find the needed expertise at the company or corporate level. A very useful tool for the small business that decides to conduct its hazard survey exclusively with in-house staff is OSHA Publication 2209 (Revised 1992), "OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses". This booklet provides, in a more compact, simplified format than the current publication, suggestions for implementing an effective workplace safety and health program. Its extensive checklists, while not all-inclusive, offer particularly useful guidance for conducting a hazard survey. If you use experts from within your company, be on guard for "tunnel vision," which can lead to a failure to spot hazards in areas not directly related to your firm's primary function. You want your maintenance shop, for example, to be just as safe as your production line. OSHA frequently finds unguarded saws and grinders, non-code electrical wiring, and other basic safety hazards in areas that are outside the main production process but regularly used by employees. For the industrial hygiene survey you should, at a minimum, inventory all chemicals and hazardous materials in the plant, review your hazard communication program, and analyze air samples. For many industries, a survey of noise levels and a review of the respirator program also will be vital. Questions to Ask Before Contracting for a Survey: To ensure that your worksite will receive the comprehensive survey envisioned by the Guidelines, you may want to ask potential surveyors certain questions: - What type of training and experience has your prospective surveyor had? - How recent is it? - What is its scope? Is it limited to your industry only? Does it consist of only practical experience, without formal training? - If he/she has professional certification, is it still valid, or has it lapsed for lack of recent training or seminar attendance? - Ask for references and check those where comprehensive surveys have been done recently. - Ask references whether any OSHA inspections occurred after the survey and if so, whether any serious hazards were found that the consultant had missed. - Find out what tools the consultant brought along, and what the survey covered. - What kind of information will he/she need in advance? A professional who is planning an in-depth survey will prepare by learning beforehand as much as possible about your worksite and its processes. - Both safety and industrial hygiene professionals will probably want to see a layout of your operations. - The industrial hygienist may ask for a list of the chemicals you use or the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) you have received from your suppliers and the types of processes in which you use them. - What kind of test equipment will the consultant bring? - You should expect the safety professional to bring: a tape measure; a ground loop circuit tester to test electrical circuits; a multi-meter or Wiggins (for 220 and/or 440 volts only); a tic tracer (or similar equipment) to check wire or electrical equipment to see if they are energized; and a ground fault circuit interrupter tester. - The industrial hygienist should bring noise testing equipment and, depending upon the chemicals or other contaminants expected, sampling pumps or grab sampling devices. - How long will the survey take? - It should take several times longer than a routine inspection of your worksite. - If the industrial hygienist does sampling, it should be time-weighted, 8-hour or full-shift sampling to understand the overall exposure to employees. How Will You Know the Surveyor Has Done a Thorough Job? Here are some signs of a thorough survey: - Safety professionals, industrial hygienists and occupational health professionals should start with your injury and illness logs and look for patterns. - The safety professional also may want to see other program documentation. - The industrial hygienist and occupational health professional will want to see your hazard communication program, and if applicable, your hearing conservation and/or respirator program. - The occupational health professionals will want to see your records of employee visits to clinics, fist aid stations and other sites where treatment is given for work-related illness and injury. They will want to examine records of employee training in first aid, CPR and EMT. Baseline and follow-up testing records probably will be reviewed also. - The safety professional should start at the beginning of your process, where raw materials are brought in, and carefully go through all your processes, watching each operation and talking to employees, until the point where your worksite's product is shipped out or otherwise completed. He/she should: - Watch how materials are handled from the time they are received and how they are moved and stored, checking the stability of storage racks and the safe storage of flammables/explosives; - Check the openings that expose moving parts for pinch points and other hazards; - Check hand tools and equipment and wiring in the maintenance shop; - Arrange to see operations on every shift and to observe any after-hours operations, such as clean-up or forklift battery recharging; - Show interest in how you manage your hazard prevention and control program; - Open every door and look in every corner of your facility; - Walk around the outside of buildings to check on such things as chocks for trucks at the loading/unloading docks, fork lift ramps, outdoor storage of flammable/explosives and any fueling areas; - Suggest target tasks for job safety analysis, especially those tasks that might involve ergonomic hazards; and - Assist in developing or improving your injury reduction program. - The industrial hygienist and occupational health professional also should start at the beginning of your production operation, observe all processes, talk to employees, and follow the production flow to the point of shipping They will want to: - Make a list of all hazardous chemicals that can be found in the worksite (as required by 29 CFR 1910.1200(e), OSHA's Hazard Communication standard), or check the accuracy of your existing inventory list; - Determine what metals are used in any welding operations; - Check any production areas where eating or smoking is allowed; - Check for the possible presence of asbestos, lead, other carcinogens, etc; - If respirators are used, check whether you are using each brand properly, how you fit test each employee, whether pulmonary function testing is done, and how the respirators are cleaned, maintained, and stored; - Do full-shift sampling of contaminants thought to be present in order to understand the overall exposure to employees; - Watch the movements workers make in performing their jobs to see if there are existing or potential cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) or other ergonomic hazards; - Possibly suggest processes for routine process hazard analysis; and - Help you set up or improve regular monitoring programs for any contaminants or other health hazards found to be present. Note: The items above are signs of a thorough survey. They do not constitute an exhaustive list of activities you should expect. The baseline survey should provide the basic inventory of hazards and potential hazards of your worksite. This hazard inventory will be expanded and improved by what you learn from later periodic surveys, change analysis and routine hazard analysis. However, the foundation of your inventory is the baseline comprehensive survey. Consequently, it is very important that this initial survey be done well. You need periodic follow-up surveys if you are to apply the rapidly growing scientific and engineering knowledge about hazards, their prevention, and their control. These follow-ups also help uncover the hazards that develop as processes and procedures evolve over time. The frequency of follow-up surveys will depend upon the size and complexity of your operations. INVOLVING WORKERS IN ESTABLISHING THE INVENTORY Whenever you can, do use the special knowledge your workers have gained from their close involvement with equipment, materials, and processes. You should encourage your employees to communicate openly with the professionals who do the comprehensive surveys. Don't make the mistake of limiting your employees' involvement to what they can tell the professionals during general hazard surveys. Ensure worker participation in the various kinds of hazard analysis discussed below. It makes sense to involve them in change analysis of new equipment and/or processes because of their valuable insights into how things really will work. As indicated in the section on job hazard analysis, many companies regularly include hourly operators in this activity. Employees can play a similar role in process hazard analysis. In addition to the benefit that you receive from their insights, they also profit. Greater understanding of hazards, prevention, and control helps employees do a better job of protecting themselves and their coworkers. Before Making changes in the Worksite, Analyze the Changes to Identify Potential Hazards Anytime you bring something new into your worksite, whether it be a piece of equipment, different materials, a new process, or an entirely new building, you unintentionally may introduce new hazards. If you are considering a change for your worksite, you should analyze it thoroughly beforehand. This change analysis is cost-effective in terms of the human suffering and financial loss it prevents. Moreover, heading off a problem before it develops usually is less expensive than attempting to fix it after the fact. An important step in preparing for a worksite change is considering the potential effect on your employees. Individuals respond differently to change, and even a clearly beneficial change can throw a worker temporarily off-balance -- literally as well as figuratively -- and increase the risk of accidents. You will want to inform all affected employees of the change, provide training as needed, and pay attention to worker response until everyone has adapted. The nearest State or Federal OSHA office will look at plans, blueprints, and photographs and will advise you on health and safety concerns. This assistance will not trigger an enforcement visit. Federal OSHA personnel cannot come to the site to see what you are planning; you must bring information to them. This restriction does not apply to OSHA-funded Stated consultants, who are allowed to visit your site to provide assistance when resources permit. Building or Leasing a New Facility. Even something as basic as a new facility needs to be reviewed carefully to identify hazards it might pose. A design that seems to enhance production of your product and appears delightful to the architect may be a harmful or even fatal management decision. Have safety and health experts take a careful look beforehand at all the design/building plans. When leasing a facility that was built for a different purpose at an earlier time, the risk of acquiring health and safety problems is even greater. You should make a thorough review of the actual facility, plus the blueprints or plans for any renovations. One of the most obvious concerns in acquiring an existing facility is whether asbestos insulation is present and whether it is friable (flaking off in tiny particles). But you also may discover that something as easy to fix as a loose stair railing has gone unnoticed in the rush to renovate production areas. Save frustration, money, and lives: Have expert safety and health professionals involved in the planning of any facility construction, purchase, or lease. Installing New Equipment. An equipment manufacturer does not know how its product will be used at your worksite. Therefore, you cannot rely totally on the manufacturer to have completely analyzed and prepared controls or safe procedures for the product. Moreover, if the equipment is produced in a foreign country, it may not meet clear requirements of U.S. standards and laws. Therefore, involve health and safety professionals in the purchase decision and in the installation plans. Many companies also provide a period to test newly installed equipment. The company assigns its most experienced operators to watch for hidden hazards in the operations before full production begins. As with new facilities, the sooner flaws are detected, the easier and cheaper the corrections are likely to be. Using New Materials. Before introducing new materials to your production processes, research the hazards that the materials themselves present. Also try to determine any hazards that may appear due to the processes you plan to use with the materials. In many instances, the place to start will be the manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet. An MSDS is required for all materials containing hazardous chemicals. It should arrive with each shipment. The MSDS should provide the information an industrial hygienist needs to analyze the hazard a chemical presents and to prevent or control it. Some traditional materials, such as lead in paint, are dangerous to use but are replaceable with less hazardous mixtures. For other materials, you may not be able to find adequate substitutes. You may need to establish controls for the hazards these materials present. Starting Up New Processes. New processes require workers to perform differently. Consequently, new hazards may develop even when your employees are using familiar materials, equipment, and facilities. Carefully develop safe work procedures for new processes. After the operators have become familiar with these procedures, perform routine hazard analysis (discussed below) to discover any hidden hazards. Analyzing Multiple Changes. Often a big change is composed of several smaller changes. When you begin producing a new product, chances are you will have new equipment, materials, and processes to monitor. Make sure each new addition is analyzed not only individually, but also in relation to the other changes. Once you have analyzed the changes at your worksite, add this information to your basic inventory of hazards. This inventory is the foundation from which you design your hazard prevention and control program. When People Change. Worker changes that have safety and health ramifications can be divided into two basic categories. The first is staffing changes. A task previously done by one worker now is being performed by someone else. The new employee may bring to the position a different level of skill from the previous jobholder. Almost certainly, he/she will possess a different degree of experience performing the tasks, following the specific work rules and procedures of the site, and interacting with nearby workers. Especially in high hazard situations, these differences should be examined and steps should be taken to minimize any increased risk, both to the new employee and to anyone affected by his/her presence. Chapter 11 offers a variety of training and job orientation methods that will help you to ensure a safe employee transition. The second category of worker change is the sometimes sudden, sometimes gradual change that can occur in the individual employee. The change may be related to temporary or chronic medical problems, a partially disabling condition, family responsibilities, family crisis and other personal problems, alcohol or drug abuse, aging, or the worker's response to workplace changes. An analysis of this change, followed by physical and/or administrative accommodations to ensure safe and healthful continued performance, sometimes may be appropriate; for example, when an accident affects an employee's functioning. At other times, a less formal response will be more suitable. It may be useful to remember that workplace hazards do not exist in a vacuum. The human element is always present, and the human condition is one of change. An effective manager will be sensitive to these changes and their potential effect on the safety and health of the individual and the company as a whole. JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS This is the most basic and widely used tool in routine hazard analysis. It is sometimes called job safety analysis. You begin by breaking down a job into its component steps. This is best done by listing each step in order of occurrence as you watch an employee performing the job. Next you examine each step to determine the hazards that exist or that might occur. Reviewing the job steps and hazards with the employee performing the job will help insure an accurate and complete list. Manufacturer's equipment operating instructions or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) should also be considered. Now determine whether the job could be performed differently to eliminate the hazards. Would it help to combine steps or change the sequence? Are safety equipment and other precautions needed? If a safer way of performing the job is possible, list each new step, being as specific as possible about the new procedure. If no safer way to perform the job is feasible, determine whether any physical changes will eliminate or reduce the danger. These might include redesigning equipment, changing tools, adding machine guards, using personal protective equipment, or improving ventilation. Establishing a personal hygiene routine may be appropriate where toxic dust is a hazard. Review these new safe work procedures with all employees performing the job. Obtaining their ideas about the hazards and proposed changes is an important part of this process. It will help ensure that your proposed changes are sensible and are accepted by the workers you are trying to protect. Many companies have had success with assigning the workers who perform the tasks to the job hazard analysis team. Improvements in job methods can lead to reduced costs resulting from employee absenteeism and workers' compensation premiums, and often can lead to increased productivity. Detailed information on this important tool can be found in OSHA Publication 3071 (Revised 1992),"Job Hazard Analysis.". PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS What Is a "Process" for the Purpose of this Analysis? A process can be defined as any series of actions or operations that convert raw material into a product. The process can terminate in a finished product ready for consumption or in a product that is the raw material for subsequent processes. OSHA's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard (Part 1910.119 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations) defines process for the purpose of the standard as any activity involving a highly hazardous chemical, including any use, storage, manufacturing, handling, or on-site movement of such chemicals, or a combination of these activities. This standard aims to protect employees by preventing or minimizing the consequences of chemical accidents involving highly hazardous chemicals. Two useful booklets dealing with the standard are OSHA Publication 3131 (Revised 1994), "Process Safety Management", and OSHA Publication 3132 (Revised 1993), "Process Safety Management - Guidelines for Compliance." Employers should refer to the standard and its appendices to determine whether they have processes covered by the standard and to take advantage of the standard's greater detail regarding requirements for establishing a process safety management program. Such a program includes conducting process hazard analyses. However, the concept of process safety management is relevant and useful to the full range of workplaces, not only those subject to the standard's requirements. OSHA believes that any business aiming for a comprehensive safety and health program will benefit from conducting a process hazard analysis. A process hazard analysis is a detailed study of a process to identify every possible hazard to employees. Every element of the process must be studied. Each action of every piece of equipment, each substance present, and every move made by an employee must be assumed initially to pose a hazard to employees. Process hazard analysis then is applied to show that the element either poses no hazard, poses a hazard that is controlled in every foreseeable circumstance, or poses an uncontrolled hazard. Various methodologies employed in process hazard analysis are discussed in greater detail under the heading Preparing for the Unplanned Event, and in OSHA's Process Safety Management standard, 29 CFR 1910.119(e). Often the process hazard analysis will concentrate on the specialized equipment used in the process. The equipment may be used to: - Move materials; - Apply mechanical forces to change materials; - Apply special forms or concentrations of energy to materials (e.g., ionizing radiation, magnetic or electric fields, and lasers); - Mix materials; or - Bring the hold materials together and contain them, under either ambient or special conditions, for chemical or biological reactions, etc. Processes may be either batch or continuous. Some operations may be conducted remotely. There may be special instrumentation to monitor conditions at various stages in the process. These instruments will keep the operator informed and perhaps also directly control the process or shut down operations if a hazardous or otherwise undesirable condition is approaching. The best time for an employer to conduct a process hazard analysis is when the process is first being designed, before equipment is selected. This review, in turn, will assist you in choosing process equipment for its effective, efficient, and safe operation. Be sure to consider the equipment's capacity for confining the process within predetermined safe limits. The type, number, and location of detectors you select for monitoring the process should ensure not only productive operation, but also safe operation. Remember to take into account any substance or mixture of substances that could present fire or explosion hazards. When you have selected your equipment, the information from the process hazard analysis will help you to develop an appropriate inspection and maintenance schedule. Remember, even when a process initially appears to be so simple that hazard analysis during the design phase seems unnecessary, it needs to be done anyway. If the process really is simple, and there are no known potential hazards, then the process hazard analysis likewise will be simple and will require very little time and expense. On the other hand, if things are not as simple as they seem, the analysis may reveal potential problems that might have been overlooked otherwise. Correction at this early stage will save time, money, and possible injuries and grief. Process hazard analysis will include hazards associated with; - Mechanical and chemical operations, - Low and high temperature and pressure operations, - Possible high levels of radiant energy, - Direct contamination of employees, and - Contamination of the air with toxic substances. Remember that toxic substances may be the raw materials entering the process, the intermediate products, or the by-products or waste products. Who Should Do the Process Hazard Analysis? OSHA believes that a team approach is the best approach for performing a process hazard analysis, because no one person will possess all of the necessary knowledge and experience. Additionally, when more than one person is performing the analysis, different disciplines, opinions, and perspectives will be represented, and additional knowledge and expertise will be contributed to the analysis. At least one member of the team should be an employee who has experience with and knowledge of the process being evaluated. (The Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard deals with the makeup of the process hazard analysis team at 29 CFR 1910.119(e).) Small businesses may need to hire expert consultants to help with this analysis. If you have a small business and you do not know whether your process requires a high degree of expertise, call for advice from your local office of the OSHA-funded, State-run consultation service or the nearest State or Federal OSHA office. Overview of the Process Start by writing down answers to the questions contained in the Appendix 7-1 worksheet. Using these answers, combined with any additional information pertinent to your operation, prepare a detailed narrative report. Your report should be understandable even to persons unfamiliar with the process. Process Flow Chart Unless your process is very simple, with only one or two steps, you should now prepare a diagram or flow chart of the process. The flow chart is a detailed expansion of the overview. It is prepared as a visual and verbal description of each step in the process, clearly relating each step to the others. A careful review of the flow chart should reveal any elements not considered in the overview. For an example of a process flow chart, see Appendix 7-2. Examine each substance in the process: - Raw materials, - Intermediate products, - Final product, - By-products, and Be sure to look at all activity involving substances that could produce hazardous conditions or products. Consider the potential for the air's oxygen content being reduced in any inhabited areas, especially confined spaces. Study the potential hazards of each substance -- toxicity, fire or explosive hazard, and others. (This is required by the Hazard Communication standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(d).) See how each substance appears in the process and in what quantity. Is each hazardous substance being handled in a way that minimizes its hazard? Could a less hazardous material be substituted? With these answers, you can plan your program of prevention and control. Take the precautions necessary to protect your workers, beginning with substitutions and engineering controls. Establish safe work practices and other administrative controls, and use personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary. The topic of hazard prevention and control is covered in Chapter 8. Look at all the equipment, from that used to bring in the raw materials at the beginning of the process, to the equipment used to move out the products, by-products, and waste products at the end of the process. It must be safe not only for the operator, but also for other workers nearby. Look at the materials handling equipment throughout the process. Examine all the machines used to bend, form, cut, grind, mill, smooth, or otherwise change the surface or contours of solid materials. Look at equipment used to weld, crimp, rivet, or otherwise fasten one solid piece to another. For liquids and gases, there will be enclosed systems for transfer and storage, vessels for mixing, and reactor vessels that may be subjected to high or low temperatures and/or pressures. If there are exothermic reactions (reactions that release heat), are there adequate provisions for removing the heat? Look at any special equipment capable of producing hazardous levels of radiant energy. Once you have determined the potential hazards, you can plan your prevention/control by using the safest equipment, implementing engineering controls and safe work practices, and providing and ensuring the use of PPE as necessary. Look at each worker's locations and actions throughout the workday. With what substances and equipment does the worker interact? Does the worker perform actions that result in a hazard for himself/herself or others? Employee exposures to physical agents such as microwave radiation will have to be measured with special instrumentation. Air contaminants will have to be measured to determine exposure levels. When outside doors and windows are closed at the end of summer, will air contaminant levels and worker exposure rise? With the information you have gathered about employee exposure, plan your prevention/control, employing engineering controls, safe work practices, and PPE as necessary. See Appendix 7-3 for a process hazard analysis worksheet. Especially when dealing with high hazard chemicals or volatile explosives, it is not enough to analyze only those hazards associated with normal operations, those times when the process works as expected. Using analytical tools such as "what if," "checklist," hazard and operability study (HAZOP), failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), or "fault-tree" analysis, you can determine most of the possible process breakdowns. You then can design prevention/controls for the likely causes of these unwanted events. "What if" analysis, appropriate for relatively uncomplicated processes, starts with points in the process where something could go wrong. You then determine what else could happen, and what all possible outcomes would be. You must plan additional prevention and controls for those possible unplanned events that could contribute to an undesirable outcome. For more complex processes, the "what if" study can best be organized through the use of a "checklist." Aspects of the process are assigned to analysis team members with the greatest experience or skill in those areas. Operator practices and job knowledge are audited, the suitability of equipment and materials of construction is studied, the chemistry of the process and the control systems are reviewed, and the operating and maintenance records are audited. Hazard and operability study is a method for systematically investigating each element of a system to uncover ways in which important parameters can deviate from the intended design conditions and, as a result, can create hazards and operability problems. Typically, an analysis team studies the piping and instrument diagrams (or plant model). The team analyzes the effects of potential deviations from design conditions in, for example, flow, temperature, pressure, and time. The team then assesses the system's existing safeguards, the causes of and potential for system failure, and the requirements for protection. Failure mode and effect analysis is a methodical study of component failures. This review starts with a diagram of the process and includes all components that could fail and conceivably affect the safety of the operation. Typical examples are instrument transmitters, controllers, valves, pumps, and rotometers. The components are listed on a data tabulation sheet and individually analyzed for their potential mode of failure, the effects of failure, detection methods, and other factors. The last step in the analysis is to analyze the component data and develop recommendations for risk management. In "fault-tree" analysis, you start with an undesirable outcome that is possible, even if highly unlikely, given the potential hazards involved in your process. Then you trace back into the process to identify all possible events or combinations of events that would have to occur to produce that outcome. This information is graphically represented using logic symbols in a diagram that looks like a tree with many branches. Once you have determined these sequences of events, you then can design prevention/controls to make it impossible or nearly impossible for them to occur. For additional information on methodologies, see OSHA's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard at 1910.119(e) and OSHA Publication 3133 (Revised 1994), "Process Safety Management - Guidelines for Compliance." UPDATING THE PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS At least every 5 years after completion of the initial process hazard analysis, the analysis should be updated to ensure that it is consistent with the current process. For businesses covered by the standard, this update is required, and the analysis must be revalidated by a team meeting the standard's requirements. PHASE HAZARD ANALYSIS Phase hazard analysis is a helpful tool in construction and other industries that involve a rapidly changing work environment, different contractors, and widely different operations. A phase is defined as an operation involving a type of work that presents hazards not experienced in previous operations, or an operation where a new subcontractor or work crew is to perform work. In this type of hazard analysis, before beginning each major phase of work, the contractor or site manager should assess the hazards in the new phase. He/she should not only coordinate appropriate supplies and support, but also prepare for hazards that can be expected and establish a plan to eliminate or control them. To find these hazards and to eliminate or control them, you will use many of the same techniques that you use in routine hazard analysis, change analysis, process analysis, and job analysis. One major additional task will be to find those hazards that develop when combinations of activities occur in close proximity. Workers for several contractors with differing expertise may be intermingled. They will need to learn how to protect themselves from the hazards associated with the work of nearby colleagues as well as the hazards connected to their own work and the hazards presented by combinations of the two kinds of work. USING THE INVENTORY OF HAZARDS You will use the surveys and analyses we have described to plan a program of hazard prevention and control. Chapter 8 explains this program. Briefly, you should prevent hazards by substituting less hazardous materials or equipment whenever possible. Engineering controls that distance the worker from the hazard are the next best option. For the remaining hazards, design safe work practices, train your workers adequately in these practices and enforce them consistently. In some instances, you may also need to establish other administrative controls, such as worker rotation or more frequent work breaks. Where needed, use personal protective equipment. Establishing a complete hazard inventory is not as complicated as it may sound. It begins with having industrial hygiene, safety, and occupational health experts conduct a comprehensive survey of your worksite to determine the existing and potential hazards. Periodic surveys, done at intervals that make sense for the size and complexity of your worksite, will bring into play any new engineering or scientific knowledge of hazards and their prevention. These subsequent surveys also can help find new hazards that have evolved along with changing work procedures over time. Change analysis prevents expensive problems before they occur. Individuals who are knowledgeable in worker health and safety can help you design and plan for changes in your worksite. Change analysis uses elements of routine hazard analysis appropriate to the type of change being contemplated. Routine hazard analysis also adds to your inventory. It enables you to control hazards that develop in work procedures or within processes, or that occur because of changes in the phases of the operation. The tools and approaches used in the various types of hazard analysis tend to overlap. This overlapping helps ensure total coverage and a more comprehensive inventory on which to base your prevention program. Involving your employees in the effort to inventory hazards is sure to pay off. Hazard surveyors will benefit from workers' practical knowledge. And employees, as they become more knowledgeable about workplace hazards, prevention, and controls, will be better able to protect themselves and others. When assessing workplace hazards, do not overlook the human element. Whenever one employee is replaced by another, the difference in skill and experience can mean increased risk to both the new worker and his/her coworkers. Changes in the individual employee's health, ability to function on the job, and personal life, whether these changes are sudden or gradual, can affect workplace safety and health. A manager needs to be sensitive to these changes and willing to provide training and orientation, physical and administrative adjustments, or other accommodations. The OSHA-funded, State-run consultation services can help small businesses create and update their hazard inventories. Larger businesses may wish to hire private consultants or use in-house experts, but should be on guard to avoid the "tunnel vision" sometimes suffered by specialists within the company. And businesses of any size can ask for advice from State and Federal OSHA offices without fear of enforcement action. Remember, the first step in protecting your workers is recognizing the hazards that need to be prevented or controlled.

ESTABLISHING COMPLETE HAZARD INVENTORIES If you are to protect your employees from workplace hazards you first must understand just what those hazards are. Are you sure you know all of the potential hazards generally associated with your type of business and your specific working conditions? A means of systematically identifying all workplace hazards would be useful. OSHA's Safety and Health Progr

Delaware Student Focus Group Gives Feedback on School Meals The new school meal patterns have required school food authorities across the country to get creative. We are finding new ways to plan menus that not only meet the new meal guidelines but also please the taste buds of students. Indian River High School Focus Group: Clifton Toomey, Indian River School District Supervisor of Nutrition Services (left), and Indian River High School Principal Mark Steele meet with the Superintendent’s Focus Group to discuss new menu items being considered for the lunch menu that adhere to the new USDA school meal standards. (Photo courtesy of Indian River School District) At Indian River School District in Delaware, where I work as the Nutrition Services Supervisor, a unique relationship has been established between our Superintendent, school administrators and students at Indian River and Sussex Central High Schools. This so-called Superintendent’s Focus Group represents a microcosm of the student body: different ethnic groups; males and females; athletes and artists; who meet two or three times each year. One of the group’s important jobs is to make sure menu choices are more appealing to students. At our most recent meeting in February we asked the group for feedback on a new ground turkey lasagna recipe. Our food service staff and I taught the group about the recipe’s ingredients, nutritional value, and preparation. And, most importantly, we gave the students a chance to taste the dish that will soon be served on a test basis at both high schools. The students have their views heard, and we take action. For example, because a few students in our group suggested we serve a vegetarian version, at the school-wide taste test we’ll add a meatless option and find out which recipe is the most popular. A student focus group is a great way to get feedback from students while also making sure meals are nutritious. Learn more about the new efforts to make meals nutritiou and delicious for healthier students and healthier schools here. See other blog posts in this series:

Delaware Student Focus Group Gives Feedback on School Meals The new school meal patterns have required school food authorities across the country to get creative. We are finding new ways to plan menus that not only meet the new meal guidelines but also please the taste buds of students. Indian River High School Focus Group: Clifton Toomey, Indian River School District Supervisor of Nutrition Servi

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. RANCID is a very useful tool for automatically backing up your network configurations. If you follow the default installation instructions, it will grab the current configuration of your network devices every hour, diff them against the previous ones, and check any changes into subversion or cvs. Under the hood, it's just a bash script that runs various expect scripts, logs into each network device, and gets their configuration in a vendor-specific manner. It is exceptionally quick to set up, so there really is no excuse not to do so! Obviously, RANCID is very useful, but it is also very simple to use. After following the installation instructions (or installing a package if you have one), you only need to edit two files for each network device: /usr/local/rancid/.cloginrc #file containing login details for devices /usr/local/rancid/var/networking/router.db #list of devices A simple example would be to monitor an HP switch, with IP address 192.168.1.1, that has an admin user of "manager" and admin password of "insecure-password". #/usr/local/rancid/.cloginrc add user 192.168.1.1 manager add password 192.168.1.1 insecure-password add autoenable 192.168.1.1 1 The autoenable value is required for devices where you do not login as an initial user and then elevate permissions to another. By default sessions are spawned over telnet, but you can make logins occur over SSH using the following: add method 192.168.1.1 ssh You can test that logins are working correctly as follows: This will go through all the steps to log into the device, and leave you at a prompt on the device. You'll need to exit manually when testing. Now that we have added the login details, and validated them, we have to tell RANCID to monitor the device. This is done by simply adding the following to /usr/local/rancid/var/networking/router.db: These arguments are in order device_name:device_type:state. You might need to play around a bit with the manufacturer, as it's not strict that the best match for how your device works will be the scripts written specifically for that manufacturer. Configurations will only be gathered if the state is set to "up"; any other value will cause the device to be ignored. More information, particularly on the device_type file, can be found in the man page. You can manually run rancid using: It should send you two emails when you first run it, one stating that a new device has been added, and another with the information of what it is has checked into version control. The raw config files can be found in /usr/local/rancid/var/networking/configs, each saved as the IP address of the device in question. You can leave it to run from cron hourly (the default in the docs), and add your remaining devices, safe in the knowledge that you will always have the latest network configurations from your devices and that nobody is "forgetting" to check their changes into version control first.

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. RANCID is a very useful tool for automatically backing up your network configurations. If you follow the default installation instructions, it will grab the current configuration of your network devices every hour, diff them against the previous ones, and check any changes into subversion or cvs. Under the hood, it's just a bash script that r

For Release: February 12, 2004 Sallie A. Keith Media Relations Office NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: NASA GLENN DIRECTOR GOES TO SCHOOL TO SHARE NEW VISION WITH CHICAGO'S YOUTH NASA's Glenn Research Center Director Dr. Julian M. Earls and Astronaut Joan Higginbotham will visit Chicago's Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School, next week to share the agency's new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. When: 9:00 a.m. CST, Wednesday, February 18 Who: NASA Glenn Research Center Director Dr. Julian M. Earls and Astronaut Joan Higgenbotham Where: Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, 6700 N. Greenview, Chicago "It is vital we create learning environments in partnership with our schools that will prepare our young people for the journey ahead," said Dr. Earls. "Our nation's youth will inherit the challenge to explore Mars and beyond in the years to come. We must do what we can to engage them in the exciting possibilities the President's new vision for space exploration holds for them." Dr. Earls will talk with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA's stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Media representatives interested in arranging interviews with Dr. Earls in conjunction with his visit to Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, please contact Sallie Keith at 216-433-5795 or 216-308-0801(cell). For more information about the NASA Explorer Schools Program on the Internet, visit: http://explorerschools.nasa.gov For more information about the President's new vision for space exploration on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/bush_vision.html For information about NASA on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov text-only version of this release NASA Glenn Research Center news releases are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to: Leave the subject and body blank. The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription. You must reply to that message to begin your subscription. To unsubscribe, address an e-mail message to: Leave the subject and body blank.

For Release: February 12, 2004 Sallie A. Keith Media Relations Office NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: NASA GLENN DIRECTOR GOES TO SCHOOL TO SHARE NEW VISION WITH CHICAGO'S YOUTH NASA's Glenn Research Center Director Dr. Julian M. Earls and Astronaut Joan Higginbotham will visit Chicago's Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School, next week to share the agency's new vision for space ex

NASA to Brief Reporters About Constellation Program WASHINGTON -- NASA will host a media teleconference Monday, Aug. 11, at 3 p.m. EDT, to brief reporters about ongoing assessments regarding the budget and schedule for the Constellation Program. NASA managers will discuss evaluations being made as part of an annual budget planning cycle that considers program design and development activities in relation to available funds. Teleconference participants are: - Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington - Jeff Hanley, Constellation program manager, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston To participate in the call, reporters should dial 877-918-2312. The passcode is "Constellation." Replays of the call will be available until Sept. 1 by dialing 888-568-0902. Teleconference audio will be broadcast live at: For more information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit: - end - text-only version of this release NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending a blank e-mail message to To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a blank e-mail message to Back to NASA Newsroom | Back to NASA Homepage

NASA to Brief Reporters About Constellation Program WASHINGTON -- NASA will host a media teleconference Monday, Aug. 11, at 3 p.m. EDT, to brief reporters about ongoing assessments regarding the budget and schedule for the Constellation Program. NASA managers will discuss evaluations being made as part of an annual budget planning cycle that considers program design and development activities in r

November 26, 2010 First Tropical Depression Forms in the SW Pacific, Fiji on Alert Hurricane Season 2010: Tropical Depression 1F (Southern Pacific Ocean) Tropical depression 1F has formed in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and a NASA satellite revealed that it already has moderate rainfall as it continues to get organized. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite passed over Tropical Depression 1F on November 26 at 1202 UTC (7:02 a.m. EST) and captured rainfall rates near 1.0 inches per hour in the southern half of the storm. TRMM's pathway over the depression only covered the southern half of it, so there was no data available for the rainfall rates in the northern half. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese Space Agency, JAXA. Fiji is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,240 miles (2000 km) northeast of New Zealand's North Island, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Fiji comprises an archipelago of more than 332 islands. Of those, 110 islands are permanently inhabited. The two major islands of Fiji are called Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The Nadi Tropical Cyclone Center is the organization that forecasts tropical cyclones in that region of the world. It was officially designated by World Meteorological Organization in 1995 as a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) with activity specialization in tropical cyclones tasked to provide "first-level" information in tropical cyclones in the South-West Pacific Ocean. The RSMC issued a warning for parts of Fiji as Tropical Depression 1F is expected to organize and strengthen. At 1350 UTC (7:50 a.m. EST) on Nov. 26, the center of Tropical Depression 1F was located near 16.1 South and 171.4 East. That's about 447 miles (720 kilometers) west-northwest of Nadi, Fiji. It is moving east-southeast at 10 mph (8 knots). Satellite data has confirmed that Tropical Depression 1F has become better organized this morning and convection (rapidly rising air that forms the thunderstorms that power the tropical cyclone) has increased since Nov. 25. Maximum sustained winds are estimated between 30 and 35 knots (18-22 mph). It is expected to become a tropical cyclone over the weekend as wind shear is expected to weaken and the depression tracks through warm waters. Sea surface temperatures in the depression's path are near 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Tropical cyclones need sea surface temperatures of at least 80 F (27 C) to develop and strengthen, so the waters are warm enough to further development as long as the wind shear allows. Tropical Depression 1F is expected to move southeastward over the weekend. The RSMC has issued warnings for parts of Fiji. Gale warning 007 was issued on Nov. 26 at 1319 UTC (8:19 a.m. EST), which is 1:19 a.m. local time/Fiji on Nov. 27. A Tropical Storm Alert is in effect for Fiji. A strong wind warning is also in effect for Fiji. The RSMC noted that as Tropical Depression 1F continues to intensify "it may bring damaging gale force winds over the western parts of Fiji by later Sunday (local time)." The RSMC noted that rainfall will become more frequent and heavy with thunderstorms. Flooding in low lying and coastal areas can be expected on Saturday. Other areas of Fiji can expect moderate easterly winds to gradually become northerly and intensify later Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more frequent and heavy rainfall may also produce flash flooding of low-lying areas. For more updates on Tropical Depression 1F from the Fiji Meteorological Society, go to http://www.met.gov.fj// NASA Goddard Space Flight Center , Greenbelt, MD

November 26, 2010 First Tropical Depression Forms in the SW Pacific, Fiji on Alert Hurricane Season 2010: Tropical Depression 1F (Southern Pacific Ocean) Tropical depression 1F has formed in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and a NASA satellite revealed that it already has moderate rainfall as it continues to get organized. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite passed over Tropi

III. Other North Dakota and Miscellaneous Citation Forms . . . F. Statutory, Rule, and Constitutional History North Dakota Legislative History: Underline the name/title of the hearing, the bill abbreviation and number (if any), the subcommittee name (if any), and the committee name. Subcommittee and committee names may be abbreviated according to tables T. 6 and T. 10 in the Bluebook. In regular type add the number of the legislative session and, if available, the page number (North Dakota legislative history is generally not bound and as such is generally not consecutively paginated). In parenthesis add the date and year. Parenthetically note the name and position or title of the person giving the written or oral testimony. There are several types of bills: House Bills (1xxx): H.B. Senate Bills (2xxx): S.B. House Concurrent Resolutions (3xxx): H.C.R. Senate Concurrent Resolutions (4xxx): S.C.R. For legislative history and other sources where it would be cumbersome to use the usual "supra" form, i.e., the author's name followed by "supra", put a shortened form of the title in brackets and surrounded by quotation marks following the full form. The shortened form can then be used in conjunction with "supra". (See II.B., II.G.) full cite: Hearing on H.B. 1097 Before the House Judiciary Comm., 41st N.D. Legis. Sess. (Feb. 13, 1969) (testimony of Gene Krueger, Cass County State's Attorney) ["Hearing on H.B. 1097"]. short cite: Hearing on H.B. 1097, supra (testimony of Will Wonka, Assistant Cass County State's Attorney). Interim Committee Minutes: The form is similar to that shown above, but bill numbers are not available when interim committees are considering legislation. A common example is the work of the Committee on Judiciary "B," which reviewed the criminal code during the 1971-73 legislative interim. Page numbers and the date(s) of the meeting should be provided. A parenthetical may be used if it would be helpful. Minutes of Interim Comm. on Judiciary "B" 18 (Sept. 21-22, 1972) (noting Professor Lockney's suggestion the language be broadened). Miscellaneous Rules Committee Minutes: Minutes for other bodies, such as the Joint Procedure Committee, should be cited in the same form as Interim Committees. Minutes of the Rules Comm. 4 (Feb. 20-23, 1973). Minutes of the Joint Procedure Comm. 13 (Jan. 30, 1997). North Dakota Constitutional Convention History: Citation is similar to the book form provided in part III.G. The following are examples of bound histories of North Dakota Constitutional Conventions: Official Report of the Proceedings and Debates of the First Constitutional Convention of North Dakota 152 (1889) Journal of the Constitutional Convention for North Dakota 171 (1889) 2 North Dakota Constitutional Convention of 1972 1205 (1972). NOTE: The 1972 Constitution was rejected by the voters. United States Congressional History: (See Bluebook R. 13.3) Corporate Rights and Responsibilities: Hearings Before the Senate Comm. on Commerce, 94th Cong. 47 (1976). Charles Davenport, Administrative Procedures of the Internal Revenue Service, S. Doc. No. 94-266, at 619-726 (1975). S. Rep. No. 89-1319 (1966).

III. Other North Dakota and Miscellaneous Citation Forms . . . F. Statutory, Rule, and Constitutional History North Dakota Legislative History: Underline the name/title of the hearing, the bill abbreviation and number (if any), the subcommittee name (if any), and the committee name. Subcommittee and committee names may be abbreviated according to tables T. 6 and T. 10 in the Bluebook. In regular t

Facts About Retinoblastoma This information was developed by the National Eye Institute to help patients and their families search for general information about retinoblastoma. An eye care professional who has examined the patient's eyes and is familiar with his or her medical history is the best person to answer specific questions. Table of Contents What is retinoblastoma? Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that forms in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Who is at risk for retinoblastoma? The disease usually occurs in children younger than 5 years and may be in one eye or in both eyes. In some cases the disease is inherited from a parent. How is retinoblastoma treated? Retinoblastoma is a serious, life-threatening disease. However, with early diagnosis and timely treatment, in most cases, a child's eyesight and life can be saved. Content last reviewed in October 2010. The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness.

Facts About Retinoblastoma This information was developed by the National Eye Institute to help patients and their families search for general information about retinoblastoma. An eye care professional who has examined the patient's eyes and is familiar with his or her medical history is the best person to answer specific questions. Table of Contents What is retinoblastoma? Retinoblastoma is a typ

Oil & Natural Gas Projects Exploration and Production Technologies Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Development This proposal is directed at reducing environmental impacts associated with the development of U.S oil, gas, and coal bed natural gas (CBNG) reserves. This will involve assessing and evaluating the environmental impacts of produced water, conducting research and developing techniques to reduce the environmental impact of produced water, and initiating research on reducing the environmental impacts of drilling and extraction operations associated with oil, gas, and CBNG development. National Energy Technology Laboratory Based on project analyses, a roadmap of environmental R&D needs will be developed. The roadmap will prioritize those R&D needs and assess which components can be addressed by NETL in-house versus being handled more cost-effectively others. Where possible, appropriate agencies or R&D institutions will be suggested for additional R&D work. The primary benefit is reduced environmental impacts as a result of oil and gas development. The fate and transport work in the Powder River Basin has demonstrated how important the impoundment basin location is to the environmental impacts of produced water. An offshoot of that research has produced a potential method of locating impoundment basins to minimize the environmental impacts on surface and groundwater, based on assessments of soil and water quality in the area. The researchers propose to develop that method into a useful tool that can be used by producers and regulatory agencies to identify optimal locations for these basins and to have that tool publicly available during FY 2006. In addition, they will investigate R&D needs related to the development and modification of other technologies to reduce the environmental impacts of produced water associated with oil, gas, and CBNG production activities; this will likely include assessing R&D needs associated with the beneficial use of treated produced waters. In addition, the project intends to begin addressing other environmental impacts associated with oil, gas, and CBNG development. Part of this will involve evaluating Alaskan North Slope technologies for potential application in the Lower 48 states. The researchers’ assessment of the environmental impacts of produced water will involve learning what has been and is being done in this field. Work conducted on fate and transport of produced water issues in the Powder River Basin already has provided some familiarity with the issues involved, but this perspective will need to be significantly broadened. Based on preliminary analysis, the researchers will develop a roadmap of R&D needs. This roadmap will prioritize those R&D needs and assess what components can be addressed effectively by NETL’s in-house component versus R&D that would be (more cost-effectively) handled by others, and, where possible, the researchers will recommend appropriate agencies or R&D institutions to address these R&D needs. In addition, the researchers intend to begin addressing other environmental aspects associated with oil, gas, and CBNG development. Part of this effort will involve assessing the potential use of technology developed to minimize the environmental impact of drilling and producing in the pristine environment associated with Alaska's North Slope. The project performer will evaluate the state-of-the-art environmental technologies that have been employed in the North Slope region for potential low-cost applications (either directly or modified) in the Lower 48 states. This work will require learning much more about legal limitations, regulatory barriers, and economic aspects associated with conventional exploration, drilling, and production as well as the specialized technology developed for the North Slope. Current Status (July 2006) A field investigation supporting airborne electromagnetic data collected from the Powder River Basin Study area was conducted in June 2006. The field study was designed to verify and explain airborne conductivity anomalies at the Powder River Arvada site. Preliminary data analysis indicates the ground based data agrees with the airborne collected data. Data analysis will continue throughout the summer. In addition to surface field readings, researchers are partnering with ALL Consulting on a drilling program to obtain subsurface data. The drilling program was started in May 2006, and 15 wells have been completed with induction logs run. Lithologic data is being recorded and water samples are being collected as well. The drilling program has been designed to verify airborne data, improve inversion modeling, and provide improved subsurface conductivity data for a GIS-based model used to aid in locating CBM water impoundments. Efforts to evaluate the feasibility of using technology developed for the North Slope of Alaska to reduce the environmental impacts in the rest of the US were initiated during the first half of 2006. Researchers felt that North Slope technologies which could be transferred to the lower 48 states for reducing environmental impacts were considered rather limited compared to the reverse. Project Start: October 1, 2005 Project End: September 30, 2006 Anticipated DOE Contribution: $550,000 Performer Contribution: $0 NETL – Jim Sams (firstname.lastname@example.org or 412-386-5763) NETL – Sue Mehlhoff (email@example.com or 918-699-2044) NETL – Robert Kleinmann (firstname.lastname@example.org or 412-386-6555) Deer in the Powder River Basin, locale of extensive oil, gas, and CBNG development and related produced-water concerns.

Oil & Natural Gas Projects Exploration and Production Technologies Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Development This proposal is directed at reducing environmental impacts associated with the development of U.S oil, gas, and coal bed natural gas (CBNG) reserves. This will involve assessing and evaluating the environmental impacts of produced water, conducting research and developi

U.S. Pandemic Flu Model These simulations show the hypothetical spread of a moderately contagious pandemic flu in the United States. Each dot represents a Census tract and changes color from green to red as more people in that tract become infected. The dots change back to green as people recover. With no intervention (top), the pandemic peaks around day 85. With the distribution of 10 million doses per week of a vaccine that’s poorly matched to the emerging virus (bottom), the pandemic peaks around day 108. All graphics are courtesy of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If pandemic flu were to emerge in the United States, what interventions might slow its spread and minimize the impact? With support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., and the Los Alamos National Laboratory have used computer models to suggest possible answers. The findings appear in the April 11, 2006, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and will be available in the online edition the week of April 3. By developing a model that represents the U.S. population and tests different properties of a potential pandemic flu virus, the researchers evaluated the effectiveness of different intervention strategies. They found that, depending on the contagiousness of the virus, a variety of approaches could reduce the number of cases to less than that of an annual flu season. “Preparing for a potential pandemic is tremendously challenging, given the potential scope and the large number of unknowns,” said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. “The best approach is to use all of the tools available to us, including computer modeling. By predicting the impact of intervention strategies, these models can help health officials and policymakers plan for a real pandemic.” The recent modeling work is part of an ongoing research program called the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS), supported by NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Researchers in the network develop computer models to better understand the spread of infectious diseases, whether they occur naturally or deliberately. With growing concerns that the H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus, initially found in birds throughout Southeast Asia, could eventually be transmitted easily between people, the research network has been modeling pandemic flu in different parts of the world. “The MIDAS researchers previously developed models of a potential pandemic flu outbreak in Thailand and surrounding areas that showed containment at the source is feasible,” explained Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D., NIGMS director. “But we need to consider the possibility that if the outbreak isn’t contained, it could quickly spread globally.” Using data from the 2000 U.S. Census and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the researchers developed a model that represents the demographics and travel patterns of 281 million people living in the United States. They also incorporated information about the potential virus based on previous flu pandemics, including different assumptions about its possible contagiousness (but not its potential effects on mortality). The researchers then introduced a small number of hypothetical travelers, who are infected but not yet symptomatic, arriving daily at 14 major U.S. international airports. With these assumptions in place, the scientists simulated a virtual outbreak on high-performance computers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. “The goal for the U.S. modeling project was to determine how to slow spread long enough so that a well-matched vaccine could be developed and distributed,” said the research team’s leader, Ira M. Longini, Jr., Ph.D., a biostatistician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. An additional guideline was to reduce the number of overall cases to or below 10 percent of the population, the average percentage reported during an annual flu season. To identify such measures, the researchers tested different interventions: distributing antiviral treatments to infected individuals and others near them to reduce symptoms and susceptibility; vaccinating people, possibly children first, with either one or two shots of a vaccine not well matched to the strain that may emerge; social distancing, such as restricting travel and quarantining households; and closing schools. The results showed that with no intervention a pandemic flu with low contagiousness could peak after 117 days and infect about 33 percent of the U.S. population. A highly contagious virus could peak after 64 days and infect about 54 percent of people. The researchers then compared what might happen in scenarios involving the use of different interventions. When the simulated virus was less contagious, the three most effective single measures included distributing several million courses of antiviral treatment to targeted groups seven days after a pandemic alert, school closures, and vaccinating 10 million people per week with one dose of a poorly matched vaccine. The results also showed that vaccinating school children first is more effective than random vaccination when the vaccine supply is limited. Regardless of contagiousness, social distancing measures alone had little effect. But when the virus was highly contagious, all single intervention strategies left nearly half the population infected. In this instance, the only measures that reduced the number of cases to below the annual flu rate involved a combination of at least three different interventions, including a minimum of 182 million courses of antiviral treatment. While the results are specific to the United States, the researchers said the general findings can apply to other developed countries and could aid the drafting of preparedness plans both here and abroad. Because computer models can’t capture all the complexities of real communities and outbreaks, MIDAS scientists will continue to refine their models and test different scenarios as new information becomes available. Other members of the Longini team who contributed to the recent findings include Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists Timothy C. Germann, Ph.D.; Kai Kadau, Ph.D.; and Catherine A. Macken, Ph.D. To arrange an interview with NIGMS Director Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D., contact the NIGMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison at 301-496-7301. To arrange an interview with Ira M. Longini, Jr., Ph.D., please call 206-667-2896. More information about MIDAS is available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/FeaturedPrograms/MIDAS/. NIGMS (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIGMS mission is to support basic biomedical research that lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)--The Nation's Medical Research Agency--includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

U.S. Pandemic Flu Model These simulations show the hypothetical spread of a moderately contagious pandemic flu in the United States. Each dot represents a Census tract and changes color from green to red as more people in that tract become infected. The dots change back to green as people recover. With no intervention (top), the pandemic peaks around day 85. With the distribution of 10 million dos

§ 2.4 Definitions As used in this part, ACRS means the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards established by the Act. Act means the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 919). Adjudication means the process for the formulation of an order for the final disposition of the whole or any part of any proceeding subject to this part, other than rule making. Administrative Law Judge means an individual appointed pursuant to section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act to conduct proceedings subject to this part. Commission means the Commission of five members or a quorum thereof sitting as a body, as provided by section 201 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 1242), or any officer to whom has been delegated authority pursuant to section 161n of the Act. Commission adjudicatory employee means — (1) The Commissioners and members of their personal staffs; (2) The employees of the Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication; (3) The members of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel and staff assistants to the Panel; (4) A presiding officer appointed under § 2.313, and staff assistants to a presiding officer; (5) Special assistants (as defined in § 2.322); (6) The General Counsel, the Solicitor, the Associate General Counsel for Licensing and Regulation, and employees of the Office of the General Counsel under the supervision of the Solicitor; (7) The Secretary and employees of the Office of the Secretary; and (8) Any other Commission officer or employee who is appointed by the Commission, the Secretary, or the General Counsel to participate or advise in the Commission's consideration of an initial or final decision in a proceeding. Any other Commission officer or employee who, as permitted by § 2.348, participates or advises in the Commission's consideration of an initial or final decision in a proceeding must be appointed as a Commission adjudicatory employee under this paragraph and the parties to the proceeding must be given written notice of the appointment. Contested proceeding means— (1) A proceeding in which there is a controversy between the NRC staff and the applicant for a license or permit concerning the issuance of the license or permit or any of the terms or conditions thereof; (2) A proceeding in which the NRC is imposing a civil penalty or other enforcement action, and the subject of the civil penalty or enforcement action is an applicant for or holder of a license or permit, or is or was an applicant for a standard design certification under part 52 of this chapter; and (3) A proceeding in which a petition for leave to intervene in opposition to an application for a license or permit has been granted or is pending before the Commission. Department means the Department of Energy established by the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95 - 91, 91 Stat. 565 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) to the extent that the Department, or its duly authorized representatives, exercises functions formerly vested in the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, its Chairman, members, officers and components and transferred to the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration and to the Administrator thereof pursuant to sections 104 (b), (c) and (d) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93 - 438, 88 Stat. 1233 at 1237, 42 U.S.C. 5814) and retransferred to the Secretary of Energy pursuant to section 301(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95 - 91, 91 Stat. 565 at 577 - 578, 42 U.S.C. 7151). Digital ID certificate means a file stored on a participant's computer that contains the participant's name, e-mail address, and participant's digital signature, proves the participant's identity when filing documents and serving participants electronically through the E-Filing system, and contains public keys, which allow for the encryption and decryption of documents so that the documents can be securely transferred over the Internet. Electric utility means any entity that generates or distributes electricity and which recovers the costs of this electricity, either directly or indirectly through rates established by the entity itself or by a separate regulatory authority. Investor-owned utilities including generation or distribution subsidiaries, public utility districts, municipalities, rural electric cooperatives, and State and Federal agencies, including associations of any of the foregoing, are included within the meaning of "electric utility." Electronic acknowledgment means a communication transmitted electronically from the E-Filing system to the submitter confirming receipt of electronic filing and service. Electronic Hearing Docket means the publicly available Web site which houses a visual presentation of the docket and a link to its files. E-Filing System means an electronic system that receives, stores, and distributes documents filed in proceedings for which an electronic hearing docket has been established. Ex parte communication means an oral or written communication not on the public record with respect to which reasonable prior notice to all parties is not given. Facility means a production facility or a utilization facility as defined in § 50.2 of this chapter. Guidance for Electronic Submissions to the NRC means the document issued by the Commission that sets forth the transmission methods and formatting standards for filing and service under E-Filing. The document can be obtained by visiting the NRC’s Web site at http://www.nrc.gov. Investigative or litigating function means — (1) Personal participation in planning, conducting, or supervising an investigation; or (2) Personal participation in planning, developing, or presenting, or in supervising the planning, development or presentation of testimony, argument, or strategy in a proceeding. License means a license, including an early site permit, construction permit, operating license, combined license, manufacturing license, or renewed license issued by the Commission. Licensee means a person who is authorized to conduct activities under a license. NRC personnel means: (1) NRC employees; (2) For the purpose of §§ 2.702 and 2.709 only, persons acting in the capacity of consultants to the Commission, regardless of the form of the contractual arrangements under which such persons act as consultants to the Commission; and (3) Members of advisory boards, committees, and panels of the NRC; members of boards designated by the Commission to preside at adjudicatory proceedings; and officers or employees of Government agencies, including military personnel, assigned to duty at the NRC. NRC Public Document Room means the facility at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland, where certain public records of the NRC that were made available for public inspection in paper or microfiche prior to the implementation of the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System, commonly referred to as ADAMS, will remain available for public inspection. It is also the place where NRC makes computer terminals available to access Publicly Available Records System (PARS) component of ADAMS on the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, and where copies of publicly available documents can be viewed or ordered for a fee as set forth in § 9.35 of this chapter. The facility is staffed with reference librarians to assist the public in identifying and locating documents and in using the NRC Web site and ADAMS. The NRC Public Document Room is open from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Reference service and access to documents may also be requested by telephone (301-415-4737 or 800-397-4209) between 8:30 am and 4:15 pm, or by e-mail (PDR@nrc.gov), facsimile (301-415-3548), or letter (NRC Public Document Room, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738). NRC records and documents means any book, paper, map, photograph, brochure, punch card, magnetic tape, paper tape, sound recording, pamphlet, slide, motion picture, or other documentary material regardless of form or characteristics, made by, in the possession of, or under the control of the NRC pursuant to Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business as evidence of NRC organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, programs or other activities. "NRC records and documents" do not include objects or articles such as structures, furniture, tangible exhibits or models, or vehicles and equipment. NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, is the Internet uniform resource locator name for the Internet address of the Web site where NRC will ordinarily make available its public records for inspection. Optical Storage Media means any physical computer component that meets E-Filing Guidance standards for storing, saving, and accessing electronic documents. Participant means an individual or organization (including a governmental entity) that has petitioned to intervene in a proceeding or requested a hearing but that has not yet been granted party status by an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board or other presiding officer. Participant also means a party to a proceeding and any interested State, local governmental body, or Federally-recognized Indian Tribe that seeks to participate in a proceeding under § 2.315(c). For the purpose of service of documents, the NRC staff is considered a participant even if not participating as a party. Person means (1) any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, government agency other than the Commission or the Department, except that the Department shall be considered a person with respect to those facilities of the Department specified in section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 1244), any State or any political subdivision of, or any political entity within a State, any foreign government or nation or any political subdivision of any such government or nation, or other entity; and (2) any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of the foregoing. Potential party means any person who has requested, or who may intend to request, a hearing or petition to intervene in a hearing under 10 CFR part 2, other than hearings conducted under Subparts J and M of 10 CFR part 2. Presiding officer means the Commission, an administrative law judge, an administrative judge, an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, or other person designated in accordance with the provisions of this part, presiding over the conduct of a hearing conducted under the provisions of this part. Public Document Room means the place at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738, at which public records of the Commission will ordinarily be made available for inspection. Safeguards Information means information not classified as National Security Information or Restricted Data which specifically identifies a licensee’s or applicant’s detailed control and accounting procedures for the physical protection of special nuclear material in quantities determined by the Commission through order or regulation to be significant to the public health and safety or the common defense and security; detailed security measures (including security plans, procedures, and equipment) for the physical protection of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material in quantities determined by the Commission through order or regulation to be significant to the public health and safety or the common defense and security; security measures for the physical protection and location of certain plant equipment vital to the safety of production or utilization facilities; and any other information within the scope of Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the unauthorized disclosure of which, as determined by the Commission through order or regulation, could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse effect on the health and safety of the public or the common defense and security by significantly increasing the likelihood of sabotage or theft or diversion of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material. Secretary means the Secretary to the Commission. Except as redefined in this section, words and phrases which are defined in the Act and in this chapter have the same meaning when used in this part. [27 FR 377, Jan. 13, 1962; 72 FR 49470, Aug. 28, 2007; 72 FR 49149, Aug. 28, 2007; 72 FR 64529, Nov. 16, 2007; 73 FR 12631, Mar. 10, 2008; 73 FR 63566, Oct. 24, 2008; 77 FR 46587, Aug. 3, 2012] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting § 2.4, see the List of Sections Affected in the Finding Aids section of this volume.

§ 2.4 Definitions As used in this part, ACRS means the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards established by the Act. Act means the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 919). Adjudication means the process for the formulation of an order for the final disposition of the whole or any part of any proceeding subject to this part, other than rule making. Administrative Law Judge means an

Dr. Kopidakis received his Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Crete in Greece. His thesis research focused on defect creation and photoconductivity spectroscopy in hydrogenated amorphous silicon. He then worked for a year as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of prof. Eric Schiff at the University of Syracuse, in Syracuse, New York. There he extended his amorphous silicon work to include photovoltaic devices and their interface and defect spectroscopy. During that time he also worked on dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells, and in particular on measurements of their unique charge transport and recombination properties. He joined NREL in 2001 as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Dr. Arthur Frank. There he investigated various aspects of the dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cell, and the role that its different components play in the photophysics and efficiency of the device. In 2004 he became a Research Scientist and shifted his interests to organic photovoltaics, where he has contributed to process development, new materials design and characterization, and device photophysics. His main focus is on the experimental characterization of the dynamics of photoinduced charge carriers, using various techniques from device-based to contactless pump-probe. - 2004–present Scientist II, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL, Golden, CO. Charge transport and recombination in organic semiconductors and solar cells. - 2001–2004 Research Associate, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL - 1998–1999 Research Associate, Department of Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 1998 Ph.D., Amorphous Semiconductor Physics, University of Crete, Greece 1992 B.S., Physics, University of Crete, Greece - Frank, A. J.; Kopidakis, N.; van de Lagemaat, J. (2004). "Electrons in nanostructured TiO2 solar cells, transport recombination and electronic properties." Coord. Chem. Rev. (248:13-14); pp. 1165-1179. - Kopidakis, N.; Mitchell, W. J.; van de Lagemaat, J.; Ginley, D. S.; Rumbles, G.; Shaheen, S. E.; Rance, W. L. (2006). "Bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices based on phenyl-cored thiophene dendrimers." Appl. Phys. Lett. (89); p. 103524. - Kose, M. E.; Mitchell, W. J.; Kopidakis, N.; Chang, C. H.; Shaheen, S. E.; Kim, K. ; Rumbles, G. (2007). "Theoretical Studies on Conjugated Phenyl-Cored Thiophene Dendrimers for Photovoltaic Applications." J. Am. Chem. Soc. (129); p. 14257. - Piris, J.; Kopidakis, N.; Olson, D. C.; Shaheen, S. E.; Ginley, D. S.; Rumbles, G. (2007). "The Locus of Free Charge-Carrier Generation in Solution-Cast Zn1-xMgx O/Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Bilayers for Photovoltaic Applications." Adv. Funct. Mater. (17); p. 3849. - Green, A.; Morfa, A.; Ferguson, A. J.; Kopidakis, N.; Rumbles, G.; Shaheen, S. E. (2008). "Performance of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices prepared by airbrush spray deposition." Appl. Phys. Lett. (92); p. 33301. - Piris, J.; Ferguson, A. J.; Blackburn, J. L.; Norman, A. G.; Rumbles, G.; Selmarten, D. C.; Kopidakis, N. (2008). "Efficient Photoinduced Charge Injection from Chemical Bath Deposited CdS into Mesoporous TiO2 Probed with Time-Resolved Microwave Conductivity." J. Phys. Chem. C (112); p. 7742. - Reese, M. O.; Morfa, A. J.; White, M. S.; Kopidakis, N.; Shaheen, S. E.; Rumbles, G.; Ginley, D. S. (2008). "Pathways for degradation of organic photovoltaic P3HT:PCBM based devices." Sol. En. Mater. Sol. Cells. (92); p. 746. - Olson, D. C.; Lee, Y.-J.; White, M. S.; Kopidakis, N.; Shaheen, S. E.; Ginley, D. S.; Voigt, J. A.; Hsu, J. W. P. (2008). "Effect of Processing on the Photovoltage of ZnO/Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Solar Cells." J. Phys. Chem. C Lett. (112); p. 9544.

Dr. Kopidakis received his Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Crete in Greece. His thesis research focused on defect creation and photoconductivity spectroscopy in hydrogenated amorphous silicon. He then worked for a year as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of prof. Eric Schiff at the University of Syracuse, in Syracuse, New York. There he extended his amorphous silicon work to include pho

National Transportation Safety Board Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board today determined that the probable cause of the 2008 Continental Airlines flight 1404 runway excursion accident was the captain's cessation of rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the aircraft departed the runway, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain's training and experience. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic control system that did not require or facilitate the dissemination of key available wind information to air traffic controllers and pilots, and inadequate cross wind training in the airline industry due to deficient simulator wind gust modeling. On December 20, 2008, Continental Airlines flight 1404 veered off the left side of runway 34R during a takeoff from Denver International Airport. As a result, the captain initiated a rejected takeoff and the airplane came to rest between runways 34R and 34L. There was a post-crash fire. All 110 passengers and 5 crewmembers evacuated the airplane immediately after it came to rest. The captain and five passengers were seriously injured. At the time of the accident, mountain wave and downsloping wind conditions existed in the Denver area and the strong localized winds associated with these conditions resulted in pulses of strong wind gusts at the surface that posed a threat to operations at Denver International Airport. "This aircraft happened to be in the direct path of a perfect storm of circumstances that resulted in an unexpected excursion in an airport with one of the most sophisticated wind sensing systems in the country," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "It is critical that pilots receive training to operate aircraft when high wind conditions and significant gusts are present, and that sufficient airport-specific wind information be provided to ATC controllers and pilots as well." As a result of this accident the NTSB issued 14 recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding mountain waves, wind dissemination to flightcrews, runway selection, pilot training for crosswind takeoffs, and crashworthiness. A synopsis of the Board's report, including the probable cause, conclusions, and recommendations, is available on the NTSB's website. The Board's full report will be available on the website in several weeks. NTSB Office of Public Affairs: (202) 314-6100 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.

National Transportation Safety Board Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board today determined that the probable cause of the 2008 Continental Airlines flight 1404 runway excursion accident was the captain's cessation of rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the aircraft departed the runway,

Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1905) European intervention in Latin America (see the Platt Amendment) resurfaced as an issue in U.S. foreign policy when European governments began to use force to pressure several Latin American countries to repay their debts. For example, British, German, and Italian gunboats blockaded Venezuela’s ports in 1902 when the Venezuelan government defaulted on its debts to foreign bondholders. Many Americans worried that European intervention in Latin America would undermine their country’s traditional dominance in the region. To keep other powers out and ensure financial solvency, President Theodore Roosevelt issued his corollary. "Chronic wrongdoing . . . may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation," he announced in his annual message to Congress in December 1904, "and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power." Roosevelt tied his policy to the Monroe Doctrine, and it was also consistent with his foreign policy of “walk softly, but carry a big stick.” Roosevelt stated that in keeping with the Monroe Doctrine, the United States was justified in exercising "international police power" to put an end to chronic unrest or wrongdoing in the Western Hemisphere. This so-called Roosevelt Corollary—a corollary is an extension of a previous idea—to the Monroe Doctrine contained a great irony. The Monroe Doctrine had been sought to prevent European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, but now the Roosevelt Corollary justified American intervention throughout the Western Hemisphere. In 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt renounced interventionism and established his Good Neighbor policy within the Western Hemisphere.

Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1905) European intervention in Latin America (see the Platt Amendment) resurfaced as an issue in U.S. foreign policy when European governments began to use force to pressure several Latin American countries to repay their debts. For example, British, German, and Italian gunboats blockaded Venezuela’s ports in 1902 when the Venezuelan governmen

Regardless of how you travel, you’re a pedestrian at some point for nearly every trip you take. In Portland we have 2,504 miles of sidewalks and 37,782 corners. For Portlanders with a physical disability, streets without a curb ramp present significant barriers to travel and make it challenging simply to cross the street. Curb ramps make it easier for others using the sidewalk, such as seniors, children, parents with strollers and people with shopping carts or rolling suitcases. Curb ramps add to a more pleasant pedestrian environment. The Portland Bureau of Transportation is committed to removing barriers to people with disabilities and making it easier for others to walk and roll along Portland’s sidewalks and street crossings. Rebuilding corners to provide curb ramps is one significant way the City provides access for people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). On an annual basis, the Portland Bureau of Transportation targets constructing and fixing between 700 – 1000 corners to provide curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are three ways that PBOT selects intersections for curb ramp construction: - locations citywide based on prioritizing criteria. Learn more below. - at specific locations based on citizen request for accommodation by people with disabilities. - as a part of Capital Improvement Projects, such as sidewalk infill projects. As of 2012, 42% of Portland’s corners have one or more curb ramp. PBOT’s Active Transportation Group prioritizes the curb ramps to be built citywide annually based on criteria developed by staff and stakeholders; and the PBOT Maintenance Operations Group builds the ramps. Locations are prioritized based on: - requests from people who use mobility devices; - broken or hazardous existing curb ramps; - incidences of pedestrian crashes; - high level of pedestrian use; - concentrations of people with disabilities; - missing links to key destinations or within the Neighborhood Greenway network, including: - local and state government offices and facilities - places of public accommodation - places of worship - neighborhood greenways with pedestrian traffic - senior centers - business/commercial centers The list is also analyzed and adjusted to ensure that curb ramp construction occurs in areas with higher concentrations of people of color and other historically underserved populations. Finally, PBOT evaluates the list to see that curb ramps are built throughout the city. This list is presented for review by the Portland Commission on Disabilities, Accessibility in the Built Environment Sub-Committee. PBOT builds most of these curb ramps during the fair weather months (May – October). Curb ramp projects for the 2013 paving season include: - East Portland Sidewalk Infill Projects - NE Going St/Alberta Court Neighborhood Greenway from N Vancouver to NE 47th Avenue; - SE 122nd Avenue from Powell to Marine Dr. (High Crash Corridor) - SE Clinton between SE 25th – 51st Avenues - SW Chestnut from Bertha – Vermont and vicinity - SW Columbia and SW Jefferson from SW 1st – 17th Avenues - W Burnside approximately from 1st – 23rd Avenues - University District (SW Broadway & Harrison, SW Broadway & Jackson and SW Park & Market) For more information, contact Clay Veka, (503) 823-4998

Regardless of how you travel, you’re a pedestrian at some point for nearly every trip you take. In Portland we have 2,504 miles of sidewalks and 37,782 corners. For Portlanders with a physical disability, streets without a curb ramp present significant barriers to travel and make it challenging simply to cross the street. Curb ramps make it easier for others using the sidewalk, such as seniors, ch

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus. Most adults who have hepatitis B will recover on their own. However, children and some adults can develop chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B. How is it spread? Hepatitis B virus is spread by contact with body fluids that carry the virus, such as: - Vaginal fluids - Other body fluids Hepatitis B is spread by contact with infected body fluids, mostly by: - Sexual contact: (This is the most common way it is spread in the U.S.) - Vaginal and anal sex - Sharing unclean sex toys - Body fluids with hepatitis B can enter tiny breaks or rips in the linings of the vagina, vulva, rectum,or mouth. Rips and tears in these areas can be common and often unnoticed. - Needle sharing: - Used or unclean needles - During illegal drug or drug equipment use - Contact with blood: - Open sores of an infected person - Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person - Being tattooed or pierced with tools that were not properly cleaned - Pregnancy and birth: - Hepatitis B can spread to babies during pregnancy and birth. Infected mothers can pass hepatitis B to their babies during childbirth. Hepatitis B is rarely spread from a blood transfusion because: - Hepatitis B tests are done on all donated blood. - Blood and blood products that test positive for hepatitis B are safely destroyed. None are used for transfusions. - There is no risk of getting hepatitis B when donating or giving blood. Who is at risk of hepatitis B? Anyone can get hepatitis B if not vaccinated. However, in the U.S., you may be at a higher risk if you: - Have sex partners that have hepatitis B - Have HIV or another STD - Inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment - Live with someone who has hepatitis B - Are undergoing dialysis - Have diabetes - Travel to areas that have moderate to high rates of hepatitis B (see: Infectious Diseases Related To Travel: Hepatitis B) - Work in health care or public safety and are exposed to blood or body fluids on the job - Are an infant born to an infected mother What are signs of hepatitis B? When you first get hepatitis B, it is called acute hepatitis B. Most adults who have hepatitis B will recover on their own. However, children and some adults can develop chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B: Signs of acute hepatitis B can appear within 3 months after you get the virus. These signs may last from several weeks to 6 months. Up to 50% of adults have signs of acute hepatitis B virus infection. Many young children do not show any signs. Signs include: - Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) - Loss of appetite - Stomach pain - Light stools - Dark urine - Joint pain Chronic hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is chronic when the body can't get rid of the virus. Children, mostly infants, are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B than adults. People with chronic hepatitis B may have no signs for as long as 20 or 30 years. Signs may be the same as acute hepatitis B. There may also be signs of liver damage and cirrhosis such as: - Weight loss - Small, red, spider-like blood vessels on the skin - Confusion or problems thinking - Loss of interest in sex - Swollen stomach or ankles - A longer than normal amount of time for bleeding to stop How do you know if you have hepatitis B? The only way to know if you have hepatitis B is by a medical exam. There are several blood tests your health care provider can use to diagnose hepatitis B. These tests can tell you: - If it is an acute or a chronic infection - If you have recovered from infection - If you are immune to hepatitis B - If you could benefit from vaccination How is it treated? Acute hepatitis B: There are no drugs to treat acute hepatitis B. Doctors usually suggest rest, good nutrition, and fluids. Some people may need to be in the hospital. Chronic hepatitis B: People with chronic hepatitis B virus infection should receive care from a provider who has experience treating hepatitis B. These providers can be: - Some internists or family medicine providers - Infection specialists - Gastroenterologists (digestive system specialists) - Hepatologists (liver specialists) If you have chronic hepatitis B, get checked regularly for signs of liver disease. Discuss treatment with your health care provider. Not every person with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. If you show no signs of liver damage, your provider will continue to check you for liver disease. What can happen if chronic hepatitis B is not treated? Chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems. Up to 1 in 4 people with chronic hepatitis B develop serious liver problems. These include: - Liver damage and scarring (cirrhosis) - Liver failure - Liver cancer If you have hepatitis B - See your health care provider regularly. - Tell current and recent sex partners that you have hepatitis B. - Get plenty of rest. - Eat healthy foods. - Drink plenty of fluids. - Avoid drinking any alcohol. There are ways to help you stop drinking alcohol at: What You Can Do. - Check with your health care provider before taking: - Prescription medicines - Supplements or herbal medicines - Over-the-counter drugs - Avoid spreading hepatitis B to others by: - Having safer sex and using condoms during all sexual contact. - Not sharing used or unclean needles and sex toys. - Not donating blood, blood products, or organs. - Cleaning all blood spills – even those that have already dried. Use a mixture of bleach and water (one part household bleach to 10 parts water). Even dried blood is a risk to others. - Not sharing personal care items like razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or earrings. - Not sharing glucose-monitoring equipment. - Asking sexual partner(s) and people living in close contact with you to be tested and vaccinated. How can you avoid hepatitis B? Getting the vaccine for hepatitis B is the best way to prevent hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. It is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period. You will not get hepatitis B from the vaccine. Ask your health care provider if you should get this vaccine. It is recommended for: - All infants, starting with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth - Everyone under the age of 19 who has not been vaccinated - People whose sex partners have hepatitis B - Sexually active people who are not in a long-term, faithful relationship - People with a sexually transmitted disease - People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment - People who have close household contact with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus - Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or body fluids on the job - People with kidney disease. This includes all those on dialysis and those being considered for dialysis. - Adults with diabetes - Residents and staff of facilities for disabled persons - People with chronic liver disease - People with HIV infection - Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of hepatitis B (see: Infectious Diseases Related To Travel: Hepatitis B) Travelers at increased risk for infection include: - Adventure travelers - Peace Corps volunteers - Military personnel Certain events may increase the risk for hepatitis B for travelers: - An injury or illness that requires certain types of treatment. These include anything that breaks the skin such as shots, fluids in the vein, transfusion, stitches, and surgery. - Dental treatment - Unprotected sexual contact - Sharing drug injection equipment - Tattooing, ear piercing, acupuncture and other practices that break the skin - Practices with risk for breaking the skin such as manicures and pedicures - Sharing certain items such as earrings, razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent hepatitis B. Other ways to avoid hepatitis B: - Avoid sexual contact. - Have safer sex: - Reduce the number of sexual partners. - Condoms, when used correctly, can reduce the risk of getting hepatitis B. Each time you have sex use a condom (male or female type): - Before vaginal sex - Before anal sex - Before oral sex - Have sex with only one partner who does not have sex with others and does not have hepatitis B. - Know that other forms of birth control do not protect against hepatitis B. - Not using or injecting drugs. - Not reusing or sharing syringes, or drug equipment (works). - Wear gloves if you have to touch another person's blood. - Do not use another person's toothbrush, razor, nail clippers or any other item that might have even a tiny bit of blood on it. - Make sure any tattoos or body piercings are done under good conditions, using: - Sterile tools - Clean hands and gloves - Disinfected work surfaces For more information, see Safer Sex. For more on how to clean hands, see Clean Hands. What about pregnancy? If you have hepatitis B, your baby has a very high chance of getting it. Pregnant women should be checked for hepatitis B by a health care provider. If you are at risk for hepatitis B, ask your provider about getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their baby. The vaccine can help your baby if: - It is given to the baby within 12 hours of birth. - The baby finishes the vaccine series. Note: babies should be tested after the last vaccine shot to make sure they are protected from the disease. Don't breastfeed until you have discussed it with your health care provider. Avoid breastfeeding if your nipples are cracking or bleeding until the sores heal. Until they heal, you can pump your milk to keep up your milk supply. Do not feed this milk to your baby. Throw it away. Hepatitis B is a very serious disease for babies. 9 out of 10 babies infected develop chronic hepatitis B. For more on hepatitis B - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Hepatitis B Basics - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): - Hepatitis B Information for the Public - Infectious Diseases Related To Travel: Hepatitis B - Protect Your Baby for Life; When a Pregnant Woman Has Hepatitis B (609 KB, PDF) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH): Hepatitis B - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK/NIH): What I need to know about Hepatitis B - U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cirrhosis - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office on Women's Health: Viral Hepatitis Fact Sheet Download free viewer and reader software to view PDF, video and other file formats. Table of Contents Veterans who have health concerns can: - » Visit the nearest VA health care facility - » Call 1-877-222-8387

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus. Most adults who have hepatitis B will recover on their own. However, children and some adults can develop chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B. How is it spread? Hepatitis B virus is spread by contact with body fluids that carry the virus, such as: - Vaginal fluids - Other body fluids Hepatitis B is spread by contact with infected body f

Nanoalumina Water Filtration System Agency / Branch: DOD / CBD A miniature, transportable filter system is required for warfighters when traditional resupply is unavailable. The desired technology would remove both chemical and biological agents. A device that integrates sensing capability to actuate the purification system is also desired. We developed a non-woven filter using a nano alumina fiber only 2 nanometers in diameter. It is capable of > 99.9999% (6 logs) retention of bacteria and virus and > 5 logs of Cryptosporidium. The filter is effective at flow velocities hundreds of times greater than virus-rated ultraporous or RO membranes. We propose a filter capable of meeting the biological, chemical and some of the radiological contaminants listed for military potable water (TBMed577). The system coincides with our in-house development of a virus filter for a portable water purification system. In Phase I we will demonstrate that a similar filter will retain >4 logs of virus and bacteria, >90% of a soluble metal ion (arsenic and nickel), and >90% of a soluble organic (metanil yellow dye) to levels that are consistent with drinking water standards. In a Phase I option, we will demonstrate that the filter can also retain > 99% of ethanolamine and methylphosphonic acid. Small Business Information at Submission: 291 Power Court Sanford, FL 32771 Number of Employees:

Nanoalumina Water Filtration System Agency / Branch: DOD / CBD A miniature, transportable filter system is required for warfighters when traditional resupply is unavailable. The desired technology would remove both chemical and biological agents. A device that integrates sensing capability to actuate the purification system is also desired. We developed a non-woven filter using a nano alumina fibe

Our approach to planning and development Scottish Natural Heritage is committed to helping the Scottish Government and planning authorities deliver a modern planning system that is fast and inclusive, and which delivers sustainable economic growth. Our Service Statement for Planning and Development sets out what Planning Authorities and other stakeholders can expect from SNH in relation to planning and development proposals. Scotland's nature and landscapes underpin Scotland's economy and attractiveness as a place to live and do business, and local authorities and developers have a big role to play in helping to protect and enhance this asset. Find out how planners and developers see the way ahead in a 3 minute video on our 'Supporting the Scottish Economy - Planning' page. We are working with planning authorities, developers and others to help deliver good development in the right places. We will: - work with planning authorities on the preparation of Development Plans; - engage with developers and planners at the pre-application stage to help developments happen in ways that enhance, rather than damage, Scotland's nature and landscapes; - limit our use of objections to cases where a development proposal raises natural heritage issues of national interest. We have prepared more detailed guidance for our staff on how to identify such cases ; - report regularly on our contribution to delivering planning reform through our Planning Performance Framework . If you want to find out if we have a view about a development close to where you are, please contact your nearest local office of Scottish Natural Heritage. Find out more about our role in development planning Find out more about our role in development management How we can help progress a development proposal quickly How we are using ePlanning to speed things up

Our approach to planning and development Scottish Natural Heritage is committed to helping the Scottish Government and planning authorities deliver a modern planning system that is fast and inclusive, and which delivers sustainable economic growth. Our Service Statement for Planning and Development sets out what Planning Authorities and other stakeholders can expect from SNH in relation to plannin

Felons Voting in Mississippi Jackson, MS—Our current Constitution excludes certain felons from having the right to vote. These include criminals convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy. Yet, there are hundreds of other felonies in which the right to vote is not taken away. The Mississippi Legislature has begun to debate this issue. Of the approximate 50,000 criminals which are incarcerated or fall under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, only 12,000 are prohibited from voting. Meaning, 38,000 felons are allowed to vote on state officials as well as the judges and district attorney’s who sent them to prison. “Some examples of who can still vote while incarcerated at our expense for crimes against their fellow citizens are sexual predators, cocaine pushers, meth lab operators and kidnappers,” says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “It is time for the felony voting requirement to be brought into the 21st century.” Mississippi is not the first state to debate removing all felons from the voter rolls. All of the nine states fully covered by the 1965 Voting Rights Act disenfranchise felons or suspend their right to vote upon conviction. *All media inquiries to the Secretary of States office will be handled by Pamela Weaver. You can contact her by cell phone at 601-270-4100 or office at 601-359-6349. Or you can email her at email@example.com.

Felons Voting in Mississippi Jackson, MS—Our current Constitution excludes certain felons from having the right to vote. These include criminals convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy. Yet, there are hundreds of other felonies in which the right to vote is not taken away. The Mississippi Legislature has begun to debate this issue.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 Picture of a heart monitor Healthcare Opportunities in Venezuela Around 47% of Venezuela’s population of 29 million are under the age of 25 and almost 90% live in urban areas. 3.2 million people live in Caracas, the capital city. Healthcare expenditure in 2011 was estimated at US$ 14 billion. Venezuela has the 4th largest economy in Latin America. The oil and gas industry dominates and accounts for 30% of GDP and almost 90% of export value. Long-term oil wealth and poor economic diversification mean that Venezuela imports around 70% of its needs. Our report provides an overview of the market including: opportunities for UK suppliers major events and activities Research is critical when considering new markets. UKTI provides market research services which can help UK companies doing business overseas including:

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 Picture of a heart monitor Healthcare Opportunities in Venezuela Around 47% of Venezuela’s population of 29 million are under the age of 25 and almost 90% live in urban areas. 3.2 million people live in Caracas, the capital city. Healthcare expenditure in 2011 was estimated at US$ 14 billion. Venezuela has the 4th largest economy in Latin America. The oil and gas industry do

U. S. PATENT RESOURCES As general guidance, a complete search of U. S. patents in this art area will include the following: - A classified search of the original classification class and subclass for the subject matter and the other highly relevant art areas in the US patent documents - A text search of the US patent documents; patents, PG PUB, and OCR databases: - Broad text search for the general inventive concept(s), not limited by classification - Narrow text search for the specific claimed invention - Boolean text search employing the relevant inventive terms The resources listed below are internal USPTO search tools. However, the information that they cover is available either commercially, on the USPTO web site, or in the Public Search Facility on the USPTO Headquarters campus and the Patent and Trademark Depository - EAST Coverage: 1971 - present, Full Text: 1971 - present - WEST Coverage: 1971 - present, Full Text: 1971 - present Full text patent and inventor searching. All patent documents in a classification are viewed for relevance to the patent application being searched. Text search queries may include classification parameters when combined with other terms to be searched in the technical content of the application. BRS Search/USOCR Database - EAST Coverage: 1920 - 1970, Full Text: 1920 - 1970 - WEST Coverage: 1920 - 1970, Full Text: 1920 - 1970 Full text of U.S. patent grants. Includes the ability to formulate queries by classification. - EAST Coverage: 2001 - present, Full Text: 2001 - present - WEST Coverage: 2001 - present, Full Text: 2001 - present U.S. published applications. USPC classification or full text search capabilities. FOREIGN PATENT RESOURCES Searched separately from the U.S. Patent Search. These databases consist of abstract documents. Text searching abstracts requires the use of different search logic e.g. the use of broad Boolean and/or operators instead of narrow proximity operators. Derwent World Patents Index and the contents of the EPO Abstracts and JPO Abstracts are available commercially. EPO Abstracts, Text and Classification Search - EAST Coverage: 1978 - present, Full Text: - N/A - WEST Coverage: 1978 - present, Full Text: - N/A English abstracts database of patents and published applications from EPO, WO/PCT, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Switzerland. USPC searching is limited to documents added to the database from 1978 to September 30, 1995. EPO patent documents in a USPC or an IPC classification are viewed for relevance to the patent application being searched. JPO Abstracts, Text and Classification Search - EAST Coverage: 1976 - present, Full Text: - N/A - WEST Coverage: 1976 - present, Full Text: - N/A English abstracts database of Japanese published unexamined applications. USPC searching is limited to documents added to the database from 1978 to September 30, 1995. JPO patent documents in a USPC or an IPC classification are viewed for relevance to the patent application being searched. NON-PATENT LITERATURE RESOURCES The resources listed are those that USPTO staff have found consistently yield the most relevant search results. Commercial databases available through a single vendor can generally be searched simultaneously, although it is preferable to search full text and bibliographic databases in separate groupings. In addition to the use of subscription databases and public Internet sites, it is recommended that books, manuals, standards and specifications be considered in the search for prior art. - Dialog Coverage: 1971 - present, Full Text: 1991 - present - STN Coverage: 1971 - present, Full Text: 1991 - present Covers worldwide business and management issues. Bibliographic and full text journal articles covering virtually every aspect of business, including new product development. Business & IndustryTM (B&I) - Dialog Coverage: 1994 - present, Full Text: 1994 - present Facts, figures, and key events dealing with public and private companies, industries, markets products for all manufacturing and service industries at an international level. - Dialog Coverage: 1970 - present, Full Text: - N/A - Questel Orbit Coverage: 1970 - present, Full Text: - N/A - STN Coverage: 1970 - present, Full Text: - N/A Comprehensive database of engineering literature. This resource is likely to contain relevant information. Gale Group GlobalbaseTM - Dialog Coverage: 1986 - 2002, Full Text: - N/A Worldwide coverage of companies, products, and industries with a primary focus on Europe. Gale Group Magazine DatabaseTM - Dialog Coverage: 1959 - present, Full Text: 1983 - present Current and retrospective news from more than 400 popular magazines on such subjects as consumer behavior, media trends, popular culture, political opinion, leisure activities, and contemporary lifestyles. Full text articles on automobiles, finance, sports/recreation, food, and health. Gale Group New Product Announcements/Plus (NPA/Plus) - Dialog Coverage: 1985 - present, Full Text: 1985 - present Full text press releases from all industries covering announcements related to products, with a focus on new products and services. Gale Group Newsletter DatabaseTM - Dialog Coverage: 1988 - present, Full Text: 1988 - present Full text of specialized industry newsletters that provide information on companies, products, markets, and technologies. Gale Group PROMT - Dialog Coverage: 1990 - present, Full Text: 1990 - present - STN Coverage: 1978 - present, Full Text: 1978 - present International coverage of companies, products, markets, and applied technologies for all industries. Abstracts and full text records from trade and business journals, newsletters and releases, analyst reports, annual reports, some local newspapers. Gale Group Trade & Industry DatabaseTM - Dialog Coverage: 1976 - present, Full Text: 1976 - present Multi-industry database covering international company, industry, product, and market information. Game Manufacturers Association - Game Manufacturers Association Coverage: - N/A, Full Text: - N/A Connects, supports, educates, and promotes the people and companies involved in the world of games. - Dialog Coverage: 1993 - present, Full Text: - N/A Contains details of all papers given at every congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop, and meeting received at the British Library Document Supply Centre. This resource may contain relevant information. JICST-EPlus - Japanese Science & Technology - Dialog Coverage: 1985 - present, Full Text: - N/A - STN Coverage: 1985 - present, Full Text: - N/A English citations and abstracts covering the literature published in Japan on all fields of science, technology, and medicine. Index to Japanese scientific and technical journals, conferences, and reports, with English citations and abstracts. - Dialog Coverage: 1609 - present, Full Text: - N/A Bibliographic database, international, which covers all aspects of sport, fitness, recreation, and related fields. Wilson Applied Science & Technology Abstracts - Dialog Coverage: 1983 - present, Full Text: - N/A Science and technology journal abstracts. Comprehensive indexing and abstracting of more than 400 core English language scientific and technical publications. INTERNET SEARCH TOOLS An Internet search should be considered when a search of the resources listed above fails to locate relevant prior art. A preliminary Internet search may be performed to obtain an overview of the technology, and to identify additional search terms and related - Google Coverage: - N/A, Full Text: - N/A Internet search engine. Used to locate video game directories. Public Comments on the Search Templates Public comments on the search templates are invited. Comments should address the points enumerated in the Criteria for Evaluating Recommended Search Resources. Comments can be submitted via the Search Template Project e-mail link on each template page or by mail Mail Stop Patents Search Template Comments Commissioner for Patents P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 Electronic submission is preferred. The Office will respond to comments in writing.

U. S. PATENT RESOURCES As general guidance, a complete search of U. S. patents in this art area will include the following: - A classified search of the original classification class and subclass for the subject matter and the other highly relevant art areas in the US patent documents - A text search of the US patent documents; patents, PG PUB, and OCR databases: - Broad text search for the genera

Push the boundaries Virtual Private Network (VPN) systems deliver secure remote IT connections to enable access to intranet, document exchanges. It is possible already for many roles to be carried out remotely that were formerly deskbound because of access-requirements. Of course there are many occupations where remote working is largely incompatible with core aspects of work. But, how much time do those people spend on email? It may be possible to vary travel-to-work patterns to enable some homeworking. Different patterns of homeworking It is possible to work occasionally from home, on an ad hoc basis, to meet a deadline, to undertake research, or to save travel time to a client. This pattern is most frequently used by senior figures and is then the most frequently criticised by the other staff who cannot enjoy the same privilege. People notice if the pattern tends to favour Fridays, or the morning after the conference. Senior managers may be well advised to adopt patterns that cannot add to cynicism amongst staff, and always to ensure that they are available to take telephone calls. This arrangement tends not to require the employer's support for a home office. Regular split patterns of partial homeworking can be arranged - so that the individual is routinely in the office on certain days, and working remotely on others. Mobile working has similar implications: the job role requires the employee to spend significant time out and about. Rather than having to return to base to collect paper instructions or to deliver completion reports, the documents can be worked on by remote access, via a laptop computer or handheld device. Full homeworking is the pattern where the individual no longer has a dedicated workspace in the office, and the normal expectation is that s/he works at home. A variation is working from home, where the nature of the work requires frequent travel to visit clients, so that the home is the base but the individual actually spends most time out and about. Partial and full homeworking are likely to require the employer to ensure that the physical arrangements are satisfactory in relation to workstation ergonomics.

Push the boundaries Virtual Private Network (VPN) systems deliver secure remote IT connections to enable access to intranet, document exchanges. It is possible already for many roles to be carried out remotely that were formerly deskbound because of access-requirements. Of course there are many occupations where remote working is largely incompatible with core aspects of work. But, how much time d

Food Safety for Nutritionists and Other Health Professionals. Teacher's Handbook: CD-ROM Available online at: http://www.icd-online.org/an/html/coursesfood.html CD-ROM available from: http://bookorders.who.int A training manual produced for use in courses aimed at helping nutritionists and other health professionals understand the basic principles of food safety, the causes of foodborne disease, and opportunities for prevention, whether in food service establishments or homes. Intended to support an eight-day course, the manual can also be used to train food and public health workers, nurses, home economists, and other health professionals. Prepared jointly by WHO and the Industry Council for Development, the manual adopts a practical approach, emphasizing knowledge and skills needed to recognize unsafe food and food-handling practices, understand the implications for health, and develop appropriate intervention strategies. The manual features 27 lectures presented in eleven modules. Each lecture consists of a series of sheets for overhead projection, accompanied by concise lecture notes. The modular approach allows trainers to adapt the suggested timetable to both local concerns and the background and interests of participants. While the course is primarily aimed at students having a limited knowledge of microbiology, students with more advanced knowledge can benefit from more time spent on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system and related training exercises. The first module explains the behaviour of microorganisms, their ecology, and modes of contamination and transmission. The major foodborne infectious and toxigenic pathogens are profiled in module two, which includes information on epidemiology, groups at risk, clinical features, foods most commonly implicated, and conditions favourable to growth. Module three describes the significance of foodborne diseases in terms of both the impact of diarrhoea on nutritional status and the broader socioeconomic implications. Hazards associated with chemical contamination are covered in module four. Subsequent modules consider strategies for prevention. Module five covers factors that affect the survival and growth of microorganisms and the food technologies that can control these factors. The epidemiology and prevention of foodborne disease are addressed in module six, which includes facts and figures illustrating both the magnitude of the problem and the best approaches to prevention. These approaches are further elaborated in modules on food hygiene and application of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system. The remaining modules discuss food safety aspects of biotechnology, and outline a work plan for trainers.

Food Safety for Nutritionists and Other Health Professionals. Teacher's Handbook: CD-ROM Available online at: http://www.icd-online.org/an/html/coursesfood.html CD-ROM available from: http://bookorders.who.int A training manual produced for use in courses aimed at helping nutritionists and other health professionals understand the basic principles of food safety, the causes of foodborne disease, a

Global tuberculosis control - surveillance, planning, financing WHO Report 2007 WHO's report on Global TB Control compiles data from 200 countries each year, monitoring the scale and direction of TB epidemics, implementation and impact of the Stop TB Strategy, and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. - Table of contents - Key findings - Annex 1 - Profiles of high-burden countries - Annex 2 - Country data by WHO region - Annex 3 - Surveys of tuberculosis infection and disease, and death registrations, by country and year

Global tuberculosis control - surveillance, planning, financing WHO Report 2007 WHO's report on Global TB Control compiles data from 200 countries each year, monitoring the scale and direction of TB epidemics, implementation and impact of the Stop TB Strategy, and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. - Table of contents - Key findings - Annex 1 - Profiles of high-burden countries - A

The recipients of financial assistance are responsible for the project and its results. They must monitor project performance, schedules, and subaward recipients. Generally, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) limits its involvement to oversight. This is achieved through monitoring, which includes the assessment of programmatic progress and financial and business management. To keep EERE informed about projects, financial award recipients are required to maintain regular communications about their progress. Most recipients are required to submit progress reports as well as special status reports and a final technical report. In addition, recipients are expected to maintain regular communications through e-mail, teleconferences, and site visits. Many of EERE's financial awards are now managed through its Project Management Center, a virtual hub of project management information and resources for EERE customers, stakeholders, staff, and contractors. The Project Management Center works with EERE programs to solicit and evaluate project proposals, award financial assistance, and administer the projects. Its Web site contains an extensive collection of recipient resources for managing financial award projects. To learn more about the EERE financial assistance process, read about its other stages:

The recipients of financial assistance are responsible for the project and its results. They must monitor project performance, schedules, and subaward recipients. Generally, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) limits its involvement to oversight. This is achieved through monitoring, which includes the assessment of programmatic progress and financial and business management