We have heard big corporations and multi-national companies outsource their administrative, HR, technical, and such processes to virtual assistance companies. CEOs and MDs of such organizations are too pre-occupied with more vital jobs than paying attention to these comparatively less critical and non-strategic tasks. Ever wondered, what about small business outsourcing? Do they need virtual assistance?
First thing to contemplate would be whether a small business owner plans to expand his business. If he does, does he get adequate time to plan out new strategies for more production or to review scope for business development or new ventures? If he is all stacked up with non-strategic jobs like salary payments, bill payments, conducting job interviews, making presentations, etc., then it is not necessary to say, that he is in grave need of small business outsourcing.
How small business outsourcing can help the owner, when his needs, in comparison with big corporations, are very limited. It doesn?t require a second thought. Small business outsourcing field is well equipped to cater to the needs of limitedly spanned business entities. As a matter of fact, more and more such small business owners are turning over parts of their business operations to the outside experts, allowing themselves to focus on crucial needs of output and growth. Small business outsourcing processes range from HR to finance, accounting to customer service, data entry to creating presentations, conducting market survey to maintaining administrative surveillance, and many more.
However, the decision of small business outsourcing should be subject to careful scrutiny regarding the extent of your need, the investment it will require (which, for sure, will be less than maintaining a huge in-house staff), the probability of you developing a healthy working-relationship with your virtual assistant, the extent to which you can expose your business details to your virtual aide, and of course finding the apt person to carry out these jobs.
While opting for small business outsourcing, it is strongly recommended to clutch on to those company functions that delineate the ?heart? duties of your business. Reckon upon outsourcing other operations, which are not as vitally strategic. Always remember, small business outsourcing doesn?t refer to outsourcing everything that is non-strategic. The outsource-able processes are keenly subject to the gravity of the need. For instance, if your preference lays upon ?affable-customer service? over ?cost-effective customer service?, then you should probably rely on your own domestic customer care executives. However, if your concern is nadir (or rock-bottom) expenditure, then choosing an outsourcer, like web-based virtual assistant, or a call center makes more sense.
Conventionally, the statistics show that small business outsourcing is more accepted and viable in payroll services and HR operations. Nonetheless, it doesn?t restrict the advancement of small business outsourcing, but it can further be explored among other processes, like in case, an entrepreneur with strong sales might feel the need for full-time assistance in book-keeping, which is a specialized function in small business outsourcing.
After enough thought is given to these fundamental matters, you can carry out your small business outsourcing, resulting in better and faster performance, cost-effectiveness, and in some cases good willed and professional advices about your business.
Tom Pick wrote a wonderful post? titled Why Personal Branding Matters to Big Companies.? It got me to thinking about how personal branding can transcend the size of any organization and act as a foundational tenet for any customer relationship, but has special importance for small businesses.
While there is little doubt that large corporate brands are the sum of many individual brands, it can be argued that personal branding carries more weight in SMBs. Why? Because often the personalities, unique personal selling skills, and attention to one-to-one relationships is the only competitive differentiator smaller businesses have.
When given the choice between a large or small organization, the customer may be more likely to approach the smaller business if they believe they will receive a high-touch buying experience.? The magic of personal branding in the small business is that it usually implies a faster and higher level of intimacy than what a customer typically gets when approaching a larger business.
Small business personal brands come with personality. David Puddy, the notoriously hyper confident auto repair guy from the television show Seinfeld comes to mind. Whether you need an opinion or estimate, Puddy was ready to engage in an intimate commercial encounter. You could get your car fixed anywhere, but with Puddy?s Auto Repair you get ? well ? Puddy!
Large companies can be intimidating; there are so many people that you just don?t know who the right person to talk with is.? In the small business there is David Puddy. There?s one person to talk to (David) and one person who will be calling you back (David).? In David I feel as though ?I?ve got a guy.?
Small business personal brands matter to customers because when you ?need a guy? it?s the person who picks up the phone. The personality and intimate commercial encounters foster trust and repeat business.? Large enterprises can make themselves more approachable by making it easier to search for and ?find? the right person online. But it?s the handshake, smile, and even a high-five of a strong personal brand that set the small business apart.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]They are usually gradually overlooking the fact that cosmetic surgery seriously isn't covered by simply private health insurance. Many types of treatments such as liposuction, bust surgery, bust augmentation, bust reduction, ...
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. ? The start time of the Little League World Series championship game Sunday between Japan and California has been pushed back to 3 p.m. EDT because of Tropical Storm Irene.
Little League officials said they wanted to ensure any remnants of the storm were clear of the area. Williamsport received some rain overnight into Sunday morning but was on the outer fringes of the storm system.
The game was initially scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. Then, on Friday, Little League moved the start to noon based on early forecast predictions before deciding again Sunday to push it back.
Little League vice president Lance Van Auken said officials would monitor the Lamade Stadium field. A new drainage system was installed there two years ago.
When I started out in Internet Marketing, every one kept telling me the same thing ? Hey, Paul, the money is in the list well, OK, great, but how the heck do I do that?
I then wasted time going around in circles. Do you know why? I spent ages building a fancy web site to get subscribers. Man, I did it all wrong.
I now know that list building is EASY. and if you do it correctly, you can make thousands of dollars every month from your subscriber list ? it becomes the most important asset to your online business.
Without all the rubbish, here?s what you should be doing:-
1. Figure out the Number One Problem Your Target Market Has.
And how do you do that? well, you hang out where the people you?re trying to get on your list hang out Forums the market research you can get from chatting to a few people and reading some threads on forums is invaluable.
I want you to look for trends or patterns. Look for questions that pop up a lot and if you see a common theme then take note
For instance, in the internet Marketing niche, the number one issue people have is how to get traffic So, if you were looking to build a list in the IM niche, you?d note that down because it?s fundamental for step 2:
2. Offer a Free Gift that Helps Solve that Very same Problem
Now you see why step 1 is so important a high converting squeeze page needs to solve a problem that everyone has
I know what you?re thinking. How do I make a free gift? Actually, it?s very easy and should only take you an hour or so. and. you don?t even need to write it yourself if you don?t want to
Here?s what you do: go to a PLR directory and pick up some private label articles. take a selection of 5 articles that you like, and turn it into an e-book.
There you go, your free gift now you just need to:
3. Build a Squeeze Page that Converts
Ah, man this is so easy, but so many people complicate matters. you don?t need to be a web designer to do this
I?ll tell you a quick story ? one of my friends has over 20,000 subscribers on her list and her squeeze page consistently converts at 40%. That?s MASSIVE If you can get 20% then you?re doing fine.
And what kind of squeeze page do you think she has? An all singing and dancing one? like heck her squeeze page is a plain white one, with a catchy headline, a few benefits and the email sign up form.
So, here?s your squeeze page instructions:
o Create a headline that is benefit-driven and addresses the number one problem we identified in step 1. Here?s an example of a great headline:
Learn the Exact Techniques I Use to Drive over 2,000 Visitors to My Web Site Every Day.
Make sure the headline is big and bold and red to get the attention of those visitors.and then:
o Create a list of benefits (in bullet points) that subscribers will get from your free gift. 5 is fine ? don?t go crazy. and make them short, not long paragraphs. and then.
o Add your opt in form underneath.
That?s how simple a squeeze page is. Don?t complicate matters like 95% of internet marketers, remember KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid).
Not sure where to get your opt-in form from? well, you should try a service from Aweber ? it?s the number one list building service in my opinion.
List Building Tips ? How to Build an Email List Fast
Related Reading:
Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement: Research on What Works in SchoolsIn Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, Robert J. Marzano shows how a carefully structured combination of two approaches--sustained silent reading and instruction in subject-specific vocabulary terms--can help overcome the deficiencies in background knowledge that hamper the achievement of many children.
Readers will learn * The principles that underlie an effective sustained silent reading program * A five-step process for using sustained silent reading to enhance background knowledge * The defining characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction * A six-step process for direct instruction in vocabulary in each discipline * The vocabulary terms critical to students? success in every academic subject
Vignettes suggest how the recommended reading and vocabulary instruction programs might be implemented in elementary schools, middle and junior high schools, and high schools. The book also includes a list of 7,923 vocabulary terms culled from the national standards documents and other publications, organized into 11 subject areas and 4 grade-level categories.
With its research-based recommendations and step-by-step approach, Building Background Knowledge equips educators with the tools they need to help close the achievement gap and enable all students to succeed.
List Building Unmasked - List Building Secrets - Simple Strategies For Maximizing Your Income With Email Marketing!One email out to a responsive subscriber base.. a single click of your mouse and your automated cash machine kicks into high gear and begins to drive in sales..
Believe me, it's the fastest and easiest method of making money online, regardless of the niche market you are involved in.
In fact, email marketing can work effectively in EVERY single niche imaginable. Mainstream companies use email lists every day as a way of building brand awareness and maximizing their exposure with special offers, freebies, and time limited promotions.
From weight loss products to relationship based newsletters, savvy marketers and businesses know that the real power backing every single product launch is a rock solid mailing list.
So, don't you think it's about time you created yours?
Here's what you will be able to do in just a few days..
* * * Develop flaming hot mailing lists filled to the brim with active, responsive buyers who are eager to receive your emails and respond to your offers!
* * * Build up buzz around a future product launch, build brand awareness and develop a reputation as an authority in your niche market!
* * * Start building a powerhouse of high profit websites based that are guaranteed to be successful because your customer base directly asked for them!
It doesn't matter if you are a complete "newbie", you absolutely need to start building and monetizing a mailing list. You will never make as much money or gain as much exposure for your business, products and overall brand until you do.
You probably have a good reason for not having created a mailing list already, or perhaps you have tried and failed (miserably). With so many sketchy "strategies" out there that lead you astray and distract you from your real objective (making money online), it's time to go back to the basics of what has successfully worked for years and will continue to work for decades to come.
(In case you've been drawn in by the BS surrounding email marketing, let's break it down real quickly)
* * * BS Excuse #1: Creating an email list is time consuming and expensive.
Reality:
You can build a massive email list of red hot prospects for the cost of an autoresponder account and NOTHING more! (You don't even have to pay for hosting, squeeze page templates, email content or leads!)
* * * BS Excuse #2: You have to be a proficient writer or experienced marketer.
Reality:
Very few of us are excellent writers, and for the most part, people are interested in high quality content that can be easily outsourced to affordable freelancers. You can also easily use existing content (just re purposed) to do the job for you.
* * * BS Excuse #3: You have to have your own products in order to monetize email lists.
Reality:
The majority of email marketers got started by promoting other people's products to a targeted group of customers. In fact, even the most experienced email marketers in your industry are promoting affiliate based products (I guarantee it). You do NOT need a product of your own and quite honestly, you should create your list BEFORE you even think of creating your own product! (Read Chapter 4 to find out why)
Been misled into believing any of this nonsense?
You can turn it all around for yourself right now, by following a proven strategy to creating high profit email lists that you can quickly monetize even if you don't even have a product of your own!
In fact, just by following a simple action plan, you can begin to make money right now just by browsing a single marketplace, picking & choosing products that appeal to you and then copy and pasting PRE-WRITTEN emails into your marketing system!
The Toshiba Thrive isn't exactly a good-looking Android tablet. Sure, it has plenty of ports, a removable battery, and a low price, but it's also bulky and feels of cheap plastic. Sans the Toshiba logo, it feels and looks just like a random Chinese rip-off. But have no fear, Toshiba fans! Per a pre-IFA leak, there's a new tablet coming and it's every bit as sexy as the Asus Transformer or Samsung Galaxy Tab while packing at least some of the I/O ports found on the Thrive.
Friend and foe: Nitrogen pollution's little-known environmental and human health threatsPublic release date: 28-Aug-2011 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
303-228-8532 (Aug. 25-Sept. 1)
202-872-6042 (Before Aug. 25)
Michael Woods
m_woods@acs.org
303-228-8532 (Aug. 25-Sept. 1)
202-872-6293 (Before Aug. 25)
American Chemical Society
DENVER, Aug. 28, 2011 Billions of people owe their lives to nitrogen fertilizers a pillar of the fabled Green Revolution in agriculture that averted global famine in the 20th century but few are aware that nitrogen pollution from fertilizers and other sources has become a major environmental problem that threatens human health and welfare in multiple ways, a scientist said here today.
"It's been said that nitrogen pollution is the biggest environmental disaster that nobody has heard of," Alan Townsend, Ph.D., observed at the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), being held here this week. Townsend, an authority on how human activity has changed the natural cycling of nitrogen to create a friend-turned-foe dilemma, called for greater public awareness of nitrogen pollution and concerted global action to control it. He spoke at a symposium on the topic, which included almost a dozen reports (abstracts of each presentation appear below) by other experts.
"Awareness has grown, but nitrogen pollution remains such a little-recognized environmental problem because it lacks the visibility of other kinds of pollution," Townsend explained. "People can see an oil slick on the ocean, but hundreds of tons of nitrogen spill invisibly into the soil, water and air every day from farms, smokestacks and automobile tailpipes. But the impact is there unhealthy air, unsafe drinking water, dead zones in the ocean, degraded ecosystems and implications for climate change. But people don't see the nitrogen spilling out, so it is difficult to connect the problems to their source."
Townsend described the scope and the intensification of the nitrogen pollution problem as "startling." He noted that nitrogen inputs to the terrestrial environment have doubled worldwide during the past century. This increase is due largely to the invention and widespread use of synthetic fertilizer, which has revolutionized agriculture and boosted the food supply.
The concern focuses on so-called "reactive" nitrogen. Air contains about 78 percent nitrogen. But this nitrogen is unreactive or "inert," and plants can't use the gas as a nutrient. In 1909, chemist Fritz Haber developed a way to transform this unreactive gas into ammonia, the active ingredient of synthetic fertilizer. By 2005, human activity was producing about 400 billion pounds of reactive nitrogen each year.
"A single atom of reactive nitrogen can contribute to air pollution, climate change, ecosystem degradation and several human health concerns," Townsend said. He is an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Damage to the ecosystem a biological community interacting with its nonliving environment includes water pollution and reduced biological diversity, including the loss of certain plant species.
Though the full extent is currently unknown, nitrogen pollution can impact human health. Reactive nitrogen is a key contributor to air pollution, including the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a well-known health risk. Recent estimates suggest that nitrogen-related air pollution costs the U.S. well over $10 billion per year in both health costs and reduced crop growth. And though less well studied, high nitrogen levels in water can cause a variety of health concerns, ranging from the effects of drinking water nitrate to the potential to alter the risks of several human diseases.
Increased nitrogen levels also have implications for climate change, Townsend noted. Excess nitrogen can affect the rate of climate change in multiple and opposing ways. One the one hand, it leads to more warming via the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, but on the other hand, it can reduce warming by fueling extra plant growth and by forming substances called reflective aerosols in the atmosphere, the scientists noted.
"The net effect of these processes remains uncertain, but appears to result in minor cooling presently," Townsend said. However, he noted that excess nitrogen also has large and clear consequences for some worrisome impacts of a changing climate, notably air and water pollution.
"Climate change is expected to worsen each of these problems worldwide, but reduction of nitrogen pollution could go a long way toward lessening such climate-driven risks," he added.
"We're just now starting to recognize the scope of the problem," said Townsend. "But the good news is that there are many opportunities for us to lessen the problems. These include ways in which chemists can help, ranging from the development of new technologies to reduce nitrogen's impact to new measurement technologies and techniques that can better diagnose the problems we face with nitrogen."
He outlined several possible solutions to the problem. They include continued and greater support for technologies that remove or reduce reactive nitrogen formation during fossil fuel burning and incentives that can encourage farmers to be more efficient with their fertilizer use. The latter could include subsidies that reward the application of environmental practices that reduce nitrogen levels, he said.
Several other solutions exist for improving the efficiency of agricultural nitrogen use, Townsend added. "In many ways, we already know how to do it the problems are largely about finding the political and cultural means to implement these new practices," he said.
###
The National Science Foundation and the David & Lucile Packard Foundation provided funding for Townsend's research.
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society contact newsroom@acs.org.
ABSTRACTS:
Nitrogen and the Human Endeavor
Alan R Townsend1 , Professor, University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Environmental Studies, INSTAAR, 1560 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80303, United States, 303-492-6865, 303-492-6388, townsena@colorado.edu
Modern human society relies upon extraordinary disruptions to several global biogeochemical cycles. Transformation of one such cycle nitrogen (N) was a pillar of the Green Revolution and remains necessary to ensure future food security, but also creates multiple negative environmental and socio-economic consequences. Both the scale and pace of human changes to the N cycle are startling: in two human generations, we have more than doubled "reactive" N inputs to the terrestrial biosphere. Many of nitrogen's harmful effects are a product of its diverse chemical nature; a single atom of human-created reactive nitrogen can contribute to air pollution, climate change, ecosystem degradation and several human health concerns as it passes among multiple redox states. This talk will review human changes to the global N cycle and their major consequences, and then present examples of how society can pursue a more sustainable relationship with this essential element.
Anthropogenic impacts recorded in the isotopes of atmospheric nitrate
Meredith Hastings1 , Brown University, Dept of Geological Sciences/Environmental Change Initiative, 324 Brook Street, Box 1846, Providence, RI, 029012, United States, 401-863-3658, meredith_hastings@brown.edu
Atmospheric nitrate is the result of nitrogen oxide emissions and reactions between NOx and major oxidants such as ozone and hydroxy compounds. Sources of NOx include fossil fuels combustion, biomass burning, biogenic processes in soils, lightning and stratospheric oxidation of nitrous oxide. With significant variability in latitude and altitude, distinguishing source contributions, particularly from the natural sources of NOx,is a challenge. The isotopic record of nitrate in an ice core from Greenland, reveals a clear change in the ?15N of nitrate that reflects changes in the sources of nitrate. The ?15N of nitrate decreases from a pre-industrial value of +11 (vs. air) to significantly lower values in the last decade (~ -1). This decrease is highly correlated with fossil fuel emissions estimates since 1750, but may also reflect soils emissions related to agricultural changes over this time period. The ability to trace the sources of NOx, in the modern environment and over time, has implications for studies of acid deposition, air quality, eutrophication, biogeochemistry and paleoclimate.
Poorly known roles of iron and other metals in the nitrogen cycle
Eric A Davidson1 , The Woods Hole Research Center, 149 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA, 02540-1644, United States, 15084441532, 15084448132, edavidson@whrc.org
The nitrogen cycle includes numerous processes that alter the oxidation state of the N atom, from -3 in ammonia to +5 in nitrate. Iron and other metals are known to play roles in some of the enzymatic reactions of the N cycle. Abiotic reactions involving iron are thought to affect nitrate in aquatic systems, but their role in soil processes is less well understood. The fate of nitrate from atmospheric deposition onto forest soils remains a mystery. Abiotic reduction of nitrate by ferrous iron is thought to be thermodynamically unfavorable under the acid conditions of forest soils, and yet there is evidence for abiotic consumption of nitrate. Another mystery is reduction of atmospheric nitrous oxide in well drained soils, which is unlikely to be due to classical biological denitrification, with a tantalizing hint that it is more common in iron-rich soils.
Fertilizer management effects on nitrous and nitric oxide emissions from cropping systems of the upper Midwest U.S.
Rodney T Venterea1,2 , USDA-ARS, Soil and Water Management Research, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States, 612-6244-7842, venterea@umn.edu
Increases in atmospheric N2O concentrations, driven largely by application of nitrogen fertilizers, continue at a steady rate with important effects on climate forcing and stratospheric ozone depletion. Fertilizer-derived NO emissions influence local and regional atmospheric chemistry and air quality. Corn production consumes more than 40% of all N fertilizers applied to crops in the U.S. and represents the largest single source of fertilizer-derived soil N2O and NO emissions relative to other crops. While reduction in N fertilizer application rates may be an effective means of reducing these emissions, this may come at the cost of decreased yields. We have been examining the use of alternative practices that could reduce emissions without necessarily reducing N inputs or crop yields, such as modification of fertilizer source, placement or timing, and alteration of tillage and other management regimes. We will present a summary of our recent studies in this regard and discuss the challenges in developing management recommendations for effective mitigation of N emissions and enhancement of N use efficiency.
Understanding the role of the nitrogen cycle in the climate and earth systems
Elisabeth A Holland1 , Senior Scientist, Dr., National Center for Atmospheric Research, Atmospheric Chemistry Division, 3090 Center Green Dr., Boulder, CO, 80301, United States, 303-497-1433, eholland@ucar.edu
The bio-atmospheric exchange of reactive nitrogen has increased three- to five-fold since 1850 as a result of intensified fossil fuel use and agriculture. The changing nitrogen cycle is poised at the crossroads of climate change, air and water quality, agriculture, ecosystem function and sustainability making it a truly global issue. The carbon cycle has been in the limelight of public attention. Yet, the nitrogen cycle is central to the atmospheric concentrations of four of the top five greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, tropospheric ozone and nitrous oxide, and to the concentration of atmospheric aerosols that provide radiative cooling offsets. State of the art coupled carbon, nitrogen and climate models have been developed in the last few years enabling a more complete evaluation of the climate impact of the nitrogen cycle. As global citizens, do we need to think about our nitrogen footprint AND our carbon footprint?
Sluggish ocean nitrogen budget during the last ice age
Haojia Ren1 , Princeton University, Department of Geosciences, Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544, United States, 609-933-0094, hren@princeton.edu
Using the "persulfate/denitrifier" strategy for analyzing the 15N/14N of nanomole quantities of organic N, we are exploring the paleoceanographic utility of the organic matter bound within the calcium carbonate shells of planktonic foraminifera. In deep sea sediment cores from the tropical Atlantic, we find that the 15N/14N of foraminifera-bound organic matter from the last ice age is higher than that from the current interglacial, indicating higher nitrate 15N/14N in the ice age Atlantic thermocline. This and species-specific differences are best explained by less N fixation in the Atlantic during the last ice age. The N fixation decrease was most likely in response to a previously recognized reduction in the ocean's loss rate of fixed N during ice ages. This ice age reduction in N fixation would have worked to balance the ocean N budget, at lower ice age rates of input and loss, and to curb ice age-to-interglacial change in the ocean's fixed N inventory.
Recent trends in reactive nitrogen: Air quality, deposition, and climate change
Robert W Pinder1 , US Environmental Protection Agency, Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis Division, Mail Drop E243-01, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States, 919-541-3731, UNITED STATES, pinder.rob@epa.gov
Reactive nitrogen emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3), are dangerous air pollutants that degrade human health, deteriorate ecosystem function and exacerbate climate change. After decades of persistently high levels, nitrogen oxide emissions have been decreasing over the past 10 years. This is largely due to more effective emission control systems on vehicles and power plants. The results of these emission reductions are evident in the satellite record, precipitation measurements and atmospheric concentrations. Since NH3 is largely an unintended byproduct of industrial agriculture, these emissions have not decreased in recent years. This talk will consider the impacts of these recent emission trends on air quality, nitrogen deposition and climate change.
Nitrogen deposition, carbon storage, and climate
Christine L. Goodale1 , Cornell University, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, E215 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States, 607-254-4211, clg33@cornell.edu
Human activities have greatly accelerated the emissions of reactive nitrogen to the atmosphere and the deposition of this N onto downwind ecosystems. This N deposition was long expected to enhance forest growth and C sequestration, but observational evidence of deposition-induced stimulation of regional forest C sequestration was lacking until recently. The response of forest soil C storage is even less well-understood and quantified, but observational evidence is accumulating to indicate that N deposition suppresses decomposition in many forest soils. We combine recent evidence of N-induced forest C sequestration to provide quantitative estimates of national- and global C sinks in trees and soils. These observations are now being used to develop and test local and global-scale models of C, N and climate.
Response of sensitive freshwater ecosystems to reactive nitrogen deposition in western North America
Sarah A Spaulding1,2 , USGS, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, United States, 303-492-5158, Sarah.Spaulding@Colorado.EDU
We discuss the evidence for widespread, synchronous and threshold changes in sensitive freshwater ecosystems as the result of reactive nitrogen deposition in western North
America. Analyses of bulk N stable isotopes from multiple paleolimnological studies using lake sediments support observations of increased delivery of dissolved inorganic nitrogen with concurrent depletion of ?15N, a marker of anthropogenic sources. In nutrient poor aquatic ecosystems, including sensitive high elevation lakes, algae were historically limited by N. With increasing deposition of N, primary productivity has increased and algal species composition has shifted. In some cases, algal growth is no longer limited by N. As a result, these aquatic ecosystems are changing from oligotrophic (low nutrient) systems to mesotrophic (mid nutrient) systems. The eutrophication of lakes by deposition of atmospheric N is of great concern in the west, and there is evidence that many unproductive lakes are experiencing increased biological production due to atmospheric N.
Framework for action on nitrogen: Lessons from the California Nitrogen Assessment
Thomas P Tomich1 , University of California, Davis, Agricultural Sustainability Institute, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, United States, 530-752-2379, tptomich@ucdavis.edu
This paper will report the results of the California Nitrogen Assessment, a major integrated scientific assessment which will be completed in June 2011. It will differentiate between what is scientifically well known and what is more uncertain about the causes and consequences of the flows of reactive nitrogen (Nr) into, out of and among major sectors in California focusing on agriculture. This paper will also consider a comprehensive range of agricultural practices and policy options that could more effectively balance the benefits of Nr with its costs for California, the most agriculturally productive, biologically diverse and populated state in the U.S.A.
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Friend and foe: Nitrogen pollution's little-known environmental and human health threatsPublic release date: 28-Aug-2011 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
303-228-8532 (Aug. 25-Sept. 1)
202-872-6042 (Before Aug. 25)
Michael Woods
m_woods@acs.org
303-228-8532 (Aug. 25-Sept. 1)
202-872-6293 (Before Aug. 25)
American Chemical Society
DENVER, Aug. 28, 2011 Billions of people owe their lives to nitrogen fertilizers a pillar of the fabled Green Revolution in agriculture that averted global famine in the 20th century but few are aware that nitrogen pollution from fertilizers and other sources has become a major environmental problem that threatens human health and welfare in multiple ways, a scientist said here today.
"It's been said that nitrogen pollution is the biggest environmental disaster that nobody has heard of," Alan Townsend, Ph.D., observed at the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), being held here this week. Townsend, an authority on how human activity has changed the natural cycling of nitrogen to create a friend-turned-foe dilemma, called for greater public awareness of nitrogen pollution and concerted global action to control it. He spoke at a symposium on the topic, which included almost a dozen reports (abstracts of each presentation appear below) by other experts.
"Awareness has grown, but nitrogen pollution remains such a little-recognized environmental problem because it lacks the visibility of other kinds of pollution," Townsend explained. "People can see an oil slick on the ocean, but hundreds of tons of nitrogen spill invisibly into the soil, water and air every day from farms, smokestacks and automobile tailpipes. But the impact is there unhealthy air, unsafe drinking water, dead zones in the ocean, degraded ecosystems and implications for climate change. But people don't see the nitrogen spilling out, so it is difficult to connect the problems to their source."
Townsend described the scope and the intensification of the nitrogen pollution problem as "startling." He noted that nitrogen inputs to the terrestrial environment have doubled worldwide during the past century. This increase is due largely to the invention and widespread use of synthetic fertilizer, which has revolutionized agriculture and boosted the food supply.
The concern focuses on so-called "reactive" nitrogen. Air contains about 78 percent nitrogen. But this nitrogen is unreactive or "inert," and plants can't use the gas as a nutrient. In 1909, chemist Fritz Haber developed a way to transform this unreactive gas into ammonia, the active ingredient of synthetic fertilizer. By 2005, human activity was producing about 400 billion pounds of reactive nitrogen each year.
"A single atom of reactive nitrogen can contribute to air pollution, climate change, ecosystem degradation and several human health concerns," Townsend said. He is an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Damage to the ecosystem a biological community interacting with its nonliving environment includes water pollution and reduced biological diversity, including the loss of certain plant species.
Though the full extent is currently unknown, nitrogen pollution can impact human health. Reactive nitrogen is a key contributor to air pollution, including the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a well-known health risk. Recent estimates suggest that nitrogen-related air pollution costs the U.S. well over $10 billion per year in both health costs and reduced crop growth. And though less well studied, high nitrogen levels in water can cause a variety of health concerns, ranging from the effects of drinking water nitrate to the potential to alter the risks of several human diseases.
Increased nitrogen levels also have implications for climate change, Townsend noted. Excess nitrogen can affect the rate of climate change in multiple and opposing ways. One the one hand, it leads to more warming via the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, but on the other hand, it can reduce warming by fueling extra plant growth and by forming substances called reflective aerosols in the atmosphere, the scientists noted.
"The net effect of these processes remains uncertain, but appears to result in minor cooling presently," Townsend said. However, he noted that excess nitrogen also has large and clear consequences for some worrisome impacts of a changing climate, notably air and water pollution.
"Climate change is expected to worsen each of these problems worldwide, but reduction of nitrogen pollution could go a long way toward lessening such climate-driven risks," he added.
"We're just now starting to recognize the scope of the problem," said Townsend. "But the good news is that there are many opportunities for us to lessen the problems. These include ways in which chemists can help, ranging from the development of new technologies to reduce nitrogen's impact to new measurement technologies and techniques that can better diagnose the problems we face with nitrogen."
He outlined several possible solutions to the problem. They include continued and greater support for technologies that remove or reduce reactive nitrogen formation during fossil fuel burning and incentives that can encourage farmers to be more efficient with their fertilizer use. The latter could include subsidies that reward the application of environmental practices that reduce nitrogen levels, he said.
Several other solutions exist for improving the efficiency of agricultural nitrogen use, Townsend added. "In many ways, we already know how to do it the problems are largely about finding the political and cultural means to implement these new practices," he said.
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The National Science Foundation and the David & Lucile Packard Foundation provided funding for Townsend's research.
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society contact newsroom@acs.org.
ABSTRACTS:
Nitrogen and the Human Endeavor
Alan R Townsend1 , Professor, University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Environmental Studies, INSTAAR, 1560 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80303, United States, 303-492-6865, 303-492-6388, townsena@colorado.edu
Modern human society relies upon extraordinary disruptions to several global biogeochemical cycles. Transformation of one such cycle nitrogen (N) was a pillar of the Green Revolution and remains necessary to ensure future food security, but also creates multiple negative environmental and socio-economic consequences. Both the scale and pace of human changes to the N cycle are startling: in two human generations, we have more than doubled "reactive" N inputs to the terrestrial biosphere. Many of nitrogen's harmful effects are a product of its diverse chemical nature; a single atom of human-created reactive nitrogen can contribute to air pollution, climate change, ecosystem degradation and several human health concerns as it passes among multiple redox states. This talk will review human changes to the global N cycle and their major consequences, and then present examples of how society can pursue a more sustainable relationship with this essential element.
Anthropogenic impacts recorded in the isotopes of atmospheric nitrate
Meredith Hastings1 , Brown University, Dept of Geological Sciences/Environmental Change Initiative, 324 Brook Street, Box 1846, Providence, RI, 029012, United States, 401-863-3658, meredith_hastings@brown.edu
Atmospheric nitrate is the result of nitrogen oxide emissions and reactions between NOx and major oxidants such as ozone and hydroxy compounds. Sources of NOx include fossil fuels combustion, biomass burning, biogenic processes in soils, lightning and stratospheric oxidation of nitrous oxide. With significant variability in latitude and altitude, distinguishing source contributions, particularly from the natural sources of NOx,is a challenge. The isotopic record of nitrate in an ice core from Greenland, reveals a clear change in the ?15N of nitrate that reflects changes in the sources of nitrate. The ?15N of nitrate decreases from a pre-industrial value of +11 (vs. air) to significantly lower values in the last decade (~ -1). This decrease is highly correlated with fossil fuel emissions estimates since 1750, but may also reflect soils emissions related to agricultural changes over this time period. The ability to trace the sources of NOx, in the modern environment and over time, has implications for studies of acid deposition, air quality, eutrophication, biogeochemistry and paleoclimate.
Poorly known roles of iron and other metals in the nitrogen cycle
Eric A Davidson1 , The Woods Hole Research Center, 149 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA, 02540-1644, United States, 15084441532, 15084448132, edavidson@whrc.org
The nitrogen cycle includes numerous processes that alter the oxidation state of the N atom, from -3 in ammonia to +5 in nitrate. Iron and other metals are known to play roles in some of the enzymatic reactions of the N cycle. Abiotic reactions involving iron are thought to affect nitrate in aquatic systems, but their role in soil processes is less well understood. The fate of nitrate from atmospheric deposition onto forest soils remains a mystery. Abiotic reduction of nitrate by ferrous iron is thought to be thermodynamically unfavorable under the acid conditions of forest soils, and yet there is evidence for abiotic consumption of nitrate. Another mystery is reduction of atmospheric nitrous oxide in well drained soils, which is unlikely to be due to classical biological denitrification, with a tantalizing hint that it is more common in iron-rich soils.
Fertilizer management effects on nitrous and nitric oxide emissions from cropping systems of the upper Midwest U.S.
Rodney T Venterea1,2 , USDA-ARS, Soil and Water Management Research, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States, 612-6244-7842, venterea@umn.edu
Increases in atmospheric N2O concentrations, driven largely by application of nitrogen fertilizers, continue at a steady rate with important effects on climate forcing and stratospheric ozone depletion. Fertilizer-derived NO emissions influence local and regional atmospheric chemistry and air quality. Corn production consumes more than 40% of all N fertilizers applied to crops in the U.S. and represents the largest single source of fertilizer-derived soil N2O and NO emissions relative to other crops. While reduction in N fertilizer application rates may be an effective means of reducing these emissions, this may come at the cost of decreased yields. We have been examining the use of alternative practices that could reduce emissions without necessarily reducing N inputs or crop yields, such as modification of fertilizer source, placement or timing, and alteration of tillage and other management regimes. We will present a summary of our recent studies in this regard and discuss the challenges in developing management recommendations for effective mitigation of N emissions and enhancement of N use efficiency.
Understanding the role of the nitrogen cycle in the climate and earth systems
Elisabeth A Holland1 , Senior Scientist, Dr., National Center for Atmospheric Research, Atmospheric Chemistry Division, 3090 Center Green Dr., Boulder, CO, 80301, United States, 303-497-1433, eholland@ucar.edu
The bio-atmospheric exchange of reactive nitrogen has increased three- to five-fold since 1850 as a result of intensified fossil fuel use and agriculture. The changing nitrogen cycle is poised at the crossroads of climate change, air and water quality, agriculture, ecosystem function and sustainability making it a truly global issue. The carbon cycle has been in the limelight of public attention. Yet, the nitrogen cycle is central to the atmospheric concentrations of four of the top five greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, tropospheric ozone and nitrous oxide, and to the concentration of atmospheric aerosols that provide radiative cooling offsets. State of the art coupled carbon, nitrogen and climate models have been developed in the last few years enabling a more complete evaluation of the climate impact of the nitrogen cycle. As global citizens, do we need to think about our nitrogen footprint AND our carbon footprint?
Sluggish ocean nitrogen budget during the last ice age
Haojia Ren1 , Princeton University, Department of Geosciences, Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544, United States, 609-933-0094, hren@princeton.edu
Using the "persulfate/denitrifier" strategy for analyzing the 15N/14N of nanomole quantities of organic N, we are exploring the paleoceanographic utility of the organic matter bound within the calcium carbonate shells of planktonic foraminifera. In deep sea sediment cores from the tropical Atlantic, we find that the 15N/14N of foraminifera-bound organic matter from the last ice age is higher than that from the current interglacial, indicating higher nitrate 15N/14N in the ice age Atlantic thermocline. This and species-specific differences are best explained by less N fixation in the Atlantic during the last ice age. The N fixation decrease was most likely in response to a previously recognized reduction in the ocean's loss rate of fixed N during ice ages. This ice age reduction in N fixation would have worked to balance the ocean N budget, at lower ice age rates of input and loss, and to curb ice age-to-interglacial change in the ocean's fixed N inventory.
Recent trends in reactive nitrogen: Air quality, deposition, and climate change
Robert W Pinder1 , US Environmental Protection Agency, Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis Division, Mail Drop E243-01, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States, 919-541-3731, UNITED STATES, pinder.rob@epa.gov
Reactive nitrogen emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3), are dangerous air pollutants that degrade human health, deteriorate ecosystem function and exacerbate climate change. After decades of persistently high levels, nitrogen oxide emissions have been decreasing over the past 10 years. This is largely due to more effective emission control systems on vehicles and power plants. The results of these emission reductions are evident in the satellite record, precipitation measurements and atmospheric concentrations. Since NH3 is largely an unintended byproduct of industrial agriculture, these emissions have not decreased in recent years. This talk will consider the impacts of these recent emission trends on air quality, nitrogen deposition and climate change.
Nitrogen deposition, carbon storage, and climate
Christine L. Goodale1 , Cornell University, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, E215 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States, 607-254-4211, clg33@cornell.edu
Human activities have greatly accelerated the emissions of reactive nitrogen to the atmosphere and the deposition of this N onto downwind ecosystems. This N deposition was long expected to enhance forest growth and C sequestration, but observational evidence of deposition-induced stimulation of regional forest C sequestration was lacking until recently. The response of forest soil C storage is even less well-understood and quantified, but observational evidence is accumulating to indicate that N deposition suppresses decomposition in many forest soils. We combine recent evidence of N-induced forest C sequestration to provide quantitative estimates of national- and global C sinks in trees and soils. These observations are now being used to develop and test local and global-scale models of C, N and climate.
Response of sensitive freshwater ecosystems to reactive nitrogen deposition in western North America
Sarah A Spaulding1,2 , USGS, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, United States, 303-492-5158, Sarah.Spaulding@Colorado.EDU
We discuss the evidence for widespread, synchronous and threshold changes in sensitive freshwater ecosystems as the result of reactive nitrogen deposition in western North
America. Analyses of bulk N stable isotopes from multiple paleolimnological studies using lake sediments support observations of increased delivery of dissolved inorganic nitrogen with concurrent depletion of ?15N, a marker of anthropogenic sources. In nutrient poor aquatic ecosystems, including sensitive high elevation lakes, algae were historically limited by N. With increasing deposition of N, primary productivity has increased and algal species composition has shifted. In some cases, algal growth is no longer limited by N. As a result, these aquatic ecosystems are changing from oligotrophic (low nutrient) systems to mesotrophic (mid nutrient) systems. The eutrophication of lakes by deposition of atmospheric N is of great concern in the west, and there is evidence that many unproductive lakes are experiencing increased biological production due to atmospheric N.
Framework for action on nitrogen: Lessons from the California Nitrogen Assessment
Thomas P Tomich1 , University of California, Davis, Agricultural Sustainability Institute, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, United States, 530-752-2379, tptomich@ucdavis.edu
This paper will report the results of the California Nitrogen Assessment, a major integrated scientific assessment which will be completed in June 2011. It will differentiate between what is scientifically well known and what is more uncertain about the causes and consequences of the flows of reactive nitrogen (Nr) into, out of and among major sectors in California focusing on agriculture. This paper will also consider a comprehensive range of agricultural practices and policy options that could more effectively balance the benefits of Nr with its costs for California, the most agriculturally productive, biologically diverse and populated state in the U.S.A.
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By 2030, trends are pointing out that approximately half of all Americans (164 million) will be obese, as reported by The Daily Mail. Already, obesity in America is putting a strain on state government funds to where financially-strapped California is being bled to the tune of some $15.2 billion annually (2009 estimate), according to MyHealthNewsDaily. Around 11 per cent of state medical budgets go to address this American crisis.
Not all obesity is caused by unhealthy eating and lack of exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nonetheless, think of the Americans who are living on the government dole, indirectly caused by obesity that was preventable in many instances. This medical condition can lead to other health issues which include Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, some cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure and much more.
Obesity alone generally won't quality applicants for disability payments, according to DisabilityBenefitsGuide.org. But when, for instance, other serious health conditions and obesity are collectively taken into effect by the Social Security Administration (SSA), those factors could help to put someone on the track to getting a monthly check. The SSA has this to say about one requirement for disability qualification: "We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s)."
Politicians grubbing for votes on the campaign trail offer their various solutions to making the country financially better off, but how many of them will tell their listeners to start eating more healthy and exercise to help combat this crisis? Instead, they say nothing about the gratuitous consumption of such delicacies like the Iowa State Fair's deep-fried butter on a stick.
CBS News and the Associated Press reported that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg wanted to implement a policy to where sugary drinks like colas wouldn't be covered by food stamps, but the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture put a stop to its implementation recently. So even when a politician tries to lightly address unhealthy eating and drinking habits, there's resistance.
Obesity is not only causing unnecessary health problems, but it's helping to bankrupt federal and state governments. The continued fattening of America is destroying the quality of life and the lives themselves of its citizens on a massive scale.
Logo design ? essence of company branding is a catchphrase, no need of any extra elaboration, as it is vividly projecting the meaning and sense.? In an aggressively competing world, it is imperative to get your company branding through your logo ? accomplished by a professional designer, so that, it could perfectly project the company image as well as the impression of your products and services.
A leading trade merchant or businessman can be able to promote his business, provided he is entirely able to market his organization in such a way so that the promotion leaves an everlasting and positive image of the company. In this way, a? corporate logo plays an integral part of brand promotion. It is a graphical illustration which is instrumental in portraying unique corporate identity. A logo communicates appealingly the core message, essence and philosophy of the organization. As it is pictorial presentation, it can leave a deep impact on the minds of the customers.
Now let us study the way of employing the logo that could contribute towards company branding. The primary purpose, of logo designing is that, the logo is being used to represent the identity of any commercial enterprise or any organization in a manner that could grab the attention of its viewer. The visuals used for the making of a vector logo should truthfully reflect the identity of an organization.
What are the primary ingredients that make a logo imprinting a memorable impression in its viewer?s mind and thought?? These are the visuals which encompass graphics, textual elements and fashioning of all these elements in such a way which portray and exhibit the company branding. Using graphics does not mean that you can use a clip-art or any other photograph. A person can create an image that specifically reflects the personality of the organization. For instance, if you are promoting green and clean environment through the services or products of your organization, you can use a tree full of leaves as an image.
Thus a logo that has been crafted entirely following the motto and mandate of any organization or primary purpose of any commercial entity with a finer manner. It is used for printing on several types of promotional material. A logo is also used for advertising and marketing purposes.? Note it that, to create logos for your business there are many logo software available either, it can be helpful to get a logo designed by yourself.
Tagged with: brand name logos ? company logos ? cool logos ? logo design ? logo ideas ? logo maker ? logos
Filed under: General
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SAN FRANCISCO?? Steve Jobs has been Apple's most recognizable personality, but much of its cachet comes from its clean, inviting designs. For that, Apple can credit its head designer, Jonathan Ive.
Ive, a self-effacing 44-year-old Brit, helped Jobs bring Apple back from the brink of financial ruin with the whimsical iMac computer, whose original models came in bright colors at a time when bland shades dominated the PC world. He later helped transform Apple into a consumer electronics powerhouse and the envy of Silicon Valley with the iPod, the iPhone and, most recently, the iPad.
In the wake of Jobs' resignation as chief executive officer, Apple must show that it can keep churning out head-turning products even without its charismatic leader. Apple's chief operating officer, Tim Cook, is now CEO, taking on the role of Apple's public face.
But in many ways the real pressure will fall on Ive to make sure Apple continues its string of gadget successes.
Ive, known to his friends as "Jony," has led Apple's design team since the mid-'90s. Working closely with Jobs, Ive has built a strong legacy at Apple, ushering in products that are sleek and stylish, with rounded corners, few buttons, brushed aluminum surfaces and plenty of slick glass.
Apple's pride in this work is evident even in the packaging: Open up any iPhone box, for example, and see Apple proudly proclaim, "Designed by Apple in California." Six of Ive's works, including the original iPod, are even part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
People who have worked with Ive describe him as humble and sweet, quiet and shy, but also confident, hard-working and brilliant. Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design for MoMA, said she knows "hardly anybody that is so universally loved and admired" as Ive.
"Products have to be designed better now for people to buy them because of Jony Ive and Steve Jobs and Apple," Antonelli said. "All of a sudden people have gotten used to elegance and beauty, and there's no going back."
Design, as well as software that makes the gadgets easy to use, is a crucial part of setting Apple products apart from those of its rivals. Apple didn't make the first music player or smartphone, but it blew past rivals by making ones that looked cool and worked well.
Ive started out far from Apple Inc.'s Cupertino headquarters. He grew up outside London and studied design at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University) in Newcastle, England. After finishing school, he co-founded a London-based design company called Tangerine. There, he designed a range of products including combs and power tools. It was through Tangerine that he first got to work with Apple.
In 1992, while Jobs was still in the midst of a 12-year exile from Apple, the company's design chief at the time, Robert Brunner, hired Ive as a senior designer. Thomas Meyerhoffer, who worked under Ive at Apple in the '90s, believes Ive came because he understood Apple was different from other computer companies.
"He came to Apple to take that even further," Meyerhoffer said.
And Ive did, but not right away. Ive quickly became a leader, working as the creative studio manager and helping to build Apple's design team during a period in which the company struggled to innovate.
Apple declined requests for an interview with Ive. But during a 1999 interview with The Associated Press, Ive said that for years, designers would produce foam models of computers only to be sent back to their drawing boards because of managers' fixations with focus groups and marketing figures.
"We lost our identity and looked to competition for leadership," Ive said at the time.
Brunner left in 1996 and suggested that Ive take over the post, even though Ive was only 29. When Jobs returned from his exile and became interim CEO in 1997, he named Ive as senior vice president of industrial design.
With Jobs again at the helm and Ive as his style guru, Apple refocused around design and produced a hit that got the company back on track. Apple shook up the personal computer industry in 1998 with the candy-colored all-in-one iMac desktop, the original models shaped like a futuristic TV.
Unlike previous product attempts, the iMac concept was immediately embraced by the top decision makers at Apple, and the design went through very few revisions.
"We knew we had it when we saw it, and with Jobs' support we were able to make it happen," Ive said in 1999.
At a time when most computers were boxy and largely black, beige or gray, the iMac was bulbous and flashy. People snapped up 150,000 of them in the first weekend following its release. Apple sold 800,000 iMacs by the end of the year.
The iMac changed the way consumers thought about personal computers and about Apple itself. It gave Apple a vital boost that helped it usher in a new era of consumer electronics that were quirky, fun and colorful. The marketing team even teased consumers by encouraging them at one point to collect all five ? strawberry, blueberry, grape, tangerine and lime.
With Ive in charge of design, Apple then bought out the first iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. In recent years, the company has largely dropped the bright color palette (though you can still find it on some iPods) in favor of black, white and silver hues. Yet they retained simplicity that made them approachable to everyone ? from the tech geek to Grandma ? as well as the curves, shiny surfaces and expensive appearance.
As a result, Apple's products are more popular than ever, allowing the company to surpass rival Microsoft Corp. last year as the most valuable technology company in the world.
"He wasn't responsible for them, but they definitely couldn't have done them without him," said Leander Kahney, who has written about Apple in several books and on his "Cult of Mac" blog.
Ive and Jobs have worked hand in hand and, in many respects, have contributed to each other's success. Ive has always been in contact with Jobs and speaks the same language as him, Antonelli said, and they clearly have chemistry.
Don Norman, who worked at Apple in the '90s as vice president of the company's advanced technology group, said that while Ive had good design ideas "sitting on the shelves," he needed Jobs to get those designs off the shelves.
"Jony has always been Jony ? brilliant," Norman said. "What he needed was a Steve Jobs to say, 'Make this happen.'"
Now, the test will be whether Cook can continue to keep that focus at Apple and encourage Ive to continue creating hits.
In a sense, the challenge won't be as difficult as it had been in the 1990s. Now that Apple has developed a style, it can build on it rather than try to reimagine it with each new product.
And that, Norman says, is now in Apple's DNA.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Dealing with real estate matters requires a lot of expertise in terms of measurements, mapping or other legal formalities, which stem up at the time of purchasing a land. Hiring an Illinois land survey or Ohio land surveyor can help to chock out an appropriate plan for the land survey. Providing an expert advice with logical reasoning is what these surveyors are best at. Land surveyors help in mapping out a proper plan that includes a complete analysis of the land within the set boundaries.
Meeting High Standards via Quality Assurance
Illinois land surveyors and Ohio land surveyors are one of the well rehearsed professionals who help to lay down a clear path at the time of land purchase. Land surveys are not only done on empty lands, they cover everything from the partition of an already existing house or business property to sketching out lines to the ancestral share of anybody?s property. Hiring land surveyors from Illinois or Ohio can ease out the trouble of investing in real estate. Some of the important tasks performed by them is listed below:
Advanced tools in the form of GPS and Google map helps a land surveyor to design an analytical map of the land in his mind. Carrying forward legal activities required for the possession of land is done as a part of the surveying process. Data gathering and property related measurements to the extent of an accurate level is what Illinois land surveyors and Ohio land surveyors are good at.
Step-by-Step Process of a Land Survey
First of all a survey crew is designated at all the corners of the house. This is done in a way to measure the distances and provide an analytical approach of the house from several angles. If you own a house already and want to renovate it altogether, then hiring Illinois or Ohio land surveyors is the best option. The professional team of Illinois land surveyors draw all the possible conclusions necessary for carving out an improved version of the house after performing a detailed study of it. Designing advance sanitary sewer lines along with new storm drainage techniques is all done by them. All the data related to designing, mapping and drawings is sent to the drafts person who then examines it carefully and lays down the master plan. Land surveys can be expensive for those who have limited budgets, but with banks providing loans can find an answer to the question for such people.
Matt Kuchar hits his tee shot from the second hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Matt Kuchar hits his tee shot from the second hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe hits a shot from the first fairway during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Martin Laird of Scotland hits his tee shot from the second hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden hits his tee shot from the second hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Justin Rose of England hits his tee shot from the second hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
EDISON, New Jersey (AP) ? The PGA Tour on Friday reduced its first playoff event to 54 holes because of the rain and potential damage expected from Hurricane Irene.
New Jersey was under a hurricane warning, and officials feared up to 10 inches of rain could fall on Sunday. That would make it impossible for The Barclays to be a 72-hole tournament, and the aftermath of the storm would keep Plainfield Country Club from being ready even into early next week.
Tournament director Peter Mele also said the volunteers needed to be home to make plans for their families.
"It kind of makes you want to cry because of all the effort that went in, and all of the energy that surrounded this event going into the week, which is going to be the best Barclays we have ever had," Mele said.
Slugger White, the tour's vice president of competition, said the plan was finish 36 holes Friday and start the third round first thing Saturday morning, with hopes of getting in a 54-hole event before the rain arrives.
If they can't finish Saturday, he said it would revert to a 36-hole tournament. Points would be distributed as if it were a full event, meaning the top 100 players after The Barclays would advance to the second playoff event next week outside Boston.
Left unclear was whether a 36-hole tournament ? if that were the case ? would count as an official win. Six years ago, Adam Scott won the Nissan Open at Riviera in a playoff after rain reduced the tournament to 36 holes. Scott was awarded the prize money, but it did not count toward the money list, and he received only 75 percent of the world ranking points.
"In the past it has not been an official win," White said. "But this is a little different situation."
What mattered more at this FedEx Cup playoff event was advancing to Boston. A short tournament figured to work in the favor of someone like Padraig Harrington and Will McGirt, the last two players of the 125 who qualified for the playoffs. They were off to a good start at The Barclays, and had only one more round to go to get into the top 100.
And it suddenly became compelling at the top of the leaderboard.
Matt Kuchar shot a 65 in the second round Friday morning. He was one shot ahead of Dustin Johnson, who was playing the reachable 18th hole. Justin Rose also finished his second round at 65 and was alone in third place.
It was another blow to The Barclays, one of golf's biggest sponsors which is enduring a wet streak. It's Singapore Open last fall did not finish until Monday because of rain. Another event it sponsors, the Scottish Open, was reduced to 54 holes in July because of rain.
White said workers would start taking down the electronic scoreboards Friday afternoon.
The Barclays was a sellout at Plainfield. Mele said only Saturday tickets would be honored for the third round. He said those who had Sunday tickets would be able to use them next year, when the tournament moves to Bethpage Black.
This is the second straight year a hurricane has been the focus at a playoff event. Hurricane Earl threatened the Deutsche Bank Championship outside Boston last season, although it never developed.
"I think you never know with hurricanes. They are fickle as we all know," Mele said. "Unfortunately, this one wasn't."
A tale about the ring In Greek mythology, the inventor of the ring is none other than the God Zeus. Zeus that Prometheus stole fire to give people, he angrily replied, ordered him locked with chains on the large rock, this lock will work for centuries. Later, Prometheus was rescued by Hercules, but his fingers never leave a rock with a small chain ring. As time passed, people???s thoughts about the ring has shifted, denoting honor started to give each object.Long Prom Dresses Roman slaves could only wear iron rings, freed slaves to wear silver rings,Bridesmaids Dresses just the nobility could wear a gold ring. 3rd century AD, Alexander the truly amazing ordered all citizens to wear gold rings. The width of the ring is a lot larger than modern rings, size much like today signet ring. Engraved about the ring is often the family name or initials and badge. Wedding Dresses BC, the Romans come up with tradition of giving of wedding ring also prevalent in other ethnic groups. Hebrews wearing the ring about the index finger,Prom Dresses the Indians liked to wear within the thumb. The wedding ring worn about the ring finger about the traditions originated in the next century BC Greece. Ancient Greeks thought that the heart is connected to the ring finger in the context of blood, calling it a ???love vein.?? AD 860, the sanctity of marriage, Pope Nicholas I wear a marriage ring to one another marriage ceremony officially established as part of. Known data show that the 1477 Austrian archduke Maximilian Arnold and family of Mary of Burgundy may be the first use of engagement of individuals. The first recorded band could be traced towards the 9th century AD.Evening Dresses France throughout the reign of Carlos VII, he trigger a diamond ring lover Eniesisuo Laurel popular wave. In 5 years time, Carlos VII will be a lot of jewelry Presented to Sorrell, who will be used to finance poor people jewelry auction. Certain times, she auctioned a diamond ring in royal jewelry, which trigger this ring within the nobility of the trend. Ancient people believed the stone has a special power of color, even with the magic cure. In modern times, using its dazzling gem the look of the very popular, probably the most valuable towards the quantity of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The ancients used to make rings are very rich, from the Gold iron towards the glass, gypsum, chalcedony, agate, ivory, amber, black marble of ancient and thus many others. In modern times, in addition to traditional materials, the world???s most hard metal ? tungsten ring has additionally been used like a timber,Cocktail Dresses the most popular.
There are some things that are more important in today's business and consumer world as the mobile phones. The development of the cell phones has allowed people to stay in touch and continue communicate with each other when on the go. Today modern mobile phones allows you not only to talk, however as well they give you a great opportunity to receive and send text messages, emails, play various games, surf the net as well as view different videos and listen to the music.
Choosing the mobile phone that you will feel quite comfortable with could be quite a intimidating task. Nowadays there are a lot of various features to take into account while selecting mobile phone. And one of the most important features is the actual design of the phone. While shopping for a new cell phone you have an opportunity to choose from slider style mobile phones, flip open ones, swivel open mobile phones as well as twist open. Some other factors that will determine which cell phone you have to buy is Wi-Fi support, brand support, battery life, size and weight, operating system as well as service provider.
When you decide on which type of mobile phone you want to purchase, you have to find a great website with accessories for your particular mobile phone. Today there is a great demand for cell phone add-ons as well as there are a lot of different websites offering products for sale. You have to know that some of the mobile phone accessories that are available for mobile phones are headsets, chargers, faceplate, holsters, ringtones, batteries and many others. And of course, there will be a lot of different questions you have to ask when you first start shopping for new cell phone and accessories for it. You need to find out how many websites are able to offer you quality products for sale as well as what other buyers have to say about a particular website.
Because of the great number of various cell phones and accessories sellers out there on the market, it is quite challenging for the consumer to find exactly which seller is offering the best deal. Quite often the buyer is completely overwhelmed by all the choices available. Today there are few websites online that will offer you results from extensive research on the leading business in the industry for customer satisfaction and product guarantee, however there are a few that really exist.
While purchasing cell phones on the net you have to know that there are a lot of various companies to choose from. The cell phone companies are in great competition with each other and they are all trying to attract new customers. Probably the main benefits for consumers are that these online companies are able to offer lower prices as well as more product choices which are available for you.
Modern digital technologies have taken up the world and our minds. Can you just think of our life without all those computers, automated machines, and especially cell phones? Moreover many companies are dependent on mobile communication. Cell phone has become our inseparable part, and when there are any problems with signal - it is a serious problem for many of us. To ensure a proper signal delivery one can use a booster available on this 3g repeater online spot. Those who are searching for this equipment, are invited to this signal amplifier site - the very place on the Internet to get the devices.
Don't get upset if you haven't found the wanted one, keep in mind that our world is the world of Internet technologies. Use Google and other search engines, look for wireless phone booster and similar queries, go to forums and social networks, subscribe to RSS feeds on the blogs - all this will help you find what you need on the best terms available on the market.
Small business personal brands come with personality. David Puddy, the notoriously hyper confident auto repair guy from the television show Seinfeld comes to mind. Whether you need an opinion or estimate, Puddy was ready to engage in an intimate commercial encounter. You could get your car fixed anywhere, but with Puddy?s Auto Repair you get ? well ? Puddy!
The Toshiba Thrive isn't exactly a good-looking Android tablet. Sure, it has plenty of ports, a removable battery, and a low price, but it's also bulky and feels of cheap plastic. Sans the Toshiba logo, it feels and looks just like a random Chinese rip-off. But have no fear, Toshiba fans! Per a pre-IFA leak, there's a new tablet coming and it's every bit as sexy as the Asus Transformer or Samsung Galaxy Tab while packing at least some of the I/O ports found on the Thrive.![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 28-Aug-2011
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