Did you know that your empty ink cartridge can help you earn some money or fund your favorite charity simply by not throwing it away! Very often we do not know what to do with the empty cartridges and they invariably find their way to the trashcan. Given these cartridges are made of plastic, they are not biodegradable and end up polluting the environment in various ways.
A recent study done by a US based agency the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found that 67% of the empty cartridges are sent to landfills, 15% are burnt to ashes and a mere 18% are recycled.
If the percentages don’t look intimidating enough, here are some actual figures, every year over 400 million cartridges with a combined weight of 200 million pounds are dumped into landfills.
Recycling these cartridges is a far more useful option. Here are a few benefits in recycling cartridges can do:
1/ Help us reduce our ink bills, as recycled ink cartridges are a lot cheaper compared to new ones.
2/ This way we can help reduce pollution and reduce the amount of plastic that goes into polluting the earth.
3/ We can send them over to companies that assist charities with the profits.
Some institutions generate money by recycling cartridges
Oxfam for example can help raise money from empty ink cartridges. Visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/recycle/toner.htm and you can read both about the work Oxfam undertakes as well as how they fund charitable work using the money generated from cartridges.
Refilling Cartridges
Refilling cartridges is good option. The replacement cartridges must be made to the exact specifications and standards of the manufacturer and not simply refilled. Just because they come cheap, you don’t want them to ruin your print quality and risk ink leakage.
Refill kits are available and they are typically very easy to use. If this option is availed they can save you up to 70 percent on the purchase cost. They can be purchased online from sites that sell ink cartridges.
A refill cartridge typically contains the component parts, ink, syringes and clips, to refill the empty cartridge with new ink. Instructions are provided with the kits to fill the cartridges. This is certainly the best way to improve the life of a cartridge as you can take of it yourself without having to pass it around.
If you would rather not refill the cartridges yourself, they can be bought from another supplier but here is a list of things you want to keep in mind while doing that.
1/ The yield needs to be checked - Which means, the estimated number of pages one cartridge can print.
2/ Density of the remanufactured cartridge - The density should be between 1.3 and 1.6. This number is derived after running a test on a number of cartridges, as testing just one will not present the accurate density.
3/ Inspection and replacement of components - The drum, wiper blade and the drum roller are the key components. They need to be checked before making a purchase.
4/ Each model of a printer uses a different toner - If the same toner is used for all the cartridges it could affect the yield without affecting the printing quality. This means, lesser number of pages printed per cartridge and hence higher cost per page.
5/ The label - Once the cartridge is remanufactured the label needs to be replaced by the supplier and the label should indicate which machine the cartridge goes into. If the label is not removed, it could be considered as copyright infringement.
6/ Check with the supplier if they would fix your printer if the ink bought from them causes damage to your printer. This in some cases would be an indication about the quality of ink inside the cartridges.
Potential problems that incorrectly filled cartridges can cause
Sponge filled cartridges refusing to print after re-filling. Here, the sponge is used so that it holds back the ink and it does not flow freely into the print head. The problem could arise from air bubbles trapped inside the layer of ink. This is known as a vapor lock situation. Precautions need to be taken so that this does not happen. While filling the cartridge, the syringe needs to be plunged deep into the cartridge and ink pushed out slowly till it appears on top of the sponge.
If the problem has already occurred, then try holding the cartridge with the print head pointing down on top of a waste paper basket and swing it upwards and stop suddenly. If ink appears on top of the print head, the problem is probably fixed.
The refilled cartridge does not print but a new one does
Check for vapor locking first. If that is the problem then the method described above can rectify the problem.
If this does not work, it could mean the print head or the venting path is blacked. If something is covering the venting path, try removing it. Please be careful not to increase the size of the venting path.
If it still does not work, then it possibly means that the print head openings are blocked. In this case there is not much you can do given the regular means available. However, you can try and scrub it with cotton dipped in distilled water or holding it over steam for not more than a minute. This does not happen regularly but if it does, you can refer to the printer manual and follow the instructions to clean the printer head.
Useful information
It is frequently asked if the warranty on a printer would be considered void if refilled cartridges are used. The answer is technically NO. Often the manufacturer will encourage purchase of branded cartridges and discourages the refilling but that is largely for commercial reasons. Otherwise it is perfectly all right to use refilled cartridges.
About the Author
John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, suppliers of inkjet cartridges and pc peripherals based in the UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured printer inks please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk
The recent spikes in oil and natural gas prices have put the topic of alternative fuels for home heating at the forefront of discussions around the country. Alternative fuels that in the past were seen as marginal, odd, or strictly for rural use are getting a second look.
Wood heat has been used for generations in the rural U.S., but has been replaced in the past fifty years or so by central heating provided by oil- or gas-fired furnaces. However, in recent years, wood stoves have been making a comeback. Attractive stoves by Jotul and other manufacturers have taken their place in communal living areas like kitchens and living rooms to supplement heating while providing a cozy ambiance to the rooms. Wood furnaces, both internal and external and in many new designs based on the latest technology, provide the ability to load the furnace so as to provide hours of central heating before needing re-stoking. An advantage of burning wood, at least in rural areas, is that it can be locally obtained; people with a wood lot can get it with "sweat equity", and can supplement their income by supplying their neighbors as well.
New plant-based fuels like wood pellets and corn pellets can also provide heat when used in specially designed, clean-burning furnaces and stoves. In addition, more and more people are taking a new look at biodiesel, a fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, primarily soybean oil. Most furnaces can use B20, a fuel made of 80 percent traditional heating oil and 20 percent biodiesel, without any adjustments; some people are getting their furnaces adapted to be able to burn B100, a fuel made entirely of vegetable oils. The biodiesel burns much cleaner than traditional heating oil, but has its own problems (for one thing, biodiesel tends to cause rubber gaskets to erode), so be sure to check with your furnace servicer or manufacturer before you opt for B100.
If you choose to use B100, and your furnace will handle it, you have a couple of options. B100 is becoming more available around the country; check on the Internet to find a supplier near you. Also, waste oil - that is, used vegetable oil discarded by restaurants - can be filtered and used in some furnaces. Several furnaces on the market are designed to burn waste oil. Commercially manufactured B100 has an additive that keeps it liquid at low temperatures, which recycled vegetable doesn't contain, so do your research - and check again with your furnace servicer - before you attempt burning used vegetable oil. We're facing a new world with lots of challenges in terms of how to heat our homes, especially in colder winter climates. Luckily there are technologies like wood gasification and biodeisel, available today which can help us move away from our decades-old dependence on fossil fuels.
Look in your pocket or in your bag or on the table next to you. In one of those three places it is probable that you saw a device that could cause your injury or death at some point in the future. What is it you ask? What is it that I carry with me everywhere? What is this object that you say could hurt or kill me or possibly those close to me that I care about? It is your cell phone. The make and model are irrelevant; they all produce unnaturally high amounts of EMF or electromagnetic fields.
If it was just a threat to ourselves there might not be such awareness, but it's the fact that people near us that could be adversely affected as well. Those little bundles of joy that are the centre of your life are affected more than anyone else. The question you need to ask is: What can I do about all this? I don't have the power to get EMF emitting cell phones banned or anything like that. There is something you can do though, to minimize the risk of harmful radiation effects to yourself and those close to you.
There are many radiation protection devices available today to help you get rid of this threat that is hanging over your head every time you pick up that phone. There are wide selections of products to suit any need you might have, in many shapes, at a range of prices that will allow anyone to afford this absolutely necessary protection.
There are hands-free devices that will protect you from this potentially lethal threat as well as helping you comply with current regulations. These regulations can actually be encouraging us to use non-radiation protective ear pieces that are increasing the amount of radiation directed into our heads. So, to ensure you are protected you need to ensure that the ear piece or hands-free kit you use is one of those specially designed to protect you and others in your vicinity. There are many different types of devices available for you to choose from, but the best way to ensure you are protected from radiation is to use a combination of devices, bearing in mind that a cell phone will affect any part of the body that it is close to, not the head alone. You need to aware that to be completely protected you need to have some form of protection when your phone is in your pocket and not being used as well as a method of protection while you are using your cell phone.
The cell phone is making communication easier all the time and no-one wants to give up that convenience, but it must be paired with the awareness of the inherent dangers associated with this convenience. To eradicate this danger we need to take the proper steps to ensure we have sufficient radiation protection.
All EMF protection information has been researched and written by Juliette Pickup EMF Protection Devices Author: Lyle Robertson more »
Magnetic power generator has become the latest buzz in town. What has made it such a huge topic is its ability to generate free electricity without even the use of natural energy such as the wind and the sun. It simply utilizes magnets and magnetic force to induce perpetual motion. Operating by itself indefinitely without stopping, the magnetic power generator creates completely free electrical energy, which can fully power your house for free.
The magnetic power generator is closely associated with a perpetual motion device, also known as a machine that runs perpetually i.e. indefinitely, and produces a larger amount of energy than it consumes. Thus, it produces free energy indefinitely and runs by itself without having to need a third-party device or resource to power it. This free energy devices have been suppressed by the corporate world because such devices has the capability to create energy for free, which would ultimately shut down the major energy corporations.
By learning how to build a magnetic generator, you will be able to generate completely free electric energy without depending on any source of renewable or non-renewable energy. The generator powers itself and creates energy by itself without requiring solar energy, heat, water, coal or any kind of resource. Adding to that, it powers itself and works indefinitely without stopping, thus creating a large amount of energy.
This is designed to be a safe system for use and operates well. It doesn't produce any harmful byproducts or gases, and there isn't any hazard concerning the magnetic energy generator itself. Even if you have young children, they may freely walk in the close vicinity of the generator.
Benefits of a magnetic power generator include:
* This system is compact * Works independently – Do not require natural energy such as the wind and the sun * Cheap to construct and even cheaper to run * Cut your electrical bills down dramatically * Completely safe for you and your family (Including children)
Find out more about the new energy focus, the Magnetic Power Generator. Acquire wealth of information on how magnetic generators work, benefits and many other informative tips on saving electricity. Get to know the all the existing uses and benefits of a Magnetic Energy Generator today; Master the true knowledge of generating free energy.
Solar power systems are capable of supplying electrical power to all your household appliances and it can be quite substantial. For the residential community, solar power is the most sensible decision for many different reasons. Solar panels are nearly free of maintenance once installed, which means operating costs will usually be extremely miniscule.
In recent years, solar power systems have garnered some notable leaps and that continues as the price of electricity and other forms of energy continue to rise. They are the most common means that homeowners are harnessing solar energy. They harness the sun's energy and convert it into electrical power efficiently. These solar power systems are then connected to the house and the energy is transferred to the house powering it with electricity.
Benefits of Solar Power systems:
* Tax incentives (Check your area for rebates offered by governments) * Save electrical expenses * Power your home appliances for free * Affordability * Environmental friendly * Increases house value
Having a solar power system installed in your home, you can actually reduce 80% or even eliminate 100% of your monthly electrical bills. Not just that, the presence of tax incentives offered by governments also enable you to make some money from excessive electricity generated by your panels. Wouldn't it be a checks be a great thing to see in your mailbox every month rather than electrical bills?
Find out more about home solar power systems along with many other informative tips on saving energy. Visit Earth For Energy today; master true the knowledge of using energy.
Acquire useful information on wind power generators, benefits and many other informative tips on energy saving. Learn how to build your own wind turbine today; master the true knowledge of using energy. The design of a home wind turbine is specially made to be environmentally friendly and cost saving. With the presence of harmful greenhouse gases in our environment today, it is recommended to have one of these energy saving systems to reduce the amount of pollutants being produced into our environment.
A home wind turbine generates electrical power by spinning a generator. This generator is attached to the rotor, made up of three aerodynamic blades, that is then attached to a tower. To keep the turbine facing the wind, the rotor has a tail, which acts as weather vain.
The generator is generally an electric motor. As the coils in the motor spins past the magnets, an electric current is produced. The power produced is stored in batteries, which are connected to an inverter that changes the direct current to alternating current, which can then be used to power your home. The advancement of motor efficiency is the main reason why home wind turbines have become so popular among homeowners.
Depending on your area's wind conditions, the tower/support can vary in length. If you stay near the sea where the wind power is more significant, the tower/support can be shorter, but in low-wind areas the tower/support will need to be taller to catch the required amount of wind.
Over time, the blades have improved drastically as researchers developed lighter, stronger, more efficient blades, with the capability of turning even in the lightest breeze. Back in those days, wind turbines had five blades, and looked identical to windmill water pumps, but recently they have moved to three blades, taking the form of over-sized airplane rotors. Like the tower/support, the blades vary in size, according to your wind conditions and energy requirements. Build your own wind turbine and benefit from all its features today.
Benefits of a home wind turbine: * Achieve tax breaks and lower utility bills * Power appliances, charge batteries and generate water pumps * Environmentally friendly machine * Increase your efficiency and never worry about power outages again * Reduce your dependability on exhaustible resources * Ease of Use
Find out more facts and features of a home wind turbine. Acquire useful information on wind power generators, benefits and many other informative tips on energy saving. Learn how to build your own wind turbine today; master the true knowledge of using energy.
The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of gas to electric car conversion is certainly no exception.
See how much you can learn about gas to electric car conversion when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don't miss out on the rest of this great information.
With the continuing innovation of technology, Majority of people understand the development of electrical auto conversion kits. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages. The conversion kit which comprises the control mechanism, a motor and a battery. The batteries are chargeable using power produced by the primary engine of the vehicle or by plugging it up to another outlet. Due to environmental concerns and looming oil/fuel hike, Most people from the globe are looking for alternative means in order to convert their vehicle. If you have enough money you can go for an Electric vehicle, though if you don’t have sufficient capital and would like to use your existing vehicle, there are alternative ways on how to keep your vehicle to be converted from gas to an electric vehicle. Converting to an Electric Car is a great answer for our never-ending problem on our environment. Get your kit at www.gas2electricity.com!
It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on gas to electric car conversion. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of gas to electric car conversion.
Learn more about about the information on electric car conversion kits, you can go to this site at http://www.squidoo.com/gas_to_electric_car_conversion.
Leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. According to the American Lung Association wood floors in your bedroom and other main living areas can drastically improve air quality. This is not surprising when a large American company that recycles old carpet has stated that most used carpeting it receives for processing contains at least 35% of its weight in household dirt.
A report by the Healthy Flooring Network draw’s information from several reports and experiments carried out by leading health groups worldwide. It draws broad conclusions on the role fitted carpets play in determining the total allergen load in the home and the importance of this on the severity of allergic disease.
Detailed studies in the UK have found that 50-70% of asthma suffers are allergic to house dust mites. With up to 100,000 dust mites living in just one square metre of carpet and it being reported that 98% of UK homes have fitted carpets it is clear to understand why the UK has the highest prevalence of asthma symptoms in 13-14 year olds in the world at 19.8%, along with the second highest prevalence of eczema.
Carpets that are treated have themselves come in for huge criticisms. When tested 3 out of 4 carpets that were listed as being treated against dust mites contain chemicals of a hazardous nature. Theses chemicals included organotins, phthalates, permethrin, triclosan, brominated flame retardants and formaldehyde. The World Health Organisation has recommended that they are substituted with less hazardous alternatives.
One study showed that the mite allergen concentration in dust from carpets could be 6-14 times higher than that from wood & laminate flooring.
Pet Allergens
Pets are the second most important cause of domestic allergy and over 50% of asthmatic children are sensitised to allergens of cats and/or dogs. Once again the presence of fitted carpets is particularly strongly associated with high pet allergen levels. Even when a pet is removed from a house the allergen levels can remain significantly high.
Points to Note
•Carpets can contain the largest reservoir in total amount of mite allergens in the house
•The presence of carpets in a home can dramatically increase the total mite allergen load compared to having laminate or wood flooring.
•Up to 100,000 mites may live in one square metre of carpet.
•Carpets can harbour 6-14 times more dust mite allergens than laminate or wood flooring.
•The presence of fitted carpets is particularly strongly associated with high pet allergen levels.
Written by Jason Ashby who has over 20 years experience in the flooring trade for more information click here laminate wood flooring info Author: jason ashby more »
Many times I have been asked what is the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer. Hopefully the following will answer this question. The American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA, provides the following:
"Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Landscape architectural projects include design of public parks, site planning for commercial and residential properties, land reclamation, urban and community design, and historic preservation. Examples of landscape architecture include Central Park in New York City, TRW’s headquarters outside Cleveland, the “Emerald Necklace” of green spaces and parks in Boston, Sursum Cordan Affordable Housing in Washington, D.C., preservation of Yosemite Park and Niagara Falls, and the landfill reclamation of Fresh Kills in New York. Landscape architects have advanced education, professional training, specialized skills, and are licensed in 47 states."
What is the difference between a Landscape Designer and a Landscape Architect?
The national professional association is the American Society of Landscape Architects, based in Washington. ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required to be passed for state licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials. Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.
What can I expect the landscape architectural design process to be? Various architects may have different approaches, yet all are aimed at the same result. Make sure you're comfortable with the steps that the Landscape Architect defines. A typical process includes:
· Pre-planning - As the client, you discuss your desires with the architect and provide background, priorities, and any basic design guidelines. You'll work together and define the overall scope and timeline. The result will be a proposed budget and statement of work. The landscape architect will then prepare a contract for you to sign.
· Project Planning - Further preliminary details are developed with you about the site and its function and usage. The site is analyzed and the Landscape Architect creates a list of development priorities, which you'll approve.
· Preliminary Design - A review of the site, usage requirements, and environmental conditions are undertaken to create preliminary drawings. The Landscape Architect will show you design and presentation drawings showing the overall site concept. Initial construction cost estimates are provided, which you review and approve.
· Final design - Further detail is added to the concept. Material is selected and initial construction documentation is created. Where necessary, cost estimates are revised.
· Documentation - Additional detailed specifications and drawings are developed and provided to you for approval. The Landscape Architect may give you construction documents to assist you in soliciting bids from contractors and may help you review bids.
Installation - Depending on your contract, the Landscape Architect may play an active role in representing you in your interaction with the contractor and provide on-site supervision. At the close of the project, the Landscape Architect will make a final inspection.
How do I find a good landscape contractor?
If you're going to need referrals to contractors and other service providers as part of your project, ask the Landscape Architect about these people. They will typically have an array of competent people in the industry for you to contact.
What's included in the landscape architecture contract?
Any reputable Landscape Architect will provide a written contract before beginning a project. This agreement will specify in detail the exact work to be done, the work schedule, the amount and payment terms of the landscape architect's fees, and the responsibilities of each party to the contract.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly aware of the professional responsibilities related to landscape design. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
If there are nay questions please feel free to contact the ASLA or me.
###
Kimberley Ennett has a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan. She is a principle landscape architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
She is also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants related to equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com
Many people, along with some developers, look at wetlands as a problem in their efforts to build large real estate developments, whether residential or commercial. This is unfortunate. Wetlands are a valuable productive ecosystem and proper architectural landscaping can cope with the “problem”. But first it is important to realize what wetlands represent.
We have mentioned that wetlands are a productive ecosystem. Indeed, they play host to a variety of species including birds, fish and mammals. Wetlands vary according to climate, geological factors and amount of water. Wetlands differ in location for example between Alaska and Florida. Most, however, provide a large amount of food for many animals. They also help moderate worldwide climatic conditions. In view of wetland importance, the United States Government has passed laws that regulate wetlands.
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Activities in waters of the United States regulated under this program include fill for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees), infrastructure development (such as highways and airports) and mining projects. Section 404 requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States, unless the activity is exempt from Section 404 regulation (e.g. certain farming and forestry activities).
The basic premise of the program is that no discharge of dredged or fill material may be permitted if: (1) a practicable alternative exists that is less damaging to the aquatic environment or (2) the nation’s waters would be significantly degraded. In other words, when you apply for a permit, you must show that you have, to the extent practicable: · Taken steps to avoid wetland impacts; · Minimized potential impacts on wetlands; and · Provided compensation for any remaining unavoidable impacts.
Proposed activities are regulated through a permit review process. An individual permit is required for potentially significant impacts. Individual permits are reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which evaluates applications under a public interest review, as well as the environmental criteria set forth in the CWA Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines. However, for most discharges that will have only minimal adverse effects, a general permit may be suitable. General permits are issued on a nationwide, regional, or State basis for particular categories of activities. The general permit process eliminates individual review and allows certain activities to proceed with little or no delay, provided that the general or specific conditions for the general permit are met.
Builders and developers typical enlist the services of state registered licensed Landscape Architects to assist in this process. Landscape Architects can develop site plans to protect a wetland or the possible relocation of a wetland and assist in obtaining the necessary permits.
Landscape Architects are required to be licensed by the State in which they practice and are usually members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA. Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required to be passed for a state licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials. Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal, particularly if a wetlands is involved.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly aware of the need for wetland protection. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
I am also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warmblood sport horses and am particularly sensitive to the issues of wetlands in landscaping equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com
Understand the importance of wetlands and protect them.
Kimberley Ennett has a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan. She is a principle landscape architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
She is also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants related to equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com
When clearing ground for an equestrian facility site in a wooded area, or when horses are allowed to graze in a wooded area, care must be taken to eliminate poisonous plants that are harmful to the residing horses. While horses tend to avoid toxic plants because of their taste, they can still be affected by foraging, particularly if in sparse areas or in times of drought.
Cornell University lists the following species of plants that are of particular concern to horse owners:
Red Maple, Fiddleneck, Locoweed, Yellow Star Thistle, Crown Vetch, Jimsonweed, Horsetail, Buckwheat, St. John's Wort, Mountain Laurel, Sensitive Fern, Black Cherry, Bitter Cherry, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Bracken, Fern Oaks, Rhubarb, Rhododendron, Castor Bean, Black Locust, Grounsels, Common Nightshade, Black Nightshade, Horse Nettle, Buffalo Bur, Potato Sorghum or Milo, Sudan Grass, Johnson Grass and Yew, as well as molds of various kinds in various feeds.
In the case of Yews and Hemlocks, whether the entire plant or just a few clippings, a small amount can kill a horse within hours as a result of heart failure. The list above is by no means all inclusive and there are a number of other toxic plants that can be researched on the internet.
Equestrian landscape architecture and site planning must take this factor into account to assure that landscapers eliminate dangerous plants during installation. The Landscape Architect should walk the planned site together with the landscape installer and check for dangerous plants and mark them for elimination.
In specifying proposed planting locations for the equestrian site, the landscape architect must assure that toxic plants are not placed in a position where horses can come into contact with them.
Landscape Architects are required to be licensed by the State in which they practice and are usually members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA. Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environments. The national professional association is the American Society of Landscape Architects, based in Washington. ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have obtained 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required to be passed for state licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials. Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly aware of poisonous plants. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
I am also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants related to equestrian facilities. See:
http://www.markimfarms.com
Enjoy your equestrian activities while assuring protection of the health of your horses. One ounce of prevention is all it takes. ### Author: Kimberley Ennett, MLA, ASLA more »
A newlywed couple moves into their new home. After a couple of months, they realize that they have many more garbage bags than they need. However, they have not bought any garbage bags since they got married. Where did all of the garbage bags come from?
Your mission:
See how fast you can arrive at the correct solution by using the following clues: 1) The garbage bags were not a wedding gift 2) The couple did not bring any garbage bags with them when they moved 3) The bags were not in the couple's new home when they arrived 4) The fact that the two people are newlyweds is irrelevant 5) The type of home that the couple moved into is irrelevant 6) The bags were made of plastic 7) People gave the bags to the couple, but 8) The bags were not any type of gift 9) The bags are not "traditional" garbage bags 10) The bags came in many colors.
The solution:
Have you figured out the solution yet? The garbage bags are actually plastic bags from grocery and other types of stores! The couple only has small garbage cans in their home, and the plastic bags fit perfectly inside of them. Plus, the handles make them very extremely easy to tie shut when they become full. The trash cans need to be emptied more often than larger cans would, but that small inconvenience is worth the savings. Yearly garbage bag expenses: $0.00!
In addition to the monetary reasons, reusing grocery bags is a simple way to recycle and eliminate the waste created by throwing away the plastic bags inside of another garbage bag. Once you have a good supply of plastic bags, consider taking an empty canvas bag or backpack with you to the grocery store. Check the bag with a store employee when you enter so that no one thinks that you are shoplifting. Then, when you are done shopping, skip getting a new bag and load your purchases into your own reusable bag instead.
A few other super-easy ways to save money and recycle: Save scrap paper. Save any papers that have nothing on the back or large blank spaces. Advertising flyers, old work papers and school papers all work well. You can cut the pages into smaller pieces if they would be more convenient for you. Put the paper in a stack or a box with a pen nearby, and you'll never have to scramble when you need to jot down something. Spots near the base of your house phone or beside the computer are both great locations.
Save sturdy boxes from food, electronics, mailers, etc. Cover them with the Sunday comics or some previously-used wrapping paper. Label each box with a marker and use as stackable storage for recipes, comic books or just about anything else.
Save large, empty plastic soda and juice bottles. Fill them with water, and store in your freezer. Having less open space in your freezer will help it run more efficiently. And when you need more room in the freezer, simply take out one of the bottles of ice!
Save torn and worn out clothing. Tear or cut them into pieces and use as rags for cleaning and dusting.
Steve is a writer for the GrandMatrix website. Visit and grab hundreds of free game downloads, including classics, puzzles and strategy to the latest action, driving and RPG games.
The polar bears (Thalarctos maritimus) live in the Arctic regions of the north near open water where they can find their main source of food which are seals. These bears are huge with adults at 7 to 8 ½ feet tall and up to 1,600 pounds. Polar bears are white to creamy white all year round which gives them excellent camouflage against the Arctic snow when hunting. Along with the Arctic fox, the polar bear is the most northerly located land mammal on earth.
Unlike other species of bears, polar bears have longer necks and smaller heads making them appear more streamlined. Despite their large sizes, they are incredibly fast being able to run up to 25 miles per hour. At speeds like this, a polar bear can outrun a reindeer. They are also excellent swimmers being able to swim at about 3 miles per hour but for considerable distances.
During winters, they spend most of their time on the ice floes hunting seals. Polar bears have rough, leathery pads on the bottoms of their feet to maintain footholds on slippery ice surfaces. Their adaptation to the cold Arctic waters is even more impressive. Their thick coats of fur traps a deep layer of insulating air around their bodies. An inner layer of fur is so compact that it is almost impossible to wet it. An outer layer of long guard hairs mat together in the water which forms another layer over the inner layer. After a polar bear leaves the water, it simply shakes its body which results in most of the water being thrown right off leaving the bear almost dry. These protective layers of fur ensure that the polar bear’s skin is kept dry most of the time, even while in the Arctic waters.
Polar bears hunt seals by waiting for seals to come through holes in the ice to breathe. They also stalk their prey utilizing their white camouflage abilities against the mounds of ice. Sometimes polar bears have been known to crawl on their bellies until they are close enough to rush their prey, particularly if no cover is available. Besides seals, polar bears will eat Arctic foxes, birds, baby walruses and even man if they are extremely hungry.
Males and females stay apart for most of the year except during the summer mating season. Females tend to breed only every other year and when they do, usually 1 to 4 cubs are born during March to April. The polar bear cubs stay with their mothers for 1 to 2 years. The life span of polar bears can be up to 34 years. The Inuit hunt polar bears for their fat, tendons and fur. Scientists say that climate changes have been reducing the ice floes in the Arctic which has disrupted the polar bear’s feeding grounds and migration patterns. There are estimates of about 22,000 to 25,000 polar bears left in the world with 60 percent of them in the Canadian Arctic region. Their populations are thought to be stable for now but some speculate that the species is at risk. Some think that if climate changes continue at its present rate and if worldwide hunting is not adequately
controlled, polar bears could face extinction in about 100 years. There is presently much debate on adjusting annual hunting quotas of polar bears, even for Inuit hunters, to further help protect these great bears.
Polar bears have become the most popular symbol of the Arctic north with representations used in everything from soft drink commercials to corporate logos of northern based companies including Canadian North airlines. Nunavut even has their license plates cut in the shape of a polar bear. Tourists can see polar bears in the wild through unique tours on specially designed tundra buggies in Churchill, Manitoba Canada. It’s also not surprising that polar bears are some of the most sought after Inuit art sculptures. Polar bears are definitely the rulers of the Arctic north.
Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery (http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca) , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.
Bottled water just looks so refreshing on the supermarket shelves, and huge quantities are sold. But, are we deluding ourselves to think that it is better than tap-water, and what are the health and environmental consequences?
I am sure that when most of us pick up a bottle of water in the supermarket we think that we are buying a purer and healthier product than we would be getting if we drank from the tap. But, is that really true, or are we all falling for the perception of superior health and purity which the bottled spring-water marketers would like us to believe?
A group of experts in the UK thinks that EU tap-water is best. They have gone on record to point out that tap-water in European Union, where the drinking water supplied by our water utility companies is all regulated under the same very high standards set by EU Directives, is better monitored and regulated than bottled water, and is likely to be better for you.
While it is true that EU Regulations do now also set quality standards for all bottled water, there are still no rigorous labelling requirements. Bottled water labelling is insufficent to enable people to judge for themselves from a standardised set of information, whether the bottle they drink is either purer or less so than tap water, or indeed how it compares with other similar products.
Also, when it comes to considering purity it should be noted that the purest water is distilled water, but nobody suggests that distilled water is the healthiest. When compiling the EU Drinking Water standards this was recognised, and as a result water sources which do not, are improved. For example, for healthier living the water we drink should contain a certain amount of calcium, so very “soft” waters are improved during the treatment stage by the addition of recognised healthy minimum quantities of calcium, from natural sources.
Not only is potable water from the tap subject to stringent quality controls, anyone with internet access can very quickly and simply view information of the current quality their supply, including actual test data. They can see, for example, bacteriological and chemical content, and all this is available completely free of charge at the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate website (www.dwi.gov.uk).
Bottled water is also incredibly expensive. It is on average 500 times more expensive than drinking water. Nevertheless, we are buying it in huge amounts, and it is quite expensive to produce when you consider that the most highly promoted and most popular brands in the UK are French imports, entailing all the transport costs that this implies.
To quote the UK's Executive Director of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWM):-
“Branding and bottling of water where there already exists a wholesome* and safe supply of mains drinking water cannot be seen as a sustainable use of natural resources, and adds to the over-all levels of waste and pollution to be managed in modern society”.
Finally, to demonstrate the cost of bottled water, we have it from a good source that in 2004 the House of Commons spent over £11,000 (GBP) or $19,000 (US Dollars), on an amount which, if tap water, would have cost just £25 (GBP) or $44 (US Dollars). Author: Steve Last more »
More than 80% civil engineers are now not only convinced that Climate Change is taking place: They also claim to be worried about it , according to a poll of 519 Chartered UK Civil Engineers.
The poll was carried out by the New Civil Engineer, the official weekly magazine of the profession, which is sent out to all members of the Institution of Civil Engineers. It was published in the 19 January 2006 edition.
What is more striking is that 56% said that they were prepared to change their lifestyles to help cut Britain’s energy consumption, and 51% of those that expressed an opinion say that they would be prepared to alter their lifestyles to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, but would only do so - probably quite pragmatically and reasonably - if pushed to so do by taxation or legislation to take these steps. Also, in the response to these questions a surprisingly large percentage actually said they would be prepared to change their lifestyle “a lot”.
Subsequent editions have not raised any comment from the members in the letter page or the editorial. So we can assume that acceptance of anthropomorphic Climate Change in the profession is mainstream and uncontested.
The poll was actually carried out to gauge the opinions of the profession on the nuclear debate currently underway; a debate which has been given additional momentum by Dr Lovelock’s view that global warming effects are so severe, and so inevitable now, that unless the rate of carbon emissions are reduced in less time than is available for normal political and economic action, there will be no means by which the inevitable drift toward catastrophe of Climate Change can be halted.
Furthermore, Porfessor Lovelock (originator of the Gaia Theory of natural systems) says that the UK has no choice but to go-nuclear again in a big way, especially since most of the 21% of our power which is at present generated by nuclear power stations is soon to be lost when they are closed, due to ageing.
In fact, unless these stations are refurbished soon to extend their lives, only 7% of our power will be generated from nuclear by 2013, and we will have to build new nuclear plants just to avoid a significant demand for alternative forms of generation, which can only be fully satisfied from non-renewable (fossil fuel) sources, and thereby raising our national carbon dioxide emissions.
Nuclear power is relatively carbon neutral, but all new nuclear installations have been halted for the past 15 years or so in the UK, due to:
* public hostility to the acceptance of the risk of nuclear incidents, * the inability of the UK government to solve the problem of nuclear waste disposal,
* and concerns about nuclear proliferation should the UK be shown to be encouraging the use of nuclear at home when maintaining a policy that the developing nations should not themselves “Go nuclear”. Therefore, Dr Lovelock has proposed that dangerous or not, the UK should build more nuclear power plants, and this has encouraged government and professionals alike to reopen the nuclear debate. This debate has now started, and early indications are that the civil engineers involved in much of the energy strategy work and opinion-forming within government will be so concerned about carbon dioxide emissions that all other concerns about nuclear power will be pushed aside. Such risks may be seen as “risks to be managed”
and risk taking of this magnitude, as being a reasonable strategy, when faced by the alternative threat of global catastrophe.
However, whatever one’s view may be on the nuclear power debate, the groundswell of opinion is changing at least among this group of professionals. Although one poll can never be considered conclusive it shows that these professionals at least, comprise a constituency of opinion which, if in time this was repeated across the community, would begin to sway the government toward measures which might bring real change in the future.
According to the Guardian (Monday March 27, 2006) the overwhelming majority of leaders at last week's European Union summit, including Tony Blair, strongly backed a revival of nuclear power as the answer to Europe's growing dependence on overseas supplies and to combat climate change. Nuclear power plants currently provide about 17 percent of the world's electricity, yet how much of the world’s current and future environmental problems does Nuclear Power contribute to? Nuclear power has both powerful enemies and friends but does the bottom line come down to costs? The December 2005 World Nuclear Association report The New Economics of Nuclear Power states that “Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels”. The need for cheap energy can not be argued when every week price increases are announced from all the gas and electricity suppliers in the UK. The Ukraine recently had their gas supply stopped by Russia, how long is it before this happens to the UK? Do we not need to be self-sufficient when it comes to the generation of power? Can renewable energy not begin to take a larger role in this supply? See GuideMeGreen’s green directory for renewable energy companies and recycled products in the UK.
The report goes on to say that fuel costs for nuclear plants are a minor proportion of total generating costs, though capital costs are greater than those for coal-fired plants. At the NIA 2006 launch of the Commission’s position paper on the role of nuclear it confirmed “that nuclear is a low carbon technology with an impressive safety record in the UK” and “Nuclear could generate large quantities of electricity, contribute to stabilising CO2 emissions and add to the diversity of the UK’s energy supply.” While we have an impressive record of safety in the UK, Chernobyl has proved that a nuclear accident thousands of miles away can effect the UK for decades to come. The Tsunami also caused problems at Nuclear Power plants around Asia as the plants are built near the sea due to the large amount of water needed to cool the rectors.
Methane is a gas found on most planets with atmospheres. In limited amounts, it isn’t a particularly problematic gas. In larger amounts, however, it can become a regulator of atmosphere temperatures.
Methane and Potential Impacts on Global Warming
Methane is fairly common gas found in nature. It is produced from both natural elements of the biomass cycle and artificial industrial sources. Methane is classified as a greenhouse gas and is believed to contribute to global warming.
Methane (CH4) is a problematic greenhouse gas for a variety of reasons. First, it has a long life once it is in the atmosphere, to wit, it will remain suspended in the upper atmosphere anywhere from nine to 15 years depending on climatic conditions. Second, methane is much more lethal when it comes to trapping heat in the atmosphere, being as much as 20 times better at doing the job than the much discussed carbon dioxide.
The unique chemical makeup of Methane is what makes it a problem. Once it gets situated in the upper atmosphere, it acts as a sponge for infrared radiation being reflected from the planet towards space. By doing so, it acts as a gas coat around the planet, heating us up as time passes. Since we can count on it sitting in the atmosphere for roughly 10 years, massive accumulations of methane can have a devastating impact over time.
There is nothing we can do to stop natural methane sources. On the industrial side, however, there are a lot of areas that can be addressed. The production of methane through our actions is primarily through natural gas, petroleum, agricultural, coal mining, waste water reclaiming and landfill systems. All produce methane to a certain degree, some on a very large scale. Modifying our behavior on methane production is actually a win-win situation. Unlike carbon dioxide, methane can be used as an energy source in and of itself. The technology is complex and the gas can be unstable, but we have certainly accomplished far more difficult tasks. The bigger point is that we don’t have to stop any activity that produces methane, just modify such activities to make use of the methane.
Global warming is a controversial topic. There is little doubt it is occurring. The real question is what it will mean as temperatures increase. Nobody really seems to know. What is clear is our current climatic situation is fairly calm. If you agree, why risk moving to a more chaotic one?
For most of us, housework is a necessary evil. Not something we enjoy doing very much, rather a thing that brings pleasant results. But what if housework was something that we needed to do in order to maintain our health? For people who suffer from allergies, housework is just that, and so the right vacuum cleaner can be the difference between maintaining health and losing it.
In our modern world, we are exposed to an increasing number of allergens, substances that can cause enormous irritation to those predisposed to sensitivity to them. While allergies might easily be included in the list on non-life threatening conditions, anyone who has endured an allergic reaction for any period of time can testify to the fact that nothing can rob you of your enthusiasm for life than what might, in the grand scheme of things, be inconsequential reactions. And, in fact, allergies can sometimes traverse boundaries, becoming potentially lethal, particularly to the elderly and infirm, or the very young. So any device that can help allergy sufferers fight the good fight is not to be taken lightly.
The right vacuum cleaner can make the world of difference in the fight against allergens in your home. Whether it is pet hair or dust mites that generates an allergic reaction in you or one of your family members, choosing a vacuum cleaner with this in mind can help you gain control over your environment and ease the symptoms of the sufferer a great deal.
The most effective allergy control vacuum cleaners employ a technology known as HEPA, or high efficiency particulate arresting. Developed by the government in the 1950s to help protect those in the services against radioactive particles, the proponents of this technology claim that it can remove 99.7 percent of particles from the air when used in air purifiers. Translated into the vacuum cleaner, this technology helps remove all of the allergy causing substances that find rest on your carpets and upholstery, creating a home environment that is safer for the allergy sufferer in your home. For those who suffer from upsetting allergies, an allergy fighting vacuum cleaner is just what the doctor ordered. So do some prescription housework – your family’s health will thank you for it. Dave is the owner of http://vacuum-cups.info a website providing information on vacuum cleaners.
The world is a very noisy place with loud, intermittent sounds and constant, droning noises – noise reduction headphones can help you get a little peace amongst the distractions of everyday life. Headphones can block out the myriad of sounds that occur in a variety of setting and are helpful to many different people.
Sleeping – If you have trouble sleeping, noise reduction headphones may aid you in getting some rest. Barking dogs, traffic, and awake family members can contribute to sleepless nights, and for those who are sensitive to noise when they're trying to sleep, noise reduction headphones create a sound-free environment so they can rest.
Playing Music – Musicians often use noise reduction headphones to help them block out sounds that may interfere with them hearing their instrument. Once the background noise is blocked, they are free to concentrate purely on the sounds they are making rather than the sounds around them. This creates an environment of total immersion into their music and allows them to perfect their work without being in a studio.
Autistic Students – Noise reduction headphones can also be used in the classroom to help autistic children. Often classroom environments can be distracting to children with autism. Headphones for the children help teachers instruct each student individually so others aren’t confused or distracted by the instructions for the other students.
Studying – Noise reduction headphones are very useful in situations where you need peace and quiet but can't always control the environment. Students who are studying may find noise reduction headphones helpful in blocking out the distracting sounds around them. Headphones create a peaceful world in which they can focus on their work, rather than environmental noises or the sounds of others.
Working – If you work in a cubical or an open-plan office but find yourself regularly distracted by people walking by, phones ringing, others talking, and the general chaos that can be office life, noise reduction headphones can make a difference. They can help you focus on the task at hand rather than everything going on around you which can boost your productivity and the quality of your work.
Noisy Neighbors – Living in an apartment building, condo or townhouse may include noisy neighbors. Depending on the thickness of your walls and ceiling, you may hear your neighbors walking around above, or hear their music or talking. Noise reduction headphones can block these sounds so you can enjoy being at home, even if the neighbors are loud.
These are only a few examples of the sorts of noise disturbances you may come across in daily life. Where once you had no choice but to be distracted, noise reduction headphones put you in control. Never again do you have to experience a sleepless night or a ruined project. Noise reduction headphones can be used to block out the noises around you: voices, car engines, train noises, barking dogs, loud offices, airplane engine noise, city sounds, loud neighbors, etc. Lee Blue is a musician and home studio recording artist; he uses Extreme Isolation headphones in his recording studio and his office to block out environmental distractions. Learn more about noise reduction headphones. Web: http://www.quietheadphones.com/
There are always huge debates as to whether the culling of elephant is ethical or not. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and in my opinion and many others, it MUST be done. If we don’t cull we will still lose many 1000’s of elephants as well as many other different species of game along with them in the future. The Kruger National Park is a massive 20 000 square kilometres surrounded by a fence and because of this fence it is not a 100% natural environment which as a result requires grooming such as culling, stocking up of rare animal species from other reserves and controlled fires to keep it as natural as possible.
The Problem
150 years ago there were no fences dividing countries which prevent the natural movement of game forced by the change in seasons. Many animals migrating in search of food and or water died, especially old, weak and injured individuals, possibly as a result of not reaching their destinations on time. This would help control the numbers of many game species, leaving only the strong and healthy to survive. With the development of conservation areas such as the Kruger National Park, with all its man-made dams and abundance of thick vegetation, there is very rarely a shortage of food or water for game resulting in the massive increase in the elephant population. It’s hard to believe that the Kruger national Parks’ elephant population was almost totally wiped out just 100 years ago due to excessive hunting and poaching and today it sits on about 12 000, which is 4 500 above the natural carrying capacity with the population increasing close to 3% every year! If populations get too high, the impact on vegetation will be devastating as elephants require huge amounts of food to sustain their large bodies along with their weak digestive systems. Large bulls will eat as much as 250 kg of vegetation and drink up to 180 litres of water every day!
Of all the African herbivores the elephant has the most varied diet in terms of different plant species, eating almost every plant if finds and who knows, with too many elephant how many plant species may be lost forever. The elephants’ favourite food is grass. If an area is over-populated, in time the ground will be totally stripped of all grass which may result in serous erosion as the root systems of the grasses would normally hold the soil together. Areas that have been severely over-grazed and eroded may take many years to recover back to a suitable state and in some cases never recover. Grazing animals such as wildebeest, zebra, white rhino and hippopotamus will eventually die off if there is no grass to eat or nowhere else to find more. When all the grass has been eaten, the elephant then concentrate more on feeding off trees and shrubs. It’s not just the leaves they eat but also the roots and bark of certain trees. They uproot trees, strip off bark and before we know it there are 1000’s of dead trees as far as the eye can see. So what use to be lush thick vegetation with allsorts of beautiful trees and shrubs now looks like a desert with lots of sand, heavily eroded areas, tree stumps and the bones of all the animals that have now died of starvation, all of this as a result of nothing been done to properly solve the over-population of elephant.
Solutions?
Relocation of elephants to other game reserves:
Sounds good but it only helps temporarily as eventually space in these reserves runs out and the cost of moving them becomes more expensive as they have to be moved even further away to new areas. With over 300 elephant born into the Kruger National Park every year you can imagine the cost of moving 300 every year just to keep the population constant at 12 000. Helicopters, pilots, vets, sedative drugs, transportation trucks, fuel, legal papers, all of this costs a lot when moving elephants to other game reserves or countries.
Female Contraception:
The female elephants are given a contraceptive injection which is highly effective but needs to be administered roughly every 6 months to keep working. Not all females are given the contraceptive which still allows the births of a few calves into the herds. This exercise is extremely expensive especially with large populations where 1000’s of females are given the injection every 6 months. The population growth slows down but still doesn’t solve the over-population problem.
Cropping:
Cropping is the process where small amounts of game are shot over a long period of time. An example of this would be taking out say 5 or 10 animals per week over a period of a couple months. Cropping works but has the down side that the visibility may be poor in the summer and early winter months, making it very difficult when shooting on the ground or from helicopters.
Culling is the process whereby a fairly large amount of animals are shot within a short period of time, for example; shooting say 200 elephants in the space of 3 weeks. This may come across a very cruel, but to date has been the only real long term effective method used. Culling operations are done in the shortest possible time to lessen the stress on the animals been shot. Before culling was put to an end in 1997 the Kruger had a very healthy population of elephant. The tusks of culled animals were stored in safe warehouses or often burnt and much of the meat was processed for tin food which was given to poor communities and used by staff members of the park. Hyenas, jackals, vultures and many other scavenging animals made sure to clean up the rest of any carcasses left behind.
For now the game reserves that can afford it are using female contraception and relocating elephants. There are ongoing talks about bringing back culling but still no change. One day in the future ‘they’ will realise that culling is the answer but by that time it will be too late. If only ‘they’ would fully understand.
I am an ex-game ranger from South Africa. I have an awesome blog packed with information on all sorts of wildlife in Africa. Visit my Blog to find out more: www.southafrican-wildlife.blogspot.com
Did you know that your empty ink cartridge can help you earn some money or fund your favorite charity simply by not throwing it away! Very often we do not know what to do with the empty cartridges and they invariably find their way to the trashcan. Given these cartridges are made of plastic, they are not biodegradable and end up polluting the environment in various ways.
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