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In the first day of the Google I/O 2010 developer conference, Google unveiled WebM, a new open and free video format aimed at solving the HTML5 video-codec debate. We’ve already covered the details of the WebM Project, the coalition of companies that support the new format, which includes Mozilla, Opera, Adobe and many ot… (read more)

Technology Review has an article on “devices that make ice at night to replace air-conditioning during times of peak power demand” – Using Ice to Cool Down the Grid.

Over the next few weeks, a consortium of municipal utilities in California will begin retrofitting government offices and commercial properties with systems that use ice made at night to replace air-conditioning during the day. It’s part of a pilot program for the devices, which are built by Windsor, CO-based Ice Energy. If widely deployed, they could reduce fuel consumption by utilities by up to 30 percent and put off the need for new power plants.

The first devices will be installed on about two dozen city-owned buildings in Glendale, CA, under the plan being coordinated by the Southern California Public Power Authority. Over the next two years, the 11 participating utilities will install 1,500 of the devices, providing a total of 53 megawatts of energy storage to relieve strain on the region’s electrical grid. The project is the first large-scale implementation of Ice Energy’s technology.

Each Ice Energy device is designed to make ice overnight, when demand for electricity is low, using a high-efficiency compressor to freeze 450 gallons of water. Around midday, the cooling mode kicks in, and the device shuts off the building’s regular air conditioner for a six-hour cycle. It pipes a stream of coolant from the slowly melting block of ice to an evaporator coil installed within the building’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning blower system. Once the ice is melted, the air conditioner returns to normal operation. Brian Parsonnet, Ice Energy’s chief technology officer, says the Ice Bear can cut a building’s power consumption by 95 percent during peak hours on the hottest days.

Cutting demand for electricity during peak hours reduces the need to build new power plants. It also allows utilities to rely on their most efficient power plants, says Ronald Domitrovic, a senior project manager for electric utilization at the Electric Power Research Institute. He says that when utilities fire up their “least efficient, oldest, and least desirable” generating resources to meet peak demand, every increment of increased power on the grid sends costs surging, whether one is talking fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions, or service reliability. However, at night, utilities draw on their most efficient power plants, which use less fuel than power plants used only during peak hours. The utility also saves energy at other points in the grid–for example, cooler power lines at night transmit electricity more efficiently.

Domitrovic says systems that use ice or cold water on a large scale to provide cooling for campuses and large buildings have “been around for some time.” But he says these are usually “expensive one-off units, designed specifically for the building,” and that the smaller modular thermal storage systems that Ice Energy provides “can be deployed with relative simplicity” to serve one- or two-story commercial buildings. Ice Energy says that cooling units housed at distributed sites can be networked, presenting utilities with a resource that can be dispatched as needed to help manage demand on the grid.

The Jonas Brothers have invited David and Victoria Beckham’s three sons to appear in their new video, The Sun said Wednesday.

Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz Beckham met the pop stars at a concert in Los Angeles last weekend, after the boys watched their live show from a balcony with parents David and Victoria. The Jonases took such a liking to their fellow bro trio that they offered the kids a cameo in their next vid.

“Kevin, Joe and Nick were really pleased to meet the Beckhams and they invited the children to be “The younger ones were really excited about it but Brooklyn decided to play it a bit cooler,” a spy whispers.

Note: YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A FULL REFUND IF YOU RECEIVE ANY BRAND OTHER THAN PrimaCare Medical, BY REPORTING IT TO AMAZON.COM

View BP Blood Pressure Cuff – Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Pediatric Child size Details

In that their demographic history is complicated. The Origin and Genetic Variation of Domestic Chickens with Special Reference to Junglefowls Gallus g. gallus and G. varius:

… domestic chickens diverged from red junglefowl 58,000±16,000 years ago, well before the archeological dating of domestication, and that their common ancestor in turn diverged from green junglefowl 3.6 million years ago. Several shared haplotypes nonetheless found between green junglefowl and chickens are attributed to recent unidirectional introgression of chickens into green junglefowl. Shared haplotypes are more frequently found between red junglefowl and chickens, which are attributed to both introgression and ancestral polymorphisms. Within each chicken breed, there is an excess of homozygosity, but there is no significant reduction in the nucleotide diversity. Phenotypic modifications of chicken breeds as a result of artificial selection appear to stem from ancestral polymorphisms at a limited number of genetic loci.

I wonder if domesticates in particular exhibit these more complex reticulated patterns in their phylogenies because they spread along human trade routes.

The Guardian has an article on Google’s interest in a geothermal energy technology company called Potter Drilling – Google-funded hot rock ‘water’ drill could reduce cost of geothermal energy.

A novel drill that is inspired by a jet engine and uses super-heated water to carve through rock could help make clean energy from underground rocks more economically viable, according to its backers at Google.

Potter Drilling is part-funded by Google.org – the internet search giant’s philanthropic arm – and wants to use its technology to develop geothermal energy, which involves tapping the energy from hot rocks deep in the Earth.

Geothermal energy is seen by environmentalists as a vast potential source of clean, carbon-free energy if it can be tapped efficiently. Traditional methods drill into the Earth and use naturally occurring underground pockets of steam or hot water in order to make clean electricity.

A report (pdf) by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimated that tapping just 2% of the potential resource from so-called enhanced geothermal systems between 3km and 10km below the surface of continental USA could supply more than 2,500 times the country’s total annual energy use.

Geothermal projects in countries from Australia to Iceland and Germany already generate thousands of megawatts of electricity. Geothermal power plants can be used as baseload electricity because they are usually productive for more than 90% of the time, compared with 65%-75% for fossil-fuel power plants. They also produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions.

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) allow the traditional techniques to be applied almost anywhere. By drilling deep into the Earth (where rock temperatures can reach more than 200C) and pumping water into the hole, the underground hot rocks fracture, thus allowing the water to circulate and heat up. The hot water comes back to the surface and is then used to drive turbines and produce electricity.

“EGS could be the killer app of the energy world,” said Dan Reicher, director of climate and energy initiatives for Google.org, when its funding was first announced for Potter Drilling. “One of the attractive aspects is that it’s baseload, it’s 24-hour power and that’s a nice complement to solar and wind, which are intermittent sources. If you can put all three of these technologies together, we’re going to have a much more attractive green electricity mix.”

Materials: STOLMEN, LACK, EXPEDIT , SIGNUM, KOMPLEMENT (Shoe Rack)

Description: It took me 2 weeks to design this Stolmen DJ Studio. I have downloaded the tool from IKEA site and used it to design and visualize what I’ve wanted.

1. I installed 4 STOLMEN Post without drilling.

2. I place the EXPEDIT Shelving unit with all my Vinyl Records.

3. I installed the STOLMEN Shelves 1 on top of the EXPEDIT shelving unit then the others.

4. I installed the STOLMEN Shoe Rack to use for MacBook Pro.

5. I installed all 4 LACK Shelves and screwed the sides of the LACK Shelves on the STOLMEN mounting fixture to give more stable support.

6. I installed 2 metal plates on the wall and hooked the KOMPLEMENT shoe rack (Slanted) on top of Rack shelf (For Mic Mixer and Trigger Finger).

7. I installed the STOLMEN hook to hang Headphones.

8. Finally, I installed all DJ gears , PC and accessories, I used SIGNUM cable organizer and Velcro to organize power supply and cables.

~ Mitch aka DJ MX3, Dubai, UAE

As a response to the most recent privacy backlash, Facebook head of public policy Tim Sparapani announced in a radio show that the company would be offering users some new and more ‘simplistic’ privacy options within the following weeks. He said that this decision was caused by the fact that users had complained that the social network has become quite… (read more)

All of which are COMPLETELY outweighed by the one reason you would.  Bro Bible here lists 10 reasons (from Megan herself) that we wouldn’t want to date Megan Fox.

Sorry Megan, still want to bang you like a kettle drum.

Related posts:

1. 10 Reasons Why That Girl Hates Your Guts
2. Pick the Next Megan Fox
3. Megan Fox, We Renounce You!

While Toyota has recently suffered from image problems and missed and late recalls on several of their models, but the Europe-only Auris Hybrid hatchback that will hit the UK market in July could help recoup their image.

The Auris hybrid will come in two models, the Hybrid T4 and Hybrid T Spirit, both featuring Hybrid Synergy Drive Technology and will be priced at £18,950 and £20,700 respectively.

Built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant, it uses the same body shell as the traditional Auris hatch and features two electric motors and a 1.8 litre VVT-i petrol engine. The Auris HSD has four driving modes, including zero-emisisons EV mode, that are optimised for different driving conditions with CO2 emissions as low as 89g/km, and will offer an economy potential up to 74.3mpg on the official combined driving cycle.

Source | autocar.co.uk

The Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Nitro don’t bring much in for Chrysler LLC on a monthly basis but things seem even worse in the United Kingdom – so much so that Chrysler has pulled both models off the UK market.

The move to quietly drop both models from the lineup comes due to modest sales for both vehicles in the UK. As of now, the Dodge Journey is the only model for sale in the region.

The Dodge Journey was upgraded for the UK in early 2010 with a revised lineup and more standard equipment.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar

May is the perfect month to hold National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. The weather is getting warmer, the days are nice and long and kids are antsy to be done with school. What time could be better to promote physical activity and encourage kids to step away from their video games and computers.

There’s nothing wrong with playing those games from time to time, but with summer practically here, we should be encouraging kids to run around outside, stretch out their legs and get some fresh air.

So what can you do to encourage your kids to be more active this month?

Fitness.gov has some great tips and ideas for getting started.

Take the reins and organize an event that promotes physical activity. Set up a walk or a bike ride. You can work with your community if you want to host a large event and invite your neighbors to attend, or you can host family events. Maybe every Saturday morning you will go for a family bike ride.

You can also make family time more active in other ways. Go outside and play tag or capture the flag. Collect lightening bugs. Go hiking in a state park.

There are lots of things you can do if you’re a little bit creative.

What will you and your family do this summer to stay active?

The new edge sensors type UBA with ultrasonic through beam sensors. New software algorhythms and a unique ultrasonic transducer material allow an accuracy and temperature stability so far only realized with optical systems. But the ultrasonic fork barrier is much less sensitive to dirt and dust compared to optical sensors. Further more transparent materials such as foils can be perfectly handled. The so called plane change error has been minimized to almost zero. Together with the high sampling speed of the sensor this means that fast moving and thus fluttering webs are well aligned.

The sensor can ideally be adjusted to the actual air conditions by the help of the teach-in function. Furthermore acoustically transparent materials such as textiles can be measured. With teach-in the signal output can be defined at fully closed as well as at fully open fork. In addition, the output signal can also be inverted via teach-in. The new sensors can be teached by push buttons or through the connector. 3 LED indicate the actual position in 5 steps.

Sometimes the introduction of a simple device can make a significant difference to the application scope of a product. The LBG brake option from HepcoMotion® is a good example. It provides a compact and easy method of locking a bearing block in position on its LBG Linear Ball Guide.

Stainless steel bodied for non-corrosion, the brake is intended for manual locking of a stationary block and can be supplied with a range of brake plates to suit most of the LBG bearing block options.

The break assembly has two jaws which, when tightened via the ratchet locking lever, apply equal pressure to the LBG rail to ensure even clamping. When the brake is applied, the resulting clamping force does not impose any load on the bearing block.

Although designed principally to extend the capability of HepcoMotion® LBG linear ball guides, the brake is compatible with all other ball guide systems with which the LBG system is interchangeable. Brakes in sizes 15 through 30 are available ex-stock via the HepcoMotion® e-shop in combination with the most popular guide sizes to suit most automation requirements.

With its champ’speed line, Bystronic glass is launching onto the market a brand-new generation of machines for preprocessing automotive glass. The line enables cutting, breaking, grinding and drilling of automotive glass with the utmost precision and flexibility. “The champ’speed line is currently the fastest machine of its quality on the market”, says Jean-Philippe Chételat, Sales Manager for the Automotive Glass Sector at the Technology Center Bystronic Maschinen AG in Switzerland.

“We have listened to our customers’ demands and now – with the champ’speed line – we have adapted our system solution for preprocessing automotive glass for the latest market requirements”, explaines Jean-Philippe Chételat. All the modules in the machine are individually matched to each other, the movements can be separately configured and, for example, optimized with regard to cycle time. The extremely stable, vibration-free process means that customers can work for many years with a consistently high quality level. “With a repeat accuracy of up to 99 percent, the champ’speed line outshines every other machine available on the market”, the Sales Manager is pleased to report. As all the machine parts are within easy reach, working with the new system is an extremely ergonomic process.

Customized, Intelligent State-of-the-art Technology
The heart of the system is the cutting and breaking unit. The cutting module contains a maintenance-free AC servo direct drive. Thanks to faster acceleration, it operates extremely dynamically with simultaneous maximum cutting accuracy. While doing so the machine automatically optimizes its speed to match the shape to be cut. Precutting of the glass lite along with shape cutting and breaking is conducted in two process steps and therefore enables parallel processing. This in turn results in a definitive cycle time advantage along with high productivity. In addition to this, the use of a special, maintenance-free breaking tool guarantees perfect quality of the edge breaks.

Maximum Grinding Standard
The grinding module can simultaneously use two grinding wheels enabling a fast bit change. “This means that, for example, automotive glass can be ground in different edge radii, without any need to change the tool in between”, explains Jean-Philippe Chételat. […]

-> read more at www.bystronic-glass.com

Mobile suction and filter unit appropriate for one workplace
The new filtoo:
The recently developed filter unit „filtoo“ is a mobile filter unit that can be used for many applications requiring the filtration of fumes, dusts and even gases.
Functioning of filtoo:
The polluted air is extracted and led into the filter unit either by the suction arm or by other capturing elements. The particles or gases are extracted from the airflow during a filtering procedure consisting of several stages and the cleaned air returns to the working space.
Application:
For welding places, in workshops, for soldering applications, for restorers and in locksmith’s shops
Benefits:
You receive a complete „Plug and Play System“ that is ready for operation. It is only necessary to connect the intake elements before commissioning the unit.
Construction of filtoo:
The advantages of the compact unit are the robust and solid construction. The housing is made of a stable steel sheet construction and coated with powder from inside and outside. The filter elements are accessible via a maintenance flap. Therefore, they can be easily and rapidly withdrawn. The unit is equipped with suitable control elements.

The current version of the universal Spectrum driver comes with full Windows 7 support for the complete product range of the fast digitizers and generators with sampling rates between 100 kS/s and 1 GS/s. This driver of cause also supports earlier Windows versions like Vista, XP or 2000.
After Windows Vista, being not the most successful start of a new operating system, Windows 7 seems to be the next generation stable Windows platform for industry, research and development. As Windows 7 already has more than 10% market coverage the support of Window 7 is an essential feature for measurement cards. At Spectrum the support of the latest operating system has highest priority: Even Spectrum products that left the market 10 years ago can be used under Windows 7 after doing a driver update.
PC systems are getting more and more powerful and use more and more memory this making 64 bit operating systems necessary to have access to full PC memory. Since the release of Windows Vista the 64 bit market is only accessible for hardware manufacturers being capable of digitally signing their software. Just a short time after Windows Vista has gone into market Spectrum drivers have been added a digital signature allowing to use the current hardware with no limits under Windows 7 64 bit as well as Windows Vista 64 bit. Drivers that are not signed cannot be loaded any more when using these operating systems!
Besides the hardware drivers the complete software suite of Spectrum is also running without any limits under Windows 7. The Spectrum software suite contains the Control Center being able to test. Update and calibrate the hardware as well as the sophisticated measurement software SBench. Using the integrated demo mode the current driver version can be tested at any time, even if no hardware is installed. This feature is very helpful for customers who wants to start software development in the few days they have to wait until the ordered hardware arrives.

At the Ernst Barre GmbH private brewery based in Lübbecke, Germany, a sense of tradition and a deep attachment to the region and its people go to hand in hand with innovation and strict quality standards. The brewery has been investing heavily in environmental protection measures for over 10 years. The beers and the beer-based mixed drinks – only traditional glass bottles are used – are filled in state-of-the-art bottling plants, running at a rate of up to 50,000 bottles per hour. A label with proof of origin and expiration date is attached to the back of the bottle, so that the consumer can see immediately that the drinks are in top condition. For reasons of traceability, an encrypted code is also applied, so that details of the filling can be pinpointed at any time.

The Barre brewery has already gained experience with laser-marking. However, as the mask laser in operation there was past its best, the firm was on the lookout for a flexible, economical and yet rugged laser marking system, which did not require any consumable resources. Thanks to tips from fellow brewers, who have had positive experiences with the K 1000 CO2 laser.

“During testing by KBA-Metronic’s competent staff, we discovered very quickly that this marking laser could be the answer. The design is much more compact than that of the masking laser, and no additional gas mixture is needed,” said Dirk Stapper, the Technical Director. “It was much easier to integrate into our bottling line than we had expected.”

The K-1000 CO2 laser system used, with a power of 60 W, marks the filled and labelled bottles inline, in other words, as part of the production process. The two-line code, consisting of the filling code and ‘best before’ date is applied, contactless, during product transport, on the paper rear label. The marking system receives the signal to activate the laser beam from sensors that announce when the bottle arrives to be marked.

“KBA-Metronic’s marking laser operates with full availability even at high speeds, and produces a clear, legible typeface without the need for any pre-treatment of the labels” confirmed Michael Boschan, Head of Production. “It was a good choice from our point of view”, he added.

Application:

The multi-channel gas warning unit MWS 906
continuously monitors the ambient air and issues an
early warning of gases and vapours that are dangerous
to health, or when there is a danger of explosion, for
non-combustible gases and vapours.

Fields of Application

Monitoring of:

– Heating systems
– Garages and tunnels
– Liquid gas storage plants
– Laboratories
– Cold-storage depots
– Plastic processing workshops
– Chemical industries
– Paint varnish manufacturers
– Concentration measurement of O2
– and many more

Features

6-section keyboard and backlit 4-line LC-display for displaying actual values, half-hourly average values and fault messages in cleartext

Ready for operation, fault and gas warning indicators

Menu-assisted adjustment of equipment parameters via 6-section keyboard

Three alarm thresholds for each sensor, indepen-
dently adjustable from 5-100% of the measurement range, also possible to from half-hourly average values

A maximum of 48 floating outputs for driving additional warning and control devices

Floating change-over contact for faults, sirens and warning banners

Serial output RS 232, for connecting a printer or PC

4-20 mA current interface as output signal

Plastic, wall-mounting housing (IP 54)

High degree of service reliability

Low power consumption

Easy installation

Un-interruptible power supply (UPS) can be used

Accessories

Signal horn, warning lights, warning banner, plotter,
stand-by power supply unit UPS 2000 24 V.
Further accessories will be available, according to the
proposed measurement tasks.

About us:

For more than 100 years our medium-sized company stands for innovation in gas analysis, gas warning and environmental protection.

We produce for nearly all the fields of application, transportable gas-measuring items and stationary gas-measuring systems, which can measure and detect by use of high-sensitive detectors a multitude of hazardous substances in smallest concentrations and therewith warn the people in time.

Our specialists offer all over the world expert advice, first-class installation as well as a reliable service on site.

If you’re interested in sleeping with the loose-lipped Courtney Love, you may want to slap her with a gag order…

Courtney Love once bedded catwalk maven Kate Moss — if the ravings of a methfaced former druggie are to be believed.

Love has ’stunned” fans with claims that she enjoyed a lesbian fling with Kate back in the ’90s. Although you’ll have a better chance stunning us if you find someone Courtney hasn’t had sex with. Earlier this year, the Hole frontwoman hinted that she had a secret romp with a female beauty during a bender in Italy. After some prodding, Courtney’s finally confirmed that the tryst was with the waify supermodel.

“It was Kate Moss. She doesn’t care. It’s a great story for the grandchildren, so yeah. Kate wasn’t doing a lot of drugs it was just a thing that happened in Milan in the 90,” Courtney revealed matter-of-factly in a chat with Irish music mag Hot Press. “It happened and it was fun and whatever. And she talks about it and so I hope she doesn’t get mad that I outed her about it. I feel like such a kiss and tell. Kate’s great, though! Kate’s a good friend of mine. I almost bought her house in St John’s Wood, London.”

Both women have also shared their beds with a bevy of famous men. Kate famously dated Johnny Depp and Pete Doherty, while the former Mrs. Kurt Cobain enjoyed flings with rockers Billy Corgan and Gavin Rossdale.