automatic car tricks

 

Automatic or manual

What is a transmission?

This is the mechanism by which the power is transmitted from an engine to the wheels of a motor vehicle. You’ll probably refer to it as the ‘gears’ or ‘gearbox’. A transmission is needed because there is a redline – a maximum revolutions per minute (rpm) value – over which a car cannot go without exploding and narrow rpm gauges where horsepower (the power of the engine) and torque (the twisting force that causes rotation) are at their maximum. The transmission allows the gear ratio between the engine and the drive wheels to change as the car speeds up and slows down.

What is manual transmission?

This can also be known as stick-shift, stick, straight drive or standard transmission – in the UK it’s the gear-boxes we are most used to, the ones that require a pressed down clutch pedal to change. These have about several settings including first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and reverse gears plus neutral position in the middle. However the arrangement pattern for these settings can vary depending how many gears you have and in the case of the reverse gear. Mostly they resemble a sort of ‘H’ format. In most cars you should be able to select one of these gears at any time, as long as you hold the clutch down. In manual cars you are shifting gears so that the engine can stay below the redline and near the rpm of its best performance – you know when this is, because the car makes a grating or impatient sound.

What is automatic transmission?

Commonly abbreviated as AT, this is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves. This means that the driver doesn’t have to do it manually. Look on most automatic cars and the ‘gear stick’ will have about four or five settings including parking, reverse, neutral and drive. Some models have manual overdrive but this is not often used. While some cars have continuously variable transmissions that allow them to move over a range rather than between set gear ratios. AT is very popular in the US – possibly because of the long straight roads and the desire to ‘cruise’ along them. It has also been poplar in Asia since the 1990s. While UK drivers traditionally prefer manual cars, more AT cars are coming onto the market and being snapped up – Nissan, Toyota, Citroen, Honda and Ford all do small affordable models that don’t mirror the cliché of the big, corporate automatic car. Some are even said to be more economical and better for the environment too.

Which one should I choose?

It really depends on you: how you like to drive, where you drive and for how long. An automatic transmission is said to be easier to operate as you don’t need to use both feet or have a ‘tree’ of gears but some say it’s not as satisfying to drive, especially on country roads. With manual you may feel you have more control of the car, power and purpose, moving up gears as you go faster. On the other hand, many city drivers prefer automatic as it can alleviate the tiredness and strain than can come from constant shifting of the gear and clutch while waiting in traffic. However, automatic cars require more brake usage to avoid a car’s tendency to creep forwards. On fuel consumption, automatic cars are said to be less efficient as they require more power to operate. Automatic cars may also need more regular and complex servicing plus if the battery dies they are stuck – with a manual you can at least push start it.

Can I drive any car in the UK with an automatic licence?

Do be aware that if you pass your test in an automatic car then you will not be able to legally drive a manual car in the UK. If you take your test in a manual car then you can drive a manual or an automatic vehicle. This applies to drivers from other countries too. If you want the choice of both, you can always retake the test.

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Audio book

Find Your Smile in an Audiobook
Traveling to and from work, while exercising, or waiting in line - find your smile in a book with Audiobook Builder!
Audiobook Builder makes it easy to turn your audio CDs and files into audiobooks for your iPhone, iPod or iPad. Join audio, create enhanced chapter stops, adjust quality settings and let Audiobook Builder handle the rest. When it finishes you get one or a few audiobook tracks in iTunes instead of hundreds or even thousands of music tracks!

Key Features

• Audio File Joining: Already ripped your CDs to MP3 or M4A? Don't suffer through it again - drag your audio tracks straight to Audiobook Builder. There's no need to re-encode M4A or M4B files when they're in the same format and have a constant bit rate - Audiobook Builder can quickly join them together.
  
  
• Enhanced Chapter Stops: Give your audiobooks that special touch by grouping audio files into chapters with custom names and artwork. iPod and iTunes give you controls to move quickly between chapters while playing your audiobooks.
  
  
• Adjustable Quality Settings: Get started with Audiobook Builder's built-in quality presets or customize the audio settings to your personal taste.
  
  
• iTunes Integration: Drag & drop straight from iTunes to Audiobook Builder and build directly to the Books section in iTunes.

Family Pack

More than one Mac in the family and everyone needs to use Audiobook Builder? Take a look at the Audiobook Builder Family Pack, a special license that allows your household to use the same Audiobook Builder serial number on up to 5 Macs at the same time.

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Auctions online

Local governments across the United States conduct a variety of real estate auctions in the effort to collect delinquent real estate taxes, return real estate to the tax rolls and promote the redevelopment of blighted areas. Also, as a result of the ongoing mortgage foreclosure crisis, local governments have been confronted with carrying out countless foreclosure auctions following mortgage foreclosure lawsuits. Although real estate auctions held by local government officials vary considerably, they may generally be broken down into a few distinct categories.
Tax lien auctions are conducted to collect delinquent real estate property taxes for local governments. The key characteristic of this type of auction is that purchasing a tax lien does not convey ownership of the property for which the lien is sold. A winning bidder in a tax lien auction has purchased a lien against the real estate, subject to the right of redemption, and must comply with an often technical and time-sensitive legal process in order to obtain title or ownership of the property and take possession. If a property is redeemed during the applicable redemption period, the lien buyer loses the opportunity to obtain ownership of the property, but receives a return of the bid amount plus interest and other amounts that may apply. Each jurisdiction has a unique post-auction process for lien buyers, who should pay special attention to the applicable statutes and regulations that govern the sale of tax liens in each state.

Tax deed auctions are conducted by local governments to return tax delinquent properties to the tax rolls and foster productive use. These auctions generally occur after a local government unit has completed the legal steps required to take title to or ownership of tax delinquent properties. A tax deed auction is not a sale of a tax lien due to delinquent real estate property taxes, but rather a sale or disposal of real estate owned by a local government unit. A winning bidder at a tax deed auction has actually purchased the real estate, not merely a lien on the property. A winning bidder will be issued a deed for the real estate by the applicable local government unit within a reasonable period following the auction, but such a deed generally contains no representation, covenant or warranty of title and does not necessarily protect the winning bidder against any outstanding liens or encumbrances. A deed issued following this type of auction may not convey insurable or marketable title.
Foreclosure auctions concern the sale of real estate by a local government official pursuant to a court order as a result of a private transaction, typically between a financial institution or lender and a defaulting property owner/borrower. This type of auction is not conducted to collect delinquent real estate taxes, but rather to collect on a judgment obtained through legal proceedings against the property owner. Foreclosure auctions are often held by local law enforcement officials such as a county sheriff. The winning bidder in a foreclosure auction, like a tax deed sale, has purchased the real estate itself, rather than a lien on the property. A foreclosure auction, like all other auctions conducted online by SRI, is a buyer beware sale. A deed issued after this type of auction generally contains no representation, covenant or warranty of title and does not necessarily protect the winning bidder against any outstanding liens or encumbrances.
SRI is committed to making the local government real estate auction process more efficient, transparent and convenient for all interested parties. Our site provides a secure, streamlined online real estate auction system as well as a wealth of helpful information regarding upcoming auctions and the auction process for local officials, attorneys, real estate investors and property owners. SRI posts FAQs and the applicable rules for each online auction. However, all bidders are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the applicable laws of the state under which each auction is being held.

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Study Designs: Genetic Association Studies

1 Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, 2 Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America, 3 Program in Genomics and Divisions of Genetics and Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, 4 Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, 5 Forensic Genetics Laboratory, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, 6 Department of Biology, Galton Laboratory, University College London, United Kingdom, 7 Department of Clinical Sciences, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Lund University, University Hospital Malmo, Malmo, Sweden, 8 Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 9 Amalia Biron Research Institute of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, 10 Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Center for Population Genomics and Pharmacogenetics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America Abstract Although the literature concerning statistical testing for genotype-phenotype association in family-based and population-based studies is very extensive,

 

until recently the sex chromosomes have received little attention. Here it is shown that the X chromosome in particular presents special problems with respect to efficient analysis of mixed-sex population studies, and as a result of X inactivation. This paper reviews recent developments in approaching these problems. Introduction The statistical problem of testing for association between phenotype and genetic markers on the sex chromosomes has received less attention than tests for autosomal markers. The advent of genome-wide association studies has hugely increased the number of studies of associations with the sex chromosomes and, in this context, it has recently been recognized that the X chromosome, in particular, poses special problems [1]. Firstly, in population-based case-control studies involving both male and female subjects, associations can be confounded by differences in sex ratio between cases and controls even when, as is usually the case, allele frequencies do not differ between the sexes. Conventional epidemiological approaches to deal with this confounding can be very inefficient. Secondly, the phenomenon of X inactivation, which affects most loci on the X chromosome in females, means that the risk attributable to a single allele would generally be expected to be less in females than in males. An efficient statistical test would allow for this. This review describes approaches to statistical testing for association with loci on the sex chromosomes, largely in the context of case-control studies of binary phenotypes. The X chromosome will be the focus of most of the review. Later sections will briefly discuss family-based association studies, quantitative phenotypes and methods for the Y chromosome. Case-control studies Before turning to the special problems presented by the X chromosome, we shall review simple methods of analysis for autosomal loci in case-control studies. Autosomal loci Counting chromosomes Many early analyses of association between a binary phenotype and a genetic marker used simple tests for association in contingency tables in which cell entries were counts of chromosomes rather than people. Thus, for an autosomal locus, the total cell count is twice the number of subjects studied, and associations were tested simply by comparing allele frequencies between cases and controls. In the diallelic case, this reduces to the analysis of a 2 × 2 table (Table 1). The most commonly used test was the familiar chi-squared test for association which, here, has one degree of freedom (df). The calculations of the chi-squared test statistic, T say, can be broken down in a manner which aids later discussion as follows, where N is the total sample size and A and a the two alleles at the locus:

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Artificial flowers

Make the world a better looking place with flowers for life. Looking for artificial florals and botanicals? Established Since 1982 Florabelle offers the largest range of artificial and silk flowers and fake plants in Australia and New Zealand. We also have a large selection of artificial trees and topiary, wedding and bridal bouquets, waterproof flora, décor such as vases and homewares including home fragrances. Christmas decor is another product line we specialise in, all of which can be viewed in our new showroom in Alexandria, Sydney. We pride ourselves on excellent value for money and have in house expertise in design and display of beautiful artificial flowers. We can assist you with any queries or questions you may have in regards to any of the artificial flowers, plants and other associated homewares we stock. OUR ARTIFICIAL RANGE INCLUDES: christmas & festive decorations artificial flowers silk flowers artificial plants garden flowers foliage and greenery orchids posies & bunches tropical & sculptural succulents & agaves desert flowers (sahara) pre-made potted plants potted bridal fruit & vegetables decor vases trees & topiaries commercial arrangements Product design and quality The quality of our silk and artificial flowers and plants depends on our attention to the finest details and a strong focus on design. This, coupled with our understanding of the current trends in the Australian homewares market gives us the leading edge in the artificial flower and plant industry. Strong relationships with local and overseas suppliers mean we are intimately involved with all stages of product development. Often, our exquisite artificial flowers are so life like to the real thing it is difficult to tell the difference. We endeavour to provide a quality product that is beautiful, modern and available at a very competitive price.

 

Customer service and satisfaction At Florabelle, we are committed to providing superior customer service and satisfaction. We strive to provide exceptional quality artificial products and service Australia-wide. Our friendly and courteous staff will assist you every step of the way, from product selection and ordering to organising all your delivery needs. If you can't come to us, we'll come to you – contact our head office and we will arrange to have our sales representative nearest you, to visit you in store to go through our artificial flowers, silk flowers and other artificial product range. Be Environmentally Friendly with Florabelle Florabelle strives to be an environmentally conscious company. Australia is the driest continent on earth and we are aware that water will always be scarce. As such we are proud to offer an alternative to fresh flowers that require no water and last a lifetime. The use of artificial flowers are not only practical, (and better value for money than real flowers) but a way to make your environment beautiful whilst saving our precious planet. Trade Fairs Our next exhibit is at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney, we will be at the Darling Harbour Convention and Exhibition Centre on 23rd to the 27th February 2013. Come and visit us at stand number 6010. How can I buy from Florabelle? Florabelle is a wholesale business and therefore allows online store access only to businesses, organisations and retailers with an ABN no. Shopping online is easy, just sign up and we will review your details and approve your account allowing you access to our online store. Once access is approved you may select from our beautiful range of artificial flowers and plants, add products to your cart, review your purchases and proceed to the checkout. It's that simple. And don't forget you can always come as and see us at our beautiful office and showroom in Alexandria, Sydney!

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Art gallery

 

 

The Web Gallery of Art is a virtual museum and searchable database of European fine arts from 11th to 19th centuries. It was started in 1996 as a topical site of the Renaissance art, originated in the Italian city-states of the 14th century and spread to other countries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Intending to present Renaissance art as comprehensively as possible, the scope of the collection was later extended to show its Medieval roots as well as its evolution to Baroque and Rococo via Mannerism. Encouraged by the feedback from the visitors, recently 19th-century art was also included. However, we do not intend to present 20th-century and contemporary art.

The collection has some of the characteristics of a virtual museum. The experience of the visitors is enhanced by guided tours helping to understand the artistic and historical relationship between different works and artists, by period music of choice in the background and a free postcard service. At the same time the collection serves the visitors' need for a site where various information on art, artists and history can be found together with corresponding pictorial illustrations. Although not a conventional one, the collection is a searchable database supplemented by a glossary containing articles on art terms, relevant historical events, personages, cities, museums and churches

 

 

 

 

The Web Gallery of Art is intended to be a free resource of art history primarily for students and teachers. It is a private initiative not related to any museums or art institutions, and not supported financially by any state or corporate sponsors. However, we do our utmost, using authentic literature and advice from professionals, to ensure the quality and authenticity of the content.

We are convinced that such a collection of digital reproductions, containing a balanced mixture of interlinked visual and textual information, can serve multiple purposes. On one hand it can simply be a source of artistic enjoyment; a convenient alternative to visiting a distant museum, or an incentive to do just that. On the other hand, it can serve as a tool for public education both in schools and at home.

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Armored cars

When people think of car safety features, airbags, seatbelts or anti-lock brakes likely come to mind. For the extremely wealthy, government officials, or expatriates living in high-risk areas, something more secure is often needed. To meet the demand, companies have sprung up around the world to reinforce and bulletproof cars and trucks — a practice known as “up-armoring.”

One such company is Houston-based Texcalibur Armor, which provides bulletproof vehicles and luxury armored cars to everyone from diplomats, SWAT teams and government contractors, to business executives, celebrities and high-net-worth individuals.

“The idea behind the process is to take an SUV or another car, strip it apart, and add bullet-resistant steel, composite material and ballistic glass,” said Scott Newman of Texcalibur Armor. “The end game is to put the vehicle back together so it’s discreet and nobody knows it’s armored.”

Newman estimates that the company produces 90 vehicles per year, but notes that vehicles vary substantially by where and how they are intended to be used, with 95 percent of them headed to overseas markets like the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. “When you’re in these countries and there is a disproportionate amount of wealth, you can easily become a target,” Newman said.

The price tag of a fully up-armored vehicle can vary between $45,000 to more than $100,000, not including the price of the original vehicle. The process can add an excess of 1,200 pounds and offers protection from assault rifle rounds, carjackings, fire and in the most extreme cases armor-piercing rounds and roadside bombs.

For those intrigued by up-armored vehicles, some components may seem like they have been pulled straight from a James Bond film. Rightly so because these features are on the cutting-edge of individual security. Texcalibur has provided CNBC.com with details of both standard and nonstandard features that are included in fully up-armored vehicles achieving  one of its highest levels of ballistic protection, a B6. One of the most in-demand vehicles today is the Lexus LX570, according to Texcalibur, which is featured in the pages that follow. Other popular models include Chevrolet Suburbans and Toyota Land Cruisers, although in some markets pickup trucks or sedans may be more desirable, since they are less likely to draw the attention of would-be attackers.

So, what goes into a fully up-armored SUV? Read ahead to see details on some of today’s most cutting-edge features.

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Amazing Aircraft crashes

Date of Crash: December 24, 1971
Aircraft type: Lockheed Electra L-188A
Crash Site: Puerto Inca, Peru
Passengers & Crew: 92
Fatalities: 91
Cause of Crash: Human Error and Structural failure possibly struck by lightning

On Christmas Eve 1971 the Peruvian airliner, had taken off from the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima on a flight to Pucallpa, Peru. About a half hour after takeoff and at about 21,000 feet, the aircraft entered a thunderstorm and heavy turbulence and was possibly struck by lightning. The pilots had difficulty controlling the aircraft and it soon went into a dive.

The crew attempted to level out the plane, but the fire and turbulent forces on the wings caused the right wing and most of the left wing to separate from the aircraft. The aircraft came crashing down in a mountainous region of the Amazon. Miraculously, a German teenager (17) Juliane Koepcke who was traveling with her mother survived the crash and was still strapped in her seat.

After searching for her mother in vain Koepcke wandered through the jungle for nine days looking for help. On the ninth day, she found a canoe and shelter. Hours later, local lumbermen returned and found her. The men took her on the final seven hour journey via canoe down the river to a lumber station where she was airlifted to a hospital.

Cecelia Cichan

Date of Crash: August 16, 1987
Aircraft type: McDonnell Douglas MD-82
Operator : Northwest Airlines
Crash Site: Romulus, Michigan (western Detroit)
Passengers & Crew Onboard: 155
Fatalities Onboard: 154 – 2 on the ground were also killed
Cause of Crash: Pilot error

After taking off from Metro Airport, during the initial climb, the plane rolled about 35 degrees in each direction. The left wing struck a light pole about ½ mile (800 m) from the end of the runway, struck other light poles, the roof of a car rental building, and then the ground. Cecelia Cichan was located by rescue workers in her seat several feet away from her mother’s body along with Cecelia’s father, and her 6-year-old brother. Her survival of the crash was considered unexplainable and miraculous by many, including airline crash investigators.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the flight crew’s failure to use the taxi checklist to ensure the flaps and slats were extended for takeoff. Cecelia is now married and earned a Psychology degree from the University of Alabama. Although she has made no public statements or attended annual memorial services regarding the tragic crash, she corresponds with some of the crash victims’ loved ones.

Vesna Vulović

Date of Crash: January 26, 1972
Aircraft type: McDonnell-Douglas DC-9
Operator: Jugoslovenski Aero transport
Cause of Crash: Bombing
Crash Site: Hinterhermsdorf , East Germany
Passengers & Crew :28
Fatalities: 27

This is close to the top of the list because of the overall circumstances and the unbelievable survival story of Vesna Vulović . Vesna was a flight attendant onboard when a bomb went off at the altitude of 33,000 ft. (10,050 meters). The terrorist act was attributed to Croatian Ustashe terrorists. The explosion tore the jet into several pieces in mid-air. The wreckage fell through the sky for three minutes before striking a frozen mountainside. A German man upon arriving at the crash found Vesna lying half outside of the plane, with another crew member’s body on top of her, and a serving cart pinned against her body.

The man was a medic in the second world war, and did what he could for her until further help arrived. Vesna’s injuries included a fractured skull, two broken legs and three broken vertebrae, which left her temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. She regained the use of her legs after surgery and continued working for JAT at a desk job. It was discovered later her schedule had been mixed up with that of another flight attendant named Vesna, and she was subsequently placed on the wrong flight.

Vesna still holds the Guinness World Record for the highest fall survived without a parachute, at 33,330 feet. She is considered a national heroine throughout the former Yugoslavia.

Mohammed el-Fateh Osman

Date of Crash: July 8, 2003
Aircraft type: Boeing 737
Operator : Sudan Airways
Crash Site: Port Sudan
Passengers & Crew: 116
Fatalities: 115
Cause of Crash: *Unknown

About 10 minutes after takeoff heading from Port Sudan on the northeastern coast to the capital, the pilot radioed the control tower about a problem in one engine. The pilot killed that engine and told the tower he was returning to the airport. Ten minutes later Sudanese airliner plunged into a hillside while attempting an emergency landing killing 116 people and leaving only 3-year old Mohammed el-Fateh Osman amid a scene of charred corpses as the only survivor.

The boy was found injured and lying on a fallen tree by a nomad. The boy’s mother was among the victims. Mohammed lost part of a lower leg and was treated for severe burns. The bodies were buried in a mass grave after performing the Muslim prayer because the conditions of the bodies would not allow transporting and delivering them to the relatives.

*The country blamed the United States on the crash saying that sanctions had restricted vital aircraft parts. The United States denied that claim stating that there was no ban on equipment required for aviation safety.

George Lamson, Jr.

Date of Crash: January 21, 1985
Aircraft type: Lockheed Electra 188
Crash Site: Reno, Nevada, USA
Passengers & Crew: 71
Fatalities: 70
Cause of Crash: Pilot/Ground Crew error

After a weekend of skiing 17 year old George Lamson had taken a seat next to his father in the front row of the airplane’s cabin, directly behind the bulkhead. As the plane began to shudder the plane’s right wing dipped as it began its ill-advised right turn. Lamson pulled his knees to his chest just as the plane hit the ground. The force of the crash ripped Lamson’s seat from of the fuselage and was catapulted out of the plane landing upright in the middle of the highway and was still strapped in his seatbelt.

He unbuckled and dashed toward a field at the far edge of the pavement as the plane exploded. Three people survived the crash initially including George Lamson’s father but both died a few days later of severe burns and head injuries. It was later determined that the probable cause of this accident was the captain’s failure to control and the copilot’s failure to monitor the flight path and airspeed of the aircraft. This is what caused the unexpected vibration shortly after takeoff.

Lamson was recently contacted by the press and is a now a father himself. He asked the reporter not to reveal anything more of his work or whereabouts and remains a very private person.

Erika Delgado

Date of Crash: Jan 13, 1995
Aircraft type: DC-9
Operator : Intercontinental airlines
Crash Site: Maria La Baja, 500 miles north- west of Bogota
Passengers & Crew: 52
Fatalities: 51
Cause of Crash: Unknown

This airliner exploded in mid-air as the pilot apparently was attempting an emergency landing near a swamp but hit a grassy field and exploded and then toppled into a lagoon. A farmer said he heard cries for help and found a 9 year old girl Erika Delgado on a mound of seaweed, which had broken her fall. She was the only survivor. She was travelling with her parents and a younger brother from Bogota to the Caribbean resort city of Cartagena.

The rescuers said she told them her mother had shoved her out of the plane as it broke up and burst into flames. She was taken to hospital in shock and with a broken arm. Erika later recalls someone approached and ignored her cries for help but ripped a gold necklace from her neck and ran away. Witnesses say scavengers also looted the bodies of other passengers. Erika issued a plea for the return of the necklace, which she says was the only memento of her father.

Nestor Mata

Date of Crash: March 17, 1957
Aircraft type: C-47 Skytrain
Operator : Philippine Air Force
Crash Site: 22 miles NW of Cebu City, Philippines
Passengers & Crew: 26
Fatalities: 25
Cause of Crash: Metal fatigue

This crash killed the 7th President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay, as well as many high ranking military officials. A reporter for the Philippine Herald, Nestor Mata, was the sole survivor of the accident. The aircraft took off from Lahug Airport for Nichols Field, eyewitnesses on the ground observed that the airplane had not gained enough altitude as it approached the mountain ranges in Balamban. Mata was sitting in the second seat next to the President’s compartment when the crash occurred and remembers there was a blinding flash for a moment, then he fell unconscious.

When he regained consciousness he found himself on the side of a steep cliff among trees and bushes. As he was in agonizing pain, he began shouting, ‘Mr. President! Mr. President!’ When some farmers found him they had to return to the village to get a hammock on which they loaded and carried him for 18 hours through rugged terrain.

As soon as Mata reached the Southern Island Hospital in Cebu he was treated for severe shock and pain from second and third degree burn. Mata did not lose consciousness in the hospital and was able to dictate to a nurse a press dispatch to his paper. It began ‘President Magsaysay is dead.’

Foye Kenneth Roberts

Date of Crash: JUNE 14 1943
Aircraft type: B-17C Flying Fortress
Crash Site: BAKERS CREEK NEAR MACKAY, QLD Australia
Passengers & Crew: 41
Fatalities: 40
Cause of Crash: unknown

For reasons of military security and morale, this incident was hushed-up by U.S. Army and Australian civil authorities for many years. The plane carried forty-one American servicemen returning from ten days of leave. The aircraft took off into ground fog and leveled off at an altitude of about 300 feet. In a matter of minutes the plane had caught fire in the air, and as it dived into the trees one of its wings came away leaving a great opening in the fuselage through which most of the passengers were emptied into the bush before the final impact.

The only survivor was Foye Kenneth Roberts. Robert’s suffered head injuries that were not diagnosed at the time of the crash and lost his speech for many years after lifesaving brain surgery. Robert’s cannot recall anything of the actual crash. In February 2004 Foye Kenneth Roberts, passed away. Another fact that is remarkable is that still to this day this crash rates as the worst aviation disaster in Australian history.

James Polehinke

Date of Crash: August 27, 2006
Aircraft type: Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) CRJ-100ER
Operator : Comair (d/b/a Delta Connection
Crash Site: Blue Grass Airport, Lexington, Kentucky
Passengers & Crew Onboard: 50
Fatalities: 49
Cause of Crash: Pilot Error

This aircraft was assigned the airport’s Runway 22 for the takeoff, but used Runway 26 instead. Runway 26 was too short for a safe takeoff, causing the aircraft to overrun at the end of the runway before it could become airborne killing all 47 passengers and two of the three crew. The Flights First officer James Polehinke was the only survivor.

Polehinke suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones, a collapsed lung, and severe bleeding. Doctors later determined that Polehinke had suffered brain damage and has no memory of the crash or the events leading up to it. Polehinke was flying the plane when it crashed, but it was the flight’s captain, Jeffrey Clay, who taxied the aircraft onto the wrong runway.

First Lieutenant Martin Farkaš

Date of Crash: January 19, 2006
Aircraft type: Antonov An-24
Operator: Slovak Air Force
Crash Site: Hejce, Hungary
Passengers & Crew: 43
Fatalities : 42
Cause of Crash: Pilot Error

This airplane was carrying Slovak peacekeepers. The aircraft crashed in snowy and forested terrain on Borsó Hill at an elevation of 700 meters (2,300 feet) near the Hungarian village of Hejce and the town of Telkibánya. The plane hit the tops of trees before catching fire and crashing.

The bodies and wreckage were scattered over a large area. Michaela Farkasova, the wife of the only survivor, reported that she received a cellular telephone call from her husband and told her that his plane had crashed in a forest. He asked her to alert rescue services. Shortly after the phone call Farkas was found. According to rescuers, his survival was pure luck as he was found in the aircraft’s lavatory, which received little damage.

Farkaš suffered minor brain swelling and lung injuries after the crash. He was put into a medically induced coma, and was soon reported to be in stable condition. Further investigations indicated that the pilot descended too early in the dark towards the lights of Košice.

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home made air conditioner

Credit goes out to Pete H. in sunny England for this great build. This version of the homemade air conditioner removes the need to drain water outside by using an aquarium pump, and sits on a rotating base. Check out more homemade air conditioners here.

Here’s the overall view of the unit. You can see the insulated polystyrene box containing icewater and the aquarium pump, along with the fan and attached copper tubing.

Pete did a much neater job of attaching the copper tubing to the front of the fan than I did. Using copper tubing on both the front and back of the fan is a great idea, the more copper tubing, the more heat exchange possible.

Here is a view of the unit from above, allowing us to see the copper coils on both the front and back.

Here we can see the entire system on its rotating base, allowing directional cooling (most) anywhere in the room.

This picture shows Pete’s innovation, the Internal Cooler Coil (ICC) ready to be installed. The water first runs through this coil, through the ice water, and then out to the fan. Pete and I are wondering if this actually increases performance at all, but it sure looks cool.

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Racing Airplanes

 

The Formula One racing class is without question the most successful class in the 86-year history of airplane racing. It has seen more races, more pilots and more airplanes than all other racing classes combined in a half-century lifetime, and has experienced but one important change in its rules in all that time. Moreover, it is the only formal air racing class to be exported from the U. S. to Europe, and the only class to be recognized by the International Aeronautics Federation (FAI), the world governing body for competitive aviation.

As a specified class it had its inception in the concerns of many wiser heads in the air racing community in the latter years of the "golden age" of American air racing prior to World War II. The excessive costs that were diminishing competition and an unacceptable accident rate were threatening to strangle the sport.

But the dreams of a practical, safe racing class of small planes powered by inexpensive and reliable engines wouldn't go away ... but alas, they remained nothing more thin dreams until the autumn of 1939 when, on September 24th, the New York Times reported that the National Aeronautics Association Technical Committee had an interest in midget racers. It was not until the immediate post-war years however, that any serious planning for the development of the class was accomplished.

 

In October 1946 the Professional Race Pilots Association completed work on specifications for the 190 cubic inch engine displacement class, and that organization formally accepted the specifications on December 3rd. Fifteen days later the NAA Contest Board approved the PRPA specifications and the new class was born.

On January 12, 1947 the new class was given a significant boost when the Goodyear Aircraft, Corporation announced sponsorship of three annual trophy races in the new class with $25,000 purses, with the first to be held at Cleveland the following September.

By midsummer a number of the new breed of aircraft were under construction and the first one flew on July 4th. Twenty-one of these new midget racers were formally entered in that first Goodyear trophy race, fifteen actually appeared at Cleveland and twelve completed qualifying tests and time trials. That first race meet was a notable success with eight exciting and accident free races over a three day period.... setting the tone for the years to follow.

The specifications which established among their rigid compliance requirements a maximum engine size of 190 cubic inch displacement worked well for a number of years. The Continental four cylinder air cooled engine of 188 cubic inches displacement was the one dominant engine of the day with a reputation for reliability in the American small plane market. It was rated at 85 horsepower, was economical and was readily available ... and thus became the standard powerplant of this racing class.

However with the passage of years, the Continental C-85 engine went out of production and with their ever-limiting availability by the mid-'60's, it became necessary to amend the specifications for the class and permit use of the newer and slightly larger piston displacement engines of 200 cubic inches. This was done on January 1, 1968, and the 190 Cubic Inch Class officially became the Formula One Class. It is interesting to note that this has been the only significant change to the specifications for the class in its 50 year history.

Performance increases which had been steady but un-dramatic now accelerated significantly, though not solely as a result of the slightly larger engines and the new and improved aircraft designs and materials for their construction. New race courses were generally larger and uniformly of six pylon configuration which made turns at the pylons less stressful on both pilot and plane...and less hazardous.

A six-pylon race course was nothing new. One of such configuration had been first used at Istres, France successfully in 1923. At that first Goodyear meet in Cleveland in 1947, the NAA Contest Board originally approved a three pylon course with unusually sharp 60' turns at all three pylons. But at the insistence of PRPA president, veteran racer Art Chester, who adamantly sought safer course layouts, it was redesigned, but only to a four pylon layout. Ironically, a six pylon course was not to be used until May 1949 at Newhall, California as a result of the tragic deaths of Chester and another pilot on a four pylon course at San Diego two weeks earlier.

Formula One racing became something of an all-American spectator sport. Races were held in both large and small venues from coast to coast and interest among aviation enthusiasts was high. But it remained uniquely an American sport until the first of the European races under Formula One rules was flown by the British at Jurby, Isle of Man in 1970, and to date the Europeans (primarily the British and the French) have flown 126 race meets in 5 countries; and in 1976 the French held the first truly international event of significance, the 1976 International Grand Prix at Le Castellet, France with planes and pilots from three nations participating. Subsequently, British crews and planes competed in U. S. races in 1983 and 1987.

Although raceplane performance improved remarkably over the sport's first 21 years, it was not totally unexpected given the more favourable factors that emerged with the passage of time. The average speed of the ten fastest qualifiers rose 30% between the first race meet and the last meet with the 190 cubic inch engines twenty years later. In the next twenty years, that figure had risen to 57% with the amended specifications, improved aircraft designs which took advantage of improved technology, and larger and better configured race courses. And even more dramatic increases in performance have been recorded in the past few years. At the latest meet in 1996, the top qualifying speed was over 100 miles per hour faster than that of the top qualifier at that inaugural race in 1947 ... and with an engine with but 5% greater displacement.

In the fifty year lifespan of this racing class, over 200 aircraft have raced in 782 U. S. races in 177 race meets (through the 1996 racing season) from coast to coast and in Mexico and Canada, and the number of existing and under-construction planes is at an all-time high. The current group of Formula One racing pilots is more experienced than ever before with most of them flying regularly in other segments of the aviation world.. . as airline pilots, corporate pilots, charter pilots,. FAA check pilots, military pilots, agriculture pilots and instructors. Four aging veterans in their mid-'70's, one of whom is commencing his 50th year of racing in this class. . a remarkable achievement not likely to be equalled.

New and technologically advanced planes are now racing and new ones are appearing with each new racing season to challenge the leaders in this one-of-a-kind sport; a sport that gives promise of a bright future as it wings optimistically into its sixth decade.

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Agricultural simulator

Bored of shooters? Killed enough dragons? Perhaps you’re looking for something fresh. Something more rural, with classy overtones of nostalgia. Perhaps you’re keen to get away from war and blood and and death and that. What you need, my friend, is a tractor and a field to plough, and an incessant banjo twanging away in the background. The banjo is especially important. Enter Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming, a glossy look at “the golden age of mechanized farming.” It claims to be “the ultimate agricultural driving, workflow and business simulation.” If you don’t like the idea of words like “workflow” appearing in your out-of-work entertainment, hold off judgement until you’ve seen the first screenshots showing a those classic tractors lingering in empty garages, unused and alone. And before you ask, YES. There is a playable demo. It wouldn’t be a proper farming simulator without animal husbandry, of course. The official Agricultural Simulator site has word of some of the extra tasks you can take on as king farmer. It’s in German, so you can thank Google translate for the skewed expressions. “Build on another leg, and you are operating a livestock: cows, horses, sheep, chickens, geese, including game, you can keep on your farm and maintain.” says the site. “If all goes well, you will be able to obtain offspring in some species,” it adds. Move over, Call of Duty, there’s a new horse in town. There’s even a co-op mode that’ll let you and a friend tend to your yard together. Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming is out on May 18.






The sequel of the successful Agricultural Simulator 2011 enters the next round.
An idyllic grange surrounded by invitingly untouched mountain panoramas and unworked fields are awaiting all agriculture fans in the Agricultural Simulator 2012. At their very own farm hobby-farmers undertake the daily tasks of an agriculturist: The producing of food, sustainable resources and the delivery of energy materials. Fields have to be worked and farm animals fostered. To work smaller fields and alpine pastures only machines with less performance are available at the beginning, but the vehicle fleet will constantly be supplemented by more powerful agricultural implements.
Future agriculturists have to invest tactical and clever - the consumption of money by the running costs and seeds must not be underestimated. To realize profit it takes financial and tactical skill.
Numerous models of Fendt, Challenger, Massey Ferguson and Valtra, which vehicles are reproduced in facsimile, are on hand. All machines and tractors can be driven and navigated by the player.
Features:

• Vast gaming world with mountains and valleys
• Exciting career mode with trading feature
• Market place for animals, seeds and machines
• Countless economical circuits: growing of crops, breeding, bio gas
• Agricultural technology of Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Challenger and Valtra
• Realistic physics
• Highly sophisticated co-workers AI
• Day and night cycle as well as varying weather conditions
• Multiplayer via network or internet

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Aerosol manufacturing

 

History of the Aerosol

The first use for an aerosol package arose during World War II, but the idea of using low-pressure liquefied gas to atomize droplets of liquid in the air was developed in 1924. Canisters filled with insecticide and propellants were used to protect U.S. servicemen from insects carrying diseases such as malaria. Shortly after the war, Robert Abplanalp, founder of Precision Valve Corporation (PVC), invented the first mass-produced aerosol valve. The patent was filed in September 1949 and was issued on March 17, 1953. From that invention, the aerosol industry quickly developed in the United States and around the world.
 

How an Aerosol Works

The aerosol package is a self-contained dispensing system with three main elements:

1. Active Ingredients (soap or disinfectant, etc.)
2. Inert or Inactive ingredients (water)
3. Propellant

The propellant is a gaseous compound which pushes the product out of the container and produces a spray or foam. In most cases, the propellant also acts as a solvent to keep the product at the proper strength. In the United States, the most common propellants are naturally occurring hydrocarbons. A few products, about 10% of today’s aerosols, use compressed gases like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide as propellants.

The final element is the container, which is usually a steel or aluminum can. The leak-proof can protects the product from contamination and evaporation.

All of these pieces work together based on simple scientific principles. An aerosol package is an air-tight, pressurized container. Pressing the actuator button opens the valve. Since the pressure outside the can is less that the pressure inside, the propellant expands, pushing the product up the dip tube and out through the valve. This system allows the product to be applied in a variety of ways; in a fine mist, a metered spray delivering just the right amount, foam, or even a long distance spray.

Let’s Set the Record Straight on Aerosols!

Q. What are aerosols, anyway?

A. Aerosols are very fine particles of liquid or solid substances suspended in air. Fog, for example, is a normal aerosol. In aerosol packaging, the substance to be sprayed is propelled through a valve as a fine mist or foam. This provides a safe, efficient means of dispensing thousands of consumer products such as shaving cream, hair spray, paint and antiperspirants.

Q. How long have aerosols been around?

A. Sixty-five years ago, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists developed the principle of pressurized insect spray. This gave birth to the container used by American troops to fight malaria by killing mosquitoes in the South Pacific during World War II. Today’s lightweight low-pressure can is a direct descendant of those ponderous, high-pressure canisters. Refinements to containers, valves, propellants and formulas have broadened the range of aerosol products and widened consumer acceptance. Aerosol-related jobs now employ over 50,000 Americans.

Q. What is the ozone layer?

A. In the stratosphere, some 12-20 miles above the Earth, ozone (an unstable and very reactive form of oxygen) forms a protective layer that blocks most of the sun’s ultra-violet rays.

Q. What causes ozone depletion?

A. In addition to natural phenomena such as earthquakes, among the man-made products believed to contribute to ozone damage are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used mainly in refrigerators and air conditioners. CFCs contain chlorine which attacks ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Q. Do aerosols contain chlorofluorocarbons?

A. Since 1978, no aerosols made or sold in the U.S. have contained CFCs except for a tiny fraction (less than 2%) specifically approved by the government for essential medical and other unique uses, such as inhalers for asthma sufferers. Not only are CFCs absent from the propellant used in aerosols, but there are no CFCs in the products packed in aerosol packages, such as hair spray, deodorants, antiperspirants or other personal care items, nor are they in spray paint, household, food or automotive products. The industry is in full compliance with rules established by the EPA, the FDA, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Q. Then why the confusion?

A. Aerosol manufacturers in Europe and other parts of the world initially did not follow the lead of the U.S. industry in substituting alternative propellants for CFCs. The fact that aerosols made in underdeveloped countries may contain CFCs has caused confusion in press reports and in the public mind about the stratospheric ozone/aerosol link. However, American consumers can be confident that aerosols made in the U.S. will not damage the ozone layer. Other countries have also changed from ozone-depleting propellants to non-depleting forms because those countries signed the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol, of which the U.S.A. was a signatory, may arguably be the most effective international environmental agreement ever written. All nations of the world signed the agreement and the phase-out of CFCs and ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is 90% complete worldwide.

Q. What about the problem with urban smog, also known as ambient ozone?

A. As urban areas struggle to meet federal air quality standards, regulators are attempting to identify any products that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which in turn contribute to lower level ozone. Unlike upper level ozone, which protects us, this lower level or tropospheric ozone is a major component of smog. The smog problem is particularly acute in California and that state has identified a variety of consumer products which emit VOCs as among those sources and are now being regulated.

Q. So aerosols do contain VOCs?

A. Yes, but so do fingernail polish, perfume and mouthwash, as well as pump hair sprays, roll-ons, and stick deodorants. Restrictions on these products are hardly the answer to air pollution. The solution to the smog problem, for example, lies on the freeways and in the power plants…not in the medicine cabinet or the bedroom!

Q. What propellants are used in aerosol containers today?

A. Depending on the end use, either liquefied or compresses gases are used to dispense the product from the aerosol container in the most efficient manner. Neither type is a chlorofluorocarbon. Liquefied propellants, such as isobutene, normal butane or pentane, are natural organic products which do not deplete the ozone layer, taint the soil or pollute the water supply. They do not contribute to global warming. As used in aerosol cans, their contribution to lower level ozone formation is negligible.

Compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide (the same gas which puts the “fizz” in soda pop) is used in products designed to deliver a coarse spray at close range…in household disinfectants, or example. Nitrogen, as used in contact lens cleaners and nitrous oxide, as used in whipped toppings, are also used as propellants.

Q. If the contribution of aerosols to air pollution is minimal, then why are they suspect?

A. Aerosols, still remembered from the pre-1978 chlorofluorocarbon/ozone controversy, offer a convenient target. Perhaps because of their “high tech” characteristics, they don’t seem to fit the profile of a “natural” product. Rather than switching to non-aerosol containers, well-meaning consumers who are concerned about air quality would be far better advised to simply maintain the family car properly!

Q. But aren’t alternative packages better for the environment?

A. Once again, myth prevails over reality. For example, pump sprays are generally perceived as being environmentally superior. Actually, the ingredients in the pump container which replace the aerosol propellant, contain many more reactive VOCs than the aerosol package. The aerosol steel can is fully recyclable; pumps and roll-ons are not.

Q. But after all, do we really need aerosols?

A. The aerosol container is a unique package. It is convenient, effective and efficient. It offers consumers a controlled “clean hands’ way to deliver personal care, spray paint, household and automotive products. It is hermetically sealed and its contents are always free of bacterial contamination.

It would be tragic indeed if aerosols were to be replaced with less effective alternatives, with absolutely no resulting improvement in air quality. Evidently the American consumer agrees, in that 3.7 billion aerosol units were produced in the USA in 2005. Western Europe, which also does not use CFCs as propellant, produced over 5 billion aerosol units in 2005.
 

Safety and Disposal

Like most household or personal care products, aerosols are not hazardous when handled and disposed of properly. Reading and following the instructions printed on the label will ensure proper and safe use. The label instructions are there for your protection.

The best way to dispose of an empty aerosol container is to recycle it. Aerosol cans are made of steel and aluminum and can be recycled like any other empty steel cans. A growing number of communities accept empty aerosol cans together with other metal containers. Check with your local recycling coordinator, however, before putting any material in your recycling bin. Be sure the can is empty before placing the container in the trash with your other solid waste if recycling is not available.

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advocate devil

A devil's advocate is someone who argues against an idea, position, or cause for the sake of argument, rather than out of actual opposition. While a devil's advocate can simply play a contrary role, someone who argues against an idea can also stimulate discussion which can identify weak points in an argument which need to be addressed. Therefore, one could consider this approach incredibly useful, albeit stressful for someone advocating alone against an accepted idea in a group. The term is derived from a tradition in the Roman Catholic Church, in which someone would act as an advocate for the devil, arguing against the canonization of someone as a saint. The devil's advocate was an official position in the Church between 1587 CE and 1983 CE, and he was known as advocatus diaboli, which literally means "the devil's advocate." The person in this position was expected to come up with reasons why someone should not be canonized as a saint, to ensure that the canonization was undertaken in good faith and that the candidate truly was a saint In casual conversation, a devil's advocate can seem extremely annoying, especially in a group which is generally in agreement on a topic, and even more so when it is clear that the person is arguing just to be contrary. In situations like this it can be helpful to remember the historical role of the devil's advocate; rather than reacting with irritation, it can be interesting to actually discuss the issue with someone taking a contrary position. In a more serious context, like that of a group of people making a major business or foreign policy decision, the devil's advocate is a crucial person in the group. Groups tend to enter a state of mind called "groupthink," in which members of the group make poor decisions because they want to maintain their collective

cohesiveness. Groupthink is marked by things like self-censorship and the idea that everyone in the group agrees when this is not, in fact, the case. A devil's advocate can help to test a concept, ensuring that it really is sound. Many people also use the term to excuse themselves before making a contradictory or potentially offensive statement, often saying something like "not to play the devil's advocate, but ..." This measure is often undertaken out of a desire to keep discussions calm and rational, as many people react unfavorably when their ideas are challenged. Don't be afraid to be the devil's advocate in a group, or even with yourself; by doing so, you can promote a probing of ideas, opinions, concepts, and positions to test their soundness. It also prepares you for arguing with someone who is genuinely opposed to the issue.

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Advertising ideas

Word of mouth is excellent small business advertising – but it’s slow, and may be practically non-existent for new businesses. If you want to grow your customer base more quickly, you have to advertise.
This collection of small business advertising ideas presents both the tried and true and advertising ideas you may not have tried yet – advertising ideas for your small business to effectively reach your target market and attract new customers.
 
1. The Yellow Pages.
There’s still a lot of people who use the yellow pages to find the businesses they’re looking for – and they won’t find you if your small business isn’t listed there. Get the biggest yellow page ad you can afford; the more visibility the better.
2. Newspaper advertising.
Besides box ads and advertising inserts, local newspapers also often offer special advertising features showcasing particular businesses – all powerful small business advertising opportunities. Don’t overlook special interest newspapers as an advertising idea if they exist in your area. They may be delivered to exactly the audience you want to reach.
3. Direct mail.
Direct mail can be very effective small business advertising – and is much more favourably received than other direct marketing media, such as email or telemarketing. And even if you don’t have a mailing list, you can still geographically target your mail.
4. Magazine advertising.
This advertising idea can be a very effective way of reaching a target market. The trick is to choose the magazines or e-zines that best match the market you’re targeting.
5. Business cards.
Sure, they’re advertising. Every time you hand one out to a prospective client or customer, you’re advertising your small business. But why not take this advertising idea further and Make Your Business Card a Marketing Vehicle?
6. Joining professional/business organizations.
Every professional or business organization offers exclusive advertising opportunities for their members, ranging from free promotion on the organization’s website through special section newspaper advertising. And being a member can be good small business advertising in itself.
7. Vehicle advertising.
The reason you see so many vehicles emblazoned with advertising is that it works; vehicle advertising is very visible small business advertising. If you’re not ready for custom graphics or a magnet quad sign that sit atop your vehicle, go for a magnetic sign that you can take off when you want.
Advertising Ideas You May Not Have Tried Yet
8. Sending promos with invoices.
Little advertising ideas can be powerful, too. If you’re sending out an invoice, why not take the opportunity to include some small business advertising? To draw new customers, try something such as a “bring-a-friend” promotion.
9. Cable TV advertising.
So you can’t afford to advertise your business during the Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the household reach of TV. Cable TV companies offer advertising ideas within the budget of small businesses, from advertising on the TV Guide Listings or Real Estate channels through running infomercials.
There are more small business advertising ideas you may not have tried yet on the next page. Click to continue reading.

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experimental adhesive

Washington, Aug 12 (IANS) Scientists already know that the tiny hairs on geckos’ toe pads enable them to cling to vertical surfaces.
Now, University of Akron researchers are unfolding clues to the reptiles’ gripping power in wet conditions to create a synthetic adhesive that sticks when moist or on wet surfaces.
Place a single water droplet on the sole of a gecko toe, and the pad repels water. The anti-wetting property helps explain how geckos maneuver in rainy tropical conditions, the Journal of Experimental Biology reports.
However, saturate that same toe pad in water or drench the surface on which it climbs, and adhesion slips away, researchers say, according to an Akron statement.
Alyssa Stark, doctoral candidate in Akron’s Integrated Bioscience Program and research team leader, explains that geckos don’t fall from trees during downpours in the tropics. What, then, makes them stick?
The team hopes to make that discovery to create synthetic materials that hold their grip in wet environments, such as inside the body, for surgical procedures.
“We’re gathering many clues about how geckos interact with wet surfaces, and this gives us ideas of how to design adhesives that work under water,” says Ali Dhinojwala, professor of polymer science at Akron.

adhesive developed by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, may be the closest man-made material yet to mimic the remarkable gecko toe hairs that allow the tiny lizard to scamper along vertical surfaces and ceilings.

The researchers say that such an adhesive could one day be used to outfit a small robot that could climb up walls.
Taking a cue from the millions of hairs covering a gecko's toes, researchers squeezed 42 million hard plastic microfibers onto each square centimeter of material and loaded it with various weights. They found that on a smooth, clean, vertical surface, two square centimeters of the synthetic adhesive could hold 400 grams (0.88 pounds). At the same time, the adhesive easily lifts off with minimal force and no residue.
Scientists have long marveled at the gravity-defying feats of the gecko, and a number of research teams across the world are working on duplicating the lizard's adhesive forces. Fearing notes that previous research on gecko-like adhesives has focused on the strength of the adhesion. He said that the ease of attachment and detachment are equally important when developing a material that can practically be used for scaling vertical walls and ceilings.
What sets this new gecko-inspired adhesive apart from the others created thus far is that it is directional, only "sticking" when it slides along a smooth surface, not when it is pressed down.
"This difference is critical because if you're climbing up vertical surfaces, you can't afford to use a lot of energy pressing down into the surface to stick," said Ron Fearing, UC Berkeley professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences and head of the research team developing this new material. "Using force to attach also requires force to detach. A gecko running uphill may be attaching and detaching its feet 20 times a second, so it'd get very tired if it had to work hard to pull its feet off at every step."
The microfibers, made of polypropylene, are 20 microns long, or one-fifth the thickness of a sheet of paper, with a diameter of 0.6 microns, or one-hundredth the diameter of a human hair.
The structure is similar to a microfiber array developed by the same group in 2006. That material relied upon friction to work, however, requiring the application of force to make it stick. Changes made to the plastic backing enabled the directional adhesion reported in this new material to work on truly vertical surfaces.
"For a gecko, this seemingly subtle change could mean the difference between life or death," said Fearing. "With friction only, a gecko would fall from a wall or ceiling. With directional adhesion, a gecko can stop itself from falling because the mechanism works without the need for force that is perpendicular to the surface."

The new research is described in a pair of papers published online Jan. 23 in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. Members of Fearing's UC Berkeley research team are Jongho Lee, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, and Bryan Schubert, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer sciences. Co-author Carmel Majidi, a former UC Berkeley graduate student in electrical engineering and computer sciences, is now a post-doctoral researcher at Princeton University.

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ٍAcrylic painting

Acrylic painting is one of the newest painting mediums, being introduced as 'recently' as 1955. These paints have come a long way since then, with an ever-widening range of paints and associated art supplies. If you've ever painted the walls of your home with latex or emulsion paint, you'll have used a very close cousin of the these paints. In fact I use white matt emulsion, tinted with yellow or brown, to put a base coat on the canvasses I prepare for some of my acrylic painting work. The acrylic painting technique offers both the new and experienced artist a very versatile method of painting. It's a water-based medium and the usual texture and consistency is similar to oil paints. However, unlike oils, you can get acrylics in a wide variety of densities (or 'viscosity' as it's sometimes called).These range from a very thin, ink-like consistency able to be used in airbrushes through various degrees of 'flow' to the consistency of soft cream cheese. This allows really heavy 3D (impasto, or paste) effects. And you have the choice of either mixing the paints with the additives to create a solid color throughout the impasto, or letting the impasto dry, then painting over it. Various substances are available to be added to the paint to create all sorts of textures. Or you can use your own, such as plaster or sand, for a further variety of textured effects. All the brands and thicknesses can be thinned back down using water. Some artists actually use thinned down acrylic in a pure 'watercolor' style. Acrylics, although similar in style and finish to oils, gives subtely different but important qualities to your work. Probably, its biggest benefit is its speed of drying. But hold on! I'm getting ahead of myself here... Click on the links below to find a series of articles on paints, brushes, surfaces and additives. Each page is packed with tips that will help the newcomer to acrylic painting get off to the best start. I'll tell you as well how you can save time and money, by using household items instead of searching for those 'must have'expensive accessories the manufacturers would love you to buy!

The process of exploration is one of the most exciting things about acrylic painting.  The excitement of a new discovery, and the possibilities for painting it make me jump up and down like a small child (possibly not far from the truth!).  
Exploring the world around us allows us to discover some amazing moments.  These "simple" moments, translated onto canvas through painting with acrylics, have kept food on my table for over 20 years. They keep me excited about life.
What excites you about your acrylic painting process?  Is it the process of exploration and discovery? Preparing your surface?  Actually getting into it?  And what frustrates you?  Mixing colors?  Wrestling with your paintbrushes?  Creating compositions that pop?  Or even knowing when to stop?

Explore on this site:

▪ the potential of acrylic paints
▪ the way acrylic mediums work
▪ how limiting your brushes can be a Good Thing
▪ how improving your palette set up can improve your paintings
▪ the simple complexity of a seascape
▪ super realism techniques
▪ how your underpainting can set up your piece
▪ how to paint clouds, skyscapes and more
▪ the colours of tropical & beach landscapes

After 20 years of painting professionally, I have a lot of knowledge stuck in my head.  Before old age causes this knowledge to disappear from my brain forever, I want to share it with you!  Painting processes and techniques are something I feel should be accessible for everyone.  No elitism here.  Professional or beginner, we can all learn.
When I went to art college (longer ago than I care to remember) it seemed that unless there was angst, turmoil or negative emotion involved in the process, that there was no "art", or that the work was somehow not as "good".  I have always rebelled at this way of thinking.
Growing up on the sunny, light-filled north coast of NSW in Australia, my world was (and still is) full of nature's magic and wonder. Celebrating the amazing nuances of light, shade, tone, colour and texture was for me the only way to go.  And the feeling when it all comes together! That feeling is what it is all about.
The process of creating art should lift us up - inspire us; improve our lives, even enlighten us.  And this, in a nutshell, is the focus of this website.  Inspiring you to explore new techniques. To improve your acrylic painting processes, tools and workspace. To fill your images with light and life!  And, most importantly, to have fun while you're at it.
Take some time out for yourself and really explore your love of acrylic painting. Your curiosity about the world will be refreshed.
So let’s get into it! It's a contact sport after all; let’s chuck some paint around!

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accounting machine

Mechanical office machines reached their technical peak with accounting and billing machines. These masterpieces of precision mechanics were first built around 1900, and were replaced by electronic computers in the 1970s. They combine the capabilities of arithmetic and writing, and can be regarded as early data processing machines. The exhibition gives an overview of the most important machines. Inflation gives an impetus In the course of industrialization, accounting departments were confronted with ever larger amounts of data that made it essential to rationalize processing with the aid of machines. In Germany, the inflation of 1923 was a major impetus for using accounting machines, especially in medium-sized companies. The first machines were developed towards the end of the 19th century in the USA. German office machine manufacturers became active in this sector in the 1920s. Companies from Saxony and Thuringia were particularly successful (Mercedes, Astra, Wanderer, Rheinmetall and others). Typewriters and calculating machines as technical bases Most accounting machines were actually based on typewriters or calculating machines. There were hardly any accounting machines which had been designed as such from the very start. This is why they were nearly always made by manufacturers of typewriters or calculating machines. In the case of Anker and NCR, however, cash registers were the starting point for the development of accounting machines that were used in banking and public administration.
 
In contrast to accounting machines, billing machines could also multiply and were used to write invoices. The price of accounting and billing machines was very high compared with today. A relatively small machine was almost as expensive as a car, which is why they were generally not used in smaller companies until after World War II. Their introduction led to major organizational and social changes in accounting departments. It was mostly women who worked on the accounting machines. The work was monotonous and noisy, and required a high level of concentration. Accounting machines thus helped pave the way for women to work in offices, but the higher positions were still dominated by men.

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Accounting Lecture - Basic Concepts

Course Description: The first part of this course is designed to provide students with an insight into key financial accounting concepts needed for effective decision-making. This includes a brief discussion of how to record transactions using T accounts; preparing adjusted trial balances; preparing income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows. Techniques for analyzing financial statements to examine a company’s financial status with respect to profitability, liquidity, and solvency are also discussed. This course subsequently builds on traditional concepts of managerial accounting (break-even analysis; strategic decisions involving product line decisions; downsizing, outsourcing; profit planning and how to set and examine budgets; and transfer pricing to maximize company value. We will also explore strategic cost reduction and waste/inefficiency reducing techniques such as Value Chain Management and Activity Based Management. The focus of the course, in summary, relates to how to effectively understand and use managerial accounting data in executive planning and control.



This course is very intensive since we will be trying to cover a large amount of material over the semester. Absolute student commitment is required. Students must allocate a certain amount of time each day on this course. I will leave it up to you to judge for yourself the time required based on your learning ability. Course Description : The first part of this course is designed to provide students with an insight into key financial accounting concepts needed for effective decision-making. This includes a brief discussion of how to record transactions using T accounts; preparing adjusted trial balances; preparing income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows.


 Techniques for analyzing financial statements to examine a companys financial status with respect to profitability, liquidity, and solvency are also discussed. This course subsequently builds on traditional concepts of managerial accounting (break-even analysis; strategic decisions involving product line decisions; downsizing, outsourcing; profit planning and how to set and examine budgets; and transfer pricing to maximize company value. We will also explore strategic cost reduction and waste/inefficiency reducing techniques such as Value Chain Management and Activity Based Management. The focus of the course, in summary, relates to how to effectively understand and use managerial accounting data in executive planning and control. This course is very intensive since we will be trying to cover a large amount of material over the semester. Absolute student commitment is required. Students must allocate a certain amount of time each day on this course. I will leave it up to you to judge for yourself the time required based on your learning ability.

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Accessories Collection

Axis provides a wide range of accessories that complements its network cameras and video encoders and assists in your network video installation. Helping you build complete video surveillance solutions Whether the network cameras are to be placed in demanding outdoors environment, mounted on ceilings, walls or corners, or used for night-time surveillance, it is important to find the right accessories that fulfill these demands and are quick and easy to install. Tested and approved with Axis cameras Axis provides a wide range of accessories to facilitate the installation and maintenance of network video systems. This includes protective camera housings, mountings, illuminators and lenses and equipment for power over Ethernet (PoE). Accessories from Axis are always tested to work with Axis network cameras, making sure that installation is straight-forward and that you get the performance you expect. Accessory Selector Tool Accessory Selector Tool provides you with a list of accessories required to mount your camera correctly in a specific location.
 

he Accessory Development Kit (ADK) is a reference implementation for hardware manufacturers and hobbyists to use as a starting point for building accessories for Android. Each ADK release is provided with source code and hardware specifications to make the process of developing your own accessories easier. Creating new and alternative hardware based on the ADK is encouraged!
Android accessories can be audio docking stations, exercise machines, personal medical testing devices, weather stations, or any other external hardware device that adds to the functionality of Android.
Accessories use the Android Open Accessory (AOA) protocol to communicate with Android devices, over a USB cable or through a Bluetooth connection. If you are building an accessory that uses USB, make sure you understand how to implement the AOA protocol to establish communication between your accessory hardware and Android. For more information, see the Android Open Acessory protocol.
The following sections provide more information about the Android Accessory Development Kits, how to use them, and how to get started building your own accessories for Android.

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Cutting metal in the home shop

he wheels are generally made from a matrix of coarse particles pressed and bonded together to form a solid, circular shape, various profiles and cross sections are available depending on the intended usage for the wheel. They may also be made from a solid steel or aluminium disc with particles bonded to the surface. The manufacture of these wheels is a precise and tightly controlled process, due not only to the inherent safety risks of a spinning disc, but also the composition and uniformity required to prevent that disc from exploding due to the high stresses produced on rotation

Grain size, from 8 (coarsest) 1200 (finest), determines the physical size of the abrasive grains in the wheel. A larger grain will cut freely, allowing fast cutting but poor surface finish. Ultra-fine grain sizes are for precision finish work.
Wheel grade, from A (soft) to Z (hard), determines how tightly the bond holds the abrasive. Grade affects almost all considerations of grinding, such as wheel speed, coolant flow, maximum and minimum feed rates, and grinding depth.
Grain spacing, or structure, from 1 (densest) to 16 (least dense). Density is the ratio of bond and abrasive to air space. A less-dense wheel will cut freely, and has a large effect on surface finish. It is also able to take a deeper or wider cut with less coolant, as the chip clearance on the wheel is greater.
Wheel bond, how the wheel holds the abrasives, affects finish, coolant, and minimum/maximum wheel speed.

• Vitrified (V)
• Resinoid (B)
• Silicate (S)
• Shellac (E)
• Rubber (R)
• Metal (M)
• Oxychloride (O)

Tapered wheel

A straight wheel that tapers outward towards the center of the wheel. This arrangement is stronger than straight wheels and can accept higher lateral loads. Tapered face straight wheel is primarily used for grinding thread, gear teeth etc.

Straight cup

Straight cup wheels are an alternative to cup wheels in tool and cutter grinders, where having an additional radial grinding surface is beneficial.

Dish cup

A very shallow cup-style grinding wheel. The thinness allows grinding in slots and crevices. It is used primarily in cutter grinding and jig grinding.

Saucer wheel

A special grinding profile that is used to grind milling cutters and twist drills. It is most common in non-machining areas, as sawfilers use saucer wheels in the maintenance of saw blades

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