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About Chichen Itza Stunningly well-preserved and imposingly beautiful, Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most visited historical sites, and for good reason. The site has been extensively restored, and whilst it is far from untouched, it is hard not to feel a sense of the power and sophistication of the Mayan civilization which built this city. The name Chichen Itza literally means ‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza’ in Mayan, and the site was chosen for its location: it has four large cenotes (waterholes) close by, which would have provided plentiful fresh water to the city’s inhabitants. At its height, it was one of the largest Mayan cities, sprawling over 25 square kilometres and home to up to 50,000 people. History Mayans first occupied the Chichen Itza site around 600AD, although the city only rose to prominence in the 10th century: it eventually became a regional capital, controlling large swathes of the Yucatan peninsula following the decline and eventual collapse of the nearby cities of Yaxuna and Coba. Whilst the city began to decline somewhere around 1100AD, it was never deserted. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the early/mid 16th century, they found a thriving population in the locality of Chichen Itza, which initially drove them out when they attempt to colonise the city. Control of Chichen Itza and the Yucatan by the Spanish was gained by mid 16th century. Explorers including Desire Charnay, Augustus Le Plongeon and Alfred Maudslay were some of the first Europeans to photograph and explore Chichen Itza in the late 19th century: their photographs of Chichen Itza entered the popular imagination. American archaeologists were the first to excavate the site in the early 20th century: much of what was found was shipped back to Harvard’s Peabody Museum. Mexican and American archaeologists began to fully restore the site in the 1920s. Chichen Itza today Chichen Itza is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mexico, so be prepared for crowds. To avoid them, we suggest arriving as close to possible to opening hours – right at the start, or right at the end of the day. It is often hot and sunny and the site offers little shade (or protection, should it rain). The site is pretty big so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. There’s a large, modern visitor centre, toilets and cafe on site: the nearest town is approximately 3km away otherwise. 1. El Castillo Arguably the most iconic temple in Mayan culture, this 365 stepped pyramid rises from what is the centre of the Chichen Itza complex today. Although it’s no longer climbable, it’s still remarkable: built with the spring and autumn equinoxes in mind, when the late afternoon sun hits the north west corner of the pyramid around these moments, it creates a series of shadows showing where the sculptures of feathered serpents appear to crawl down the pyramid. The pyramid is believed to have been specifically and significantly located above a cenote. Extensive excavations of the pyramid have discovered various human remains, suggesting it was used for sacrifices. The temple itself is located at the top of the pyramid, and is dedicated to Kukulkan, a feathered serpent deity. 2. El Gran Juego de Pelota (The Great Ball Court) The Mesoamerican ballgame remains something of a mystery in the modern world. The game was played with a ball of hard rubber, which weighed about 4kgs. It had some resemblance to football, apart from the fact that the ball could only be touched with hips and thighs rather than feet or hands. Goals / rings line the length of either side of the court, and the ones at Chichen Itza are extremely well preserved. Legend suggests that the game formed part of a wider ritual, and that the losing team would be sacrificed: this remains unsubstantiated. Chichen Itza alone has 13 ball courts, but The Great Ball Court is the biggest at 168 metres long and 70 metres wide. It also has a whispering effect, meaning you can hear (and be heard) clearly from the other end of the court – make sure to try it out. 3. El Cenote Sagrado (The Sacred Cenote) Cenotes are natural sinkholes, filled with fresh water that can be found across the Yucatan peninsula. The Sacred Cenote’s name derives from its association with sacrifice: it became a place of pilgrimage in Mayan culture, and it was believed that throwing sacrifices into the cenote (which Mayans believed could be connected to the underworld) would bring good luck and fortune upon the thrower. Sacrifices ranged from gold, silver and jade objects to human remains. It seems that for the most part those sacrificed in the cenote would have been killed prior to their sacrifice. Other stories report that Mayans believed that those who survived being thrown in the cenote as a sacrifice would return with the power of prophecy. 4. El Caracol The Spanish named this observatory El Caracol (the snail) for its interior spiral staircase. Mayans used astronomy as part of their religious rituals, without using any kind of apparatus (i.e. just using the naked eye). The site allows for the observation of at least 20 notable astronomical events which could be used as markers of time. The building itself is a fusion of architectural styles and Mayan religious imagery. Getting to Chichen Itza Chichen Itza is about halfway between Merida and Cancun on Ruta 180, just to the west of Valladolid. Public buses run to Chichen Itza regularly from all three cities and take a couple of hours: although the early start might sound painful, you’ll be thankful when you get there! Organised day trips and tours are also available from everywhere on the Yucatan to Chichen Itza. Featured In Mexico Ancient Cities Among Mexico's endless coastline, vibrant and modern cities, and tasty cuisine are a number of ancient historical cities. Here's our pick of 10 of the best the country has to offer. Mexico Historic Sites Among Mexico's endless coastline, vibrant cities, fragrant cuisine, and stunning nature are a number of fascinating historical sites. Here's our pick of 10 of the best the country has to offer. Ancient Cities to Visit Discover ancient history: these 15 metropolises, from the ruins of Pompeii to the mountainous Machu Picchu, are must-visit relics of the ancient world. World Pyramids Discover the dazzling pyramids of the ancient world, from the famed Egyptian structures at Giza to those in Mexico, India and Peru.	https://www.historyhit.com/locations/chichen-itza/
Mosaics are designs and images created using small pieces (tessrae) of stone or other materials which have been used to decorate floors, walls, ceilings, and precious objects since before written records began. Like pottery, mosaics... Definition Cuicuilco Cuicuilco is an ancient settlement site in central Mexico, now located in southern Mexico City. Prominent in the late pre-Classic period, around 500 BCE, it is noted for its large circular temple mound, one of the earliest monumental structures... Article Cortés & the Fall of the Aztec Empire The Aztec empire flourished between c. 1345 and 1521 CE and dominated ancient Mesoamerica. This young and warlike nation was highly successful in spreading its reach and gaining fabulous wealth, but then all too quickly came the strange visitors... Definition Ghosts in the Ancient World To the people of the ancient world, there was no doubt that the soul of a human being survived bodily death. Whatever an individual's personal views were on the subject, culturally they were brought up with the understanding that the... Definition Pyramid A pyramid is a structure or monument, usually with a quadrilateral base, which rises to a triangular point. In the popular imagination, pyramids are the three lonely structures on the Giza plateau at the edge of the Sahara Desert but there... Definition Tikal Tikal, located in the north of the Petén region of Guatemala, was a major Maya city which flourished between 300 and 850 CE. The city, known to the Maya themselves as Mutul, is one of the grandest in Mesoamerica. Amongst the first... Definition Chichen Itza Chichen Itza, located at the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula of modern Mexico, was a Maya city which was later significantly influenced by the Toltec civilization. Flourishing between c. 750 and 1200 CE, the site is rich in monumental... Definition Trephination Trephination (also known as trepanning or burr holing) is a surgical intervention where a hole is drilled, incised or scraped into the skull using simple surgical tools. In drilling into the skull and removing a piece of the bone, the dura... Definition Copper in Antiquity Copper was probably the first metal used by ancient cultures, and the oldest artefacts made with it date to the Neolithic period. The shiny red-brown metal was used for jewellery, tools, sculpture, bells, vessels, lamps, amulets, and death... Article Twelve Menacing & Protective Mythological Figures The term mythology comes from the Greek words mythos (“story of the people”) and logos (“word”) and so is defined as the spoken (later written) story of a culture. Modern scholars have divided myths into different...	https://www.ancient.eu/search/?q=Mesoamerica&page=11
The Best Mayan Ruins to Visit in Guatemala Iximché These ruins are found near the municipality of Tecpán on the road from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán . Quiriguá Unlike the pyramids that many people expect to see at Mayan sites, Quiriguá is unique due to its series of intricate tall stone carvings known as stelae. Yaxhá Tikal . El Mirador. Zaculeu . Topoxte. Tikal is a complex of Mayan ruins deep in the rainforests of northern Guatemala. Tikal , or Yax Mutal, was an important city in the empire of the Maya from 200 to 900 A.D. The Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Aguada Fénix Entrance Costs to the Tikal Mayan Ruins The cost of entrance to the Tikal Mayan ruins is 150Q, which is totally worth it . The PARK IS MASSIVE, so it’s well worth the money you pay. Locating the Maya Unlike other scattered indigenous populations of Mesoamerica, the Maya were centered in one geographical block covering all of the Yucatan Peninsula and modern-day Guatemala ; Belize and parts of the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas and the western part of Honduras and El Salvador. Featuring majestic limestone pyramids that lie deep with the Peten jungle of northern Guatemala , the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal are what is left of what was once one of the most powerful city states in the Americas, according to an article by David Roberts in “Smithsonian” magazine. La Danta stands a staggering 236 feet tall. It has a total volume of nearly 99 million cubic feet, making it one of the world’s largest pyramids, as well as one of the world’s most enormous ancient structures. It’s been calculated that 15 million man-days of labor were needed to construct the gigantic building. Set on the jungle-rich slopes of the Turrialba Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most important archaeological sites, the Guayabo National Monument. Thought to have been first inhabited more than 3,000 years ago, these historic ruins make up the largest pre-Columbian city ever discovered in Costa Rica . Tikal National Park is open daily for visits from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Adult tickets for foreigners cost 150 GTQ (about $20 USD). Children under 12 can enter Tikal free of charge . Visiting Uaxactun costs an additional 50 GTQ. In the ninth century A.D., the Maya abandoned the great city of Tikal after hundreds of years of prosperity and expansion. Commonly cited explanations for Tikal’s downfall center on a confluence of overpopulation, overexploitation of the surrounding landscape and a spate of withering megadroughts. Amongst the first Maya cities to gain prominence in the Early Classic period (250-600 CE), Tikal built its wealth by exploiting its natural resources and geographical location to become a Maya superpower, a status it also enjoyed in the 7th century CE when some of the site’s most impressive later monuments were To answer your question though – yes, the ruins are safe . Chichen Itza is a bit of a trek (3 hours drive each way) and being inland in the jungle, it can be extremely hot there. Tulum is much closer and the setting is spectacular (the ruins are on top of a cliff). Two thousand years ago, the ancient Maya developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. They developed a written language of hieroglyphs and invented the mathematical concept of zero. With their expertise in astronomy and mathematics, the Maya developed a complex and accurate calendar system. The ancient Maya never used coins as money . Instead, like many early civilizations, they were thought to mostly barter, trading items such as tobacco, maize, and clothing.	https://www.mundomayafoundation.org/mayan/mayan-ruins-guatemala.html
Mexico has one of the most awesome, controversial and unique histories in the world. If you are a lover of old stories, ancient Mayan civilization, colossal pyramids, abandoned temples, colonial cities… you are in for a treat! The Yucatan Peninsula is a real treasure chest. We run trips to these and more locations all year round. Chichen Itza: This pre-hispanic city was the most prominent Mayan capital by the end of the Classic and start of the Port-Classic period. At the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, Chichen Itza was a celebrated place of cult and pilgrimage in the Yucatan peninsula. In present days it remains an important sacred place for modern day Mayans. Cobá: Translated as ‘water agitated by wind’, Cobá stands as one of the largest cities in the Classic Period (400 – 1100 a.c.). Dare to come and climb it’s major temple, Nohoch Mul, which towers 40 metres high, being the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan peninsula. Ek Balam: ‘Ek’ means black, ‘balam’ means jaguar. This city was named after its founder who managed to raise a whole town out of wood, dried palm leaves and limestone. Ek Balam dominated its very populated area until the foreign tribes of the Itzaes subdued them and conquered the throne. Izamal: The magical town nicknamed the Yellow City for its golden walls was conquered by the Spanish around 1543. Over the old Mayan Temple that worshiped the Sun Mayan God, the Catholic church built the beautiful San Antonio Convent. This famous city was home to the Franciscan monk, Francisco de Landa, famous or infamous for burning thousands of Mayan scriptures. Tulum: This is the only Mayan city bordering the seashore. Tulum combines astonishing history with one of Mexico’s best beaches. During the post-classic period this site lived its glory moments which was culminated with the construction of ‘el Castillo’, the most iconic of its structures which towers over the turquoise horizon. Uxmal: Uxmal is surrounded by a mist of legends and magical stories. It is not for nothing that its main temple, 35 metres tall, is called the House of the Fortune Teller. This site is particularly celebrated for its magnificent and prosperous art. Also, it transformed the area into a political and economic capital, allowing many other minor town to flourish around it. Valladolid: Close to some of the main archealogical sites, Valladolid is the perfect spot to stop for a nieve (typical ice cream) or a hearty meal in one of the numerous local restaurants. From its calm and beautiful appearence we would not know that this city witnessed some of the most bloody chapters in Mexican history, the War of Casts and the first sparks of the Mexican Revolution. Its town Hall houses a series of beautiful murals worth admiring.	https://indigopeninsula.com/history/
In 1999, Bernard Weber started the New7Wonders foundation, and eight years, 200 candidates and 100 million votes later, seven man-made structures now have something in common - they all hold the title of 'Wonder'. Weber claims he started the foundation to ensure that "everybody can decide what the new seven wonders should be and not some government, not some individuals, not some institutions." Nominated structures had to be built or discovered before the year 2000, and out of the 200 nominations, only twenty-one were left by the early part of last year. Voting had been taking place for six months, but only recently did voting result in server crashes, causing the foundation to encourage text message voting. The results were announced at a ceremony hosted by Hilary Swank, Ben Kingsley and Bollywood star Bipasha Basu in Lisbon, Portugal. Out of the twenty-one, the following seven were announced as the new 'Wonders of the World': - Great Wall of China, in northern China. It was created in the 5th century BC to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire. The Wall is the world's longest human-made structure, stretching over 6,400 km (4,000 mi). - Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The giant statue of Jesus Christ is 38 m (105 ft) tall and weighs 700 tonnes. The statue is located at the peak of the 700 m (2296 ft) Corcovado mountain, overlooking the city of Rio. - Machu Picchu, above the Urubamba Valley, Peru. It is a city created by the Inca Empire, located on a mountain ridge. Machu Picchu was forgotten for centuries by the outside world, however not by the locals. It was brought to international attention by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. - Petra, in Jordan. It is famous for having many giant stone structures carved into the rock. The site was revealed to the Western world by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812, but remained accessible only to Europeans until after World War I. - Chichen Itza, on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. It is a large archaeological site originally built by the Maya civilization. Chichen Itza was a major regional center in the northern Maya lowlands. Archaeological data suggest that Chichen Itza's collapse was violent. - Taj Mahal, in Agra, India. It is a white marble mausoleum generally considered the finest example of Mughal architecture. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and it was constructed between 1632 and 1648. - Colosseum, in Rome, Italy. It is a giant amphitheatre located in the centre of the city, and was capable of seating around 50,000 spectators. It was constructed between 70 AD and 80 AD, and used for nearly 500 years for a variety of events. Although the foundation had large amounts of public support, UNESCO, the United Nations cultural program, distanced themselves from the project, saying it had "no link whatsoever" to the project. UNESCO currently keeps tabs on 851 places in its 'World Heritage Sites' program. Left out of the Seven are the Pyramids of Giza, to which a respected Egyptian antiquities expert replied that the pyramids are a "symbol of the genius of the ancient people." The foundation announced that the pyramids would have "honorary status" with the seven. The pyramids were the only remaining of the original Seven Wonders. Weber claims that now that the man-made wonders have been chosen he has a new task: choosing the seven natural wonders of the world. He says he will start his new project immediately.	https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Poll_of_100_million_votes_names_new_Seven_Wonders_of_the_World
Chichen Itza is a historical city found in Yucatán State, Mexico. It’s one of the most prolific sites left behind by the Mayan civilization which flourished in the region for hundreds of years. Chichen Itza itself is more than just a pyramid. It’s a complete city with multiple ruins and various buildings and was one of the largest Mayan cities to ever exist. Apart from the fact that it was built by the Mayans, do you know any other facts about Chichen Itza? Let’s check out some interesting things about this ancient city 1. What does Chichen Itza Mean? “Chichen Itza” is a Mayan name that literally means “At the mouth of the well of the Itza”. That doesn’t explain much, but it could mean that “Itza” refers to 2 terms: - “Its” which means “sorcerer.” - “Ha” which means “water.” So this effectively translates as “At the mouth of the water sorcerer.” Another theory refers to the “Itzá,” which was a tribe that gained power in the area of Yucatán State. The most probable explanation is that it’s indeed referring to the people in power back then, the Itza and that the well refers to rivers flowing beneath the city at the time, taking care of its water supply. 2. Where is Chichen Itza located exactly? Yucatán State in modern-day Mexico is located in the South-East of Mexico. It’s the most northern place on the Yucatán peninsula. One of the most popular places in this area is the resort town of Cancun and Chichen Itza is located about 120 kilometers from it. 3. What is El Castillo in Chichen Itza? If you think about Chichen Itza, the main pyramid instantly pops up in your mind. After all, it’s the most significant building in the entire city. El Castillo also referred to as the “Temple of Kukulcan,” is about 30 meters high (98 ft) and the 4 sides are about 55.3 meters long (181 ft). An interesting fact about the temple of Kukulcan is that it’s built on top of another, much older temple. 4. It was built around cenotes The area around Chichen Itza is full of cenotes. These are sinkholes that are a natural source of fresh water. This means that these cenotes actually provided water for the city, as the sinkholes could provide enough water to supply a relatively large city. Strangely enough, there is not a single river on the peninsula of Yucatán and all of the natural water supplies are found underground in these sinkholes. 5. Maya People at Chichen Itza loved sports Sports are a massive part of our culture. Millions of people play sports all around the world. The Mayans at Chichen Itza also liked sports and played the Mesoamerican ballgame, which is a combination of football and basketball. To make this attractive, they actually built a great ball court in the city, very similar to the stadiums that sports are played in today. 6. Multiple temples and Pyramids El Castillo isn’t the only temple in Chichen Itza. There are multiple similar temples to be found. One of them is the Osario temple complex which contains a pyramid that looks very similar to the large temple of Kukulcan. It isn’t as well preserved but the resemblance is remarkable and the base of the staircase also contains the serpents with open mouths. 7. The serpent on the staircase During the Spring equinox, the serpent can be seen moving up and down the staircase of the Kukulcan temple. Well not really, just the effect of a serpent. It’s still pretty impressive that they were able to predict how this would happen. The Mayan people were known to be excellent astronomers though. 8. Chichen Itza is not entirely Mayan Chichen Itza was not only one of the largest Mayan cities of the pre-Columbian era, but it was also the most culturally diverse. This means that a lot of buildings were constructed with influences from other social backgrounds. It’s believed that the Mayans were trading with other groups such as the Toltec and that this is the reason they were able to bring their own style into the city. More interesting facts about Chichen Itza 9. The Pyramid of Kukulcan contains exactly 365 steps. 91 on each side and one on the top. This represents exactly the days of the year. 10. El Castillo was built in such a way that it served as a massive calendar. We told you the Mayans were great astronomers right? 11. The feathered serpent at the bottom of the pyramids at Chichen Itza is the deity of the mesoamerican cultures called Kukulcan. 12. American Explorer John Lloyd Stephens stumbled upon Chichen Itza back in 1841. We can only imagine the shock he felt to discover such a hidden treasure of a city. 13. One of the most interesting facts about Chichen Itza is its decline. Many theories have been proposed as to what happened, but the most logical one is that food was scarce due to bad weather conditions and overpopulation and everybody simply moved out. 14. Chichen Itza was not only the capital of the Mayas, it was also the most important trading hub. During its golden period, the port at Isla Cerritos was used to transport goods and valuables all across the Americas. 15. The Mayans were great astronomers, and had their own observatory called “El Caracol.” This was used to observe the stars and planets and expand their city according to their findings. 16. Scientists have proven that the pyramid was designed to create a sound that resembles the chirping of a bird. This happens when you, for instance, clap your hands at the bottom of the stairs. Well, at least to make some sort of sound as they didn’t really have an idea what it would sound like when completed, the Belgian scientists found out. 17. The ball court at Chichen Itza is the largest in all of the Americas. It also contains several temples. 18. We do assume that most of the games were played for fun. We don’t know what the exact rules of the ball games were though. However, we do know that sometimes the losers had to undergo a pretty unpleasant fate. That revolves around their head ending up on the Tzompantli. We don’t believe this requires any further explanation… 19. …Or maybe it does? Well, let’s just say that the ballcourt contained a clear depiction of what was about to happen to the losers: It’s a bit unclear, but here’s what the drawing shows. On the left, you see a guy holding a severed head. On the right, you see a guy without a head and blood spouting out of his neck. The blood spouts are in the form of serpents. After all, they needed to keep Kukulcan happy somehow. We’re not convinced we would like this game, but it surely adds to the excitement (somehow)… 20. Mayans painted human sacrifices blue before throwing them into the sacred well to die. The reason is that they believed painting them blue would bring rain, and as a result, a good harvest would follow. Scientists have now discovered how the distinct type of blue was created. 21. The human sacrifices chosen by the Mayans were boys and young men. For a long time, it was believed that they were virgin girls, but this has been disproven. 22. Up until 2006, tourists were allowed to climb the stairs of El Castillo. Unfortunately, in 2006 a woman died when she fell off the stairs when descending. Since then, climbing the stairs has been banned by authorities. 23. Chichen Itza is one of the most visited places in all of Mexico. It’s estimated that nearly 3 million people visit the site every year. 24. Chichen Itza is owned by the Mexican Government and the site is maintained by Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History). 25. Restoration is being done at the site of Chichen Itza. That is partially why the main pyramid and other buildings are apparently in good condition. 26. Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the world today. It shares this title with the Great Wall of China, the Christ the Redeemer Statue, Machu Picchu, The Taj Mahal, The Colosseum, and Petra.	https://art-facts.com/facts-about-chichen-itza/
Chichen Itza, a Maya city, is one of the most famous among most people. It has a rich history of being an ancient city, and it has been a center for major civilizations such as the Mayan civilization, Inca, and Aztec civilization. And now it is a famous tourist attraction for tourists visiting Mexico. To know more about this remarkable city, you can read more about the exciting facts about Chichen Itza. Best Time To Visit Chichen Itza The best time to visit Chichen Itza is during November and December because. There are beautiful weather conditions here during this time. While visiting this place, you will have an opportunity to see how the Mayan civilization was able to build one of the greatest and largest cultures that ever existed. The ruins that are found here are of great importance for archaeologists. And scientists all over the world because they have discovered many things that have been preserved by the destruction of civilization due to war and climate changes. Temples Found In Chichen Itza There are three main temples found in Chichen Itza. They are c the Cihuacoatl, the Temple of the Sun, and the Pyramid of the Sun. All of these three of these have served as a landmark to the citizens because they are built using the Mayan style of architecture. For this reason, the ruins of the city are very well preserved, and their architecture is still preserved. During your visit, you can also have an opportunity to learn more about these ancient structures. Pre-Classic Period: Chichen Itza The history of the city can be divided into two parts. One of them dating back to the Pre-Classic Period. And the other one from the Classic Period. The Pre-Classic period is the time when the Incas built the cities. They had developed a lot of architectural styles, and they used many innovative materials for construction purposes. Greatest Sacrifices This era is also known for the greatest sacrifice that they made when they built the temples in Chichen Itza. This is the reason why you can find statues of these people all over the city of Mexico. Classic Periods: Chichen Itza The second period in Chichen Itza’s history was the Classic Period. That’s when the cities were built by different civilizations who came from Europe. The buildings of the cities are unique and different. Maya Civilization Of course, the Maya civilization that was living in Chichen Itza at the time of its existence is still the ones with the most influence and the most monuments. And they are the ones that archeologists of today use. You can even find many monuments in other cities throughout the world. These buildings of the Mayan civilization are the ones that are the most well preserved. And they are the ones that will always hold significance for anyone who will visit them. Visit The Temple Of Sun When you visit Chichen Itza, you can also have an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Sun, the National Museum of Anthropology and Prehispanic Art, the Map Room, and the Observatory. All of these buildings are to allow you to learn more about the history of the Maya civilization. Spectacular View Of Surrounding City After visiting the main attractions in Chichen Itza, you will also have an opportunity to see the spectacular view of the surrounding city. You can find out how this city has developed since it was founded thousands of years ago. There are many interesting facts about this city that you can read more about on the website mentioned below. Beautiful Ruins Of Ancient Place You can find out what happened in the city of Chichen Itza. During your visit, you will have an opportunity to explore the beautiful ruins of this ancient place. Chichen Itza Tour You can visit the Map Room, National Museum of Anthropology. You can also visit Prehispanic Art, the Chamber of Darkness, and the Pyramid of the Sun. Here you will find the rest of the things that are included in your package of tours. Conclusion Chichen Itza Tours allows you to visit a city that has been active for thousands of years. You will be able to see the ruins of the Maya civilization and the civilizations that have been built after them. By the Mayans. You will also find out more about the Map Room and the Observatory. National Museum of Anthropology and Prehispanic Art.	https://planetwow.net/facts-about-chichen-itza-all-you-need-to-know-about/
The Lost City of the Pyramids. Whether [building] galleries or enclosures, these ancient Egyptians had a penchant for organization of rank and file, a penchant that may have built the great Giza Pyramids within the lifetimes of their kings.. — Mark Lehner. The Lost City on PBS. Since 1988, the excavations of the Giza Plateau Mapping. Researchers believe that around 30 buildings might accompany the impressive pyramid at the ancient site. Interestingly, if the discovery turns out to be true, the newly discovered ancient city could become one of the five larges known ancient sites built by the ancient Maya For example, there were political towns that housed government workers and officials such as the capital cities of Memphis and Thebes. Other towns were religious towns centered around a major temple. Still other towns were built to house workers for major construction projects like the pyramids La Venta's city is home to the Great Pyramid, which is the central building in the city layout. The structure is believed to have been built entirely out of clay and easily spotted from miles out El Mirador trumps Tikal as the largest Mayan city in Guatemala, and is home to the largest Mayan pyramid, also the largest manmade site in Central America. It is one of the lost cities of the Mayan Empire, having only been discovered in recent decades and still so thickly covered in rainforest that it cannot support most tourists Near the corner where the labyrinth ends, there is a pyramid, two hundred and forty feet in height, with great carved figures of animals on it and an underground passage by which it can be entered. I was told very credibly that underground chambers and passages connected this pyramid with the pyramids at Memphis Why did ancient Egypt build pyramids in their cities? Uhm, the Egyptians didn't. They built the pyramids (mainly) along the west bank of the Nile, with worker and temple camps (small cities in and of themselves, at times) growing up around them. 361 view Songdo, the new city near Seoul in South Korea, is built on land reclaimed from the Yellow Sea. In the early 1960s, Buckminster Fuller dreamed up a giant floating pyramid in Tokyo Bay which would.. The oldest known pyramid in Egypt was built around 2630 B.C. at Saqqara, for the third dynasty's King Djoser. Known as the Step Pyramid, it began as a traditional mastaba but grew into something. History's Greatest Mystery. The oldest of the most famous pyramids in the world is also the largest. At 481 feet (146.5 meters) tall, it's not called the Great Pyramid of Giza for nothing. It was constructed at the order of Pharoah Khufu sometime around 2560 B.C.E., although how it was actually constructed has been shrouded by history The Future of Cities Green Architecture Gibbs built the exterior out of corrugated aluminum and hung it on a free standing framework made of 18,000 steel tubes. 160,000 bolts hold it together. . Monte d'Accoddi is an ancient megalithic structure in northern Sardinia, Italy and dates from around c. 4,000-3,650 BCE. The structure was initially built by the Ozieri culture, a prehistoric pre-Nuragic civilisation that constructed more than 200 related archaeological sites The Maya city of Calakmul which is often known as City of the Two Adjacent Pyramids and as The Kingdom of Snakes, is situated in the Mexican state of Campeche and hosts two of the largest pyramids which are located side by side to each other. Calakmul was one of the reigning cities and used to be under war most of the times Yet, cities cannot leapfrog from pancake to pyramid with planning regulations alone, as new built central high-rises risk remaining vacant if people cannot afford to live in them, the. The City Center . The Maya built great temples, palaces, and pyramids in their city centers. These were often mighty stone structures, over which wooden buildings and thatched roofs were often built. The city center was the physical and spiritual heart of the city. Important rituals were done there, in the temples, palaces, and ball courts Everybody thinks of Egypt as the pyramid capital of the world, but there's another country that has twice as many pyramids: Sudan. Located directly to the south of modern Egypt, they were mostly built around the third century B.C.—around eight hundred years after the last Egyptian pyramids were built Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive ancient sites in all of Central and North America. Its scale surpasses the cities built by the Maya and other Mesoamerican civilizations. Though most notable for the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and the three-mile-long Avenue of the Dead they overlook, Teotihuacan was also a bustling, cosmopolitan city The Giza Pyramids, built to endure an eternity, have done just that. The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago. Egypt's pharaohs expected. . It is also home to one of the largest pyramids in the world built during ancient times. The place was discovered only a couple of decades ago. It is so big and buried so deep in the jungle that there is still no infrastructure to support tourism Cuicuilco was as a farming village, built up around the ceremonial centre that contained the pyramid. Population at the city's peak is estimated at an impressive 20,000 people. Cuicuilco is, as mentioned, recognized as the oldest known civilization of central highland Mesoamerica The Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest of the many temples and pyramids that are found at Teotihuacan. It's thought to date back to around 200 AD, and it's an impressive size and shape that is almost equal to that of the Pyramid of the Sun. The Pyramid of the Moon is found at the far end of the Avenue of the Dead people who lived in the coastal regions of Peru and Ecuador around 900 B.C.; built a temple surrounded by two pyramids and stone figures depicting different gods; declined around 200 B.C. Nazca culture that appeared in Peru around 200 B.C. to A.D. 600; known for Nazca Lines, or grooves in the images of animals, that can be seen from the ai These massive pyramids near Mexico City were built around 2000 years ago and are some of the biggest in the world. Here's a quick look at what you'll see and some tips on how visit Teotihuacan without a tour. Welcome to Teotihuacan. The remains of this ancient city only hint at what an amazing place it must have been at its peak Pyramids in Mexico map is ranked second in the list of largest pyramids of Mexico. Teotihuacan is also known as the city of God as it was highlighted during the era of Christ. However, the pyramid of the moon was built around 200 to 450 AD and it features several different pyramids layered upon one another The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan measures 225m by 222m at its base and 75m high is one of the largest and most impressive pyramids on the planet. Teotihuacan was a holy Mesoamerican city built in around 400 BC in what is now Mexico and forms one of the country's oldest archaeological sites The ancient city of Memphis was the source of authority of the Old Kingdom (2686—2181 BC) of Ancient Egypt, and it was the hometown of Egyptians who built the pyramids. One of the interesting Egypt pyramids facts is that, during that period, Memphis was the most powerful and well known city not only in Egypt, but also in the whole world The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed Via 57 West has been declared the world's best new skyscraper by information specialist Emporis during its annual Skyscraper Awards. The impressive building. Mayan cities were built around a central a. fortress. c. castle. b. pyramid. d. market. Mayan cities were built around a central PYRAMID. s. Wiawen\|Points 94\| Log in for more information. Question. Asked 9/8/2014 10:56:49 AM. Updated 9/8/2014 11:23:26 AM. 0 Answers/Comments. Thousands of Mayan people lived in complex cities with central plazas, pyramids, reservoirs, canals and terraced farmlands in this area 1,000 to 2,000 years ago Upstate University Hospital, also home to the newly built Galisano Children's Hospital, as well as St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Crouse Hospital and the Syracuse VA Hospital contribute significantly to area employment. Cities and Counties. The Central New York area includes Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Cortland Counties Unfortunately, very little has been done regarding the analysis or dating of these structures. Di Gregorio recalls that the Celts in Northern Italy were present around the seventh century BC and that the first forms of agriculture date back to about 11,000 years ago. This suggests that these northern Italian pyramids may have been built from 10,000 to 3,000 years ago Egypt is building two highways across the pyramids plateau outside Cairo, reviving and expanding a project that was suspended in the 1990s after an international outcry Nevertheless, there is a silver lining: in high-income and upper-middle-income country cities, a larger share of new built-up area is provided through infill development. For example, a city in a high-income country that increases its built-up area by 100 m 2 will add about 35 m 2 through infill development and 65 m 2 through horizontal spread The most well-known and most visited of all the Mayan ruins in the Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá, believed to have been built during the fifth century, is just an easy day trip from Cancún. As you enter the main plaza, you are greeted by the star of the show: El Castillo Pyramid, an impressive 98-foot-tall structure carefully decorated with carved serpents Uxmal, (Mayan: Thrice Built) ruined ancient Maya city in Yucatán state, Mexico, about 90 miles (150 km) west-southwest of Chichén Itzá and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Mayapán. By road, it is some 50 miles (80 km) south of the modern city of Mérida. Uxmal was designated a World Heritage site i Many of the peoples of Central America were prolific builders and empire-makers; when the Spanish arrived in the 16 th century, they found bustling metropolises and impressive monuments. Today, the ruins of cities built by the Mayans, Toltecs, Zapotecs and others serve as a testament to their civilizations, and many of them are preserved as World Heritage Sites scattered throughout the. Caral is located about 75 miles north of Lima in Peru's Barranca region, near the central Peruvian coast. The pyramids are built on the fertile Supe Valley terrace, and are surrounded by desert The Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl, is part of a huge network of pyramids near Mexico City. The Zona Arqueológica de Cholula is around two hours away from Mexico City. Located in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico, The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest archaeological site of a pyramid in Central America and the largest. Lost Pyramids of the Aztecs: The Aztecs ruled one of the most powerful civilisations ever seen in the Americas. They were ruthless warriors and ingenious engineers, who conquered a huge territory and built towering pyramids and ambitious civil engineering projects using manpower alone it took 500 years to build the pyramid. the 7th son of a 7th son - 14 generations. This is enough for the cultural media of that 500 year period (in this case a pyramid) to be 'built in' to the people - the consequence is that those people then have built into their language and consequently cognition, a cognitive bias that asserts itself in the form of a pyramid - the stories of the. Chichen Itza, a ruined ancient Maya city occupying an area of 4 square miles (10 square km) in south-central Yucatan state, Mexico. It was founded about the 6th century CE, presumably by Mayan peoples who had occupied the region since the Pre-Classic Period. In the 10th century it was invaded by foreigners Archeologists have discovered the ruins of an 800-year-old Aztec pyramid in the heart of the Mexican capital that could show the ancient city is at least a century older than previously thought Japanese construction company Shimizu likes to dream big, as in moon solar panels and pyramid-city big. Here are a few of the company's visions for the future. Shimizu's Luna Ring project would. A pyramid is a geometrical solid with a square base and four equilateral triangular sides, the most structurally stable shape for projects involving large amounts of stone or masonry. Pyramids of various types, sizes and complexities were built in many parts of the ancient world (like Central America, Greece, China and Egypt) In 1958, after reconstruction, this route became the initial section of Interstate 80 across Nevada. The river provides water for Reno, Sparks, the Fallon agricultural area and Pyramid Lake. Wadsworth, Nevada From 1868 until 1884 the Central Pacific's Truckee Wadsworth division was located on this site. In 1882, work was started on a new site. 7 Interesting Facts about the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. 1. Pyramids are the final resting places for pharaohs. The pharaohs (kings) of Ancient Egypt believed that they would become gods after death. To prepare for the afterlife, the pharaohs built temples to the gods and pyramids for themselves. The pyramids were to be their tombs Completed in about 2560 B.C., the Great Pyramid remained the world's tallest human-built structure for more than 4,000 years. Located a few hundred meters to the southwest, the central pyramid was built by Khufu's son Khafre, who ruled from about 2520 to 2494 B.C. The smallest pyramid, which Khufu's grandson Menkaure built, rounds out the. Teotihuacan was founded around 100 BCE and reached its peak population around 450 CE. Teotihuacan was a multi-ethnic city, with distinct quarters occupied by Otomi, Zapotec, Mixtec, Maya and Nahua peoples. The geographical layout of Teotihuacan is a good example of the Mesoamerican tradition of planning cities, settlements, and buildings as a. Coba. Is the site of a large ruined Mayan city, with several pyramid structures that were built sometime between 500 AD and 900 AD. Coba, which was first settled between 100 BC and 100 AD, is located next to five lakes, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Coba is a huge site with over 6500 structures that spread over nearly 70 kilometers, and. The Teotihuacan pyramids are some of the largest of their kind in the Americas. Ancient Teotihuacanos constructed the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in the year 100 C.E., centuries before the Aztec had arrived in Teotihuacan. These marvels still stand at an incredible height of around 65 meters (213 feet) and 43 meters (141 feet. These pyramids align with the three stars in the belt of the constellation Orion, just like the pyramids at Giza. The pyramids were also built with a layer of Mica, a mineral not found anywhere in Central America. Mica would have had to been imported some 2,000 - 3,000 miles away, from modern-day Brazil, without the luxury of wheels Historian, anthropologist, and archeologist Robert Sepehr has written extensively about the Chachapoyas — The Cloud People — an ancient Aryan people who built great civilizations — which featured massive pyramids and mummies — in Central and South America long before the Incas and Aztecs — and their civilization even pre-dates the Egyptians by almost 2,000 These are human-made pyramids, and compelling new evidence indicates they are the remains of a city that flourished nearly 5,000 years ago. as Egypt's great pyramids were being built. The. The Pyramid of the Sun was first to be aligned to the event, and it was also built 260 standard units wide and had 260 steps to the summit. All of Teotihuacan's building are now believed to relate to the cosmos and the beginning of time - which suggests the Aztecs knew rather more than we do when they named the city Teotihuacan W2-0006: Pyramid of the Sun from Western Approach The Pyramid of the Sun, or Pirámide del Sol, is the largest pyramid at Teotihuacan and was by far the largest building in the New World when it was completed in the 2nd century.It is thought to have taken over 100 years to construct and contains over 1.1million cubic-metres of adobe mud bricks at its core Egypt can be termed as a city to have richest history and mysteries that never got old! There were 6 ancients wonders in the world out of which two were situated in Cairo, Egypt . Currently only one of the 7 ancient wonders still exists that is Gr.. The Essential Guide to Modern Pyramids. aoc-share. The Luxor Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas (photograph by Bencito the Traveller) The pyramids of the ancient world are some of the most enduring icons. One of the greatest Maya cities in Mexico was Chichen Itza - a sacred city which covers around six square miles and was once home to hundreds of buildings which were built in both the classic Maya period and the later Maya-Toltec period.. Chichen Itza is probably the most visited Mayan ruins in Mexico, since being named one of the New Wonders of the World The most well-known pyramids that exist are in Egypt, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. While there are around 135 pyramids in Egypt, most in and around Cairo, there have been more pyramids discovered in Sudan at around 240. Then there seems to be 10 Nsude pyramids in Nigeria and 2 pyramids and a sphinx have been reported in Niger Ancient Suburb Near St. Louis Could Be Lost Forever The remains of a newly discovered suburb of the ancient city of Cahokia are right in the path of a new interstate freeway in East St. Louis. The New Kingdom largely saw the end of the mastaba, completely overtaken by the pyramid built over a burial chamber. Facts About The Ancient Egyptian Mastaba. The first mastabas are largely found at Giza along with the pyramids. Mastaba comes from an Arabic word for bench and translated to eternal house in ancient Egyptian Despite its enormous size, very little is known about the pyramid's early history. It's thought construction began around 300 BC; by who exactly remains a mystery The Pyramids Were Built By Slaves. This is by far the most widely held belief people have about the pyramids that isn't true. This rumor likely got started by Greek historian Herodotus (~484-425 B.C.) who visited the site of the Great Pyramid in 450BC. You mentioned the surrounding busy city and the little desert around. That's. Introduction. Archaeologists believe Egypt's large pyramids are the work of the Old Kingdom society that rose to prominence in the Nile Valley after 3000 B.C. Historical analysis tells us that the Egyptians built the Giza Pyramids in a span of 85 years between 2589 and 2504 BC Occupied between 1200 and 1500 A.D., this huge masonry pueblo contained 800 rooms, a central plaza, a surrounding wall, and a great kiva. The site is also one of the few in the Southwest that shows evidence of three different cultures living together: the Hohokam, the Mogollon, and the Anasazi-- the last group named migrating from the Hopi. The Wall is the northwest border of a tract of low desert that we designated Area A: our excavation site. We suspected that the Wall of the Crow dated to the Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty (2575-2465 BC), like the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, but we do not know why the Egyptians built it. Evidence suggests that they never completed the mammoth. The first ever pyramid built in Egypt was the one in Djoser, almost 100 years earlier than the famous ones in Giza. It is a step pyramid, unlike the well-known pointed-top, flat-side pyramids that we know of Giza. Step pyramids were platforms built one on top of the other with a decreasing surface area as the pyramid rises 4/13/14 2:00PM. 137. 28. A huge pyramid in the middle of nowhere tracking the end of the world on radar. An abstract geometric shape beneath the sky without a human being in sight. It could be the.	https://duroprasident.com/c-4w2453o9be67/Built-cities-around-a-central-pyramid.html
We’ve visited ancient Mayan cities from Mexico’s Chichen Itza to Guatemala’s Tikal along with a slew of others in between. And while some of those sites are larger, more historically important, or were more fun to get to, none impressed us as much as Uxmal. Located in Yucatan, Mexico, about an hour’s drive south of Merida, Uxmal is considered one of the best preserved Mayan sites anywhere. It certainly seemed that way to us. Many of the detailed frescos that other Mayan ruins have lost to time remain intact at Uxmal. I also found the site topography more visually pleasing than anywhere else we visited. With many of the structures situated high on hilltops you get good ruin views from nearly everywhere in the park. Mayan Ecotours to Celestun. No Bueno!	https://en.paperblog.com/uxmal-our-favorite-mayan-site-anywhere-1403867/
Chichen Itza was the largest and most important Mayan city in the Mexican state of Yucatan. Parts of it date back to 800AD and show that the Mayan people occupied the city for several hundred years. Despite being long abandoned, Chichen Itza still stands in remarkable condition. The site boasts temples, pyramids, cenotes (sink holes), a great ball court, an observatory and an extensive collection of ancient ruins. For years researchers have worked to uncover information and history that alludes to the lost culture of the Mayans. Hieroglyphs are slowly and tediously being deciphered, made hard by destruction of this language by the early arriving Spanish. This research has allowed us to glimpse at the dark, fierce and haunting past of Chichen Itza. Chitzen Itza’s Dark Past Like many ancient cultures, the Mayans who inhabited Chichen Itza, exhibited very different cultural actions and beliefs to the ones we have today. To us, their way of life and rituals seem dark and barbaric, yet this was how they paid respect, interacted with and pleased their Gods. Death was viewed uniquely by the Mayans. They saw it far less negatively than typically perceived today. In this time, it was viewed as the next leg of their journey into the afterlife and at times was sought after and celebrated. One feature which distinguishes Chichen Itza’s from other Mayan ruins throughout Mexico, Belize and Guatemala is the sheer size of its ball court. These structures were built to house many spectators who would cheer as two teams went head to head in a unique sport, consisting of hitting a small ball with the hip through a round hoop. Games saw teams fight to the death, ending in a bizarre twist where the winning team’s captain was sacrificed. This form of death was seen as a great honor and is depicted within art works carved into the stones that line Chichen Itza’s great ball court. These carvings show armored men engaging in the sport and one man knelt down, decapitated with snakes splaying wildly from his neck wound, symbolic of the blood squirting from his major arteries. In fact, sacrifice was a common thing for the Mayans. It was seen as a way to appease the Gods and blood was offered ritually and frequently during times of disease, drought and famine. One area of Chichen Itza, which fascinated early researchers and continues to fascinate the masses today, is the great Cenote (sink hole), located behind the main pyramid (El Castillo). It is apparent that this place was a sacred one for the Mayans. They deposited a great deal of artifacts into its deep waters, including jade, which was precious to the Mayans like gold. It is thought that the Mayans believed this Cenote to be a gateway to the underworld and a direct connection to the rain god, Chaac. In addition to the precious items found at the bottom of the Cenote were hundreds of skeletons, including those of many children. It is thought that these individuals were sacrificed, pushed into the Cenote from above to appease the Rain God and hopefully break the devastating drought experienced by the Maya people. Further sacrifices are believed to have been conducted within the great pyramids of Chichen Itza, including the main central pyramid, known to many as El Castillo. Here, victims would have been killed at the top temple section of the pyramid and would have primarily been prisoners captured during warfare. The scale of these sacrifices and barbaric nature is captured in more artwork within Chichen Itza, showing rows of pierced skulls on stakes, which would have been displayed at the site as an imposing symbol of power and warning to outsiders. Ghost Stories of Haunted Chichen Itza Chichen Itza has a turbulent history linked heavily with death, leaving little doubt as to why it is commonly considered one of the most haunted places in Mexico. Many have claimed to sight shadow figures within pyramids (formerly open to the public) and see the apparitions of ancient spirits roaming the grounds of Chichen Itza. Many believe that these may be the souls of human sacrifice victims trapped and cursed to walk the site, unable to cross over. Others claim that these may be priests still guarding and protecting their sacred, religious site. This theory is further reinforced since the most active paranormal site within Chichen Itza is said to be the observatory and not the places of sacrifice. The Mayans were extremely advanced, being able to predict astronomical events with great precision. This work was of great importance and one that spirits may continue to be conducting, even in death. Numerous other paranormal occurrences have also been reported at Chichen Itza. Many have felt the feeling of nearby invisible presences, sudden temperature drops, disembodied voices and sounds, particularly those of ancient tribal hymns. There have also been some disturbing accounts of spiritual attachment that visitors have documented online. These tell of ancient spirits that have followed visitors home to haunt their dreams. Visiting Chichen Itza Chichen Itza is a must visit for tourists passing through Southern Mexico. It is most popular with tourists commuting from Merida, Cancun and Tulum on day trips to visit the ruins. Due to its close proximity to these destinations and breathtaking landscapes, Chichen Itza can become extremely busy later during the day. If you are like me and try hard to avoid hordes of tourists, especially to get those perfect photos, I recommend a stay in Piste (closest town to the ruins) where you can walk within 20 minutes to Chichen Itza and arrive at opening to be one of the first within the park. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection as you’ll want to spend some quality time wandering the park. You will do a decent amount of walking but nothing overly strenuous as you cannot ascend any of the ruins. Tour guides can be purchased at the entry of the park, or you can explore at your own leisure. Don’t miss your chance to explore these mysterious Mayan ruins, which are some of the best-preserved surviving ruins around. If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about other haunted places in Mexico, check out Misnebalam, a haunted ghost town just outside Merida. Thanks for reading!	https://amyscrypt.com/chichen-itza-haunted-mayan-ghosts/
Like most things in life, the answer to the age-old question “Should I go to Uxmal or Chichen Itza?” is “It depends”. They’re both Mayan ruins, but that’s where the similarity ends. They’re drastically different, and the choice between which one to visit depends on where you’re staying, how far you want to travel, how much you’ve got to spend, what you want to see, when you’re visiting, what you like… and so much more! In this post, I’ll explain the differences between Chichen Itza and Uxmal, and share my experience of what they’re like to visit. Hopefully, it will help you make up your own mind of which one to visit – or both, of course! Uxmal: A Brief History Uxmal (pronounced oosh-mal) is an ancient Mayan city on the Yucatán peninsula. It was one of the most important Mayan cities, inhabited between 600-900 AD by a population of around 20,000 Maya at its peak. It was abandoned in the 1500s after the Spanish conquest. The name ‘Uxmal’ means ‘thrice-built’ in Mayan, in reference to the city’s main structure which was built on top of existing pyramids. The architecture and design of the site’s structures is known as the Puuc style, which is characterised by smooth walls, stucco finishing and numerous depictions of Chaac – the Mayan god of rain. A Brief History of Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá was one of the largest Mayan cities, spread out over an area of 4 square miles on the Yucatán peninsula. 50,000 people are estimated to have lived in the city at its peak. There is some debate about when it was built, but it’s said to have gained prominence in 600 AD until construction stopped in the 1200s. Owing to the city’s long occupation, its structures were designed in numerous styles, from Puuc like Uxmal, to central Mexican influences too. The site is also home to two large cenotes, formed by sinkholes, which gave it its name. ‘Chi’ meaning ‘mouths’, ‘chen’ meaning ‘wells’ and Itzá, the name of the people that settled there. Which ruin should I visit? With Mexico boasting more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the Americas, it’s no surprise you’re having a hard time deciding which one to go to. Read on to find out the main differences between Uxmal and Chichen Itza in terms of size, cost and what there is to see. How crowded does it get at Uxmal and Chichen Itza? This is often the only thing people will want to know before deciding which Mayan ruin to visit. And with good reason! Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites, but Chichen Itza’s El Castillo is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its fame continually draws crowds, with 2.74 million visitors throughout 2018. In January 2020, Chichen Itza broke attendance records with 18,000 visitors admitted in one day. That’s a lot of people. Unless you’re one of the first people through the gates or the last to leave, prepare for it to be very busy! On the other hand, Uxmal is much quieter. In fact, when we visited in October, we barely saw any other tourists and had a very pleasant day exploring the entire site. That’s not to say it isn’t popular – almost 285,000 people visited in 2018, but you’re still much less likely to be bothered by crowds at Uxmal. This includes other tourists as well as souvenir hawkers! How big are the sites? Chichen Itza occupies a site around 4 square miles in size and can take a full day to explore if you want to see it all. Thankfully, its large size means all those visitors have somewhere to go, and there’s always something new to discover. However, for less mobile visitors, the size of Chichen Itza can be overwhelming. The main attractions are relatively spread out and can take a while to navigate between them. Choose what you want to see in advance, and plan your route around the site if this is a concern. In terms of size, Uxmal is much smaller but still pretty extensive. You’ll need at least a few hours to explore, but many people spend all day at the site, soaking it all in. The attractions are also closer together, but the terrain is relatively hilly. This makes for beautiful views and photos, though! What to see at Chichen Itza As Chichen Itza is a much bigger site than Uxmal, there is more to see. The main attractions at Chichen Itza range from the well-known El Castillo pyramid to the cenotes hidden in the jungles. Below I have listed out some of the highlights: El Castillo Also known as the Kukulkan Pyramid, El Castillo is the main pyramid in the centre of Chichen Itza. It stands 24m (75 feet) tall and consists of a square base and steps all the way up to a square room at the top. Owing to its impressive construction, it became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It’s said to have been designed with astronomy in mind. During the vernal equinox in March and the autumnal equinox in September, the 3 pm sunlight creates shadows that mimic a snake descending the steps. Now that’s impressive! The Great Ball Court You’ll find a ball court at most Mayan ruins, but none more impressive than the Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza. The court is 225 feet wide and 545 feet long, and fitted with a stone hoop on the walls of each side. To win, players needed to put a heavy ball through the hoop, using only their hips, shoulders, knees or elbows. And if that doesn’t sound daunting enough, experts say the loser would have been decapitated! I think I’ll sit this one out… Cenote Sagrado The Cenote Sagrado, or sacred cenote, within Chichen Itza is a natural sinkhole that has exposed the water below the surface. It’s approximately 60 metres in diameter, and drops down 27 metres, so it’s pretty big. It gets its name from its social and religious significance and the human sacrifice that may have taken place here. Among the skeletons found at the bottom of the cenote, items of gold, wood and jade were also found here. Tzompantli A tzompantli was a typical structure in Aztec cities, made up of vertically standing poles where the heads of sacrificed bodies were placed. Thankfully the skulls have gone, but you can still see the carved reliefs of graphic scenes including skeleton warriors, eagles eating human hearts and human sacrifices. Light and Sound Show Every night, a 30 minute light and sound show illuminates El Castillo after dark. Projections include the history of the people that lived there as well as various aspects of Mayan culture. Spanish commentary is included, but it’s still a fascinating show if you don’t speak the language. You’ll need to buy tickets to the show separately, which you can do online. What to see at Uxmal Though there may not be as much to see at Uxmal as there is at Chichen Itza, you could argue it’s easier to see the structures at Uxmal as you can get closer to them. That said, there’s still plenty to explore. Here’s just a few of my favourites: Pyramid of the Magician The most famous structure at Uxmal is the Pyramid of the Magician which, in my opinion, is even more imposing than El Castillo at Chichen Itza. Its oval base and rounded edges are unusual, but it’s the height (said to be up to 40m tall) that make it so impressive. The pyramid you see at Uxmal today is the result of a series of different pyramids being built on top of each other. Even though the name Uxmal means ‘thrice built’ in Mayan, there are actually five temples in total nested together to make the Pyramid of the Magician. Great Pyramid The Great Pyramid (not to be confused with the Pyramid of the Magician!) is around 30m in height, and looks more like El Castillo with a square base. The best thing about it is that you can still climb it, which gives you incredible views out over the rest of the site as well as the surrounding jungles. Ball Court The Ball Court at Uxmal isn’t quite as impressive as the one at Chichen Itza, but still serves to demonstrate how Mayan ball games may have been played. The walls are crumbling and the original hoops have been replaced with replicas, but it’s still worth seeing! Nunnery Quadrangle Despite its name, the Nunnery Quadrangle doesn’t actually have anything to do with nuns. It got its name in the 16th century as it resembled a convent, with four palaces surrounding a central courtyard. The palaces would have been used for administrative reasons rather than residential. Each palace is decorated with facades depicting various animals, human figures and mythical creatures. It’s well worth spending some time in this area, exploring the different rooms and admiring the carvings. Temple of the Turtles The Temple of the Turtles is a simple structure, located on a hill that overlooks the rest of the city. Unsurprisingly, it’s named after the turtles that decorate its walls. Turtles were significant at the time for their association with the rain. Nowadays, you can walk through the temple’s central chamber and into its rooms, but the views from the platform are the best feature. Can you climb any of the structures at Uxmal or Chichen Itza? In order to preserve the ancient ruins at Chichen Itza as best they can (and also for safety reasons), you can no longer climb any of the structures there. Most of the monuments are also shielded behind barriers so you can’t even get that close to them. The Pyramid of the Magicians at Uxmal is also off-limits, but you can still climb a few of the other structures on the complex, including the Great Pyramid. It really is worth braving the steep staircase to reach the top, because the views out over the jungle and across the entire site are wonderful. How much does it cost to visit Uxmal or Chichen Itza? At the time of writing, Chichen Itza was more expensive to visit than Uxmal. An entrance ticket to Chichen Itza costs $481 pesos (around $20USD) which includes both the Yucatan tax and a National Institute of Arts & History fee. Tickets to Uxmal cost $413 pesos (around $17USD) which again covers all taxes and fees. While there isn’t much of a difference in entrance fees, it’s still something to consider if you’re deciding between them and are on a budget. Visiting from Merida Merida is a beautiful colonial city about an hour’s drive from Uxmal and a little further to Chichen Itza. It reminds me so much of the little town in Coco, with its central square and lovely little backstreets. It’s a must visit for anyone who wants to stay somewhere a bit more Mexican than the resort area along the coast. There’s plenty to do in Merida too! Where to stay in Merida My top picks for places to stay in Merida include: - Luz en Yucatan – we stayed in this hotel back in 2012 and absolutely loved it. More recent reviews still praise its welcoming atmosphere and comfortable rooms. Along with its fantastic location just a few minutes’ walk from the centre, guests will love the swimming pool and the hammocks dotted about on balconies and courtyards. A double room costs around $62 USD per night. - Like Luz en Yucatan, Hotel Santiago is centrally located, with guest rooms surrounding a central courtyard and small pool. You’ll love the Mexican decorations and touches throughout the hotel, and the air conditioning comes in very handy if you stay in the height of summer! Double rooms start at $31 USD per night. - Nomadas EcoHostel is set in a large colonial house in the heart of Merida. As the name suggests, its focus on ecotourism makes it an oasis with yoga classes and hammocks to relax around the pool. The hostel has a variety of different rooms, from private doubles ($40 USD per night) to mixed dormitories ($8 USD per night) so there’s something for everyone. Visiting from Cancun If you’re staying in Cancun, Chichen Itza will be easier to get to than Uxmal. You can visit Chichen Itza on a day trip from the resort area, but Uxmal is much further. If you plan on visiting Uxmal from Cancun, it might be worth adding a night in Merida to avoid the long journey back. Where to stay in Cancun My top picks for hotels and hostels in Cancun are: - Marriott Cancun Resort – this grown-up beach resort offers direct beach access, a swim-up pool bar and plenty of places to eat. It’s located in the ‘hotel zone’ or resort area, but there’s a bus stop directly outside that will take you up to the restaurants and nightclub area. Most rooms have sea views and balconies that overlook the Caribbean Sea, making it ideal for a beach break. Free parking is included in all stays ready for your road trip to the Mayan ruins too. Resort view rooms are around $200 USD per night, but oceanfront rooms are closer to $320 USD per night. - If you want to stay in the hotel zone but prefer smaller, boutique hotels, try La Villa du Golf. It’s a villa that has been converted into a hotel with comfortable, clean rooms, a central swimming pool and lots of communal living space. It’s within walking distance (30 minutes) to the restaurants and nightclubs but there’s also a bus stop nearby that will take you there in a few minutes. Double rooms start around $71 USD per night. - There are plenty of hotels in downtown Cancun, so it’s a good place to stay if you want to be in the heart of the action but don’t mind missing out on the sea views. Mexcal Nomads Boutique Hotel & Hostel is my favourite in central Cancun. Its focus on socialising means there’s a games room, outdoor pool and regular theme nights. Furnishings in the more deluxe rooms and communal areas are rustic and colourful, but very stylish too. Private double rooms are around $45 USD per night, and a bed in a mixed dorm room starts at $10 USD per night. Check out my guide to where to stay in Tulum if you’d prefer to be based there! *** In summary, if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy getting closer to historical artefacts, Uxmal is your best bet. But if you’re aching to see a modern wonder of the world, you should go to Chichen Itza.	https://www.wouldbetraveller.com/uxmal-or-chichen-itza/
Keywords help you narrow down the specific content that you produce through export for an eDiscovery case. By creating focused searches, you increase the likelihood that content is applicable to a case, and reduce the amount of content that you need to manage. Your organization may create an eDiscovery case if it receives a request for potential evidence to support litigation, an audit, or an investigation. Learn about Core eDiscovery for SharePoint in Microsoft 365. Filters and Queries After you create a case, you add Discovery Sets to it. Discovery Sets contain the content sources - such as SharePoint subsites - that are may be relevant to a case. Filters help you narrow down the source, such as by keywords, a range of start and end dates, domains, or by author or sender. Once you have identified potential sources, queries help further refine the content that you want to export to review or to provide to counsel and/or the requesting party. You can construct your filter by using keywords, date ranges, author/recipients, domains, and proximity searches. Note In order for content to be discovered, it must be crawled by search. For more information about the default file types that are crawled, see the article Default crawled file name extensions and parsed file types in SharePoint Server 2013. Operators and Proximity in Keywords Special operators, such as Boolean and proximity operators, can be used to create relationships between multiple keywords. The operators must be written in all uppercase letters. If you need to use multiple operators, you can group them with parenthesis to determine the order in which they are applied. For example, you might be looking for content with the term executive, but you don't want to find the term when it appears in the title of a frequent report in your organization called the Executive Summary. When you use the phrase executive NOT summary, you can narrow down the number of items returned from 300 to 188, since you are eliminating any documents that contain the word Summary. Note When two words are specified with no operator, an implied AND exists. For example: wooly worm is the same as wooly AND worm . \|Use\|\|To\|\|Example\| \| \|\|Find content that contains all of the words or phrases it separates. \|\| \| \| \|\|Find content that contains either of the words or phrases it separates. \|\| \| \| \|\|Exclude content that contains the term within a phrase. \|\| \| \| \|\|Group words or phrases to show the order in which they are applied. \|\| \| \| \|\|Finds words that are near each other, where n equals the number of words apart. If no number is specified, the default distance is eight words. \|\| \| Using Wildcards Wildcards can help you expand your keywords to include terms that contain part of a keyword or terms that have alternative spellings. \|Use\|\|To\|\|Example\| \|* at the end of word \|\|Find terms that contain the root word and any extra letters. \|\|risk* finds risk, risks, risked, risking, and risky \| Basic rules for using keywords in filters and queries A content filter or query can include words, quoted phrases, and terms that use keywords and properties. Separate terms with spaces. Commonly used words such as the, it, and by, and single-digit numbers are ignored. When you enclose a phrase in quotation marks, your search returns content within the chosen scope that contains the exact phrase that you typed. If there is any variance between the phrase in quotations and the actual content, the content will not be found. Operators (for example, Boolean operators) - such as OR and AND — should be written as all uppercase. If a property of SharePoint content is not listed in the Specify Property dropdown menu, you can search for it with keywords. Enclose a property value in quotation marks to find an exact match, or leave the value unquoted to find partial matches that begin with the letters typed. For example, if you look for filename:"Budget" (with quotation marks), your search will return a file named "Budget.xlsx." A search for filename:budget (without quotation marks) will also return the files "Budget_Current.xlsx" and "Budget_Next.xlsx." Note A query must include a term to find. Queries that consist only of terms to exclude will produce an error message. Examples for applying rules \|Keywords\|\|Example Results\| \| \|\|Any content that contains both Executive and Briefing, anywhere in the document, page, message, or metadata. \| \| \|\|Any content that contains the exact phrase "Executive Briefing" anywhere in the document, page, or message. \| \| \|\|Any content that contains the exact phrases "Executive Briefing" and "Executive Summary" anywhere in the document, page, message, or metadata. \| \| \|\|Any file with budget in its filename, such as 2014 budget projections.docx, 2015 budget priorities.pptx, 2014 budget planning.xlsx, 2014 budget review.xlsx, and so on \| \| \|\|Excel worksheets that contain the phrase 2014 budget, such as "2014 budget planning.xlsx" and "2014 budget review.xlsx" \| Query Scope A query can apply to all the content in a case, to specific eDiscovery Sets, or a specific content source (such as Web content or a fileshare) within an eDiscovery Set. Narrowing the scope may help you identify the right content, especially if the case is large, and the search returns in other sources or eDiscovery Sets aren't relevant. Important When the Select sources options is selected, any filters that may have been added as part of the Discovery set are not included. To set the scope of a query, click Modify Query Scope, and then select All case content, Select eDiscovery Sets, or Select sources. The All case content option includes all content from the list of sources, with any eDiscovery Set filters applied. You can also include more content locations when setting query scope. Viewing and troubleshooting queries After you run a query, you can view the SharePoint results by relevance to the query, or by the oldest or newest date. You can see a preview of the document by hovering over its title. To narrow down which items are exported, you can further refine the results by file extension and by property, such as Author or Title. In the query dialog, click the Advanced Query Options link. You can see your underlying query syntax for SharePoint, the content sources included in your query, any filters for your query, and any refinements. Find more information about eDiscovery For more information about eDiscovery cases, see the following articles:	https://docs.microsoft.com/hr-HR/SharePoint/governance/searching-and-using-keywords-in-the-ediscovery-center
SEO Keyword Research – Best Practices You Should Know Keyword research and key phrases are still an extremely important element of SEO. However, their roles and usage techniques are constantly changing. When I started my adventure with SEO about 10 years ago, then it was en vogue to stuff keywords everywhere on the page, wherever you could add them: content, metadata, footer, not taking the fact that this content is unreadable for the user into consideration. What’s worse, the supporters of black hat SEO were then willing to hide the keywords in the code using the smallest font or background color, so that the user could not see the text, while the robot could find it in the Html code. Today, of course, such actions are unacceptable, and the use of keywords is also different than it was before. Today’s article I would like to devote to the SEO keyword research, role and types of keywords, and good practices related to their application from the SEO point of view. Contents - 1 Keywords – What They Are - 2 SEO Keyword Research Tools - 3 Types of Keywords - 3.1 1) Keywords Length (Number of Words) - 3.2 2) The Intention of the Query - 3.3 3) Period of Popularity - 3.4 4) Range of Distance - 4 What about Question Keywords? - 5 LSI – What Does It Mean? - 6 Let’s Practice – Work with Keywords - 7 Best Practices from My Experience - 8 Keywords – The Fundamentals of SEO - 9 Similar Posts: Keywords – What They Are Keywords play a crucial role in the SEO world. SEO strategies are often built based on them. Then their positions in the search results are a determinant of the results achieved. Of course, SEO is not based solely on key phrases, and the goal is usually qualitative organic traffic, not the positions themselves. There is no doubt, however, that without measuring the position of key business phrases, it is difficult to estimate results or plan further SEO strategies. So What Are the Keywords? They are nothing more than expressions that users type in the search engine looking for specific information. In its results, the search engine presents the pages that its algorithm has linked to the given keyword. In short, this means that the search engine assigns a given subpage as adequate to the user’s query for a given expression entered by users in the search field. Therefore, there is a high probability that they will find the information they are looking for. If your site is not optimized for keywords, with which your potential audience searches for information on the Internet, your chances of appearing in the search results are almost none. Example: If we run a food store and accessories for dogs, the keywords with the help of which users can reach your site can be: - Best dog food (search volume: 60,500) - Toys for dogs (search volume: 40,900) - Dry food for dogs (search volume: 2,400) - Dog food online (search volume: 2,300). You can find plenty of those kinds of keywords that describe your business and are relevant to the queries used by your potential clients while searching online for products for dogs. The more adequate keywords you find, the bigger the range of your offer you can expect to be shown in the search engine. So make sure you prepare the proper SEO keyword research! SEO Keyword Research Tools If you want to perform thorough SEO keyword research, I highly recommend the tools below: - neilpatel.com/ubersuggest – this is a free keyword research tool provided by marketing guru Neil Patel; - keyword-planner – this is a tool you can access if you run a Google Ads campaign, you can see a specific search volume for the particular key phrase there instead of “from … to” that most tools often provide. - Kwfinder – this is a tool provided by Mangools. It is not free of charge but it is really useful in everyday SEO work, especially while doing an SEO keyword research. Moreover, if you want to know more about keyword tracking tools – check out this article! Types of Keywords There are several various types of keywords that I’d like to describe and which I use in my everyday SEO work. I divided them into 4 groups depending on the characteristics. Let’s have a look! 1) Keywords Length (Number of Words) We can distinguish two types of keywords in this group. Short-tail Keywords They are general and contain up to three words. Short-tail keywords have a high monthly search volume that’s why they are attractive, but also very competitive. This means if you want to rank high with these keywords, you need will do the hard work and wait patiently because the results won’t come fast. Examples: - Dog food (search volume: 110,4550) - Pet food (search volume: 14,800) - Dog collars (search volume: 60,500) Long-tail Keywords As opposed to short-tail ones, these are more specific keywords with more than 3 words. The average monthly search volume makes them less competitive. Therefore, it is easier to rank high for them. We can usually do basic work and can begin to see the results after a few weeks. Examples: - Best dog food for puppies (search volume: 6,600) - Bark collar for small dogs (search volume: 4,400) - Best dog food for allergies (search volume: 4,300) 2) The Intention of the Query This group contains key phrases divided by the purpose of the search. Branded Keywords It seems obvious that these keywords include the name of the brand or company, which the searcher recognizes or wants to get more information about. Usually, when your brand is popular, your website is always in the top 1 for dedicated branded keywords. But in other cases, if you’ve already started your promotion, you might not be the top 1 or even the top 3, if your brand name is a popular word with few meanings. Examples: - royal canin puppy food (search volume: 22,100) - purina dog food (search volume: 33,100) - pedigree dog food (search volume: 18,100) Non-branded Keywords As the name suggests, they don’t contain a brand’s name in the phrase. This basically means that these are all other keywords relating to the products, services and any topic (both short and long-tail ones and those I will describe below). Examples: - Puppy food (search volume: 9,900) - Dry dog food (search volume: 3,700) - Pet shop (search volume: 33,100) 3) Period of Popularity This group includes keywords that refer to how long or when they are popular. Seasonal Keywords Their popularity depends on the time, season, holiday or other trends. Therefore, we are interested in them and search for them only during that time. For example, we look for “Halloween decorations” in October, but not necessarily in May. Apart from this “peak time” these keywords have very low or zero popularity. Examples: Dog coats (search volume: 49,500 in November / 1,600 in May) Cooling mat for dog (search volume: 27,100 in July / 1,600 in November) Dog christmas gifts (search volume: 14,700 in December / 10 in February) Evergreen Keywords These words are “always on top” regardless of the season, month or day of the week. They are consistently popular, and their search volume is rather stable for the whole year. Examples: Dog collars (search volume: 60,500) Dog leash (search volume: 27,000) Dog accessories (search volume: 8,000) 4) Range of Distance This group is dedicated to keywords related to the location. Local Keywords As you can easily guess, local keywords refer to a specific place: street, city or country. They are used in the local search. The range of these keywords is limited by the exact location which means that only people who are interested in the local topic use them in the search process. Examples: - Pet store upper east side (search volume: 320) - Pet store staten island (search volume: 480) - Pet store manhattan (search volume: 590) Global Keywords These key phrases cover all the locations and are universal in all places. The “global nature” of these keywords might be seen in a worldwide range (for example they could be branded keywords like coca-cola, USA, etc.) and also within one country. Examples: - Pet store online (search volume: 2,900) - royal canin (search volume: 74,000) - Dog food (search volume: 110,400) This division does not mean that the keywords from a specific group cannot exist in other groups. In fact, all of these key phrases can exist in any configuration depending on the industry and the specifics of the targeted user. For example, the key phrase “Wojas red heels on sale online” is: global, branded, seasonal because of the sale and long-tailed one at once! 😉 What about Question Keywords? I want to describe question key phrases more broadly. They are becoming more and more important in the SEO world and not only in this industry. Why is that? Because they are essential in the aspects of voice search and its increasing popularity. “Voice assistants are already being used more frequently. The global market of voice search increased by 187% last year, according to Canalys research”. You can read about this in my article on voice search optimization. What do I mean by question keywords? In general, they are all the key phrases that are used as a natural language and have the construction of questions. They are specific not only for voice search but more and more often in written search. That is why they are important in the aspects of website content optimization. I personally use them while searching for some tips or advice in terms of the specific topics and I am usually satisfied with the results that the search engine provides me. Examples: - What is the best dog food (search volume: 4,400) - Where to buy from dog food (search volume: 720) - What dog food is grain free (search volume: 480) LSI – What Does It Mean? When it comes to the keywords, I couldn’t ignore the role of LSI keywords. LSI stands for latent semantic indexing. This is the method that search engines use to study and compare relationships between different terms and concepts. These key phrases can also be used to improve the SEO of your website. They are related to our basic keywords but in a specific way. In other words, the search engines are smart enough to identify your content’s context and synonyms related to your keywords. Please take note! I don’t mean synonyms, but keywords that are in the “area” of the topic or within the range of interest of the targeted audience. It’s crucial to use LSI key phrases in your SEO strategy. When you use them, it is easier to match your website with a specific topic by the search engine robots. It’s also important if you want to make your content more natural and build organic visibility and the topic’s authority widely. Examples for “dog food” keywords: - What dogs like to eat (search volume: 20) - Natural pet food (search volume: 580) - Human food for dogs list (search volume: 50) You can generate the list of LSI keywords with these tools: Let’s Practice – Work with Keywords Now it’s time to talk about using keywords in everyday work. From an SEO point of view, it’s crucial to use keywords within the content in a very smart way, avoiding the temptation of stuffing or creating unnatural messages. But don’t worry. I have prepared some tips that will help you to properly optimize your website with keywords and fully use their potential in the on-site field! Include Keywords in Metadata This Html element is very important from an SEO point of view. Keywords in the title could help to rank better and keywords in the description could impact your CTR. Use them wisely. Don’t create a string of keywords to manipulate rankings because Google is smarter than you and won’t hesitate to penalize this bad behavior. Imagine that you are your targeted user. What do you want to see in the search results? What text could encourage you to click and visit the website? If you find the answers, you’ll create perfect metadata. Use Keywords in the Headers This is another piece of Html code that should be optimized with the keywords. I used to put the high competitive keywords in the H1 tag and other keywords successively in H2, H3 and so on. Headers are a great place to put question keywords. This can also help your website to rank in voice search results. You can read more about creating fine headers in this article on writing an SEO friendly article. Unique Content with Well-Researched Key Phrases I’m sure that we all know that the keywords should be put in the texts on your website. But I have to mention this because I still encounter websites which use a string of keywords or unnatural forms of keywords in the texts probably only for purposes to rank high. This might be effective, but only for a short time. My advice is to use various types of keywords within the texts, short and long-tail, local and global, seasonal and evergreen, question and especially, LSI words. You need to pay a lot of attention to this issue. Create relevant content that is valuable and fully optimized with different types of keywords. And what is important, which is adapted to the targeted audience’s needs and expectations. If you want to make sure that your content is good, do research and read about the biggest copywriting mistakes in order to avoid them. Images And Keywords Relationship The alt tag of the image is a perfect place to put keywords, but only under one condition: the image shows the specific word. Don’t try to put the keyword in the alt tag when the image is not related to it. It might be considered black or grey hat SEO and this definitely won’t bring you any good results. Best Practices from My Experience Apart from these basic tips of SEO keyword research and using key phrases, I’d like to share several of my best practices with you. They are the results of my experience and might be the inspiration for you on how to optimize your website with key phrases: - Mix short and long-tail keywords in all of the elements of your website. - If you use question keywords, consider also using words like ”the best restaurant near me” – this will have a fine voice search impact. But if you do it, you will have to optimize your website with location info – add contact information, maybe even create a Google My Business Page. - Use competitive keywords within the strongest, from an SEO point of view, subpages of your website, including the main page. - Provide users with a straight answer regarding the keyword that leads them to your website. - Don’t use high competitive keywords that are not related to your target audience or topic. - Bold keywords in the text to help users evaluate whether the text is about what they are searching for. It also makes content more scannable and easier to comprehend. - Conduct a periodic revision of your keywords to include new ones which have become more popular or relevant since the last time you checked them. Do you like our posts? You might also like our seo services. Talk to us today and see how we could help you at boosting your company’s growth.	https://insightland.org/2019/08/21/seo-keyword-research-best-practices-you-should-know/
What keywords should be in a resume? Your resume keywords should include specific job requirements, including your skills, competencies, relevant credentials, and previous positions and employers. Essentially, keywords should be words that, at a glance, will show the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the job. When you describe your work experience on your rsum you should? Avoid summarizing or describing what a company or organization you worked with did or does. Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in relationship to the job/organization, not the job/organization itself. Limit your description to the three or four most important points. Why should you use keywords on your resume? Resume keywords and phrases are specific abilities, skills, expertise and traits recruiters and hiring managers look for in a candidate. Keywords consist of job-related nouns that describe your hard and soft skills and qualifications for a job. Action verbs demonstrate what you’ve accomplished in your past experiences. What keywords do recruiters look for? Let’s dive deeper into what these keywords mean and how they will set a job seeker’s resume apart from the rest.Problem solving. Leadership. Written communication. Team building. Performance and productivity improvement. What are good keywords? Understanding Keyword Types Head keywords are usually just 1 or 2 words and have a high search volume. Body keywords are 2 to 3 word phrases with a good search volume, not high, not low. Long tail keywords consist of four or more words strung together with a low search volume. These account for the bulk of web traffic. What are the six ways to use this keyword? What are the 6 ways to use this keyword in Java?this can be used to get the current object.this can be used to invoke current object’s method.this() can be used to invoke current class constructor.this can be passed as a parameter to a method call.this can be passed as a parameter to a constructor.this can be used to return the current object from the method. How do I check traffic for keywords? Using the Google Search Console to Analyze Keyword Traffic The functionality offered by the Google Search Console, formerly known as Webmaster Tools, allows you to quickly and easily identify keywords that are driving traffic to your website, making it an excellent starting point in your keyword traffic analysis. How do I generate keywords for SEO? How to Research Keywords for Your SEO StrategyStep 1: Make a list of important, relevant topics based on what you know about your business. Step 2: Fill in those topic buckets with keywords. Step 3: Understand How Intent Affects Keyword Research and Analyze Accordingly. Step 4: Research related search terms. How do I find my popular keywords? Google Search Console To see what type of keywords users are searching for to find your website, pop over to Google Search Console > Search Traffic > Search Analytics. Once you’re here, you’ll see a list of keywords that are getting some traction for you. How do I find my competitors keywords for free? 1. Google Keyword Planner ToolSelect “search for new keywords using a phrase, website, or category”Enter your competitor’s URL and click “get ideas”Review the list of competitor keywords. What are my competitors keywords? The 8 Best Tools for Finding Competitor KeywordsBuzzSumo. We’ve talked about BuzzSumo numerous times in the past, and that’s because it’s awesome. SEM Rush. SpyFu. Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer. AdWords’ Auction Insights. Crowdsourcing Keyword Research. Tag Clouds. WordStream’s Free Keyword Tool. How do I find my competitors keywords? Top 5 Tools for Figuring Out Your Competitors’ Keywords:The HTML Page Source of Your Competitor’s Website. In your Internet browser, go to your competitor’s website and choose a page to look for keywords in. Screaming Frog Spider. Google Keyword Planner Tool. SEMRush. BuzzSumo. How can I spy on my competitors? Secret techniques on how to spy on the competitionFollow their blogs and social media profiles. This is where you should start. Track their brand. Find out what technologies they’re using. Check their popularity. Check keywords they buy. Check their SEO. Check their display ads. Check their backlinks. How do you find out what keywords a page ranks for? To find ranking keywords for your site or a competitors site using Keyword Explorer, follow these steps:Type in your website URL into Keyword Explorer.Select the country where you audience is based.Click the Analyze button.You’ll see Top Ranking Keywords.Click Ranking Keywords on the left panel to view more keywords. How do you find keywords? How to do keyword researchStep 1: Study your niche. Step 2: Define your goals. Step 3: Make a list of relevant topics. Step 4: Create a list of seed keywords. Step 5: Use good keyword research tools. Step 6: Study the search intent. Step 7: Identify long tail keywords. Step 8: Find out about your competitors. Is spying on competitors illegal? Many people are under the impression that spying on a private company isn’t illegal the way that spying on, say, a foreign country is. And it’s true that it’s not illegal to obtain information about competitors via legal means, even if those means are secretive or deceptive. Is Spying a crime? Espionage against a nation is a crime under the legal code of many nations. In the United States, it is covered by the Espionage Act of 1917. The risks of espionage vary. A spy violating the host country’s laws may be deported, imprisoned, or even executed. Will business espionage such as hiring a person to gather information from a direct competitor be considered legal or ethical? Competitive Intelligence Versus Corporate Espionage Criminal activity like hacking or wiretapping are illegal means of gathering information. For example, someone pretending to be an applicant for a position with the competition just to gather insight on key competitors is an unethical behavior.	https://musicofdavidbowie.com/what-keywords-should-be-in-a-resume/
How do you format a question in an essay answer? To format questions and answers in APA format:Begin the question on a new line and type number 1 followed by a period.Type the discussion question in Times New Roman font, 12 point size.Use double spacing and one inch margins.Separate the answer from the question by beginning the answer on a new line. What is keyword and example? Keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines to find what they’re looking for. For example, if you were looking to buy a new jacket, you might type something like “mens leather jacket” into Google. Even though that phrase consists of more than one word, it’s still a keyword. How do you write keywords? Keywords should ideally be phrases of 2-4 words; single word keywords are acceptable, but they may lead to many false matches. 3. Keywords should contain words and phrases that suggest what the topic is about. Also include words and phrases that are closely related to your topic. How do I find best keywords? How to do keyword researchStep 1: Study your niche. Step 2: Define your goals. Step 3: Make a list of relevant topics. Step 4: Create a list of seed keywords. Step 5: Use good keyword research tools. Step 6: Study the search intent. Step 7: Identify long tail keywords. Step 8: Find out about your competitors. What are keywords give two examples? Examples of keywords are the primitive types, int and boolean ; the control flow statements for and if ; access modifiers such as public , and special words which mark the declaration and definition of Java classes, packages, and interfaces: class , package , interface . Why do we use keywords? Keywords are words or phrases of text that help search engines identify the topics that your content covers. Algorithms have sophisticated systems for analyzing the keywords that users employ in their queries as well as the terms that are used throughout a given piece of content. What are keywords in a sentence? a word that serves as a key, as to the meaning of another word, a sentence, passage, or the like. How do I find keywords? To find ranking keywords for your site or a competitors site using Keyword Explorer, follow these steps:Type in your website URL into Keyword Explorer.Select the country where you audience is based.Click the Analyze button.You’ll see Top Ranking Keywords.Click Ranking Keywords on the left panel to view more keywords. What are primary keywords? First, let’s explain primary keywords. These are the main keywords that most closely describe your business. So, for example, a primary keyword might be “bike”. Secondary keywords are those that add a bit more detail to those initial keywords and are often more related to searcher intent. How do I put content in keywords? You should insert keywords into your content writing using the following steps:Use Keywords in Your Meta Description. Insert Keywords in Your SEO Title Tag. Use Keywords in Your Article Title. Use Keyword Within the First 200 Words. Insert Keywords Naturally Throughout the Article. Use Keywords in the Last 200 Words. How do I find my LSI keywords? LSI Graph is a free LSI keyword tool designed to help you identify dozens of related terms to use in your copy. Visit the website and enter your target keyword to generate a long list of potential LSI keywords. When you have a long list of LSI keywords, it may be tempting to use as many as possible in your content. How do you use keywords? First, use your main keyword in the first couple of sentences of your content, or at least within the first paragraph. Next, use that keyword and variations of it, throughout the content, as shown below. The best practice is to include latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords rather than the exact keyword every time.	https://hollows.info/how-do-you-format-a-question-in-an-essay-answer/
A writing review analyse, evaluates and criticisms the literature on a theme. In this situation, literary works relates to educational resources of ideas for instance guides, publication chapters, peer-reviewed journal write-ups, seminar documents, theses and postgraduate dissertations. Some areas that are subject also require you to definitely look at states for a literature analysis, such as federal government documents. You should check with the tutor exactly what extra varieties information sources you must ask. A writing review is actually carried out a variety of types of academic function and publications, as an example: - The summary of, or a certain area of, a dissertation or dissertation. - The introduction to an extensive investigation journal write-up. - The entire information found in a diary article, referred to as a testimonial article. - An assignment that is individual the only real emphasis regarding the work is actually a report on the literary works. Literature reviews composed to have an individual assignment or as an overview of a journal write-up are certainly more particular in the writing reviewed. Whereas literature testimonials created as review articles or as part of a dissertation or thesis are more extensive in terms of reviewing the literary works with that topic. Literature critiques which happen to be even more comprehensive, require a structured method to literature searching in order to really supply a thorough breakdown of the investigation previously undertaken on the topic. Dont forget to consult with your project short or system guide, or find guidance form the tutor for the specific needs of the literary works overview. Exactly why do a literature testimonial? The objective of a literature analysis is to position the research that is own in context for the larger exploration who has been already carried out in that subject or topic. Carrying out a writing overview is actually crucial a portion of the investigation process and it will surely provide help to understand the matter and build your own tips in your neighborhood. If writing up your literature review you’re going to be proving your very own understanding and knowledge of this theme. If evaluating the literature on a topic you shall: - Grow your knowledge - Track down fashions, troubles also gaps in exploration - Determine theorists plus the important writers of research with that theme - Identify and understand research that is appropriate in that particular niche - Justify your research question/area and placement it in the context of active and research that is current Best ways to undertake literature researching? Making plans for your literary works bing search. The selection will help you in searching out website: https://essay-writing.org the literature for your written material review. For comprehensive written material critiques, such as for example whenever wrting a dissertation or premise, it is vital to need an approach that is structured the literature researching. For example formulating a make a plan the search queries you will use as well as the sources (for instance, journal directories) you will definitely search. Also, it is useful to tape-record the lookups you’ve performed so you can be sure you have used all of the resources available to you that you do not repeat the same searches at another time and so. However, first you might need to range the writing accessible to you. - Scale the topic by undertaking broad searches on this issue. Library browse is definitely a good starting place to accomplish this. It may be of use to learn to read released literature testimonials on the topic. - Read literature analysis diary articles or blog posts on the topic and associated topics - Utilize collection Look and enter literature overview as a keyword and key phrase along with broad keyphrases pertaining to your subject matter. - Incorporate journal directories and refine your pursuit by file type to check out or literature review. Search method Once you have you have scoped the literary works out there and have an understanding of this broad issue area by which your theme rests, you are ready to undertake a more centered search, using search terms particular to your study area/question in order to really generate a thorough literature review. To achieve this you will need to devise a search tactic. Start with pinpointing the important ideas in pursuit query. Example study question: a study associated with effect of social media dependency on narcissistic self-esteem and behaviour among college students. First of all, listing the keywords in the study concern, for instance: The search phrases are employed as search terms on appropriate sources. See a Search terms case for exploring planning your search queries in even more level. Search terms: key phrases and renewable search queries Included in the preparing process, alternate keywords must certanly be identified, along with the keywords inside the study question/dissertation title. Renewable look terms are actually search phrases that happen to be associated with the keyword phrases inside the extensive investigation issue. These may feel synonyms, or words which can be bigger or narrower in scope/focus on the keywords that are initial. - Myspace is definitely less wide in concentrate than social media optimisation but is helpful to add to a google. - College happens to be a broader in concentrate than college student but can be useful to have in a search. Utilizing our very own exploration question illustration, below is a list of alternative keyphrases when it comes down to preliminary keywords and phrases identified.	http://miouze.ca/literature-product-reviews-summit-forms-theses-and/
The Shapiro Library’s collections provide knowledge-based resources essential to the academic endeavors of the SNHU community. Here are three main ways that you can get started using our databases, resources and tools. Start your research in the Multi-Search database search box on the homepage of the library Watch the Video Tutorial on a Multi-Search Overview This link opens in a new window The Multi-Search searches across library resources including the physical and electronic collections of books/ ebooks, articles, databases, videos, and reference resources Type a keyword or two into the Multi-Search search box and search the many books, e-books, journals, magazines, newspapers and, reports in our collection. You may limit your search by content type, subject or publication date. HINT: When searching in the Multi-Search, look for the recommended databases at the top of the search results page. Continue your research in the A-Z Database List using subject-specific databases Watch the Find Databases This link opens in a new window video tutorial You can sort the databases per subject to get to the most relevant database for your research topic. HINT: Some of our databases are not searchable through the Multi-Search or only a portion is discoverable. Go directly into the databases for the most in-depth searches in subject areas. Find a specific journal, magazine or newspaper by using our Periodical Finder This link opens in a new window You can search by title or browse alphabetically. This option searches both print and electronic journals held by Shapiro Library. The library's databases are best searched using keywords rather than long sentences or phrases. It is common to use full sentences, phrases and any words that pop into mind while using a search engine like Google. It is important to note that library databases are not Google, they have their own way of searching for information. Using keywords and something called boolean operators are the start to coming up with successful searching strategies. First, let's talk about a few ways you can brainstorm keywords for your topic: Identify the main concepts that make up your topic. For example, if the topic is careers in librarianship perhaps the main concepts related to this could be: librarians, information literacy, public libraries, academic libraries, research, education. Think about related and more specific terms for the concepts you identified at first. Maybe words such as children, adult learners, instructional design or others come up as you reflect on the first set of concepts you identified. Feeling stuck? Try using a thesaurus to look up synonyms or use a brainstorming strategy like mind mapping This link opens in a new window to see how the concepts in your topic are related. Once you have your keywords identified, it's time to try some searches! You can combine the keywords in various ways to create different searches to use in the library's databases. Here are some tips to help you combine your keywords and create effective searches. Use Boolean Operators such as AND, OR, and NOT. The AND tells the search engine to only bring back results that use both search terms: cats AND dogs. The OR tells the search engine to bring back results that have either search term: cats OR dogs. The NOT will exclude the word or phrase that follows it: cats NOT dogs. Using parentheses can also help, like this: cats AND (dogs OR birds). Use quotation marks around any important phrases. If your topic is human resources, then search for the phrase like this: "human resources" so that the search engine will look for the two words next to each other in that exact order, rather than the two individual words separately in the article. Use an asterisk () as a wildcard. The asterisk tells the search engine to find any variation of the word that starts with the same root. For example, if one of your keywords is biology, search for it like this: biolog. The search engine will look for the words biology, biologic, biological, etc. Using the keywords that were brainstormed above, here are some examples of what a good search strategy would look like: Any of these search strategies would be good to try in a library database. In the next section of the guide, we will look at some specific databases you can use in the research for this course.	https://libguides.snhu.edu/MSN
Of the core planning areas in SharePoint, Search seems to get very little attention. I find this surprising since one of the most common complaints from SharePoint implementations (or any Enterprise Information System) is that users cannot find “anything” in the system. Most of the environments I go into have Search configured in only a very basic sense; a search site was created and crawling is scheduled. To really get value out of the search features, and to greatly enhance the end user experience, additional planning and configuration is required. Like many of the high level planning topics, the goals and plan should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure that the current goals and expectations are aligned. Evaluate the Content Not all content is equal. The format of the content (File Type, Lists, Web Sites), the freshness of the content, and the purpose of the content can vary dramatically and may need to be handled differently. Evaluate the types of content in the system currently along with any new types of content expected to be added in the short term. Three examples of the different types of content could include: Enterprise Content Management, Help Desk, and Project content. Enterprise Content Management – Large ECM data stores primarily include structured data used throughout the organization. Examples could include things like Sales Orders, Purchase Orders, or anything that is used by multiple departments throughout the organization. Search tends to be very important to large data stores like this since the content is not easy to browse. Help Desk Content – In most medium to large organizations there is content used to support the Help Desk functions spread through multiple sites, and perhaps multiple systems. Some content might be document based, some might be in SharePoint lists for things like FAQs, or other formats. While a regular keyword search may bring back relevant content, this is a great example of a case where a custom Search Scope could be created to narrow down the content locations or types that are queried against. Project Data – For organizations that manage a large number of projects through SharePoint, it is possible to identify a unique type of content that is stored throughout all of the sites, and create Search Scopes that can return that specific type of project content. Determine Search Goals The next step is to interview the stakeholders including a number of the end users to determine what their expectations are as well as how they think they would approach search with the system. Identify the Content They Search For – Try to determine the content they most frequently work with as well as the types of content they most frequently have to search for. Typically users know where their frequently accessed content is located. Unless there are thousands are items they may not need search for that content. For other content, in other areas they are likely less familiar with the structure and rely on search. Identify Search Types – Try to identify the types of searches they do (standard, or advanced with keywords), and how likely they would be to match a search against a specific search scope. Identify Level of Patience – While it would be great if you only ever received a single search item in the result set, and it was the perfect match, that is not realistic. Try to have the users express what their expectations are and what their true level of patience is. While they ever look at the second page of results? Will they quickly just do a different search? Will they use any of the search refinements? Identify Location of the Search – In addition, try to have them identify WHERE they initiate a search from. To they navigate to the general area of the sites, do they try and search directly from the front page, do they navigate to different search centers depending on what they are looking for? Depending on the results, the end users may be even be able to take advantage of the advanced configuration without training. Develop a Search Design Plan The next step is to develop your Search Design Plan. It is important to review all of the different types of content along with the stakeholder’s goals and expectations to ensure that they are addressed. Define Content Sources – Start the design by identifying all of the content sources you want to include in the index. Identify Search Scopes – Next, try and identify Search Scopes that represent the logical boundaries for your content. This more than anything can lead to highest level of relevancy because you are limiting the areas of the index that are being searched against. Keywords and Best Bets – For the common search terms or critical company specific terms, it is important to try and identify the Keywords, Best Bets and Synonyms to help surface the content. Custom Search or Result Pages – Try to identify any areas where a custom search or results page would be beneficial. Both the search and results pages can be fully customized. There are a number situations where simple modifications can provide a big payback. Enterprise Search With proper planning these features can be extended to provide a powerful Enterprise Search experience. To make that transition the planning needs to extend beyond just your SharePoint content, but to content also stored in other systems, file shares, web sites, and email systems. As the scope of search increases, so does the number of items in the index and therefore the amount of planning and configuration that needs to happen to deliver relevant results. This is also where typically the topic of Federated Search comes up, since it is often valuable to provide results from other search systems, but in a separate result set instead of adding it to the local index and return it as part of the main results. Review Search Metrics and Reports Both MOSS and Server 2010 come equipped with Search metrics and reports that make it possible to analyze the current usage and effectiveness of search. If you have not reviewed these before, there are bound to be some surprises both with the number of searches executed as well as what people are searching for. The information can help you understand what people frequently search for as well as which results they are clicking through versus executing another search. This information can be used to tune the search results for those keywords, and Best Bets can be configured for key content. I have always relied on this information when reviewing end user needs for an existing environment. Summary The keys to planning for SharePoint Search include Evaluating the Content, Determining the organization’s Search Goals, Developing a Plan, and Reviewing Search Reports. Following through on these steps will greatly increase the likelihood that the system will deliver reliable and relevant content back to the end users. Enhancing the search experience will have tremendous payback for any organization with mission critical content in the system and can be the critical point that makes the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful enterprise information system.	https://www.mikeoryszak.com/2010/07/
In business meetings, you have to be on the ball. In other words, you have to stay alert and pay attention. This is even more true if the meeting isn’t in your native language. If you’re still learning business English, it can be hard to catch everything that’s being said. Because of that, it’s really important to know exactly what you should be listening for. I recently read a funny article about how to look smart in meetings. At first, I thought it was advice for people who had to go to difficult meetings or meetings in a foreign language. “Very slowly repeat things other people say” or “Keep nodding and pretend to take notes” seems like advice people learning business English might get. The article is actually joking about things some people do to look smart or like they’re paying attention. If you know that the writer is joking, some of the advice makes more sense. But thanks to this article, I started thinking about things people really can do to understand information in meetings. Especially if they’re nervous about their business English listening skills. I thought about my own experiences in business meetings, including those when I had to listen in a second language. Good listening techniques won’t just help you with meetings. They can help with business calls and presentations. They can even help keep good business relationships with co-workers. Below are some approaches you can take to business English listening. You can use a certain approach depending on what it is you need to understand. The right approach will help you get the information you need. Try one of these out in your next meeting! 3 English Listening Approaches to Get You Through Challenging Business Meetings 1. Getting the Gist of a Meeting For some meetings, it might be enough to just “get the gist.” “Getting the gist” means to have a basic understanding of something. At some meetings, presentations, receptions and business lunches, a basic understanding is enough. There are a few techniques you can use to make this easier. Reviewing the agenda and materials before the meeting is the best way to prepare. Sometimes, just reviewing the agenda can give you the basic understanding you need. It can also help you know what to listen for. It is also good to keep focused on the topic you need to know about. At some meetings, discussions can go off-topic. Staying focused on the main point of the meeting can help you understand it better. There are many chances to ask questions during a meeting. But if you have very general questions or just want to make sure you understand something, it is a good idea to ask questions during breaks. It can also be helpful to notice when speakers repeat information. Any information that’s repeated can be considered important. Taking Notes to Get the Gist of a Meeting If you only need a simple understanding of a meeting, I would suggest taking notes on the agenda page or the meeting’s paperwork. If you don’t need a lot of details, agendas will give you a basic outline for your notes. Keywords and Phrases for Getting the Gist of a Meeting Here are some keywords you might hear before the topic or main idea: - First/firstly… - In general… - The purpose of this meeting… - As an overview… - To review… 2. Listening for Specific Information Sometimes we attend meetings to get some specific information. We can use the above approach to follow the meeting in general. But there may be specific facts that you need to catch, too. This may come up when you are in a meeting, training or even when taking a test. One great way to catch specific information is to listen for certain words. For example, if you need to find out about the cost for transportation, you can pay attention for words related to that. In this case, you can focus on words like: - cost - transportation - shipping - postal It also helps to study the agenda. That way, you can follow along and know when the things you need to know will be discussed. You should also know that you don’t have to wait for the information you need to be presented. It can be very helpful to everyone at a meeting if you directly ask for the information you need. This technique can be especially helpful if you are in an open-style meeting. This way, you can get your information and then exit the meeting without wasting too much time. Another quick way to get specific information is to look at charts or graphs that come up during the meeting. If you are looking for data, it will be there. Often, the best time to take notes is when the speaker begins explaining the graphs and data. The information you need might be in the graphs, or you can use the graphs to ask very specific questions. Taking Notes About Specific Information in a Meeting There are a few note-taking techniques that are useful when looking for specific information. One way is to prepare your notes before the meeting. List the information you need or questions you have on the paper, leaving some space for the answers. Another great note-taking technique is to highlight the information you need on the meeting paperwork. You can then write additional notes for any new information that comes up. Keywords for Getting Specific Information in a Meeting Some keywords you can listen for when looking for specific information include numbers, prices or other data. It’s also helpful to listen for words related to your questions. If you prepared notes and listen for answers, they will be easy to catch. Using the meeting agenda here will also help you. Some of the specific information you need may be related to a certain section of the meeting. The meeting paperwork will help you focus on which graph, chart or picture will be used to show that data. When there are many different speakers, the agenda will help you focus on the person who will be discussing your topic. Some useful keywords for getting specific information are: - figure - graph - chart - page number - percent - increase - decrease - rate - total - sum 3. Listening and Understanding Fully with Details There are times when you might need to understand as much of the meeting as possible. Some events where this might happen are: - smaller meetings - a meeting in which you are one of the main speakers - a “roundtable” discussion (a meeting in which everyone is expected to talk and work together) - an interview - conference calls (group phone calls) The most important thing you can do to understand a meeting fully is to be prepared. Many people walk into a meeting unprepared. But it is always a good idea to review the paperwork before the meeting and have a list of questions you want to have answered. Try hard to know the agenda and have a copy of it in front of you. It’s also good to stay “engaged.” By this, I mean to be a part of the meeting. You can do this by asking questions, making comments and making eye contact with other people. When you want to understand, ask the speaker to repeat information. Or say the information yourself and ask “Is that correct?” or “Is that right?” Also, ask any questions in your notes that the speaker didn’t talk about. Often, other people in the meeting will be happy that you asked. Another great way to stay “engaged” is to ask other people in the meeting to check your understanding. They will probably be glad to check for themselves, too. You can use meeting breaks to talk to the speaker or other people in an unofficial way. Taking Notes to Understand a Meeting Fully When you really need to understand an entire meeting, you can use some techniques that students use in classes and lectures. One of the main techniques for taking notes is called “Cornell notes.” It was developed by a professor at Cornell University. You can read detailed information about it here. There’s also an explanation in simple English on James Madison University’s website. Even without the explanations above, it is very easy to understand and do: - Draw a vertical line about ⅓ of the way from the left side of the paper. Now you have a thin space to write in on the left, and a big space on the right. - Next, draw a horizontal line near the bottom of the paper and make a space. The space at the bottom is used after the meeting to write a short summary of important points. The space at the top is the part you use during the meeting. The thin space on the left is used to show topics and keywords that come up. Often, that part will look a lot like the basic agenda. The bigger section on the right side is for your notes. This lets you divide your notes by section and really be organized during the meeting. Keywords for Understanding a Meeting Fully Listening carefully, taking notes and staying involved in the discussion can be more important than individual keywords. However, it can be very useful to listen for keywords that show information is being repeated, or when a speaker does his or her conclusion. Some keywords and phrases to listen for are: - For example… - To illustrate… - In summary… - To sum up… - In conclusion… - To give an outline of this… - In other words… - In brief… - To put it another way… - As was mentioned earlier… - You may recall… - To reiterate (“reiterate” just means to say something again)… Lastly, the best thing you can do in a meeting is to ask questions. The whole point of a meeting is to make sure that everybody understands everything. So any question you think of is a good question. Besides, you might be helping other people out as well! If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn English with real-world videos.	https://www.fluentu.com/blog/business-english/business-english-listening/
Keywords are used to help search engines and researchers find relevant papers in databases such as PubMed. Author keywords are indexed in PubMed, thus very important for information retrieval. In JMIR journals, we also use keyword to match reviewers to articles, so we search in the "reviewing interest" field of our reviewer database to find reviewers for paper. Choosing good keywords which are relevant and specific to your research can increase the number of people finding and reading your manuscript and, therefore, could lead to more citations. Accurate keywords are also critical if you want to have the work reviewed by competent reviewers. Enter multiple (5-12) keywords (separate by a semicolon) in the keywords box on submission or edit them using the edit metadata link. There is no limit of keywords but ideally and typically authors use about a dozen keywords. Some guidelines for choosing effective keywords are listed below: - Choose keywords listed on the US National Library of Medicine’s collection of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH); however, these are often too broad and need to be complemented by more specific, author-generated keywords. Tip: Search PubMed for MeSH terms and then see what other author keywords or title/abstract words are used. - Think from the point of view of the reader. What keywords would the reader search for that would help retrieve your article? - Keywords should be specific to the content of your manuscript and field or subfield. Keywords which are too broad (eg, internet) will result in your manuscript being difficult to find amid many other hits. - Use variants of terms and phrases which readers are likely to use to search for your research (eg, activity tracker and fitness tracker) or which are useful to identify reviewers with a specific research topic or methodology. If you use "smartphone", also use "mobile phone" and "mhealth" to capture different search variants - Use the full form of shortened words or acronyms. - Do not forget to add general keywords like internet, mHealth, mobile health, digital health, eHealth to make sure people doing systematic reviews in these areas identify your article. Related:	https://support.jmir.org/hc/en-us/articles/360016786231-Choosing-Keywords
This post explains how to craft searches that get the results you’re looking for in document review. We dive into the technical aspects of searching and provide ediscovery keyword search examples. Despite efforts to replace keyword searching in ediscovery, keywords remain the most cost-effective tool available for reviewing documents in litigation. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of guidance for how to get the best results with keywords when reviewing evidence. Keyword searches can fail in two opposite directions – over-inclusive searches that return too many irrelevant documents, or under-inclusive searches that fail to capture what you’re looking for. Given this challenge, how do you narrow down initial searches that produce too many irrelevant documents? How do you refine your searches to find more useful evidence? These ediscovery keyword search examples and best practices will help you make the most of your keyword searches and find relevant and useful documents in any document review. The Ediscovery Keyword List To begin, attorneys must generate a list of keywords – unique terms or phrases deemed critical to their case – at the onset of litigation. This is especially tricky because at the start of a matter you have little insight into case strategy and tactics, let alone what keywords might be involved. Review teams must frequently revise the keyword list as the matter matures, which increases the complexity and expense of a matter. Whenever possible, craft your keywords with input from the Custodians of the documents or source data to find out the jargon and abbreviations they use. The proposed search terms MUST be quality control tested to assure accuracy. It will likely take 3-5 iterations to finalize a set of search terms. Sample Your Data Set To begin a keyword list, reviewers should sample the data set. Reviewing a sample of the documents will help set realistic search hit expectations, which will help you quickly recognize if your search terms are working well. For example, if you expect a 20% return rate, and you are getting 90% (or vice versa), you should revise your terms. Wildcard Search* Wildcard searches can help you identify more encompassing search terms for your keyword list. Perform multiple character wildcard searches using the asterisk symbol. For example, searching for the word bean* will return beans, beanies, beanbags, etc. Choose Your Ediscovery Keywords Carefully It’s easy to be too literal when planning your keyword list, but keyword searches done thoughtfully can return a viable number of documents. For example, consider an insurance case involving an injured racing horse. You can search for “horse” and synonyms, but you are likely to find irrelevant documents with words like “horsepower” or “clothes horse.” However, words like bridle, veterinarian, saddle, or other keywords related to the animal involved are more likely to return useful hits. No matter the type of case, you should consider all possible meanings of your keywords and think of related words that may garner more contextually relevant results. Understand Boolean Search Tools Legal teams need to become adept at using Boolean searches – searches that use commands such as AND, OR and NOT to refine the results. Once you have a sense of the terminology and phrases used in a sample document set, you can begin constructing strings with parentheticals to capture more specific iterations of terms you are interested in and create hierarchies. For example, once you understand the job titles your subjects use, a keyword string might look like this: (“ba” OR “business analyst” OR “project manager” OR “project analyst”) AND NOT (“data warehouse” OR financial OR analysis “product roadmap”). Use Proximity Searches One of the most powerful tools for zeroing in on relevant documents is a proximity search. Specifying the number of words between two words or phrases helps add context and limit the returns. This is especially useful if one of the words is common and returns too many false positives. In Boolean search, this tool is called the “W/n connector,” with “n” being the number of words you want to specify. So, if you search for “horse” and “injury” with the W/5 connector, you’ll find all the results in which these two terms appear within five words of one another. When searching personal names, use a proximity search between the first and last names. If you are searching for “John Smith,” this will ensure the results include references to the actual subject, and not just every document in the collection with the name “John.” Use the W/3 connector between first and last names to retrieve search results that take into account middle names, middle initials, and inverted name order. You should also include nicknames and shortened forms (Robert, Bob, Rob, etc.) of the subject’s name. Phrase Searches Are More Precise Phrase searches allow document review teams to be more precise in their searches by looking for keywords that appear in a particular sequence. For example, searching “national” AND “defense” AND “contract” may return over-inclusive results. Instead, reviewers can search for “national defense contract,” which would only return documents that include that exact phrase. Be Aware of Keyword Noise Before you even begin crafting keyword strings, be aware of how your source documents are being indexed. For example, in some search engines certain characters may be indexed as spaces. This is especially problematic if the @ is treated like a space, which means any email addresses you search for may not appear. Other applications don’t index “noise words,” like “it” or “up,” so your attempt to find the key phrase “pick up” will fail. If your search technology has a noise word list, you can customize it or turn it off to avoid such failures. Utilizing a specialized ediscovery software like Nextpoint will minimize indexing issues like these. Protecting Attorney-Client Privilege The most important task when using keyword searches is to identify documents likely to contain privileged material. However, it is easy to miss privileged material without careful planning. According to recent research, the best generic terms to ferret out privileged documents are “counsel” and “attorney,” or those terms with root expanders (“counsel” and “attorney”). “Complainant” and “statute” are also effective terms for detecting privileged material. The research also found that “confidential” was not a useful keyword in privilege review and that terms like “legal,” “priv,” and “lawyer” were about half as effective as “counsel” or “attorney.” While these words may appear in privileged communications, those communications almost always include other, more specific terms, such as attorney email addresses, firm domains, or words like “counsel.” The Final Word on Ediscovery Keyword Search Here’s a summary of the ediscovery keyword search examples we covered: - - Wildcard searches: Search “bean” to get results that include “beans,” “beanies,” “beanbags,” etc. - Related keywords: Don’t just search “horse” – this will bring up unrelated results on topics like “horsepower.” Search for specific words like bridle, veterinarian, and saddle. - Boolean search: Use commands like AND, OR and NOT to refine results. When searching for a subject with multiple job titles, try a search like this: (“ba” OR “business analyst” OR “project manager”) - Proximity searches: Use the W/n connector to specify the number of words between two search terms. When searching “John Smith,” use the W/3 connector (i.e. “John Smith”~3) to include results like “Smith, John” and “John R. Smith.” - Phrase searches: Phrase searches will give more precise results. For example, search “national defense contract” instead of “national” AND “defense” AND “contract.” - Noise words: Make sure your review tool indexes all words and characters necessary to your search. - Protect privilege: “Counsel,” “attorney,” “complainant,” and “statute” are the most effective generic terms for detecting privileged material. Searching email handles or firm domains can be equally effective. “Confidential,” “legal,” “priv,” and “lawyer*” are not as effective. As mentioned earlier, choosing words that are too broad will create a high number of false positives, requiring costly and unnecessary manual review. Choosing words that are too narrow will result in an incomplete review that inadvertently discloses privileged material. However, with the right guidance, any legal team can craft keyword lists that not only work but help win cases. Talk to the litigation technology experts at Nextpoint for more guidance. We offer legal services throughout each stage of litigation, from data collection to document review to trial presentation. More On Ediscovery Document Review If these ediscovery keyword search examples left you wanting more, check out these resources on document review:	https://www.nextpoint.com/ediscovery-blog/ediscovery-keyword-search-examples/
Kristina Mausser of Content Strategy Ottawa (Meetup) / ContentStrategyYOW (Twitter) very kindly invited me to meet Ottawa’s content strategists on April 18th, 2011, to chat about “Content Measurement: Looking Beyond Webtrends & Google Analytics.” For a quick introduction to the whys and wherefores of the topic, view this brief video (1 minute, 10 seconds). Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Exchange Pub; it was a pleasure meeting you all (I’m happy to report that my BlackBerry Torch survived it’s inadvertent Corona bath!) and I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions. POST UPDATE: Kristina has now posted photos – have fun tagging! As promised, below, please find my list of the resources I mentioned last night. Here goes: 1. Learn to love Excel’s “AutoFilter” feature (look under Data > Filter) for all of your analysis, regardless of data source. Ideally, export whatever web analytics report you’re interested in and then import it into Excel. Enable AutoFilter, roll up sleeves and begin analysis! To do that, insert a new column(s) and begin categorizing, or segmenting, the rows of data so that you start to look for patterns and anomalies. Once you’ve got things rolling on the categorization side, you can easily begin to group the segments in a way that allows you to dig around in the details per category and reach some conclusions (see – look at you doing analysis!). How? 2. Use your Excel “Pivot Table” feature. Instead of giving a tutorial here, the best way to get introduced is to search for videos that can help you learn how to use these. Examples include: My examples about how a content strategist might use Pivot Tables included: a) Export your Google Analytics Keywords report (under Traffic Sources) to categorize your entry phrases in any number of ways e.g. brand, service, geography, etc. in order to identify the phrases you are getting traffic from. Now, turn that idea on its head – which phrases would you have expected to get traffic on, but are not? Use that list to begin brainstorming potential content improvements, and keep track of them in your editorial calendar; b) Export the results of your on site search engine e.g. Google Analytics Site Search or Webtrends On-Site Search Terms (Found and Not Found). As above, categorize them so that you can begin to analyze how your website’s search engine is being used – which phrases are looked for most often? How does that compare to your navigation labels? Are they comparable or is there a gap? If so, how could you address it in the content? Ideally, you can use the results of this analysis to accomplish two different things – identify the content you need to ‘merchandise’ (and yes, government folks, I expect you to merchandise content too!) by better surfacing it across your website – and identify the content you’re missing – e.g. what are people searching for for which you offer No Results? c) Export the results of your keyword research tools e.g. Google AdWords Keyword Tool or Wordtracker, and exactly as above, categorize the phrases so that you can begin to identify topics that for which there is demand that you might consider writing content for (or encouraging your client to write content for). 3. Combine your exported Google Analytics Content reports or your Webtrends Pages (Site Design > Pages) reports with the chart function in Excel and create long neck / long tail graphics to explain the concentration of content demand to your client. Help them understand which content is getting consumed more / less across all of the content they offer. However, first understand the core differences between the two theories: - Chris Anderson‘s “The (Longer) Long Tail” (decreased distribution costs encourages niche markets) versus - Gerry McGovern‘s “The Stranger’s Long Neck” (cluttered websites created dead and useless content that decreases and potentially destroys value) and how each applies to your analysis. Are you trying to understand if there’s value in keeping long tail content or in eliminating excess content from your website? To learn more, here’s the link to Jeff Parks‘ podcast with Gerry McGovern. Enjoy! 4. I’m a big fan of the All in One SEO Pack plugin for the WordPress content management system (CMS) installations because it allows me to see my or my client’s <TITLE>, description and meta tags on one screen across multiple pages. In one quick glance I can see if I’m missing the opportunity to improve my content’s findability with clearer, more specific <TITLE> tags or improve usability with a more useful <description> tag. The plug-in allows me fix content problems on the fly. 5. If you or your client don’t use WordPress, fear not. The alternate way to improve your findability is with the Web Analytics Solution Profiler (WASP) – It’s a Firefox Add-In, and although this sounds like a tool that only a web analyst could love, it’s actually a brilliant tool for content strategists. It automatically scans a website for you, extracting, among other things, your <TITLE>, Description and Keyword meta tags. Once the scan is complete, save this file as an Excel spreadsheet, turn on your beloved auto filters, add a new column for “Status” and populate each row as Current. Then, add new rows per URL and rewrite those tags to your heart’s content. Your client can now see the “before and after” and your tech folks have an easy way to either script / upload the new versions, or at least cut and paste cleanly per URL. 6. Qualitative “voice of customer” data from online surveys tools such as FluidSurveys, 4Q, and SurveyMonkey offer excellent insight into what visitors think of the content you’re providing on your website. However, like web analytics reports, the volume of data can appear overwhelming – especially if you’ve just been told that thousands of free form text comments have been captured this month. If no one knows what to do with it, follow along with me: Again, your best approach is to analyze through segmentation, using your fabulous AutoFilter and Pivot Tables (I’m such a geek) features in Excel. To provide a specific, step-by-step approach – export all those comments from your survey tool and re-import them into Excel. Add your categories column and assume three choices – positive, neutral or negative. Turn on your auto filters and assign one category per comment; now filter those comments so that you are able to isolate only the negative ones. Begin your analysis: Do those categories need to be broken down into subcategories – e.g. topic, or product, or feature or time frame? If yes: Add a new column and get classifying! Rinse and repeat for your positive and neutral comments. Create a few Pivot Tables and see what patterns begin to emerge. Ask what actions could you take for the different subcategories and how you might group those action items. Perhaps by implementation complexity? By audience? By responsible party? By urgency? Before you know it, you’ve analyzed the data and you have a plan that captures what you or your client will be doing about it. 7. I realize this last one might not be at the top of everyone’s list, but as a fan of cost per click (CPC) or pay-per-click (PPC) advertising not only as an acquisition tactic but also as a form of market research, I hope some of you will consider this option. By default, Google AdWords shows you the performance of your “bid” phrases. However, you need to dig a little deeper for reports relating to the actual “search” term used which triggered your ad (look under your Keywords tab > See Search Terms > All) which might be very different from than what you assumed your audience was looking for. Perhaps they combined your keyword phrase with some other concept – a question or task, a local geographic reference, an adjective – in a way that you hadn’t thought of. Each combination might give you ideas for new landing pages that you could offer. Finally, the third variation requires you to create a custom filter in your web analytics reports. Essentially, you’re asking your report system to show you even more detail relating to actual phrases used by searchers that triggered one of your ads (but that had no clicks in the last 30 days, which is the cut-off for the report mentioned above). For instructions on how your web analyst can create the filters for you, my thanks to all the great bloggers who’ve posted detailed instructions. Where would we all be without you? I’ve tried those listed below, and the data that does result certainly offers intriguing information: - Update to an Old Favorite – Detailed PPC Keyword Data in Google Analytics (November 2008) - Exact Keyword Tracking with ga.js (February 2008) - How to Get Detailed PPC Keyword Data from Google Analytics (November 2006) So – there you have it; one web analyst’s recommendations for her fellow content strategists. As continued proof that I think we can indeed combine Shakespeare and analytics, see “To Measure or Not Measure, That Is the Question”. Now – tell me what you think. Did I miss any of your favourites? Comment away!	https://www.onlineauthority.com/blog/content-measurement-beyond-webtrends-google-analytics-and-webtrends/
Contributor: Aaron Smale For many academic papers, a prompt will ask questions related to readings and class discussion, asking you to demonstrate topic analysis and discussion. Decoding what a prompt asks can be overwhelming at times. The sooner you understand a prompt, the sooner you can start writing. Here are some helpful tips for understanding writing prompts: As soon as you get the prompt, read it twice: - While many prompts are complex to encourage well-reasoned responses, they can be confusing / inaccessible if read only once before writing. Reading the prompt as soon as possible can help you identify the length of a document, the amount of information you need to gather, and may reveal concepts you need to understand before tackling the task. Once you’ve read the prompt, try sharing what you think the prompt means to a friend, family member, or another student: - This helps “check” if your understanding of the prompt matches that of others outside of the class and can help identify what you still need to know. Keywords can identify the type of assignment the prompt invokes : - Most prompts indicate whether the article is meant to be a comparison and contrast article, rhetorical analysis, review article, etc. Keywords can include terms like compare, synthesize, expand, explore, etc. Come back to the prompt and highlight the key characteristics, terms and phrases relevant to the topic / assignment and compare it to the lecture notes / assignments: - As you review the prompt, highlight terms or phrases that came up frequently in the discussion or are important in the course. You can also choose to highlight terms in the prompt that you need for further study. Sometimes a prompt will ask you to recall resources or texts from an earlier point in the course, so a review of key sources, topics, course notes, or related assignments can help you write an effective article. . Additionally, it reveals key scenes or identified sections of text in the prompt. Look for the language in the prompt that indicates who the target audience is: - While your audience often includes your professor and peers, some prompts for research papers and essays will require you to address other target audiences. For example, an article that discusses a new method of patient support might cite a hospital board of directors as a potential audience. By identifying your target audience, you can establish the necessary context for your audience to engage with your article. Prepare discussion questions to ask your technical assistant or instructor regarding the parts of the prompt that are unclear: - Once you have gone through the prompt itself, make a list of questions to discuss with your teacher or personal assistant in order to have more clarity on the assignment.	https://writergirlscorner.com/understanding-write-prompts-writing-and-speaking-center/
Searching is an ongoing process and you might find you’ll need to try different combinations of your search terms to improve the relevancy of your results. Once you have input your subject terms and keywords, try applying the options available in the Refine results menu on the left hand side. . If your results aren’t quite relevant, check to see if any of your terms are throwing your search off track. You might also find that using Subject Terms will focus your search on papers that are about your topic, rather than those that just mention your keywords. If you find useful articles, look at the keywords and subject terms used in the paper and build them into your search if you haven’t already included them. The next stage in the search process is to review your results and see if they are relevant to your topic. You can do this by scanning the title and abstracts within your results to see if the information they contain matches the scope of your research topic. If you are satisfied with the content, you can move on to save and manage your results. If not, don't worry, literature searches are rarely perfect first time. One common fix for improving the relevancy of your results is to check you have combined your search terms correctly. To remind you: Use OR to combine alternative terms for the same concept: belief OR attitude OR opinion Use AND to combine different concepts: paracetamol AND fever AND child If you've combined your search terms correctly and you are still concerned you've found too many, too few or irrelevant results, we've outlined some troubleshooting tips below. Have you added any limits to your search? The search limits available will differ between databases, but publication date, language and age group are among the most common. Are your keywords or subject terms too broad? Can you make them narrower? If you've searched for broad concepts such as "mental health" perhaps you could look for more specific conditions like "bipolar disorder". It might also be the case that the scope of your search is too broad. Can you identify any additional concepts that could help focus your results? Have you comprehensively planned your search and considered alternative terms for your keywords and concepts? If not, using alternative search terms can help capture more results. When using keywords, don't forget to include truncation to include results with different endings or spellings. Have you found any relevant articles elsewhere (e.g. from a reading list a recommended article or an alternative search (e.g. google Scholar?) You might like to scan the title and abstract of these articles to help identify useful key words you could incorporate into your search. Alternatively, you might be using too many concepts in your search. Try removing some of the less essential terms from your search strategy. If you are getting zero results on any of your search lines, check your spelling. If you are not retrieving any articles that you expect, you may need to look again at your keywords. This is something your Liaison Librarian can help with, either in person or via email. See the 'Get help' tab for more information. It could also be the case that your research topic is not well covered in academic literature and you may need to reconsider or revise your topic.	https://libguides.sgul.ac.uk/ebsco/review
Once you have read generally about your topic, you should have a better idea of the keywords under which you will probably find information about your topic. So, before you can start your search, you should define your keywords accurately. The following steps will assist you in defining keywords: 1. Draw a mind map Write down everything you know about your topic as well as what you would like to know!!! Our topic, for illustrative purposes, is "Aids in the workplace". Identify keywords, concepts and terms on this topic. This will help you to identify areas that need more searching than others. 2. Select broader and narrower subject terms Is there a broader or narrower subject that might include your topic, question or problem? You must identify as many as possible such broader and narrower terms. They will help you when you do your search. Using different words will retrieve different information, therefore use all possible options when you search for information. 3. Consider othe spellings Look for other spellings of words during your reading on the topic. Certain words are spelled differently in British English vs. American English, for example: \|British English\|\|American English\| \|"s" in specialisation\|\|"z" in specialization\| \|"ou" in colour\|\|"o" in color\| \|"s" in organisation\|\|"z" in organization\| There are many more of these. If your search terms include any such words, you will need to search on all the different variables to make sure you don't miss any important and relevant information. Boolean Searching Is based on Boolean Logic, which was developed by George Boole, a mathematician. It works with three operators, i.e.: AND, OR and NOT, that will help you to retrieve precisely the information you are looking for. Note: Some systems require that you use capital letters for the AND, OR and NOT. Others may require that you enclose them in brackets, e.g. [AND] or <OR>, etc. Check the help pages of the system on which you search for these requirements. For more information, go to Information Literacy Guide. Truncation Truncation means to cut off a point or to shorten. When used with keywords, it means to keep the stem of the key words and "cut" everything else away, leaving it out. By using truncation you will get more search results. For more information, go to Information Literacy guide. Phrase Searching Phrase searching is when you use a string of words (instead of a single word) to search with. Look at the following example: You might be looking for information on teenage abortions. Each one of these words has a different meaning when standing alone and will retrieve many irrelevant documents, but when you put them together the meaning changes to the very precise concept of "teenage abortions". For the database to understand your search, you should put your phrase between brackets ( ) or inverted commas ". Type your search as follows: "teenage abortions" or (teenage abortions) By using phrase searching you will retrieve fewer results.	https://libguides.library.cput.ac.za/c.php?g=520141&p=3554567
2) Provide a brief background and definition of the topic. 3) Indicate why it is important for you and for society to expand on the knowledge of that subject or topic 3) Provide any other preliminary facts to support your arguments about the importance of conducting research on the chosen topic. A thesis statement is a map to your paper. After exploring your topic you will decide to focus on a particular aspect of the subject area. This focus, or main idea will guide your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should answer your research question, and help you organize your research and paper. Use the links below to find more help on writing thesis statements. Try our new Snap Search to look for resources on your topic. Here, you will find books, academic journals, videos, newspapers, magazines, and more from most of our databases. In some cases, you might need to search individual databases but most often this will give you what you need. Use the EDS limiters to narrow down your results by selecting source types, subjects, date ranges and more. These limiters will be located on the left side of your results. You can also use the Advanced Search to refine your search results. The TX All Text option will give you more results by searching the full-text of the document for your search terms. Use caution with the other options in this list, they may not do what you think they should. For most searches, it's best not to select an option. Use the TX option when you don't get any or many results. Begin your search using some of our book sources. These databases contain articles and chapters from books that cover literary topics. Continue your research using our article databases where you can find more in-depth and specific information on titles, authors, and themes. Also, try some of our general databases for more information on your topic. These databases contain some different sources than those listed above that can be useful. Most of these have an option to narrow your results to scholarly or peer-reviewed articles. When searching for sources on your topic, it's helpful to identify your main concepts and keep a list of keywords and phrases that represent them. These search terms are what you will use to search for information in a database. Remember, the better your search terms, the better the results. Use a thesaurus to find alternative terms for your concepts and, most importantly, use terms from the sources you find to do other searches. You can use something like the table below to keep track of your keywords and phrases. Access to many of the database links on this guide requires NSCC authentication - users must sign in with their NSCC Pipeline username & password If you want to place any library materials on hold, request a book from another library, or check out any physical library materials out you will need to have your NSCC ID card. Stop by the Student Life Office in Danvers (DB 132) or Lynn (LW 171) with a current class schedule and a picture ID to get an NSCC ID.	https://library.northshore.edu/c.php?g=1053295&p=7648658
How do you choose keywords in a paper? How do you choose keywords in a paper? Receive Free Grammar and Publishing Tips via EmailFocus on the main topic of your research. Avoid keywords that are only one word. Avoid overlapping keywords in your title and those in your keyword list. Follow the journal guidelines when selecting keywords. Perform keyword research before submitting your article. How do you add keywords to a research paper? Q: How to create keywords for a research paperThink from the point of view of the reader. Keywords should ideally be phrases of 2-4 words; single word keywords are acceptable, but they may lead to many false matches.Keywords should contain words and phrases that suggest what the topic is about. How do I put content in keywords? You should insert keywords into your content writing using the following steps:Use Keywords in Your Meta Description. Insert Keywords in Your SEO Title Tag. Use Keywords in Your Article Title. Use Keyword Within the First 200 Words. Insert Keywords Naturally Throughout the Article. Use Keywords in the Last 200 Words. What are keywords in a book? Keywords are one or more words used to indicate the content of your book. Simply put, metadata and keywords are what make your book appear when a reader goes looking for a specific thing online, whether that thing is a book or not. How do you find keywords? Let’s see what that process looks like in SEMrush.Start with a Relevant, Broad Search Term with Potential. To narrow down keywords in SEMrush, start by searching for a keyword you think has potential. Use Your Broad Term as a Root, and Go Long Tail. Dig Deeper – Check Keyword Difficulty and Search Volume. What are the keywords? What are keywords? Keywords are ideas and topics that define what your content is about. In terms of SEO, they’re the words and phrases that searchers enter into search engines, also called “search queries.” If you boil everything on your page — all the images, video, copy, etc. What are keywords give examples? Examples of keywords are the primitive types, int and boolean ; the control flow statements for and if ; access modifiers such as public , and special words which mark the declaration and definition of Java classes, packages, and interfaces: class , package , interface . What are the six ways to use this keyword? What are the 6 ways to use this keyword in Java?this can be used to get the current object.this can be used to invoke current object’s method.this() can be used to invoke current class constructor.this can be passed as a parameter to a method call.this can be passed as a parameter to a constructor.this can be used to return the current object from the method. What are good keywords? Understanding Keyword Types Head keywords are usually just 1 or 2 words and have a high search volume. Body keywords are 2 to 3 word phrases with a good search volume, not high, not low. Long tail keywords consist of four or more words strung together with a low search volume. These account for the bulk of web traffic. How do you target keywords? Here’s an easy three-step process for targeting keywords with blog content.Step 1: Identify Keyword Opportunities. Before you can target anything, you need to determine what keyword phrases are likely to bring in relevant traffic. Step 2: Narrow Down Your Topic. Step 3: Write and Optimize Your Post. How do I optimize keywords? 12 Steps To Optimize A Webpage For Organic KeywordsChoose The Keywords To Focus On. Prioritize Your Keywords. Check That Important Content On The Page Is Getting Indexed. Ensure The Indexed Text Is Unique. Try To Improve The Search Listings For The Keywords. Update Or Add A Headline. Optimize Existing Text. Look For Text In Images. How do you use keywords? First, use your main keyword in the first couple of sentences of your content, or at least within the first paragraph. Next, use that keyword and variations of it, throughout the content, as shown below. The best practice is to include latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords rather than the exact keyword every time. How do I generate keywords for SEO? How to Research Keywords for Your SEO StrategyStep 1: Make a list of important, relevant topics based on what you know about your business. Step 2: Fill in those topic buckets with keywords. Step 3: Understand How Intent Affects Keyword Research and Analyze Accordingly. Step 4: Research related search terms. How do I check traffic for keywords? Using the Google Search Console to Analyze Keyword Traffic The functionality offered by the Google Search Console, formerly known as Webmaster Tools, allows you to quickly and easily identify keywords that are driving traffic to your website, making it an excellent starting point in your keyword traffic analysis. How many times do you use keywords in an article? While this is more of an inexact science, the general rule of thumb is to include specific keywords no more than five times in a standard blog post. Anything else can be considered spammy to the reader and negatively impact the user experience. Should keywords be single words? Strictly speaking, a keyword means one single word. When the first search engines were launched, they had relatively simple algorithms and many users used single words for their searches. But search engines are constantly evolving and now they support large key phrases with 2 or more keywords. How many keywords should be on a page? How many keywords should you target? For every page you have on your site, target one keyword specifically. If that keyword has variations, create other pages to cover those variations in greater detail to offer the best possible information to your users. How do you rank keywords? Here are the ten steps to rank for a keyword in Google.Step 1: Lay the Groundwork. Step 2: Do Your Initial Keyword Research. Step 3: Check Out the Competition. Step 4: Consider Intent. Step 5: Conceptualize the Content. Step 6: Execute. Step 7: Optimize for Your Keyword. Step 8: Publish. Can keywords be more than one word? Yes, a keyword can be more than a single word. The name for a keyword that involves more than one word is a long-tail keyword. It is important to focus not only on single words, but also long-tail keywords because then you can rank in a niche. What is the fastest way to rank a keyword? Here are 7 strategies to help you get lucky with your ranking quickly:Use the less popular version of a keyword. Use many keyword modifiers. Mix up your on page optimization. Go deeper than the competition is going. Move away from the commercial keywords. Buy traffic.	https://brainwritings.com/how-do-you-choose-keywords-in-a-paper/
Here are a few places you can find articles from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals. Remember that you will have to login with your myNOVA username and password (the same ones you use to access Canvas, student email, etc.). This video by Yavapai College Library in Prescott, Arizona demonstrates the different types of information found in Google versus library databases. Click the icon located in the bottom right corner to watch the video in fullscreen mode. Articles are published in periodicals, which is any type of publication published at a regular interval (weeks, months, etc.). Periodical types include magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and scholarly journals. It is important to understand what kind of periodical will have the articles you need. More information on finding peer-reviewed articles. Identify Your Keywords Select the most important 2-3 keywords. These are terms related to your topic. For instance, let's say your essay is about Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Your keywords could be: Plato, Allegory of the Cave Compose Your Search String In order to find information in a database, you must create a search string. This is a combination of keywords and search operators (e.g. AND, OR, ) that tells the database the information you want to receive. Here are a few tips: 1. Use quotation marks ( " " ) around phrases (two or more words); this tells the database to look for the words in a specific order. "Allegory of the Cave" 2. Put the word AND between each new keyword or phrase; this tells the database to look for resources with ALL your keywords. "Allegory of the Cave" AND Plato 3. Put the word OR between two or more keywords to find articles that use common synonyms for your topic. "Allegory of the Cave" OR "parable of the cave" OR "Plato's cave" 4. Use an asterisk ( ) to find multiple versions of one keyword. For example, using philosoph* as a search term will include results that refer to philosophy, philosophies, philosopher, philosophers, philosophical, etc.	https://libguides.nvcc.edu/ELI-PHI101/articles
The keyword density is the percental frequency of single keywords or multiple word phrases in the content of a single web page. It is the relation between the count of a keyword or keyphrase and the total number of words or phrases used on a specific page. In the course of the evaluation of a page, search engines are using the density as a clue whether a page is relevant for a given keyword or keyphrase or not. Even though this is only one of many factors for classifying a page, it has a high-impact on the reachable position of a page in the search results. If the keywords or phrases are distributed in the content, the page is potentially ranked on a higher position. If you are using wordpress for blogging you can install our keyword statistics plugin for wordpress. It comes with the same density analyzer tool which is used by the bookmarklet and can be used to integrate the keyword density checker into the content generation process. Besides that, the plugin can automatically generate the appropriate meta informations for keywords and many other things. Those already using other SEO plugins for metadata generation may have a look at the keyword density checker. With this plugin you can have a look at the used keywords but it does not generate any meta informations except of a keyword meta suggestion which can be used to copy the calculated ones into other SEO plugins input fields for the meta keywords. The keyword density checker in only running at post-edit and page-edit dialog at the backend of administrators and authors. On ordinary page requests no extra code has to be executed.	http://www.keyword-statistics.net/keyword-density.html
Answered By: Cindi Nichols Last Updated: Apr 25, 2018 Views: 105 First, identify your main concepts (example terms below in red). Then, for each term, brainstorm different forms of the word, synonyms, related terms, as well as narrower and broader terms. (See below.) Brainstorming for keywords is a process that will help increase your chances of finding information on your topic. College Students United States Saving money Young adults U.S. Savings Millennials America Budgeting Teenagers Investing Generation Y Personal Savings Savings Accounts Use only single words, or 2 or 3-word phrases when searching library databases. Do NOT use sentences or questions! Database searching is different from Google searching. Single words do NOT need quotation marks around them; sometimes it can be helpful to place quotation marks around 2 or 3-word phrases to keep them searched as a unique phrase that has meaning, instead of as individual words. Examples: ozone environment “global warming" “climate change” Try a broad search for your topic in one of our databases (OmniFile is a good multidisciplinary database), to see how scholarly articles describe it. For example, if you are interested in learning environments and their impact on academic performance, type "learning environments" in the search box and click "search". Browse the articles in your search results. When you see one that particularly interests you, or is a very close match for your specific topic, take a closer look at it. Click the article's title to view its full/detailed record, which will show you subject terms, and author-supplied keywords -- great sources for new search terms: Substitute SYNONYMS to see what results you get -- authors may choose different ways to describe a topic. Examples: “right to die” OR “assisted suicide” OR euthanasia required OR mandatory OR compulsory Combine keywords - Combine terms with AND to narrow your focus. To find info about fur on dogs, search: fur AND dogs. - Combine terms with OR to expand your focus. To find info about fur on either dogs or cats, search: fur AND (dogs OR cats). - Use multiple search boxes: if you want to know: What is the effect on a dog's fur of eating fish You could use the database search boxes to enter:	http://libanswers.memphis.edu/faq/35015
Be concise and get to the point with your grant proposal As a writer, editor and trainer for the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years, I've answered my share of tough questions! A few inquiries on keeping grantwriting concise appear below, along with my answers. I'm frustrated with the brevity that funders often require of us. Can you offer any guidelines? We know that funders are time-pressed and will probably only skim your work the first time around. So we need to write for that reading style. That means we have to keep it short, simple and skimmable (the acronym is KISSS). Concise statements are powerful. Accessible words and phrases get read. Your challenge is to keep your piece as brief as possible, without compromising your meaning. See how tight you can write. As Mark Twain once said, "I didn't have time to write a short letter so I wrote a long one instead." He knew how much work it can be to really hone your words. A rule of thumb is to keep your sentences to no more than about 20 words. Most newspapers aim for a sentence length of about 14 words. So should you. Also, the more complex your subject, the shorter the sentences need to be to attain clarity. Remember that short, simple words and paragraphs are better than longer, more complicated ones. Avoid run-on sentences. Try using words with three syllables or fewer. What key information should be conveyed in a letter of inquiry? A great example of the need for conciseness is the one- to three-page letter of inquiry or letter of intent (aka LOI) that many funders request before a full proposal. They may tell you what to include in your LOI; if they do, please make sure you follow their advice. If you don't find any specific guidelines, include the basics of what they will want to know: - Who you are and what you do (and perhaps your track record) - Importance of the issue you address - What community need you address and/or the context you work in - Your organization's unique capacity or skills to address that need - Your overall goals (long-term) - Specific objectives (short-term, feasible, measurable) tied to specific outcomes or results - A snapshot of what your actual services look like - How your project fits into one of their priority areas - How much money you're seeking - Any other funders already on board How much budget information should be in the letter of inquiry? Most funders do not ask for detailed budget information at the letter of inquiry stage. You can just include the total organization and project budgets, how much you are requesting and a general idea of what that money will pay for. For example, you might be raising funds for program staff compensation, supplies or equipment, field trips, events, etc. Is using bullet points helpful for clarity and conciseness? In a word, yes! Bullets, numbered lists, subheadings, and select bold and italics for keywords can help a lot. In digital submissions, you often will not be able to use formatting. In that case, you can still use numbered lists or just type in hyphens to act as bullets. Could you give examples of sentences with what you call "freeloading words," and how to correct them? Every word should work. Stray words or phrases clutter up your meaning. Check to see if any words leave your reader wondering, "So what? Did I really need to read those words?" I came across some wise advice a while ago: Pretend you have to pay for each word in your piece — as if it were a classified ad. Are you getting your money's worth? For example: Original: I had the opportunity to interact with the youth and understand different issues they were facing within their lives as well as to observe different aspects of the correctional facility and how that environment affected them. Suggested revision: I interacted with the youth and understood their unique life challenges. I also observed how the environment at the correctional facility affected them. Original: She is a person who focuses on the minute details that each of our programs is comprised of. Suggested revision: She focuses on each of our programs' minute details. Other freeloaders include introductory phrases that add little or nothing to your sentences. For example: - It has been found that ... - It is a fact that ... - It can be said that ... - It is evident that ... For more tips from Dalya Massachi, visit Writing to Make a Difference.	https://www.missionbox.com/article/370
Bạn đang xem bài viết 32 Performance Review Phrases By Skill (With Examples) / 2023 được cập nhật mới nhất trên website Hoisinhvienqnam.edu.vn. Hy vọng những thông tin mà chúng tôi đã chia sẻ là hữu ích với bạn. Nếu nội dung hay, ý nghĩa bạn hãy chia sẻ với bạn bè của mình và luôn theo dõi, ủng hộ chúng tôi để cập nhật những thông tin mới nhất. Effective performance reviews are key to employee engagement and can provide valuable feedback on skills and goals important to your business’ success. In this article, we discuss what a performance review is, common skills assessed during a performance review and examples of performance review phrases. What is a performance review? A performance review, also called a “performance evaluation” or “performance appraisal,” is an assessment where supervisors review an employee’s work performance. During the review, a supervisor identifies the employee’s strengths and weaknesses, sets goals and offers feedback for future performance. Many organizations conduct reviews annually while others have them quarterly, monthly or even weekly. Performance reviews may help employers: Give feedback to employees on their current performance and make organization expectations clear Identify strengths and weaknesses of individual employees and teams as a whole Help team members develop as employees and people Allocate promotions or pay raises appropriately Explain individual and organizational goals Use it as a goal-setting opportunity Use it as a goal-setting opportunity Effective performance review phrases Many performance reviews are categorized by skills and goals with phrases that correlate to each category. The 12 common skills usually incorporated into performance reviews are listed below along with effective phrases for each skill The phrases you use in a performance review impact its overall effectiveness. An effective review should discuss an employee’s strengths and areas of improvement in a way that is constructive and motivating. Depending on what skills or goals you are evaluating, here is a list of common performance review phrases for each review skill: Creativity is essential in the workplace for creative thinking and problem-solving. When you are giving a performance review, you may consider using phrases similar to these: 1. “Applies creative thinking to implement a vision for the company”2. “Continuously suggests new ideas in meetings and on projects”3. “Shows initiative with developing new ways of thinking to improve projects or company performance” It is important that employees adapt to change and accept and comply with new processes. Here are some phrases that may apply to an employee’s adaptability: 3. “Willingly adjusts their schedule to be available when needed”4. “Quickly adapts to changes in the performance of required duties”5. “Responds well to change in various situations” Communicating effectively with supervisors, colleagues and clients is essential throughout various industries. Here are phrases that you may use when you give your performance review: 6. “Effectively communicates with colleagues, supervisors, partners and customers”7. “Clearly communicates ideas and thoughts in team meetings and conferences”8. “Is a constructive communicator and is capable of discussing difficult issues effectively and to the point” Employees should strive to be accountable for their work, own up to the mistakes they make and do their best to fix them as best they can. This saves time and displays an employee’s integrity. Here are some phrases that you may apply to a positive review of an individual’s accountability. 9. “Takes ownership in the company’s success and accepts responsibility for oneself and contribution as a team member”10. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when unable to keep a commitment” Attendance and reliability are important factors in evaluating individual performance because consistent attendance and punctuality are requirements at most workplaces. While considering your employee’s attendance and punctuality performance, you may write down these sample phrases: 11. “Exceeds expectations in arriving on time for work, including meetings and conferences”12. “Has good attendance and doesn’t violate the standard attendance policy”13. “He begins each day fully refreshed and prepared for any challenges” It is essential that employees remain productive during work hours to contribute to the company’s goals. Productivity is also a good indicator of an employee’s engagement. Here are some phrases that you may consider when you give a performance review: 14. “Positively contributes to the overall performance of the company through consistent and high-quality work”15. “Continuously strives to improve profits, productivity and performance targets”16. “Shows strong time-management and organizational skills” Providing effective feedback on performance reviews includes mentioning employee achievements. Here are some phrases that may help you recognize your employee’s achievements during their performance reviews: 17. “Sets well-thought-out goals and continuously strives to achieve them”18. “Improved xx by xx%”19. “Made an effective system to streamline xx work processes by doing xx” Cooperation is important to evaluate because an employee should be willing to cooperate with their co-workers to make sure team-based projects and daily tasks are completed in a timely manner. When each person relies on input from others to complete a task, the workflow continues at a steady pace which can only be achieved through cooperation. Try considering these phrases when you give a performance review: 20. “Displays a cooperative spirit by performing xx task to contribute to xx project”21. “Promotes cooperation well to ensure colleagues work as a team to meet deadlines” Coaching is the process of assisting employees to improve performance. Employees should be coachable so that they can perform at an appropriate level for their job role. Here are phrases that assess coaching and training ability: 22. “Accepts coaching in various job duties and applies training to improve xx ability”23. “Asks for more training when xx processes aren’t clear or understood” Employees typically have an opportunity for improvement. It is important to give them specific feedback regarding those areas so they can develop a plan to improve their performance. These phrases identify common areas of improvement: 24. “Struggles to effectively overcome new challenges and find solutions to new issues”25. “Should work on developing and maintaining professional relationships”26. “Tends to focus more on what can’t be done instead of what can be done” Good interpersonal skills combine multiple skills that are often prerequisites for many jobs. Here are some effective phrases tо use when you giving a performance review оn interpersonal skills: 27. “Works effectively within a team environment to achieve specific tasks or projects”28. “Develops constructive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders”29. “Is an effective team player as demonstrated by their willingness to help out and contribute as required” Problem solving defines a problem to determine its cause, identifying possible solutions and choosing the correct solution. Here are problem-solving phrases that will make your employee aware of their abilities: 30. Displays the capability to independently solve complex problems”31. Breaks a problem down before analyzing it in a more detailed manner”32. Knows how to collaborate with others effectively to find solutions to problems” 100 Useful Performance Review Phrases / 2023 Employee performance reviews are key to offering helpful feedback to managers and employees. But not knowing what to say or write can make the process downright painful — especially when you’re on a deadline. If you do annual performance reviews, it’s important to get it right. This is key to boosting employee engagement. In this post, we’ll share 100 of the most useful performance review phrases you can use during your next round of employee reviews. If you’re a manager, these are great ways to communicate with your reports. If you’re an employee, these can work equally well for your self-evaluation. That being said, let’s jump right in. Why Worry About Phrasing for Your Performance Review? Many of today’s performance reviews aren’t nearly as effective as they could be. Let me explain. Fast Company reports that 74% of younger workers walk out of performance reviews unsure of what their managers actually think of their performance. Think about that! This mirrors the fact that, according to our own research, 79% of employees don’t think their organization’s review process is all that good to begin with. No matter how good your performance reviews are, you could almost certainly do better. Effective Performance Review Phrases for Your Next performance Review If you want more inspiration, these performance review examples are based off the book Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals. When you include these in your performance reviews, you’ll communicate positive and constructive feedback more clearly — which is exactly the kind of useful communication employees need. Keep in mind that these are starter phrases and you should be specific when you’re writing any feedback for reviews. READ MORE: 10 EXAMPLE PARAGRAPHS FOR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Performance Review Phrases Examples about Achievement Creating a positive work environment and fostering positive attitudes start with acknowledging the achievements of your peers and subordinates. The following phrases could help with that: Achieves optimal levels of performance and accomplishment with / for … Provides strong evidence of [specific accomplishment] Excels at developing programs / strategies that have delivered X results Improved production by X% through [specific task] Exceeded the original goal of X by X% through [specific task] Performance Review Phrases Examples about Administration Whether you have a proper team or a one-person department whose job description entails looking after the administrative tasks, use the following phrases to evaluate their performance: Continuously examines administrative effectiveness and seeks better procedures such as [tasks] Develops successful administrative strategies such as [task] that led to [results] Establishes effective systems for information retrieval through [task] Improves administrative support systems through [task] Keeps documents organized via [task] to avoid duplicate information FREE DOWNLOAD: THE MANAGER’S HANDBOOK FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT Performance Review Phrases Examples about Coaching The ability to coach and guide others says a lot about a leader. Here are some phrases that could potentially help you review that quality: Shows a sincere interest in employees and the solutions to their problems Lends support and guidance to employees by [task] Uses sound coaching techniques to solve disciplinary problems Provides continuous coaching Is highly respected by employees for sharing concerns, problems, and opportunities DOWNLOAD NOW: 3 HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEMPLATES FOR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Performance Review Phrases Examples about The ability to clearly communicate is a management skill that’s a must for every employee along the chain. In reality, this is an umbrella term that includes oral, written, non-verbal, and listening skills. Here are some useful phrases that could help you express your feedback regarding this area: Effectively communicates expectations Excels in facilitating group discussions Keeps meetings action-oriented by task Effectively communicates upward, downward, and laterally Enforces company policies and values without creating negative reactions Performance Review Phrases Examples about Are your employees getting along and cooperating on projects? Is everyone being a model team player? Use these phrases to report on these qualities: Encourages collaboration with the team Shares ideas and techniques Builds strong relationships with others by [task] Displays a harmonious and cooperative spirit by [task] Gladly shares expertise Performance Review Phrases Examples about Creativity Establishing a culture of out-of-box thinking can go a long way in ensuring business success – regardless of your industry. Use these phrases to evaluate the creative-mindset of your employee/manager: Seeks creative alternatives such as [examples] that drove [results] Clever and imaginative when confronted with obstacles Is continuously experimenting to drive [results] Initiates and executes creative ideas such as [example] Seeks new ideas and approaches Performance Review Phrases Examples about Delegating Are your managers doing a good enough job at delegating tasks and dividing the load? These phrases could help: Empowers employees with the authority and resources to achieve X results Helps employees gain visibility through [task] Encourages employees to solve their own problems Delegates to match personal strengths Delegates with clearly defined responsibility and authority READ MORE: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GREAT LEADERSHIP Performance Review Phrases Examples about Improvement If your teams/individuals aren’t showing any improvement — whether in terms of hitting a KPI or how they interact with each other — you should be concerned. Consider using these phrases to evaluate this area: Develops continuous improvement methods Conceives of totally new strategies Continues to grow and improve Devises improved means of accomplishing results Is continuously planning for improvement Performance Review Phrases Examples about Innovation Innovation, whether in terms of business strategies or coming up with a new product, is important if you want to keep your business relevant. Here are some performance review phrases you can use to gauge the quality of innovative thinking in your employees: Develops innovative strategies such as [example] … Seeks innovative solutions Fosters a curiosity for innovative possibilities Promotes innovation by [example] Performance Review Phrases Examples about Interpersonal Skills How are your employees working together as a team? Would you say that you are satisfied with the level of dependability in your workplace? You can express your feedback through the following phrases: Recognizes the needs of others and reaches out to lend a helping hand Establishes effective working relationships Generates synergy Builds on mutual dependence and understanding Promotes the company culture among peers Performance Review Phrases Examples about Learning Ability The ability to learn new skills and grasp complex concepts is a necessary quality for successful teams. To find out where you stand in this department, consider throwing in the following phrases to your reviews: Displays an ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to changing situations Shares learning experiences with peers Promotes a learning culture Committed to continuously learning through [example] Responds quickly to new instructions, situations, methods, and procedures Performance Review Phrases Examples about Being able to manage a team is more than just giving pep talks and delegating tasks. It involves a whole lot of other things as well, such as supporting your team, making difficult discussions, and offering both positive and negative feedback. Employees can use the following phrases to evaluate the management capabilities of their supervisors: Provides team with support through [example] Collaborates with individual team members to establish a development path Holds employees accountable for their own results Provides team with the resources needed to attain results Provides support during periods of organizational change READ MORE: THE SMART GUIDE TO PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Planning How good are your teams at planning ahead and looking at the big pictures? Make sure that you evaluate this area properly by using the following phrases: Develops workable action plans Creates flexible plans to meet changing opportunities Effectively puts plans into action Excels in developing strategic alternatives Formulates strategies, tactics, and action plans to drive X results Potential Managers need to realize the hidden potential of their subordinates and give credit where it’s due. Here are a few phrases that could help you discover that potential in your company’s next performance review: Is capable of distinguished performance in a higher-level position Has reached the level for promotional consideration Can handle bigger projects and assignments Is enhancing growth potential through additional education and training Problem-Solving Not every employee is a problem-solver. It requires a combination of creative thinking, a proactive mindset, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You can use these performance review phrases to rate the problem-solving skills of your employees: Displays a practical approach to solving problems Develops creative solutions Turns problems into opportunities Effectively solves problems rather than symptoms Is skilled in proposing optional solutions READ MORE: 50 SELF-EVALUATION PHRASES FOR YOUR NEXT PERFORMANCE REVIEW Performance Review Phrases Examples about Productivity At the end of the day, employee productivity is what REALLY impacts your bottom line. To make sure that everyone’s meeting the expectations, use these phrases to evaluate their performance: Exceeds normal output standards Continuously produces more than expected Is an important contributor to the successes of the department Makes a substantial contribution to the continued operation and growth of the organization Consistently exceeds performance goals READ MORE: 12 WAYS TECHNOLOGY CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY Performance Review Phrases Examples about Project Management These apply mostly to supervisors who lead projects. But a few can also be used for evaluating the performance of certain employees who step up: Completed X project with X results Sets realistic timetables to keep projects on target Is transparent with a project’s progress Makes effective use of all available resources when given a project Clearly establishes project goals and objectives READ MORE: 10 WAYS TO MEET YOUR GOAL WITH EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT Performance Review Phrases Examples about Supervisory Skills These apply only to managers and supervisors — not subordinates: Gives consistent recognition to employees Maintains a work situation which stimulates the growth of individual employees Makes certain that employees have a clear understanding of their responsibilities Is readily available for support to employees Recognizes and deals with signs of employee burnout DID YOU KNOW: ONLY 22% OF EMPLOYEES BELIEVE THEY ARE VERY TRANSPARENT, COMPARED WITH 40% OF MANAGERS? Performance Review Phrases Examples about Time is the most crucial resource for any professional. Are your employees making full use of this immensely important resource? Use the following phrases to find out: Consistently meets all deadlines Prepares meeting agendas that are concise and time-saving Keeps meetings on schedule Respects the time of others Makes effective use of discretionary time Performance Review Phrases Examples about Vision Last, but not least, are your managers and their subordinates passionate enough towards achieving your company’s vision? Use the following phrases to find out: Excels in living the organization’s values Promotes strong support of the company’s mission and vision Is able to turn visions into actual action plans Demonstrates an ability to transfer vision into execution Excels in contributing to the company’s goals Conclusion These words mean nothing unless you attach specific examples and data to them. Now you have the template and phrases to get started, it’s time to reevaluate your performance review process and make sure it’s truly effective. When review cycles have a 12-month lag, it’s easy for managers to focus on what’s fresh in their minds. But this brushes aside any positive or negative behavior that has gone unaddressed. Lisa Mullen, Manager of Corporate Human Resources at Halogen Software, believes that the review process should be a year-round activity. “Managers should take the opportunity to discuss and record milestones, accomplishments, successes, and challenges as they occur, when the details are fresh.” Globoforce highlights the importance of crowdsourcing feedback: 80% of employees see crowdsourced feedback as more accurate 80% of peer-reviewed employees get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses Employees want to be evaluated by people other than their direct managers, and multiple viewpoints allow you to get a better understanding of an employee’s performance. That’s why you should use a tool like TINYpulse to keep a pulse on your employees and get comprehensive feedback from their peers, collaborators, and external stakeholders on an ongoing basis. If you’re not sure what performance review process works for you, ask your employees! Cindy from Wheelhouse DMG shares how she uses TINYpulse to crowdsource ideas to design their performance review process, which became a huge success for the company. “And, the feedback we collected afterwards, after reviews were done, is ‘This is so much easier, much better lift,’ and the whole process felt better for everybody.” —Cindy Larson, Director of People and Operations at Wheelhouse DMG 100 Performance Review Phrases And Comments For 2022 Profit.co / 2023 100 Performance Review Phrases and Comments for 2021 – Download PDF Here As a manager, it’s important never to be lost for words during a performance review. Reviews can be a daunting task for everyone involved. Employees might feel like their behavior and personality are being put on trial. Meanwhile, managers might struggle to give feedback that addresses the areas in need of improvement while also balancing coming across as constructive and positive. Overall, common performance review phrases might seem like a cookie-cutter approach to performance conversations. However, knowing what to say and how best to phrase your feedback can make a significant difference in how your employees react in the moment and in their future performance. How to Use Performance Review Phrases Using Generic Performance Review Comments: An Example “Jane has used more than her allotted sick days in this review period”. While this is a simple yes/no question, it doesn’t say much about the reason for Jane’s absence. After all, every manager knows there’s a stark difference between an employee that has to go to the hospital regularly and no-call-no-shows. Performance Review Phrases for Specific Areas of Performance Setting Your Performance Review Up for Success For example, if you’re conducting a performance review where you want to emphasize your employee’s performance in a certain area, then you would start the meeting by using phrases like “successful”, “admirable”, “impressive”, or “achievement”. This can be particularly useful in a situation where an employee has performed well in certain areas, but you need to discuss where they can improve in others. The “no sandwich” technique – in which you present a negative surrounded by two positives – can work brilliantly with this method, as it will help you to highlight their strengths and make them feel more confident that they can improve on their weaknesses. Performance Review Phrases and Comments to Avoid Cliché Phrases Just as you don’t want to see candidates including “good team player” and “a clear communicator” on their resumé, using cliché phrases during your performance review tells your employee that you don’t care enough about their development to spend more than a few minutes preparing for their performance review meeting. You should avoid using cliché phrases wherever possible because they don’t say anything about an employee’s performance. You might think that David is a good team player, but what, specifically, makes him a good team player? Does he collaborate well with the team, come up with good ideas, or does he have a great personality that helps keep everyone happy and upbeat? Passive Voice This is a trickier one to get in the habit of, particularly because you probably don’t realize that you’re using the passive voice in the first place. If you’re not sure what the passive voice is, here are some examples: Active Voice: “David played football” Passive Voice: “Football was played by David” When you use the active voice, you’re saying that the person you’re talking about performed an action, and you’re centering the person. However, with the passive voice, you’re saying that the action was performed by that person, and you’re making the sentence about the action. Here are some examples of active vs. passive voice in the quality of work performance review phrases: Active Voice: “Lea saved the company $200,000 by identifying inefficiencies in the payroll system” Passive Voice: “$200,000 was saved by Lea identifying inefficiencies in the payroll system” To avoid the passive voice, you need to give feedback by centering your employee in the language that you use. In the first example, you’re clear that it’s Lea that directly saved the company money, but when you use the passive voice, you’re only suggesting that Lea had some contribution to the process. By ensuring that you use the active voice, you’re conveying through your language that you recognize the importance of your employee to a specific action, and you’re giving them credit for that certain action happening in the workplace. In addition, you’re also communicating that they’re an active member of the team and not simply a cog that responds to workplace events. Comparisons No-one likes being compared to someone else, particularly in a manner in which they’re made to feel lesser or unimportant. While you might think that comparing your employee to a model team member or a coworker in a similar situation might be helpful, the results can harm not only productivity, but also morale, confidence, and mental health. In the modern workplace, managers need to take care to promote individuality and understand that each of their team members will take different paths to achieve their goals and to complete tasks. You must also remember that you don’t understand everything that’s going on in your employees’ lives. One employee might be a high achiever, but they could be at risk of burnout, while another is slower to hand in work but has a higher rate of accuracy and attention to detail. Comparing employees to their colleagues also breeds unhealthy competition in the workplace. While healthy competition can help to promote productivity and even collaboration, unfairly comparing one employee to another can create rifts in teams and even promote taking shortcuts on tasks to get ahead. With that in mind, you need to be aware that negative performance review phrases – that is, phrases that are construed as solely negative by the employee – often feature these comparisons. Regardless of whether your intentions are good, you should take care to focus only on the employee whose performance you’re reviewing, and not mention the performance of their colleagues. Top Performance Review Phrases and Comments for 2021 Now that you know what the best practices are for performance reviews and key things to avoid, the following examples will help you to better understand how to conduct an effective performance conversation with your employees. If you want to grab the following examples and save them for later use, you can download our effective phrases for performance appraisals pdf here. Achievements Recognizing an employee’s achievements is a proven way to help reduce employee turnover, particularly within the first six months of employment. Not only that, but 69% of employees say they’d work harder if they felt that they were more appreciated at work, meaning recognizing your employees’ achievements can help your team become more profitable and productive. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Productivity According to Gallup, 85% of employees are either not engaged or actively disengaged at work, which results in an estimated $7 trillion loss of productivity each year. However, recognizing an employee’s work through regular performance reviews can lead to employees being 4.6 times more likely to perform at their peak. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Teamwork and Collaboration 75% of employers rate teamwork as being extremely important in the workplace, particularly as research shows that strong workplace communities have the power to reduce employee turnover and improve internal communication. With that in mind, performance review phrases for teamwork are important to note, but as mentioned earlier, you have to be wary of comparing your employee to their coworkers. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Problem-solving and Creativity Despite a 2010 survey finding that CEOs value creativity as the top marker for future success, only 35% of employees say that they can be creative multiple times throughout the year. Given that 75% of employees think that their creative potential is wasted at work, your performance reviews need to highlight your employees’ creative skills and celebrate where their creativity has helped to solve problems for the business. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Communication Skills In a 2018 study, a lack of communication and miscommunication was attributed to increased levels of stress, project failure, poor company morale, lost sales, and missed performance goals. Having strong communication skills is often demanded by job descriptions, but it also needs to be reviewed regularly during the performance management process to keep teams working at peak efficiency. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Attitude and Behavior A negative employee is more likely to be disengaged at work and is at a higher risk of quitting than someone with a more positive attitude. However, given that employees with bad attitudes can also drag the morale of the team down with them, you need to give employees feedback about how their attitude and behavior is affecting their work, colleagues, and even career development in your organization. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Leadership While the phrase “employees don’t quit their jobs, they quit their managers” is nearly a cliché, it’s also true – 79% of employees report leaving their job because of a lack of appreciation. Not every employee will be reviewed on their leadership skills, however if you’re looking to promote someone to a supervisory or management position and want to evaluate their skills before they move into a new position, then these skills should be discussed during performance reviews. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Improvement and Goal-setting According to a psychological study from 1990, goal-setting has the potential to motivate employees towards a higher level of performance, as well as increase overall levels of effort at work. While every good performance review should include managers and employees working together to set goals, it’s helpful to give employees feedback on their attitude towards improvement and those goals to drive performance. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Organizational Skills It’s estimated that office workers lose an average of 40% of their workday due to disorganization, which is why performance management reviews should address organizational skills if managers want to improve an employee’s productivity. While some organizational strategies will have to come from a managerial level, such as organizational apps or better internal processes, employees should also be encouraged to improve their own organizational skills through the performance management process. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Technical Skills Many organizations rely on their employees having a physical competency with certain types of machinery or software. Not only do employees legally have to be trained and/or qualified to operate certain forms of machinery, but some optional qualifications and training provided for software and other practices can improve performance. While organizations that require technical skills should already be tracking these in performance reviews, it’s also a good idea to keep on top of optional training to help your employees perform at their best. Positive Phrases Needs Improvement Phrases Performance Review Phrases for High Achievers High performers might, at first, seem like the easiest performance management review you’ll conduct through this period. However, as mentioned above, you can’t always tell what’s going on with your employee behind the scenes. While someone who’s a high performer deserves praise for their achievements, there’s a fine line between praising their work and reinforcing negative behaviors like cronyism, arrogance, competitiveness, or even a work obsession that’s leading to burnout. It can also be difficult to know what to say when you perceive that a high-achieving employee doesn’t have any weaknesses or anything they need to improve upon. Unfortunately, not every company has the capability for high-achieving employees to move upwards in their careers, and it can be difficult to set goals for them that don’t include something they’re already achieving. As always, a performance review should be a conversation between you and your employee, so it’s important to have documentation of any areas that need improvement in case they don’t perceive their own weaknesses. You also need to make sure that you’re continuously challenging them, which is why it’s important to keep setting them new goals and milestones, even if your organization can’t move them upwards. Otherwise, you risk losing them to a new organization that promises that challenge. Performance reviews with Profit.co Profit.co’s performance management module allows HR administrators and managers to conduct customizable, detailed, and efficient performance reviews. Profit.co supports two types of performance reviews- standard reviews, and affinity-based reviews. Standard Reviews Standard reviews- also called conversation and feedback reviews- allow HR administrators to customize a collection of open-ended questions answered by both managers and reviewed employees. Affinity-Based Reviews Affinity-based reviews are reliant on competency rating scales to help quantify employee skills and attributes. Top Performance Review Phrases: In Summary Managers need to keep in mind that all of their employees are individuals and have different beliefs, drives, and motivations. So, every performance conversation should be individualized to each employee to help them get the most out of their manager’s feedback. Managers need to avoid using meaningless cliché phrases and comparing their employees to their coworkers, as well as using the passive voice throughout the meeting and their performance reports. In combination with those efforts, these performance review phrases will help you to elevate your performance conversations by ensuring that your employees get personalized and actionable feedback. 100 Performance Review Phrases and Comments for 2021 – Download PDF Here What Are Some Good Skills To Put On A Resume? See 50+ Examples / 2023 In a second, you’ll see a list of the most universal skills to put on a resume. And you’ll be tempted to just copy-paste it into yours. Don’t. If you want your resume to land great interviews, your skills section has to fit the job opening like a glove AND differentiate you from the competition. Spend 5 more minutes reading this article and you’ll learn: Why you must absolutely nail your resume skills to get hired. How to detect what skills employers look for and how to list them on your resume. What job skills to put on a resume to land an interview. 50+ examples of skills for resumes. Save hours of work and get a resume like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 18+ resume templates and download your resume now. Create your resume now What users say about ResumeLab: I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!George Create your resume now 13 Top Skills to Include in your Resume Some important soft and hard skills to include in the resume: Problem solving Adaptability Time management Organization Oral communication Leadership Teamwork Customer service Computer skills Sales and marketing Reporting Budgeting That list above? Solid. But, again, it’s not about spraying random skills over your resume and hoping for the best. If you want results, show recruiters actual relevant skills. Read on to learn how to make the most of your abilities on your resume. 1. Soft Skills VS Hard Skills. What’s the difference? ‘Hard skills’ are transferable skills that can be acquired through practice, repetition, and education. Some examples are writing, reading, and coding. Hard skills are important because they increase a person’s productivity, efficiency and satisfaction in the workplace. ‘Soft skills’, on the other hand, are skills tied with a person’s personality and are not easily transferable. Soft skills enable people to perform well in their environment. Some examples are: social skills, communication skills, and adaptability. Problem-solving Adaptability Time management Organization Oral communication Collaboration Written communication Negotiation Conflict resolution According to an iCIMS study, these are the top soft skills for fresh graduates: Adaptability Oral communication Problem-solving Collaboration Written communication Computer skills (e.g. HTML, Java, Analytics, MS Office) Data analysis (e.g. data mining, data crunching, database management) Marketing (e.g. SEO, SEM, CRO, CMS) Project management (e.g. SCRUM, PRINCE2) Mobile and Web Development (e.g. iOS, Android) Accounting Languages Driving licenses Touch typing Writing and editing Machinery operation Most skills on the hard skills list are job-specific. However, some are also transferable. For example, knowledge of foreign languages is a good skill that may come in handy in various professional contexts. So are project management and MS Office skills. In this day and age, a huge portion of hard skills can be labeled as technical skills. This is reflected in the findings of a recent LinkedIn survey, where the top hard skills were identified as: Cloud and Distributed Computing Statistical Analysis and Data Mining Middleware and Integration Software Web Architecture and Development Framework UI Design Software Revision Control Systems Data Presentation SEO/SEM Marketing Mobile Development Network and Information Security Expert Hint: Do NOT put obsolete skills on your resume. dBase or Lotus Symphony will not impress anybody. They’ll only make you look like you’re a tech-dinosaur. Top 10 Personal Qualities Employers are Looking For Professionalism Drive Enthusiasm Confidence Creativity Transparency Perseverance Honesty Strong work ethic Open-mindedness 2. The Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Listing Skills on a Resume The strength of your resume depends on your professional and personal skills. But- If you can easily find a list of top ten skills that employers want, so can the other 250+ candidates. You must be smarter. It’s not about putting any skills in the skills section of a resume. And it’s not about listing only the top skills either (so forget mindless copy-pasting.) It’s about tailoring your entire resume and including key skills that are relevant to the position. In other words- You must know how to cherry-pick and present the skills that will: Get you past the ATS screening. Draw the recruiter’s attention for longer than 7 seconds. Land you the interview. Get you the job. And this is exactly what you will learn in the following sections. 3. How to Identify the Right Skills There’s only one rule: make your resume relevant in each and every way. Don’t limit your skills to a resume skills list. Sprinkle your entire resume with key skills and qualities relevant to the position. 1. Start by identifying the skills employers look for First off, you need to find the right job offer-one that matches your professional interests and experience level. The ad below is for a personal banker. Delivers exceptional customer experience by acting with a customer first attitude Ability to make personal connections, engage customers and always be courteous and professional in a team environment and proactively collaborates with others to help customers Exudes confidence with clients when sharing product knowledge and solutions Partnering with your branch team and Specialists to connect them to experts who can help with specialized financial needs Strong desire and ability to influence, educate and connect customers to technology Professional, thorough and organized with strong follow-up skills Excellent interpersonal communication skills Engage and partner with team members and other LOBs to offer most appropriate products Ability to learn products, services and procedures quickly and accurately; delivers solutions that make our One Chase products work together Now- The phrases in highlights are what the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) will look for on your resume. 2. Describe your professional skills in terms of achievements The next step is to blend your professional skills into your resume experience section. Do it in an expert way. How? Use the resume keywords you see in the job ad. Don’t paraphrase them too much-ATSs are smart, but not smart enough. And remember- Your goal is not just to get through the ATS scan, but to wow the recruiter with your achievements. That’s why you must justify your skills with numbers. Learn this simple equation by heart: Skills + Numbers = Achievements Here’s an example to illustrate what I mean: Delivered exceptional customer experience by displaying a customer first attitude. Consistently scored 90% and above in customer satisfaction surveys. Made personal connections with 50+ customers to help them with specialized financial needs and partnered with the branch team to better identify cross-sale opportunities. Over 80% of referred prospects converted into clients. Gained expert knowledge of 20+ banking products and solutions in the first 3 months. Educated 50+ customers about the bank’s technological solutions, e.g. online banking apps for stock exchange tracking and trading, and VIOP transactions. 70% became regular users 3. Go through your job description and the job ad again Here’s the thing: Your job description is full of job-related skills and keywords. But you can still give your best skills more prominence. Create a dedicated resume skills section. If you extract the essence from the job description above, you’ll end up with the following list of skills: Customer service Rapport-building Communication Collaboration/teamwork Problem-solving/analytical skills Sales Product knowledge Mentoring/teaching Tech-savvy These are the best skills to put on a resume for a personal banker. Why? They’re relevant to the position you’re applying for. They are your best skills. And they’re exactly what employers look for. Now- Revisit the job posting to make sure you didn’t miss any important skills the employer expects. Double-check if you’re using the right skills and experience keywords. After all, collaboration and teamwork are synonyms. But if the job posting calls this skill teamwork, stick to it. Remember: the ATS is smart. But not too smart. If the list of skills on your resume seems longish (more than 10 bullets), you can split it into two categories: soft skills list and hard skills list. You’ll find more information on different types of skills for a resume in the last section. Expert Hint: Employers start to pay more attention to candidates’ soft skills than hard skills. Mainly because soft skills cannot be easily taught. It’s part of the so-called hiring for attitude approach. 4. Include additional skills for extra value At this point, your job description and skills sections are brimming with job-related skills. Which doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more. Consult the list of top ten skills for a resume at the top of the page. See if there are any you could put on your resume. Let’s assume you’d benefit from adding such skills as adaptability and organization. Remember: It’s best to place your key skills throughout your entire resume. So- How about tuning up your resume summary a bit? See this example: Adaptable and well-organized personal banker with 10+ years of experience. Eager to take on new professional challenges at JP Morgan Chase. Thanks to excellent communication and follow-up skills diversified the client portfolio by adding 20+ high net-worth individuals. Increased the branch revenue by 30% in Q4 2018. Mind you- The skills you put on a resume can’t be random or just there. You only have one or two pages, six seconds of the recruiter’s attention, and 250+ candidates to beat-there’s simply no room for anything accidental. 5. What if there’s no job posting? To send your application documents without a job offer, follow the same procedure. Identifying desirable key skills is crucial. Always. The only thing that changes is where you look for those skills. Here’s a couple of ideas: 1. Take a long hard look at yourself, and come up with a master list of your professional skills. For one thing, you’ll see what you can offer the employer. For another, it will be easier to judge if you’re a good fit for the position. 2. Find job offers for similar positions from other employers. It’s likely other employers have the same expectations about the strengths candidates put on their resumes. 3. Look up other job offers from your employer of choice. Get to know what they expect from candidates. Note all the skills they find desirable. 4. Visit the company’s website. Learn its values and culture. Watch out for keywords to describe your core qualifications, key professional and personal skills. 5. Check out related LinkedIn profiles. Look at the people who already work in the company and those who hold similar positions elsewhere. Pay attention to the job skills they list on their profiles. 6. Pepper your resume with all the skills you’ve learned about. Use them to prepare your resume objective or resume summary, resume profile, job description, key skills list, and other resume sections. The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now. CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW 3. What to Omit By now you realize only the relevant skills count. And you know how to list these skills on your resume. But there’s more to it. When your resume is filled with skills and qualities sought after by the employer, and your key skills section has 20+ items- It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. There’s one problem, though. The task may seem impossible when every skill feels relevant. Here’s what to do. Once you’re done- Get rid of all the skills you only have a basic grasp of. Why? Have you heard of the so-called presenter’s paradox? In short: Listing low-ranking skills does NOT add any value to your resume. More than that- So if you feel like some of your technical skills or computer skills are basic, keep them to yourself. It takes value from it. Let your resume highlight your best professional side. Expert Hint: ” Do cover letters matter?” We’ve asked over 200 recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals, and they told us that 83% of the time a great cover letter can help you get the interview even if your resume isn’t good enough. Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out. Key Points CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW When listing job skills on your resume, remember: The skills you put on a resume are important for the ATS and recruiters alike. You must always tailor your resume skills to a particular job offer. If you’re sending a general application to a company, your skills must also be relevant. Your resume should only list your top skills. Leave out the ones you only have a basic grasp of. Cập nhật thông tin chi tiết về 32 Performance Review Phrases By Skill (With Examples) / 2023 trên website Hoisinhvienqnam.edu.vn. Hy vọng nội dung bài viết sẽ đáp ứng được nhu cầu của bạn, chúng tôi sẽ thường xuyên cập nhật mới nội dung để bạn nhận được thông tin nhanh chóng và chính xác nhất. Chúc bạn một ngày tốt lành!	https://hoisinhvienqnam.edu.vn/32-performance-review-phrases-by-skill-with-examples.html
Interpretation can be a area where a translator transposes a report into another terminology. Interpretation is actually the conversation of an first supplier language word to a different, typically concentrate on expressions. There are numerous dialects remaining interpreted: so, Arabic, Latina, Japoneses and Far east on. In all of the these various, there are several variations, dissimilarities of words and phrases and syntaxins and outs and syntax. To be certain that a translation is proper and regular, it done through a specialist. The translators interpret papers from the first words to your aim for expressions or viceversa. Quite a few translators also put together their own competencies with the experience of the translation they have chosen. A translation has to manage every aspect of the interpretation course of action from the conceptualization of your file on the completing the language translation. One of the more important difficulties is how to read an contemporary thought to a cement just one. A great translator is able to convert them in a variety who has the specific style of a selected strategy, though subjective ideas may have no specific kind. This is significant for many factors. To start with, anyone translating fuzy strategy in a concrete floor you need to have predictable figures in the idea’s indicating. 1 of three evidently communicate the message of any fuzy concept with no presenting the reader whatever reason not to understand will be proclaimed. Additionally, when translating a definite thought into an subjective 1, the translation must make sure that the idea’s original shape aren’t going to be dropped. In case the summary concept was, ‘This is really a book’, a translation need to ensure that his translator’s idea’s form is a rectangle. Even more importantly, a translation should make sure that the idea of the interpreted text message might be grasped by audience,. Which is certainly one of this. This is just about the names of the games associated with a translator. It is actually to be sure that the idea’s meaning is evident for the visitor, helping to make a translator a genuine translation. Every single translation has their own solution in translating a textual content. It might be his technique of making use of distinct resources or maybe the equipment used by a specialist translation. The basic principles of great language translation stay. First, the translation requirements to decide on the keywords he desires to translate. keywords are classified as the standard elements of any document, the first and turned. They generate the document’s that means distinct. Therefore, it is very important to get the phrases and words of any wording thoroughly. Another factor the translator’s phrase possibilities will incorporate are the content which might be most crucial for knowing the report. The translator have to make sure the fact that text’s unique form is saved, as previously mentioned. Words or phrases that are important for comprehending the report are the types which are best suited for that papers. The translation must also contemplate their own by using words when selecting the best people to make use of. On top of that, the translation should use the appropriate syntax, punctuation, spelling and words though picking phrases. Correct syntax and punctuation of test is crucial, given that they make content be the better choice. Punctuations can also be vital, as they make phrases and grammatical construction move and browse correct. And expressions is critical as it can help someone to be aware of the text’s this means. A third factor to weigh though picking out words and phrases is the develop with the texting. A translator might be influenced to give specified words and phrases different symbolism with regards to the perspective they are utilised inside the document. A few cases, a translation can not. For instance, if he wants to have a unique specification of the idea of ‘cancer’, but is crafting the document for just a type, he are not able to utilize the term cancers in the sentence in your essay: “The cancer cells increased.” He also need to take into account the overall wording of the report, it is better to utilize the idea of ‘cancer’ in the phrase ‘This tumor is dispersing in size’ compared to the heading “The unknown growth is increasing in space” for the reason that original is grammatically wrong. Whilst creating a translator’s choice of words or phrases. It is better to decide on content that could be easily fully understood by viewers. A very good translator ought to understand how to help make content and their indicating easy-to-read. If you treasured this article and you would like to obtain more info about good morning in Spanish kindly visit our web-site. Excellent strategies associated with the matters on this page, you could possibly like:	https://borbowblog.com/translators-really-should-make-phrases-and-words-straightforward-go-through/
I recently posted a top 10 list of phrases we shouldn’t use (or allow anyone else to use) when discussing safety. Phrases like “just use common sense” and “can’t fix stupid.” I used these phrases as a supervisor many years ago, and I still hear them repeated today. Anyhow, a very astute reader suggested that I post a list of phrases that we should use. So here goes my list: “Thank you for ____.” Pick anything. Just make sure it is specific, sincere, and personalized. Deliver it on the spot. Immediate feedback is more impactful. It shows appreciation for their efforts and contributions to a safe work environment. A good example is “Joe, thank you for reporting the hazard. Your efforts will create a safe workplace for everyone.” I want to follow up with you on the hazard you reported last week. Reference #1. Not following up soon after thwarts any goodwill built up when you thanked them for reporting the hazard. I am interested in what you think. Everyone wants to know their opinion, thoughts, or suggestions are heard and appreciated. Asking someone’s opinion is also a form of recognition—something we can all afford to do more often. Let’s work on this together. It shows you value teamwork and, in particular, their input on the issue. It also shows that you think enough of them to want to partner. I value your safety. It shows you care. The follow-up is “what can I do to help you create a safer work environment?” We are a learning organization and view audit findings as an opportunity to improve. Best used after an incident or a less than stellar audit result. It shows that you understand that most issues result from a management system breakdown, and disciplinary action will not fix the problem. You are not willing to accept substandard performance. Learning organizations view incidents, audits, and inspection findings as an opportunity to identify a breakdown and improve. How was your vacation? It shows you care not just about work, but about more important things. Of course, it must be sincere. Otherwise, people will see right through it. Have you noticed any changes in your work environment? Recognizes that changes usually bring along new hazards. Noticing something different and the potential dangers is an opportunity to be proactive. Are you interested in serving on the safety team? It recognizes their past efforts and provides an opportunity for them to grow. A chance to learn, grow, and be promoted are intrinsic motivators. I believe every injury is preventable. I get it that there are two schools of thought here. Using this phrase says you understand there is a direct correlation between possibility thinking and effort level. It says you are willing to give a bit more effort to prevent the next injury, rather than saying, “we couldn’t prevent that incident.” People generally like talking about themselves more than hearing about us. Inquisitive questions show you care. Asking what they think and how they feel and providing positive feedback keeps people engaged, enthusiastic, and on target. Look for the good in people and let them know they are appreciated. In a nutshell, this is making safety personal. Using these phrases in a safety context helps to create a positive attitude about safety. Do you hear these phrases used in your organization? Or do you hear their negative counterparts? If the perception of safety in your organization is not favorable, impactful, and results-driven let me help. Contact me at www.karolsafety.com or [email protected] to learn how I can help or learn more about my talks and safety leadership workshops.	https://karolconsulting.com/2021/10/27/10-preferred-phrases-to-use-when-discussing-safety/
In this resource, students design a new glove for use in a sport of their choice. Students may find it helpful to talk with local people who partake in their chosen sport. The P.E. Department may be able to suggest suitable contacts. A selection of tests, activities and factsheets are available for the... Gold award: compare the properties of different fabrics In this project, students compare the properties of a range of fabrics made from different fibres. The fabrics could be woven or knitted and they could be made from natural fibres such as cotton and wool or synthetic fibres such as nylon. Students should investigate physical properties, such as strength, tear... Understanding fabrics This lesson supports students to unpick a number of different types of textile, including natural, synthetic, blended, woven, non-woven and knitted Textiles. The lesson provides a classroom presentation, teacher notes and student worksheets. Design Challenges in different material areas A collection of mini design challenges, themed around different material areas. AQA AS/A-level design and technology: fashion and textiles Encourage your students to be creative, innovative and critical designers with a textbook that builds in-depth knowledge and understanding of the materials, components... Jai Geyer Talks About How Engineering Impacts on His Sport Jai Geyer, one of the youngest members of the Great Britain Alpine Ski Team, describes how engineering impacts on his sport and helps achieve higher levels of performance through the design of protective clothing, plus the structure and composition of the skis and other equipment. Smart textiles for designers Smart Textiles for Designers introduces the different qualities and properties that can be embedded in, integrated with, and applied to fabrics and looks at the different contexts in which... Manus x Machina: fashion in an age of technology A stunning look at the paradoxical relationship between the artisanal and the technological in fashion The complex and often ambiguous relationship between the hand crafted and the machine made is examined in this intriguing look at the ever-changing world of fashion and taste. Manus x Machina traces styles... GCSE design and technology: textiles technology specification 2014 GCSE design and technology: textiles technology specification for: - exams June 2014 onwards - certification June 2014 onwards GCE AS and A level design and technology: product design (textiles) specification 2014 GCE AS and A level design and technology: product design (textiles) specification for:	https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/search?f%5B0%5D=field_age_range%3A22&f%5B1%5D=field_age_range%3A83&f%5B2%5D=field_subject%3A20&f%5B3%5D=field_subject%3A93&f%5B4%5D=field_age_range%3A96&f%5B5%5D=field_publication_year%3A38&page=1
This paper presents ReActive, a design exploration aimed at embedding interactivity in traditional materials by artisanal processes. In the attempt to reconciling technology with human experience and tradition, we experimented with artisans to understand how craftsmanship can embrace technological innovations while at the same time maintaining its nature and value. We built samples of hybrid materials, where electronics and smart materials are embedded in traditional ones, in order to make them reactive and interactive. We discuss implications and new possibilities offered by these new hybrid materials both for artisans and users and new perspectives for interaction design. Keywords - interaction design - materials - craftsmanship - flexible electronics - reactive pigments - user experience - esthetics of interaction 1. Introduction Electronics has long been associated to technological development and considered a cold, unemotional element. During the last decades, HCI has tried to move towards more emotional and human-centered approaches to technology and electronics, trying to find new meanings to them and looking at the experience they generate [1, 2]. As a consequence, the field of interaction and experience design emerged. Recent trends in these fields are exploring how interaction with smart and tech-rich products can be esthetically pleasant [3, 4], how electronics and smart materials can enrich the product’s esthetics by making it dynamic and changing and how electronics and computation can be considered new kinds of materials, also called computational composites , able to produce innovative experiences. Such approaches are complemented by the rise of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) movement, where people experiment new ways to integrate technologies in everyday objects and materials. Technology becomes more transparent to be seamlessly integrated into textile , paper [8, 9], and hard surfaces. Although much has been done in shaping increasingly human interactions with technology, the process of making technological and smart objects has been more and more detached from traditional, artisanal processes, heavily relying on computational and machine-based processes like 3D printing and modeling. Technology seems to be far away from the world of craftsmanship, with its values of uniqueness, care for details, high quality and slow-paced, manual production. What if interactive and smart products manufacturing processes could be reconnected to artisanal processes? What if electronics and technology could be treated and approached as traditional materials, used to shape not only new product functions, but also new static and dynamic esthetic qualities of physical objects? Some researchers have experimented in this field , by proposing new ways to merge electronics and traditional crafting activities and materials. We used a similar approach to develop a project, ReActive, in which we tried to explore how to reconcile craftsmanship and technology, with the aim to achieve three goals: (i) studying traditional artisanal craft processes to identify points of intervention with smart materials and fabrication methods; (ii) advancing and enriching artisanal works by adding a layer of interactivity and smartness to the materials of tradition; and (iii) softening technology and smart products by introducing esthetic qualities and values proper of the artisanal world. Compared to previous experiences, we do not address DIY or artistic movements. Instead, we focus on the world of artisans, to provide a framework that connects hybrid materials to artisanal processes, in order to inspire new artisanal work. Can these new trends really be leveraged and absorbed by artisans, to modify and add new competences and open up new opportunities? 2. The ReActive project ReActive was a collaborative project performed in collaboration with traditional artisans in the Florence area of Italy, aimed at exploring the potentials in utilizing electronics and smart materials in their crafts. The goal was to try to develop new types of hybrid materials with dynamic appearances and interactive qualities, starting from the traditional materials and processes used by artisans. We identified a number of conductive and smart materials that could be coupled with such traditional materials to make them reactive and smart. The aim was to create new experiences with these materials of tradition, without changing their nature, instead adding a layer of interactivity to them, that still allowed to keep their properties and that could be smoothly embedded into matter by artisanal processes. In our exploration, we experimented with the following three sets of elements: traditional materials: paper, ceramics, fabric, and leather; crafting techniques: fusing, painting, knitting (weaving), embroidering, and gilding; smart and conductive materials: conductive fibers, conductive ink, metal leaves, and reactive pigments. We investigated the results that could be obtained by merging these materials and processes. Samples of new coupling between traditional materials and smart materials/electronics were generated and are described in the paper. Finally, new possibilities opened up by these hybrid materials, possible applications and scenarios transformation for artisans and users are discussed. 3. Experimenting with hybrid materials Figure 1 illustrates the experiments we performed on different materials. It shows how we embedded conductive and smart materials into traditional materials by artisanal crafting processes. In the following sections, we describe the experiments we performed on each class of materials, starting from the study of the Florentine artisans’ activities. 3.1. Paper 3.1.1. Painting Florentine paper is famous for the decorative marbling patterns. It is used in many products, from stationary items to the wrapping of small household objects. As a versatile material used in our everyday objects, we wanted to explore ways to add interactivity to this sheet material. We studied the hand crafting process of traditional paper making, which involved two methods: first was using marbling technique by ‘capturing’ floating oil-based metallic paint with paper (Figure 2), and second was using pattern blocks to individually press print inked patterns on paper (Figure 3). In this process of decorative paper making, we identified ‘painting’ with ink as main method of introducing interactivity. Within this method, we explored two types of interactivity. First, we created recognizable and visible interactivity with the use of flexible electronics through painting/writing with conductive ink. Second, we ‘embedded’ the interactivity into the paper itself—in a decorative form as done in paper marbling process observed above—by painting with reactive pigments such as thermochromic, photochromic, and hydrochromic pigments. Flexible circuits can be easily created by using conductive ink to draw circuit patterns on paper. Small sensors and actuators can be added to the circuits, as shown in Figure 4, to transform a sheet of paper into an interactive material that reacts to external stimuli and user actions (ambient light, pressure, slide, sound, pushing, or rubbing), triggering effects like sounds or light. We explored typical gestures users perform on paper, like folding, rubbing, and touching, and generated responses to these gestures thanks to different actuators. These conductive metallic inks could be potentially used in the marbling process of decorative paper making to create a conductive ‘base’ (a ‘substrate’) for paper circuitry. For example, users can create interactivity by adding micro LEDs, sensors, and actuators to the conductive base, and completing the circuit with a hand drawing/painting with conductive ink. As mentioned previously, we also explored reactive pigments applied to paper by painting and stenciling (inspired by block press printing technique from the Florentine paper maker). Paper becomes reactive to interaction with users (e.g. hand temperature) and to external stimuli (humidity, temperature, and UV light). These reactive inks can be easily applied to the block printing process of the traditional hand making of Florentine paper as well. For example, thermochromic ink can be used to press print selective patterns of the multi-step block printing process as explained in Figure 3. An interactive paper would be produced, similar to examples made in Figure 5. Upon touch, the temperature of the hand can unveil unexpected patterns of this reactive paper. 3.2. Ceramics In ceramics, again two explorations were made around the idea of shaping new esthetic interactions: fusing/embedding of interactive elements to the material itself (pigment powder in glazing base), and applying interactivity through visible decoration through metallic gilding. The experimentation started with the observation of the ceramic making process by artisans (Figure 6). 3.2.1. Fusing One of the key processes we learnt while visiting the artisans’ workshop in Florence was the final ‘decoration’ step, which involved hand painting and glazing (Figure 7). Starting from this knowledge, we asked ourselves: what if we embed interactive elements such as reactive pigments to the glazing base? In this exploration, we tested the fusing of thermochromic pigments to the glazing base. Pigments were added to the base at incremental concentration amounts, as shown in Figure 8. However, due to its heat-reactive properties (the pigments turn transparent when under heat), the pigments completely disappeared during the firing process in the kiln. 3.2.2. Painting Following the unexpected outcome in the previous experiment, we applied reactive pigments to glazed surface of ceramics in order to avoid exposure to extreme heat, which would cancel out all reactive characteristics of the pigment. Interactive pigments such as thermochromic, photochromic, and hydrochromic pigments were painted on tiles as smart decorations. These pigments would change its visible qualities under multiple stimuli (humidity, temperature, UV light, etc.). The reactive pigments can be layered with non-reactive paints/decorations to create various visual effects, as the reactive pigments will appear/disappear under changing outside conditions. 3.2.3. Gilding In addition to surface application of reactive materials through painting (stenciling), we tested the use of decorative metallic leaves to create touch-sensitive (capacitive) circuits through the process of gilding. These metallic leaves would withstand high heat during the glazing process, and thus would be applicable for the use in ceramics. A quick conductivity testing was done using silver, copper, and gold metallic leaves. Then we focused on creating patterns (organic shapes) that everyday users would recognize as decoration, and not as apparent interactive circuits. Various patterns were made by laser cutting stencil base, and we used gilding technique to apply these patterns on ceramics. Actuators and sensor inputs in miniscule scale were added to the conductive circuitry to generate interactions (Figure 9). By this process, ceramics becomes conductive and can be made responsive to a number of environmental stimuli and user’s actions, depending on the sensors and actuators embedded. This new conductive ceramic can be used to generate different types of interactions and applications, from interiors (tiles) to everyday products (pottery). We designed a mug that can change its aesthetics (lights up) in response to actions like touching, talking, or rubbing (Figure 10). 3.3. Fabric 3.3.1. Knitting Florence is also known for its textile industry, producing both woven and non-woven textiles. We also collaborated with a local textile mill, and observed the production of these fabrics (Figure 11). Using the sample of woven textile received from the mill, we started weaving very thin flexible wire to the fabric. A simple parallel circuit could be made with this conductive substrate, by adding a simple LED and a switch. Next step in the exploration was to embed the conductivity to the textile itself during the production of the woven textile. Using a knitting machine, conductive yarn was knitted together with regular yarn to create striped patterns, which would become touch-sensitive areas when connected with a microcontroller. As shown in Figure 12, conductive fibers can be used both as decorative elements (visible) and as hidden substrates. In this exploration, upon touch of the conductive stripes, various sound tracks were played: producing an unexpected outcome from an everyday material like knitted textile. 3.3.2. Embroidering Another technique that is often used on fabric is embroidery. Using conductive threads (such as stainless steel threads) to embroider alternative patterns on textiles can be used as visible decorations, that becomes part of the esthetics of the material itself. 3.4. Leather 3.4.1. Embroidering Similar to the exploration with fabric, conductive fibers were embroidered/stitched on leather as visible patterns to create interactivity. These conductive stitches can be combined with regular stitches (on small leather goods such as wallets) to keep consistency in esthetics, yet provide interactivity through the use of actuators and sensors. 4. Discussion 4.1. Making materials reactive: substrates, pointers, and dynamic patterns The samples production of hybrid materials allowed us to reflect on how technology and interactivity can be embedded into traditional materials. As a result, it emerged that hybrid interactive materials can have three different natures. Indeed, conductive and reactive materials can be embedded into traditional ones by craftsmen through artisanal processes in order to: Create invisible conductive layers that are hidden in materials but make them interactive and therefore able to respond to external stimuli, by being connected with sensors and actuators (e.g. LEDs). We call the conductive materials used in this way as “substrates”. Examples are conductive fibers knitted into hidden layers of fabric and becoming invisible. In this area, artisanal skills can be used to create high quality and performing hybrid materials, which at the same time have an esthetic quality that is the one of the original material, which hides its “smartness”. This can be achieved thanks to high expertise and knowledge of the material production process (e.g. fibers manipulation in fabrics or paper). Create visible conductive elements, which at the same time are noticeable, transform the static visual appearance of materials and make them interactive when connected to sensors and actuators. We call the conductive materials used in this way as “pointers”. Examples are metal leaves gilded on ceramics, conductive ink painted on ceramics or fabric, and conductive fibers embroidered in leather. Artisanal skills can help making pointers both esthetically pleasant and functional. Create smart decorations, which dynamically change the materials’ visual appearances according to external stimuli (light, temperature, and humidity). We call the reactive materials used in this way as “dynamic patterns”. Examples are interactive pigments painted on paper, tiles, or fabric. They do not need additional elements like sensors and actuators to transform the esthetics of the material, as they are interactive per se. They usually are visible on materials and can be used as decorations (Figure 5) but they can also be transparent and become visible only when a reaction to a stimulus occurs (Figure 8 of transparent reactive pigment). Artisans’ expertise can be leveraged to assure reliable painting processes and to provide final products with innovative esthetics. Figure 13 shows how the conductive/smart materials we used in our experiments can be classified as substrates, pointers or dynamic patterns. Substrates and pointers make materials conductive, therefore can be used in many different applications and can be coupled with any kind of sensors and actuators. Thanks to their properties, they can be used both to dynamically change the appearance of the material, creating new esthetic experiences (e.g. touching a conductive fabric turns on embedded LEDs), and to create functional interactions (e.g. rubbing a conductive fabric a signal is sent to my smartphone and a call to my boyfriend is initiated). Dynamic patterns can be used only to change the appearance of the material they are coupled to, therefore they can be used to create dynamic esthetic experiences, where function is left aside. However, transforming materials’ or products’ esthetics in a dynamic way can have not only esthetic but also functional goals, as dynamic products and ambient interfaces demonstrate. Indeed, changes in the visual appearance of a product/surface can be used to communicate information to users (e.g. the temperature of a room, the presence of UV radiations, or the humidity level in the environment). 4.2. Potentials Making traditional materials interactive and smart while at the same time maintaining their physical and sensory properties and manufacturing processes opens up new perspectives and possibilities. As far as the artisanal world is concerned, such materials represent a way to transform and innovate craftsmanship while at the same time preserving its nature and values. Indeed, we explored how it is possible to use the traditional artisanal processes and gestures to embed electronics into paper, ceramics, leather, and fabric. This provides the possibility to use all the fascinating sets of manual and crafting activities to shape materials and objects that are smart and interactive. Instead of focusing on the DIY movement, this work explores how “smartness” can be embedded into matter and objects thanks to well-established processed performed by skilled and expert artisans. This approach is a middle way between the electronics industry, perceived as technical and cold, and the hobby-ist or DIY movements, where usually inexpert people produce single pieces, sometimes for fun or just as experiments. Through our exploration, we showed that there is a still unexplored area, that of artisanal industry, where well-established and traditional artisanal processes can be enriched by hybrid materials, towards the creation of high quality, manufactured materials or products realized in small series. From the users’ perspective, we can imagine completely new kinds of experiences that are enabled by these hybrid materials, where technology is made more familiar and contributes to the creation of new sets of interactions and experiences with well-known materials. Indeed, by seamlessly embedding interactivity in traditional materials, we can exploit the typical gestures users perform on such materials to shape new kinds of interactions. In order to bring these hybrid materials into the processes of traditional artisans, new fabrication knowledge may be required. Is a new “artisanal” interaction design needed to push forward innovation in traditional craft products? In the subsequent collaboration with the artisans following this material exploration phase, we tried to address this issue by working closely both with the artisans and their young trainees, who tried to implement the interaction design approach in the traditional processes of artisans. As a first result, it emerged that this process is not always smooth and a balance between understanding traditional processes and embedding visible/invisible technology is needed to create new traditional materials with dynamic esthetics and interactive properties. However, this experiment was a first attempt to explore possible ways to reconcile craftsmanship and technology, by putting the user experience at the center. 5. Conclusions We started from the analysis of traditional artisanal manufacturing processes and techniques, and identified a number of processes that could be used to generate hybrid, interactive materials. We proposed a framework to categorize these materials and to highlight their different possible uses in artisanal processes. By creating such framework, we intend to provide a tool to explore, with artisans and by artisans, new evolutions of their activities and to inspire their work.	https://www.intechopen.com/books/proceedings-of-the-conference-on-design-and-semantics-of-form-and-movement-sense-and-sensitivity-desform-2017/reactive-exploring-hybrid-interactive-materials-in-craftsmanship
Why I Commercialize As an academic researcher in textile science, I am always interested in how fundamental life processes work in the world of textiles, such as why cotton fabrics show an increase in strength when they get wet or why spider silk is super tough yet extremely light. I never get tired of asking about how the basic science can be beneficial to our people and our community, hoping that someday my scientific discoveries can be used to improve our life through public health applications and sustainable environmental practices. Commercialization is the process by which a researcher makes a positive impact through knowledge. Our research group at CSU primarily focuses on material innovation. We strive to translate laboratory research results into practice via creating functional fibrous materials that have innovative potential through commercialization for medical textiles used in diagnostics, prevention, and treatment. Areas of Collaborative Interest There is a constant need to upgrade the functions and performance of textiles and apparel for the improvement of public health, safety and a sustainable environment. Our research group at CSU addresses this need by focusing on the development of multi-functional fibrous materials through the application of nanotechnology. Our research is rooted in understanding, assessing and controlling the functional performance of fibers and fabrics at the nanoscale. We are highly motivated to move research results from the laboratory into new products in the marketplace for the following collaborative areas: - Licensing our technologies - Nanostructured materials for high performance textiles - Smart and intelligent medical textiles - Nanomaterials for energy and sustainability Last updated on May 6, 2020 Hidden text – because the “design” is “light” text:	https://csuventures.org/project/yan-vivian-li-phd/
Since 2007, this fashion prodigy and plastic artist has given life to sculptural designs which challenge the laws of physics through innovative materials and an experimental approach to couture where the imagination of the designer fuses with the artificial intelligence of digital technology. As she celebrates her 10 years in couture this week, we look back at 10 extraordinary designs by Iris van Herpen. Between the lines - Spring/Summer 2017 For her last collection, Iris van Herpen studied the imperfections of structures in both the real and digital worlds. In collaboration with the Berlin artist Esther Stocker, she created a series of 3D-printed dresses. The final design (above) finally saw the light of day after 6 different phases of creation. Playing with lasers, and blending Perspex and polyurethane, the effect is an ethereal one, like the transparent bubbles against the skin. The whole piece took 1,200 hours of work. © PHOTO © 2017 TEAM PETER STIGTER - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY - WITH CREDITS Seijaku –Fall/Winter 2016-2017 For this collection Iris van Herpen studied cymatics: an obscure theory linking sound vibrations and forms produced on flat surfaces. The outcome from this was a series of ethereal designs. Pushing this study of sound even further, Iris van Herpen invented a dress out of hundreds of hand-blown glass bubbles applied onto silicon. © PHOTO © 2016 TEAM PETER STIGTER - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY - WITH CREDITS Hacking Infinity – Fall/Winter 2015-2016 With "Hacking Infinity", Iris van Herpen explored the idea of modifying another planet's biosphere to resemble that of the Earth's. A cosmic inspiration coming to life in a series of ethereal designs. Inspired partly by mandala forms, the silhouettes adopted spherical forms and played with the transparency of materials. Working still with 3D, Iris van Herpen also developed a material made from stainless and translucent steel, but also from hand-woven textiles for an effect of new volumes. © Peter Stigter Magnetic Motion – Spring/Summer 2015 This time Iris van Herpen studied the fascinating effects of magnetic forces. Drawing on the work of architect Philip Beesley and artist Jolan van der Wiel, the designer created a wholeheartedly adroit collection. Thanks to injection techniques in molding and laser cutting, the pieces echoed the movements of the body in skillful games with shadows and light. This transparent crystal dress was created in 3D, a technique treasured by Iris van Herpen. Biopiracy - Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Studying the relationship between biology and physics, Iris van Herpen revealed her "Biopiracy" collection. The metamorphosis of the body was translated into a multitude of original materials: opal pearls were wrapped in fabrics that played with transparency. In collaboration with Julie Koerner, the designer created a 3D-printed dress which "dances" with the rhythm of the body. Wilderness - Fall/Winter 2013-2014 In collaboration with the artist Jolan van der Wiel, Iris van Herpen created designs that centered on the idea of attraction-repulsion. The outcome was patterns that gave the impression of coming out of the fabric itself. An organic collection carried by nude colors and "bone" details. The platform shoes were decorated with Perspex bones and other 3D-printed motifs. Organic motifs, utopian even, made this collection a succession of wild designs. © Michel Zoeter Voltage - Spring/Summer 2013 "To be able to control the lightning in the sky at night". From this childhood dream, Iris van Herpen created a collection exploring the wonders of electricity. In collaboration with Neri and Keren Oxman from MIT Media Lab, architect Julia Koerner and Materialise, the designer presented the first flexible 3D-printed dresses, all with the aim of studying high electric voltage and its relationship with the human body. © Michel Zoeter Hybrid Holism - Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Inspired by the hylozoism doctrine, Iris van Herpen explored the idea that a fabric could be brought to life itself, without external intervention. In collaboration with artist Philip Beesley, they created an architectural system for the pieces in this collection, uniting fabrics, chemistry and electricity. By once again using 3D printing for the dresses, the designer presented awe-inspiring designs and original fabrics like the one here, playing around with polymers sculpted by laser beams. © Michel Zoeter Micro - Spring/Summer 2012 For this collection, Iris van Herpen found her inspiration in scientific photographs taken by Steve Gschmeissner with Scanning Electron Microscope technology. The micro-organisms seen through a microscope become graphic elements. The design of these creations thus alludes to tentacles, plasma and other cellular structures around pieces made from original frameworks, like this one made from sculpted wood. © www.pixelformula.com Capriole - Fall/Winter 2011-2012 It's with this collection that Iris van Herpen made her debut as a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. The designer was inspired by the feelings experienced before and during a skydive. This marked the birth of ethereal pieces which allude to the state of mind and the strong surge of energy during skydiving. Printed in 3D, this dress which represents a plastic skeleton symbolizes the feeling of rebirth experienced during a parachute jump.	https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/diaporama/iris-van-herpen-haute-couture-fashion-week-10-years-extraordinary-dresses/44338
- Please check and comment entries here. Topic review Flexible Planar Monopole Antenna Subjects: Engineering, Electrical & Electronic View times: 9 Definition Flexible antennas consist of a dielectric material (which works as the substrate) and a conductive material (which can be used as a radiating element and/or ground plane). 1. Introduction Flexible substrates including organic substances, such as polymers, paper, plastics, textiles, and fabrics, have become increasingly important to enable increased flexibility in wearable sensors/antennas . Flexible antennas consist of a dielectric material (which works as the substrate) and a conductive material (which can be used as a radiating element and/or ground plane). Pure metals, metals mixed with fabrics, and conductive inks are examples of materials that can be used as conductive materials. Meanwhile, polymers such as foam, paper textile fabrics, plastics, and soft printed circuit boards (PCBs) are all common dielectric polymer materials. Other than dielectric polymers, extensive research has been conducted on conductive polymers. They are explored for various applications such as solar energy harvesting , tissue engineering , supercapacitor design , gas sensors , and immunosensors . In particular, flexible conductive polymers were also proposed by . However, in antenna designs, more concerns are directed to the dielectric of the antenna since the antenna performance is mainly determined by the electrical characteristic and the mechanical flexibility of the dielectric substrate. Recent developments in manufacturing techniques for flexible polymer antennas are appealing due to the low permittivity with low losses . In flexible antenna designs, dielectric polymer materials which are commonly used as substrates are classified either as natural polymers (e.g., rubber, silk, wool) or synthetic/human-made polymers (e.g., polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, nylon) . Textile structural composites (which are considered as natural materials) are versatile in terms of their exceptional physical and mechanical properties which can be adopted in particular engineering applications to meet the desired requirements . Ultrawideband (UWB) technology has triggered enormous research attention in wireless communications, especially after the allocation of the unlicensed frequency band (3.1 to 10.6 GHz) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2002 . A UWB antenna has the capability of providing high-speed data transmission with low-power spectral densities compared to conventional wireless communication systems within short distances. The application of UWB has been expanded into the wireless body area network (WBAN) domain based on the IEEE 802.15.6 WBAN standard . Recent technological developments have resulted in compact and smart biomedical sensors/antennas for implementation on the human body. These antennas and sensors are most ideal for implementation in WBAN-type networks, as they are useful in sectors such as wearable computing, health monitoring, rescue systems, and patient tracking . These applications require wireless devices to be placed close to the human body, which demands antennas and sensors to be developed using flexible materials. To prolong their usage near or on the body and, at the same time, ensure the safety and comfort of the user, they are best to be integrated onto clothing. Recently, conductive textiles have been introduced commercially, spurring the design of antennas for WBAN using textiles . Sensors and smart devices have been the subject of extensive research over the past decade, with the goal of making them more easily integrated onto the human body . Fabrics have been used as a natural and comfortable substrate for wearable electronic devices. Fabrics can now contain electrical functionality due to miniaturization of electronic components and innovative technologies . There has been a lot of recent research on cloth fabrics, including sewn textiles, embroidered textiles, nonwoven textiles, knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, printed fabrics, braiding, laminated fabrics, spinning, and chemically treated fabrics . Developing modern textile-based sensors has become a substantial undertaking in recent years, with numerous studies focusing on applications such as athletic training , emergency rescue and law enforcement , fitness monitoring , and other fields. Metamaterials (MTMs) are artificial composite structures with exotic electromagnetic properties which can be used for potential groundbreaking applications (e.g., in antenna design, subwavelength imaging) . Consequently, MTMs are suitable to be applied to improve WBAN antennas in terms of gain, radiation patterns, bandwidth (BW), and size compactness . The characteristics of MTMs can be single negative (SNG) or double negative (DNG) based on the dielectric permittivity (ε) or magnetic permeability (μ). For SNG MTMs, either ε or μ can be negative, and for DNG MTMs, both ε and μ are negative. For SNG MTMs, if ε is negative, they are called epsilon-negative (ENG) MTMs, and if μ is negative, they are called mu-negative (MNG) MTMs . Furthermore, the refractive index of a material depends on the ε and μ, which defines the extent of reflection and refraction . However, the near-zero refractive index (NZRI) property can enhance the gain, as reported in . Several metamaterial structures have been proposed in terms of complementary split-ring resonators (CSRR) , split-ring resonators (SRRs) , planar patterns, and capacitance-loaded strips (CLSs) . Some other MTM structures such as electromagnetic bandgaps (EBGs) and artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) were discussed in . Such metamaterial-based UWB antennas have been reported in the literature with proven antenna performance enhancements . In , MTMs were loaded into UWB wearable antennas for non-invasive skin cancer detection. Likewise, in , the proposed MTM UWB antenna was used for breast cancer detection. Despite the different designs, antennas for wearable applications should be compact, low cost, lightweight, and able to be integrated into circuits with ease . When constructing metamaterials for metamaterial-enhanced devices, it is crucial to take into consideration the fabrication difficulty. Therefore, when developing textile-based metamaterials, extra care should be taken in each design phase . 2. Specifics Figure 1 depicts the evolution process of the conventional antenna design in this study. In the first stage, as shown in Figure 1a, a full grounded patch with a combination of rectangular and half elliptical-shaped patches produces relatively narrow frequency bands, as shown in Figure 1b. In order to achieve a wider impedance bandwidth, the ground plane of the antenna was modified, as illustrated in the second stage of Figure 1b. From Figure 1b, it can be seen that the second stage has a wider impedance bandwidth compared to the first stage. Furthermore, in the third stage, a 0.4 mm gap was chosen to avoid a short circuit between the 50 Ω connector and the feedline of the planar monopole antenna. The truncation at the ground plane improved the impedance bandwidth slightly, where S11 resulted in being lower than −10 dB, showing over 2.33–2.6 GHz, and 8.52–12.3 GHz, which means FBW = 47% at the frequencies of interest. It can be noticed that the attained impedance bandwidth does not cover the complete UWB band allocated by the FCC. However, integration of the proposed MTMUCA with the conventional antenna can improve the overall performance. The related evidence can be found in the following results and discussion. Figure 1. Evolution process of the conventional antenna in this study. (a) Evolution steps; (b) S11 results. The fabricated prototype was used to validate this work, which is shown in Figure 2. The dielectric polymer material (viscose-wool felt) and conductive material (Shieldit SuperTM) of the prototype were dimensioned by a laser cutting machine as a part of the fabrication process. A great deal of study has already been carried out on a variety of materials that have characteristics that render them appropriate for use as a substrate for conductive materials for antennas, conductive threads , conductive polymers , and conductive textiles . However, in this study, viscose-wool felt was adopted since it provides easier fabrication with sufficient flexibility and enables strong adhesion with the conductive textile Shieldit SuperTM. S11 measurement was performed using an Agilent E5071C Network Analyser (Agilent Technologies, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia) to ensure the simulated findings are accurate. The comparison of the proposed antenna between the simulated and measured S11 illustrated in Figure 3 indicates a good agreement. The simulation indicates a 10 dB impedance bandwidth from 2.55 to 15 GHz, which corresponds to an FBW of 142%. The measurement results indicate that this range is from 2.63 to 14.57 GHz, with an FBW of 138.84%. On the other hand, the antenna without the MTMUCA in Figure 1b (third iteration) shows a simulated FBW of 47%. Although the conventional antenna (considering the third iteration in Figure 1) does not work within the FCC region, by utilizing the unique characteristics of the metamaterial, the antenna performance could be enhanced. By utilizing the MTM on the conventional antenna, the antenna element’s radiation efficiency, gain, and overall performance can be improved. Figure 2. Prototype of the designed antenna: (a) front view, and (b) rear view. Figure 3. Reflection coefficients of the proposed antenna. To rigorously analyze the performance of the proposed MTM-driven antenna prototype, body evaluation was further carried out with the help of a male volunteer (with a height of 1.72 m and weight of 84 kg), as shown in Figure 4. The prototype antenna was placed on two different places on the body (chest and arm). The related S11 results are presented in Figure 3, which indicate an excellent performance of the proposed antenna for on-body application. It can be noted that a 6 dB reflection coefficient is frequently used in the manufacturer’s specification, as reported in ; hence, the obtained performance is sufficient for practical application. Figure 4. On-body measurement setup. Figure 5 shows the antenna gain and total efficiency over the frequency. In simulations, an average realized gain of 3.3 dBi was achieved with the MTMUCA, whereas it was 2.7 dBi without the MTMUCA. A maximum gain of 4.83 dBi and 3.64 dBi could be obtained with the proposed antenna with and without the MTMUCA, respectively. On the other hand, the average measured gain of the proposed antenna is 3.04 dBi, and the maximum peak gain is 4.4 dBi. The maximum total efficiency achieved is 87% and 79.5% for the antenna with and without MTMUCA implementation, respectively, in simulations. The attainable average total efficiency of the proposed antenna is approximately 73%, whereas the antenna without the MTM indicated levels of around 69%. The measurements show a maximum total efficiency of 80%, and the average efficiency is 68.2%, for the proposed integrated antenna. Figure 5. The proposed antenna’s realized gain and radiation efficiency. Figure 6 illustrates the radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna. The simulated and measured radiation patterns of the E-plane (yz-plane) and H-plane (xz-plane) were performed at four different frequencies, i.e., 3 GHz, 6.5 GHz, 10 GHz, and 12 GHz, indicating very good agreement. An omnidirectional radiation pattern can be observed at 3 GHz. Meanwhile, at 6.5 GHz, 10 GHz, and 12 GHz, an omnidirectional pattern can be seen in the H-plane, whereas the E-plane shows a bidirectional radiation pattern. Slight discrepancies between the simulations and measurements can be observed due to fabrication inaccuracies. Figure 6. 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19 of March. The 9th Meeting of the Club of Heads of Trade - Economic Missions (Embassies Departments) of Foreign Countries Accredited in Moscow Messe Frankfurt RUS has become a co-organizer of the 9th Meeting of the Club of Heads of Trade - Economic Missions (Embassies Departments) of Foreign Countries Accredited in Moscow. The Meeting will be held with the support from International Trade Fair for Quality Consumer Goods “International Commodity Fair 2019” and International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles, Nonwovens and Protective Clothing “Techtextil Russia 2019”. 20 of March. Round table «International technical textile market – review, perspective, issues. Experience within the Russian market» Speakers and topics: - Mr. Michael Jänecke (Germany), Brand manager Techtextil & Texprocess Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH – General technical textile market review; - Mr. Steve Verstraeten, Market Manager Electro Conductive Textiles (ECT) Bekaert (Belgium), Discover how metal fibers can move your business forward; - Mr. Viktor Antonov, Fixatti (Belgium) – Technical Textiles Lamination and Thermobonding; - Mr. Dirk Keunen, Outlast Technologies (Germany) – Increased comfort through smart innovative textiles; - Ms. Alexandra Broomfield, Hiltex Technische Weefsels - Fabrics for tomorrow; - Mr. Norbert Gartz, Leonhard KURZ (Germany), – Functional textiles. New opportunities with the foil; 20 of March «Highly effective modern technological solutions to improve environmental and personal safety at work» - Welcoming speech Vladimir Ivanovich Kotov, President of the Association "PPE" - Evaluation of the effectiveness of sorbents from nonwovens in the elimination of heavy oil / oil products spills in freezing waters Yana Blinovskaya, Doctor of technical sciences, Professor of the department of safety in emergency situations and environmental protection of the Engineering School of the Far Eastern Federal University - Using of protective suits for emergency oil and oil product spill response Anna Barabanova, Sales Director, Head of industrial business development in Russia and CIS, Ansell Rus LLC - Study of the effectiveness of the SoSystem synthetic sorbent materials for the localization of oil pollution Olga Kulikova, Ph.D. candidate, Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research UNIVERSITY) - Using of the So System sorbing systems in the elimination of emergency oil spills and oil products Dmitry Varfolomeev, Project Manager of FNM All over the World 21 of March. The issue of work in the Russian market of technical textiles and nonwovens. Experience industry leaders Speakers and topics:	https://techtextil-russia.ru.messefrankfurt.com/moscow/en/programme-events.html
Metrological characteristics of textile substrate. Abstract The authors concentrated their attention on the new area of research, concerning properties of electrically conductive textiles, produced by printing techniques. Such materials can be used for monitoring, for example, the rhythm of breathing. The aim of this study was to develop a sensor of strains for the needs of wearable electronics. A resistance‐type sensor was made on a knitted fabric with shape memory, dedicated to monitor motor activity of human. The Weftloc knitted fabric shows elastic memory—thanks to the presence of elastomeric fibers. The dependence of sensoric properties of the Weftloc knitted fabric on the values of load, its increment rate, and its direction of action was tested. Mechanical parameters including total and elastic strain, elasticity degree, and strength were also assessed. The results indicate an anisotropic character of mechanical and sensoric behaviors of the sensor showing a particularly optimal behavior during diagonal loading. Electro‐conductive properties have been imparted to the Weftloc fabric by chemical deposition of polypyrrole dopped with Cl ions. In addition, authors used as a carrier functional water dispersion of carbon nanotubes AquaCyl that was adapted in the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology for forming electrically conductive pathways by film printing method. It was assumed that the electrically conductive paths are sensitive to chemical stimuli. Studies of the effectiveness of the sensors for chemical stimuli were conducted for selected pairs of liquids. The best sensory properties were obtained for the methanol vapor—the relative resistance (Rrel.) at the level above 40%. In the case of nonpolar liquid vapor, the sensoric sensitivity of the printed fabric was much lower, with Rrel. level below 29%. Properties of the electrically conductive materials, such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and resistance to chemicals, allow for widely using them nanotechnology. Keywords - printed electronics - carbon nanotubes - polypyrrole - graphene - intelligent textiles 1. Introduction Intelligent textiles, also called active, interactive, and adaptive, become more and more popular, both in scientific area as well as in the companies producing highly specialized clothing and also consumers. Market analysis has shown that there is a strong interest in new textronic materials (smart textiles, e‐textiles). The usage of smart textiles brings many possibilities of monitoring the reactions of the human body onto many incentives and factors, as well as their usage as decorations in the public space [1–5]. Intelligent materials have enabled the design and elaboration of a new generation of clothing with integrated sensors and built‐in electrodes. The use of biopotential fiber sensors (BFS) allowed miniaturization of ECG sensors. It also granted elimination of the conductive gels, and therefore, the use of new receiving elements was possible. Typical fiber sensor, the registrant biopotential, also acts as a receiver, with electrodes and wire that are connected to the patient. Smart vests have been already used in a limited extent in health monitoring, which enables screening all daily activities. Moreover, they are simple to use and are not causing discomfort while wearing . Fabrics with interleaved weft and knitwear with conductive yarn are widely used. Thus, prepared sensory detectors are sensitive to formability and are used in such areas of life as public safety, police, fire service, medical services and automotive industry [7–9]. Currently, intensive studies are carried out on widening the functions of clothing. Additional functions would consist of warning man about possible danger, monitoring the man's body motoric activity (position, kinematics of body parts) and physiological activities (skin temperature, respiration rate, pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, electromyogram) [10–12]. In order to provide above functions, it is proposed to use fibrous structures, such as mono‐ and multi‐filaments, or knitted and woven fabrics as elements integrated with clothing, the so‐called electronic textiles (e‐Textiles). Such type of fibrous structures, under the influence of stimuli, for example mechanical load, electric field, magnetic field, temperature, irradiation, chemical vapors, shows reversing changes in their properties: shape memory [13–16], piezoresistive [17–21], chemo‐resistive [22–24], piezo‐electrical [25–27], electro‐chromic [28, 29], electro‐luminescent [30–32] properties, etc. The last decade witnessed the development of e‐Textiles prototypes based on functional textile materials: Modular Autonomous Recorder System for measurement of autonomic nervous system activity , Clothes for Tele‐Assistance in Medicine , wearable health care system , life shirt (smart shirt for continuous ambulatory monitoring) . A wide review of knowledge and developments in the field of e‐Textiles, constructions, materials used and developmental trends has been presented in papers published by Rossi's team [19, 37, 38] and monographs [10, 11]. The monitoring of man's body movement activity is often performed with the use of fibrous materials as sensors of strains. The best results are obtained in the case of fibrous structures which have both elastic memory (e.g. elastomeric fibers) and piezoresistive properties. The elastic memory of elastomeric fibers is determined by their exceptionally high reversing deformability. However, elastomeric fibers being electro‐insulating from their nature show the piezoresistive effect that is obtained only after a preliminary modification consisting in imparting electro‐conductive properties. This modification is made by applying electro‐conductive coatings (doped polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyacetylene), inorganic compounds (silver salts), or mass‐doping with electro‐conductive particles, for example carbon. The fibrous structures based on elastomers are often modified with polypyrrole due to its stable physical properties (high resistances to thermal, atmospheric and chemical media) and relatively simple deposition process on the substrate surface [39–41]. Elastomer‐polypyrrole systems are used as strain sensors 1D (bandages placed directly on knee or elbow joints) or 2D (shirts worn near body that monitor body movements, local changes in torso, arm etc.). In the second case, the stimuli of sensor integrated with clothing have a multi‐directional character; hence, the sensoric properties of the sensor material will be strongly dependent on the direction of load and material structure. There are few studies that consider the effect of both factors on the properties of piezoresistive sensors. Increasingly popular are thick electrochemical sensors, ampherometric, and biosensors made by film printing and ink‐jet printing using ink from carbon‐derived content, ferrocyanide, by which one can assess the impact of deformation of clothing and monitor physiological functions. The future activities of such sensors will focus on the human body, as well as other health care systems; they will monitor not only soldiers but also other services that require this form of monitoring [15, 19]. In order to print on the textiles, various specific substances are used, for example dyes, various types of polymers, silver, carbon nanotubes, graphite or graphene. These components can also provide other established functions, for example anti‐static or antibacterial [9, 42, 43]. Printed electronics produced so far primarily for use as the components of devices (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) currently take an advantage in the textile industry because of the prints on fibrous materials that can act as sensors or electrodes for electrical stimulation of muscles in the components of new functionalized garments [9, 42–46]. In published works, electrical conductivity was successfully given to materials by textile printing method [47, 48], but existing solutions are still being developed. The authors in their works concentrated their attention on new areas of research, conferring properties of electrically conductive textiles using printing techniques for monitoring, for example the rhythm of breathing. The major reason to start this kind of investigation was the need for developing reliable, handy health monitoring systems [5, 7, 9]. Non‐invasive or minimally invasive physiological monitoring devices are also of great importance for defense purposes and applications for athletes. The integration of sensors and biosensors directly with clothing should be beneficial in the development of health care and monitoring systems of soldiers, as well as other civil servants. The integration of electronics with clothing opens up many possibilities in various fields [9, 42, 43]. The authors used the functional water dispersion of carbon nanotubes AquaCyl as a carrier that was adapted in the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology Lodz University of Technology for forming electrically conductive pathways by film printing method. It was assumed that the resulting electrically conductive paths are susceptible to deformation. Modification of the water dispersion of nanotubes was supposed to result in a composition being bi‐functional print—electrically and bacteriostatic, which is extremely important in applications of sensors in medical materials, in contact with the human body. In the present study, attention was focused on assigning specific functionality textiles printing techniques using carbon nanotubes, graphene and polypyrrole. Characteristic properties of the electrically conductive materials, such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and resistance to chemicals, cause that they are widely used in nanotechnology. 2. Materials and methods Taking into account the preparation of a textile strain sensor, textiles with high elasticity and reversibility of deformations were used. Such conditions are fulfilled by warp knitted fabrics of the Weftloc type. The elastic structure of Weftloc fabrics is formed by a system of elastomeric yarns (Figure 1) introduced in the mutually perpendicular directions by the three‐needle bar, thanks to which the fabric is characterized by 2D deformability. \|Textile substrate\|\|Surface weight,\|\|Thickness\|\|Surface electric resistivity ρS\|\|Raw material composition\| \|g/m2\|\|mm\|\|Ωm/m\| \|knitted fabric Weftloc L\| (LIBA) \|304\|\|0.73 ± 0.01\|\|1.8 × 1013\|\|PA6 ‐61%\| Elastan ‐ 39% \|knitted fabric Weftloc PE\| (PEN ELASTIC) \|245\|\|0.52 ± 0.01\|\|6.2 × 1012\|\|PA6 ‐64%\| Lycra ‐ 36% \|cotton fabric\|\|206\|\|0.41 ± 0.01\|\|8.7 × 1011\|\|Cotton‐100%\| Two Weftloc knitted fabrics with a similar content of elastomeric yarns of different type of elastomer were used, having various surface weights and morphological structures (Table 1). Knitted fabrics also contained polyamide yarn that imparts a soft handle and comfort of fabrics in contact with skin. This type of bi‐component knitted fabric is exploited in corset‐making to make classic lingerie elements fitting to the body, sports and rehabilitation goods. In addition, cotton fabric twill was also used (Table 1) as a reference of the sensitive material for chemical stimulus. As a base for printing conductive work were used: water dispersion of carbon nanotubes trade name AquaCyl (AQ0101) and AquaCyl (AQ0301) from Nanocyl, polypyrrole in the form of a water dispersion of nanoparticles prepared in the process of polymerization of pyrrole doped, Sigma‐Aldrich, flakes of graphene in the form of a dry powder from company Graphene‐Supermarket. Above materials are a well‐established in the group of nanomaterials used in consumer printing electronics. The issue of its application is open in order to provide its toxicological safety, in permanent connection with the substrate and ensure the extreme sensitivity of the test stimuli in their minimum content sensory element. The electrical properties of materials in the study were used by a team of the Department of Materials, Commodity and Textile Metrology Technical University of Lodz [7, 9, 42, 43, 47] to create a conductive printing on transparencies and printing techniques of textile materials. 2.1. Materials AquaCyl 0101 AQ dispersion comprises from 0.5 to 1.5% MWCNT series Nanocyl®7000 characterized by a purity of approximately 90% with the average diameter of nanotubes 9.5 nm, and the average length of up to approx. 1.5 μm. It is characterized by surface tension approximately 57 N/m, the viscosity of 36 cP and a pH of 7. These parameters were determined in the temperature 25°C. Additionally dispersion comprises a dispersant in an amount of 0.1–3% [7, 9]. Polypyrrole in the form of a water dispersion of nanoparticles produced in the doped polymerization of pyrrole. Pyrrole is a heterocyclic aromatic compound of the empirical formula C4H5N, having a 98% degree of purity. Its density is determined in temperature 25°C, was 0.967 g/mL, and the molecular weight of 67.09 g/mol. Pyrrole applied at the beginning was distilled under reduced pressure. Graphene flakes in dry powder form under the trade name MO‐1, a multilayer graphene flakes having a thickness of 5–30 nm in size with a 5–25 μm . As auxiliaries to modify the water dispersions used: DBSA (C12H25C6H4SO3H) solution 70 wt% in isopropanol (analytically pure from Sigma Aldrich) and Ebecryl 2002 (Aliphatic urethane acrylate from Cytec, water compatible, UV curable system) and Esacure DP250 (water dispersion of photoinitiators from Lamberti SPA). 2.2. Characteristics of inks The obtained printing paste having the sensory properties based on graphene and carbon nanotubes was introduced to the dispersion AquaCyl AQ0301, 3% by weight of flakes of graphene MO‐1. This kind of compiled printing composition was placed in an ultrasonic bath for 15 min. Then, the so‐prepared printing composition as well as the dispersion of AquaCyl AQ0101, auxiliary agents in the form of aliphatic urethane acrylate (Ebecryl 2002), and the photoinitiator (Esacure DP250) were added and stirred for 30 min using a magnetic stirrer. The polypyrrole layer was formed chemically by the in situ polymerization of pyrrole in an aqueous solution of ferric chloride, in which the sample to be coated was immersed. A molar ratio of pyrrole and ferric chloride was 1:2.5. The polymerization was performed at the temperature of 4°C for 2 h. The acidic character of the process medium was maintained by means of an addition of HCl solution. The samples were taken out after 2 h, rinsed repeatedly with distilled water and dried in a desiccator at room temperature. Knitted fabrics and elastomeric weft yarns used in knitted fabrics were modified under the above given conditions. 2.3. Investigation methods used 2.3.1. Research on electrical resistivity 2.3.1.1. Testing the current‐voltage characteristics of textile substrate The resistance properties of textile substrate were tested before and after coating with electro‐conductive polypyrrole, carbon nanotube and graphene. The surface resistance of fabric samples was measured with the use of a two‐electrode system and stabilized voltage sources (type 4218 from RTF and type 55121 from Unitra) and a Keithley's electrometer, type 610C. Samples with a width of 2.5 cm were tested under a constant load of 400 kPa, with the inter‐electrode distance being 1 cm. The uncoated samples were tested under a voltage of 500 V in a Faraday cage. In case of the samples coated with polypyrrole, carbon nanotube and graphene their current‐voltage characteristics were determined within the voltage range from 1 to 20 V, increasing the voltage from smaller to higher values. 2.3.1.2. Testing sample resistance under mechanical load Changes in the electric resistance of samples were examined simultaneously with sample load using Instron machine, recording the elongation of samples as a function of load F(λ). The changes in load as a result of changing resistance had a dynamic character, which required an automated measuring system. A sample in the form of a strap, cut out in the assumed direction, was fixed in Instron clamps set up within a distance of 50 mm. The sample in clamps were equipped with elastic electro‐conductive electrodes from 3M (R < 1Ω), which provided two‐sided contact with the sample. The electrodes were isolated from the clamp surfaces with a polyester film. Similarly, the samples of elastomeric yarns were fixed. The electrodes were connected to a multimeter, type Metex KN DMM M‐3890DT, coupled with a computer (Figure 2). Results in the form of R = f(t) files were sent to computer through USB by means of Metex software. The examination of the resistance behavior of samples consisted of recording the changes in resistance in the process of sample loading and relaxing and examining the repeatability of resistance under the given load and a constant frequency of loading. The resistance sensitivity of the system was calculated according to the formula: where Ss—strain sensitivity, ΔR = Rmax - R0, Rmax—the value of resistance at the point where the sample is loaded with the maximal force F, R0—initial value of resistance, εelast—relative elastic strain, %. 2.3.1.3. Research on electrical resistivity of samples exposed to chemical stimulus Sensory tests for the presence of solvent vapor were performed in a laboratory measuring system . The equipment allows measurements of the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere prevailing in the system as well as creation and introduction of a system measuring liquid vapor at a given concentration (Figure 3). The measurement technique is described in . 2.3.1.4. Microscopic observations of knitted fabrics The structure and surface of the tested samples were observed using two microscopic techniques. The morphological structure of yarn and fabrics was examined by the optical microscopy, observing the deformation of fabric structure under the influence of loads. The reflected light microscope coupled with the camera and image analysis system “Lucia” was used for morphological evaluation of tested fabrics. The surfaces of fibers and knitted fabrics were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), using a JSM‐520 LV microscope from Jeol (Japan). The technique of specimen preparation is described in paper . 3. Results and discussion 3.1. Morphological properties of deposits conductive layers Figure 4A–F shows the results of the PPy deposition on the multifilaments forming knitted fabrics, and on knitted fabrics, Figure 4G–I shows the results of the deposition of carbon nanotubes, and Figure 4J–L shows the results of the deposition of graphene with carbon nanotubes. The cross‐section and longitudinal view of Lycra multifilament (Figure 4B, C) indicate a strong integration of elastomeric filaments in yarn, which are locally stuck together and deformed at interlacements. In the Analysis of microscopic images also allowed for determination of the average thickness of the applied layers of ink compositions on fabric, using an image analyzer Luccia. Microscopic examination showed that the thickness of the layer applied to the textile printing technique film contained within 18.5–20.0 μ (Figure 4H, K). Moreover, analysis of microscopic images shows that the ink compositions are applied in a uniform manner on the textile substrate. Not observed, the resulting thickening of a significant size. 3.2. Electric properties of PPy layers on Weftloc knitted fabrics The samples of Weftloc knitted fabrics coated with PPy show conductive properties in the electrostatic field. The PPy layer has created conditions for the percolation flow of charge carriers reducing the fabric resistance by about eight orders of magnitude from TrΩ (Table 1) to kΩ. The current intensity of the surface conductivity increases proportionally to voltage (Figure 5). The above linear behavior with high correlation coefficients (R2 ∼ 1) has been found for all knitted fabric samples under conditions of directed action of electric field (in the direction of wales ρS = 158 ± 20 Ωm/m, courses ρS = 170 ± 15 Ωm/m and diagonally ρS = 160 ± 30Ωm/m). One can state that in the mechanically unloaded condition, PPy layers show isotropic electric conductivity. 3.3. Mechanical properties of elastomeric yarns used in Weftloc fabrics Weftloc knitted fabrics are characterized by a high content of elastomeric yarn that imparts elastic memory to the material. In order to present the full picture of electro‐mechanical properties, both fabrics and elastomeric yarns of these fabrics were tested (100% Lycra and 100% Elastan). The yarns are characterized by a high degree of elasticity that does not significantly depend on the load value within the range of loads used (up to 0.4 N). However, the relative elastic and total strains strongly increase during load increase (Figure 6 shows the results for Lycra yarn). The PPy coating deposited on the fiber surface insignificantly decreases the tensile strength and breaking strain of yarn (Table 2). No significant effect of PPy on the degree of yarn elasticity was found (Table 2; Figure 6). \|Type of indicator\|\|Lycra yarn\| \|without PPy\|\|with PPy\| \|Degree of elasticity Selast., %\|\|93.6 ± 1.0\|\|94.32 ± 0.9\| \|Elastic strain łelast., %\|\|160.6 ± 4.7\|\|159.1 ± 7.1\| \|Total strain łtotal, %\|\|171.3 ± 4.6\|\|166.0 ± 8.9\| \|Breaking strain łbreak, %\|\|574.2\|\|469.3\| \|Tensile force at break F, N\|\|0.85\|\|0.58\| 3.4. Mechanical properties of Weftloc knitted fabrics 3.4.1. Strength of knitted fabrics The tensile strength of Weftloc knitted fabrics was tested using forces directed along wales, courses and diagonally. The strength of knitted fabrics without the elastomeric yarn worked‐in along courses was also tested to find out how it affects the directional strength at break (Table 3). The removal of the course yarn decreases the directional strength and strain at break. One can assume that the mechanical stability is determined to a large extent by the stitch structure of knitted fabrics. \|Type of knitted fabrics\|\|Direction of force\|\|Breaking force, N\|\|Breaking strain, %\| \|Weftloc L\|\|Wales\|\|240.0 ± 2.0\|\|450.0 ± 3.0\| \|Diagonal\|\|135.0 ± 1.2\|\|482.0 ± 2.5\| \|Courses\|\|122.5 ± 1.0\|\|607.6 ± 2.6\| \|Courses, without weft\|\|113.1 ± 1.0\|\|535.7 ± 9.0\| \|Weftloc PE\|\|Wales\|\|161.8 ± 4.0\|\|400.0 ± 1.0\| \|Diagonal\|\|114.0 ± 1.0\|\|434.5 ± 1.0\| \|Courses\|\|160.1 ± 4.0\|\|558.1 ± 20.0\| \|Courses, without weft\|\|116.6 ± 3.0\|\|500.1 ± 8.0\| Under the conditions of directional loading, knitted fabrics show the anisotropy of strength and strain (Table 3; Figure 7). The maximal mechanical parameters are obtained during the course‐wise loading. The directional strain of Weftloc PE fabric is, in each case, higher than that of Weftloc L fabric. 3.4.2. Elasticity of Weftloc fabrics Weftloc knitted fabrics containing Lycra elastomeric fibers in PEN ELASTIC fabrics are characterized by a higher contribution of elastic strains in comparison with LIBA knitted fabric. The values of elastic strains created during diagonal loading are shown in Figure 8. The deposited PPy layer has decreased the elastic strain within the whole load range (0.4–5.0 N). 3.5. Resistance responses of elastomeric yarns during straining In order to assess the repeatability of electromechanical behavior of elastomeric yarns, their temporal changes in electric resistance during axial mono‐ and multi‐cyclic tension at a constant rate of load increase in each cycle were examined. Figure 9A shows resistance response, R/R0, (instantaneous values of resistance R of the yarn being loaded in relation to the initial resistance R0) during the single cycle of tensioning. The resistance increases linearly during the linear load build‐up (and the strain proportional to it); after yarn relaxation the resistance returns nonlinearly to the initial condition. The delay in resistance return of the yarn under relaxation indicates processes of stress relaxation in the elastomer. The strain sensitivity Ss of Lycra yarn is at a level of 200. The yarn resistance changes during load build‐up are characterized by good repeatability and a high degree of correlation between resistance and strain, which was confirmed also in the multi‐cyclic yarn loading (Figure 9B). 3.6. Resistance responses of Weftloc knitted fabrics during straining The knitted fabrics coated with PPy and directionally strained (Figures 7 and 8) show an increase in electric resistance with increasing strain. The value and character of resistance changes depend on the value of load and its build‐up rate and direction (resistance anisotropy). In Table 4, exemplary resistance responses of PEN ELASTIC knitted fabric loaded in the direction of weft at a loading rate of 50 mm/min are listed. In Table 4, A–D show relative changes in the electric resistance of a knitted fabric loaded in four single cycles followed by a dozen or so cycles succeeding with a higher frequency. In cases A–D, maximal loads were use: 0.4, 1, 2 and 5 N, respectively. The diagrams confirm the repeatability of resistance changes during sample loading in both single and multiple cycles. The resistance increases with increasing sample load. For low loads, the process is of a linear character, while for higher loads, after exceeding about 0.8 N the resistance is decreased (“saddle point”), which may indicate disturbances of charge carrier flow on percolation paths formed by polypyrrole. This effect was found for three loading directions in both knitted fabrics (in the direction of knitting, perpendicular and diagonal directions). This effect is reversible. To illustrate this phenomenon, microscopic simulations of tensioning Weftloc PE loaded in the weft direction at a load rate of 50 mm/min were performed. (Table 4A–D). The images show that with the increase in load the distances between wales increase and multifilaments relocate in the knitted fabric loops, which results in the resistance change of mutual contact and consequently in reduced resistance of the knitted fabric. Xue et al. previously indicated the importance of the resistance of fiber contact in knitted fabric loops for the electromechanical properties of knitted fabrics. As far as woven fabrics are concerned, these authors believe that a higher influence on the electromechanical behavior is exerted by the crimp of the weave and density of the fabric. The appearance of the “saddle” phenomenon in the electromechanical response of Weftloc fabrics limits the range of linear behavior of the sensor based on these fabrics. 3.7. Strain sensitivity of Weftloc knitted fabrics Based on the resistance responses and corresponding strains of Weftloc fabrics loaded successively in three directions: along wales, courses and diagonally, the strain sensitivity (Ss) of these fabrics were calculated. The results of Ss of electro‐conductive knitted fabrics are shown in Figure 10A–C. The comparison of the behavior of Weftloc fabrics indicates beneficial parameters of the sensor based on Weftloc PE. This fabric, with a similar content of elastomeric yarn and wale density, is characterized by a slightly higher course density (Table 2). As far as the metrological parameters are concerned, Weftloc PE is characterized by lower surface weight and thickness, but higher elastic strain in comparison with Weftloc L. The differences in fabric physical parameters have brought different conditions of the PPy micro‐sphere diffusion on the fiber surface and in the fabric structure. On Weftloc PE fabric, a thinner PPy layer is formed. During the loading of this fabric, with its higher strain, one could observe considerably greater changes in resistance in comparison with Weftloc L fabric, which resulted in a higher strain sensitivity. The sensitivity of both Weftloc fabrics has an anisotropic character. One can assume that it results from the anisotropy of fabric strainability as well as from the anisotropy of the contact resistance of fibers deformed in fabric loops. The strain sensitivity of Weftloc knitted fabrics increases with the increasing tensioning rate. This behavior results from the fabric strainability and the changes in PPy layer resistance with shortening the loading time, that is increasing the tensioning rate. For both knitted fabrics, it was observed that the increase in load build‐up rate was accompanied by twofold reactions: increase in the fabric strainability or unchanged values. The clear increase in the fabric sensitivity with increasing loading rate (Figure 10) allows one to state that changes in resistance have a predominant influence of the phenomenon. It has been previously found that the fiber electric resistance considerably increases with increasing rate of loading in the process of drawing PA6 fibers coated with PPy . Based on the results obtained, one can conclude that beneficial operating conditions of the sensor based on Weftloc knitted fabrics can be obtained at higher load build‐up rates and short relaxation times. From among the knitted fabrics tested, Weftloc PE shows optimal piezoresistive properties and the best strain sensitivity in the diagonal direction. 3.8. Electrical properties of conducting layers on cotton fabric The samples of fabrics coated with conductive ink compositions exhibit the electrostatic conductive properties. The conductive layers have created conditions for the percolation flow of charge carriers reducing the fabric resistance by about 10 orders of magnitude from TrΩ (Table 1) to Ω for ink compositions based on carbon nanotubes The Table 5 summarizes the results of the electrical conductivity of the printed textile substrates [7, 9, 43]. \|Composition of ink\|\|Type substrate\|\|Surface electrical resistivity [Ωm/m] (RH = 25%, t = 23°C)\| \|Before the washing\|\|After the washing (25 cycles)\| \|AquaCyl AQ3001 + cross‐linking compound\|\|cotton fabric\|\|12.0\|\|129.0\| \|AquaCyl AQ3001 + 3% GNPs + cross‐linking compound\|\|cotton fabric\|\|4.7\|\|79.0\| \|Polypyrrole + cross‐linking compound\|\|cotton fabric\|\|6.6 × 105\|\|8.8 × 106\| Commercial AquaCyl character shows worse electrical conductivity than the prints obtained with addition of graphene. The composition of the print based on polypyrrole results in the weakest conductivity. In the course of the experiment, there was no significant effect observed on grapheme‐based ink properties taking in account the amount of added graphene, uniformity of obtained paste before and after printing. It has been found that the presence of auxiliary agents in the form of aliphatic urethane acrylate and the photoinitiator has no effect on the properties of the conductive ink compositions tested, but significantly improves the durability of prints. 3.9. Responses resistive printed fabrics treated with chemical stimulus Table 6 and Figure 11A–C summarize the results of testing the functionality of the textile resulting in a film printing technology. As an indicator of quantitative sensory properties assumed as the relative resistance changes, Rrel expressing the relative changes in electrical resistance in the surface of the printed fabrics induced chemical stimulus of a given type, calculated in accordance with the formula (2). where Rrel—relative resistance R0—initial value of resistance R—final value of resistance. \|Composition of ink\|\|Concentration, ppm\|\|Relative resistance, %\| \|Acetone\|\|Methanol\|\|Toluene\| \|AquaCyl AQ3001 + cross‐linking compound\|\|200\|\|15\|\|50\|\|13\| \|300\|\|19\|\|57\|\|18\| \|400\|\|27\|\|68\|\|25\| \|AquaCyl AQ3001 + 3% GNPs + cross‐linking compound\|\|200\|\|27\|\|78\|\|23\| \|300\|\|31\|\|86\|\|29\| \|400\|\|36\|\|123\|\|34\| \|Polypyrrole + cross‐linking compound\|\|200\|\|15\|\|38\|\|6\| \|300\|\|19\|\|41\|\|9\| \|400\|\|21\|\|47\|\|11\| Analyzing the test results summarized in Table 6 and Figure 11, it can be seen that the addition of 3% graphene improves the sensitivity of the reaction liquid to vapor tested. It was also observed that the superior sensory stimuli properties are characterized by the chemical compositions of the sample printed based on carbon nanotubes. The increased concentration of tested liquid vapors has a significant impact on the response sensitivity of printed textile substrates. Research on sensory sensitivity to the chemical stimuli indicates that printed textiles retain sensitivity to cyclical impact, which is presented at Figure 12. Essential, however, is the relaxation time of the sample on exposure to vapors of organic liquids. The test results of sensory sensitivity of the printed textile substrates, compositions based on polypyrrole on the chemical stimuli in the form of liquid indicates that the sensory response to polar liquids is stronger than non‐polar liquids. This is probably related to the presence in the structure of polypyrrole‐conjugated bonds that markedly enhanced its polarity. The examinations show that the change of vapor concentrations varies proportionally to the sensory properties. This phenomenon allows the use of so‐printed textiles as sensors measuring the changes in concentrations of the relevant vapors in the surrounding they are located in. The obtained results indicate the potential possibility of using printing methods designed to production of the textile sensors that will be used as components of protective technical clothing, that is fire services and mining industry. 4. Conclusions Two Weftloc knitted fabrics from LIBA and PEN ELASTIC companies have been selected as potential strain transducers. These fabrics are characterized by similar raw material composition and content: elastomeric fibers and PA6 fibers, while the existing differences concern the type of elastomeric fibers, surface weight of fabrics, their thickness and structure filling degree. The properties of both fabrics are atypical due to the elastomeric yarn introduced additionally in the course direction, which imparts a high strainability 2D to the fabrics. The surface of fabrics has been chemically coated with a layer of electro‐conductive polypyrrole. Thus, Weftloc knitted fabrics as highly strainable and electro‐conductive materials can be used as piezoresistive sensors. The electro‐mechanical tests of Weftloc fabrics prove their high strain sensitivity. The reaction of the fabrics as piezoresistive sensors is of an anisotropic character. For the sake of the construction of strain sensor, it is particularly beneficial to load the piezoresistive element in the diagonal direction in relation to knitting direction. The piezoresistive effects recorded are repeatable during loading Weftloc fabrics in both single and multiple cycles. They have a linear character to a specified limit for the given fabric. Weftloc PE which characterizes specific structure and content of elastomeric yarns has shown a better performance as a piezoresistive sensor. The studies support the use of ink compositions for modification of textile substrates, as sensors for mechanical and chemical stimulus. By using printing methods for modifying the surface of textiles can be inexpensive and fast way to create RTDs. Textile sensors presented in the paper have potential application in health care, in the area endangered of chemical explosions, military and sporting applications. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Henryk Wrzosek for SEM investigations of samples.	https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/50864
Book containing information on plastic materials designed for EMI shielding, packaging of electronic materials, protection of metals against corrosion, manufacture of conductive textiles, and other applications. From ChemTec Publishing. Editor: Larry Rupprecht. http://fabricarchitecturemag.com/ Bi-monthly magazine for architects, designers, landscape architects, engineers and other specifiers about architectural fabric structures, the fibers and fabrics used to make them, their design possibilities, their construction, and issues regarding their applicability and acceptance. http://www.knovel.com/knovel2/Toc.jsp?BookID=926 Technical guide for manufacturers of fibers and yarns, woven, knitted and nonwoven fabrics, textile finishers, designers and specifiers, and university lecturers and graduate students. Published by Knovel Corp. http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/en/book.aspx?bookID=505 A technical guide to the materials, manufacture, processing and applications of high-performance technical textiles. Published by Woodhead Publishing, Ltd. http://jit.sagepub.com/ Quarterly journal on the technical aspects of the materials, techniques and markets of the industrial textiles industry. From Sage Publications. http://www.technical-textiles.net/htm/j20050119.887513.htm Monthly publication on textiles for medical applications, covering technical developments in fibers, yarns and fabrics, equipment, surgical and orthopaedic applications, dental uses and hygiene, and standards, market and industry news. http://www.technica.net/NT/ewelcome.html On-line magazine for professionals in the technical and industrial textiles industry. Articles, studies and papers on new developments in fibers, manufacturing processes and products. From Technica Snc. http://www.textilesintelligence.com/tispam/ Quarterly publication for subscribers, with business and market analysis of worldwide trends in high performance activewear and corporate apparel. From Textiles Intelligence, Ltd. http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/en/book.aspx?bookID=917 Handbook and guide to the concept and definition, methods for synthesising, characterising and modelling, and the properties and potential applications of shape memory materials. Published by Woodhead Publishing, Ltd. Author: J. Hu. http://www.knovel.com/knovel2/Toc.jsp?BookID=819 Overview of the fundamentals and latest developments in smart technology for textiles and clothing. From Knovel Corporation. http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/ Monthly magazine of Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), presenting articles, interviews and papers focused on business and market trends, new technologies in fibers, fabrics, equipment and treatments, and profiles of growth-oriented businesses and products in the technical textiles industry. http://www.textilesintelligence.com/tisttm/ Quarterly publication for the industrial and technical textiles industry. Offers information on new fibers, their properties and applications. Also, data and analysis of fiber, textile, apparel and nonwovens industries. From Textiles Intelligence, Ltd. http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/en/catalogue.aspx?catalogue=Textile&heading=High+performance/technical+textiles List of books about the materials, manufacturing technologies and engineering of technical textiles for sports, medical, automotive, safety and industrial applications. From Woodhead Publishing, Ltd. http://textination.de/en/Textile-Technology/Technical%20Textiles International technical quarterly for decision makers in the management and purchasing departments of manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as end-users of industrial textiles such as in plastics processing, the building sector, the chemical, automotive and machinery industries, published by Deutscher Fachverlag GmbH. English and German.	http://odp.org/Business/Textiles_and_Nonwovens/Textiles/Fabrics/Technical_Textiles/News_and_Media
In the United States in danger, Robert Perrucci and Carolyn C. Perrucci establish the large financial and technological adjustments that experience resulted in the lack of excessive salary jobs, declining chance, and elevated source of revenue and wealth inequality. Taking info from a thirty-year interval, Perrucci and Perrucci practice a severe sociological lens to view the dominant financial, political, and cultural associations that reason the most social difficulties affecting americans. Multimedia Explorations in Urban Policy and Planning: Beyond the Flatlands This booklet explores the possibility of multimedia to counterpoint and remodel the making plans box. by way of ‘multimedia’ the authors seek advice from the combo of a number of contents (both conventional and electronic: texts, nonetheless pictures, animations, audio and video productions) and interactive structures (offline interactive cd roms, on-line web content and boards, electronic environments) that are starting up new probabilities in making plans perform, pedagogy and study. Stadium Worlds: Football, Space and the Built Environment Interpreting soccer as a cultural perform, this publication investigates the relationship among the game and its outfitted setting. 4 thematic sections compile a world multi-disciplinary variety of views with specific specialise in the stadium. Examples from architectural layout, media experiences and archaeology are used whereas learning advertisements, economics, migration, fandom, neighborhood identities, feelings, gender, and the sociology of house. City Squares: Eighteen Writers on the Spirit and Significance of Squares Around the World During this vital assortment, eighteen popular writers, together with David Remnick, Zadie Smith, Rebecca Skloot, Rory Stewart, and Adam Gopnik evoke the spirit and historical past of a few of the world’s such a lot well-known and demanding urban squares, observed through illustrations from both distinct photographers. - The City and the Grassroots: A Cross-cultural Theory of Urban Social Movements - HafenCity Hamburg: Neue urbane Begegnungsorte zwischen Metropole und Nachbarschaft Places of Urban Encounter between Metropolis and Neighborhood (Bilingual Edition) - Iron Curtains: Gates, Suburbs and Privatization of Space in the Post-Socialist City - The Urban Housing Manual: Making Regulatory Frameworks Work for the Poor Extra info for Developments in Smart Fabrics Example text These manufacturing methods give materials which have conductive, magnetic, piezoelectric, water-repellency or anti-microbial properties and from these a wide range Page 27 © Copyright Pira International Ltd 2006 Developments in Smart Fabrics Technologies and materials of textile properties can be achieved, including: stain resistant clothing; anti-odour for sportswear; anti-microbial medical textiles; conducting cloth; water-repellent fabrics; and textiles that can sense movement and wear or can be used to generate power. They are fine, transparent fibres of glass or plastic which transmit light. Fibre-optic sensors have been developed for measuring temperature, the presence of gases, pressure and so on. They are lightweight, flexible and do not need to be electrically insulated – unlike electrical conductors with which they compete. France Telecom used them in visual display clothing (described later). Sapphire optical fibres have been developed for IR transmission and very high temperature applications. As sensors they are used for stress/strain sensors and for temperature measurement. This transformation is reversible. The lower temperature crystalline state is called ‘martensite’ and is a less ordered, deformable state. The upper temperature state is called the ‘austenite’ state and is a highly ordered state which is also called the ‘parent state’ or phase. In the austenite form, the alloy is hard and stiff and in the martensite form, soft and ductile. While in the austenite state, the alloy is put through a special high temperature tempering process to give it its parent shape.	http://gildevelopment.com/ebooks/developments-in-smart-fabrics
Textile materials or materials made from textiles are probably among the most important materials in the world. Textile materials are not only present everywhere in modern daily life, but have been for thousands of years. Besides obvious textile applications – such as clothes or hometextile – there are also many more hidden applications. For example, textile filters, textiles in production processes or composite materials are just a few ways that they can be applied. Altogether, it is implied that modern civilization without textiles is not possible. This book is dedicated to the advances in textile research and application. Here, readers must keep in mind that the final textile in the final application is the product of many different production steps, which is known as the “textile chain”. Many different disciplines contribute to this textile chain, such as chemistry and machine engineering but also less obvious influences like agricultural science in terms of cotton or wool fiber production. The life of a textile material starts with fiber production; this can be a natural process for plant fibers, animal fibers or regenerated fibers from natural resources. In contrast, chemical fibers see their origin via chemical synthesis. After fiber production, yarn production follows, which is in the field of spinning technology. From the yarn comes the textile materials as fabrics or non-wovens are produced using processes such as weaving, knitting, braiding, etc. These textile products are further modified by dyeing and printing processes. Finishing is often also used to realize special functional properties on a textile product. Finally, the textile product is realized as either cloth, home textile or technical application. Besides technical aspects, design and marketing also play an important role. After following this summary, it is obvious that this book cannot cover every single aspect of textile and textile products. Therefore, this book headlines with every chapter a topic in the area of textile research and application, which is a topic in actual scientific research but also in industrial development. The main topics include: microwave based processes, plasma technology, photoactive textiles, electrospinning, braiding processes, wool materials, coatings, textile functionalization, and UV-protective and light responsive materials This book is dedicated to readers from universities and industries that engage in some form of textile production. For the industry, it can help to promote ideas for new innovative processes and products. For university students – especially graduates –s it can help to broaden their expertise in very different fields of the textile world. Also, established scientists could benefit from this text to use as a tool to generate new ideas for further research.	https://novapublishers.com/shop/textiles-advances-in-research-and-applications/
Polymeric fibres and smart textiles Smart textiles are a new generation of textile materials, which are highly important for future sustainable society. On one hand, they shall provide protection against environment. On the other hand, they are envisioned to improve the quality of our life by being able to interact with our body by sensing it, by transmitting signals from the body to electronic devices, such as smartphones, and by being able to tune their properties in order to adapt thermal isolation, as well as vapor and water permeability. The world market for smart textile is expected to approach 1.6$ billion by 2020. Smart textiles are complex materials/devices, which may consist of different elements such as conductive wires, flexible batteries, flexible light emitting elements and displays, antennas. Moreover, smart textiles can be designed from polymeric fibers, which are able to change their shape. This can favorably lead to the change of the shape, porosity, and friction of textile materials. We develop new actuating solid (not hydrogel-based) fibers with complex architectures (side-by-side and core-sheath), which can be used for smart textile applications. Selected publications Ionov, Leonid; Stoychev, Georgi; Jehnichen, Dieter; Sommer, Jens Uwe Reversibly Actuating Solid Janus Polymeric Fibers in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces vol. 9 (2017) issue 5. - pp. 4873-4881 doi:10.1021/acsami.6b13084 ... Stoychev, Georgi; Razavi, Mir Jalil; Wang, Xianqiao; Ionov, Leonid 4D Origami by Smart Embroidery in Macromolecular Rapid Communications (2017) doi:10.1002/marc.201700213 ... Stoychev, Georgi; Ionov, Leonid Actuating Fibers : Design and Applications in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces vol. 8 (2016) issue 37. - pp. 24281-24294 doi:10.1021/acsami.6b07374 ...	https://www.ionovlab.uni-bayreuth.de/en/research/3b_project_polymer-fibres/index.html
- Explains the latest technologies related to fibre extraction from natural sources, chemical treatments, weave constructions, fabric finishes and coatings. - Describes innovative applications of nanomaterials in the treatment of textile fabric and the utilization of carbohydrate polymers in the preparation of nanoparticles deposited in nonwoven fabrics. - Helps product designers to find appropriate materials from natural resources with the characteristics of biodegradability, renewability, biocompatibility and nontoxicity. Readership Academic and industry researchers working in textiles and fibre engineering. Manufacturers of healthcare products. Table of Contents Part 1: Medical and healthcare textile materials 1. An overview of medical textile materials 2. Biomaterials for medical and healthcare products 3. Natural, biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable medical textile materials 4. Biotextile-based adsorbents for medical applications 5. Natural plant extract-treated bioactive textiles for wound healing Part 2: Biomedical applications 6. Biotextiles for medical implants and regenerative medicine 7. Biomedical textiles for orthopedic and surgical applications 8. Biotextiles and their applications for drug release 9. Biotextile-based scaffolds in tissue engineering 10. Photo-responsive hydrogel-treated fabrics for smart drug delivery systems Part 3: Health condition and related therapy 11. Metal and metal oxides nanoparticles in healthcare and medical textiles 12. Intelligent (or hi-tech) textiles for monitoring health conditions 13. Thermo-comfort medical textiles for patients 14. pH-thermoresponsive hydrogel-treated fabric for treating re-infected wounds 15. Textiles in cosmetics and personal care 16. Light-emitting fabrics for photodynamic therapy 17. Smart dyes for medical textiles and related therapy 18. Allergies caused by textiles and their control 19. Malodour of medical textiles: Causes and control Part 4: Test and techniques 20. Nonwoven materials and technologies for medical applications 21. Processing techniques, test methods and regulatory issues of bioactive textiles for medical and healthcare uses Part 5: Protection and fabric care 22. Occupational clothing for surgeons and nurses 23. Washable, reusable and disposable medical textiles 24. Hospital laundries and their effect on medical textiles Part 6: Challenges and future trends 25. Research, development and future trends for medical textile products 26. Environmental impact, health hazards and waste management of medical textile products Product details - No. of pages: 934 - Language: English - Copyright: © Woodhead Publishing 2022 - Published: June 20, 2022 - Imprint: Woodhead Publishing - Paperback ISBN: 9780323904797 About the Editor Md. Ibrahim H. Mondal Affiliations and Expertise Ratings and Reviews There are currently no reviews for "Medical Textiles from Natural Resources"	https://www.elsevier.com/books/medical-textiles-from-natural-resources/mondal/978-0-323-90479-7
The idea is not new at all - in fact, it is as old as the earth itself. After all, there is no waste in nature either - everything is recycled in an infinite cycle. Why not try to transfer this concept to our economy? The German chemist Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart and the American architect William McDonough developed the so-called Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) concept as early as the 1990s to ensure the recyclability of products. It can be applied in all branches of industry, including of course the clothing industry. C2C distinguishes between biological and technical cycles: either the raw materials are broken down into biological nutrients by microorganisms and return to the soil, i.e. they are biodegradable. Or they are used again and again within the technical cycle to manufacture new products, i.e. recycled. In principle, the longer an item of clothing is in use, the better it is for the environment. But what happens when it reaches the end of its life cycle? And what happens to the fabric remnants from production? Ideally, these textiles should be recycled. Here, too, the question has increasingly arisen in recent years as to how the eternal downcycling process can be halted? The recycling of polyester is already the most advanced. Equivalent polyester can be recovered from pure PET without any loss of quality. However, it is more difficult with natural fibers such as cotton. This can only be recycled with a loss of quality and can then only be spun with new, because more stable, cotton fibers. Currently, the quota for a garment is 30 percent recycled cotton, 70 percent new cotton. Fortunately, there are more and more innovations in this field, and there are already the first suppliers of recycled wool or recycled down. However, it becomes really difficult when the clothing is made from different materials. It is not yet possible to separate these mixtures by type. And there's another problem with recycling: the used clothing has to be collected and recycled in the appropriate way. In Germany, this is already working quite well. More than one million tons of old clothes ended up in the old clothes containers here in 2016. According to the umbrella organization "FairWertung e.V.", this is supposed to be about 80 percent of all old clothes. More than half of these old clothes are no longer usable as clothing and are processed into cleaning rags, etc. About 10 percent of the old clothes can no longer be processed at all and end up in the incinerator or landfill. In the USA, on the other hand, about 84 percent of used clothing ends up in the trash, or 11 million tons per year. Many brands such as Patagonia, The North Face and H&M are therefore launching their own collection campaigns. While the topic of recycling has preoccupied the textile industry for years and more and more recycled materials are being used in products (at Nike, 71 percent of shoes are said to contain recycled materials), biodegradability and compostability of textiles are still in the early stages of development. Petroleum-based polyester takes up to 400 years to decompose into microplastics, which continue to be dangerous and then cause damage, especially in the oceans. A lot of research is therefore going into the development of bio-based synthetic fibers that can be obtained from renewable raw materials. They are intended to replace petroleum-based synthetics and ultimately also help solve the waste problem. Biologically produced synthetic fibers are often biodegradable - though not all - and can be disposed of more easily. In this way, even blended fabrics of natural fibers and synthetic fibers can be disposed of without concern in the future. But here, too, is a problem: There are different composting processes, and not all of them are equally suitable. "Biodegradable" does not necessarily mean that the fiber is harmless in the form of microplastics in the sea. The mandatory labeling on textiles has also not yet reached the point where it would be possible to identify beyond doubt how the product can best be disposed of. After all, the first companies are already thinking in terms of the circular economy. One of the pioneers is Puma, which launched its "Puma InCycle" collection in 2013. It consisted of a T-shirt, tracksuit, sneaker and backpack and was developed in collaboration with the Hamburg-based institute EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency), which was founded by C2C inventor Michael Braungart. Reebok is focusing on renewable resources and reported in April 2017 it plans to produce sustainable plant-based sneakers that are based on organic cotton and corn, making them compostable. "Ultimately, our goal is to create a wide range of eco-based footwear that can be composted after use," said Reebok Future CEO Bill McInnis. "We will then use that compost as part of the soil to grow the materials for the next line of shoes. We want to consider the whole cycle, on the principle of create from dust and decay to dust." The company successfully implemented its plan, laying a good foundation for sustainable farming. Recycling management is a good approach to the recycling of materials and the legal basis, namely the Recycling Management Act, ensures target-oriented implementation. Nevertheless, it is primarily the innovative spirit of companies that is required to bring recyclable products into circulation and to implement the requirements in a targeted manner. Below we answer frequently asked questions about the circular economy. The circular economy is a production system in which goods are to be shared, repaired, reused, recycled and refurbished for as long as possible. Recycling products that have already been used reduce CO2 emissions and are therefore also more environmentally friendly. In addition, recycling products save a lot of money and pave the way for innovative business concepts.	https://www.ispo.com/en/trends/recycling-economy-sustainable-consumption-without-end
Are you looking for a innovative product design consultancy? Interwoven Design Group is multi-disciplinary product design and development studio specializing in wearable technology and e-textile solutions. We have over 15 years experience in creating innovative wearable products across many categories from consumer product to NASA. Our experience gives us the ability to communicate in a common language that crosses disciplines and industries. We are the bridge between the fashion industry, technical engineering, materials science and product design. As Founder and Principal of Interwoven Design Studio, Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman is a product visionary. She combines her expertise in wearable technology and smart textiles with a passion for design. A pioneering researcher in design methodologies and smart materials, her latest work includes: ReMo, a wearable guidance system that teaches movement with haptic feedback, the WithMe baby monitor, and BioWear, a kinetic accessory that communicates the wearer’s emotions. She is the author of Smart Textiles for Designers: Inventing the Future of Fabrics, released in 2016 by Laurence King Publishers, London. Rebeccah’s unique vision has been realized internationally; her clients range from start-ups to NASA. She has over 20 years of experience designing products for active sportswear, and has held positions as design director for Nike, Champion and Fila. She is also founding director of the Intelligent Materials Applied Research & Innovation Lab (IMARI) at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.	https://www.getinterwoven.com/our-work/
The meeting will focus on the first 3D-printing and low pressure molding test results. Encapsulation unit - Directly 3D-printed on textile The Joint User Committee (simultaneously for German and Flemish companies) took place on February 8th 2021, from 2 pm to 3.30 pm where the development of conductive polymers for 3D-printing was discussed in more detail. A conductive linear structure, directly 3D-printed onto a fabric with conductive polymer, as an alternative to conductive ink. Touching the line activates the sensor on the touch board, which produces a sound! The Kick-off of the German User Committee took place on 24-08-2020 and the one of the Flemish User Committee on 22-09-2020. During a brainstorm session the industrially relevant smart textile application fields, functions and printing materials for 3D printing conductive paths were discussed in depth with the user committee (UC).	https://www.smart3dproject.eu/events/joint-user-committee
This issue of High-Tech Materials covers the latest material innovations in composites, printing inks, self-healing cement, and self-healing fabrics. These innovations can be used in a wide variety of applications such as aerospace, printed and flexible electronics, building & construction, transportation, and defense. This issue covers few innovations on the development of self-healing fabrics that can offer protection from harmful chemicals. The High-Tech Materials TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) provides intelligence on technologies, products, processes, applications, and strategic insights on various materials across industries. Some material technologies include lightweight materials, bio-based materials, ceramics, smart materials, fibers, nanomaterials, responsive materials, polymers, woven and non woven materials, polymers and plastics and packaging materials. The Chemicals and Advanced Materials cluster tracks research and innovation trends and developments across specialty chemicals, plastics, polymers, chemicals, bio-chemicals, metals, coatings, thinfilms, surface treatments, composites, alloys, oil and gas, fuel additives, fibers, and several other related technologies and its impact and application across industries. Advancements in Composites, Printing Inks, Self-healing Cement, and Self-healing Fabrics - Aircraft Fire Seals Developed Using Multimaterials - Conductive Ink that Can be Used in Flexible and Printed Electronics - Self-healing and Self-cleaning Fabric that Can Repel Water and Oil - Self-healing Fabrics that Can Offer Protection from Harmful Chemicals - Self-healing Cement that Has the Ability to Reduce Environmental Impact Key Contacts LOADING...	https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4474100/innovations-in-composite-printing-inks-self
How to choose the best economics PhD thesis topics When majoring in Economics you are tasked with picking a PhD thesis topic. The PhD thesis topic should encompass a subject that is interesting to you and to others. Remember you will be working on this for three or four years so making sure the topic is of interest to you and more importantly of interest to others is a key point in creating your thesis topic. The PhD thesis period in your education is the only uninterrupted free learning time you have so use it wisely. There are many steps to choosing a PhD thesis topic and following these steps will help you to establish a great thesis topic. - Choosing your topic should be a mind map - Setting some boundaries - You need to address a gap in the knowledge of said topic - Continuously updating your topic to keep up to date with your findings Using a mind map to choose the right topic for your thesis is another way to pick the most appropriate topic for you and your interests. By mapping out each topic and making sure there is enough information to contribute to the thesis you can determine which topic is best. Will be able to provide enough insight into the thesis as humanly possible without having to fill in gaps with filler words. This can be quite daunting, especially if you’re not very interested in the subject of Economics, but at this point in your college career you should be well acquainted with Economics and know it’s the right choice for your degree. By setting boundaries on your topic you are limiting yourself to some of the key points you will need to make. You don’t want to address every single point of interest. For instance, if you’re doing it on Economics you need to address subject matter like the production of goods for a certain region, the consumption of said goods for all regions, and the spread of the wealth from the sale and production of said goods for that specific region. This means that each region has a particular area where there is more information needed to assess its needs, and profitability. So you should address this with your knowledge of how to fix that need. For instance, say you are doing your thesis on the Economic downfall of Mexico. Then you need to address why the economic downfall happened and your assessment of the situation and how it can rectified. This is the process of using your findings to adjust your topic. Say you start out with The Economic down fall of Mexican Imports and then realize that the title doesn’t suit the research. This can happen and has happened often. So you adjust the title to fit the research obtained and verified. This is considered one of the most important papers of your life and will stay with you for the rest of your life so make sure you answer the original question you propose with the documentation you find. Thesis Guides - PhD dissertation acknowledgment writing - Hire a thesis writing company - Tips on topics on economic - Picking strong nursing dissertation topics - Subjects on educational leadership - Psychology thesis paper topics - Dissertation literature review tricks - Getting to know what a PhD dissertation is - Scientific dissertation prompts - Subjects for your leadership dissertation - Help me write a dissertation - Preparing to master thesis writing - Communication thesis subjects - What is a dissertation proposal?	https://www.mikeleeart.com/getting-help-with-a-phd-economics-thesis-writing-topic-tips.htm
Dear GMC students, parents, faculty, and staff, These are unprecedented times and we will see the ramifications long after the pandemic is over. Although there is much uncertainty, one thing has not changed and that is the commitment of Georgia Military College to the education and safety of our students attending our Prep School, Junior College, and Corps of Cadets; as well as the safety and well-being of faculty and staff at all 14 GMC Junior College campuses. In accordance with Governor Kemp’s executive order, as well as other state and national guidelines, all GMC campuses are closed to students and we have implemented social distancing measures. All of our Students and cadets have transitioned to remote learning and online courses until March 31. Faculty and staff members will be telecommuting during this time and readily available to students on a remote basis. We will continue to have key and essential personnel available on GMC campuses to ensure college operations are maintained as needed and for public safety. Our #1 Mission right now is to Ensure the Success of our Students and minimize to the best of our abilities the disruption to their education. Throughout the coming days and weeks, we will continuously reassess and adjust our procedures for all GMC campuses as required and appropriate. GMC leadership has committed to communicating on a regular basis with our students. Our intent next week, if sufficient information is made available, is to decide how to move forward after March 31. We will announce any new measures and protocols in a timely manner. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience as we all navigate through these extraordinary times for our GMC Family, surrounding communities, and beyond.	http://blog.gmc.edu/a-letter-from-president-caldwell-on-coronavirus/
Let’s Talk About...Prioritization! All right…it’s the final part of our three-part series of important things starting with the letter “P.” We’ve talked about procrastination and perfectionism, and now I want to talk about one of my other favorite “P” words – PRIORITIZATION. If you find yourself saying, “Brenda…girl, these have been some pretty heavy topics…” – you’re not wrong. The Importance of Prioritization But they are all SOOOO important. They’re important to us with our careers. They’re important to us with our spouses. They’re important to us with our children. They’re important to us with our friends. They’re important to us with our goals. And prioritization may be the most important one of all. Is She Wonder Woman? I want you to think about that person who always seems to have it together? Maybe she’s someone you work with? Maybe it’s your bestie? But no matter what comes at her, she’s an asset at the office. She makes time to go to the gym. She has time to spend with her friends and family. You might think she’s Wonder Woman. But she’s not. She’s just mastered PRIORITIZATION. Prioritization is a Skill I did not always have this skill. Sometimes work would overrun my life – and my friends and family would suffer. Sometimes work would overrun my life – and my health would suffer. Sometimes work would overrun my life – and my work would suffer. A Prioritization Meeting Then I had a little bit of a “Come to Jesus” meeting with myself (Yes, meetings with yourself should happen on a regular basis) – and I knew that I needed to reassess my priorities – and put them front and center. So my health became a priority. (Thank you, Pilates and Beauty Counter, for being there for me!) My family and friends became a priority. And work – while still a priority – became much more manageable. “Okay, Brenda…how’d you do it?” 9 Ways to Master Prioritization Define Your Value Yes, you need to decide on your core values. Without knowing your values, it’s practically impossible to prioritize – because it all seems important. When you know what your core values are – it’s easy to prioritize – because you can quickly see what’s valuable to you. Connect Your Values To Your Goals Once you have your values defined, see how they connect to your goals. If they don’t connect – it may be time to change your goals or drop them altogether. Create Habits that allow you to achieve Your Goals “The trick to success is to choose the right habit and bring just enough discipline to establish it. “-Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Yes, good habits are where it’s at when it comes to prioritizing things! Want to make getting to the gym a priority? Then make it a habit. Want 15 minutes of quiet in the morning to reflect on your thoughts? Then make it a habit to get up 15 minutes earlier. Want to make it a habit to leave work at work? Then make it a habit to share your boundaries with those who need to know. Take Stock of Your Commitments If you look at your calendar and see an endless list of commitments and things to do – then it’s time to take stock of them. Do you need to sit on three committees at work? Most likely not. Do you need to attend every PTO meeting? Unless you’re on the board – nope. Keep the things that align with your goals and values – and then decide on whether you will continue to participate in the others or not. (This may be a good opportunity to practice saying, “No.”) Celebrate Progress Too often we don’t celebrate the good things – and we can’t forget to do that! CELEBRATE PROGRESS! Overcome Obstacles You are going to face obstacles. But don’t let them deter you. Look at ways to overcome them – and keep working. Know Your Boundaries Your goals vs. Their goals We talked about boundaries a while back, and when it comes to prioritizing – boundaries need to be in place. With boundaries, you can tell if you are working on your goals or if you are working on somebody else’s goals. Take A Break When Needed We all need a breather every now and again. A time when we give ourselves a break – mentally, physically, and emotionally. Never forget this! Going Mach 10 all the time is not going to do you – or anyone else – any good. Modify and Adjust Modify and adjust Here’s the thing…you can modify and adjust your priorities at any time. Let me say it again. Modify and adjust your priorities as needed. Work may be a priority this week because of a huge project. But next week, you and your family might come first. There’s nothing stopping you from reprioritizing! NOTHING! What are Your Priorities this Week? So…what are your priorities this week? For me, it’s to show up as my best self at each of my meetings, to get to Pilates, and to spend some quality time with my husband.	https://www.straitontrack.com/post/9-ways-to-master-prioritization
Client relationship building is a big part of your long-term organization growth. Your collaborations show your brand name and your services, which is why you require to do your part in appreciating your customers. If your consumers do not return the favor, you have the authority to act. This article explains why you must end a customer relationship, how to change it, and how to terminate the partnership. 8 Reasons It Might Be Time To End A Client Relationship A vital part of business is your ability to read customers, their motivations, and how they deal with people respectfully. Below are several circumstances you ought to review your relationship with the client and initiate a change. 1. The Customer Requires More Time Than They Deserve You are a professional in your industry, so you comprehend how much your time deserves. If the time invested with the customer is wasted and ineffective, it may be time to carry on. There is likewise an opportunity cost involved in dealing with a bad client. Investing extra time into a client that drains your energy will degrade your quality in other parts of business. Each client is critical and need to be valued. However, you have a solid idea of how much each client is worth. Here are some examples of how a poor customer might waste your time: - Appearing unprepared for conferences. - Hesitation to devote to a strategy, postponing the workflow procedure. - Shooting down all your concepts. - Taking a long period of time to reply to emails, questions, or deliverables. 2. The Customer Continuously Shoots Down Your Recommendations The customer hired you for a reason: to guide them to success. Although the client knows their organization, they signed an agreement with you to offer actionable insights for their organization. You invest your time to assist the customer reach objectives. However, the customer could delay the process by continuously declining your concepts, recommendations, and deliverables. Yes, dispute is common between a customer and a business. However, there must be a mutual agreement that both parties will work it out and align on the overarching objective. Sometimes the client may not see this and let other elements get in the way. 3. There Is Little Regard In Between You And The Customer Regard is the structure of any organization relationship. When there is trust in between the customer and the company, you can produce innovative ideas and accomplish excellent things. Nevertheless, the relationship can sour when regard breaks with among the celebrations. No respect suggests no trust, and no trust implies it will be challenging to obtain your goals. If the customer does not respect you, they will not trust your work. For that reason, it could be the right time to carry on. Always lionize, however you ought to reassess the relationship if the client does not return the favor. 4. There Is Very little Interaction Between You And The Customer When you and the customer begin your relationship, you ought to agree on a main communication channel. Will you interact with the customer finest via phone, text, e-mail, or online messaging? You must also set specifications on an appropriate timeframe to react to a message. Emergency situations might emerge, however both celebrations need to settle on a great time window. If either party can not follow through with their dedication to interaction, there should be a check-in conversation. If things still do not improve, it is time for both parties to go their different methods. 5. The Relationship Is Not Progressing A solid business relationship will continue to strengthen as both celebrations find out more about each other. If there is a culture or value fit, the relationship should bloom. Trust needs to develop in between the celebrations, and better ideas should flow. If you engage with the customer for several months and do not see an improvement in interaction, it might be time to move in a various direction. As the relationship withstands, try to recognize the best interaction channels for you and the customer. Determine how and when they interact the best and tailor your messages toward that channel. If you still do not see much better workflows, you need to speak with the customer. 6. The Customer Has A Pessimistic Attitude You become what you think about. If the customer continuously projects an unfavorable ambiance towards your working relationship, it will be challenging to accomplish your objectives. Your client relationships show your brand. Yes, it is standard to end up being stressed out, but these pressures must never affect your relationships adversely. You can do your part to spread positivity. Nevertheless, if the customer shoots down your words of encouragement, it can demoralize your work. You may not feel determined to produce your highest work for the client. 7. You Are Losing Cash On The Customer Although you run a “relationship organization,” it concerns dollars and cents. If the time invested with the client does not produce rewarding results, it might be time to go your different methods. Whether it is wasted time or minimal earnings outcomes, evaluate why you are losing cash. Approach the client about methods to improve the relationship and attain these goals. If you continue to see no results, it is time to terminate the relationship. 8. The Customer Is Verbally Violent Or Makes Needs You Can not Meet If a client is verbally abusive, calls you names, or degrades you in any method, it’s time to let them go. It would be best if you did this earlier instead of later on to avoid setting a precedent. There is no factor for you to endure abuse in any type. Similarly, if a client makes unreasonable needs that you can not satisfy or gaslights you for being not able to accommodate them, it’s time to carry on. There are some individuals you will never have the ability to make pleased, and the faster you end that relationship, the better off everyone will be. How To Modify The Relationship Now that we noted red flags to search for in bad clients, here are some techniques to fix, improve, or amend a relationship. Assess Your Point of view You might go back, take a deep breath, and recognize that it is not all the client’s fault. When your stress is high while running a business, it can affect your view of your actions and emotions. Self-reflection never injures, so take a minute to assess your relationship with the client. Assess if there is anything you can do on your end. Then, draw up a conversation you can have with the customer to amend the circumstance. Explore Other Interaction Methods If things are not exercising with the customer, a various interaction channel or design may make a difference. Would it be useful to establish a weekly or bi-weekly check-in conference? Should you communicate by means of text instead of email? Exploring other methods to engage with the client may make your information transfer clearer and more effective. Start A Fresh Arrangement If your agreement with the client is ending and they are considering renewing, you might think about preparing a brand-new contract. Start fresh and set new boundaries with the customer to develop an effective working relationship. Possibly a various tactical plan could unlock new opportunities and concepts within the scope of your relationship. How To End The Relationship With The Customer If you have actually tried to fix the relationship and absolutely nothing works, here is how to professionally terminate the relationship with the client. Step 1: Evaluate The Agreement Before you end the relationship with the customer, check to guarantee you can legally fire them. However, it is much better to terminate a relationship at the end of a contract rather of cutting incorporate the middle of it. Action 2: Conclude The Existing Projects You Owe The Customer Another way to show professionalism is to complete all your pending tasks with the client. Validate which deliverables the client still needs and which ones they want you to finish. Continue to work effectively with the client on completing these tasks. Do not let your ending relationship effect the quality of your work. Although your relationship is ending, you do not desire the client to talk badly about your organization to others. Step 3: Plan Out Your Conversation When you approach the customer, spell out why the relationship ends. Point out the terminology in the agreement that governs your choice, and continue expertly. Here are some other pointers when planning the discussion: - Write out your talking points. - Practice the discussion. - Visualize the discussion. - Be skillful, however direct with the client. - Have a clear and thoughtful factor for ending the relationship. Step 4: Inform The Customer There are a number of methods to break the news to the customer. You can email them professionally and define the reasons for the termination. Or you could establish a meeting with the customer to inform them over the phone. In any case, stick with your plan and show the client the respect they deserve. Step 5: Do Not Leave The Customer Hanging It is bad service to leave the customer in the dark after terminating the relationship. Outline a clear exit or shift plan, identify the pending projects to finish, and carry out your commitment. Last Conclude Because you operate a service, you call the shots. This decision-making uses to the clients you work with. If among the celebrations does not hold up their end of the deal, it is time to evaluate other alternatives. Constantly show the client regard and fulfill your end of the offer. You need to also look for to understand the client prior to communicating with them. Apply these concepts when handling a bothersome client and continue producing significant work. More Resources:	https://lifeinsurancequotesabc.xyz/8-indications-its-time-to-fire-a-bad-customer-how-to-do-it/
Building Digital Relationships This past year has been challenging in several ways, one of which is how we have been forced to navigate and reassess our relationships in a new digital landscape. Though most people are slowly adjusting to the work from home set-up, many still feel socially disconnected due to the loss of personal interactions on a day-to-day basis. The good news is that with the current technology and communication tools available, we are now able to take it upon ourselves to reach out to our co-workers, loved ones, and peers and increase our social bubble while staying safe at home. Here are some tips on how to build and maintain digital relationships during this pandemic: - Nurture the relationships you have now There is no denying that there is a constant pressure of having to foster new relationships, especially with the internet at our fingertips. Social platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn make it easy for us to constantly connect with new people and build peripheral relationships, however, we must not forget to also enrich the people who are already within our immediate circle, or our primary relationship holders, as they are the people we usually draw our strength from. - Stay in touch With the power of technology right at our fingertips, it has become possible for us to maintain open communication channels with our peers, families, and co-workers. The best way to further nurture these relationships using the tech tools we have is to set aside a regular schedule to catch up, talk, and bond over the digital platforms available. An example of this is the use of gaming and social apps like Houseparty to host online games with your family, friends, or team once a month to break the humdrum of everyday work. - Update your socials By updating and engaging in our social media accounts, you can build or join communities that have similar interests to that of your own. These communities can offer us a more connected feeling to the rest of the world and shared space, where we are able to freely express ourselves. - Don’t forget about boundaries When nurturing relationships during this stressful time, we can tend to forget to set boundaries between our productivity and downtime. By opening up to your family, friends, or team about your personal time, you are able to carve out a safe space for your own mental wellbeing–allowing yourself to realign your emotional and physical state. It is also important that when we create boundaries for ourselves, that we must also respect other people’s boundaries as well. The reality is technology is not only here to stay, but will increasingly be utilized in our daily life. It is important that with this new dependency on technology, that we are aware of the environmental impacts that it brings. Based on research done by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from Electricity and Heat production made by fuel source, and with the current work set-up, we are seeing an increase in electricity production and utilization, as we are limited to the confines of our homes, rather than shared office space for safety purposes. A way for us to maintain a level of consciousness and sustainability is to look at renewable solutions, such as the use of solar PV panels and systems, to offset our current electricity production and carbon footprint. Buskowitz currently offers solar home and solar business solutions to help you adapt, adjust and create a more sustainable future. Talk to our experts today to learn more!	https://www.buskowitz.com/building-digital-relationships/
H: Closed Structures <<>> Open Structures <<>> Dynamic Structures At the basic practice level, internal focus results in closed structures or boxes that are self-contained and relatively impermeable. It is like having a wall around the program or agency through which people and information pass very slowly, if at all. This phenomenon applies to the programs within the agency. It also applies to an even greater extent to the programs and entities external to the agency. In addition to the obvious communication and resource management issues associated with these closed structures, there are both recognized and unrecognized issues related to program and services appropriateness for individual children. These issues include, among other problems, extended delays related to reassigning children from one program to another and limited effectiveness caused by restricting children to the services available within a program. Minimal consideration is given to the optimal resource and services array for individual children. Closed structures expand to open structures at the intermediate practice level when the divisions and barriers among and between departments, programs, and operating units dissolve and reconfigure on an as needed basis. The configuration of the agency is dynamic and responds to the focal outcomes present at any specific time. The internal configuration, personnel assignment, and resource distribution optimize so as to maximize the achievement of designated outcomes. For all but very small agencies, the transition from closed to open structures within the agency is among the most challenging shifts as organizations expand practice. Importantly, open structures are not merely programs and agencies that work well with each other. Instead, open structures exist when programs, services, and whole agencies are continuously redefining boundaries, redefining roles and responsibilities, and reconfiguring people and resources to respond to the interests and needs of children. As open structures expand in the advanced practice level to variable Resource-focus, the underlying structures expand to conform to client and practice requirements. At this level, the agency and the Childrens Safety Net are in a process of continuous re-engineering and re-configuration. Assuring variable Resource-focus within dynamic structures represents the optimal strategy for adequate child protection practice. How it works: Closed internal and external structures are self-contained and relatively impermeable. As practice expands, structures dissolve and reconfigure on an as needed basis to respond to the needs and interests of children and families. These structures develop a variable resource focus where the available services and program opportunities are dynamic and dependent on the needs and interests of the specific children and families being served.Gary A. Crow, Ph.D. [email protected] \|\| and visit www.garygripes.com.	https://garygripes.com/tncppp18/
To study this mixing of cultures in a systematic way I would like to propose four models of cultural interaction which might provide a framework for scenarios of what could have happened when the Roman met the African. First, it is worth briefly explaining what is meant by ‘model’ here. ‘Model’ is used to mean an explanation of a process of change. Once a model has been suggested, it can be held up for examination. If it is found not to fit the evidence or to explain observations, it may be discarded; if it does fit the evidence, it may help to build an understanding of the past. The theoretical models proposed here suggest what might have happened when two cultures – African and Roman – interacted. From our observed and contextualised evidence we can construct models exploring various ways that evidence may be interpreted. These models can then be used to reassess the evidence and so help both to frame questions about that evidence and to assess the appropriateness of the interpretation. African meeting Roman leads to Roman dominance and an end of African traits: this may be called assimilation. African meeting Roman leads to African traits continuing to dominate and Roman traits failing to become established, which amounts to rejection. African meeting Roman leads to African persistence and no evidence of Roman traits dominating, in effect a separation of cultures. African meeting Roman leads to Afro-Roman cultural mixing, which may be termed fusion. These four models are gross simplifications, but I would like to comment upon each in turn and suggest some areas in the cultural, historical and archaeological record where we might hope to find indications of one or other of the models being fulfilled. The rest of the course will introduce some new forms of evidence, and you will be invited to consider how they compare to each of the models.	https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/history/social-economic-history/exploring-romano-african-city-thugga/content-section-2.2
Policy- AVAP/IVAP is therapy that provides two levels of pressure and volume, and is used on patients to augment their breathing. It is used on spontaneously breathing patients to treat sleep disorders, correct arterial hypoxemia, decrease work of breathing, decrease atelectasis. A specific physician order is needed to use this therapy. Procedure – - Initiate therapy - Unit must be set up by PEL/Respiratory Therapist. Verify physician orders. - Wash hands, don universal precaution barriers as indicated. - Verify resident identity, introduce self and explain procedure. - Perform basic resident assessment including vital signs and breath sounds. - Check equipment/initiate therapy - Turn unit on, check that all connections on unit are secured. - Connects to oxygen source if indicated (MD order). - Fits mask to patient, check for proper fit and seal. - Initiates therapy, instructs patient on proper breathing technique. - Adjust circuit (tubing/connections) and/or mask as needed. - Assess patient - Assess patient for adverse reaction (ie difficulty breathing). Activate ‘ramp’ button on machine for patient comfort. Ramp will deliver a smaller pressure and ‘ramp’ up pressure over several breaths, thus letting patient adjust. - Terminate therapy if patient does not adjust. - Reassess vitals and breath sounds. - Terminating therapy - Therapy should be terminated if patient does not tolerate (see above) - Therapy should be terminated at appropriate time (morning) - Remove mask, turn machine off. Apply 02 if ordered. - Re-assess vitals - Document Contraindications: - Unstable facial fractures - Extensive facial lacerations - Pre-existing pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum - Pre-existing bullous disease - Allergies or hypersensitivity to mask - Frequent emesis - Laryngeal trauma - Recent gastric surgery - Sinus or middle ear infection Side effects: (typically found in higher pressures) - Gastric Distention - Decreased cardiac and urinary output - Skin abrasions or breakdown - Patient discomfort (facial or ear) - Acute sinusitis or middle ear infection - Hypotension Precautions: - Advise patient to immediately report any chest discomfort, shortness of breath or headache - When using a mask, recommend patient not to eat 2-3 hours prior to using unit - Whisper swivel (by mask) must not be occluded, as it’s the only exhalation port. - Pressure settings should be re-evaluated by Respiratory Therapist when there is a change in patient’s condition.	https://training.pelvip.com/orientation-review/chapter-9/non-invasive-ventilation-avap-ivap-procedure/
Understand and Respect Boundaries I attended a lecture recently in which the concept of boundaries came up, and how some people have a good understanding of other people’s boundaries, while some people do not. Naturally, when dealing with other people, knowing what boundaries exist is incredibly important, but unfortunately, finding those boundaries can be quite difficult. As an example of this difficulty, someone showed up at the office about an hour later than expected. Asked for a reason, the person responded that it was personal. Later on, the boss found out that it was because of a dental appointment. Not terribly private, one might think… except the employee thought that it was. This is a case of not knowing someone else’ boundaries. I might not think a dental appointment is a big deal to be talked about by others, but that’s just me. My lines, in terms of what’s okay to discuss in the open and what is not, lie in one place, which are unlikely to coincide with the boundaries of the people I talk to on a daily basis. Additionally, complicating this is the fact that over time, people move their boundaries. Someone I met yesterday might have one set of boundaries now, but a year from now, topics that are currently taboo may be part of our normal conversations. In the case of working with the boundaries of other people, be aware that if you aren’t sure if you might be going over the invisible line, that you might be, and adjust your conversation accordingly. Tactful people in general are more sensitive to the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) clues people emit when lines have been crossed. But anyone can learn to turn on their radar, simply by understanding that their boundaries are not the same as those of other people. Appropriateness of conversation is not dictated by one participant alone – it’s dictated by the boundaries of all the people involved, relative to all other people involved. The strictest rules apply – if one participant would find the conversation taboo because of a single other participant, then that subject is off limits. If you’re not aware of what boundaries exist between two other people, then holding a three-way conversation can be difficult. If potentially sensitive subjects need to be discussed, try discussing them one-on-one first, which will assist in detecting the lines that have been drawn. Additionally, if personal issues are to be discussed, they should never be brought out in public unless you are absolutely positive that no boundaries will be crossed.	http://blog.optimalupgrades.ca/2010/12/understand-and-respect-boundaries/
At Profad Care Agency we provide 24- hour Live-in Care and Domiciliary Care in the comfort and security of your own home. Our services range from a 24-hour Care agency program, Home help for the elderly to Care that can start from just 30 minutes per visit. In addition to this, we provide Day and Night Sitting Services and Respite Care. Our Live-in Care Service is provided throughout the London from our Head Office in Peckham which is based in the South East of London. Our Hourly visits are provided in Southwark and surrounding areas. At Profad Care Agency we pride ourselves on the standard of care that we deliver. We believe that it is our attention to detail that sets us apart from any other company. Our clients needs and wishes are continuously maintained throughout contact and our quality assurance processes. We believe in keeping our clients and their families updated. As well as providing much-needed reassurance, it also allows us to reassess and review our clients’ needs and adjust their care accordingly. Plus, our 24-hour team adds an extra level of support. ● To provide a service that fully satisfies the needs and expectations of individuals in their own homes. ● To respond positively to feedback from our Service Users, their families and carers, other health and social care professionals and our own staff. ● To build and retain a stable, committed and highly trained workforce. ● To actively seek and value the contribution made by informal carers, families and relevant others in care. ● To continuously seek ways in which our services can be improved. ● To protect our Service Users and Staff from hazards and abuse.	https://profadcareagency.co.uk/about-us/
This course seeks to synthesize the many theories of human motivation with the practical application of motivating employees. To this end, the course will examine historical theories as well as recent developments in the field of motivation and their relationship to management practices. The primary concepts of goals, quality of work, and rewards will be examined and applied to the workplace. Apply the impact of various motivational theories across workplace situations. Assess the impact of various motivational theories on both managers and employees. Describe how motivation affects productivity in the workplace. Explore the nature of intrinsic motivation. Contrast intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Describe how the concepts of quality of work, self-management, and a sense of choice impact motivation. Describe key concepts from the major historical theories of motivation. Identify the need for new models of motivation in today's changing workplace. Identify human needs and their relationship to motivation. Calculate the appropriateness of different reward systems on employee motivation. Explore the relationship between employee needs and effective rewards. Examine the underlying principles and concepts of goal theory. Explore the applications of goal-setting in the workplace. Assess the impact of goal-setting on employee motivation. Synthesize motivational theory into practical business applications. Evaluate the relationship of motivation theory to the discipline of management. Integrate additional factors that can affect motivation, including leadership, trust, corporate culture, interpersonal skills, and the impact on customer satisfaction.	https://www.phoenix.edu/courses/psy/psy320.html
CEO Evaluations During Industry Disruption Industry changes require updates to CEO evaluation processes. The pace of healthcare disruption often seems to exceed our ability to remain current in our governance processes. A case in point is in CEO performance evaluations. Too often, such processes are stuck in hospital-centric approaches that worked well five years ago but no longer adequately reflect all aspects of CEO performance—among them, the leadership qualities needed to transform the organization for long-term viability. One of the most important responsibilities of boards is to regularly assess the performance of the CEO using a formal, objective process. After all, the CEO is charged with implementing the board’s policies and serving as its leadership partner. An effective performance evaluation process nurtures the professional growth and development of both the chief executive and the organization, and strengthens the relationship between the board and the CEO. CEO performance evaluations should, among other aims, be built on the organization’s mission, vision and values; clarify the board’s expectations of the CEO; prioritize goals to work toward; and, if desired, use select objective measures on which to base the CEO’s compensation. In addition to benefiting the board and the organization overall, an effective CEO performance evaluation supports the CEO by providing him or her with candid feedback, thereby avoiding subjective judgments of performance; giving the CEO an opportunity to engage in self-assessment, which helps the CEO develop competencies and experiences; and importantly, eliminating the element of surprise—the well-known performance evaluation pattern of “good job, good job, good job … gone!” For organizations that are members of health systems, we note that often the hospital CEO has a dual reporting relationship to the local board and to a senior executive from the health system. If this is the case, the board needs to understand its role in the CEO evaluation process, if any, and adjust its processes accordingly. Is a New Approach Needed? With healthcare undergoing acute and unrelenting turmoil, boards may turn their focus away from a robust performance evaluation process for their CEO. Or they may simply default to using last year’s evaluation form, albeit with updated targets or performance metrics. Instead, the board should reassess its approach to ensure it incorporates such key aspects of transformational leadership as the ability to lead the organization through industry disruptions; the effectiveness of relationships the CEO has established with a broad range of constituencies; whether the organization is moving in a positive direction on health status indicators and priorities from the community health needs assessment; whether the CEO sees himself or herself as having a bigger, broader purpose and manifests this purpose in the workplace; how the CEO anticipates disruptions; how influential the CEO can be; and whether he or she is a systems thinker. Many Basics Still Apply As in past eras, the performance evaluation process should begin with a systematic review of senior leadership fundamentals, which include adherence to the organization’s mission and vision; performance on six to 10 tangible and objective destination metrics, by which the board will measure how well the organization has achieved its vision five years from now; progress made on annual goals and objectives that dovetail with the vision, mission and destination metrics; and achievement of the CEO’s job description requirements. Ideally, in the first quarter of the fiscal year, the board and CEO agree on both the process and the CEO’s written performance goals. A board committee should oversee the evaluation process but, if applicable, bring any significant modifications or changes in the process to the full board. Criteria developed by the committee for rating the CEO’s performance should describe the core leadership responsibilities, activities and behaviors that reflect how the CEO measures up to board expectations. Performance criteria should be based on the most important priorities of the board, be consistent with the CEO’s job description and incorporate new elements related to navigating the organization in an industry undergoing major transformation. These criteria should include both quantitative and qualitative measures. Examples of quantitative measures are financial performance of the hospital or health system enterprise, physician enterprise or health plan; physician engagement scores; preventive health measures in primary care practices; or value-of-care measures across the continuum. Qualitative measures assess the CEO’s leadership and managerial excellence and include ethical awareness, honesty and fairness or the relationship between the CEO and the board. One of the most important issues to remember about the evaluation of a CEO is that the process should be ongoing. Each quarter, the CEO should brief the board or committee on how he or she is working toward goals specified in the formal evaluation process as well as results achieved. This process helps the CEO stay focused on the board’s priorities and the board stay focused on those management activities and outcomes that are often “invisible,” such as anticipating and averting a potential problem that could affect performance or effectively building the infrastructure or organizational buy-in needed to achieve an expected outcome. When the assessment tool is finalized and the year-end board assessment questionnaire has been completed by members, the CEO also should complete a self-assessment. While these responses are not included in the summary of board opinions, comparison of the self-assessment with the board’s assessment highlights areas for discussion with the CEO. Large discrepancies may indicate communication problems or misunderstandings about roles and board expectations. Finally, when the report of the results is complete, the board committee chair and other appropriate committee members should meet with the CEO to review the report and discuss the results before they are shared with the full board. What to Avoid CEO evaluation should never be conducted as a popularity contest. Staff, the public or physicians should not be asked what they think of the CEO’s performance without the framework of an objective multirater performance evaluation method (see the link at the end of this column for resources). In the same vein, boards should never commission a group of community members to evaluate the CEO. Outside constituencies may not have the same goals for or interpretation of performance as the board has. Because the CEO works for the board, performance evaluation should be based on criteria that are specified by board members, stated in writing ahead of the assessment time frame and meaningful to both the board and the CEO. Be careful not to rely on a prefabricated evaluation from a book, workshop or magazine. While existing tools may help the board avoid starting from scratch, evaluations must be tailored to the specific needs of your organization and its CEO. In developing your criteria, make sure to include all the important expectations, even those that are difficult to measure. Your CEO evaluation should closely align with what you want the organization to accomplish. Finally, remember that the evaluation is only one piece of your CEO’s compensation determination. While the performance review typically is tied to discussions about compensation, evaluations conducted exclusively to adjust salary or determine incentive compensation can turn the review process into an exercise that is too narrowly defined. This defeats the evaluation’s purpose of encouraging growth and development of the CEO in alignment with the growth and development of the whole organization. Governance Insights – June 2017 Marian C. Jennings, President – M. Jennings Consulting, Inc.	https://www.mjenningsconsulting.com/ceo-evaluations-during-industry-disruption/
BMC Med Res Methodol. 2008; 8:31. Several thousand human genome epidemiology association studies are published every year investigating the relationship between common genetic variants and diverse phenotypes. Transparent reporting of study methods and results allows readers to better assess the validity of study findings. Here, we document reporting practices of human genome epidemiology studies. Articles were randomly selected from a continuously updated database of human genome epidemiology association studies to be representative of genetic epidemiology literature. The main analysis evaluated 315 articles published in 2001–2003. For a comparative update, we evaluated 28 more recent articles published in 2006, focusing on issues that were poorly reported in 2001–2003. During both time periods, most studies comprised relatively small study populations and examined one or more genetic variants within a single gene. Articles were inconsistent in reporting the data needed to assess selection bias and the methods used to minimize misclassification (of the genotype, outcome, and environmental exposure) or to identify population stratification. Statistical power, the use of unrelated study participants, and the use of replicate samples were reported more often in articles published during 2006 when compared with the earlier sample. We conclude that many items needed to assess error and bias in human genome epidemiology association studies are not consistently reported. Although some improvements were seen over time, reporting guidelines and online supplemental material may help enhance the transparency of this literature.	https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/3379
The Sr. Analyst, Business Control & Risk Management is responsible for various activities related to risk management performance. Works to identify, assess and action various risks throughout the assigned business line by executing defined risk programs. The Sr. Analyst is responsible for developing, analyzing, reporting and challenging data. S/he participates in initiatives and recommends opportunities for improved efficiency, effectiveness and/or risk reduction. Performs first line of defense data analysis, report preparation and trend analysis, utilizing business intelligence tools. Identifies, analyzes, monitors, and completes control testing, control and risk education, and operational and risk support activities to the business. Identifies opportunities for improvement that will strengthen the overall control environment. Learns to translate control deficiencies into action plans. Contributes to the enhancement of governance practices in alignment with risk and compliance frameworks. Partners with management to identify applicable key risk indicators and to coordinate root cause analysis, action plan development and implementation of needed updates. Assist with special projects related to Controls, on an as needed basis. Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of our IT risk management framework. Assists in the execution of Risk Control Self-Assessments (RCSA’s). Partners with process owners to identify control failures, and assesses the impact. Supports management on the identification and measurement of trends and improvements utilizing best practices. Assists with the development and documentation of achievable and sustainable action plans to remediate identified control weaknesses. Manages the process of assessing critical risk and controls identified by management. Prepares reports and provides insight to business on control / risk management including Error / Near Miss analyses. Responsible for interpreting regulations in order to adjust and improve internal controls. Performs ongoing supervision of established business controls and applies maturing knowledge to perform root cause analyses, testing coordination and seeks guidance from team members to evaluate the effectiveness of established business controls. Makes recommendations to drive improvement efforts and participates in the remediation through action plan coordination and support. Acquires and applies a developing knowledge of changes to the regulatory environment to ensure proper compliance with processes and requirements are followed. Developing knowledge of relevant regulatory compliance, industry regulations and regulatory data sources required. Issue management experience (validation, mapping to controls, remediation planning, tracking and reporting). Knowledge and experience with IT risk management and use of control frameworks. Experience working with metric stream. Experience in gap or risk analysis. Strong collaboration and relationship management skills. High sense of urgency with ability to drive results. Demonstrable evidence of stakeholder management. Effective multi-tasking and prioritization skills. Self starter, able to establish relationships and transcend multiple cross-functional/divisional boundaries, largely unaided. Ability to handle diverse workload and tight schedules. Strong risk assessment, negotiation and problem resolution skills. Ability to lead and drive change. Strong interpersonal skills and positive attitude. Attention to detail and a strong work ethic. Ability to intrpret and analyze data with advanced reasoning and analysis skills.	https://santandercareers.com/job/senior-risk-analyst-business-controls
Poly relationships are just as likely to experience problems compared to monogamous ones, but the former creates unique circumstances that allow one or multiple people in the relationship to manipulate others. To clarify, an abusive relationship is one where the perpetrator intends to harm the other person/people in the relationship. On the other hand, a toxic relationship may be where the perpetrator does not necessarily act with malice, although their behavior is still often harmful. In short, all abusive behavior is toxic, but not vice versa. Nevertheless, whether it’s physical, psychological, or verbal, both abusive and toxic behavior should not be tolerated. Let’s dissect some common toxic behaviors that may crop up in your relationship with a sister wife or husband. 1. They stop you from forming relationships with other people in the polycule In some cases, toxic behavior is abusive. When a person in the relationship assumes the lead position (or dictator title, really), then it might be a good idea to step back and reassess the situation. For instance, consider a married man and woman who decide together that they want an open relationship. They bring in another man, and the wife forms an intimate relationship with him immediately. However, she forbids her husband from interacting with this second man at all. In another example, a married man dates multiple women and brings them home occasionally. His nesting partner wants to be friendly--at the very least--with these women, but he gets angry or downright violent if she attempts to make contact. In these instances, the toxicity goes beyond inconvenience and is bordering on emotional abuse. Abusers often want to isolate their partners, and in poly relationships, it can be easy for the perpetrator to inflict harm because these types of arrangements are not conventional. A unique circumstance in a poly relationship is the use of veto power (or the power of someone in the relationship to reject a potential partner). Ideally, it’s granted to everyone in the relationship, but toxic people will seize total control. This imbalance tilts power dynamics in favor of one person, which always ends in hurt feelings--or worse, abusive relationships. 2. They make all the decisions in the relationship/household Similarly, a toxic person might assume control over other matters in the household, whether it’s about children or a financial matter. We’re not talking about an arrangement where everyone in the polycule relies on a sole breadmaker or decisionmaker, which is common in polygamous households. We’re talking about relationships where one person does not consult, negotiate, or discuss anything with anyone else. The sole intention is to consolidate power so the other person (or people) remains completely powerless. When the submissive partners in the relationship have no say, they might spiral into insecurity, dependence, and hopelessness. This stripping of power and autonomy is a telltale sign of a toxic and abusive person. 3. They dismiss your feelings and don’t respect your boundaries Gaslighting gets thrown around lightly, but it is a serious abuse tactic that inflicts psychological or emotional harm. It refers to any behavior that aims to dismiss, manipulate, or misconstrue another person’s feelings, memories, or judgment. At first, gaslighting might seem like something your husband or sister wife does out of frustration or anger. Over time, you might recognize it as a way for them to control you while avoiding problems in your relationship. It can be something as simple as your partner lying about their whereabouts to your partner blaming you for every issue that comes up. Poly relationships can be confusing to understand and challenging to navigate, especially when it comes to setting boundaries. However, your partner(s) should always respect these boundaries--this is a sign of a healthy person and a healthy relationship. You should never apologize for your feelings, and you should never feel like you’re walking on eggshells every time you want to bring up something to your partner(s). 4. They justify their actions through jealousy This point might fall under the previous one, but we’ve created a whole section for it because jealousy is such an innate part of poly relationships. Everyone (or almost everyone) will feel jealous at one point, whether it’s a union between three wives and a husband, two couples, or a married couple and another man. It’s just human nature. Nevertheless, jealousy is not a valid excuse for toxic behavior. It’s not an excuse for snooping through your phone when you’re not in the room. It’s not an excuse for bombarding you with texts and calls when you’re out with a sister wife. It’s not an excuse for being the punching bag for their verbal hits and emotional outbursts. Jealousy can be dealt with in many ways, but when left unchecked, it manifests as toxic behavior that threatens to sabotage your relationship. Couples who have just signed up to sister wife dating sites, especially, need to be wary of these feelings and learn how to manage them. Once the new energy relationship dies down, couples might find jealousy bubbling under the lovey-dovey surface. 5. They demand privacy but don’t reciprocate this trust An open relationship doesn’t mean you have to put all your cards on the table. In any throuple, quad, or polycule, you’re still your own person. You are always entitled to privacy when you ask for it, so this point might overlap a little bit with Number 3--respecting boundaries. For example, you and your partner might have agreed to pursue other people in the relationship separately, and that’s fair. What’s not fair is if they conceal every detail about their metamour, but demand to know everything going on in your relationship(s). Again we see an imbalance in the relationship. How do I fix a toxic relationship with my sister wife or husband? First, I’d like to revisit two core values I offer to people new to the poly world who are facing issues right off the bat: Question your assumptions and expectations about relationships and then adjust your expectations to discover the best relationship style for you and your partner(s). When you establish healthy boundaries, you’re forced to analyze what assumptions might be holding you back. Is it expecting your partner’s absolute time and attention? Is it assuming that every person will be like your first polyamorous lover? Is it expecting to feel no jealousy at all when a new sister wife moves in? Once you’ve decided what boundaries you need, then you can change your expectations about your current relationship. Adjust and modify as necessary. Making your needs known to your partner(s) is an essential part of a healthy union, and if your partner or metamour does not want to respect your needs, that’s a giant red flag. If your partner refuses to talk to you every time you try to work things out, counseling or therapy might be the next step. An objective third party with experience in relationships might be able to provide a safe space where you can all feel comfortable tackling sensitive issues. What if you’re still in the dating pool? We know all about catfishing and scammers online, so I recommend our guides on how to avoid getting catfished and how to recognize red flags on poly dating sites. If you know the signs to look out for, then it’s easier to remove yourself from a potentially toxic relationship immediately.	https://www.sisterwives.com/articles/article/160/5-signs-of-a-toxic-sister-wife-or-husband
The Importance of Following-Through for Optimal Success As a Writer One of the hardest acts that novelists must do is to following through. To follow-through is to take stock of your writing purposes and to assess your the developments on those goals each week. This process is no requirement take a long time. It could take as few as five or ten minutes. But the process is important because it can really help you feel better and more self-confident of your writing career. And this sense of self-confidence can help you to feel better about your overall writing profession and goals. So, the process of following through consists of these steps 😛 TAGEND 1. Assess your progress on current writing projects This is necessary that you have a sense of what you have to achieve. Glance at your long and short-term objectives and define which ones you have completed. Then check them off on the expanse paper. Make sure these goals are well in sight when “you think youre” writing so that it is able to feel that you are accomplishing your goals. 2. Reassess your long term writing goals Every month or two, there is a requirement to reassess your long-term destinations. Did you set out to do too much? Are you changing okay? Will you complete your goals in the time you thought you would? If not, change your target period date. 3. Specify your progress each step of the way At the end of the week, take a few minutes to estimate your progress in your writing publication. This will help you to come to terms with where you are with your writing destinations. This will help you tremendously with accomplishing your short-term purposes that lead to those large-hearted long-term goals and results. 4. Determine whether or not your goals are realistic This is probably one of the most important things that you can do as a writer to be successful. Many times we name objectives which are completely unrealistic. This can be very problematic for our success and overall productivity. If you find that you are not completing your writing goals every week, or you are completing your goals on Wednesday, it is time to create a brand-new goal. 5. Preserve taking capital of your long-range goals Every quarter, mind sitting down and assess to what extent your goals are progressing. Are you accomplishing your goals? Will you end your long-range destinations at specific targeted season that you adjust? If you didn’t, it is time to look at some of your writing dress and see if you can make a few small change so that you could be more successful and quarter. 6. Do a micro and macro analysis of your writing destinations on a weekly basis A micro analysis of your goals is a short-term analysis. This will tell you how you are doing in the short-term. A macro analysis of your writing points is a long-term analysis of your goals. By acting both kinds of analysis, you’ll be able to clearly assess to what extent you are doing on your writing points and change things that are not working and save circumstances that are working. By doing this kind of self-assessment, you will know how you are doing with your writing programmes. But more than that, if you are not doing well, you’ll be able to change your goals and make sure that you are successful in the short and long term. Here is a great FREE resource to start with for self publishing.	http://twk-publishing.com/the-importance-of-following-through-for-optimal-success-as-a-writer/
Mobile Response Team The Mobile Response Team (MRT) is designed to be able to provide quick, mobile and adaptable responses in two or more locations simultaneously, after an Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment (IRNA) is conducted. The specific activities of the MRT are as follows: - Assess emergency shelter (ES) and NFI needs of those displaced by conflict and/or natural disaster. - Facilitate/coordinate transport of pipeline items to field locations. - Register/verify beneficiaries where needed to ensure that vulnerable populations (female headed household, the elderly, disabled, etc.) will be prioritized for emergency shelter and NFI distribution. - Identify and distribute appropriate items, taking into consideration needs of men/women/boys/girls and protection aspects, based on assessments. - Liaise with the inter-cluster operational working group, RRC and ES/NFI cluster for constant information sharing on priority areas, needs and gaps. - Participate in coordination, assessment and monitoring mechanisms. - Conduct post-distribution monitoring exercises to measure the effectiveness and appropriateness (including gender appropriateness) of responses, and ensure accountability to beneficiaries. Due to the nature of the mobile team's interventions, the cross cutting issues are addressed during the assessment and distribution stages of the interventions. During assessments, the MRT ensures that all marginalized and vulnerable groups are included in information-gathering processes, be it through focus groups meetings exclusively with women, or through the actual questions which are targeted to assess the needs of marginalized groups. During distributions, the MRT ensures that all groups are treated equally and, through work with protection actors, ensures that those with special needs are given special consideration. Additionally, women's needs are taken into account through the distribution of kangas, which can be used as clothes, swaddling clothes, or to provide privacy.	http://sheltersouthsudan.org/what-we-do/mobile-response-team
Polyamory can be a tricky subject and should be taken seriously when bringing up with a partner. This should not be talked about in unfamiliar environments when a partner is upset or anxious as this can alter their receptiveness to the topic at hand. Choose a time and place where you and your partner are comfortable/safe, in a calm and relaxed state of mind, and open to free discussion. Try not to assume how your partner will react or respond to the topic, but rather allow them time to process and ask questions. Introduce the concept to your partner over time rather than attempting to convince them overnight. Tips for getting this conversation started Allow for multiple conversations on the topic and work to identify common ground. Allowing this time will aide you and your partner though by reducing the possible perceived threats which can lead to resistance. Spend time identifying what each of you value in relationships and strengths within your own. In every relationship, there is room for improvement. The importance here is to place more emphasis strengths rather than what is missing or the inadequacies of your partner. Affirming your desire to maintain your primary relationship with your partner but seek other relationships independent of this dynamic. Be prepared with LOTS of resources for you and your partner to explore the intellectual side of polyamory through books, articles, as well as other people. Be cognizant of personally held values and belief systems, allow for deep exploration of these as it can take months, if not years. Be sure you are ready for your partner to explore as well. If you are wanting to explore but not yet comfortable with seeing your partner do the same, you may need to put in some further individual work first. Making this request of a partner and not being prepared for them to explore can lead to shut down or hypothetical. Setting timeframes for adjustment can reduce the lure for a reluctant partner to be difficult or procrastinate on putting in the individual internal work. Come together regularly to assess and reassess feelings and identified hang ups. Set expectations for allowances in next exploration timeline, boundaries for allowances and follow up discussions. This brings us to setting rules. If rules are to be set, they are to apply to both partners, NO EXCEPTIONS. These rules are guidelines to aide in the transition and should be reassessed and renegotiated periodically. It should go without saying that rules regarding safe sex and general safety are common sense. Understanding that rules on touching, activities and time spent with another person are not realistic and bound to be broken, so it is best not to set these as expectations. Listen! This lifestyle brings up some very strong emotions and can be difficult for a reluctant partner. Avoid pressing your partner with questions like, “Why are you so resistant to this?” or “Why are you so angry about me wanting this?. Try using questions to open appropriate discussion as exampled below. - Are you concerned with the opinion of others? - Are you worried I will love someone else or leave you? - Are you fearful that being open and intimate with others will cause me to lose interest/attraction to you? - Do you worry that you are not enough? It can also help to seek the support from a trained professional through both individual and/or couples counseling. Other options are to seek support within the community from those who are experienced polyamorist.	https://inmindout.com/how-to-talk-to-your-partner-about-polyamory/
Personal electronic devices (e.g., MP3 players) have the technological capacity to administer surveys to diverse cultural and low-literacy groups. To address concerns associated with survey research and low literacy, the authors developed a novel application of the iPod® to enable self-administration of surveys. The authors provide preliminary evidence demonstrating the utility of the application from a study on intimate partner violence. Further research is needed to assess the appropriateness, functionality, and usability of the iPod and its application to survey research.	https://jhu.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/development-of-an-ipod-audio-computer-assisted-self-interview-to--3
The fact that international cartels often operate in multi-jurisdiction settings will affect how we assess the appropriateness of the relationship between public and private proceedings. The impact that damages claims in one jurisdiction may have on leniency applications, and promises, in another jurisdiction, and vice-versa, is one aspect of the problem – and one which was considered by Laura Guttuso in her work. The system of sovereign nation states suggests that we cannot simply rely on concepts of global welfare or global justice principles to guide the reconciliation of parallel public and private enforcement efforts. This paper examines the challenges in developing a principled basis for reconciling public and private enforcement efforts in a multi-jurisdiction setting.	https://law.uq.edu.au/competition-law-symposium-2018/abstracts/mediating-between-public-and-private-enforcement-multi-jurisdiction-settings
Comprehensive records for orthodontic patients should include diagnosis, problem list, treatment objectives, treatment plan, treatment alternatives, normal and abnormal clinical findings, description of the treatment rendered, any referrals made, follow-up treatment, and recommendations, as well as documentation of all consultations, financial agreements, and insurance forms. The purposes of the patient’s clinical chart are to maintain continuity of care, register procedures performed in an ordered manner, remind the doctor of what was done and what needs to be done, and justify and support the medical necessity of the treatment provided to appropriate parties of interest. Appropriate documentation also includes communications between the orthodontist and other health professionals who are contributing to the patient’s care; thus, the dental record also protects the overall legal interest of all interested parties. Quality orthodontic chart documentation can indicate quality care. Excellent documentation speaks volumes about the orthodontist’s competence and organization, which in turn increase credibility. Laypeople are not expected to document treatment, but an orthodontist is expected to keep permanent records of what acts and activities transpired during doctor-patient encounters. In addition to documenting the diagnosis, treatment plan, mechanotherapy, archwires, and elastometrics, there are several strategies on what else to document and what not to. The following strategies are presented to help the orthodontic community more accurately reflect the patient’s orthodontic care, whether this documentation is in paper or electronic format. These guidelines should be modified as needed for each practitioner and patient. - 1. Document facts, findings, treatment, and incidences objectively. Objectively documenting both positive and negative clinical findings is essential and supports the notion that the orthodontist constructed a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan before providing orthodontic care. Orthodontic therapy can, on occasion, result in a poor outcome, a dissatisfied patient, or unexpected complications (eg, root resorption, excessive tooth pain or mobility, enamel destruction, periodontal deterioration). Documenting relevant facts without obscurity, humor, sarcasm, or personal comments goes a long way toward supporting one’s actions relating to any difficult situations subsequently encountered. Throughout documentation, it is essential to avoid derogatory or disparaging comments about any patient, parent, colleague, or anyone else involved with the patient’s care. - 2. Document the patient’s chief complaint, diagnosis, signs, symptoms, and all existing conditions. The patient’s chief complaint, diagnosis, all clinical findings from a comprehensive oral examination, as well as interpretations from photographs and radiographs should all be documented. Document existing or deteriorating conditions such as TMD signs or symptoms, gingival conditions, evidence of bruxism, and other findings perceived by the doctor or reported by the patient. The patient should be apprised of these findings to negate the perception that they were caused by the treatment rendered. - 3. Document the pros and cons of all treatment options, including no treatment and the patient’s choice. The treatment plan should address each item noted in the problem list. It is essential to document that the patient or the parent was informed of the ideal treatment plan, all alternative treatment options, a no-treatment option, any probable complications or limitations associated with each proposed treatment plan, and the patient’s final choice. This establishes evidence of providing patient-centered care. Patients should always be informed that if the clinical presentation changes in any substantive manner, the treatment plan or the planned outcome may need to be revised during treatment. Any treatment plan alteration during treatment requires documentation of the reason or justification for the change. - 4. Document obtaining patient informed consent. In addition to having the patient sign standard informed consent forms, fully disclose and document any specific risks associated with the treatment. The esthetic and functional benefits of orthodontics are more known among laypeople than the risks and limitations. If the proposed treatment is elective, it is even more imperative to disclose and document all probable risks and limitations. Note in the chart that these risks were explained in simple layman’s terms. A treatment with a high potential for risks, limitations, or relapse needs to be carried out with caution, and only when the patient voluntarily consents based in a well-informed decision. This documentation proves that a 2-way exchange of information took place. Document that the patient understood and accepted the treatment and was given time to ask questions, and that all questions were thoroughly answered. In all cases, remind each patient that achieving an ideal smile and bite cannot be promised, but improvements can be made. It is prudent to make a note in the chart that the patient’s consent was obtained in both written and verbal forms. - 5. Document informed refusal. Refusing or delaying recommended treatment should also be documented. Rejecting a proposed treatment or choosing an alternative option over an ideal recommended treatment because of cost or any other reason requires documentation. In addition, a patient’s refusal of a recommended medical or a dental procedure, along with the probable consequences of that decision, requires documentation. Examples include refusing to allow radiographs to be taken, to consult with a periodontist about periodontal conditions before orthodontic therapy, to extract teeth, or to comply with any medical advice or referrals. - 6. When the patient chooses specific appliances or a treatment course, disclose and document the limitations. Patients, especially adults, may request a specific treatment such as ceramic brackets, lingual braces, or clear aligners. The improvements in these treatment modalities have been remarkable. However, if there are specific limitations or risks suspected with any of these methods, the patient must always be informed. If a patient requests a specific treatment in contradiction with the orthodontist’s recommendation, the orthodontist has 2 choices. The first is to acquiesce. This obviously cannot be done if the treatment will result in harming the patient. The patient cannot consent to or allow the doctor to perform negligent treatment. The second alternative is for the doctor to refuse to treat the patient, citing practitioner autonomy as the basis for that decision. All of this requires accurate and careful documentation. - 7. Record all entries accurately and in a timely manner. The patient’s chart is a legally recognized document of every encounter between the patient and the doctor, including treatment provided to family or staff on a pro bono basis. Failure to document every encounter could lead to questions about other relevant omissions. The veracity of the entries in a patient’s record should never be in question. Entries should be timely, comprehensive, accurate, clear, and trustworthy. Avoid excessive or ambiguous abbreviations, especially if not commonly used. Notes should be written so that others can understand them, especially orthodontists. Entries into the chart should be made contemporaneously when the services or consultations were rendered. Late or erroneous entries should be clearly identified as such, including the correct time and description of services rendered. It is better to add an amendment to an entry rather than to delete or change an entry. Alterations to the patient’s paper or electronic chart made after the fact to hide mistakes or add facts are fraudulent and carry significant consequences both civilly and administratively. - 8. Document the thought process and the reason or rationale for taking actions. Careful assessment and documentation of actions undertaken, including extenuating circumstances and any rationale behind them, are important. The addition of a few words about the thought process can improve documentation and justify the actions, especially in complex and interdisciplinary cases. Short statements usually suffice. Examples might include the following: the severe dentoalveolar protrusion requires premolar extraction; the continued worsening of the oral hygiene with no treatment progress justifies treatment termination; and so on. - 9. Document treatment progress and next-visit observations. It is valuable in complex cases, or in those requiring significant tooth movement, to document how the case is progressing, especially if photographs are not taken. For example, document occlusal relationship improvement, reductions in spaces and overjet, resolving of crowding, and so on. Doing so makes the overall treatment notes flow well. Sharing the recognition of treatment progress with the patient or parent is a good method of relationship building. In addition, document next-visit observations to be made, such as observing oral hygiene improvement after giving oral hygiene instructions. - 10. Document that excellent care was rendered. It is possible to convey that excellent care was performed. For example, it can be added to the bonding or debonding notes that the patient tolerated all procedures well. Before initial bonding, document in the chart that the medical and dental histories were reviewed. Consider taking vital signs before this appointment if the patient is medically compromised. If a patient is dissatisfied with treatment, document that the office was responsive, and the patient was reassured that his expectations will continue to be addressed. Alternatively, if the patient is pleased with the outcome of the treatment, document that response before appliance removal. - 11. Document all important instructions or recommendations given to the patient. When giving any advice, warning, or recommendation, document that this information was given. Make a note in the chart if you give a patient an educational brochure or handout, or showed an audiovisual educational tool. Document recommended interceptive treatment, extractions of deciduous teeth, diagnostic tests, medications, prescription toothpastes, and specific hygiene instructions. Specific professional advice could be recorded via simple statements such as, “Detailed hygiene instructions and consequences of poor hygiene were explained to patient and parent.” Repeated advice should be documented every time. - 12. Document when the patient does not cooperate or follow instructions. The orthodontic patient is expected to act reasonably and follow instructions before, during, and after treatment. If a patient does not follow instructions (or even worse, engages in self-destructive behaviors), it is important to record contributory negligent acts in the chart. Poor oral hygiene or elastic wear, breakage of appliances, excessive numbers of missed or cancelled appointments, and unsuccessful efforts to reach disappearing patients need to be recorded. If poor oral hygiene is noted, document the degree or severity of plaque accumulation, white spot lesions, and gingival conditions. Photographic documentation is extremely helpful. Recording instances of poor cooperation as well as all discussions with the patient or the parent are essential. This is especially true if the child develops negative side effects or if the orthodontist decides to terminate treatment later when continued treatment would result in more harm than benefit. - 13. Take photographs when the patient does not cooperate or follow instructions. As noted above, in addition to the documentation of poor cooperation in the patient’s chart, taking intraoral photographs throughout treatment is an invaluable tool. The objectives can be to hold the patient responsible for his own noncompliance, to help motivate him to do better, or just to visually document the progress of all treatment rendered. For a child with poor oral hygiene, taking an intraoral photograph and zooming in on it on a large computer screen can often cover all 3 objectives. Lack of treatment progress justifies taking photographs as well. For example, a patient not wearing interarch elastics and not progressing can be documented through a series of photographs at multiple points along the treatment timeline and can ultimately justify a decision to terminate treatment. - 14. Whenever early treatment termination is eminent, document relevant discussions, correspondence, and reasons for termination. Extensive documentation is required if early treatment termination is imminent. Document each occurrence of noncompliance and all discussions, including the one in which you give the ultimatum of treatment termination if noncompliance continues. If it is a noncompliant child, document all discussions with the parent or guardian. It can also be helpful to notify the patient’s primary care provider with the intent of first informing him or her of the patient’s status, to attempt to enlist his or her support in trying to correct poor behavior or cooperation, and to allow for additional monitoring and timely interventional treatment to be performed if required. It goes without saying that if you decide to discontinue active treatment or terminate the doctor-patient relationship, a detailed written notice of your decision should be mailed to the patient that includes notification that the patient requires appliance removal, that you will be available on an emergency basis for a reasonable period of time, and that he should seek substituted care with another practitioner if he wishes to continue with the treatment. - 15. Notify the patient of negative or unexpected outcomes and document the disclosure. A bad or even lesser outcome does not equate to malpractice. If it is expected from a proposed or requested treatment, such as limited treatment, it should be disclosed before the initiation of treatment. If it occurs during comprehensive treatment, documentation of the discourse to either continue or terminate treatment should be made. A poor outcome may not be a problem, but failure to inform the patient is. In addition to all discussions with the patient, obtain records, including intraoral and extraoral photographs, as well as radiographs if needed. If radiographs show any negative sequellae to the periodontium or dentition, disclose and document these findings along with their clinical significance to both the patient and the patient’s general dentist. - 16. Document completion of active treatment. It is essential to document when active treatment is completed. It is a good practice to inform the patient that treatment is completed on the day of debonding, notwithstanding that retainer checks will be made afterward. Many patients do not show up for appointments during retention. Welcome patients for follow-ups in the long term if needed. Mailing a treatment completion notice to patients could be beneficial, including advising of regular cleaning and checkups with the patient’s dentist. Be sure to inform the patient of his retention protocol and tell him to immediately call the office if retainers are lost or deformed so that they can be replaced or repaired. - 17. Conduct a posttreatment consultation and document the discussions. Posttreatment consultations comparing initial and final records are valuable for improved doctor-patient relationships, resolving ill feelings, creating future referrals, and starting the running of the statute of limitations. Inform patients what was achieved, such as improved dental alignment, bite, and vertical and horizontal dental relationships. In addition, inform the patient what was not achieved or things that were compromised, such as the inability to achieve an ideal bite. You do not want a colleague to tell the patient these limitations. Disclose and document findings of decalcification, external root resorption, and periodontal breakdown, as well as reassurance for the patient and any possible clinical implications. It is often better to refer the patient to his general dentist or to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for consultation regarding the status of the third molars than to make specific recommendations for extraction. - 18. Document all referrals to other health care providers. Interdisciplinary care needs to be carried out effectively. Referrals require appropriate documentation, including keeping a hard or digital copy of the referral form in the patient’s chart, as well as appropriate follow-ups. Be sure to document the reason for referral and to whom the referral was made. A copy of every referral for consultation, extraction, or any other service should be kept in the patient’s chart, whether in paper or digital form. Whenever a patient declines a recommended referral, document this event and any probable negative consequences relating to this decision. - 19. Document abusive or inappropriate patient behavior. Inappropriate behavior or attitude, demeaning or threatening language or actions, sexual advances, or serious patient disgruntlement should be documented. These notes should be kept in a separate file specific to that patient and dated by occurrence for incorporation by reference if needed. When a clearly flirtatious patient is encountered, ensure that another staff member is present and document anything that constitutes inappropriate behavior or language. Staff members should also document inappropriate behaviors whether made in person or over the phone. If a patient voices a complaint or makes inappropriate comments, document his exact words using quotation marks. Indicate which staff member was present when the incident occurred. Discuss with the patient your expectations that he should ameliorate the behavior and document the patient’s acceptance or rejection of these expectations. If the patient apologizes, be sure to note it in the record. If the misbehavior continues, it is advisable to terminate the patient’s treatment. - 20. Maintain all documents and records securely and as long as reasonably practicable. Each state has different rules regarding the number of years that patients’ charts and records should be kept. These rules often differ between adults and minors. To be safe, in our digital era of ever-improved capabilities of secure and HIPAA-compliant data storage, it is prudent to keep all patient documentation and records indefinitely, especially for potentially litigious patients. This is especially true in orthodontics because patients experience relapse or loss of their retainers and occasionally return for retreatment. Conclusions The general presumption for documentation is that if it is not in the chart, it did not happen, and vice versa. Therefore, it is essential that documentation be both comprehensive and accurate. Effective documentation tells the orthodontist everything he or she needs to know about the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. It can defend a claim of malpractice years after treatment and should not be biased, altered, or subjective. There are 2 occasions when a patient’s exact words or comments should not be paraphrased and must be documented in quotation marks. These include the patient’s chief complaint and inappropriate comments or complaints from a patient. Specific patient requests and accommodations (both acceded to and denied), questions, disgruntlement, or lack of cooperation should all be thoroughly documented. It is also beneficial to document simple positive statements such as the treatment plan was reviewed and accepted by the patient, or the patient is happy and satisfied about treatment progress or the result. Documentation should be complete, legible, clear, unaltered, objective, and accurate. Poor recordkeeping is indefensible, and excellent documentation is expected in health care. Excellent documentation shows that the practitioner is competent and professional. Documentation should not be made merely as a defensive practice. If viewed as a sword rather than a shield, it provides a great communication tool, increases the quality of patient care, and fosters a strong doctor-patient relationship.	https://pocketdentistry.com/orthodontic-chart-documentation/
Have you ever used the internet to make a purchase? To get directions to a specific address? To send an email message? In this digital age, many of us use the internet for the majority of our communication with the outside world. We make purchases and interact with our financial institutions, checking our accounts, paying our bills, and making investments. But what happens if you become incapable of accomplishing these online tasks during your lifetime? Who will be empowered to administer your digital assets when you die? Although the law governing these issues is unsettled and varies from state to state, you can take several precautions to ensure continuity in the event of incapacity, and provide certainty to your loved ones after your death. Although no state or federal law presently defines this concept, the Uniform Law Commission Drafting Committee (an organization dedicated to drafting uniform laws such as the Uniform Trust Act and the Uniform Commercial Code) has suggested a definition of a digital asset as “an electronic record to which an account holder is entitled to access.” If you begin to consider it, you quickly realize this comprehensive definition includes, but is in no way limited to, email accounts; online bank and investment accounts; photographs, music, and documents stored on a computer; voicemail; and digital forms of information that may not yet exist. Three simple variables can be cause for uncertainty. First, the state of the law governing digital assets is unsettled. Second, the law that does exist can impose liability on those who are unaware of it. Finally, the concept of a digital asset is unclear. Federal law may impose criminal penalties for unauthorized access to digital assets. The Stored Communications Act, which is part of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, generally creates a criminal offense for intentional, unauthorized access to digital assets. In addition, custodians of digital assets are prohibited from providing access to digital assets without explicit consent of the owner. See 18 U.S.C. §2701-02. As a result, online custodians of digital assets (such as Yahoo, for email; Pennsylvania Trust, for access to investment accounts; Apple, for iTunes; and Flickr, for photographs) are unlikely to provide access to an individual’s accounts in the event of incapacity or death, absent a court order or other document, such as a carefully drafted power of attorney or language in a will. At the same time, agents under powers of attorney, or executors of estates, should be concerned about personal liability for accessing such accounts absent explicit authority. Regardless of the state of the law or concerns discussed above, there are several things you can do to ensure you are protected. Take a digital inventory. Spend some time making a list of the websites you visit that require a user name and password (including financial institutions, credit card accounts, and social networking websites). Make a list of those websites and the login information required to access them. Understand the locations of your digital music, photograph, and document files; if they are located on your personal computer, consider making a list of the locations of the documents, and if they are located in the “cloud,” ensure the method to access those documents is included on your list. Include your email addresses, and consider noting the purpose of each email address (such as personal, business, or online shopping). Consider a digital power of attorney. If you have named a relative or trusted individual agent under a general power of attorney to act for you in the event you are incapacitated, review that document to determine whether it specifically gives your agent the power to access your digital assets. If it does not, consider consulting with your attorney to include appropriate language. If you have not yet executed a power of attorney, consider doing so, and in the process, ask your attorney to give your agent the explicit power to access your digital assets. Provide for the disposition of your digital assets at death. Your digital assets have value, just as your home and investments. You may have spent years accumulating frequent flyer miles, money building an iTunes library, and time creating priceless digital photographs. You have the ability to dispose of those assets at your death, and you should consult with your attorney to ensure that just like other family heirlooms, the disposition is designed with your intentions in mind. The concept of digital assets is relatively new to many of us and is certainly a topic that should be addressed with thoughtfulness. Pennsylvania Trust’s team of experienced professionals welcomes the opportunity to assist you in considering the administration and disposition of digital assets. by Peter J. Johnson, Esq. Peter J. Johnson is Senior Vice President and head of the Special Needs Trust/Guardianship Unit.	http://www.penntrust.com/protection-digital-world/
The main bulk of the files are survey records. These document stations occupied, data, bearings, field sketches, and often include catalogues of specimens, localities, and photographs. These were written on 8x10” paper. The series also includes field notebooks (approx. 500) kept by each member of the party. They document occupied stations, observed points (triangular), specimens collected, and those locations/specimens which were photographed. Brian Harland explained in a number of expedition bulletins, that these field notes would form the basis of the survey records. Log books record the times and dates of stopping and starting, compass bearings, include sketch maps, gradients of snow surfaces, the number of photographs or specimens taken, and include weather records. Photograph albums (often) include indexes/contents lists. They depict personnel, accommodation, food, specimens, panoramas, and wildlife. The series also includes loose letters, maps, and ephemera.	https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/f0a9e0b8-e30f-30d3-b495-5199333224db?component=23e10069-b40b-394e-8921-5528e89fd17b
by University of Wisconsin, School of Commerce, Bureau of Business Research and Service in Madison . Written in English Edition Notes \|Statement\|\|by W.D. Kmight.\| \|Series\|\|Wisconsin commerce reports ;, v. 3, no. 6 (Aug. 1954)\| \|Classifications\| \|LC Classifications\|\|HF5550 .K6\| \|The Physical Object\| \|Pagination\|\|62 p. ;\| \|Number of Pages\|\|62\| \|ID Numbers\| \|Open Library\|\|OL6152098M\| \|LC Control Number\|\|54004763\| \|OCLC/WorldCa\|\|1895701\| Profit and Loss Statement (P&L): A profit and loss statement (P&L) is a financial statement that summarizes the revenues, costs and expenses incurred during a . Profit performance reports prepared for a business’s managers typically are called P&L (profit and loss) reports. These reports are prepared as frequently as managers need them, usually monthly or quarterly — perhaps even weekly in some businesses. A P&L report goes to the manager in charge of each profit center; these confidential profit reports do [ ]. The balance sheet, and profit and loss statement are two of the three financial statements companies issue ial statements provide an ongoing record of a company's financial. When you have a solid budget made up for your book, you can expand on it to create a profit and loss sheet, or a P&L. This tool is used by traditional publishers to estimate what profit a book will generate in the first year it’s on the market. But you can use it to figure out whether you should be pursuing different sales strategies. The trading profit and loss account is made up of two separate accounts within the general ledger.. The trading account; The profit and loss account; The purpose of the two accounts is to separately identify the gross profit and net profit of the business. The trading account is the top part of the trading profit and loss account and is used to determine the gross profit. Here is a question I recently received from one of my customers about how to answer a financial question: “On most occasions an employer is not going to find all of the desired qualities in a candidate. Having said that, on a couple of my interviews I have been asked about P & L (profit and loss) responsibility or budget responsibility. profit budget: A planned financial forecast for the net income of a business. A manager in charge of projecting the future financial performance of a company might produce a profit budget in order to provide a reasonable estimate of projected net revenue that will permit the company and its shareholders to assess how well it is attaining its. Create a polished and comprehensive profit and loss statement for your company. This accessible template calculates the percentage change from the prior period and budget. Get expert help now. Have our partners at Excelchat fix your formulas, 24/7. Use your free session. Surface Laptop 3. Windows 10 apps. Microsoft Store. Account profile. Author: Steven Bragg. Buy Softcover at Amazon. Buy PDF Download - $ Book Description. A business may need a well-defined budgeting process in order to estimate its future financial situation and arrange for appropriate amounts of financing and personnel. Budgeting: A Comprehensive Guide provides clarity to the process by showing how to. The next step is learning how to chart profit and loss by creating an (aptly named) profit and loss statement—a.k.a. an income statement or P&L statement. A profit and loss statement is a common financial document that shows your income in a given time frame—usually, that’s monthly, quarterly, or : Brooke Hayes. Profit and Loss Statement Investors considering long-term bets usually pay attention to a company’s profit and loss statement, also called a P&L or an income statement. This accounting report reassures security-exchange players that the firm is financially sound. Budgeting for not-for-profit organizations is getting more challenging as mission-driven needs exceed available resources. Many have improved their budgeting practices, but more must step up to not just survive but become more successful. While there are many permutations, just about every not-for-profit organization uses incremental budgeting.	https://fovudekuduxym.hisn-alarum.com/profit-and-loss-budgeting-book-13565ge.php
The Mayor and Council will hold a virtual public hearing at their meeting on Monday, April 12 to receive comments on the City of Rockville’s draft comprehensive plan update. After an extensive public input process and preparation of the draft plan, the Rockville Planning Commission presented its recommended draft of the comprehensive plan update to the Mayor and Council on March 15. The Mayor and Council is now accepting comments on the draft plan and will review all comments received as part of their work session discussions and consideration of any revisions to the document. The public comment period will run into April to allow the community to give further input on the document in writing. The Planning Commission's recommended draft of the comprehensive plan is comprised of ten citywide topical Elements and seventeen neighborhood-scale Planning Areas. Both sections derive from feedback gathered throughout the Rockville 2040 process, which included numerous listening sessions, citywide forums, open houses and other meetings, as well as analysis and discussion by staff and the Planning Commission. Review the Planning Commission's Approved Comprehensive Plan The plan is provided below to view or download in sections due to its large file size. How to Submit Testimony Public Hearing The Mayor and Council public hearing will take place on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 7 p.m., or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, to receive comments on the Planning Commission's recommended comprehensive plan. How to Participate in the Virtual Public Hearing Persons wishing to testify at the hearing are asked to call 240-314-8280 or email [email protected] before 10:00 a.m. on April 12 to be placed on the speakers’ list. Please provide your name and phone number with the request. After signing up to speak, you will be connected with the City’s Information Technology Department to receive all the information you need to join the virtual meeting by audio to share your comments during the hearing. Persons wishing to submit written comments may send them to [email protected]. If they are received before 10:00 a.m. on April 12, they will be provided to the Mayor and Council for the public hearing. If they are received after 10:00 a.m., they will be provided to the Mayor and Council soon thereafter. All comments received by the Mayor and Council, whether as part of the Public Hearing or in writing, will be provided to the Mayor and Council as part of the public record. Viewing Mayor and Council Public Hearing The virtual public hearing can be viewed on Rockville 11, Channel 11 on county cable, livestreamed at www.rockvillemd.gov/rockville11, and available a day after each meeting at www.rockvillemd.gov/videoondemand. Written Testimony Written comments are encouraged and may be submitted outside of the Public Hearing at any time to: Rockville Mayor and Council, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, or sent by email to [email protected]. There is no limit to the length or amount of written testimony that can be submitted, though clarity and concise language is appreciated. The Mayor and Council have not set a date for the close of the public record for written comments. Questions? During the public comment period, planning staff is available to answer questions and meet with community associations, residents, businesses, employees, and other organizations by request so that community members can learn more about the contents of the draft Comprehensive Plan and how to provide feedback. Please contact Clark Larson at [email protected] to arrange a virtual meeting with staff. Review the Planning Commission's Previous Work Sessions and Received Testimony Results from the Planning Commission's work to prepare, receive comments on, and revise the Comprehensive Plan prior to their transmittal to the Mayor and Council can be found on the Community Meeting Results page. Join our Newsletters Sign up to receive information about Rockville 2040, city project updates, progress and more. What is the Comprehensive Plan? Rockville’s Comprehensive Plan is the citywide guiding policy document that sets the vision and goals for the future of the city with practical policies and actions that will get us there. The draft Comprehensive Plan, Volume I includes recommended policies and action among ten elements, or chapters, focused on: - Land Use and Urban Design - Transportation - Recreation and Parks - Community Facilities - Environment - Water Resources - Economic Development - Housing - Historic Preservation - Municipal Growth In addition to these ten policy elements, the city’s second volume focuses on policies and projects particular to each of the city’s 17 planning areas, as they are defined in the draft Comprehensive Plan. About the Rockville 2040 Process The Rockville 2040 community outreach process concluded with the delivery of the draft Comprehensive Plan, Volume 1: Elements, to the Planning Commission in March 2019. Rockville 2040 engaged the Rockville community in a discussion about the current state of the city and desired future on critical planning issues. The outreach included 35 listening sessions, four citywide forums, and three open houses. In addition, planning staff met with a wide variety of stakeholders and neighborhood groups. The public process and its resulting input was summarized in staff reports and presented to the Planning Commission along with the Plan draft. Once the Commission completes its review of volumes I and II of the Draft Comprehensive Plan, the entire document will be recommended for approval to the Mayor and Council for consideration of adoption. Find Past Meetings and Materials for Rockville 2040 View videos, materials and results from past citywide forums, listening sessions, staff discussions, and the project kick-off meeting on the Meeting Results and Materials page. View Background Trends Reports Prepared for the Comprehensive Plan Update To understand conditions in the city as they stand today, city departments prepared trends reports in key topic areas including: Community Facilities, Economy, Environment, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Use, and Transportation. Questions?	https://www.rockvillemd.gov/203/Rockville-2040-Comprehensive-Plan-Update
Our General Advice Anonymous Employee strongly recommends examining all the available options before taking action. If you would like assistance understanding the available options, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please note that Anonymous Employee cannot provide you with legal advice. Your problem may be very simple, or extremely complex. In either case it is a valuable exercise to document your problem from beginning to end. This helps you in many ways: 1. You are able to help identify the causes of the problem. 2. You have a written record that will be required at almost every step in the process of seeking assistance. 3. You can continue to update your record of events as they occur. This helps you to specify dates, times, and events.	https://www.anonymousemployee.com/csssite/sidelinks/our_advice.php
National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala is setting off on his first big expedition of the year: to explore the remote islands of Desventuradas, hundreds of miles off the coast of Chile in partnership with Oceana. Follow his adventures throughout the month. By Alex Muñoz Wilson, Vice President South America, Oceana 26 February 2013 As we are being towed across the surface in the submarine DeepSee in search of an interesting depth, through the 10 centimeter thick acrylic dome, I see Eric pass by in one of the other boats to pick up the dropcams, submerged thousands of meters. A third boat takes a group of Chilean and foreign scientists to the other side of the island to continue registering biological data on the most exposed and difficult side of San Ambrosio. Manu and Eduardo, the underwater camera men, have been underwater for a while now taking photos and videos with great skill and patience. Each one of these actions is prepared for, begins and ends like a fluid choreography from the Argo, the best diving and research platform that we could imagine. Every day I see the extraordinary display of knowledge, talent, and technology operating simultaneously and I always ask myself, what does this expedition mean for Chile? I leave the question open and we begin the descent. We immediately descend 300 meters. We look for a rock wall because in its caves and orifices is where a large part of the marine life searches for food and protection from predators. Avi, who is once again piloting the submarine DeepSee and telling us stories as if we were in his living room back home, suddenly feels a presence on one side of the vessel that, in the prevailing darkness at this depth, is just a shadow. “Something is approaching,” he says. Little by little, the figure starts to become visible in our lights but we do not know what it is. As soon as I hear him say, “This is incredible!” I know that this sighting is an exceptional one. A type of jellyfish, but with hard parts, like feet, that can turn and swim in all directions hypnotizes us. None of us have ever seen anything like it. We record it swimming for a half an hour thanks to the submarine’s true dance that Avi pilots to see this beautiful animal from every angle. Yesterday, while I scuba dived, I enjoyed seeing vidriolas and Jack mackerels so large that they did not seem real. Everything seems to grow to an enormous size in this rarely disturbed place. A cavern appeared to be purposefully adorned with orange corals and yellow sponges. What a privilege it is to be able to feel what it is like to be in an unexplored and intact corner of the sea – and what’s more – in my own country! Who knew that this wonder existed? When we began the expedition, we had very little information and not even one underwater photo that could serve as a reference. We used a great report written by Captain Vidal Gormaz in 1875 to gain knowledge on what San Ambrosio was like, what species were seen, and how to climb to the peak of the mountain that covers the entire island. In these final days, we now have detailed accounts of 19 dive sites, hundreds of hours of video, and thousands of photos from intertidal pools up to depths of more than 2,300 meters – all completely new. In a country where it is so difficult to practice science, this expedition is invaluable for Chile. Although we have come a long way lately, we still have only explored so little of our sea! How much did we know about the Desventuradas Islands? Knowing little or nothing about them probably did not affect our daily lives, but now, thanks to this National Geographic-Oceana expedition, we know that we have a natural treasure that we must protect. This ocean creature that came out of the darkness for a moment so that we could behold its beauty reminds us of how indispensable it is to be, simply to know that it exists. Now, from students in advanced marine science programs to little boys and girls in grade school around the world, it will be known that this remote place in Chile exists; and here in Chile, the authorities will have sufficient information to decide, I hope, how to protect it.	https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2013/03/01/desventuradas-expedition-the-importance-of-being-here/
I feel a strong connection to history, genealogy and stories. So I want to help record beautiful images of you now, whether it’s a special treat, a gift from a loved one, or if you are in a period of transition in your life that deserves recording. I have always loved flicking through old photo albums, looking at the visual history of my own family and talking about the stories behind the images. My experience of legacy is from the perspective of a child and grandchild. And I wish I had more connection to the stories that were important to my Nana. It is only now that I can truly appreciate the challenges she faced in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Having her story documented alongside the photographs that were passed down through the family, would have been something I would treasure. So, my focus is on offering physical prints, as a tangible representation of this moment in time for you. Record a story that was significant to your session, whether it is about the stage of life you are at, or something that you wore in your session that has a special meaning. It is so important that these stories are passed down with the images. Future generations will be able to read in your own words, what had such meaning to you at the time these images were created. We are slowly losing this important part of our history in this digital age, where we are encouraged to share every facet of our lives online. I want you to have something tangible – something that will provoke discussion about your life and stories that will creating a legacy for future generations. Create a tangible legacy of all your favourite memories. Print all your favourite images, they don’t need to be from a special occasion or a photoshoot session. Often they are everyday moments that you will want to treasure for a lifetime. There is nothing better for me than looking through images from a photoshoot session and seeing you open up and suddenly shine, showing me your true uninhibited self. The beauty that everyone else sees when they know and love you. I will work with you in your portrait session to make you feel as comfortable as possible, when it can be quite confronting. It may challenging when I am asking you to be vulnerable and open up to me. Creating beautiful images is a team effort, and I will hold a safe space for you so that your photographs will be cherished. Women in particular tend to take a step back behind the camera after all the milestone events, (18th and 21st birthdays, engagements, weddings, pregnancies) and become invisible. They document the world around them, but are not being recorded in it. It’s time for all women to exist in photos for their families. To tell the stories that matter most to you. The next step is to fill out the form below so that we can arrange a complimentary consultation. This will give you more information about the portrait session process, and help design a session that suits you best.	http://photographybyangelamcconnell.com/contemporary-portraits-vancouver/
This two-part collection offers nearly complete archival documentation of an expedition to the Holy Land undertaken by the visionary art collector, archaeologist, and scientist Honoré d'Albert, duc de Luynes in 1864. As the first systematic attempt to survey and photograph the geological features and cities of the Dead Sea basin in present-day Jordan, the expedition was among the most important scientific and archaeological missions of the 19th century. \| \| The duc de Luynes archive features glass and paper negatives, photogravures by artist and printmaker Charles Nègre, photographic materials by naval captain Louis Vignes, and travel accounts written by de Luynes and other members of the mission. The 73 albumen prints from the second mission were taken by diplomat and photographer Henri Sauvaire, documenting segments of the ancient Roman road joining the Crusader castles of Kerak and Shawbak, and part of the road serving the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. \| \| The materials complement Louis Vignes's album Vues de Phénicie, de Judée, des pays de Moab et de Petra (Views of Phoenicia, Judea, Moab and Petra) and photographs of Beirut and Palmyra from the same mission, both held in the Getty Research Institute's special collections and featured in the online exhibition The Legacy of Ancient Palmyra. Together, these archival materials present a holistic record of a region seared by ethnic conflicts, divided today by the border wall between Israel and the West Bank.	http://www.getty.edu/research/special_collections/notable/duc_du_luynes.html
The accounting process is a sequence of processes that starts with analyzing and journalizing transactions and ends with the preparation and interpretation of financial statements. This whole process is also called the accounting cycle. Because all the steps involved in the accounting process (from the analysis of transactions to the preparation of financial statements) take place during each accounting period. The steps in the accounting cycle are as follows: The steps are done in the order presented above, although the methods of performing the steps vary from business to business. For example, the details of a sale may be entered by scanning bar codes in a grocery store, or they may require an in-depth legal interpretation for a complex order from a customer for an expensive piece of equipment. Steps in the Accounting Process: Identify Transaction & Events The first step in the accounting process is to identify the transactions and events which can be measured in monetary terms. Suppose, you go to a gift shop and buy some gifts for your brother and make a cash payment of Rs. 1500. Purchase of the gifts for cash is an example of a transaction, which involves a reciprocal exchange of two things: - payment of cash, - delivery of the gifts Hence, the transaction involves this aspect, i.e. Give and Take. Payment of cash involves give aspect and delivery of gifts is a take aspect. Thus, business transactions are exchanges of economic considerations between parties. The transaction could be a cash transaction or a credit transaction. When the parties settle the transaction immediately by making payment in cash or by cheque, it is called a cash transaction. In credit transactions, the payment is settled at a future date as per agreement between the parties. All business transactions and events which are of financial nature (i.e. expressed in terms of money) are recorded in the books of accounts. Some examples of transactions and events are : - Sale (cash or credit) - Buy (cash or credit) - Payment - Receive money - Return goods - Depreciation on fixed asset We use the double-entry system of bookkeeping for recording the financial transactions and events of business. It is only the is a scientific system of accounting. According to it; - Each transaction must be recorded with at least one debit and one credit, and - The total amount of the debits must equal the total amount of the credits. Remember: Total debits = Total Credits Source documents The second step in the accounting process is to obtain appropriate source documents for the transactions. A document that provides evidence of the transactions is called the Source Document or a Voucher. Business transactions are usually evidenced by appropriate documents such as Cash memo, Invoice, Sales bill, Pay-in-slip, Cheque, Salary slip, etc. For example; When buying products, a business gets an invoice from the supplier. When borrowing money from the bank, a business signs a loan agreement, a copy of which the business keeps. When preparing payroll checks, a business depends on salary rosters and time cards. All of these business forms serve as sources of documents for accounting purposes. Under no circumstances may any entry be made in the records without a source document to substantiate the entry. But sometimes, there may be no documentary for certain items as in case of petty expenses. In such a case, the voucher may be prepared showing the necessary details and got approved by the appropriate authority within the firm. A specific source document is used for every type of transaction. It is also important to distinguish between an original and a duplicate source document. Examples of source documents used under accounting process: - receipt – for cash received - cash slip or cash register slip – for goods sold cash - cheque – for payment of something (cash) - invoice – credit purchase invoice for credit purchases - credit sales invoice – for credit sales - credit note issued – for goods returned to us - credit note received – for goods returned by us. Recording Transactions in the Journal The third step in the accounting process is to record the transactions in the appropriate journal. The book in which the business transactions are recorded for the first time is called journal. The source document, as discussed earlier, is required to record the transaction in the journal. The journal is subdivided into a number of subsidiary journals. The purpose of a subsidiary journal is to summarise transactions of the same type. The following subsidiary journals are applicable: - General Journal (GJ) - Cash Receipts Journal (CRJ) - Cash Payments Journal (CPJ) - Debtors Journal (DJ) - Creditors Journal (CJ) - Debtors Allowance Journal (DAJ) - Creditors Allowance Journal (CAJ) - Petty Cash Journal (book) (PCJ) The process of recording transactions in the journal is called journalizing. The entry in the journal is called a journal entry. All business transactions are first recorded in the journal through journal entries in chronological order. The basic journal entry format is We apply the rules of debit and credit for making journal entries for transactions. The following is a useful method for analyzing and journalizing transactions: - Carefully read the description of the transaction to determine whether an asset, a liability, an owner’s equity, a revenue, an expense, or a drawing account is affected. - For each account affected by the transaction, determine whether the account increases or decreases. - Determine whether each increase or decrease should be recorded as a debit or a credit. - Record the transaction using a journal entry You can apply the golden rules of accounting to make journal entries because it simplifies the rules of debit and credit of the double-entry system. Post to General ledger accounts The fourth step of the accounting process is to post the transactions from journals to general ledger accounts. The ledger is the principal book of the accounting system. A ledger is the collection of all the accounts, debited or credited, in the journal proper and various special journals. After recording the transactions in the journals or subsidiary books then the same transactions are posted to individual accounts in the general ledger. A General ledger account is in the shape of a ‘T’ which has a left‐hand side, called the debit side, and a right‐hand side called the credit side. An account is debited when an amount is entered on the left‐hand side and credited when an amount is entered on the right‐hand side. The purpose of a general ledger account is to determine a balance for each account in the records. An account is opened for every item, whether it is an asset, liability, income or expense, and the balance is determined for every account. A balance is determined by calculating the difference between the debit side and the credit side of each account. The left-hand side of an account represents the debit side, and the right-hand side, the credit side. For example, a Cash Account showing Debit balance: Pre-adjustment trial balance A trial balance is a statement that shows the balances, or total of debits and credits, of all the accounts in the ledger. Trial balance is an important statement in the accounting process as it shows the final position of all accounts and helps in preparing the financial statements i.e. Income statement and Balance sheet. The trial balance is a tool for verifying the arithmetical accuracy of debit and credit amounts. We can verify the arithmetical accuracy of posting of debit and credit amounts into the ledger accounts by preparing a trial balance. Pre- adjustment trial balance represents a summary of all the debit and credit balances in the general ledger before any adjustments are made to these balances. It includes income, expense, and income and expense accounts. The steps in preparing a trial balance are as follows: Step 1. List the name of the company, the title of the trial balance, and the date the trial balance is prepared. Step 2. List the accounts from the ledger, and enter their debit or credit balance in the Debit or Credit column of the trial balance. Step 3. Total the Debit and Credit columns of the trial balance. Step 4. Verify that the total of the Debit column equals the total of the Credit column. Adjustments An adjustment is not a transaction that occurs, in other words, two parties are not involved. The analysis and updating of accounts at the end of the period before the financial statements are prepared is called the adjusting process. The journal entries that bring the accounts up to date at the end of the accounting period are called adjusting entries. All adjusting entries affect at least one income statement account and one balance sheet account. Thus, an adjusting entry will always involve a revenue or an expense account and an asset or a liability account. Examples of adjustments: - calculation of depreciation - provision for credit losses - other adjustments. Adjusting entries are made in the general journal and the journal description acts as the source document. The entries in the general journal are posted to the general ledger account. Four basic types of accounts require adjusting entries as shown below. - Prepaid expenses - Accrued revenues - Unearned revenues - Accrued expenses Prepaid expenses are the advance payment of future expenses and are recorded as assets when cash is paid. Prepaid expenses become expenses over time or during normal operations. Unearned revenues are the advance receipt of future revenues and are recorded as liabilities when cash is received. Unearned revenues become earned revenues over time or during normal operations. Accrued revenues are unrecorded revenues that have been earned and for which cash has yet to be received. Fees for services that an attorney or a doctor has provided but not yet billed are accrued revenues. Accrued expenses are unrecorded expenses that have been incurred and for which cash has yet to be paid. Wages owed to employees at the end of a period but not yet paid are an accrued expense. Post-adjustment trial balance A post-adjustment trial balance is prepared after making all the necessary adjusting entries. It represents the final balances of all general ledger accounts and includes income, expense, asset and liability accounts. The adjusted trial balance verifies the equality of the total debit and credit balances before the financial statements are prepared. Closing entries Closing entries are made using the general journal. All income and expense accounts are closed so that no balances remain in these accounts and a clean start can be made during the next financial year. Income and expense accounts that influence gross profit close off against the trade account. All other income and expense accounts close off against the profit or loss account. The final trial balance After all the closing entries have been made, the only balances that remain in the general ledger are assets, liabilities, and the profit or loss as calculated in the profit or loss account. The final trial balance, therefore, consists of a summary of those balances that remain in the general ledger after all the closing entries have been made. The statement of profit or loss The income statement is referred to by various names, such as the statement of profit and loss, the statement of income, statement of operations, statement of earnings, or others. Whatever name is used, its purpose is the same: To provide users of the financial statements with a measurement of a reporting entity’s results of operations over a period of time. The reporting period covered by the income statement can be a month, quarter, half-year or year. But generally, the reporting period of the income statement is of one year. Proft for the period is the excess of income over expenses for that time. If expenses for the period exceed income, a loss is incurred. The heading of the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income always reads as follows: ‘‘Statement of profit or loss of … for the year ended … 20XX’’ The purpose of the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income is to determine the gross and net profit of the business concern for a specific period. Only income and expenses appear in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The statement of financial position Financial position refers to a company’s economic resources and the claims against those resources at a particular time. The balance sheet is one of the basic financial statements that tells about the financial position of a company. It is more formally referred to as the statement of financial position. The balance sheet reports the financial position of an entity at a specific point in time. The financial position is reflected by the assets of the entity, its liabilities or debts, and the equity of the owner. A balance sheet has two sides: - Assets - Liabilities & Owners’ Equity Note that the two sides of the balance sheet are always equal. The accounting equation shows the financial position as Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity. Analysis and interpretation The final step in the accounting cycle is the analysis and interpretation of the information contained in the financial statements. This is done by calculating ratios and comparing the figures in the financial statements with those of other concerns or budgets previously drawn up. Users analyze a company’s financial statements using a variety of analytical methods. Three such methods are as follows: - Horizontal analysis - Vertical analysis - Common-sized statements Horizontal Analysis The percentage analysis of increases and decreases in related items in comparative financial statements is called horizontal analysis. Each item on the most recent statement is compared with the same item on one or more earlier statements in terms of the following: 1. Amount of increase or decrease 2. Percent of increase or decrease When comparing statements, the earlier statement is normally used as the base year for computing increases and decreases Vertical Analysis The percentage analysis of the relationship of each component in a financial statement to a total within the statement is called vertical analysis. Although vertical analysis is applied to a single statement, it may be applied on the same statement over time. This enhances the analysis by showing how the percentages of each item have changed over time. In the vertical analysis of the balance sheet, the percentages are computed as follows: 1. Each asset item is stated as a percent of the total assets. 2. Each liability and stockholders’ equity item is stated as a percent of the total liabilities and stockholders’ equity. Common-Sized Statements In a common-sized statement, all items are expressed as percentages, with no dollar amounts shown. Common-sized statements are often useful for comparing one company with another or for comparing a company with industry averages. Other Analytical Measures Other relationships may be expressed in ratios and percentages. Percentage analysis and ratio analysis have been developed to provide an efficient means by which a decision-maker can identify important relationships between items in the same statements and trends in financial data. Percentages and ratios are calculated in order to reduce the financial data to a more understandable basis for the evaluation of the financial condition and past financial performance of the entity.	https://bcomassistant.in/accounting-process-accounting-cycle-in-detail/
The Joseph Cornell Study Center collection measures 196.8 linear feet and dates from 1750 to 1980, with the bulk of the material dating from 1930 to 1972. Documenting the artistic career and personal life of assemblage artist Joseph Cornell (1903-1972), the collection is primarily made up of two- and three-dimensional source material, the contents of the artists' studio, his record album collection, and his book collection and personal library. The collection also includes diaries and notes, financial and estate papers, exhibition materials, collected artifacts and ephemera, photographs, correspondence, and the papers of Robert Cornell (1910-1965) and Helen Storms Cornell (1882-1966), the artist's brother and mother. Bureau of American Ethnology negatives Thomas Warren Sears photograph collection Sears & Wendell Olmsted Brothers Harvard University More … The Thomas Warren Sears Photograph Collection documents examples of the design work of Thomas Warren Sears (1880-1966), a landscape architect and amateur photographer from Brookline, Massachusetts. Sears, who was based for most of his career in Philadelphia, designed a variety of different types of landscapes ranging from private residences, schools, and playgrounds to parks, cemeteries, and urban housing developments located primarily in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. In addition to some of Sears' design work, images in the collection document Sears' domestic and foreign travels, design inspirations, and family. The collection includes over 4,800 black and white negatives and glass lantern slides dated circa 1899 to 1930. While most images show private and public gardens, there are a significant number of unidentified views and views photographed in Europe during two trips he took there in 1906 and 1908. Few images are captioned or dated. In addition, there are over 50 plans and drawings, most notably for Balmuckety in Pikesville, Maryland and Reynolda in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and 3 monographs by or about Sears. Division of Ethnology photograph collection 1 Consists of photographs collected by the United States National Museum (USNM) Division of Ethnology and later by the Smithsonian Office of Anthropology (SOA). Coverage is worldwide outside North America. Most of the items are photographic prints, some in albums. There are also negatives, photomechanical prints, artwork, and newsclippings. For the … Moses and Frances Asch Collection Distler, Marian, 1919-1964 Folkways Records bulk 1948-1986 This collection, which dates from 1926-1986, documents the output of Moses Asch through the various record labels he founded and co-founded, and includes some of his personal papers. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, business records, correspondence, photographs, and film. Melvin Kranzberg Papers Personal papers of Dr. Kranzberg from his undergraduate years at Amherst College through his professional career. Collection documents his involvement with development of the new field of history of technology and his role as principal founder of the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT); work as consultant and advisor to domestic and international agencies, colleges, and universities; personal affiliations, lectureships, publications; and teaching and administrative activities for more than 40 years as a college professor. Ernst Herzfeld Papers An outstanding scholar in the field of Iranian studies, Ernst Herzfeld (1879--1948) explored all phases of Near Eastern culture from the prehistoric period to Islamic times. This collection documents Herzfeld's excavations at Samarra, Persepolis, Pasargadae, and Aleppo and includes correspondence; field notebooks; drawings; sketchbooks; inventories of objects; "squeeze" copies of architectural details; and photographs. Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Theater and Motion Picture Music and Ephemera Stubblebine, Donald J., 1925-2010 One of the most comprehensive collections of material relating to musical stage and film productions, the collection consists of an assortment of material including sheet music written specifically for or included in stage and screen musicals, television programs, Big Band performances, and radio. Some productions may have been produced under … Museum of the American Indian/Heye Foundation records Heye, George G. (George Gustav), 1874-1957 These records document the governance and programmatic activities of the Museum of the American Indian/Heye Foundation (MAI) from its inception in 1904 until its sublimation by the Smithsonian Institution in 1990. The types of materials present in this collection include personal and institutional correspondence, individual subject files, minutes and annual reports, financial ledgers, legal records, expedition field notes, research notes, catalog and object lists, publications, clippings, flyers, maps, photographs, negatives and audio-visual materials. These materials span a varied range of subjects relating to the activities of the museum which are more fully described on the series level.	https://sova.si.edu/search?s=40&n=10&t=C&q=Fur+Animal+Experiment+Station+%28Saratoga+Springs%2C+N.Y.%29
# Environmental impact design Environmental impact design (EID) is the design of development projects so as to achieve positive environmental objectives that benefit the environment and raise the stock of public goods. ## Examples Examples of EID include: Habitat creation as a result of afforestation projects that can "expand forest resources and reduce the gap between timber production and consumption." An example is the China Afforestation Project. Coastal management projects that strengthens biodiversity and promotes sustainable use of biological resources. Flood defense projects that improve livability in flood-prone areas by reducing future losses. Flood preparedness and mitigation systems can aid in handling periodic flooding. Bridge designs such as concrete bridges that are sustainable, recyclable, durable and can be built quickly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by traffic delays and construction equipment. ## Types Environmental impact design impacts can be broken down into three types: Direct impacts: caused by the project and building process, such as land consumption, erosion and loss of vegetation. Indirect impacts: side-effects of a project such as degradation of surface water quality from erosion of land cleared as a result of a project. Over time, indirect impacts can affect larger geographical areas. Cumulative impacts: synergistic effects such as the impairment of water regulation and filtering capabilities of wetland systems due to construction. Environmental impacts of design must consider the site of the project. Environmental Impact Design should address issues revealed by Environmental impact assessments (EIA). EID looks for ways to minimize costs to the developer, while maximizing the benefit to the environment. ## Construction Historically in construction, the needs of the owner were paramount, as constrained by local laws and policies, such as building safety and zoning. EID broadens those concerns to encompass environmental impacts. Low impact development and ecologically focused building practices originated in Germany following World War II. The widespread destruction and a large homeless population gave Germans the chance to refocus building practices. Prefabrication was adopted in both East and West Germany where, in the 1950s and 60s, modular construction systems were developed for residential buildings. ## International programs In 1992, at the Earth Summit, policy makers adopted Agenda 21, which focused on sustainable development. In 1996, the UN Conference on Human Settlements Habitat II discussed transferring sustainable building practices to an urban scale. From 1999 to 2003, the U.S. Green Building Council kick-started the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or (LEED) which is now the most well-known standard for green building. ## Building life cycle The "building life cycle" is an approach to design that considers environmental impacts such as pollution and energy consumption over the life of the building. This theory evolved into the idea of cradle-to-cradle design, which adds the notion that at the end of a building's life, it should be disposed of without environment impact. The Triple Zero standard requires lowering energy, emissions and waste to zero. A successful life cycle building adopts approaches such as the use of recycled materials in the construction process as well as green energy.	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_design
Conventional project finance valuation methodologies ignore a range of material externalities. The main barrier to deploying sustainable and natural infrastructure is the difficulty of structuring financially viable projects. Traditional valuation methodologies often provide a less convincing business case for sustainable assets than for grey infrastructure, due to their elements such as higher upfront capital costs, prominent technology risks, greater attention to safeguards, and higher project preparation costs. The problem lies in the inadequate identification and pricing of risks leading to inaccurate asset valuation and feasibility assessments. What is sustainable infrastructure? Sustainable infrastructure includes assets that: - Have lower carbon and environmental footprints - Provide for the stewardship of natural ecosystems - Trigger green technological and industrial innovation across domestic and international value chains - Spur investment in education, skills building and R&D - Increase employment and the growth of green jobs - Are financially viable - Crowd-in domestic investors and businesses - Increase FDI and domestic value- added - Optimize value for money for taxpayers and investors across the asset life cycle. The idea The SAVi Model addresses challenge above by providing the necessary quantitative evidence that sustainable infrastructure is the right choice, when considering its holistic impacts, even from a pure financial perspective. SAVi is based on the following methodologies: System Dynamics, which serves as a knowledge integrator, generating a conventional cost-benefit analysis as well as a more comprehensive assessment of the broader social, economic and environmental impacts of sustainable and grey infrastructure. This includes the estimation of required investments and resulting co-benefits, avoided costs and project risks. For example, forecasted impacts could include reduced fish stock following the installation of a hydropower dam. An example of avoided costs could be reduced energy consumption in sustainable buildings or reduced construction costs in the case of better road siting. One example of an added benefit could be increased productivity triggered by improved human health, which in turn was afforded by improved ambient air quality. This methodology also allows project risks to be identified and estimated quantitatively, filling an important information asymmetry for investors. Examples of these risks are provided below: - Regulatory risks: carbon taxes, changes in feed-in tariffs, changes in availability payments, air pollution laws - Market risks: price volatility and disruptions in supply of inputs (coal, building materials, water, feedstock) and outputs (energy and water services) - Technology risks: unexpected costs in installation and O&M, losses related to poor performance, cost of decommissioning, losses related to extreme weather, insufficient track records, - Social risks: issues related to land acquisition, disputes and delays related to environmental impact assessments and social impact assessments, disputes and delays related to other safeguards such as clearances and permits. Corality SMART Financial Modelling Methodology is used as the framework to demonstrate how the project risks identified as part of the system dynamics modelling influence the financial viability of sustainable versus business-as-usual infrastructure projects. These additional risk variables are integrated into the sensitivity analysis as part of the financial assessment. Lenders and equity investors build project finance models to estimate the financial sustainability and profitability of the project by mapping the various cash flows during the life of the asset. Using financial models built with Corality SMART Financial Modelling Methodology, SAVi demonstrates how the different project variables (such as capital expenditures, construction time, operation costs, operation efficiency, corporate tax rate, etc.) change under a wide range of risk scenarios. The scenarios modelled illustrate how the elements identified as part of system dynamics model influence the overall bankability of green verses the business-as-usual infrastructure projects. Such elements include change in carbon pricing policy, delays in construction, disruption in operation due to social or technological risks, the impact of climate change such as heat waves on the operation of the asset, among others. The Corality SMART Financial Modelling will also allow policy makers and investors assess how fiscal and financial incentives are important to increase the deployment of sustainable infrastructure. For example, tax rebates and allowances for sustainable infrastructure can positively enhance project finance parameters such as base interest rate and corporate tax rates. Similarly, Financial instruments to hedge against currency risks could allow a greater crowding in of domestic inventors and suppliers that would in turn increase productivity and green industrialisation in the domestic economy. The Asset Categories SAVi is first being developed for four asset categories: energy, roads, water management and buildings. Other asset categories will be added in the latter half of 2017. Energy In the energy sector, various electricity generation options are compared to identify economic, as well as social and environmental advantages and disadvantages. These are assessed for various economic actors (i.e. private sector, government and households) to gain a comprehensive view of the existing motives for investing in grey vs. green infrastructure. The SAVi Model customized to electricity supply includes macro-economic drivers to estimate demand, which in turn drives the estimation of required investments, capacity construction and ultimately electricity supply from conventional thermal options (i.e. oil, coal and gas), renewables (i.e. wind, solar, biomass and hydropower) and nuclear power. Employment and income are estimated for both the construction and operation and management of these plants. Other direct inputs to production, in addition to plant capacity and labour are energy sources (e.g. fossil fuels) and water. Land use, along with cement and steel used are also estimated for each technology across its lifetime. Finally, CO2, NOX, SO2 emissions and Pm are estimated, including their economical valuation (e.g. using the Social Cost of Carbon). Risks to production are also assessed through scenarios, which includes the impact of climate change (e.g. on water use for the cooling of thermal capacity). Buildings The SAVi buildings model assesses the construction, material manufacture, operation and management and demolition process of buildings. As a result, the definition of sustainable building used by SAVi accounts for economic and social outcomes in addition to environmental ones. The technologies considered include: construction materials; solar PV and solar heat water; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; lighting; water recycling and appliances. Roads The SAVi roads model defines a sustainable road as one that limits environmental impacts throughout its life cycle, including manufacture of materials, construction, use, and decommissioning. Environmental concerns are related to the design of the road, the materials used in construction, and use patterns. In addition to addressing environmental and natural resource needs, the development of a sustainable road should focus on social concerns such as access (not just mobility), moving people and goods (not just vehicles), and providing people with transportation choices, such as safe and comfortable routes for walking, cycling, and transit. Three main cost categories are considered: (a) construction, maintenance, pavement upgrade and end-of-life costs; (b) vehicle operation, travel delay, social impact, and road accidents; (c) environmental costs such as noise, air quality, water quality, resource consumption, and solid waste generation. Water The SAVi water model addresses sustainability issues relating to (1) water supply (e.g. surface and groundwater, including hydropower effects and diversions for irrigation), (2) water demand (e.g. losses in distribution and efficiency in the use of water) and (3) water management (e.g. water treatment and urban runoff and pollution). The model supports the analysis of Sustainable Urban Water Management options, addressing growing concerns over community well-being (rather than just public health), ecological health and sustainable development. The impact A more comprehensive methodology to quantify and monetize co-benefits, avoided costs and project risks of green vs. grey infrastructure. Across the different types of infrastructure, SAVi allows for a more robust stress-testing of projects by demonstrating that in the case of sustainable infrastructure, key variables that drive revenues, operating expenses and capital expenditures can be less volatile under a range of alternative scenarios. The additional risks modelled include climate risks (floods, freak weather, drought) leading to a reduction in resale value as well as risks related to the application of more stringent regulatory requirements on emission and waste. Furthermore, SAVi allows for a more accurate estimation of sensitivities related to human health costs, volatile real estate prices, as well as support the assessment of the contribution of infrastructure to employment creation and productivity improvements. Short term side effects, such as disruptions during construction and operation due to low social acceptance of the project are also taken into account. These considerations are critical for the long term valuation and refinancing of the asset. Policy-makers can use SAVi to appreciate the co-benefits and avoided costs of sustainable infrastructure as well as to justify spending on assets that may cost more to plan and build, but are more resilient during operation, maintenance and end of life decommissioning. Investors can use SAVi to understand how sustainable infrastructure is more resilient to a range of external risks and hence more bankable than traditional solutions. The barriers to innovation – and the solutions SAVi needs to demonstrate the business case for sustainable infrastructure, emphasizing different externalities depending on the stakeholder group addressed. Procurement regulations often do not allow procurers to materially deviate from the cheapest option when commissioning infrastructure. Thus the additional capital expenditure required for sustainable infrastructure can make the green alternative ineligible and / or hard to justify when making procurement decisions. A supportive legal and regulatory framework is needed for policy makers and procurers to assess projects by even going beyond a simple life cycle approach and also include other relevant environmental and social externalities. The primary mandate of institutional investors, one of the main sources of infrastructure financing, is to allocate capital to projects with attractive risk-return profiles. Some of the externalities monetized by SAVi does not influence their asset allocation as these factors do not directly impact their bottom line. On the other hand, some of the externalities quantified can have a material impact on the bankability of investments, but are still not covered by the risk assessment of investors as they are either not aware of these risk and / or are not able to quantify them. The way to overcome these barriers is to demonstrate the strong link between the financial viability of the project and the externalities measured by the SAVi Model. For policy makers, having a broader mandate than financial investors, the positive economic and social impact on their country / region should also be emphasized. The way forward Stakeholder participation is key. Key stakeholder groups need to be involved in the various stages of model development. Their involvement would ensure that SAVi is relevant for them, covering asset types and producing output, which can be easily integrated in their decision making processes. At the same time, their participation would build their trust in the robustness of the methodology and help them with interpreting the results. IISD is in the process of reaching out to beneficiary countries as well as setting up an investor advisory panel for SAVi. To produce the most accurate output, the SAVi Model needs to be customized for each country and asset type. Collaboration of governments in the data collection is key, as the quality of the output depends on the quality of data used. At the point of writing the framework model has been developed for buildings and energy infrastructure. Building on its experience in the development and implementation of the Sustainable Product Valuation Model in 2015, IISD is well placed to ensure the success of the SAVi Model and its utse at scale.	http://www.futureofconstruction.org/solution/sustainable-asset-value-iisd-savi-model/
China’s Belt and Road is anything but green It’s the most ambitious infrastructure project of all time, but environmentalists fear China’s Belt and Road Initiative could damage ecosystems and drastically increase carbon emissions. Here are five major environmental challenges. 01 Pollution Even though the Belt and Road Initiative stretches to some 78 countries, China says it will only commit to green standards within its borders. This means China doesn’t hold itself responsible for the pollution caused by constructing Belt and Road’s railways, ports, highways and power plants across Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. “My understanding is that it’s all about the government projecting its power,” says Zheng Yi, author of China’s Ecological Winter, who fears Chinese companies have an opportunity to pollute, and benefit from, poor countries and will do anything for economic growth. As part of the $8-trillion project, there are 33 rail corridors that have been or will be built in Africa alone. Rail corridors are accompanied by pipelines and power lines that require building extra roads and other supporting infrastructure. All this construction pollutes the surrounding air and water. Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong calculate that China suffers one million deaths a year from air pollution within its borders. 02 Habitats Besides air and water pollution, entire ecosystems are at risk. Found only in northern Sumatra’s Batang Toru forest, Indonesia, there are now fewer than 800 Tapanuli orangutans left. The $1.6-billion Sinohydro hydropower dam planned for Batang Toru’s lowlands could wipe out an estimated 10 to 20 per cent of the orangutan population and would flood the indigenous people’s land. Environmentalists fear that new roads built alongside the dam project will be accompanied by poaching, illegal deforestation and logging. A project in the Congo Basin, which cut through forest land, decimated forest elephants in the region. The number of forest elephants declined by 62 per cent between 2002 and 2011, according to PLOS One. As environmental protection is not a priority for developing countries, there is little preventing companies, exploiting timber, agriculture and mining, from harming the land and people’s livelihood. WWF warns of 265 threatened species and 46 biodiversity hotspots within range of the Belt and Road. The boom in transportation and energy infrastructure will have a massive impact on biodiversity, says Fernando Ascensão, a researcher at the CIBIO-InBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Porto University, Portugal. 03 Carbon emissions Building new infrastructure requires cement, a material that contributes more than 6 per cent of global carbon emissions. The Belt and Road extracts and uses fossil fuels and raw materials, such as sand and limestone, to make cement to construct buildings, roads, bridges and dams. China is the world’s second-largest cement producer and one of its biggest consumers. China is already responsible for at least a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and remains the world’s biggest investor in coal plants, in countries such as India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam and Turkey, included in the Belt and Road project. While China’s leader Xi Jinping said in his 2017 Belt and Road Forum keynote speech that China would “propose the establishment of an international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road” and “provide support to related countries in adapting to climate change”, recent pushback from environmental experts has made stakeholders uneasy. According to Dr Ma Jun, special adviser to the governor of the People’s Bank of China, the Belt and Road Initiative builds infrastructure across countries with three times China’s population. “If nothing is done, their emissions could be three times China’s emissions,” he says. 04 Migration Belt and Road’s success relies on the economic growth it promises for developing nations, but this promise neglects the ecological destruction caused. For example, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a $46-billion flagship Belt and Road project that will develop trading infrastructure to link the two countries. According to the United Nation’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, migrants from other regions in Pakistan may render the ethnic Baloch a minority in Balochistan. In addition, local people are being displaced in large part by ultimatums issued to residents. “The project has already begun to displace local communities and alter the regional ecosystem. More than 9,000 square miles of Thar’s total area of 22,000 square miles will be mined for coal, while the rest will be subject to substantial damming; projects that promise to transform the lives of the region’s 150,000 people,” writes Aasim Sajjad Akhtar in Monthly Review. Dr Priya Davidar, conservation biologist at Pondicherry University, India, says: “Big projects that should never proceed get approved, massively enriching a few power-brokers and land speculators while many people gain nothing.” Karen Ellis, director of sustainable economy at WWF, adds that one way for governments to tackle this problem is to create “no-go areas”. She says: “Governments should also work with civil society early on when planning infrastructure projects.” 05 Corruption Infrastructure investment has become an attractive option for financiers, but only a few key stakeholders make decisions that impact entire nations, like the Belt and Road initiative does. Corruption is one of the biggest problems with foreign investment in developing nations, says William Laurance, distinguished research professor at James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, Australia. “It’s a powerful incentive to approve projects that shouldn’t be approved,” he says. In Nigeria, an alternative route for the proposed Cross River Superhighway was approved after the Wildlife Conservation Society declared the original route would “displace 180 indigenous communities and threaten one of the world’s great centres of biodiversity”. The new route creates less environmental degradation, provides highway access for villages, and preserves fragile gorilla and elephant habitats. Infrastructure projects can, therefore, benefit the environment when smart, broad-based decisions are made with local communities in mind. They can even have positive economic impact. A strategically placed road, for example, can give farmers market access and opportunities to import fertilisers that will increase crop yield, profits and rural livelihood. Corruption, however, deters smart decisions and often results in harmful projects.	https://www.raconteur.net/sustainability/climate-change/china-belt-road-eco-threat/
As the impact of human activity on the planet becomes ever clearer, it is no surprise that an increasing number of us are concerned about the environment. But with so many different, complex issues affecting our world, we can struggle to know what to do to help. Global issues require global solutions. But each one of us has a part to play. In this post, we’re looking at the five most pressing environmental problems currently facing the world and introducing some of the possible solutions. 1: Climate Change With rising temperatures and extreme weather events becoming more common, it is increasingly clear that climate change is no longer a future threat. It is already affecting us today. Average global temperatures have already risen by over 2˚ Fahrenheit (1˚ Celsius) since 1880, with the vast majority of the warming happening since 1975. Global temperatures do fluctuate over time. But 97% of scientists now agree that the current rise in temperatures is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and intensive meat farming. Solutions: Slowing global warming and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is a goal that requires input at every level, from governments and organizations to individuals and communities. We urgently need to transition to cleaner energy sources, overhaul our infrastructure, and embrace sustainable agriculture. As individuals and communities, we can address our personal carbon footprint in many ways. Examples include eating less red meat, choosing locally grown produce, and supporting organizations that are working to offer sustainable alternatives. We can also use our vote to elect leaders and politicians who pledge to take action on global warming. 2: Water Pollution Water is essential to life. But our waterways and oceans are at risk. Toxic runoff from agriculture, pollution from factories, and the increase in plastic waste threaten the safety of the water we all rely on. These pollutants also impact marine and aquatic life. Plastic is a particular concern. As well as larger items that are washed or dumped into our seas, scientists have raised an alarm bell over microplastics. These tiny pieces of plastic can travel many miles, impacting even remote waters far from human habitation. Solutions: Reducing our plastic use and recycling what we do use whenever possible are good first steps to address the issue of plastic waste in our oceans. As communities, we can also come together to care for our local waterways. Beach clean-up days and other litter picking events can make a real difference. They also prompt us to be more mindful about how we dispose of our waste. 3: Deforestation Often described as “the lungs of our planet”, the loss of our rainforests and other ancient forests is a major cause for concern. These ecosystems are vital to maintaining biodiversity. Over three-quarters of terrestrial life lives in and relies on forests. And they are also essential carbon sinks. Old-growth forests absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. But we’re losing them at an overwhelming rate. An estimated 30 soccer pitches worth of tropical forest disappears every minute. The majority of that loss is down to human activities. Forests are cleared to make way for agriculture and infrastructure or harvested for timber. Solutions: As individuals, conscious consumption is one of the best ways to support organizations that seek alternatives to cutting down ancient forests. We can purchase recycled products or items made from fast-growing sources, such as bamboo, and only buy timber from sustainably managed forests. We can also reduce our meat consumption. Much deforestation is driven by the need for land to grow animal feed, so eating less meat means less land is required. 4: Loss of Biodiversity Plant and animal species are disappearing at an alarming rate, prompting scientists to warn that we are entering a sixth major mass extinction event. This loss of biodiversity is an urgent issue. Firstly, plants and animals have a right to exist and should be valued and respected for that alone. But we also need a diverse range of species in each habitat to maintain a healthy and resilient ecosystem. The complex interplay between different species is what makes ecosystems as a whole capable of adapting to change. As we lose more species, our ecosystems become more vulnerable. For example, the decrease in pollinators, such as bees, has a knock-on effect on the plants that rely on them to reproduce. Ultimately, this could lead to food scarcity for both humans and other animals. Scientists are clear that the current rate of biodiversity loss is down to human activity. A combination of habitat loss, environmental pollution, over-exploitation, and the impact of climate change is putting many species at risk. Solutions: Protecting our remaining habitats and creating new places for nature to thrive can help to slow the loss of biodiversity. As communities and individuals, we can create wild spaces and plant a wide range of pollinator-friendly flowers in our own gardens. We can also support food producers who champion biodiversity. 5: Soil Degradation We need healthy soil to grow the plants that humans and animals depend on. But intensive farming, environmental pollution, climate change, and erosion are affecting the health and fertility of our soils. In turn, soil degradation has a significant impact on biodiversity and food availability, especially in the global south. As well as a reduction in plant life, soil degradation contributes to catastrophic events, such as flooding and landslides. And healthy soil is also essential in the fight against climate change. As the biggest terrestrial carbon sink, our soil helps to offset the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. But when the soil degrades, that carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Solutions: Changing our agricultural practices to prioritize soil health is vital to preventing further degradation. As individuals, our food choices can play a role in encouraging more sustainable agriculture. Those with space might choose to grow some of their own food at home. Communities can come together to create community growing spaces. And all of us can support local growers who choose to farm organically and with respect for the soil.	https://tomorrowfoundation.org/environmental-issues/
Solidifying Your Infrastructure Objectives Infrastructure systems such as water supply, wastewater management and solid waste management are subject to many challenges, including aging equipment and systems and increasing construction and operation costs. However, strengthening the sustainability aspect within infrastructure planning and design can help to address these challenges, as well as reduce energy consumption and emissions. Depending on the size and capabilities of a local government, infrastructure engineering is done in house and/or by consultants to varying degrees. All along that spectrum, it is important to establish sustainability and emissions objectives that will help to guide both staff and consultants in their design work. Implementation of these considerations in local government policy is in relative infancy, compared to other initiatives such as green building policy. However, examples of potential policies include: - Official Community Plan: at a high level, sets directions for energy and resource usage that will influence infrastructure-related emissions. - Purchasing: purchasing policy may be updated to require Requests for Proposals and Terms of Reference for infrastructure projects to include sustainability requirements. For example: - Vendors to supply information or analyses that indicate net energy and emissions performance of their equipment or design - Create baseline assumptions for suppliers, to allow “apples to apples” comparison – e.g. emissions factors, life cycle cost analysis methodology - Encourage approaches such as Integrated Resource Recovery (see Management Plans for Infrastructure and Resources) - Green/Sustainable Infrastructure Policy: A separate policy or strategy document could be created that embodies infrastructure objectives and possibly performance targets Potential Objectives Examples of potential objectives include: - Energy: minimize the net energy intensity of the system(s) when planning and designing new systems, upgrades or replacements. Intensities can be evaluated on a per-service-unit basis - for example, kWh/cubic metre of water supplied or wastewater treated. - Emissions: minimize the net greenhouse gas intensity, analogous to energy use, for example through reduced energy intensity and use of renewable energy sources. - Life cycle costs: minimize the net, long-term cost of service provision on a per-unit basis (e.g. $/cubic metre of water supplied or wastewater treated), considering all elements of the infrastructure systems, capital and operating costs, and potential revenues from sources such as waste heat. - Demand management: Develop Demand Side Management (DSM) strategies in parallel with any major infrastructure projects. - Materials: consider the energy and emissions intensity of construction materials. Additional or modified objectives, and potentially performance targets such as emissions reductions, can be developed based on the specific context.	https://www.toolkit.bc.ca/solidifying-your-infrastructure-objectives
How does India’s Budget fare on sustainable development? India’s new government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced its first annual Union Budget on Saturday. The budget was hailed as pro-poor and pro-growth, but how did it fare on sustainable development? Shortly after Budget announcements by Singapore and Hong Kong last week, India – now the world’s fastest growing economy going by the government’s latest statistics – announced its Union Budget on Saturday. The first full budget put out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new government was, in his words, “pro-poor, pro-growth, pro-middle class, pro-youth”. Measures announced by India’s finance minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament include the introduction of a nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST) by April 2016, paying welfare money and subsidies directly into people’s bank accounts to avoid corruption, developing a universal social security scheme, and cutting corporate tax rates to 25 per cent over the next four years. While these measures were broadly welcomed by observers, environmentalists noted the absence of initiatives on environmental protection and sustainable development. Some said the budget was “destruction-oriented” because it cut funding to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Others, such as Vikram Mehta, the chairman of non-profit Brookings Institution, said that the budget speech “did nothing to ameliorate the concerns of the environmentalists”. Here’s a closer look at how the Union Budget fared on the environmental front. Acknowledging that India’s “infrastructure does not match our growth ambitions”, Jaitley announced heavy investment in building roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects. Road infrastructure will receive an outlay of 14,031 crore Rupees (US$2.26 billion), while railways will get 10,050 crore Rupees (US$1.62 billion). A new National Investment and Infrastructure Fund will also be set up and receive 20,000 crore Rupees (US$3.23 billion) annually. These investments are expected to drive economic growth and attract investment in the country, and could also prove to be a game-changer for renewable energy growth in India, according to Vineet Mittal, co-founder and managing director of Delhi-based company Welspun Energy. But last September, the new government introduced legislation that would allow some infrastructure projects to bypass mandatory environmental checks before being built. Large-scale infrastructure such as roads and railways pose acute environmental effects such as deforestation and pollution. As India ploughs ahead with infrastructure growth, it’s crucial that environmental safeguards are not written off in the name of development. The government also proposed setting up five new “ultra mega power projects” – each a coal-based thermal power project with a generation capacity of 4000 megawatts (MW). Jaitley said that this project would hopefully attract investments to the tune of 1 trillion Rupees (US$16 billion), and assured Parliament that regulatory clearances will be in place before the project is awarded by a transparent auction system”. At the same time, he also proposed doubling the Clean Energy levy on coal from 100 Rupees (US$1.60) to US$3.20 per metric tonne of coal – this would be channeled to financing clean environmental initiatives, he added. In a country that still struggles with energy poverty – a 2010 World Bank study found that 57 per cent of rural households lacked enough energy to perform basic tasks such as cooking as lighting, while 28 per cent of urban households were also energy poor – ramping up power generation is likely to bring much needed relief to homes where electricity is badly needed. But the scale of the increase, and the lack of information on how it will affect the greenhouse gas emissions of a country that is already the world’s third largest emitter is cause for concern. A budget cannot truly be “pro-poor” or “pro-growth” if the development it promises today are at the expense of the environment and climate stability. This will only come about if more attention, political will and resources are diverted to mitigating climate change. Jaitley also announced that the Ministry of New Renewable Energy had a target renewable energy capacity of 175,000 MW by 2020 – a majority of this would be achieved by solar energy (100,000 MW), with wind, biomass, and small hydro power making up the remainder. The country’s installed renewable energy capacity is 34,000 MW today, and the government’s target was met with “lukewarm response” from renewable energy companies. This was due to a lack of funding commitments to back up its plans to grow renewable energy, undermining confidence that this ambitious target can actually be achieved. Observers also pointed out that measures to spur investment in renewable energy - such as tax-free bonds - were absent from the Budget. Jaitley said that these moves were a sign of India’s commitment to making its “development process as green as possible”. He also proposed an initial investment of 75 crore Rupees ( US$12 million) to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country - but there was no other mention of supporting the development of green transport alternatives such as public transport in cities. With the renewable energy target and EV funding being the only two mentions of clean energy in the budget, it is unsurprising that those hoping for India to take more definitive action on reducing its emission were disappointed – especially when juxtaposed against its moves to develop coal-powered energy. One observer writing on Indian news site Scroll.in dismissed these announcements as “cursory references,” saying that the finance minister had otherwise “practically ignored the issue” of climate change. While the budget’s action on climate change was deemed lackluster, it unveiled several initiatives to support the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’, or Clean India Movement – an initiative by Modi to improve public cleanliness and hygiene across the nation. All donations to the initiative (except those that are made as a Corporate Social Responsibility contribution) will be fully tax deductible, as will those made to the Clean Ganga Fund, which aims to clean up the Ganges river. Should the Clean India Movement need additional support, an additional national levy of two per cent or less on “all or certain services” could also be implemented to finance the programme, said Jaitley, though he did not specify which services. Given the public health hazard posed by pollution and a lack of sanitation in India, it is important that this initiative receives financial and political support from the Modi government. Overall, while important issues such as infrastructure development, energy growth, and economic expansion were extensively addressed in the Budget, the same level of commitment is not evident when it comes to environmental protection and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Still, India’s commitments on renewable energy and clean mobility should be welcomed.	https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/how-does-indias-budget-fare-sustainable-development/
Port builds on solar power pilot at Fishermen’s Terminal with larger solar plan for the roof at Pier 69 Headquarters Port of Seattle Commissioners passed an Energy and Sustainability Motion that charts a new course toward the Port’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance sustainability and assess new opportunities for sourcing renewable energy. One of the most tangible aspects of progress on sustainability at the Port is the new solar array currently being installed at Fishermen’s Terminal. The Port’s proposed 2018 budget includes an even larger project to add solar energy to the roof of its Pier 69 building. “In addition to reducing the Port’s carbon emissions and working to reduce the competing demands on Washington’s hydropower system, these projects demonstrate how the Port can lead efforts to reduce the increasingly obvious impacts of climate change on the environment and our quality of life,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, who co-chairs the Port’s Energy and Sustainability Committee with Commissioner Courtney Gregoire. “Today’s action reinforces the Port of Seattle’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and should encourage expanded innovation in green technology. From biofuels at Sea-Tac Airport to solar panels at Fishermen’s Terminal, we look forward to strengthening partnerships to make our region a market leader in the green economy,” Commissioner Gregoire added. Watch local solar experts and Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman describe current and future renewable energy and sustainability projects at the Port of Seattle. The Motion will direct the Port of Seattle to: - Develop a Sustainability Evaluation Framework to assist the Commission helping the Port meet its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals by increasing the transparency of project impacts. - Select up to four pilot projects, divided between the airport and maritime, to identify the framework and process that incorporates environmental and societal components in design and decision-making for Port construction and operations. The solar project at Pier 69 should be selected as the first pilot project to test the Port’s new evaluation framework. - Ensure sufficient resources to track greenhouse gas reduction and implement sustainable design principles. - Expand our carbon reduction emission goal in the Port’s Century Agenda to include indirect emissions. The Port’s goal is for Port-controlled and indirect emissions to be carbon neutral or carbon negative by 2050. - Increase collaboration with the Northwest Seaport Alliance through the Sustainability Center of Expertise. \| \| \| \| \| \| Rendering of solar power array on Fishermen’s Terminal Net Shed 5. The solar panel installation should generate approximately 11,000 kWh of power annually, enough to power the building’s operations. A Washington State based company manufactured the solar panels and a local company will perform installation. Completion: early 2018. \| \| \| \| \| \| Rendering of solar power array on Port of Seattle’s Pier 69 office building. The solar panel installation could generate approximately 320,000 kWH of power annually and defer 11,000 lbs. of CO2. The project, if approved, would be partially funded by a grant from Washington State Department of Commerce. “The Port knows that a more prosperous future is also a cleaner, more sustainable one,” said Vlad Gutman-Britten, Washington Director of Climate Solutions. “These policies put the Port of Seattle on a path towards environmental leadership that reflects the values of this region.” The Energy and Sustainability Motion marks a major milestone for the Port, which two years ago began significant internal, policy and operational changes that will contribute to a healthier environment and communities. Significant conservation and sustainability actions from the past two years have included: - Creating a consolidated Sustainability Center of Expertise to better share information and strategies between environmental experts in aviation and maritime; - Establishing the new policy-making Energy and Sustainability Committee that includes Port Commissioners, staff and was advised by external stakeholders; - Creating a first-of-its kind Marine Stormwater Utility, which relies on tenants and business unit fees to assess, repair and improve stormwater infrastructure, including adding green infrastructure to manage stormwater; - Setting more ambitious goals for reducing Port-controlled carbon emissions; - Increasing energy efficiency through upgrades and new equipment, including converting CNG buses to electric; - Pursuing opportunities to supply sustainable aviation biofuel to all airlines fueling at Sea-Tac Airport; - Sourcing new wind-powered electricity, renewable natural gas and renewable diesel; and - Improving the walkway between public transit stations and the airport terminal by adding an electric cart shuttle, increasing wayfinding, adding weatherization panels and improving lighting. The Port of Seattle set a goal to be the greenest, most energy efficient port in North America. The Port’s environmental programs cover air quality, energy, clean water, habitat and wildlife management, noise abatement, recycling and solid waste management and cleaning up industrial contamination. In addition to maintaining its aviation and maritime facilities, the Port manages 24 acres of waterfront parks using organic landscaping practices.	https://workersadvisor.com/2018/01/15/port-of-seattle-takes-action-on-climate-change-and-sustainability/
Technical Unit experts and authorities of 20 municipalities held an important meeting to discuss the recovery of urban ecosystems, the protection of groundwater, and the reduction of Greenhouse Gases, to protect residents’ life, health, and well-being. The TEVU project, or Transition to a Green Urban Economy, is an ambitious country project to mitigate the effects of urban and environmental degradation and climate change affecting the citizens of the Greater Metropolitan Area. In addition, the investment is $100 million between Global Environment Facility (GEF) and national grants. TEVU plans to involve 20 municipalities to restore 2,000 hectares of affected land, improve habitat for threatened urban species, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Costa Rica is a world example in the recovery of forested areas and the expansion of conservation areas. With this plan, the country focuses on environmental intervention in cities and will place Costa Rica alongside other countries that are converting their cities into sustainable and environmentally friendly spaces. “GEF always sees how Costa Rica takes advantage of the funds with great satisfaction. Since the 1990s when we decided as a country to invest in infrastructure in National Parks, which today generate income, employment, and human development in harmony with biodiversity, and in the 2000s with investments in the payment of environmental services that contributed to reverse deforestation,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Echeverría, Executive Director of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Jorge Ocampo Sánchez, executive president of the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory Services (IFAM), indicated that municipalities are the engine of green economic recovery and, given the current situation, are widely committed to mitigating and adapting their territories against the effects of climate change through the implementation of local public policy and integrated and sustainable urban planning. “Projects such as TEVU are an incentive for the creation, development, and management of effective actions from local governments that have an impact on environmental protection and conservation, but, above all, on a redesign of cities oriented to meet the needs of the people as a priority,” added Ocampo. The event was attended by the Director of the Organization for Tropical Studies, Miguel Méndez González, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, José Vicente Troya Rodríguez, the Executive President of IFAM, Jorge Ocampo Sánchez, and the Vice Minister of Environment and Energy, Rafael Gutiérrez Rojas.	https://ticotimes.net/2022/07/14/costa-rican-municipalities-commit-to-improving-urban-areas
Join us in being a Climate Leader in Contra Costa County! In order for Contra Costa County to adapt and thrive in the face of the climate crisis, the General Plan needs to set goals that are not just incremental, but ambitious and transformative. Sign-on to our letter to urge the County to incorporate critical environmental and equitable policies into the General Plan! The Letter: Contra Costa General Plan Update Policy Suggestions from Environmental Advocates In order for Contra Costa County to adapt and thrive in the face of the climate crisis, the General Plan needs to set goals that are not just incremental, but ambitious and transformative. Clear measurables must be included to support the following concepts from our original vision letter that we shared in February 2020. Building on our original vision, below are some specific policy language suggestions for each item outlined in our vision 1. Preserve and protect hillsides and vistas. Identify and create an inventory of areas in the county with significant natural habitat, open space, and recreation resources and promote conservation, preservation, and environmental rehabilitation of these lands. Work with property owners to acquire or dedicate those lands that could be preserved as open space. - Develop hillside development guidelines that will ensure construction activities retain natural vegetation and topography and minimize grading of hillside. Minimize soil depletion and prevent erosion. - Require all new construction to protect and restore natural features such as waterways, creeks & wetlands in urban areas as a means of connecting residents with nature and reversing damage to natural systems. Where feasible, restore creek corridors in urban areas. Creeks currently diverted in culverts or hardened channels should be restored to their natural state. - Prohibit the use of invasive plant species such as broom and ivies, especially adjacent to wetlands, riparian areas, or other sensitive habitat. Require landscaping that incorporates native, drought-tolerant plants and sustainable maintenance practices and standards. Provide trees on residential & mixed-use streets. Ensure a 3 to 1 replacement of all trees removed. Plant trees to shade county buildings, businesses, and residential homes to reduce energy use and sequester carbon. Require green infrastructure such as impervious surfaces to reduce stormwater runoff and provide swales and retention basins. - Require new development and significant remodels to reduce the waste of potable water through the use of efficient technology, recycled water plumbing (purple pipe), and conservation efforts that minimize the County’s dependence on imported water and conserve groundwater resources. 2. Plan for more equitable outcomes for residents, prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities - Develop a plan to transition from toxic industries to clean industries that offer good-wage jobs that are accessible by biking, walking, and public transportation. Include a local hiring incentive or requirement. - Mitigate historic and current toxic uses adjacent to frontline communities through brownfield clean up, buffer zoning for open space in and around disadvantaged communities, and developing high-quality urban parks in disadvantaged communities - Work with local Native American tribes to protect recorded and unrecorded cultural and sacred sites and to educate developers and the community at large about the connections between Native American history and the environmental features of our local landscape. 3. Take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and transition to a carbon-free economy; - Require implementation of a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, that includes a baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for both community-wide and county operations, that is reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis to ensure GHG reduction goals are met or exceeded. The Inventory shall provide a business-as-usual forecast for GHG emissions for 2020 and 2030 and beyond if needed. The GHG emissions reduction target will align with Executive Order B 55 80, committing to net zero carbon by 2045, and will include a commitment to SB100, 100% zero-carbon energy by 2045. - Establish a goal: “County leadership in addressing the climate crisis”. This goal will commit to 1) leadership in promoting new initiatives and innovative strategies that meet and exceed state requirements; 2) proactive education of residents and businesses about the importance of these actions; 3) Participation with other jurisdictions and organizations to develop effective regional solutions and regulation at regional, state and federal levels; 4) Collaboration with residents, businesses, public agencies, and neighboring jurisdictions, in order to meet or exceed state requirements for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. - Establish a goal: “Climate-Resilient Communities”. While the impacts of climate change on local communities are uncertain, to the extent possible, prepare to respond to and protect residents and businesses from increased risks of natural disasters and extreme weather events such as flooding or drought. 4. Strengthen community and natural environment resiliency through climate adaptation and emergency planning efforts - Name and address climate action explicitly, and incorporate Climate Action Plan goals and strategies within the General Plan. - Incorporate the climate adaptation and resilience strategies in the San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas, into all relevant policies to protect environmental quality and public health and safety, with a focus on disadvantaged communities. - Identify all infrastructure, particularly industrial infrastructure, at risk of floods, seismic/liquefaction risk, and enhanced wildfire risk due to climate change. Require needed safety upgrades identified in hazard mitigation assessment and emergency preparedness policies and procedures and hold public meetings to discuss these plans and ensure widespread understanding and confidence in these plans. 5. Protect and improve our agricultural lands and associated economy - Implement the policy recommendations from "Recommendations on Reforming Agricultural Land Use Policies in Contra Costa County" document from Fall 2019. - Preserve agricultural lands for sustained crop production, grazing, and farming. Encourage local organic food production on commercial farms and through micro-farming in community gardens and private yards. Protect viable topsoils to ensure working landscapes. Incentivize regenerative farming practices. - Adopt farmland mitigation programs aimed at preserving farmland while giving agricultural landowners the opportunity to recover equity in their property without developing it. These should be coordinated among localities so as to create a level playing field and prevent developers from playing one jurisdiction against its neighbors. LAFCOs can help do this by adopting their own policy of requiring cities to mitigate farmland loss as a condition of annexation. - Encourage small-scale food production, such as community gardens and cooperative neighborhood growing efforts, on parcels within the county limits, provided that the operations do not conflict with existing adjacent urban uses. Collaborate with water suppliers and wastewater treatment plant operators to increase the availability of treated or recycled water for agricultural purposes. 6. Ensure transit-oriented development, focus economic development near housing or transit, reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote equitable access to jobs and services, especially for disadvantaged communities - Strengthen the urban limit line, and preserve lands along the line. - Create a jurisdiction-wide program for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled that incentivizes carbon sequestration, zero-emission buildings and vehicles, soil building agricultural activities, and natural-based shoreline adaptation measures and social resilience; - Expand the green transportation network by encouraging the use of climate-friendly technology, planning growth around multiple modes of travel, and reducing automobile reliance. In addition to promoting improved public transit, partner with private developers to undertake countywide improvements that make active modes of travel, such as walking and bicycling, more comfortable and preferable options. Establish energy-efficient fleet management and operation practices. - Reduce energy consumption by promoting sustainable land uses and development patterns. Pursue infill development opportunities and encourage the construction of higher-density, mixed-use projects around existing public transit infrastructure, schools, parks, neighborhood-serving retail, and other critical services. Incorporate ecologically sustainable practices and materials into new development, building retrofits, and streetscape improvements. In areas that are already built-up include affordable and deeply affordable housing, as a means to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, and facilitate walking, bicycling, and transit use, including through mixed-use corridors and activity centers. - Work with existing shuttle service providers to coordinate their services with other forms of transit, special events, and work centers. Encourage home offices, live/worksites, and satellite work centers in appropriate locations. Encourage telecommuting options through public outreach and with new and existing employers, as appropriate and modeled by County policies that encourage telecommuting whenever feasible. - Coordinate with ride-sharing programs to provide up-to-date lists of potential riders and to educate the public on commuting options. Encourage the development of employer-funded vanpool and shuttle bus services to new employment centers. Encourage employer provision of information on alternative modes of transit. Encourage employers to offer flextime arrangements to their employees in order to reduce the percentage of trips made during peak hours. 7. Prioritize efficient land use and house every resident ethically and affordably through new housing production, tenant protections, and existing housing preservation - We recognize that the housing element is not part of this current update and will have more comments when the housing element is updated in the future. 8. Ensure accountability to the goals and priorities laid out in the General Plan. - Add a section to all staff reports that reviews impact on sustainability, resiliency, and equity; as well as fiscal impact. - Mandate annual reporting on general plan progress be posted on the front page of the county website with a clear dashboard that indicates progress on implementation plans. And clear visuals of how the county is meeting its greenhouse gas reduction goals. - Conduct annual outreach events to the communities identified as disadvantaged per SB1000 to update on progress and elicit community comments and guidance for future action. - Provide for systematic reviews of General Plan progress and associated metrics that are transparent, engage the community, and demonstrate measurable equitable outcomes consistent with the Plan’s intent. This letter was created in partnership with the Contra Costa Environmental Stakeholders coalition and signed by the following organizations: Contra Costa County Climate Leaders, Greenbelt Alliance, Sunrise Movement, Save the Bay, Sustainable Contra Costa, Concord Communities Alliance, Indivisible ReSisters, C.R.U.D.E., 350 ContraCosta, Contra Costa MoveOn, and Elders Climate Action.	https://p2a.co/c2aouqf
Climate Action P2 Projects 2010 The purpose of this round of Community P2 grant was to foster the development of community based approaches that will effectively address climate and energy challenges in Michigan. This grant targeted the following climate actions: - Developing and implementing a "local climate action plan" to reduce GHG emissions and reduce energy consumption. - Adopting formal resolutions and ordinances that support energy and climate change initiatives. - Creating a community inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. - Organizing or strengthening a citizen climate and/or energy task force for a municipality, county or region. - Supporting ongoing partnerships between neighborhoods/blocks and city government that will address climate and energy issues. - Improving infrastructure, operations and adopt climate-smart practices through land use plans, zoning and building codes. - Identifying opportunities for waste and energy savings in buildings, waste and water treatment processes and other local government operations including: transportation and roads; handling of solid and hazardous waste; janitorial and food services; laundry operations; environment purchasing; electronic waste disposal; composting; heating and cooling; recycling; energy and water usage; etc. - Developing sustainable land use guidelines for your community to address energy usage and climate change. The following municipalities received grant funding: - City of Ann Arbor; $50,000 - City of Dearborn; $50,000 - City of Hazel Park; $48,747 - City of Southgate; $49,767 - City of Ypsilanti; $48,033 PROJECT RESULTS: Climate Action Plans, Final Reports and Strategy Libraries Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan Dearborn Climate Action Plan Hazel Park Climate Action Plan South Gate Climate Action Plan Ypsilanti Climate Action Plan Summary: Year: 2010 thru 2012 Grant Type: Community P2 Focus: Climate Action Planning Background: Local governments can play a key role in minimizing the risks of climate change and reducing its long-term costs. They can reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by improving operations and developing sustainable land use guidelines for the community at large while minimizing the negative impacts of future climate change. Local governments can also improve infrastructure, operations, and enable climate-smart practices through land use plans, zoning and building codes, solid waste and water management programs, energy reduction programs, and through policies dealing with roads and public transportation. Local governments can lead, educate, and demonstrate the savings from energy efficiency and low-carbon energy, encouraging businesses, institutions, and individuals to move forward on climate change. Environmental Benefits: The development of climate action plans and strategies that can be used as models and templates by other Michigan cities and local governments across the State. Environmental benefits include the reduction in greenhouse gases, energy, waste and water.	http://origin-sl.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-70153_70155_3585_57765_62565-288412--,00.html
A city in its landscape Potential indicators: Increased urban tree canopy; Expanded Greater Sydney Green Grid Greater Sydney has evolved within outstanding natural and scenic landscapes. As it grows, strategic planning will manage the effects of urban development to protect, restore and enhance these landscapes, waterways, coastline, natural areas, tree canopy and open spaces. Delivering on these outcomes will require careful management of the environmental, social and economic values of the Metropolitan Rural Area and the Protected Natural Area. A healthy natural environment will be important to improve liveability, create healthy places, and mitigate the effects of climate change. New approaches to water management and urban design will be part of the response to climate change and will help to cool the region, particularly the Western Parkland City. Planning for a sustainable Greater Sydney starts with a city in its landscape. Greater Sydney is one of the world's most attractive and liveable regions. It has a diverse, beautiful and iconic natural landscape that includes a unique coastline, waterways, mountains, vegetation and a favourable climate. Planning for sustainability involves taking a long-term approach to managing Greater Sydney's waterways, biodiversity and bushland, rural lands and its connected green spaces and corridors. It also involves greening streets and neighbourhoods with increased tree canopy cover. For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people have cared for and protected Greater Sydney's natural landscapes. Today, half of Greater Sydney is protected in national parks and reserves. The natural environment supports biodiversity as well as the economy and enhances residents' quality of life and wellbeing. Greater Sydney has four major landscape types (refer to Figure 44): - Protected Natural Area - Metropolitan Rural Area - Urban Area - Coast and Harbours. The Protected Natural Area frames the city to the north, west and south and includes the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and the coastal sandstone plateaux and estuaries of the Royal National Park - the world's second oldest national park - and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The Metropolitan Rural Area has a diversity of farmland, mineral resources, and distinctive towns and villages in rural and bushland settings. It includes the floodplains of the Hawkesbury- Nepean Valley, and the hills and steep ridgelines of the Wollondilly Shire. There are areas of high biodiversity value including national parks and reserves as well as scenic and cultural landscapes. The Urban Area includes a mosaic of places from vibrant business districts and industrial areas to quiet neighbourhoods. National parks and reserves, protected waterways and local parks intersperse the Urban Area and are important for local habitat, character and amenity. Within the Urban Area the climate changes from east to west, with less rainfall, hotter summer days and colder winter nights in the Western Parkland City (refer to Figure 43). The steeper and more heavily vegetated landscapes of the northern and north-eastern neighbourhoods contrast with the flatter, more open landscapes of the Cumberland Plain (refer to Figure 50). Figure 43: Climate variations across Greater Sydney Figure 44: Four major landscape types of Greater Sydney The Coast and Harbours from Broken Bay and Pittwater in the north to Port Hacking in the south are valued and recognised as part of Greater Sydney's environment, culture and identity, framing the city to the east. Aquatic reserves protect and support the health of aquatic ecosystems. Coastal waterways are important for recreation and tourism (refer to Objective 25). Across Greater Sydney, past urban development and industrial activities have impacted on natural landscapes and the environment. Even today, waterways are being affected by pollution. These practices, and the continued reliance on fossil fuels for energy and transport are creating environmental problems for future generations. A sustainable region minimises its use of resources, and its impacts on global systems and climate change. It embraces the principle of capacity building to adapt to future changes. The region can become more sustainable through more costeffective and efficient ways to reduce environmental impacts, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce waste and increase recycling and re-use. For example in 2015-16, the combined emissions from electricity and gas used in buildings, transport and waste in Greater Sydney contributed 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, equal to 54 per cent of NSW's emissions from these sources46 (refer to Figure 45). Greater Sydney has the potential to become a leader and innovator in environmental technology and management of energy, water and waste, building on a range of programs and initiatives that promote energy and water efficiency in buildings, the generation and storage of renewable energy and precinct-based approaches to the sustainable use of resources. Greater Sydney, the nation's largest city, has an important role in Australia's response to climate change. The communities within Greater Sydney, with their differing characteristics, require targeted responses to mitigate climate change, focusing on the design of neighbourhoods and managing land use, infrastructure and transport. This could include using renewable energy, reducing consumption of energy and water and reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, which would help to deliver a more efficient and sustainable city. These responses can reduce costs for households and businesses, while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. A resilient region reduces its exposure and vulnerability to natural and urban hazards and is more able to withstand shocks and stresses. Planning for the region builds on the NSW Government's support of the 100 Resilient Cities network of councils across Greater Sydney47. Greater Sydney is exposed to natural hazards like flooding, bushfires, severe storms and heatwaves. Climate change will exacerbate many natural hazards and increase risks to the community. One of the most significant natural hazards in Greater Sydney is flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. The largest flood on record in this valley was in 1867, when the river level reached 19.7 metres in Windsor. If a flood of this size occurred in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley today, 12,000 residential properties would be impacted, 90,000 people would need evacuation and damages would cost an estimated $5 billion48. Urban hazards such as air pollution, noise and soil contamination need to be managed to protect the region's liveability and sustainability. Exposure to air pollution is influenced by natural air circulation patterns, leading to higher incidents of pollution in the north west and south west of Greater Sydney. Many sustainability goals are incorporated into existing environmental laws, regulations and government policies and frameworks, including protection of waterways, coastlines and biodiversity, and provisions to reduce pollution and waste. However, these mostly single-issue approaches mean that balancing economic, social and environmental factors in decision-making is challenging. This Plan promotes integrated approaches to deliver sustainable outcomes. One integrated approach is through planning and delivering green infrastructure. Green infrastructure is the network of green spaces, natural systems and semi-natural systems that support sustainable communities. It has connected elements: waterways; urban bushland; urban tree canopy and green ground cover; parks and open spaces (refer to Figure 46). Greater Sydney's Green Grid sets a long-term vision for a network of high quality green areas that will connect communities to green infrastructure. It will promote a healthier urban environment and improve access to spaces for recreation and exercise. Scenic and cultural landscapes and rural landscapes complement green infrastructure. Figure 46: Connected elements of green infrastructure Greater Sydney's environment, and its sustainability, are linked to its liveability and productivity. Several of the Objectives and Strategies in the liveability and productivity chapters of this Plan support more sustainable communities. For example: - Objective 7: Communities are healthy, resilient and socially connected - helps create stronger communities that are less vulnerable to natural and urban hazards; - Objective 23: Industrial and urban services land is planned, retained and managed - supports retention of local recycling and waste management facilities; - Objective 14: A Metropolis of Three Cities - integrated land use and transport creates walkable and 30-minute cities - helps to lower the region's greenhouse gas emissions. Summary of Actions The following metropolitan-wide Action will deliver sustainability objectives. 12. Develop and implement the South Creek Corridor Plan (refer to Objective 26). Green infrastructure and greener places Green infrastructure is fundamental to creating a high quality of life and is important in creating a region that is climate resilient and adaptable to future needs. The NSW Government's draft green infrastructure policy Greener Places: Establishing an urban green infrastructure policy for New South Wales was produced by the Government Architect NSW to guide the planning, design and delivery of green infrastructure. The draft policy also highlights the role of green roofs and walls, private and semi-private residential gardens and agricultural land that complement green infrastructure and help support more sustainable places. The draft policy is based on a green infrastructure framework with the following key components: - Bushland and Waterways - delivering green infrastructure for habitat and ecological health - The Urban Tree Canopy - delivering green infrastructure for climate change adaptation and resilience - Parks and Open Space - delivering green infrastructure for people.	https://greatercities.au/metropolis-of-three-cities/sustainability
Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change NOPSEMA recognises climate change by considering the health and safety, well integrity and environmental risks and impacts of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas activities, supporting the development of a regulatory framework for offshore wind and other renewable technologies, and promoting corporate and individual responsibility in accordance with Australian Government federal policy. NOPSEMA is committed to ensuring a safe and environmental responsible offshore petroleum industry by maintaining a high standard of engagement with stakeholders. We will continue to investigate opportunities to contribute to collaborative networks where applicable to its interests. The Environment Regulations seek to ensure that every offshore petroleum activity in Commonwealth waters is carried out in a manner: - Consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development - Such that the environmental impacts and risks of the activity will be acceptable and reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) NOPSEMA supports the work of the Australian Government in implementing and meeting policy commitments and associated legal frameworks. As an Australian Government agency, NOPSEMA is responsible for implementing federal environmental policy. This includes relevant legislative and other requirements that are in place to implement Australia's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Paris Agreement of 2016 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. NOPSEMAs regulatory decisions follow strict environmental protection legislation that require the environmental impact of offshore petroleum greenhouse gas emissions to be considered, as well as related emissions reporting and reduction frameworks. Greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum activities, as well as many other human sources, are recognised by scientists around the world for their contribution to climate change. NOPSEMA’s regulatory decisions are made in accordance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 and are guided by other Commonwealth legislation such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 1999 (EPBC Act) and the National Greenhouse Energy and Reporting Act 2007 (NGER Act). Under the OPGGS Environment Regulations, where the greenhouse gas emissions of an offshore petroleum activity have an environmental impact, proponents must demonstrate to NOPSEMA in their approval document how that impact will be made acceptable and reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. Under the EPBC Act, NOPSEMA considers the impact of direct greenhouse emissions, and on a case-by-case basis, indirect consequences. Policy guidance on the consideration of indirect consequences is available under the EPBC Act Policy guidance series, including the EPBC Act Policy Statement - 'Indirect consequences' of an action: Section 527E of the EPBC Act. Under the NGER Act, NOPSEMA considers the greenhouse gas baselines imposed under the Safeguard Mechanism of the NGER scheme which is the national framework for reporting and reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions administered by the Clean Energy Regulator. NOPSEMA publishes guidance on the content requirements for environmental management approval documents to assist proponents in meeting these and other regulatory requirements. NOPSEMA regulates offshore activities where captured greenhouse gas emissions are transported and safely stored underground thereby reducing Australia’s total atmospheric emissions. In addition to its roles in the regulation of offshore petroleum activities, NOPSEMA also regulates greenhouse gas storage activities in Commonwealth waters under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act). Such activities include exploration for and operation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities, which ultimately involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by industrial processes, compressing and transporting the CO2 to an injection site to be sequestered deep underground for safe, long term storage in suitable geological formations. CCS is part of a suite of management solutions with the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and help address climate change. Both the International Energy Agency and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believe that CCS can play an important role in meeting global emission reduction targets. Permits for the greenhouse gas storage activities are administered by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator. The Department of Industry, Science, and Resources is supporting a number of demonstration CCS projects such as the CarbonNet Project. The project conducted appraisal activities in January 2020, following NOPSEMA’s assessment and acceptance of the relevant health and safety, well integrity and environmental management approval documents. NOPSEMAs regulatory decisions consider the measures needed to mitigate and manage potential natural disaster risks arising from global climate change to offshore facilities and activities. In 2019, the Australian Government agreed to a National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework outlining foundational actions to be taken across all sectors to address existing disaster risk and minimise the creation of new risk. The framework recognises global climate change as an underlying driver of disaster risk. Australian Commonwealth agencies consider climate change risks where it relates to their area of responsibility. As such, NOPSEMA’s regulatory decisions will consider the disaster risk to offshore facilities and activities arising from climate change, such as increasing cyclone frequency and intensity and rising sea levels. On 2 June 2022, NOPSEMA acquired the functions of the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator when the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (OEI Act) entered into force. The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure framework provides a licensing scheme to enable the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore renewable energy and offshore electricity infrastructure projects. The framework applies to offshore locations from three nautical miles off the coast to the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone, with coastal waters remaining the responsibility of the adjacent State and Northern Territory governments. The framework upholds the principle of shared use of the marine environment providing regulatory and investment certainty through security of tenure and protections for offshore infrastructure. Under the framework, the Minister for Energy makes all licensing decisions. This includes declaring areas suitable for offshore renewable energy infrastructure, both at a commercial scale and for research and development of new and emerging technologies. The declaration of an offshore area is informed through consultation with stakeholders including existing marine users, State and Territory Governments and Australian Government agencies with responsibilities in the marine area and the community. Further information about declaring suitable areas is available at dcceew.gov.au. For more information about the development of the regulatory framework visit the Department of Industry, Science Energy and Resources at industry.gov.au. NOPSEMA is proactive in reducing the environmental impact of its day-to-day operations, promoting individual action by our staff as well as community and organisational action to reduce their carbon footprint. There are many benefits to reducing your carbon footprint and the actions and efforts of the Australian Government, business, the community, households and individuals can all make a difference. NOPSEMA believes reducing the environmental impact of our own operations is an important part of our corporate responsibility and encourages individual action of its staff, both in the workplace and at home. NOPSEMA’s Environment and Sustainability Policy describes our commitment and approach to this aspect. NOPSEMA’s day to day operations are largely office-based with our environmental risk profile limited to our offices in Perth and Melbourne and associated activities such as travel. NOPSEMA continues to adopt measures to reduce its environmental impact by implementing measures such as: - travel policies that promote the use of phone and video conferencing in preference to air travel - selecting office locations in close proximity to industry stakeholders to minimise travel requirements - encouraging staff to walk, cycle or use public transport to and from work by providing suitable end-of journey facilities such as showers, lockers, and secure cycle storage - discouraging car use by excluding car parking facilities in our office leasing agreements - leasing office premises with a five star energy rating using the National Australian Built Environment Rating System - encouraging the reduction of office energy and resource consumption through less printing, procurement waste, and energy use - maintaining waste segregation facilities and recycling contracts for paper, cardboard, plastics, batteries and toner ink cartridges. If you would like more information on how you or your organisation can support action to reduce your carbon footprint visit industry.gov.au.	https://www.nopsema.gov.au/offshore-industry/environmental-management/greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-climate-change
Climate change is defined as the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Human activities are believed to be responsible for causing recent changes in the climate by altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere. These changes are believed to be caused by the build-up of greenhouse gas emissions coming from cars, industrial facilities, agricultural sites, solid waste landfills, and other human activities. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have the ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere; much like a greenhouse retains heat. There is a strong sentiment that the continued build-up of greenhouse gases will cause global temperatures to increase and global and regional weather patterns to change, resulting in severe weather events such as floods, storms, and droughts, as well as a rise in sea level. Changes in climate can affect local communities in various ways. For example, warmer temperatures can affect local economies by causing soil moisture to decline forcing farmers to change how and what types of crops they produce. In addition, warmer temperatures can also impact human health as infectious diseases, spread by mosquitoes and other insects become more prevalent as temperatures increase. Local governments are in a pivotal position to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, because they have the capacity to inform, educate and influence the activities of people in their community. By influencing greenhouse gas-producing activities such as transportation, industry, and solid waste management, local governments can make a difference. The resources below provide information on programs, publications, and organizations that can assist local governments in mitigating the affects of climate change. U.S. EPA EPA Climate Adaptation Training. This self-paced training developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an online module to help local government officials take actions to increase their communities’ resiliency to a changing climate. Climate Ready Water Utilities Toolbox: This toolbox provides access to more than 500 resources that support climate adaptation planning at water utilities, including reports and publications, information about funding programs, upcoming workshops and training sessions, models and tools, and climate response materials that focus on mitigation and adaptive strategies. Visit EPA's Climate Change: State and Local Governments for details on actions by states and efforts by local agencies to address climate change, along with links to relevant EPA voluntary programs that can help states and localities meet their goals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Climate Change. Provides information about the various ways to mitigate climate change. EPA National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change. Provides an overview of the likely effects of climate change on water resources and the nation's clean water and safe drinking water programs. Other Federal Agencies/Programs Energy Information Administration. This Department of Energy Web site offers publications about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Provides information about the impacts of global warming on the weather. National Safety Council. Environmental Health Center conducts education and outreach campaigns about the challenges and opportunities related to global climate change. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency. The Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, within the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, provides information about the benefits of improving energy efficiency in buildings. States Climate Change State Resource Locator. Use this tool to locate state climate change resources. You will find links to state climate change main pages, state action plans, climate policies and more. Organizations/Non-Government Programs International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). ICLEI's offers skill trainings, networks, toolkits and resources, and information to support local governments taking the lead on sustainability and climate action. World Health Organization (WHO). Climate and Health Web page provides information about how the climate and weather impacts human health. Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA). Web site has information on upcoming air-related conferences and workshops, updates on recent events, and on-line publications. C2ES. Educates the public and key policy makers about the causes and potential consequences of climate change, and encourages the reduction of emissions of greenhouses gases. Union of Concerned Scientists. This Web site contains information about the implications of climate change. Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. This Web site promotes energy conservation and renewable energy, and includes information on green building practices, sustainable transport, and outreach. Cool Companies. Produced by the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions, this web site contains information describing how the best businesses boost profits and productivity by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Georgetown Climate Center. Publications It's Hot and Getting Hotter: A Report for Utilities on Heat Impacts. Projects heat impacts on utility personnel and assets through the year 2070 and provides adaptation procedures to reduce heat-related harm to outside utility workers and infrastructure including HVAC systems, water treatment plants, pumps and motors. Cities, Towns, and Suburbs: Local Government in a Time of Peak Oil and Climate Change. This report outlines action that local government can take to prepare for and address the challenges that peak oil and climate change will bring to local communities. Databases and Tools Union of Concerned Scientists Killer Heat Interactive Tool. Interactive web tool to help local governments and communities alike make future projections for the incidence of extreme heat days in cities and counties across the U.S. Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU). CREAT is a software tool to assist drinking water and wastewater utility owners and operators in understanding potential climate change threats and in assessing the related risks at their individual utilities. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: Tool Available to report GHG data by location, by sector, by size, by gas type, and by facility. Technology Transfer Network: Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions Factors. Provides access to numerous databases, including trends analysis; regional and local air quality modeling; regulator impact assessments; and human exposure modeling. The Emissions Modeling Clearinghouse supports and promotes emission modeling activities internal and external to EPA. The Emissions Monitoring Knowledge Base provides information about monitoring and techniques for air pollution control by industry type and by control technique. MOBILE6 Emissions Model. MOBILE6, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model for estimating pollution from highway vehicles, is now available online. MOBILE6 calculates emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO) from passenger cars, motorcycles, light- and heavy-duty trucks.	https://www.lgean.net/air/climatechange.php
This report seeks to identify key capital markets instruments that can help mobilize institutional investors to infrastructure and small and medium enterprises (SME) financing in emerging market economies (EMEs). Infrastructure investment needs to be substantially increased in most developing and emerging economies to meet social needs and support more rapid economic growth. In June 2016, under Japanese presidency, G7 Leaders endorsed “G7 Ise- Shima Principles for Promoting Quality Infrastructure Investment,” which has crystalized as definition of quality infrastructure investment. This OECD paper provides a stocktake of investor practices and adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in their investment processes. OECD Checklist for Public Action, the OECD has developed practical guidance organized around 24 OECD principles to help governments and other stakeholders to assess and manage the implications of involving private actors in the financing, development and more. The paper “Partnering to Build a Better World: MDBs’ Common Approaches to Supporting Infrastructure Development” presents a brief description of how MDBs work with their Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) . Practical solutions and models for addressing obstacles to institutional investment in infrastructure in developing countries WBG – a note that considers the existing types of institutional investors and their potential for filling the infrastructure financing gap and more. PPIAF is a catalyst for increasing private sector participation in emerging markets. TAF plays a central role in enabling PIDG to initiate multi-company programmes and centrally-driven initiatives that are not specific to a particular company and that align with PIDG strategic objectives. The UFPF was established in November 2009 for investment co-financing and technical assistance for urban environment infrastructure that benefits the poor. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a new global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. The Clean Technology Fund (CTF), which aims at promoting scaled?up deployment and transfer of clean technologies by funding low?carbon programmes and projects that have significant potential for long?term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings. The Infrastructure Development Collaboration Partnership Fund (DevCo) is a multi-donor facility managed by IFC AND DevCo is part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). IFC InfraVentures is a $150 million global infrastructure project development fund that has been created as part of World Bank Group’s efforts to increase the pipeline of bankable projects in developing countries. The Access to Energy Fund is jointly initiated by the Dutch government and FMO in 2007 to support private sector projects aimed at providing long-term access to energy services in developing countries. CIO is designed to combat the detrimental effects of climate change by accelerating the delivery of renewable energy projects in developing and emerging markets. With DRIVE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitates investments in infrastructural projects that contribute towards a good business climate and entrepreneurship in the priority sectors: water, climate, food security, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Develop2Build (D2B) is a Government-to-Government programme. It offers governments in 37 developing countries and emerging markets direct assistance in setting up infrastructural projects. The PPF is designed as a complimentary facility to TAF with a distinct role in financing of project preparatory activities.	https://www.gihub.org/infrastructure-knowledge-exchange/?country=republic-of-moldova&quality-infrastructure=environmental-considerations_environmental-impact-mitigation
Abstract:The environmental aspect had a major effect on industrial decisions after the deteriorating condition of our surroundings dsince the industrial activities became apparent. Green buildings have been seen as a possible solution to reduce the carbon emissions from construction projects and the housing industry in general. Though this has been established in several areas, with many commercial buildings being designed green, the scope for expansion is still significant and further information on the importance and advantages of green buildings is necessary. Several commercial green building projects have come up and the green buildings are mainly implemented in the residential sector when the residential projects are constructed to furnish amenities to a large population. But, residential buildings, even those of medium sizes, can be designed to incorporate elements of sustainable design. In this context, this paper attempts to give a theoretical appraisal of the use of renewable energy systems in residential buildings of different sizes considering the weather conditions (solar insolation and wind speed) of the metropolis, Kolkata, India. Three cases are taken; one with solar power, one with wind power and one with a combination of the two. All the cases are considered in conjunction with conventional energy, and the efficiency of each in fulfilling the total energy demand is verified. The optimum combination for reducing the carbon footprint of the residential building is thus established. In addition, an assessment of the amount of money saved due to green buildings in metered water supply and price of coal is also mentioned. Keywords: Renewable Energy, wind power, solar power, green buildings, energy hybridization, residential sectorProcedia PDF Downloads 273 11 Development of a Green Star Certification Tool for Existing Buildings in South Africa Authors: Bouwer Kleynhans Abstract:The built environment is responsible for about 40% of the world’s energy consumption and generates one third of global carbon dioxide emissions. The Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) current rating tools are all for new buildings. By far the largest portion of buildings exist stock and therefore the need to develop a certification tool for existing buildings. Direct energy measurement comprises 27% of the total available points in this tool. The aim of this paper is to describe the development process of a green star certification tool for existing buildings in South Africa with specific emphasis on the energy measurement criteria. Successful implementation of this tool within the property market will ensure a reduced carbon footprint of buildings. Keywords: Energy Consumption, green buildings, Development Process, certification toolProcedia PDF Downloads 193 10 Sustainability in University buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Authors: Sahl Abdullah Waheeb Abstract:The Ministry of Higher Education is currently developing and executing a large number of university buildings and campuses Al around Saudi Arabia annually due to the increased number of students. This is carried out through high international standards. Energy and environmental issues have been given a lot of consideration so the operation will be economical, environmentally and socially efficient enough. This paper will shed light on the application of building sustainability standards on buildings and university campuses during the design and construction stage. University campuses and buildings are currently under major construction development. In this research, data for green building standards were collected and a building sustainability methodology was appointed for applying sustainable standards, recommend to all is inserted imparting a guidelines standards for university buildings. Architecture design and construction imparting were assisted by environmental criteria. This paper highly recommends applying an environmental and sustainable building measurement tool in Saudi Arabia. Special attention should be paid to university building and similar project organizers due to the high energy demand in such project organizers. Moreover, a national environmental programme should be created to set the related standards to the local architecture to be applied to measuring green building and sustainable architecture design in Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Sustainable Building, green buildings, university buildings, sustainable universities, sustainability in Saudi ArabiaProcedia PDF Downloads 400 9 Prevention of Green Gentrification: The Case of the Sustainable Urban Policy in Paris Authors: Elise Machline Abstract:In the late 1980’s, sustainable urban development emerged in Europe. Sustainable neighborhoods are one attempt to implement sustainable urban energy planning in the city. So, for twenty years, projects of sustainable neighborhoods (or ‘eco-neighborhoods’) have emerged in Europe. Debates about sustainability no longer restrict it to environmental concerns (to limit greenhouse gas emissions), but rather extend to the economic and social dimensions. A growing number of empirical studies demonstrate that sustainable urbanism yield rental/sale premia, as well as higher occupancy rates and thus higher asset values. For example, European eco neighborhood projects usually focus on the middle to upper classes, given the costs involved in renting or buying the dwellings built in such projects. As a result sustainable residential buildings are not affordable and their construction tends to have a gentrifying effect. An increasing number of countries are institutionalizing green strategies for affordable housing. In France, the sustainable neighborhoods ‘ecoquartier’ must meet environmental performance criteria, have a potential for economic development and, provide social and functional diversity. The issue of social diversity trough the provision of affordable housing has emerged as a dimension of public housing policies. Thus, the ecoquartier residential buildings must be both energy efficient and affordable. Through the Parisian example our study considers how the concept of social diversity and other elements of sustainability are illustrated in the ecoquartiers and whether the authorities have been able to avoid gentrification when implementing a sustainable urban policy. Keywords: green buildings, sustainable neighborhoods, social diversity, social housing policiesProcedia PDF Downloads 216 8 Clients’ Priorities in Design and Delivery of Green Projects: South African Perspective Authors: Charles Mothobiso Abstract:This study attempts to identify the client’s main priority when delivering green projects. The aim is to compare whether clients’ interests are similar when delivering conventional buildings as compared to green buildings. Private clients invest more in green buildings as compared to government and parastatal entities. Private clients prioritize on maximizing a return on investment and they mainly invest in energy-saving buildings that have low life cycle costs. Private clients are perceived to be more knowledgeable about the benefits of green building projects as compared to government and parastatal clients. A shortage of expertise and managerial skill leads to the low adaptation of green buildings in government and parastatal projects. Other factors that seem to prevent the adoption of green buildings are the preparedness of the supply chain within the industry and inappropriate procurement strategies adopted by clients. Keywords: green buildings, Procurement, construction clients, design teamProcedia PDF Downloads 147 7 Green Walls and Living Facades: The Portuguese Experience Authors: Andreia Cortes, Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues, Joao Almeida, Myriam Kanoun-Boule, Carla Carvalho, Antonio Tadeu, Armando Silva-Afonso Abstract:The adoption of green infrastructure is nowadays encouraged as an essential measure of urban planning and territorial development whenever it offers a better alternative, or is complementary, to current solutions. Green walls and living facades often provide healthy alternatives to traditional grey infrastructures, offering many benefits for both citizens and cities. Beyond the ability to improve environmental conditions and quality of life, they can augment the energy efficiency of buildings, enhance biodiversity and deliver a range of ecosystem services such as water purification, reduction of the urban heat island effect, improvement of air quality and climate change adaptation. For this communication, a systematic survey of the existing green walls and living facades in Portugal was carried out. Different systems were analyzed and compared in terms of dimensions, constructive solutions, vegetative species, maintenance necessities and environmental aspects. Keywords: green buildings, Green Walls, living facades, sustainability constructionProcedia PDF Downloads 270 6 Development of a Roadmap for Assessment the Sustainability of Buildings in Saudi Arabia Using Building Information Modeling Authors: Ibrahim A. Al-Sulaihi, Khalid S. Al-Gahtani, Abdullah M. Al-Sugair, Aref A. Abadel Abstract:Achieving environmental sustainability is one of the important issues considered in many countries’ vision. Green/Sustainable building is widely used terminology for describing a friendly environmental construction. Applying sustainable practices has a significant importance in various fields, including construction field that consumes an enormous amount of resource and causes a considerable amount of waste. The need for sustainability is increased in the regions that suffering from the limitation of natural resource and extreme weather conditions such as Saudi Arabia. Since buildings designs are getting sophisticated, the need for tools, which support decision-making for sustainability issues, is increasing, especially in the design and preconstruction stages. In this context, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can aid in performing complex building performance analyses to ensure an optimized sustainable building design. Accordingly, this paper introduces a roadmap towards developing a systematic approach for presenting the sustainability of buildings using BIM. The approach includes set of main processes including; identifying the sustainability parameters that can be used for sustainability assessment in Saudi Arabia, developing sustainability assessment method that fits the special circumstances in the Kingdom, identifying the sustainability requirements and BIM functions that can be used for satisfying these requirements, and integrating these requirements with identified functions. As a result, the sustainability-BIM approach can be developed which helps designers in assessing the sustainability and exploring different design alternatives at the early stage of the construction project. Keywords: Environment, Sustainability, green buildings, Saudi Arabia, bim, rating systemsProcedia PDF Downloads 268 5 Green Building Practices: Harmonizing Non-Governmental Organizations Roles and Energy Efficiency Authors: Abimbola A. Adebayo, Kikelomo I. Adebayo Abstract:Green buildings provide serious challenges for governments all over the world with regard to achieving energy efficiency in buildings. Energy efficient buildings are needed to keep up with minimal impacts on the environment throughout their cycle and to enhance sustainable development. The lack of awareness and benefits of energy efficient buildings have given rise to NGO’s playing important role in filling data gaps, publicizing information, and undertaking awareness raising and policy engagement activities. However, these roles are countered by concerns about subsidies for evaluations, incentives to facilitate data-sharing, and incentives to finance independent research. On the basis of literature review on experiences with NGO’s involvement in energy efficient buildings, this article identifies governance strategies that stimulate the harmonization of NGO’s roles in green buildings with the objective to increase energy efficiency in buildings. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Energy Efficiency, green buildings, NGOsProcedia PDF Downloads 85 4 Qualitative Analysis of Occupant’s Satisfaction in Green Buildings Authors: S. Srinivas Rao, Pallavi Chitnis, Himanshu Prajapati Abstract:The green building movement in India commenced in 2003. Since then, more than 4,300 projects have adopted green building concepts. For last 15 years, the green building movement has grown strong across the country and has resulted in immense tangible and intangible benefits to the stakeholders. Several success stories have demonstrated the tangible benefit experienced in green buildings. However, extensive data interpretation and qualitative analysis are required to report the intangible benefits in green buildings. The emphasis is now shifting to the concept of people-centric design and productivity, health and wellbeing of occupants are gaining importance. This research was part of World Green Building Council’s initiative on 'Better Places for People' which aims to create a world where buildings support healthier and happier lives. The overarching objective of this study was to understand the perception of users living and working in green buildings. The study was conducted in twenty-five IGBC certified green buildings across India, and a comprehensive questionnaire was designed to capture occupant’s perception and experience in the built environment. The entire research focussed on the eight attributes of healthy buildings. The factors considered for the study include thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic comfort, ergonomics, greenery, fitness, green transit and sanitation and hygiene. The occupant’s perception and experience were analysed to understand their satisfaction level. The macro level findings of the study indicate that green buildings have addressed attributes of healthy buildings to a larger extent. Few important findings of the study focussed on the parameters such as visual comfort, fitness, greenery, etc. The study indicated that occupants give tremendous importance to the attributes such as visual comfort, daylight, fitness, greenery, etc. 89% occupants were comfortable with the visual environment, on account of various lighting element incorporated as part of the design. Tremendous importance to fitness related activities is highlighted by the study. 84% occupants had actively utilised sports and meditation facilities provided in their facility. Further, 88% occupants had access to the ample greenery and felt connected to the natural biodiversity. This study aims to focus on the immense advantages gained by users occupying green buildings. This will empower green building movement to achieve new avenues to design and construct healthy buildings. The study will also support towards implementing human-centric measures and in turn, will go a long way in addressing people welfare and wellbeing in the built environment. Keywords: green buildings, Health and wellbeing, Indian green building council, occupant’s satisfactionProcedia PDF Downloads 43 3 A Study on Green Building Certification Systems within the Context of Anticipatory Systems Authors: Taner Izzet Acarer, Ece Ceylan Baba Abstract:This paper examines green building certification systems and their current processes in comparison with anticipatory systems. Rapid growth of human population and depletion of natural resources are causing irreparable damage to urban and natural environment. In this context, the concept of ‘sustainable architecture’ has emerged in the 20th century so as to establish and maintain standards for livable urban spaces, to improve quality of urban life, and to preserve natural resources for future generations. The construction industry is responsible for a large part of the resource consumption and it is believed that the ‘green building’ designs that emerge in construction industry can reduce environmental problems and contribute to sustainable development around the world. A building must meet a specific set of criteria, set forth through various certification systems, in order to be eligible for designation as a green building. It is disputable whether methods used by green building certification systems today truly serve the purposes of creating a sustainable world. Accordingly, this study will investigate the sets of rating systems used by the most popular green building certification programs, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BREEAM (Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Methods), DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen System), in terms of ‘Anticipatory Systems’ in accordance with the certification processes and their goals, while discussing their contribution to architecture. The basic methodology of the study is as follows. Firstly analyzes of brief historical and literature review of green buildings and certificate systems will be stated. Secondly, processes of green building certificate systems will be disputed by the help of anticipatory systems. Anticipatory Systems is a set of systems designed to generate action-oriented projections and to forecast potential side effects using the most current data. Anticipatory Systems pull the future into the present and take action based on future predictions. Although they do not have a claim to see into the future, they can provide foresight data. When shaping the foresight data, Anticipatory Systems use feedforward instead of feedback, enabling them to forecast the system’s behavior and potential side effects by establishing a correlation between the system’s present/past behavior and projected results. This study indicates the goals and current status of LEED, BREEAM and DGNB rating systems that created by using the feedback technique will be examined and presented in a chart. In addition, by examining these rating systems with the anticipatory system that using the feedforward method, the negative influences of the potential side effects on the purpose and current status of the rating systems will be shown in another chart. By comparing the two obtained data, the findings will be shown that rating systems are used for different goals than the purposes they are aiming for. In conclusion, the side effects of green building certification systems will be stated by using anticipatory system models. Keywords: green buildings, LEED, anticipatory systems, BREEAM, certificate systems, DGNBProcedia PDF Downloads 97 2 Green Housing Projects in Egypt: A Futuristic Approach Authors: Shimaa Mahmoud Ali Ahmed, Boshra Tawfek El-Shreef Abstract:Sustainable development has become an important concern worldwide, and climate change has become a global threat. Some of these affect how we approach environmental issues — and how we should approach them. Environmental aspects have an important impact on the built environment, that’s why knowledge about Green Building and Green Construction become a vital dimension of urban sustainable development to face the challenges of climate change. There are several levels of green buildings, from energy-efficient lighting to 100% eco-friendly construction; the concept of green buildings in Egypt is still a rare occurrence, with the concept being relatively new to the market. There are several projects on the ground that currently employing sustainable and green solutions to some extent, some of them achieve a limit of success and others fail to employ the new solutions. The market and the cost as well, are great factors. From the last century, green architecture and environmental sustainability become a famous trend that all the researchers like to follow. Nowadays, the trend towards green has shifted to housing and real estate projects. While the environmental aspects are the key to achieve green buildings, the economic benefits, and the market forces are considered as big challenges. The paper assumes that some appropriate environmental treatments could be added to the applied prototype of the governmental social housing projects in Egypt to achieve better environmental solutions. The aim of the research is to get housing projects in Egypt closer to the track of sustainable and green buildings, through making a local future proposal to be integrated into the current policies. The proposed model is based upon adding some appropriate, cheap environmental modifications to the prototype of the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure, and New Urban Communities. The research is based on an analytical, comparative analytical, and inductive approach to study and analyze the housing projects in Egypt and the possibilities of integrating green techniques into it. Keywords: green buildings, Urban Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, housing projects, Egypt 2030Procedia PDF Downloads 1 1 Active Power Filters and their Smart Grid Integration - Applications for Smart Cities Authors: Pedro Esteban Abstract:Most installations nowadays are exposed to many power quality problems, and they also face numerous challenges to comply with grid code and energy efficiency requirements. The reason behind this is that they are not designed to support nonlinear, non-balanced, and variable loads and generators that make up a large percentage of modern electric power systems. These problems and challenges become especially critical when designing green buildings and smart cities. These problems and challenges are caused by equipment that can be typically found in these installations like variable speed drives (VSD), transformers, lighting, battery chargers, double-conversion UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems, highly dynamic loads, single-phase loads, fossil fuel generators and renewable generation sources, to name a few. Moreover, events like capacitor switching (from existing capacitor banks or passive harmonic filters), auto-reclose operations of transmission and distribution lines, or the starting of large motors also contribute to these problems and challenges. Active power filters (APF) are one of the fastest-growing power electronics technologies for solving power quality problems and meeting grid code and energy efficiency requirements for a wide range of segments and applications. They are a high performance, flexible, compact, modular, and cost-effective type of power electronics solutions that provide an instantaneous and effective response in low or high voltage electric power systems. They enable longer equipment lifetime, higher process reliability, improved power system capacity and stability, and reduced energy losses, complying with most demanding power quality and energy efficiency standards and grid codes. There can be found several types of active power filters, including active harmonic filters (AHF), static var generators (SVG), active load balancers (ALB), hybrid var compensators (HVC), and low harmonic drives (LHD) nowadays. All these devices can be used in applications in Smart Cities bringing several technical and economic benefits.	https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/green-buildings-related-abstracts
This report contains a correction. Introduction and summary Elected officials often raise infrastructure as a rare area in which legislative progress may be possible in the current political environment. Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have voiced their support for putting Americans to work by modernizing the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of passing a $1 trillion infrastructure package, but he has governed quite differently. Trump has repeatedly called for deep cuts to federal infrastructure programs—including a cut of $159 billion over 10 years for highways and transit—and encouraged state and local governments to privatize public assets.1 Democratic leaders in Congress have been clear that they expect any infrastructure legislation to include measures that will help address climate change. In December 2018, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) pledged that “when Democrats take the gavel, we will rebuild America with clean energy, smart technology and resilient infrastructure.”2 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) published an op-ed vowing there would be “No deal on infrastructure without addressing climate change.”3 The two leaders reportedly reiterated those points in a meeting with President Trump in the spring of 2019.4 Climate change presents an urgent challenge to the United States and the world. From 2016 through 2018, extreme weather events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods cost the United States more than $450 billion.5 According to scientists, the effects of climate change have made many of these events more severe. Higher sea surface temperatures resulting from climate change contributed to the strength and historic rainfall of Hurricane Harvey, which devastated the greater Houston area in 2017, while hotter, drier summers have made wildfires such as the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people in California, bigger and more destructive.6 Addressing climate change and protecting communities from its effects will involve changing where and how infrastructure gets built—and what kind of infrastructure is supported by direct federal spending. In January, a Center for American Progress report argued that any infrastructure bill should address climate change not just by strengthening public infrastructure’s resilience to climate impacts, but also by funding infrastructure projects that yield measurable, ambitious reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for driving those impacts.7 The report also argued that setting an emissions reduction target as part of an infrastructure bill would help achieve that goal. CAP has also consistently argued that federal infrastructure legislation should focus primarily on direct investment opportunities and not on tax credits or public-private partnership approaches. The overwhelming majority of infrastructure needs are not well suited to alternative procurement approaches for a number of reasons; many critical infrastructure needs, including in the environmental space, will not produce a reliable stream of revenue that can be used to repay project financing, for instance. Focusing on direct spending approaches to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change would represent a significant shift in how Congress considers both infrastructure and climate legislation. Over the past several decades, when Congress has debated legislation related to mitigating the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, that discussion has centered on various market mechanisms—such as carbon prices or cap-and-trade programs—that would drive down emissions by increasing the economic cost of carbon pollution. Policies to accelerate the adoption of clean and renewable energy solutions, from wind and solar tax credits to carbon capture and sequestration technology, have largely been adopted through changes to the tax code. Meanwhile, relatively little direct federal spending today is aimed explicitly at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, whether through infrastructure or other programs. However, it is urgent that Congress pursue all avenues to reduce carbon pollution and address climate change, including through direct federal spending. Due to policy changes enacted by the Trump administration, the United States is not on pace to meet its targets for economywide emissions reductions. Absent a major course correction, U.S. emissions will likely fall 12 percent to 19 percent below 2005 levels by 2025—a far cry from the goal of 26 percent to 28 percent reductions set as part of the Paris climate agreement, according to a recent analysis from the Rhodium Group.8 The purpose of this report is to identify pathways to maximize the emissions reductions possible through direct federal investment in infrastructure. This report prioritizes infrastructure investments for which there are existing federal programs that can be expanded or revised; where the infrastructure is federally owned or operated; or where there are significant market failures that demand a more robust government response. It then calculates emissions reduction potential per federal dollar invested. This report does not consider interactions between existing policies and the direct investment proposals in this report that could yield even larger emissions reductions; for instance, the recent 45Q tax credit for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) could be used in concert with a direct grant program for deploying industrial energy efficiency equipment of the kind proposed in this report to achieve greater cuts in emissions than envisioned here. This report also discusses a number of enabling investments that are important for achieving emissions reductions in the electricity, transportation, and industrial sectors but that present technical challenges in calculating associated emissions reductions. For example, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are typically geographically dispersed, and some of the areas of highest wind energy potential—such as the Great Plains or the Gulf of Maine—are not close to population centers with high energy demand. Therefore, increasing funding for transmission infrastructure is an important enabling investment to support renewable energy deployment, even if emissions reductions cannot be directly attributed to the investment. What this report does not try to do is present a comprehensive solution to the climate crisis. Ambitious direct federal investment in infrastructure would be a new and effective tool for reducing carbon pollution, but it should not be the only tool. The proposals in this report should be seen as one set of actions that should accompany other policy solutions to address climate change. For example, if existing tax credits supporting deployment of mature renewable energy technologies were to be extended beyond their currently planned sunsets; if a new technology-neutral tax credit were put in place to support proven emissions-reducing clean energy technologies; or if Congress were to enact a price on carbon, different levels of direct infrastructure investment would be necessary in some cases to achieve emissions reductions commensurate with those envisioned in this report. Taken together, the policies in this report would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 830 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in 2030. This represents a 13 percent reduction in emissions from current levels and would result in economywide reductions of between 24 percent and 31 percent below expected 2030 emissions levels, depending on broader economic and policy trends such as the economic growth rate and the price of natural gas. Absent other policy changes, lower levels of investment in any of these initiatives would result in commensurately higher greenhouse gas emissions in 2030. All emissions reductions in this report are expressed on an annual basis in 2030. For more than a century, the federal government has spent money building roads. In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, which began the decadeslong process of building a national system of interstate highways. The main purpose of these investments was to improve the efficiency of interstate travel and to more easily move goods from farm to market. President Eisenhower stated, “Our unity as a nation is sustained by free communication of thought and by easy transportation of people and goods.”9 Under the structure of the 1956 law, the federal government provides funding to state departments of transportation that supplements local infrastructure funding. This basic structure remains in place. The federal government did not consider these investments’ environmental implications. Subsequent environmental legislation has sought to reduce the harms that building highways and other infrastructure facilities caused, but federal transportation funding is still devoid of meaningful environmental goals. Federal law states in general terms that highway dollars should be used for “protecting and enhancing the natural environment.”10 Yet, there are no requirements that states use federal infrastructure dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or reduce low-density sprawling land use patterns that destroy natural habitats and lock people into auto-dependent mobility. States retain near total discretion for how to spend federal dollars. In effect, federal infrastructure dollars act like an unstructured block grant. To achieve the nation’s climate goals, Washington must hold states accountable to ensure that federal dollars do not support projects that will increase emissions and destroy natural habitats, and it should increase direct expenditures on projects that will help further the fight against climate change. Cutting power sector emissions through infrastructure investment The power sector has historically been responsible for the largest share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2005, however, emissions have been declining in the power sector, driven largely by falling costs for natural gas and renewable energy technologies. In 2017, the share of electricity generated by coal fell to the lowest level recorded since World War II, while renewables accounted for 16 percent of generation, which is about double 2005 levels.11 Currently, the electricity sector accounts for about 28 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, just behind transportation at 29 percent.12 Decarbonizing the electricity sector is important not just because of the approximately 1,800 MMTCO2e directly emitted each year, but also because many technologies to reduce pollution in other sectors—such as plug-in electric vehicles, clean manufacturing, and zero-emission buildings—rely on electrification to replace direct combustion of fossil fuels. Thus, the power grid needs to be cleaned up over time in order to make those technologies true low-carbon alternatives. There are a number of straightforward, effective ways to reduce emissions from the electricity sector through direct federal investments. If fully implemented, the following five policy ideas would result in a reduction of at least 577 MMTCO2e in 2030. Establish a program offering grants in lieu of tax credits for renewable energy production Two tax credits—the production tax credit (PTC), most commonly used for wind energy, and the investment tax credit (ITC), most commonly used for solar—are among the most important ways the federal government has incentivized the development of renewable energy projects over the past several decades. The tax credits have expired and been extended several times since their creation, most recently in 2015 as part of a bipartisan deal to extend the PTC and ITC and slowly phase them down through 2022.13 The PTC began to decline in value in 2017, while the ITC will begin phasing out in 2019. At the time the deal was struck, the Obama administration had finalized the Clean Power Plan, which would have set the first federal limits on the amount of carbon pollution that power plants could emit, thereby creating new incentives for utilities to install zero-emission renewable energy. However, the Clean Power Plan was stayed by the courts, and the Trump administration has finalized a replacement rule that would actually increase power sector emissions, leaving the renewable energy industry without a clear picture of the future of federal support for the growing sector. Democrats in the House and Senate have recently begun voicing support for extending the PTC and ITC. In April, 110 House members asked the House Ways and Means Committee chair to include PTC and ITC extensions in any tax bills passing out of that committee.14 Sen. Schumer has called for making the PTC and ITC permanent.15 But key Senate Republicans, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), have stated their opposition to another PTC and ITC extension.16 And in recent testimony, an official from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stated that he did not know whether the Trump administration has a position on a PTC or ITC extension.17 There is another option for Congress to continue—and even increase—support for getting more zero-emission renewable energy on the grid: reauthorizing and revising the Section 1603 “grants in lieu of tax credits” program that ran from 2009 to 2011 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Often, renewable energy projects do not have enough income in their early years to take full advantage of the tax incentives available to them. Therefore, project operators choose to sell those PTC or ITC benefits, at a discount, to a tax equity investor and use the cash to help capitalize the project. This substantially diminishes the impact and efficiency of these tax credits.18 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 further complicates the picture for the PTC and ITC, since tax equity providers with sufficient tax burden to offset will become scarcer and the lower corporate tax rate means that any given project’s depreciation will be worth less than it would have been before the tax cut, thereby reducing the amount of tax equity capital available for renewable energy projects.19 Reinstating the Section 1603 program would address both of these barriers to renewable deployment by providing an upfront grant and allowing developers to obtain the full value of the incentive. The Section 1603 program was originally created in response to a decline in the availability of tax equity investment capital to support renewable energy projects as a result of the financial crisis. From 2009 to 2010, the program supported nearly 1,500 renewable energy projects at a cost of $5.6 billion.20 Reauthorizing and revising the Section 1603 grants in lieu of tax credits program could offer several advantages for supporting renewable energy projects. First, to maximize the program’s impact and guard against gold plating of investment costs, the program could limit support to projects providing competitive levels of annual estimated renewable electricity generation per dollar of capital invested. For example, the program could use the industry standard P90 estimate of the minimum projected annual output, and projects could be required to return a portion of their ITC support if they fail to match their projected output level during the first three years of operation.21 Second, because the program offers direct federal assistance instead of indirect tax expenditure support, Congress could direct the DOE to give priority support to renewable energy projects that meet certain criteria. For example, targeted grants could be given to renewable energy projects that deploy relatively novel technologies such as offshore wind or tall turbines, which make wind viable in new regions such as the Southeast United States; replace legacy fossil fuel power plants owned by rural electric co-ops; meet wage and labor requirements; or integrate battery storage alongside new generation capacity.22 Different benefit levels could be specified for different kinds of renewable energy projects as well. Third, 100 percent of the federal expenditure on a program providing grants in lieu of tax credits would support renewable energy projects, rather than a significant portion flowing to Wall Street investors; indeed, a 2011 Congressional Research Service report noted that grants “may be a more efficient mechanism” than tax credits for supporting renewable energy projects.23 And finally, if Congress is able to agree on a path to extend or revise the renewable energy tax credits—for example, by transitioning to a technology-neutral tax credit for deploying mature technologies—a program providing grants in lieu of tax credits could continue to operate in parallel to help finance deployment in less lucrative markets or to support newer technologies, such as tall turbines, thereby supporting even more deployment of zero-emission power generation. The frequent expirations and unpredictably shifting value of the tax credits has historically led to irregular spikes and dips in the amount of renewable energy generation coming online year over year.24 A 10-year grants in lieu of tax credits program would provide certainty to the renewable energy sector, utilities, and power market regulators. As noted above, there are a number of design options that Congress could pursue for reauthorizing and revising the Section 1603 program. One option would be to reauthorize the program for $150 billion between 2020 and 2030, which would support renewable energy capacity additions of at least 30 gigawatts (GW) per year—the near-term pace that the Obama administration’s 2016 United States Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization modeled as necessary to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.25 Given the currently planned phaseouts of the PTC and ITC, onshore wind projects should be able to access such a program starting in 2022 and solar projects should be eligible starting in 2024. Offshore wind and tall-turbine wind projects in new onshore regions should be eligible starting immediately in 2020, given that the U.S. offshore wind industry is still in its infancy and merits additional near-term support. Assuming that a $150 billion program offered grants valued at 2 cents per kilowatt-hour of production for onshore wind and solar without storage, and 3 cents per kilowatt-hour of production for onshore wind and solar when paired with four-hour battery electric storage, it could support 240 GW of new onshore wind and solar generation and storage by 2030. A program providing a grant in lieu of an investment tax credit for offshore wind with one-hour battery electric storage capacity valued at 30 percent would add another 21 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. All together, these renewable energy capacity additions would result in cuts of at least 504 MMTCO2e in 2030, at a cost of less than $15 per ton. Retire remaining Tennessee Valley Authority coal assets and replace them with zero-emission generation The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created by the New Deal in the 1930s to spur economic development in one of the most depressed regions in the country, including by bringing electricity service to large swaths of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky for the first time. Today, the TVA still is the largest government-owned provider of electricity.26 However, 24 percent of the TVA’s electricity generation comes from coal-fired power plants.27 In February 2019, the TVA board voted to close two of its coal plants, saying that continuing to operate them was not economically viable.28 Annual operations and maintenance costs of the TVA’s coal fleet run more than $1 billion annually, with the vast majority of that total—$762 million—going to coal fuel purchases.29 Congress could direct the TVA to accelerate the closure of its remaining coal assets and replace them with zero-emission sources, as well as make funds available to offset the costs of new construction and associated transaction costs. As an example, the TVA could invest in building 7,300 megawatts (MW) of onshore wind to replace the 5,800 MW of coal that will remain in the TVA’s fleet after the two coal plant retirements mentioned above. It would cost $10.5 billion to construct that much new onshore wind generation capacity, while closing the TVA’s coal assets would avoid $7.9 billion in coal fuel costs over 10 years, with additional savings outside the 10-year window. The net undiscounted cost over the first decade of transitioning the TVA’s coal assets to onshore wind would therefore come to $3.8 billion, once transaction costs are taken into account, and cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 29 MMTCO2e. Forgive debts of rural electric co-ops and fund new zero-emission electricity generation The United States’ network of rural electric cooperative (REC) utilities grew out of the New Deal era. Today, the 893 RECs—62 of which generate and transmit their own power, and the remainder of which transmit electricity generated by other utilities to customers—serve 42 million Americans across 88 percent of counties in 48 states.30 Rural co-ops have been making strides in installing renewable energy on their grids, with such generation increasing 145 percent since 2010, but the majority of REC-owned generation comes from fossil fuel power plants, and 40 percent of it from coal, leading to 110 MMTCO2e in emissions each year.31 Most REC projects are financed in whole or in part by low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS).32 However, since RECs have limited cash reserves, even a low-interest loan typically sits on a utility’s books until it is paid in full.33 As costs for renewable energy generation continue to decline relative to coal, and as more states pursue commitments to 100 percent clean electricity generation, RECs risk being stuck with expensive stranded assets in the form of their coal-fired power plants. The federal government should step in to prevent that from happening and help RECs further accelerate their community-led clean energy transition. The RUS has $7 billion in outstanding loans supporting coal-fired power plants; forgiving those debts would enable many REC coal plants to close, cutting emissions by at least 44 MMTCO2e.34 Co-ops would be eligible for the grants in lieu of tax credits program for renewable energy described previously, although in the absence of such a program, the RUS and the DOE should be authorized to offer grants to install renewable energy capacity equivalent to the generating potential of retired REC coal plants and further support any improvements to transmission and grid storage necessary to enable the transition to cleaner energy sources. Accelerate the offshore wind industry with technical assistance and resources for permitting After years of debate, the first U.S. offshore wind installation came online in 2016 off Rhode Island.35 While the Block Island Wind Farm is relatively small—just five turbines—the offshore wind industry is poised for takeoff.36 There were more than 25,000 MW of Atlantic offshore wind in the development pipeline as of June 2018, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.37 States planning to build significant new offshore wind resources include New York, which intends to install 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035, and New Jersey, which intends to install 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030.38 With so many offshore wind projects in the pipeline, states and regional transmission organizations must plan how to most efficiently integrate these new-generation resources onto the grid. Congress should direct the DOE to make additional technical assistance resources available to states and electricity system operators to prevent conflicts between offshore wind developers and grid managers and to avoid the overbuilding of offshore transmission infrastructure. Close coordination with fishing interests is also necessary. As of the time of this writing, the $2.8 billion 800-MW Vineyard Wind project is imperiled by concerns about impacts on the commercial fishing industry. A final environmental impact statement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) had been expected by July 2019 but was delayed in order to conduct what a BOEM spokesperson described as a “cumulative impacts analysis” that may not be issued until next year, a timetable that could endanger the project’s financing.39 The recent memorandum of understanding among the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, which represents the commercial seafood and fishing industry, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and BOEM offers one model that may reduce this kind of delay and uncertainty in future offshore wind projects.40 In addition, Congress should increase funding for the BOEM and the NMFS to help accelerate permitting for offshore wind installations. As noted above, the grants in lieu of tax credits program for offshore wind could support 21 GW of new offshore wind capacity by 2030, which would cut emissions by 51 MMTCO2e. This report’s estimated emissions reductions from the grant program reflect these reductions. Increase investments in transmission infrastructure to get renewable generation to markets Significantly more investment in transmission infrastructure is needed to integrate renewable resources into the electric grid and to support projected increases in demand that will come as a result of the rising use of electricity instead of fossil fuels in transportation, buildings, and industry. While utilities invest an average of $15 billion in transmission projects today, demand for new and improved transmission capacity is projected to grow to $22 billion per year by 2030, and as much as $40 billion per year through midcentury, according to a study from the Brattle Group.41 Given projected demand, Congress should authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to distribute up to $5 billion per year in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans through 2030 to transmission projects that enable integration of renewable energy resources. Congress could also direct the DOT to prioritize projects that benefit rural, tribal, low-income and fence-line communities to promote equitable access to renewable electricity and should further consider directing the DOE to provide technical assistance and support to state energy offices to help resolve siting disputes in a timely manner—particularly for important multistate transmission projects. While emissions reductions cannot be directly attributed to transmission infrastructure, investing in such infrastructure is critical to enabling the emissions reductions that will result from increased renewable energy and electric vehicle deployment, among other climate solutions. Summary Such ambitious levels of direct federal investment in clean energy generation and distribution would be unprecedented in the context of infrastructure legislation, but the urgency of climate change makes it both necessary and appropriate. The amount of emissions reductions achievable if the above policies are fully implemented—577 MMTCO2e—is equivalent to the pollution that 122 million cars or 148 coal-fired power plants emit in a year.42 Congress should consider whether higher staffing levels will be needed at the DOE, the DOT, the USDA, and the U.S. Department of the Interior to ensure that these dollars flow expediently, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s efforts to divert resources away from clean energy and climate change-related programs across the federal government. Cutting transportation emissions through infrastructure investment At 29 percent of total U.S. emissions, the transportation sector is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.43 The clear culprit is driving: Each year, Americans drive more than 3.2 trillion miles—enough to travel to the moon and back 13.5 million times.44 According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), light-duty vehicles—which include passenger cars and light trucks—account for 60 percent of transportation emissions while medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for 23 percent.45 According to the American Community Survey, 91 percent of U.S. households have at least one private vehicle available to them.46 Direct federal infrastructure investments can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in multiple ways. First, these investments can provide direct federal funding for agencies to purchase zero-emission vehicles in instances where federal, state, and local governments own and operate vehicle fleets. Second, the federal government can subsidize the electrification of private vehicles and associated charging infrastructure through tax incentives to manufacturers, buyers, and utilities. Third, the federal government can alter its highway and transit programs to reward state and local governments that select projects that are more land use efficient. Infrastructure investments shape the built environment. Low-density development patterns and a lack of transportation choice force people to drive to meet their mobility needs, raising household transportation costs and emissions in the process. Federal highway policy should require state and local governments to develop transportation and land use plans that will reduce mobile source emissions and provide safe, convenient, and sustainable alternatives to driving, including public transportation, biking, and walking. If fully implemented, the following four policy ideas would result in emissions reductions of around 44 MMTCO2e in 2030. (see Table 2) Significantly increase funding to purchase electric buses for public transit and school districts There are approximately 66,000 buses in public transit fleets across the country, and approximately 480,000 school buses operated by public and private schools.47 Most of these buses run on fossil fuels, although in recent years the share of public transit buses that use diesel has been falling, with liquified natural gas and biodiesel making up a growing percentage.48 In school fleets, diesel is still overwhelmingly the fuel of choice, according to research by Bellwether Education Partners.49 Running municipal and school buses with fossil fuels contributes both to climate change and to local air pollution. In recent years, the DOT has helped states and municipalities buy zero-emission buses and install associated charging infrastructure through the Low or No Emission Vehicle program.50 In 2017, $84.5 million in grants was awarded to 40 states through this program.51 Electric buses have a higher sticker price than conventional diesel buses: Electric transit buses cost about $200,000 more than diesel buses, and electric school buses cost about $120,000 more than diesel ones today, although according to Bloomberg New Energy Futures, they are estimated to reach cost parity by 2030.52 Moreover, electric buses have much lower fuel costs and lower lifetime maintenance costs than conventional buses—providing as much as $400,000 in lifetime savings for transit and $170,000 in savings for school buses, which does not account for improved health outcomes owing to decreased air pollution.53 Assuming that the average lifespan of a bus is 12 years, about 8 percent of the bus fleet should turn over annually.54 If the Low and No Emission Vehicle program were revised and expanded to provide grants to cover the price differential between purchasing a conventional bus, and prices decline as expected through 2030, then an investment of $57 billion over 10 years would enable the purchase of 480,000 electric transit and school buses, yielding 8 MMTCO2e in emissions reductions in 2030. Transition the federal fleet to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles In 2017, the federal government owned or held leases on a total of 93,683 vehicles across all sizes.55 Only about 200,000 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in the United States that year, thus planned federal purchases would provide a significant market signal to manufacturers over the next decade.56 Much like with transit and school buses, EVs have lower fuel costs than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, with the cost of an e-gallon coming in at about half the price of a gallon of gas, according to the DOE. Therefore, transitioning to EVs should save the federal government money on fleet fueling.57 If Congress were to direct the federal government to replace subcompact, compact, and midsize vehicles in the federal fleet with EV versions—and make funds available to make up the cost difference between traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs—0.36 MMTCO2e would be cut in 2030 at a cost of $884 million.58 Over the expected lifetime of the vehicles, 4 MMTCO2e in emissions would be avoided and agencies would enjoy considerable savings in operating costs. Congress should also direct the General Services Administration to clarify procurement rules for federal agencies to make clear that purchasing or leasing EVs is the preferred option whenever possible. Expand public and workplace EV charging infrastructure Conventional internal combustion engine vehicles are supported by a network of more than 100,000 fueling stations nationwide, whereas as of 2018, there were just 18,000 public charging stations for EVs.59 While EV owners can charge their vehicles at home, concerns about batteries running down while out and about—sometimes referred to as “range anxiety”—is a major concern for many consumers.60 Potential EV owners who do not own their own home could also be barred by landlords from installing home EV chargers, making public and workplace charging opportunities even more important.61 And it takes considerably less time to refuel an internal combustion engine vehicle at the pump than it does to fully recharge an EV, meaning a robust EV charging network may need to be considerably larger than that of the 100,000 gas stations in the United States today. A 2018 Center for American Progress report estimated that the United States will need to add enough workplace charging stations to support 14 million EVs by 2025 to align with the transportation emissions reductions goals of the Paris climate agreement.62 The demand for public EV charging will continue to climb after 2025. One study by McKinsey & Company found that even absent additional policy interventions, EVs will account for 14 percent of new vehicles sold in the United States in 2030, up from 1.15 percent of new vehicle sales in 2017—and those numbers do not account for a growing demand for used EVs.63 Since many EV charging stations will be privately owned and operated, the federal government should not be responsible for paying for 100 percent of costs but should take steps to accelerate the installation of public and workplace EV chargers. One approach would be to create a 10-year, $15 billion program providing grants in lieu of investment tax credits administered by the DOE, beginning with covering 30 percent of installation costs from 2020 to 2025 and then declining through a sunset in 2030.64 This would enable the installation of an estimated 1.2 million Level 2 chargers—which take about 3 1/2 hours to provide 80 miles’ worth of charge—and an estimated 55,000 direct current fast chargers, which take just 30 minutes to provide the same amount of charge but are seven times as expensive as Level 2 chargers.65 Double grants to states to expand nonpassenger vehicle transportation options In addition to accelerating the deployment of zero-emission personal and public vehicles, the federal government can and should do more to support investments in and improvements to transportation solutions beyond car travel. Increasingly, Americans are seeking to live in denser communities with multiple transportation options, including public transit; bicycling infrastructure; shared mobility systems such as bike sharing and electric scooters; and safe pedestrian options. Cities across the country have voluntarily committed themselves to the Vision Zero agenda, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities, many of which are the result of cars hitting pedestrians or bicyclists.66 The federal government should do more to support investments in well-planned public transportation systems and nonvehicular personal transportation infrastructure. The Federal Transit Administration provides a variety of grants and policy guidance to states and municipalities for nonvehicular transportation systems. Doubling these grants would result in reductions of at least 36 MMTCO2e in 2030, at a cost of $134 billion over a decade. This figure understates the impact of these investments through midcentury by avoiding locking in suburban sprawl and freeing up land for other uses such as carbon sequestration. Summary Given federal infrastructure legislation’s historic focus on building and repairing highways, Congress should use infrastructure spending to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Reducing emissions from transportation through increased vehicle electrification will also have a number of positive public health effects—particularly in urban areas where conventional air pollution from passenger vehicles and transit buses contributes to higher-than-average incidences of asthma and respiratory diseases.67 The 44 MMTCO2e in reductions directly attributable to the above policies are equivalent to taking more than 9 million cars off the road for one year—a figure that does not capture the climate benefit of the millions of zero-emission passenger vehicles that would be supported by the creation of a national EV charging network. Cutting building emissions and energy use through infrastructure investment Commercial and residential buildings make up 12 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, a calculation that takes into account both direct emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and the landfilling of waste as well as indirect emissions from the consumption of electricity generated by fossil fuels.68 The high upfront cost of new, energy-efficient equipment and building retrofits is a major barrier to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector.69 Congress should seek to expand proven federal programs that can improve energy efficiency and increase on-site clean energy generation in public buildings, commercial buildings, and residential housing. If fully implemented, the following four policy ideas would result in an annual emissions reduction of around 47 MMTCO2e in 2030. (see Table 3) Increase funding for the DOE’s State Energy Program Since 1996, the DOE’s State Energy Program has provided grants and technical assistance to states to help finance energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives; the recipient states typically also use state or private resources to amplify the impact of the federal grant. For every federal dollar spent through the State Energy Program, beneficiaries realize $4.50 in energy savings.70 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 rapidly scaled up funding for the State Energy Program from $33 million in the previous fiscal year to $3.1 billion, which was disbursed to states between 2009 and 2011. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a peer-reviewed study of State Energy Program outcomes both pre- and post-stimulus and found that the expanded program supported more than 135,000 jobs and lifetime emissions reductions equivalent to taking 126 million cars off the road for one year.71 If Congress reauthorized the State Energy Program at its stimulus levels for a decade—$31 billion—it would result in reductions of roughly 9 MMTCO2e in 2030. Make federal buildings zero-carbon As with the federal vehicle fleet, the energy technologies used in federal buildings can provide a powerful market signal to the commercial building industry. In fiscal year 2016, the federal government owned and held leases on more than 250,000 buildings totaling 2.6 billion square feet; office space comprised 21 percent of that square footage.72 Since 1975, efforts to improve the energy performance of federal buildings have saved $50 billion.73 Past legislation has set timelines for improving energy efficiency in federal buildings and mandated the increased use of specific technologies, such as solar-powered water heaters. However, advances in the commercial building sector in recent years have put truly 100 percent-electrified and zero-carbon buildings well within reach for the federal government. If Congress directed federal agencies to replace purchased electricity and on-site energy generation consumption for space and water heating with zero-emission alternatives, and mandated that new cooling equipment purchased for federal buildings use refrigerants with the lowest global warming potential, 3 MMTCO2e would be mitigated in 2030 at a cost of $8.9 billion. Incentivize deep retrofits of municipal buildings, universities, schools, and hospitals There are approximately 912,000 municipal buildings, university buildings, school buildings, and hospitals (MUSH) in the United States. Energy costs for the MUSH sector typically represent significant portions of municipal budgets; for example, energy costs are typically school districts’ second-largest budget item, after salaries.74 Financing deep retrofits of MUSH buildings to improve energy efficiency; electrify boilers and other equipment currently powered by fossil fuels; install on-site renewable energy; and replace older refrigeration systems with low-emitting alternatives would help cut costs for local governments while combating climate change. One study found that in Minnesota alone, reducing energy use just 20 percent through improved efficiency in the MUSH sector would create 15,000 jobs and save $3.1 billion in energy bills.75 According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a deep retrofit of a commercial-grade building—which most MUSH buildings qualify as—costs between $25 and $150 per square foot.76 While deep retrofits and equipment replacement can net significant energy savings over time, the upfront capital costs are significant; one energy efficiency retrofit at a New Jersey hospital is expected to save $600,000 per year but cost $5.7 million to complete.77 For many cash-strapped municipalities, public school districts and universities, and hospital systems, cost-saving energy efficiency retrofits will remain out of reach absent increased access to financial assistance. One option to accelerate the retrofitting of MUSH buildings would be to create a dedicated grant program at the DOE that would cover 30 percent of a deep retrofit’s costs. The remainder of funding could come from other public budgets, on-bill savings programs in partnership with utilities, or energy savings performance contracts, which enable building owners to use ongoing savings to pay back the costs of a retrofit over time. Assuming a $75 median cost per square foot, an $8.1 billion annual federal program would cut nearly 31 MMTCO2e by 2030 and support deep retrofits in up to 6,500 MUSH buildings per year. Run the Weatherization Assistance Program at increased capacity for 10 years Low-income households face higher energy burdens than middle- and high-income Americans, both because paying for energy eats up a larger share of their salaries—a median of 7.2 percent for low-income Americans, compared with 3.5 percent for all Americans—and because their homes tend to be older, leakier, and have outdated appliances and equipment.78 Since the 1970s, the DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has supported energy efficiency retrofits and new equipment for low-income households; however, the need for such support has consistently outstripped the amount of funding available. Under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, WAP was scaled up rapidly, from $230 million in annual funding to $5 billion over a three-year period.79 Since WAP had been successfully operating for a long time, increasing spending on the program was expected to support immediate hiring during the economic downturn while easing financial burdens on low-income households. A comprehensive study conducted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory looked at the number of homes weatherized, energy savings, cost-to-savings ratio, number of jobs supported, and cumulative carbon reductions resulting from WAP both during and in the period immediately before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding surge.80 While the study identified some challenges during the Recovery Act period resulting from increasing oversight requirements, public scrutiny, and the cost of training new workers, overall, the program was able to effectively spend the increased funding, with more than 340,000 households benefiting and carbon emissions cut by more than 7 MMT over the lifetime of the improvements.81 Running the WAP at American Recovery and Reinvestment Act levels for 10 years would cost $23 billion and result in roughly 4 MMTCO2e in emissions reductions in 2030. Summary Retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency creates multiple benefits: It saves building owners and operators money, creates construction jobs, raises demand for energy efficiency products and materials—many of which are manufactured in the United States—and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The 47 MMTCO2e reductions that would result from the above policies are equivalent to more than 8 million homes’ annual electricity usage. Congress should have a high degree of confidence that the programs proposed here for expansion can handle the additional funding appropriately, given the extensive studies of the DOE’s weatherization and efficiency programs’ effective response to the influx of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Cutting industrial and noncarbon emissions through infrastructure investment Effectively combating climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy. Much of this activity outside the power, transportation, and buildings sectors does not fit the definition of infrastructure used for the purposes of identifying areas for investment in this report. However, there are some important investments that can—and should—be included in an ambitious infrastructure bill in order to help phase down industrial and agricultural pollution while supporting domestic manufacturing growth and rural economic development. Combined, these measures would yield reductions of around 153 MMTCO2e in 2030. Provide grants for innovative, low-carbon manufacturing Industrial activity accounts for 22 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and given the heterogeneity and complexity of industrial facilities and the trade exposure of U.S. manufacturing, the industrial sector is widely considered one of the most difficult to decarbonize.82 Compared with other sectors of the economy, industrial emissions come from a wide range of sources and processes. While there is a high technical potential to electrify many industrial processes that currently rely on fossil fuels, according to a study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, there are significant challenges, including a lack of data about proprietary industry practices and the high economic cost of new equipment.83 Beyond electrification, some of the most promising technologies for decarbonizing industry include carbon capture, utilization, and storage as well as the production of hydrogen by electrolysis to provide fossil fuel alternatives for high-heat industrial processes.84 However, these technologies have not been deployed at scale in the industrial sector in the United States or elsewhere. With the right incentives, the United States has an opportunity to build out clean manufacturing—decarbonizing U.S. and global industrial trades while onshoring manufacturing and growing domestic jobs. As part of an infrastructure package, Congress should create a 10-year, $20 billion grant program to support innovative, low-carbon manufacturing that has the potential to deeply decarbonize key industrial subsectors, including iron and steel production, cement, and chemical production. These technologies could include electrification, deploying CCUS, scaling biomass-based feedstocks, or using green hydrogen as a source for process heat, among others. The benefit of the technology-neutral grant program is that it allows for the potential of all these technologies to fill niche roles within the complex industrial subsectors. Given the lack of data, abatement potential in the industrial sector is likely underestimated. In this analysis, using current technology costs of CCUS as a proxy for the suite of potential deep decarbonization technologies, a $20 billion grant program would yield emissions reductions of up to 67 MMTCO2e in 2030.85 Rapidly phase out superpolluting refrigerants and find and destroy stocks While carbon dioxide is by far the most prevalent of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change, other heat-trapping gases from human activity also contribute to the problem. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—chemicals that are frequently used in refrigeration and air conditioning—are a particularly potent greenhouse gas, trapping thousands of times as much heat per ton released into the atmosphere as 1 ton of carbon dioxide.86 Phasing out HFCs worldwide could prevent between 0.2 degrees and 0.44 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the 21st century.87 During the Obama administration, the United States helped negotiate the Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Protocol to do just that, but the Trump administration has refused to send the agreement to the Senate for ratification.88 States have begun stepping up ambitiously to address potent industrial gases, including reducing new production and consumption of HFCs as well as destroying existing stocks of HFCs and other fluorinated gases.89 Congress could achieve significant emissions reductions by including provisions in an infrastructure bill requiring government contractors to recover and destroy HFCs from appliances during MUSH building retrofits and in the WAP program and by providing grants to states to support their efforts or potentially creating a reverse credit auction at the EPA to incentivize private operators to find and destroy existing stocks of HFCs.90 Combined, these initiatives would cost no more than $10 billion over 10 years and result in reductions of up to 80 MMTCO2e in 2030. Increase funding for methane digesters in agricultural settings Agriculture accounts for 9 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, including from methane emissions resulting from livestock production.91 Methane is another greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide in the near term, trapping between 28 and 36 times as much heat as carbon dioxide per ton emitted.92 Methane enters the atmosphere from a variety of processes, including oil and gas production, landfills, and the decomposition of food and animal waste. Methane emitted from livestock manure pits and lagoons not only contributes to global warming, but it also represents a wasted economic opportunity for farmers, because methane can be captured and burned as fuel. During the Obama administration, the USDA set a goal of funding and installing 500 anaerobic digesters—which can be installed at manure pits to capture methane—by 2025.93 Congress should appropriate sufficient funds and direct the USDA to meet that 2025 goal and continue providing grants for the installation of anaerobic digesters at the same rate through 2030. Doing so would cost $460 million and yield 5.5 MMTCO2e in reductions in 2030. Summary The industrial and agricultural sectors are important drivers of climate change both in the United States and around the world but have relatively few ready-made solutions for reducing emissions in a cost-effective way. By investing in policies such as those outlined above through direct infrastructure investment, Congress can jump-start broader policy and technological development critical to the long-term decarbonization of these sectors. The 153 MMTCO2e emissions reductions resulting from these policies is equivalent to the amount of emissions from 39 coal-fired power plants in one year. Growing the carbon sink through infrastructure investment Any serious, comprehensive infrastructure package will recognize—and fund—natural infrastructure, as well as more traditional built infrastructure. Healthy and resilient wetlands, forests, and coastlines, for example, are often the most effective and low-cost avenue to protect communities from the worst effects of climate change. Direct investment in forests—specifically, planting trees on national public lands—provides a cost-effective, ready solution to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. There are an estimated 8.3 million acres of public lands managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the USDA that could benefit from reforestation.94 Using existing authorities and tools, including annual appropriations and the Reforestation Trust Fund, Congress could quickly eliminate the reforestation backlog and build bigger carbon sinks. Doing so would cost $1.7 billion and result in reductions of approximately 13 MMTCO2e in 2030. (see Table 5) Protecting environmental review and public input through infrastructure investment Increased federal infrastructure spending must come with guardrails to protect and encourage existing pathways for community engagement in federal projects, as well as protect existing requirements for environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Instead of giving into red-tape arguments about streamlining permitting by cutting back on critical environmental reviews, infrastructure investment needs to include direct funding for agencies—particularly the EPA—to support a robust NEPA process. Additionally, direct investments must not only protect but also further support opportunities for robust public engagement during project reviews and approval stages. The 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act created a fee authority through which project proponents would partially reimburse the government for their costs incurred in conducting environmental reviews.95 Unfortunately, the Trump administration has so far neglected to fully implement this new authority, which, in addition to proposed budget cuts for the agencies responsible for permitting approval, has left NEPA reviews woefully underfunded. Direct infrastructure spending should therefore include funding for agencies to support these basic review and permitting processes, with particular emphasis on funding for the EPA, given that it is the agency with the most tools and talent available to support other agencies in undertaking environmental reviews. Funding of this sort to agencies must also put a premium on public input throughout the permitting and review process. Conclusion Climate change is already affecting every facet of the U.S. economy, and achieving the deep reduction in carbon emissions necessary to avert climate change’s worst future impacts will require using every tool available. Direct federal infrastructure investment has the potential to achieve significant emissions reductions, help fund projects of significant public importance, and target investment to communities that may not attract the attention of private investors, such as rural areas and low-income households. However, infrastructure investment must be understood as one tool among many. Ultimately, it will take all levers of government and private sector activity to build the 100 percent clean energy economy that the United States needs in order to combat climate change. About the authors Kristina Costa is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. Christy Goldfuss is the senior vice president for Energy and Environment Policy at the Center. Kevin DeGood is the director of Infrastructure Policy at the Center. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank current and former CAP staff Luke Bassett, Bianca Majumder, Ryan Richards, Sally Hardin, Alison Cassady, Miriam Goldstein, Lia Cattaneo, and Miranda Peterson for their contributions to this project, as well as CAP editorial and art staff Will Beaudouin, Shanée Simhoni, Christian Rodriguez, Keenan Alexander, and Chester Hawkins. Analytic support and additional policy research were provided by Gigaton Strategies (Rick Duke) and Peter Hansel, for which the authors are deeply grateful.	https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/reports/2019/09/03/473980/reducing-carbon-pollution-infrastructure/
The risks of climate change on the UAE construction industry For the construction industry, the impact of climate change is already felt in design and engineering, MEP works, project deliveries and site conditions. Private developers and contractors have now to comply with specific standards and regulatory requirements that are causing change on ongoing projects which may increase disputes. A mounting pressure to meet climate goals A 2021 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) (Tracking Buildings 2021) found that buildings remain off track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To meet this target, all new buildings and 20% of the existing building stock would need to be zero-carbon-ready as soon as 2030. On 12 October 2021, the UAE issued its National Climate Change Plan for 2017-2050 (UAE’s Government Portal). The primary objectives of the Climate Plan are to: - Manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while sustaining economic growth. - Minimise risks and improve capacity of adaptation to climate change. - Enhance the UAE’s economic diversification agenda through innovative solutions. The second of the three objectives directly concerns the construction sector, with proper measures taken to achieve high levels of readiness and to manage current and future climate risks. Amongst the governmental initiatives adopted to combat climate risks are: - Estidama: Estidama (sustainability in Arabic) is considered one of the most transformative measures to improve the efficiency performance of new buildings in Abu Dhabi and to promote sustainability ratings in the design, planning, and construction phases of new urban developments. - Green building regulations and specifications - Circular No. 198: Dubai has developed a mandatory code for all buildings that sets energy, water, materials, and waste compliance standards. - Energy service companies (ESCOs): Etihad ESCO facilitates the creation of a performance market for ESCOs and develops energy efficiency projects, focusing on efficiency technologies, building retrofits, district cooling and capacity building with a target of retrofitting 30,000 buildings by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions. These and other steps to achieve sustainable infrastructure (such as Federal Law No.24 of 1999 on the Protection and Development of the Environment), may attract further uncertainties in the construction sector in terms of meeting constantly changing regulatory landscapes to reach environmental goals. Project risks associated with climate change Benchmarking existing regulations against environmental goals is pushing regional countries to further consider the need to fill in any legislative gaps for steering the construction sector to meet sustainability requirements and address climate risks. This, in turn, gives rise to a number of project risks, including: Reduced productivity Given the magnitude of the construction sector and the large number of outdoor workers, the potential socio-economic impacts of heat stress need to be addressed. GCC countries already apply reduced work hours during the summer period. Increasing heat waves may drive working hours down further to safeguard the health and safety of workers. Also, the strain on power supply in the aim of cutting GHG emissions coupled with reduced power output due to warmer cooling water puts the reliability and the availability of power supply at risk. Both of these factors may have an impact on the timely delivery of projects. Failures to take account of climate change related events during the design and construction stage In terms of physical climate risks, heavy precipitation and flooding, due to climate change, is predicted to increase. Consequently, claims in this category are increasing, including the failure of building structures and infrastructure drainage systems to address floods from rare but severe storm events and, eventually, rising sea levels. Construction professionals must take into account more frequent and more severe weather events in the region, including violent dust storms, locally known as shamal winds, high temperatures, occasional but severe rainfall and resultant cracking and subsidence. While contractors, in the aim of staying competitive, have limited themselves to significant budgetary constraints, more investment may now be required during the design and engineering stages for projects to meet extreme weather events. Historically, regulatory changes and standards demonstrate that it takes time for designs, materials and workmanship to adapt to new requirements. It is expected that a changing legislative landscape will give rise to new disputes over compliance and potential defects. Change in scope In terms of transition climate risks, governments in the Middle East and North Africa are taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, with states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE seeking to play a leading role in the world’s energy transition markets. The mounting pressure to reduce GHG emissions to meet global net zero pledges will increase the scope of construction disputes. More stringent regulatory requirements, such as achieving higher levels of sustainability ratings, may trigger the re-engineering of certain elements, causing late changes to project designs. Such regulations are likely to cause more disputes in the short term arising from change in scope, whether in design and engineering or construction. It is expected that, across the region, new regulations will be introduced to improve the performance of buildings and sustainability ratings, which calls for the adoption of a new approach to design when it comes to energy and water savings, procurement of resources and enhancing the planning, construction and operation of buildings. The aforementioned UAE Green Building Code is a testament of these policy changes. Other similar codes have been released in Qatar and Lebanon. Impact on insurers Climate change will have far reaching effects on the underlying insurance industry. It will present a wide-range of emerging risks as outlined above that will have direct and indirect effects on the global construction industry. Insurers will need to help construction businesses manage the future of climate related risks and liabilities to mitigate losses. In terms of physical risks, each climate event carries immediate and latent damage to construction projects, which insurers may be liable to indemnify. The increased volume and concentration of claims will drive down insurance companies’ profitability and will increase premiums for insureds. Another monetary impact to both insurers and their insureds is the disruption of supply chains. The rise in prices associated with disruptions due to a climate event will serve to drive up the cost of labour and liquidation damages associated with delays. Similarly, an inability to access a construction site due to a climate event will likely delay a project and cost an employer significant sums. The constantly evolving rules and regulations to encourage construction companies to transition to a lower carbon economy leaves the industry open to sanctions. Attempts may be made to pass on direct monetary sanctions to insurers, by insureds, who have unwittingly failed to comply with these regulations. Indirectly, any modifications to ongoing construction projects that are non-compliant with regulations, will attract remedial costs in terms of material, labour and time. All could be notified to insurers. Insurers should also heed the reputational risk of underwriting construction projects involving fossil fuels, oil pipelines and non-renewable energy production. Insurers risk a loss of business if it is not seen to be actively supporting green projects, which will have a knock-on effect on the value of its assets. What’s next According to the World Economic Forum, buildings and construction are responsible for 40% of global emissions (taking into account both building materials and operating emissions), and addressing the problem will require collaboration across sectors and with the government. Improvement of energy efficiency is critical in design and construction, as well as the operations of buildings. Cooling and powering desalination plants, by far the biggest energy consumers, should transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar power. Decarbonisation should also cover the materials sector, including steel and concrete production. Separate to the transition movement is the need to protect assets from severe weather events and physical risks. Comment Developers and contractors should spend more time to mitigate both physical and transition risks in the planning and design stage. One of the reasons for disputes arising from change in scope is proceeding with the construction without an approved final design. Also, an early agreement in construction contracts on changes in the law and the party who bears any liability arising from such changes is advised. Related items: - Rewriting the risk: Addressing the challenge of climate change - Oman sustainability: constructing a greener perspective? - Sustainability in the Middle East - transitioning to a lower carbon economy by building smart cities?	https://kennedyslaw.com/en-us/thought-leadership/article/the-risks-of-climate-change-on-the-uae-construction-industry/
The Role of Sustainable Architecture in the Global Sustainable Development Agenda Over the last 50 years, the world has experienced a profound change in the human populations and technology. Human populations have tripled; technological innovations have enabled man to tour the whole planetary systems. Increased populations have led to a demand for better housing which has yielded to modern multistory super complex structures such as the Burj Khalifa, giving the world a new face and presenting with it challenges involving food consumption, material and resource exploitation etc. Climate change, as a result, cannot be overlooked. Statistics show that 50% of the ecological imbalance i.e. disturbances of the ecological systems and overall environmental effects are as a result of the building and construction industry. Due to this, improving design and construction processes to minimize its detrimental effects on the natural and physical environment has clearly captured the attention of the building professionals across the world (Sev, 2008). This article on sustainable architecture, therefore, seeks to demystify the role that can be played by the construction industry to achieve sustainable development through the construction of high performance and yet low environmental impact buildings. The Impact of Architecture and Construction The effect of construction to the environment is worth noting given that buildings are built to last and stand the test of time. For example, buildings like Kipande House in Nairobi have been around since the colonial period; in the 1930s. This tells that a building’s effect to the environment will last for years through its life. To assess the effect, building professionals should consider the life cycle from siting, planning, material sourcing, construction, occupancy and demolition. Whereas traditional design and construction practices focused on cost, performance and quality of buildings, sustainable design and construction practices move beyond this constriction to include a response to climate, human needs and the natural environment. It focuses on the minimization of resource consumption, reduction of environmental degradation, creation of healthy built environments (Sev, 2008) and design for human health, comfort and general well-being. For this paper to remain relevant to the issue of sustainable development, emphasis is put on the interrelationship and interaction between the construction industry and the natural environment, not overlooking the issues of economic growth, social sustainability and issues of environmental management and conservation. Sustainable Architecture in the Sustainable Development Agenda Sustainable development has remained a global agenda; a world concern. From the millennium development goals (MDGs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the role played by the construction industry in the realization of a sustainable and stable world economy is evidenced. The burden of ensuring sustainability then lies on the architects, quantity surveyors, urban designers, contractors, engineers, suppliers, clients and all other players in this industry. Design and construction should then be done when the effect on the natural environment through the exchange of matter in the biosphere has been considered and studied well. Ayasin Sev, in his paper: “How can the construction industry contribute to sustainable development? A conceptual framework.”, published in Wiley InterScience, splits the whole matter into three subtopics dealing with resource management, life cycle design and design for humans to explain sustainability which is the approach I will employ here. Focus here is laid on the efficient use of water, energy, materials, management of waste, preservation of the natural environment, design for health and comfort of humans and consideration of the life cycle effect of a building. This is inevitable for us to address the needs of the future generations. A look at the facts about the construction industry in Kenya and other countries tells you that close to 40% (Melissa and Theresa, 2008) of the economy are dependent on the industry. From the conceptual design, when the architects come up with master plans of buildings, (architects will need computers, printers and papers to do architectural drafting, engineers the like and not to forget the quantity surveyors), to the period when the lifetime of a building is terminated, the sector is in need of input from other sectors in form of finished products and producer goods. This implies that a lot of energy is consumed as a result of the construction industry. Sustainable Practices to Save our Future Energy Energy Consumption must be looked at an angle that will reveal how massive it is for corrective measures to be put. Production of the raw materials needed in the construction industry, transporting them, distributing them, installing them and using others, such as the electrical appliances, expends energy. Due to this, the industry also accounts for part of the carbon emissions that is radically turning our globe into a massive greenhouse; a giant oven that is going to roast us soon. Therefore, there is overwhelming evidence that shows how serious the issue is and should be tackled. Designers should embrace sustainability to ensure that buildings are built in a way that reduces energy consumption and reduces harmful emissions. Reduction of energy consumption can be done through the following ways that embrace the reduction of usage of fossil fuels and encourages the use of renewable energy sources to cut down on emissions and risk of depletion in the future: - Use of the technique of passive heating and cooling that depends on the orientation of the building and the construction technology employed. The focus here is to either minimize or completely do away with the use of mechanical ventilations, the ACs and the likes. It is achieved by modelling the building envelope to facilitate the exchange of heat between the inside and the outside environment according to the prevailing weather conditions. - When sourcing for electronic goods such as computers, printers, fridges, dishwashers etc. insist on either Energy Star Certification or A+ and B ratings under the International Efficiency Labelling Scheme. - Use of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar: Whereas the production and generation of electricity from petroleum products, coal and the likes is considered resource intensive and unsustainable, the use of wind and solar is sustainable in the use of materials, resources (both human and capital) and are eco-friendly since they do not emit pollutants. It can save to about 20% of the electricity bills we pay. - Proper sizing of windows is also important to allow the penetration of sunlight while protecting them against direct solar radiation (e.g. sun shading) to prevent the building from heating up. It will save the energy that will have been used to light the spaces during the day when there is sunshine. - In tropical areas such as Kenya and her neighbors, choice of external finishes on walls is paramount. Since the area receives much of the insolation during the day, use of light colored materials on the external parts of the building will assist in reflecting the excess radiation that would otherwise cause overheating of building and pose an operational cost of cooling them. An epitome of a Kenyan project that is considered environmentally sustainable is the Learning Resource Center at the Catholic University of East Africa which incorporates many aspects of energy efficiency while still remaining aesthetically appealing (AAK, 2015). The design incorporates a good choice of materials by the architect in the basement that absorbs moisture from the ground and cools the building during the intense noonday sun as it evaporates and finds its way through windows protected by sun shading devices. It also incorporates an atrium for cooling with an allowance for natural lighting. This shows that Kenya has not lacked behind in embracing sustainability though the response by different market players is considerably slow. Water “Water is life” It is an increasingly precious and scarce resource all over the world (Sev, 2008). The human population will definitely need water to survive on this planet. Given this, there is urgency in addressing the need for the creation of water consumption and conservation of efficient built environments. The following are among the measures that can be taken: - To supplement the water supply, the collection of rainwater should be done. In urban developments where large areas of roof coverage are found, rainwater can be harvested by installing gutters and downpipes and the water stored in tanks to be used for household irrigation of flower gardens or for drinking. Collecting rainwater is in itself an economically sustainable activity in that it prevents runoffs that result to erosion which degrades our environment. That would have been otherwise an extra cost in trying to restore the beauty of our landscapes by combating erosion. - Utilization of efficient plumbing fixtures and sanitary fittings will help reduce the portable water consumption. These plumbing fixtures include low flow and sensor faucets, dual flush meters, low flow and soap valve showerheads, waterless urinals in men’s public areas, among others. - For our landscaping designs, our designers should seek to develop low demand landscapes that minimize on the areas covered by hard surfaces so as to allow rainwater to percolate underground and add to the underground water reserves. Nevertheless, the plants that we intend to use in beautifying our surroundings need to be adaptive to the local climatic conditions. For example, if the site is located in arid and semi-arid areas, the plants should be drought resistant to minimize the need for constant watering that will help save on this precious resource. - Recycling of water is also another measure that will prove useful. Materials Green architecture encourages the responsible sourcing of materials. In the case of timber, the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber is encouraged since it helps in promoting a green building supply chain in the industry and in the preservation of the vegetative cover of our beautiful world. This means that the cutting down of trees (deforestation) will be reduced and it well in the conservation of water reservoirs, a good step towards combating climatic change and achieving sustainable economic development. Also, in the case of other building materials reuse or recycling of waste is encouraged as it will help in the reduction of pollutants in the atmosphere which would have otherwise resulted from the production of new materials. According to a feature article published by the Architect Magazine 2015, builders are encouraged to adopt the use of low volatile organic compounds brand of materials in construction to minimize or completely eliminate emissions that have negative effects to the health of human beings. The main aim here is to cut down on the negative impacts the building will have to the natural environment that also affects its occupants and individuals in the larger part of the world. Waste Waste from buildings is looked at in two categories. There is the waste generated on site during construction and the waste generated during the occupancy of the building. Each has a way of disposal e.g. for construction waste, the contractor should have a waste management plan that includes procedures and commitments to reduce waste generated on site and maximize the diversion of demolition and construction waste from landfill disposal. In the case of waste generated during the occupancy of the building, every building should have bins for collection of waste with at least one dedicated in a place which can be easily accessed by people who are physically challenged. Furthermore, this paper encourages on the use of septic systems in the case where the building is not located near the municipal sewer lines. The idea is that septic systems are very sanitary and do not emit any foul fumes. Conclusion In this era of continued modernization and urbanization, sustainability in the construction industry can be addressed by analyzing the different factors that constitute an environmentally conscious design. Emphasis in this article has been laid on the above but there are other considerations too that the design team ought to be aware of. For the built environments to be heathy and comfortable for us, these sustainable design and construction practices should be integrated in a holistic manner that aim at more than just the combination of individual components. Read Also: - Managing Building Projects Through Social Media Enabled Communication. - Is the Kenyan Construction Industry Aligned to the Vision 2030? - Opinion: Shaping the Construction Industry’s Future. - Opinion: Mentorship for Construction Careers. - ARCHICAD: Intuitive BIM made by Architects for Architects. Suggested Texts for Further Reading: Sev, A. (2009). How can the construction industry contribute to sustainable development? A conceptual framework. Sustainable Development, 17(3), 161-173. Ortiz, O., Castells, F., & Sonnemann, G. (2009). Sustainability in the construction industry: A review of recent developments based on LCA. Construction and Building Materials, 23(1), 28-39. Spence, R., & Mulligan, H. (1995). Sustainable development and the construction industry. Habitat international, 19(3), 279-292. Gavilan, R. M., & Bernold, L. E. (1994). Source evaluation of solid waste in building construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 120(3), 536-552. Fisher, R. (2003). Integrating sustainable development into briefing and design processes of buildings in developing countries: an assessment tool (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria). Ugwu, O. O., & Haupt, T. C. (2007). Key performance indicators and assessment methods for infrastructure sustainability—a South African construction industry perspective. Building and Environment, 42(2), 665-680. Myers, D. (2005). A review of construction companies’ attitudes to sustainability. Construction Management and Economics, 23(8), 781-785. Son, H., Kim, C., Chong, W. K., & Chou, J. S. (2011). Implementing sustainable development in the construction industry: constructors’ perspectives in the US and Korea. Sustainable Development, 19(5), 337-347. Hwang, B. G., & Tan, J. S. (2012). Green building project management: obstacles and solutions for sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 20(5), 335-349. Gissen, D. (2002). Big and Green: Towards Sustainable Architecture in the 21st Century. Princeton Architectural Press: New York. Junnila, S., & Horvath, A. (2003). Life-cycle environmental effects of an office building. Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 9(4), 157-166. Chappells†, H., & Shove‡, E. (2005). Debating the future of comfort: environmental sustainability, energy consumption and the indoor environment. Building Research & Information, 33(1), 32-40. Nzangi Muimi I’m a quantity surveyor, content creator and the founder of QuantBuild Academy, the fastest-growing technology-focused YouTube channel online. I teach CAD & project management software to beginners and share residential design ideas and real estate property reviews with my viewers online.	https://www.quantbuild.co.ke/sustainable-architecture-global-sustainable-development-agenda/
According to Business Wire, more than half of homeowners use their yards for activities such as entertaining guests, spending time with family, or simply relaxing. It’s no surprise then that many people look for ways to improve their backyard landscaping. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are four questions to ask a landscaping company about backyard landscaping. 1. What Types of Plants Are Right for My Yard? There are several things to consider when selecting plants for your yard. You have to think about the climate you live in, soil type, and sun exposure. If you live in a dry area, succulents, cacti, and native plants are all good options. If your yard gets a lot of sun, you might consider planting trees to provide some shade. You’ll also want to consider the size and shape of your yard. It’ll help determine the number and size of plants you need to create the design you want. 2. How Can You Help Save Water? Drought is a major concern in many parts of the country, so choosing plants that don’t require a lot of water should also be an important factor. There are a number of ways to save water in your landscaping, including using drought-tolerant plants, installing irrigation systems, and using mulch to reduce evaporation. You can also collect rainwater to use for watering your plants. Another way to save water is to choose native plants. Native plants naturally occur in your area and are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. They don’t require as much water, fertilizer, or pesticides as non-native plants, so they can be a more sustainable option. Learn more about how to help your lawn during a drought. 3. What Are the Best Materials for My Yard? You can use several different materials in your landscaping, including stone, brick, pavers, gravel, and mulch. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. For example, stone is durable and low-maintenance, but it can be expensive. Gravel is less expensive, but it can be more difficult to maintain. An expert like Archer can help you compare each material, while considering your needs, design aesthetics, and budget. 4. How Much Maintenance Will My Yard Need? An often overlooked factor in backyard landscaping is the amount of upkeep it can require. The type of plants you choose, the climate in your area, and how much traffic your yard gets will all impact maintenance. For example, planting a lot of trees may provide full cover shade, but you’ll also need to do more pruning and trimming throughout the year. If you have a lot of foot traffic, then you might need to do more repairs over time. Fortunately, a landscaping company like Archer can help you determine the right mix of plants that won’t be too burdensome to maintain. And when you do need extra help with upkeep, Archer can also help keep your lawn looking beautiful all year long. These are just a few of the questions you should ask about backyard landscaping. Professionals like Archer can help you narrow down your options and choose the right plants, materials, and maintenance schedule for your yard.	https://www.archerlawns.com/questions-to-ask-about-backyard-landscaping

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